Background. Patients with hand injuries frequently present to Emergency Departments. The ability of junior doctors to perform an accurate clinical assessment is crucial in initiating appropriate management. Objectives. To assess the adequacy of junior doctor hand examination skills and to establish whether further training and education is required. Methods. A double-centre study was conducted using an anonymous survey assessing hand examination completed by junior doctors (Foundation year 1 and Senior House Officer grades) working in Trauma & Orthopaedics or Emergency Departments. The survey covered all aspects of hand examination including assessment of: Flexor and Extensor tendons, Nerves (motor and sensory) and Vascular status. Surveys were marked against answers pre-agreed with a Consultant hand surgeon. Results. 32 doctors completed the survey. Tendons: 59% could accurately examine extensor digitorum, 41% extensor pollicis longus, 38% flexor digitorum profundus and 28% flexor digitorum superficialis. Nerves – Motor: 53% could accurately examine the radial nerve, 37% the ulnar nerve, 22% the median nerve and 9% the anterior interosseous nerve. Nerves – Sensory: 88% could accurately examine the radial nerve, 81% the ulnar nerve, 84% the median nerve and 18.8% digital nerves. Vascular: 93% could describe 3 methods of assessing vascularity. Conclusions. Tendon and neurological aspects of hand clinical examination were poorly executed at junior doctor level in this pragmatic survey. This highlights the need for targeted education and training to improve the accuracy of junior doctor hand injury assessment and subsequent improving patient treatment and safety. Recommendations include dedicated hand examination teaching early in Orthopaedic/A&E placements and introduction of an illustrated Hand Trauma Examination Proforma. Level of evidence. III - Evidence from case, correlation, and comparative studies

Reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA) provides a surgical alternative to conventional shoulder arthroplasty in the rotator cuff deficient shoulder. Short term data has shown consistent improvements in pain and function but higher complication and failure rates have also been reported. The aims of this study were to identify the early and late complications of RTSA, to establish the frequency of glenoid notching, and to assess the post-operative functional outcomes. 21 patients (22 joints) treated with RTSA at Glasgow Royal Infirmary (GRI) between April 2006 and October 2010 were retrospectively reviewed. Indications for surgery included cuff tear arthropathy, revision hemiarthroplasty and fracture malunion. Complication rates were obtained by analysis of follow up data from Bluespier and case notes. Glenoid notching was graded from x-rays by multiple observers using the Sirveaux classification. Outcome was assessed using the Oxford Shoulder Score (OSS) and range of motion (ROM). The complication rate associated with RTSA was 14.3%, effecting 3 patients. One dislocation and 1 ulnar nerve palsy occurred within 30 days post-op. A late complication was represented by 1 dislocation, which required revision. Glenoid notching occurred in 71.4% (15 of 21patients), though the majority had a low Sirveaux classification (grade 1 or 2). OSS increased post-operatively and showed a linear improvement with time (R. 2. = 0.81) and ROM increased significantly post-op compared with pre-op (p<0.001). The complication rate associated with RTSA at GRI was lower than that reported in literature and the outcome was good as defined by ROM and OSS. The rate of glenoid notching was higher than literature reports but the significance of this is unclear as notching may not be associated with loosening

Neurological examination is essential in patients with upper limb injuries and should be clearly documented. We aimed to assess the quality and documentation of neurological examination performed for children presenting with upper limb fractures to the emergency department. Clinical notes of all children admitted with upper limb fractures over a three month period were reviewed. Documentation of initial neurological assessment was analysed and clinical suspicion of any nerve injury noted. In parallel, we conducted an anonymous survey of emergency doctors evaluating their upper limb neurological examination in children. The casenotes of 121 children with upper limb fractures were reviewed. 10 children (8%) had a nerve injury (median = 4, ulnar = 2, radial = 2, anterior interosseous = 2). Neurological examination was documented in 107 (88%) of patients. However, none of the nerve injuries were detected on initial examination. In patients with nerve injuries, 5 (50%) were documented as being ‘neurovascularly intact’, 2 (20%) as ‘CSM normal’, 1 (10%) as ‘moving fingers’ and 2 (20%) had no documented neurological examination. 30 emergency doctors completed the questionnaires (5 consultants, 9 registrars, 16 foundation doctors). All doctors stated that they routinely performed an upper limb neurological examination and assessed median, ulnar and radial nerves. However, 30% of doctors described incomplete examination of median nerve function, 30% inadequate ulnar nerve assessment and 50% incomplete radial nerve examination. In addition, 75% of doctors failed to identify the need for assessment of anterior interosseous nerve function. While emergency doctors recognise the importance of neurological assessment in children with upper limb injuries, it is often performed inadequately. This in part may be due to difficulties performing neurological examination in paediatric patients. As a result of this study, we have introduced local guidelines to assist neurological assessment in children