Manipulation under anaesthetic following total knee arthroplasty: Predicting stiffness and outcome.

Purpose: A stiff total knee replacement can severely limit a patient's post-operative function, but there remain few prospective trials identifying those patients at risk, nor the efficacy of manipulation. We analysed our prospectively collected database to assess predictors of stiffness and outcomes following manipulation.

Methods: Using prospectively collected knee arthroplasty data, including preoperative and post-operative range of knee movement, SF-12 (physical and mental) and The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) scores, patients requiring manipulation were compared to a matched group of patients not requiring manipulation, with a detailed statistical analysis undertaken to assess potential risk factors and the post-manipulation outcome.

The effect of leg length discrepancy upon load distribution in the static phase (standing).

Leg length discrepancy (LLD) is commonly recognised as a complication of total hip arthroplasty. Some patients with only minor LLD complain of major difficulties. The effect of LLD has been described in the dynamic phase, but not static phase.

Medium-term (5-year) comparison of the functional outcomes of combined anterior cruciate ligament and posterolateral corner reconstruction compared with isolated anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

Purpose: To present a 5-year comparison of the functional outcomes of combined anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and posterolateral corner (PLC) reconstruction with those of isolated ACL reconstruction.

Methods: All patients were reviewed clinically and completed knee function questionnaires prospectively, by use of the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) 2000, Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), and Lysholm scoring systems, preoperatively and at 1, 2, and 5 years postoperatively. Patients who underwent combined ACL-PLC reconstruction were identified and reviewed.

Causes of successful medico-legal claims following amputation.

Introduction: The causes of successful medico-legal claims following amputation were reviewed.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of claims handled by the National Health Service Litigation Authority, from 2005 to August 2010, was performed. Under the Freedom of Information Act, the National Health Service Litigation Authority provided limited details on closed claims, settled with damages, following a search of their database with the term "amputation.

Non-operative management of a talar body fracture in a skeletally immature patient.

We present the case of an 11-year-old girl who presented to our Emergency Department having fallen from a height of 8.5 meters. Amongst the sustained injuries was a comminuted fracture of the body of the talus.