Randomized feasibility study of an autologous protein solution versus corticosteroids injection for treating subacromial pain in the primary care setting - the SPiRIT trial.

Aims: The primary aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of recruiting and retaining patients to a patient-blinded randomized controlled trial comparing corticosteroid injection (CSI) to autologous protein solution (APS) injection for the treatment of subacromial shoulder pain in a community care setting. The study focused on recruitment rates and retention of participants throughout, and collected data on the interventions' safety and efficacy. Methods: Participants were recruited from two community musculoskeletal treatment centres in the UK. Patients were eligible if aged 18 years or older, and had a clinical diagnosis of subacromial impingement syndrome which the treating clinician thought was suitable for treatment with a subacromial injection. Consenting patients were randomly allocated 1:1 to a patient-blinded subacromial injection of CSI (standard care) or APS. The primary outcome measures of this study relate to rates of recruitment, retention, and compliance with intervention and follow-up to determine feasibility. Secondary outcome measures relate to the safety and efficacy of the interventions. Results: A total of 53 patients were deemed eligible, and 50 patients (94%) recruited between April 2022 and October 2022. Overall, 49 patients (98%) complied with treatment. Outcome data were collected in 100% of participants at three months and 94% at six months. There were no significant adverse events. Both groups demonstrated improvement in patient-reported outcome measures over the six-month period. Conclusion: Our study shows that it is feasible to recruit to a patient-blinded randomized controlled trial comparing APS and CSI for subacromial pain in terms of clinical outcomes and health-resource use in the UK. Safety and efficacy data are presented.

Commonalities and differences in injured patient experiences of accessing and receiving quality injury care: a qualitative study in three sub-Saharan African countries.

OBJECTIVES: To understand commonalities and differences in injured patient experiences of accessing and receiving quality injury care across three lower-income and middle-income countries. DESIGN: A qualitative interview study. The interviews were audiorecorded, transcribed and thematically analysed. SETTING: Urban and rural settings in Ghana, South Africa and Rwanda. PARTICIPANTS: 59 patients with musculoskeletal injuries. RESULTS: We found five common barriers and six common facilitators to injured patient experiences of accessing and receiving high-quality injury care. The barriers encompassed issues such as service and treatment availability, transportation challenges, apathetic care, individual financial scarcity and inadequate health insurance coverage, alongside low health literacy and information provision. Facilitators included effective information giving and informed consent practices, access to health insurance, improved health literacy, empathetic and responsive care, comprehensive multidisciplinary management and discharge planning, as well as both informal and formal transportation options including ambulance services. These barriers and facilitators were prevalent and shared across at least two countries but demonstrated intercountry and intracountry (between urbanity and rurality) variation in thematic frequency. CONCLUSION: There are universal factors influencing patient experiences of accessing and receiving care, independent of the context or healthcare system. It is important to recognise and understand these barriers and facilitators to inform policy decisions and develop transferable interventions aimed at enhancing the quality of injury care in sub-Saharan African nations.

Core needs and diverse opportunity: A survey of academic clinical lecturers and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

During a clinical lecturer role, parallel clinical and academic training is undertaken. The anticipation is that a lectureship represents an exciting and expansive time. However, a national crisis has been declared at the clinical lecturer level with a leaky pipeline of clinical academics resulting in dwindling numbers. Clinical lecturers are infrequently represented as a group partly due to their distributed nature and diverse job plans. We conducted a survey of clinical lecturers in the UK. Responses (n = 107) revealed a motivated but divided workforce. A content analysis revealed core elements that sculpt an individual's success or failure, but these were variably present. COVID-19 had a negative effect on many with various strategies reported to try and reset academic trajectories. Feelings of isolation and anxiety about a viable future in academia were significant findings. This echoes calls for a greater number of secure longer-term grants to ensure that clinical academics and their skills are retained within the research workforce. A continued effort to analytically appraise whether supportive elements are in place for all lecturers will help focus initiatives to foster excellence in clinical academic training for everyone.

