Long-Term Follow-up (14 to 25 Years) Following Closed Reduction and Early Movement for Simple Dislocation of the Elbow.

BACKGROUND: We have previously reported on the midterm outcomes after a nonoperative protocol to treat simple dislocations of the elbow that included a short period of splinting followed by early movement. We have now performed extended follow-up of the original patient group from the prior study to determine whether the excellent results that previously had been reported were maintained in the long term and also to determine the rate of and need for any late surgical intervention. METHODS: We attempted to contact all of the patients from the original study group. We requested that they complete the Oxford Elbow Score (OES) survey, the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire, and a validated patient satisfaction questionnaire. Patients also were requested to attend a face-to-face assessment to have a clinical examination that included neurovascular, range-of-motion, and ligamentous stability assessments. RESULTS: Seventy-one patients from the original patient group agreed to participate in the new study. The mean duration of follow-up was 19.3 years. At the time of the final follow-up, patients reported excellent functional outcome scores and a preserved functional range of movement in the injured elbow. The mean OES was 91.6 points, the mean DASH score was 5.22 points, and the mean satisfaction score was 90.9 points. None of the patients had undergone delayed or secondary surgery for instability during the interval period. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that the original excellent outcomes following treatment with a protocol of a short period of splinting and early movement remained excellent and were maintained into the very long term. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level IV . See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Acute Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Early Nerve Decompression and Surgical Stabilization for Bony Wrist Trauma.

We undertook this study to investigate the outcomes of surgical treatment for acute carpal tunnel syndrome following our protocol for concurrent nerve decompression and skeletal stabilization for bony wrist trauma to be undertaken within 48 hours. Methods: We identified all patients treated at our trauma center following this protocol between January 1, 2014 and December 31, 2019. All patients were clinically reviewed at least 12 months after surgery and assessed using the Brief Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire, the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire, and sensory assessment with Semmes-Weinstein monofilament testing. Results: The study group was made up of 35 patients. Thirty-three patients were treated within 36 hours. Patients treated with our unit protocol for early surgery comprising nerve decompression and bony stabilization within 36 hours report excellent outcomes at medium term follow-up. Conclusions: We propose that nerve decompression and bony surgical stabilization should be undertaken as soon as practically possible once the diagnosis is made. This is emergent treatment to protect and preserve nerve function. In our experience, the vast majority of patients were treated within 24 hours; however, where a short period of observation was required, excellent results were generally achieved when treatment was completed within 36 hours.

Patterns of injury and treatment for distal radius fractures at a major trauma centre.

AIMS: Fractures of the distal radius are common, and form a considerable proportion of the trauma workload. We conducted a study to examine the patterns of injury and treatment for adult patients presenting with distal radius fractures to a major trauma centre serving an urban population. METHODS: We undertook a retrospective cohort study to identify all patients treated at our major trauma centre for a distal radius fracture between 1 June 2018 and 1 May 2021. We reviewed the medical records and imaging for each patient to examine patterns of injury and treatment. We undertook a binomial logistic regression to produce a predictive model for operative fixation or inpatient admission. RESULTS: Overall, 571 fractures of the distal radius were treated at our centre during the study period. A total of 146 (26%) patients required an inpatient admission, and 385 surgical procedures for fractures of the distal radius were recorded between June 2018 and May 2021. The most common mechanism of injury was a fall from a height of one metre or less. Of the total fractures, 59% (n = 337) were treated nonoperatively, and of those patients treated with surgery, locked anterior-plate fixation was the preferred technique (79%; n = 180). CONCLUSION: The epidemiology of distal radius fractures treated at our major trauma centre replicated the classical bimodal distribution described in the literature. Patient age, open fractures, and fracture classification were factors correlated with the decision to treat the fracture operatively. While most fractures were treated nonoperatively, locked anterior-plate fixation remains the predominant method of fixation for fractures of the distal radius; this is despite questions and continued debate about the best method of surgical fixation for these injuries.Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2022;3(8):623-627.

