Limb Fractures Research Articles

Skin Antisepsis before Surgical Fixation of Extremity Fractures

BackgroundStudies evaluating surgical-site infection have had conflicting results with respect to the use of alcohol solutions containing iodine povacrylex or chlorhexidine gluconate as skin antisepsis before surgery to repair a fractured limb (i.e., an extremity fracture).MethodsIn a cluster-randomized, crossover trial at 25 hospitals in the United States and Canada, we randomly assigned hospitals to use a solution of 0.7% iodine povacrylex in 74% isopropyl alcohol (iodine group) or 2% chlorhexidine gluconate in 70% isopropyl alcohol (chlorhexidine group) as preoperative antisepsis for surgical procedures to repair extremity fractures. Every 2 months, the hospitals alternated interventions. Separate populations of patients with either open or closed fractures were enrolled and included in the analysis. The primary outcome was surgical-site infection, which included superficial incisional infection within 30 days or deep incisional or organ-space infection within 90 days. The secondary outcome was unplanned reoperation for fracture-healing complications.ResultsA total of 6785 patients with a closed fracture and 1700 patients with an open fracture were included in the trial. In the closed-fracture population, surgical-site infection occurred in 77 patients (2.4%) in the iodine group and in 108 patients (3.3%) in the chlorhexidine group (odds ratio, 0.74; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.55 to 1.00; P=0.049). In the open-fracture population, surgical-site infection occurred in 54 patients (6.5%) in the iodine group and in 60 patients (7.3%) in the chlorhexidine group (odd ratio, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.58 to 1.27; P=0.45). The frequencies of unplanned reoperation, 1-year outcomes, and serious adverse events were similar in the two groups.ConclusionsAmong patients with closed extremity fractures, skin antisepsis with iodine povacrylex in alcohol resulted in fewer surgical-site infections than antisepsis with chlorhexidine gluconate in alcohol. In patients with open fractures, the results were similar in the two groups. (Funded by the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research; PREPARE ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT03523962.)

Decline in muscle strength and physical function after fracture in men - the prospective STRAMBO study.

Studies on muscle strength and physical function after fracture are focused on short follow-ups and adjacent anatomical region. We compared loss of muscle strength and physical function in men after fracture with normal ageing-related decline. In 823 men aged 60-87, measurements of grip strength and clinical tests (chair stands, balance) were performed every 4years for 12years. In 155 men with incident fracture, we compared the status after vs. before the fracture. In men without fracture (controls), we compared the status on the first follow-up (4years) vs. baseline. In men with fracture, grip strength decreased more than in the controls (41%, 0.28SD, P < .01). Men with fracture had higher risk of incident deterioration on the five chair-stand test vs. the controls (OR = 2.45, P < .001). They had higher risk of incident inability to stand for 10s with closed eyes vs. the controls (OR = 4.80, P < .01). They also had higher risk of deterioration on the tandem walk than the controls: forwards (OR = 2.04, P < .01), backwards (OR = 2.25, P < .005). The rapid physical decline was not limited to the region of the fracture site. In men who had incident non-upper limb fractures, grip strength decreased more (32%, P < .05) vs. the controls. In men who had incident non-lower limb fractures, the risk of decline in the tests of the lower limbs was higher vs. controls (chair stands, OR = 2.73, P < .001). The risk of decline was higher in men with clinical fractures which occurred >1year before the next visit vs. controls (tandem walk forwards, OR = 2.98, P < .005). Overall, in older men, fractures were associated with greater loss of muscle strength and physical function vs. normal ageing. This accelerated decline was also found in the anatomical regions remote from the fracture site. Thus, programs to decrease or reverse the post-fracture decline could have beneficial effects on subsequent fracture risk.

Fear-avoidant beliefs and behaviours after upper limb fracture in older people: a systematic review and meta-ethnography.