Retrograde intramedullary nailing or locked plating for stabilisation of distal femoral fractures? A comparative study of 193 patients.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the results of distal femoral fracture fixation of two different methods, lateral locking plate (LP) or an Intra-medullary nail (IMN), in patients managed in our institution. More specifically, to assess: (a) if there was a difference in functional outcomes between the LP and IMN groups; (b) whether the rate of complications was different between the two groups. METHODS: Between January 2009 and December 2018 adult patients with distal femoral fractures managed in our unit with either LP or IMN for extra and intra-articular fractures were eligible to participate. Demographic details, fracture type, procedures performed, time to union, complications and functional scores (Oxford Knee Score) were recorded and analysed. The mean follow up was 4 years (12-120 months). RESULTS: Out of 193 patients who met the inclusion criteria, 93 received an IMN whereas 100 patients were treated with LP. Mean age was 64.2 (18-99) and 70.1 (18-100) for the IMN and LP groups respectively. Overall, the two groups had similar demographics and there was no significant difference in the type of fractures sustained (p > 0.05). The Oxford Knee Score was highest for patients fixed with LP, mean 37.3 (6-48, SD 7.3) versus 28.4 (3-48, SD 14.4), (p = < 0.02) compared to the IMN group. In terms of complications, the rate of non-union was higher in the LP group 8.6% versus 4% in those patients treated with an IMN, p value < 0.01. CONCLUSION: While the rate of non-union was higher in the LP group and the functional results were superior in the plating group.

Duty of candour: encouraging a culture of openness and honesty.

In a climate where there is a fear of blame and litigation associated with medical practice, this editorial discusses the current guidance within the UK on the duty of candour, both professional and statutory, highlighting cases where action has been taken.

Governance for injury care systems in Ghana, South Africa and Rwanda: development and pilot testing of an assessment tool.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to evaluate health systems governance for injury care in three sub-Saharan countries from policymakers' and injury care providers' perspectives. SETTING: Ghana, Rwanda and South Africa. DESIGN: Based on Siddiqi et al's framework for governance, we developed an online assessment tool for health system governance for injury with 37 questions covering health policy and implementation under 10 overarching principles of strategic vision, participation and consensus orientation, rule of law, transparency, responsiveness of institutions, equity, effectiveness or efficiency, accountability, ethics and intelligence and information. A literature review was also done to support the scoring. We derived scores using two methods-investigator scores and respondent scores. PARTICIPANTS: The tool was sent out to purposively selected stakeholders, including policymakers and injury care providers in Ghana, Rwanda and South Africa. Data were collected between October 2020 and February 2021. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOMES: Investigator-weighted and respondent percentage scores for health system governance for injury care. This was calculated for each country in total and per principle. RESULTS: Rwanda had the highest overall investigator-weighted percentage score (70%), followed by South Africa (59%). Ghana had the lowest overall investigator score (48%). The overall results were similar for the respondent scores. Some areas, such as participation and consensus, scored high in all three countries, while other areas, such as transparency, scored very low. CONCLUSION: In this multicountry governance survey, we provide insight into and evaluation of health system governance for trauma in three low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) in sub-Saharan Africa. It highlights areas of improvement that need to be prioritised, such as transparency, to meet the high burden of trauma and injuries in LMICs.

Training Traditional Bonesetters in Basic Principles of Fracture Treatment: A Proof of Concept in Ghana.

BACKGROUND: Our study assessed the effectiveness of a traditional bonesetter (TBS) educational program that was designed to increase knowledge, reduce complications, and promote the referral of patients to local hospitals by TBSs when necessary. METHODS: From April to December 2021, TBSs from the Northern Sector (the Northern, Savannah, and North East regions) and the Ashanti region of Ghana underwent a 4-day training course that had been designed to teach basic principles of fracture care with the use of local tools. We assessed the levels of knowledge of the TBSs both before and after training. The change in practice of the trained TBSs also was assessed at 6 months using a structured questionnaire and a checklist. RESULTS: In total, 157 TBSs were trained in 5 training sessions over a 9-month period. There was an improvement in knowledge in all of the modules of training, with an overall knowledge gain of 19.7% (from 67.2% to 86.9%). At 6 months of follow-up, the practices of TBSs that had most improved were record-keeping, hand hygiene, and patient rehabilitation. As a result of the referral system that was established by the training project, a total of 37 patients were referred to local hospitals in the 6 months following the training. CONCLUSIONS: Formal training for TBSs that was provided by a multidisciplinary team with use of a locally developed curriculum and tools was effective in improving the practice and outcomes of treatment by TBSs. There was marked knowledge retention by the trained TBSs at 6 months after training in fracture management. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Education, training, and the establishment of referral pathways between TBSs and local hospitals could improve trauma care in Ghana.

