The role of the psychological attributes of parents and children, and fracture history in upper extremity fractures in school-age and adolescents: A case-control study.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to investigate the influence of parents and children's psychological attributes and previous fracture history on upper extremity fractures in school-aged and adolescent children. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between January 2022 and January 2023, a total of 194 participants consisting of 97 cases with upper extremity fractures (23 males, 74 females; median age: 10 years; range, 6 to 16 years) and 97 age-matched controls suffering from growing pains (47 males, 50 females; median age: 10 years; range, 6 to 16 years) were included in this case-control study. Both cases and controls were of school-age or over. The parents of the children were interviewed face-to-face using psychological scales including the Adult Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Self-Report Scale (ASRS), the Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ), the Short Form of the Conners' Parent Rating Scale-Revised (CPRS-R:S), and the Developmental Coordination Disorder Questionnaire 2007 (DCDQ'07). The results derived from these scales and the demographics of the participants were evaluated in terms of their association with the risk of upper extremity fractures. RESULTS: A household income below the official minimum monthly wage (MMW) and a previous fracture history showed a higher risk for upper extremity fractures (odds ratio [OR]=2.38, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.07-5.26 and OR=24.93, 95% CI: 3.27-189.98, respectively). In the univariate analyses, elevated scores on the hyperactivity subscale of CPRS-R:S (CPRS-R:SHS) were associated with a higher fracture risk (OR=1.14, 95% CI: 1.05-1.24). Furthermore, both a household income below MMW, a previous fracture history, and higher CPRS-R:S-HS scores were found as independent risk factors for upper extremity fractures in the multivariate regression analysis (OR=2.78, 95% CI: 1.13-6.86, OR=21.79, 95% CI: 2.73-174.03), and OR=1.11, 95% CI: 1.02-1.22, respectively). CONCLUSION: Our study results highlight the importance of known risk factors for upper extremity fractures such as lower monthly wage and the presence of previous fractures. The psychological states of parents and children should be evaluated together.

Upper extremity open fractures in hospitalized road traffic accident patients: adult versus pediatric cases.

BACKGROUND: Fractures in pediatrics show epidemiological characteristics which are different from fractures in adults. The objective of this study was to examine the injury profiles of open upper extremity fractures (UEFs) in all modes of injury related to road traffic accidents (RTAs) in adult and pediatric hospitalized patients. METHODS: Data on 103,465 RTA patients between 1997 and 2013 whose records were entered in a centralized country trauma database were reviewed. Data on open UEFs related to mode of injury (car, motorcycle, bicycle, and pedestrian) was compared between adult (18+ years) and pediatric (0-17 years) RTA patients. RESULTS: Of 103,465 RTA cases, 17,263 (16.7%) had UEFs. Of 73,087 adults, 13,237 (18.1%) included UEFs and of 30,378 pediatric cases, 4026 (13.2%) included UEFs (p < 0.0001). Of 17,263 cases with UEFs, we reviewed 22,132 fractures with 2, 743 (12.4%) open fractures. Adults had a greater risk for open fractures (2221, 13%) than the pediatric cases (522, 10.3%) (p < 0.0001). Overall, of a total of 22,132 UEFs, most of the fractures were in the radius (22.8%), humerus (20.3%), clavicle (17.5%), and ulna (15.4%). The adult pedestrian group had a significantly higher risk for open UEFs than the pediatric group (11 vs 8%, p = 0.0012). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates the difference between adult and pediatric open fractures in hospitalized RTAs. We showed that adults had a greater risk for open UEFs compared to children, and the adult pedestrian group particularly had a significantly higher risk for open UEFs than the pediatric group.

Non-Union in Upper Limb Fractures - Clinical Evaluation and Treatment Options.

Although non-unions in the upper limb are rare different treatment options of this challenging situation are still affected with up to 20% of failure rate due to current literature. Risk factors for delayed and non-union of fractures are mainly the size of the fracture gap and bone loss of open fractures or in primary surgery followed by other relevant internal and external factors. In the upper limb non-unions of long bones are described with up to 30% after operative intervention. Especially in the upper limb range of motion is limited in non-union cases and disables adjacent joints like the shoulder, elbow and wrist hence reducing the total activity level of affected patients. Beside careful investigation of the causes leading to the non-union a comprehensive treatment plan should be defined to achieve successful results. Treatment can be non-operative in several, selected cases, but in the majority of cases revision surgery is necessary to achieve osseous healing. Our own experience showed that non-union in the upper limb are rare and account for only 1.7% of all surgical managed upper limb fractures. Non-union of upper limb fractures occur most frequently in clavicle fractures followed by humeral fractures. Atrophic non-union is the most frequent reason for osseous non-union (57%) and osseous healing after revision surgery in non-unions is completed after a mean of 6.45 months. This article will give a brief overview of the genesis, clinical evaluation, treatment options and recommendations in upper limb non-unions according to the current literature. Key words: fracture, upper-limb, non-union, osteosynthesis, cancellous bone-graft.

