Distal Limb Fractures Research Articles

The Effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Early Adolescent Fractures in the Republic of Korea.

Background and Objectives: Restrictions on daily activities to slow down the propagation of COVID-19 have changed the epidemiological pattern of pediatric fractures in many countries. However, the effect of the pandemic on pediatric fractures has not been fully studied. In this study, we investigated the impact of COVID-19 on early adolescent fractures in Korea. Materials and methods: We conducted a retrospective follow-up on a nationwide cohort of Korean early adolescents born between 2006 and 2009. The prevalence and incidence of pediatric fractures and the frequency of surgical treatment were compared between two different eras. Results: The prevalence and incidence of fractures during the pandemic have both shown a significant decrease: prevalence reduced from 34,626 to 24,789 (p < 0.001), while incidence decreased from 29,804 to 18,898 (p < 0.001). Considering sex, the shift in fracture prevalence was statistically significant (p = 0.020), whereas the incidence was not (p = 0.862). The decline in both fracture prevalence and incidence exhibited significant variation across birth year groups (prevalence, p < 0.001; incidence, p < 0.001), with a more pronounced reduction observed in the older age groups. While the proportion of patients who required surgeries has increased, the mean frequency of surgical treatment per patient remained at a similar level (by prevalence, p = 0.181; by incidence, p = 0.735). The decline in both fracture prevalence and incidence has shown significant variation in relation to fracture sites (prevalence, p < 0.001; incidence, p < 0.001), with a decrease in distal limb fractures and an increase in forearm and axial body fractures. Conclusions: The pediatric fracture pattern in Korea has been notably influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic, warranting further investigation into causal factors. Our findings should help predict epidemiology in the post-pandemic period and thus aid policymaking and patient management.

Added value of waist circumference to body mass index for predicting fracture risk in obesity: a prospective study from the CARTaGENE cohort.

Waist circumference (WC) is a stronger risk factor of metabolic disorders than body mass index (BMI), but whether it holds true for fracture risk prediction remains unclear. We aimed to evaluate relationships between WC and fracture incidence within BMI categories and evaluate whether BMI modifies these relationships. Men and women aged 40-70years from the CARTaGENE cohort were divided by BMI category at baseline: normal weight, overweight, and obesity. Incident fractures were identified over 7years via linkage with healthcare administrative databases. Cox proportional hazard models estimated the relationships between WC and incident fractures at any site and by skeletal site within each BMI category. Results are reported as adjusted hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) per 10cm increase in WC. Effect modification was evaluated qualitatively by comparing relationships between BMI categories. Of the 18 236 individuals included, 754 sustained a fracture. Significant relationships were found between WC and distal lower limb fractures in the normal (1.25 [1.08, 1.45]) and overweight (1.28 [1.07, 1.52]) BMI categories, but not in the obesity category. In the overweight category, we found an increased risk of distal upper limb fractures with increasing WC (1.49 [1.04, 2.15]). No significant relationship was observed regarding WC and fracture risk at any site or major osteoporotic fractures. An effect modification of BMI on the relationships between WC and distal lower limb fractures was observed. WC provides both independent and additive information to BMI for the identification of individuals at risk of obesity-related fractures.

Relationships between Obesity and Incidence of Fractures in a Middle-Aged Population: A Study from the CARTaGENE Cohort.

