Injury
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Focused assessment sonography for trauma (FAST) performed in the prehospital setting may improve trauma care by influencing treatment decisions and reducing time to definitive care, but its accuracy and benefits remain uncertain. This systematic review evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of prehospital FAST in detecting hemoperitoneum and its effects on prehospital time and time to definitive diagnosis or treatment. ⋯ Prehospital FAST had a low sensitivity but a very high specificity to identify hemoperitoneum and reduced time-to-diagnostics or interventions, without increasing prehospital times, in patients with a high probability of abdominal bleeding. Its effect on mortality is still under-investigated.
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Review
Biomechanical properties and clinical significance of cancellous bone in proximal femur: A review.
Trabecular bone plays an important role in the load-bearing capacity of the femur. Understanding the structural characteristics, biomechanics, and mechanical conduction of the trabecular bone is of great value in studying the mechanism of fractures and formulating surgical plans. The past decade has witnessed unprecedented progress in imaging, biomechanics and finite element analysis techniques, translating into a better understanding of trabecular bone. This article reviews the research progress achieved over the years regarding femoral trabecular bone, especially on factors influencing the strength of the proximal femoral cancellous bone and cancellous bone microfractures and provides a comprehensive overview of the latest findings on proximal femoral trabecular bone and their clinical significance.
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Displaced proximal tibia fractures in the elderly may be very difficult to manage. If osteosynthesis represents the standard of care in the younger patients, in the aged population this solution is controversial because a significant failure rate has been reported after internal fixation. Moreover, osteoarthritis progression following tibial plateau fractures is common, often requiring a subsequent total knee arthroplasty (TKA). In recent years, in order to overcome the fracture healing problems and to allow immediate full weight bearing, primary TKA after tibial plateau fractures in elderly patients has gained popularity. ⋯ Based on our and results and those reported on literature, primary TKA is a suitable option in case of tibial plateau fractures in elderly patients with pre-existing osteoarthritis and poor bone quality, in which osteosynthesis outcome may be poor. Unlike ORIF, primary TKA may allow immediate weightbearing and a faster recovery. Nevertheless, it is a demanding surgery with a significant complications rate and should be reserved for selected patients and experienced surgeons.
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Previous research has highlighted the benefit of regionalised trauma networks in relation to decreased mortality. However, patients who now survive increasingly complex injuries continue to navigate the challenges of recovery, often with a poor view of their experiences of the rehabilitation journey. Geographical location, unclear rehabilitation outcomes and limited access to the provision of care are increasingly noted by patients as negatively influencing their view of recovery. ⋯ Stronger communication pathways and coordination within a trauma network, particularly when repatriating outside of a network catchment area is recommended. This review has exposed the many rehabilitation variations and complexities a patient may experience following trauma. Furthermore, this highlights the importance of arming clinicians with the tools and expertise to improve patient outcomes.
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Previous research has highlighted the benefit of regionalised trauma networks in relation to decreased mortality. However, patients who now survive increasingly complex injuries continue to navigate the challenges of recovery, often with a poor view of their experiences of the rehabilitation journey. Geographical location, unclear rehabilitation outcomes and limited access to the provision of care are increasingly noted by patients as negatively influencing their view of recovery. ⋯ Stronger communication pathways and coordination within a trauma network, particularly when repatriating outside of a network catchment area is recommended. This review has exposed the many rehabilitation variations and complexities a patient may experience following trauma. Furthermore, this highlights the importance of arming clinicians with the tools and expertise to improve patient outcomes.