Aims

This study aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics and outcomes associated with culture-negative limb osteomyelitis patients.

Prosthetic joint infections provide complex management, due to often-difficult diagnosis, need for multiple surgeries and increased technical and financial requirements. “2 in 1” single stage approaches have been advocated due to reduction in risks, costs and complications. This study aimed to investigate the results of single stage revision using metaphyseal sleeves for infected primary Total Knee Replacement (TKR). Prospective data was collected on all patients presenting with an infected primary TKR over an 8-year period (2009–17). All revision procedures were undertaken in a single stage using metaphyseal sleeves. 26 patients were included, 2 of which had previously failed 2 stage revision and 3 failed DAIR procedures. Mean age was 72.5. Mean BMI was 33.4. Median ASA 2. Mean time to revision was 3.5 years range 3 months to 12 years. Six patients had actively discharging sinuses at the time of surgery. Only 4 of the 26 patients had no positive microbiological cultures from deep tissue samples or joint aspirates. Only one patient has a recurrence of infection. This patient did not require further surgery and is treated on long term antibiotic suppression and is systemically well. There were statistically significant improvements in both the pain and function component of AKSS scores. There was no significant improvement in flexion, however mean extension and total range of movement both showed statistically significant improvements. Using Metaphyseal sleeves in single stage revision for infected TKR are safe and lead to an improvement in pain, function and have excellent efficacy for eradication of infection

Aims

Infection after surgery increases treatment costs and is associated with increased mortality. Hip fracture patients have historically had high rates of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) colonization and surgical site infection (SSI). This paper reports the impact of routine MRSA screening and the “cleanyourhands” campaign on rates of MRSA SSI and patient outcome.

Aims

To compare results of institutional preferences with regard to treatment of soft tissues in the setting of open tibial shaft fractures.

Aims

The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of preoperative serum CRP, white blood cell count (WBC), percentage of neutrophils (%N), and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) when using the fracture-related infection (FRI) consensus definition.

Introduction. Degenerative disc disease results from mechanical alteration of the intervertebral disc. Biochemical modifications of the nucleus matrix are also incriminated. Furthermore, genetic predispositions as well as vascular factors have been advocated in the process of disc degeneration. A relationship between sciatica and Propionibacterium acnes has been described. However, it remains unclear if the hypothesis of a subclinical spondylodiscitis might play a role in the pathophysiology of degenerative disc disease. The purpose of this study was to analyze the possible presence of bacteria in lumbar discs of patients with degenerative disc disease. Methods. We prospectively analyzed the presence of bacteria in 83 patients (34 males and 49 females, average age 41 years) treated by lumbar disc replacement at L3-L4, L4-L5 or L5-S1. An intraoperative biopsy and microbiological culture were performed for each disc to determine if intradiscal bacteria were present. Great care was taken to avoid any source of contamination during the conditioning process of the biopsy. Microbiological results were compared to the magnetic resonance stages of disc degeneration according to the Pfirrmann and Modic classifications. Possible sources of previous iatrogenic disc contamination after discography or nucleotomy were analyzed. Results. The magnetic resonance stages were Pfirrmann IV or V, with Modic I signs in 32 and Modic II in 25 cases. A preoperative discography was performed in 49 patients, and 24 had previous nucleotomy. Germs were found in 40 discs, 43 cultures were steriles. The following bacteria were evidenced: Propionibacterium acnes 18, Staphylococcus coagulase negative 16, Staphylococcus aureus 3, Gram negative bacilli 3, Micrococcus 3, Corynebacterium 3, others 5. Ten biopsies presented several different germs. Bacteria were predominantly found in males (p=0.012). The mostly positive level was L4-L5 (p=0.075). Histological examination of 31 discs found inflammatory cells in 33 % of the biopsies with positive bacterial culture, versus 5 % of the sterile biopsies (p=0.038). There was no significant relationship between bacterial evidence and Modic sign. A preoperative discography or previous nucleotomies did not represent significant contamination sources. None of the patients presented clinical signs of infection. Conclusions. The finding of bacteria in 48 % of disc biopsies, presence of inflammatory cells at histological examination, the absence of responsibility of the discography as a factor of contamination, and the absence of clinical post-operative infection, defend the hypothesis of a low-grade spondylodiscitis which might play a role in the pathophysiology of degenerative disc disease. On the other hand, the presence of skin commensal bacteria, of ¼ of polymicrobial biopsies, and the fact that previous nucleotomy doesn't seem to be involved in inoculation, cannot allow to eliminate a contamination of the samples. Further studies are necessary to elucidate the responsability of intradiscal bacteria in degenerative disc disease. This could influence our treatment strategy of back pain, which could be based in the future on antibiotics