ASSESSMENT OF EFFICACY OF THE METHOD OF PROGRAMMED IRRIGATION ASPIRATION SANATION IN COMPLEX TREATMENT OF PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC POSTTRAUMATIC OSTEOMYELITIS OF THE LONG BONES.

The analysis of treatment results of 128 patients aged from 21 to 62 years old with chronic posttraumatic osteomyelitis of the long bones was made at the period from 2006 to 2013. The main group included 67 patients and the method of programmed irrigation aspiration sanation was applied for them. The comparison group consisted of 61 patients and drainage was performed for these patients using the conventional ways. The authors noted good immediate results in the main group in 56 (83,58%) out of 67 patients and in the comparison group - in 43 (70,49%) out of 61 patients. The long-term results were analyzed in 116 (90,6%) out of 128 patients in terms from two to five years after treatment. The rate of recurrences such as formation of purulent fistula were twice less in patients of the main group, than in the comparison group. According to the results of questionnaire SF-36, there was noticed, that patients of the main group got better mean indices of quality of life on all 8 scales compared with the other group.

Thorough debridement and immediate primary wound closure for animal bite injuries of the upper limbs.

PURPOSE: Animal bite injuries are often encountered in daily practice. In particular, these injuries of the upper limbs can result in severe functional impairment. We have performed early debridement of contaminated tissue and primary closure for these injuries. METHODS: The subjects consisted of 15 patients (6 males and 9 females) aged 1-91 years (mean 53.6 years) who visited our hospital due to animal bite injuries (dog in 9 patients, cat in 6). The bite site was the forearm in 5 patients and the hand in 10. In the operating room, contaminated tissue was removed, and primary wound closure was performed after irrigation. RESULTS: The bite penetrated to the muscle layer in 6 patients, tendon sheath in 5, joint in 1, bone in 1, and involved only the subcutaneous tissue in 3 patients. The mean period until the completion of wound treatment was 19.8 ± 8.4 days. As complications, numbness of finger, metaphalangeal joint contracture and superficial radial nerve injury were observed in each one case. In a patient with bite injury of the palmar and dorsal sides of the thumb reaching the bone, additional debridement was necessary. At the final observation, the visual analog scale was 1.2 ± 1.4, and the Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand score was 9.7 ± 12.2. CONCLUSIONS: Debridement to achieve wound closure is indispensable in patients with animal bite injuries of the upper limbs. The results of our study suggest that thorough debridement allows primary closure, even for animal bite injuries.

3-Dimensional prebent plate fixation in corrective osteotomy of malunited upper extremity fractures using a real-sized plastic bone model prepared by preoperative computer simulation.

PURPOSE: To assess the clinical outcome and accuracy of prebent plate fixation in corrective osteotomy for malunited upper extremity fractures using a plastic bone model manufactured by preoperative computer simulation. METHODS: Nine consecutive patients underwent computed tomography (CT)-based 3-dimensional corrective osteotomy for malunited upper extremity fractures. There were 4 cubitus varus deformities, 1 cubitus valgus deformity, and 4 forearm diaphyseal malunions. We constructed a computer model of the affected bones using the CT data and simulated the 3-dimensional deformity correction on a computer. A real-sized plastic model of the corrected bone was manufactured by rapid prototyping. We used a metal plate, prebent to fit the plastic bone model, in the actual surgery. Patients were evaluated after an average follow-up of 22 months (range, 14-36 mo). We retrospectively collected radiographic and clinical data at the most recent follow-up and compared them with preoperative data. We also performed CT after surgery and evaluated the error in corrective osteotomy as the difference between preoperative simulation and postoperative bone model. RESULTS: The range of forearm rotation and grip strength in patients with forearm malunions improved after corrective osteotomies of the radius and ulna. Wrist pain, which 2 patients with forearm malunion had experienced before surgery, disappeared or decreased substantially after surgery. Radiographic examination indicated that preoperative angular deformities were nearly nonexistent after all corrective osteotomies. Three-dimensional errors in the corrective osteotomy using a prebent plate, as evaluated by CT data, were less than 3 mm and 2°. CONCLUSIONS: Prebent plate fixation in corrective osteotomy for malunited upper extremity fractures using a 3-dimensionally corrected, real-sized plastic bone model prepared by preoperative computer simulation is a precise and relatively easily performed technique that results in satisfactory clinical outcome. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic IV.

