We reviewed the long-term results of the treatment of slipped upper femoral epiphysis (SUFE) using realignment procedures in 36 patients (37 hips) at an average follow-up of 33.8 years (26 to 42). There were serious short-term complications in seven of the 22 hips treated by subcapital osteotomy, three of the 11 hips treated by intertrochanteric osteotomy and three of the four hips treated by manipulative reduction. At re-examination, the clinical and radiological results were excellent or good in 41% of the hips treated by subcapital osteotomy, in 36% treated by intertrochanteric osteotomy and in none treated by manipulative reduction. In all, seven hips (19%) had had arthrodesis or total hip replacement. The natural history of SUFE was probably not improved by any of the treatments used in our study. We therefore discourage the use of subcapital and intertrochanteric osteotomy as well as manipulative reduction in the primary treatment of chronic SUFE

Aims

The best marker for assessing glycaemic control prior to total knee arthroplasty (TKA) remains unknown. The purpose of this study was to assess the utility of fructosamine compared with glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) in predicting early complications following TKA, and to determine the threshold above which the risk of complications increased markedly.

We have reviewed 185 articles published since 1966 to assess the scientific evidence for methods of treatment for lateral epicondylitis of the elbow. Of the 185 articles, 78 discussed treatment, but since the natural history of the syndrome is uncertain we considered only those series with concurrent control groups. Only 18 of these were randomised and controlled studies. We then graded these papers for scientific validity, using the methods of Chalmers et al (1981). The mean score of the 18 articles was only 33%, with a range from 6% to 73%. A minimum of 70% is required for a valid clinical trial, and we therefore concluded that there was insufficient scientific evidence to support any of the current methods of treatment. There were too many methodological differences to allow a quantitative meta-analysis, but our qualitative review established the importance of the natural evolution of the syndrome and of the placebo effect of all treatments. Properly designed, controlled trials are needed

Two collagen type IX gene polymorphisms that introduce a tryptophan residue into the protein’s triple-helical domain have been linked to an increased risk of lumbar disc disease. To determine whether a particular subset of symptomatic lumbar disease is specifically associated with these polymorphisms, we performed a prospective case-control study of 107 patients who underwent surgery of the lumbar spine. Patients were assigned to one of five clinical categories (fracture, disc degeneration, disc herniation, spinal stenosis without spondylolisthesis and spinal stenosis with spondylolisthesis) based on history, imaging results, and findings during surgery. Of the 11 tryptophan-positive patients, eight had spinal stenosis with spondylolisthesis and three had disc herniation. The presence of the tryptophan allele was significantly associated with African-American or Asian designation for race (odds ratio 4.61, 95% CI 0.63 to 25.35) and with the diagnosis of spinal stenosis with spondylolisthesis (odds ratio 6.81, 95% CI 1.47 to 41.95). Our findings indicate that tryptophan polymorphisms predispose carriers to the development of symptomatic spinal stenosis associated with spondylolisthesis which requires surgery

We reviewed 55 patients with mid-lumbar myelomeningocele (L3 and L4) first seen over a 17-year period from 1970 to 1986 and followed up for an average of ten years. We assessed a number of factors which might affect hip stability and ability to walk, recording the natural history of clinical and radiological hip deformity. Two-thirds of the hips had become dislocated or subluxed by the end of the first year of life, involving 86% of hips in patients with an L3 level and 45% of those with an L4 level. All the hips that developed instability secondary to muscle imbalance did so within the first year. The neurological level was the most significant determinant of walking ability: all patients with L4 neurological levels could walk but only one-third of those with L3 lesions could do so. Hip stability, intelligence quotient and fixed deformity did not influence walking ability

