Elton R Edwards

NO REST FOR THE WOUNDED: EARLY AMBULATION AFTER HIP SURGERY ACCELERATES RECOVERY

Background:u2003 Level 3 evidence‐based guidelines recommend first walk after hip fracture surgery within 48u2003h. Early mobilization is resource and effort intensive and needs rigorous investigation to justify implementation. This study uses a prospective randomized method to investigate the effect of early ambulation (EA) after hip fracture surgery on patient and hospital outcomes.

Predictors of Moderate or Severe Pain 6 Months After Orthopaedic Injury: A Prospective Cohort Study

Objective: To determine predictors of moderate or severe pain 6 months after orthopaedic injury. Design: Prospective cohort study. Setting: Two adult level 1 trauma centers in Victoria, Australia. Participants: A total of 1290 adults admitted with orthopaedic injuries and registered by the Victorian Orthopaedic Trauma Outcomes Registry. Main Outcome Measures: Participant self-reported pain and health status using an 11-point numerical rating scale and the 12-item Short-Form health survey, respectively. Results: The prevalence of moderate or severe pain was 48% [95% confidence interval (CI), 45-51] at discharge and 30% (95% CI, 28-33) at 6 months postinjury. Failure to complete high school [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 1.5 (95% CI, 1.1-1.9)], self-reported preinjury pain-related disability [AOR 1.8 (95% CI, 1.3-2.5)], eligibility for compensation [AOR 2.1 (95% CI, 1.6-2.8)], and moderate or severe pain at discharge from the acute hospital [AOR 2.4 (95% CI, 1.8-3.1)] were found to be independent predictors of moderate or severe pain at 6 months postinjury. Conclusions: Moderate or severe pain is commonly reported 6 months after orthopaedic trauma. Pain intensity at discharge and the effects of a “no-fault” compensation system are potentially modifiable factors that might be addressed through intervention studies to reduce the burden of persistent pain after orthopaedic trauma.

OUTCOMES OF PATIENTS WITH ORTHOPAEDIC TRAUMA ADMITTED TO LEVEL 1 TRAUMA CENTRES

Background:u2003 Although orthopaedic trauma results in significant disability and substantial financial cost, there is a paucity of large cohort studies that collectively describe the functional outcomes of a variety of these injuries. The current study aimed to investigate the outcomes of patients admitted with a range of orthopaedic injuries to adult Level 1 trauma centres.

Unreamed nailing of tibial shaft fractures in multiply injured patients

In a prospective study, 63 tibial shaft fractures were managed by intramedullary nailing with a solid nail inserted without reaming. The patients were followed to union or a definitive outcome (non-union or death). Three patients died early in the post operative course as a result of other injuries. This left 60 nails in the series for complete follow up. Eighty-two per cent of the fractures were the result of motor vehicle accidents, 44 nails were inserted within 72 h of injury. Fifty-six fractures united (93%) at a mean of 21.1 weeks (8-52). There were 4 non-unions among this population of multiply injured patients. All closed fractures united at a mean of 19.5 weeks. Those nailed acutely united at a mean of 16.8 weeks. The open fracture group (classified according to Gustilo and Anderson) included the 4 non-unions (2 type II, 1 type IIIa and 1 type IIIb). A union rate of 86.2% was achieved in these fractures. All type I fractures united. One deep infection occurred in the series. The major complication identified in the current series was failure of the distal cross bolts.

Post-operative numbness and patient satisfaction following plate fixation of clavicular fractures.

INTRODUCTION AND AIMnNumbness across the shoulder and upper chest wall is a frequent complication following plate fixation of clavicular shaft fractures. This is usually attributed to damage to branches of the supraclavicular nerve caused by the surgical approach. We investigate whether the use of an incision perpendicular to the long axis of the clavicle (vertical incision) rather than one parallel to it (horizontal incision) is associated with reduced post-operative numbness and improved patient satisfaction.nnnMETHODSnWe retrospectively assessed a group of patients who underwent plate fixation of a fractured clavicle at our institution. Using a patient-completed questionnaire, we compared differences in numbness, scar satisfaction, pain, and overall satisfaction with the operation, between those who received a horizontal incision (n=21) versus those treated using a vertical incision (n=14).nnnRESULTSnThe likelihood of experiencing post-operative numbness was less in the vertical incision group. Those who had undergone vertical incisions also reported a significantly reduced degree of numbness and significantly less awareness of the numbness with clothing and shoulder straps. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of pain and scar satisfaction. Patients who reported being most bothered by their numbness also tended to report the highest dissatisfaction with the operation.nnnCONCLUSIONnVertical incisions for plate fixation of clavicular shaft fractures may be associated with reduced post-operative numbness and avoid some cases of patient dissatisfaction. Surgeons should consider using this approach in plate fixation of clavicle fractures.

