Pelvic fractures in children are uncommon. Despite their potentially serious nature, there is little information in the literature regarding their epidemiology. We performed a retrospective review of case notes and radiographs, if available, of all patients admitted with bony pelvic injuries to our unit over a 28 year period (1980-2008). Sixty-four children with pelvic fractures were identified (median age 8 years, 75% male). 58% were pedestrians involved in road traffic accidents (RTA), 19% were caused by a fall from a height and 8% were crush injuries. There was seasonal variability, with a 50% increase in pelvic injuries in Autumn and 33% decrease in Winter - compared to Spring/Summer months (in contrast to the peak in overall fracture incidence in the Summer). Median length of stay was 8 days (range 1-180), 11% requiring direct admission to ITU and 5% to HDU. There is a high incidence of associated major injuries - for Stable fractures 52%, Partially stable fractures 60% and Unstable fractures 100%. Five required surgery to the bony pelvis, and 6 for-non pelvic orthopaedic injury. 3 required operative intervention from other specialities, 1 urological repair, 1 laparotomy and 1 lobectomy. Pelvic fractures in children are potentially serious injuries with a high proportion of major associated injuries. Multiple injuries were sustained in 55% of pedestrian/RTA accidents, 100% of crush injuries and 58% of falls from a height. In this series, 52% of “Stable” pelvic injuries were associated with other major injuries. All paediatric pelvic injuries, even stable pubic rami fractures should be approached with caution, full ATLS assessment and close monitoring

Abstract. Objectives. 1. To describe the epidemiology of metacarpal shaft fractures (MSF) in adults. 2. To evaluate the variation in practice and document complications following usual care. 3. To explore factors associated with treatment modality. 4. To document hospital resource use following MSF. Methods. A multi-centre, retrospective, cross-sectional study of MSF at six centres. The healthcare records, operative notes and imaging of adults presenting within 10 days of a MSF, affecting the second to fifth metacarpal between 1st August 2016 to 31st July 2017, were reviewed. Total number of Emergency Department (ED) attendances were used to calculate prevalence. Data analyses are primarily descriptive with 95% confidence intervals to quantify uncertainty in estimates. Results. Of 837, 212 ED attendances, 793 patients (75% male, 25% female), with 897 MSF were eligible, a prevalence of 0.1%. The median age was 27 years (16–97); the highest incidence was in males aged between 16 and 24 years. The most common fracture pattern was transverse. While 83% were treated non-surgically overall, this varied across centres. Twelve different types of non-surgical and six different types of surgical treatment were used. Multi-fragmentary fracture patterns were most likely to be treated surgically and long oblique least likely. Fracture pattern, complexity, displacement and age were associated with treatment modality. Patients treated surgically required more radiographs, longer radiographic and outpatient follow-up and were more likely to be referred for therapy. 5% (39/793) experienced a complication. 20% (160/783) failed to attend at least one or more clinic appointments. Conclusions. MSF are a common injuries, predominantly affecting young males of working age. There is variation in mode and type of treatment, with the majority treated non-surgically in the selected centres. Despite a low complication rate, they require considerable secondary care resources. Further research into the optimal treatment modality for these injuries is needed. Declaration of Interest. (b) declare that there is no conflict of interest that could be perceived as prejudicing the impartiality of the research reported:I declare that there is no conflict of interest that could be perceived as prejudicing the impartiality of the research project

Background. Despite the known multifactorial nature of scaphoid wrist fracture non-union, a possible genetic predisposition for the development of this complication remains unknown. This pilot study aimed to address this issue by performing Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) analysis of specific genes known to regulate fracture healing. Materials and Methods. We reviewed 120 patients in a retrospective case-control study from the Hand Surgery Department of Asepeyo Hospital. The case group comprised 60 patients with confirmed scaphoid wrist non-union, diagnosed by Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Computed Tomography (CT). The control group comprised 60 patients with scaphoid fracture and complete bone consolidation. Sampling was carried out with a puncture of a finger pad using a sterile, single-use lancet. SNPs were determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using specific, unique probes with the analysis of the melting temperature of hybrids. The X2 test compared genotypes between groups. Multivariate logistic regression analysed the significance of many covariates and the incidence of scaphoid wrist non-union. Results. We found significant differences in subjects who had a smoking habit (p=0.001), high blood pressure (p<0.001), and surgical treatment (p=0.002) in patients with scaphoid non-union. There were more Caucasians (p=0.04) and males (p=0.001) in the case group. Falls were the main mechanism of fracture. The CC genotype in GDF5 (rs143383) was more frequent in patients with scaphoid non-union compared to the controls (p=0.02). CT was prevalent in the controls (p=0.02). T allele in GDF5 was more frequent in patients without non-union (p=0.001). Conclusions. Individuals who were carriers of the CC genotype in GDF5 showed higher susceptibility to suffering scaphoid wrist non-union. Furthermore, being a carrier of CT and T allele suggests that this could be behave as a protection factor against non-union. This is the first clinical study to investigate the potential existence of genetic susceptibility to scaphoid wrist fracture non-union. Level of evidence. Level III, Cross Sectional Study, Epidemiology Study

