The August 2013 Children’s orthopaedics Roundup³⁶⁰ looks at: a multilevel approach to equinus gait; whether screening leads to needless intervention; salvage of subcapital slipped epiphysis; growing prostheses for children’s oncology; flexible nailing revisited; ultrasound and the pink pulseless hand; and slipping forearm fractures.

Comparison of the safety and efficacy of bilateral simultaneous total hip replacement (THR) and that of staged bilateral THR and unilateral THR was conducted using DerSimonian-Laird heterogeneity meta-analysis. A review of the English-language literature identified 23 citations eligible for inclusion. A total of 2063 bilateral simultaneous THR patients were identified. Meta-analysis of homogeneous data revealed no statistically significant differences in the rates of thromboembolic events (p = 0.268 and p = 0.365) and dislocation (p = 0.877) when comparing staged or unilateral with bilateral simultaneous THR procedures. A systematic analysis of heterogeneous data demonstrated that the mean length of hospital stay was shorter after bilateral simultaneous THR. Higher blood transfusion requirements were expected following bilateral simultaneous THR than staged or unilateral THR, and surgical time was not different between groups. This procedure was also found to be economically and functionally efficacious when performed by experienced surgeons in specialist centres.

Limited forefoot amputation in diabetic patients with osteomyelitis is frequently required. We retrospectively reviewed diabetic patients with osteomyelitis, an unhealed ulcer and blood pressure in the toe of > 45 mmHg who underwent limited amputation of the foot with primary wound closure. Between 2006 and 2012, 74 consecutive patients with a mean age of 67 years (29 to 93), and a median follow-up of 31 months, were included. All the wounds healed primarily at a median of 37 days (13 to 210; mean 48). At a median of 6 months (1.5 to 18; mean 353 days), 23 patients (31%) suffered a further ulceration. Of these, 12 patients (16% of the total) required a further amputation.

We conclude that primary wound closure following limited amputation of the foot in patients with diabetes is a safe and effective technique when associated with appropriate antibiotic treatment.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2013;95-B:1083–7.

The August 2013 Shoulder & Elbow Roundup³⁶⁰ looks at: the sternoclavicular joint revisited; surgical simulators: more than just a fancy idea?; arthroscopic tennis elbow release; costly clavicle stabilisation; a better treatment for tennis elbow?; shock news: surgeons and radiologists agree; overhead athletes and SLAP repair; and total shoulder arthroplasty more effective than hemiarthroplasty

There is little published information on the health impact of frozen shoulder. The purpose of this study was to assess the functional and health-related quality of life outcomes following arthroscopic capsular release (ACR) for contracture of the shoulder. Between January 2010 and January 2012 all patients who had failed non-operative treatment including anti-inflammatory medication, physiotherapy and glenohumeral joint injections for contracture of the shoulder and who subsequently underwent an ACR were enrolled in the study. A total of 100 patients were eligible; 68 underwent ACR alone and 32 had ACR with a subacromial decompression (ASD). ACR resulted in a highly significant improvement in the range of movement and functional outcome, as measured by the Oxford shoulder score and EuroQol EQ-5D index. The mean cost of a quality-adjusted life year (QALY) for an ACR and ACR with an ASD was £2563 and £3189, respectively.

ACR is thus a cost-effective procedure that can restore relatively normal function and health-related quality of life in most patients with a contracture of the shoulder within six months after surgery; and the beneficial effects are not related to the duration of the presenting symptoms.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2013;95-B:942–6.

The June 2013 Hip & Pelvis Roundup³⁶⁰ looks at: failure in metal-on-metal arthroplasty; minimal hip approaches; whether bisphosphonates improve femoral bone stock following arthroplasty; whether more fat means more operative time; surgical infection; vascularised fibular graft for osteonecrosis; subclinical SUFE; and dentists, hips and antibiotics.

In this study we hypothesised that anxiety/depression, one of five dimensions in the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) measurement tool EQ-5D, could predict outcome after total hip replacement surgery.

Pre-operative and one-year post-operative data from the Swedish Hip Arthroplasty Register, including 6158 patients with primary osteoarthritis of the hip, were analysed. In order to examine the association between anxiety and outcome with respect to pain and satisfaction an analysis of covariance was used.

The pre-operative EQ-5D anxiety/depression dimension was a strong predictor for pain relief and patient satisfaction (p < 0.001).

