Do patients with minimally displaced distal radial fractures need a plaster cast?

Traditionally, patients with a fracture of the distal radius are treated in a cast if they do not require surgery. If the fracture requires manipulation, the cast is moulded to hold the reduction and maintain normal anatomical alignment during healing. However, is a cast necessary for patients whose fracture does not require manipulation? Removable splints are an alternative treatment option.

Haemodynamic measurements during hip hemiarthroplasty surgery for hip fracture.

Aims: There is compelling evidence for the use of cemented hip hemiarthroplasty for displaced intracapsular hip fractures; however, the risks of cement are well reported and in rare cases may be associated with haemodynamic collapse. It is therefore important to improve our understanding of haemodynamic instability, intraoperative monitoring, and strategies to reduce the risk to patients.

Methods: We measured arterial blood pressure using the LiDCO Continuous Non-invasive Arterial Pressure (CNAP) finger cuff during surgery in patients enrolled in the WHiTE 5 trial randomized to cemented or modern uncemented hip hemiarthroplasty at a single recruiting site.

Looking after patients with hip fracture in low- and middle-income countries.

In the UK, multidisciplinary teamwork for patients with hip fracture has been shown to reduce mortality and improves health-related quality of life for patients, while also reducing hospital bed days and associated healthcare costs. However, despite rapidly increasing numbers of fragility fractures, multidisciplinary shared care is rare in low- and middle-income countries around the world. The HIPCARE trial will test the introduction of multidisciplinary care pathways in five low- and middle-income countries in South and Southeast Asia, with the aim to improve patients' quality of life and reduce healthcare costs.

Defining accurate terminology for post-injury weightbearing instructions.

Aims: Weightbearing instructions after musculoskeletal injury or orthopaedic surgery are a key aspect of the rehabilitation pathway and prescription. The terminology used to describe the weightbearing status of the patient is variable; many different terms are used, and there is recognition and evidence that the lack of standardized terminology contributes to confusion in practice.

Methods: A consensus exercise was conducted involving all the major stakeholders in the patient journey for those with musculoskeletal injury.

Defining accurate terminology for post-injury weightbearing instructions - a multidisciplinary, nationally approved consensus policy.

Aims: Weightbearing instructions after musculoskeletal injury or orthopaedic surgery are a key aspect of the rehabilitation pathway and prescription. The terminology used to describe the weightbearing status of the patient is variable; many different terms are used, and there is recognition and evidence that the lack of standardized terminology contributes to confusion in practice.

Methods: A consensus exercise was conducted involving all the major stakeholders in the patient journey for those with musculoskeletal injury.

Are there patients with an intracapsular fracture of the hip who may benefit from an uncemented hemiarthroplasty?

Aims: Cemented hemiarthroplasty is an effective form of treatment for most patients with an intracapsular fracture of the hip. However, it remains unclear whether there are subgroups of patients who may benefit from the alternative operation of a modern uncemented hemiarthroplasty - the aim of this study was to investigate this issue. Knowledge about the heterogeneity of treatment effects is important for surgeons in order to target operations towards specific subgroups who would benefit the most.

The rate of nonunion in the MRI-detected occult scaphoid fracture.

Aims: There is a lack of published evidence relating to the rate of nonunion seen in occult scaphoid fractures, diagnosed only after MRI. This study reports the rate of delayed union and nonunion in a cohort of patients with MRI-detected acute scaphoid fractures.

Methods: This multicentre cohort study at eight centres in the UK included all patients with an acute scaphoid fracture diagnosed on MRI having presented acutely following wrist trauma with normal radiographs.

Cost-utility analysis of dual-antibiotic cement versus single-antibiotic cement for the treatment of displaced intracapsular hip fractures in older adults.

Aims: To compare the cost-effectiveness of high-dose, dual-antibiotic cement versus single-antibiotic cement for the treatment of displaced intracapsular hip fractures in older adults.

Methods: Using data from a multicentre randomized controlled trial (World Hip Trauma Evaluation 8 (WHiTE-8)) in the UK, a within-trial economic evaluation was conducted. Resource usage was measured over 120 days post randomization, and cost-effectiveness was reported in terms of incremental cost per quality-adjusted life year (QALY), gained from the UK NHS and personal social services (PSS) perspective in the base-case analysis.

Five-year outcomes for patients with a displaced fracture of the distal tibia.

Aims: To report the outcomes of patients with a fracture of the distal tibia who were treated with intramedullary nail versus locking plate in the five years after participating in the Fixation of Distal Tibia fracture (FixDT) trial.

Methods: The FixDT trial reported the results for 321 patients randomized to nail or locking plate fixation in the first 12 months after their injury. In this follow-up study, we report the results of 170 of the original participants who agreed to be followed up until five years.

International orthopaedic trials.

Musculoskeletal diseases are having a growing impact worldwide. It is therefore crucial to have an evidence base to most effectively and efficiently implement future health services across different healthcare systems. International trials are an opportunity to address these challenges and have many potential benefits.

One-year outcome of surgery compared with immobilization in a cast for adults with an undisplaced or minimally displaced scaphoid fracture : a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Aims: There has been an increasing use of early operative fixation for scaphoid fractures, despite uncertain evidence. We conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate up-to-date evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs), comparing the effectiveness of the operative and nonoperative treatment of undisplaced and minimally displaced (≤ 2 mm displacement) scaphoid fractures.

Methods: A systematic review of seven databases was performed from the dates of their inception until the end of March 2021 to identify eligible RCTs.

