Prompt mobilisation after the Fracture neck of femur surgery is one of the important key performance index (‘KPI caterpillar charts’ 2021) affecting the overall functional outcome and mortality. Better control of peri-operative blood pressure and minimal alteration of renal profile as a result of surgery and anaesthesia may have an implication on early post-operative mobilisation.

Aim was to evaluate perioperative blood pressure measurements (duration of fall of systolic BP below the critical level of 90mmHg) and effect on the post-operative renal profile with the newer short acting spinal anaesthetic agent (prilocaine and chlorprocaine) used alongside the commonly used regional nerve block. 20 patients were randomly selected who were given the newer short acting spinal anaesthetic agent along with a regional nerve block between May 2019 and February 2020. Anaesthetic charts were reviewed from all patients for data collection. The assessment criteria for perioperative hypotension: Duration of systolic blood pressure less than 90 mm of Hg and change of pre and post operative renal functions.

Only one patient had a significant drop in systolic BP less than 90mmHg (25 minutes). 3 other patients had a momentary fall of systolic BP of less than 5 minutes. None of the above patients had mortality and had negligible change in pre and post op renal function. Only one patient in this cohort had elevation of post-operative creatinine levels but did not have any mortality. Only 1 patient died on day 3 post operatively who had multiple comorbidities and was under evaluation for GI cancer. Even in this patient the peri-operative blood pressure was well maintained (never below 90mmHg systolic) and post-operative renal function was also shown to have improved (309 pre-operatively to 150 post-operatively) in this patient.

The use of short-acting spinal anaesthesia has shown to be associated with a better control of blood pressure and end organ perfusion, less adverse effects on renal function leading to early mobilisation and a more favourable patient outcome with reduced mortality, earlier mobilisation, shorter hospital stay and earlier discharge in this elderly patient cohort.

The recognition of the role of TFCC as a major distal radioulnar joint stabilizer and a buffer to compressive forces indicates the importance of preserving as much of this structure as possible.

We developed arthroscopic technique for repair of Palmer I B tears of TFCC using a hypodermic needle which obviates the need of any additional skin incision.

With wrist under traction important landmarks like radial styloid process, ulnar styloid process, Lister's tubercle and extensor tendons are marked using skin marker. For placement of the arthroscope, 3–4 portal is used and for instruments 6 R and 6 U portals are used.

An outside-in technique is used. A 19 G needle is inserted upward from 5mm proximal to the level of the 6 R portal through skin, subcutaneous tissue, capsular tissue and then through the 2mm inner side of detached area of TFCC, while stabilizing it with probe.

A 2–0 polydioxanone-PDS suture is passed through needle and caught by grasper placed in the 6 R portal. Now needle is withdrawn and then suture is retrieved out of the joint through the 6 R portal. The procedure is repeated for required number of sutures for dorsal part of peripheral tear.

Thus we have stitches with one limb exiting the joint through portal and the other limb entering the joint percutaneously. A small mosquito forceps is passed through the 6 R portal undermining subcutaneous area and these percutaneously passing limbs of sutures are withdrawn through the portal. Now we have sutures entering and exiting through the 6 R portal. Similar procedure is done for ulnar part of peripheral tear through the 6 U portal. Knots are tied and slid beneath the subcutaneous tissue.

It offers advantages of a lower risk of neurovascular damage, reduced postoperative pain, faster rehabilitation and better cosmesis

Introduction

We hereby present results of controlled randomized trial of use of popliteal block for pain relief in ankle and hind foot surgery.

Purpose: The aim of the study was to analyze the outcome of AO cannulated screws for fractures neck of femur in patients with Diabetes mellitus.

Method: Sixty-two patients aged 50 years or more (17 males & 45 females) who underwent AO screws for fracture neck of femur over seven years (1999–2005) and followed-up for a minimum of two years formed the study population. A retrospective review of data from electronic patient record (EPR), clinical coding, clinic & GP letters was made. Age, residential placement, Garden’s classification of fracture, mode of injury, associated other co morbidities, pre-admission mobilisation status, allergies, addictions and anticoagulation status details were collected.

