Complex regional pain syndrome type 1 (CRPS-I) is a devastating complication that can occur after limb extremity injuries. The effectiveness of vitamin C in preventing CRPS-I incidence is debatable. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the role of vitamin C in CRPS-I prevention and its effect on pain score, functional outcomes and complications rate after wrist, ankle, and foot fractures.

We searched Medline, Embase, the Cochrane Library, Clinicaltrial.gov, and Google Scholar from infinity to May 2021 for relevant studies comparing the incidence of CRPS-I with administration of perioperative vitamin C versus placebo after wrist, ankle, and foot fractures. Continuous data such as functional outcomes and pain scores were pooled as mean differences (MD), whist dichotomous variables such as the incidence of CRPS-I and complications were pooled as odds ratios (OR), with 95% confidence interval (CI). Data analyses was done using R software (meta package, version 4.9-0) for Windows.

Eight studies, including two quasi-experimental studies, were included. The timeframe for vitamin C administration ranged from 42 to 50 days post-injury and/or surgical fixation and the dosage was either 500 mg or 1000 mg. The results showed that vitamin C was associated with a lower rate of CRPS-I relative to a placebo (OR 0.33, 95% CI [0.17, 0.63]). No significant difference was found between vitamin C and placebo in terms of complications (OR 1.90, 95% CI [0.99, 3.65]), functional outcomes (MD 6.37, 95% CI [-1.40, 14.15]), and pain scores (MD -0.14, 95% CI [-1.07, 0.79]).

The findings demonstrate that when compared to placebo, at least 42 days of vitamin C prophylaxis is associated with prevention of CRPS-I following wrist, ankle, and foot fractures, irrespective of vitamin C dosage or fracture type. No significant differences were found with secondary outcomes.

Background: Hip fractures are a common cause of hospitalisation amongst elderly patients, imposing a burden on resources and resulting in significant morbidity and mortality. Despite the high incidence questions remain surrounding the efficacy of current treatment protocols. There has also been relative neglect, within current literature, of the ‘young’ hip fracture patient.

Objectives: To analyse clinical and patient-reported outcomes for patients with hip fractures treated at two Australian level-1 trauma centres, and, to highlight key differences between the ‘typical’ patient (age> 60 years) and those aged 60 years or less.

Methods: Patients with traumatic proximal femoral fractures treated at The Royal Melbourne and Alfred hospitals between 2003 and 2006 were identified via the Victorian Orthopaedic Trauma Outcomes Registry. Patient-reported outcomes were prospectively measured at 6 and 12 months post-injury using the 12-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-12) and a Numerical Pain Scale. A priori defined clinical outcomes were also determined by reviewing medical records and X-rays.

Results: A total of 695 patients were identified with similar distribution between institutions. The male: female ratio was 1:2 and 13.8% were aged 60 years or less at presentation. ‘Community-dwellers’ accounted for 69.9% with 25.6% presenting from an institutional setting. Displaced subcaptial fractures (AO-31B3) occurred most commonly.

Median hospital length of stay was 12 days. Inpatient mortality reached 5.5% whilst mortality at 6 and 12 months post-injury was 17.1% and 22.6% respectively. Upon discharge 16.1% returned to the community and 60.5% required rehabilitation. At 6 months 48.0% were residing at home and 30.5% at an institutional setting. Institutionalisation decreased to 27.7% at 12 months, approaching pre-injury levels. Mean physical SF-12 scores remained well below population norms at 12 months (36.4 vs 48.9). Younger patients demonstrated significantly different results with reference to presentation, management and outcomes. Several factors were highlighted as predictors of mortality and/or functional recovery.

Conclusions: Mortality following hip fracture treatment at an Australian level-1 trauma centre is comparable to statistics achieved by similar international institutions. The rise in mortality is greatest within the initial 6 months representing a period during which close medical attention is paramount. The Mortality predictors highlighted may be useful in guiding this resource allocation. Patient-reported health status also plateaus following the initial 6 months, warranting a review of current protocols to ascertain whether this represents a golden ‘window-period’ for successful rehabilitation or whether appropriate care is not being provided beyond 6 months. Patients aged 60 years or younger represent a significant and unique group. Approach to management and goals of treatment should be tailored accordingly.