The management of osteoporotic acetabular fractures: Current methods and future developments.

Acetabular fractures in the elderly are challenging. Management is complicated by patients' poor physiological status and osteoporotic bone. Analysis of the management of these patients must be separated from the treatment of younger patients. Conservative management continues to have a role in patients who sustain fractures that are non-displaced and are considered stable with weight bearing mobilisation, and in those patients considered too medically frail to undergo surgical intervention. The mainstay of current surgical intervention is open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) and variations of ORIF and total hip arthroplasty (THA), or fix and replace. Fix and replace is being increasingly favoured in those patients who display poor prognostic factors for long term joint survival after ORIF. Percutaneous fixation has the theoretical benefits of minimally invasive surgery and the potential to make any subsequent THA less complicated. However, it requires specialised fluoroscopic skills and is not suitable for all fracture patterns. There are a number of developments being reported. The use of a reinforcement ring and THA in has been reported in a number of centres, as has the use of trabecular metal acetabular implants. A coned hemi pelvic prosthesis and THA has been described in our centre, with promising early results. The potential for 3D printing to improve preoperative planning and reduce intra-operative time is also being explored. The aim of this review is to provide a summary of the literature supporting current and future treatment methods, tips on reduction techniques and an overview of the treatment algorithm of these patients in our unit.

The EQ-5D-3L administered by text message compared to the paper version for hard-to-reach populations in a rural South African trauma setting: a measurement equivalence study.

INTRODUCTION: Administering patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) by text message may improve response rate in hard-to-reach populations. This study explored cultural acceptability of PROMs and compared measurement equivalence of the EQ-5D-3L administered on paper and by text message in a rural South African setting. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Participants with upper or lower limb orthopaedic pathology were recruited. The EQ-5D was administered first on paper and then by text message after 24 h and 7 days. Differences in mean scores for paper and text message versions of the EQ-5D were evaluated. Test-retest reliability between text message versions was evaluated using Intraclass Correlation Coefficients (ICCs). RESULTS: 147 participants completed a paper EQ-5D. Response rates were 67% at 24 h and 58% at 7 days. There were no differences in means between paper and text message responses for the EQ-5D Index (p = 0.95) or EQ-5D VAS (p = 0.26). There was acceptable agreement between the paper and 24-h text message EQ-5D Index (0.84; 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 0.78-0.89) and EQ-5D VAS (0.73; 95% CI 0.64-0.82) and acceptable agreement between the 24-h and 7-day text message EQ-Index (0.72; CI 0.62-0.82) and EQ-VAS (0.72; CI 0.62-0.82). Non-responder traits were increasing age, Xhosa as first language and lower educational levels. CONCLUSIONS: Text messaging is equivalent to paper-based measurement of EQ-5D in this setting and is thus a viable tool for responders. Non-responders had similar socioeconomic characteristics and attrition rates to traditional modes of administration. The EQ-5D by text message offers potential clinical and research uses in hard-to-reach populations.

Coned hemipelvis reconstruction for osteoporotic acetabular fractures in frail elderly patients.

