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The Bone & Joint Journal
Vol. 97-B, Issue 1 | Pages 24 - 28
1 Jan 2015
Malviya A Dandachli W Beech Z Bankes MJ Witt JD

Stress fractures occurring in the pubis and ischium after peri-acetabular osteotomy (PAO) are not well recognised, with a reported incidence of 2% to 3%. The purpose of this study was to analyse the incidence of stress fracture after Bernese PAO under the care of two high-volume surgeons. The study included 359 patients (48 men, 311 women) operated on at a mean age of 31.1 years (15 to 56), with a mean follow-up of 26 months (6 to 64). Complete follow-up radiographs were available for 348 patients, 64 of whom (18.4%) developed a stress fracture of the inferior pubic ramus, which was noted at a mean of 9.1 weeks (5 to 55) after surgery. Most (58; 91%) healed. In 40 of the patients with a stress fracture (62.5%), pubic nonunion also occurred. Those with a stress fracture were significantly older (mean 33.9 years (16 to 50) vs 30.5 years (15 to 56), p = 0.002) and had significantly more mean pre-operative deformity: mean centre–edge angle (9.8° (-9.5 to 35) vs 12.4° (-33 to 28), p = 0.04) and mean Tönnis angle (22.8° (0 to 45) vs 18.7° (-2 to 38), p < 0.001). The pubic nonunion rate was significantly higher in those with a stress fracture (62.5% vs 7%, p < 0.001), with regression analysis revealing that these patients had 11.8 times higher risk than those without nonunion. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2015; 97-B:24–8


Bone & Joint Open
Vol. 2, Issue 10 | Pages 813 - 824
7 Oct 2021
Lerch TD Boschung A Schmaranzer F Todorski IAS Vanlommel J Siebenrock KA Steppacher SD Tannast M

Aims. The effect of pelvic tilt (PT) and sagittal balance in hips with pincer-type femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) with acetabular retroversion (AR) is controversial. It is unclear if patients with AR have a rotational abnormality of the iliac wing. Therefore, we asked: are parameters for sagittal balance, and is rotation of the iliac wing, different in patients with AR compared to a control group?; and is there a correlation between iliac rotation and acetabular version?. Methods. A retrospective, review board-approved, controlled study was performed including 120 hips in 86 consecutive patients with symptomatic FAI or hip dysplasia. Pelvic CT scans were reviewed to calculate parameters for sagittal balance (pelvic incidence (PI), PT, and sacral slope), anterior pelvic plane angle, pelvic inclination, and external rotation of the iliac wing and were compared to a control group (48 hips). The 120 hips were allocated to the following groups: AR (41 hips), hip dysplasia (47 hips) and cam FAI with normal acetabular morphology (32 hips). Subgroups of total AR (15 hips) and high acetabular anteversion (20 hips) were analyzed. Statistical analysis was performed using analysis of variance with Bonferroni correction. Results. PI and PT were significantly decreased comparing AR (PI 42° (SD 10°), PT 4° (SD 5°)) with dysplastic hips (PI 55° (SD 12°), PT 10° (SD 6°)) and with the control group (PI 51° (SD 9°) and PT 13° (SD 7°)) (p < 0.001). External rotation of the iliac wing was significantly increased comparing AR (29° (SD 4°)) with dysplastic hips (20°(SD 5°)) and with the control group (25° (SD 5°)) (p < 0.001). Correlation between external rotation of the iliac wing and acetabular version was significant and strong (r = 0.81; p < 0.001). Correlation between PT and acetabular version was significant and moderate (r = 0.58; p < 0.001). Conclusion. These findings could contribute to a better understanding of hip pain in a sitting position and extra-articular subspine FAI of patients with AR. These patients have increased iliac external rotation, a rotational abnormality of the iliac wing. This has implications for surgical therapy with hip arthroscopy and acetabular rim trimming or anteverting periacetabular osteotomy (PAO). Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2021;2(10):813–824


The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery British Volume
Vol. 87-B, Issue 11 | Pages 1531 - 1535
1 Nov 2005
Pillai A Atiya S Costigan PS

We have investigated the annual incidence of Perthes’ disease in Dumfries and Galloway (Southwest Scotland), in relation to the population density and socio-economic status. The incidence of Perthes’ disease in rural Scotland is comparable with that in urban areas (15.4 per 100 000). There was a direct association between the incidence of Perthes’ disease and deprivation scores, with the highest incidence in the most deprived areas. A higher incidence of Perthes’ disease was noted in areas with a lower population density compared with those with a higher density. We found no correlation between population density and deprivation scores for individual electoral wards within the region