Analysis of bone healing in flail chest injury: do we need to fix both fractures per rib?

BACKGROUND Surgical rib fixation (SRF) for severe rib fracture injuries is generating increasing interest in the medical literature. It is well documented that poorly healed fractured ribs can lead to chronic pain, disability, and deformity. An unanswered question in SRF for flail chest injury is whether it is sufficient to fix one fracture per rib, on successive ribs, thus converting a flail chest injury into simple fractured ribs, or whether both ends of the floating segment of the chest wall should be fixed. This study aimed to analyze SRF in flail chest injury, assessing 3-month outcomes for nonfixed fractured rib ends in the flail segment. METHODS This is a retrospective review (2005–2013) of 60 consecutive patients who underwent SRF for flail chest injury admitted to the Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Australia. Imaging by three-dimensional computed tomography (3D CT) of the chest at admission was compared with follow-up 3D CT at 3 months after injury. The 3-month CT scans were assessed for degree of healing and presence of residual deformity at the fracture fixation site. Follow-up CT was performed in 52 of the 60 patients. RESULTS At 3 months after surgery, 86.5% of the patients had at least partial healing with good alignment and adequate fracture stabilization. Hardware failure was noted in five patients (9.6%) and occurred with the absorbable prostheses only. Six patients who had preoperative overlapping or displacement showed no improvement in deformity despite fixing the lateral fractures. Callus formation and bony bridging between adjacent ribs was often noted in the rib fractures not fixed (28 of 52 patients, 54%) CONCLUSION This retrospective review of 3D CT chest at 3 months after rib fixation indicates that a philosophy of fixing only one fracture per rib in a flail segment does not avoid deformity and displacement, particularly in posterior rib fractures. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Therapeutic study, level V; epidemiologic study, level V.

A description of the severity of equestrian-related injuries (ERIs) using clinical parameters and patient-reported outcomes

INTRODUCTIONnDespite a number of injury prevention campaigns and interventions, horse riding continues to be a dangerous activity, resulting in more accidents per hour than motorcycling, skiing and football. Injuries are often serious, with one in four patients requiring admission to hospital. This study aims to describe the severity of equestrian-related injuries (ERIs) using both clinical parameters and patient-reported outcomes.nnnPATIENTS AND METHODSnA retrospective study of all patients aged ≥18 years admitted to The Alfred Hospital between January 2003 and January 2008 with an ERI was performed. Specific clinical data were extracted from the medical record. In addition, a questionnaire was conducted identifying the details of the accident, the required recovery time and levels of ongoing pain and physical disability.nnnRESULTSnDuring the study period 172 patients met the inclusion criteria. There were three deaths (2%). Eighty-two patients (48%) suffered head injuries. Forty-one patients (24%) were admitted to the ICU and 31 patients (18%) required mechanical ventilation. On discharge, 41 patients (24%) required transfer to a sub-acute rehabilitation facility. One-hundred-and-twenty-four patients (72%) completed the questionnaire. Thirty-nine respondents (31%) were not wearing a helmet. Among patients injured for more than 6 months, 38 (35%) still experienced moderate or severe pain or disability. Ninety-five patients had returned to work at the time of review, among which 47(50%) required longer than 6 months to recover, and 40 (42%) returned at a reduced capacity.nnnCONCLUSIONSnThe clinical and patient-reported outcomes of ERIs requiring hospital admission are poor. Persistent pain and disability are common, even up to 5 years post-injury. A large proportion of patients required longer than 6 months to return to work and many return at a reduced capacity.

Complications associated with operative fixation of acute midshaft clavicle fractures

INTRODUCTIONnThe aim of this study was to review the complication rate and profile associated with surgical fixation of acute midshaft clavicle fracture in a large cohort of patients treated in a level I trauma centre.nnnPATIENTS AND METHODSnWe identified all patients who underwent surgical treatment of acute midshaft clavicle fracture between 2002 and 2010. The study group consisted of 138 fractures (134 patients) and included 107 men (78%) and 31 women (22%); the median age of 35 years (interquartile range (IQR) 24-45). The most common mechanism of injury was a road traffic accident (78%). Sixty percent (n=83) had an injury severity score of ≥15 indicating major trauma. The most common fracture type (75%) was simple or wedge comminuted (2B1) according to the Edinburgh classification. The median interval between the injury and operation was 3 days (IQR 1-6). Plate fixation was performed in 110 fractures (80%) and intramedullary fixation was performed in 28 fractures (20%). There were 85 men and 25 women in the plate fixation group with median age of 35 years (IQR 25-45) There were 22 men and six women in the intramedullary fixation group with median age of 31 years (IQR 24-42 years). Statistical analysis was performed using independent sample t test, Mann Whitney test, and Chi square test. Significant P-value was <0.05.nnnRESULTSnThe overall incidence of complication was 14.5% (n=20). The overall nonunion rate was 6%. Postoperative wound infection occurred in 3.6% of cases. The incidence of complication associated with plate fixation was 10% (11 of 110 cases) compared to 32% associated with intramedullary fixation (nine of 28 cases; P=0.003). Thirty-five percent of complications were related to inadequate surgical technique and were potentially avoidable. Symptomatic hardware requiring removal occurred in 23% (n=31) of patients. Symptomatic metalware was more frequent after plate fixation compared to intramedullary fixation (26% vs 7%, P=0.03).nnnCONCLUSIONSnIntramedullary fixation of midshaft clavicle fracture is associated with a higher incidence of complications. Plate fixation is associated with a higher rate of symptomatic metalware requiring removal compared to intramedullary fixation. Approximately one in three complications may be avoided by attention to adequate surgical technique.

