Adult hip dysplasia AHD is a complex 3D pathology of lateral coverage, version and/or volume and is often associated with increased femoral anteversion. The Mckibbin index MI is the combination of acetabular version AV and femoral version FV and is used as a measure of anterior hip Stability/ Impingement(1). The Bernese Periacetabular osteotomy PAO is a powerful tool in treating AHD, but it does not address FV. De-rotational femoral osteotomies FO increases risk of complications, operative time and might condemn the patient to Secondary osteotomies to balance the gait. We aim to investigate the effect of MI and FV on PROMs in patients undergoing PAO only.

593 PAOs identified on the Local Hip preservation registry between 01/2013 and 7/2023. PAOs for retroversion, residual Perthes and those combined with FO were excluded. Patients with no available PROMS at 2 years were excluded. Independent variables were collected from E-notes and imaging including MI and FV. A multiple linear regression analysis was performed against preoperative iHot12, and iHot12 change at 2years.

The mean FV was 18.86± 12.4 SD. Mean MI was 36.07, SD 15.36. Mean preop iHot12 score was 29.83 ± 17.38 SD. Mean change in iHot12 at 2 years was+36.47 ± 28.44 SD. Females and a higher BMI were statistically correlated to a lower preoperative iHot12. A lower preop iHot12 score and a higher preop AI were correlated to a bigger change in iHot12 at 2years with statistical significance. MI and FV were not found to have a statistically significant correlation with Outcome measures,

An increased Mckibbin index and femoral anteversion were not correlated with worse outcomes at two years. PAO alone in the presence of increased femoral anteversion avoids risks associated with FO which can be performed later if required.

MCID and PASS are thresholds driven from PROMS to reflect clinical effectiveness. Statistical significance can be derived from a change in PROMS, whereas MCID and PASS reflect clinical significance. Its role has been increasingly used in the world of young adult hip surgery with several publications determining the thresholds for Femoro-acetabular impingement FAI. To our knowledge MCID and PASS for patient undergoing PAO for dysplasia has not been reported.

593 PAOs between 1/2013 and 7/2023 were extracted from the Northumbria Hip Preservation Registry. Patients with available PROMS at 1year and/or 2years were included. PAOs for retroversion, residual Perthes and those combined with FO were excluded. MCID was calculated using the distribution method 0.5SD of baseline score(1). PASS was calculated using anchor method, ROC analysis performed, and value picked maximizing Youden index. A Logistic Regression analysis was performed to determine which independent variables correlated with achieving MCID and PASS.

The MCID threshold for iHOt12 was 8.6 with 83.4 and 86.3 % of patients achieved it at 1 and 2 years respectively. The PASS score at 1 and 2 year follow up was 43 and 44 respectively, with 72.6 and 75.2% achieving it at 1 and 2 year postop. At 2 years a Higher preop iHOT 12 was associated with not achieving MCID and PASS (p<0.05). Preop acetabular version was negatively correlated with achieving MCID and previous hip arthroscopy was negatively correlated with PASS.

The % of patients achieving MCID and PASS mimics that of FAI surgery (2). The negative correlation with preop iHOT12 reaffirms the importance of patient selection. The negative correlation of hip arthroscopy highlights the importance of having a high index of suspicion for dysplasia prior to hip arthroscopy and poorer outcomes of patients with mixed CAM and dysplasia pathology.

Aims

This study aims to determine difference in annual rate of early-onset (≤ 90 days) deep surgical site infection (SSI) following primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) for osteoarthritis, and to identify risk factors that may be associated with infection.

The aim of this study was to determine the incidence, annual trend, perioperative outcomes, and identify risk factors of early-onset (≤ 90 days) deep surgical site infection (SSI) following primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) for osteoarthritis. Risk factors for early-onset deep SSI were assessed.

We performed a retrospective population-based cohort study using prospectively collected patient-level data from several provincial administrative data repositories between January 2013, and March 2020. The diagnosis of early-onset deep SSI was based on published Centre for Disease Control/National Healthcare Safety Network (CDC/NHSN) definitions. The Mann-Kendall Trend Test was used to detect monotonic trends in early-onset deep SSI rates over time. The effects of various patient and surgical risk factors for early-onset deep SSI were analyzed using multiple logistic regression. Secondary outcomes were 90-day mortality and 90-day readmission.

A total of 20,580 patients underwent primary TKA for osteoarthritis. Forty patients had a confirmed deep SSI within 90-days of surgery representing a cumulative incidence of 0.19%. The annual infection rate did not change over the 7-year study period (p = 0.879). Risk factors associated with early-onset deep SSI included blood transfusions (OR, 3.93 [95% CI 1.34-9.20]; p=0.004), drug or alcohol abuse (OR, 4.91 [95% CI 1.85-10.93]; p<0.001), and surgeon volume less than 30 TKA per year (OR, 4.45 [1.07-12.43]; p=0.013). Early-onset deep SSI was not associated with 90-days mortality (OR, 11.68 [0.09-90-58]; p=0.217), but was associated with an increased chance of 90-day readmission (OR, 50.78 [26.47-102.02]; p<0.001).

This study establishes a reliable baseline infection rate for early-onset deep SSI after TKA for osteoarthritis through the use of a robust methodological process. Several risk factors for early-onset deep SSI are potentially modifiable or can be optimized prior to surgery and be effective in reducing the incidence of early-onset SSI. This could guide the formulation of provincial screening programs and identify patients at high risk for SSI.