The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery British Volume
Vol. 92-B, Issue 2 | Pages 258 - 261
1 Feb 2010
Lawrence TM Wenn R Boulton CT Moran CG

We determined the age-specific incidence of a second fracture of the hip and compared it with that of a primary fracture in a study population drawn from 6331 patients admitted to Nottingham University Hospital with a primary fracture of the hip over a period of 8.5 years. The incidence of a second fracture was determined using survival analysis. The mean age-specific incidence rates of primary hip fracture were calculated using census data. The overall incidence of a second fracture was 2.7% at one year and 7.8% at 8.5 years. That of a primary fracture was 50 per 100 000 in women aged 55 to 64 years rising to 3760 in those aged 84 years and over. The incidence of a second fracture in women aged 55 to 64 years was 2344 per 100 000. Patients of this age had a relative risk of 45 (95% confidence interval 13 to 155) for further fracture when compared with the population at risk of a first fracture. The incidence of a second fracture in women aged > 84 years was 2451 per 100 000 (relative risk 0.7, 95% confidence interval 0.5 to 0.9). A similar trend was seen in men. Patients sustaining a primary fracture of the hip between the ages of 55 and 64 years have a much greater risk of further fracture than the normal population, whereas those over 84 years have a similar risk. These findings have important implications for the provision of fracture prevention services in primary and secondary care


Bone & Joint Research
Vol. 5, Issue 2 | Pages 66 - 72
1 Feb 2016
Gebhart JJ Weinberg DS Bohl MS Liu RW

Objectives. Sagittal alignment of the lumbosacral spine, and specifically pelvic incidence (PI), has been implicated in the development of spine pathology, but generally ignored with regards to diseases of the hip. We aimed to determine if increased PI is correlated with higher rates of hip osteoarthritis (HOA). The effect of PI on the development of knee osteoarthritis (KOA) was used as a negative control. Methods. We studied 400 well-preserved cadaveric skeletons ranging from 50 to 79 years of age at death. Each specimen’s OA of the hip and knee were graded using a previously described method. PI was measured from standardised lateral photographs of reconstructed pelvises. Multiple regression analysis was performed to determine the relationship between age and PI with HOA and KOA. Results. The mean age was 60.2 years (standard deviation (. sd. ) 8.1), and the mean PI was 46.7° (. sd. 10.7°). Multiple regression analysis demonstrated a significant correlation between increased PI and HOA (standardised beta = 0.103, p = 0.017). There was no correlation between PI and KOA (standardised beta = 0.003, p = 0.912). Conclusion. Higher PI in the younger individual may contribute to the development of HOA in later life. Cite this article: Dr J. J. Gebhart. Relationship between pelvic incidence and osteoarthritis of the hip. Bone Joint Res 2016;5:66–72. DOI: 10.1302/2046-3758.52.2000552


The Bone & Joint Journal
Vol. 96-B, Issue 8 | Pages 1035 - 1040
1 Aug 2014
Meling T Nawab A Harboe K Fosse L

An atypical femoral fracture (AFF), with a transverse fracture radiologically through the lateral cortex is a rare but serious condition. In order to improve our ability to identify patients with this condition, we retrospectively surveyed all subtrochanteric, peri-implant and diaphyseal femoral fractures in patients aged ≥ 65 years who underwent surgical treatment at our hospital between 2004 and 2011. We describe the incidence of atypical fractures and their characteristics, with observational data including a review of the hospital and general practitioner records. Clinical outcomes were evaluated using the Harris hip score (HHS) and the timed up-and-go (TUG) test. Atypical fractures only occurred in women with an incidence of 9.8 per 100 000 person-years. The incidence in those who were treated with bisphosphonates was 79.0 per 100 000 person-years; eight of 17 fractures occurred around metal implants. There was a high incidence of delayed union and revision surgery. A total of nine patients (ten AFFs) were available for review at a mean follow-up of 36.5 months (10 to 104). The clinical outcome was poor with a mean HHS of 58.9 (95% CI 47.4 to 70.4) and a mean TUG test of 25.7 s (95% CI 12.7 to 38.8). The delay in diagnosis and treatment of AFF may result from a lack of knowledge of this condition. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2014; 96-B:1035–40