Management and functional outcomes following sternoclavicular joint dislocation

INTRODUCTIONnThe aim of this study is to describe the demographics, management and functional outcomes of patients presenting with a sternoclavicular joint (SCJ) dislocation.nnnMETHODSnA retrospective medical record review was conducted examining patients with SCJ dislocation admitted to an adult level 1 trauma centre between 2004 and 2012. Patient demographics, symptoms, associated injuries, imaging technique used in diagnosis, surgical data and neurovascular complications were recorded. Patients received a single-page questionnaire to assess physical function using two validated shoulder questionnaires.nnnRESULTSnA total of 22 patients were identified, out of which 77% sustained a posterior dislocation. Mean age was 30 years (range 16-65), and the most common cause of injury was a direct blow during sport (n=11). Open reduction and internal fixation were performed in 13 patients, definitive closed reduction used in seven and two patients were managed expectantly. Functional outcomes for patients were excellent, with American Shoulder and Elbow Society (ASES) and Subjective Shoulder Value (SSV) scores >80 in 87.5% of cases. There were preoperative symptoms consistent with mediastinal compression in 50% and one delayed presentation with thoracic outlet syndrome. No patient had neurovascular compromise or functional deficit post-operatively, regardless of joint congruency.nnnCONCLUSIONnThis is the largest case series from a single institution currently available examining SCJ dislocation. We recommend an initial trial of closed reduction, followed by open reduction and internal fixation if there is joint instability or malreduction. Functional outcome following both closed and open reduction of the SCJ is excellent.

Discharge from the acute hospital: trauma patients’ perceptions of care

Objective The involvement of orthopaedic trauma patients in the decision-making regarding discharge destination from the acute hospital and their perceptions of the care following discharge are poorly understood. The aim of the present study was to investigate orthopaedic trauma patient experiences of discharge from the acute hospital and transition back into the community. Methods The present qualitative study performed in-depth interviews, between October 2012 and November 2013, with patients aged 18-64 years with lower limb trauma. Thematic analysis was used to derive important themes. Results Ninety-four patients were interviewed, including 35 discharged to in-patient rehabilitation. Key themes that emerged include variable involvement in decision-making regarding discharge, lack of information and follow-up care on discharge and varying opinions regarding in-patient rehabilitation. Readiness for discharge from in-patient rehabilitation also differed widely among patients, with patients often reporting being ready for discharge before the planned discharge date and feeling frustration at the need to stay in in-patient care. There was also a difference in patients perception of the factors leading to recovery, with patients discharged to rehabilitation more commonly reporting external factors, such as rehabilitation providers and physiotherapy. Conclusion The insights provided by the participants in the present study will help us improve our discharge practice, especially the need to address the concerns of inadequate information provision regarding discharge and the role of in-patient rehabilitation. What is known about the topic? There is no current literature describing trauma patient involvement in decision-making regarding discharge from the acute hospital and the perception of how this decision (and destination choice; e.g. home or in-patient rehabilitation) affects their outcome. What does this paper add? The present large qualitative study provides information on patients opinion of discharge from the acute hospital following trauma and how this could be improved from their perception. Patients are especially concerned with the lack of information provided to them on discharge, their lack of involvement and understanding of the choices made with regard to their discharge and describe concerns regarding their follow-up care. There is also a feeling from the patients that they are ready to leave rehabilitation before their actual planned discharge date, a concept that needs further investigation. What are the implications for practitioners? The patient insights gained by the present study will lead to a change in discharge practice, including increased involvement of the patient in the decision-making in terms of discharge from both the acute and rehabilitation hospitals and a raised awareness of the need to provide written information and follow-up telephone calls to patients following discharge. Further research into many aspects of patient discharge from the acute hospital should be considered, including the use of rehabilitation prediction tools to ensure patient involvement in decision-making and a discharge and/or follow-up coordinator to ensure patients are aware of how to access information after discharge.