The influence of mode of anaesthesia on perioperative outcomes in people with hip fracture: a prospective cohort study from the National Hip Fracture Database for England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

BACKGROUND: Delirium is common after hip fracture surgery, affecting up to 50% of patients. The incidence of delirium may be influenced by mode and conduct of anaesthesia. We examined the effect of spinal anaesthesia (with and without sedation) compared with general anaesthesia on early outcomes following hip fracture surgery, including delirium. METHODS: We used prospective data on 107,028 patients (2018 to 2019) from the National Hip Fracture Database, which records all hip fractures in patients aged 60 years and over in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Patients were grouped by anaesthesia: general (58,727; 55%), spinal without sedation (31,484; 29%), and spinal with sedation (16,817; 16%). Outcomes (4AT score on post-operative delirium screening; mobilisation day one post-operatively; length of hospital stay; discharge destination; 30-day mortality) were compared between anaesthetic groups using multivariable logistic and linear regression models. RESULTS: Compared with general anaesthesia, spinal anaesthesia without sedation (but not spinal with sedation) was associated with a significantly reduced risk of delirium (odds ratio (OR)=0.95, 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.92-0.98), increased likelihood of day one mobilisation (OR=1.06, CI=1.02-1.10) and return to original residence (OR=1.04, CI=1.00-1.07). Spinal without sedation (p<0.001) and spinal with sedation (p=0.001) were both associated with shorter hospital stays compared with general anaesthesia. No differences in mortality were observed between anaesthetic groups. CONCLUSIONS: Spinal and general anaesthesia achieve similar outcomes for patients with hip fracture. However, this equivalence appears to reflect improved perioperative outcomes (including a reduced risk of delirium, increased likelihood of mobilisation day one post-operatively, shorter length of hospital stay and improved likelihood of returning to previous residence on discharge) among the sub-set of patients who received spinal anaesthesia without sedation. The role and effect of sedation should be studied in future trials of hip fracture patients undergoing spinal anaesthesia.

Predictors of returning home after hip fracture: a prospective cohort study using the UK National Hip Fracture Database (NHFD).

INTRODUCTION: our objective was to describe trends in returning home after hospitalisation for hip fracture and identify predictive factors of this important patient-focussed outcome. METHODS: a cohort of hip fracture patients from England and Wales (2018-2019) resident in their own home pre-admission were analysed to identify patient and service factors associated with returning home after hospital discharge, and with living in their own home at 120 days. Geographical variation was also analysed. RESULTS: analysis of returning home at discharge included 87,797 patients; 57,104 (65%) were discharged home. Patient factors associated with lower likelihood of discharge home included cognitive impairment (odds ratio (OR) 0.60 [95% CI: 0.57, 0.62]), malnutrition (OR 0.81 [0.76, 0.86]), being at risk of malnutrition (OR 0.81 [0.78, 0.85]) and experiencing delay to surgery due to reversal of anti-coagulant medication (OR 0.84 [0.77, 0.92]). Corresponding service factors included surgery delay due to hospital logistical reasons (OR 0.91 [0.87, 0.95]) and early morning admission between 4:00 and 7:59 am (OR 0.83 [0.78, 0.89]). Nerve block prior to arrival at the operating theatre was associated with higher likelihood of discharge home (OR 1.07 [1.03, 1.11]). Most of these associations were stronger when analysing the outcome 'living in their own home at 120 days', in which two out of 11 geographic regions were found to have significantly more patients returning home. CONCLUSION: we identify numerous modifiable factors associated with short-term and medium-term return to own home after hip fracture, in addition to significant geographical variation. These findings should support improvements to care and inform future research.

The burden of periprosthetic femoral fractures in England and Wales: Insights from the first two years of data collection in the National Hip Fracture Database and regional variation in care.

