The management of open fractures requires wound irrigation and débridement to remove contaminants, but the effectiveness of various pressures and solutions for irrigation remains controversial. We ...investigated the effects of castile soap versus normal saline irrigation delivered by means of high, low, or very low irrigation pressure.
In this study with a 2-by-3 factorial design, conducted at 41 clinical centers, we randomly assigned patients who had an open fracture of an extremity to undergo irrigation with one of three irrigation pressures (high pressure >20 psi, low pressure 5 to 10 psi, or very low pressure 1 to 2 psi) and one of two irrigation solutions (castile soap or normal saline). The primary end point was reoperation within 12 months after the index surgery for promotion of wound or bone healing or treatment of a wound infection.
A total of 2551 patients underwent randomization, of whom 2447 were deemed eligible and included in the final analyses. Reoperation occurred in 109 of 826 patients (13.2%) in the high-pressure group, 103 of 809 (12.7%) in the low-pressure group, and 111 of 812 (13.7%) in the very-low-pressure group. Hazard ratios for the three pairwise comparisons were as follows: for low versus high pressure, 0.92 (95% confidence interval CI, 0.70 to 1.20; P=0.53), for high versus very low pressure, 1.02 (95% CI, 0.78 to 1.33; P=0.89), and for low versus very low pressure, 0.93 (95% CI, 0.71 to 1.23; P=0.62). Reoperation occurred in 182 of 1229 patients (14.8%) in the soap group and in 141 of 1218 (11.6%) in the saline group (hazard ratio, 1.32, 95% CI, 1.06 to 1.66; P=0.01).
The rates of reoperation were similar regardless of irrigation pressure, a finding that indicates that very low pressure is an acceptable, low-cost alternative for the irrigation of open fractures. The reoperation rate was higher in the soap group than in the saline group. (Funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and others; FLOW ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00788398.).
High loss-to-follow-up rates are a risk in even the most rigorously designed randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Consequently, predicting and preventing loss to follow-up are important ...methodological considerations. We hypothesized that certain baseline characteristics are associated with a greater likelihood of patients being lost to follow-up. Our primary objective was to determine which baseline characteristics are associated with loss to follow-up within 12 months after an open fracture in adult patients participating in the Fluid Lavage of Open Wounds (FLOW) trial. We also present strategies to reduce loss to follow-up in trauma trials.
Data for this study were derived from the FLOW trial, a funded trial in which payments to clinical sites were tied to participant retention. We conducted a binary logistic regression analysis with loss to follow-up as the dependent variable to determine participant characteristics associated with a higher risk of loss to follow-up.
Complete data were available for 2,381 of 2,447 participants. One hundred and sixty-three participants (6.7%) were lost to follow-up. Participants who received treatment in the U.S. were more likely to be lost to follow-up than those who received treatment in other countries (odds ratio OR = 3.56, 95% confidence interval CI: 2.46 to 5.17, p < 0.001). Male sex (OR = 1.75, 95% CI: 1.15 to 2.67, p = 0.009), current smoking (OR = 1.82, 95% CI: 1.28 to 2.58, p = 0.001), high-risk alcohol consumption (OR = 1.88, 95% CI: 1.16 to 3.05, p = 0.010), and an age of <30 years (OR = 2.16, 95% CI: 1.19 to 3.95, p = 0.012) all significantly increased the odds of a patient being lost to follow-up. Conversely, participants who had sustained polytrauma (OR = 0.52, 95% CI: 0.37 to 0.73, p < 0.001) or had a Gustilo-Anderson type-IIIA, B, or C fracture (OR = 0.60, 95% CI: 0.38 to 0.94, p = 0.024) had lower odds of being lost to follow-up.
Using a number of strategies, we were able to reduce the loss-to-follow-up rate to <7%. Males, current smokers, young participants, participants who consumed a high-risk amount of alcohol, and participants in the U.S. were more likely to be lost to follow-up even after these strategies had been employed; therefore, additional strategies should be developed to target these high-risk participants.
This study highlights an important need to develop additional strategies to minimize loss to follow-up, including targeted participant-retention strategies. Male sex, an age of <30 years, current smoking, high-risk alcohol consumption, and treatment in a developed country with a predominantly privately funded health-care system increased the likelihood of participants being lost to follow-up. Therefore, strategies should be targeted to these participants. Use of the planning and prevention strategies outlined in the current study can minimize loss to follow-up in orthopaedic trials.
The Epidemiology of Metatarsal Fractures Petrisor, Brad A.; Ekrol, Ingri; Court-Brown, Charles
Foot & ankle international,
03/2006, Letnik:
27, Številka:
3
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Background: Metatarsal fractures are common injuries; however little has been written regarding their epidemiology in an adult population. Methods: All patients with metatarsal fractures during a ...1-year time period were included in the study. Demographic information, grade, and mechanism of injury, associated injuries, and fracture location and type were recorded. Results: Three hundred and fifty-five patients with 411 metatarsal fractures were identified. The average age of the patients was 42 years. There was a higher proportion of women in the higher age groups, and the most common fracture was that of the fifth metatarsal. Multiple metatarsal fractures occurred in contiguous metatarsals, and 63% of third metatarsal fractures were associated with a fracture of either the second or fourth metatarsal. Conclusion: Knowledge of the epidemiology and injury patterns of metatarsal fractures can aid in the accurate identification and subsequent treatment of fractures of the metatarsals.