AIMS: Complex displaced osteoporotic acetabular fractures in the elderly are associated with high levels of morbidity and mortality. Surgical options include either open reduction and internal fixation alone, or combined with total hip arthroplasty (THA). There remains a cohort of severely comorbid patients who are deemed unfit for extensive surgical reconstruction and are treated conservatively. We describe the results of a coned hemipelvis reconstruction and THA inserted via a posterior approach to the hip as the primary treatment for this severely high-risk cohort. METHODS: We have prospectively monitored a series of 22 cases (21 patients) with a mean follow-up of 32 months (13 to 59). RESULTS: The mean patient age was 79 years (67 to 87), and the mean ASA score was 3.3 (3 to 5). Three patients had high-energy injuries and 18 had low-energy injuries. All cases were associated fractures (Letournel classification: anterior column posterior hemitransverse, n = 13; associated both column, n = 6; transverse posterior wall, n = 3) with medialization of the femoral head. Mean operative time was 93 minutes (61 to 135). There have been no revisions to date. Of the 21 patients, 20 were full weight-bearing on day 1 postoperatively. Mean length of hospital stay was 12 days (5 to 27). Preoperative mobility status was maintained in 13 patients. At one year, mean Merle d'Aubigné score was 13.1 (10 to 18), mean Oxford Hip Score was 38.5 (24 to 44), mean EuroQol five-dimension five-level (EQ-5D-5L) health score was 68 (30 to 92), and mean EQ-5D-5L index score was 0.68 (0.335 to 0.837); data from 14 patients. Mortality was 9.5% (2/21) at one year. There have been no thromboembolic events, deep infections, or revisions. CONCLUSION: The coned hemipelvis reconstruction bypasses the fracture, creating an immediately stable construct that allows immediate full weight-bearing. The posterior approach minimizes the operative time and physiological insult in this vulnerable patient population. Early results suggest this to be a safe addition to current surgical options, targeted at the most medically frail elderly patient with a complex displaced acetabular fracture. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2020;102-B(2):155-161.

Outcomes of conservatively managed complex acetabular fractures in the frail and elderly one year post injury.

BACKGROUND: Acetabular fractures in the elderly are associated with high levels of morbidity and mortality. Despite advances in operative techniques, there remains a cohort of elderly, extremely frail patients with comminuted fractures who are considered unfit for surgery and are treated conservatively. We aim to assess mortality, mobility and radiological outcomes one-year post injury in this challenging cohort. METHODS: We performed a review of the regional Fracture Outcome and Research Database for patients over 65 with associated type acetabular fractures which were treated conservatively. We collected data on demographics, fracture classification, pre-injury mobility and habitation, and length of acute hospital stay. Mobility status, habitation, radiographic result and mortality were also recorded at one-year post injury. RESULTS: There were 49 patients with a mean age of 80 years. The mean estimated American Society of Anaesthesiologist (ASA) score was 3.1. 92% sustained a low energy injury, and the most common fracture pattern was anterior posterior hemi-transverse (84%). Mean acute hospital stay was 20 days and mortality was 24% at one year. 56% of patients maintained habitation in their own home and 35% returned to their premorbid level of mobility. Of the surviving patients, 30% had an 'excellent/good' reduction on x-ray at one year, 70% had a 'fair/poor' reduction. There was no correlation between fracture reduction and either one year mobility status or maintenance of mobility. CONCLUSIONS: The data confirms that conservatively managed complex acetabular fractures in the elderly, frail patient are associated with a significant reduction in mobility and living independence, a high level of mortality and poor radiological outcomes. IMPLICATIONS: Conservative management of this cohort is associated with poor outcomes and current operative solutions are unsuitable for this frail cohort of patients. Future developments should focus on minimising surgical insult and allowing weight bearing mobilisation to maximise the rehabilitation potential in this frail cohort.

Revision ACL reconstruction with autograft: long-term functional outcomes and influencing factors.

PURPOSE: To present the long-term functional outcomes of revision anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction with autograft and factors that influence the outcomes. METHODS: Retrospective study of 51 consecutive revision ACL reconstructions performed using autograft under the care of a single surgeon with interference screw fixation. Bone-patellar tendon-bone graft was used in 35 (69%) and hamstring tendons in 16 (31%). The subjective IKDC activity level and Lysholm Knee functional scores were collected at mean follow-up of 9.0 years (range 5.17-14.75 years). RESULTS: Five (9.8%) had re-ruptured and one patient had a total knee replacement. Functional scores were available for 43 patients (84.3%). Twenty-eight had IKDC activity level I or II (65%), level III in 12 (28%) and level IV in 3 (7%). The average Lysholm score was 86.2 ± 12.88, and there is a statistically significant relationship with age (95% CI: - 0.88, - 0.60) (P < 0.05). For each additional 10 years of age, there is a reduction of 5.18 points. No statistically significant effect of sex has been detected. The mean Lysholm score was lower in patients who had partial medial meniscectomy (77.33), although this was not statistically significant (P = 0.06). Regression analysis of the Lysholm score means by chondral damage category adjusted for age, showed that the Grade 3 or 4 group shows a reduction of about 25 points for every 10 years increase in age (95% CI; P = 0.05). CONCLUSION: Revision ACL reconstruction with autograft affords satisfactory long-term outcomes. Expectations should be carefully managed in patients with increasing age associated with severe chondral damage and previous medial meniscectomy.