Aims

Arthroplasty is being increasingly used for the management of distal humeral fractures (DHFs) in elderly patients. Arthroplasty options include total elbow arthroplasty (TEA) and hemiarthroplasty (HA); both have unique complications and there is not yet a consensus on which implant is superior. This systematic review asked: in patients aged over 65 years with unreconstructable DHFs, what differences are there in outcomes, as measured by patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), range of motion (ROM), and complications, between distal humeral HA and TEA?

Introduction

Lower limb open fractures are severe injuries, with a joint orthoplastic approach for management recommended by BOAST. An initial audit highlighted a discrepancy in time to definitive wound coverage between the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH), which at the time was not an orthoplastic centre, and the Glasgow Royal Infirmary (GRI) which was. Our aim was to perform a secondary audit to identify if the introduction of an orthoplastic service at the QEUH led to a reduction in time to definitive wound coverage.

There has been growing interest in the literature regarding evaluation of functional outcomes in patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and total hip arthroplasty (THA) while suffering from depression and using selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI). Previous literature has shown that these patients have lower post-operative functional scores compared to those without SSRI use and with multiple musculoskeletal co-morbidities. This might be the result of potentially suboptimal motivation and participation in the post-operative rehabilitation programs. One recent study from a single center has suggested a reduction in adverse events in patients undergoing arthroplasty while on SSRI. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the post operative functional scores of patients on SSRI and compare them with the patients not prescribed SSRIs.

A retrospective data analysis was performed on patients who had primary TKA and primary THA between 1st June 2014 and 31st May 2017. The patients into two groups. In the first, patients received SSRI for at least one year before the surgery while in group two, patients did not receive SSRI. Outcome measures included Western Ontario and McMaster university osteoarthritis index (WOMAC) and EQ5D5L scores at pre surgery, three months and 12 months post surgery.

Chi-square and t test was used to compare categorical variables and continuous variables respectively. Multivariate linear regression was conducted to compare the change of scores between the two groups and was adjusted for age, gender, and comorbidities. These outcome scores were analyzed separately for TKA and THA.

In the TKA group, there were 1,452 patients using SSRI and 15,981 not using SSR. In the THA group there were 851 patients using SSRIs and 10,102 patients without SSRIs. The baseline WOMAC for TKA patients was 45.6 for the controls and 41.8 for those patients on SSRIs (p < 0 .001). The baseline EQ5DL was 0.53 and 0.46 in the same groups (p < 0 .001). The baseline WOMAC for THA patients was 39.1 for the controls and 36.2 for patients using SSRIs (p < 0 .001). The baseline EQ5DL scores were 0.43 and 0.37respectively, again indicating patients on SSRI therapy had lower baseline scores (p < 0 .001).

There was improvement in WOMAC and EQ5DL scores in all patient groups at 3 months and 12 months. After adjusting for gender, age, comorbidities and baseline score, THA patients not using SSRI showed a greater improvement in their WOMAC and EQ5DL scores than those prescribed SSRIs, WOMAC (p=0.008), EQ5DL (p=0.001). TKA patients showed a similar outcome but only the EQ5DL was statistically significant, WOMAC (p=0.12), EQ5DL (p=0.036).

Our results show that patients on SSRI have lower preoperative WOMAC and EQ5DL scores at baseline when compared to patients not undergoing treatment for depression or anxiety with SSRIs. After arthroplasty, patients using SSRIs show significant improvement at 12 months but the improvement is smaller than the group not using SSRIs.

Glenoid replacement is a manual bone removal procedure that can be difficult for surgeons to perform. Surgical robotics have been utilized successfully in hip and knee orthopaedic procedures but there are no systems currently available in the shoulder. These robots tend to have low adoption rates by surgeons due to high costs, disruption of surgical workflow and added complexity. As well, these systems typically use optical tracking which needs a constant line-of-sight which is not conducive to a crowded operating room. The purpose of this work was developing and testing a surgical robotic system for glenoid replacement.

The new surgical system utilizes flexible components that tether a Stewart Platform robot to the patient through a patient specific 3D printed mount. As the robot moves relative to the bone, reaction loads from the flexible components bending are measured by a load cell allowing the robot to “feel” its way around. As well, a small bone burring tool was attached to the robot to facilitate the necessary bone removal. The surgical system was tested against a fellowship-trained surgeon performing standard surgical techniques. Both the robot and the surgeon performed glenoid replacement on two different scapula analogs: standard anatomy and posterior glenoid edge wear referred to as a Walch B2. Six of each scapula model was tested by the robot and the surgeon. The surgeon created a pre-operative plan for both scapula analogs as a target for both methodologies. CT scans of the post-operative cemented implants were compared to the pre-operative target and implant position and orientation errors were measured.

For the standard shoulder analogs the net implant position and orientation errors were 1.47 ± 0.48 mm and 2.57 ± 2.30° for the robot and 1.61 ± 0.29 mm and 5.04 ± 1.92° for the surgeon respectively. For the B2 shoulders, the net implant position and orientation errors were 2.16 ± 0.36 mm and 2.89 ± 0.88° for the robot and 3.01 ± 0.42 mm and 4.54 ± 1.49° for the surgeon respectively.

The new tracking system was shown to be able to match or outperform the surgeon in most metrics. The surgeon tended to have difficulty gauging the depth needed as well as the face rotation of the implant. This was not surprising as the reaming tool used by the surgeon obscures the view of the anatomy and the spherical cutter hinders the ability to index the tool. The robot utilized only one surgical tool, the bone burr, precluding the need for multiple instruments used by the surgeon to prepare the glenoid bone bed. The force-space navigation method can be generalized to other joints, however, further work is needed to validate the system using cadaveric specimens.

