Aims

Nearly 99,000 total knee arthroplasties (TKAs) are performed in UK annually. Despite plenty of research, the satisfaction rate of this surgery is around 80%. One of the important intraoperative factors affecting the outcome is alignment. The relationship between joint obliquity and functional outcomes is not well understood. Therefore, a study is required to investigate and compare the effects of two types of alignment (mechanical and kinematic) on functional outcomes and range of motion.

Aims

Temporary epiphysiodesis (ED) is commonly applied in children and adolescents to treat leg length discrepancies (LLDs) and tall stature. Traditional Blount staples or modern two-hole plates are used in clinical practice. However, they require accurate planning, precise surgical techniques, and attentive follow-up to achieve the desired outcome without complications. This study reports the results of ED using a novel rigid staple (RigidTack) incorporating safety, as well as technical and procedural success according to the idea, development, evaluation, assessment, long-term (IDEAL) study framework.

1. A case of an osteoid osteoma in the terminal phalanx of a finger is recorded. 2. Unusual features were enlargement of the finger with nail hypertrophy, sweating, and premature fusion of the epiphysis

Aims

In our unit, we adopt a two-stage surgical reconstruction approach using internal fixation for the management of infected Charcot foot deformity. We evaluate our experience with this functional limb salvage method.

Werner’s syndrome is a rare condition usually presenting as premature ageing in adults. Over a period of 30 years we have followed two siblings with extensive musculoskeletal manifestations including a soft-tissue tumour, insufficiency fractures, nonunion and tendonitis, with associated problems of management. The literature is reviewed

Certain features of the sagging rope sign recently analysed by Apley and Weintroub (1981) are examined in detail. Evidence is presented to show that the line is a radiological shadow cast by the lateral edge of a severely deformed femoral head rather than a condensation of the spongiosa within the neck. An explanation is offered to explain the common association of the presence of this radiological sign with premature epiphysial fusion

Aims

The main objective of this study is to analyze the penetration of bone cement in four different full cementation techniques of the tibial tray.

We used single-photon absorptiometry to assess the forearm bones after the removal of internal fixation plates in 14 patients. We found convincing evidence of cortical atrophy in only one patient, in whom the plates had been removed prematurely after only 16 months. It is suggested that such plates should be retained for at least 21 months, to allow bone density to return to its prefracture level. The recommendations of the AO/ASIF group are supported

Four patients with injuries of the acetabular triradiate cartilage are presented. In three of them premature fusion of the cartilage occurred; two of these developed acetabular deformity and subluxation of the hip. In all patients the sacroiliac joint also was injured; in two, the joint was completely disrupted, leading to fusion and growth disturbance of the ilium. As injury of the triradiate cartilage is easily missed on the initial radiograph, it is advised that all patients with pelvic trauma should be followed clinically and radiographically for at least one year

Our aim in this prospective study was to evaluate a minimally invasive technique for percutaneous arthrodesis of the small joints in the hand. Thirteen arthrodeses were undertaken in 11 patients, eight women and three men. After the percutaneous removal of articular cartilage, the bony surfaces were aligned in a predetermined position and stabilised using a percutaneous screw system. The mean follow-up was 38.6 months (36 to 56). Bony union was achieved in 12 cases (ten patients) between nine and 12 weeks after surgery. In one patient a second operation was required to obtain union and another developed a painless nonunion after premature removal of the implants

1. Six cases of quadriceps contracture in children are described. All were either premature or suffered severe illnesses soon after birth. 2. Some additional information is given about cases of the same condition previously published by other authors. 3. It is suggested that injections and infusions given to newborn babies are sometimes the cause of the condition. 4. Some of the therapeutic substances and measures which may be responsible are discussed. These include antibiotics, vitamin K preparations and "subcutaneous" fluid therapy

1. Thirteen cases of traumatic separation of the upper femoral epiphysis have been studied. Four were previously reported and nine new cases are analysed. 2. This is a rare injury occurring in young children and is due to severe violence. 3. Separation occurred at the epiphysial plate, and severe posterior displacement was frequent. The fracture line does not penetrate the epiphysis. 4. Premature fusion, avascular necrosis or non-union (individually or together) occurred in eleven of the thirteen patients. 5. Separation of the upper femoral epiphysis is a serious injury which is likely to lead to permanent deformity