Bone & Joint Research
Vol. 6, Issue 9 | Pages 535 - 541
1 Sep 2017
Zan P Mol MO Yao JJ Fan L Yang D Liu K Li G

Objectives. The length of the tourniquet time during total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is related to the incidence of post-operative deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Our aim in this study was to investigate the effect of the early release of the tourniquet on the incidence of DVT in patients undergoing TKA. Methods. A total of 200 patients who underwent TKA between November 2015 and November 2016 were prospectively enrolled. The tourniquet was inflated before surgery and released immediately after the introduction of the components (early release group). This group was compared with a retrospective cohort of 200 primary TKAs, in which the tourniquet was released after the dressings had been applied (late release group). The presence of a DVT was detected using bilateral lower limb ultrasonography. Peri-operative clinical and follow-up data were collected for analysis. Results. The incidence of DVT in the early release group (9 of 196, 4.6%) was significantly lower compared with the late release group (24 of 200, 12%; odds ratio (OR) 0.35, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.16 to 0.78, p = 0.008). The incidence of proximal DVT in the early release group (1 of 196 (0.5%)) was significantly lower than in the late release group (8 of 196, 4%; OR 0.12, 95% CI 0.02 to 0.99, p = 0.020). Although the mean intra-operative blood loss was higher in the early release group, the mean post-operative drainage, total blood loss, transfusion requirements and complications were not significantly different in the two groups. Conclusion. In patients who undergo TKA, releasing the tourniquet early is associated with a decreased incidence of DVT, without increasing the rate of complications. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2017;6:535–541


The Bone & Joint Journal
Vol. 96-B, Issue 2 | Pages 181 - 187
1 Feb 2014
Owen DH Russell NC Smith PN Walter WL

Squeaking arising from a ceramic-on-ceramic (CoC) total hip replacement (THR) may cause patient concern and in some cases causes patients to seek revision surgery. We performed a meta-analysis to determine the incidence of squeaking and the incidence of revision surgery for squeaking. A total of 43 studies including 16 828 CoC THR that reported squeaking, or revision for squeaking, were entered into the analysis. The incidence of squeaking was 4.2% and the incidence of revision for squeaking was 0.2%. The incidence of squeaking in patients receiving the Accolade femoral stem was 8.3%, and the incidence of revision for squeaking in these patients was 1.3%. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2014;96-B:181–7


The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery British Volume
Vol. 90-B, Issue 1 | Pages 92 - 94
1 Jan 2008
Murray AW Wilson NIL

Obesity is thought to be an aetiological factor for slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE). We analysed changes in the incidence of SCFE in Scotland over the last two decades. During this period rates of childhood obesity have risen substantially and evidence for a relationship between these changes and the incidence of SCFE was sought. We found that the incidence of SCFE increased from 3.78 per 100 000 children in 1981 to 9.66 per 100 000 in 2000 (R. 2. = 0.715): a two and a half times increase over two decades. It was seen at a younger age, with a fall in the mean age at diagnosis from 13.4 to 12.6 years for boys (p = 0.007) and 12.2 to 11.6 for girls (p = 0.047). More children under eight years old were seen with SCFE in Scotland in the decade to 2000 than in the previous decade (p = 0.002, R. 2. = 0.346). A close correlation was observed between rising childhood obesity over the last 20 years in Scotland and an increasing incidence of SCFE


The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery British Volume
Vol. 87-B, Issue 12 | Pages 1666 - 1668
1 Dec 2005
Rowe S Jung S Lee K Bae B Cheon S Kang K

The purpose of this study was to determine the annual incidence of Perthes’ disease in Korea and compare this with other populations. A survey identified all newly diagnosed children with Perthes’ disease aged 14 years or younger in South Honam, Korea, between January 1999 and December 2001. A total of 84 children were included: 29 in 1999, 28 in 2000 and 27 in 2001. The mean annual incidence was 3.8 per 100 000. This is similar to that reported in other Asian countries, but higher than in black populations and lower than in Caucasians


