The incidence and causative organisms of infection in elective shoulder surgery.

Background: Deep infection remains a serious complication of orthopaedic surgery. Knowledge of infection rates and causative organisms is important to guide infection control measures. The aim of the present study was to determine infection rates and causative organisms in elective shoulder surgery.

Medium- to long-term results of a randomized controlled trial to assess the efficacy of arthoscopic-subacromial decompression versus mini-open repair for the treatment of medium-sized rotator cuff tears.

Background: We report on the medium- to long-term results of a randomized controlled trial (RCT) aiming to determine whether rotator cuff repair confers any advantage over arthroscopic sub-acromial decompression (ASAD) alone in the management of medium-sized rotator cuff tears.

Methods: Ethical approval was sought to follow-up patients previously enrolled in a completed and previously published RCT comparing the outcome of ASAD with mini-open cuff repair for the treatment of rotator cuff tear. Forty-two patients were enrolled in the original study, with a mean of 64 years (range 54 years to 77 years).

Limited capsular release and controlled manipulation under anaesthesia for the treatment of frozen shoulder.

Background: In light of recent interest in the cost-effectiveness of the treatment options available for frozen shoulder, we aimed to determine the results of limited anterior capsular release and controlled manipulation under anaesthesia (MUA) in the treatment of primary frozen shoulder in terms of patient-related outcomes measure, range of motion and re-intervention rates.

Methods: This single-surgeon series included prospectively collected data on all patients undergoing capsular release with MUA from March 2011 until June 2013, with a minimum follow-up of 6 months from the index procedure. Outcome measures included pre- and postoperative Oxford Shoulder Score (OSS), range of motion and need for re-intervention.

Patient satisfaction with tourniquet application and local anaesthesia infiltration in carpal tunnel decompression and the relationship with overall satisfaction.

This was a prospective study designed to determine what effect poor tolerance to tourniquet application and local anaesthesia infiltration in open carpal tunnel decompression has on overall patient satisfaction with the surgical procedure. Fifty patients were recruited into the study. Visual analogue scores (VAS) were recorded postoperatively for pain related to tourniquet application, local anaesthesia infiltration and the surgical procedure overall.

Comparison of the Exeter Trauma Stem and the Thompson hemiarthroplasty for intracapsular hip fractures.

A planned change in the prosthesis used for hip hemiarthroplasty in one orthopaedic trauma unit from the Thompson prosthesis to the Exeter Trauma Stem (ETS) was studied. We completed a prospective continuous audit study comparing outcomes for patients undergoing the procedure before (766 patients) and after (388 patients) the change of practice. Outcomes measured included surgical complications (including infection or dislocation) and a postoperative radiographic review.