Operative management of acetabular fractures in the elderly: a case series.

BACKGROUND: Our objective was to identify acetabular fractures in the elderly population (over 60 years of age), treated with open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF), and to examine their outcomes, primarily the risk for need for further surgery in the form of a total hip arthroplasty (THA), and factors associated with it. Additional outcomes such as infection, avascular necrosis (AVN) of the femoral head, and heterotopic ossification (HO) were also investigated. METHODS: Following institutional review board (IRB) approval, a retrospective analysis of all consecutive patients presenting to a Level I Trauma Centre over a 13-years period (January 2003-February 2016) was conducted. Patients were excluded if their initial treatment was conservative or simultaneous ORIF with THA. RESULTS: A total of 62 patients with an age of 71.5 ± 8.04 years were included (14 female; follow-up 54.2 months, range 1-195 months). Sixteen patients required a THA as a secondary procedure due to symptomatic post-traumatic arthritis (25.8%), five (8.1%) of whom having a THA within a year from the original trauma (three patients presenting with loss of reduction and two patients with early AVN). No associations with progression to THA were identified. Surgical approach (ilioinguinal) was the only factor associated with increased risk of development of HO (p = 0.010). The median post-operative survival following an acetabular fracture treated with ORIF was calculated at 90.1 months (95% CI 72.9-107.2). CONCLUSION: Acetabular fractures ORIF in the elderly, is a safe and reliable option. The relatively incidence of development of severe post-operative arthritis was 45.2%. Conversion to THA was 25.8%, with 8.1% having the arthroplasty procedure within a year of the original trauma surgery. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

There is a great variety of orthopaedic conditions presenting to a large hospital in Sierra Leone: a 3-year prospective study.

PURPOSE: In Sierra Leone there is a large void in orthopaedic research into the type of orthopaedic injuries, both acute and chronic. Improved data collection is essential in providing insight to guide health care planning and research. This study aims to outline the types of orthopaedic injury sustained. METHOD: Data were prospectively collected by local surgeons in the Orthopaedic outpatient department at a large hospital between January 2016 and January 2019. RESULTS: The orthopaedic department saw a mean 728 patients per year, with mean age 24.0 years. The workload comprised of 64.92% acute orthopaedic conditions or their complications, with 35.08% elective orthopaedics. Fractures made up the largest proportion of clinical appointments, annually 244.33 fractures; however there was a high incidence of osteomyelitis. CONCLUSION: The study gives an important insight into the types and distribution of elective and trauma orthopaedic injuries sustained in Sierra Leone, which has not been previously reported, and highlights key areas where resources may be focused in order to improve clinical outcomes.

Opportunities arising from the COVID-19: an international orthopaedic surgeons' perspective.

PURPOSE: The unprecedented COVID-19 experience has posed severe challenges to the health care system and several of these are documented in orthopaedic surgery; however, although the pandemic has also brought positive changes, these have not been precisely documented. The purpose of this survey is to identify positive perceptions by orthopaedic surgeons at an international level. METHODS: A cross-sectional, web-based survey inviting 120 orthopaedic surgeons was conducted in April 2020 querying about the positive lessons COVID-19 would teach us. From all responses, thematic codes were obtained and an exploratory thematic analysis was carried out to determine the prevalent themes. RESULTS: A total of 100 responses (83% response rate) from a total of seven countries were received. The variety of responses received were grouped into 13 different thematic codes. The thematic analysis generated two major themes: "Virtual reorganization" and "Wellness and sustainability". Fifty-four per cent of the participants reported positive changes in service reorganization and virtual consultation, whereas 30% replied with an increased feeling of well-being which overlapped with environmental benefits, including reduced paperwork, reduced travelling and increased quality time for family and reflection. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the negative aspects of the pandemic, responders reported several positive changes particularly relating to service reorganization and personal well-being. This study prompts further larger scale research to unravel further detail in those positive aspects and strongly enhance our future orthopaedic practice.