We sought to evaluate whether tourniquet use, with the resultant ischemia and reperfusion, during surgical treatment of an open lower-extremity fracture was associated with an increased risk of ...complications.
This is a retrospective cohort study of 1,351 patients who had an open lower-extremity fracture at or distal to the proximal aspect of the tibia and who participated in the FLOW (Fluid Lavage of Open Wounds) trial. The independent variable was intraoperative tourniquet use, and the primary outcome measures were adjudicated unplanned reoperation within 1 year of the injury and adjudicated nonoperative wound complications.
Unplanned reoperation and nonoperative wound complications were roughly even between the no-tourniquet (18.7% and 19.1%, respectively) and tourniquet groups (17.8% and 20.8%) (p = 0.78 and p = 0.52). Following matching, as determined by model interactions, tourniquet use was a significant predictor of unplanned reoperation in Gustilo Type-IIIA (odds ratio, 3.60; 95% confidence interval, 1.16 to 11.78) and IIIB fractures (odds ratio, 16.61; 95% confidence interval, 2.15 to 355.40).
The present study showed that tourniquet use did not influence the likelihood of complications following surgical treatment of an open lower-extremity fracture. However, in cases of severe open fractures, tourniquet use was associated with increased odds of unplanned reoperation; surgeons should be cautious with regard to tourniquet use in this setting.
Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Injury in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Training Petrisor, Brad A.; Del Fabbro, Gina; Madden, Kim ...
Sports health,
09/2019, Letnik:
11, Številka:
5
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Odprti dostop
Background:
Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) is a grappling-based martial art that can lead to injuries both in training and in competition. There is a paucity of data regarding injuries sustained while ...training in BJJ, in both competitive and noncompetitive jiu-jitsu athletes.
Hypothesis:
We hypothesize that most BJJ practitioners sustain injuries to various body locations while in training and in competition. Our primary objective was to describe injuries sustained while training for BJJ, both in practice and in competition. Our secondary objectives were to classify injury type and to explore participant and injury characteristics associated with wanting to quit jiu-jitsu after injury.
Study Design:
Descriptive epidemiology study.
Methods:
We conducted a survey of all BJJ participants at a single club in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. We developed a questionnaire including questions on demographics, injuries in competition and/or training, treatment received, and whether the participant considered discontinuing BJJ after injury.
Results:
A total of 70 BJJ athletes participated in this study (response rate, 85%). Ninety-one percent of participants were injured in training and 60% of competitive athletes were injured in competitions. Significantly more injuries were sustained overall for each body region in training in comparison with competition (P < 0.001). Two-thirds of injured participants required medical attention, with 15% requiring surgery. Participants requiring surgical treatment were 6.5 times more likely to consider quitting compared with those requiring other treatments, including no treatment (odds ratio OR, 6.50; 95% CI, 1.53-27.60). Participants required to take more than 4 months off training were 5.5 times more likely to consider quitting compared with those who took less time off (OR, 5.48; 95% CI, 2.25-13.38).
Conclusion:
The prevalence of injury is very high among BJJ practitioners, with 9 of 10 practitioners sustaining at least 1 injury, commonly during training. Injuries were primarily sprains and strains to fingers, the upper extremity, and neck. Potential participants in BJJ should be informed regarding significant risk of injury and instructed regarding appropriate precautions and safety protocols.
Clinical Relevance:
Clinicians should be aware of the substantial risk of injury among BJJ practitioners and the epidemiology of the injuries as outlined in this article.
Abstract Functional health outcome measures are increasingly being used in both clinica trials and practice as measures of patient health. Whilst outcome measures can be generic, there are a number ...of foot and ankle specific measures available and in use. These are being used as not only region specific but also disease specific measures of patient function. Unfortunately not all of these outcome measures have been completely validated which leads to challenges in applying the results of outcomes research to specific patients. Continued work however is being done in this area and these challenges provide opportunities for further investigation into the role of functional outcome scores specific to the foot and ankle.
Introduction
Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a serious global issue that results in a large number of injuries and deaths among women. Educating clinicians about IPV can help providers identify, ...prevent, and treat victims, and, ultimately, improve care for victims of abuse. We sought to determine the effect of a half-day educational course on IPV for orthopaedic surgical trainees on knowledge and attitudes.
Questions/purposes
We asked (1) whether a half-day educational course on IPV can improve orthopaedic surgical trainees’ knowledge and (2) attitudes regarding IPV; and (3) whether a course on IPV can be accepted and viewed as valuable by trainees?
