Association of length of hospital stay with delay to surgical fixation of hip fracture.

Background: Previous research has shown increases in length of stay (LOS), morbidity and mortality when the standard for surgical fixation of hip fracture of 48 hours is not met. However, few investigators have analyzed LOS as a primary outcome, and most used time of diagnosis as opposed to time of fracture as the reference point. We examined the effect of time to surgical fixation of hip fracture, measured from time of fracture, on length of hospital stay; the secondary outcome was average 1-year mortality.

Morbidity and mortality following pelvic ramus fractures in an older Atlantic Canadian cohort.

Background: Pelvic ramus fractures in older patients are associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. There is a paucity of literature on fractures of the pelvis in this age group. The purpose of this study was to report mortality rates following such injuries.

A biomechanical study in cadavers of cast boots used in the early postoperative period after first metatarsophalangeal joint arthrodesis.

Objectives: To compare the effectiveness of 3 common models of walking boots (Walkabout, Samson Walker and Equalizer Premium Walker) to that of a fibreglass cast in protecting an arthrodesis of the first metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint in the early postoperative period, we carried out a biomechanical study in cadavers in the bioengineering laboratory at Memorial University of Newfoundland.

Methods: Two cadaver models of a first MTP joint arthrodesis were prepared by placing a strain gauge at the joint. This provided a measure of the bending moment across the fusion site.