Polytrauma patients are at high risk of systematic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) due to an exaggerated unbalanced immune response that can lead to multiple organ failure and increased mortality. This response is often heightened following acute surgical management as a result, damage-control orthopaedics (DCO) was born. This allows the patient to be stabilised using external fixation allowing physiology to improve. This systematic review aims to compare DCO against early total care (ETC) (<24hrs intramedullary nailing) in polytraumatised patients with femoral shaft fractures using a diagnosis of acute lung injury (ALI) as the primary outcome measure. A systematic review of MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL and AMED was carried out to identify all English language studies comparing ETC versus DCO using ALI as the primary outcome measure. Two authors independently screened the studies and performed data extraction. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool and the Risk-of-Bias Assessment Tool for Non-randomised Studies.Background
Method
Clavicle development occurs before the age of 9 in females and 12 in males. Children below the age of 10 with displaced midshaft clavicle fractures recover well with conservative management. However adolescents are more demanding of function and satisfaction following clavicle fractures and may benefit from operative management. Study aims: 1) Perform a systematic review of the current evidence supporting intramedullary fixation of adolescent clavicle fractures. 2) Review current management in a major trauma center (MTC) with a view to assess feasibility for a randomised controlled trial (RCT). The MEDLINE, EMBASE and AMED databases were searched in October 2014 to identify all English language studies evaluating intramedullary fixation in children aged 10–18 years using MeSH terms. Data was extracted using a standardised data collection sheet and studies were critically appraised by aid of the PRISMA checklist. All patients aged 9–15 attending an MTC receiving clavicle radiographs in 2014 were retrospectively reviewed for type of fracture, management and outcome.Background
Methods
Hip fracture care has evolved, largely due to standardisation of practice, measurement of outcomes and the introduction of the Best Practice Tariff, leading to the sustained improvements documented by the National Hip Fracture Database (NHFD). The treatment of distal femoral fractures in this population has not had the same emphasis. This study defines the epidemiology, current practice and outcomes of distal femoral fractures in four English centres. 105 patients aged 50 years or greater with a distal femoral fracture, presenting to four UK major trauma centres between October 2010 and September 2011 were identified. Data was collected using an adapted NHFD data collection tool via retrospective case note and radiograph review. Local ethics approval was obtained.Background
Methods
A single 3D accelerometer is accurate in measuring upper-extremity activity durations, rest periods and intensities, suggesting its feasibility for daily life measurements with patients. Further enhancements are feasible to reduce residual false classifications of intensity from certain activities. Physical activity is an important outcome measure in orthopaedics as it reflects how surgically restored functional capacity is used in daily life. Accelerometer-based activity monitors (AM) are objective, reliable and valid to determine lower extremity activity in orthopaedic patients. However the suitability of a single AM to monitor upper-extremity activity, in terms of quantity and intensity, has not been investigated. This study investigates the suitability and validity of a single AM to measure quantity and intensity of upper-extremity activity.Summary
Introduction