Blood loss and transfusion risk in intramedullary nailing for subtrochanteric fractures.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of hip fractures and subtrochanteric fractures in particular is increasing, along with the globally expanding aging population. Intramedullary nailing remains the 'gold standard' of their treatment. Blood loss can be a result of the original trauma, but also secondary to the subsequent surgical insult, especially during the reaming of the intramedullary canal. OBJECTIVES: The aim of our study was to report on the blood loss and incidence of blood transfusion in patients presenting with a subtrochanteric fracture treated with intramedullary nailing. Most importantly, we aim to identify factors associated with the need for transfusion within the first 48 h post-operatively. METHODS: Following institutional board approval, 431 consecutive patients (131 males; age: 79.03 years old, SD 13.68 years) presenting in a Level 1 Trauma Centre with a subtrochanteric fracture treated with an intramedullary nail were retrospectively identified, over an 8-year period. Exclusion criteria included patients with high energy injuries, pathological fractures, primary operations at other institutions and patients lost to follow-up. To identify risk factors leading to increased risk of transfusion, we first compared patients requiring intra-operative transfusion or transfusion during the first 48 h post-operatively against those who did not require transfusion. This was then followed by multivariate regression analysis adjusted for confounding factors to identify the most important risk factors associated with need for transfusion within the first 48 h post-operatively. RESULTS: Incidence of blood transfusion was 6.0% pre-operatively, compared to 62.7% post-operatively. A total of 230 patients (52.3%) required either intra-operative transfusion or transfusion during the first 48 h following surgery. Patients having a transfusion within the first 48 h post-operatively had a higher incidence of escalation in their care (p = 0.050), LOS (p = 0.015), 30-day (p = 0.033) and one-year mortality (p = 0.004). Multivariate regression analysis adjusted for confounding factors identified that the most important association of a need for transfusion within the first 48 post-operative hours was a pre-operative Hb <100 g/L (OR 6.64); a nail/canal ratio <70% (OR 3.92), followed by need for open reduction (OR 2.66). Fracture involving the lesser trochanter was also implicated with an increased risk (OR 2.08). Additionally, pre-operative moderate/severe renal impairment (OR 4.56), as well as hypoalbuminaemia on admission (OR 2.10) were biochemical predictors of an increased risk of transfusion. Most importantly, the need for transfusion was associated with an increase in 30-day mortality (OR 12.07). CONCLUSION: Several patient, fracture and surgery related factors are implicated with an increased risk for transfusion within the first 48-h post-operatively. Early identification, and where possible correction of these factors can potentially reduce blood loss and risk of transfusion, along with all the associated sequelae and mortality risk. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Subtrochanteric femoral fractures and intramedullary nailing complications: a comparison of two implants.