INTRODUCTION: Periprosthetic femoral fractures (PPFFs) represent an important healthcare problem, with a rising incidence noted due to an increase in the number of arthroplasty surgeries being performed. There is a current lack of national consensus as to how these complex, often frail patients are managed. AIMS: Our primary aim was to present the epidemiology of PPFFs in England and Wales over the first two years of data collection by the National Hip Fracture Database (NHFD). Secondary aims included how well the NHFD Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are met for PPFF patients, whether centres reporting a higher burden of PPFF patients are more likely to meet KPIs compared to lower volume centres, and to also identify if regional variation in care for these patients exist. METHODS: Patients aged 60 years or over, admitted to any acute hospital in England or Wales with a PPFF within the period 1st January 2020 to 31st December 2021 were included. Fractures were classified using the Vancouver system. The primary outcome of interest was the incidence of PPFF in England and Wales. Secondary outcomes included i) geographical distribution, ii) pattern of injury, iii) treatment received, iv) KPI performance nationally, v) KPI performance by top 5 highest volume hospitals vs the rest, vi) KPI performance by region and vii) KPI performance compared with native hip fracture patients. RESULTS: A total of 5,566 PPFFs were reported during our study period. A 31 % increase in cases was seen between 2020 and 2021 (2,405 to 3,161). The South-West of England reported the highest burden of PPFFs (14 % of all cases reported in 2021). Vancouver B subtypes were most common around hip replacements (62 %) and C subtype around knee replacements (55 %). A total of 4,598 patients (82.6 %) underwent operative management. There was regional variation in KPI attainment. When compared to KPI attainment for native hip fractures PPFF care under performed in most regions and domains. High volume PPFF centres were not associated with improved attainment of KPIs. CONCLUSION: We have described the incidence, nature, and management of PPFF at national and regional levels using routinely collected NHFD data. Both numerically and due to case complexity, PPFF are a considerable challenge to patients and health services alike. This epidemiology is not captured by other existing datasets and increased case contribution to the NHFD is encouraged to improve understanding and enable prioritisation and delivery of further care and research.

The effect of high dose antibiotic impregnated cement on rate of surgical site infection after hip hemiarthroplasty for fractured neck of femur: a protocol for a double-blind quasi randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Mortality following hip hemiarthroplasty is in the range of 10-40% in the first year, with much attributed to post-operative complications. One such complication is surgical site infection (SSI), which at the start of this trial affected 4.68% of patients in the UK having this operation. Compared to SSI rates of elective hip surgery, at less than 1%, this figure is elevated. The aim of this quasi randomised controlled trial (RCT) is to determine if high dose antibiotic impregnated cement can reduce the SSI in patients at 12-months after hemiarthroplasty for intracapsular fractured neck of femur. METHODS: 848 patients with an intracapsular fractured neck of femur requiring a hip hemiarthroplasty are been recruited into this two-centre double-blind quasi RCT. Participants were recruited before surgery and quasi randomised to standard care or intervention group. Participants, statistician and outcome assessors were blind to treatment allocation throughout the study. The intervention consisted of high dose antibiotic impregnated cement consisting of 1 gram Clindamycin and 1 gram of Gentamicin. The primary outcome is Health Protection Agency (HPA) defined deep surgical site infection at 12 months. Secondary outcomes include HPA defined superficial surgical site infection at 30 days, 30 and 90-day mortality, length of hospital stay, critical care stay, and complications. DISCUSSION: Large randomised controlled trials assessing the effectiveness of a surgical intervention are uncommon, particularly in the speciality of orthopaedics. The results from this trial will inform evidence-based recommendations for antibiotic impregnated cement in the management of patients with a fractured neck of femur undergoing a hip hemiarthroplasty. If high dose antibiotic impregnated cement is found to be an effective intervention, implementation into clinical practice could improve long-term outcomes for patients undergoing hip hemiarthroplasty. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Current Controlled Trials: ISRCTN25633145.

Risk Factors and 120-Day Functional Outcomes of Delirium After Hip Fracture Surgery: A Prospective Cohort Study Using the UK National Hip Fracture Database (NHFD).

