Archives of bone and joint surgery
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The Internet has become the most widely-used source for patients seeking information more about their health and many sites geared towards this audience have gained widespread use in recent years. Additionally, many healthcare institutions publish their own patient-education web sites with information regarding common conditions. Little is known about how these resources impact patient health, though, as they have the potential both to inform and to misinform patients regarding their prognosis and possible treatments. In this study we investigated the reliability, readability and quality of information about femoracetabular impingement, a condition which commonly affects young patients. ⋯ According to our results, the websites intended to attract patients searching for information regarding femoroacetabular impingement are providing a highly accessible, readable information source, but do not appear to apply a comparable amount of rigor to scientific literature or healthcare practitioner websites in regard to matters such as citing sources for information, supplying methodology and including a publication date. This indicates that while these resources are easily accessed by patients, there is potential for them to be a source of misinformation.
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Geographic and doctor-to-doctor variations in care are a focus of quality and safety efforts in medicine. This study addresses factors associated with variation in the rate of operative treatment of de Quervain tendinopathy. ⋯ Providers have substantial influence on treatment of de Quervain tendinopathy. The use of decision aids and other methods that help involve the patient in decision-making merit investigation as interventions to help reduce doctor-to-doctor variation.
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Vertebral anomalies may also distort the normal regional or global spinal alignment and necessitate some therapeutic interventions. Hemiepiphysiodesis is a traditional procedure usually described for these young patients but in more severe cases some type of osteotomy seems to be necessary. In this technical note, we describe a 5-year-old boy with failed previous hemiepiphysiodesis surgery, who was successfully treated with one level pedicle subtraction osteotomy. This procedure not only corrects the kyphotic deformity at the time of the procedure (not relying on future spinal growth), but also avoids more hazardous anterior approach.
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Prosthetic joint infection (PJI) is a calamitous complication with high morbidity and substantial cost. The reported incidence is low but it is probably underestimated due to the difficulty in diagnosis. PJI has challenged the orthopaedic community for several years and despite all the advances in this field, it is still a real concern with immense impact on patients, and the healthcare system. ⋯ Numerous factors can predispose patients to PJI. Identifying the host risk factors, patients' health modification, proper wound care, and optimizing operative room environment remain some of the core fundamental steps that can help minimizing the overall incidence of infection. In this review we have summarized the effective prevention strategies along with the recommendations of a recent International Consensus Meeting on Surgical Site and Periprosthetic Joint Infection.
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To test the psychometric properties of the Persian version of Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI-12) in the Iranian population. ⋯ Our findings suggest that the Zarit Burden Interview Persian version is both a valid and reliable instrument for measuring the burden of caregivers of individuals with chronic spinal cord injury.