The Ponseti technique of manipulation and casting is reported to have almost eliminated the need for extensive soft tissue release in the treatment of idiopathic clubfoot. This technique of treatment has however not been universally adopted and results of treatment vary significantly between treatment centres. Furthermore, surgical decision making in the treatment of clubfoot is currently largely based on clinical findings as opposed to radiographic parameters. The Ponseti method of manipulation and casting was introduced at our institution in 2002, prior to which we used the Kite method. Both prior to, and following the introduction of Ponseti casting, surgical decision making was based on pre-operative radiology, and intra-operative clinical assessment. We propose to determine the impact on this change of plastering technique on the rate of major surgery performed primarily in our patients with idiopathic clubfoot. We also aim to determine whether or not pre- operative radiographs have any bearing on the surgery performed on these patients.

The aim of this thesis was to investigate the diagnostic accuracy of Xpert for musculoskeletal TB and for rifampicin resistance against a gold standard of culture or histology. Site of disease, HIV status, and age of patients, and accuracy in spinal compared to extraspinal TB were investigated as secondary objectives. The overarching hypothesis was that Xpert is more accurate and would provide results faster than the gold standard for musculoskeletal TB, and that it would have a higher yield in HIV infected patients, adult patients, and patients with spinal disease.

There have been devastating reports of patients suffering permanent neurological damage following surgery in the beach chair position. Recent literature have shown that placing a patient under general anaesthesia in the beach chair position may place patients at risk of complications. There is no set angle of inclination used by all orthopaedic surgeons. Previous research have used angles of 70˚-90˚. At these angles patients suffered a significant number of cerebral desaturation events that may lead to ischaemic neurological events. This angle is far more upright than what is used in our practice. We postulated that decreasing the angle of inclination may be protective of cerebral perfusion. We performed a prospective randomised single blind study. 45 consecutive patients presenting for shoulder surgery were randomised to 2 groups. The control group patients were placed in the normal position used by the surgeon for the procedure and this angle was measured. The patients in the trial group were all placed at 30˚. Patients with known cerebrovascular disease, younger than 18 years, ASA grade 4 and 5, allergy to local anaesthetic, pre-existing coagulopathies or a failed interscalene block were excluded. Cerebral oxygenation were measured with the INVOS system along with the other standard observations in theatre. The 2 most important parameters measured were mean arterial pressure and cerebral oxygenation levels.

Surface replacement (SR) proximal interphalangeal joint replacement consists of a cobalt-chrome alloy component articulating with an ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene component. After experiencing a high rate of subsidence and complications with a pyrocarbon implant, our unit has changed to the cemented SR system in the hope of decreasing these complications. The main aim of this study was to determine whether this change in practice has led to a decrease in subsidence and complications. A retrospective chart review was performed including 43 joints in 28 patients. Subsidence was noted in 26% of the joints and complications in 31% of the joints. Even though subsidence remains a problem, the change in implant has led to a decrease in subsidence and other complications.

Background: The Ilizarov external fixator (IEF) is frequently used in trauma and elective orthopaedics. Many of its biomechanical variables (ring size; wire diameter; wire number; half pins versus wires; etc.) and their influence on stability and stiffness have been investigated. There is however a paucity in the literature regarding the influence of the connecting rod numbers and configurations between the rings on IEF stability. Objectives: Primarily to compare the stability between four and three rod IEF configurations. Secondarily to assess the difference in stability between symmetrical and asymmetrical spacing of the IEF rods. Methods: A custom jig was designed to facilitate mounting of a basic two ring IEF in a hydraulic press. Controlled centre and off centre (thus simulated bending) axial loading was then applied across the frame. The configurations were loaded up to 4000 Newtons. The frame deformation was plotted and the data was then analysed and interpreted. Results: Negligible differences were observed between different four and three rod configurations as long as the applied force at the loading point (LP) was within the area of support (AOS) created by the rods. The different four rod constructs were always more stable than the three rod constructs during bending. Conclusions: There is comparable stiffness between a four rod and a three rod IEF construct as long as the loading point (LP) is within the area of support (AOS) created by the rods. A four rod IEF is stiffer than a three rod IEF in bending.