This systematic review aimed to understand older people's perspectives of associated fear-avoidant beliefs following upper limb fracture. Published and unpublished literature databases were systematically searched from inception to 1st April 2023. Qualitative studies reporting the perspectives of fear-avoidant beliefs or behaviours in people who had sustained an upper limb fracture were eligible. Data extracted included characteristics of people interviewed, experiences and perceptions of fear, fear of falling, and fear-avoidant beliefs and behaviours. Data were synthesised using a meta-ethnography approach and the GRADE-CERQUAL tool. Eight studies were eligible (n = 150 participants; 109 distal radial/41 humeral fracture). Three overarching themes were identified: (1) type of fear-avoidant experiences, (2) drivers of fear-avoidant beliefs and behaviours, and (3) consequences of fear-avoidant beliefs and behaviours. The themes generated were based on moderate confidence evidence. In summary, whilst some patients initially consider upper limb fractures to be relatively minor injuries, over time, the realisation occurs that they have wide-ranging consequences with longer-term perspectives on recovery. This often occurs following an initial period of reduced fear. Providing education and support immediately post-fracture to prevent or challenge initial health beliefs around fear of falls and fear of movement is imperative to recovery. Fear-avoidant beliefs can impact heavily on certain older people's recovery, as well as their longer-term health and wellbeing. Consideration of fear avoidance and taking steps to mitigate against this in the acute upper limb trauma setting will better serve these patients in their ongoing recovery from injury.

Comparing the efficacy of intravenous morphine versus ibuprofen or the combination of ibuprofen and acetaminophen in patients with closed limb fractures: a randomized clinical trial

IntroductionThis study aims to investigate the effectiveness of intravenous ibuprofen or intravenous ibuprofen plus acetaminophen compared to intravenous morphine in patients with closed extremity fractures.MethodsA triple-blinded randomized clinical trial was conducted at a tertiary trauma center in Iran. Adult patients between 15 and 60 years old with closed, isolated limb fractures and a pain intensity of at least 6/10 on the visual analog scale (VAS) were eligible. Patients with specific conditions or contraindications were not included. Participants were randomly assigned to receive intravenous ibuprofen, intravenous ibuprofen plus acetaminophen, or intravenous morphine. Pain scores were assessed using the visual analog scale at baseline and 5, 15, 30, and 60 min after drug administration. The primary outcome measure was the pain score reduction after one hour.ResultsOut of 388 trauma patients screened, 158 were included in the analysis. There were no significant differences in age or sex distribution among the three groups. The pain scores decreased significantly in all groups after 5 min, with the morphine group showing the lowest pain score at 15 min. The maximum effect of ibuprofen was observed after 30 min, while the ibuprofen-acetaminophen combination maintained its effect after 60 min. One hour after injection, pain score reduction in the ibuprofen-acetaminophen group was significantly more than in the other two groups, and pain score reduction in the ibuprofen group was significantly more than in the morphine group.ConclusionThe study findings suggest that ibuprofen and its combination with acetaminophen have similar or better analgesic effects compared to morphine in patients with closed extremity fractures. Although morphine initially provided the greatest pain relief, its effect diminished over time. In contrast, ibuprofen and the ibuprofen-acetaminophen combination maintained their analgesic effects for a longer duration. The combination therapy demonstrated the most sustained pain reduction. The study highlights the potential of non-opioid analgesics in fracture pain management and emphasizes the importance of initiation of these medications as first line analgesic for patients with fractures. These findings support the growing trend of exploring non-opioid analgesics in pain management.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05630222 (Tue, Nov 29, 2022). The manuscript adheres to CONSORT guidelines.

An automatic segmentation algorithm for conglutinated bone fragments in 3D CT images of lower limb fractures based on morphology

An automatic segmentation algorithm for conglutinated bone fragments in 3D CT images of lower limb fractures based on morphology

Neonatal upper limb fractures – a narrative overview of the literature

The aim of this paper is to review the topic of neonatal fractures of the upper limb, describing the different types of fractures focusing on the etiology, epidemiology, risk factors, clinical approach, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of these injuries. We included all types of research studies, both experimental and observational, published in English, French, Portuguese and Spanish. The information was obtained using the keywords neonatal upper limb fracture, clavicle fracture or humerus fracture from the following resources: MEDLINE database, Embase® database and LILACS database. Other resources such as hand searches of the references of retrieved literature and authoritative texts, personal and hospital libraries searching for texts on upper limb neonatal fractures, discussions with experts in the field of upper limb neonatal fractures and personal experience, were also considered for the completion of the article.Neonatal fractures of the upper limb are consensually considered to have a good prognosis and no long-term sequelae. Conservative treatment is the option in the vast majority of the fractures and is associated with excellent results, with good healing, full range of motion, adequate remodeling without obvious deformity, neurologic impairment or functional implications.