OBJECTIVES: To identify risk factors of postoperative delirium among hip fracture patients with normal preoperative cognition, and examine associations with returning home or recovery of mobility. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: We used the National Hip Fracture Database (NHFD) to identify patients presenting with hip fracture in England (2018-2019), but excluded those with abnormal cognition [abbreviated mental test score (AMTS) < 8] on presentation. METHODS: We examined the results of routine delirium screening performed using the 4 A's Test (4AT), to assess alertness, attention, acute change, and orientation in a 4-item mental test. Associations between 4AT score and return home or to outdoor mobility at 120 days were estimated, and risk factors identified for abnormal 4AT scores: (1) 4AT ≥4 suggesting delirium and (2) 4AT = 1-3 being an intermediate score not excluding delirium. RESULTS: Overall, 63,502 patients (63%) had a preoperative AMTS ≥8, in whom a postoperative 4AT score ≥4 suggestive of delirium was seen in 4454 (7%). These patients were less likely to return home [odds ratio (OR), 0.46; 95% CI, 0.38-0.55] or regain outdoor mobility (OR, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.53-0.75) by 120 days. Multiple factors including any deficit in preoperative AMTS and malnutrition were associated with higher risk of 4AT ≥4, while use of preoperative nerve blocks was associated with lower risk (OR, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.81-0.95). Poorer outcomes were also seen in 12,042 (19%) patients with 4AT = 1-3; additional risk factors associated with this score included socioeconomic deprivation and surgical procedure types that were not compliant with National Institute of Health and Care Excellence guidance. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS: Delirium after hip fracture surgery significantly reduces the likelihood of returning home or to outdoor mobility. Our findings underline the importance of measures to prevent postoperative delirium, and aid the identification of high-risk patients for whom delirium prevention might potentially improve outcomes.

Caring for patients with periprosthetic femoral fractures across England and Wales in 2021.

Aims: The aim of this study was to describe services available to patients with periprosthetic femoral fracture (PPFF) in England and Wales, with focus on variation between centres and areas for care improvement. Methods: This work used data freely available from the National Hip Fracture Database (NHFD) facilities survey in 2021, which asked 21 questions about the care of patients with PPFFs, and nine relating to clinical decision-making around a hypothetical case. Results: Of 174 centres contributing data to the NHFD, 161 provided full responses and 139 submitted data on PPFF. Lack of resources was cited as the main reason for not submitting data. Surgeon (44.6%) and theatre (29.7%) availability were reported as the primary reasons for surgical delay beyond 36 hours. Less than half had a formal process for a specialist surgeon to operate on PPFF at least every other day. The median number of specialist surgeons at each centre was four (interquartile range (IQR) 3 to 6) for PPFF around both hips and knees. Around one-third of centres reported having one dedicated theatre list per week. The routine discussion of patients with PPFF at local and regional multidisciplinary team meetings was lower than that for all-cause revision arthroplasties. Six centres reported transferring all patients with PPFF around a hip joint to another centre for surgery, and this was an occasional practice for a further 34. The management of the hypothetical clinical scenario was varied, with 75 centres proposing ORIF, 35 suggested revision surgery and 48 proposed a combination of both revision and fixation. Conclusion: There is considerable variation in both the organization of PPFF services England and Wales, and in the approach taken to an individual case. The rising incidence of PPFF and complexity of these patients highlight the need for pathway development. The adoption of networks may reduce variability and improve outcomes for patients with PPFF.

Long-term implant survival following hemiarthroplasty for fractured neck of femur.