The association between obesity and fracture risk is complex and may vary by definition of obesity, skeletal site, and sex. We aimed to evaluate the relationships between obesity, defined using body mass index (BMI) or waist circumference (WC), and fracture incidence at any site and by skeletal site (i.e., major osteoporotic fractures [MOFs], distal lower limb fractures [tibia, ankle, feet], and distal upper limb fractures [forearm/elbow, wrist]). The secondary aim was to assess the aforementioned relationships by sex. We used CARTaGENE, a large population-based cohort of individuals aged 40-70 years from Quebec, Canada, who were assessed in 2009-2010. Incident fractures were identified via linkage with healthcare administrative databases over a 7-year period. Cox proportional hazard models adjusted for several potential confounders were used to estimate the relationships, with exposures treated as continuous variables. Results are reported as adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) and 95% confidence intervals. We identified 19 357 individuals (mean ± standard deviation: age 54 ± 8 years, BMI 27 ± 5 kg/m2, WC 94 ± 14 cm; 51.6% women). During follow-up, 497 women and 323 men sustained a fracture. There was a linear relationship between fracture incidence and WC, while cubic splines best fitted the relationship for BMI. Greater WC was associated with an increased risk of fracture at the distal lower limbs in the whole cohort and in the subgroup of women: aHR for each 10 cm increased in WC of 1.12 (1.03, 1.21) and 1.12 (1.01, 1.24), respectively. In men, WC was not significantly associated with any fracture outcome. Higher BMI was also significantly associated with distal lower limb fracture risk in the whole cohort (p=0.018). No significant relationships were found between either WC or BMI and the risk of any fracture, MOFs, and distal upper limb fractures. In middle-aged individuals, obesity, and mainly abdominal obesity, was associated with distal lower limb fracture risk. © 2023 The Authors. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.

Post-fracture serum cytokine levels are not associated with a later diagnosis of complex regional pain syndrome: a case-control study nested in a prospective cohort study

BackgroundComplex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is a disabling pain disorder that is most common after a distal limb fracture. While the acute systemic immune response to the injury is thought to play a role in the development of CRPS, this hypothesis has never been tested directly. Thus, we evaluated whether elevated levels of circulating pro-inflammatory cytokines early after a fracture were associated with the development of CRPS.MethodsWe conducted a case-control study nested within a prospective cohort study. Individuals with wrist and/or hand fractures were recruited from specialist hand units. Baseline clinical data were obtained from participants within 28 days of fracture. CRPS status was determined 16 weeks after the fracture using a two-stage diagnostic process. Cytokine assays were obtained from all cases (defined using the Budapest criteria) and a random sample of those who did not have CRPS at 16 weeks. We calculated odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals to determine the risk of CRPS associated with the expression of each of 25 cytokines.ResultsBaseline data were collected for 702 consenting participants, of whom 535 provided blood samples. Follow-up at 16 weeks was 97.2%. 15 (2.2% of the cohort) met the Budapest CRPS criteria and 69 (including those who met the Budapest criteria; 9.8%) met the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) CRPS criteria. In all of the primary analyses (using Budapest criteria) and 49/50 secondary analyses (using IASP criteria), 95% confidence intervals for the association between cytokine levels and the risk of subsequently developing CRPS included the null value (OR = 1). However, the confidence intervals were wide.ConclusionThere was no evidence that early post-injury expression of systemic cytokines was associated with a CRPS diagnosis 16 weeks after injury. This study does not provide support for the hypothesis that innate immune activation has a determinative role in the development of CRPS.

266 Mini C-Arm Use in The Emergency Department for Fracture Management During The COVID-19 Pandemic: A Pilot Study in A Tertiary Paediatric Referral Centre

IntroductionWe introduced the use of a Mini C-arm in managing distal limb fractures to minimise admissions and patient flow within the hospital.MethodProspective data collected between April and June 2020. Treatment details and imaging obtained from patient notes and PACS. A matching group from 2019 analysed for comparison.ResultsMini c-arm was used for manipulation of closed fractures of forearm (9), tibia (2), distal humerus (1), and foreign body removal (1). 11 procedures performed in ED with intranasal diamorphine and Entonox (5), intravenous Ketamine (5), or local anaesthetic (1), two in fracture clinic under Entonox. Fracture position was on average 7° from the anatomical. 1 Distal humerus required surgical correction. 1 admission after sedation. In the control group, 8 patients underwent manipulation under GA (4 ORIFs) and 2 procedures were done under sedation in ED. All patients were admitted. The quality of reduction varied on average 4º from anatomical. No patients required repeated procedures and all were followed up in a face to the face fracture clinic.ConclusionsReduced admission rate, need for GA and flow to RD without an obvious reduction in the quality of manipulation resulted from both mini c-arm use and good cooperation with ED facilitating the sedation.

