Bilateral STT Arthrodesis in a Young Patient with Occult Proximal Row Coalition.

Background Carpal coalitions have an incidence of 0.1 to 1% in Caucasians and up to 8 to 9% in African populations. They rarely cause clinical problems requiring investigation or treatment, but are commonly identified on imaging obtained for other indications. Case Description We report a case of a 35-year-old male with progressive degenerative change of incomplete coalitions of the scaphotrapeziotrapezoid joint (STT) in the presence of bilateral complete osseous lunate-triquetral coalitions (Minnaar type 4). He was successfully treated with staged bilateral arthrodesis with excellent symptom resolution and preservation of function. Literature Review In patients with isolated STT coalition six reports of surgery exist, two of which were for arthrodesis. This is the first described case of STT arthrodesis in a patient with coexistent lunate-triquetral coalition. Clinical Relevance The STT arthrodesis remains a safe and effective treatment for STT pain even in cases of occult carpal coalition. Functional range of movement was well preserved. Level of evidence This is a Level V study.

Transphyseal anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in the skeletally immature: follow-up to a minimum of sixteen years of age.

BACKGROUND: The evidence in favor of early surgical treatment of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries in children is increasing. However, the controversy regarding the safety of such a procedure in young athletes with wide open physes remains unresolved. METHODS: We reviewed prospectively collected outcome data on consecutive patients who had undergone transphyseal ACL reconstruction at either (1) an age of less than fourteen years and Tanner stage 1 or 2, or (2) an age of less than twelve years and Tanner stage 3. Children who had less than four years of follow-up, who were younger than sixteen years at the time of final follow-up, or who had been at Tanner stage 4 at the time of surgery were excluded. Twenty-eight of the thirty-two included patients had been at Tanner stage 1 or 2 at the time of surgery, and the remaining four had been at Tanner stage 3 but had been younger than twelve years of age. The mean age at the time of the surgery was 11.25 years (range, 9.5 to 14.0 years; median, 12.1 years). The mean duration of follow-up was 72.3 months (range, forty-eight to 129 months; median, seventy-two months). RESULTS: The mean Lysholm score improved from 71.5 preoperatively to 95.86 postoperatively (p < 0.0001). The mean Tegner activity scale score improved from 4.03 to 7.66 (p < 0.0001), which was comparable with the preinjury score of 8.0. One patient had a mild valgus deformity with no functional disturbance, and none had a limb-length discrepancy. One rerupture occurred, but all other patients had a good or excellent outcome. CONCLUSIONS: This case series indicates good long-term results of ACL reconstruction with use of a transphyseal technique in young children.

Early magnetic resonance imaging in acute knee injury: a cost analysis.

PURPOSE: Acute knee injury is common, and MRI is often only used when non-operative management fails because of limited availability. We investigated whether early MRI in acute knee injury is more clinically and cost-effective compared to conventional physiotherapy and reassessment. METHODS: All patients with acute indirect soft tissue knee injury referred to fracture clinic were approached. Recruited patients were randomised to either the MRI group: early MRI within 2 weeks or the control group: conventional management with physiotherapy. Patients were assessed in clinic initially, at 2 weeks and 3 months post-injury. Management costs were calculated for all patients until surgical treatment or discharge. RESULTS: Forty-six patients were recruited: 23 in the MRI and 23 in the control group. Male sex and mean age were similar in the two groups. The total management cost of the MRI group was £16,127 and control group was £16,170, with a similar mean cost per patient (NS). The MRI group had less mean physiotherapy (2.5 ± 1.9 vs. 5.1 ± 3.5, p < 0.01) and outpatient appointments (NS). Median time to surgery and time off work was less in the MRI group (NS). The MRI group had less pain (p < 0.05), less activity limitation (p = 0.04) and better satisfaction (p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Early MRI in acute knee injury facilitates faster diagnosis and management of internal derangement at a cost comparable to conventional treatment. Moreover, patients had significantly less time off work with improved pain, activity limitation and satisfaction scores. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II.

Preoperative blood tests: an expensive tick box exercise.

The purpose of preoperative investigations is to provide diagnostic and prognostic information. Preoperative tests requested for a cohort of patients admitted for simple trauma related procedures were retrospectively reviewed. Adherence to the NICE guidelines was found to be 5%. No result from a blood test led to a change in the management of the patient. The authors believe that implementation of the NICE guidelines will reduce clinical time and result in huge financial savings for individual institutions.

Surgical approaches to the forefoot for common sports-related pathologies: a review of the literature and cadaveric dissection.

This article reviews the published literature regarding the surgical approaches to pathologies encountered within the forefoot, including arthroscopic and open techniques, and their treatment. We have demonstrated these surgical approaches with cadavers, to identify the key anatomical landmarks and safe zones for these surgical techniques, to prevent the complications associated with their treatment.