The locked knee.

The acute locked knee is an orthopaedic emergency requiring prompt diagnosis and treatment. It can be classified as acute or chronic. The term 'locked knee' refers to a knee that demonstrates fixed flexion or which has a 'block' to complete extension. Some degree of active or passive extension may be achievable, but not full extension. The most frequent causes of a locked knee are a meniscal tear, rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament or loose bodies. Magnetic resonance imaging is the gold standard in diagnostic imaging. Knee arthroscopy is considered the gold standard in management. This article gives an overview of the presentation, assessment and management of the locked knee for core surgical, acute care common stem and emergency medicine trainees.

A Systematic Review of Long-Distance Triathlon Musculoskeletal Injuries.

The distribution of injuries affecting long-distance triathletes is yet to be fully understood. A systematic review was performed of the clinical literature to determine the epidemiology of musculoskeletal injuries affecting long-distance triathletes. Searched databases in Feb 2020 were PubMed, Medline, EMBASE, EMCARE, and CINHAL databases. Published observational research articles related to the incidence or prevalence of musculoskeletal injuries in long-distance triathletes (competing at "Ironman" full distance or greater), written in the English language and not restricted by age or gender or date were eligible. Of the 975 studies identified on the initial search, six studies met the inclusion criteria for analysis. The mean age (SD) of the long-distance triathletes in these studies was 35.1 (2.7) and the range was 21-68 years. Overuse injuries were most frequent with the incidence range of 37-91%, and acute injury incidence range was 24-27%. The knee and spine were the most frequent location of injury. Running and cycling were the most frequently affected disciplines. Elite athletes had a lower incidence of overuse injury (37%). The highest acute injury incidence (27%) was recorded in non-elite athletes. The quality of the studies was relatively poor with only one study satisfying >50% of the quality assessment tool questions and only two studies were prospective, the rest were retrospective cross-sectional studies. Overall, there is a lack of literature reporting on musculoskeletal injuries in long-distance triathletes. Overuse injuries, particularly in the knee, are the most frequently reported, running and cycling are the most frequent disciplines associated. Long-distance triathletes may have a lower incidence of both overuse and acute injuries.

Soft tissue extensor mechanism tendon ruptures of the knee.

Ruptures of the extensor mechanism of the knee are serious injuries requiring prompt diagnosis and treatment. They can be divided into soft tissue and bony causes. Soft tissue tendon injuries can be either partial or complete. Rupture of the quadriceps tendon is an uncommon injury and is more frequent in patients over the age of 40 years. Patella tendon ruptures are even rarer and are more frequent in patients under the age of 40 years. Causes can be direct or indirect. Complete ruptures of the quadriceps tendon or patella tendon benefit from early surgical management, while partial ruptures may be managed non-operatively. This article gives an overview of the presentation, assessment and management of soft tissue extensor mechanism tendon ruptures for core surgical, acute care common stem and emergency medicine trainees.

How a Pandemic Changes Trauma: Epidemiology and Management of Trauma Admissions in the UK during COVID-19 Lockdown.

INTRODUCTION: On June 24 in the United Kingdom, there were 277,989 cases of COVID-19 and 39,369 deaths recorded. The government enforced a complete lockdown on March 23 that resulted in cessation of all elective admissions on 24th onward, with only acute trauma cases being admitted to hospital. This study aims to characterize the changes in trauma admissions during the first 5-week lockdown period. The hypothesis states that there would be a significant reduction in overall orthopedic trauma admissions, polytrauma, and high-energy outdoor trauma during this COVID-19 period. METHODS: All trauma admissions over nearly a 5-week period from March 23, 2020, to April 26, 2020, were collated as the "COVID cohort" and compared to the "control" group of patients from the same hospitals 1 year before between March 23, 2019, and April 26, 2019. Spinal admissions and pediatrics were excluded from the study as they were managed in other regional units. RESULTS: There was a 56% reduction in trauma admissions during the COVID-19 lockdown (133 vs. 304). A majority of the COVID cohort were admitted with fractures (89 vs. 164, P = 0.017, Chi-square test) from home with low-energy falls. Overall, fewer operations were performed than the year before. However, a greater proportion of admitted patients had a surgical orthopedic intervention rather than admission and nonoperative management. CONCLUSIONS: There was a reduction in admissions as well as reductions in high energy and occupational injuries. Elderly patients continued to fall at home or in care, sustaining hip fractures. This vulnerable group requires beds, orthogeriatric management followed by surgical intervention and social care. Orthogeriatric services must be maintained to ensure the best clinical outcomes for this group.

Cattle-Related Trauma: A 5-Year Retrospective Review in a Adult Major Trauma Center.