Follow-up of arthroplasty varies widely across the UK. The aim of this NIHR-funded study was to employ a mixed-methods approach to examine the requirements for arthroplasty follow-up and produce evidence-based and consensus-based recommendations. It has been supported by BHS, BASK, BOA, ODEP and NJR.

Four interconnected work packages have recently been completed: (1) a systematic literature review; (2a) analysis of routinely collected National Health Service data from four national data sets to understand when and which patients present for revision surgery; (2b) prospective data regarding how patients currently present for revision surgery; (3) economic modelling to simulate long-term costs and quality-adjusted life years associated with different follow-up care models and (4) a Delphi-consensus process, involving all stakeholders, to develop a policy document to guide appropriate follow-up care after primary hip and knee arthroplasty.

We will present the following Recommendations:

For ODEP10A∗ minimum implants, it is safe to disinvest in routine follow-up from 1 to 10 years post non-complex hip and knee replacement provided there is rapid access to orthopaedic review

Patients undergoing Joint Arthroplasty received a significant proportion of blood transfusions. In this study, we compared the risk of Deep Infection, and Superficial Infection post operation following Primary Total Hip or Knee replacement in blood-transfused and non-blood-transfused patients.

Cohort of patients who underwent primary total Hip or Knee Arthroplasty from April 2012 to March 2015 in Alberta. Patient characteristics, comorbidity, received blood transfusion were collected from electronic medical records, operating room information systems, discharge abstract database, provincial clinical risk grouper data. Deep Infection and Superficial Infection were captured from Provincial Surgical Site Infection Surveillance data. Deep Infection include deep incisional and organ/space infections. Logistic regression analysis were used to compare Deep Infection and Superficial Infection in blood-transfused and non-blood-transfused cohorts, and risk-adjusted for age, gender, procedure type, and co-morbidities.

Our study cohort contains 27891 patients, with mean of age at admission was 66.3±10.4, 57.5% female, 49.3% had 1 or more comorbidities. 58.8% underwent Knee Replacement. 11.1% received blood transfusion during hospital stay (Total Hip Replacement (THR) =13.1% and Total Knee Replacement (TKR) =9.7%,). 1.1% had Deep Infection (THR=1.4% and TKR=0.9%) and 0.5% had Superficial Infection (THR=0.5% and TKR=0.5%). Blood-transfused patients got 1.7% Deep Infection and 1.0% Superficial infection. Non-blood-transfused patients got 1.0% Deep Infection and 0.5% Superficial infection. Controlling for age, gender, procedure type, and co-morbidities, the odds of Deep Infection were 1.6 times higher for blood-transfused patients than for non-blood-transfused patients (adjusted odds ratio [OR]=1.6, 95% confidence interval [CI] [1.2–2.2], p=0.004). The odds of Superficial Infection were 2.0 times higher for transfused patients (adjusted OR=2.0, 95% CI [1.3–3.0], p=0.002).

Blood transfusion increases Deep Infection and Superficial Infection post-surgery following Primary Total Knee or Hip Replacement. This finding suggests to reduce the unnecessary blood transfusion for patients considering Joint Arthroplasty. Reducing the blood transfusion will save the inpatient cost and decrease the infective complications post-surgery in Hip or Knee Arthroplasty patients.

Many hospitals and orthopaedic surgery teams across Canada have instituted quality improvement (QI) programs for hip and knee arthroplasty. One of the common goals is to reduce hospital length of stay (LOS) in order to improve operational efficiency, patient flow and, by achieving this, provide improved access for patients to arthroplasty surgery. A common concern among surgeons and care providers is that hospital readmission rates will increase if LOS is significantly reduced. This study assesses the relationship between LOS and readmission rates in Alberta over a six year period during a focused QI initiative targeting LOS.

Data from all patients undergoing primary elective total hip or knee arthroplasty in Alberta between 2010 and 2015 was captured through a provincial QI program. Patient characteristics captured included age, gender, joint replaced, and pre-surgical co-morbidities. Patient LOS and all-cause hospital readmissions within thirty days from the initial discharge were captured through provincial data repositories, including the Discharge Abstract Database (DAD), operating room information systems, electronic medical records, and comorbidity risk grouper (CRG) data. Three longitudinal analyses were performed: 1) the crude and risk adjusted length of stay and 30-day readmission rates were calculated, 2) the population was grouped into two 3-year subsets and compared using t-test (acute LOS) and chi-square (30-day readmission), and 3) a multivariable regression analyses was performed to determine the rate of change and statistical significance in acute LOS and 30-day readmission between the two time periods.

The number of patients undergoing elective lower extremity arthroplasty in the province during the six-year study period (2010–2015) was 48,760 patients. Fifty-nine percent were female and forty-one percent were male. Mean age of the cohort was 66.9 years. Thirty-nine percent of patients had a total hip arthroplasty and 61% had a total knee arthroplasty. Forty-five percent of patients had no pre-surgical risk factors, 27% had one risk factor, and 28% of the patients had 2 or more risk factors. During the quality improvement program risk-adjusted length of stay improved from a mean of 4.82 days (in 2010–2012) to 3.90 days (in 2013–2015) (p<0.01). Controlling for differences in age, sex, joint replaced, and pre-surgery risk factors, the acute LOS declined by 0.32 days between the two time periods (p<0.001).