Aims. Slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) is one of the most common hip diseases of adolescence that can cause marked disability, yet there is little robust evidence to guide treatment. Fundamental aspects of the disease, such as frequency, are unknown and consequently the desire of clinicians to undertake robust intervention studies is somewhat prohibited by a lack of fundamental knowledge. Methods. The study is an anonymized nationwide comprehensive cohort study with nested consented within the mechanism of the British Orthopaedic Surgery Surveillance (BOSS) Study. All relevant hospitals treating SCFE in England, Scotland, and Wales will contribute anonymized case details. Potential missing cases will be cross-checked against two independent external sources of data (the national administrative data and independent trainee data). Patients will be invited to enrich the data collected by supplementing anonymized case data with patient-reported outcome measures. In line with recommendations of the IDEAL Collaboration, the study will primarily seek to determine incidence, describe case mix and variations in surgical interventions, and explore the relationships between baseline factors (patients and types of interventions) and two-year outcomes. Discussion. This is the first disease to be investigated using the BOSS Study infrastructure. It provides a robust method to determine the disease frequency, and a large unbiased sample of cases from which treatment strategies can be investigated. It may form the basis for definitive robust intervention studies or, where these are demonstrated not to be feasible, this may be the most robust cohort study


The Bone & Joint Journal
Vol. 95-B, Issue 7 | Pages 868 - 873
1 Jul 2013
Cho SK Lu Y Lee D

Dysphagia is a common complication of anterior surgery of the cervical spine. The incidence of post-operative dysphagia may be as high as 71% within the first two weeks after surgery, but gradually decreases during the following months. However, 12% to 14% of patients may have some persistent dysphagia one year after the procedure. It has been shown that female gender, advanced age, multilevel surgery, longer operating time and severe pre-operative neck pain may be risk factors. Although the aetiology remains unclear and is probably multifactorial, proposed causes include oesophageal retraction, prominence of the cervical plate and prevertebral swelling. Recently, pre-operative tracheal traction exercises and the use of retropharyngeal steroids have been proposed as methods of reducing post-operative dysphagia. We performed a systematic review to assess the incidence, aetiology, risk factors, methods of assessment and management of dysphagia following anterior cervical spinal surgery. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2013;95-B:868–73


The Bone & Joint Journal
Vol. 99-B, Issue 1_Supple_A | Pages 46 - 49
1 Jan 2017
Su EP

Nerve palsy is a well-described complication following total hip arthroplasty, but is highly distressing and disabling. A nerve palsy may cause difficulty with the post-operative rehabilitation, and overall mobility of the patient. Nerve palsy may result from compression and tension to the affected nerve(s) during the course of the operation via surgical manipulation and retractor placement, tension from limb lengthening or compression from post-operative hematoma. In the literature, hip dysplasia, lengthening of the leg, the use of an uncemented femoral component, and female gender are associated with a greater risk of nerve palsy. We examined our experience at a high-volume, tertiary care referral centre, and found an overall incidence of 0.3% out of 39 056 primary hip arthroplasties. Risk factors found to be associated with the incidence of nerve palsy at our institution included the presence of spinal stenosis or lumbar disc disease, age younger than 50, and smoking. If a nerve palsy is diagnosed, imaging is mandatory and surgical evacuation or compressive haematomas may be beneficial. As palsies are slow to recover, supportive care such as bracing, therapy, and reassurance are the mainstays of treatment. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2017;99-B(1 Supple A):46–9


The Bone & Joint Journal
Vol. 99-B, Issue 4 | Pages 489 - 493
1 Apr 2017
Sadamasu A Yamaguchi S Nakagawa R Kimura S Endo J Akagi R Sasho T

Aims. The purposes of this study were to clarify first, the incidence of peroneal tendon dislocation in patients with a fracture of the talus and second the factors associated with peroneal tendon dislocation. Patients and Methods. We retrospectively examined 30 patients (30 ankles) with a mean age of 37.5 years, who had undergone internal fixation for a fracture of the talus. Independent examiners assessed for peroneal tendon dislocation using the pre-operative CT images. The medical records were also reviewed for the presence of peroneal tendon dislocation. The associations between the presence of dislocation with the patient characteristics or radiological findings, including age, mechanism of injury, severity of fracture, and fleck sign, were assessed using Fisher’s exact tests. Results. The pre-operative CT images showed peroneal tendon dislocation in eight out of 30 patients. Dislocation was found later in one patient whose pre-operative CT image had not shown dislocation. The overall incidence of peroneal tendon dislocation was 30% (9/30). The presence of dislocation was associated with the presence of a fleck sign (p = 0.03). Conclusions. Surprisingly, approximately one-third of the patients who underwent internal fixation for a fracture of the talus had peroneal tendon dislocation. This was associated with a fleck sign. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2017;99-B:489–93


