A prospective study was performed to develop
a clinical prediction rule that incorporated demographic and clinical factors
predictive of a fracture of the scaphoid. Of 260 consecutive patients
with a clinically suspected or radiologically confirmed scaphoid
fracture, 223 returned for evaluation two weeks after injury and
formed the basis of our analysis. Patients were evaluated within
72 hours of injury and at approximately two and six weeks after injury
using clinical assessment and standard radiographs. Demographic
data and the results of seven specific tests in the clinical examination
were recorded. There were 116 (52%) men and their mean age was 33 years (13
to 95; . sd. 17.9). In 62 patients (28%) a scaphoid fracture
was confirmed. A logistic regression model identified male gender
(p = 0.002),
This project determines the numbers of UK service personnel with
To report the outcomes of patients with a fracture of the distal tibia who were treated with intramedullary nail versus locking plate in the five years after participating in the Fixation of Distal Tibia fracture (FixDT) trial. The FixDT trial reported the results for 321 patients randomized to nail or locking plate fixation in the first 12 months after their injury. In this follow-up study, we report the results of 170 of the original participants who agreed to be followed up until five years. Participants reported their Disability Rating Index (DRI) and health-related quality of life (EuroQol five-dimension three-level questionnaire) annually by self-reported questionnaire. Further surgical interventions related to the fracture were also recorded.Aims
Methods
This study aims to estimate economic outcomes associated with 30-day deep surgical site infection (SSI) from closed surgical wounds in patients with lower limb fractures following major trauma. Data from the Wound Healing in Surgery for Trauma (WHiST) trial, which collected outcomes from 1,547 adult participants using self-completed questionnaires over a six-month period following major trauma, was used as the basis of this empirical investigation. Associations between deep SSI and NHS and personal social services (PSS) costs (£, 2017 to 2018 prices), and between deep SSI and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs), were estimated using descriptive and multivariable analyses. Sensitivity analyses assessed the impact of uncertainty surrounding components of the economic analyses.Aims
Methods
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
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
The aim of this study was to report the outcome following primary
fixation or a staged protocol for type C fractures of the tibial
plafond. We studied all patients who sustained a complex intra-articular
fracture (AO type C) of the distal tibia over an 11-year period.
The primary short-term outcome was infection. The primary long-term
outcome was the Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS).Aims
Patients and Methods
The management of open lower limb fractures in the United Kingdom
has evolved over the last ten years with the introduction of major
trauma networks (MTNs), the publication of standards of care and
the wide acceptance of a combined orthopaedic and plastic surgical approach
to management. The aims of this study were to report recent changes
in outcome of open tibial fractures following the implementation
of these changes. Data on all patients with an open tibial fracture presenting
to a major trauma centre between 2011 and 2012 were collected prospectively.
The treatment and outcomes of the 65 Gustilo Anderson Grade III
B tibial fractures were compared with historical data from the same
unit. Aims
Patients and Methods
Paediatric fractures are common and can cause
significant morbidity. Socioeconomic deprivation is associated with an
increased incidence of fractures in both adults and children, but
little is known about the epidemiology of paediatric fractures.
In this study we investigated the effect of social deprivation on
the epidemiology of paediatric fractures. We compiled a prospective database of all fractures in children
aged <
16 years presenting to the study centre. Demographics,
type of fracture, mode of injury and postcode were recorded. Socioeconomic
status quintiles were assigned for each child using the Scottish
Index for Multiple Deprivation (SIMD). We found a correlation between increasing deprivation and the
incidence of fractures (r = 1.00, p <
0.001). In the most deprived
group the incidence was 2420/100 000/yr, which diminished to 1775/100
000/yr in the least deprived group. The most deprived children were more likely to suffer a fracture
as a result of a fall (odds ratio (OR) = 1.5, p <
0.0001), blunt
trauma (OR = 1.5, p = 0.026) or a road traffic accident (OR = 2.7,
p <
0.0001) than the least deprived. These findings have important implications for public health
and preventative measures. Cite this article:
The Essex-Lopresti injury (ELI) of the forearm
is a rare and serious condition which is often overlooked, leading
to a poor outcome. The purpose of this retrospective case study was to establish
whether early surgery can give good medium-term results. From a group of 295 patients with a fracture of the radial head,
12 patients were diagnosed with ELI on MRI which confirmed injury
to the interosseous membrane (IOM) and ligament (IOL). They were
treated by reduction and temporary Kirschner (K)-wire stabilisation
of the distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ). In addition, eight patients
had a radial head replacement, and two a radial head reconstruction. All patients were examined clinically and radiologically 59 months
(25 to 90) after surgery when the mean Mayo Modified Wrist Score
(MMWS) was 88.4 (78 to 94), the mean Mayo Elbow Performance Scores
(MEPS) 86.7 (77 to 95) and the mean disabilities of arm, shoulder
and hand (DASH) score 20.5 (16 to 31): all of these indicate a good outcome. In case of a high index of suspicion for ELI in patients with
a radial head fracture, we recommend the following: confirmation
of IOM and IOL injury with an early MRI scan; early surgery with
reduction and temporary K-wire stabilisation of the DRUJ; preservation
of the radial head if at all possible or replacement if not, and
functional bracing in supination. This will increase the prospect
of a good result, and avoid the complications of a missed diagnosis
and the difficulties of late treatment. Cite this article:
Fractures of the tibial shaft are common injuries,
but there are no long-term outcome data in the era of increased surgical
management. The aim of this prospective study was to assess the
clinical and functional outcome of this injury at 12 to 22 years.
