Scott D. Middleton

Patient-Reported Outcomes After Simple Dislocation of the Elbow

BACKGROUND The current study was designed to investigate the epidemiology and long-term clinical and patient-reported outcomes following simple dislocation of the elbow in adults. METHODS We identified all adult patients treated at our trauma center for a simple dislocation of the elbow during a ten-year period. One hundred and forty patients were eligible for review, and 110 (79%) were reviewed at a mean of eighty-eight months (range, sixteen to 171 months) after the injury. This review included clinical examination, the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire, the Oxford elbow questionnaire, and a patient satisfaction questionnaire. RESULTS Patients reported long-term residual deficits in the range of elbow motion. The mean DASH score was 6.7 points (95% confidence interval, 4 to 9 points). The mean Oxford elbow score was 90.3 points (95% confidence interval, 87.8 to 92.9 points). The mean satisfaction score was 85.6 points (95% confidence interval, 82.2 to 89 points). Sixty-two patients (56%) reported residual subjective stiffness of the elbow. Nine patients (8%) reported subjective instability, and sixty-eight (62%) reported residual pain. The satisfaction and DASH scores showed good correlation with absolute range of motion in the injured elbow, as did the overall Oxford elbow score and the pain and function components of that score. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that loss of elbow flexion (p = 0.001) and female sex (p = 0.002) were both independent predictors of a poorer DASH score. Reduced elbow flexion also predicted a poorer score on the function component of the Oxford elbow score (p = 0.02). A reduced flexion-extension arc of motion predicted a poorer overall Oxford elbow score (p = 0.02), a poorer score on the pain component of the Oxford elbow score (p = 0.02), and poorer overall satisfaction (p = 0.005). Female sex predicted a poorer score on the psychosocial component of the Oxford elbow score (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Although patients generally report a favorable long-term functional outcome after simple dislocation of the elbow, these injuries are not entirely benign. The rate of residual pain and elbow stiffness is high. Functional instability is less common and does not often limit activities.

The epidemiology of fractures of the hand and the influence of social deprivation

This study investigates the relationship between the epidemiology of hand fractures and social deprivation. Data were collected prospectively in a single trauma unit serving a well-defined population. The 1382 patients treated for 1569 fractures of the metacarpals or phalanges represented an incidence of hand fracture of 3.7 per 1000 per year for men and 1.3 per 1000 per year for women. Deprivation was not directly associated with the incidence of hand fracture. Common mechanisms of injury are gender specific. Fractures of the little finger metacarpal were common (27% of the total) and were associated with social deprivation in men (P = 0.017). For women, fractures where the mechanism of injury was unclear or the patient was intoxicated and could not recall the mechanism showed a clear association with deprivation. Affluent patients were more likely to receive operative treatment. Social deprivation influences both the pattern and management of hand fractures.

Preventing venous thromboembolism in elective upper limb surgery

BACKGROUND Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) have considerable clinical and economic consequences. The prevention of venous thrombosis and PE are increasingly seen as quality markers for surgery. Guidance is available from a number of sources to stratify risk for different patients and procedures and to define an appropriate standard of care. Despite this, best practice is unclear. METHODS We reviewed the available guidance for orthopedic surgeons undertaking elective upper limb surgery with respect to prescribing DVT prophylaxis. Material was identified from publications produced by professional and regulatory bodies, including United States Surgeon General, United Kingdom Department of Health, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, the Scottish Intercollegiate Guideline Network, the National Institute for Clinical Excellence, and the American College of Chest Physicians, as well as a structured MEDLINE database search. RESULTS The picture is particularly confused in the case of elective upper limb surgery. Much of the evidence for prescribing DVT prophylaxis is related to lower limb surgery or trauma surgery. CONCLUSIONS Failing to prescribe prophylaxis against venous thromboembolism (VTE) may be presented as a failure of care. We present a review of current guidance and the supporting evidence in order to establish evidence-based best practice and a standard of care for elective upper limb surgery. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Review Article.

Total hip replacement in patients with hip fracture: a matched cohort study.

BACKGROUND There is increasing interest in the use of total hip replacement (THR) for reconstruction in patients who have displaced intracapsular hip fractures. Patient selection is important for good outcomes, but criteria have only recently been clearly defined in the form of national guidelines. This study aimed to investigate patient reported outcomes and satisfaction after THR undertaken for displaced hip fractures and to compare these with a matched cohort of patients undergoing contemporaneous THR for osteoarthritis to assess the safety and effectiveness of national clinical guidelines. METHODS One hundred patients were selected for treatment of displaced hip fractures using THR between January 1, 2007, and December 31, 2009. These patients were selected using national guidelines and were matched for age and sex with 300 patients who underwent contemporaneous THR as an elective procedure for osteoarthritis. RESULTS Patients undergoing THR for both fracture and as an elective procedure reported excellent outcomes and satisfaction. Patients with hip fracture had better postoperative Oxford hip scores (p < 0.001) and SF-12 physical component scores (p < 0.001). Mental component scores were poorer for patients with hip fracture (p < 0.001). In this series, the rates of major complications for patients with hip fracture were higher than for elective patients. For patients with hip fracture, the rate of dislocation was 2%, the rate of deep infection was 3%, and early revision operation was required for 2% of patients. The 30-day mortality for patients with hip fracture was zero. Nevertheless, these complication rates are similar to those widely reported in the literature and considered within acceptable limits after elective operation. CONCLUSION For selected patients, THR undertaken for displaced fractures of the hip produces outcomes that are at least equivalent to those achieved after elective operation. Selection is critical to this success, and the extended use of current guidelines is appropriate and safe. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Therapeutic study, level IV.