Aims

Type IIIB open tibial fractures are devastating high-energy injuries. At initial debridement, the surgeon will often be faced with large bone fragments with tenuous, if any, soft-tissue attachments. Conventionally these are discarded to avoid infection. We aimed to determine if orthoplastic reconstruction using mechanically relevant devitalized bone (ORDB) was associated with an increased infection rate in type IIIB open tibial shaft fractures.

Aims

In this randomized study, we aimed to compare quality of regenerate in monolateral versus circular frame fixation in 30 patients with infected nonunion of tibia.

Objectives

A successful outcome following treatment of nonunion requires the correct identification of all of the underlying cause(s) and addressing them appropriately. The aim of this study was to assess the distribution and frequency of causative factors in a consecutive cohort of nonunion patients in order to optimise the management strategy for individual patients presenting with nonunion.

Objectives

Deep bone and joint infections (DBJI) are directly intertwined with health, demographic change towards an elderly population, and wellbeing.

The elderly human population is more prone to acquire infections, and the consequences such as pain, reduced quality of life, morbidity, absence from work and premature retirement due to disability place significant burdens on already strained healthcare systems and societal budgets.

DBJIs are less responsive to systemic antibiotics because of poor vascular perfusion in necrotic bone, large bone defects and persistent biofilm-based infection. Emerging bacterial resistance poses a major threat and new innovative treatment modalities are urgently needed to curb its current trajectory.

Aims

The management of open lower limb fractures in the United Kingdom has evolved over the last ten years with the introduction of major trauma networks (MTNs), the publication of standards of care and the wide acceptance of a combined orthopaedic and plastic surgical approach to management. The aims of this study were to report recent changes in outcome of open tibial fractures following the implementation of these changes.

Patients with transfemoral amputation (TFA) often experience problems related to the use of socket-suspended prostheses. The clinical development of osseointegrated percutaneous prostheses for patients with a TFA started in 1990, based on the long-term successful results of osseointegrated dental implants.

Between1999 and 2007, 51 patients with 55 TFAs were consecutively enrolled in a prospective, single-centre non-randomised study and followed for two years. The indication for amputation was trauma in 33 patients (65%) and tumour in 12 (24%). A two-stage surgical procedure was used to introduce a percutaneous implant to which an external amputation prosthesis was attached. The assessment of outcome included the use of two self-report questionnaires, the Questionnaire for Persons with a Transfemoral Amputation (Q-TFA) and the Short-Form (SF)-36.

The cumulative survival at two years’ follow-up was 92%. The Q-TFA showed improved prosthetic use, mobility, global situation and fewer problems (all p < 0.001). The physical function SF-36 scores were also improved (p < 0.001). Superficial infection was the most frequent complication, occurring 41 times in 28 patients (rate of infection 54.9%). Most were treated effectively with oral antibiotics. The implant was removed in four patients because of loosening (three aseptic, one infection).

Osseointegrated percutaneous implants constitute a novel form of treatment for patients with TFA. The high cumulative survival rate at two years (92%) combined with enhanced prosthetic use and mobility, fewer problems and improved quality of life, supports the ‘revolutionary change’ that patients with TFA have reported following treatment with osseointegrated percutaneous prostheses.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2014;96-B:106–13.

Nonunion of the tibia associated with bone loss, previous infection, obliteration of the intramedullary canal or located in the distal metaphysis poses a challenge to the surgeon and significant morbidity to patients. We retrospectively reviewed the records of 24 patients who were treated by central bone grafting and compared them to those of 20 who were treated with a traditional posterolateral graft. Central bone grafting entails a lateral approach, anterior to the fibula and interosseous membrane which is used to create a central space filled with cancellous iliac crest autograft. Upon consolidation, a tibiofibular synostosis is formed that is strong enough for weight-bearing. This procedure has advantages over other methods of treatment for selected nonunions.

