Long-term results and explant analysis of the ReMotion total wrist arthroplasty.

The ReMotion wrist replacement has good short- to medium-term survival with an acceptable complication profile as we previously reported in a cohort of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. We now report the long-term results of the same cohort and details of explant analysis of revisions undertaken for aseptic loosening. A total of 16 wrists were reviewed. Seven prostheses remain in situ with no obvious signs of wear or radiological loosening at a mean follow-up of 15.5 years. Three wrists had been revised: one for infection and two for aseptic loosening. Five patients (six wrists) died 2-9 years after operation from unrelated causes. Explant analysis demonstrated relatively minor wear compared with the published results of the Universal-2 prosthesis. We hypothesize that this may be explained by differences in polyethylene sterilization and prosthetic design. The ReMotion wrist replacement has favourable long-term results in patients with rheumatoid arthritis with a 16-year survival rate of 78%-86%.Level of evidence: IV.

Prediction of distal tibial articular extension in tibial shaft fractures: both posterior malleolar fracture and non posterior malleolar fracture intra-articular extension.

BACKGROUND: Multiple authors have highlighted the increased incidence of occult posterior malleolar fractures (PMFs) with spiral tibial shaft fractures, although other reported associated risks of intra-articular extension have been limited. The aim of our study is to investigate both PMFs and non-PMFs intra-articular extensions associated with tibial diaphyseal fractures to try to determine any predictive factors. METHODS: We undertook a retrospective review of a prospectively collected database. The inclusion criteria for this study were any patient who had sustained a diaphyseal tibial fracture, who had undergone surgery during the study period and who had also undergone a CT scan in addition to plain radiographs. The study time period for this study was between 01/01/2013 and 9/11/2021. RESULTS: Out of 764 diaphyseal fractures identified, 442 met the inclusion criteria. A total of 107 patients had PMF extensions (24.21%), and a further 128 patients (28.96%) had intra-articular extensions that were not PMF's. On multivariate analysis, spiral tibial fracture subtypes of the AO/OTA classification (OR 4.18, p < 0.001) and medial direction of tibial spiral from proximal to distal (OR 4.38, p < 0.001) were both significantly associated with PMF. Regarding intra-articular fractures, multivariate analysis showed significant associations with non-spiral (OR 4.83, p < 0.001) and distal (OR 15.32, p < 0.001) tibial fractures and fibular fractures that were oblique (OR 2.01, p = 0.019) and at the same level as tibia fracture (OR 1.83, p = 0.045) or no fracture of the fibular (OR 7.02, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: In our study, distal tibial articular extension occurs in almost half of tibial shaft fractures. There are very few fracture patterns that are not associated with some type of intra-articular extension, and therefore, a low threshold for preoperative CT should be maintained.

The impact of COVID-19 on foot and ankle surgery in a major trauma centre.

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS: COVID-19 has had a significant impact on orthopaedic surgery globally. This paper aims to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 on foot and ankle trauma in a major trauma centre. METHODS: A retrospective observational study of prospectively collected data was performed. All foot and ankle trauma patients over a 33 week period (1st December 2019-16th July 2020) were analysed. All patients with trauma classified by the AO/OTA as occurring at locations 43 and 81-88 were included. RESULTS: Over the 33 weeks analysed, there was a total of 1661 trauma cases performed; of these, only 230 (13.85%) were foot and ankle trauma cases. As percentage of cases during each period of lockdown, foot and ankle made up 15.20% (147 out of 967) pre-lockdown, 8.81% (17 out of 193) during lockdown and 13.17% (66 out of 501) post lockdown. This difference was statistically significant (p < .001). The most significant change in trauma management was the treatment of malleolar fractures. Further analysis showed that during the lockdown period 29 foot and ankle fractures were treated the same and 13 were treated differently, (i.e. 31% of fractures were treated conservatively, when the consultants preferred practice would have been surgical intervention). Of the 13 patients, 3 have had surgical management since lockdown has been eased. CONCLUSION: It is evident that the trauma case activity within foot and ankle was significantly reduced during the COVID-19 period. The consequences of change in management were mitigated due to a reduction in case load.