The Perceptions and Experience of Surgical Trainees Related to Patient Safety Improvement and Incident Reporting: Structured Interviews With 612 Surgical Trainees.

Background We undertook a prospective qualitative study to ascertain the perceptions and experience of trainee doctors in the first two years of formal core surgical training related to patient safety improvement and incident reporting. We sought to explore the beliefs, knowledge and opinions of core surgical trainees related to patient safety improvement, their understanding of existing patient safety initiatives and their experience and attitudes to incident reporting. Methods We identified 1133 doctors in formal core surgical training posts in the United Kingdom at this time, and we contacted these doctors to invite them to participate in our study. We received responses from 687 (60.6%) core surgical trainees, and 612 trainees (54%) agreed to participate. The study participants underwent an interview using structured questions asked by trained assessors with an opportunity to explore any particular themes identified by the trainee in more detail. Qualitative data related to the knowledge, experience and perceptions of safety improvement and incident reporting were collected. Results Overall, 163 surgical trainees (26.6%) reported that they felt that they could impact patient safety positively. A total of 222 trainees (36.3%) had been involved in or witnessed an adverse patient safety event, while 509 trainees (83.2%) reported that they had witnessed a 'near-miss' event. Only 81 trainees (13.2%) had submitted a patient safety report at some point in their career. In addition, 536 trainees (87.6%) reported that they considered a patient safety or incident report to be 'negative' or 'seriously negative' and that they would be discouraged from making these because of the negative connotations associated with them. Of the 81 core surgical trainees who had submitted a patient safety report, only nine trainees (11.1%) reported that they had received a meaningful reply and update following their report. Several themes were identified during the interviews in response to open questions. These included a perception that patient safety improvement is the responsibility of senior surgeons and managers and that surgical trainees did not feel empowered to influence patient safety improvement. Trainees expressed the view that incident reporting reflected negatively on clinicians and the standard of care provided, and there were reports of culture based on blame and the fear of litigation or complaints. Surgical trainees did not feel that incident reporting was an effective tool for patient safety improvement, and those trainees who had made patient safety reports felt that these did not result in change and that they often received no feedback. Conclusions Core surgical trainees report that they are not well engaged in patient safety improvement and that their perceptions and experience of incident reporting are not positive. This represents a missed opportunity. We suggest that in order to recruit the surgical workforce to the improvement work and learning associated with patient safety, opportunities for focused education, training and culture change are needed from the early years of surgical training. In addition, improvements to the processes and systems that allow trainees to engage with safety improvement are needed in order to make these more user-friendly and accessible.

Repeat limited fasciectomy is a safe and effective treatment for recurrence of Dupuytren's disease.

AIMS: The results of surgery for Dupuytren's disease can be compromised by the potential for disease recurrence and loss of function. Selecting which patients will benefit from repeat surgery, when to operate, and what procedure to undertake requires judgement and an understanding of patient expectations and functional needs. We undertook this study to investigate patient outcomes and satisfaction following repeat limited fasciectomy for recurrent Dupuytren's disease. METHODS: We prospectively identified all patients presenting with recurrence of Dupuytren's disease who were selected for surgical treatment with repeat limited fasciectomy surgery between January 2013 and February 2015. Patients were assessed preoperatively, and again at a minimum of five years postoperatively. We identified 43 patients who were carefully selected for repeat fasciectomy involving 54 fingers. Patients with severe or aggressive disease with extensive skin involvement were not included; in our practice, these patients are instead counselled and preferentially treated with dermofasciectomy. The primary outcome measured was change in the Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire (MHQ) score. Secondary outcomes were change in finger range of motion, flexion contracture, Semmes-Weinstein monofilament (SWM) values, and overall satisfaction. RESULTS: There was a significant improvement in MHQ scores, across all domains, with a mean overall score increase of 24 points (p < 0.001). The summed flexion contracture across the metacarpophalangeal joint (MCPJ) and the proximal interphalangeal joint (PIPJ) reduced from means of 72.0° (SD 15.9°) to 5.6° (SD 6.8°) (p < 0.001). A significant increase in maximal flexion was seen at the MCPJ (p < 0.001) but not the PIPJ (p = 0.550). The mean overall satisfaction score from the visual analogue scale was 8.9 (7.9 to 10.0). Complications were uncommon although five fingers showed reduced sensibility at final follow-up. CONCLUSION: Our study shows that repeat limited fasciectomy for selected patients presenting with recurrence of Dupuytren's disease can be an effective and safe treatment resulting in excellent patient-reported outcomes and levels of satisfaction. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2021;103-B(5):946-950.