Bedside Ultrasound Conducted in Kids with distal upper Limb fractures in the Emergency Department (BUCKLED): a protocol for an open-label non-inferiority diagnostic randomised controlled trial

BackgroundChildren frequently present to the emergency department (ED) with forearm injuries and often have x-rays to determine if there is a fracture. Bedside ultrasound, also known as point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS), is an alternative diagnostic test used to rapidly diagnose a fracture at the time of examination, without exposing children to ionising radiation. Prospective studies have demonstrated high agreement between POCUS and x-ray findings. However, whether the initial imaging modality affects the patient’s medium-term physical function is unknown.MethodsThis is a multicentre, open-label, non-inferiority randomised controlled trial conducted in Australian EDs. Recruitment will continue until 112 children with distal forearm injuries (including 48 buckle fractures) per trial arm have achieved the primary outcome measure. Patients aged 5–15 years presenting with an isolated, acute, clinically non-angulated, distal forearm injury with suspected fracture will have their initial diagnostic approach randomised to either POCUS, performed by a credentialled practitioner, or x-ray imaging. If a cortical breach fracture is identified on POCUS, the patient will receive x-rays and have usual care. If a buckle fracture is identified, the patient will have their forearm placed in a splint and be discharged home. Patients will be followed up at 1, 4 and 8 weeks. The primary outcome is upper limb physical function at 4 weeks, as determined by the Pediatric Upper Extremity Short Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) tool. Secondary outcomes include healthcare costs, satisfaction, pain, complications, rates of imaging, ED length of stay and diagnostic accuracy.DiscussionIf POCUS is non-inferior to x-ray in terms of patient’s medium-term physical function, it may have an effect on overall health care resource use, including the number of x-ray performed and earlier ED discharge. Although prospective studies have confirmed the accuracy of POCUS, this will be the first RCT to assess non-inferiority of functional outcomes of POCUS to diagnose non-angulated paediatric distal forearm injuries, compared to x-ray. POCUS may be of particular importance in settings where access to x-ray imaging can be limited either during or after-hours, as it can aid the triaging and management of patients.Trial registrationProspectively registered with the ANZCTR on 29 May 2020 (ACTRN12620000637943).

Burden of fractures in France: incidence and severity by age, gender, and site in 2016

PurposeFractures are common events, but the exact incidence and severity of fractures have not been clearly determined for most anatomical sites. We estimated the incidence and severity of fractures in France regardless of the anatomical site.MethodsObservational cross-sectional study in France in 2016 based on the national health data system. All incident fractures in patients 20 years and older were included. We determined the anatomical fracture site (12 sites) and the severity using a 4-point scale (outpatient care, hospitalization, surgery, and in-hospital death).ResultsWe identified 562,094 incident fractures, predominantly occurring in women (319,858: 56.9%); with a mean age of 63.6 years, and an exponential increase after the age of 70 years. Distal upper limb (172,591: 30.7%), distal lower limb (84,602: 15.1%), and femoral neck (78,766: 14.0%) accounted for more than one-half of all fractures. Sex and age of onset distributions varied widely according to fracture sites, with earlier onset for distal lower limb fractures (mean age: 54.2 years) and distal upper limb fractures (mean age: 55.2 years) with a men predominance for skull fractures. Only 105,165 (18.7%) fractures were treated on an outpatient basis; 11,913 (2.1%) in-hospital deaths occurred in patients with a mean age of 79.5 years. High mortality was observed for skull (12.9%), rib (4.9%), and femoral fractures (femoral neck 4.3% and proximal lower limb 4.2%).ConclusionWe estimated the incidence of fractures in France by sex and anatomical site. We also showed that fractures remain common and serious life events, especially in older people.

