Aims. The integrity of the soft tissue envelope is crucial for successful treatment of infected total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the rate of limb salvage, infection control, and clinical function following microvascular free flap coverage for salvage of the infected TKA. Methods. We retrospectively reviewed 23 microvascular free tissue transfers for management of soft tissue defects in infected TKA. There were 16 men and seven women with a mean age of 61.2 years (39 to 81). The median number of procedures performed prior to soft tissue coverage was five (2 to 9) and all patients had failed at least one two-stage reimplantation procedure. Clinical outcomes were measured using the Knee Society Scoring system for pain and function. Results. In all, one patient was lost to follow-up prior to 12 months. The remaining 22 patients were followed for a mean of 46 months (12 to 92). At latest follow-up, four patients (18%) had undergone amputation for failure of treatment and persistent infection. For the other 18 patients, 11 patients (50%) had maintained a knee prosthesis in place while seven patients had undergone resections for persistent infection but retained their limbs (32%). Reoperations were common following coverage and reimplantation. The median number of additional procedures was two (0 to 6). Clinical function was poor in patients who underwent reimplantation and retained a knee prosthesis following free flap coverage with a mean KSS score for pain and function of 44 (0 to 70) and 30 (0 to 65), respectively. All patients required an assistive device. Extensor mechanism problems and extensor lag requiring bracing were common following limb salvage and prosthesis reimplantation. Conclusion. Microvascular tissue transfer for management of infected TKA can be successful in limb salvage (82%) but clinical outcomes in salvaged limbs were poor. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2020;102-B(6 Supple A):176–180

This is a case series of prospectively gathered data characterising the injuries, surgical treatment and outcomes of consecutive British service personnel who underwent a unilateral lower limb amputation following combat injury. Patients with primary, unilateral loss of the lower limb sustained between March 2004 and March 2010 were identified from the United Kingdom Military Trauma Registry. Patients were asked to complete a Short-Form (SF)-36 questionnaire. A total of 48 patients were identified: 21 had a trans-tibial amputation, nine had a knee disarticulation and 18 had an amputation at the trans-femoral level. The median New Injury Severity Score was 24 (mean 27.4 (9 to 75)) and the median number of procedures per residual limb was 4 (mean 5 (2 to 11)). Minimum two-year SF-36 scores were completed by 39 patients (81%) at a mean follow-up of 40 months (25 to 75). The physical component of the SF-36 varied significantly between different levels of amputation (p = 0.01). Mental component scores did not vary between amputation levels (p = 0.114). Pain (p = 0.332), use of prosthesis (p = 0.503), rate of re-admission (p = 0.228) and mobility (p = 0.087) did not vary between amputation levels. These findings illustrate the significant impact of these injuries and the considerable surgical burden associated with their treatment. Quality of life is improved with a longer residual limb, and these results support surgical attempts to maximise residual limb length. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2013;95-B:224–9

Bone sarcomas are rare cancers and orthopaedic surgeons come across them infrequently, sometimes unexpectedly during surgical procedures. We investigated the outcomes of patients who underwent a surgical procedure where sarcomas were found unexpectedly and were subsequently referred to our unit for treatment. We identified 95 patients (44 intra-lesional excisions, 35 fracture fixations, 16 joint replacements) with mean age of 48 years (11 to 83); 60% were males (n = 57). Local recurrence arose in 40% who underwent limb salvage surgery versus 12% who had an amputation. Despite achieving local control, overall survival was worse for patients treated with amputation rather than limb salvage (54% vs 75% five-year survival). Factors that negatively influenced survival were invasive primary surgery (fracture fixation, joint replacement), a delay of greater than two months until referral to our oncology service, and high-grade tumours. Survival in these circumstances depends mostly on factors that are determined prior to definitive treatment by a tertiary orthopaedic oncology unit. Limb salvage in this group of patients is associated with a higher rate of inadequate marginal surgery and, consequently, higher local recurrence rates than amputation, but should still be attempted whenever possible, as local control is not the primary determinant of survival. . Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2014;96-B:665–72

