The ‘Best Practice Tariff‘ (BPT) was developed to improve hip fracture care by incentivising hospitals to provide timely multidisciplinary care to patients sustaining these injuries. The current literature examining the association between BPT and patient outcomes is conflicting and underpowered. We aimed to determine if achieving BPT has an impact on 30-day mortality and postoperative length of stay.

A retrospective analysis for patients admitted to a major trauma centre (MTC) was performed between 01/01/2013 to 31/12/2020. Data were extracted from the National Hip Fracture Database. The study population was divided into two groups: those who achieved all BPT criteria (BPT-passed) and those who did not (BPT-failed). The primary outcomes of interest included the 30-day mortality rate and postoperative length of stay (LOS). As a secondary objective, we aimed to assess factors that predict perioperative mortality by utilising a logistic regression model.

4397 cases were included for analysis. 3422 (78%) met the BPT criteria, whereas 973 (22%) did not. The mean LOS in the BPT-achieving group was 17.2 days compared with 18.6 in the BPT-failed group, p<0.001. 30-day mortality was significantly lower in the BPT-achieving group i.e., 4.3% in BPT-achieved vs. 12.1% in BPT-failed, p<0.001. Logistic regression modelling demonstrated that attainment of BPT was associated with significantly lower 30-day mortality (OR: 0.32; 95% CI:0.24–0.41; p<0.001).

To our knowledge, this is the largest study to investigate the association between BPT attainment and 30-day mortality as well as the length of stay. The present study demonstrates that achieving BPT in hip fracture patients is associated with a significant reduction in the average length of stay and 30-day mortality rates. Our crude calculations revealed that achieving BPT for 3422 patients earned our hospital trust >£4 million over 8 years. Findings from this study suggest that achieving BPT not only improves 30-day survival in patients with hip fractures but also aids cost-effectiveness by reducing LOS and helps generate NHS Trusts a significant amount of financial reward.

The global COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in 71 million confirmed global cases and 1.6 million deaths. Hip fractures are a major global health burden with 70 000 admissions per annum in the UK.

This multicentre UK study aimed to assess the impact of perioperative COVID-19 status on 30-day and 120-day mortality after a hip fracture.

A prospective multicentre study of 10 hospitals in South England comprising eight DGHs and two MTCs treating c.8% of the annual incidence of hip fractures in England was performed. All fragility hip fractures presenting between 1^st March to 30^th April 2020 were eligible for inclusion. COVID-19 infection was diagnosed after a positive PCR swab.

Expected 30-day mortality was calculated using the Nottingham Hip Fracture Score (NHFS), with non COVID-19 30-day mortality compared against the same study period in 2019.

746 patients were included in this study with 87 (12%) testing positive for COVID-19. Crude 30-day mortality for COVID-19 positive hip fractures was 35% compared to 6% for COVID-19 negative patients, with COVID-19 positive 30-mortality rates being significantly higher than expected based on NHFS alone (RR 3.0, 95% CI 1.57–5.75, p<0.001). There was no significant difference between expected NHFS and actual 2019 and COVID-19 negative hip fracture rates (p>0.05).

Overall 120-day mortality was significantly higher for COVID-19 positive (46%) compared to COVID-19 negative (15%) hip fractures (p<0.001). However, mortality rates from 31–120 days were not significantly different despite COVID-19 status (p=0.107).

COVID-19 results in significant increases in both 30 and 120-day mortality, above the expected mortality rates when confounding comorbidities are accounted for by the NHFS. However, COVID-19 positive patients who survive beyond 30-days have comparable mortality rates up to 120-days when compared to COVID-19 negative patients. Efforts should therefore be made to mitigate known risks for 30-day mortality such as time to theatre, to improve 30-day mortality rates in COVID-19 positive patients thus increasing the likelihood of long-term survival.

Introduction

Dislocated hip hemiarthroplasties (HA) are associated with a 45% revision rate and 40% mortality rate.

Implant selection for HA operations vary with no universally accepted implant choice. The WHiTE3 trial suggested older designs such as the Thompson has equitable outcomes to more modern and expensive implants such as the Exeter V40+Unitrax.

Our multi-centre consecutive series of NOFs patients treated with HA assesses the impact of surgical and patient factors on dislocation risk.