Quality improvement programs that target reduced LOS can avoid increasing 30-day hospital readmission rates. This has significant implications for inpatient resource utilisation for lower extremity arthroplasty surgery and for improving patient flow.

Following the recognition of platelet rich plasma (PRP) as an interventional procedure by NICE, patients who had failed standard conservative treatment for chronic elbow tendinitis and referred for surgery were recruited prospectively into a PRP injection study.

52 patients at Torbay Hospital, Devon, UK received PRP injections in 18 months and 37 had a minimum of 6 months follow up. The outcomes in these patients are summarised.

There were 16 males and 21 females. 30 had tennis elbow and 7 had golfers elbow. All patients had their symptoms for a minimum of 6 months and had failed to improve with standard conservative treatment. 2 had a failed outcome from previous tennis elbow release surgery. The PRP injections were carried out under ultrasound guidance after correlating the tender spot with neovascularisation on flow Doppler. 31 patients had a single injection; the other 21 patients had 2 injections. Quick DASH score and patients own self-satisfaction was used to measure outcome. 18 patients (48%) were discharged by 6 months. DASH score worsened in 7 patients (19%) and 2 of these patients opted to have surgery, which had no benefit either. No complications were observed with the use of PRP.

Overall, by using PRP injections, surgery was avoided in 35 patients (95%) at 18 months and nearly half of the patients were discharged from follow up by 6 months.

The incidence of frozen shoulder (FS) as a complication of simple arthroscopic shoulder surgery has yet to be defined. A single-surgeon case series of patients undergoing arthroscopic subacromial decompression (ASD) or ASD with arthroscopic acromioclavicular joint (ACJ) excision was analysed to establish FS rate, this cohort was then compared to a matched group of primary FS patients.

Retrospective analysis of 200 consecutive cases was undertaken. All procedures listed, performed and reviewed by the senior author. 96 underwent ASD and 104 underwent ASD and ACJ excision. 6-months follow-up minimum.

Incidence of frozen shoulder was 5.21% (ASD) and 5.71% (ASD+ACJ excision). Mean age was 52.3 years (95% CI: 47.4 to 57.2) of the patients that developed FS, compared to 57.2 years (95% CI: 55.2 to 59.2) in the patients who did not and 52 years (95% CI: 50.7 to 53.3) in the primary FS cohort (n=136). 9.1% of post-operative FS were diabetic compared to 17.1% of primary FS. 63.6% were female in the post-operative FS group, 47.1% in the primary FS group.

Our results suggest that the risk of FS following simple arthroscopic procedures is 5%, with no increased risk if the ACJ is also excised.

This cohort has the same average age as a primary FS. There is a trend toward female sex and diabetes does not increase the risk.

We present (with intra-operative imaging) 4 patients who sustained Pectoralis major ruptures on the same piece of equipment of the “Tarzan” assault course at the Commando Training Centre, Royal Marines (CTCRM). Recruits jump at running pace, carrying 21 pounds of equipment and a weapon (8 pounds) across a 6ft gap onto a vertical cargo-net. The recruits punch horizontally through the net, before adducting their arm to catch themselves, and all weight, on their axilla.

All patients presented with immediate pain and reduced function. 2 had ruptures demonstrated on MRI, 1 on USS and one via clinical examination. All 4 patients were found, at operation, to have sustained type IIIE injuries.

All patients underwent Pectoralis major repair using a uni-cortical button fixation and had an uneventful immediate post operative course. Patient 1 left Royal Marines training after the injury (out of choice, not because of failure to rehabilitate). All other patients are under active rehabilitation hoping to return to training.

Review of 10 years of records at CTCRM reveal no documented Pectoralis major rupture prior to our first case in October 2013. There has been no change to the obstacle or technique used and all patients deny the use of steroids.

Pain is a common presenting symptom of patients with shoulder conditions, yet there has been little work done to accurately describe its distribution and nature.

We studied all patients attending the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital shoulder clinic from August 2012 – 2013. Patients completed a questionnaire detailing their Oxford Shoulder Score and a validated neuropathic pain questionnaire. Patients were given diagrams to draw on their perceived location of pain or abnormal sensation.

We analysed all patients with frozen shoulder (48), osteoarthritis (37) and rotator cuff arthropathy (17).

We found that neuropathic pain is common in patients with shoulder conditions identified in 39% of OA patients, 42% with rotator cuff arthropathy and 57% with frozen shoulder. Pain outside the shoulder was reported in over 50% of patients, commonly the forearm, hand, neck and chest. Frozen shoulder was especially associated with pain outside of the shoulder with 39% describing symptoms in the neck or chest, 21% into the forearm and 18% into the hand. Interestingly, neuropathic pain radiating down the arm was not described in the rotator cuff arthropathy group.

The high prevalence of neuropathic symptoms and pain felt outside the shoulder aids diagnosis and more accurately identifies these conditions.

We present (with intra-operative imaging) 4 patients who sustained Pectoralis major ruptures on the same piece of equipment of the “Tarzan” assault course at the Commando Training Centre, Royal Marines (CTCRM). Recruits jump at running pace, carrying 21 pounds of equipment and a weapon (8 pounds) across a 6ft gap onto a vertical cargo-net. The recruits punch horizontally through the net, before adducting their arm to catch themselves, and all weight, on their axilla.

All patients presented with immediate pain and reduced function. 2 had ruptures demonstrated on MRI, 1 on USS and one via clinical examination. All 4 patients were found, at operation, to have sustained type IIIE injuries.

