Displaced intracapsular neck of femur fractures: Outcome of 810 hydroxyapetite coated (HAC) uncemented hemiarthroplasties.

A Cochrane review influenced new NICE guidelines, which recommended surgeons: Offer cemented implants to patients undergoing surgery with arthroplasty. However our trust routinely uses HAC uncemented stem (Taperloc®, Biomet) hemiarthroplasties. A review of a consecutive series of uncemented HAC stem hemiarthroplasties including measures such as intro-operative complications, mortality and revision surgery. Prospectively collected data between January 2008 and June 2014 was used, with medical record and radiographic reviews performed. 810 consecutive Taperloc uncemented hemiarthroplasty with monopolar heads were performed in 763 patients, with a minimum 12 month follow-up (12-90) follow-up. Mean age 83yrs; 71% female. Meantime to operation was 28.5h. 30day mortality: 4.4% (33/763). One year mortality was 11.2% (89/763). 2.5% (20/810) were admitted on a separate admission with the periprosthetic fracture. 0.6% (5/810) were revised to total hip replacement for subsidence and associated pain. Only 1% (8/810) had intraoperative calcar fractures, all of which were treated with intraoperative cabling with no evidence of clinically relevant subsidence or medium term complications requiring revision surgery within a year. To the author's knowledge this is largest outcome series for modern design uncemented hemiarthroplasty. Our study shows comparable data to cemented hemiarthroplasty but no deaths in the first 2days post-op. Our series also demonstrates a well below average mortality figures which are clearly multifactorial but believe uncemented prosthesis play a role. We believe that uncemented proven stem design hemiarthroplasty remains a safe and good surgical option for displaced intracapsular fractures.

Ilizarov management of Schatzker IV to VI fractures of the tibial plateau: 105 fractures at a mean follow-up of 7.8 years.

This study aimed to determine the long-term functional, clinical and radiological outcomes in patients with Schatzker IV to VI fractures of the tibial plateau treated with an Ilizarov frame. Clinical, functional and radiological assessment was carried out at a minimum of one year post-operatively. A cohort of 105 patients (62 men, 43 women) with a mean age of 49 years (15 to 87) and a mean follow-up of 7.8 years (1 to 19) were reviewed. There were 18 type IV, 10 type V and 77 type VI fractures. All fractures united with a mean time to union of 20.1 weeks (10.6 to 42.3). No patient developed a deep infection. The median range of movement (ROM) of the knee was 110(°) and the median Iowa score was 85. Our study demonstrates good long-term functional outcome with no deep infection; spanning the knee had no detrimental effect on the ROM or functional outcome. High-energy fractures of the tibial plateau may be treated effectively with a fine wire Ilizarov fixator.

Freehand 'figure 4' technique for tibial intramedullary nailing: introduction of technique and review of 87 cases.

Intramedullary nailing of tibial fractures is commonplace, and freehand operative techniques are increasingly popular. The standard freehand method has the knee of the injured leg flexed over a radiolucent bolster. This requires the theatre fluoroscope to swing from antero-posterior to lateral position several times. Furthermore, guide wire placement, reaming and nail insertion are all performed well above most surgeons' shoulder height. Alternatively the leg is hung over the edge of the table, and the assistant must crouch and hold the leg until the nail is passed beyond the fracture. We describe a freehand figure 4 position technique for tibial nailing which is easier both for the surgeons and the radiographer, and present a series of 87 consecutive cases utilising this method.