Aims. Vascular compromise due to arterial injury is a rare but serious complication of a proximal humeral fracture. The aims of this study were to report its incidence in a large urban population, and to identify clinical and radiological factors which are associated with this complication. We also evaluated the results of the use of our protocol for the management of these injuries. Methods. A total of 3,497 adult patients with a proximal humeral fracture were managed between January 2015 and December 2022 in a single tertiary trauma centre. Their mean age was 66.7 years (18 to 103) and 2,510 (72%) were female. We compared the demographic data, clinical features, and configuration of those whose fracture was complicated by vascular compromise with those of the remaining patients. The incidence of vascular compromise was calculated from national population data, and predictive factors for its occurrence were investigated using univariate analysis. Results. A total of 18 patients (0.5%) had a proximal humeral fracture and clinical evidence of vascular compromise, giving an annual incidence of 0.29 per 100,000 of the population. Their mean age was 68.7 years (45 to 92) and ten (56%) were female. Evidence of a mixed pattern neurological deficit (brachial plexus palsy) (odds ratio (OR) 380.6 (95% CI 85.9 to 1,685.8); p < 0.001), complete separation of the proximal shaft from the humeral head with medial displacement (OR 39.5 (95% CI 14.0 to 111.8); p < 0.001), and a fracture-dislocation (OR 5.0 (95% CI 1.6 to 15.3); p = 0.015) were all associated with an increased risk of associated vascular compromise. A
The risk factors for recurrent instability (RI) following a primary traumatic anterior shoulder dislocation (PTASD) remain unclear. In this study, we aimed to determine the rate of RI in a large cohort of patients managed nonoperatively after PTASD and to develop a clinical prediction model. A total of 1,293 patients with PTASD managed nonoperatively were identified from a trauma database (mean age 23.3 years (15 to 35); 14.3% female). We assessed the prevalence of RI, and used multivariate regression modelling to evaluate which demographic- and injury-related factors were independently predictive for its occurrence.Aims
Methods
The outcomes following nonoperative management of minimally displaced greater tuberosity (GT) fractures, and the factors which influence patient experience, remain poorly defined. We assessed the early patient-derived outcomes following these injuries and examined the effect of a range of demographic- and injury-related variables on these outcomes. In total, 101 patients (53 female, 48 male) with a mean age of 50.9 years (19 to 76) with minimally displaced GT fractures were recruited to a prospective observational cohort study. During the first year after injury, patients underwent experiential assessment using the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) score and assessment of associated injuries using MRI performed within two weeks of injury. The primary outcome was the one-year DASH score. Multivariate analysis was used to assess the effect of patient demographic factors, complications, and associated injuries, on outcome.Aims
Methods
To investigate the impact of the Charlson and Elixhauser comorbidity indices on patient-reported outcomes measures (PROMs) following shoulder arthroplasty. Patients undergoing total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA), reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA), or hemiarthroplasty (HA) from 2016 to 2018 were identified, along with the Charlson and Elixhauser comorbidities listed as their secondary diagnoses in the electronic medical records. Patients were matched to our institution’s registry to obtain their PROMs, including shoulder-specific (American Shoulder and Elbow Society (ASES) and Shoulder Activity Scale (SAS)) and general health scales (12-Item Short Form Survey (SF-12) and Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System-Pain Interference). Linear regression models adjusting for age and sex were used to evaluate the association between increasing number of comorbidities and PROM scores. A total of 1,817 shoulder arthroplasties were performed: 1,017 (56%) TSA, 726 (40%) RSA, and 74 (4%) HA. The mean age was 67 years (SD 10), and 936 (52%) of the patients were female.Aims
Methods
To evaluate the outcomes of terrible triad injuries (TTIs) in mid-term follow-up and determine whether surgical treatment of the radial head influences clinical and radiological outcomes. Follow-up assessment of 88 patients with TTI (48 women, 40 men; mean age 57 years (18 to 82)) was performed after a mean of 4.5 years (2.0 to 9.4). The Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS), Oxford Elbow Score (OES), and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) score were evaluated. Radiographs of all patients were analyzed. Fracture types included 13 Mason type I, 16 type II, and 59 type III. Surgical treatment consisted of open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) in all type II and reconstructable type III fractures, while radial head arthroplasty (RHA) was performed if reconstruction was not possible.Aims
Methods
Improvements in the evaluation of outcome after nerve transfers
are required. The assessment of force using the Medical Research
Council (MRC) grades (0 to 5) is not suitable for this purpose.
A ceiling effect is encountered within MRC grade 4/5 rendering this
tool insensitive. Our aim was to show how the strength of flexion
of the elbow could be assessed in patients who have undergone a
re-innervation procedure using a continuous measurement scale. A total of 26 patients, 23 men and three women, with a mean age
of 37.3 years (16 to 66), at the time of presentation, attended
for review from a cohort of 52 patients who had undergone surgery
to restore flexion of the elbow after a brachial plexus injury and
were included in this retrospective study. The mean follow-up after
nerve transfer was 56 months (28 to 101, standard deviation (Aims
Methods
Between 2002 and 2011, 81 patients with a traumatic total brachial
plexus injury underwent reconstruction by double free muscle transfer
(DFMT, 47 cases), single muscle transfer (SMT, 16 cases) or nerve
transfers (NT, 18 cases). They were evaluated for functional outcome and quality of life
(QoL) using the Disability of Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire,
both pre- and post-operatively. The three groups were compared and
followed-up for at least 24 months.Aims
Methods
The natural history of primary anterior dislocation
of the glenohumeral joint in adolescent patients remains unclear and
there is no consensus for management of these patients. The objectives of this study were to report the natural history
of primary anterior dislocation of the glenohumeral joint in adolescent
patients and to identify the risk factors for recurrent dislocation. We reviewed prospectively-collected clinical and radiological
data on 133 adolescent patients diagnosed with a primary anterior
dislocation of the glenohumeral joint who had been managed non-operatively
at our hospital between 1996 and 2008. There were 115 male (86.5%)
and 18 female patients (13.5%) with a mean age of 16.3 years (13
to 18) and a mean follow-up of 95.2 months (1 to 215). During follow-up, 102 (absolute incidence of 76.7%) patients
had a recurrent dislocation. The median interval between primary
and recurrent dislocation was ten months (95% CI 7.4 to 12.6). Applying
survival analysis the likelihood of having a stable shoulder one
year after the initial injury was 59% (95% CI 51.2 to 66.8), 38%
(95% CI 30.2 to 45.8%) after two years, 21% (95% CI 13.2 to 28.8)
after five years, and 7% (95% CI 1.1 to 12.9) after ten years. Neither
age nor gender significantly predicted recurrent dislocation during
follow-up. We conclude that adolescent patients with a primary anterior
dislocation of the glenohumeral joint have a high rate of recurrent
dislocation, which usually occurs within two years of their initial
injury: these patients should be considered for early operative
stabilisation. Cite this article:
