Failure of a primary anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is associated with poor functional outcomes even after revision surgery. The aim of this study is to identify early predictors for failure, so that it may aid in recognition of at-risk patients. An observational study was conducted of 623 patients undergoing primary ACL reconstruction by a single surgeon over a 72 month period. Patient and procedure related parameters including age, gender, BMI, time to surgery, graft size, fixation methods, meniscal and chondral injuries, meniscal surgery, radiological parameters and post-operative IKDC scores. Logistic regression modeling was employed to identify those factors which were statistically significant for failure.AIM
METHOD
There is mixed evidence in the literature regarding increasing age, ASA and BMI as risk factors for surgical site infection in orthopaedic surgery. To investigate the matter further, we examined 1055 wounds in 1008 patients in the Department of Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery at University College London Hospital between 2000 and 2006. All patients with a minimum two-night stay were included. Data was collected by four designated research nurses. The age, height, weight and ASA status of each patient was recorded. All wounds were classified using ASEPSIS. This is a quantitative wound scoring method which is a summation of scores calculated from visual wound characteristics and the clinical consequences of infection. Our results showed a strong linear association between age and ASEPSIS scores. Single variable regression analysis showed a t value of 3.32 and p value of 0.001. A similar linear association was seen between ASA grading and ASEPSIS scores. Single variable regression analysis showed a t value of 2.75 and p value of 0.006. The association between BMI and ASEPSIS scores was markedly different from that seen with age and ASA. The graph was U-shaped with patients with a BMI of 25-30 having the lowest average ASEPSIS scores. Patients with a lower and a higher BMI had higher average ASEPSIS scores. Single variable regression analysis was not significant since the relationship between BMI and ASEPSIS scores is not linear. In conclusion, there are clearly defined patient groups who are at increased risk of developing a surgical site infection: older patients, patients with a higher ASA, and patients with both a low and high BMI. These patients should be targeted to reduce overall infection rates. This can be achieved by ensuring adequate antibiotic prophylaxis, having a low threshold to treat suspected infection and arranging regular follow-up.
The aim of our study was to assess lateral tracking of the patella with differing designs of Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA) and compare to that of the native patella. A modified caliper was used to measure the width and position of the patella relative to the femur at different degrees of knee flexion. The relationship of the patella midpoint to that of the femur was subsequently assessed. Group 1 consisted of 25 native knees. Group 2 consisted of 25 patients with antero-posterior stabilised knee implant with a spherical medial condyle and a deep lateralised patellar groove, and Group 3 consisted of 25 patients with a conventional cam-and-post design with a midline patellar groove. The mean follow-up was 28 months.Aim
Method
Hamstring muscle strain is a common sports related injury. It has been reported in a variety of sports, following acceleration or deceleration while running or jumping. Injury may vary from simple muscle strains to partial or complete rupture of the hamstring origin. Avulsion fracture of the ischial tuberosity has also been described. Simple hamstring muscle strains are treated conservatively. Surgical exploration and repair is currently advocated for partial or complete rupture of the hamstring origin. A few case series exists in literature suggesting the benefits of early intervention. We report a series of 8 athletes who presented between 2002 and 2006 with complete tear of their hamstring origin. Avulsion of the ischial tuberosity was excluded in these cases. After confirming the diagnosis, early surgical exploration and repair or reattachment was performed. The patients were braced for 8 weeks. This was followed by specialist physiotherapy and a supervised rehabilitation programme over 6 months. All patients were followed up to monitor return to normal activities and sports. The sciatic nerve was scarred to the avulsed tendon in three cases. Neurolysis led to a rapid relief of symptoms. Cases where the hamstring origin had retracted more than 3 cm required a figure 7 incision. There were no major complications including nerve palsies. An excellent functional outcome was noted by 12 months in all 8 patients. 7 of them returned to their previous level within 6-9 months of injury. One person despite a very good recovery, opted out of sports. No other complications were seen as a result of the surgical procedure. In conclusion, a tear of the origin of hamstring muscles is a significant injury. Early surgical repair and physiotherapy is associated with a good outcome and enables an early return to high level sports.
We aimed to measure cerebral microemboli load during total hip [THA] and knee arthroplasty (TKA) using transcranial Doppler ultrasound (TCD) and to investigate whether cerebral embolic load influences neuropsychiatric outcome. The timing of the microemboli was also related to certain surgical activities to determine if a specific relationship exists and the presence of a patent foramen ovale was investigated. Patients undergoing primary THA and TKA underwent a battery of ten neuropsychiatric tests pre-operatively and at 6 weeks and 6 months post-operatively. Microembolic load was recorded using TCD onto VHS tape for subsequent analysis. Patent foramen ovale detection was performed using bolus intravenous injection of agitated saline followed by valsalva manoeuvre. The timing of specific surgical steps was recorded for each operation and embolic load calculated for that period. All patients were assessed for quality of life and orthopaedic outcome measures. 45 THA patients and 50 TKA patients were studied. Cerebral microembolisation occurred in 35% of all patients (10 THA patients and 19 TKA patients). Mean microembolic load was 2.8 per patient for THA and 3.76 per patient for TKA patients. PFO was detected in 29 patients overall. Insertion of the femoral component and deflation of the tourniquet were associated with a larger microembolic loads. Neuropsychiatric outcome was not affected by the low embolic loads. Quality of life and Orthopaedic outcome at 6 months was good. Cerebral microembolisation occurs in a significant proportion of patients during total hip and knee arthroplasty. The presence of a patent foramen ovale does not appear to influence the incidence of microembolisation or load. Specific surgical activities are associated with generating greater embolic loads and methods of avoiding these emboli such as venting the femur may minimise complications and optimise outcomes. Neuropsychiatric outcomes do not seem to be affected by microembolisation of the brain during total joint arthroplasty.Results
Conclusion
For validating the classification system, six surgeons reviewed 14 hip arthroscopy video clips. All surgeons were provided with written explanation of our classification system. Each surgeon then individually graded the cartilage lesion. A single observer then compared results for observer variability using kappa statistics.
