Classifying trochlear dysplasia (TD) is useful to determine the treatment options for patients suffering from patellofemoral instability (PFI). There is no consensus on which classification system is more reliable and reproducible for the purpose of guiding clinicians’ management of PFI. There are also concerns about the validity of the Dejour Classification (DJC), which is the most widely used classification for TD, having only a fair reliability score. The Oswestry-Bristol Classification (OBC) is a recently proposed system of classification of TD, and the authors report a fair-to-good interobserver agreement and good-to-excellent intraobserver agreement in the assessment of TD. The aim of this study was to compare the reliability and reproducibility of these two classifications. In all, six assessors (four consultants and two registrars) independently evaluated 100 axial MRIs of the patellofemoral joint (PFJ) for TD and classified them according to OBC and DJC. These assessments were again repeated by all raters after four weeks. The inter- and intraobserver reliability scores were calculated using Cohen’s kappa and Cronbach’s α.Aims
Methods
Classifying trochlear dysplasia (TD) is useful to determine the treatment options for patients suffering from patellofemoral instability (PFI). There is no consensus on which classification system is more reliable and reproducible for this purpose to guide clinicians in order to treat PFI. There are also concerns about validity of the Dejour classification (DJC), which is the most widely used classification for TD, having only a fair reliability score. The Oswestry-Bristol classification (OBC) is a recently proposed system of classification of TD and the authors report a fair-to-good interobserver agreement and good-to-excellent intra-observer agreement in the assessment of TD. The aim of this study was to compare the reliability and reproducibility of these two classifications. 6 assessors (4 consultants and 2 registrars) independently evaluated 100 magnetic resonance axial images of the patella-femoral joint for TD and classified them according to OBC and DJC. These assessments were again repeated by all raters after 4 weeks. The inter and intra-observer reliability scores were calculated using Cohen's kappa and Cronbach's alpha. Both classifications showed good to excellent interobserver reliability with high alpha scores. The OBC classification showed a substantial intra-observer agreement (mean kappa 0.628)[p<0.005] whereas the DJC showed a moderate agreement (mean kappa 0.572) [p<0.005]. There was no significant difference in the kappa values when comparing the assessments by consultants to those by registrars, in either classification systems. This large study from a non-founding institute shows both classification systems to be reliable for classifying TD based on magnetic resonance axial images of the patella-femoral joint, with the simple to use OBC having a higher intra-observer reliability score compared to the DJC.
In arthritis of the varus knee, a high tibial
osteotomy (HTO) redistributes load from the diseased medial compartment
to the unaffected lateral compartment. We report the outcome of 36 patients (33 men and three women)
with 42 varus, arthritic knees who underwent HTO and dynamic correction
using a Garches external fixator until they felt that normal alignment
had been restored. The mean age of the patients was 54.11 years
(34 to 68). Normal alignment was achieved at a mean 5.5 weeks (3
to 10) post-operatively. Radiographs, gait analysis and visual analogue
scores for pain were measured pre- and post-operatively, at one
year and at medium-term follow-up (mean six years; 2 to 10). Failure
was defined as conversion to knee arthroplasty. Pre-operative gait analysis divided the 42 knees into two equal
groups with high (17 patients) or low (19 patients) adductor moments.
After correction, a statistically significant (p <
0.001, At final follow-up, after a mean of 15.9 years (12 to 20), there
was a survivorship of 59% (95% CI 59.6 to 68.9) irrespective of
adductor moment group, with a mean time to conversion to knee arthroplasty
of 9.5 years (3 to 18; 95% confidence interval ± 2.5). HTO remains a useful option in the medium-term for the treatment
of medial compartment osteoarthritis of the knee but does not last
in the long-term. Cite this article:
A patient-centred approach, usually achieved through shared decision
making, has the potential to help improve decision making around
knee arthroplasty surgery. However, such an approach requires an
understanding of the factors involved in patient decision making.
