Proximal tibia triplane fracture with apophyseal avulsion.

Tibial tuberosity fractures occur in fewer than 1% of all paediatric fractures. We present this unusual case of an early adolescent football player who presented to the emergency department after sustaining an injury during a tackle. CT confirmed a tibial apophyseal fracture concurrent with a proximal tibial triplane fracture. The fracture was subsequently reduced operatively with cancellous cannulated screws. There are only 11 cases published in the literature of triplane fractures of the proximal tibia. Both other cases that involve a concurrent tibial tuberosity fracture with a triplane extension were sustained following a footballing injury. We therefore propose that forced knee flexion alongside a rotational component, common to football, may promote this rare fracture pattern. It is hoped that this case can be used to shed light on a possible mechanism and to guide future management.

Cementless hip implants: an expanding choice.

INTRODUCTION: Total hip replacement is a successful procedure with long survival records compared to other joint arthroplasties. Cemented implants have been available for many years, however the complications associated with loosening and, ultimately, failure over time has led to the development of cementless stems and implants.The ideal prosthesis should recreate a biomechanically normal hip joint, allow pain-free function and last the patient's life span without requiring revision. Optimal results with uncemented femoral stems rely on obtaining initial stability, osseointegration, biological fixation, and uniform stress transfer to the proximal bone.There are a multitude of factors that can affect the integration, stability and fixation of these stems into bone, and understanding these factors is the key to choosing the appropriate implant for a specific femur. METHODS: This article aims to discuss cementless prostheses based on evidence-based practice. Geometry, roughness, stem coating, technique and bone quality are among the factors discussed. This was achieved through a review of the current literature. CONCLUSIONS: Uncemented femoral stems have shown good, long-term survivorship and functional outcome, with promising results in younger patients.Limitations in the current literature make it difficult to assess and compare different designs to determine optimal indications for each type.Biological fixation, in which the prosthesis is directly fixed to the bone, is the preferred fixation method.Future studies of cementless implants should consistently address patient age, activity level, bone type, and deformities so that more definitive conclusions can be drawn about when to use each design.

Articular cartilage and local anaesthetic: A systematic review of the current literature.

BACKGROUND: Chondrolysis involves the breakdown of cartilage following arthroscopic surgery, most commonly affecting the glenohumeral joint. METHODS: This review summarises all clinical and laboratory studies regarding local anaesthetic (LA) and its association with chondrolysis. We identified 289 papers, 41 of which met our inclusion criteria and were included in the final review. RESULTS: Bupivacaine, lidocaine, ropivacaine and levobupivacaine are all toxic to cartilage. Intra-articular infusions confer a greater toxicity to cartilage than single injections. CONCLUSIONS: Intra-articular LA pain pumps carry a high risk of chondrolysis and should be avoided. Further studies are indicated to assess long-term single exposure LA implications.

PHILOS humerus plate for a distal tibial fracture.

This report discusses the use of an alternative implant in the emergency fixation of a distal tibial fracture. We planned to fix the shear-type medial malleolar fracture in a closed, tri-malleolar fracture with a locking distal tibial plate. Intra-operatively, it was noted that the required plate was unavailable. A PHILOS humeral plate seemed to fit the contours of the distal tibia. The broad end of the PHILOS, when placed distally, gave options to place locking screws in the medial malleolar fragment. The fracture was stable after fixation. The patient made a full post-operative recovery and follow-up at 4 months was satisfactory. Despite adequate planning, there will be instances where one has to improvise. An understanding of the principles of fracture management can aid in finding solutions. PHILOS humeral plate may be used to stabilize a distal tibial fracture if an appropriate distal tibial locking plate is not available.