Introduction

We used patient reported outcome measures (PROMS) to evaluate qualitative and societal outcomes of trauma.

Background

Fractures of the femoral neck occurring outside the capsule of the hip joint are assumed to have an intact blood supply and hence their conventional management is by fixation rather than arthroplasty. The dynamic hip screw and its variants have been used over many years to fix such fractures but have inherent vulnerabilities; they require an intact lateral femoral cortex, confer a relatively long moment arm to the redistribution of body weight and may cause a stress riser due to the plate with which they are fixed to the femur. Intramedullary devices for fixation of proximal femoral fractures have a shorter moment arm, can be distally locked with reduced perforation of the femoral cortex and are believed to be inherently more stable. For these reasons, a number of surgeons believe them to be superior to the DHS for all extracapsular fractures and their use is now widespread. In this study, we present the usage trends of both devices in extracapsular fractures over the last five years and set these results in the context of patient demographics.

Introduction

Entry into orthopaedic higher surgical training remains extremely competitive, however little evidence exists regarding the validity of short-listing and interviewing for selection. This paper assesses the relative correlations of short-listing and interview scores in predicting subsequent performance as an orthopaedic trainee.

Introduction

A deficient abductor mechanism leads to significant morbidity and few studies have been published describing methods for reconstruction or repair. This study reports the reconstruction of hip abductor deficiency using human allograft.

Introduction

Revision hip arthroplasty with massive proximal femoral bone loss remains challenging. Whilst several surgical techniques have been described, few have reported long term supporting data. A proximal femoral allograft (PFA) may be used to reconstitute bone stock in the multiply revised femur with segmental bone loss of greater than 8 cm. This study reports the outcome of largest case series of PFA used in revision hip arthroplasty.

Introduction

The treatment of distal femoral cartilage defects using autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) and matrix-guided autologous chondrocyte implantation (MACI) is become increasingly common. This prospective 7-year study reviews and compares the clinical outcome of ACI and MACI.

Performance evaluation in specialist orthopaedic hospitals was reviewed in comparison to district general hospitals (DGHs) using a variety of outcome measures, including surgical activity, length of stay and infection rates.

Data regarding admission rates, operations performed or cancelled, outpatient activity and waiting times were obtained from the Hospital Episode Statistics department of the Department of Health. Surgical site infection (SSI) and MRSA infection rates from the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital (RNOH) are compared to national data supplied by the Health Protection Agency.

In comparison with DGHs, specialist orthopaedic hospitals admit fewer patients, with fewer emergencies; have a higher ratio of waiting list patients to number of patients admitted; have longer waiting list times on average; perform more primary joint arthroplasty surgery; undertake more revision procedures; discharge patients home following joint arthroplasty surgery on average one day earlier; have a lower total hip arthroplasty SSI rate (0.8%) compared with 2.3% in 146 DGHs and from RNOH data, provide a service with a lower surgical site infection and MRSA rate.

Specialist orthopaedic hospitals in England provide a unique, efficient and effective service compared to DGHs. However, short-term performance measures, though simpler to collate, may not be as valuable as longer-term outcome measures, thus making direct comparisons between DGHs, specialist orthopaedic hospitals and independent treatment centres difficult.

Introduction: Acetabular fractures are increasing in incidence and no previous published studies have reviewed the factors influencing the outcome of operative stabilization on the neural function and recovery. The incidence, outcome and recovery of operatively managed acetabular fractures with associated neural injuries were studied from a three-year cohort of patients.

Methods: This retrospective case series study of 456 referrals to a tertiary referral unit, from 1st Jan 2004 to 31st Dec 2006, identified 29 (6.3%) acetabular fractures associated with neural injuries. The fractures were classified using the Letournel system, neural injuries classified as either complete or incomplete and the degree of post-operative skeletal displacement quantified using radiographs. A mean clinical and radiographic follow up of 3.5 years was achieved and statistical analysis was performed used chi-squared (SPSS)

Results: Overall, the cohort had a mean age of 34 years, 17 (59%) were male and the mean delay from time of injury to time of acetabular surgery was 16 days (range 4 – 53 days). All fractures involved posterior wall and/or posterior column and 23 (79%) were of the more complex, associated type, Letournel fracture patterns. Full resolution of neural symptoms was observed in 9 (31%) patients with a mean fracture reduction of 1.6mm. Partial neurological improvement was observed in 15 patients. Ongoing complete nerve palsy was observed in 5 patients, associated with a mean fracture reduction of 2.5 mm and a significantly longer delay to surgery of 32 days (p< 0.05).