Secondary aims were to determine the short- and long-term mortality,
and if there were any predictors of clinical or functional outcome
or mortality. From a prospective trauma database of 1502 tibial
shaft fractures in 1474 consecutive adult patients, we identified
a cohort of 1431 tibial diaphyseal fractures in 1403 patients, who
fitted our inclusion criteria. There were 1024 men, and mean age
at injury was 40.6 years. Fractures were classified according to
the AO system, and open fractures graded after Gustilo and Anderson.
Requirement of fasciotomy, time to fracture union, complications,
incidence of knee and ankle pain at long-term follow-up, changes in
employment and the patients’ social deprivation status were recorded.
Function was assessed at 12 to 22 years post-injury using the Short
Musculoskeletal Function Assessment and short form-12 questionnaires.
Long-term functional outcome data was available for 568 of the surviving
patients, 389 were deceased and 346 were lost to follow-up. Most
fractures (90.7%, n = 1363) united without further intervention.
Fasciotomies were performed in 11.5% of patients; this did not correlate
with poorer functional outcome in the long term. Social deprivation
was associated with a higher incidence of injury but had no impact
on long-term function. The one-year mortality in those over 75 years
of age was 29 (42%). At long-term follow-up, pain and function scores
were good. However, 147 (26%) reported ongoing knee pain, 62 (10%)
reported ankle pain and 97 (17%) reported both. Such joint pain correlated
with poorer functional outcome. Cite this article:
In Neer type II (Robinson type 3B) fractures
of the distal clavicle the medial fragment is detached from the coracoclavicular
ligaments and displaced upwards, whereas the lateral fragment, which
is usually small, maintains its position. Several fixation techniques
have been suggested to treat this fracture. The aim of this study
was to assess the outcome of patients with type II distal clavicle
fractures treated with coracoclavicular suture fixation using three
loops of Ethibond. This prospective study included 14 patients with
Neer type II fractures treated with open reduction and coracoclavicular
fixation. Ethibond sutures were passed under the coracoid and around
the clavicle (UCAC loop) without making any drill holes in the proximal
or distal fragments. There were 11 men and three women with a mean
age of 34.57 years (29 to 41). Patients were followed for a mean
of 24.64 months (14 to 31) and evaluated radiologically and clinically
using the Constant score. Fracture union was obtained in 13 patients at
a mean of 18.23 weeks (13 to 23) and the mean Constant score was
96.07 (91 to 100). One patient developed an asymptomatic fibrous
nonunion at one year. This study suggests that open reduction and
internal fixation of unstable distal clavicle fractures using UCAC
loops can provide rigid fixation and lead to bony union. This technique avoids
using metal hardware, preserves the acromioclavicular joint and
provides adequate stability with excellent results. Cite this article:
Fractures in patients aged ≥ 65 years constitute
an increasing burden on health and social care and are associated with
a high morbidity and mortality. There is little accurate information
about the epidemiology of fractures in the elderly. We have analysed
prospectively collected data on 4786 in- and out-patients who presented
with a fracture over two one-year periods. Analysis shows that there
are six patterns of the incidence of fractures in patients aged ≥ 65
years. In males six types of fracture increase in incidence after
the age of 65 years and 11 types increase in females aged over 65
years. Five types of fracture decrease in incidence after the age
of 65 years. Multiple fractures increase in incidence in both males
and females aged ≥ 65 years, as do fractures related to falls. Analysis of the incidence of fractures, together with life expectancy,
shows that the probability of males and females aged ≥ 65 years
having a fracture during the rest of their life is 18.5% and 52.0%,
respectively. The equivalent figures for males and females aged ≥ 80
years are 13.3% and 34.8%, respectively. Cite this article:
We describe the outcome of tibial diaphyseal
fractures in the elderly (≥ 65 years of age). We prospectively followed 233
fractures in 225 elderly patients over a minimum ten-year period.
