Fractures

An overview of bone cement: Perioperative considerations, complications, outcomes and future implications. (2023)

Posted on by

Type of publication:
Journal article

Author(s):
*Patel, Ravi; Mcconaghie, Greg; Webb, Jeremy; Laing, Georgina; *Roach, Richard; Banerjee, Robin.

Citation:
Journal of Perioperative Practice. 2023 May 26. [epub ahead of print]

Abstract:
Polymethyl methacrylate is commonly known as bone cement and is widely used for implant fixation in various orthopaedic arthroplasty and trauma surgery. The first bone cement use in orthopaedics is widely accredited to the famous English surgeon, John Charnley, who in 1958, used it for total hip arthroplasty. Since then, there have been many developments in cementing techniques in arthroplasty surgery. This overview aims to cover the perioperative considerations of bone cement, including cementing techniques, current outcomes and complications such as bone cement implantation syndrome. The overview will additionally consider future developments involving bone cement in orthopaedic arthroplasty.

Is pain properly managed in children presenting with fractures? A retrospective audit of children presenting to the emergency department (2020)

Posted on by

Type of publication:
Conference abstract

Author(s):
*Rafie A

Citation:
British Journal of Surgery; Jun 2020; vol. 107 ; p. 68

Abstract:
Aim: Pain is a common problem in the surgical field, especially when treating children – but how well is it managed, and documented? In this audit we aim to answer a few key questions. Is analgesia administered prehospital? Are pain scores recorded, and re-evaluated? And is analgesia offered and/or administered in the Emergency Department(ED)? Method: A retrospective audit was carried out between two hospitals on 100 patients aged between 5-15 presenting to the ED. A search was carried out using SNOMEDand ICD10 codes, to find patients presenting with fractures – and the ED CAS cards reviewed.
Result(s): The data showed poor compliance between both hospitals – pain scores were seldom recorded, or reevaluated; and in 58% of cases analgesia was not offered and no reason was documented. 28% of patients were given pre-hospital analgesia and only 2% of patients had an analgesia review.
Conclusion(s): Adequate pain management is vital, especially in children – as they often don't self-report pain. The study found that the worst compliance was in documentation of pain scores, and their re-evaluation. However, more concerningly analgesia was only administered in 19% of cases – and in many cases there was no documentation as to why it wasn't offered.

Link to full-text [no password required]

Use of recombinant parathyroid hormone in treatment of bisphosphonate related osteonecrosis leading to spontaneous healing (2019)

Posted on by

Type of publication:
Conference abstract

Author(s):
*Chundoo S.; *Pilkington R.; *Bhatia S.; *Garton M.

Citation:
British Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery; Dec 2019; vol. 57 (no. 10)

Abstract:
Introduction: Case presentation of 61 year old female patient who developed BRONJ (bisphosphonate related osteonecrosis of the jaw) and a pathological triple fracture of the anterior mandible. She had underlying vitamin D deficiency and secondary hypoparathyroidism. She also suffers from anca positive rheumatoid arthritis and is under the active care of rheumatology.
Method(s): Patient was treated with conservative measures which failed to give a good quality of life outcome. Under special license, with involvement from rheumatology, the patient was started on monthly injections of recombinant parathyroid hormone (teriparatide).
Result(s): Over 12-18 months, the serial radiographs reveal bony union of all fracture sites. Patient now has good quality of life and patient is back on disease modifying drugs to control their active rheumatoid arthritis.
Conclusions/Clinical Relevance: Novel approach to using teriparatide for patients with end-stage BRONJ. License of the drug as well as current NICE guidelines for its use and patient specific requirements such as fragility fracture risks age and DEXA scores are also discussed. The action of the drug on osteoblastic formation and bone turnover is discussed. This will help practitioners have another agent to add to their treatment options in treating the effects of BRONJ.

Mortality and burden of cervical spine fractures in the elderly: can we do more? (2017)

Posted on by

Type of publication:
Conference abstract

Author(s):
*Matthew Chan, *Benjamin Chatterton, *David Ford

Citation:
Spine Journal; Mar 2017; vol. 17 (no. 3), S20

Abstract:
BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Cervical spine fractures in the elderly are a significant injury that poses difficult treatment dilemmas. Despite this little has been done to evaluate the mortality and hospital burden. PURPOSE: Evaluate the mortality and hospital burden associated with cervical spine fractures in elderly patients at district general hospitals. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING: 10-year retrospective analysis of patients over the age of 70 presenting with a cervical spine fracture to two district general hospitals. METHODS: The data was collected from documentation on online hospital database systems. Data recorded included patient demographics, injuries sustained including level and mechanism of cervical injury, length of stay and details on inpatient complications, inpatient mortality and one-year mortality. RESULTS: 153 patients were identified with a mean age of 83, and slight female predominance (55%). Mechanical falls (90%) leading to isolated fractures of upper cervical spine, particularly C2 (52%), were the most common site and mechanism of injury. Inpatient mortality was 22.9%, and 1-year mortality was calculated at 35.3%. Inpatient medical complications, particularly chest infections, were common and occurred in 35.9% of patients. Total average length of stay was 18 days, and critical care input was required in 10.5% of patients. CONCLUSIONS: Cervical spine fractures in the elderly cause significant mortality and hospital burden. Medical complications are common, leading to increased morbidity and length of stay. Consideration should be made to develop national guidance akin to hip fractures. This would encourage a multidisciplinary team approach, including early input from medical and physiotherapy teams to ensure more effective treatment and prevention of complications.

Adult distal radius fractures classification systems: essential clinical knowledge or abstract memory testing? (2016)

Posted on by

Type of publication:
Journal article

Author(s):
*Shehovych, A, *Salar, O, *Meyer, Cer, *Ford, D J

Citation:
Annals of the Royal College of Surgeons of England, Nov 2016, vol. 98, no. 8, p. 525-531

Abstract:
Classification systems should be tools for concise communication, which ideally can predict prognosis and guide treatment. They should be relevant, reproducible, reliable, properly validated and most importantly simple to use and understand. There are 15 described distal radius classification systems present in the literature in the past 70 years, of which 8 are discussed in this paper. For each classification, we give an insight into its history, strengths and weaknesses, and provide evidence from the literature on reliability and reproducibility. Sadly, on completion of this paper we have not found a distal radius fracture classification that proved to be useful. Failings range from poor reproducibility and reliability, and over-complexity mainly emanating from the inability to classify this spectrum of injury in all of its manifestations. Consequently, we would suggest that classification systems for acute adult distal radius fractures are not useful clinical knowledge but mainly historical and/or research tools. Moreover, we would discourage trainees from spending time learning these classifications, as they serve not as essential clinical knowledge but more as forms of abstract memory testing.

Brachialis muscle tendon insertion avulsion fracture in a 6-year-old child (2014)

Posted on by

Type of publication:
Journal article

Author(s):
*Crosswell S, *Mbah CA, *Hussain A, *Turner R

Citation:
BMJ Case Reports, 2014, vol./is. 2014/, 1757-790X (2014)

Abstract:
A 6-year-old boy, who fell while playing at school, presented to the fracture clinic with a suspected right distal radius fracture. On examination, the child was tender over the dorsal aspect of the distal radius and also had pain and stiffness around the elbow joint with a lack of the last 25° of elbow flexion. An acute haemarthrosis was also suspected at presentation. Plain anteroposterior (AP) and lateral radiographs of the elbow joint revealed an abnormal calcification superimposed on the anterior aspect of the coronoid process (figure 1A, B), which had not been visualised on plain radiographs in A&E.

Link to more details or full-text: http://casereports.bmj.com/content/2014/bcr-2013-202420.extract