We present the prevalence of multiple fractures
in the elderly in a single catchment population of 780 000 treated over
a 12-month period and describe the mechanisms of injury, common
patterns of occurrence, management, and the associated mortality
rate. A total of 2335 patients, aged ≥ 65 years of age, were prospectively
assessed and of these 119 patients (5.1%) presented with multiple
fractures. Distal radial (odds ratio (OR) 5.1, p <
0.0001), proximal humeral
(OR 2.2, p <
0.0001) and pelvic (OR 4.9, p <
0.0001) fractures
were associated with an increased risk of sustaining associated
fractures. Only 4.5% of patients sustained multiple fractures after
a simple fall, but due to the frequency of falls in the elderly
this mechanism resulted in 80.7% of all multiple fractures. Most
patients required admission (>
80%), of whom 42% did not need an
operation but more than half needed an increased level of care before
discharge (54%). The standardised mortality rate at one year was
significantly greater after sustaining multiple fractures that included
fractures of the pelvis, proximal humerus or proximal femur (p <
0.001). This mortality risk increased further if patients were <
80 years of age, indicating that the existence of multiple fractures after
low-energy trauma is a marker of mortality.
Experimental injuries of cartilage and bone were produced by applying shear force to the articular surfaces of the lateral femoral condyles of six-month-old pigs under various loading conditions. The lesions were divided into two groups, 'open' or 'closed', depending on the presence of a crack on the articular surface. Each was further divided into four types according to the depth of penetrating injury: (1) splitting of uncalcified cartilage; (2) splitting at the subchondral plate; (3) subchondral fracture; and (4) intra-articular fracture. When shear force was applied at high speed but with
This study aimed to gather insights from elbow experts using the Delphi method to evaluate the influence of patient characteristics and fracture morphology on the choice between operative and nonoperative treatment for coronoid fractures. A three-round electronic (e-)modified Delphi survey study was performed between March and December 2023. A total of 55 elbow surgeons from Asia, Australia, Europe, and North America participated, with 48 completing all questionnaires (87%). The panellists evaluated the factors identified as important in literature for treatment decision-making, using a Likert scale ranging from "strongly influences me to recommend nonoperative treatment" (1) to "strongly influences me to recommend operative treatment" (5). Factors achieving Likert scores ≤ 2.0 or ≥ 4.0 were deemed influential for treatment recommendation. Stable consensus is defined as an agreement of ≥ 80% in the second and third rounds.Aims
Methods
Intracompartmental pressures of 66 patients with 67 tibial fractures treated by intramedullary nailing were monitored. There was no difference in the pressures recorded between the different Tscherne fracture types, between open and closed fractures, between
The aims of this study were to assess the pre- and postoperative incidence of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) using routine duplex Doppler ultrasound (DUS), to assess the incidence of pulmonary embolism (PE) using CT angiography, and to identify the factors that predict postoperative DVT in patients with a pelvic and/or acetabular fracture. All patients treated surgically for a pelvic and/or acetabular fracture between October 2016 and January 2020 were enrolled into this prospective single-centre study. The demographic, medical, and surgical details of the patients were recorded. DVT screening of the lower limbs was routinely performed using DUS before and at six to ten days after surgery. CT angiography was used in patients who were suspected of having PE. Age-adjusted univariate and stepwise multiple logistic regression analysis were used to determine the association between explanatory variables and postoperative DVT.Aims
Methods
Dual mobility implants in total hip arthroplasty are designed to increase the functional head size, thus decreasing the potential for dislocation. Modular dual mobility (MDM) implants incorporate a metal liner (e.g. cobalt-chromium alloy) in a metal shell (e.g. titanium alloy), raising concern for mechanically assisted crevice corrosion at the modular liner-shell connection. We sought to examine fretting and corrosion on MDM liners, to analyze the corrosion products, and to examine histologically the periprosthetic tissues. A total of 60 retrieved liners were subjectively scored for fretting and corrosion. The corrosion products from the three most severely corroded implants were removed from the implant surface, imaged using scanning electron microscopy, and analyzed using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy.Aims
Methods
To identify the prevalence of neuropathic pain after lower limb fracture surgery, assess associations with pain severity, quality of life and disability, and determine baseline predictors of chronic neuropathic pain at three and at six months post-injury. Secondary analysis of a UK multicentre randomized controlled trial (Wound Healing in Surgery for Trauma; WHiST) dataset including adults aged 16 years or over following surgery for lower limb major trauma. The trial recruited 1,547 participants from 24 trauma centres. Neuropathic pain was measured at three and six months using the Doleur Neuropathique Questionnaire (DN4); 701 participants provided a DN4 score at three months and 781 at six months. Overall, 933 participants provided DN4 for at least one time point. Physical disability (Disability Rating Index (DRI) 0 to 100) and health-related quality-of-life (EuroQol five-dimension five-level; EQ-5D-5L) were measured. Candidate predictors of neuropathic pain included sex, age, BMI, injury mechanism, concurrent injury, diabetes, smoking, alcohol, analgaesia use pre-injury, index surgery location, fixation type, Injury Severity Score, open injury, and wound care.Aims
