Reducing the incidence of pin site infection in hand surgery with the use of a protocol from Ilizarov.

Reported pin site infection rates in Kirschner wire fixation in the hand and wrist vary from 2% to 35%. In our unit we follow a strict pin site management protocol adapted from the Russian Ilizarov Scientific Centre. This study aims to identify if our current protocol reduces the incidence of pin site infection in hand and wrist surgery, and improves wire survival rates, to a level where exposed wires can be used safely.

Self-Directed Oral Vitamin D Supplementation in Professional Ballet Dancers: A Randomized Controlled Trial Pilot Study.

Inadequate levels of vitamin D may lead to poor performance in professional dancers. Therefore, dietary supplementation may be essential in this population. This longitudinal pilot study to a randomized controlled trial assessed dancer compliance with self-directed oral vitamin D supplementation.

Robotic and navigation systems in orthopaedic surgery: how much do our patients understand?

Background: Technology in orthopaedic surgery has become more widespread in the past 20 years, with emerging evidence of its benefits in arthroplasty. Although patients are aware of benefits of conventional joint replacement, little is known on patients' knowledge of the prevalence, benefits or drawbacks of surgery involving navigation or robotic systems.

Methods: In an outpatient arthroplasty clinic, 100 consecutive patients were approached and given questionnaires to assess their knowledge of navigation and robotics in orthopaedic surgery.

Timing of surgery for complete proximal hamstring avulsion injuries: successful clinical outcomes at 6 weeks, 6 months, and after 6 months of injury.

Background: Avulsion of the proximal hamstring origin is well documented, and surgical treatment is advocated for complete avulsions.

Purpose: To compare the return to preinjury level of sport and the complexity of surgery in athletes undergoing surgical intervention for complete proximal hamstring avulsions within 6 weeks, 6 months, and after 6 months of injury.

Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Testing for boosting at the Paralympic games: policies, results and future directions.

Background: 'Boosting' is defined as the intentional induction of autonomic dysreflexia (AD) by athletes with a spinal cord injury (SCI) at or above the level of T6 for the purpose of improving sports performance. Boosting has been shown to confer up to a 9.7% improvement in race time.

Patient satisfaction with tourniquet application and local anaesthesia infiltration in carpal tunnel decompression and the relationship with overall satisfaction.

This was a prospective study designed to determine what effect poor tolerance to tourniquet application and local anaesthesia infiltration in open carpal tunnel decompression has on overall patient satisfaction with the surgical procedure. Fifty patients were recruited into the study. Visual analogue scores (VAS) were recorded postoperatively for pain related to tourniquet application, local anaesthesia infiltration and the surgical procedure overall.