Three-phase Technetium-99m bone scanning in patients with pain in the knee region after cemented total knee arthroplasty.

INTRODUCTION: Our aim was to question the usefulness of a three-phase bone scan in the evaluation of pain in the knee region after TKR. Our hypothesis was that an abnormal investigation had a poor association with the presence of infection or loosening, and did not provide any additional diagnostic information above that already available through other standard investigations. METHODS: A retrospective study over a 24-month period was performed comprising 118 patients investigated with a TPBS. Investigations were summarised and analysed, and were classified as entirely normal, possibly abnormal, and definitely abnormal. RESULTS: Thirty-three per cent (39/118) of TPBSs were reported as being entirely normal, 59% (69/118) as possibly abnormal, and 8% (10/118) as definitely abnormal. During the 24-month study period, 131 revision TKR procedures were performed at our institution; 9% (12/131) were investigated with TPBS and 91% (119/131) were not. No patient with an entirely normal pre-operative TPBS underwent revision TKR surgery. Eighty-five per cent (67/79) with an abnormal TPBS were managed conservatively. In our series, a TPBS had a positive predictive value of 2.53%, a negative predictive value of 100%, with an overall accuracy of 34.75% with 100% sensitivity (97.5% one-sided confidence interval 0-24.71%), and 33.62% specificity (95% confidence interval 53.29-72.37%), in the diagnosis of infection, or loosening with concurrent infection in determining the indication for revision surgery. CONCLUSION: A TPBS should only be considered following clinical evaluation, serological investigation, diagnostic imaging, and microbiological analysis of fluid obtained from arthrocentesis by a specialist revision arthroplasty surgeon. A TPBS may be useful in the situation where abnormal serology is present, but where repeated joint aspirations samples are inconclusive.

Correction to: Management of symptomatic knee osteoarthritis in obesity: a survey of orthopaedic surgeons' opinions and practice.

The corresponding author would like to state a different e-mail address: drdanielhill@icloud.com.

Is the Current Management of Patients Presenting With Spinal Trauma to District General Hospitals Fit for Purpose?: Our Experience of Delivering a Spinal Service Using an Electronic Referral Platform in a Large District General Teaching Hospital Without Onsite Spinal Services.

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective cross-sectional analysis. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to describe the provision of a spinal service using an electronic platform to direct management from an external spinal unit, and to quantify the time taken to obtain definitive management plans while under prescribed spinal immobilization. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Most attending district general hospitals following spinal trauma will have stable injuries and normal neurology, with only a small proportion requiring urgent transfer to a specialist center. METHODS: A retrospective review of 104 patients admitted following vertebral trauma during a 12-month period. The British Orthopaedic Association Standards for Trauma consensus that "spinal immobilisation is not recommended for more than 48 hours" was the standard of care measured against. RESULTS: One hundred patients occupied a total of 975 hospital inpatient bed days. One hundred and seventeen radiological investigations were requested after the point of external referral [47 computed tomography (CT)-scans, 37 magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-scans, and 33 weight-bearing radiographs]. The period between initial referral to the regional spinal service and then receiving a definitive final management plan had a median value of 72 hours and a range of 0 and 33 days. Patients will have been under some form of prescribed spinal immobilization until the definitive management plan was communicated. Thirty-four patients (34% of the overall cohort) had a definitive management plan in place within 48 hours. Eighty patients had vertebral injuries (73 stable, six unstable), three patients had prolapsed intervertebral disks, one had metastatic disease, and 17 did not have evidence of an acute injury following evaluation. CONCLUSION: Patients are being placed under prescribed immobilization for longer than is recommended. Delays in obtaining radiological imaging were an important factor, together with the time taken to receive a definitive management plan. Limitations in social care provision and delays in arranging this were additional barriers to hospital discharge following the final management plan. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.

Management of symptomatic knee osteoarthritis in obesity: a survey of orthopaedic surgeons' opinions and practice.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this survey was to explore knee surgeons' opinions and practices regarding the management of symptomatic knee osteoarthritis in obesity. METHODS: Questionnaires were sent electronically to all consultant members of the British Association for Surgery of the Knee. RESULTS: The response rate was 52%. The survey showed considerable practice variation and divided opinion on the evidence base. The majority stated that weight loss should be the first-line treatment. 53% (91/172) stated that such cases should ideally be assessed by a specialist multidisciplinary service; however, only 24% (41/169) would be interested in being the orthopaedic surgeon in such a service. DISCUSSION: The optimal pathway of care for the obese patient with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis remains unclear. Given recent debate around the rationing of knee arthroplasty surgery in obesity, we felt it was timely to survey knee surgeons' current practice. CONCLUSION: Our survey has shown considerable variation in the opinions and practice of surgeons on the management of symptomatic knee osteoarthritis in obesity, together with divided views on current literature.

