Aim

Spondylodiscitis and vertebral osteomyelitis can lead to long-term sequelae if not diagnosed and treated promptly and appropriately. The Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital (RNOH) has devised a new spinal infection referral system within the UK that allows cases to be discussed in a specialist multi-disciplinary (MDT) forum. National guidelines were devised in 2013 to help guide treatment, which recommends both tissue biopsies from the affected region and a MRI of the entire spine. The aims of this study were to assess the current treatment and referral practices and compare them with the set guidelines. It is hypothesised that a high percentage of patients are started on antibiotics without a biopsy or a positive set of blood cultures, a low percentage of patients are referred without undergoing a MRI of the full spine and that there is a long delay in referral to the MDT.

Objectives

We performed a systematic review of the literature to determine the safety and efficacy of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) compared with bone graft when used specifically for revision spinal fusion surgery secondary to pseudarthrosis.

Many operations have been recommended to treat Pars Interarticularis fractures that have separated and are persistently symptomatic, but little other than conservative treatment has been recommended for symptomatic incomplete fractures.

10 consecutive patients aged 15–28 [mean 21.7 years] were treated operatively between 2010–2014. All but one were either professional athletes [3 cricketers, 2 athletics, 1 soccer] or academy cricketers [3 patients]. 8 patients had unilateral fractures, and two had bilateral fractures at the same level. The duration of pre-operative pain and disability with exercise ranged from 4–24 months [mean 15.4 months].

The operation consists of a percutaneous compression screw inserted through a 1.5cm midline skin incision under fluoroscopic guidance: 6 cases were also checked with the O-arm intra-operatively. Post-operation the patients were mobilised with a simple corset and discharged the following day with a customised rehabilitation program.

All 12 fractures in 10 patients healed as demonstrated on post-operative CT scans at between 3–6 months. One patient had the screw revised at 24 hours for an asymptomatic breach, and one patient developed a halo around the fracture site without screw loosening, and had a successful revision operation to remove the screw and graft the pars from the screw channel. All patients achieved a full return to asymptomatic activity, within a timescale of 4–12 months post-surgery, depending on the sport.

Athletes that have persistent symptoms from incomplete pars interarticularis fractures should consider percutaneous fixation rather than undergoing prolonged or repeated periods of rest.

Introduction:

Several reports showed superior fusion rates, as high as 100%, using rhBMP-2 with ALIF cages. This has led to the widespread off-label use of rhBMP-2 in several other lumbar fusion procedures. There is paucity of reports analysing the clinic-radiological outcome of using rhBMP-2 to promote bone union in cases of symptomatic pseudoarthosis following lumbar spine fusion.

To assess screw malposition rates and complications associated with pedicle screw insertion using 3D navigation technology.

A retrospective study was undertaken for all cases where O-arm® and StealthStation® systems were used over a 2-year period. The primary outcome measure was return to theatre rates for pedicle screw malposition.

A total of 938 screws were inserted (934 thoracolumbar and 4 cervical), and 103 patients underwent spinal fixation using O-arm® and StealthStation® navigation. 64 were revision cases and 39 primary cases. Average number of levels was 4.6. There were a total of 10 complications: 3 infections, 1 DVT, 1 PE, 1 fast atrial fibrillation (AF), 1 screw malposition, 1 non-union, 1 undisplaced vertebral body fracture and 1 nerve root compression following osteotomy. The percentage return to theatre for screw malposition using 3D navigation was 1% of patients and 0.1% of pedicle screws. No patients developed permanent neurological compromise.

These systems provide accuracy that is comparable to traditional 2D fluoroscopic techniques. We advocate their use in the safe insertion of pedicle screws in complex revision deformity cases where original anatomical landmarks are absent or obscured. We also believe that radiation exposure is considerably less with navigation especially in these complex and revision cases.

Introduction:

The risk for late periprosthetic fractures is higher in patients treated for a neck of femur fracture compared to those treated for osteoarthritis. It has been hypothesised that osteopenia and consequent decreased stiffness of the proximal femur are responsible for this. We investigated if a femoral component with a bigger body would increase the torque to failure in a biaxially loaded composite sawbone model.