All patients underwent Pectoralis major repair using a uni-cortical button fixation and had an uneventful immediate post operative course. Patient 1 left Royal Marines training after the injury (out of choice, not because of failure to rehabilitate). All other patients are under active rehabilitation hoping to return to training.

Review of 10 years of records at CTCRM reveal no documented Pectoralis major rupture prior to our first case in October 2013. There has been no change to the obstacle or technique used and all patients deny the use of steroids.

The Delto-pectoral approach is the workhorse of the shoulder surgeon, but surprisingly the common variants of the cephalic vein and deltoid artery have not been documented. The vascular anatomy encountered during one hundred primary elective delto-pectoral approaches was documented and common variants described.

Two common variants are described. A type I (71%), whereby the deltoid artery crosses the interval and inserts directly in to the deltoid musculature. In this variant the surgeon is unlikely to encounter any vessels crossing the interval apart from the deltoid artery itself. In a type II pattern (21%) the deltoid artery runs parallel to the cephalic vein on the deltoid surface and is highly likely to give off medial branches (95%) that cross the interval, as well as medial tributaries to the cephalic vein (38%).

Knowledge of the two common variants will aid the surgeon when dissecting the delto-pectoral approach and highlights that these vessels crossing the interval are likely to be arterial, rather than venous. This study allows the surgeon to recognize these variations and reproduce bloodless, safe and efficient surgery.

Introduction

Massive rotator cuff tears in the patient who is too young for a reverse shoulder replacement are a challenging situation. A technique using a ‘Grammont osteotomy’ of the acromion has been developed to allow a comprehensive approach, the so called “Full Monty”.

Eighty-eight consecutive patients with symptomatic rotator cuff tears were entered in to a prospect study with a novel technique of open double row repair using a ‘Capstan’ screw technique. The medial row has standard anchors, but the lateral suture row is a 35mm × 6.5mm ‘Capstan' screw. This allows up to 28 suture bridges to be taken from the medial row to the lateral row compressing the footprint and spreading the load. This creates a very robust repair or ‘bulletproof repair’. This was used for medium to large isolated supraspinatus tears

Each patient had a pre and post operative Oxford Shoulder Score (OSS), American Shoulder and Elbow Score (ASES Score). The mean pre-operative OSS was 22 (maximum 48) and the mean post-operative OSS was 45, (p < 0.0001). Flexion improved from a mean of 117° to 172° (p < 0.0001). The clinical re-tear rate was 3.4%. 95% were satisfied with the procedure. There were no deep infections. 18% had transient stiffness, 6% stiffness at one year but none severe enough to warrant release. There were no instances of deltoid dysfunction.

This demonstrates excellent results in terms of OSS, patient satisfaction and function. Clinical re-tear rate is markedly reduced in comparison to previous literature.

Massive tears of the supraspinatus of the rotator cuff lead to painful loss of movement. The literature supports repair of these tears for young healthy individuals, however they present a surgical challenge with historically poor results from both athroscopic and standard open techniques.

Prof Bunker has developed a surgical technique for massive rotator cuff tears with a Grammont Osteotomy of the spine of the acromion, when standard surgical techniques will not allow the necessary exposure: the so called “Full Monty”.

Patients were entered in to a prospective study to obtain the functional benefit of this procedure. Each patient had a pre-operative American Shoulder Elbow Score (ASES) Oxford Shoulder score (OSS), pain score, range of movement. Post-operatively these measures were repeated along with a patient questionnaire on function and satisfaction.

The mean American Shoulder score (ASS) preoperatively was 7 (out of a possible 30) and improved postoperatively to 23(P = 0.00011). The improvement in the Oxford Shoulder Score was 22 (out of a possible 48) preoperatively to 43 postoperatively (0.0001) and 80% patients stated their treatment was “successful”.

We believe this a successful surgical option for a patient with “massive” rotator cuff tear that is not amenable to standard surgical techniques.

Weight-bearing is a known stimulus for bone remodelling and a reduction in weight-bearing is associated with reduced bone mineral density (BMD) in affected limbs post lower limb fracture. This study investigated short and long-term precision of a method for measuring relative left/right weight-bearing using two sets of identical calibrated scales. The effect of imbalance on BMD at the hip and on lower limb lean tissue mass (LLTM) was also assessed.

46 postmenopausal women, with no history of leg or ankle fracture, were measured three times whilst standing astride two scales (Seca, Germany). 34 of the participants were re-measured after 6 months by the same method. Bilateral hip and total body dual x-ray absorptiometry measurements were performed using a GE Lunar Prodigy (Bedford, MA). Precision errors in weight-bearing measures were calculated using the root mean square coefficient of variation (RMSCV%). The correlations at the first visit between left/right differences in weight-bearing and differences in BMD and LLTM were calculated.

The short-term RMSCV% for left and right weights were 4.20% and 4.25% respectively and the long-term RMSCV% were 6.91% and 6.90%. Differences in left/right weight-bearing ranged from 0 to 24% (SD 8.63%) at visit 1 and 0 to 30% (SD 10.71%) at visit 2. Using data from visit 1, the relationship between hip BMD differences and left/right weight-bearing differences were investigated, with no significant correlations found. However, a weak, but statistically significant correlation of r=0.35 (p=0.02) was found for differences in LLTM and left/right weight-bearing differences.

