We assessed the inter- and intraobserver variation in classification systems for fractures of the distal humerus. Three orthopaedic trauma consultants, three trauma registrars and three consultant musculoskeletal radiologists independently classified 33 sets of radiographs of such fractures on two occasions, each using three separate systems. For interobserver variation, the Riseborough and Radin system produced ‘moderate’ agreement (kappa = 0.513), but half of the fractures were not classifiable by this system. For the complete AO system, agreement was ‘fair’ (kappa = 0.343), but if only AO type and group or AO type alone was used, agreement improved to ‘moderate’ and ‘substantial’, respectively (kappa = 0.52 and 0.66). Agreement for the system of Jupiter and Mehne was ‘fair’ (kappa = 0.295). Similar levels of intraobserver variation were found. Systems of classification are useful in decision-making and evaluation of outcome only if there is agreement and consistency among observers. Our study casts doubt on these aspects of the systems currently available for fractures of the distal humerus

Introduction. Controversy exists as to whether the short external rotator tendons and capsule of the hip should be repaired after posterior approach primary total hip arthroplasty (THA). Recent studies using radiopaque markers have demonstrated that reimplantation of these muscle tendons fail early and may not prevent post operative dislocation. Methods. Using dynamic ultrasound examination we evaluated the patency of repair in 68 tendon groups (piriformis/conjoint tendon and obturator externus). We demonstrate short and medium term success in the reimplantation of these tendons using the double transosseous drill hole technique of reattaching the tendons and capsule to the greater trochanter. We followed up 21 of our total hip replacements and 13 hip resurfacings and undertook a dynamic ultrasound examination of the external rotators by an experienced musculoskeletal radiologist to assess their integrity at a minimum of 60 days and 100 days and an average of 213 days after the operation. Results. There were 34 hips assessed in 33 patients. 21 were total hip replacements and the rest were hip resurfacings. Each patient underwent a standard posterior approach by the senior surgeon. The piriformis and conjoint tendons (Group 1) and the obturator extenus (Group 2) were reattached with modified kessler sutures using a transosseous reimplantation technique. The capsule was reattached with a running suture using the same technique. The total hip replacement group had 16 out of 21 hips (76.2%) where both external rotator groups were intact at follow up, compared with 3 out of 13 hips (23.1%) for the hip resurfacing group (Chi-squared 9.188, p=0.002). Group 1 tendons were intact in 81% of the THR group while only in 53.8% in the rsurfaing group. We compared the hip replacement group with the hip resurfacing group using survival analysis techniques (log rank test), which take into account the different follow-up times. The hip replacement group showed a significantly longer time to the event of either rotator group not being intact at follow-up than the hip resurfacing group (log rank 5.568, p=0.018). Conclusions. Our results do appear to suggest that this technique may be of benefit in patients undergoing primary THA but may not be as successful after resurfacing procedures. We propose that the increased incidence of external rotator detachment seen in the resurfacing group may be due to the increased strain imparted on the tendons due to the greater distance to travel, as they wind around the large resurfaced femoral head and neck as compared to the relatively thinner THA femoral neck and smaller head component

Objective. Comparison of clinical outcome after Percutaneous Vertebro Plasty (PVP) for Osteoporotic Vertebral Compression Fractures (OVCFs) between patients with and without Intra Vertebral Clefts (IVCs). Background. PVP is a common treatment modality for painful OVCFs. Patients presenting with OVCFs with an IVC, also described as avascular necrosis of the vertebral body or intravertebral pseuadoarthrosis, are thought to represent a specific subgroup: filling the cleft might result in immediate and possibly superior pain relief due to stabilization of the excessive mobility associated with an IVC and the risk for cement leakage might be decreased due to its cavitational nature. Methods. 102 patients with 197 OVCFs were prospectively recruited for follow-up using a 0–10 Pain Intensity Numerical Rating Scale (PI-NRS) and the Short Form 36 (SF-36) Quality of Life questionnaire before PVP and at 7 days (PI-NRS only), 1, 3 and 12 months after PVP. Cement leakage was assessed on direct post-operative CT-scanning. At 6 and 52 weeks and at suspicion, patients were analyzed for new fractures. From blinded data two experienced musculoskeletal interventional radiologists retrospectively assessed all treated OVCFs for the presence of an IVC, defined as an abnormal, well-demarcated, linear or cystic hypointensity on MRI T1-weighted sequences and/or hyperintensity on MRI T2 STIR-sequences and/or the evident cleft filling on post-PVP CT-scanning. Outcome of patients with and without IVCs was compared using multivariate analysis correcting for confounders. For the purpose of comparison, a subgroup of all patients with PVP in isolated OVCFs was assessed as well. Results. In 48 OVCFs in 48 of 102 patients an IVC was identified (47.1%). Outcome regarding PI-NRS and SF-36 was comparable between both groups. In 42 patients who received PVP in only one OVCF, 21 clefts were detected. Despite similar baseline values, average back pain after PVP was significantly higher over time in patients with an IVC (1.1 point, p=0.03) but ultimately comparably lower at 12 months (4.4 and 4.3 points, p < 0.001). Outcome regarding SF-36 was comparable, as was occurrence of new OVCFs after PVP. The presence of an IVC was identified as a strong risk factor (OR 4.3, p=0.004) for occurrence of cortical (intradiscal) cement leakage. Conclusion. In patients with long-standing OVCFs, an IVC is a common entity. Patients with OVCFs with an IVC benefit from PVP, but do not comprehend a superior treatment indication. Overall benefit from PVP was comparable to patients without an IVC. In patients with treated isolated OVCFs with an IVC, average back pain is higher over the first year after PVP but ultimately comparable. Furthermore, an IVC is associated with an increased risk for cortical (intradiscal) cement leakage