Demographic and descriptive data were acquired from a prospective
trauma database. Mortality status was obtained from the General
Register Office database for Scotland. Diaphyseal fractures of the
tibia in the elderly occurred predominantly in women (73%) and after
a fall (61%). During the study period the incidence of these fractures
decreased, nearly halving in number. The 120-day and one-year unadjusted
mortality rates were 17% and 27%, respectively, and were significantly
greater in patients with an open fracture (p <
0.001). The overall
standardised mortality ratio (SMR) was significantly increased (SMR
4.4, p <
0.001) relative to the population at risk, and was greatest
for elderly women (SMR 8.1, p <
0.001). These frailer patients
had more severe injuries, with an increased rate of open fractures
(30%), and suffered a greater rate of nonunion (10%). Tibial diaphyseal fractures in the elderly are most common in
women after a fall, are more likely to be open than in the rest
of the population, and are associated with a high incidence of nonunion
and mortality. Cite this article:
We have compared the results at a mean follow-up of 13 years (11 to 14) of two groups of supination-external rotation type-4 fractures of the ankle, in one of which there was a fracture of the medial malleolus and in the other the medial deltoid ligament had been partially or completely ruptured. Of 66 patients treated operatively between 1993 and 1997, 36 were available for follow-up. Arthroscopy had been performed in all patients pre-operatively to assess the extent of the intra-articular lesions. The American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society hind-foot score was used for clinical evaluation and showed a significant difference in both the total and the functional scores (p <
0.05), but not in those for pain or alignment, in favour of the group with a damaged deltoid ligament (p <
0.05). The only significant difference between the groups on the short-form 36 quality-of-life score was for bodily pain, again in favour of the group with a damaged deltoid ligament. There was no significant difference between the groups in the subjective visual analogue scores or in the modified Kannus radiological score. Arthroscopically, there was a significant difference with an increased risk of loose bodies in the group with an intact deltoid ligament (p <
0.005), although there was no significant increased risk of deep cartilage lesions in the two groups. At a mean follow-up of 13 years after operative treatment of a supination-external rotation type-4 ankle fracture patients with partial or complete rupture of the medial deltoid ligament tended to have a better result than those with a medial malleolar fracture.
We randomly allocated 60 consecutive patients with fractures of the waist of the scaphoid to percutaneous fixation with a cannulated Acutrak screw or immobilisation in a cast. The range of movement, the grip and pinch strength, the modified Green/O’Brien functional score, return to work and sports, and radiological evidence of union were evaluated at each follow-up visit. Patients were followed sequentially for one year. Those undergoing percutaneous screw fixation showed a quicker time to union (9.2 weeks We recommend that all active patients should be offered percutaneous stabilisation for fractures of the waist of the scaphoid.
We reviewed 78 femoral and tibial nonunions treated between January 1992 and December 2003. Of these, we classified 41 in 40 patients as complex cases because of infection (22), bone loss (6) or failed previous surgery (13). The complex cases were all treated with Ilizarov frames. At a mean time of 14.1 months (4 to 38), 39 had healed successfully. Using the Association for the Study and Application of the Methods of Ilizarov scoring system we obtained 17 excellent, 14 good, four fair and six poor bone results. The functional results were excellent in 14 patients, good in 14, fair in two and poor in two. A total of six patients were lost to follow-up and two had amputations so were not evaluated for final functional assessment. All but two patients were very satisfied with the results. The average cost of treatment to the treating hospital was approximately £30 000 per patient. We suggest that early referral to a tertiary centre could reduce the morbidity and prolonged time off work for these patients. The results justify the expense, but the National Health Service needs to make financial provision for the reconstruction of this type of complex nonunion.