Aims

The aim of this study was to estimate economic outcomes associated with deep surgical site infection (SSI) in patients with an open fracture of the lower limb.

The Gamma nail was designed to treat unstable intertrochanteric and subtrochanteric fractures. The device was developed after cadaver studies and has been used clinically since February 1985 in a total of 421 patients. The results in 123 patients treated by the third version of this design are reported. The Gamma nail transmits weight closer to the calcar than does the dynamic hip screw and it has greater mechanical strength. A semi-closed operative technique is used, with an average duration of operation of 35 minutes and little blood loss. Distal locking screws can be used to maintain rotational stability, and can be inserted without the use of an image intensifier. Results showed satisfactory fracture union with little loss of position, even in comminuted fractures. Operative complications were few, but included fractures of the base of the greater trochanter. The most important postoperative complication, seen in one case, was fracture of the shaft of the femur at the distal end of the nail, but this healed well after re-nailing

We present the results of a prospective trial of osteotomy of the metatarsal neck for hallux valgus in 31 feet of 23 women, using a new stapling device with no plaster splintage and early weight-bearing. Surgery was performed for pain (29 feet) and difficulty with footwear (nine feet). The average time for return to light work was 3.3 weeks, and to full work 8.3 weeks after operation. Seventeen patients had full recovery within three months and 21 of the 23 patients had complete relief of pain. Shoes were more comfortable in 17 feet and 9 patients could wear narrower shoes. Only two patients were unsatisfied with the appearance of the foot. All the osteotomies united, and the average hallux valgus angle was improved on radiographs from 35 degrees to 23 degrees. The mean first metatarsal angle was reduced from 16 degrees to 11 degrees. The new technique allows more accurate surgery and easier postoperative management

Continuous passive motion (CPM) is an established method of preventing joint stiffness and of overcoming it. The optimum duration of treatment, however, is not known, though a period of one to three weeks is usual. This may be unnecessarily long and a programme lasting only three days has been tried in 34 patients: in 22 (Group A) treatment was designed to increase movement in stiff joints which had been operated on or manipulated, and in 12 (Group B) it was to prevent stiffness after an injury. A specially designed CPM device was used. In Group A, the range by the third day of treatment was significantly greater than before manipulation or operation and this increase was maintained until the latest follow-up at an average of 24 weeks. In Group B, the pre-injury range was almost retained and thereafter there was a gradual increase. Patient compliance in the first 12 hours of CPM was relatively poorer than that described in previous reports, and in five patients treatment had to be discontinued

A technique of examining the infant hip joint with real-time ultrasound is described. Since the cartilaginous femoral head is clearly imaged by ultrasound, anatomical structures and their relationships can be accurately determined. Dislocated hips are easily detected and subluxations also can be visualized. We report our experience with 131 examinations in 104 patients, comprising 259 single hip studies. Of 83 patients who were previously untreated, there were 178 hip studies with three false-negative and four false-positive ultrasound results. No dislocations were missed. Twenty-seven patients who were already being treated were examined to assess hip location, comprising a total of 81 hip studies. In some cases the patients were examined while in an abduction device, cast, or Pavlik harness. In one case a dislocation was not detected. The method of examination using real-time ultrasound is considered to be reliable, accurate, and a useful adjunct to radiography. The advantages are that it is non-invasive, portable, and involves no exposure to radiation

Aims

Guided growth using eight-plates is commonly used for correction of angular limb deformities in growing children. The principle is of tethering at the physeal periphery while enabling growth in the rest of the physis. The method is also applied for epiphysiodesis to correct limb-length discrepancy (LLD). Concerns have been raised regarding the potential of this method to create an epiphyseal deformity. However, this has not been investigated. The purpose of this study was to detect and quantify the occurrence of deformities in the proximal tibial epiphysis following treatment with eight-plates.

The results obtained with a lightweight dynamic axial fixator in the treatment of fractures are reported. The apparatus comprises a single bar with articulating ends which clamp self-tapping screws and can be locked at an angle appropriate for axial alignment. A telescopic facility allows ready conversion from rigid to dynamic fixation once periosteal callus formation has commenced. Reduction and controlled distraction or compression are achieved by means of a detachable compressor unit. We treated 288 patients with fresh fractures and 50 with ununited fractures. The success rate for fresh fractures was 94%, with average healing times ranging from 3.4 to 6.5 months. In ununited fractures also, the success rate was 94% with average healing times ranging from 4.7 to 6.5 months. Complications were minimal. The device is versatile and can be applied in an average of 15 minutes. It permits ambulatory fracture care without sacrificing a sound anatomical result

Aims

The aim of this study was to determine the stability of a new short femoral stem compared with a conventional femoral stem in patients undergoing cementless total hip arthroplasty (THA), in a prospective randomized controlled trial using radiostereometric analysis (RSA).

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.

We analysed the complications encountered in 102 consecutive patients who had posterolateral lumbosacral fusion performed with transpedicular screw and rod fixation for non-traumatic disorders after a minimum of two years. Of these, 40 had spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis, 42 a degenerative disorder, 14 instability after previous laminectomy and decompression, and six pain after nonunion of previous attempts at spinal fusion without internal fixation. There were 75 multilevel and 27 single-level fusions. There were 76 individual complications in 48 patients, and none in the other 54. The complications seen were screw misplacement, coupling failure of the device, wound infection, nonunion, permanent neural injury, and loosening, bending and breakage of screws. Screw breakage or loosening was more common in patients with multilevel fusions (p < 0.001). Screws of 5 mm diameter should not be used for sacral fixation. Forty-six patients had at least one further operation for one or several complications, including 20 fusion procedures for nonunion. The high incidence of complications is a disadvantage of this technically-demanding method

Objectives

Many in vitro studies have investigated the mechanism by which mechanical signals are transduced into biological signals that regulate bone homeostasis via periodontal ligament fibroblasts during orthodontic treatment, but the results have not been systematically reviewed. This review aims to do this, considering the parameters of various in vitro mechanical loading approaches and their effects on osteogenic and osteoclastogenic properties of periodontal ligament fibroblasts.

