Proximal biceps rupture: management of an unusual injury in an arm wrestler.

Arm wrestling may cause unusual injuries, which may require operative repair in the sporting individual. Injury to the proximal biceps as a consequence of arm wrestling has not been reported previously. The diagnosis and treatment of a 36-year-old man who sustained a proximal biceps rupture while arm wrestling and his operative management are described.

Slipped capital femoral epiphysis.

Slipped capital femoral epiphysis is a condition likely to be encountered by all practising orthopaedic surgeons. A sound knowledge of the risk factors, presentation, investigation and management is essential to prevent the potentially significant consequences of missing the diagnosis. We present an overview of the condition, along with a review of the relevant literature to date.

Assessment of the efficacy of Proguard RR-2 radio-protective gloves during forearm manipulation.

The hazards of ionising radiation are well known and precautions, such as lead aprons and thyroid shields are routinely used. Orthopaedic surgeon's hands are at particular risk from direct and scatter radiation, when manipulating forearm fractures, due to the proximity of the image intensifier. The use of lead gloves has been recommended in the literature but are seldom employed. Proguard RR-2 gloves provide similar tactile sensitivity to double gloves and are claimed by the manufacturer to provide up to 55% protection in vitro at a direct beam energy level of 60 kV. This claim was tested in a clinical setting. The gloves were worn during forearm manipulations and the radiation dose measured using thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs). The results demonstrated a radiation attenuation of 60-64%. These gloves appear to achieve a good compromise between protection and sensitivity and should be included in routine protection against ionising radiation during MUA.

The operative management of displaced intra-articular fractures of the calcaneum: a two-centre study using a defined protocol.

The management of intra-articular calcaneal fractures remains controversial with strong arguments supporting both conservative and operative management. This study assesses the results of open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) of displaced intra-articular fractures of the calcaneum in two independent centres where the indications for operative management had been strictly defined.Forty-seven patients (51 fractures) who had sustained such injuries underwent an ORIF performed by one of the senior surgeons using the technique described by Eastwood et al. [JBJS 75-B(1993)189] All of the fractures were assessed by plain X-ray and CT scan and graded according to the Sanders classification [Clin. Orthop. 290(1993)97]. Patients were assessed at a minimum of 2 years post-surgery both clinically and with a standardised questionnaire based on that described by Kerr et al. [Injury 27(1996)35]. The mean age at operation was 42 and 50 years for the two centres, and the mean follow-up was 44 months. Seventy-six per cent of the patients were male. Eighty-eight per cent of the injuries were due to a fall from a height. Fifteen patients had contralateral foot/ankle injuries. Thirty-four of 46 patients were in employment at the time of the injury, 24 of these were in physical jobs and 20 sustained their injury whilst at work.Overall, the satisfaction rate was 90%. Ninety-four per cent of patients in work returned to work at a median of 6 months. Bilateral injuries were associated with a significantly poorer outcome as were those with heel pad pain. Delay to operation greater than 14 days was associated with a higher infection rate. Smoking was not related to infection rate.

Current attitudes to total hip replacement in the younger patient: results of a national survey.

A postal questionnaire was sent to all practicing consultant orthopaedic surgeons in the UK seeking information regarding their usual total hip replacement practice, the age at which they would define a patient as falling into the 'young hip group' and whether this might modify their practice. In particular, in the 'younger' age group, we were interested in the frequency of usage of uncemented implants, the choice of implant and the bearing surfaces. Of 1242 surgeons surveyed, we had a response from 935 who currently undertake total hip arthroplasty. Their responses confirm that approximately 60,645 total hip replacements are performed annually in the UK of which 9,376 are performed in the younger age group (mean age 57.5 years). As with our previous survey, the most popular prosthesis in the 'older' age group overall was the Charnley (51%) followed by the Exeter (15%). These implants also proved to be the most popular in the 'younger' age group (40% Charnley, 18% Exeter), with 75% of surgeons choosing a cemented stem, and 65% also opting to cement the socket. 23% of surgeons used hydroxy-apatite coated implants on both the femoral and acetabular sides of the joint. Stainless steel remained the most popular choice of femoral head bearing surface (42%) followed by chrome-cobalt (33%) and ceramic (25%). On the acetabular side, high density polyethylene predominated--accounting for 95%, with only 3% using chrome cobalt and 2% ceramic. There would appear to be a remarkably conservative attitude among British surgeons, the majority of whom prefer to stick with tried and tested cemented femoral implants when dealing with the younger patient. There are a small number of uncemented acetabulae and the hybrid configuration. Hydroxy-apatite coatings seem to be the most popular choice for the non-cemented prostheses. Ceramic femoral heads are used more frequently than the ceramic acetabular bearing, and equally metal/metal bearings remain infrequently used.

Posterior dislocation of the hip while playing basketball.

Injuries in basketball are usually to the ankles and knees. Dislocation of the hip is usually associated with severe trauma--for example, road traffic accidents. A case is reported here in which a 22 year old club basketball player slipped on landing from a jump shot, forcing him into a side splits position from which he sustained a posterior dislocation of the hip resulting in a sciatic nerve palsy.

Knee pain and the infrapatellar branch of the saphenous nerve.

Pain over the front of the knee is common after surgery or trauma but often a definite diagnosis is difficult to make. Over the past year we have seen five cases in which the pain could be ascribed to damage to a branch of the infrapatellar branch of the saphenous nerve. Two were subsequent to trauma and three to surgical procedures. In all five cases surgical exploration gave symptomatic relief. Eight cadaveric knees were prosected to explore further the anatomy of this nerve in relation to the injuries. Injury to one of these branches should be considered in cases of persistent anterior, anteromedial or anterolateral knee pain or neurological symptoms following surgery or trauma.

Carpal tunnel decompression: open vs endoscopic.

Carpal tunnel decompression is a common operation. While most patients report satisfaction there are recognized complications. New endoscopic techniques are claimed to reduce the incidence of these. However, the new techniques are not without complications of their own.