The Constant Score (CS) and the Oxford Shoulder Score (OSS) are shoulder scoring systems routinely used in the UK. Patients with Acromio-Clavicular Joint (ACJ) and Sterno-Clavicular Joint (SCJ) injuries and those with clavicle fractures tend to be younger and more active than those with other shoulder pathologies. While the CS takes into account the recreational outcomes for such patients the weighting is very small. We developed the Nottingham Clavicle Score (NCS) specifically for this group of patients. We recruited 70 patients into a cohort study in which pre-operative and 6 month post-operative evaluations of outcome were reviewed using the CS, the OSS the Imatani Score (IS) and the EQ-5D scores which were compared with the NCS. Reliability was assessed using Cronbach's alpha. Reproducibility of the NCS was assessed using the test/re-test method. Each of the 10 items of the NCS was evaluated for their sensitivity and contribution to the total score of 100. Validity was examined by correlations between the NCS and the CS, OSS, IS and EQ-5D scores pre-operatively and post-operatively.Introduction
Methods
It is widely recognised that pelvic disruption in association with high-energy trauma is a life-threatening injury. The potential morbidity and mortality associated with acetabular injuries are less well understood. Due to chronic underfunding and the absence of a comprehensive and coordinated national approach to the management of acetabular trauma throughout the UK, patients can incur prolonged recumbency. Prompt and appropriate referral for specialist management, thromboprophylaxis and venous thrombosis surveillance are important issues for the referring centre. We performed a postal questionnaire to establish the current clinical practice in the specialist centres throughout the UK in pelvic and acetabular trauma, with respect to time to surgery, thromboprophylaxis, and surveillance. We identified twenty-one units and thirty-seven surgeons in the NHS who deal with pelvic and acetabular injuries. The mean time to surgery from injury in the UK is 8.5 days (range 2-19 days). The larger units that accept and treat patients from outside their region experience the greatest delay to surgery. Mechanical thromboprophylaxis was used in 67% (14) of the units. 24% (5) use arterio-venous boots, 19% (4) use calf pumps, and 52% (11) use TEDS stockings. No unit routinely use prophylactic IVC filters in acetabular trauma. Chemical thromboprophylaxis is routinely used in 100% (21) of the units. 95% (20) used prophylactic doses of unfractionated heparin or low molecular weight heparin. Clinical surveillance alone for thromboembolism is employed in 90% (19) of the units. Only 2 (10%) units routinely perform radiological surveillance with ultrasound Doppler on its acetabular fracture cases pre-operatively. Currently there is no published directory of dedicated pelvic and acetabular surgeons in the UK. There is no general consensus on the approach to thromboprophylaxis and surveillance in acetabular trauma in the UK. There is no consensus approach to thromboprophylaxis and surveillance in the literature.