Introduction:

In an attempt to reduce stress shielding in the proximal femur multiple new shorter stem design have become available. We investigated the load to fracture of a new polished tapered cemented short stem in comparison to the conventional polished tapered Exeter stem.

Pelvic ring fractures usually result from significant trauma, frequently requiring operative stabilisation. The use of an anterior internal fixator (INFIX) is a new technique. This temporary construct is quick and easy to apply using pre-existing spinal implants. No reports of functional outcomes or compartive studies with existing surgical techniques exist in indexed literature.

We present a prospective comparative case matched series of 21 patients treated with pelvic INFIX. 1:1 matching was achieved to a cohort of patients treated with open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) based on fracture pattern. All patients with rotationally and/or vertically unstable pelvic ring fractures treated within our level 1 trauma centre were considered for inclusion. Patients were prospectively followed up with health outcome measures (SF-36, EQ-5D) and joint specific outcome scores (Oxford and Harris hip scores).

Softcast is an attractive alternative to POP for unstable forearm fractures, providing a comfortable, water-resistant splint that can be removed without a plaster saw. Unreinforced Softcast has, however, only been recommended for buckle fractures. A laboratory study was undertaken to compare standardised POP, Softcast and reinforced Softcast splints at clinically relevant endpoints. The load at clinical failure of a 6-wrap Softcast forearm splint was 504N in bending, 202N in kinking, and 11Nm in torsion (equalling 30.4%, 26% and 42.2% of the equivalent values for a circumferential 4-wrap POP). Softcast was however stronger in all modes than a fibreglass-reinforced Softcast splint, such has been recommended for acute fractures. Furthermore, the load to failure in all modes exceeds that which can be exerted by body weight in many paediatric patients. Softcast demonstrated complete recovery of its original shape on unloading, and was 4% lighter than POP. A 6-wrap Softcast splint provides adequate mechanical stability and protection for paediatric patients up to 20kg, not engaged in high-risk activities. The primary risk is not of fracture angulation and loss of position, but temporary indentation of the splint, causing discomfort or pain. Considering its ease of removal, Softcast may be preferable for younger paediatric patients.

The treatment of unstable distal radius fractures remains controversial. Volar locking plates provide stable fixation using the fixed angle device principle. More recently this technique has gained increasing popularity with several reports demonstrating good results. We present our experience from the first 259 patients performed at this institution.

Method: Local Ethics Committee approval was obtained prior to the onset of the study. Theatre records and implant forms were used to recruit all patients in whom a Distal Volar Radius (DVR) Plate, (DePuy, Leeds, United Kingdom) was used for an unstable distal radius fracture between August 2005 and February 2008. Surgery was performed either by a consultant, or a specialist registrar. Two hundred and fifty nine consecutive patients were identified. Six patients had bilateral distal radius fractures. Patient records were reviewed, and each patient contacted via a postal questionnaire and Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation (PRWE). Other outcome measures included return to work and complication rate.

Results: Of the 259 patients 160 responses were received, response rate 62%. The mean follow up was 30.8 months, (Range 18–48). The mean age of the patients was 57.3 years (Range 16–93). The mean inpatient stay was 1.6 days, (mode 1 day). The median PRWE was 3; (range 0–83) and the mode was 0. Ninety four of the patients had a PRWE of ≤5. Seventy one out of 78 patients (91%) returned to the same job. The mean return to work was 40.6 days (SD37.5).

There were 13 minor complications in total (7.8%). Six patients had extensor tendon irritation, of which two patients required extensor tendon reconstruction. One further patient had a spontaneous EPL rupture which was not associated with prominent metal work. Four (2.4%) patients had median nerve symptoms postoperatively. Two patients subsequently required carpal tunnel decompression, the other two settled spontaneously. Two (1.2%), patients developed Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. One patient developed a minor superficial wound infection.