Seventeen to Twenty Years of Follow-Up of the Low Contact Stress Rotating-Platform Total Knee Arthroplasty With a Cementless Tibia in All Cases.

BACKGROUND: Total knee arthroplasty designs can be categorized by bearing design and fixation method. The mobile-bearing concept was developed with the aim of increasing longevity and improving function by reduced polyethylene wear and closer replication of physiological knee motion. Cementless fixation has the goal of achieving a long-lasting "biological" fixation between prosthesis and bone. METHODS: Prospective analysis of the survivorship and patient-reported functional outcomes of a series of 500 low contact stress rotating-platform mobile-bearing total knee arthroplasties with a cementless tibial component with a minimum 17-year follow-up. RESULTS: Five hundred primary total knee arthroplasties were conducted in 467 patients. Mean follow-up was 18.1 (17.0-21.8) years and 141 (28.2%) knees were alive and available for review. Using revision for any cause as the end point, cumulative survivorship was 97.4%. Thirteen knees required revision: 3 for deep infection, 3 bearing only revisions for spinout, 3 for tibial tray subsidence, 2 secondary patella resurfacings, 1 aseptic loosening, and 1 for suspected aseptic loosening that was found to be well fixed. Mean American Knee Society Scores were 83 (evaluation) and 48 (function), Mean Oxford Knee Score was 32.1, and the mean Bartlett Patellar Score was 21.6. CONCLUSION: This series demonstrates excellent survivorship and acceptable patient-reported functional outcome scores of a mobile-bearing total knee arthroplasty with a cementless tibial tray at minimum 17-year follow-up.

A device to make the pelvic sagittal plane horizontal and reduce error in cup inclination during total hip arthroplasty: a validation study.

INTRODUCTION: Radiological inclination (RI) is determined in part by operative inclination (OI), which is defined as the angle between the cup axis or handle and the sagittal plane. In lateral decubitus the theatre floor becomes a surrogate for the pelvic sagittal plane. Critically at the time of cup insertion if the pelvic sagittal plane is not parallel to the floor either because the upper hemi pelvis is internally rotated or adducted, RI can be much greater than expected. We have developed a simple Pelvic Orientation Device (POD) to help achieve a horizontal pelvic sagittal plane. METHODS: A model representing the posterior aspect of the pelvis was created. This permitted known movement in 2 planes to simulate internal rotation and adduction of the upper hemi pelvis, with 15 known pre-set positions. 20 participants tested the POD in 5 random, blinded position combinations, providing 200 readings. The accuracy was measured by subtracting each reading from the known value. RESULTS: Two statistical outliers were identified and removed from analysis. The mean adduction error was 0.73°. For internal rotation, the mean error was -0.03°. Accuracy within 2.0° was achieved in 176 of 190 (93%) of readings. The maximum error was 3.6° for internal rotation and 3.1° for adduction. CONCLUSION: In a model pelvis the POD provided an accurate and reproducible method of achieving a horizontal sagittal plane. Applied clinically, this simple tool has the potential to reduce the high values of RI sometimes seen following THA in lateral decubitus.

Endoscopic surgical management of a large Morel-Lavallée lesion.