The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery British Volume
Vol. 94-B, Issue 6 | Pages 755 - 761
1 Jun 2012
Bosker BH Ettema HB Boomsma MF Kollen BJ Maas M Verheyen CCPM

Peri-articular soft-tissue masses or ‘pseudotumours’ can occur after large-diameter metal-on-metal (MoM) resurfacing of the hip and conventional total hip replacement (THR). Our aim was to assess the incidence of pseudotumour formation and to identify risk factors for their formation in a prospective cohort study. A total of 119 patients who underwent 120 MoM THRs with large-diameter femoral heads between January 2005 and November 2007 were included in the study. Outcome scores, serum metal ion levels, radiographs and CT scans were obtained. Patients with symptoms or an identified pseudotumour were offered MRI and an ultrasound-guided biopsy. There were 108 patients (109 hips) eligible for evaluation by CT scan at a mean follow-up of 3.6 years (2.5 to 4.5); 42 patients (39%) were diagnosed with a pseudotumour. The hips of 13 patients (12%) were revised to a polyethylene acetabular component with small-diameter metal head. Patients with elevated serum metal ion levels had a four times increased risk of developing a pseudotumour. This study shows a substantially higher incidence of pseudotumour formation and subsequent revisions in patients with MoM THRs than previously reported. Because most revision cases were identified only after an intensive screening protocol, we recommend close monitoring of patients with MoM THR


The Bone & Joint Journal
Vol. 97-B, Issue 11 | Pages 1481 - 1487
1 Nov 2015
van der Veen HC Reininga IHF Zijlstra WP Boomsma MF Bulstra SK van Raay JJAM

We compared the incidence of pseudotumours after large head metal-on-metal (MoM) total hip arthroplasty (THA) with that after conventional metal-on-polyethylene (MoP) THA and assessed the predisposing factors to pseudotumour formation. . From a previous randomised controlled trial which compared large head (38 mm to 60 mm) cementless MoM THA with conventional head (28 mm) cementless MoP THA, 93 patients (96 THAs: 41 MoM (21 males, 20 females, mean age of 64 years, standard deviation (. sd. ) 4) and 55 MoP (25 males, 30 females, mean age of 65 years, . sd. 5) were recruited after a mean follow-up of 50 months (36 to 64). . The incidence of pseudotumours, measured using a standardised CT protocol was 22 (53.7%) after MoM THA and 12 (21.8%) after MoP THA. Women with a MoM THA were more likely to develop a pseudotumour than those with a MoP THA (15 vs 7, odds ratio (OR) = 13.4, p < 0.001). There was a similar incidence of pseudotumours in men with MoM THAs and those with MoP THAs (7 vs 5, OR = 2.1, p = 0.30). Elevated cobalt levels (≥ 5 microgram/L) were only associated with pseudotumours in women with a MoM THA. There was no difference in mean Oxford and Harris hip scores between patients with a pseudotumour and those without. . Contrary to popular belief, pseudotumours occur frequently around MoP THAs. Women with a MoM THA and an elevated cobalt level are at greatest risk. In this study, pseudotumours had no effect on the functional outcome after either large head MoM or conventional MoP THA. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2015;97-B:1481–7


The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery British Volume
Vol. 93-B, Issue 6 | Pages 801 - 805
1 Jun 2011
Quah C Boulton C Moran C

This is the first study to use the English Indices of Multiple Deprivation 2007, the Government’s official measure of multiple deprivation, to analyse the effect of socioeconomic status on the incidence of fractures of the hip and their outcome and mortality. Our sample consisted of all patients admitted to hospital with a fracture of the hip (n = 7511) in Nottingham between 1999 and 2009. The incidence was 1.3 times higher (p = 0.038) in the most deprived populations than in the least deprived; the most deprived suffered a fracture, on average, 1.1 years earlier (82.0 years versus 83.1 years, p < 0.001). The mortality rate proved to be significantly higher in the most deprived population (log-rank test, p = 0.033), who also had a higher number of comorbidities (p = 0.001). This study has shown an increase in the incidence of fracture of the hip in the most deprived population, but no association between socioeconomic status and mortality at 30 days. Preventative programmes aimed at reducing the risk of hip fracture should be targeted towards the more deprived if they are to make a substantial impact


