Infection Rates in Open Hand Fractures: Can Surgical Treatment Be Delayed?

The authors hypothesized that the infection rates of open hand fractures treated in a delayed manner would not be higher than those treated immediately. The authors performed a retrospective chart review of patients treated between January 2008 and July 2014 at a Level 1 Trauma Center. Delayed (> 24 hours) versus early (< 24 hours) surgical treatment groups were identified for comparison to determined infection rates.

Microstructure of the radial head: Insights into anatomical variations and implications for advanced interventions.

Appropriate management of radial head fractures is integral to prevent long-term consequences like chronic pain and loss of motion. Advanced imaging systems, like micro-computed tomography (μCT), are valuable for understanding radial head fracture patterns as they utilize micrometer scale resolution to define important parameters of bone health like cortical density and trabecular thickness. The purpose of this study was to identify and describe the structural morphology of the radial head utilizing μCT.

Assessment of Telemedicine and Phone Consultation Effects on Rate of Hand Transfers to Trauma Centers and Specialty Services Referrals.

Background: Telemedicine consultation can increase patients' access to subspecialty care and decrease the number of unnecessary hospital transfers. In 2014, the Arkansas Hand Trauma Telemedicine Program (AHTTP) was established to extend specialized hand care throughout Arkansas. The purpose of this study is to assess whether transfers are affected when consultation with a hand specialist is performed by phone compared with using a live audiovisual consultation.

Retrospective Comparison of Capitolunate Arthrodesis Using Headless Compression Screws Versus Nitinol Memory Staples for SLAC and SNAC Wrist: Radiographic, Functional, and Patient-Reported Outcomes.

Background: Nitinol memory compression staples have been proposed as an effective alternative to compression screws for capitolunate arthrodesis (CLA) for scaphoid nonunion advanced collapse (SNAC) and scapholunate advanced collapse (SLAC) wrist. The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical outcomes of CLA for SNAC or SLAC wrist treatment using either compression screws or nitinol staples.

Methods: In all, 47 patients with CLA for SLAC or SNAC wrist with screws or nitinol staples were retrospectively identified.

Doctor hopping and doctor shopping for prescription opioids associated with increased odds of high-risk use.

Purpose: Early detection of risky behaviors involving prescription opioids can assist prescribers in implementing safer prescribing. Patient-to-prescriber travel patterns may indicate potential opioid misuse. We introduce doctor hopping, patients bypassing nearby prescribers in favor of more distant ones, as a new spatial estimation of potentially risky behavior, and compare with traditional doctor shopping metrics.

A Novel Telemedicine System for Care of Statewide Hand Trauma.

Telemedicine is an evolving tool to increase patients' access to subspecialty care. Since 2014, Arkansas has been utilizing telemedicine in the evaluation of patients with hand injuries. The purpose of this study is to assess the effect of this novel telemedicine system for the management of hand trauma on patient transfer.

A Cadaveric Study of Cutaneous Vascular Anatomy about the Elbow Using Computed Tomography Angiography.

The posterior approach is a commonly employed exposure of the elbow that provides excellent visualization and efficacy for various orthopedic procedures, including total elbow arthroplasty (TEA) and fracture care. The posterior approach to the elbow has been associated with an increased rate of wound complications, including infection, skin necrosis, and wound dehiscence. Despite an association between these complications and decreased elbow perfusion, data regarding the intrinsic anatomic etiology for preferential complications in this area has been scarcely reported in the literature.

The Use of Telemedicine Decreases Unnecessary Hand Trauma Transfers.

The Arkansas Hand Trauma Telemedicine Program (AHTTP) is a novel telemedicine system that was developed in 2014 within a rural state to address the growing need of access to hand trauma care with one trauma center that cares for mangling hand injuries. The purpose is to compare transfers for hand injuries prior to and after the implementation of this system. The hospital institutional database was queried for all transfers to a level 1 medical center in the state from 2012 to 2015, allowing the comparison of data prior to and after the institution of the AHTTP.

Acute Scaphoid Fractures: A Critical Analysis Review.

Nondisplaced scaphoid fractures can be effectively treated nonoperatively, with union rates approaching or, in some series, exceeding the rates attained with operative intervention. The evidence supports equal outcomes when using a short arm or long arm cast for the closed treatment of nondisplaced scaphoid fractures. Also, equivalent outcomes have been demonstrated with or without a thumb spica component to the cast.

Southern Orthopaedic Association Abstract Publication Rate.

The purpose of this study was to determine the publication rate of manuscripts presented at the Southern Orthopaedic Association's (SOA) annual meetings. An extensive literature search was performed using Google Scholar and PubMed search engines and all accepted abstracts (posters or podium presentations) presented at an SOA annual meeting from 2005 to 2011 were evaluated. A total of 568 abstracts were presented at SOA meetings between 2005 and 2011.

Preoperative Patient Education for Hip and Knee Arthroplasty: Financial Benefit?

Of 904 patients who underwent primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and total hip arthroplasty (THA) at the same hospital, 802 participated in a preoperative education day called "Joint Academy" (JA). The length of stay of JA participants was 2.12 days (49.

Applying a Dermal Regenerative Template in Management of Congenital Melanocytic Nevi of the Hand.

Congenital melanocytic nevus of the hand in the pediatric population is an uncommon diagnosis. These lesions have malignant potential and can cause psychosocial effects from cosmetic deformity. Early surgical intervention is recommended in these cases.

Rosenberg versus 20/10 views in osteoarthritic knees.

It has become a common practice to obtain weight-bearing radiographs for the assessment of early-stage osteoarthritis of the knee, and weight bearing with the knee in full extension has been the most common method. Other methods for evaluating knee joint space using weight-bearing radiography include the Rosenberg and 20/10 views. Eighty consecutive patients with knee pain were evaluated with standing Rosenberg and standing 20/10 views as part of their radiographic evaluation.