Discussion: Acetabular fractures involving the posterior wall or column have a high incidence of neural injury. Accurate fracture reduction and stabilization, achieved without a prolonged delay, affords a good neural outcome for these patients. In similiar injuries with complete nerve palsy, delayed and sub-optimal surgical reduction predicts a poor prognosis.

Introduction: The incidence, outcome and recovery of operatively managed pelvic ring fractures were studied from a three-year cohort of patients. No previous published studies have reviewed the factors influencing the outcome of operative stabilization on the neural function and natural recovery in these potentially devastating injuries.

Methods: This retrospective case series study of 489 referrals to a tertiary referral unit, from 1st Jan 2004 to 31st Dec 2006, identified 42 (8.6%) patients who had sustained pelvic ring injuries with associated neural injuries. Each pelvic injury was classified using the Tile and Burgess & Young classifications, neural injuries were classified as either complete or incomplete and the degree of post-operative skeletal displacement was quantified using radiographs. A mean clinical and radiographic follow up of 3.5 years was achieved and statistical analysis was performed used chi-squared (SPSS)

Results: The mean age of patients with neural injuries was 28 years, 32 (76%) were male and 37 (88%) had unstable, Tile type C, fracture patterns. The mean delay from time of injury to time of pelvic surgery was 11 days (range 3 – 42 days). Full resolution of neural symptoms was observed in 16 (38%) patients, with a mean fracture reduction of < 6mm. Incomplete improvement was observed in 11 patients and 15 patients had ongoing complete lumbosacral palsy. Patients who failed to achieve full resolution of neural function had a mean fracture or sacro-iliac joint reduction of 8.8 mm and the mean delay to surgery was 24 days.

Discussion: Pelvic ring injuries with an unstable fracture pattern are associated with a high incidence of neural injury. Accurate fracture reduction and stabilization, achieved without a prolonged delay, creates a better environment to achieve a good neural outcome. In such injuries with complete nerve palsy, delayed and suboptimal surgical reduction predicts a poor prognosis.

Introduction: Acetabular fractures are increasing in incidence and no previous published studies have reviewed the factors influencing the outcome of operative stabilization on the neural function and recovery. The incidence, outcome and recovery of operatively managed acetabular fractures with associated neural injuries were studied from a three-year cohort of patients.

Methods: This retrospective case series study of 456 referrals to a tertiary referral unit, from 1st Jan 2004 to 31st Dec 2006, identified 29 (6.3%) acetabular fractures associated with neural injuries.

The fractures were classified using the Letournel system, neural injuries classified as either complete or incomplete and the degree of post-operative skeletal displacement quantified using radiographs.

A mean clinical and radiographic follow up of 3.5 years was achieved and statistical analysis was performed used chi-squared (SPSS)

Results: Overall, the cohort had a mean age of 34 years, 17 (59%) were male and the mean delay from time of injury to time of acetabular surgery was 16 days (range 4 – 53 days).

All fractures involved posterior wall and/or posterior column and 23 (79%) were of the more complex, associated type, Letournel fracture patterns.

Full resolution of neural symptoms was observed in 9 (31%) patients with a mean fracture reduction of 1.6mm. Partial neurological improvement was observed in 15 patients.

Ongoing complete nerve palsy was observed in 5 patients, associated with a mean fracture reduction of 2.5 mm and a significantly longer delay to surgery of 32 days (p< 0.05).

Discussion: Acetabular fractures involving the posterior wall or column have a high incidence of neural injury. Accurate fracture reduction and stabilization, achieved without a prolonged delay, affords a good neural outcome for these patients. In similiar injuries with complete nerve palsy, delayed and sub-optimal surgical reduction predicts a poor prognosis.

Introduction: The correction of anaemia prior to total hip arthroplasty reduces surgical risk, hospital stay and cost. This study considers the benefits of implementing a protocol of identifying and treating pre-operative anaemia whilst the patient is on the waiting list for surgery.