INTRODUCTION: Intramedullary (IM) nails are considered the 'gold' standard treatment for subtrochanteric femoral fractures. The incidence and risk factors for re-operation in subtrochanteric fractures remain unclear. Furthermore, no studies have compared the outcomes of different nailing systems used to treat subtrochanteric fractures in the same study population. AIMS/OBJECTIVES: Our study aimed to (i) investigate the cumulative incidence and factors associated with an increased risk of re-operation in subtrochanteric fractures treated with a long intramedullary (IM) nail, (ii) compare the outcomes of subtrochanteric fractures treated with long Affixus and Gamma nails, and (iii) establish whether the addition of a proximal anti-rotation screw in the Affixus nail confers any clinical benefit. METHODS: A retrospective review of all adult patients admitted to a level 1 trauma centre with a subtrochanteric femur fracture treated with a long cephalomedullary IM nail over an 8-year period was conducted. Exclusion criteria were primary surgery performed at another institution, prophylactic nailing because of tumours, incomplete fractures, and patients who were lost to follow-up or died before fracture healing. Data variables were assessed for normality prior to determining the use of either parametric or non-parametric tests. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify potential factors associated with re-operation. For the comparison between the two nail types, patients were matched into two groups of 119 each by age (10-year intervals), gender and mechanism of injury (low energy, high energy and pathological fractures). A p-value < 0.05 was considered significant. The Kaplan-Meier nail survival curve was used to demonstrate the survival of each nail. Data were analysed using the statistical package R (R version 3.6.0). RESULTS: A total of 309 subtrochanteric fractures were treated with a distally locked long IM nail (re-operation rate: 22.33%) over an 8-year period. Logistic regression identified six factors associated with an increased risk of re-operation, including age < 75 years old, use of a long Gamma nail, pre-injury coxa-vara femoral neck shaft angles, an immediate post-operative reduction angle of > 10° varus, deep wound infection and non-union. Following matching, we compared the two long cephalomedullary nailing systems used (Gamma versus Affixus nail). The only differences identified from the unadjusted analysis were a higher overall incidence of nail failure in Gamma nails due to any cause, re-operation, and impingement of the nail tip distally against the anterior femoral cortex. When we corrected for covariates, no significant differences remained evident between the two nails. From the Kaplan-Meier nail survival curves, however, the Affixus nail demonstrated better survivorship up to 5 years post-implantation in terms of nail failure and re-operation for all causes. Finally, the addition of a proximal anti-rotation screw in the Affixus nail did not seem to confer any benefit. CONCLUSION: We reported a 22.3% re-operation rate in our cohort of subtrochanteric fractures treated with a long IM nail. We have identified six risk factors associated with re-operation: age < 75 years old, pre-injury femoral neck shaft angle, choice of nail, varus reduction angle, fracture-related infection and non-union. The addition of a proximal anti-rotation screw in the Affixus nail did not confer any benefit.

Equitable access to quality trauma systems in low-income and middle-income countries: assessing gaps and developing priorities in Ghana, Rwanda and South Africa.

Injuries in low-income and middle-income countries are prevalent and their number is expected to increase. Death and disability after injury can be reduced if people reach healthcare facilities in a timely manner. Knowledge of barriers to access to quality injury care is necessary to intervene to improve outcomes. We combined a four-delay framework with WHO Building Blocks and Institution of Medicine Quality Outcomes Frameworks to describe barriers to trauma care in three countries in sub-Saharan Africa: Ghana, South Africa and Rwanda. We used a parallel convergent mixed-methods research design, integrating the results to enable a holistic analysis of the barriers to access to quality injury care. Data were collected using surveys of patient experiences of injury care, interviews and focus group discussions with patients and community leaders, and a survey of policy-makers and healthcare leaders on the governance context for injury care. We identified 121 barriers across all three countries. Of these, 31 (25.6%) were shared across countries. More than half (18/31, 58%) were predominantly related to delay 3 ('Delays to receiving quality care'). The majority of the barriers were captured using just one of the multiple methods, emphasising the need to use multiple methods to identify all barriers. Given there are many barriers to access to quality care for people who have been injured in Rwanda, Ghana and South Africa, but few of these are shared across countries, solutions to overcome these barriers may also be contextually dependent. This suggests the need for rigorous assessments of contexts using multiple data collection methods before developing interventions to improve access to quality care.

Biological and molecular profile of fracture non-union tissue: A systematic review and an update on current insights.