Developing a minimum common dataset for hip fracture audit to help countries set up national audits that can support international comparisons.

Aims: The aim of this study was to explore current use of the Global Fragility Fracture Network (FFN) Minimum Common Dataset (MCD) within established national hip fracture registries, and to propose a revised MCD to enable international benchmarking for hip fracture care.

Methods: We compared all ten established national hip fracture registries: England, Wales, and Northern Ireland; Scotland; Australia and New Zealand; Republic of Ireland; Germany; the Netherlands; Sweden; Norway; Denmark; and Spain. We tabulated all questions included in each registry, and cross-referenced them against the 32 questions of the MCD dataset.

Five-year outcomes for patients sustaining severe fractures of the lower limb : mid-term results from the Wound management for Open Lower Limb Fracture (WOLLF) trial.

Aims: The aim of this study was to report the outcomes of patients with severe open fractures of the lower limb in the five years after they took part in the Wound management for Open Lower Limb Fracture (WOLLF) trial.

Methods: The WOLLF trial compared standard dressings to negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) applied at the end of the first surgical wound debridement, and patients were followed-up for 12 months. At 12 months, 170 of the original 460 participants agreed to take part in this medium-term follow-up study.

Geochemical assessment of trace element concentrations in the Farmington River, Connecticut, Northeastern, USA.

The Farmington River, located in the northeastern USA, originates from Massachusetts and flows through several towns until it joins the Connecticut River in Windsor, Connecticut. Trace element concentrations within the drainage systems of the Farmington River are a growing concern, largely due to the presence of both historical and present land use activities along the river that include mining, farming, urbanization, industrialization, landfills, and shooting gun ranges. This study examined the impact of land use activities and geology on the chemical signature of major and trace elements within the Farmington River.

Association between the Orthopaedic Trauma Society classification of open fractures and economic costs.

Aims: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the Orthopaedic Trauma Society (OTS) classification of open fractures and economic costs.

Methods: Resource use was measured during the six months that followed open fractures of the lower limb in 748 adults recruited as part of two large clinical trials within the UK Major Trauma Research Network. Resource inputs were valued using unit costs drawn from primary and secondary sources.

Wound photography for evaluation of surgical site infection and wound healing after lower limb trauma.

Aims: Deep surgical site infection (SSI) is common after lower limb fracture. We compared the diagnosis of deep SSI using alternative methods of data collection and examined the agreement of clinical photography and in-person clinical assessment by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) criteria after lower limb fracture surgery.

Methods: Data from two large, UK-based multicentre randomized controlled major trauma trials investigating SSI and wound healing after surgical repair of open lower limb fractures that could not be primarily closed (UK WOLLF), and surgical incisions for fractures that were primarily closed (UK WHiST), were examined.

Cost-effectiveness of surgery versus cast immobilization for adults with a bicortical fracture of the scaphoid waist : an economic evaluation of the SWIFFT trial.

Aims: The aim of the Scaphoid Waist Internal Fixation for Fractures Trial (SWIFFT) was to determine the optimal treatment for adults with a bicortical undisplaced or minimally displaced fracture of the waist of the scaphoid, comparing early surgical fixation with initial cast immobilization, with immediate fixation being offered to patients with nonunion.

Methods: A cost-effectiveness analysis was conducted to assess the relative merits of these forms of treatment. The differences in costs to the healthcare system and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) of the patients over the one-year follow-up of the trial in the two treatment arms were estimated using regression analysis.

The association between surgical fixation of hip fractures within 24 hours and mortality : a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Aims: The aim of this study was to assess the effect of time to surgical intervention from admission on mortality and morbidity for patients with hip fractures.

Methods: MEDLINE and Embase were searched from inception to June 2020. Reference lists were manually assessed to identify additional papers.

Tourniquet use in lower limb trauma and fracture surgery.

The use of tourniquets in lower limb trauma surgery to control bleeding and improve the surgical field is a long established practice. In this article, we review the evidence relating to harms and benefits of tourniquet use in lower limb fracture fixation surgery and report the results of a survey on current tourniquet practice among trauma surgeons in the UK.

Does performance-based remuneration improve outcomes in the treatment of hip fracture?

Aims: The aim of this study was to determine whether national standards of best practice are associated with improved health-related quality of life (HRQoL) outcomes in hip fracture patients.

Methods: This was a multicentre cohort study conducted in 20 acute UK NHS hospitals treating hip fracture patients. Patients aged ≥ 60 years treated operatively for a hip fracture were eligible for inclusion.

A feasibility study of standard dressings versus negative-pressure wound therapy in the treatment of adult patients having surgical incisions for hip fractures: the WHISH randomized controlled trial.

Aims: This study sought to compare the rate of deep surgical site infection (SSI), as measured by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) definition, after surgery for a fracture of the hip between patients treated with standard dressings and those treated with incisional negative pressure wound therapy (iNPWT). Secondary objectives included determining the rate of recruitment and willingness to participate in the trial.

Methods: The study was a two-arm multicentre randomized controlled feasibility trial that was embedded in the World Hip Trauma Evaluation cohort study.

Effect on health-related quality of life of the X-Bolt dynamic plating system versus the sliding hip screw for the fixation of trochanteric fractures of the hip in adults: the WHiTE Four randomized clinical trial.

Aims: Surgical treatment of hip fracture is challenging; the bone is porotic and fixation failure can be catastrophic. Novel implants are available which may yield superior clinical outcomes. This study compared the clinical effectiveness of the novel X-Bolt Hip System (XHS) with the sliding hip screw (SHS) for the treatment of fragility hip fractures.