Preoperative vascular assessment of patients with a supracondylar humeral fracture and a perfused, pulseless limb.

The 'pink, pulseless hand' is often used to describe the clinical situation in which a child with a supracondylar fracture of the humerus has normal distal perfusion in the absence of a palpable peripheral pulse. The management guidelines are based on the assessment of perfusion, which is difficult to undertake and poorly evaluated objectively. The aim of this study was to review the available literature in order to explore the techniques available for the preoperative clinical assessment of perfusion in these patients and to evaluate the clinical implications. A systematic literature review was conducted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines and registered prospectively with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews. Databases were explored in June 2022 with the search terms (pulseless OR dysvascular OR ischaemic OR perfused OR vascular injury) AND supracondylar AND (fracture OR fractures). A total of 573 papers were identified as being suitable for further study, and 25 met the inclusion criteria for detailed analysis. These studies included a total of 504 patients with a perfused, pulseless limb associated with a supracondylar humeral fracture. Clinical examination included skin colour (23 studies (92%)), temperature (16 studies (64%)), and capillary refill time (13 studies (52%)). Other investigations included peripheral oxygen saturation (SaO2) (six studies (24%)), ultrasound (US) (14 (56%)), and CT angiogram (two studies (8.0%)). The parameters of 'normal perfusion' were often not objectively defined. The time to surgery ranged from 1.5 to 12 hours. A total of 412 patients (82%) were definitively treated with closed or open reduction and fixation, and 92 (18%) required vascular intervention, ranging from simple release of entrapped vessels to vascular grafts. The description of the vascular assessment of the patient with a supracondylar humeral fracture and a pulseless limb in the literature is variable, with few objective criteria being used to define perfusion. The evidence base for decision-making is limited, and further research is required. We were able, however, to make some recommendations about objective criteria for the assessment of these patients, and we suggest that these are performed frequently to allow the detection of any deterioration of perfusion.

Thumb CMCJ prosthetic total joint replacement: a systematic review.

Thumb carpometacarpal joint (CMCJ) arthritis is a common and painful condition. Thumb CMCJ prosthetic replacement aims to restore thumb biomechanics and improve pain and function. Early reviews demonstrated a lack of high-quality studies, but more recently a significant number of higher-quality studies have been published. This review provides a concise and systematic overview of the evidence to date.A systematic review of several databases was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines. Studies evaluating the outcomes of thumb CMCJ prosthetic total joint replacement were included. Data extracted included patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), pain scores, range of motion, strength, survival rates and complications.A total of 56 studies met all inclusion criteria and were analysed. There was one randomized controlled trial, three prospective comparative cohort studies, five retrospective comparative cohort studies, and 47 descriptive cohort studies. The reported studies included 2731 patients with 3048 thumb total CMCJ prosthetic joint replacements. Follow up ranged from 12 months to 13.1 years.In general, good results were demonstrated, with improvements in PROMs, pain scores and strength. Failure rates ranged from 2.6% to 19.9% depending upon implant studied. Comparative studies demonstrated promising results for replacement when compared to resection arthroplasty, with modest improvements in PROMs but at a cost of increased rates of complications.Studies reporting outcomes in thumb CMCJ prosthetic total joint replacement are increasing in both number and quality. Failure, in terms of loosening and dislocation, remains a concern, although in the medium-term follow up for modern implants this issue appears to be lower when compared to their predecessors.Functional outcomes also look promising compared to resection arthroplasty, but further high-quality studies utilizing a standardized resection arthroplasty technique and modern implants, together with standardized core outcome sets, will be of value. Cite this article: EFORT Open Rev 2021;6:316-330. DOI: 10.1302/2058-5241.6.200152.

Paediatric olecranon fractures: a systematic review.

The optimal management and long-term outcomes of olecranon fractures in the paediatric population is not well understood. This systematic review aims to analyse the literature on the management of paediatric olecranon fractures and the long-term implications.A systematic review of several databases was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines. English-language studies evaluating the management of isolated paediatric olecranon fractures were included. Data extracted included demographics, classifications, conservative and operative treatment methods and outcomes.Fifteen articles fitting the inclusion criteria were included. There were 11 case series and four retrospective comparative series. The reported studies included 299 fractures in 280 patients.The mechanism of injury was predominantly low energy. Fractures displaced < 4 mm were treated non-operatively with almost universally good results, with the majority being treated with cast immobilization. Fractures displaced > 4 mm were commonly treated operatively with generally good results, with tension band wire and suture fixation being the most common treatment modalities. Weight > 50 kg was associated with failure of suture fixation.In those studies that reported olecranon fractures with associated elbow injuries (e.g. radial head fractures) outcomes were poorer. Forty-six fractures were in patients with osteogenesis imperfecta, who sustained a higher rate of re-fracture after removal of metalwork and contralateral olecranon fracture.Despite a relatively low evidence base pool of studies, the aggregate data support the non-operative treatment of isolated undisplaced olecranon fractures with good results, and support the operative treatment of fractures displaced ≥ 4 mm. Cite this article: EFORT Open Rev 2020;5:280-288. DOI: 10.1302/2058-5241.5.190082.

Third-Generation Minimally Invasive Chevron Akin Osteotomy for Hallux Valgus.

BACKGROUND: Multiple operative techniques have been developed for hallux valgus with varying success. The most recent developments in minimally invasive surgery have evolved into the third-generation minimally invasive chevron Akin (MICA) osteotomy. Good results have been shown from originator centers, but this is one of the first series from a nonoriginator center, and the first to use a validated patient-reported outcome measure. METHODS: Forty consecutive patients undergoing third-generation MICA for hallux valgus were included. Primary outcome measures included Manchester-Oxford Foot Questionnaire (MOXFQ) and American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) scores and Coughlin satisfaction rates at 12 months. Secondary outcome measures included radiographic parameters, complications, and recurrence rates. RESULTS: At 12 months, the MOXFQ score improved from 58 to 10 and the AOFAS score improved from 48 to 93, with 70% of patients reporting excellent outcomes and 30% good ones. Two cases started as mild, 29 cases as moderate, and 9 cases as severe as defined by radiographic criteria. Hallux valgus angles improved from 32 degrees to 12 degrees, and intermetatarsal angles improved from 13 degrees to 7 degrees. There were 4 cases of Akin screw removal for soft tissue irritation. There were no other complications, including recurrence. CONCLUSION: The third-generation MICA technique was a safe and effective approach to treating hallux valgus. Further research should focus on long-term outcomes and comparative data with other commonly performed operative techniques. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, case series.

3D-printed Patient-specific Guides for Hip Arthroplasty.

Surgeons and engineers constantly search for methods to improve the surgical positioning of implants used for joint arthroplasty. Rapid prototyping is being used to develop patient-specific instrumentation (PSI) and has already been successfully translated into large-scale clinical use for knee arthroplasty. PSI has been used in shoulder arthroplasty; however, it is not yet known whether PSI provides improved accuracy and outcomes compared with conventional methods in either shoulder arthroplasty or knee arthroplasty. In the hip, PSI has been limited to the positioning of custom-manufactured implants and a small number of surgeons testing the emerging solutions from different manufacturers. Early results indicate consistent accurate positioning of implants with the use of PSI in hip arthroplasty but with added costs and uncertain effect on clinical outcomes.

Computed tomography scanogram compared to long leg radiograph for determining axial knee alignment.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Supine computed tomography scanogram (CTS) is a commonly used alternative to weight bearing long leg plain radiograph (LLR) in measuring knee alignment. No published studies have validated its use in the native knee and the post-unicompartmental replacement knee (UKR). We quantified the difference in measurements obtained from CTS and LLR for knee alignment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Supine CT scanograms and weight bearing long leg plain anteroposterior radiographs were obtained for 40 knees (in 25 patients), 17 of which were native, and 23 of which were post-UKR. The mechanical and anatomical axes of the tibio-femoral joint were measured. Bland-Altman plots were used to calculate the 1.96 standard deviation limits of agreement between CTS and LLR. Intraclass correlation was used to assess intra-rater and inter-rater reliability (where values > 0.81 indicate very good reliability). RESULTS: CTS and LLR were equally reliable in measurement of the mechanical and anatomical axes of the tibio-femoral joint (intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) > 0.9 for all parameters). Statistically significant and clinically relevant differences were found between CTS and LLR in measurement of the mechanical axis (limits of agreement: UKR -3.2° to 6.3°; native -3.2° to 5.6°) and the anatomical axis (limits of agreement: UKR -3.7° to 8.7°; native -2.0° to 8.8°). INTERPRETATION: Although it is a reliable tool, CTS is not necessarily an accurate one for measurement of knee alignment when compared to LLR. We recommend that CTS should not be used as a substitute for LLR in measurement of the mechanical or anatomical axes of the knee.