Methods: From a prospective series of 301 patients undergoing elective total hip arthroplasty (THA), patients identified as anaemic (Hb< 12 g/dl) when initially placed upon the waiting list were appropriately investigated and treated. Pre- and post- operative haemoglobin (Hb), need for transfusion, and length of hospital stay were collated for the entire patient cohort.

Result: 7.6% of patients were anaemic when initially placed upon the waiting list for THA and had a higher transfusion rate (25% to 4%, p< 0.05) and longer hospital stay (7.5 to 6.6 days, p< 0.05). Over 40% of these patients responded to investigation and treatment whilst on the waiting list, showing a significant improvement in Hb level (10.1 to 12.7 g/dl) and improved transfusion rate.

Discussion: Quantifying the haemoglobin level of patients when initially placed on the waiting list helps highlight those at risk of requiring a post-operative blood transfusion. Further, the early identification of anaemia allows for the utilization of the waiting list time to investigate and treat these patients. For patients who respond to treatment there is a significant reduction in the need for blood transfusion with its inherent hazards.

Introduction: The load bearing status of articular cartilage has been shown to affect its biochemical composition. This study investigates the topographical variation of glycosaminoglycan (GAG) relative to DNA content in human distal femoral articular cartilage.

Methods: 26-paired specimens of distal femoral articular cartilage, from weight bearing and non-weight regions, were obtained from thirteen patients undergoing amputation. Following papain enzyme digestion, spectropho-tometric (GAG) and fluorometric (DNA) assays assessed the biochemical composition of the explants. Data was analysed using a paired T test.

Results: Despite no significant differences in absolute DNA concentrations, weight-bearing regions of articular cartilage showed a significantly higher concentration of GAG relative to DNA compared with non-weight bearing areas (p=0.021).

Discussion: This study suggests that chondrocytes in weight bearing regions of human articular cartilage produce a greater quantity of GAG than those located in non-weight bearing areas. We conclude that mechanical loading is essential in maintaining the biochemical composition of human articular cartilage.

Introduction: Predicting outcomes in the heterogenous population undergoing Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA) is difficult. This prospective multi-centre study details the relationship between preoperative knee function and the sequential clinical and functional outcome progression of TKA.

Methods: Annual clinical and functional outcome scores (Oxford Knee Score & Knee Society Score) from 526 primary cemented Kinemax TKA implanted into 506 patients over a period of 3 years were assessed. Depending on preoperative knee function, patients were grouped into 3 cohorts: mild, moderate and severe.

Results: At one year there was a significantly (p< 0.05) greater improvement in Oxford Knee Score, Knee Society Score and range of movement in patients with severe preoperative knee function in comparison to the mild cohort. However, a significantly greater improvement (p< 0.05) in functional outcome was shown in patients with mild preoperative knee function.

Only patients with severe preoperative knee function showed deterioration in outcome measures from three years, all other patients maintained improvements.

Discussion: Severe, in comparison to mild, preoperative knee function predicts greater clinical but inferior functional improvement at one year, with deterioration in all outcome measures commencing from three years. Mild to moderate preoperative knee function affords ongoing sequential improvement in clinical and functional outcomes.

Introduction: The treatment of distal femoral cartilage defects using autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) and matrix-guided autologous chondrocyte implantation (MACI) is become increasingly common. This prospective 7-year study reviews and compares the clinical outcome of ACI and MACI.

Methods: We present the clinical outcomes of 159 knees (156 patients) that have undergone autologous chondrocyte implantation from July 1998. One surgeon performed all operations with patients subsequently assessed on a yearly basis using 7 independent validated clinical, functional & satisfaction rating scores.

Results: Modified Cincinnati, Patient Functional Outcome and Lysholm & Gilchrist clinical rating scores all showed significant improvements compared to pre-operative levels (p< 0.0001). Although ACI scores are superior at one year (p< 0.05) there is no significant difference between ACI and MACI at 2 years.

Visual Analogue Score and Bentley Functional rating score showed significant improvements compared to pre-operative levels (p< 0.0001) with ongoing yearly sequential improvement.

Patient Rating and Brittberg scores, both subjective patient scores, similarly showed continuing improvements in the years following surgery.

Discussion: ACI and MACI produce significant improvements in knee function when compared to pre-operative levels with continued sequential improvement in outcomes for up to seven years. The initial data suggests a superior rate of clinical improvement using the MACI technique