To define the natural history of bone loss around a femoral prosthesis, the bone mineral content and bone mineral density were measured for each femur in 28 patients with unilateral total hip arthroplasty, 18 age-matched controls, and seven patients with unilateral osteoarthritis. The areas measured were inside the lesser trochanter and 4.8 cm distal to it. The contralateral hip served as the control. Three years after arthroplasty there was 40% loss in average bone mineral content inside the lesser trochanter, and 28% loss in average bone mineral content 4.8 cm distally in the medial cortex. At seven to 14 years after operation, patients had lost 40% of bone proximally and 49% distally. The data suggest that this may progress in a proximal-to-distal fashion, and could account for a 50% decrease in bone mass seven to 14 years after surgery

The records of 110 cases of ulnar neuritis in 100 patients have been reviewed an average of 4.4 years after anterior transposition, or release of the aponeurosis. Seventy of the patients were reviewed personally. In over half the cases no precipitating cause was apparent. At operation the nerve was constricted by the flexor carpi ulnaris aponeurosis in fifty cases but in twenty-five no abnormal pathology was found. Recovery was greatest when operation was performed within three months of the onset of symptoms. In those cases where no abnormality was found, and those in which adhesions in the postcondylar groove involved the nerve, simple release was less effective than anterior transposition. It is therefore recommended that release be restricted to patients with a short history and with an obvious aponeurotic constriction unaccompanied by adhesions. Anterior transposition is the operation of choice where no abnormality is seen or where the nerve is dislocated, compressed or tethered proximal to the aponeurosis of flexor carpi ulnaris

Aims

The aim of this study was to compare the osseous reactions elicited by all-suture, polyetheretherketone (PEEK), and two different biodegradable anchors used during rotator cuff repair.

Aims

Reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) reliably improves shoulder pain and function for a variety of indications. However, the safety and efficacy of RSA in elderly patients is largely unknown. The purpose of this study was to report the mortality, morbidity, complications, reoperations, and outcomes of primary RSA in patients aged > 80 years.

Aims

The aim of this study was to investigate the difference in functional outcome after repair and non-repair of the pronator quadratus muscle in patients undergoing surgical treatment for a distal radial fracture with volar plating.

1. Twenty-eight patients subjected to excision of the coccyx for coccygeal pain during the last ten years have been reviewed. 2. No constant means of selection appears to have been used in recommending these patients for operation, and, in retrospect, no factor in the history or examination emerges as reliable for making such selection in the future. 3. Operation may be recommended as likely to provide a cure in about 45 per cent and to give worthwhile relief in another 45 per cent of cases. 4. When conservative treatment has succeeded, operation will not, of course, be required, but failure of conservative treatment is not an essential pre-requisite in recommending operation. 5. If more care were taken to eliminate the markedly psychoneurotic patients the worthwhile results of operation could probably be increased even above 90 per cent. 6. Excision of the coccyx is certainly a useful operation and should not be discarded

Age-related localised deposition of amyloid in connective tissue has been found in degenerative articular and periarticular tissue. Biopsies of the supraspinatus tendon of 28 patients undergoing repair of the rotator cuff were analysed histologically for the presence of localised deposition of amyloid. There was a long history of impingement in 20 patients, and eight patients had suffered an acute traumatic tear with no preceding symptoms. Localised deposition of amyloid identified by Congo Red staining was detected in 16 samples (57%). Amyloid was present in 14 (70%) of the degenerative tears, but in only two (25%) of the acute tears. Immunohistochemical staining showed that the amyloid deposits were positive for P component, but negative for κ and λ light chains, prealbumin, and β2 microglobulin. Critical electrolyte staining revealed highly-sulphated glycosaminoglycans at sites of deposition of amyloid. The presence of localised deposition of amyloid in tears of the rotator cuff is likely to represent irreversible structural changes. These findings support the theory that impingement and tears are due to intrinsic degenerative changes within the tendons of the rotator cuff

Aims

Abnormal femoral torsion (FT) is increasingly recognized as an additional cause for femoroacetabular impingement (FAI). It is unknown if in-toeing of the foot is a specific diagnostic sign for increased FT in patients with symptomatic FAI. The aims of this study were to determine: 1) the prevalence and diagnostic accuracy of in-toeing to detect increased FT; 2) if foot progression angle (FPA) and tibial torsion (TT) are different among patients with abnormal FT; and 3) if FPA correlates with FT.