Aims: Several different designs of hemiarthroplasty are used to treat intracapsular fractures of the proximal femur, with large variations in costs. No clinical benefit of modular over monoblock designs has been reported in the literature. Long-term data are lacking. The aim of this study was to report the ten-year implant survival of commonly used designs of hemiarthroplasty. Methods: Patients recorded by the Australian Orthopaedic Association National Joint Replacement Registry (AOANJRR) between 1 September 1999 and 31 December 2020 who underwent hemiarthroplasty for the treatment of a hip fracture with the following implants were included: a cemented monoblock Exeter Trauma Stem (ETS), cemented Exeter V40 with a bipolar head, a monoblock Thompsons prosthesis (Cobalt/Chromium or Titanium), and an Exeter V40 with a Unitrax head. Overall and age-defined cumulative revision rates were compared over the ten years following surgery. Results: A total of 41,949 hemiarthroplasties were included. Exeter V40 with a Unitrax head was the most commonly used (n = 20,707, 49.4%). The overall rate of revision was small. A total of 28,201 patients (67.2%) were aged > 80 years. There were no significant differences in revision rates across all designs of hemiarthroplasty in patients of this age at any time. The revision rates for all designs were < 3.5%, three years postoperatively. At subsequent times the ETS and Exeter V40 with a bipolar head performed well in all age groups. The unadjusted ten-year mortality rate for the whole cohort was 82.2%. Conclusion: There was no difference in implant survival between all the designs of hemiarthroplasty in the first three years following surgery, supporting the selection of a cost-effective design of hemiarthroplasty for most patients with an intracapsular fracture of the hip, as determined by local availability and costs. Beyond this, the ETS and Exeter bipolar designs performed well in all age groups.

Reoperation and revision rates at ten years after 1,312 cemented Thompson's hemiarthroplasties : any need to change to a different implant?

AIMS: Despite multiple trials and case series on hip hemiarthroplasty designs, guidance is still lacking on which implant to use. One particularly deficient area is long-term outcomes. We present over 1,000 consecutive cemented Thompson's hemiarthroplasties over a ten-year period, recording all accessible patient and implant outcomes. METHODS: Patient identifiers for a consecutive cohort treated between 1 January 2003 and 31 December 2011 were linked to radiographs, surgical notes, clinic letters, and mortality data from a national dataset. This allowed charting of their postoperative course, complications, readmissions, returns to theatre, revisions, and deaths. We also identified all postoperative attendances at the Emergency and Outpatient Departments, and recorded any subsequent skeletal injuries. RESULTS: In total, 1,312 Thompson's hemiarthroplasties were analyzed (mean age at surgery 82.8 years); 125 complications were recorded, necessitating 82 returns to theatre. These included 14 patients undergoing aspiration or manipulation under anaesthesia, 68 reoperations (5.2%) for debridement and implant retention (n = 12), haematoma evacuation (n = 2), open reduction for dislocation (n = 1), fixation of periprosthetic fracture (n = 5), and 48 revised stems (3.7%), for infection (n = 13), dislocation (n = 12), aseptic loosening (n = 9), persistent pain (n = 6), periprosthetic fracture (n = 4), acetabular erosion (n = 3), and metastatic bone disease (n = 1). Their status at ten years is summarized as follows: 1,180 (89.9%) dead without revision, 34 (2.6%) dead having had revision, 84 (6.6%) alive with the stem unrevised, and 14 (1.1%) alive having had revision. Cumulative implant survivorship was 90.3% at ten years; patient survivorship was 7.4%. CONCLUSION: The Thompson's stem demonstrates very low rates of complications requiring reoperation and revision, up to ten years after the index procedure. Fewer than one in ten patients live for ten years after fracture. This study supports the use of a cemented Thompson's implant as a cost-effective option for frail hip fracture patients.Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2022;3(9):710-715.

The impact of COVID-19 on mortality after hip fracture : a population cohort study from England.