Results: The mean age of patients was 67 years (range 52–96 yrs). Eleven patients died in two years time. Forty-one patients were less than 75 years of age and 21 patients were more than 75 years of age. All the patients more than 75 years of age had undisplaced intracapsular fractures. Thirteen patients were type I and 49 patients were type II diabetic. Non-union and avascular necrosis occurred in nine (17%) & 13 (26%) patients respectively. Revision surgery in the form of total hip replacement or hemiarthroplasty were performed in 21 (41%) cases. The incidence of avascular necrosis following osteosynthesis at one year was 14%. Age, control of diabetes, postoperative complications, pre-fracture mobilization status etc. Complications like wound infection were more principally in patients who had poorly-controlled diabetes.

Conclusion: Patients with diabetes mellitus have metabolic bone disease due to vasculitis. This increases the risk of complications associated with fracture fixation such as non-union, cut-through and avascular necrosis (AVN). The complications and revision surgery rate was high in patients with displaced fractures and with poorly controlled diabetes. Comorbidities like diabetes and patient’s age were also strong predictors of healing in addition to fracture configuration. Looking at very high complication and re-operation rate, our recommendation in patients with diabetes is primary hemiarthroplasty irrespective of femoral head displacement, if there age is more than 75 years.

Aim: Our aim was to find the effect of implementation of European working time directive on current Orthopaedic training in England. Hip fracture surgery is one of the most frequently performed operation on the trauma lists and hence it is considered mandatory to independently able to perform hip fracture surgery in the registrar training curriculum.

Methods: The audit was performed over four month period in 2007 (1st April to 31st July) collating information on 1010 hip fracture patients undergoing surgery in 14 NHS hospitals in the North Western deanery of England. We have analysed the results of the this and have identified a potential area of concern.

Results: An orthopaedic trainee of registrar level(Speciality trainee year 3–6) was the lead surgeon in 37% of cases while only 4% of operations were performed by a Speciality trainee year 1–2 or Foundation year 2 (senior house officer grade) in 2007. These findings varied amongst the audited hospitals but in one hospital, trainees operated on only 12% of hip fractures. Overall, a trust grade surgeon (non-training grade) was the lead surgeon in 24% of cases. Comparing with the previous audits performed in the same hospitals, the number of hip fracture operations performed by trainees have reduced drastically. In 2003 and 2005 audits, Orthopaedic registrar’s operated on 52 % and 50% of hip fractures respectively. Similarily senior house officers had hands on experience on 11% and 9% of hip fractures in 2003 and 2005 respectively. There is a definite trend suggesting decrease in number of operations by trainees since the implementation of European working time directive as it has been introduced in a phased manner since 2004. In NHS, Current target is to achieve it fully by next year which may make the situation even worse from training point of view.

Discussion: European working time directive has reduced the working hours, leading to decreased hours of surgical training. On the other hand, the modernising medical curriculum (MMC) emphasises demonstration and record keeping of core competencies of surgical skills. The Orthopaedic Competence Assessment Project (OCAP) and the Intercollegiate Surgical Curriculum Project (ISCP) expects trainees to achieve core competencies in key procedures such as hip fracture surgery. In the context of shorter training and reduced working hours, to achieve these core competencies it is imperative to maximise operative exposure and experience for trainees. If the findings of this reaudit in England are mirrored elsewhere in Europe, the implications for orthopaedic training are significant. We are setting very high standards for training on one side but on practical grounds, not able to achieve the requirements set by educational bodies like OCAP and ISCP.

Introduction: We present the results of a controlled randomized trial of the use of a popliteal block for pain relief in ankle and hindfoot surgery.

Materials and methods: We studied 47 patients over period of nine months in 2007 to 2008. Patients undergoing an ankle or hindfoot procedure were included in the trial. The trial was explained to the patients. Written information leaflets were also used in the preoperative clinics. Patients were randomized on the day of surgery. A sealed envelope randomizing the patient to block (A), or no block (B) was opened in the anaesthetic room before the patient was anaesthetised. Patients were subjective pain scores were recorded at 30 min, 6, 12 and 24 hours after surgery. The amount of analgesia required and time to first dose was documented. One foot and ankle consultant and one trained fellow gave the popliteal blocks. The block was administered in the lateral position at 0.8 mAmp stimulus to detect the nerve. Group A and B data was compared statistically.

Results: The average pain scores in group A were reported to be 1.2 at 30min, 1.23 at 6, 2.1 at 12 and 3 at 24 hours. In group B it was 1.2 at 30min, 7.2, 8.1 and 4 at 6, 12 and 24 hours. There was a statistical significant difference in the pain scores at 6 and 12 hours. There was no statistical significant difference in the pain scores at 30 min and 24 hours.