Fracture non-union represents a common complication, seen in 5%-10% of all acute fractures. Despite the enhancement in scientific understanding and treatment methods, rates of fracture non-union remain largely unchanged over the years. This systematic review investigates the biological, molecular and genetic profiles of both (i) non-union tissue and (ii) non-union-related tissues, and the genetic predisposition to fracture non-union. This is crucially important as it could facilitate earlier identification and targeted treatment of high-risk patients, along with improving our understanding on pathophysiology of fracture non-union. Since this is an update on our previous systematic review, we searched the literature indexed in PubMed Medline; Ovid Medline; Embase; Scopus; Google Scholar; and the Cochrane Library using Medical Subject Heading (MeSH) or Title/Abstract words (non-union(s), non-union(s), human, tissue, bone morphogenic protein(s) (BMPs) and MSCs) from August 2014 (date of our previous publication) to 2 October 2021 for non-union tissue studies, whereas no date restrictions imposed on non-union-related tissue studies. Inclusion criteria of this systematic review are human studies investigating the characteristics and properties of non-union tissue and non-union-related tissues, available in full-text English language. Limitations of this systematic review are exclusion of animal studies, the heterogeneity in the definition of non-union and timing of tissue harvest seen in the included studies, and the search term MSC which may result in the exclusion of studies using historical terms such as 'osteoprogenitors' and 'skeletal stem cells'. A total of 24 studies (non-union tissue: n = 10; non-union-related tissues: n = 14) met the inclusion criteria. Soft tissue interposition, bony sclerosis of fracture ends and complete obliteration of medullary canal are commonest macroscopic appearances of non-unions. Non-union tissue colour and surrounding fluid are two important characteristics that could be used clinically to distinguish between septic and aseptic non-unions. Atrophic non-unions had a predominance of endochondral bone formation and lower cellular density, when compared against hypertrophic non-unions. Vascular tissues were present in both atrophic and hypertrophic non-unions, with no difference in vessel density between the two. Studies have found non-union tissue to contain biologically active MSCs with potential for osteoblastic, chondrogenic and adipogenic differentiation. Proliferative capacity of non-union tissue MSCs was comparable to that of bone marrow MSCs. Rates of cell senescence of non-union tissue remain inconclusive and require further investigation. There was a lower BMP expression in non-union site and absent in the extracellular matrix, with no difference observed between atrophic and hypertrophic non-unions. The reduced BMP-7 gene expression and elevated levels of its inhibitors (Chordin, Noggin and Gremlin) could potentially explain impaired bone healing observed in non-union MSCs. Expression of Dkk-1 in osteogenic medium was higher in non-union MSCs. Numerous genetic polymorphisms associated with fracture non-union have been identified, with some involving the BMP and MMP pathways. Further research is required on determining the sensitivity and specificity of molecular and genetic profiling of relevant tissues as a potential screening biomarker for fracture non-unions.

Should Radiation Exposure be an Issue of Concern in Children With Multiple Trauma?

OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were 3-fold: first, establish the level of radiation exposure experienced by the pediatric trauma patients; second, model the level of risk of developing fatal carcinogenesis; and third, test whether pattern of injury was predictive of the level of exposure. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: There are certain conditions that cause children to be exposed to increased radiation, that is, scoliosis, where level of radiation exposure is known. The extent that children are exposed to radiation in the context of multiple traumas remains unclear. METHODS: Patients below the age of 16 years and with an Injury Severity Score (ISS) ≥10, treated by a Major Trauma Center for the period January 2008 to December 2018 were identified. The following data were extracted for the year following the patient's injury: number, doses, and type of radiological examination.The sex and age of the patient was taken into account in the calculation of the risk of developing a carcinogenesis. RESULTS: The median radiation dose of the 425 patients identified in the 12 months following injury, through both CT and radiographs, was 24.3 mSv. Modeling the predictive value of pattern of injury and other relevant clinical values, ISS was proportionately predictive of cumulative dose received. CONCLUSION: A proportion of younger polytrauma patients were exposed to high levels of radiation that in turn mean an increased risk of carcinogenesis. However, the ISS, age, injury pattern, and length of hospital stay are predictive of both risks, enabling monitoring and patient advisement of the risks.

Barriers to Trauma Care in South and Central America: a systematic review.

INTRODUCTION: Trauma is widespread in Central and South America and is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. Providing high quality emergency trauma care is of great importance. Understanding the barriers to care is challenging; this systematic review aims to establish current the current challenges and barriers in providing high-quality trauma care within the 21 countries in the region. METHODS: OVID Medline, Embase, EBM reviews and Global Health databases were systematically searched in October 2020. Records were screened by two independent researchers. Data were extracted according to a predetermined proforma. Studies of any type, published in the preceding decade were included, excluding grey literature and non-English records. Trauma was defined as blunt or penetrating injury from an external force. Studies were individually critically appraised and assessed for bias using the RTI item bank. RESULTS: 57 records met the inclusion criteria. 20 countries were covered at least once. Nine key barriers were identified: training (37/57), resources and equipment (33/57), protocols (29/57), staffing (17/57), transport and logistics (16/57), finance (15/57), socio-cultural (13/57), capacity (9/57), public education (4/57). CONCLUSION: Nine key barriers negatively impact on the provision of high-quality trauma care and highlight potential areas for improving care in Central & South America. Many countries in the region, along with rural areas, are under-represented by the current literature and future research is urgently required to assess barriers to trauma management in these countries. No funding was received. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42020220380.