AIMS: Hip fracture commonly affects the frailest patients, of whom many are care-dependent, with a disproportionate risk of contracting COVID-19. We examined the impact of COVID-19 infection on hip fracture mortality in England. METHODS: We conducted a cohort study of patients with hip fracture recorded in the National Hip Fracture Database between 1 February 2019 and 31 October 2020 in England. Data were linked to Hospital Episode Statistics to quantify patient characteristics and comorbidities, Office for National Statistics mortality data, and Public Health England's SARS-CoV-2 testing results. Multivariable Cox regression examined determinants of 90-day mortality. Excess mortality attributable to COVID-19 was quantified using Quasi-Poisson models. RESULTS: Analysis of 102,900 hip fractures (42,630 occurring during the pandemic) revealed that among those with COVID-19 infection at presentation (n = 1,120) there was a doubling of 90-day mortality; hazard ratio (HR) 2.09 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.89 to 2.31), while the HR for infections arising between eight and 30 days after presentation (n = 1,644) the figure was greater at 2.51 (95% CI 2.31 to 2.73). Malnutrition (1.45 (95% CI 1.19 to 1.77)) and nonoperative treatment (2.94 (95% CI 2.18 to 3.95)) were the only modifiable risk factors for death in COVID-19-positive patients. Patients who had tested positive for COVID-19 more than two weeks prior to hip fracture initially had better survival compared to those who contracted COVID-19 around the time of their hip fracture; however, survival rapidly declined and by 365 days the combination of hip fracture and COVID-19 infection was associated with a 50% mortality rate. Between 1 January and 30 June 2020, 1,273 (99.7% CI 1,077 to 1,465) excess deaths occurred within 90 days of hip fracture, representing an excess mortality of 23% (99.7% CI 20% to 26%), with most deaths occurring within 30 days. CONCLUSION: COVID-19 infection more than doubles the rate of early hip fracture mortality. Those contracting infection between 8 and 30 days after initial presentation are at even higher mortality risk, signalling the potential for targeted interventions during this period to improve survival.Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2022;104-B(10):1156-1167.

Outcome of opening wedge high tibial osteotomy augmented with a Biosorb® wedge and fixed with a plate and screws in 124 patients with a mean of ten years follow-up.

The objective of this work was firstly to evaluate the long-term results of medial opening wedge high tibial osteotomy (HTO) and secondly to evaluate the tolerance and integration of a Biosorb® wedge (ß Tricalcium Phosphate, SBM Company, Lourdes, France). The series consisted of 124 knees in 110 patients, 74 men and 36 women, with mean age of 53.23±10.68 years (range 32-74) and treated between June 1995 and November 2000 for medial compartment knee osteoarthritis by the senior author. The mean preoperative Lysholm and Tegner functional score was 65.44±13.32 (range 27-80) and the preoperative HKA angle was 172.51°±3.8° (range 162-179°). According to the modified Ahlbäck classification there were 27 stage I, 42 stage II, 44 stage III and 11 stage IV knees. All patients were reviewed clinically and radiologically with a mean follow-up of 10.39±1.98 years (range 8-14 years). Immediate postoperative complications consisted of nine undisplaced lateral tibial plateau fractures of no clinical significance, two deep vein thromboses and three pulmonary emboli which resolved with appropriate treatment. At a later stage, there were seven delayed unions without development of pseudarthrosis, and three screw breakages when the AO T-plate was used, leading to a secondary angulation in one case, requiring revision by femoral osteotomy. Postoperative mean weightbearing HKA angle was 182°±1.8° (range 178-186°) and 73.4% of axes were 184°±2°. Fifteen knees (12.1%) underwent total knee arthroplasty (TKA) after a mean delay of 8.87±3.04 years and were excluded from the final analysis. Concerning the long-term results (n = 107 knees), the mean Lysholm-Tegner score was 88±12.7 points (51-100) and the KOOS score was 86±14.6 points (25-100) with 94 patients satisfied or very satisfied (87.85%). In terms of the HTO survivorship curve, with failure consisting of revision to TKA or another operation, survival was 88.8% at five years and 74% at ten years. Concerning Biosorb®, this was completely integrated in 100% of cases and there was complete resorption in 12.1% of cases and greater than 50% resorption in 52.3% of cases.

