A comparison of patient based outcome following knee arthrodesis for failed total knee arthroplasty and revision knee arthroplasty.

Arthrodesis of the knee is an infrequently performed operation perceived by both patient and surgeon to have a poor outcome. This study compares functional outcome of knee arthrodesis following failed primary arthroplasty with that of revision knee arthroplasty in a matched patient group. Outcome was measured using the SF12 and Oxford Knee Score.

A review of wound healing following Maquet osteotomy.

Maquet osteotomy can be associated with an unacceptably high incidence of wound complications that may be as high as 37%. A consecutive series of 42 Maquet osteotomies has been performed between 1990 and 2002 by a single surgeon without a single wound problem or infection and this series is the subject of this report. The use of an anterolateral incision reduces the damage to the major lymphatics minimising the risk of wound oedema.

Arthrodesis of the knee using a custom-made intramedullary coupled device.

Nine patients underwent arthrodesis of the knee using customised coupled nail (the Mayday arthrodesis nail), five after infected arthroplasty, one following failed arthrodesis, one for intractable anterior knee pain, one for Charcot instability and one after trauma. Comparison was made with 17 arthrodeses, eight undertaken using external fixation, four with dual compression plates, and five with long Kütntscher nails. Union was achieved in all patients (100%) at a mean time of ten months using the customised implant.

Compartment pressure monitoring--current UK orthopaedic practice.

Debate continues over the use of compartment pressure monitoring devices in the diagnosis of compartment syndrome. We present the results of a survey that was designed to explore this issue. The majority of UK trauma and orthopaedic surgeons surveyed advocate making the diagnosis of compartment syndrome by a combination of clinical acumen and compartment pressure measurements.