Introduction of a virtual trauma meeting in response to COVID-19.

INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a huge impact on all our lives, both personally and professionally, and in many ways has been a catalyst for change. Limitations on social gathering have called the wisdom of a conventional trauma meeting into question. We have initiated our virtual trauma meeting and report our early results. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Daily morning trauma meetings are now conducted online. Following instigation, we collated the results of a feedback form completed online to assess the relative merits of a virtual trauma meeting. RESULTS: There were 27 responses received to the electronically administered virtual trauma meeting evaluation survey, from a range of trauma and orthopaedic department personnel. There were no concerns regarding patient safety or decision making and, apart from the quality of the audio (63% dissatisfied or very dissatisfied) positive feedback outweighed negative feedback in every category. At 74%, the majority of respondents were satisfied or very satisfied overall with the virtual trauma meeting. CONCLUSION: Trauma meetings can be safely conducted in a virtual environment with high standards of patient care maintained. Virtual trauma meeting offers service enhancements such as early subspecialty input and enhanced cross-site communication and rapid solution development to logistical difficulties. Adapting to conference call etiquette will enhance user experience and opportunity for training opportunities, but adequate investment in high-quality equipment is essential.

Evaluation of different shape-memory staple configurations against crossed screws for first metatarsophalangeal joint arthrodesis: A biomechanical study.

BACKGROUND: The first metatarsophalangeal joint may be fused in order to treat arthritis or instability. The use of shape-memory staples for fixation is well recognised, but little work has been done into the optimal configuration of staples. METHODS: The structural behaviour of first metatarsophalangeal joint (MTPJ) arthrodeses using shape-memory staples or crossed screws was studied using cadaveric porcine joints. Five fixation configurations were tested: single vertical or horizontal staple, paired staples in dorsal-medial configuration (0-90° to the sagittal plane), paired staples in oblique orthogonal configuration (45-135°); or two crossed screws. Specimens were loaded in cyclical dorsiflexion for 1000 cycles. Plantar gapping and shearing were measured. Specimens were then loaded to failure. RESULTS: Cyclic testing caused more shear in the 45-135° staples than the crossed screws (1.0mm±0.5mm compared to 0.14mm±0.4mm, p<0.01). No significant difference was found in plantar gap formation. Single vertical and horizontal single staples failed at 15N and 19. CONCLUSIONS: N, respectively. Paired 0-90° staples failed at 43N±9N, significantly lower than the 45-135° staples (141N±25N; p<0.001) and crossed screws (180N±67N; p<0.001). There was no significant difference between the 45-135° staples and crossed screws. Screws failed by sudden cortical fracture; staples displayed gradual pull-out and shearing. First MTPJ arthrodeses fixed with single staples are not recommended. Arthrodeses fixed with staples at 0-90° to the sagittal plane were significantly less strong than two crossed screws. However, positioning oblique staples at 45-135° significantly improved stability, creating a construct as strong as, crossed screws. None of the constructs was strong enough for immediate weight bearing.

Böhler's angle - What is normal in the uninjured British population?

Böhler's angle is a radiographic parameter widely used in the detection and assessment of fractures of the os calcis. The normal range in the uninjured British adult population has not previously been established. We analysed 128 lateral radiographs without fracture in order to establish the true value of Böhler's angle. Analysis was performed with respect to age, sex and laterality. Interobserver reliability was also assessed. The mean angle was 36.4° (SD 4.2°, range 24.7-48.9°). The normal range was 28.2-44.5°, which incorporates 95% of subjects. There was no difference with respect to age, sex or laterality. Agreement between independent observers was good (interobserver correlation coefficient=0.72), although there was disagreement of >5° in 40.9% of cases. Given the wide range of normal values we recommend a comparative radiograph of the contralateral side if the presence of fracture is ambiguous.

Beware of the dog? An observational study of dog-related musculoskeletal injury in the UK.

Although owning a dog confers numerous health benefits, dogs can cause falls resulting in musculoskeletal injury and fractures. We conducted a prospective observational study over a two-month period to investigate the incidence and epidemiology of dog-related musculoskeletal injury. All patients attending the Emergency Department, trauma ward or fracture clinic were asked whether their injury was caused by a dog. Thirty-seven patients were identified. There were 26 fractures, 10 soft-tissue injuries and one head injury. Seventeen patients were admitted to the hospital and sixteen cases required an operation. Older people were statistically more likely to sustain a fracture (p=0.0003) or require hospital admission (p=0.02). Mechanisms of injury are discussed and can be classified into direct or indirectly caused by the dog. The most common injury mechanism was being pulled over by a dog on a lead. Injury avoidance strategies are discussed. We conclude that dogs are a potential hazard, particularly to the elderly and the morbidity associated with these injuries may offset the health benefits conferred by dog ownership.

Outcome and complications of treatment of ankle diastasis with tightrope fixation.

Fixation of ankle syndesmosis injury with a fibre-wire tightrope has previously been reported. Early clinical results indicate that it can remain in situ indefinitely without complications. We are the first to report complications with the use of this device. Six patients were treated for ankle diastasis using the tightrope. These included four Weber C fractures, one Maisonneuve fracture and one isolated diastasis without fracture. Fractures were treated according to AO-ASIF principles and the tightrope applied through a plate in three cases and directly through the fibula in three cases. In two cases the device caused soft-tissue irritation with granuloma formation, necessitating subsequent removal, one after six months, and the other after ten months. Histological examination revealed refractile material within giant cells, suggestive of foreign-body reaction. Average time to weightbearing was six weeks (range 4-8). In all cases the syndesmosis was reduced and held, even after device removal. Functional outcome was good and patients were satisfied. This series shows that there is a significant incidence of soft-tissue complications with the use of tightrope fixation and subsequent need for removal. Patients should be warned of this.