BUCKLED: Bedside ultrasound conducted in kids with distal upper limb fractures in the emergency department (observational trial)

Forearm fractures in children are a common presentation to the Emergency Department. Paediatric distal forearm fractures account for almost a third of all fractures in children, with a significant proportion of these diagnosed as buckle (torus) type fractures. These fractures are unique to children, occurring due to deformation of the metaphysis within a thick and strong periosteum. Point-of-care ultrasound has increasing utility in the diagnosis of non-angulated distal forearm fractures given that it is rapid, highly accurate, well-tolerated, and does not involve ionising radiation. Emergency Nurse Practitioners are utilised in the ambulatory care area, where they provide high-quality, cost-effective care. Given that NPs are heavily relied upon for the diagnosis and management of paediatric fractures, it was hypothesised that teaching them to diagnose distal forearm buckle fractures with a rapid POCUS protocol (i.e. less than 10 minutes) could potentially lead to time and resource savings, given that these patients can be appropriately discharged in a wrist splint. During the BUCKLED observational trial, Nurse Practitioners prospectively recruited a convenience sample of more than 200 paediatric patients over a 12-month period at a tertiary paediatric hospital in Australia. Patients were enrolled between the ages of 4-16 years with a non-deformed forearm with clinically suspected fracture to be evaluated with radiograph imaging. This pilot study determined the acceptability (staff, parent, child), tolerability (pain compared to radiograph), feasibility (time of scan), and the accuracy of Nurse Practitioners to diagnose buckle fractures using point-of-care ultrasound compared to radiograph as the gold standard. Besides potential benefits in a tertiary paediatric setting, outcomes from this study may have relevance to resource limited environments. The findings from this trial will be presented, along with future directions.

Internal fixation for the treatment of multiple physeal tibial fractures in a growing dog

This case report describes pinning fixation for the treatment of three tibial physeal fractures in a 3-month old mixed-breed dog. The radiographic study revealed a severe proximal dislocation of the tibial diaphysis along with multiple, closed fractures of the proximal and distal tibial physes, distal femoral physis and the fibula. Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) were performed using crossed Kirschner wires for proximal and distal tibial physeal fixation and a tension band to manage the tibial tuberosity avulsion fracture. Postoperative radiographs showed proper fracture reduction, tibial alignment and correct implant positioning. Clinical and radiographic checks documented progressive limb weight-bearing, gradual resolution of distal limb oedema and fracture healing. The described open surgical treatment had a satisfactory clinical outcome with restoration of tibial anatomy, preservation of joint function and an early return to normal motor activity at 45 days of follow-up.

Epidemiology of race-day distal limb fracture in flat racing Thoroughbreds in Great Britain (2000-2013).

A key focus of the racing industry is to minimise the number of race-day distal limb fractures although no studies have identified risk factors for both fatal and non-fatal distal limb fractures. To determine risk factors for race-day distal limb fractures experienced by Thoroughbred racehorses participating in flat racing in Great Britain (GB). Retrospective cohort. Information was collected from all flat racing starts occurring on GB racecourses between 2000 and 2013, including horse, race, course, trainer and jockey data for each horse start and race-day injury data as reported by on-course veterinarians. Associations between exposure variables and cases of distal limb fracture were assessed using mixed-effects logistic regression analyses using data from all starts, and turf starts only. A total of 806,764 starts and 624 cases of distal limb fracture were included, of which 548,571 starts and 379 cases of distal limb fracture occurred on turf surfaces. In both models, increasing firmness of the going, increasing racing distance and horses in their first year of racing were at a higher risk of distal limb fracture while increasing number of previous race starts were protective. Trainer performance was associated with distal limb fracture. Generally, the risk of distal limb fracture increased with increasing horse age. Starts in selling or claiming races or Group 1, Group 3 or claiming races were at higher odds of distal limb fracture in the all starts and turf models, respectively. Clinical diagnosis of distal limb fracture and all types of distal limb fracture considered as one outcome. This study confirmed previously identified risk factors for distal limb fracture including going, race distance and number of horse starts. Novel risk factors were related to trainer and horse performance, and race type. Identification of at risk groups will help inform interventions to reduce distal limb fracture occurrence in flat racing horses.

