Multiple myeloma (MM) is a B cell malignancy resulting in osteolytic lesions. Pathological fracture of the vertebral body resulting in spinal cord compression is a common complication and accounts for approximately 5% of patients with MM. To date, there are no definitive guidelines for the treatment of spinal cord compression as a consequence of MM. Radiotherapy has frequently been the preferred form of treatment. Some surgeons, however, feel that spinal lesions in multiple myeloma should be treated in the same manner as spinal metastases from solid organs. I report the management of a 46-year-old gentleman with multiple myeloma that had resulted in neural compression in the lumbar and thoracic areas. Initial emergent treatment in this patient consisted of spinal decompression and stabilisation.

Background: High-grade spondylolisthesis (HGS) (Myerding grade III-V) in adolescents can lead to a marked alteration of gait pattern and maybe the presenting symptom in these patients. This characteristic gait pattern in patients with HGS has been referred to as the “pelvic waddle.” Modern 3-dimensional (3D) gait analysis serves an important tool to objectively analyze the different components of this characteristic gait preoperatively and postoperatively and is an objective measure of postoperative improvement. This study demonstrates the use of 3D gait analysis preoperatively and postoperatively in a cohort of 4 consecutive patients with HGS treated surgically at a single tertiary referral center and utilize this to objectively evaluate outcome of surgical treatment in these patients. This has not been reported previously in a cohort of patients. Methods: This is a prospective analysis of patients with HGS who underwent surgical intervention for spondylolisthesis at a single institution. Patient demographics, clinical, and radiologic assessment were recorded, and all patients underwent 3D gait analysis before and after surgical intervention. Kinetic, kinematic, and spatial parameters were recorded preoperatively and postoperatively for all patients. This allowed the outcome of change in gait deviation index, before and after surgical treatment, to be evaluated. Results: We were able to review complete records of 4 adolescent patients who underwent surgical treatment for HGS. Mean age at surgery was 13.5 years with a minimum follow-up of 2.5 years postoperatively (average 40 mo). Preoperative gait analysis revealed marked posterior pelvic tilt in 2 patients, reduced hip and knee extension in all 4 patients and external foot progression in 3 of the 4 patients. Along with an observed improvement in gait, there was an objective improvement in gait parameters postoperatively in all 4 patients. Gait deviation index score improved significantly from 78.9 to 101.3 (mean). Conclusions: Preoperative gait abnormalities exist in HGS and can be objectively analyzed with gait analysis. Surgical intervention may successfully resolve these gait abnormalities and gait analysis is a useful tool to assess the outcome of surgery and quantify an otherwise intangible benefit of surgical intervention. Level of Evidence: Level IV—case series.

Background The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of intrathecal morphine (ITM) in combination with bupivacaine as pre-emptive analgesia in patients undergoing posterior lumbar fusion surgery. This is in comparison with traditional opioid analgesics such as intravenous (IV) morphine. Methods Two groups were identified retrospectively. The first (ITM group) included patients who had general anaesthesia (GA) with low-dose spinal anaesthesia prior to induction using 1–4 mls of 0.25% bupivacaine and 0.2 mg ITM. 1 ml of 0.25% bupivacaine was administered per hour of predicted surgery time, up to a maximum of 4 ml. The insertion level for the spinal anaesthetic corresponded to the spinal level of the iliac crest line and the level at which the spinal cord terminated. The control group had GA without any spinal anaesthesia. Patients were instead administered opioid analgesia in the form of IV morphine or diamorphine. The primary outcome was the consumption of opioids administered intraoperatively and in recovery, and over the first 48 h following discharge from the post-anaesthesia care unit (PACU). Total opioid dose was measured, and a morphine equivalent dose was calculated. Secondary outcomes included visual analogue scale (VAS) pain scores in recovery and at day two postoperatively, and the length of stay in hospital. Results For the ITM group, the median total amount of IV morphine equivalent administered intraoperatively and in recovery, was 0 mg versus 17 mg. The median total amount morphine equivalent, administered over the first 48 h following discharge from PACU was 20 mg versus 80 mg. Both are in comparison with the control group. The median length of stay was over 1 day less and the median VAS for pain in recovery was 6 points lower. No evidence was found for a difference in the worst VAS for pain at day two postoperatively. Conclusion ITM in combination with bupivacaine results in a significantly decreased use of perioperative opioids. In addition, length of hospital stay is reduced and so too is patient perceived pain intensity. Trial registration The study was approved by the ethics committee at The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital as a service improvement project (Approval no. 1617_004).

Background: Grisel’s syndrome is a nontraumatic atlantoaxial subluxation resulting from an ongoing local inflammatory process. Case Description: An 8-year-old male presented to the emergency department with neck pain which was sudden in onset without any history of any significant fall or trauma. On physical examination, the patient had torticollis with a head tilt to the left side and the chin rotated to the right. The CT scan confirmed atlantoaxial subluxation with C1 rotated to the right on the odontoid process without anterior displacement. The patient was managed conservatively with antibiotics, anti-inflammatory agents, and head-halter traction. Conclusion: As Grisel’s syndrome can have catastrophic outcomes, early diagnosis and treatment are critical. It must be considered in patients presenting with acute torticollis following an infection or prior surgery.

Aim To maximise postoperative analgesia, whilst minimising opioid use, motor sparing peripheral nerve blocks have been described as an alternative to local infiltration analgesia (LIA) with adductor canal block (ACB) in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). At The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital, we have developed a new technique, involving ten separate injections to the four genicular nerves, saphenous nerve, nerve to the vastus medialis, the popliteal plexus and to the medial, intermediate, and lateral cutaneous nerves of the thigh. The aim was to compare the analgesic effect of this type of motor sparing nerve block against LIA with ACB in TKA. Method Two groups were identified retrospectively. The test group included fifty patients who received 5ml each of 0.75% Levobupivacaine to the saphenous nerve and nerve to the vastus medialis, and 40ml of 0.25% Levobupivacaine to the four genicular nerves, the popliteal plexus, and to the cutaneous nerves. A matched control group received standard treatment with ACB and LIA. The primary outcome was the consumption of opioid analgesics, measured as a total morphine equivalent. Results For patients in the test group, the mean amount of IV morphine equivalent administered in the first 48-hours postoperatively was 34mg vs 108mg. This equates to a 68% reduction in opioid consumption compared to the control group. Conclusions Motor sparing nerve blocks provide a significant reduction in opioid consumption compared to LIA with ACB in TKA. The results have implications in terms of pain management, reduced opioid-induced side effects and overall, enhanced patient recovery.