INTRODUCTION: Bovine injuries are a common and significant cause of trauma, often requiring admission and operative treatment. We review all bovine-related injuries over 5 years, both emergency and general practitioner (GP) referrals at an adult major trauma center in England. METHODS: Retrospective evaluation was undertaken using the keywords through radiology referrals and hospital admissions speciality databases. By searching patient notes, demographics were collected as well as the mechanism and the situation of injury; trauma scores were calculated using: injury severity score (ISS) and probability of survival (Ps19). The results were divided into emergency patients and GP referrals. RESULTS: Sixty-seven patients were identified retrospectively over 5 years, 44 emergency patients (including 23 major traumas), and 23 GP referrals. Combined (emergency and GP) mean age 52 years old; 67% male; and mean ISS 11. Most common combined mechanism of injury, kicked (n = 23). In emergency patients, trampling injuries were the most common. Eighty-six percent of the trampled patients were major traumas and associated with increased ISS (mean 13). Indirect injuries mainly involved farm gates (92%). Seventy-three percent of bull-related injuries were major traumas and had increased ISS scores (mean 17). Orthopaedics was the most common admitting speciality followed by cardiothoracic and neurosurgery. In emergency patients, fractures were the most common primary injury (n = 20), upper limb followed by spine. In GP, soft-tissue injuries were the most common primary injury. Seventy percent of the emergency referrals required admission and 50% operations. Fracture fixation was the most common operative procedure. Only, one GP referral required an operation. There were significant delays in GP patients presenting. Two patients had a Ps19 score <90. There were two mortalities. CONCLUSION: Cattle-related injuries are a significant cause of severe morbidity and mortality. They are under-reported. Patterns of injury are similar to high-velocity road traffic collisions and bull-related injuries or trampling in particular, should alert the clinician to more significant trauma. Farm gates are a frequent cause of trauma associated with cattle. GP referrals with ongoing symptoms for more than 2 weeks seeking medical advice should alert the clinician to a more serious diagnosis.

Total Hip Arthroplasty in the Obese Patient: Tips and Tricks and Review of the Literature.

AIM: There is a lack of consensus on the optimal method of performing primary hip arthroplasty in obese patients and limited evidence. This article presents a series of considerations based on the authors' experiences as well as a review of the literature. PREOPERATIVE CARE: In the preoperative phase, an informed consent process is recommended. Weight loss is recommended according to NHS England guidelines, and body habitus should be taken into account. When templating, steps are taken to avoid overestimating the implant size. SURGICAL PROCEDURE: During the surgical procedure, specialist bariatric equipment is utilised: bariatric beds, extra supports, hover mattresses, longer scalpels, diathermy, cell saver and minimally invasive surgery equipment. Communication with the anaesthetist and surgical team to anticipate is vital. Intraoperative sizing and imaging, if required, should be considered. Pneumatic foot pumps are preferable for VTE prophylaxis. Regional anaesthesia is preferred due to technical difficulty. IV antibiotics and tranexamic acid are recommended. The anterior and posterior surgical approaches are most frequently used; we advocate posterior. Incisions are extensile and a higher offset is considered intraoperatively, as well as dual mobility and constrained liners to reduce dislocation risk. When closing the wound, Charnely button and sponge should be considered as well as negative pressure wound dressings (iNPWTd) and drains. POST-OPERATIVE CONSIDERATIONS: Postoperatively, difficult extubation should be anticipated with ITU/HDU beds available. Epidural anaesthetics for postoperative pain management require higher nursing vigilance. Chemical prophylaxis is recommended. CONCLUSION: Despite being technically more difficult with higher risks, functional outcomes are comparable with patients with a normal BMI.

An analysis of virtual fracture clinics in orthopaedic trauma in the UK during the coronavirus crisis.

Virtual fracture clinics (VFC) are advocated by new orthopaedic (British Orthopaedic Association) and National Health Service (NHS) guidelines in the United Kingdom. We discuss benefits and limitations, reviewing the literature, as well as recommendations on introducing a VFC service during the coronavirus pandemic and into the future.A narrative review identifying current literature on virtual fracture clinic outcomes when compared to traditional model fracture clinics in the UK. We identify nine relevant publications related to VFC.The Glasgow model, initiated in 2011, has become the benchmark. Clinical efficiency can be improved, reducing the number of emergency department (ED) referrals seen in VFC by 15-28% and face-to-face consultations by 65%. After review in the VFC, 33-60% of patients may be discharged. Some studies have shown no negative impact on the ED; the time to discharge was not increased. Patient satisfaction ranges from 91-97% using a VFC service, and there may be cost-saving benefits annually of £67,385 to £212,705. Non-attendance may be reduced by 75% and there are educational opportunities for trainees. However, evidence is limited; 28% of patients prefer face-to-face consultations and not all have access to internet or email (72%).We propose a pathway integrating the VFC model, whilst having senior orthopaedic decision makers available in the ED, during normal working hours, to cope with the pandemic. Beyond the pandemic, evidence suggests the Glasgow model is viable for day-to-day practice. Cite this article: EFORT Open Rev 2020;5:442-448. DOI: 10.1302/2058-5241.5.200041.

Trans-triquetral Perilunate fracture dislocation.

Perilunate dislocations and perilunate fracture dislocations are rare and serious injuries. Perilunate dislocations represent less than 10% of all carpal injuries of which 61% represent transcaphoid fractures. Because of their rarity, up to 25% of perilunate dislocations are initially missed on first assessment. We present the case of a 66-year-old-gentleman who sustained an isolated trans-triquetral perilunate fracture dislocation while walking his dog. This was diagnosed in the emergency department and he underwent open reduction internal fixation after failed attempts at closed reduction in the ED and in theatre under general anaesthesia. After further removal of his Kirschner wires and physiotherapy he is noted to have had a successful outcome with his treatment at 9 months follow up post operatively. We found that this is the first case of it's kind reported in the literature highlighting the rarity of this injury pattern.