Conclusion: Popliteal block gives effective pain relief in ankle and hindfoot surgery. We believe that it may reduce anaesthetic and analgesic drug requirement as well.

We present our long-term results using a modified Chrisman-Snook procedure in 12 consecutive patients over a 4 year period. The minimum follow-up was 1 year.

We used this procedure in patients with symptomatic lateral instability of the ankle, with the index injury being 5 years or more prior to surgery. We believe that poor soft tissue at the site of the ligament rupture precludes an anatomical reconstruction (8 patients). 4 patients had had a previous failed Brostrom reconstruction.

Materials and Methods: 12 patients (10 males:2 females) Age: 32–57 (average 48) All patients had a pre-surgery trial of physiotherapy, proprioceptive exercises and bracing was considered unacceptable.10 patients had pre-surgery MR scans. 10 patients underwent arthroscopy of the ankle at the time of the reconstruction.

Technique: Lateral extensile incision with dorsal half of peroneus brevis used as graft.

Suture anchor in the talus and drill tunnels in the fibula and calcaneum.

Results: AOFAS Preop: 69 (range 60–76) Postop: 92 (range 88–97)11 reported subjective stability, 1 had occasional instability with no objective corroboration. Objectively, 4 had over-tightening with loss of between 20–30% of subtalar movement. There were 2 sural nerve injuries. There were 2 minor wound complications, NOT requiring surgical intervention. All the above complications occurred in the first 6 cases.

Conclusions: We conclude that this is a powerful corrective procedure for chronic lateral ankle instability, but is technically demanding. There are complications in the form of over-tightening and nerve damage which can be minimised with experience.

Pilon fractures of the distal tibia pose a difficult therapeutic problem. Various treatment methods exist. We present encouraging early results with the Medial Tibial LISS plate (LCDCP) for these injuries.

Materials and Methods: 7 patients (5 male:2 female); age: 34 (range 26–59); All closed injuries 3 type 1; 3 type 2; 1 type IIIc; Average time from injury to surgery: 6 days (4–12 days).

Technique: 4 patients had preliminary joint-spanning fixator; 4 patients had fibular plating through a posterolateral incision; A curved anteromedial incision was used to avoid plate exposure in case of wound breakdown. Medial Tibial LISS plate with inter-fragmentary screws to reduce main fracture fragments. Early, non-weight bearing mobilization.

Results: Minimum Follow Up: 6 months (range 6–18 months). Union was obtained in all fractures. Joint reconstruction was graded as anatomical in 3 patients, mildly non-anatomical in 3 patients, and markedly incongruent in 1 patient (Type IIIc3). ROM: average 10° Dorsiflexion and 30° Plantarflexion. Pain: None in 4, mild in 2, and severe in 1. Wound healing problems: 1 minor requiring no surgical intervention, 1 requiring debridement of distal tibial wound.

We conclude that this technique offers a viable alternative to other methods in the treatment of these difficult injuries.

Chronic ruptures of the tendo-achilles in young individuals pose difficult therapeutic problems. Surgical repair Is necessary to achieve optimum functional results. We present our results using a modified Bosworth technique using a ‘turn-down’ strip of gastrosoleus aponeurosis

Materials and methods: 11 patients (9 Males:2 Females) Age range: 23–51 (average 36) Time since rupture: 9–20 weeks (average 13). All had pain, weak or absent push-off and restricted ADL.

Technique: Posterior midline incision – rupture exposed, ends debrided – 1” strip of gastrosoleus aponeurosis about 2–3” long – detatched proximally ‘turned down’ with fascial surface anterior. This modification was to avoid tissue bulge at proximal end of incision. The fascial strip was approximated with delayed absorbable sutures. The plantaris was used to supplement the repair when possible.

Cast-bracing for 9 weeks. FU – 12–42 months, minimum 12. All patients independently assessed at one year. AOFAS hindfoot scores – Preop and 1 year postop

Results: AOFAS scores: Preop: 49 (40–61) Postop: 82(70–94) 2 minor wound problems-no surgical intervention required. Push-off strength returned to about 70–80% in all patients. 7/11 patients returned to preop recreational activities.

We conclude that this is a safe and predictable repair technique in this group of patients. It is technically easy, restores tendon length and provides excellent functional improvement.