Injury
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Recurrent patellar instability can be a source of continued pain and functional limitation in the young, active patient population. Instability in the setting of an elevated tibial tubercle-trochlear groove (TT-TG) distance can be effectively managed with a tibial tubercle osteotomy. At the present time, clinical outcome data are limited with respect to this surgical approach to patellar instability. ⋯ For the management of recurrent patellar instability in the setting of an increased tibial tubercle-trochlear groove distance, a corrective tibial tubercle osteotomy is an effective treatment modality to reliably prevent patellar instability while reducing pain and improving function in this cohort of young, active patients.
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In a recently published report from the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges, around 20% of clinical practice which encompasses blood science investigations is considered wasteful. Blood tests including liver function tests (LFTs), C-reactive protein (CRP), coagulation screens, and international normalising ratios (INR) are frequently requested for patients who undergo emergency hospital admission. The paucity of guidance available for blood requesting in acute trauma and orthopaedic admissions can lead to inappropriate requesting practices and over investigation. ⋯ Approximate combined total cost of LFT, coagulation/INR, CRP in January £2674.14 and September £1236.19 (-£1437.95, -53.77%). A large decrease was observed in admission requesting and subsequent monitoring (p<0.01) following the implementation. This both significantly reduced cost and venepuncture rates.
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Pre-hospital pelvic stabilisation is advised to prevent exsanguination in patients with unstable pelvic fractures (UPFs). Kendrick's extrication device (KED) is commonly used to extricate patients from cars or crevasses. However the KED has not been tested for potential adverse effects in patients with pelvic fractures. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of the KED on pubic symphysis diastasis (SyD) with and without the use of a trochanteric belt (TB) during the extraction process following a MVC. ⋯ Our study demonstrated that a TB in combination with the KED on UPFs is an effective way to achieve early reduction. The addition of the TB in combination with the KED could be considered for Pre-Hospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS) training protocols.
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Case Reports
Articular osteotomy of the distal humerus and excision of extensive heterotopic ossification.
Prior case series of corrective osteotomy of substantial intra-articular malunion after a fracture of the distal humerus described concomitant heterotopic ossification in a subset of patient, but only in mild forms. We present our experience in treating two patients with malunited articular fractures of the distal humerus with extensive heterotopic ossification and near ankylosis where the lateral articular fragments were encased in heterotopic bone. Although osteotomy of articular malunion after distal humeral fracture along with excision of extensive HO is challenging and risky due to potential devitalization of the fragments, articular deterioration during the delay to osteotomy, and recurrence of heterotopic bone among other concerns, restoring articular congruity in these patients using articular fracture fragments extracted from heterotopic ossification can lead to improved function of the elbow.
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Observational Study
Basal elevated serum calcium phosphate product as an independent risk factor for mortality in patients with fractures of the proximal femur-A 20 year observation study.
Fractures of the proximal femur are a significant cause of mortality and morbidity in the elderly population. Yet predictive marker of unfavourable prognosis are still lacking. Calcium phosphate product is a marker of osteo-renal dysregulation. This study investigated the role of serum calcium phosphate product (SCPP) levels as a prognostic parameter for outcome in those patients. ⋯ Those findings in our study population with 3577 patients over a period of 20 years proved to be, that serum Ca levels may be a good predictor for mortality in patients with fracture of the proximal femur. Further studies are required to evaluate whether these high risk patients might benefit from specific therapeutic measurements. This prognostic factor may help to increase the outcome of elderly patients with a fracture of the proximal femur.