Orthopaedic surgeons involved in the care of patients eligible for total hip replacement surgery should be aware that mental health may influence post-operative pain and HRQoL. An appropriate assessment of mental health may enable a modification in the way these patients are managed in order to optimise the outcome after joint replacement surgery.

Pre-operative variables are increasingly being used to determine eligibility for total knee replacement (TKR). This study was undertaken to evaluate the relationships, interactions and predictive capacity of variables available pre- and post-operatively on patient satisfaction following TKR. Using nationally collected patient reported outcome measures and data from the National Joint Registry for England and Wales, we identified 22 798 patients who underwent TKR for osteoarthritis between August 2008 and September 2010. The ability of specific covariates to predict satisfaction was assessed using ordinal logistic regression and structural equational modelling. Only 4959 (22%) of 22 278 patients rated the results of their TKR as ‘excellent’, despite the majority (71%, n = 15 882) perceiving their knee symptoms to be much improved. The strongest predictors of satisfaction were post-operative variables. Satisfaction was significantly and positively related to the perception of symptom improvement (operative success) and the post-operative EuroQol-5D score. While also significant within the models pre-operative variables were less important and had a minimal influence upon post-operative satisfaction. The most robust predictions of satisfaction occurred only when both pre- and post-operative variables were considered together. These findings question the appropriateness of restricting access to care based on arbitrary pre-operative thresholds as these factors have little bearing on post-operative satisfaction.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2013;95-B:1359–65.

Objectives

The period of post-operative treatment before surgical wounds are completely closed remains a key window, during which one can apply new technologies that can minimise complications. One such technology is the use of negative pressure wound therapy to manage and accelerate healing of the closed incisional wound (incisional NPWT).

In Canada, Dupuytren's contracture is managed with partial fasciectomy or percutaneous needle aponeurotomy (PNA). Injectable collagenase will soon be available. The optimal management of Dupuytren’s contracture is controversial and trade-offs exist between the different methods. Using a cost-utility analysis approach, our aim was to identify the most cost-effective form of treatment for managing Dupuytren’s contracture it and the threshold at which collagenase is cost-effective. We developed an expected-value decision analysis model for Dupuytren’s contracture affecting a single finger, comparing the cost-effectiveness of fasciectomy, aponeurotomy and collagenase from a societal perspective. Cost-effectiveness, one-way sensitivity and variability analyses were performed using standard thresholds for cost effective treatment ($50 000 to $100 000/QALY gained). Percutaneous needle aponeurotomy was the preferred strategy for managing contractures affecting a single finger. The cost-effectiveness of primary aponeurotomy improved when repeated to treat recurrence. Fasciectomy was not cost-effective. Collagenase was cost-effective relative to and preferred over aponeurotomy at $875 and $470 per course of treatment, respectively.

In summary, our model supports the trend towards non-surgical interventions for managing Dupuytren’s contracture affecting a single finger. Injectable collagenase will only be feasible in our publicly funded healthcare system if it costs significantly less than current United States pricing.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2013;95-B:1094–1100.

Recent publication of reports showing high revision rates for hip and knee replacements carried out in Independent Sector Treatment Centres (ISTCs) has raised doubts regarding their ability to provide high quality healthcare. The high revision rates also create a financial burden to the NHS. The poor quality of data collected at ISTCs makes their performance difficult to evaluate. Funds may be better spent improving existing NHS facilities rather than establishing parallel ISTCs.

The February 2013 Foot & Ankle Roundup³⁶⁰ looks at: replacement in osteonecrosis of the talus; ankle instability in athletes; long-term follow-up of lateral ankle ligament reconstruction; an operation for Stage II TPD; whether you should operate on Achilles tendon ruptures; Weil osteotomies and Freiberg’s disease; MRI scanning not sensitive for intra-articular lesions; and single-stage debridement and reconstruction in Charcot feet.

Objectives

To determine the morbidity and mortality outcomes of patients presenting with a fractured neck of femur in an Australian context. Peri-operative variables related to unfavourable outcomes were identified to allow planning of intervention strategies for improving peri-operative care.

High energy fractures of the pelvis are a challenging problem both in the immediate post-injury phase and later when definitive fixation is undertaken. No single management algorithm can be applied because of associated injuries and the wide variety of trauma systems that have evolved around the world.

