Elite performance has tremendous physical demands and places elite athletes at an increased risk of sustaining a variety of orthopaedic injuries (1–4). Pain around the hip is common in high-level athletes representing up to 6% of all athletic injuries (5–7). Expedient diagnosis and effective treatment are paramount for their future sporting careers and to prevent subsequent joint degeneration. The purpose of this systematic review was to evaluate the outcome and the rate of return to play (RTP) following hip arthroscopy in elite athletes. A computer-based systematic search followed the PRISMA Guidelines (8) was performed using the 6 most comprehensive databases (CENTRAL, PUBMED, EMBASE, SCOPUS, EBSCO, Google Scholar and Web of Science) and included all published studies from inception until November 1st 2018. Weighted means were calculated for the rate of RTP and duration and for patient reported outcome measures (PROMs).Background
Methods
Decreases in trainees' working hours, coupled with evidence of worse outcomes when hip arthroscopies are performed by inexperienced surgeons, mandate the development of additional means of arthroscopic training. Though virtual reality simulation training has been adopted by other surgical specialities, its slow uptake in arthroscopic training is due to a lack of evidence as to its benefits. These benefits can be demonstrated through learning curves associated with simulator training – with practice reflecting measurable increases in validated performance metrics. Twenty-five medical students completed seven simulated arthroscopies of a healthy virtual hip joint in the supine position on a simulator previously shown to have construct validity. Twelve targets had to be visualised within the central compartment; six via the anterior portal, three via the anterolateral portal and three via the posterolateral portal. Eight students proceeded to complete seven probe examinations of a healthy virtual hip joint. Eight targets were probed via the anterolateral portal. Task duration, number of collisions with soft tissue and bone, and distance travelled by arthroscope were measured by the simulator for every session.Introduction
Materials & Methods
Hip arthroscopy is a rapidly expanding technique that has a steep learning curve. Simulation may have a role in helping trainees overcome this. However there is as yet no validated hip arthroscopy simulator. This study aimed to test the construct validity of a virtual reality hip arthroscopy simulator. Nineteen orthopaedic surgeons performed a simulated arthroscopic examination of a healthy hip joint in the supine position. Surgeons were categorized as either expert (those who had performed 250 hip arthroscopies or more) or novice (those who had performed fewer than this). Twenty-one targets were visualized within joint; nine via the anterior portal, nine via the anterolateral and three via the posterolateral. This was followed by a task testing basic probe examination of the joint in which a series of eight targets were probed via the anterolateral portal. Each surgeon's performance was evaluated by the simulator using a set of pre-defined metrics including task duration, number of soft tissue & bone collisions, and distance travelled by instruments. No repeat attempts at the tasks were permitted. Construct validity was then evaluated by comparing novice and expert group performance metrics over the two tasks using the Mann–Whitney test, with a p value of less than 0.05 considered significant. On the visualization task, the expert group outperformed the novice group on time taken (P=0.0003), number of collisions with soft tissue (P=0.001), number of collisions with bone (P=0.002) and distance travelled by the arthroscope (P=0.02). On the probe examination, the two groups differed only in the time taken to complete the task (P=0.025). Increased experience in hip arthroscopy was reflected by significantly better performance on the VR simulator across two tasks, supporting its construct validity. This study validates a virtual reality hip arthroscopy simulator and supports its potential for developing basic arthroscopic skills.