Older adults are not more susceptible to acute muscle atrophy after immobilisation compared to younger adults: a systematic review.

PURPOSE: To identify if older adults are more susceptible to acute muscle atrophy compared to younger adults. METHODS: All studies whose design involved a period of enforced immobilisation and a comparison between an older (> 40) and a younger cohort (< 40) were included. Outcome of interest was change in muscle mass, measured by radiological techniques or histological analysis of fibre size. Medline, Embase and Cochrane databases were systematically searched and records screened by two independent reviewers. Studies selected for inclusion were critically appraised and individually assessed for risk of bias. GRADE framework guided the assessment of quality of studies. RESULTS: Eight articles were included (193 participants). 14 (7.3%) were female and 102 (52.8%) were in older groups. Mean age for older adults was 66.3 years and for younger adults 23.3 years. Immobilisation periods spanned 4-14 days as simulated by bed rest, limb brace or limb cast. Studies measured muscle mass by DXA, CT, MRI or fibre cross-sectional area, or a combination of each. Muscles studied included quadriceps, adductor pollicis, vastus lateralis or combined lean leg mass. Of the radiological measures, three studies (74 participants) reported greater atrophy in the older group, three studies (76 participants) reported greater atrophy in the younger group. Reduction in muscle mass varied in older adults between 0.19 and 0.76% per day, and for younger adults between 0.06 and 0.70% per day. Due to substantial heterogeneity, a meta-analysis was not performed. Five studies reported fibre size. Change in fibre size varied considerably between each study, with no convincing overall trend for either older or younger groups. CONCLUSION: The current literature suggests that there is no difference in the rate of muscle atrophy after immobilisation in older people compared to younger people, and therefore that older people are not more susceptible to atrophy in the acute setting. However, the findings are inconsistent and provide statistically significant but opposing results. There is a lack of high-quality research available on the topic, and there is a paucity of literature regarding atrophy rates in women.

Management of subtrochanteric femur fractures: is open reduction associated with poor outcomes?

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to identify factors associated with the need for open reduction in subtrochanteric femoral fractures and investigate the effect of cerclage wiring compared to open reduction alone, on the development of complications, especially infection and non-union. METHODS: All consecutive patients with a fracture involving the subtrochanteric region were retrospectively identified, over an 8-year period. Data documented and analysed included patient demographics, fracture characteristics, patient comorbidities, time to fracture union and development of complications. RESULTS: A total of 512 patients met the inclusion criteria (523 fractures). Open reduction was performed in 48% (247) of the fractures. Following matching and regression analysis, we identified diaphyseal extension of the fracture to be associated with an open reduction (OR: 2.30; 95% CI 1.45-3.65; p < 0.001). Open reduction was also associated with an increased risk of superficial infection (OR: 7.88; 95% CI 1.63-38.16; p = 0.010), transfusion within 48 h following surgery (OR: 2.44; 95% CI 1.96-4.87; p < 0.001) and a prolonged surgical time (OR: 3.09; 95% CI 1.96-4.87; p < 0.001). The risk of non-union, deep infection and overall mortality was not increased with open reduction. The use of cerclage wires [50 out of 201 fractures (24.9%) treated with an open reduction] to achieve anatomical reduction as compared to open reduction alone significantly reduced the risk of non-union (OR: 0.20; 95% CI 0.06-0.74; p = 0.015). CONCLUSION: Open reduction of subtrochanteric fractures is not associated with an increased risk of deep infection and non-union, even though it is associated with an increased risk of superficial infection, prolonged surgical time and transfusion. The use of cerclage wire is associated with reduced risk of non-union with little evidence of an increase in complications. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.