Clinical orthopaedics and related research
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Clin. Orthop. Relat. Res. · Jan 2015
Comparative StudyDoes sequence of graft tensioning affect outcomes in combined anterior and posterior cruciate ligament reconstructions?
Controversy persists regarding the protocol for tensioning and securing the grafts in one-stage reconstruction of combined anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injuries. Many authors have reported stability examinations and functional results after reconstruction for this relatively rare injury, and the best sequence for tensioning the grafts is not known. ⋯ Level III, therapeutic study. See Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
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Clin. Orthop. Relat. Res. · Jan 2015
Does the use of ultrasound affect contamination of musculoskeletal injections sites?
Therapeutic musculoskeletal injections require a clean or sterile skin preparation to minimize the risk of infections. Ultrasound guidance for this procedure requires the use of transmission gel in proximity to the injection site, and its effect on maintaining sterility is unknown. ⋯ Level II, therapeutic study. See the Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
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Musculoskeletal disease is a major cause of disability in the global burden of disease, yet data regarding the magnitude of this burden in developing countries are lacking. The Surgeons OverSeas Assessment of Surgical Need (SOSAS) survey was designed to measure the incidence and prevalence of surgically treatable conditions, including musculoskeletal conditions, in patients in low- and middle-income countries, and was administered in the West African nation of Sierra Leone in 2012. ⋯ Resource allocation decisions in global health are made based on burden of disease data in low- and middle-income countries. The data provided here for Sierra Leone may offer some generalizable insight into the scope of the burden of musculoskeletal disease for low- and middle-income countries, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa, and provide concrete evidence that musculoskeletal health should be included in the global health discussion. However, there may be important differences across countries in this region, and further study to elucidate these differences seems critical given the large burden of disease and the limited resources available in these regions to manage it.
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Clin. Orthop. Relat. Res. · Dec 2014
Psychological distress negatively affects self-assessment of shoulder function in patients with rotator cuff tears.
In many areas of orthopaedics, patients with greater levels of psychological distress report inferior self-assessments of pain and function. This effect can lead to lower-than-expected baseline scores on common patient-reported outcome scales, even those not traditionally considered to have a psychological component. ⋯ Level I, prognostic study. See the Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.