Aims

Commonly performed unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) is not designed for the lateral compartment. Additionally, the anatomical medial and lateral tibial plateaus have asymmetrical geometries, with a slightly dished medial plateau and a convex lateral plateau. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the native knee kinematics with respect to the tibial insert design corresponding to the lateral femoral component.

Primary osteoarthritis of the ankle with no history of trauma is rare. We report the use of a low tibial osteotomy on 18 ankles in 18 patients, two men and 16 women. The osteotomy is designed to correct the varus tilt and anterior opening of the distal tibial joint surface where it has been shown by weight-bearing radiographs and arthroscopy that there is healthy articular cartilage on the lateral side of the ankle. An opening-wedge osteotomy was used to achieve slight overcorrection. Follow-up of the 18 ankles at an average of 6 years 11 months (2.7 to 12.10) showed the results by our own scoring system to be excellent in six ankles, good in nine, and fair in three with no poor results. Of the three patients with fair results, two had been undercorrected and the third had little residual articular cartilage. Arthroscopic examination of ten ankles showed repair by fibrocartilage in seven. We conclude that slight overcorrection of deformity by low tibial osteotomy is effective in treating intermediate-stage primary osteoarthritis of the ankle

We report on a radiographic screening programme at four months of age for infants who were clinically normal at neonatal examination but were considered to be 'at risk' for congenital dislocation of the hip because of their family history, breech presentation, or a persistent click. From a total population of 13,662 live births over a two-year period, 357 (2.6%) infants at risk were identified. Of these 46 had abnormal radiographs (six subluxations, 40 acetabular dysplasia). In 12 infants treatment resulted in a normal hip; 34 required no treatment but were followed up until their radiographs were normal and walking had begun. Of the 311 infants with normal radiographs, 256 (82%) were examined after 15 months of age; none had any detectable abnormality. We suggest that radiography of the hip at four months is a valuable adjunct to neonatal screening for infants at increased risk of congenital dislocation of the hip

Dysplasia of the hip is almost unknown in the Bantu peoples of Africa, except in cases of arthrogryposis and in those with partly European ancestry. Evidence is produced to show that the importance of intrinsic genetic factors in hip dysplasia far outweighs that of the extrinsic factors. These are of great importance only if allowed to act on a hip in which genetic factors have already determined dysplasia. Evidence is also produced to contradict the theory that the "piggyback" carrying method used by Bantu mothers is the reason for the immunity from dysplasia of the hip. The absence of "primary" osteoarthritis of the hip is noted, and the range of hip disorders leading to "secondary" osteoarthritis in the adult African is compared with that in the adult European. Three patients are described, one in each of the groups mentioned above, the third having an isolated "typical" congenital dislocation of one hip. The methods of study used were enquiry into obstetric history and into carrying methods, and arthrography to confirm clinical findings. The experience of other surgeons working in Africa is recorded

1. A three-year survey of avascular necrosis of bone has been carried out in a community of some 400 professional divers for shell-fish who had used no modern technique of decompression. 2. Of 301 divers radiographed, 152 (50·5 per cent) had bone lesions. 3. The incidence of bone necrosis increased in proportion to the length of diving experience, being highest in men with over ten years, experience. 4. The incidence was also higher in men who usually dived deeper than thirty metres. 5. There was a high incidence in men with a history of the bends but no significant relationship between the sites of the bends and those of the lesions. 6. Bone lesions were more frequently multiple than solitary. 7. The upper end of the humerus was significantly more affected than the upper end of the femur or tibia, but not significantly more than the lower end of the femur. 8. At the upper ends of the humerus and femur the lesions were more frequently unilateral than bilateral