Aims: This study aimed to compare the outcomes of two different postoperative management approaches following surgical fixation of ankle fractures: traditional cast immobilization versus the Early Motion and Directed Exercise (EMADE) programme.
Methods: A total of 157 patients aged 18 years or older who underwent successful open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) of Weber B (AO44B) ankle fractures were recruited to this randomized controlled trial. At two weeks post-surgical fixation, participants were randomized to either light-weight cast-immobilization or the EMADE programme, consisting of progressive home exercises and weekly advice and education.
Osteochondral grafts are used for repair of focal osteochondral lesions. Autologous grafts are the gold standard treatment; however, limited graft availability and donor site morbidity restrict use. Therefore, there is a clinical need for different graft sources/materials which replicate natural cartilage function.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: Pain is the main symptom of osteoarthritis (OA) with approximately 50% of patients reporting moderate-to-severe pain. Total knee replacement (TKR) is the ultimate treatment option to alleviate pain in knee OA. Nevertheless, TKR does not provide complete relief for all as approximately 20% of patients experience chronic postoperative pain.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBoth short (≤6 h per night) and long sleep duration (≥9 h per night) are associated with increased risk of chronic diseases. Despite evidence linking habitual sleep duration and risk of disease, the genetic determinants of sleep duration in the general population are poorly understood, especially outside of European (EUR) populations. Here, we report that a polygenic score of 78 European ancestry sleep duration single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) is associated with sleep duration in an African (n = 7288; P = 0.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: Exeter Trauma Stems (ETS) femoral hemiarthroplasties are based on Exeter THR stems with a few design changes. Little has been published on ETS survival rates to justify their high cost compared to other cheaper implants. This is the largest prospective study to assess ETS implant failure-free survival rates in fracture neck of femur patients (NOF).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe QuickDASH is a short-form version of the DASH questionnaire, the most widely used patient-reported outcome measure in hand surgery. Multidimensional computerized adaptive testing (MCAT) can produce shorter and more precise testing than static short forms, like QuickDASH. We used DASH responses from 507 patients with Dupuytren's disease to develop a MCAT.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAn innovative approach was developed to engineer a multi-layered chitosan scaffold for osteochondral defect repair. A combination of freeze drying and porogen-leaching out methods produced a porous, bioresorbable scaffold with a distinct gradient of pore size (mean = 160-275 μm). Incorporation of 70 wt% nano-hydroxyapatite (nHA) provided additional strength to the bone-like layer.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Open tibial fracture research has traditionally focused on surgical techniques; however, despite technological advances, outcomes from these injuries remain poor, with patients facing a sustained reduced quality of life. Research has rarely asked patients what is important to them after an open tibial fracture, and this question could potentially offer great insight into how to support patients. A qualitative study may assist in our understanding of this subject.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe ratings that judges or examiners use for determining pass marks and students' performance on OSCEs serve a number of essential functions in medical education assessment, and their validity is a pivotal issue. However, some types of errors often occur in ratings that require special efforts to minimise. Rater characteristics (e.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe ovine critical-sized defect model provides a robust preclinical model for testing tissue-engineered constructs for use in the treatment of non-union bone fractures and severe trauma. A critical question in cell-based therapies is understanding the optimal therapeutic cell dose. Key to defining the dose and ensuring successful outcomes is understanding the fate of implanted cells, e.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAims: Following cast removal for nonoperatively treated distal radius fractures, rehabilitation facilitated by advice leaflet and advice video were compared to a course of face-to-face therapy.
Methods: Adults with an isolated, nonoperatively treated distal radius fracture were included at six weeks post-cast removal. Participants were randomized to delivery of rehabilitation interventions in one of three ways: an advice leaflet; an advice video; or face-to-face therapy session(s).
Background: Ankle sprains are one of the most common musculoskeletal injuries, accounting for up to 5% of all Emergency Department visits in the United Kingdom. Ankle injury may be associated with future ankle osteoarthritis. Up to 70% of ankle osteoarthritis cases may be associated with previous ankle injury.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjectives: Total knee replacement (TKR) procedure is commonly carried out in patients with advanced osteoarthritis to reduce pain and increase mobility, with on average 84% rated satisfactory outcome, but some (some suggest 44%) continue to experience debilitating pain. The study aimed to investigate factors affecting pain and function outcomes (using Oxford Knee Score, OKS) one year after TKR, with normative comparison to a reference population.
Design: We recruited TKR patients from one hospital (Nottinghamshire, UK); collected pre- and post-operative OKS; graded radiographs for severity of osteoarthritis (K-L grade) in a sub-group.
Aims: To determine mortality risk after first revision total hip arthroplasty (THA) for periprosthetic femoral fracture (PFF), and to compare this to mortality risk after primary and first revision THA for other common indications.
Methods: The study cohort consisted of THAs recorded in the National Joint Registry between 2003 and 2015, linked to national mortality data. First revision THAs for PFF, infection, dislocation, and aseptic loosening were identified.
Objective: Describe the self-reported prevalence and nature of Olympic-career injury and general health and current residual symptoms in a self-selected sample of retired Olympians.
Methods: 3357 retired Olympians from 131 countries completed a cross-sectional online survey, distributed by direct email through World Olympians Association and National Olympian Associations databases. The survey captured Olympic sport exposure, significant training and competition injury history (lasting 1 month), general health (eg, depression) during the athlete's career, and current musculoskeletal pain and functional limitations.
Studies have suggested that quantitative sensory testing (QST) might hold a predictive value for the development of chronic postoperative pain and the response to pharmacological interventions. This review systematically summarizes the current evidence on the predictive value of QST for chronic postoperative pain and the effect of pharmacological interventions. The main outcome measures were posttreatment pain intensity, pain relief, presence of moderate-to-severe postoperative pain, responders of 30% and 50% pain relief, or validated questionnaires on pain and disability.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: The long-term risk from knee intra-articular (KIA) injections in professional athletes such as ex-footballers remains unknown. The use of KIA injections is controversial and remains anecdotally prolific as it is perceived as being safe/beneficial. The aim of this study was to determine the number, type and frequency KIA injections administered to retired professional footballers during their playing careers and the associations with post-career knee osteoarthritis (KOA).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCurrent trends in regenerative medicine treatments for bone repair applications focus on cell-based therapies. These aim to deliver the treatment via a minimally invasive injection to reduce patient trauma and to improve efficacy. This paper describes the injectability of porous calcium phosphate glass microspheres to be used for bone repair based on their formulation, rheology and flow behavior.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFalse negative culture results in periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) are not uncommon particularly when patients have received long term antibiotics. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has a lower specificity partly due to detection of residual DNA from dead bacteria. Propidium monoazide (PMA) prevents DNA from dead bacteria from being amplified during the PCR.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjectives: To determine the prevalence of depressive symptoms and general health of male ex-professional footballers compared with general population controls.
Methods: 572 retired professional footballers and 500 general population controls in the UK were assessed by postal questionnaire. Anxiety and depressive symptoms were assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and a threshold score of ≥11 was used to indicate probable caseness.
Background: Neuropathic foot ulcers are common and difficult to treat. Calcium sulfate (CAS) has been used for antibiotic delivery in the treatment of osteomyelitis with success. Recent case series suggest success in treating osteomyelitis of the foot with CAS in a mean time to healing of 4 months; however, few studies with a control group for comparison exist.
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