To quantify the risk posed to the Lateral Femoral Cutaneous Nerve (LFCN) during Total Hip Arthroplasty using the Minimally Invasive Anterior Approach (MIAA), and during placement of the Anterior Portal (AP) in Supine Hip Arthroscopy (SHA). Forty-five hemipelves from thirty-nine cadavers were dissected. The LFCN was identified proximal to the inguinal ligament (IL), and its path in the thigh identified. The positions of the nerve and its branches in relation to the MIAA incision and the site for AP placement were measured using Vernier Callipers. 44% of nerves crossed the incision line used in the MIAA, at an average distance of 47 ± 28mm from the proximal end of the incision. Of those that did not cross the incision line, the average minimum distance between the nerve and incision was 14.4 ± 7.4mm, occurring on average 74.0 ± 37.3mm from the proximal end of the incision. In addition, the AP was placed in the path of the nerve on 38% of occasions. The nerve took an oblique path, and when found not to intersect with the AP portal, was located 5.7 ± 4.5mm from the portal's edge. We found a reduction in risk if the portal is moved medially or laterally by 15mm from its current location. The LFCN is at high risk of injury during both THA using the MIAA and SHA using the AP. Our study emphasises the need for meticulous dissection during these procedures, and thorough explanation of these risk whilst consenting patients. We suggest that relocation of the AP 15mm more laterally or medially will reduce the risk posed to the LFCN.
Bisphosphonates are widely used as first-line treatment for primary and secondary prevention of fragility fractures. Whilst they have proved effective in this role, there is growing concern over their long-term use, with much evidence linking bisphosphonate-related suppression of bone remodelling to an increased risk of atypical subtrochanteric fractures of the femur (AFFs). The objective of this article is to review this evidence, while presenting the current available strategies for the management of AFFs. We present an evaluation of current literature relating to the pathogenesis and treatment of AFFs in the context of bisphosphonate use.Objectives
Methods
The aim of this study was to systematically review the literature on measurement of muscle strength in patients with femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) and other pathologies and to suggest guidelines to standardise protocols for future research in the field. The Cochrane and PubMed libraries were searched for any publications using the terms ‘hip’, ‘muscle’, ‘strength’, and ‘measurement’ in the ‘Title, Abstract, Keywords’ field. A further search was performed using the terms ‘femoroacetabular’ or ‘impingement’. The search was limited to recent literature only.Objectives
Methods
The period of post-operative treatment before surgical wounds
are completely closed remains a key window, during which one can
apply new technologies that can minimise complications. One such
technology is the use of negative pressure wound therapy to manage
and accelerate healing of the closed incisional wound (incisional
NPWT). We undertook a literature review of this emerging indication
to identify evidence within orthopaedic surgery and other surgical
disciplines. Literature that supports our current understanding
of the mechanisms of action was also reviewed in detail. Objectives
Methods
The aim of this study was to determine the effects of using the Bellovac autologous blood salvage system on blood transfusion requirements, adverse event rate, post-operative length of stay (POLOS) and mobilisation in patients who have undergone a total knee replacement. This is a retrospective cohort study of 471 patients who underwent a total knee replacement (TKR) at our institution between January 2008 and August 2009. All patients received an autologous blood salvage drain in theatre. Their medical records were reviewed and a database created to assess the efficacy of the blood salvage system.Aim
Methods
The aim of this study was to determine the factors which were responsible for differences between patients achieving the Trust target of discharge on post-operative day 5 after a primary total knee replacement and those not achieving it, in the cohort of over 75 year olds. Of all the patients undergoing a TKR at Addenbrooke's Hospital in 2008, those over 75 were identified (n=103). From the literature pre-, intra- and post-operative factors that had previously been shown to affect length of stay were identified. Patient notes were examined for details on each of these and the patients divided into 2 groups according to whether their discharge was achieved by day 5 or not. Data from 74 operations was available at the time of submission of this abstract. Pearson's Chi-squared test, student's independent t-test or the Mann-Whitney U test were performed on the data depending on the nature of the variable analysed. The following factors were found to be significantly different between the 2 groups at the 95% confidence level: pre-operative use of a walking aid (p=0.033), pre-operative Hb (p=0.003), post-operative Hb (p=0.001), post-operative requirement of a blood transfusion, post-operative complication (p<0.001), post-operative day on which active knee flexion to 90° was achieved (p=0.003). In addition the following factors were found to be significant at the 90% confidence level: age (p=0.082), comorbidity (p=0.086), marital status (p=0.095) and mobilisation by post-operative day 2 (p=0.082)Aim