In all, 9 (5.4%) patients had removal of their metalwork, 6 for tendon irritation, 2 for wrist stiffness (one which was positioned too distally) and 1 for pin penetration into the joint.

Discussion: Our results show that the DVR plate can be used reliably with good results and an early return to high levels of function. This is the largest series to date of the use of this distal volar locking plate.

Aims and Objectives Lateral condyle fractures can be difficult diagnose and the treatment still remains controversial. It is well known that these fractures are prone to a number of complications, both early and late. The aim of this paper was to review the treatment practice of lateral condyle fractures presenting to a children’s hospital fracture unit over the past 5 years to identify any consistency in the management of these fractures. We also aimed to try and determine if a particular treatment method was more favourable than others in terms of complications and the need for further surgery with a view to developing a treatment protocol.

Methods: We conducted a chart and x-ray review of all lateral condyle fractures treated operatively from December 1998 to August 2004. We recorded patients’ age, sex, side of injury and month of injury. The fractures were classified according to the Milch classification. We also measured the preoperative and postoperative fracture displacement. We recorded the nature of surgery (Examination Under Anaesthetic (EUA) and casting, Manipulation Under Anaesthetic (MUA) and wiring and Open Reduction and wiring). We documented whether the wires were percutaneous or buried. Length of time in cast and length of time to wire removal were also noted. Finally any complications and the need for further surgery were documented.

Results: 90 patients were identified. 72% were male and 28% female, with an average age of 5.6. 28% of injuries were right sided, 72% were left sided. 21 (23%) patients were Milch Type 1 fractures and 66 (73%) were Type II fractures. Preoperative fracture classification was unavailable for 3 patients. In 78 patients we were able to determine the initial fracture displacement. 8 (9%) patients were displaced < 2 mm, 18 (20%) were displaced 2–4 mm and 52 (58%) were displaced > 4 mm. 7 patients (10%) had associated elbow dislocations – all of these were Milch type II fractures. 5 patients had EUA and casting, 19 had MUA and K wiring and 63 had open reduction and wiring. In the 19 patients who had MUA and K wiring, 13 were percutaneous and 6 were buried. In the open reduction and wiring group 59 patients had their wires buried and 6 were percutaneous. 1 patient did not have that information recorded.

The average time in cast was 41 days. In those with buried wires average length of time to wire removal was 63 days. Average percutaneous wire removal was at 42 days. For the 5 patients undergoing EUA and casting residual displacement was < 2 mm in all. 2 of these patients (40%) had complications of lateral spur formation and delayed union. For the 19 having MUA and k wiring, 14 had a post op displacement of< 2 mm and 5 had 2–4 mm displacement. 3 of the 14(21%) had the complications of spur formation, pin site infection and wire prominence. 2/5 (40%) of those with residual displacement of 2–4 mm developed complications, 1 patient had ulceration of wires through the skin and another had loss of position requiring further surgery.

In the patients treated with open reduction and wiring 51 had a residual displacement of < 2 mm, 14 had 2–4 mm residual displacement and 1 remained displaced > 4 mm. 11/51 (22%) in the first category developed complications. 6 were problems with the wires, 1 lost position requiring re-operation, 1 lateral spur development. 2 malunions and 1 delay in ossification of the lateral condyle. In the 2–4 mm group 8/14 (57%) developed complications. – 2 wire ulcerations, 2 wound infections, 1 non-union and 3 malunions. Finally the 1 patient with residual displacement > 4 mm developed a malunion requiring further operative intervention.

In total 5 patients had further surgery - 1 patient for wire prominence 2 for loss of position and 2 patients required corrective surgery for malunion.

Conclusion: This study highlights the variety in treatment methods for these fractures. Complications occurred in all treatment groups. The short term complications such as wire problems and initial loss of position had no long term sequelae. All malunions occurred in the open reduction and wiring group, despite 2 patients having post operative fracture displacement of < 2 mm. The patient with a non union was a late referral but underwent open reduction and wiring at our unit and subsequently healed. We recommend that displaced fractures should be reduced either closed or open and all fractures should be secured with k wires to prevent loss of position. These should be bent and buried allowing them to remain insitu for 3 months. Postoperative casting should be for 6 weeks. These fractures need to be followed closely at fracture clinic for the short and long term problems they can develop.

