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BACKGROUND: In the era of increasing drug resistance in pulmonary tuberculosis (TB), it is prudent to assess causes of poor response to anti tubercular therapy (ATT) and drug sensitivity pattern (DSP) in osteoarticular TB. MATERIALS AND METHODS: As a part of Bombay Orthopaedic society’s research project, members were asked to refer non responders to ATT to our institute. Cases were enrolled from October 2010 to March 2014. Deep tissue samples were obtained in all but five cases and subjected to a battery of tests including histopathology (HPE) and TB culture and sensitivity. The DSP was compared with the study performed by the principle author from 2004 to 2007 and published in 2009. RESULTS: 39 male and 50 female patients with a mean age of 24.85 years (2–66) were included and classified in four groups after results. (1) Culture and HPE positive-36. 24 had MDR and three XDR TB. Primary resistance to even second line drugs and deterioration of DSP since last study was noted, (2) culture negative and HPE positive-21. The cause of poor response was surgical in more than half cases, (3) non representative samples or lost to follow-up-15, (4) TB mimics-16. CONCLUSION: There is increasing incidence of primary resistance to second line drugs, primary resistance in children and worsening of resistance patterns as compared to older studies. ATT initiation is a fateful decision and every attempt should be made to rule out TB mimics and establish DSP before initiation.

Background: Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) were considered saprophytic organisms for many years but now are recognized as human pathogens. Although humans are routinely exposed to NTM, the rate of clinical infection is low. Such infections usually occur in the elderly and in patients who are immunocompromised. However, there has been an increasing incidence in recent years of infections in immunocompetent hosts. NTM infections in immunocompetent individuals are secondary to direct inoculation either contamination from surgical procedures or penetrating injuries rather than hematogenous dissemination. Clinically and on histopathology, musculoskeletal infections caused by NTM resemble those caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis but are mostly resistant to routine antituberculosis medicines. Materials and Methods: Six cases of NTM infection in immunocompetent hosts presenting to the department from 2004 to 2015 were included in study. Of which two cases (one patella and one humerus) of infection were following an open wound due to trauma while two cases (one hip and one shoulder) of infection were by inoculation following an intraarticular injection for arthrogram of the joint, one case was infection following arthroscopy of knee joint and one case (calcaneum) was infection following local injection for the treatment of plantar fasciitis. All patients underwent inaging and tissue diagnosis with samples being sent for culture, staining, and histopathology. Results: Clinical suspicion of NTM inoculation led to the correct diagnosis (four cases with culture positive and two cases with histopathological diagnosis). There treatment protocol for extrapulmonary NTM infection was radical surgical debridement and medical management based on drug sensitivity testing in culture positive cases. At a mean follow up of 3 years (range1–9 years) all patients had total remission and excellent results. Conclusions: Whenever a case of chronic granulomatous infection is encountered that does not respond to standard anti-tuberculous treatment, with a history of open trauma, surgical intervention, or injection as shown in this study, a possible NTM infection should be considered and managed appropriately.

A prospective comparative study was conducted to compare the mechanical axis post total knee arthroplasty (TKA) between two groups: In the first group of 100 knees (ASM group) Articular Surface Mounted navigation system was used to guide the distal femoral cut. In the second group of 100 knees (JIG group) conventional intramedullary femoral jig was used. The postoperative mechanical axis of the leg was within 3° of neutral alignment in 90% of the TKA in the ASM group (mean 178.12°) as compared to 74% in the JIG group (mean 177.02°). This difference was statistically significant (P0.05). The data presented show that the use of limited femoral navigation leads to more accurate restoration of mechanical axis alignment when compared to conventional intramedullary femoral jigs.

Background Melioidosis is a saprophytic infectious disease caused by Gram-negative soil-dwelling bacillus Burkholderia pseudomallei . Materials & methods We report three cases of musculoskeletal melioidosis that are presented to our department from 2011 to 2013. Results One of the patients died due to post-septicemic ARDS. The other two patients have recovered fully and are followed up for minimum of 6 months. There were no recurrences. Conclusions Though musculoskeletal infection due to melioidosis is not common in India, new cases are being reported from Karnataka, Goa and Southern Maharashtra. The need for diagnosing this entity is due to the fact that the septicemic form has a mortality rate that exceeds 90%, and though culture sensitivity report shows susceptibility to various antibiotics, the infection responds to only specific set of antibiotics i.e. intravenous ceftazidime and combination of trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole.