Risk factors for race-day fatality, distal limb fracture and epistaxis in Thoroughbreds racing on all-weather surfaces in Great Britain (2000 to 2013)

The incidence of race-day injuries in Great Britain (GB) is higher on all-weather (AW) surfaces than on turf. However, to date no studies have focused on identifying risk factors for injury specific to AW racing. Therefore, the objective of the current study was to determine risk factors for fatality, distal limb fracture (DLF) and episodes of epistaxis in flat racing Thoroughbreds racing on AW surfaces in GB. Data included all flat racing starts on AW surfaces (n=258,193) and race-day veterinary events recorded between 2000 and 2013. Information on additional course-level variables was gathered during face-to-face interviews with racecourse clerks. Horse-, race- and course-level risk factors for each outcome were assessed using mixed-effects multivariable logistic regression including horse as a random effect. A classification tree method was used to identify potential interaction terms for inclusion in the models. During the study period, there were 233 fatalities resulting in a fatality incidence of 0.90 per 1000 starts; 245 DLF with a resultant DLF incidence of 0.95 per 1000 starts and 410 episodes of epistaxis resulting in an epistaxis incidence of 1.59 per 1000 starts. Risk factors varied for each outcome, although some factors were similar across models including the going, racing intensity, horse age, age at first race start, horse and trainer performance variables. Generally, older horses and those that had started racing at an older age were at higher risk of an adverse outcome, albeit with an interaction between the two variables in the fatality model. Faster going increased the odds of epistaxis and DLF but not fatality. Increasing race distance increased the odds of fatality but reduced the odds of epistaxis. Epistaxis was associated with type of AW surface (Fibresand versus Polytrack®), but DLF and fatality were not. This study provides further evidence of the association between the risk of race-day injuries and fatalities and current age, age at first start, race distance, going and horse performance. These findings provide the racing industry with information to develop strategies to reduce the occurrence of race-day events on AW surfaces.

Mortality After Osteoporotic Fractures: What Proportion Is Caused by Fracture and Is Preventable?

Mortality After Osteoporotic Fractures: What Proportion Is Caused by Fracture and Is Preventable?

CRPSの深部組織の痛みのメカニズム

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a chronic pain condition that usually follow a deep–tissue injury such as fracture or sprain. CRPS describes a broad spectrum of signs and symptoms that predominantly localize to the extremities. The cause of pain is still unknown. Using the Japanese Diagnosis Procedure Combination database, we identified 39 patients diagnosed with CRPS immediately after open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) for limb fracture from a cohort of about 185000 inpatients treated with ORIF. The occurrence was relatively high in fractures of the distal forearm and lower limb. In terms of perioperative factors, a longer duration of anesthesia was significantly associated with a higher incidence of CRPS. Regional anesthesia could not reduce the incidence of CRPS. The incidence of CRPS was low in patients with multiple limb fractures. These patients received relatively–longer anesthesia time, but the time for one fractured limb would be comparable to that in patients with one limb fracture. Because a tourniquet procedure is widely used for ORIF of distal limb fracture in Japan, we considered that longer anesthesia time indicates longer ischemic time by tourniquet inflation. Our findings can propose that CRPS would be developed on the basis of the ischemic condition of the deep tissue. Supporting evidence comes from a previous animal model,in which the ischemic–reperfusion injury sustains chronic inflammatory condition in the deep tissue. This proposal should be confirmed in further investigations. Other proposed mechanisms focuses on the supra–spinal central nervous system. Abnormal somatotopies in the primary sensory and motor cortices were directly linked with pain intensity; Abnormal motor representation of the affected limb were observed in not only functional brain imaging studies but also psychophysical studies. Now we have not still disentangled the mechanisms of CRPS, but deep–tissues and motor control of the musculoskeletal system of the affected limb would be the potent target(s) to understand CRPS more clearly.

Bisphosphonates Inhibit Pain, Bone Loss, and Inflammation in a Rat Tibia Fracture Model of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome.