Mendelian-randomization study revealed causal relationship between nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and osteoporosis/fractures.

Patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are reported to have a higher risk of osteoporosis/fractures; however, the causal relationship remains unclear. Publicly available genome-wide association studies (GWASs) were used for Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis. GWASs of NAFLD and fractures were obtained from the FinnGen Consortium. GWASs of bone mineral density (BMD) were derived from a meta-analysis. GWASs of obesity, diabetes, liver function, and serum lipid-related metrics were used to clarify whether the accompanying NAFLD symptoms contributed to fractures. Moreover, two additional GWASs of NAFLD were applied. A causal association was not observed between NAFLD and BMD using GWASs from the FinnGen Consortium. However, a causal relationship between NAFLD and femoral neck-BMD (FN-BMD), a suggestive relationship between fibrosis and FN-BMD, and between NAFLD and osteoporosis were identified in replication GWASs. Genetically proxied body mass index (BMI), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and hip circumference increased the likelihood of lower limb fractures. The waist-to-hip ratio decreased, whereas glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C) and homeostasis model assessment of β-cell function (HOMA-B) increased the risk of forearm fractures. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) reduced, whereas HbA1C increased the incidence of femoral fractures. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) raised the risk of foot fractures. However, after a multivariate MR analysis (adjusted for BMI), all the relationships became insignificant. NAFLD caused reduced BMD, and genetically predicted HDL, LDL, HbA1C, HOMA-B, ALP, hip circumference, and waist-to-hip ratio causally increased the risk of fractures. BMI may mediate causal relationships. Larger GWASs are required to verify this finding.

Experimental study of a novel mouse model of tibial shaft fracture combined with blunt chest trauma.

Thoracic Trauma and Limb Fractures Are the Two most Common Injuries in Multiple Trauma. However, there Is Still a Lack of Mouse Models of Trauma Combining Tibial Shaft Fracture (TSF) and Thoracic Trauma. In this Study, we Attempted to Develop a Novel Mouse Model of TSF Combined with Blunt Chest Trauma (BCT). A total of 84 C57BL/6J male mice were used as the multiple trauma model. BCT was induced by hitting the chests of mice with heavy objects, and TSF was induced by hitting the tibia of mice with heavy objects after intramedullary fixation. Serum specimens of mice were received by cardiac puncture at defined time points of 0, 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h. Body weight and body temperature tended to decrease within 24 h after multiple trauma. Hemoglobin analyses revealed a decrease during the first 24 h after multiple trauma. Some animals died by cardiac puncture immediately after chest trauma. These animals exhibited the most severe pulmonary contusion and hemorrhage. The level of lung damage varied in diverse mice but was apparent in all animals. Classic hematoxylin and eosin (H&E)-stained paraffin pulmonary sections of mice with multiple trauma displayed hemorrhage and an immunoinflammatory reaction. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and serum samples of mice with multiple trauma showed an upregulation of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-1α (TNF-1α) compared with the control group. Microimaging confirmed the presence of a tibia fracture and pulmonary contusion. The novel mouse multiple trauma model established in this study is a common trauma model that shows similar pathological mechanisms and imaging characteristics in patients with multiple injuries. This study is useful for determining whether blockade or intervention of the cytokine response is beneficial for the treatment of patients with multiple trauma. Further research is needed in the future.