Aims

This study reports the outcomes of a technique of soft-tissue coverage and Chopart amputation for severe crush injuries of the forefoot.

The understanding of rotational alignment of the distal femur is essential in total knee replacement to ensure that there is correct placement of the femoral component. Many reference axes have been described, but there is still disagreement about their value and mutual angular relationship. Our aim was to validate a geometrically-defined reference axis against which the surface-derived axes could be compared in the axial plane. A total of 12 cadaver specimens underwent CT after rigid fixation of optical tracking devices to the femur and the tibia. Three-dimensional reconstructions were made to determine the anatomical surface points and geometrical references. The spatial relationships between the femur and tibia in full extension and in 90° of flexion were examined by an optical infrared tracking system. After co-ordinate transformation of the described anatomical points and geometrical references, the projection of the relevant axes in the axial plane of the femur were mathematically achieved. Inter- and intra-observer variability in the three-dimensional CT reconstructions revealed angular errors ranging from 0.16° to 1.15° for all axes except for the trochlear axis which had an interobserver error of 2°. With the knees in full extension, the femoral transverse axis, connecting the centres of the best matching spheres of the femoral condyles, almost coincided with the tibial transverse axis (mean difference −0.8°, . sd. 2.05). At 90° of flexion, this femoral transverse axis was orthogonal to the tibial mechanical axis (mean difference −0.77°, . sd. 4.08). Of all the surface-derived axes, the surgical transepicondylar axis had the closest relationship to the femoral transverse axis after projection on to the axial plane of the femur (mean difference 0.21°, . sd. 1.77). The posterior condylar line was the most consistent axis (range −2.96° to −0.28°, . sd. 0.77) and the trochlear anteroposterior axis the least consistent axis (range −10.62° to +11.67°, . sd. 6.12). The orientation of both the posterior condylar line and the trochlear anteroposterior axis (p = 0.001) showed a trend towards internal rotation with valgus coronal alignment

Objectives

The Attune total knee arthroplasty (TKA) has been used in over 600 000 patients worldwide. Registry data show good clinical outcome; however, concerns over the cement-tibial interface have been reported. We used retrieval analysis to give further insight into this controversial topic.

Objectives

Indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence angiography is an emerging technique that can provide detailed anatomical information during surgery. The purpose of this study is to determine whether ICG fluorescence angiography can be used to evaluate the blood flow of the rotator cuff tendon in the clinical setting.

Fifty-one infants with limited abduction of the hip and acetabular dysplasia were, between 1969 and 1975, treated with abduction-adduction exercises, administered by the parents; no abduction devices were used. In 1983 a follow-up examination was carried out on 41 of these patients. Although at birth these children had characteristics similar to patients with congenital dislocation of the hip, none of their hips dislocated. At birth acetabular measurements showed that half the children had severe dysplasia and the other half slight dysplasia; the difference between the affected and the healthy hips was significant. At follow-up the gait was normal in all the patients. Movements at the hips were symmetrical and within normal limits in all but one patient. The acetabular angle, the centre-edge angle, the shaft-neck angle, the hip ratio, and the size of the femoral head were the same on the previously affected side as on the normal side. Nineteen of the children followed up had preferred lying on one side and dysplasia of the upper hip had developed. The significance of the sleeping position on the development of acetabular dysplasia is discussed

1. By the use of a device that allows movement of a human finger joint to take place uninfluenced by muscle activity, the coefficient of friction has been determined between living articular surfaces. 2. The force of friction rises as the range of movement is increased, because of the tension then developing in the ligaments and the soft tissues surrounding the joint. 3. Measurements have also been made of the forces of friction within the ankle joint of the dog and within four types of reciprocating bearings (plastic, oil-lubricated, "floating" and hydrostatic). 4. By altering the load borne by the joints and bearings it has been shown that joints resemble in their behaviour those bearings in which a film of fluid is maintained between the fixed and moving surfaces, rather than bearings depending wholly or in part on boundary lubrication. 5. It is suggested that joints normally owe their great freedom of movement to a special type of fluid film lubrication that has been termed "weeping lubrication," supplemented by "floating lubrication," though on occasions boundary conditions may prevail

We have studied the three-dimensional geometry of the proximal humerus on human cadaver specimens using a digitised measuring device linked to a computer. Our findings demonstrated the variable shape of the proximal humerus as well as its variable dimensions. The articular surface, which is part of a sphere varies individually in its orientation as regards inclination and retroversion, and it has variable medial and posterior offsets. These variations cannot be accommodated by the designs of most contemporary humeral components. Although good clinical results can be achieved with current modular and non-modular components their relatively fixed geometry prevents truly anatomical restoration in many cases. To try to restore the original three-dimensional geometry of the proximal humerus, we have developed a new type of humeral component which is modular and adaptable to the individual anatomy. Such adaptability allows correct positioning of the prosthetic head in relation to an individual anatomical neck, after removal of the marginal osteophytes. The design of this third-generation prosthesis respects the four geometrical variations which have been demonstrated in the present study. These are inclination, retroversion, medial offset and posterior offset

Objectives

The aim of this study was to analyze drain fluid, blood, and urine simultaneously to follow the long-term release of vancomycin from a biphasic ceramic carrier in major hip surgery. Our hypothesis was that there would be high local vancomycin concentrations during the first week with safe low systemic trough levels and a complete antibiotic release during the first month.