Background. 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. Methods. 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. Results. Mean age was 77 years (range 50–99), with 86% female. 95% of injuries were sustained from a low energy mechanism, and 72% were classified as either 33-A1 or 33-C1. The mean Parker mobility score and Barthel Independence Index were 5.37 (0–9) and 75.5 (0–100) respectively. Operative management was performed in 84%, and 86% had their surgery within 36 h. Three quarters were fixed with a peri-articuar locking plate. There was no consensus on post operative rehabilitation, but no excess of complications in the centres where weight bearing as tolerated was the standard. 45% were seen by an orthogeriatrician during their admission. Mean length of stay was 29 days. Mortality at 30 days, 6 months, and 1 year was 7%, 16% and 18% respectively. Conclusions. This study demonstrates that the distal femoral and hip fracture populations are similar, and highlights the current disparity in their management. The metrics and standards of care currently applied to hip fractures should be applied to the treatment of distal femoral fractures. Optimal operative treatment and rehabilitation remains unclear, and further research is in progress. Level of evidence. 2b. Ethics. Local approval was obtained

Introduction. Osteonecrosis (ON) is a disease that ultimately results in bone collapse. We investigated the correlation between SNPs and osteonecrosis. Methods. In this study, 109 patients with systematic lupus erythematosus (SLE) (21 with and 88 without osteonecrosis) were collected for genotype analysis of 7 genes including VEGF, MTHFR, eNOS, and PAI-1 related to the blood system and BMP2 and PPARγ-2, genes that regulate the differentiation of bone marrow stromal cells. Results. The result of the combined analysis of the susceptible BMP2 (rs3178250) TC genotype, MTHFR (rs1801133) CC genotype and VEGF (rs833069) AA genotype was OR: 0.185, 95 % CI:0.044 - 0.774 (p=0.021). In addition, when the different genotype combinations were analyzed the result for BMP2 (rs3178250) TC, MTHFR (rs1801133)CC, and PPARγ-2 (rs11128596) AA genotype was OR:0.096, 95 % CI:0.044-0.774 (p=0.012); the result for BMP2(rs3178250) TT, VEGF (rs833069) AG, and PPARγ-2 (rs11128596) CA genotype was OR:0.099, 95 % CI:0.016-0.597 (p=0.012); and that of VEGF AA, eNOS 298T GT, and eNOS 27bp tandem repeat 5R5R genotype was OR:0.060, 95 % CI:0.006- 0.588 (p =0.016), respectively. Conclusion. The results of this research provides an important reference to predict corticosteroid-associated osteonecrosis for SLE patients, providing related genotypic molecular epidemiology and possible discussion on mechanisms of pathogenicity for corticosteroid-associated osteonecrosis in SLE patients in Taiwan. The result of this research not only serves as a reference for possible ON risk factors in SLE patients with chronic corticosteroid use, but also forms a basis for treatment and medication in the clinical setting

Introduction. Acetabular fractures are a challenging problem. It has been published that outcome is dependent upon the type of fracture, the reduction of the fracture and concomitant injuries. The end-points of poor outcome include avascular necrosis of the femoral head, osteoarthritis. However, we lack definitive statistics and so counselling patients on prognosis could be improved. In order to achieve this, more outcome studies from tertiary referral centres are required. We present the first long term follow up from a large tertiary referral centre in Ireland. Methods. We identified all patients who were ten years following open reduction and internal fixation of an acetbular fracture in our centre. We invited all of these patients to attend the hospital for clinical and radiographic follow-up. As part of this, three scoring systems were completed for each patient; the Short-form 36 health survey (SF36), the Merle d'Aubigné score and the Short Musculoskeletal Functional Assessment (SMFA). Results. The data represents one year's activity at a new tertiary referral unit. We identified a total of 44 patients who were ten years following ORIF of acetabular fractures in our unit. 21 patients (48%) replied to written invitation and attended the hospital for clinical and radiographic follow-up. A further 7 patients were contacted by telephone and interviewed to gauge their rehabilitation. 3 patients had passed away. The remaining 13 patients were not contactable. Of those who attended in person for follow-up; 18 were male and 3 were female. The mean age at follow-up was 40.5 years (Range 27-60). In terms of fracture pattern epidemiology, 43% of patients sustained posterior column and wall fractures, 29% posterior wall, 14% posterior column alone, 9.5% transverse with posterior wall and 9.5% bicolumnar. 2 patients in the follow-up group had total hip replacements. Of the remaining patients the overall mean SF36 score was 78.8% (SD 16.4). The mean SMFA was 14.1% (SD 5). The mean Merle d'Aubigné score was 14.9 (SD 3.2) with 63% graded as good or excellent. Comparison of outcome between sub-groups according to fracture classification showed no significant difference. Traumatic sciatic nerve injury was sustained by four patients in the follow-up group and all patients continued to complain of ongoing weakness. Of the patients who were contacted via telephone, 2 had total hip replacements. The remaining 5 reported no significant problems with their hips and cited this as the reason for not attending follow-up. Conclusion. Overall the outcome of the patients was more favourable than expected. This was supported by the results of the clinical scoring systems. In some patients this also appeared to be despite poor radiographic findings. Our observations suggest that concomitant injuries, especially sciatic nerve injury have a profound negative influence on the patients' ability to fully rehabilitate. These data provide a valuable tool for the trauma surgeon in providing the patient with an educated prognosis

Objectives

To explore whether orthopaedic surgeons have adopted the Proximal Fracture of the Humerus: Evaluation by Randomisation (PROFHER) trial results routinely into clinical practice.