Aims: MRI changes to the symptomatic intervertebral disc following Intradiscal Electrothermal Therapy (IDET), in particular those relating to the Ç High Intensity Zone È (HIZ) in the posterior annulus, were determined in this prospective study. Methods: MRI images before the IDET procedure were compared to those taken at six months post procedure in 10 patients. The presence and absence of an HIZ, the disc height and hydration, and Modic changes, were determined from the images. Two of the patients also had discography performed post-IDET to supplement the MRI. Results: In 6 out of the 10 patients, an HIZ was present on the MRI images of the disc before the IDET procedure. In all 6 patients, a HIZ was still present six months after the procedure. In all 10 patients, there were no changes to disc height and hydration signal on T2 weighted images. Modic changes were not present in any of the patients on pre or post IDET images. Two patients had signiþ-cant changes to the shape of the posterior annulus compared to the pre-treatment MRI scans. The two patients who had discography after IDET had persistent annular tears. Conclusion: Our þndings question the clinical relevance of the Ç High Intensity Zone È. They also suggest that the main mechanism of action of IDET, may be other than that of sealing the annular tear.

Objectives: To describe a new method of catheter insertion in Intradiscal Electrothermal Therapy (IDET), when and adequate catheter position cannot be achieved with standard technique. Intradiscal Electrothermal Therapy is a new technique developed in 1998 for treatment of chronic low back pain. Adequate catheter position is of vital importance to the outcome of this procedure. If adequate position is not achieved with the standard technique, the recommendation is to reinsert a new cannula into the contralateral side. This requires more local anaesthesia, further discomfort for the patient and additional X-ray exposure. The “Pig Tail” Technique described here, eliminates the need for reinsertion of the cannula and catheter from the contralateral side in those patients in whom optimal positioning is not achieved with the standard technique. This new technique has not been described before.

Methods: In those patients in whom adequate catheter position cannot be achieved with the standard technique, instead of withdrawing the cannula after the initial treatment, we recommend rotating the cannula 180° through its long axis. This will allow the catheter to hit the anterior annulus and deflect backwards towards the cannula. It can then be negotiated across the midline to adequately thermally treat the whole posterior annulus.

Results: We have performed our technique in thirty two consecutive patients in whom initial navigation was difficult. This new method proved to be simple and did not cause patients additional discomfort.

Conclusion: “Pig Tail” Technique is safe and effective in IDET of those patients with difficult navigation. It avoids the need for second needle insertion therefore avoiding the use of more local anaesthsia, further discomfort for the patient and additional X-ray exposure.

Objective: MRI changes to the symptomatic intervertebral disc following Intradiscal Electrothermal Therapy (IDET), in particular those relating to the “High Intensity Zone” (HIZ) in the posterior annulus, were determined in this prospective study.

Material and Methods: MRI images before the IDET procedure were compared to those taken at six months post procedure in 10 patients. The presence and absence of an HIZ, the disc height and hydration, and Modic changes, were determined from the images. Two of the patients also had discography performed post-IDET to supplement the MRI.

Results: In 6 out of the 10 patients, an HIZ was present on the MRI images of the disc before the IDET procedure. In all 6 patients, a HIZ was still present six months after the procedure. In all 10 patients, there were no changes to disc height and hydration signal on T₂ weighted images. Modic changes were not present in any of the patients on pre or post IDET images. Two patients had significant changes to the shape of the posterior annulus compared to the pre-treatment MRI scans. The two patients who had discography after IDET had persistent annular tears.

Conclusion: Our findings question the clinical relevance of the “High Intensity Zone”. They also suggest that the main mechanism of action of IDET, may be other than that of sealing the annular tear.