Bisphosphonates are used to prevent the bone loss and fractures associated with osteoporosis, bone metastases, multiple myeloma, and osteogenesis deformans. Distal limb fractures cause regional bone loss with cutaneous inflammation and pain in the injured limb that can develop into complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). Clinical trials have reported that antiresorptive bisphosphonates can prevent fracture-induced bone loss, inhibit serum inflammatory cytokine levels, and alleviate CRPS pain. Previously, we observed that the inhibition of inflammatory cytokines or adaptive immune responses attenuated the development of pain behavior in a rat fracture model of CRPS, and we hypothesized that bisphosphonates could prevent pain behavior, trabecular bone loss, postfracture cutaneous cytokine upregulation, and adaptive immune responses in this CRPS model. Rats underwent tibia fracture and cast immobilization for 4 weeks and were chronically administered either subcutaneously perfused alendronate or oral zoledronate. Behavioral measurements included hindpaw von Frey allodynia, unweighting, warmth, and edema. Bone microarchitecture was measured by microcomputed tomography, and bone cellular activity was evaluated by static and dynamic histomorphometry. Spinal cord Fos immunostaining was performed, and skin cytokine (tumor necrosis factor, interleukin [IL]-1, IL-6) and nerve growth factor (NGF) levels were determined by enzyme immunoassay. Skin and sciatic nerve immunoglobulin levels were determined by enzyme immunoassay. Rats with tibia fractures developed hindpaw allodynia, unweighting, warmth, and edema, increased spinal Fos expression and trabecular bone loss in the lumbar vertebra and bilateral distal femurs as measured by microcomputed tomography, increased trabecular bone resorption and osteoclast surface with decreased bone formation rates, increased cutaneous inflammatory cytokine and NGF expression, and elevated immunocomplex deposition in skin and nerve. Alendronate (60 μg/kg/d subcutaneously [s.c.]) or zoledronate (3 mg/kg/d orally) treatment for 28 days, started at the time of fracture, completely inhibited the development of hindpaw allodynia and reduced hindpaw unweighting by 44% ± 13% and 58% ± 5%, respectively. Orally administered zoledronate (3 mg/kg/d for 21 days) treatment also completely reversed established allodynia and unweighting when started at 4 weeks postfracture. Histomorphometric and microcomputed tomography analysis demonstrated that both the 3 and 60 μg/kg/d alendronate treatments reversed trabecular bone loss (an 88% ± 25% and 188% ± 39% increase in the ipsilateral distal femur BV/TV, respectively) and blocked the increase in osteoclast numbers and erosion surface observed in bilateral distal femurs and in L5 vertebra of the fracture rats. Alendronate treatment inhibited fracture-induced increases in hindpaw inflammatory mediators, reducing postfracture levels of tumor necrosis factor by 43% ± 9%, IL-1 by 60% ± 9%, IL-6 by 56% ± 14%, and NGF by 37% ± 14%, but had no effect on increased spinal cord Fos expression, or skin and sciatic nerve immunocomplex deposition. Collectively, these results indicate that bisphosphonate therapy inhibits pain, osteoclast activation, trabecular bone loss, and cutaneous inflammation in the rat fracture model of CRPS, data supporting the hypothesis that bisphosphonate therapy can provide effective multimodal treatment for CRPS.

Change in fracture risk and fracture pattern after bariatric surgery: nested case-control study

Objective To investigate whether bariatric surgery increases the risk of fracture.Design Retrospective nested case-control study.Setting Patients who underwent bariatric surgery in the province of Quebec, Canada, between 2001 and 2014,...

Incidence rate of mild traumatic brain injury among patients who have suffered from an isolated limb fracture: Upper limb fracture patients are more at risk

