Bone bruising of the scaphoid is a common term reported, when MRI imaging is carried out for continued pain, within the anatomical snuff box. Is this significant? Our aim was to ascertain if bone bruising lead to continued symptoms, and resulted in delayed fracture detection- an occult fracture. This was a prospective study looking at 170 patients with scaphoid injuries. Of the 170 scaphoid injuries identified there were 120 scaphoid fractures seen on scaphoid view radiographs. The remaining 50 had no fracture on radiographs, however were clinically symptomatic and had MRI scaphoid imaging which demonstrated various grades of bone bruising. All were treated in a scaphoid plaster and re-examined at 8 weeks. There 4 were patients that remained symptomatic, MRI scan were performed which revealed 3 with resolving scaphoid bone bruising and 1 with a scaphoid fracture (p-value=0.05). Two further weeks of immobilisation resolved the symptoms of those 4 patients. Therefore occult scaphoid fractures demonstrating only bone bruising may take up to 8 weeks to declare itself as a fracture. Immobilisation in a scaphoid cast should be the mainstay of treatment for a minimum period of 8 weeks.

Introduction: Distal Radius Fractures (DRF) and Hip Fractures are considered as fragility fractures. The purpose of this study was to assess whether DRF precedes hip fracture or not. This retrospective analysis was carried out in a group of patients who sustained bilateral non contemporary hip fractures.

Materials and Methods: Retrospective analysis of radiographs and notes of all the patients requiring surgery for bilateral neck of femur fractures, from January 1994 to June 2005 at a district general hospital. Data included ages at the first and second fractures, mechanisms of injury, types of fracture and implants used. Time interval between the two fractures was also noted.

These were analyzed for presence of any Distal Radius Fractures (DRF) prior to first admission for hip fracture and time period between first and second admission. It was also analyzed whether a DRF was sustained between these two episodes.

Results: Ninety five patients had bilateral neck of femur fractures during the study period with an average age of 76 years at the first fracture. There were eighty-three females and twelve males. The time interval between bilateral non contemporary hip fracture was 2.5 years.

Out of these ninety five patients a small minority of patients had a DRF preceding their first hip fracture. Those sustaining DRF prior to their second hip fracture was also studied and statistical methods were employed to predict the presence of DRF prior to hip fractures

Conclusion: This study shows that there is no correlation between sustaining two fragility fractures i.e DRF & Hip Fracture and DRF may not necessarily precede a Hip Fracture.

INTRODUCTION: Median Nerve has small vessel on the volar aspect of the nerve which is filled with blood and results in so called ‘ BLUSHING’ of the nerve once it has been decompressed. It was thought that the nerve which didnot blush meant an inadequate decompression was carried out.

PURPOSE: To evaluate whether ‘Blushing’ of the Median Nerve is correlated with adequate decompression and level of recovery in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome through Mini Palmar Incision.

METHODS & MATERIALS: Retrospective analysis of a Single Surgeon practise where it was documented in operation notes whether the nerve was seen to ‘Blushed’ at the time of surgery.They were assessed postoperatively from notes for complete resolution of symptoms and whether there was any recurrence of symptoms.

RESULTS: n=330 Carpal Tunnel Decompressions were reviewed. It was noted that those who had complete resolution of symptoms had ‘Blushing’ noted at the time of surgery compared to those who had partial or incomplete resolution of symptoms wher ‘No BUSHING’ was noticed. Average time of follow up = 6 weeks. Blushing Noted at the time of decompression 192, Recovery/ improvement of symptoms 189, Blushing not noted at the time of surgery 38, NO documentation about Blushing in 100

CONCLUSION: Blushing of Median Nerve intraoperatively is a reliable sign for complete decompression of the nerve and is correalted with good final outcome.