Tourniquet and tranexamic acid use in total knee arthroplasty.

Background: There is no consensus on how tourniquet and tranexamic acid (TXA) use in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) affect blood transfusion rates and total blood loss. We compared outcome measures and transfusion rates after TKA, with and without the use of tourniquet and TXA.

Methods: A retrospective study of 477 consecutive patients undergoing primary TKA between 2008 and 2013 was performed.

Independent assessment and outcomes of 196 short-tapered stems short-term follow-up and review of the literature.

Background:: Longer term outcome data are now becoming available for short-tapered femoral stems for cementless total hip arthroplasty. The shorter stem has a metaphyseal fit, loading the bone in this area, leading to physiological bone remodelling. It is also bone preserving, as it is 35 mm shorter.

Tightrope fixation of syndesmotic injuries in Weber C ankle fractures: a multicentre case series.

Background: No general consensus has yet been established for the gold standard treatment of ankle syndesmotic complex injuries. Recent literature has documented the success of ankle tightrope fixation for heterogeneous ankle fracture patterns, resulting in syndesmotic complex injuries. We present a multicentre case series assessing the clinical, radiological and functional outcomes of patients with Weber C ankle fractures treated with the Arthrex TightRope fixation system.

A national survey of UK health libraries investigating the cost of interlibrary loan services and assessing the accessibility to key orthopaedic journals.

Background:  NHS Library Services are utilised by NHS staff and junior trainees to locate scientific papers that provide them with the evidence base required for modern medical practice. The cost of accessing articles can be considerable particularly for junior trainees.

Objectives:  This survey looks at variations in cost of journal article loans and investigates access to particular orthopaedic journals across the country.

The effect of femoral stem length on duration of hospital stay.

Length of post-operative stay is an important factor in improving cost-effectiveness of total hip arthroplasty (THA). Short stem femoral components may reduce soft tissue and bone damage, permitting earlier mobilization and earlier safe discharge from hospital. This study compares the length of stay of patients undergoing THA using a short stem femoral component compared to an age matched group undergoing standard THA.

Approaching the ruptured anterior cruciate ligament.

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) disruptions are common injuries that currently hold a fearsome reputation among athletes of all abilities and disciplines. Indeed, if the diagnosis is missed at first presentation, it is difficult to attribute ongoing instability and recurrent injury to an ACL tear. Classically, patients then often improve shortly before repeatedly reinjuring their knee.