Factors impacting musculoskeletal knowledge and clinical confidence in graduating medical students.

Background: Despite the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders, the degree to which medical schools are providing students with the knowledge and confidence to treat these problems is unclear. This study evaluated the factors that impact musculoskeletal knowledge and clinical confidence among fourth-year medical students.

Methods: Over a three-year period, 253 fourth-year medical students participated in the study at a single institution.

A systematic review of postoperative hand therapy management of basal joint arthritis.

Background: There are a variety of postoperative immobilization and therapy options for patients with basal joint arthritis. Although prior systematic reviews have compared surgical procedures used to treat basal joint arthritis, none to our knowledge compares therapy protocols for this condition, which are considered an important part of the treatment.

Questions/purposes: (1) We sought to determine whether differences in the length and type of postoperative immobilization affect clinical results after basal joint arthritis surgery.

Comparison of an all-inside suture technique with traditional pull-out suture and suture anchor repair techniques for flexor digitorum profundus attachment to bone.

Purpose: One goal in repairing zone 1 flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) injuries is to create a tendon-bone construct strong enough to allow early rehabilitation while minimizing morbidity. This study compares an all-inside suture repair technique biomechanically with pull-out suture and double-suture anchor repairs.

Methods: Repairs were performed on 30 cadaver fingers.

Maturation of medical student musculoskeletal medicine knowledge and clinical confidence.

Purpose: Despite the prevalence of musculoskeletal (MSK) disorders, the degree to which medical schools are providing students the knowledge and confidence to treat these problems is unclear. This study evaluated MSK knowledge in second and fourth year medical students using a newly developed written assessment tool and examined the maturation of clinical confidence in treating core MSK disorders.

Methods: Over a 3-year period, the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) MSK subject examination consisting of 75 items was administered to 568 second and fourth year students at a single institution.

Complications after pinning of supracondylar distal humerus fractures.

Background: Supracondylar distal humerus fractures are one of the most common skeletal injuries in children. The current treatment of choice in North America is closed reduction and percutaneous pin fixation. Often surgeons leave the pins exposed beneath a cast but outside the skin.