Correlation between the length from the elbow to the distal interphalangeal joint of the little finger and the length of the intramedullary nail selected for femoral fracture fixation.

Aim: To determine whether there is a correlation between the length of forearm to the distal interphalangeal joint (DIPJ) of the little finger and length of antegrade intramedullary (IM) femoral nails in adults.

Study Design And Methods: Measurements from the tip of the olecranon to the DIPJ of the ipsilateral upper limb was taken in 30 patients undergoing antegrade IM femoral nails. The length of the IM nails inserted was determined by intra-operative measurements using a guide wire.

Functional Outcome and Complications at 2.5 Years Following Volar Locking Plate Fixation of Distal Radius Fractures.

Distal radius fractures are increasingly treated by internal fixation, but there have been relatively few studies relating to functional outcome at 12 months or more. The aim of this study was to ascertain the patient reported function of the wrist at a minimum of 12 months following fixation of a distal radius fracture, the time taken to return to work, and the complication rate. We conducted a retrospective review of 187 consecutive patients treated by a specialist hand and wrist trauma team at a tertiary referral unit over a 5 year period.

Effects of knee compartment, concomitant surgery and smoking on medium-term outcome of microfracture.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of compartment location, concomitant arthroscopic surgery and smoking on the medium-term outcome of knee microfracture.

Methods: From a database of all 396 patients treated with microfracture for cartilage lesions in our Unit, details were taken of the 316 patients who met our inclusion criteria. Outcome was assessed by a self-administered postal questionnaire containing a general satisfaction question and a battery of four functional assessment scores.

When do total knee replacements fail?

Background: A recent study has provided evidence-based guidelines for the follow-up of cemented total hip arthroplasty. As yet, there are no such guidelines on the surveillance of total knee arthroplasty. We reviewed the outcomes of patients who underwent this procedure in 1998 and 1999 at our institution.

Simultaneous traumatic rupture of the patellar tendon and the contralateral quadriceps tendon in a healthy individual.

A simultaneous traumatic complete rupture of the patellar tendon and the contralateral quadriceps tendon is reported to occur in patients with renal failure and other inflammatory diseases, but is extremely rare in a healthy individual because of the different contributory factors and mechanisms of injury. We present a rare case report of such a combination of injuries in a 48-year-old healthy man. To our knowledge only three such cases have been reported in the English literature.

Do we need to follow up primary total hip replacements?

No evidence based guidelines on surveillance of cemented total hip arthroplasty exist. We reviewed outcomes of this procedure from 1996 & 1997. Patients were identifed from theatre log books.

The behaviour of knots and sutures during the first 12 hours following a Bankart repair.

It has been reported that the effectiveness of arthroscopic procedures in terms of preventing recurrent dislocation has not matched that from open techniques. Also little is known about how these knots behave when exposed to physiological loading following repair. This study presents the development of a practical tool to allow surgeons to test the quality of their arthroscopic knots and allow them to make choices with regard to knot configuration and suture material.

Preliminary results of an uncemented trabecular metal tibial component in total knee arthroplasty.

Trabecular metal has several theoretical advantages for the long-term survival of a tibial component. We report the results of a prospective cohort of 105 consecutive primary total knee arthroplasties using an uncemented trabecular metal (tantalum) tibial component at a minimum 3-year follow-up (range, 36-56 months). There was a significant improvement in Oxford Knee scores and Short Form-12 scores postoperatively.

Arthrosopic knot pushers. Does one size fit all?

Little is known about how knot-pusher design affects arthroscopic knot tying. In our practice, we observed the knot-pusher riding onto the arthroscopic knot at the point of maximum tightening. This can lead to snagging of the knot, which is undesirable as it may lead to loosening of, or damage to the knot.

Delayed repair of the quadriceps using the Mitek anchor system: a case report and review of the literature.

Extensor mechanism disruptions are relatively uncommon knee injuries. Within this group, delayed treatment is an infrequent but difficult clinical situation. Fibrous degeneration, muscle contraction and subsequent hiatus present a challenge to the orthopaedic surgeon.