The Morel-Lavallée lesion is a closed degloving injury that usually occurs following high-energy trauma. We present a case demonstrating endoscopic management of this lesion. A 44-year-old man fell from scaffolding. Initial assessment demonstrated no significant injury. An ultrasound scan 2 days post injury revealed a large fluid collection along the lateral right thigh. This subsequently became infected and did not respond to antibiotic therapy.Due to the extent of the lesion, we were reluctant to perform a traditional open drainage. An endoscopic probe was inserted at the proximal and distal poles of the lesion and the wound debrided.This resulted in a rapid improvement in symptoms and a complete resolution of the lesion at 1 year postsurgery, with no wound-associated morbidity.This is only the second description of endoscopic debridement of a large, acute Morel-Lavallée lesion, with an excellent outcome.

Total hip replacement in complex acetabular fractures using a coned hemipelvic acetabular component.

Acetabular fractures in the elderly are a challenging clinical problem due to both the complex nature of operative intervention, osteoporotic bone and the multiple comorbidities of the patients involved. They are associated with poor functional outcomes and high levels of morbidity and mortality. Treatment currently ranges from conservative treatment, open reduction internal fixation and variations of total hip arthroplasty. We present the surgical technique and early results of the use of a coned hemipelvic acetabular component in the primary treatment of these complex injuries. Five patients (six cases) with a mean age of 75 years have been followed up for 15 months. There were five minor post-operative complications: two patients suffered mild serous wound ooze, two sustained an acute kidney injury, and one a lower respiratory tract infection. One patient suffered pre-operative bilateral sciatic nerve injury, which has partially resolved. There have been no thromboembolic events, dislocations or infections. There have been no cases of prosthesis migration. Four of five patients were able to mobilise fully weight-bearing day one post-operatively, and at latest follow-up four of five mobilised independently with a walking aid. We feel that early weight-bearing mobilisation is essential to achieve a successful outcome in these patients, in a similar way to neck of femur fracture patients. The coned acetabular prosthesis bypasses the fracture, creating an immediately stable construct which allows mobilisation day one post-operatively. The early results of this new technique are promising. Although follow-up is short, there have been no serious complications, a high level of patient satisfaction and radiological evidence of fracture healing, with no prosthesis migration. We aim to continue utilising this technique, with close monitoring of longer-term results.

The management of segmental tibial shaft fractures: A systematic review.

INTRODUCTION: Segmental tibial fractures are complex injuries associated with significant soft tissue damage that are difficult to treat. This study aimed to identify the most effective method of treating segmental tibial fractures. METHOD: A PRISMA compliant systematic review was conducted. Studies investigating the management of segmental tibial fractures with intramedullary nail fixation (IMN), open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) or circular external fixation (CEF) were included for review. The primary outcome measure was time to fracture union. Secondary outcomes were complications and functional outcome. A narrative analysis was undertaken as meta-analysis was inappropriate due to heterogeneity of the data. RESULTS: Thirteen studies were eligible and included. No randomised controlled trials were identified. Fixation with an intramedullary nail provided the fastest time to union, followed by open reduction and internal fixation and then CEF. The rate of deep infection was highest after IMN (5/162 [3%]), followed by open reduction and internal fixation (2/78 [2.5%]) and CEF (1/54 [2%]). However, some studies reported particularly high rates of infection following IMN for open segmental tibial fractures. There was limited reporting of postoperative deformities. From the studies that did include such data, there was a higher rate of deformity following ORIF (8/53 [15%]), compared to IMN (13/138 [9%]), and CEF (4/44 [9%]). Three studies, not including IMN, described patient reported outcome measures with results ranging from 'excellent' to 'fair'. DISCUSSION: The available evidence was of poor quality, dominated by retrospective case series. This prevented statistical analysis, and precludes firm conclusions being drawn from the results available. CONCLUSION: IMN has the fastest time to fracture union, however there are concerns regarding an increased deep infection rate in open segmental tibial fractures. In this subgroup, the data suggests CEF provides the most satisfactory results. However, the available literature does not provide sufficient detail to make this statement with certainty. We recommend a randomised controlled study to further investigate this challenging problem.

