Revision arthroplasty for periprosthetic femoral fracture using an uncemented modular tapered conical stem.

Periprosthetic femoral fracture (PFF) is a potentially devastating complication after total hip arthroplasty, with historically high rates of complication and failure because of the technical challenges of surgery, as well as the prevalence of advanced age and comorbidity in the patients at risk. This study describes the short-term outcome after revision arthroplasty using a modular, titanium, tapered, conical stem for PFF in a series of 38 fractures in 37 patients. The mean age of the cohort was 77 years (47 to 96). A total of 27 patients had an American Society of Anesthesiologists grade of at least 3. At a mean follow-up of 35 months (4 to 66) the mean Oxford Hip Score (OHS) was 35 (15 to 48) and comorbidity was significantly associated with a poorer OHS. All fractures united and no stem needed to be revised. Three hips in three patients required further surgery for infection, recurrent PFF and recurrent dislocation and three other patients required closed manipulation for a single dislocation. One stem subsided more than 5 mm but then stabilised and required no further intervention. In this series, a modular, tapered, conical stem provided a versatile reconstruction solution with a low rate of complications.

Patient recall of surgical information after day case knee arthroscopy.

PURPOSE: Day case knee arthroscopy is frequently performed on dedicated lists designed to optimise the throughput of patients. This could affect patient recall of clinical information with clinical, ethical and medicolegal consequences. The purpose of this study was to assess patient recall after knee arthroscopy and identify potential contributory factors. METHODS: Seventy-two patients undergoing day case knee arthroscopy were provided with information about their surgery post-operatively and tested for recall of the information prior to discharge. All patients underwent cognitive assessment when information was delivered and again when tested. Patient recall was correlated with demographic and anaesthetic factors and a multivariate regression model was used to identify risk factors for reduced recall. RESULTS: Recall overall was poor. Significant independent risk factors for reduced recall were reduced cognitive state at the time of information delivery and a shorter time between surgery and information delivery. Duration of anaesthesia, use of sedatives and use of opiate analgesia were not significantly correlated with recall. CONCLUSIONS: Information recall after day case knee athroscopy may be suboptimal. Allowing more time between surgery and information delivery may improve recall. However, this may be difficult during the course of a busy list and surgeons should consider using additional techniques to improve patient recall after surgery to reduce the risk of patient anxiety or non-compliance. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

The limits of precision in conventionally instrumented computer-navigated total knee arthroplasty.

PURPOSE: Computer-navigated total knee arthroplasty (TKA) improves the accuracy of component implantation. However, the final implant alignment may not match planned alignment. The hypothesis of this study is that although computer navigation improves alignment, imprecision may not be completely eliminated. The aim of the study was to establish the incidence and sources of imprecision during TKA using computer navigation to measure deviations from planned alignment. METHODS: Computer navigation was used to quantify changes in planned alignment at four steps during 136 TKA's: application of cutting blocks, addition of definitive pin fixation, bone cuts and after prosthesis application. Mean changes in alignment deviation at each step in each plane were measured and the number of significant outliers (>3° from the planned resection plane) were assessed in each plane. RESULTS: Overall changes in planned alignment were small and non-cumulative between steps but the incidence of outliers (cuts measured as >3° from planned alignment at each step) increased through the steps, with 21.3 % (n = 29) of final implants outlying in the tibial sagittal plane, which was the least precise plane. The highest number of outliers occurred after bone resection and the addition of pins to cutting blocks was also identified as a source of imprecision. CONCLUSION: Despite improved accuracy of bone resection with computer-navigated TKA, the precision of bone cuts may be affected at several steps of the procedure. Cutting block application, bone resection and prosthesis application may all affect accuracy. Bone cuts should be made with meticulous care, whether navigated or not, and navigated cuts should be checked and corrected, particularly in the tibial sagittal plane. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

Segmental fracture of the scaphoid: report of a rare fracture pattern.

INTRODUCTION: To the best of our knowledge, there are no reports in the orthopaedic and trauma literature of true segmental fracture of the scaphoid bone. We present such a case with a brief discussion of the morphology and mechanisms of injury of scaphoid fractures and the problems they present, particularly in diagnosis. CASE HISTORY: A 43-year-old male with polytrauma sustained in a motorcycle road traffic accident was treated at our hospital. His injuries included a fracture initially thought to involve the waist of the scaphoid. Because he had bilateral upper limb injuries, we elected to treat the fracture surgically to facilitate rehabilitation. At the time of surgery, the fracture was noted to be truly segmental, an unsuspected and rare finding. The fracture was internally fixed, with a satisfactory result. DISCUSSION: Scaphoid fracture patterns are generally consistent and predictable, occurring most commonly through the waist of the bone. Mechanism for injury is thought to be hyperextension of the wrist. Comminution, with or without a butterfly fragment, is occasionally seen, as are simultaneous tuberosity fractures. We suggest that the mechanism in this case may have been multiple or secondary trauma, or an effect of loaded rotation. We highlight the need for careful imaging of the scaphoid bone prior to choosing treatment.