Methods and Results
The aim of this study was to assess the role of hip arthroscopy in the management of hip pain in elite athletes. It is a retrospective study of prospectively collected data. 31 hip arthroscopies were performed on 27 elite athletes. All the patients were assessed pre-operatively with a thorough clinical examination, radiographs and MRI scans. The modified HHS was also recorded for all the patients' pre and post-operatively. All operations were performed by the senior author, and the patients were assessed at 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months and a year following the operation.Aim
Patients and methods
The aim of this study was to study the course of the infra-patellar branch of the saphenous nerve (IPBSN) and describe its anatomical variations and relations. Twenty-eight formalin-fixed cadaver lower extremity specimens were methodically dissected in the University Department of Anatomy. Dissection included identifying the saphenous nerve and tracing it distally till it pierced the deep fascia between the tendons of gracilis and sartorius. At this point, the saphenous nerve gave a branch that pierced the sartorius and became subcutaneous, known as the infrapatellar branch. The association of the nerve trunk with the sartorius muscle in terms of whether it originated above it, below it or pierced through it was studied. Following this the nerve was dissected along its course distally to the point of its termination where it gave one to three branches. The relationship of the point of termination of the IPBSN with bony surface landmarks like the medial border of the patella, the apex of the patella and the tibial tuberosity were also studied. The distance of the trunk from medial margin of patella was measured.Aim
Materials and Methods
The aim of this study was to assess the results of combined arthroscopically assisted posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction and open reconstruction of the posterolateral corner in patients with chronic (3 months or more) symptomatic instability and pain. A retrospective analysis of all the patients who had a combined reconstruction of the posterior cruciate ligament and the posterolateral corner between 1996 and 2003 was carried out. Nineteen patients who had the combined reconstruction were identified from the database. All the patients were assessed pre- and post-operatively by physical examination and three different ligament rating scores. All the patients also had weight bearing radiographs, MRI scans and an examination under anaesthesia and arthroscopy pre-operatively. The PCL reconstruction was performed using an arthroscopically assisted single anterolateral bundle technique and the posterolateral corner structures were reconstructed using an open Larson type of tenodesis.Objective
Patients & methods
Radiological measurements are an essential component of the assessment of outcome following knee arthroplasty. However, plain radiographic techniques can be associated with significant projectional errors because they are a two-dimensional (2D) representation of a three-dimensional (3D) structure. Angles that are considered within the target zone on one film may be outside that zone on other films. Moreover, these parameters can be subject to significant inter-observer differences when measured. The aim of our study therefore was to quantify the variability between observers evaluating plain radiographs following Unicompartmental knee arthroplasty. Twenty-three observers, made up of Orthopaedic Consultants and trainees, were asked to measure the coronal and sagittal alignment of the tibial and femoral components from the post-operative long-leg plain radiograph of a Unicompartmental knee arthroplasty. A post-operative CT scan using the low dose Imperial knee protocol was obtained as well and analysed with 3D reconstruction software to measure the true values of these parameters. The accuracy and spread of the pain radiographic measurements were then compared with the values obtained on the CT. On the femoral side, the mean angle in coronal alignment was 1.5° varus (Range 3.8, SD 1, min 0.1, max 3.9), whereas the mean angle in sagittal alignment was 8.6° of flexion (Range 7.5, SD 1.5, Min 3.7, Max 11.2). The true values measured with CT were 2.4° and 11.0° respectively. As for the tibial component, the mean coronal alignment angle was 89.7° (Range 11.6, SD 3.3, Min 83.8, Max 95.4), and the mean posterior slope was 2.4° (Range 8.7, SD 1.6, Min -2, Max 6.7). The CT values for these were 87.6° and 2.7° respectively. We conclude that the plain radiographic measurements had a large scatter evidenced by the wide ranges in the values obtained by the different observers. If only the means are compared, the plain radiographic values were comparable with the true values obtained with CT (that is; accuracy was good) with differences ranging from 0.3° to 2.4°. The lack of precision can be avoided with the use of CT, particularly with the advent of low-dose scanning protocols.
