Abstract Submission

Abstracts should be prepared according to the following guidelines, which have been adapted from the BJJ.

 

The abstract should summarise the problem being considered, how the study was performed, the salient results and the principal conclusions, under subheadings 'Aims', 'Methods', 'Results', and 'Conclusion'.

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General Guidance:

• 300 word limit for the main abstract text

• Files must submitted as Word documents (.doc)

• File names should include 'OSCARS 2024' followed by initials and surname (e.g. 'OSCARS 2024 - T.J. WALTON)

• Single line spacing should be used throughout

• The following items are NOT permitted and should be deleted prior to submission:

  • Figures

  • Tables

  • References

• Please do not use bullet points, asterisks, or any non-standard characters

• Underlining, or italic type may be used to stress words or phrases. Latin names should be set in italics if possible

• Use capitals for proper names, titles, geographical names, trade names

• Abbreviations not in common use should be spelled out in full the first time they occur in a typescript, followed by the abbreviation in brackets. Abbreviations should not be used in the title of the abstract

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Starting Text:

• Title - bold CAPITAL letters, flush to left margin

• Subtitle (if appropriate)

• Authors - after a line space, the authors’ names should start with their initials, each followed by a full stop before the surname (e.g. T.J. Walton)

• No medical degrees or appointments should be included.

• Author affiliations to include institution name(s)

• Contact email address for corresponding author to facilitate reader inquiries

• Leave one line space before beginning abstract.​

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Main Text:

• The abstract should be divided into the following subheadings; 'Aims', 'Methods', 'Results', and 'Conclusions'

• Subheadings should be in BOLD

• Each paragraph should start on a new line, and be flush to the left margin

• Word count must be stated at the end of the text, on a new line

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Example Abstract:

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HIP AND KNEE REPLACEMENT IN LOWER LIMB AMPUTEES: A SCOPING REVIEW

 

T.J. Walton1,2, A.L.D. Chatterton2, V.A. Goodwin1

1. University of Exeter, St Luke's Campus, Magdalen Road, Exeter, EX1 2LU, Devon, UK

2. University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust, Derriford Hospital, Plymouth, PL6 8DH, Devon, UK

Corresponding author: T.Walton@exeter.ac.uk

 

Aims

There are many consequences of lower limb amputation, including altered biomechanics of gait. It has previously been shown that these can lead to increased rates of osteoarthritis (OA). A common and successful treatment for severe OA is joint replacement. However, it is unclear whether amputees undergoing this surgery can expect the same outcomes or complication profile. Furthermore, there are key technical challenges associated with hip or knee replacement in lower limb amputees. This scoping review aimed to identify and summarise the existing evidence base.

 

Methods

This was a systematic scoping review performed according to PRISMA guidelines. An electronic database search of MEDLINE (PubMed), Cochrane Library, EMBASE and CINAHL was completed from the date of inception to 1st April 2023. All peer reviewed literature related to hip or knee replacement among lower limb amputees was included.

 

Results

Of the 931 records identified, 40 studies were included in this study. The available literature consisted primarily of case reports and case series, with generally low level of evidence. In total, there were 265 patients of which 195 received total hip replacement (THR), 91 received total knee replacement (TKR) and 21 received hip hemiarthroplasty. The most common reason for amputation was trauma (45.7%), and the main indication for joint replacement was OA (77.3%), occurring more frequently in the contralateral limb (70.6%). The outcomes reported varied widely between studies, with most suggesting good functional status post-operatively. A variety of technical tips were reported, primarily concerned with intra-operative control of the residual limb.

 

Conclusion

There is a need for more observational studies to clearly define the association between amputation and subsequent need for joint replacement. Furthermore, comparative studies are needed to identify whether amputees can be expected to achieve similar functional outcomes after surgery, and if they are at higher risk of certain complications.

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Word count = 299 words