Is the AO guideline for postoperative treatment of tibial plateau fractures still decisive? A survey among orthopaedic surgeons and trauma surgeons in the Netherlands.

INTRODUCTION: The standard aftercare treatment (according to the AO guideline) for surgically treated trauma patients with fractures of the tibial plateau is non-weight bearing or partial weight bearing for 10-12 weeks. The purpose of this study was to investigate the current state of practice among orthopaedic surgeons and trauma surgeons in choosing the criteria and the time period of restricted weight bearing after surgically treated tibial plateau fractures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A web-based survey was distributed among members of the Dutch Trauma Society and Dutch Orthopaedic Society to identify the most commonly applied protocols in terms of the post-operative initiation and level of weight bearing in patients with tibial plateau fractures. RESULTS: One hundred and eleven surgeons responded to the survey. 72.1% of the respondents recommended starting weight bearing earlier than the 12 weeks recommended by the AO guideline; 11.7% recommended starting weight bearing immediately, 4.5% after 2 weeks and 55.9% after 6 weeks. Moreover, 88.7% of the respondents reported deviating from their own local protocol. There is little consensus about the definition of 100% weight bearing and how to build up weight bearing over time. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that consensus about the weight bearing aftercare for tibial plateau fractures are limited. A large majority of surgeons do not follow the AO guideline or their own local protocol. More transparent criteria and predictors are needed to design optimal weight-bearing regimes for the aftercare of tibial plateau fractures.

Effectiveness of a Multidisciplinary Clinical Pathway for Elderly Patients With Hip Fracture: A Multicenter Comparative Cohort Study.

INTRODUCTION: The use of a multidisciplinary clinical pathway (MCP) for patients with hip fracture tends to be more effective than usual care (UC). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of an MCP approach on time to surgery, length of stay, postoperative complications, and 30-day mortality, compared to UC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This multicenter retrospective cohort study included patients aged 50 years or older with a proximal hip fracture who underwent surgery in one of the 6 hospitals in the Limburg trauma region of the Netherlands in 2012. Data such as demographics, process outcome measures, and clinical outcome were collected. RESULTS: This study included a total of 1193 patients (665 and 528 patients in the MCP and UC groups, respectively). There were no differences in patient demographics present. Time to surgery was significantly shorter in the MCP compared to the UC group (19.2 vs 24.4 hours, P < .01). The mean length of stay was 10 versus 12 days (P < .01). In the MCP group, significantly lower rates of postoperative complications were observed and significantly more patients were institutionalized than in the UC group. Mortality within 30 days after admission was comparable between the groups (overall mortality 6%). CONCLUSION: An MCP approach is associated with reduced time to surgery, postoperative complications, and length of stay, without a significant difference in 30-day mortality. The institutionalization rate was significantly higher in the MCP group.

Is early Weight Bearing Allowed in Surgically Treated Talar Neck Fractures?

INTRODUCTION: Non-or partial weight bearing is frequently the standard treatment after peri-articular lower extremity fractures. Displaced talar neck fractures are severe injuries compromising vascularity of the corpus and consequently are at risk for non-union and avascular necrosis, the main reason to restrict weight bearing for up to three months according to most literature. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a case of a 31-year old male with a high impact car accident. His pelvic ring and Hawkins II talar fracture were treated by open reduction and internal fixation. Rehabilitation was based on permissive weight bearing following wound healing. His fractures healed uneventfully and he was able to run freely, without any discomfort within 8 weeks. Radiological evaluation of the talus showed complete bone healing without signs of avascular necrosis. At one year follow-up, the patient is free of the symptoms. CONCLUSION: We might consider changing the restricted or non-weight bearing protocol in surgically treated talar neck fractures at our centre and allow early weight bearing, based on body awareness and the creation of a safe environment during the rehabilitation phase.