Initial management is aimed at saving life and this is most likely to be achieved with an approach that seeks to identify and treat life-threatening injuries in order of priority. Early mortality after a pelvic fracture is most commonly due to major haemorrhage or catastrophic brain injury. In this article we review the role of pelvic binders, angiographic embolisation, pelvic packing, early internal fixation and blood transfusion with regard to controlling haemorrhage.

Definitive fixation seeks to prevent deformity and reduce complications. We believe this should be undertaken by specialist surgeons in a hospital resourced, equipped and staffed to manage the whole spectrum of major trauma. We describe the most common modes of internal fixation by injury type and review the factors that influence delayed mortality, adverse functional outcome, sexual dysfunction and venous thromboembolism.

The December 2012 Foot & ankle Roundup³⁶⁰ looks at: correcting the overcorrected club foot; syndesmotic surgery; autograft for osteochondral defects; sesamoidectomy after fracture in athletes; complications in ankle replacement; the arthroscope as a treatment for ankle osteoarthritis; whether da Vinci was a modern foot surgeon; and a popliteal block in ankle fixation.

This is a retrospective study of six children with ununited scaphoid fractures treated conservatively. Their mean age was 12.8 years (9.7 to 16.3). Five had no early treatment. Radiological signs of nonunion were found at a mean of 4.6 months (3 to 7) after injury. Treatment consisted of cast immobilisation until clinical and radiological union. The mean clinical and radiological follow-up was for 67 months (17 to 90). We assessed the symptoms, the range of movement of the wrist and the grip strength to calculate the Modified Mayo Wrist score.

The fracture united in all patients after a mean period of immobilisation of 5.3 months (3 to 7). Five patients were pain free; one had mild pain. All returned to regular activities, and had a range of movement and grip strength within 25% of normal, resulting in an excellent Modified Mayo Wrist score.

Prolonged treatment with cast immobilisation resulted in union of the fracture and an excellent Modified Wrist Score in all patients.

We evaluated the efficacy of Escherichia coli-derived recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (E-BMP-2) in a mini-pig model of spinal anterior interbody fusion. A total of 14 male mini-pigs underwent three-level anterior lumbar interbody fusion using polyether etherketone (PEEK) cages containing porous hydroxyapatite (HA). Four groups of cages were prepared: 1) control (n = 10 segments); 2) 50 μg E-BMP-2 (n = 9); 3) 200 μg E-BMP-2 (n = 10); and 4) 800 μg E-BMP-2 (n = 9). At eight weeks after surgery the mini-pigs were killed and the specimens were evaluated by gross inspection and manual palpation, radiological evaluation including plain radiographs and micro-CT scans, and histological analysis. Rates of fusion within PEEK cages and overall union rates were calculated, and bone formation outside vertebrae was evaluated. One animal died post-operatively and was excluded, and one section was lost and also excluded, leaving 38 sites for assessment. This rate of fusion within cages was 30.0% (three of ten) in the control group, 44.4% (four of nine) in the 50 μg E-BMP-2 group, 60.0% (six of ten) in the 200 μg E-BMP-2 group, and 77.8% (seven of nine) in the 800 μg E-BMP-2 group. Fusion rate was significantly increased by the addition of E-BMP-2 and with increasing E-BMP-2 dose (p = 0.046). In a mini-pig spinal anterior interbody fusion model using porous HA as a carrier, the implantation of E-BMP-2-loaded PEEK cages improved the fusion rate compared with PEEK cages alone, an effect that was significantly increased with increasing E-BMP-2 dosage.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2013;95-B:217–23.

The October 2012 Research Roundup³⁶⁰ looks at: whether you can escape your genes; oral prophylaxis for DVT; non-responders and the internet; metal-on-metal, mice and damaged livers; sleeping on the job; cartilage contact stress in the normal human hip; and a perfect reason to subscribe to 360.

In a global environment of rising costs and limited funds, robotic and computer-assisted orthopaedic technologies could provide the means to drive a necessary revolution in arthroplasty productivity. Robots have been used to operate on humans for 20 years, but the adoption of the technology has lagged behind that of the manufacturing industry. The use of robots in surgery should enable cost savings by reducing instrumentation and inventories, and improving accuracy. Despite these benefits, the orthopaedic community has been resistant to change. If the ergonomics and economics are right, robotic technology just might transform the provision of joint replacement.