Background: Subvastus approach used in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is known to produce an earlier recovery but is not commonly utilized for TKA when the preoperative range of motion (ROM) of the knee is limited. Subvastus approach is known for its ability to give earlier recovery due to less postoperative pain and early mobilization (due to rapid quadriceps recovery). Subvastus approach is considered as a relative contraindication for TKA in knees with limited ROM due to difficulty in exposure which can increase risk of complications such as patellar tendon avulsion or medial collateral injury. Short stature and obesity are also relative contraindications. Tarabichi successfully used subvastus approach in knees with limited preoperative ROM. However, there are no large series in literature with the experience of the subvatus approach in knees with limited preoperative ROM. We are presenting our experience of the subvastus approach for TKA in knees with limited ROM. Materials and Methods: We conducted retrospective analysis of patients with limited preoperative ROM (flexion ≤90°) of the knee who underwent TKA using subvastus approach and presenting the 2 years results. There were a total 84 patients (110 knees) with mean age 64 (range 49–79 years) years. The mean preoperative flexion was 72° (range 40°–90°) with a total ROM of 64° (range 36°–90°). Results: Postoperatively knee flexion improved by mean 38° (P < 0.05) which was significant as assed by Student's t- test. The mean knee society score improved from 36 (range 20–60) to 80 (range 70–90) postoperatively (P < 0.05). There was one case of partial avulsion of patellar tendon from the tibial tubercle. Conclusions: We concluded that satisfactory results of TKA can be obtained in knees with limited preoperative ROM using subvastus approach maintaining the advantages of early mobilization.

Background Every surgical procedure involves certain amount of postoperative morbidity which varies among different surgeries and the same surgery done by different techniques. Minimally invasive surgeries have evolved in all surgical branches and are believed to have a lesser morbidity than the traditional procedures; however there is no score or index to assess the immediate recovery after any surgical procedure in the literature. We tried to devise an immediate postoperative assessment method that takes into account the early recovery phase of patient post total knee arthroplasty (TKA) from day1 to day3. We called it as morbidity index. It consists of a 10 different parameters which could overall assess the patient's postoperative recovery. Materials & methods A prospective study was conducted in order to evaluate feasibility of the morbidity index and its usefulness in assessing the immediate postoperative recovery in TKA. We evaluated 50 consecutive TKA patients and scored at day 1, day 2 and day 3 postoperatively by a morbidity index. Results The mean score on day one was 13.88 which decreased to 4.68 by day three indicating morbidity has decreased. Conclusions The morbidity index can be a tool to assess the immediate postoperative recovery of the patient after TKA and can be used to compare different approaches and procedure.

Background: Nonunion of diaphyseal fractures of the humerus are frequently seen in clinical practice (incidence of up to 15% in certain studies) and osteosynthesis using dynamic compression plates, intra medullary nails and Ilizarov fixators have been reported previously. Locking compression plates (LCP) are useful in the presence of disuse osteoporosis, segmental bone loss and cortical defects that preclude strong fixation. We report a prospective followup study of the outcome of the use of LCP for humeral nonunion following failed internal fixation in which implants other than LCP had been used. Materials and Methods: Twenty four patients with nonunion of humeral shaft fractures following failed internal fixation were included in the study. The mean followup period was 3.4 years (range: 2.4 to 5.7 years) and the minimum followup period was 2 years. Mean age of the patients was 41.04 years (range: 24 to 57 years). All 24 patients underwent osteosynthesis using LCP and autologous bone grafting (cortico-cancellous iliac crest graft combined with or without fibular strut graft). Main outcome measurements included radiographic assessment of fracture union and pre and postoperative functional evaluation using the modified Constant and Murley scoring system. Results: 23 out of 24 fractures united following osteosynthesis. Average time to union was 16 weeks (range: 10 to 28 weeks). Complications included delayed union ( n = 2), transient radial nerve palsy ( n = 2) and persistent nonunion ( n = 1). Functional evaluation using the Constant and Murley score showed excellent results in 11, good in 10, fair in two and poor outcome in one patient. Conclusions: Locking compression plating and cancellous bone grafting is a reliable option for achieving union in humeral diaphyseal nonunion with failed previous internal fixation and results in good functional outcome in patients with higher physiological demands.