Distal radius fractures are common in South Africa. Accurate, decisive radiographic parameter interpretation is key in appropriate management. Digital radiographic facilities are rare in the public setting and goniometer usage is known to be low, thus, visual estimates are the primary form of radiographic assessment. Previous research associated orthopaedic experience with accuracy of distal radius fracture parameter estimation but, oftentimes, doctors treating orthopaedic patients are not experienced in orthopaedics. A cross-sectional questionnaire including four distal radius fracture radiographs administered to 149 orthopaedic doctors at three Johannesburg teaching hospitals. Participants grouped into ranks of: consultants (n=36), registrars (n=41), medical officers (n=20) and interns (n=52). Participants visually estimated values of distal radius fracture parameters, stated whether they would accept the position of the fractures and stated their percentage of routine usage of goniometers in real practice. The registrar group was most accurate in visually estimating radial height, whilst the interns were least accurate (p=0.0237). The consultant, registrar and medical officer groups were equally accurate in estimating radial inclination whilst the intern group was the least accurate (p<0.0001). The consultant and registrar group were equally accurate at estimating volar tilt, whilst the medical officer and intern groups were least accurate (p<0.0001). The Gwet's AC agreement was 0.1612 (p=0.047) for acceptance of position of the first radiograph, 0.8768 (p<0.0001) for the second, 0.8884 (p<0.0001) for the third and 0.8064 (p<0.0001) for the fourth. All groups showed no difference in goniometer usage, using them largely 0–25% of practice (p=0.1937). The study found that accuracy in visual estimations of distal radius fracture parameters was linked to orthopaedic experience but not linked to routine practice goniometer usage, which was minimal across all groups. Inter-rater agreement on acceptability of fracture position is potentially dependent on severity of deviation from acceptable parameters.
The musculoskeletal (MSK) profiles of water polo players and other overhead athletes has been shown to relate to injury and throwing performance (TP). There have been no robust studies conducted on the MSK profiles and the variables affecting TP amongst female, adolescent, elite water polo players. A prospective quantitative cohort design was conducted amongst eighty-three female adolescent, elite water polo players (range 14–19 years). All participants filled out the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic questionnaire, followed by a battery of screening tests aimed to identify possible MSK factors affecting TP. Pain provocation tests, range of motion (ROM), upward scapula rotation (USR), strength and pectoralis minor length measurements were all included. Participants also performed throwing speed (TS) and throwing accuracy (TA) tests. All the data collected were grouped together and analysed using SPSS 28.0. The condition for statistical significance was set as p <0.05. Multi-collinearity was tested for among variables to find out inter-variable correlations. Finally, a multiple regression analysis was performed. The mean KJOC score was 82.55 ± 14.96. 26.5% tested positive for at least one of the impingement tests. The MSK profile revealed decreased internal rotation ROM, increased external rotation ROM, a downwardly rotated scapula, weak external rotators, weak serratus anterior strength, strong lower trapezius and gluteus medius strength and a shorter pectoralis minor length all on the dominant side. Age, pectoralis minor length, upper trapezius and serratus anterior strength as well as upward scapula rotation were all positively correlated with TS, while sitting height, upper trapezius and serratus anterior strength and glenohumeral internal rotation ROM were positively correlated with TA. Multiple MSK parameters were found to be related to TS and TA in elite, adolescent water polo players.