The perception of patient safety in an alternate site of care for elective surgery during the first wave of the novel coronavirus pandemic in the United Kingdom: a survey of 158 patients.

BACKGROUND: We undertook a prospective qualitative survey to ascertain the perceptions and experience of National Health Service patients in the United Kingdom who underwent planned or elective procedures and surgery at alternate 'clean' hospital sites during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. These alternate 'clean' hospital sites were independent hospitals running active staff and patient testing programmes for COVID-19 and which did not admit or treat patients suffering with COVID-19. METHODS: A prospective survey was undertaken to include patients at least 30 days after a planned surgery or procedure conducted at a 'clean' alternate hospital site during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study was conducted using structured interviews undertaken by trained assessors. A 20% sample group of patients were randomly selected to participate in this study. Qualitative data related to confidence, safety and perceptions of safety were collected. RESULTS: Ninety-five patients (60%) reported that they had prior worries or concerns about undergoing an elective procedure during the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 47 patients (30%) had delayed their surgery at least once because of these concerns. A total of 150 patients (95%) felt that the precautions in place to protect their safety in the setting of an alternate 'clean' hospital site were well thought out and proportionate. Patients reported high levels of confidence in the measures undertaken. Separation of patient pathways using the independent sector and patient testing were identified by patients as having the greatest impact on their perception of safety. CONCLUSIONS: Patient confidence will be key to ensuring uptake of planned and elective procedures and surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic. Perceptions of safety will be key to this confidence and efforts to demonstrably enhance safety are well received by patients. In particular, patients felt that a dedicated programme of patient testing and separation of patient pathways provided the greatest levels of confidence in the safety of their treatment.

Surgery with the Motec total wrist replacement: learning from earlier designs.

The design of and applications for wrist arthroplasty continue to evolve but lag behind the results for hip and knee arthroplasty with respect to demonstrable durability and effectiveness. As we develop our knowledge, experience and the indications for wrist replacement surgery, it is important that we learn from past design and surgical experience. We report the case of a female patient treated with a Motec cementless metal-on-metal wrist replacement (Swemac Orthopaedics AB, Linköping, Sweden) for post-traumatic arthritis of the radiocarpal joint. Based on our experience with this case and others, we make two specific technical recommendations to improve the success and longevity of this implant.

Day case locked anterior plating for distal radial fractures is safe with uninterrupted antithrombotic therapy.

We undertook a matched prospective cohort study over a 4-year period to examine the safety of continuing the administration of regular antithrombotic treatment with warfarin, clopidogrel or aspirin during day case surgical fixation of distal radial fractures. One hundred and one patients were identified and consented to participate in this study. There was only one reported complication: a superficial wound infection treated with antibiotics. No episodes of excessive bleeding were noted intraoperatively. All patients were discharged home on the day of surgery and there were no episodes of readmission, significant bleeding, haematoma requiring intervention, compartment syndrome or wound dehiscence. Complication rates were comparable with those of the matched cohort of patients undergoing the same procedure but who were not taking antithrombotic medications.Level of evidence: IV.

Surgical fixation of fractures of the distal radius within 2 weeks reduces postoperative finger stiffness.

