Can pin-site inflammation be detected with thermographic imaging? A cross-sectional study from the USA and Denmark of patients treated with external fixators.

Background And Purpose:  Patients with external fixators are at risk of pin-site infection. A tool for objective monitoring of pin sites for evolving signs of infection is warranted. We aimed to investigate the temperature (MaxTp) difference between clean and visually inflamed pin sites using thermography and to establish the optimal cut-off value of MaxTp using thermography as a screening tool for inflammation detection.

Adolescents with prior patellar dislocation report affected quality of life and function, as measured using the Banff Patella Instability Instrument, Kujala and EQ-5D-5L index scores.

Purpose: We aimed to establish patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) reference data for a cohort of patients with prior patellar dislocation without previous knee surgery.

Methods: All inhabitants of the Faroe Islands aged 15-19 years were sent an online survey via secure email to establish a national cohort. They were asked to answer questions regarding demographics, whether they had prior patellar dislocation and to complete the PROMs: the Banff Patella Instability Instrument (BPII), Kujala, Marx activity and EQ-5D-5L questionnaires.

Team-based digital communication reduced patient-initiated phone calls to the hospital and improved patient satisfaction after orthopedic surgery: a randomized controlled trial in 70 patients.

Background And Purpose: Post-discharge inquiries to the hospital are predominantly conducted through phone calls. The rigid timing of these calls is inconvenient for patients and disrupts the workflows of healthcare professionals. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a team-based digital communication intervention (eDialogue) facilitated through a messenger-like commercial solution on patient-initiated phone calls to the hospital after discharge.

High prevalence of patellar dislocation and trochlear dysplasia in a geographically and genetically isolated society: an observational national cohort study from the Faroese Knee Cohort.

Background And Purpose: We aimed to calculate the prevalence of patellar dislocation (PD) and trochlear dysplasia (TD) in a national cohort aged 15-19 years in the Faroe Island.

Patients And Methods: All inhabitants in the Faroe Islands aged 15-19 years were invited to answer an online survey, including demographics and questions regarding prior PD. Participants with prior PD were invited for radiographs and MRI of both knees to be taken.

Pubofemoral distances correlate to acetabular morphology and sonological instability in screening for hip dysplasia.

Aims: The present study seeks to investigate the correlation of pubofemoral distances (PFD) to α angles, and hip displaceability status, defined as femoral head coverage (FHC) or FHC during manual provocation of the newborn hip < 50%.

Methods: We retrospectively included all newborns referred for ultrasound screening at our institution based on primary risk factor, clinical, and PFD screening. α angles, PFD, FHC, and FHC at follow-up ultrasound for referred newborns were measured and compared using scatter plots, linear regression, paired -test, and box-plots.

Birthweight correlates to pubo-femoral distances and α angles in hip ultrasound of newborns at 6 weeks of age: a retrospective cohort study.

Background And Purpose: There is inconsistency in the literature regarding the relationship between increased birthweight and risk of developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH). We aimed to investigate the correlation between birthweight and pubo-femoral distance (PFD), as well as Graf's α angle in newborns undergoing hip ultrasound examination at 6 weeks of age.

Patients And Methods: Basic newborn characteristics and ultrasound measurements were retrospectively collected during a 1-year study period.

MRI May Be More Valuable than Pelvic Radiographs in the Assessment of Paediatric Borderline Acetabular Dysplasia.

The osseous acetabular index (OAI) and cartilaginous acetabular index (CAI) is often used in diagnosing acetabular dysplasia (AD) in children. We examined the reliability of OAI and CAI in AD diagnostics and compared OAI measurements obtained from radiographs versus MRI. Four raters performed retrospective repeated measurements of the OAI and CAI on pelvic radiographs and MRI scans of 16 consecutive patients (mean age 5 years (2-8)) examined for borderline AD during a period of 2½ years.

Pubo-Femoral Distances Measured Reliably by Midwives in Hip Dysplasia Ultrasound.

The pubo-femoral distance (PFD) has been suggested as an ultrasound screening tool for developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH). The aim of this study was to examine if midwives undergoing minimal training could reliably perform pediatric hip ultrasound and PFD measurements. Eight recruited midwives performed two rounds of independent blinded PFD measurements on 15 static ultrasound images and participated in four supervised live-scanning sessions.

Referral criteria recognition of screeners in the Danish screening programme for hip dysplasia.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to review risk factors used in the current Danish screening programme for developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) and the self-reported recognition of these risk factors among midwives, general practitioners (GP) and GPs in training.

Methods: A survey of regional DDH referral guidelines was conducted through online regional guideline databases. Furthermore, risk factors used as referral criteria for DDH were compared across regions.

Intrarater Reliability of Digital Thermography in Detecting Pin Site Infection: A Proof of Concept Study.

Aim And Objective: The purpose of this study was to explore the capability and Intrarater reliability of thermography in detecting pin site infection.

Materials And Methods: This is an explorative proof of concept study. Clinical assessment of pin sites was performed by one examiner with the Modified Gordon Pin Infection Classification from grade 0 to 6.

Self-reported knowledge of national guidelines for clinical screening for hip dysplasia: a web-based survey of midwives and GPs in Denmark.

Background: The positive predictive value of clinical hip examinations performed by generalist health professionals in screening for developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is low and declining.

Aim: To assess the self-reported recognition of nationally recommended clinical hip examinations in the screening programme for DDH in Denmark among midwives, GPs, and GPs in training.

Design & Setting: A cross-sectional, web-based open survey study among Danish midwives, GPs, and GPs in training.

Positive predictive values in clinical screening for developmental dysplasia of the hip.

Aim: To establish the positive predictive value (PPV) of clinical hip examinations performed by referrers in the Danish screening programme for Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip (DDH) utilising three definitions of true positive DDH diagnosis.

Methods: We retrospectively identified 290 children (169 female) referred during a 4-year period to the orthopaedic outpatient clinic at our institution with a positive clinical hip examination. Positive predictive value was calculated for clinical hip examinations across three definitions of a true positive clinical hip examination for all referrers and subgroups consisting of general practitioners, midwives and paediatricians.

What is the association between MRI and conventional radiography in measuring femoral head migration?

Background and purpose - Pelvic radiographs are traditionally used for assessing femoral head migration in residual acetabular dysplasia (RAD). Knowledge of the heightened importance of cartilaginous structures in this condition has led to increased use of MRI in assessing both osseous and cartilaginous structures of the pediatric hip. Therefore, we assessed the relationship between migration percentages (MP) found on MRI and conventional radiographs.

Suggestion for new 4.4 mm pubo-femoral distance cut-off value for hip instability in lateral position during DDH screening.

Background and purpose - Current selective screening algorithms for developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) are insufficient. Universal screening programs have been proposed but so far have been deemed too expensive and time consuming. The pubo-femoral distance may solve this problem as a quick, low-cost, highly sensitive, and specific sonographic measurement for DDH, but this has only been validated in the supine position.