Injury
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This study aims to compare the mechanical strength of three different posterior-based internal fixation methods for posteromedial tibial plateau fractures. The study utilized 12 tibial plateaus harvested from fresh-frozen cadavers, and the posteromedial fracture fragments were created. The bones were then randomly assigned to one of three fixation methods: two posteroanterior lag screws (LS) size 4.0 mm, posterior buttress plate using a 3.5 mm small dynamic compression plate (DCP), or posterior buttress plate using a 3.5 mm T-shaped plate (TP). ⋯ The statistical analysis demonstrated significantly higher mean load to failure values in the T-shaped plate group compared to both the small dynamic compression plate group and the lag screw group (p < 0.05). However, after conducting further post hoc analysis, the observed significant differences were solely between the LS and TP groups (p = 0.021). These findings suggest that the T-shaped plate represents the most effective method for internally fixing posteromedial tibial plateau fractures.
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Less invasive spine surgery (LISS) has become well-established for thoracolumbar burst fractures without neurological deficits. However, notable controversy persists regarding the adequacy of LISS for more unstable AO type B and C injuries, as it does not allow for formal open fusion. ⋯ For all AO type-B injuries there was substantial agreement to treat these fractures with percutaneous techniques. For AO type-C injuries, the survey results do not support a consensus. Nevertheless, the responses raise important questions about the necessity of spinal fusion for such injuries.
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Modular fluted, tapered stems provide a reliable treatment for Vancouver B2/B3 fractures. Historically, these patients had weightbearing restrictions postoperatively. Although full immediate postoperative weightbearing may provide benefits in this patient population, stem subsidence is a concern. ⋯ Allowing patients to weight bear immediately after revision does not increase stem subsidence. Further studies are needed to determine whether early weightbearing provides a mortality benefit.
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Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) can be difficult to diagnose and are often marginalized when compared to more obvious physical injuries. Despite this, recognition and early treatment can lead to improved outcomes. Even mild TBIs have the potential to cause significant long-term consequences for patients, which may affect their physical recovery from orthopaedic injuries. The objective of this study was to examine the incidence and treatment of TBI within the orthopaedic trauma population. ⋯ Patients presenting after an acute trauma with orthopaedic injuries have high rates of TBI, but low rates of diagnosis and treatment. This lack of diagnosis and treatment can negatively impact recovery from orthopaedic injuries. Orthopaedic providers should be aware of the diagnostic criteria and initial treatment steps for TBI to ensure prompt and effective treatment, which has been shown to improve outcomes.
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Traumatic heterotopic ossification (tHO) refers to the pathological formation of ectopic bone in soft tissues that can occur following burn, neurological ororthopaedic trauma. As completeness and accuracy of medical diagnostic coding can vary based on coding practices and depend on the institutional culture of clinical documentation, it is important to assess diagnostic coding in that local context. To the authors' knowledge, there is no prior study evaluating the accuracy of medical diagnostic coding or specificity of clinical documentation for tHO diagnoses across Western Australia (WA) trauma centres or across the full range of inciting injury and surgical events. ⋯ Coding inaccuracies may, in part, be influenced by insufficiencies in clinical documentation for tHO diagnoses, which may have implications for future research and patient care. Clinicians should consistently employ standardised clinical terminology from the point of care to increase the likelihood of accurate medical diagnostic coding for tHO diagnoses.