ABSTRACT
Purpose The purpose of this study was to assess postoperative partial knee replacement (PKR) functional improvement using the postoperative Oxford Knee Score for Activity and Participation Questionnaire (OKS-APQ). PKR includes medial, lateral, and patellofemoral knee arthroplasty. Methods A search of a National Health Service hospital database was made to identify eligible candidates for a survey of Patient-Reported Outcome Measure (PROM). Database records were collected for patients who had medial, lateral, and patellofemoral knee arthroplasty. The first author, an orthopaedic surgery resident, retrospectively reviewed the data and selected 318 patient records for inclusion in a questionnaire survey. The inclusion criteria were: patients who had PKR within three years from the time of the study and patients who don't have medical problems that may affect their mobility; for example, balance problems. The survey used the postoperative Oxford Knee Score for Activity and Participation Questionnaire (OKS-APQ), Tegner Activity Score (TAS), and four questions were added to the present study, namely, three free-text questions and one visual analogue score (VAS). The survey was sent by post seeking the patients' responses. Results Two-hundred five responded to the survey out of 318; a 64% response rate. The ceiling and floor effects were determined from patients' answers. Survey questions included: What is the most demanding activity you routinely do every month on your new knee? The patients' answers were divided into four groups. First, 29% were limited to low functional demand activities, for example, light walking for less than a mile. Second, 43% were involved in domestic work and sports activities, for example, golf, skittles, bowling, squatting, swimming, and gardening. Third, 21% had progressed to higher demand activities, for instance, dancing, racquet sports, cycling, and yoga. Fourth, 7% were performing higher demand activities involving impacts, for example, skiing, heavy gym workout, and marathon running. Conclusion The postoperative questionnaire demonstrated activities ranging from high-impact activities, for example, skiing, and from higher demand activities, for example, dancing to low function activities, for example, light walking.
ABSTRACT
Background: Open complete articular injuries of this distal humerus are rare injuries which are challenging to manage. The study unit aims to present a small case series of Gustilo-Anderson type III open complete articular fractures which have undergone a single-stage definitive fixation and soft-tissue coverage, presenting their functional outcomes. Methods: Retrospective case series identifying all type IIIB AO 13-C3 distal humeral fractures from the unit trauma database. The primary outcome was the Oxford Elbow Score. Secondary outcomes included deep infection, nonunion, and reoperation. Results: A total of six patients were identified, (four open type IIIA, 2 type IIIB). All patients underwent single-sitting definitive fixation and soft-tissue coverage. Mean range of motion arc was 90 degrees. The median Oxford Elbow Score was 35 (range 21-43), representative of mild to moderate arthritis. One patient (n = 1) developed deep infection at 24 months and required reoperation. All patients (n = 6) proceeded to union at the latest follow-up. We present a case report of a 59-years-old patient who sustained a type IIIB, AO 13-C3 distal humeral fracture who underwent single-sitting definitive fixation and flap coverage. Conclusion: This case series reports that positive functional outcomes representative of mild/moderate arthritis at short to midterm follow-up can be achieved after definitive fixation and soft-tissue coverage in a single sitting, including when the soft tissue is deficient. This is a rare injury which is under-reported in the literature.