Of the 24 patients with central bone grafting, 23 went on to radiographic and clinical union without further intervention. All healed within a mean of 20 weeks (10 to 48). No further bone grafts were required, and few complications were encountered. These results were comparable to those of the 20 patients who underwent posterolateral bone grafting who united at a mean of 31.3 weeks (16 to 60) but one of whom required below-knee amputation for intractable sepsis.

Central bone grafting is a safe and effective treatment for difficult nonunions of the tibia.

We undertook a retrospective study of 50 consecutive patients (41 male, 9 female) with an infected nonunion and bone defect of the femoral shaft who had been treated by radical debridement and distraction osteogenesis. Their mean age was 29.9 years (9 to 58) and they had a mean of 3.8 (2 to 19) previous operations. They were followed for a mean of 5.9 years (2.0 to 19.0). The mean duration of the distraction osteogenesis was 24.5 months (2 to 39). Pin-track infection was observed in all patients. The range of knee movement was reduced and there was a mean residual leg-length discrepancy of 1.9 cm (0 to 8) after treatment. One patient required hip disarticulation to manage intractable sepsis. In all, 13 patients had persistant pain. Bony union was achieved in 49 patients at a mean of 20.7 months (12 to 35).

Although distraction osteogenesis is commonly used for the treatment of infected femoral nonunion with bone defects, it is associated with a high rate of complications.

We evaluated the cost and consequences of proximal femoral fractures requiring further surgery because of complications. The data were collected prospectively in a standard manner from all patients with a proximal femoral fracture presenting to the trauma unit at the John Radcliffe Hospital over a five-year period. The total cost of treatment for each patient was calculated by separating it into its various components. The risk factors for the complications that arose, the location of their discharge and the mortality rates for these patients were compared to those of a matched control group. There were 2360 proximal femoral fractures in 2257 patients, of which 144 (6.1%) required further surgery. The mean cost of treatment in patients with complications was £18 709 (£2606.30 to £60.827.10), compared with £8610 (£918.54 to £45 601.30) for uncomplicated cases (p < 0.01), with a mean length of stay of 62.8 (44.5 to 79.3) and 32.7 (23.8 to 35.0) days, respectively. The probability of mortality after one month in these cases was significantly higher than in the control group, with a mean survival of 209 days, compared with 496 days for the controls. Patients with complications were statistically less likely to return to their own home (p < 0.01).

Greater awareness and understanding are required to minimise the complications of proximal femoral fractures and consequently their cost.

We undertook a retrospective case-control study to assess the clinical variables associated with infections in open fractures. A total of 1492 open fractures were retrieved; these were Gustilo and Anderson grade I in 663 (44.4%), grade II in 370 (24.8%), grade III in 310 (20.8%) and unclassifiable in 149 (10.0%). The median duration of prophylaxis was three days (interquartile range (IQR) 1 to 3), and the median number of surgical interventions was two (1 to 9). We identified 54 infections (3.6%) occurring at a median of ten days (IQR 5 to 20) after trauma. Pathogens intrinsically resistant to the empirical antibiotic regimen used (enterococci, Enterobacter spp, Pseudomonas spp) were documented in 35 of 49 cases (71%). In multivariable regression analyses, grade III fractures and vascular injury or compartment syndrome were significantly associated with infection. Overall, compared with one day of antibiotic treatment, two to three days (odds ratio (OR) 0.6 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.2 to 2.0)), four to five days (OR 1.2 (95% CI 0.3 to 4.9)), or > five days (OR 1.4 (95% CI 0.4 to 4.4)) did not show any significant differences in the infection risk. These results were similar when multivariable analysis was performed for grade III fractures only (OR 0.3 (95% CI 0.1 to 3.4); OR 0.6 (95% CI 0.2 to 2.1); and OR 1.7 (95% CI 0.5 to 6.2), respectively).