This review’s objective is to systematically examine the qualitative literature
surrounding patients’ decision making in knee arthroplasty. A systematic literature review using Medline and Embase was conducted
to identify qualitative studies that examined patients’ decision
making around knee arthroplasty. An aggregated account of what is
known about patients’ decision making in knee arthroplasties is
provided.Objectives
Methods
We examined data from a large prospectively collected dataset which followed up patients after Exeter total hip replacement (THR) - the Exeter Primary Outcome Study. We studied 78 patients who had total hip replacement for osteoarthritis on a morphologically normal hip, and in whom the other hip was also morphologically normal for comparison. All selected patients had complete patient outcome data at 1 and 5 years, and x-rays at 1 year were available. We measured accuracy of reconstruction on AP Pelvis radiographs. The parameters measured were difference in height of lesser trochanter from horizontal pelvic line (LLD); length from ASIS to greater trochanter (indicating abductor length, AL); length from symphysis to centre of femoral head (SFH); length from centre of head to axis of femur (offset). We examined clinical outcomes including gain of Oxford Hip Score (DOHS) at 1 and 5 years, absolute OHS at 1 and 5 years, and absolute SF-36 Physical Functioning and Role Physical scores at 1 and 5 years. Examining the ratios of AL, SFH, Offset, Offset to SFH ratio and LLD between side of THR and unaffected side all showed marked variation. Thus the ratio of SFH varied from 0.85 to 1.11. For further analysis we divided the patients into 3 groups on the basis of variability of the ratio from 1; we examined whether the clinical scores above varied between these 3 groups. 1 way ANOVA demonstrated no significant difference for any of the clinical outcomes for any of the 5 grouped x-ray variables. Accuracy of reconstruction has been shown to affect the risk of dislocation after THR. Our results indicate that clinical outcomes of total hip replacement appear resilient to some degree of surgical inaccuracy. Future trials of navigation should be designed to demonstrate not only improved accuracy but also improved clinical outcome.
Boxer's fractures are the most common type of metacarpal fracture. It commonly occurs during fistfights or from punching a wall. Greer et al demonstrated that it is usually an intentional injury and these patients were at increased risk for recurrent injury (2). Further work suggested that patients with such injuries had higher features of antisocial, self- harm and impulsive behavior, compared with control groups (3). There is little that has been reported on children and adolescents who present with such fractures. This study aims to assess aggression scores in young patients with metacarpal fractures due to punching using a validated questionnaire. Following ethical permission, 11–18 year olds, with a boxers fracture and willing to complete an anonymous questionnaire were included. If they were under 16, parental permission was sought. The Buss and Warren validated questionnaire included subscales of physical aggression and anger scales as well as overall aggression scoring.Background
Methodology
Patients with knee osteoarthritis frequently complain that they develop pain in other joints due to over-loading during gait. However, there have been no previous studies examining the effect of knee arthritis on the other weight bearing joints. The aim of this study was to examine the loading of the hips and contra-lateral knee during gait in a cohort of patients pre- and post knee replacement. Twenty patients with single joint osteoarthritis awaiting knee replacement and 20 healthy volunteers were recruited. Gait analysis during level gait and at self selected speed was performed using a 12 camera Vicon motion analysis system. The ground reaction force was collected using EMG electrodes attached to the medial and lateral hamstrings and quadriceps bilaterally. Patients were invited to return 12 months post-operatively. Data was analysed using the Vicon plug-in-gait model and statistical testing was performed with SPSS v16.0 using ANCOVA to account for gait speed.Introduction
Methods
Isolated fractures of the distal fourth or fifth metacarpal bones, known as boxer's fractures (BF), are the most common type of metacarpal fracture. Boxer's fractures received their name from one of their most common causes — punching an object with a closed fist. This injury has been described as “a tolerable fracture in an intolerable patient” (1) It occurs commonly during fistfights or from punching a hard object such as a wall. Greer and William demonstrated that it is usually an intentional injury and these patients were at increased risk for recurrent injury (2). Further work suggested that patients with such injuries had higher features of antisocial, self-defeating personality disorders, self harm and impulsive behaviour, compared with control groups (3). It has been suggested that all patients presenting with such an injury should have psychiatric assessment. The majority of studies in the literature have concentrated on adults and little has been reported on children and adolescents who present with such fractures. This study aims to assess aggression scores in young patients discharged with metacarpal fractures due to punching using a validated questionnaire and this abstract presents the interim analysis. Following ethical permissions patients between 11 and 18 years of age, discharged with a metacarpal fracture caused by punching diagnosis codes S622, S623 or S624 and willing to complete an anonymous quetionnairre were included. All patients recieved an information sheet and for young people under 16 parental permission was sought. The Bus and Warren validated questionnaire was completed by post, in person or over the telephone. The questionnaire included subscales of physical aggression and anger scales as well as overall aggression scoring and patients were asked to complete all sections.Background
Methodology
A specialist orthopaedic ward for elective arthroplasty was opened in Bangor in 2008 in an attempt to address these issues. The staff per bed ratio remained the same as in the general orthopaedic wards but beds were “ring fenced” and strict infection control measures protocols were implemented. This audit aimed to assess the effect of the specialist ward on LOS following arthroplasty.
This paper describes the surgical indications and technique for lateral femoral cutaneous neurectomy in the hip following formation of a neuroma post surgery. We would like to present a single surgeon series of the treatment of localised trochanteric pain post total hip replacement. It is believed that in certain cases localised pain in the line of the scar is attributable to formation of a neuroma of the posterior branch of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve of the thigh.
Several case reports will highlight the findings on history and examination and the technique used.