Variation in timely surgery for hip fracture by day and time of presentation: a nationwide prospective cohort study from the National Hip Fracture Database for England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Several studies report poorer quality healthcare for patients presenting at weekends. Our objective was to examine how timely surgery for patients with hip fracture varies with day and time of their presentation. METHODS: This population-based cohort study used 2017 data from the National Hip Fracture Database, which recorded all patients aged 60 years and over who presented with a hip fracture at a hospital in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Provision of prompt surgery (surgery within 36 hours of presentation) was examined, using multivariable logistic regression with generalised estimating equations to derive adjusted risk ratios (RRs). Time was categorised into three 8-hour intervals (day: 08:00-15:59, evening: 16:00-23:59 and night: 00:00-07:59) for each day of the week. The model accounted for clustering by hospital and was adjusted by sex, age, fracture type, operation type, American Society of Anesthesiologists grade, preinjury mobility and location. RESULTS: We studied 68 977 patients from 177 hospitals. The average patient presenting during the day on Friday or Saturday was significantly less likely to undergo prompt surgery (Friday during 08:00-15:59, RR=0.93, 95% CI 0.91 to 0.96; Saturday during 08:00-15:59, RR=0.91, 95% CI 0.88 to 0.94) than patients in the comparative category (Thursday, during the day). Patients presenting during the evening (16:00-23:59) were consistently significantly less likely to undergo prompt surgery, and the effect was more marked on Fridays and Saturdays (Friday during 16:00-23:59, RR=0.83, 95% CI 0.80 to 0.85; Saturday during 16:00-23:59, RR=0.81, 95% CI 0.78 to 0.85). Patients presenting overnight (00:00-07:59), except on Saturdays, were significantly more likely to undergo surgery within 36 hours (RR>1.07). CONCLUSION: The provision of prompt hip fracture surgery was complex, with evidence of both an 'evening' and a 'night' effect. Investigation of weekly variation in hip fracture care is required to help implement strategies to reduce the variation in timely surgery throughout the entire week.

Hip fracture systems-European experience.

European countries have established health care systems but are struggling with the increasing rise of fragility fractures in their aging population. In trying to address this significant burden, countries are establishing national guidelines and standards, focusing on hip fractures, which represent the significant cost for this patient group. This has evolved with the establishment of national audits and guidelines. Reports from 4 European countries (England, Italy, Netherlands, and Spain) are presented. All nations have identified both deficiencies in their systems, and protocols to improve these deficiences. When standards are introduced, there has been evidence of improved results. Significantly more work is needed to understand the key components of the systems and pathways, and efforts to study and standardize care are ongoing.

Pre-operative templating for trauma hemiarthroplasty (Thompson's).

INTRODUCTION: Surgical complications may be avoided by preoperative templating in trauma hemiarthroplasty. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Digital templates for the Stryker™ range of Thompson's prostheses were created and fifty trauma patients that had undergone cemented hemiarthroplasty were retrospectively templated by 2 blinded surgeons. RESULTS: Templating for prosthesis size was highly accurate with excellent Inter and intra-observer reproducibility. Sensitivity for identifying femoral canals too narrow for a Thompsons was 100%. CONCLUSIONS: Templating is a valuable tool and should be standard practice in trauma. We have demonstrated that it is possible to generate custom templates to allow accurate templating.

Local Anaesthetic Infiltration and Indwelling Postoperative Wound Catheters for Patients with Hip Fracture Reduce Death Rates and Length of Stay.

Background. An analgesic enhanced recovery (ER) protocol for patients with a hip fracture was introduced. It was hypothesised that the ER would reduce pain, length of stay and improve clinical outcomes. The protocol used intraoperative infiltration of levobupivacaine followed by ongoing wound infusions. Methods. Consecutive patients admitted to two hospitals were eligible for the ER protocol. Numerical Reporting Scale pain scores (0-10) were recorded alongside opiate requirements. 434 patients in the ER group (316 full ER, 90 partial ER, and 28 no ER) were compared to a control group (CG) of 100 consecutive patients managed with traditional opiate analgesia. Results. Mean opiate requirement was 49.2 mg (CG) versus 32.5 mg (ER). Pain scores were significantly reduced in the full ER group, p < 0.0001. Direct discharge home and mean acute inpatient stay were significantly reduced (p = 0.0031 and p < 0.0001, resp.). 30-day mortality was 15% (CG) versus 5.5% (ER), p = 0.0024. Conclusions. This analgesic ER protocol for patients with a hip fracture was safe and effective and was associated with reduced inpatient stay and mortality.