ObjectivesThis study compares the incidence rate of mild traumatic brain injury (mild TBI) detected at follow-up visits (retrospective diagnosis) in patients suffering from an isolated limb trauma, with the incidence rate held by the hospital records (prospective diagnosis) of the sampled cohort. This study also seeks to determine which types of fractures present with the highest incidence of mild TBI. Patients and methodsRetrospective assessment of mild TBI among orthopaedic monotrauma patients, randomly selected for participation in an Orthopaedic clinic of a Level I Trauma Hospital. Patients in the remission phase of a limb fracture were recruited between August 2014 and May 2015. No intervention was done (observational study). Main outcome measurements: Standardized semi-structured interviews were conducted with all patients to retrospectively assess for mild TBI at the time of the fracture. Emergency room related medical records of all patients were carefully analyzed to determine whether a prospective mild TBI diagnosis was made following the accident. ResultsA total of 251 patients were recruited (54% females, Mean age=49). Study interview revealed a 23.5% incidence rate of mild TBI compared to an incidence rate of 8.8% for prospective diagnosis (χ2=78.47; p<0.0001). Patients suffering from an upper limb monotrauma (29.6%; n=42/142) are significantly more at risk of sustaining a mild TBI compared to lower limb fractures (15.6%; n=17/109) (χ2=6.70; p=0.010). More specifically, patients with a proximal upper limb injury were significantly more at risk of sustaining concomitant mild TBI (40.6%; 26/64) compared to distal upper limb fractures (20.25%; 16/79) (χ2=7.07; p=0.008). ConclusionsResults suggest an important concomitance of mild TBI among orthopaedic trauma patients, the majority of which go undetected during acute care. Patients treated for an upper limb fracture are particularly at risk of sustaining concomitant mild TBI.

Appendicular fractures of traumatic etiology in dogs: 955 cases (2004-2013)

ABSTRACT: Orthopedic diseases are common in dogs and cats, especially, those caused by traumatic injury. Overall, among the significant changes in this group, the fractures are the major cause of pain and dysfunction in dogs of all ages, sizes and breeds. Therefore, a retrospective study of dogs examined between January 2004 and December 2013 at the University Veterinary Hospital of Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, was conducted aiming to identify and determine the prevalence of appendicular fractures caused by trauma and characterizing the population/etiology. In a population of 1,200 dogs with suspected traumatic orthopedic diseases in the locomotor system, 955 (79.6%) had appendicular fractures. Of the dogs 23.5% had fractures on the femur (n=225), 23.4% had pelvic fractures (n=223), 22% had tibial and fibular fractures (n=210), 17.6% had radius and ulna fractures (n=168), 7.5% had humeral fractures (n=72) and 6% had distal limb fractures (tarsus, carpus, metacarpus, metatarsus and phalanges (n=57)). The most frequent cause was car accidents (72.2%). Most affected dogs were male (52.5%), juvenile (42%), mixed breed (51.4%) and small size (42.7%). In conclusion, the profile of dogs with fractures in the Central Region of Rio Grande do Sul State is: male dogs, mixed breed, immature and small size, presenting femoral fractures by car accident.

Trackside diagnostic imaging

ALTHOUGH there is some variability in the pattern of musculoskeletal injuries sustained by thoroughbred horses at racecourses in different countries, fractures of the distal limb are common in racing thoroughbreds...

Estimates of genetic parameters of distal limb fracture and superficial digital flexor tendon injury in UK Thoroughbred racehorses

A retrospective cohort study of distal limb fracture and superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) injury in Thoroughbred racehorses was conducted using health records generated by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) between 2000 and 2010. After excluding records of horses that had both flat and jump racing starts, repeated records were reduced to a single binary record per horse (n = 66,507, 2982 sires), and the heritability of each condition was estimated using residual maximum likelihood (REML) with animal logistic regression models. Similarly, the heritability of each condition was estimated for the flat racing and jump racing populations separately. Bivariate mixed models were used to generate estimates of genetic correlations between SDFT injury and distal limb fracture.The heritability of distal limb fracture ranged from 0.21 to 0.37. The heritability of SDFT injury ranged from 0.31 to 0.34. SDFT injury and distal limb fracture were positively genetically correlated. These findings suggest that reductions in the risk of the conditions studied could be attempted using targeted breeding strategies.

Accuracy of distal limb fracture diagnosis at British racecourses 1999–2005

Accurate diagnosis of racing injuries can be difficult. The objectives of this study were to describe the postmortem (PM) defined distribution of fatal distal limb fractures (DLF) affecting Thoroughbreds racing...