Black bone disease of the foot. Minocycline related pigmentation.

Black bone disease is a rare manifestation of long term treatment with tetracyclines. We report the case of a patient who underwent surgery for bilateral hallux valgus and was found to have black discolouration of both first rays. This was subsequently related to previous long term Minocycline use. The unique features of this case relate to the location of the discolouration and the normal physical properties of the bone and soft tissues at surgery despite heavy pigmentation. Healing is now complete and follow-up at two years confirmed excellent clinical and radiological outcomes.

Hemiarthroplasty augmented with bone graft for the failed hallux metatarsophalangeal Silastic® implant.

Symptomatic failure of Silastic® implants at the hallux metatarsophalangeal joint can result in the challenging problem of instability which may be painful. There is often marked bone loss making reconstruction difficult. Arthrodesis sacrifices joint movement while excision arthroplasty shortens the ray and is less acceptable to active patients. We describe a case in which reconstruction was achieved by using a porous coated metatarsophalangeal hemiarthroplasty augmented with bone graft with good early results. This previously unreported technique may offer an additional surgical option for reconstruction, maintaining joint movement without compromising future arthrodesis or excision arthroplasty as salvage measures. Long term follow up is required to confirm the success of this technique.

Variability in local pressures under digital tourniquets

The UK National Patient Safety Agency issued a rapid response report in 2009 following reports of complications related to digital tourniquet use and inadvertent retention. In their guidance, they recommend the use of CE marked digital tourniquets and advise against the use of surgical gloves. There are a number of different commercially available non-pneumatic digital tourniquets, but little clear data relating to their comparable physical properties, clinical efficacy or safety. The aim of this study was to investigate the variability of pressures exerted by non-pneumatic digital tourniquets. A Tekscan FlexiForce® force sensor was used to measure applied force and to calculate the surface pressures under: the Toe-niquet™; T-Ring™ and surgical glove ‘roll down’ tourniquets in finger models. The lowest mean pressures were produced by the larger glove sizes (size 8) (25 mmHg), while the highest pressures were produced by the Toe-niquet (1560 mmHg). There was a significant overall difference in pressures exerted under tourniquets when comparing tourniquet type (p<0.001) and finger size (p<0.001) with these techniques. It is difficult to anticipate and regulate pressures generated by non-pneumatic tourniquets. Safe limits for application time and surface pressures are difficult to define. Further work is required to model the pressure effects of commercially available digital tourniquets and to identify which are most effective but safe.

Developing a virtual fracture clinic for hand and wrist injuries

weeks is sufficient (Bloch et al., 2013). Our patient presented characteristic symptoms with lymphadenopathy, fever and inadequate improvement after standard therapy with amoxicillin/clavulanic acid for conventional hand infection. The patient recovered after additional surgical incisions and antibiotic treatment. This rare and dangerous infection should be considered in atypical cases of bites and has to be ruled out by specialized work up.

Open Finger Fractures: Incidence, Patterns of Injury and the Influence of Social Deprivation

BACKGROUND This study investigates the patterns and epidemiology of open finger fractures. There is little good data about these injuries. METHODS Data were collected prospectively in a single trauma unit serving a well-defined population. RESULTS Over a 15 year period 1090 open finger fractures were treated in 1014 patients. These made up the vast majority of open fractures treated in the trauma unit during this period. The incidence of open finger fractures was 14.0 per 100,000 patients per year. Deprivation did not influence the incidence of open finger fractures but did affect treatment choices for women. Most open finger fractures resulted from crush injuries or falls and required only simple operative treatments: debridement, lavage and early mobilization. CONCLUSIONS Open finger fractures formed the majority of the workload of open fractures at our trauma centre but usually required simple treatments only. Social deprivation was not shown to influence the patterns or epidemiology of these injuries but did affect treatment choices for women.

A 37-year-old man with numbness in the hand

A 37-year-old right-handed man presents with a three-month history of worsening tingling, numbness and weakness of the left hand that is beginning to affect his occupation as a manual worker. Examination reveals wasting of the hypothenar eminence and reduced sensation in the little and ring fingers