Aims. Open fractures of the tibia are a heterogeneous group of injuries that can present a number of challenges to the treating surgeon. Consequently, few surgeons can reliably advise patients and relatives about the expected outcomes. The aim of this study was to determine whether these outcomes are predictable by using the Ganga Hospital Score (GHS). This has been shown to be a useful method of scoring open injuries to inform wound management and decide between limb salvage and amputation. Methods. We collected data on 182 consecutive patients with a type II, IIIA, or IIIB open fracture of the tibia who presented to our hospital between July and December 2016. For the purposes of the study, the patients were jointly treated by experienced consultant orthopaedic and plastic surgeons who determined the type of treatment. Separately, the study team (SP, HS, AD, JD) independently calculated the GHS and prospectively collected data on six outcomes for each patient. These included time to bony union, number of admissions, length of hospital stay, total length of treatment, final functional score, and number of operations. Spearman’s correlation was used to compare GHS with each outcome. Forward stepwise linear regression was used to generate predictive models based on components of the GHS. Five-fold cross-validation was used to prevent models from over-fitting. Results. The mean follow-up was 11.4 months (3 to 31). The mean time to union was 9.7 months (3 to 21), the mean number of operations was 2.8 (1 to 11), the mean time in hospital was 17.7 days (5 to 84), the mean length of treatment was 92.7 days (5 to 730), the mean number of admissions was 1.7 (1 to 6), and the mean functional score (Lower Extremity Functional Score (LEFS)) was 60.13 (33 to 80). There was a significant correlation between the GHS and each of the outcome measures. A predictive model was generated from which the GHS could be used to predict the various outcome measures. Conclusion. The GHS can be used to predict the outcome of patients who present with an open fracture of the tibia. Our model generates a numerical value for each outcome measure that can be used in clinical practice to inform the treating team and to advise patients. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2020;102-B(1):26–32

Aims. The aim of this study was to determine the risk of local recurrence and survival in patients with osteosarcoma based on the proximity of the tumour to the major vessels. Patients and Methods. A total of 226 patients with high-grade non-metastatic osteosarcoma in the limbs were investigated. Median age at diagnosis was 15 years (4 to 67) with the ratio of male to female patients being 1.5:1. The most common site of the tumour was the femur (n = 103) followed by tibia (n = 66). The vascular proximity was categorized based on the preoperative MRI after neoadjuvant chemotherapy into four types: type 1 > 5 mm; type 2 ≤ 5 mm, > 0 mm; type 3 attached; type 4 surrounded. Results. Limb salvage rate based on the proximity type was 92%, 88%, 51%, and 0% for types 1 to 4, respectively, and the overall survival at five years was 82%, 77%, 57%, and 67%, respectively (p < 0.001). Local recurrence rate in patients with limb-salvage surgery was 7%, 8%, and 22% for the types 1 to 3, respectively (p = 0.041), and local recurrence at the perivascular area was observed in 1% and 4% for type 2 and 3, respectively. The mean microscopic margin to the major vessels was 6.9 mm, 3.0 mm, and 1.4 mm for types 1 to 3, respectively. In type 3, local recurrence-free survival with limb salvage was significantly poorer compared with amputation (p = 0.025), while the latter offered no overall survival benefit. In this group of patients, factors such as good response to chemotherapy or limited vascular attachment to less than half circumference or longitudinal 10 mm reduced the risk of local recurrence. Conclusion. The proximity of osteosarcoma to major blood vessels is a poor prognostic factor for local control and survival. Amputation offers better local control for tumours attached to the blood vessels but does not improve survival. Limb salvage surgery offers similar local control if the tumour attachment to blood vessels is limited. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2019;101-B:1024–1031

Aims

Surgical limb sparing for knee-bearing paediatric bone sarcoma is considered to have a clinically significant influence on postoperative function due to complications and leg-length discrepancies. However, researchers have not fully evaluated the long-term postoperative functional outcomes. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to elucidate the risk factors and long-term functional prognosis associated with paediatric limb-sparing surgery.

