Epidemiology and Trends of Weightlifting-Related Sprains and Strains that Presented to Emergency Departments in the United States.

Despite potential health benefits of weightlifting and physical activity, individuals can suffer from a number of musculoskeletal injuries. This study aimed to: (i) compare incidence and annual trends of different weightlifting injury types presenting to emergency departments in the United States and (ii) identify frequency and annual trends of weightlifting-related sprains and strains to each body part. The National Electronic Injury Surveillance System was queried to identify all weightlifting-related injuries from 2010-2016. Incidence and annual trends of various types of weightlifting-related injuries were compared during the study period. Furthermore, frequency and annual trends of weightlifting-related sprains and strains to different body parts were assessed. The weighted estimated annual incidence of weightlifting-related injuries significantly increased from 86,910 in 2010 to 109,961 in 2016 (R2 = 3.382; p = 0.01). The most common weightlifting-related sprains and strains involved the lower trunk (29.4%), shoulder (22.6%), upper trunk (17.3%), neck (6.5%), upper arm (5.6%), wrist (4.8%), knee (3.4%), and elbow (2.6%). There was a significant increase in the frequency and trends of sprains and strains that involved the lower trunk (R2 = 0.631; p = 0.033). Weightlifting-related injuries have increased, of which sprains and strains were the most common. Additionally, the most commonly affected body part was the lower trunk. Further studies are needed to determine the etiologies of weightlifting-related lower trunk sprains/strains. This study may be beneficial to weightlifters, highlighting common injury types, thereby allowing them to take preventative measures.

Fasciotomy closure techniques.

We evaluated the risks and success rates of the three major techniques for compartment syndrome fasciotomy closure by reviewing all literature published to date. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, we systematically evaluated the Medline (PubMed) database until July 2015, utilizing the Boolean search sting "compartment syndrome OR fasciotomy closure." Two authors independently assessed all studies published in the literature to ensure validity of extracted data. The data was compiled into an electronic spreadsheet, and the wound closure rate with each technique was assessed utilizing a proportion random model effect. Success was defined as all wounds that could be closed without skin grafting, amputation, or death. The highest success rate was observed for dynamic dermatotraction and gradual suture approximation, whereas vacuum-assisted closure had the lowest complication rate.

Have the annual trends of total hip arthroplasty in rheumatoid arthritis patients decreased?

BACKGROUND: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is characterized by chronic systemic and synovial inflammation, resulting in damage to both cartilage and bone. Medical treatment, which has increasingly relied upon disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), may fail to slow disease progression and limit joint damage, ultimately warranting surgical intervention. Up to 25% of RA patients will require lower extremity total joint arthroplasty. Though total hip arthroplasty (THA) is known to improve quality of life and functional measures, clarification is still required with respect to the impact of increased DMARD use on annual rates of THA. Thus, the purpose of this study was to evaluate: (I) the annual trends of THAs due to RA in the United States population; (II) the annual trends in the proportion of THAs due to RA in the United States. METHODS: This study utilized the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) to identify all patients who underwent THA between 2002 and 2013 (n=3,135,904). Then, THA patients who had a diagnosis of RA, which was defined by the International Classification of Disease 9th revision diagnosis code 714.0, were identified. The incidence of THAs with a diagnosis of RA in the United States was calculated using the United States population as the denominator. Regression models were used to analyze the annual trends of RA in patients who underwent THA. RESULTS: Review of the database identified 90,487 patients who had a diagnosis of RA and underwent THA from 2002 to 2013. The annual prevalence of RA in those who underwent THA slightly decreased over the specified time period, with 28.7 per 1,000 THAs in 2002 and 28.6 per 1,000 THAs in 2013; however, this change was not statistically significant (R2=0.158, P=0.200). CONCLUSIONS: The annual rates of THA among RA patients did not show any significant change between 2002 and 2013. DMARD use has decreased both disease progression and joint destruction, and DMARDs are now often utilized as primary treatment. The increase in population of the country during the study period may have overestimated THA trends. Moreover, patients may be more likely to opt for surgical management, given the advances in operative techniques as well as peri- and post-operative course.