In conclusion, left/right weight-bearing measured using two scales is a precise method for evaluating differences in weight-bearing in the short and long-term. Differences in left/right weight-bearing in this population varied by up to 30%. Participants showed a high degree of consistency in their long-term balance in a natural standing posture. Inequalities in left/right weight-bearing did not correlate significantly with BMD at the hip, but demonstrated a weak but statistically significant correlation with lean tissue mass.

Introduction: There has been a substantial increase of Clostidium Difficile (C.difficile) in Europe over the last decade. This increased incidence of C.difficile has been attributed in part to the prophylactic use of antibiotics during orthopaedic and trauma surgery. The consequences of a C.difficile infection can be an increase in mortality, length of stay and cost of medical care. The mortality associated with C.difficile has been quoted to be up to 25% in frail elderly people and the cost of treating a single case of C. difficile infection has been estimated at 4500 Euros (£4000).

The antibiotic prophylaxis for orthopaedic and trauma patients undergoing metal work implantation was changed in our unit to specifically reduce the incidence of C.difficile. The aim of this study was to determine whether this change did reduce the incidence of post-operative C.difficile infections presenting on the orthopaedic ward. The secondary aim was to ensure that the change in prophylaxis did not increase the incidence of deep wound infections.

Method: The old prophylactic protocol involved a dose of Cefuroxime at induction, followed by two further doses post-operatively. The new protocol was a single dose of Gentamicin and Flucloxacillin or a single dose of Gentamicin and Teicoplanin (if MRSA positive or penicillin allergy) at induction. The incidence of C.difficile infection and deep wound infection were recorded for a six month period prior to the protocol change and for a six month period once the new antibiotic protocol had been established. Patients included into the study were those undergoing a primary arthroplasty of the knee or hip and patients undergoing metalwork implantation for a proximal femoral fracture.

Results: 1566 patients were included in the study. The overall rate of C.difficle infection reduced form 3.7% to 1.3% (p less than 0.005) after the prophylactic antibiotic protocol was changed. This was most marked in the trauma patients from 8% to 3% (p less than 0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of deep wound infections for the trauma patients (p equals 0.5) or the elective patients (p equals 0.7).

Conclusion: The change in antibiotic prophylaxis did significantly reduce the incidence of C.difficile in patients undergoing metalwork implantation and did not change the rate of deep wound infections.

Antero-posterior (AP) pelvis and lateral x-rays are routinely prescribed for the positional diagnosis of proximal femoral fractures, however; the usefulness of the lateral x-ray has not been previously presented in the literature. In addition, the clinical advantage of internally rotated AP views has also not been tested. This study aims to define the value of the lateral x-ray, and the internally rotated AP view, in the assessment and treatment planning of proximal femoral fractures.

X-rays from 359 consecutive patients with proximal femoral fractures were divided into: ‘un-positioned’ AP (greater trochanter overlying the lateral femoral neck), clear neck AP (internally rotated to show the lateral femoral neck), and lateral views. Three blinded reviewers independently assessed the x-rays in sequence and noted the positional diagnosis and displacement. This was then compared with the intra-operative diagnosis used as gold standard.

The addition of a lateral x-ray to an AP view significantly increased the rate of the correct diagnosis made by the reviewers when compared to an AP view alone, in intracapsular fractures only (p < 0.013), but not for extracapsular fractures (p = 0.27).

The use of clear neck AP views did not increase the rate of correctly diagnosing the type of fracture when compared to unpositioned AP views. This applies for both intracapsular (p = 0.57), and extracapsular fractures (p < 0.823).

Although orthopaedic rote dictates that every fracture should be visualised in two views, this study has shown with that for the majority of hip fractures one view is adequate and safe. The lateral x-ray is only required for intracapsular fractures that appear undisplaced on the AP view and should not be performed routinely. Specially positioned AP views are not required and should be avoided due to the unnecessary pain caused and the needless cost.

Introduction: The Polarus nail is used in the treatment of displaced surgical neck of humerus fractures, but has been reported to have a high hardware complication rate. A recent change to 5.3 mm “non-toggling” proximal locking screws has been introduced in an attempt to minimise these complications.

The aims of this study were to determine union rates and hardware complications, and to assess whether the “non-toggle” proximal locking option prevented screw back-out.

Methods: We performed a retrospective review of case notes and radiographs of consecutive patients treated with the 150 mm length Polarus nail for acute displaced surgical neck of humerus fractures at our unit between 1st May 2002 and 29th February 2008. All patients were followed up until fracture union.

Results: Forty-nine patients were treated with the Polarus nail during the study period. Eleven patients were lost to follow-up before fracture union, so were excluded. Median age of the patients was 72 years (range: 31 to 94 years). Mean time to surgery was 10.7 days (range: two to 25 days).

Thirty-six fractures (95%) went on to unite following treatment with the Polarus nail. Of the two fractures that failed to unite one had an infective non-union and the other developed avascular necrosis with non-union of the surgical neck.

Twelve patients (32%) developed post-operative hardware complications. In nine (24%) there was backing out of the proximal locking screws, but only two patients had symptoms requiring screw removal. In five patients (13%) the nail was prominent proximally, causing impingement. In one patient (3%) the proximal screws penetrated the gleno-humeral joint, although this was asymptomatic.

There was backing-out in six of the 21 patients (29%) in which the standard 5.0 mm proximal locking screws were used. This compared with three out of 14 patients (21%) in which the 5.3 mm “non-toggling” screws were used. The difference in the rate of screw backing-out between the two groups was significant (P = 0.0474, Fisher’s Exact test). In three patients a mixture of 5.0 and 5.3 mm screws was used.