The management of the painful bipartite patella: a systematic review.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to identify the most effective method for the treatment of the symptomatic bipartite patella. METHODS: A systematic review of the literature was completed, and all studies assessing the management of a bipartite patella were included. Owing to the paucity of randomised controlled trials, a narrative review of 22 studies was completed. A range of treatments were assessed: conservative measures, open and arthroscopic fixation or excision and soft tissue release and excision. RESULTS: All of the methods provided results ranging from good to excellent, with acceptable complication rates. CONCLUSIONS: This is a poorly answered treatment question. No firm guidance can be given as to the most appropriate method of treating the symptomatic bipartite patella. This study suggests that there are a number of effective treatments with acceptable complication rates and it may be that treatments that conserve the patella are more appropriate for larger fragments. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

Total joint arthroplasty following intra-articular steroid injection: a literature review.

This study aimed to identify, by systematic review of the literature, whether intra-articular steroid injection before total joint replacement confers an increased risk of post-operative deep prosthetic infection. All studies assessing the incidence of deep prosthetic infection in patients who had undergone steroid injection in the same joint were included. A mixed meta-analysis and narrative review of 12 studies with 2068 participants was conducted. Steroid injection prior to total joint replacement was found to confer no increased risk of deep or superficial prosthetic infection (CI = 95%). We found no evidence of a link between injection and deep joint infection, and conclude that this is a safe procedure when conducted with aseptic precautions. We suggest a prospective randomised control trial to provide conclusive data on this question.

Total hip arthroplasty after ipsilateral intra-articular steroid injection: 8 years follow up.

The purpose of the study was to assess the safety of Intra-articular steroid hip injections (IASHI), prior to ipsilateral total hip arthroplasty (THA). We investigated whether there was an excess of infection in such a group 7-10 years after total hip arthroplasty. A database of 49 patients who had undergone IASHI followed by ipsilateral THA was reviewed. The mean length of time between injection and arthroplasty was 12.1 months (5.1-19 months). We found 7 major complications. Ten patients died with no further hip surgery at a mean of 28 months from surgery ; 3 were lost to follow-up. The remaining group (36) were contacted by telephone at a mean of 97.8 (85-117) months from their surgery. No objective signs of joint infection were found. We believe our results show that ipsilateral steroid injection does not confer an increased risk of complications following subsequent THA, over an extended follow up.

A systematic review of imaging modalities in the diagnosis of greater trochanteric pain syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: To identify the most effective imaging modality in the investigation of greater trochanteric pain syndrome (GTPS). METHODS: A narrative review of the available literature was conducted. A total of 326 studies were identified by a literature search, ten of which were included for review. Seven studies investigated magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), one ultrasound scan (USS), one plain radiography and one bone scintigraphy. RESULTS: On analysis, MRI was found consistently to have the highest correlation with clinical and intraoperative findings. USS and plain radiography provided encouraging results. However, conclusions drawn from this were limited by the paucity of data. CONCLUSIONS: The study provided encouraging results, although conclusions drawn from them were limited by the paucity of data. We believe that MRI should be the current investigation of choice for GTPS. However, further study is required in the form of multicentre, randomized controlled trials to confirm the validity of the conclusions presented here.

A meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials comparing conventional to minimally invasive approaches for repair of an Achilles tendon rupture.

Achilles tendon ruptures are a common injury afflicting predominantly the young male occasional sportsman. Previous studies have shown that outcome is better with surgical repair for the young active patient. There is no consensus as to whether there is a difference in outcome between open and percutaneous minimally invasive surgery (MIS). A meta-analysis was undertaken to compare the clinical outcomes of MIS with conventional open surgical repair. Six randomised controlled trials of 277 Achilles tendon repairs were eligible for review. This included 136 minimally invasive repairs and 141 conventional open repairs. On analysis, there was no significant difference between the two surgical approaches in respect to the incidence of re-rupture, tissue adhesion, sural nerve injury, deep infection and deep vein thrombosis (p>0.05). However, MIS had a significantly reduced risk of superficial wound infection, with three times greater patient satisfaction for good to excellent results compared with conventional open surgical approaches.