The effect of the ankle brachial pressure index and the use of a tourniquet upon the outcome of total knee replacement.

Current teaching suggests that patients requiring a total knee arthroplasty who have absent pulses or an abnormal ankle-brachial pressure index (ABPI) should be referred for vascular investigation. The aim of this study was to determine whether total knee arthroplasty was safe in such patients. The ABPI was measured with a hand-held Doppler. Patients were excluded if they had active ulceration, rest pain, or an absent femoral pulse, but patients with claudication were included. A total of 73 patients were recruited. Hand-held Doppler detected signals from 98% of arteries. Postoperatively, there were no signs of limb ischemia, and the median ABPIs increased significantly. From our series, it seems safe to proceed with surgery in patients with impalpable foot pulses or claudication, as long as the femoral pulse is palpable and there is no active ulceration or rest pain.

Acute compartment syndrome following revisional arthroplasty of the forefoot: the dangers of ankle-block.

A case of acute compartment syndrome of the forefoot after revisional arthroplasty of the forefoot is presented. Shortening of the compartments due to bony resection and extensive dissection due to previous scarring may have predisposed to the pathological condition. Prompt decompression based on clinical grounds prevented any long term sequelae. Allowance must be made for the concomitant use of local anaesthetic procedures which may obscure the clinical picture.

Measurement of bone mineral density by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry around an uncemented knee prosthesis.

Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry allows the measurement of bone mineral density (BMD) around an uncemented hip prosthesis, but has not so far been widely used to measure BMD around a knee prosthesis. We studied 16 patients undergoing total knee replacement using a Miller-Galante uncemented prosthesis for either osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis of the knee. The precision of the measurement was improved by using a leg brace. The pattern of bone loss differed in the lateral projection by region (P = .001). There was significant loss of bone from the distal femur but not from the patella or proximal tibia over the 6-month period after insertion of a knee prosthesis.

Disseminated intravascular coagulation in elective primary total hip replacement.

Acute disseminated intravascular coagulation is a common and potentially serious complication of many clinical conditions, including trauma. We report two cases in which this condition occurred after routine elective primary total hip replacement.

Long-term results of partial undercutting facetectomy for lumbar lateral recess stenosis.

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective review of 57 consecutive patients who had a partial undercutting facetectomy for degenerative lumbar lateral recess stenosis between 1983 and 1988. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the long-term results of this procedure. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Few studies have been published on the long-term outcome of decompression for lumbar stenosis. Most studies have included central as well as lateral recess stenosis and have not differentiated between the two. Furthermore, no study has looked at the long-term results of partial undercutting facetectomy. METHODS: All patients were assessed by standard questionnaire, clinical examination, and radiography by an independent observer. The minimum follow-up period was 5 years (mean, 8.4 years). RESULTS: Overall, 72% had no leg pain, 16% had some leg pain needing occasional analgesia, and 12% had severe leg pain needing continual analgesia. CONCLUSIONS: The long-term results of partial undercutting facetectomy are very satisfying.

Compensation, work status, and disability in low back pain patients.

STUDY DESIGN: A prospectively designed study was performed to assess the influence of employment status and a compensation claim on patients experiencing low back pain. OBJECTIVES: To determine the factor that most influences disability arising from low back pain, unemployment or a compensation claim. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Two hundred sixty-nine consecutive patients were assessed from a low back pain clinic. METHODS: Disability was assessed using the Oswestry Disability Score, and employment, and compensation status were recorded. RESULTS: Both unemployment and patients involved in compensation had higher disability scores. However, by controlling the data for employment and assessing only the compensation group it was found that those claiming compensation, but still working had significantly less disability than those claiming compensation who were unemployed. CONCLUSIONS: Both unemployment and compensation claims influence disability, but employment status is the most important factor.

Posterior decompression and fusion in rheumatoid disease of the cervical spine: redressing the balance.

Forty-seven patients with rheumatoid disease of the cervical spine were followed over an 8-year period. Twenty-one patients with isolated atlantoaxial subluxation and four with combined atlantoaxial and subaxial disease had their atlantoaxial instability treated by posterior decompression and fusion. The incidence of surgical mortality was 8%, and clinical improvement was noted in 75%. There was no neurological deterioration in those patients who survived long term. We have found posterior decompression and fusion to be a satisfactory procedure for the treatment of atlantooccipital subluxation. In our experience, anterior decompression has not been found necessary for successful treatment of atlantoaxial subluxation in patients with rheumatoid cervical spine disease.

