Abstract
Gunshot injuries to large joints are increasing in South Africa. If the bullet is in contact with the synovial fluid of the joint, it must be removed to prevent a foreign body effect and lead poisoning.
We devised a new extra-articular approach to removing the bullet from the joint. We used a reamer to make a tract in the bone towards the joint, and then removed the bullet and irrigated the joint through the same tract. Postoperatively patients were mobilised immediately. At follow-up they had good functional outcome.
The abstracts were edited by Prof. M.B.E. Sweet. Correspondence should be addressed to him at the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Medical School, University of the Witwatersrand, 7 York Road, Parktown, 2193 South Africa