Ankle arthroscopy does not elevate complication rates in ankle fractures

IntroductionAnkle fractures rank as the second most common lower limb fractures, and surgical intervention is essential for unstable ankle fractures. The use of ankle arthroscopy in such cases offers several advantages. This study aim is to assess whether arthroscopy influenced on complication rates in 171 ankle fractures treated with arthroscopic assistance. MethodsThis retrospective epidemiological analysis encompassed adult ankle fractures between December 2018 and December 2021. Initially, 173 patients were considered, but two were excluded, leaving a final sample of 171 patients. Postoperative complications were categorized as major or minor. ResultsThe study included 171 patients with surgically treated ankle fractures assisted by arthroscopy, comprising 76 females and 95 males, with an average age of 41.9 years. Syndesmosis injuries were treated in all diagnosed cases (55.0%), and deltoid ligament injuries received attention when identified (33.7%). Arthroscopic techniques were preferred over open techniques (47.4%). Ten patients experienced complications, consisting of 2 major and 8 minor complications (5.8%). DiscussionOur study's epidemiological findings align with prior literature, demonstrating that intra-articular injuries accompany 63% to 79% of ankle fractures. Arthroscopy allows for both diagnosis and treatment within the same procedure, including joint lavage to reduce inflammation. We diagnosed 57 deltoid injuries and identified a statistical relationship between chondral, syndesmotic, and deltoid ligament injuries. Infection is a common complication in ankle fracture surgery, with rates ranging from 1.44% to 16%. Our study yielded a 5.8% complication rate, comprising 1.2% major and 4.6% minor complications. Patients undergoing ORIF with arthroscopic assistance had a lower prevalence of infection. ConclusionThe use of arthroscopic assistance in the surgical treatment of ankle fractures does not increase the overall complication rate. Level of evidenceIV

Evaluation of Risk Factors for the Occurrence of Limb Fractures in Children Due to Unintentional Injury in Podgorica, Montenegro, Mediterranean.

Background and Objectives: Limb injuries in childhood are very common, with most of them being unintentional and often accompanied by soft tissue injuries. The aim of our study was to determine the risk factors that contribute to the occurrence of limb fractures as the most common type of accidental injury to children in our conditions. Materials and Methods: This study was designed as a prospective clinical analysis of predictive factors with a "nested" case-control study. It included all patients under the age of 18 who were diagnosed with unintentional limb injury and limb fracture due to accidental injury, at the Clinical Center of Montenegro, Podgorica, in the period of 7 January 2020-30 June 2021. Results: The gender of the child and the occurrence of the fracture are not related, and a statistically significant relationship was found between the occurrence of the fracture and the place of residence, the child's age, body mass index (BMI), the affected limb, the method of injury, and the mental state of the parents of the injured child, as well as their economic status. It was proved that the older the child was, the lower the chance of injury, while multivariate analysis proved that BMI could be a predictor of accidental fracture. The most common method of accidental limb fractures in children was a fall from a height. Conclusions: The analysis of factors that influence the occurrence of children's injuries is of great importance for public health. Such and similar research can enable a better understanding of the factors that influence accidental injuries, and therefore influence the prevention of these injuries by organizing various educational materials at the primary healthcare level or at the school level, for both children and parents.

Evaluation of clinical and radiological correlation in blunt trauma abdomen

Background: Abdominal trauma is commonly encountered injury caused mainly due to road traffic accidents (RTA). The research aimed to study the cases of abdominal trauma, its different modes of presentation and correlation of radiological and clinical findings with operative findings in these patients. Material and methods: An observational study was conducted in a tertiary care institute. Hemodynamic instability and finding of shattered solid viscera on imaging and/or other injury requiring exploration were the criteria for surgical intervention. Radiological findings were then compared with the operative findings. In addition, clinical parameters were recorded till the patient was discharged and then analyzed. Results: A total of 62 patients presenting in Trauma Centre with an antecedent history of blunt abdominal trauma. Most common age group affected was 21-40 years and mean age was 30.4 + 11.56 years. Males were more affected and RTA was the most common mode of injury. Associated injuries included chest injuries (20.9%), limb fracture (19.35%) and soft tissue injuries (4.83%). Twenty patients were operated and rest of patients were managed conservatively. Sensitivity of USG in detecting liver and splenic injuries was 100% and specificity was 92.3% and 92.8% respectively. Sensitivity of CT for detecting injury to liver, spleen, renal, pancreas and small bowel was 100%, 83.3%, 100%, 100% and 83.3% and specificity was 100% in all injuries. Mortality rate in our study was 4.83%. Conclusion: High degree of suspicion and prompt screening by radiological investigations of patients should be done to rule out intraabdominal injury. Necessary investigations and early surgery whenever required is the key to management of blunt trauma patients.