Discussion: The Polarus nail provides a stable fixation to union when used for the treatment of displaced surgical neck of humerus fractures. It is associated with a high hardware complication rate (32%), however, this is asymptomatic in the majority of cases (60%). The 5.3 mm “non-toggle” proximal locking option was found to reduce the rate of screw back-out compared with the standard 5.0 mm screw. We recommend the use of this “non-toggling” screw option for proximal locking.

Introduction: Mönckeberg sclerosis or medial artery calcification (MAC) is a well known phenomenon associated with the diabetic and other altered blood parameters. However its consequence within the foot and specifically the 1st dorsal metatarsal artery has not previously been studied.

Materials and Methods: Nearly 1000 foot x-rays were studied over a nine month period in a busy District General Hospital to identify the prevalence of first dorsal metatarsal artery calcification. The electronic medical notes for all the patients were reviewed to confirm which patients were known to be diabetic. The patients with positive findings were then identified and their HbA1c, creatinine, and previous foot interventions recorded.

Results: 1.4% of the population studied had medial artery calcification of the 1st dorsal metatarsal artery. 93% were known diabetics and 100% had impaired glucose tolerance (a glucose plasma concentration of > 7.8mmol/l two hours post glucose loading). 79% have required previous podiatric care for foot ulceration and 64% had required surgical intervention for their diabetic feet. MAC has a high positive predictive value (92.9% (95% CI 69.2–98.7)) for diabetes, with a good specificity (99.9% (95%CI 99.4–100)) and low false positive rate (0.1% (05%CI 0.0–0.6)).

Discussion: Medial artery calcification in the first dorsal metatarsal artery is characteristic of impaired glucose metabolism, and if seen on routine x-ray should be an indication for screening of the patient. It should also be considered as a foot at risk sign in the established diabetic due to the high incidence of foot ulceration and need for surgical intervention in this group.

Conclusion: The prevalence of MAC seen on routine foot x-rays has been demonstrated in a large cohort of patients. The specificity and positive predictive value for diabetes has been calculated and the prevalence of these patients requiring surgical or specialist podiatric care recorded.

Introduction: Fractures of the tuberosity heal well irrespective of the treatment instituted. Fractures distal to the tuberosity have a high incidence of delayed union and non-union. This could be due to disruption of the vascular supply that enters the bone at the metaphyseal-diaphyseal region. It has also been reported that in these injuries, stress fractures occur at a different anatomic site that is more distal to acute fractures.

We present one of the largest reported series of such fractures in which we have explored the above statements.

Materials & Methods: A retrospective review of 300 closed fractures of the base of the fifth metatarsal- 268 were tuberosity fractures (group 1) and 32 were fractures distal to the tuberosity (group 2).

The patients were followed up in the outpatients clinic for a mean period of 2 months (group 1) and 16 months (group 2).

The distance of the fracture site from the proximal tip of the metatarsal was measured on the radiographs.

Results:

All group 1 fractures healed well following symptomatic management and none required surgical intervention.

Conclusion:

A standardized classification is important because there is great variability in the types of fractures and appropriate treatment.

The aim of this work was to define the tensile material properties of the glenoid labrum. Previous SEM studies of the labrum have observed three definitive layers, with a densely packed circumferentially orientated collagen core layer. The glenoid labrum from ten cadaveric shoulders were dissected out and divided into eight equal sections. Each section was cut to produce specimens from the core layer using a microtome and a specifically designed cryo-clamp resulting in uniform specimens with dimensions of 1mm x 1mm x 8mm. All of the tensile testing was performed within a controlled-environment unit of 38°C and 100% relative humidity. Each specimen was precycled to a quasi-static state to alleviate the effects of deep-freezing, prior to final testing. The elastic modulus was calculated for each specimen before and after a 5-minute period of stress relaxation and before failure initiation. The mean age of the specimens was 61 years (range 47–70). Load to failure was 2.7N (1.0–7.0). The mean modulus was 10.2MPa (3.0–22.3) before stress relaxation, 18.0MPa (5.8–36.7) immediately after stress relaxation and 22.3MPa (8.4–66.4) before failure initiation. The 1 and 2 o’clock specimens had lower moduli than the 4 and 5 o’clock specimens (p=0.01). These results can aid in explaining the differing pathologies encountered around the circumference of the labrum. The high moduli at the 4 and 5 o’clock positions may reflect the ability of this portion of the labrum to accommodate forces and thus resist anteroinferior subluxation. The lower moduli at the 1 and 2 o’clock positions suggest that this portion of the labrum is less apt to accommodate tension; this might explain the higher incidence of labral foramen observed in this area and the anatomical variant of the Buford complex.

Purpose: Many different rotator cuff repairs have been advocated in previous publications without experimental evidence. Our aim was to mechanically test the static tensile properties and cyclical loading to failure of a single row lateral anchor repair and a double row medial and lateral anchor repair.

Method: Fresh frozen cadaveric shoulders were mounted on a rig and a mini-open deltoid split used to visualise the supraspinatus. A standardised full thickness incision of 2 cms was made with a scalpel across the supraspinatus tendon. After the deltoid was repaired and specimens randomised, an arthroscopic rotator cuff repair was performed by the two senior authors in which the medial border of the tear was apposed to the lateral border using either a double or single row technique with a ‘Twinfix AB’ suture anchor. Once the repair had been performed, the gross specimens were dissected down to the rotator cuff musculature and the repair inspected. Those with associated cuff pathology were excluded from the experiment. Specimens were then mounted on a custom made rig to statically load each tendon simulating physiological loading of a repaired cuff defect in a post-operative 300 abducted position. The increase in tear size was then measured against time for 1 hour or to a point at which the mean tendon gap formation exceeded 5mm. Each specimen was then transferred to an Instron tensile testing machine to cyclically load to failure the supraspinatus musculotendinous unit. Each specimen was freeze clamped proximally in a specially designed clamp, whilst the humeral shaft was mounted at an angle of 300 of abduction.