The Bone & Joint Journal
Vol. 95-B, Issue 6 | Pages 798 - 802
1 Jun 2013
Goddard M Salmon L Waller A Papapetros E Pinczewski LA

Between 1993 and 1994, 891 patients underwent primary anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. A total of 48 patients had undergone bilateral ACL reconstruction and 42 were available for review. These patients were matched to a unilateral ACL reconstruction control group for gender, age, sport of primary injury, meniscal status and graft type. At 15-year follow-up a telephone interview with patients in both groups was performed. The incidence of further ACL injury was identified through structured questions and the two groups were compared for the variables of graft rupture or further ACL injury, family history of ACL injury, International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) subjective score and activity level. There were 28 male and 14 female patients with a mean age of 25 years (13 to 42) at the time of first ACL injury. Subsequent further ACL injury was identified in ten patients (24%) in the bilateral ACL reconstruction study group and in nine patients (21%) in the unilateral ACL reconstruction control group (p = 0.794). The mean time from bilateral ACL reconstruction to further ACL injury was 54 months (6 to 103). There was no significant difference between the bilateral ACL reconstruction study group and the matched unilateral ACL reconstruction control group in incidence of further ACL injury (p = 0.794), family history of ACL injury (p = 0.595), IKDC activity level (p = 0.514), or IKDC subjective score (p = 0.824). After bilateral ACL reconstruction the incidence of graft rupture and subjective outcomes were equivalent to that after unilateral ACL reconstructions. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2013;95-B:798–802


The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery British Volume
Vol. 94-B, Issue 2 | Pages 210 - 214
1 Feb 2012
Griffiths JT Matthews L Pearce CJ Calder JDF

The incidence of deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) is thought to be low following foot and ankle surgery, but the routine use of chemoprophylaxis remains controversial. This retrospective study assessed the incidence of symptomatic venous thromboembolic (VTE) complications following a consecutive series of 2654 patients undergoing elective foot and ankle surgery. A total of 1078 patients received 75 mg aspirin as routine thromboprophylaxis between 2003 and 2006 and 1576 patients received no form of chemical thromboprophylaxis between 2007 and 2010. The overall incidence of VTE was 0.42% (DVT, 0.27%; PE, 0.15%) with 27 patients lost to follow-up. If these were included to create a worst case scenario, the overall VTE rate was 1.43%. There was no apparent protective effect against VTE by using aspirin. We conclude that the incidence of VTE following foot and ankle surgery is very low and routine use of chemoprophylaxis does not appear necessary for patients who are not in the high risk group for VTE


The Bone & Joint Journal
Vol. 99-B, Issue 4 | Pages 554 - 560
1 Apr 2017
Tamai K Suzuki A Takahashi S Akhgar J Rahmani MS Hayashi K Ohyama S Nakamura H

Aims. We aimed to evaluate the temperature around the nerve root during drilling of the lamina and to determine whether irrigation during drilling can reduce the chance of nerve root injury. Materials and Methods. Lumbar nerve roots were exposed to frictional heat by high-speed drilling of the lamina in a live rabbit model, with saline (room temperature (RT) or chilled saline) or without saline (control) irrigation. We measured temperatures surrounding the nerve root and made histological evaluations. Results. In the control group, the mean temperature around the nerve root was 52.0°C (38.0°C to 75.5°C) after 60 seconds of drilling, and nerve root injuries were found in one out of 13 (7.7%) immediately, three out of 14 (21.4%) at three days, and 11 out of 25 (44.0%) at seven days post-operatively. While the RT group showed a significantly lower temperature around the nerve root compared with the control group (mean 46.5°C; 34.5°C to 66.9°C, p < 0.001), RT saline failed to significantly reduce the incidence of nerve root injury (ten out of 26; 38.5%; odds ratio (OR) 0.96; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.516 to 1.785; p = 0.563). However, chilled saline irrigation resulted in a significantly lower temperature than the control group (mean 39.0°C; 35.3°C to 52.3°C; p < 0.001) and a lower rate of nerve root injury (two out of 21; 9.5%, OR 0.13; 95% CI 0.02 to 0.703, p = 0.010). Conclusion. Frictional heat caused by a high-speed drill can cause histological nerve root injury. Chilled saline irrigation had a more prominent effect than RT in reducing the incidence of the thermal injury during extended drilling. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2017;99-B:554–60