Aims. The aims of this study were to report the efficacy of revision surgery for patients with co-infective bacterial and fungal prosthetic joint infections (PJIs) presenting to a single institution, and to identify prognostic factors that would guide management. Patients and Methods. A total of 1189 patients with a PJI were managed in our bone infection service between 2006 and 2015; 22 (1.85%) with co-infective bacterial and fungal PJI were included in the study. There were nine women and 13 men, with a mean age at the time of diagnosis of 64.5 years (47 to 83). Their mean BMI was 30.9 kg/m. 2. (24 to 42). We retrospectively reviewed the outcomes of these PJIs, after eight total hip arthroplasties and 14 total knee arthroplasties. The mean clinical follow-up was 4.1 years (1.4 to 8.8). Results. The median number of risk factors for PJI was 5.5 (interquartile range (IQR) 3.25 to 7.25). All seven patients who initially underwent debridement and implant retention (DAIR) had a recurrent infection that led to a staged revision. All 22 patients underwent the first of a two-stage revision. None of the nine patients with negative tissue cultures at the second stage had a recurrent infection. The rate of recurrent infection was significantly higher in the presence of multidrug-resistant bacteria (p = 0.007), a higher C-reactive protein (CRP) at the time of presentation (p = 0.032), and a higher number of co-infective bacterial organisms (p = 0.041). The overall rate of eradication of infection after two and five years was 50% (95% confidence interval (CI) 32.9 to 75.9) and 38.9% (95% CI 22.6 to 67), respectively. Conclusion. The risk of failure to eradicate infection with the requirement of amputation associated with this diagnosis is much higher than in patients with PJI without bacterial and fungal co-infection, and this risk is heightened when the fungal organism is joined by polymicrobial and multidrug-resistant bacterial organisms. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2019;101-B:582–588

Aims

Safety concerns surrounding osseointegration are a significant barrier to replacing socket prosthesis as the standard of care following limb amputation. While implanted osseointegrated prostheses traditionally occur in two stages, a one-stage approach has emerged. Currently, there is no existing comparison of the outcomes of these different approaches. To address safety concerns, this study sought to determine whether a one-stage osseointegration procedure is associated with fewer adverse events than the two-staged approach.

The June 2023 Foot & Ankle Roundup³⁶⁰ looks at: Nail versus plate fixation for ankle fractures; Outcomes of first ray amputation in diabetic patients; Vascular calcification on plain radiographs of the ankle to diagnose diabetes mellitus; Elderly patients with ankle fracture: the case for early weight-bearing; Active treatment for Frieberg’s disease: does it work?; Survival of ankle arthroplasty; Complications following ankle arthroscopy.

The August 2023 Foot & Ankle Roundup³⁶⁰ looks at: Achilles tendon rupture: surgery or conservative treatment for the high-demand patient?; First ray amputation in diabetic patients; Survival of ankle arthroplasty in the UK; First metatarsophalangeal joint fusion and flat foot correction; Intra-articular corticosteroid injections with or without hyaluronic acid in the management of subtalar osteoarthritis; Factors associated with nonunion of post-traumatic subtalar arthrodesis; The Mayo Prosthetic Joint Infection Risk Score for total ankle arthroplasty.

The August 2024 Foot & Ankle Roundup³⁶⁰ looks at: ESWT versus surgery for fifth metatarsal stress fractures; Minimally invasive surgery versus open fusion for hallux rigidus; Diabetes and infection risk in total ankle arthroplasty; Is proximal medial gastrocnemius recession useful for managing chronic plantar fasciitis?; Fuse the great toe in the young!; Conservative surgery for diabetic foot osteomyelitis; Mental health and outcome following foot and ankle surgery.

