Injury
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Access to specialised trauma care is an important measure of trauma system efficiency. However, few data are available on access to integrated trauma systems. We aimed to describe access to trauma centres (TCs) in an integrated Canadian trauma system and identify its determinants. ⋯ In an integrated, mature trauma system, we observed high access to TCs. However, problems in access were observed for the elderly, women and in urban areas where there are many non-designated hospitals. Access to trauma care should be monitored as part of quality of care improvement activities and pre-hospital guidelines for trauma patients should be applied uniformly throughout the province.
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An interpositional wedge bone graft is a procedure performed to restore carpal height and scaphoid length for displaced scaphoid nonunions with carpal instability. The purpose of this study was to investigate which headless screw design (threadless central shaft screw or fully threaded variable pitch compression screw) is biomechanically preferred when an interpositional bone graft is needed. ⋯ The threadless central shaft screw design is biomechanically preferred over the fully threaded variable pitch screw design because it achieves higher and identical compression forces at different interfragmentary gaps with similar stiffness and load to failure.
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We report on the surgical and functional outcome of 22 patients with Grade 3 open tibial fractures treated with circular frame. All cases united and there were no re-fractures or amputations. All patients were assessed at a minimum of 1-year post frame removal. ⋯ The EQ-5D mean health state visual analogue score was comparable to the general UK population despite patients scoring less than the average UK population in three of the five domains. 36% reported some difficulties in walking and 41% had problems with pain. 14% had difficulties with self-care and 46% had difficulties with their usual activities. 14% had problems with anxiety or depression. Systematic review of the literature suggests, in the management of open tibial fractures, circular frames provide equivalent or superior surgical outcomes in comparison with other techniques. Our study finds the application of a circular frame also results in a good functional outcome in the majority of cases.
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Review Case Reports
Bilateral atraumatic tibial tubercle avulsion fractures: Case report and review of the literature.
An avulsion fracture of the tibial tubercle is an uncommon injury, comprising less than 1% of all physeal injuries. The occurrence of such injuries bilaterally is even rarer. We report a case of bilateral atraumatic tibial tubercle avulsion fractures and its presentation, mechanism of injury, surgical management, post-operative rehabilitation and implications for clinical practice. ⋯ Full weight bearing was permitted at the one month stage and he was advised to avoid any sporting activity until the 8 week stage and contact sports until the 10 week stage. Full movement of both joints was regained and the patient returned to full sporting activity in the absence of symptoms. This case emphasises the need for a high degree of vigilance when faced with such a presentation and a low threshold for further investigation and surgical intervention.
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Spinal cord injuries occur worldwide; often being life-threatening with devastating long term impacts on functioning, independence, health, and quality of life. ⋯ There is a lack of high-level evidence on the effect of prehospital cervical spine immobilisation on patient outcomes. There is a clear need for large prospective studies to determine the clinical benefit of prehospital spinal immobilisation as well as to identify the subgroup of patients most likely to benefit.