Aims

To compare operative and nonoperative treatment for displaced distal radius fractures in patients aged over 65 years.

Aims

The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of a salvage procedure using a 95° angled blade plate for failed osteosynthesis of atypical subtrochanteric femoral fractures associated with the long-term use of bisphosphonates. These were compared with those for failed osteosynthesis of subtrochanteric fractures not associated with bisphosphonate treatment.

An MR scan was performed on all patients who presented to our hospital with a clinical diagnosis of a fracture of the proximal femur, but who had no abnormality on plain radiographs. This was a prospective study of 102 consecutive patients over a ten-year period. There were 98 patients who fulfilled our inclusion criteria, of whom 75 were scanned within 48 hours of admission, with an overall mean time between admission and scanning of 2.4 days (0 to 10). A total of 81 patients (83%) had abnormalities detected on MRI; 23 (23%) required operative management.

The use of MRI led to the early diagnosis and treatment of occult hip pathology. We recommend that incomplete intertrochanteric fractures are managed non-operatively with protected weight-bearing. The study illustrates the high incidence of fractures which are not apparent on plain radiographs, and shows that MRI is useful when diagnosing other pathology such as malignancy, which may not be apparent on plain films.

Management of bisphosphonate-associated subtrochanteric fractures remains opinion- or consensus-based. There are limited data regarding the outcomes of this fracture.

We retrospectively reviewed 33 consecutive female patients with a mean age of 67.5 years (47 to 91) who were treated surgically between May 2004 and October 2009. The mean follow-up was 21.7 months (0 to 53). Medical records and radiographs were reviewed to determine the post-operative ambulatory status, time to clinical and radiological union and post-fixation complications such as implant failure and need for second surgery.

The predominant fixation method was with an extramedullary device in 23 patients. 25 (75%) patients were placed on wheelchair mobilisation or no weight-bearing initially. The mean time to full weight-bearing was 7.1 months (2.2 to 29.7). The mean time for fracture site pain to cease was 6.2 months (1.2 to 17.1). The mean time to radiological union was 10.0 months (2.2 to 27.5). Implant failure was seen in seven patients (23%, 95 confidence interval (CI) 11.8 to 40.9). Revision surgery was required in ten patients (33%, 95 CI 19.2 to 51.2).

A large proportion of the patients required revision surgery and suffered implant failure. This fracture is associated with slow healing and prolonged post-operative immobility.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2014;96-B:658–64.

The purpose of this study was to describe the anatomical distribution and incidence of fatigue injuries of the femur in physically-active young adults, based upon MRI studies. During a period of 70 months, 1857 patients with exercise-induced pain in the femur underwent MRI of the pelvis, hips, femora, and/or knees.

Of these, 170 patients had a total of 185 fatigue injuries, giving an incidence of 199 per 100 000 person-years. Bilateral injuries occurred in 9% of patients. The three most common sites affected were the femoral neck (50%), the condylar area (24%) and the proximal shaft (18%). A fatigue reaction was seen in 57%, and a fracture line in 22%. There was a statistical correlation between the severity of the fatigue injury and the duration of pain (p = 0.001). The location of the pain was normally at the site of the fatigue injury. Fatigue injuries of the femur appear to be relatively common in physically-active patients.