Includes bibliographical references (leaves 28-31).

Background: The management of osteoid osteoma (OO) and other small primary benign lesions of bone has evolved over the past 50 years from open surgery with wide resection margins to less invasive surgical techniques such as image guided intralesional excision and percutaneous radiofrequency ablation. We aim to evaluate the outcomes of patients treated with computerised tomography (CT guided) intralesional excision and bone grafting of small benign lesions of bone. Method: A retrospective folder review of patients treated in a large academic hospital in Cape Town, South Africa, between March 2012 and May 2016 was performed. Patient demographics, details of presentation, clinical information and outcome following treatment were analysed descriptively. Pre-operative diagnosis based on radiological examination was compared with histological diagnosis. Result: Eleven patients (5 male) with a median age of 16 years (range 5-33) were included. Pain was the most common presenting feature. A histological diagnosis of OO was confirmed in 5 of 9 patients with a suspected diagnosis of OO preoperatively. Of the 4 patients whose diagnosis changed after the procedure the diagnoses included a benign spindle cell lesion, a benign fibrous histiocytoma, subacute osteitis and an osteochondral defect with geode cyst formation. Of the 2 patients where OO was not suspected preoperatively, chondroblastoma was confirmed in one while a benign spindle cell lesion was reported in the other. Overall histological yield was thus 100%. There were no complications or repeat procedures at a median follow up of 42 months (range 30-52 months). Conclusion: CT guided intralesional curettage is a safe and minimally invasive technique. This is especially useful in less accessible regions of the skeleton as it provides a means of accurately locating the lesion with minimal risk of complications and morbidity to the patient. We consider this to be the optimal method of treatment in our setting as it provides high success rates, few complications and a histological diagnosis without the need for any additional and expensive equipment.

Background: Aseptic stem loosening following reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) is an uncommon complication. The majority of literature on RSA consists of case series with short follow-up periods. It remains unknown which factors contribute to aseptic stem loosening in RSA. Our analysis aimed to compare the incidence of aseptic stem loosening, humeral radiolucent lines (RLL) and revision for stem loosening between: 1) cemented and uncemented stems, and 2) different etiological subgroups Methods: In a systematic review 75 articles were included after assessment of study methodology and a meta-analysis of 1660 cemented and 805 uncemented stems was performed. We compared the incidence of aseptic stem loosening, humeral RLL, and revision for stem loosening between: 1) cemented and uncemented stems from cohorts with short (< 5 years) mean follow-up periods, long (≥ 5 years) mean follow-up periods, and all cohorts combined; and 2) different etiological subgroups. Results: The overall incidence of aseptic stem loosening was 1%. When comparing cemented to uncemented stems, there was no significant difference in the incidence of aseptic stem loosening or of revision for stem loosening in both the short and long term follow-up groups. Humeral RLL were more common with cemented stems (15.9% versus 9.5%, p = 0.002). The highest incidence of aseptic stem loosening occurred in the tumor subgroup (10.81%), followed by RSA as revision for failed arthroplasty (3.66%). No stem loosening was seen in the acute fracture or fracture sequelae groups. Conclusion: Aseptic stem loosening occurred more commonly in cohorts with long follow-up times (2% vs 0.8%, p = 0.01). There was no difference in the incidence of aseptic stem loosening or revision for stem loosening between cemented and uncemented stems. Humeral RLL occurred more frequently when cemented stems were used. Patients treated with RSA following excision of proximal humerus tumors and RSA as revision for failed arthroplasty were at greater risk of aseptic stem loosening.

Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references.

Includes abstract. / Includes bibliographical references. / Distal femur locking plates have become a very popular means of internal fixation because of their ability to provide stable distal periarticular fixation. In spite of this enthusiasm however several studies have reported significant problems with healing. In the distal femur it is recognized that locking plate fixation may be too rigid if used in certain configurations that limit the essential micro movement required for biological healing. Implant failure may arise from rigid configurations that cause excessive hardware stress concentrations. In an attempt to address these problems longer plates and an increased working length have been proposed to reduce construct rigidity. The purpose of our study is to investigate whether an increased working length translates into improved healing.