The Latarjet procedure is a well described method to stabilize anterior shoulder instability. There are concerns of high complication rates, one of these being a painful shoulder without instability due to screw irritation. The arthroscopic changes in the shoulder at time of screw removal compared to those pre-Latarjet have not been described in the literature. We conducted a retrospective review of arthroscopic videos between 2015 and 2022 of 17 patients at the time of their Latarjet screw removal and where available (n=13) compared them to arthroscopic findings at time of index Latarjet. Instability was an exclusion criterion. X-rays prior to screw removal were assessed independently by two observers blinded to patient details for lysis of the graft. Arthroscopic assessment of the anatomy and pathological changes were made by two shoulder surgeons via mutual consensus. An intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was analyzed as a measure for the inter-observer reliability for the radiographs. Our cohort had an average age of 21.5±7.7 years and an average period of 16.2±13.1 months between pre- and post-arthroscopy. At screw removal all patients had an inflamed subscapularis muscle with 88% associated musculotendinous tears and 59% had a pathological posterior labrum. Worsening in the condition of subscapularis muscle (93%), humeral (31%) and glenoid (31%) cartilage was found when compared to pre-Latarjet arthroscopes. Three failures of capsular repair were seen, two of these when only one anchor was used. X-ray review demonstrated 79% of patients had graft lysis. Excellent inter-rater reliability was observed with an ICC value of 0.82. Our results show a high rate of pathological change in the subscapularis muscle, glenoid labrum and articular cartilage in the stable but painful Latarjet. 79% of patients had graft lysis with prominent screws on X-ray.
The choice of whether to perform antegrade intramedullary nailing (IMN) or plate fixation (PF) poses a conundrum for the surgeon who must strike the balance between anatomical restoration while reducing elbow and shoulder functional impairment. Most humeral middle third shaft fractures are amenable to conservative management given the considerable acceptable deformity and anatomical compensation by patients. This study is concerned with the patient reported outcomes regarding shoulder and elbow function for IMN and PF respectively. A prospective cohort study following up all the cases treated surgically for middle third humeral fractures from 2016 to 2022 at a single centre. Telephonically an analogue pain score, an American Shoulder and Elbow Society (ASES) score for shoulder function and the Oxford Elbow score (OES) for elbow function were obtained. One hundred and three patients met the inclusion criteria. Twenty four patients participated in the study, fifteen had IMN (62.5%) and nine had PF (37.5%.). The shoulder function outcomes showed no statistical difference with an average ASES score of sixty-six for the IMN group and sixty-nine for the PF group. Women and employed individuals expressed greater functional impairment. Hand dominance has no impact on the scores of elbow and shoulder function post operatively. The impairment of abduction score post antegrade nailing was higher in the antegrade nailing group than the plated group. The OES demonstrated greater variance in elbow function in the PF group with the IMN group expressing greater elbow disfunction. This study confirms that treatment of middle third humerus shaft fractures by plate fixation is marginally superior to antegrade intramedullary nailing in preserving elbow function and abduction ability.
To investigate the incidence of post-operative ulna nerve symptoms in total elbow arthroplasty after full in-situ release. A retrospective review was completed of the medical records of eighty-three consecutive primary total elbow arthroplasties (TEA) performed between 2003 and 2012. Data analysed included the presence of pre-operative ulnar nerve (UN) symptoms, history of prior UN transposition, intra-operative management of the UN and presence of post-operative symptoms.Aim:
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To investigate the clinical outcomes of elbows with post-traumatic stiffness treated by open surgical release. A retrospective review was completed on thirty-five consecutively managed patients who underwent an open elbow release for post-traumatic stiffness between 2007 and 2012. Pre-operative and post-operative range of motion (ROM), pain scores and functional outcomes were recorded.Aim:
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To review the union rates, outcomes and complications of angular stable plating of lateral third clavicle fractures. Between 2007 and 2010 angular stable plates were used in the fixation for seventeen patients with displaced lateral third clavicle fractures (Allman Group II, Type 2). These were identified from surgical log books and operation codes. The surgical and clinical notes as well as X-rays were reviewed. The patients were contacted telephonically. An Oxford Shoulder Score and questions relating to plate removal, scar pain and return to activities were asked. Three patients were not contactable.Purpose:
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We aimed to assess the short and medium term complications of patients who had undergone Latarjet procedures. We also compared this to a group of patients who over a similar period underwent an open Bankhart procedure to assess the complication profiles between the two groups. We retrospectively reviewed the notes and X-rays of all patients identified by surgical log books and or operation codes for instability. Eighty seven patients (88 shoulders) underwent Latarjet procedures between 2002 and 2010. Patients were phoned to obtain a telephonic Oxford shoulder score. There were 44 patients with 46 shoulders in the open Bankhart group.Purpose:
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