Results: The two groups had a distinct difference in tensile properties with the single row fixation developing a 5mm gap in under 30 minutes. After 1 hour, the gap formed in the double row specimens was less than 5mm. In cyclical loading, the single row failed at a lower load compared with the double row. In some double row specimens the tendon failed mid substance above 250N, rather than at the anchor-suture or suture-tendon interface.

Conclusions: Our results suggest that the double row mattress technique has superior loading properties when tested with a simulated physiological load comparative to the normal post-operative setting.

Background: Relatively little is known about the risk factors for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) in the community. Previous studies have generally assessed smaller numbers of patients in specialist clinics, or in particular occupations. Therefore, we have performed a case-control study using the West Midlands General Practice Research Database.

Methods: Our cases were all patients with a recorded diagnosis of CTS; four controls per case were individually matched by age, sex and general practice. Information on constitutional, hormonal and musculoskeletal factors was extracted and analysed by conditional logistic regression.

Results: Our dataset included 3,391 cases; 2,444 (72%) were female, mean age at diagnosis was 45.8 years: and 13,564 matched controls. Multivariate analysis showed that the risk factors associated with CTS were previous wrist fracture (OR = 2.29, 95% CI: 1.67–3.12), rheumatoid arthritis (OR = 2.23, 95% CI: 1.57–3.17), osteoarthritis (OR = 1.89, 95% CI: 1.65–2.17), BMI (BMI 30–40, OR = 2.06, 95% CI: 1.79–2.38), diabetes (OR = 1.51, 95% CI: 1.24–1.84), the use of insulin (OR = 1.52, 95% CI: 1.06–2.18), sulphonylureas (OR = 1.45, 95% CI: 1.07–1.97), metformin (OR = 1.20, 95% CI: 0.84–1.72) and thyroxine (OR = 1.36, 95% CI: 1.08–1.70). Smoking habit, hormone replacement therapy, the combined oral contraceptive pill and oral corticosteroids were not associated with CTS.

Conclusions: Rheumatoid arthritis, wrist fracture, osteoarthritis, and an increased Body Mass Index were the most important risk factors for CTS that we identiþed. The combined oral contraceptive, hormone replacement therapy, prednisolone and smoking are not associated with CTS.

Background: Presently the aetiology of this common condition remains unclear. Previous research suggests that diabetes or epilepsy might increase the prevalence of the condition, but the evidence is inconsistent.

Methods: Our cases were all patients diagnosed with Dupuytren’s Disease, with two controls per case individually matched by age, sex, and general practice. Information on all diagnoses of diabetes and diabetic medication, and epilepsy and anti-epileptics was extracted. All analysis was adjusted for consulting behaviour to reduce ascertainment bias.

Results: There were 821 cases (1,642 controls), 588 (72%) of which were males. Mean age at diagnosis was 62 years. Prevalence = 0.2%. Diabetes was significantly associated with Dupuytren’s (OR 1.82). Insulin use was strongly associated with Dupuytren’s (OR = 4.33), as was metformin (OR = 3.67); the association was also present for sulphonlyureas (OR = 1.89). There was no association with epilepsy and Dupuytren’s (OR = 1.05). None of the treatments for epilepsy were associated with Dupuytren’s disease.

Conclusion:Diabetes is a significant risk factor for Dupuytren’s Disease. There is an increased risk for treated diabetes rather than diet controlled diabetes. Epilepsy and anti-epileptic medication are not associated with Dupuytren’s Disease. Ascertainment bias may explain the association observed in previous studies.

We set up a trial to test whether the KT1000 arthrometer would give consistent measurements of anteroposterior laxity when used by the same and different examiners on the knees of the same subjects on the same day. The results showed substantial inter- and intra-examiner variation in the measurements both of absolute displacement in single knees and of side-to-side differences between pairs of knees. This casts doubt on the reliability of the instrument when used to compare the results of different techniques for reconstructing injured cruciate ligaments.

The place and effectiveness of surgery for acromioclavicular dislocation is disputed. We have reviewed 29 patients all treated by an operation which holds the clavicle down to the coracoid process. This was effective in both acute and late cases, with rapid return to work, a low incidence of complications and no requirement for secondary procedures. We consider it to be the method of choice when operation is indicated.

The pathogenesis of slipped upper femoral epiphysis is unknown but the condition has been linked with various endocrine disorders. Nine patients with slipped epiphyses in association with primary juvenile hypothyroidism are presented. In all patients, slipping occurred or symptoms developed in the affected hip before the hypothyroidism was diagnosed. A generalised pathology was suggested by the absence of trauma (8 patients), by bilateral slipping (6 patients), and by obesity and short stature in all patients. All cases had delayed skeletal maturation and characteristic metaphysial changes were seen on their radiographs. The clinical diagnosis of juvenile hypothyroidism can be difficult but it merits consideration in patients who have a slipped upper femoral epiphysis in association with short stature, obesity, delay in skeletal maturity, or any one of these.