The Plate-Joystick technique to reduce proximal humeral fractures and nonunions with a varus deformity through the extended deltoid-splitting approach.

Fractures and nonunions in which there is a varus deformity of the humeral head producing posterinferior subluxation of the articular surface are increasingly recognized as an important subgroup of proximal humeral fractures. Operative open reduction and internal fixation of these injuries is often recommended when the varus deformity is severe. We describe a simple technique to assist in the open reduction and locking plate stabilization of this challenging and complex fracture subtype using tools and implants that are readily available in most modern orthopaedic trauma operating rooms.

Barriers to weight loss in obese patients with knee osteoarthritis.

INTRODUCTION: Obesity contributes to the development of knee osteoarthritis and complicates its surgical treatment. The aim of this study was to explore barriers to effective weight management in obese patients with knee osteoarthritis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional questionnaire study was performed in an elective out-patient setting and on an orthopaedic ward on patients with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m2 or over and knee osteoarthritis. RESULTS: Of 47 patients approached, 45 agreed to participate. Forty of 45 patients (89%) had tried to lose weight at some point, 35 of 40 (87.5%) by adjusting their diet. Forty of 45 (89%) patients considered lack of motivation to be the greatest barrier to weight loss and only 13 of 45 (28%) pain in the knee. Patients with a BMI of less than 40 kg/m2 expressed a preference for dietary advice to help with weight loss, compared with those with a BMI of over 40 kg/m2 who expressed a preference for an NHS or other support group. CONCLUSIONS: Obesity is a significant problem for many patients with knee osteoarthritis. Attendance at an orthopaedic clinic is an opportunity to address obesity, by providing information about diet and possibly support groups for morbidly obese patients. Patients may be motivated to lose weight to improve their symptoms.

Perioperative management of trauma patients admitted on clopidogrel (Plavix). A survey of orthopaedic departments across the United Kingdom.

BACKGROUND: Clopidogrel (Plavix) is an anti-platelet drug recommended as lifelong treatment by NICE for all patients following stroke, MI, and peripheral vascular disease. It is also indicated for short-term use following cardiac stent insertion. It irreversibly inhibits platelets for up to 7 days. Current recommendations are to stop treatment 7 days before elective surgery. Current evidence shows that delay to surgery more than 4 days in patients with hip fractures increases postoperative mortality. OBJECTIVES: To determine current practice of orthopaedic surgeons in their management of patients taking clopidogrel admitted following a hip fracture to trauma units in the UK with respect to its peri-operative withdrawal and subsequent timing of surgery. To perform a review of the available literature and produce a suggested protocol for the peri-operative management of this rapidly increasing cohort of patients. DESIGN: National postal survey. PARTICIPANTS: Orthopaedic consultants representing each unit receiving trauma patients in the United Kingdom. RESULTS: There was a 57% response rate (139/244 UK trauma units). 41% (56) stop clopidogrel and operate immediately, 11% (15) stop clopidogrel for between 5 and 10 days pre-operatively, 10% (14) stop clopidogrel for 10 days preoperatively, 19% (26) continue clopidogrel and operate immediately, 19% (26) have another protocol. 15% (20) have written departmental guidelines. 2%(3) quoted published evidence for their practice. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that there are a wide variety of practices, largely based on anecdotal evidence. Most units (85%) have no formal guidelines. There is evidence in the cardiac literature of increased intra-operative bleeding in patients operated on while taking clopidogrel. There is likely to be an exponential rise in such patients presenting to trauma units and further research is required to guide best practice. Following review of the literature we propose an interim protocol for the withdrawal and resumption of clopidogrel peri-operatively in patients with hip fractures.