Utility of week one radiographs post total hip arthroplasty.

Introduction: We retrospectively analysed 129 consecutive patients who underwent hip arthroplasty at a university-affiliated hospital in Melbourne, Australia between February and September 2011 with respect to the quality of the week one radiographs, placement of the prosthesis and the presence of a peri-prosthetic fracture or dislocation.

Method: Patient records and radiographs were reviewed to ascertain whether a deviation in routine management occurred based on the information obtained from week one post-operative radiographs.

Results: 116 of the 129 patients met the inclusion criteria for the study.

Functional outcome of complex intercondylar fractures of the distal humerus treated through a triceps-sparing approach.

Complex intra-articular fractures of the distal humerus (AO/ASIF type C) pose a significant challenge to the treating surgeon. This study aimed to review the functional outcome of these fractures managed with open reduction and internal fixation through a posterior triceps-sparing approach. Nine cases were treated over a 7-year period, with 7 patients available for review.

Experienced physiotherapists as gatekeepers to hospital orthopaedic outpatient care.

Objective: To investigate the impact, quality and acceptability of a musculoskeletal screening clinic provided by physiotherapists for patients referred to the outpatient orthopaedic department at a major metropolitan hospital.

Design, Setting And Participants: Prospective observational trial undertaken between 29 November 2005 and 6 June 2006 at the Northern Hospital (a tertiary teaching hospital in outer Melbourne) of 52 patients with non-urgent musculoskeletal conditions who were assessed by one of two physiotherapists with postgraduate qualifications and subsequently by an orthopaedic surgeon.

Main Outcome Measures: Proportion of new patients referred who could have been managed without needing to see a surgeon; level of agreement between physiotherapists and orthopaedic surgeon on diagnoses and management decisions; and levels of satisfaction of patients, referring general practitioners and the orthopaedic surgeon with the physiotherapist-led screening initiative.