Methods
Using published research on IPV in patients with musculoskeletal injuries, we developed a half-day educational course. The curriculum included lectures and discussion regarding the basics of IPV, the current state of IPV research, what to do when a patient is a victim or perpetrator, and the orthopaedic surgeon’s role in recognizing, preventing, and assisting with IPV. All 33 course participants (30 men and three women), all orthopaedic surgical trainees, completed a questionnaire that included general true or false or agree or disagree statements regarding their knowledge, attitudes, and practices of IPV in the musculoskeletal setting; the questionnaire also included a knowledge test of 25 true or false statements. The questionnaire was administered immediately before, immediately after, and 3 months after the course; 76% (25 of 33) took the test immediately after the course and 82% (27 of 33) completed the test at 3 months. Participant knowledge scores were compared across the three different times to determine the effect of the course.
Results
Participants increased their knowledge after the course, and the increased knowledge was retained at retesting at 3 months; the mean percentage of correct answers before the course was 57%, which increased to 73% after the course, and was 68% 3 months later (F = 9.505; p = 0.001). Before the course, most of the course participants (30 of 32; 94%) agreed that IPV is an important issue; agreement increased to 100% immediately after the course. The largest change in attitude was in response to the statement: “I am skeptical that the health care system has the resources to screen for IPV.” Before the course, 53% (17 of 32) of trainees endorsed this statement, but the percent decreased to 36% (nine of 25) after the course and remained low at 33% (nine of 27), at the 3-month test.
Conclusions
Our findings show that a short course on IPV in patients with musculoskeletal injuries led to an improvement and retention of knowledge 3 months after the course. Based on our findings, we recommend that IPV education be integrated in training programs for orthopaedic surgeons. Future projects should focus on developing and implementing a sustainable education program that can affect practice for healthcare professionals and trainees in multiple clinical settings.
This study evaluated the effectiveness and safety of bone growth stimulation using combined magnetic field (CMF) for the treatment of fracture nonunions. In this prospective multicenter study, ...patients were assessed monthly for 9 mo, or until they demonstrated a healed nonunion, and were assessed at a final follow-up 3 mo after treatment completion. The primary outcome was the presence or absence of fracture healing at the nonunion site, determined by clinical and radiographic assessment. Enrolled in this study were 112 patients with 116 fracture nonunions. Fifty-two (44.8%) patients demonstrated a healed nonunion between treatment initiation and 12-mo- posttreatment initiation (9 mo of treatment plus 3 mo posttreatment follow-up). Tibial nonunions had a higher percentage of healed fractures compared to other fracture types (78% vs. 46.5%, respectively; p = 0.004). This study demonstrated that noninvasive CMF technology healed 78% of tibial fracture nonunions and 45% of all fracture nonunions (p = 0.004). Additionally, pain at rest, with stress, and on weight bearing all decreased following treatment with CMF, with no adverse events reported. These results indicate that CMF is a beneficial noninvasive treatment modality for nonunions.
Background: Identifying optimal treatment strategies in patients with traumatic foot and ankle injuries has been hampered by the use of multiple available outcome measures with unproven reliability ...and validity. This prospective observational study aimed to measure the correlation between six functional outcome measures in patients with traumatic foot and ankle injuries. Materials and Methods: Patients 18 years of age or older with a traumatic foot or ankle injury completed the Short Form-12 (SF-12), Short Musculoskeletal Functional Assessment (SMFA), Foot Function Index (FFI), Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM), American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS), Foot and Ankle Questionnaire and American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Ankle-Hindfoot Scale at a single followup visit. Raw scores for each of the outcome measures were calculated. Fifty-two patients were enrolled in our study. Pearson correlation coefficients provided measures of correlation. Results: Moderate to strong correlations were found for most pairwise comparisons of raw scores and functional categorical rankings (ρ = |0.5243 to 0.92|, p < 0.002). The strongest correlations were found between the SMFA, FFI, FAAM and AAOS Foot and Ankle Questionnaire. Conclusion: High correlations between scores on six commonly used functional outcome instruments suggest it is likely unnecessary to use more than one instrument when examining functional outcome in patients with traumatic foot and ankle injuries. However, inconsistencies between measures in the same patient population suggest a need for further validation and scrutiny.
Level of Evidence: IV, Retrospective Case Series
Fat embolism syndrome is a condition of acute respiratory distress following long-bone trauma. This condition may involve not only the lungs but also a number of other body systems. The ...pathophysiology is not as yet clearly understood, however, intravasation of fat from long-bone fractures may play a role. Early recognition of the severity of injury both on clinical and biochemical grounds and early surgical stabilization of long bones may help to decrease its incidence. However, the best surgical technique with which to do this stabilization has not yet been clearly determined. Surgical and pharmacological techniques have been developed in an attempt to either decrease the intravasation of fat during long-bone stabilization or block the inflammatory cascade with varying degrees of efficacy. Ongoing research focuses on both the prevention and treatment of this condition.
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