Literature review showed that 20–70% of patients who underwent THR needed 1–3 units of blood. Although safer than ever, allogeneic transfusion is still associated with risks for the recipient. There has been unsettled search for ways to reduce such blood loss and transfusion. Tranexamic acid has been popularised as an effective way to reduce blood loss and subsequent blood transfusion.
Blood loss
Seven studies (250 patients) were eligible for this outcome. Using Tranexamic acid reduced blood loss by an average of 155 ml (P-value <
0.00001, 95% CI (87–224), Heterogeneity I2 69 %.) Blood transfusion
Nine studies (463 patients) were eligible for this outcome. Tranexamic acid led to a reduction in the proportion of patients requiring blood transfusion (Odds Ratio of 0.35, P- value <
0.00001, 95% CI (0.22–0.55), Heterogeneity I2 25 %.) Other outcomes
There were no significant differences in the length of stay, DVT, PE, mortality, wound haematoma or infections between the study groups.
Univariate analysis established a significant relationship between the need for postoperative transfusion and preoperative Hb levels (p<
0.0001), length of surgery (p=0.01), age (p=0.03), history of respiratory disease (p=0.028) and hypertension (p=0.01). There was no significant relationship with respect to ASA grade and procedure type. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed pre-operative Hb (p<
0.0001) and age (p=0.015) as the strongest predictors of the need for post-operative transfusion. There is a strong correlation between length of surgery and time interval to transfusion (p=0.037).
We investigated the hypothesis that autologous bone marrow stromal cells (BMSC) sprayed on the surface of acetabular cups would improve bone formation and bone implant contact. Total hip replacements were implanted in 11 sheep, randomly assigned to receive either acetabular implants sprayed with autologous BMSCs suspended in fibrin (study group) or fibrin only (control group). Sheep were sacrificed after six months and the acetabulum with the implant was retrieved and prepared for undcalcified histology. Implant bone contact in both groups was compared, by microscopically noting the presence or absence of new bone or fibrous tissue along the implant at 35 consecutive points (every 1000 μm). The observers undertaking the histological analysis were blinded. Significantly increased bone implant contact was noted in the BMSC treated group 30.71% ± 2.95 compared to the control group 5.14% ± 1.67 (p = 0.014). The mean thickness of fibrous tissue in contact with the implant was greater at the periphery 887.21mm ± 158.89 and the dome 902.45mm ± 80.67 of the implant in the control group compared to the BMSC treated group (327.49mm ± 20.38 at the periphery and 739.1 mm ±173.72 at the centre). Conversely direct bone contact with the implant surface was significantly greater around the cups with stem cells. BMSC sprayed on surface of implants improves bone implant contact. Spraying acetabular cups using stem cells could be used in humans where acetabular bone contact is compromised such as in revision procedures.
Our aim was to ascertain the opinion of Orthopaedic Consultants, General Practitioners, and Patients on the proposed primary care based follow up of joint replacements. An email questionnaire was sent Orthopaedic Consultants registered with the BOA. Responders had to answer simple questions regarding follow up practices after hip and knee arthroplasty and safe alternatives to the existing system. General practitioners in London were sent a different questionnaire to assess their familiarity with follow up of arthroplasty patients and their competence in identifying complications. Finally, arthroplasty patients were directly questioned on their preference for follow up. Eigthy-one Orthopaedic Consultants who undertake lower limb arthroplasty responded, 89.06% advocated follow up and review of radiographs by the surgeon. The Arthroplasty Practitioner, the Radiologist and the Physiotherapist were deemed suitable for follow up of patients by 50%, 14.06% and 4.69 % respectively. All responders unanimously disagreed with initial follow up by General Practitioners (0%). However, after a 12 month review, 30.15% thought primary arthroplasty patients could be discharged to the care of their General Practitioner and 11.11% were happy to discharge revision arthroplasty patients. Of the 52 General Practitioners who returned our questionnaire, only 37% were confident of interpreting symptoms related to prosthetic loosening or infection and 98% did not feel competent identifying radiological changes after arthroplasty. 94% of the General Practitioners did not think that they would be happy to follow up arthroplasty patients even if they were offered further training. The reasons for this were lack of specialty skills, work-load concerns, funding issues and surgeons’ duty of care towards the patient. All of the 104 patients who were questioned preferred to be followed up by the arthroplasty team. In conclusion, Orthopaedic Surgeons, General Practitioners and patients prefer a hospital based dedicated Orthopaedic team for the post operative follow-up of arthroplasty patients.