A prospective study of diagnostic epidural blockade in the assessment of chronic back and leg pain.

A consecutive series of 100 patients with back and leg pain were evaluated prospectively. All had a detailed clinical assessment together with radiculography and computed tomography (CT) of the lumbosacral spine. In addition, each patient underwent diagnostic epidural blockade that identified three kinds of response. Injection of local anaesthetic into the epidural space relieved the symptomatic pain--the positive result (51 patients). Local anaesthetic injection had no effect on the symptomatic pain--the negative result (30 patients). In 19 patients, saline injection into the epidural space relieved the symptomatic pain--the placebo result. The results of this investigation were assessed in the light of the number of inappropriate physical signs found on clinical examination, together with the result of the radiculogram and CT scan. No statistical correlation was found with any of these parameters.

Role of the surgical position in the development of postoperative low back pain.

The aetiology of postoperative back pain is contentious. Although the role of the surgical position has not been fully established, the lithotomy position is often implicated. In order to investigate this common surgical complication further, a prospective study has been performed on 101 hysterectomy patients. The supine (52 patients) and the lithotomy (49 patients) positions have been compared and contrasted within this series. Ten patients in the supine group (20%) and seven patients in the lithotomy group (14%) developed postoperative low back pain (p > 0.1). The mean duration of symptoms postoperatively for the whole series was 7 months. We conclude that postoperative backache is an under-estimated complication of surgery and that this problem occurs equally whether the supine or the lithotomy positions are used.

Wrist arthrodesis in rheumatoid arthritis. A comparison of two methods of fusion.

17 wrists were arthrodesed in 13 patients with severe wrist disease due to rheumatoid arthritis. Eight fusions in seven patients were carried out using a radial sliding bone graft technique whilst nine fusions in nine patients were undertaken using a third tubular AO plate. Subjective, objective and radiological assessments confirmed the efficacy of both methods but indicated a shorter period of post-operative immobilization for patients treated using the AO plate fixation technique. The importance of this is discussed.

Exchange arthroplasty for infected knee replacements. A new two-stage method.

We report a series of 17 exchange arthroplasties for infected knee prostheses, ten one-stage and seven two-stage procedures. The method proved successful in controlling infection and restoring function. In two-stage exchanges the interval between the stages was managed by using a prosthesis as a spacer, and acrylic cement beads containing the appropriate antibiotic to provide high local concentrations. Three one-stage procedures had recurrence of infection, but were successfully treated by further exchange operations. All patients had satisfactory function and there have been no serious complications. We recommend this modified two-stage technique for the management of infected knee arthroplasties.

Anterior knee pain in rheumatoid patients after total knee replacement. Possible selection criteria for patellar resurfacing.

Postoperative anterior knee pain was evaluated in a consecutive series of 138 knees in 108 patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated by total knee replacement with Mark I Insall-Burstein prostheses. No knee had primary patellar resurfacing, and in the 119 knees followed up for a mean of 63.9 months, none had secondary resurfacing. Anterior knee pain was absent in 87 knees (73%), mild in 16 (13.5%) and moderate or severe in 16 (13.5%). The height of the patella above the prosthetic joint line was the only variable which was directly related to the incidence of anterior knee pain. The sensitivity and specificity of patellar height measurements for identifying patients with or without pain were derived. From these data, a selective policy of resurfacing the patella in those at risk was adopted. Choosing a patellar height of 15 mm or less, patellar resurfacing could be avoided in 80% of patients likely to have no pain, and the patella could be resurfaced in 65% of those likely to have anterior knee pain.

Simultaneous or staged bilateral total knee replacements in rheumatoid arthritis. A prospective study.

In a prospective study of 100 knee arthroplasties in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, simultaneous bilateral surgery was compared with staged bilateral replacements. All patients had improved function following their operations but those who had staged surgery only achieved maximum benefit after the second knee had been replaced. The complication rate was no greater for simultaneous surgery and we therefore advocate the method for those patients who require bilateral replacements.

The importance of the valgus hindfoot in forefoot surgery in rheumatoid arthritis.

The relationship between hindfoot deformity and forefoot pressure was assessed in 28 rheumatoid patients who had undergone forefoot reconstruction four years previously. Patients with valgus hindfoot deformities tended to have high forefoot pressures whereas those with a normal hindfoot recorded normal pressures on the dynamic pedobarograph. All patients with residual forefoot pain recorded abnormal forefoot pressures. We believe that orthotic control of hindfoot deformities should be considered for those patients who require forefoot surgery as a combination of surgical and orthotic management may offer the best chance of success.