Biobased polyester versus synthetic fiberglass casts for treating stable upper limb fractures in children: a randomized controlled trial

BackgroundStable upper limb fractures, such as radius, ulna, or distal humerus fractures, are common pediatric orthopedic traumas that are traditionally managed with cast immobilization. The commonly used synthetic fiberglass cast is light and water resistant but may promote skin itchiness during casting, which is a common complaint of patients. In addition, these diisocyanate-based casts have been proven to be toxic and may cause asthma. Herein, we introduce a novel biobased polyester cast to compare its clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction with conventional synthetic fiberglass casts.MethodsFrom Feb 2022 to Nov 2022, we undertook a single-center prospective randomized trial involving 100 children with cast-immobilized stable upper limb fractures. These patients were randomized into either biobased polyester or synthetic fiberglass groups. All patients were regularly followed up till the cast removal which occurred approximately 3–4 weeks after immobilizing. Objective clinical findings and subjective patient questionnaire were all collected and analyzed.ResultsAccording to the radiographs taken on the day of cast removal, there was no loss of reduction in both groups. The incidence of skin problems was 3.4 times higher in the synthetic fiberglass group than in the biobased polyester group. For the subjective questionnaire, the biobased polyester cast was preferred in every sub-item.ConclusionsOur study strongly suggested that the novel biobased polyester cast provides matching stability to conventional fiberglass casts and improves patient satisfaction in an eco-friendlier and safer way.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov Protocol Registration and Results System (https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/; ID: NCT06102603; Date: 26/10/2023).

Встречаемость переломов в области грудной и тазовой конечностей у собак

Currently, there is a trend towards popularization of pet dogs in the city of Moscow. Despite the rapid development of science and technology in veterinary medicine, limb fractures are still one of the most common pathologies. In this article, a retrospective analysis of the prevalence of fractures in dogs in the thoracic and pelvic limbs was performed, the age and breed groups of dogs most prone to fractures were determined, and the most traumatized limb regions were identified. The most common types of fractures were also established. Based on the results, it can be concluded that the forearm bones of small breeds of dogs with body weight up to 10kg are most susceptible to fractures in the thoracic limb. In the pelvic limb, tibia fractures were more common in medium breed dogs with body weight from 10 kg to 25 kg. Simple oblique bone fractures were more frequently registered in dogs in the studied groups.

Management of Ipsilateral Fractures After Rotationplasty

Case: Rotationplasty is a surgical procedure used for restoring functionality after skeletal tumor resection. Multiple complications have been described, including the potential occurrence of fractures. Literature on fracture management after rotationplasty is limited. In this article, we present 2 cases of late ipsilateral fractures in rotated limbs successfully treated with intramedullary nailing. Conclusion: Effective management of fractures after rotationplasty requires thorough understanding of the rotated limb anatomy and careful planning. The clinical considerations presented in this article aim to provide guidance for surgeons to achieve successful outcomes in the management of fractures after rotationplasty.

Multimodal ultrasound evaluation of asymptomatic ulnar nerve dislocation at the cubital tunnel.