Methods
The aims of this study were to investigate the mortality following a proximal humeral fracture. Data from a large population-based fracture register were used to quantify 30-day, 90-day, and one-year mortality rates after a proximal humeral fracture. Associations between the risk of mortality and the type of fracture and its treatment were assessed, and mortality rates were compared between patients who sustained a fracture and the general population. All patients with a proximal humeral fracture recorded in the Swedish Fracture Register between 2011 and 2017 were included in the study. Those who died during follow-up were identified via linkage with the Swedish Tax Agency population register. Age- and sex-adjusted controls were retrieved from Statistics Sweden and standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) were calculated.Aims
Methods
Complex fractures of the femur and tibia with associated severe soft tissue injury are often devastating for the individual. The aim of this study was to describe the two-year patient-reported outcomes of patients in a civilian population who sustained a complex fracture of the femur or tibia with a Mangled Extremity Severity Score (MESS) of ≥ 7, whereby the score ranges from 2 (lowest severity) to 11 (highest severity). Patients aged ≥ 16 years with a fractured femur or tibia and a MESS of ≥ 7 were extracted from the Victorian Orthopaedic Trauma Outcomes Registry (January 2007 to December 2018). Cases were grouped into surgical amputation or limb salvage. Descriptive analysis were used to examine return to work rates, three-level EuroQol five-dimension questionnaire (EQ-5D-3L), and Glasgow Outcome Scale-Extended (GOS-E) outcomes at 12 and 24 months post-injury.Aims
Methods
To report the surgical outcome of patients with severe Scheuermann’s kyphosis treated using a consistent technique and perioperative management. We reviewed 88 consecutive patients with a severe Scheuermann's kyphosis who had undergone posterior spinal fusion with closing wedge osteotomies and hybrid instrumentation. There were 55 males and 33 females with a mean age of 15.9 years (12.0 to 24.7) at the time of surgery. We recorded their demographics, spinopelvic parameters, surgical correction, and perioperative data, and assessed the impact of surgical complications on outcome using the Scoliosis Research Society (SRS)-22 questionnaire.Aims
Methods
To describe a new objective classification for open fractures of the lower limb and to correlate the classification with patient-centred outcomes. The proposed classification was investigated within a cohort of adults with open fractures of the lower limb who were recruited as part of two large clinical trials within the UK Major Trauma Network. The classification was correlated with patient-reported Disability Rating Index (DRI) and EuroQol five-dimension questionnaire (EQ-5D) health-related quality of life in the year after injury, and with deep infection at 30 days, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention definition of a deep surgical site infection.Aims
Methods
Tibial plateau fractures are serious injuries about the knee that have the potential to affect patients’ long-term function. To our knowledge, this is the first study to use patient-reported outcomes (PROs) with a musculoskeletal focus to assess the long-term outcome, as compared to a short-term outcome baseline, of tibial plateau fractures treated using modern techniques. In total, 102 patients who sustained a displaced tibial plateau fracture and underwent operative repair by one of three orthopaedic traumatologists at a large, academic medical centre and had a minimum of five-year follow-up were identified. Breakdown of patients by Schatzker classification is as follows: two (1.9%) Schatzker I, 54 (50.9%) Schatzker II, two (1.9%) Schatzker III, 13 (12.3%) Schatzker IV, nine (8.5%) Schatzker V, and 26 (24.5%) Schatzker VI. Follow-up data obtained included: Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) or Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) pain scores, Short Musculoskeletal Functional Assessment (SMFA), and knee range of movement (ROM). Data at latest follow-up were then compared to 12-month data using a paired Aims
Methods
Low haemoglobin (Hb) at admission has been identified as a risk factor for mortality for elderly patients with hip fractures in some studies. However, this remains controversial. This study aims to analyze the association between Hb level at admission and mortality in elderly patients with hip fracture undergoing surgery. All consecutive patients (prospective database) admitted with hip fracture operated in a tertiary hospital between 2012 and 2016 were analyzed. We collected patient characteristics, time to surgery, duration and type of surgery, comorbidities, Hb at admission, nadir of Hb after surgery, the use and amount of red blood cells (RBCs) transfusion products, postoperative complications, and death. The main outcome measures were mortality at 30 days, 90 days, 180 days, and one year after surgery.Aims
Patients and Methods
Periprosthetic fracture is a significant complication of total
hip and knee arthroplasty. This study aimed to describe the survival
of patients sustaining periprosthetic femoral fractures and compare
this with that of the general population, as well as to identify
the factors that influence survival. A total of 151 patients (women: men 116:35, mean age 74.6 years,
standard deviation 11.5) that sustained a periprosthetic fracture
between January 2005 and October 2012 were retrospectively analysed.