Locked anterior plating remains the most common form of surgical fixation for displaced fractures of the distal radius. We hypothesized that delayed surgical fixation later than 2 weeks after injury contributes to poorer patient outcomes for patients with displaced or intra-articular fractures of the distal radius. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 158 patients who underwent locked anterior plating for an intra-articular or displaced fracture of the distal radius using multiple regression analysis to identify any relationship between patient, injury or treatment factors with the patient-rated wrist and hand evaluation score or finger and wrist stiffness. There was no significant correlation between timing of surgery and functional scores. A delay in time to surgery of more than 2 weeks did correlate significantly with increased finger and thumb stiffness. However, this relationship was not seen for wrist stiffness. Our study supports the consensus that early recovery and function is facilitated by surgical fixation within 2 weeks and that delayed fixation beyond this may contribute to protracted finger stiffness.Level of evidence: IV.

Joystick reduction and percutaneous Kirschner wire stabilisation for dislocation of the pisiform.

We report the case of a sportsman who fell injuring his left non-dominant wrist. He suffered an unusual injury, a fracture dislocation of the pisotriquetral joint which left him with a painful restriction of wrist movement. We describe his presentation and treatment with a novel 'joystick' technique following failed manipulation.

The virtual fracture clinic improves quality of care for patients with hand and wrist injuries: an assessment of 3709 patients.

Fracture clinic services are under significant pressures to meet patients' expectations of a high-quality service. The virtual fracture clinic has shown early promise in helping to reduce such pressures. We used the virtual fracture clinic for hand and wrist injuries treated in the orthopaedic fracture clinic and used key quality indicators to measure improvement. Over the first 21 months, key patient outcome measures and satisfaction scores for patients discharged from the virtual fracture clinic with education to self-care were excellent. Our results show that a virtual fracture clinic model can be applied to provide high-quality care for hand and wrist injuries. The main advantage of the virtual fracture clinic is its ability to direct patients to the right person for timely treatment. We conclude from our 21-month experience that this model of care allows safe, effective, patient-centred, efficient and equitable care to the patients with hand and wrist fractures.Level of evidence: IV.

Acute calcific periarthritis secondary to calcium hydroxyapatite crystal deposition in the wrist: a case report.

Acute calcific periarthritis (ACP) is an unusual cause of monoarticular pain characterised by the deposition of calcium hydroxyapatite in the peri-articular and intra-articular tissues. Although the most commonly affected joint is the shoulder, other joints may be involved, including the wrist. This case report describes a 57-year-old female presenting with wrist pain and swelling associated with amorphous calcification overlying the lunate. The patient improved with the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and splinting. Clinician awareness of the clinical presentation and radiographic features of ACP is important to reduce unnecessary invasive diagnostic procedures such as joint aspiration.

Medium-term patient-reported outcomes after total hip replacement for displaced hip fractures.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of the present study was to define the medium-term outcomes following total hip replacement (THR) for hip fracture. METHODS: We prospectively followed up 92 patients who underwent THR for a displaced hip fracture over a 3-year period between 2007 and 2010. These patients were followed up at 5 years using the Oxford Hip Score, Short-Form 12 (SF-12) questionnaire and satisfaction questionnaire. These outcomes were compared to the short-term outcomes previously reported at 2 years to determine any significant differences. RESULTS: Mean follow-up was at 5.4 years with a mean age at follow-up of 76.5 years. Seventy-four patients (80%) responded. Patients reported excellent functional outcomes and satisfaction (mean Oxford Hip Score 40.3; SF-12 Physical Health Composite Score 44.0; SF-12 Mental Health Composite Score 46.2; mean satisfaction 90%). The rates of dislocation (2%), deep infection (2%) and revision (3%) were comparable to those quoted for elective THR. When compared with 2-year follow-up, there were no statistically significant adverse changes in outcome parameters. CONCLUSIONS: Medium-term outcomes for THR after hip fracture in fit older patients are excellent, and these results demonstrate that the early proven benefits of this surgery are sustained into the midterm.

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.

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.