This is a retrospective study of survivors of recent conflicts with an open fracture of the femur. We analysed the records of 48 patients (48 fractures) and assessed the outcome. The median follow up for 47 patients (98%) was 37 months (interquartile range 19 to 53); 31 (66%) achieved union; 16 (34%) had a revision procedure, two of which were transfemoral amputation (4%). The New Injury Severity Score, the method of fixation, infection and the requirement for soft-tissue cover were not associated with a poor outcome. The degree of bone loss was strongly associated with a poor outcome (p = 0.00204). A total of four patients developed an infection; two with S. aureus, one with E. coli and one with A. baumannii. This study shows that, compared with historical experience, outcomes after open fractures of the femur sustained on the battlefield are good, with no mortality and low rates of infection and late amputation. The degree of bone loss is closely associated with a poor outcome. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2015;97-B:842–6

Aims. Local antibiotics are used in the surgical management of foot infection in diabetic patients. This systematic review analyzes the available evidence of the use of local antibiotic delivery systems as an adjunct to surgery. Materials and Methods. Databases were searched to identify eligible studies and 13 were identified for inclusion. Results. Overall, the quality of the studies was poor. A single trial suggested that wound healing is quicker when a gentamicin-impregnated collagen sponge was implanted at time of surgery, with no difference in length of stay or rate of amputation. Results from studies with high risk of bias indicated no change in wound healing when a gentamicin-impregnated sponge was implanted during transmetatarsal amputation, but a reduction in the incidence of wound breakdown (8% vs 25%, not statistically significant) was identified. A significant cost reduction was identified when using an antimicrobial gel to deliver antibiotics and anti-biofilm agents (quorum-sensing inhibitors) compared with routine dressings and systemic antibiotics. Analyses of case series identified 485 patients who were treated using local antibiotic delivery devices. The rates of wound healing, re-operation, and mortality were comparable to those that have been previously reported for the routine management of these infections. Conclusion. There is a lack of good-quality evidence to support the use of local antibiotic delivery devices in the treatment of foot infections in patients with diabetes. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2018;100-B:1409–15

Aims

The standard of surgical treatment for lower limb neoplasms had been characterized by highly interventional techniques, leading to severe kinetic impairment of the patients and incidences of phantom pain. Rotationplasty had arisen as a potent limb salvage treatment option for young cancer patients with lower limb bone tumours, but its impact on the gait through comparative studies still remains unclear several years after the introduction of the procedure. The aim of this study is to assess the effect of rotationplasty on gait parameters measured by gait analysis compared to healthy individuals.

Aims. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prosthesis characteristics and associated conditions that may modify the survival of total femoral endoprosthetic replacements (TFEPR). Patients and Methods. In all, 81 patients treated with TFEPR from 1976 to 2017 were retrospectively evaluated and failures were categorized according to the Henderson classification. There were 38 female patients (47%) and 43 male patients (53%) with a mean age at diagnosis of 43 years (12 to 86). The mean follow-up time was 10.3 years (0 to 31.7). A survival analysis was performed followed by univariate and multivariate Cox regression to identify independent implant survival factors. Results. The revision-free survival of the implant was 71% at five years and 63.3% at ten years. Three prostheses reached 15 years without revision. The mean Musculoskeletal Tumor Society score in the group was 26 (23 to 28). The mechanisms of failure were infection in 18%, structural failures in 6%, tumour progression in 5%, aseptic loosening in 2%, and soft-tissue failures in 1%. Prostheses used for primary reconstruction after oncological resections had lower infection rates than revision implants (8% vs 25%; p = 0.001). The rates of infection in silver-coated and non-silver-coated prosthesis were similar (17.4% vs 19.%; p = 0.869). The incidence of hip dislocation was 10%. Rotating hinge prosthesis had a lower failure rate than fixed hinge prosthesis (5.3% vs 11%). After Cox regression, the independent factors associated with failures were the history of previous operations (hazard ratio (HR) 3.7; p = 0.041), and the associated arthroplasty of the proximal tibia (HR 3.8; p = 0.034). At last follow-up, 11 patients (13%) required amputation. Conclusion. TFEPR offers a reliable reconstruction option for massive bone loss of the femur, with a good survival when the prosthesis is used as a primary implant. The use of a rotating hinge at the knee and dual mobility bearing at the hip may be adequate to reduce the risk of mechanical and soft-tissue failures. Infection remains the main concern and there is insufficient evidence to support the routine use of silver-coated endoprosthesis. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2019;101-B:522–528

Aims

Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is a challenging complication of any arthroplasty procedure. We reviewed our use of static antibiotic-loaded cement spacers (ABLCSs) for staged management of PJI where segmental bone loss, ligamentous instability, or soft-tissue defects necessitate a static construct. We reviewed factors contributing to their failure and techniques to avoid these complications when using ABLCSs in this context.