Epidemiological data, comorbidities, type of surgical management,
type of implant, and mortality data were studied.Aims
Patients and Methods
Tuberculosis (TB) remains endemic in many parts
of the developing world and is increasingly seen in the developed world
due to migration. A total of 1.3 million people die annually from
the disease. Spinal TB is the most common musculoskeletal manifestation,
affecting about 1 to 2% of all cases of TB. The coexistence of HIV,
which is endemic in some regions, adds to the burden and the complexity
of management. This review discusses the epidemiology, clinical presentation,
diagnosis, impact of HIV and both the medical and surgical options
in the management of spinal TB. Cite this article:
This study identifies early risk factors for symptomatic nonunion
of displaced midshaft fractures of the clavicle that aid identification
of an at risk group who may benefit from surgery. We performed a retrospective study of 88 patients aged between
16 and 60 years that were managed non-operatively. Aims
Methods
The aim of this retrospective study was to compare the functional
and radiological outcomes of bridge plating, screw fixation, and
a combination of both methods for the treatment of Lisfranc fracture
dislocations. A total of 108 patients were treated for a Lisfranc fracture
dislocation over a period of nine years. Of these, 38 underwent
transarticular screw fixation, 45 dorsal bridge plating, and 25
a combination technique. Injuries were assessed preoperatively according
to the Myerson classification system. The outcome measures included
the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score, the
validated Manchester Oxford Foot Questionnaire (MOXFQ) functional
tool, and the radiological Wilppula classification of anatomical
reduction.Aims
Patients and Methods
Fractures of the navicular can occur in isolation but, owing
to the intimate anatomical and biomechanical relationships, are
often associated with other injuries to the neighbouring bones and
joints in the foot. As a result, they can lead to long-term morbidity
and poor function. Our aim in this study was to identify patterns
of injury in a new classification system of traumatic fractures
of the navicular, with consideration being given to the commonly associated
injuries to the midfoot. We undertook a retrospective review of 285 consecutive patients
presenting over an eight- year period with a fracture of the navicular.
Five common patterns of injury were identified and classified according
to the radiological features. Type 1 fractures are dorsal avulsion
injuries related to the capsule of the talonavicular joint. Type
2 fractures are isolated avulsion injuries to the tuberosity of
the navicular. Type 3 fractures are a variant of tarsometatarsal
fracture/dislocations creating instability of the medial ray. Type
4 fractures involve the body of the navicular with no associated
injury to the lateral column and type 5 fractures occur in conjunction
with disruption of the midtarsal joint with crushing of the medial
or lateral, or both, columns of the foot.Aims
Patients and Methods
Following the introduction of national standards in 2009, most
major paediatric trauma is now triaged to specialist units offering
combined orthopaedic and plastic surgical expertise. We investigated
the management of open tibia fractures at a paediatric trauma centre,
primarily reporting the risk of infection and rate of union. A retrospective review was performed on 61 children who between
2007 and 2015 presented with an open tibia fracture. Their mean
age was nine years (2 to 16) and the median follow-up was ten months
(interquartile range 5 to 18). Management involved IV antibiotics,
early debridement and combined treatment of the skeletal and soft-tissue injuries
in line with standards proposed by the British Orthopaedic Association.Aims
Patients and Methods
The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiology of closed
isolated fractures of the femoral shaft in children, and to compare
the treatment and length of stay (LOS) between major trauma centres
(MTCs) and trauma units (TUs) in England. National data were obtained from the Trauma and Audit Research
Network for all isolated, closed fractures of the femoral shaft
in children from birth to 15 years of age, between 2012 and 2015.
Age, gender, the season in which the fracture occurred, non-accidental
injury, the mechanism of injury, hospital trauma status, LOS and
type of treatment were recorded.Aims
Patients and Methods