A prospective study of nerve root infiltration in the diagnosis of sciatica. A comparison with radiculography, computed tomography, and operative findings.

Fifty nerve root infiltration studies were evaluated prospectively in a consecutive series of 50 patients referred to the Sheffield Problem Back Clinic with complicated back problems. All were over 35 years of age (mean, 51 years). Ten (20%) demonstrated abnormal segmentation of the lumbar spine. Sixteen (32%) had undergone previous surgery. Before nerve root infiltration all patients were investigated by radiculography and computed tomography. Nerve root infiltration identified two types of response. In 20 patients, infiltration reproduced the symptomatic pain, which then was abolished by local anesthetic--the positive result. These patients were considered suitable for surgery. One patient in this group had spontaneous resolution of pain and thus did not undergo operative treatment. In 30 patients, infiltration did not reproduce the symptomatic pain regardless of the level studied, or only partially reproduced the pain at two or more levels--the negative result. Radiculography and computed tomography in these patients also was inconsistent. This group were considered unsuitable for surgery. In those patients undergoing surgical decompression, nerve root infiltration correctly identified the symptomatic level in 18 of the 19. Computed tomography and radiculography identified the level in 14 and 12 patients, respectively.

A prospective study of forefoot arthroplasty.

The Kates et al. metatarsal head resection arthroplasty has been modified and evaluated clinically and objectively using a dynamic pedobarograph in 35 adult rheumatoid arthritis patients. Preoperatively, all patients complained of severe forefoot pain, but only 70% recorded abnormal plantar pressure measurements. After a mean follow-up time of 36 months, 91% of the patients were satisfied with the result following surgery. Forty-two feet were pain-free, 16 feet still painful but less than preoperatively, and two feet worse. Thirteen of the 18 painful feet recorded abnormal pressure, but 16 additional feet with normal pressures were symptomatic. The clinical and pedobarographic results show that, in the majority of patients, the Kates et al. forefoot arthroplasty relieves pain, improves mobility, effectively decreases high abnormal plantar pressures, and should be considered when conservative methods of treatment have failed.

Foot pressure studies in the assessment of forefoot arthroplasty in the rheumatoid foot.

To assess the results of forefoot arthroplasty, dynamic and static foot pressure studies have been made of the rheumatoid foot in both a prospective study group of 60 feet and in a retrospective study group of 18 feet. Significant reductions of pressure in the forefoot were found. Problems associated with the first and fifth metatarsals were considered.

Lumbar lateral canal entrapment: clinical, radiculographic and computed tomographic findings.

The radiculographic and computed tomographic findings in those nerve roots compressed by lumbar lateral canal entrapment have been assessed in a prospective series of 44 patients in whom such entrapment was found at surgery. The radiological procedures were reported by radiologists who were unaware of the clinical findings. Radiculography was performed in 41 of the patients and enabled the site or sites of entrapment to be correctly predicted in 62% of patients undergoing primary decompression and in 42% of patients undergoing revision surgery. Computed tomography (CT) was performed in 24 of the patients and enabled entrapment to be correctly predicted in 75% of the patients in both groups. We conclude that computed tomography is superior to radiculography in demonstrating lumbar lateral entrapment, and should usually be reserved for patients in whom operation or other intervention is warranted on clinical grounds. Otherwise false positive results may occur, especially in elderly patients, although the true incidence of false positive results in this condition is not known and has not been assessed in this study.

Acute volar compartment syndrome of the forearm secondary to fractures of the distal radius.

We present five cases of acute volar compartment syndrome developing as a complication of fractures of the distal radius. The patients were all males under the age of 50 years who sustained comminuted or displaced fractures of the distal radius. We suggest that this indicates an 'at risk' group. The interval between injury and the onset of symptoms of volar compartment syndrome varied between 12 and 48 hours. The diagnosis of each case was made clinically and confirmed at operation. With early extensive decompression full neurovascular recovery can be expected.

The Pipkin fracture-dislocation of the hip.

The 'Pipkin' fracture-dislocation of the hip is an injury that is easily missed and is associated with serious sequelae. Eighty posterior dislocations of the hip were studied; there were nine 'Pipkin' injuries, seven of which are reported. The aetiology and management is discussed and the literature is reviewed. Guidelines for management are suggested.