Infection in open fractures is related to the extent of tissue damage but not to the duration of prophylactic antibiotic therapy. Even for grade III fractures, a one-day course of prophylactic antibiotics might be as effective as prolonged prophylaxis.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2013;95-B:831–7.

In an interdisciplinary project involving electronic engineers and clinicians, a telemetric system was developed to measure the bending load in a titanium internal femoral fixator. As this was a new device, the main question posed was: what clinically relevant information could be drawn from its application? As a first clinical investigation, 27 patients (24 men, three women) with a mean age of 38.4 years (19 to 66) with femoral nonunions were treated using the system. The mean duration of the nonunion was 15.4 months (5 to 69). The elasticity of the plate-callus system was measured telemetrically until union. Conventional radiographs and a CT scan at 12 weeks were performed routinely, and healing was staged according to the CT scans. All nonunions healed at a mean of 21.5 weeks (13 to 37). Well before any radiological signs of healing could be detected, a substantial decrease in elasticity was recorded. The relative elasticity decreased to 50% at a mean of 7.8 weeks (3.5 to 13) and to 10% at a mean of 19.3 weeks (4.5 to 37). At 12 weeks the mean relative elasticity was 28.1% (0% to 56%). The relative elasticity was significantly different between the different healing stages as determined by the CT scans.

Incorporating load measuring electronics into implants is a promising option for the assessment of bone healing. Future application might lead to a reduction in the need for exposure to ionising radiation to monitor fracture healing.

Prospective data on hip fracture from 3686 patients at a United Kingdom teaching hospital were analysed to investigate the risk factors, financial costs and outcomes associated with deep or superficial wound infections after hip fracture surgery.

In 1.2% (41) of patients a deep wound infection developed, and 1.1% (39) had a superficial wound infection. A total of 57 of 80 infections (71.3%) were due to Staphylococcus aureus and 39 (48.8%) were due to MRSA.

No statistically significant pre-operative risk factors were detected. Length of stay, cost of treatment and pre-discharge mortality all significantly increased with deep wound infection. The one-year mortality was 30%, and this increased to 50% in those who developed an infection (p < 0.001). A deep infection resulted in doubled operative costs, tripled investigation costs and quadrupled ward costs.

MRSA infection increased costs, length of stay, and pre-discharge mortality compared with non-MRSA infection.

In this retrospective study we evaluated the method of acute shortening and distraction osteogenesis for the treatment of tibial nonunion with bone loss in 17 patients with a mean age of 36 years (10 to 58). The mean bone loss was 5.6 cm (3 to 10). In infected cases, we performed the treatment in two stages. The mean follow-up time was 43.5 months (24 to 96). The mean time in external fixation was 8.0 months (4 to 13) and the mean external fixator index was 1.4 months/cm (1.1 to 1.8). There was no recurrence of infection. The bone evaluation results were excellent in 16 patients and good in one, while functional results were excellent in 15 and good in two. The complication rate was 1.2 per patient.

We conclude that acute shortening and distraction osteogenesis is a safe, reliable and successful method for the treatment of tibial nonunion with bone loss, with a shorter period of treatment and lower rate of complication.

The results of the treatment of 31 open femoral fractures (29 patients) with significant bone loss in a single trauma unit were reviewed. A protocol of early soft-tissue and bony debridement was followed by skeletal stabilisation using a locked intramedullary nail or a dynamic condylar plate for diaphyseal and metaphyseal fractures respectively. Soft-tissue closure was obtained within 48 hours then followed, if required, by elective bone grafting with or without exchange nailing.

The mean time to union was 51 weeks (20 to 156). The time to union and functional outcome were largely dependent upon the location and extent of the bone loss. It was achieved more rapidly in fractures with wedge defects than in those with segmental bone loss. Fractures with metaphyseal defects healed more rapidly than those of comparable size in the diaphysis. Complications were more common in fractures with greater bone loss, and included stiffness of the knee, malunion and limb-length discrepancy.

Based on our findings, we have produced an algorithm for the treatment of these injuries. We conclude that satisfactory results can be achieved in most femoral fractures with bone loss using initial debridement and skeletal stabilisation to maintain length, with further procedures as required.