Ultrasonography has received broad acceptance as an effective peripheral nervous imaging examination. Shear wave elastography (SWE) can quantitatively assess the stiffness of nerves; however, little research has been conducted on elastography for ulnar nerve dislocation. The purpose of this study was thus to investigate the characteristics of multimodal ultrasound, including high-resolution ultrasonography and SWE, for asymptomatic ulnar nerve dislocation at cubital tunnel. In this prospective cross-sectional study, 41 participants were recruited in Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University in July 2022. The inclusion criteria for participants were being in good health and being 18-60 years of age. Meanwhile, the exclusion criterion was a history of upper limb pain or fractures, peripheral neuropathy, or systemic or immunological diseases. Finally, 38 participants were enrolled. Two ultrasound doctors measured the maximum diameter, the maximum cross-sectional area (CSA), and the shear modulus of the ulnar nerve at the cubital tunnel independently. Another two ultrasound doctors determined whether dislocation was present during dynamic elbow flexion and extension and divided the elbows into a dislocation group and a control group. The descriptive statistics and independent sample t-test were used for data analysis, and intragroup correlation coefficient (ICC) was used to determine the consistency of evaluation between observers. Ulnar nerve dislocation was observed in 15.8% (12/76) of the ulnar nerves. There was no significant difference in the maximum diameter between the dislocation group (0.194±0.022 cm) and the control group (0.181±0.023 cm) (t=1.888; P=0.063). The CSA and SWE of the ulnar nerve were 0.064±0.009 cm2 and 43.629±6.737 kPa in the dislocation group, respectively, and were 0.050±0.008 cm2 and 31.293±7.858 kPa in the control group, respectively. There were significant differences between the two groups in terms of CSA (P<0.001) and SWE (P<0.001). The ICCs of the maximum diameter, CSA, and SWE values between observers were 0.970, 0.900, and 0.915, respectively. Multimodal ultrasound consisting of high-resolution ultrasonography combined with elastography can comprehensively and quantitatively evaluate the morphological changes and mechanical properties of the dislocated ulnar nerve and monitor disease progress.

Evaluation and Quantifying the Difference between Male and Female Agility in Football Players: A Cross-sectional Pilot Study

Introduction: Football is an intermittent sport which requires agility as essential trait for player conditioning, selection and prevention of injury. Agility is a conditional motoric attribute classified as a locomotor skill combining both a muscular and cognitive component. Previous study, revealed that Illinois and T-test were most significant tests to evaluate agility. Aim: To evaluate and quantify the difference in agility between male and female footballers. Materials and Methods: Purposive sampling was used in this crosssectional study. 30 professional football players, aged between 18- 25 years with normal BMI and had atleast 3 years of systematic football training with 3-4 training sessions weekly and 8 hours of football training per week were included. Those players who had visual/hearing impairments, history of lower limb fractures, Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) reconstruction and meniscectomy were excluded from the study. Illinois and T-test was used to access agility of football players. Normality of data was checked using ShapiroWilk test. Descriptive statistics in form of Mean±SD were used to find normative value and Independent T-test was utilised to quantify the difference. Results: Reference value of male and female player’s agility in T-test was 10.35±0.58 and 14.52±0.50 whereas for Illinois test it is 16.34±0.79 and 18.12±1.02 respectively. Independent T-test showed significant difference in male and female agility for both Illinois and T-test (p&lt;0.001). Conclusion: Normative values are established for both genders. It is concluded that female players are clinically and statistically less agile when compared to male players (p-value &lt;0.001).

Clearance of senescent cells enhances skin wound healing in type 2 diabetic mice.

Background: Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) pose a substantial healthcare challenge due to their high rates of morbidity, recurrence, disability, and mortality. Current DFU therapeutics continue to grapple with multiple limitations. Senescent cells (SnCs) have been found to have a beneficial effect on acute wound healing, however, their roles in chronic wounds, such as DFU, remain unclear. Methods and results: We collected skin, fat, and muscle samples from clinical patients with DFU and lower limb fractures. RNA-sequencing combined with qPCR analyses on these samples demonstrate a significant accumulation of SnCs at DFU, as indicated by higher senescence markers (e.g., p16 and p21) and a senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). We constructed a type 2 diabetic model of db/db mice, fed with a high-fat diet (Db-HFD), which were wounded using a 6 mm punch to the dorsal skin. HFD slightly affected wound healing in wild-type (WT) mice, but high glucose significantly delayed wound healing in the Db-HFD mice. We injected the mice with a previously developed fluorescent probe (XZ1208), which allows the detection of SnCs in vivo, and observed a strong senescence signal at the wound site of the Db-HFD mice. Contrary to the beneficial effects of SnCs in acute wound healing, our results demonstrated that clearance of SnCs using the senolytic compound ABT263 significantly accelerated wound healing in Db-HFD mice. Conclusion: Collectively, these findings suggest that SnCs critically accumulate at wound sites, delaying the healing process in DFUs. Thus, targeting SnCs with senolytic therapy represents a promising approach for DFU treatment, potentially improving the quality of life for patients with DFUs.