1. A series of twenty-one cases of re-fracture of the femoral shaft has been examined and analysed. 2. Liability to re-fracture may be increased if the original injury is caused by great violence, but it does not seem to be affected by the method of primary treatment. 3. Over 60 per cent of the re-fractures were avoidable. In some, re-fracture was caused by premature institution of vigorous mobilisation; in others, warning cracks were visible on radiographs before re-fracture. 4. In the remaining patients re-fracture appears to be unpredictable and unavoidable. 5. Re-fracture is best treated by the simplest methods

1. A case of hypophosphatasia in a boy who sustained a fractured left femur is described. 2. The literature is reviewed, and the reported cases are found to fall into severe, moderately severe and mild forms. 3. The diagnostic features of the disease are the radiological picture, which resembles that of rickets, very low serum alkaline phosphatase, and excessive phosphoethanolamine excretion in the urine. 4. Other clinical features may be a failure to thrive in early infancy, premature loss of deciduous teeth, hypercalcaemia and renal damage. 5. The function of alkaline phosphatase in bone metabolism in relation to this disease has been discussed

The incidence of refracture following the removal of screws and plates from the diaphyses of 115 forearm bones in 80 patients has been studied. Refracture occurred in four adult patients as a result of minimal trauma, in two patients at the original fracture site after premature plate removal, at the site of a countersunk interfragmentary screw in one and at the original fracture site in another who had required three operative procedures to achieve 'union'. It is suggested that refracture could have been avoided in at least two of these patients. If the 3.5 mm plating system has been used, the incidence of refracture should be minimal

1. A collected series of forty-seven traumatic dislocations of the hip in children is reported and reviewed in detail. 2. All were simple hip dislocations, and no child was included in whom there was any other injury to the affected joint. 3. All were posterior dislocations. 4. No anatomical predisposition was observed. 5. Significant complications occurred in fourteen children: avascular necrosis of the head of the femur in four, degenerative joint changes in three, premature epiphysial fusion in one and overgrowth of the femoral head in six. Study of the children with these complications revealed no common cause except the dislocation itself. 6. The injury responsible was often trivial. 7. The results suggest that it is harmless to bear weight four weeks after reduction

A new technique of shoulder fusion is presented using a posterior approach. After removal of the articular cartilage, a Rush pin is introduced from the spine of the scapula, through the glenoid into the medullary canal of the humerus. This is supplemented by tension-band wiring from the acromion to the neck of the humerus and a muscle pedicle graft attached to the acromion. A shoulder spica is applied for four to six weeks. Four patients with injuries to the upper brachial plexus and 14 with paralysis of the upper arm due to anterior poliomyelitis have been followed for three years. One of the 18 patients developed nonunion; she had removed her own cast prematurely. This method of fixation provides high shear resistance and low axial stiffness without deforming plastically. It does not affect bone growth in young patients, is effective in patients with osteoporosis, and gives a high rate of union

A prospective randomised clinical trial was undertaken to compare biodegradable polyglycolic acid pins with standard Kirschner wires used to fix displaced elbow fractures in children. Twenty-four children were enrolled in the trial; 14 had fractures of the lateral condyle of the humerus, eight of the medial epicondyle and two had olecranon fractures. Eleven fractures were fixed with Kirschner wires and 13 with polyglycolic acid pins. Fracture union with full function occurred in all cases within six months. Kirschner wires caused problems including infection in three cases, soft-tissue ossification in one and they required removal under general anaesthesia in nine cases. No such complications occurred with polyglycolic acid pins but one patient in this group developed avascular necrosis and premature fusion of the medial epicondyle

We report a prospective study of 46 patients with acute complete dislocation of the acromioclavicular joint. They were all treated by suture of the deltoid and trapezius over the clavicle with no repair of the coracoclavicular ligaments, using only temporary fixation with two wires. At operation 43 patients (93.5%) had damage to the trapezius or deltoid or both. The coracoclavicular ligaments were intact in six (13%). Follow-up was from 2 to 7.9 years (mean 5.8), and at the latest review only five patients (10.9%) had redisplacement, due to premature removal of wires for infection in one, to migration of the wires in another and to partial failure of the muscle repair in three. We consider that the deltoid and trapezius attachments are important clinical stabilizers of the clavicle and that their repair, with reinforcement, is a useful addition to any method of surgical treatment