Fracture related infection in open tibial fractures.

Open tibia fractures frequently occur following high-energy trauma. Contamination of the fracture site combined with limited soft tissue coverage and blood supply means that these open fractures are associated with a high rate of complications, including fracture related infection (FRI). FRI is associated with lowered patient outcomes and requires early recognition and appropriate surgical and medical management. The current evidence on FRI after open tibial fractures largely is limited to case series, small retrospective cohort studies and expert opinion. Recent expert consensus has produced guidelines with the aim of standardising care for these patients. This review summarises the current management strategies employed in treating FRI following open tibial fractures and where possible the evidence behind them.

Osteocutaneous Turn-Up Fillet Flaps: A Spare-Parts Orthoplastic Surgery Option for a Functional Posttraumatic Below-Knee Amputation.

This article portrays the authors' experience with a complex lower limb bone and soft tissue defect, following chronic osteomyelitis and pathological fracture, which was managed by the multidisciplinary orthoplastic team. The decision for functional amputation versus limb salvage was deemed necessary, enhanced by the principles of "spare parts" in reconstructive microsurgery. This case describes the successful use of the osteocutaneous distal tibia turn-up fillet flap that allowed "lowering the level of the amputation" from a through knee to a below-knee amputation (BKA) to preserve the knee joint function. We comprehensibly review reports of turn-up flaps which effectively lower the level of amputation, also applying "spare-parts" surgery principles and explore how these concepts refine complex orthoplastic approaches when limb salvage is not possible to enhance function. The osteocutaneous distal tibia turn-up fillet flap is a robust technique for modified BKA reconstructions that provides sufficient bone length to achieve a tough, sensate stump and functional knee joint.

Management of segmental bone defects of the upper limb: a scoping review with data synthesis to inform decision making.

PURPOSE: Injuries to the long bones of the upper limb resulting in bone defects are rare but potentially devastating. Literature on the management of these injuries is limited to case reports and small case series. The aim of this study was to collate the most recent published work on the management of upper limb bone defects to assist with evidence based management when confronted with these cases. METHODS: Following a preliminary search that confirmed the paucity of literature and lack of comparative trials, a scoping review using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) was conducted. A literature search of major electronic databases was conducted to identify journal articles relating to the management of upper limb long bone defects published between 2010 and 2020. RESULTS: A total of 46 publications reporting on the management of 341 patients were reviewed. Structural autograft, bone transport, one-bone forearm and the induced membrane technique were employed in an almost equal number of cases. The implemented strategies showed similar outcomes but different indications and complication profiles were observed. CONCLUSION: Contemporary techniques for the management of post-traumatic upper limb bone defects all produce good results. Specific advantages, disadvantages and complications for each modality should be considered when deciding on which management strategy to employ for each specific patient, anatomical location, and defect size.

Adamantinoma-like Variant of Ewing Sarcoma in the Metatarsal Bone After Chemotherapy: Report of a Case Successfully Treated with Pedicled Osteocutaneous Fibular Transfer.

Adamantinoma-like Ewing sarcoma is a rare variant of Ewing sarcoma with histologic and immunohistochemical evidence of squamous differentiation. This variant most commonly occurs in the head and neck region with a few cases reported in the long bones of the limbs. It may be associated with poorer clinical outcome and could pose a diagnostic challenge, particularly if it occurs in older patients or as a metastatic lesion. We present a case of Ewing sarcoma in the metatarsal of an 11-year-old boy that manifested adamantinoma-like morphology after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Chemotherapy has been reported to induce neuronal maturation and rhabdoid morphology in cases of Ewing sarcoma, but no reports of treatment-induced squamous differentiation with P40/P63 expression have been demonstrated. This is also the first documented case treated with a pedicled osteocutaneous fibular transfer in a metatarsal malignancy, which is usually treated by either ray or below-knee amputation.

Accuracy of the relationship between the centre of the femoral head and tip of greater trochanter.

INTRODUCTION: There have been many techniques described to measure limb length discrepancy and methods to correct this during total hip arthroplasty; preoperative and intraoperative. These techniques have been either inconsistent, cumbersome or not readily available due to expense. There is a lack of evidence to support one particular approach. The aim of this study is to assess the accuracy of the relationship between the centre of the femoral head and tip of the greater trochanter. METHODS: A prospective observational cross-sectional study, with patients undergoing Positron emission tomography-CT (PET-CT) scan between 20th January 2016 to 31st December 2016. Exclusion criteria were patients undergoing PET-CT scan for musculoskeletal condition, those found to have existing pathology of the hip (including previous trauma) and those aged younger than 18 years and over 50 years. RESULTS: There was a total of 116 participants, giving 232 hips for assessment and 184 hips were measured by two observers. The mean age of the sample was 40.51 years. The mean distance of the centre of the femoral head from the tip of the greater trochanter was 8.53 mm distal (with a standard deviation of 4.97). Analysis of the right and left hip measurements gave a Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.87, suggesting a good correlation. Interobserver analysis demonstrated fair agreement with intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.52. CONCLUSION: The evidence of this study and that in literature suggests that this landmark is unreliable and should no longer be used.

Diabetic Neuropathic Arthropathy of the Knee: Two Case Reports and a Review of the Literature.

Diabetic neuroarthropathy of the knee or Charcot knee (CK) is a lesser-known complication of diabetes mellitus, with a limited number of case reports and small case series published in the literature. The majority of these reports describe the complexities and challenges that arise in these patients undergoing knee arthroplasty procedures. We present two cases of CK, including a rare case of concurrent bilateral disease, and also a review of the current literature.

Vitamin D and Calcium Supplementation in Elderly Patients Suffering Fragility Fractures; The Road not Taken.

BACKGROUND: Calcium and Vitamin D supplementation in elderly patients may decrease the risk of hip fracture by up to one-third. Many patients suffering fragility fractures do not go on to receive this treatment despite clear recommendations from the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE). The aim of this study was to audit the proportion of patients admitted with a hip fracture who had suffered a previous fragility fracture and were taking calcium and vitamin D supplements, with the standard being that all of these patients should have been taking bone protection. We also aimed to assess the Vitamin D levels of patients admitted with a hip fracture to our unit. METHODS: Patients were prospectively added to a database over a 12-month period. Serum vitamin D levels (25-OH D3) were measured on admission and case-notes were reviewed for pre-injury social function and mobility. RESULTS: 147 patients were included in the study. Median age was 85 years (Interquartile range 79 - 90 (Range 53 - 100 years)). Only eighteen patients (11.4%) were taking calcium and vitamin D supplementation on admission. Forty seven patients (29%) had documented evidence of a previous fragility fracture within the last seven years. Only fourteen of these patients (19%) were receiving calcium and vitamin D supplementation. One hundred and twenty two patients were deficient in Vitamin D (76%). Twenty five patients (16%) had insufficient Vitamin D. Only the remaining 14 patients (8%) had sufficient vitamin D. CONCLUSION: Vitamin D deficiency is endemic amongst patients suffering hip fractures. Very few patients who had suffered a previous fragility fracture were taking Calcium and Vitamin D supplements when admitted with a hip fracture several years later. This is an opportunity missed.