Chondrosarcoma is the second most common surgically treated primary bone sarcoma. Despite a large number of scientific papers in the literature, there is still significant controversy about diagnostics, treatment of the primary tumour, subtypes, and complications. Therefore, consensus on its day-to-day treatment decisions is needed. In January 2024, the Birmingham Orthopaedic Oncology Meeting (BOOM) attempted to gain global consensus from 300 delegates from over 50 countries. The meeting focused on these critical areas and aimed to generate consensus statements based on evidence amalgamation and expert opinion from diverse geographical regions. In parallel, periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) in oncological reconstructions poses unique challenges due to factors such as adjuvant treatments, large exposures, and the complexity of surgery. The meeting debated two-stage revisions, antibiotic prophylaxis, managing acute PJI in patients undergoing chemotherapy, and defining the best strategies for wound management and allograft reconstruction. The objectives of the meeting extended beyond resolving immediate controversies. It sought to foster global collaboration among specialists attending the meeting, and to encourage future research projects to address unsolved dilemmas. By highlighting areas of disagreement and promoting collaborative research endeavours, this initiative aims to enhance treatment standards and potentially improve outcomes for patients globally. This paper sets out some of the controversies and questions that were debated in the meeting.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2024;106-B(5):425–429.

Vascular injuries during total hip arthroplasty (THA) are rare but when they occur, have serious consequences. These have traditionally been managed with open exploration and repair, but more recently there has been a trend towards percutaneous endovascular management. We performed a systematic review of the literature to assess if this change in trend has led to an improvement in the overall reported rates of morbidity and mortality during the last 22 years in comparison with the reviews of the literature published previously. . We found a total of 61 articles describing 138 vascular injuries in 124 patients. Injuries because of a laceration were the most prevalent (n = 51, 44%) and the most common presenting feature, when recorded, was bleeding (n = 41, 53.3%). Delay in diagnosis was associated with the type of vascular lesion (p < 0.001) and the clinical presentation (p = 0.002). Open exploration and repair was the most common form of management, however percutaneous endovascular intervention was used in one third of the injuries and more constantly during the last 13 years. The main overall reported complications included death (n = 9, 7.3%), amputation (n = 2, 1.6%), and persistent ischaemia (n = 9, 7.3%). When compared with previous reviews there was a similar rate of mortality but lower rates of amputation and permanent disability, especially in patients managed by endovascular strategies. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2015;97-B:1447–55

The December 2023 Foot & Ankle Roundup³⁶⁰ looks at: Subchondral bone cysts remodel after correction of varus deformity in ankle arthritis; 3D-printed modular endoprosthesis reconstruction following total calcanectomy; Percutaneous partial bone excision in the management of diabetic toe osteomyelitis; Hemiepiphysiodesis is a viable surgical option for Juvenile hallux valgus; Ankle arthroplasty vs arthrodesis: which comes out on top?; Patient-related risk factors for poorer outcome following total ankle arthroplasty; The Outcomes in Ankle Replacement Study.

The February 2024 Foot & Ankle Roundup³⁶⁰ looks at: Survival of revision ankle arthroplasty; Tibiotalocalcaneal nail for the management of open ankle fractures in the elderly patient; Accuracy of a patient-specific total ankle arthroplasty instrumentation; Fusion after failed primary ankle arthroplasty: can it work?; Treatment options for osteochondral lesions of the talus; Managing hair tourniquet syndrome of toe: a rare emergency; Ultrasound-guided collagenase therapy for recurrent plantar fibromatosis: a promising line of therapy?.