Combining Acupuncture and Rehabilitation Therapy for Treatment of Elbow Joint Dysfunctioning Postupper Limb Fracture Surgery: Benefitting Efficacy and Quality of Life

Objective: Exploring and analyzing the efficacy of a combined treatment of acupuncture andrehabilitation therapy, in improving elbow joint dysfunction, post upper-limb fracture surgery, andstudying its impact on patients’ quality of life. Methods: Comparing statistically clinical efficacy andpost operative rehabilitation treatment in elbow joint function between two groups. Results: Theexperimental group, as compared to the control group, marked higher scores on all tests including MayoElbow Performance Score (MEPS) and Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire (PSQ-18). The hospital-stay spanand the time for elbow joint function to normalize were also shorter than taken by the control group.However, the experimental group scored lower in the Quality of Life 30-Item Questionnaire (QoL-30)scale than that of the control group (P &lt; 0.05). Conclusion: Acupuncture and rehabilitation therapy,when provided in combination to the patients in case of elbow joint dysfunction post upper-limbfracture surgery, received numerous benefits in terms of efficacy, significant improvement in functionalrecovery, pain relief, and a notable enhancement in patients’ quality of life. This finding provides atheoretical framework to promote the application of combined treatment methods in clinical practice.

Analysis of the trajectory and influencing factors of kinesiophobia in elderly patients during the rehabilitation phase of limb fractures.

To explore the trajectory and influencing factors of kinetophobia in elderly patients with limb fracture during the rehabilitation period. In this retrospective study, we retrieved the follow-up records of 150 elderly patients with limb fractures from our hospital's electronic medical record system. We collected the demographic data and Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK) scores of patients at postoperative day 1 (T0), 1 week (T1), 3 weeks (T2), 6 weeks (T3), and 12 weeks (T4) to track changes in kinesiophobia over time. We used Mplus 8.3 software to fit the development trajectory types of kinesiophobia based on TSK scores at time points T0 to T4 using a Latent Class Growth Model (LCGM). After selecting the best fitting model, logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the risk factors for kinesiophobia in different types. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and area under the curve (AUC) were used to compare the predictive value of relevant influencing factors for kinetophobia in elderly patients recovering from limb fracture. The TSK scores decreased steadily from T0 to T4 [(46.03±7.88) at T0, (41.14±8.89) at T1, (34.61±5.64) at T2, (29.95±6.79) at T3, and (26.71±5.03) at T4], [F (4, 745) = 193.1, P < 0.001]. We identified the trajectory of changes in kinesiophobia symptoms through LCGM, gradually establishing models with 1 to 5 categories. By integrating the results of relevant fit indices, we ultimately selected the best fitting model with 2 categories. Among them, 119 patients in Class 1 (79.3%) showed a slow and continuous decline in kinesiophobia symptoms from T0 to T4, while 31 patients in Class 2 (20.7%) exhibited rapid decline followed by rebound in kinesiophobia symptoms. Logistic regression showed that older the age (OR = 1.219), per capita monthly income < 3000 yuan (OR = 12.657), numeric rating scale (NRS), patients with higher NRS (OR = 2.401) and higher self-efficacy (OR = 1.212) were more likely to be in Class 1. The ROC curve results show that the combined above indicators have a higher predictive value for the changes in fear of movement in elderly patients with lower limb fractures during the rehabilitation period (AUC = 0.934), compared to age (AUC = 0.694), per capita monthly income (AUC = 0.654), NRS score (AUC = 0.812), and self-efficacy (AUC = 0.811) as individual indicators. As the recovery time progresses for elderly patients with limb fractures, the overall trend of kinesiophobia scores decreases. Kinesiophobia presents with two different trajectories, with age, average monthly income, NRS score, and self-efficacy being important factors influencing the trajectory categories of kinesiophobia changes.

Analysis Of Efficacy Of Cork Screw Tipped Telescopic Nailing In Lower Limb Fractures In Cases Of Osteogenesis Imperfecta In Children–Case Series

Analysis Of Efficacy Of Cork Screw Tipped Telescopic Nailing In Lower Limb Fractures In Cases Of Osteogenesis Imperfecta In Children–Case Series