Skin closure following fractured neck of femur surgery: a survey of orthopaedic surgeons' practices.

INTRODUCTION: Surgical intervention for patients presenting with a fractured neck of femur is common, however the best method of skin closure remains unclear. It has been suggested that the use of metallic skin clips in the closure of hip wounds may increase the rate of surgical site infections, however there are few high quality studies evaluating this. METHODS: We designed a survey to assess surgeons preferred skin closure method and their reasons for choosing it. This was sent to 545 consultant orthopaedic surgeons. RESULTS: The positive response rate to our survey was 68% (n = 370). The survey showed that 44% of surgeons used metallic skin clips, and this was the most common method of closure reported. Hip surgeons were less likely to use metallic skin clips when compared to surgeons with other principal subspecialty practices. Surgeons using clips were most likely to state the rationale for use as convenience, whereas those using non-clip skin closure methods were more likely to cite reduced rates of wound inflammation, discharge, and infection as the rationale for use. Only a small proportion of surgeons indicate that their decisions were evidence based. CONCLUSIONS: Skin closure following surgery for fractured neck of femur is not consistent amongst surgeons and is not driven by evidence. Greater levels of evidence in this field are required to improve outcomes in this patient group.

3-phase Technicium-99m bone scanning in patients with pain in the hip region after cemented total hip replacement: a multicentre series of 100 cases.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to assess the benefit of a Technetium-99M (HDP) 3-phase bone scan (TPBS) as an additional diagnostic test in the evaluation of pain in the hip region following cemented total hip replacement (THR) surgery. METHODS: A retrospective study over a 24-month period was performed comprising 100 patients investigated with a TPBS. Investigations were summarised and analysed, and were classified as entirely normal, possibly abnormal, and definitely abnormal. RESULTS: 45% (45) of TPBSs were reported as being entirely normal, 50% (50) as possibly abnormal, and 5% (5) as definitely abnormal. During the 24-month study period 230 revision THR procedures were performed at our institution; 10% (24) were investigated with TPBS and 90% (206) were not. 29% (7/24) of patients investigated with a TPBS that subsequently underwent revision THR surgery had an entirely normal preoperative TPBS. 84% (38) with an abnormal TPBS were managed conservatively. A TPBS had a sensitivity of 29% (95% confidence interval (CI), 13%-51%) and a specificity of 50% (95% CI, 38%-62%) in the detection of infection, or loosening with concurrent infection. CONCLUSION: A TPBS should only be considered following clinical evaluation, serological investigation, diagnostic imaging and microbiological analysis of fluid obtained from arthrocentesis by a specialist revision arthroplasty surgeon. A TPBS may be useful in the situation where abnormal serology is present, but where repeated joint aspirations samples are inconclusive.

One-third tubular 3.5 mm Locking Compression Plate: A simple technique for increasing mechanical stability and reducing complications associated with lateral malleolar fracture surgery.

The disadvantages of the one-third-tubular plate construct to stabilize lateral malleolar fractures include; difficulty achieving adequate cancellous screw thread purchase in the bone of the distal fragment, with subsequent risk of the screws backing out. This can cause irritation and pain, and may require further surgery to remove the screw. We describe a variation of the standard technique that eliminates the risk of the distal lateral malleolar screws backing out and provides a lower profile construct. This has the potential advantages of reduced wound related problems and less postoperative pain and irritation.

Early catastrophic failure of a PINNACLE MARATHON® polyethylene acetabular liner: a report of a malpositioned PINNACLE DUOFIX HA® acetabular shell resulting in point loading and accelerated wear.

BACKGROUND: Highly cross-linked polyethylene in total hip arthroplasty (THA) has been shown to decrease wear rate compared with a conventional polyethylene liner. However, it has also been reported that the manufacturing processes can cause early failure of the implant. CASE: We describe early catastrophic failure at <4 years following primary THA surgery of a PINNACLE MARATHON® polyethylene acetabular liner resulting from a malaligned PINNACLE DUOFIX HA® acetabular shell with resultant point loading. Radiographs revealed a malaligned acetabular shell and superior subluxation of the femoral head out of the liner. At revision surgery operative findings revealed that the acetabular shell alignment was in of 50° of anteversion and 70° of inclination. Significant metallosis in the surrounding tissues was observed. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that a malpositioned acetabular shell resulting in point loading and abnormal contact stresses was the mechanism of failure. Our case highlights the importance of achieving correct acetabular component alignment in total hip arthroplasty.

ED, email, emess!

Email has transformed communication in the National Health Service. Handling a torrent of unfocused communication is a potential burden on the clinician's time and a source of stress at work. A prospective study of the number of emails, links and attachments received during a 14-day period by four doctors of an emergency department has revealed the large number of emails received, with consultants receiving more emails than registrars. The time required to merely read this mass communication is substantial. It is suggested that time needs to be allocated to handle emails and that doctors may benefit from training on how to handle them.