Total knee replacement in a transtibial amputee.

We present the case of a man in his 60s with a transtibial amputation (TTA) undergoing total knee replacement (TKR) for symptomatic osteoarthritis (OA). It is unusual to develop OA in the ipsilateral knee to TTA; and while it is postulated that this is because patients preferentially load their unaffected limb to protect the TTA-sided knee, there is also the ability to offload specific knee compartments through prosthetic adjustment. When planning TKR in such patients, it is important to consider several technical challenges in order to prevent a poor outcome. The literature is sparse with evidence to guide decision-making, and this case report and literature review aims to summarise our preoperative planning and intraoperative technique, which ultimately resulted in a good outcome.

Anterior approach to hip replacement and associated complications: an independent review.

BACKGROUND: Direct anterior approach (DAA) to hip replacement is increasingly popular. Despite the well-published benefits of early recovery, the approach can be associated with a number of complications that may be underreported. We aim to report the incidence of some of these complications in a large retrospective case series. METHODS: 270 consecutive DAA hip replacements are studied which are performed by a single high-volume hip surgeon from 2013 to 2015, not including the surgeon's learning curve. Operation and consultation records were screened, and focused questioning via telephone was employed to capture specific complications including dislocations, wound infections, lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (LFCN) injury and revision surgery. RESULTS: 240 of 270 patients or family were contactable. The mean age and body mass index of the cohort was 66 (range 30-89) years and 27 (range 18-40) kg/m2 respectively. The mean follow-up was 3.7 years. Wound issues were encountered in 24 patients (8.8%). There were 9 dislocations (3%). 27 (10%) patients needed revision surgery in the follow-up period. Reasons for revision included leg-length discrepancies, dislocations, ongoing pain and aseptic loosening. 9 (3.4%) patients had to return to operating theatre for reasons other than revision surgery. Symptoms of lateral femoral cutaneous nerve injury was reported by 54 patients (21%). CONCLUSIONS: While the short-term benefits of DAA have been widely reported, our review shows a relatively high rate of revision surgery. We feel that the enthusiasm for DAA should be tempered until further evidence is available.

Hip fracture care during the 2020 COVID-19 first-wave: a review of the outcomes of hip fracture patients at a Scottish Major Trauma Centre.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: This study reviewed whether the response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic affected the care for hip fracture patients at a major trauma centre in Scotland during the first-wave lock-down period. METHODS: All patients referred to Orthopaedics with a hip fracture in a major trauma centre in Scotland were captured between 14 th March and 28 th May (11 weeks) in 2020 and 2019. Patients were identified using electronic patient records. The primary outcomes are time to theatre, length of admission and 30-day mortality. Secondary outcomes are COVID-19 prevalence, duration of surgery, proportion of patients to theatre within 36 hours and COVID-19 positive 30-day mortality from time of surgery. 225 patients were included: 108 from 2019 and 117 from 2020. THE MAIN FINDINGS: 30-day mortality was 3.7% (n=4) in 2019 and 8.5% (n=10) in 2020 (p=0.142). There was no statistical difference with time to theatre (p=0.150) nor duration of theatre (p=0.450). Duration of admission was reduced from 12 days to 6.5 days (p=<0.005). 4 patients tested positive for COVID-19 during admission, one 5 days after discharge, all underwent surgical management. 30-day mortality for COVID-19 positive patients during admission was 40%. COVID-19 prevalence of patients that were tested (n=89) was 5.62%. CONCLUSIONS: This study has shown the care of hip fracture patients has been maintained during the COVID-19 pandemic. There is no statistically significant change in mortality, time to theatre, and duration of surgery, however, the patient's admission duration was significantly less than the 2019 cohort.

