The underlying natural history of suspected scaphoid fractures (SSFs) is unclear and assumed poor. There is an urgent requirement to develop the literature around SSFs to quantify the actual prevalence of intervention following SSF. Defining the risk of intervention following SSF may influence the need for widespread surveillance and screening of SSF injuries, and could influence medicolegal actions around missed scaphoid fractures. Data on SSF were retrospectively gathered from virtual fracture clinics (VFCs) across a large Scottish Health Board over a four-year period, from 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2021. The Bluespier Electronic Patient Record System identified any surgical procedure being undertaken in relation to a scaphoid injury over the same time period. Isolating patients who underwent surgical intervention for SSF was performed by cross-referencing the unique patient Community Health Index number for patients who underwent these scaphoid procedures with those seen at VFCs for SSF over this four-year period.Aims
Methods
The aim of this study was to describe the introduction of a virtual pathway for the management of patients with a suspected fracture of the scaphoid, and to report patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) and satisfaction following treatment using this service. All adult patients who presented with a clinically suspected scaphoid fracture that was not visible on radiographs at the time of presentation during a one-year period were eligible for inclusion in the pathway. Demographic details, findings on examination, and routine four-view radiographs at the time of presentation were collected. All radiographs were reviewed virtually by a single consultant hand surgeon, with patient-initiated follow-up on request. PROMs were assessed at a minimum of one year after presentation and included the abbreviated version of the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Score (QuickDASH), the EuroQol five-dimension five-level health questionnaire (EQ-5D-5L), the Net Promoter Score (NPS), and return to work.Aims
Methods
The aim of this study was to assess arthritis of the basal joint of the thumb quantitatively using bone single-photon emission CT/CT (SPECT/CT) and evaluate its relationship with patients’ pain and function. We retrospectively reviewed 30 patients (53 hands) with symptomatic basal joint arthritis of the thumb between April 2019 and March 2020. Visual analogue scale (VAS) scores for pain, grip strength, and pinch power of both hands and Patient-Rated Wrist/Hand Evaluation (PRWHE) scores were recorded for all patients. Basal joint arthritis was classified according to the modified Eaton-Glickel stage using routine radiographs and the CT scans of SPECT/CT, respectively. The maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) from SPECT/CT was measured in the four peritrapezial joints and the highest uptake was used for analysis.Aims
Methods
The aim of this study was to investigate whether intraoperative 3D fluoroscopic imaging outperforms dorsal tangential views in the detection of dorsal cortex screw penetration after volar plating of an intra-articular distal radial fracture, as identified on postoperative CT imaging. A total of 165 prospectively enrolled patients who underwent volar plating for an intra-articular distal radial fracture were retrospectively evaluated to study three intraoperative imaging protocols: 1) standard 2D fluoroscopic imaging with anteroposterior (AP) and elevated lateral images (n = 55); 2) 2D fluoroscopic imaging with AP, lateral, and dorsal tangential views images (n = 50); and 3) 3D fluoroscopy (n = 60). Multiplanar reconstructions of postoperative CT scans served as the reference standard.Aims
Methods
The aim of the Scaphoid Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Trauma (SMaRT) trial was to evaluate the clinical and cost implications of using immediate MRI in the acute management of patients with a suspected fracture of the scaphoid with negative radiographs. Patients who presented to the emergency department (ED) with a suspected fracture of the scaphoid and negative radiographs were randomized to a control group, who did not undergo further imaging in the ED, or an intervention group, who had an MRI of the wrist as an additional test during the initial ED attendance. Most participants were male (52% control, 61% intervention), with a mean age of 36.2 years (18 to 73) in the control group and 38.2 years (20 to 71) in the intervention group. The primary outcome was total cost impact at three months post-recruitment. Secondary outcomes included total costs at six months, the assessment of clinical findings, diagnostic accuracy, and the participants’ self-reported level of satisfaction. Differences in cost were estimated using generalized linear models with gamma errors.Aims
Patients and Methods
