Displaced intracapsular neck of femur fractures in the elderly: bipolar hemiarthroplasty may be the treatment of choice; a case control study.

Management of the mobile elderly patient who sustains an intra-capsular neck of femur fracture remains controversial. Current evidence is mixed as to whether total hip arthroplasty (THA), which confers higher surgical and dislocation risk, is significantly superior in function and in reduced rates of reoperation when compared to bipolar hemi-arthroplasty. A group of 110 patients with an intra-capsular NOF fracture who had undergone either THA or Bipolar hemi-arthroplasty and were still alive at the time of follow up were retrospectively identified and matched using the National Hip Fracture Database. Matching criteria included ASA, age, sex, pre-op mobility, pre-op AMTS and source of admission. Follow up was by postal questionnaire. Mean follow up was 24 months in both groups (Range; Bipolar 12-36 months, THA 12-38 months). There was no significant difference in pre-operative Tonnis grade, postoperative Oxford Hip Score (OHS) or Short Form 36 (SF-36) scores between the two groups. 12 dislocations in 5 patients occurred in the THA group and none in the bipolar group. 33/55 Bipolar patients were discharged to their own home compared to 35/55 in the THA group. None of the bipolar hemi-arthroplasties were revised to THA. Higher complication rates were experienced in the THA group with no increase in function.

Functional outcome following tibio-talar-calcaneal nailing for unstable osteoporotic ankle fractures.

INTRODUCTION: Fragility fractures of the ankle are increasing in incidence. Such fractures typically occur from low-energy injuries but lead to disproportionately high levels of morbidity. Ankle fractures in this age group are managed conservatively in plaster or by open reduction and internal fixation. Both modalities have shown high rates of failure in terms of delayed union or mal-union together with perioperative complications such as implant failure and wound breakdown. The optimal treatment of these patients remains controversial. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to review the functional outcome of patients with ankle fragility fractures primarily managed using a tibio-talar-calcaneal nail (TTC). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 31 consecutive patients primarily managed with a TCC nail for osteoporotic fragility fractures about the ankle. Data were collected via case notes, radiographic reviews and by clinical reviews at the outpatient clinic or a telephone follow-up. Information regarding patient characteristics, indication for operation, Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Osteosynthesefragen (AO) fracture classification, operative and postoperative complications, time to radiographic union and current clinical state including Olerud and Molander scores were recorded (as a measure of ankle function). RESULTS: Nine of 31 patients had died by the time of follow-up. Mean preoperative and postoperative Olerud and Molander scores were 56 and 45, respectively. There were no postoperative wound complications. Twenty-nine of 31 patients returned to the same level of mobility as pre-injury. There were three peri-prosthetic fractures managed successfully with nail removal and replacement or plaster cast. There were two nail failures, both in patients who mobilised using only a stick, which were managed by nail removal. Ten of 31 patients were not followed up radiographically due to either infirmity or death. Thirteen of 21 followed up radiographically had evidence of union and 8/21 had none. None, however, had clinical evidence of fracture nonunion. CONCLUSION: The TTC nail can successfully be used to manage fragility fractures about the ankle in the elderly. Much like fractured neck of femur patients, who also have a high rate of mortality, this allows immediate mobilisation with minimal risk of wound complications. However, careful assessment must be made of each patient's mobility, as there is a significant incidence of device failure in the more active patient.

Return to work following knee arthroplasty.

A retrospective study of a consecutive cohort of 109 patients, under the age of 60, who had either a Patellofemoral replacement (PFR), Unicompartmental replacement (UKR) or a Total knee replacement (TKR). They were operated on by two senior surgeons between 2002 and 2006 at the Avon Orthopaedic Centre in Bristol. The aim of this study was to look at the effect of knee replacement on the employment status of this group of patients. Data were collected from patient's hospital records and a questionnaire regarding occupational status was sent postoperatively to the patients. Statistical analysis showed that our groups were similar which meant that further comparison between them was valid. Eighty-two percent of the patients who were working prior to surgery and who had either a TKR or UKR were able to return to work postoperatively. Only 54% of those who had a PFR were able to return to work and this was statistically significant when compared with patients in the other two groups p=0.047. The median time for return to work postoperatively for the study population was 12 weeks. Those in the PFR group took significantly longer to do so (20 weeks) compared to those who had either a UKR (11 weeks) or TKR (12 weeks) p=0.01. Patient's subjective opinion as to their ability to work following knee arthroplasty was worse in the PFR group p=0.049. This is the first study to compare employment status following Patellofemoral, Unicompartmental knee and Total Knee Replacement. TKR and UKR are effective in returning patients under 60 years old to active employment and this is typically 3 months following surgery. Patients who had a PFR did not experience the same benefits in terms of numbers returning to work, time to do so and their subjective opinion as to their ability to cope with normal duties.