Improving day surgery rates of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction surgery in surgical units not dedicated to performing day surgery: A retrospective observational cohort study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Current guidance advises that at least 90% of anterior cruciate ligament reconstructions are performed as day-case operations. Same-day surgery rates achieved by surgical units have significant clinical and financial implications. The primary aim of this multi-centre study was to determine the rate of admission and causes for admissions in patients undergoing anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. METHOD: Patient documentations were studied for those who underwent an elective anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction between January 2015 and April 2019. Contributing factors related to admission length were investigated and included patient age, gender, body mass index (BMI), operating surgeon, operating hospital, American Society of Anaesthesiology (ASA) grade, and position of the patient on the operating list. Both univariate and multivariate analysis were conducted using the STATA/IC 16.1 statistical package. RESULTS: The day surgery rate of anterior cruciate ligament reconstructions were 52% (50/95). Patients positioned later on the operating list were more likely to be admitted post-operatively (OR, 4.49; P = .002; 95% CI, 1.72-11.69) and this was the only factor associated with admission. A large majority of admitted patients (95.6%) were admitted without a clinical cause and were otherwise safe for same-day discharge. CONCLUSIONS: The day surgery rate for ACL reconstruction remains low, despite an extremely low complication rate. Reconfiguration of the operating lists and positioning anterior cruciate ligament reconstructions earlier in the day will likely increase the same-day discharge rate and reduce associated costs.

X-ray Guided Steroid Injections for Proximal Interphalangeal Joint Osteoarthritis of the Fingers.

BACKGROUND: Osteoarthritis of the finger proximal interphalangeal joints (PIPJ's) is common and severely limits hand function. Intra-articular steroid injections are frequently used, but there is little research assessing this treatment option. METHODS: This was a prospective audit of patients undergoing intra-articular steroid injections into the PIPJ under image intensifier guidance. The aims were to assess the duration of pain relief, hand function and range of movement following this procedure. Fifty injected joints were followed up at six weeks, three and six months. RESULTS: There were significant improvements in both pain scores and the range of movement for up to three months. Analgesia requirements decreased and hand function improved up to three months. By six months, patients were approaching their preinjection scores. CONCLUSIONS: X-ray guided injections are a simple procedure which can be effectively performed in the out- patient setting, resulting in satisfied patients with improved hand function and pain scores.

Stability of Lisfranc injury fixation in Thiel Cadavers: Is routine fixation of the 1st and 3rd tarsometatarsal joint necessary?

BACKGROUND: There is debate as to whether a home run screw (medial cuneiform to 2nd metatarsal base) combined with k-wire fixation of the 4th & 5th tarsometatarsal joints is sufficient to stabilise Lisfranc injuries or if fixation of the 1st and 3rd tarsometatarsal joints is also required. Unlike the 2nd, 4th and 5th tarsometatarsal joints, stabilisation of the 1st and 3rd requires either intra-articular screw or an extra-articular plate which risk causing chondrolysis and/or osteoarthritis. The aims of this cadaveric study were to determine if routine fixation of the 1st and 3rd tarsometatarsal joints is necessary and to determine if a distal to proximal home run screw is adequate. METHODS: Using 8 Theil-embalmed specimens, measurements of tarsometatarsal joint dorsal displacement at each ray (1st-5th) and 1st-2nd metatarsal gaping were made during simulated weight bearing with sequential ligamentous injury and stabilisation to determine the contribution of anatomical structures and fixation to stability. RESULTS: At baseline, mean dorsal tarsometatarsal joint displacement of the intact specimens during simulated weight bearing (mm) was: 1st: 0.14, 2nd: 0.1, 3rd:0, 4th: 0, 5th: 0.14. The 1st-2nd intermetatarsal gap was 0mm. After transection of the Lisfranc ligament only, there was 1st-2nd intermetatarsal gaping (mean 4.5mm), but no increased dorsal displacement. After additional transection of all the tarsometatarsal joint ligaments, dorsal displacement increased at all joints (1st: 4.5, 2nd: 5.1, 3rd: 3.6, 4th: 2, 5th: 1.3). Stabilisation with the home run screw and 4th and 5th ray k-wires virtually eliminated all displacement. Further transection of the inter-metatarsal ligaments increased mean dorsal displacement of the 3rd ray to 2.5mm. K-wire fixation of the 3rd ray completely eliminated dorsal displacement. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this cadaveric study suggest that stabilising the medial cuneiform to the 2nd metatarsal base combined with stabilisation of the 4th and 5th tarsometatarsal joints with K-wires will stabilise the 1st and 3rd tarsometatarsal joints if the inter-metatarsal ligaments are intact. Thus 3rd TMTJ stability should be checked after stabilising the 2nd and 4/5th. Provided the intermetatarsal ligaments (3rd-4th) are intact, the 3rd ray does not need to be routinely stabilised.