Removal of painful orthopaedic implants after fracture union.

BACKGROUND: Persistent pain in the region of implanted hardware following fracture fixation commonly leads to implant removal. This prospective study evaluated patient outcomes and pain reduction following removal of orthopaedic hardware implanted for fracture fixation. METHODS: Sixty patients who had been treated previously for a fracture and complained of pain in the region of the fracture fixation hardware constituted the study cohort. Patients were carefully examined by the treating physician to rule out other causes of pain such as infection and nonunion. Baseline data were recorded preoperatively. Data obtained postoperatively at three, six, and twelve months included a visual analog pain scale score and results on the Short Musculoskeletal Function Assessment Questionnaire and the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36. At the one-year interval, a patient satisfaction questionnaire was completed and outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: There were no complications associated with implant removal surgery. Three patients did not have complete follow-up, leaving a total of fifty-seven patients with complete follow-up. At one year, all patients indicated that they were satisfied, that they would have the procedure done again, and that their overall function had improved. The scores for pain on the visual analog scale decreased from a mean (and standard deviation) of 5.5 +/- 2.5 before hardware removal to 1.3 +/- 1.8 after hardware removal, with an overall improvement at one year of 76% (p = 0.00001). At one year, thirty (53%) of the fifty-seven patients had complete resolution of pain. In addition, the results on the Short Musculoskeletal Function Assessment Questionnaire showed a 43% improvement from baseline (p = 0.0001), and the results on the physical component of the Short Form-36 showed a similar improvement of 40% (p = 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Following fracture-healing, removal of hardware is safe with minimal risk. Improvement in pain relief and function can be expected.

Desenvolvimento e validacao de versao brasileira do questionario de avaliacao funcional dos membros superiores DASH - disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand / Development and validation of Brazilian version of the questionnaire for assessing performance of senior members DASH - disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand

O questionario DASH e uma escala de avaliação funcional dos membros superiores, descrito na lingua inglesa em 1996. Tem hoje vinte e cinco versões ingluindo uma brasileira elaborada na Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM). (AL)

[Changes in hemodynamics during regional anesthesia and medicinal sedation in children traumatology]. / Izmeneniia gemodinamiki pri primenenii regionarnoi anestezii i medikamentoznoi sedatsii v detskoi travmatologii.

Thirty-nine patients, aged 8 to 15, who were operated for damaged bones in the upper lower limbs were examined. The parameters of central hemodynamics, heart rate and arterial pressure were studied (monitor HP "Viridia m3", USA). Strike volume was determined automatically (rheography monitor NCCOM-3"Boomed Co.", USA). Cardiac output, body area, stroke index and the peripheral vascular resistance were calculated by the routine formulae. Group 1 comprised 20 children who were operated on with the halothane-oxide-oxygen narcosis. Group 2 comprised 19 patients who received regional anesthesia combined with drug sedation (midazolam). A 1% lydokain solution with adrenalin was used as a local anesthetic. The block of the brachial plexus with auxiliary approach and the "3 in 1" block were in use. The changes of hemodynamics detected in the children of group 1 revealed an insufficient analgetic and antistress efficiency of halothane. The data obtained for group 2 are indicative of insignificant hemodynamic changes observed at all examination stages and related with the impact exerted by drugs, used for sedation and regional anesthesia, on the vascular tonus of the original undetected hypovolemia. A lack of complications, a fast awakening and recovery of an adequate consciousness after combined regional anesthesia as well as comfort and a lack of need in extra analgetics that are normally used in the immediate postoperative period make it possible to refer to the discussed anesthesia variation as to the preferential one in cases of surgeries for damaged bones in children.

[Surgical infection in combat injuries of extremities]. / Khirurgicheskaia infektsiia pri boevykh povrezhdeniiakh oporno-dvigatel'nogo apparata.

A retrospective analysis was performed of treatment of 1612 patients with gunshot fractures of long bones of the extremities wounded in the Republic of Afghanistan and Chechen Republic. Under study was the infrastructure of the gunshot fractures, general and local factors responsible for the development of suppurations. A angioneurodystrophy theory of pathogenesis of gunshot osteomyelitis is proposed. The level of proinflammatory cytokines was determined in blood serum and wound discharge for the early diagnosis of purulent complications. An algorithm of the diagnostic search was developed with using modern radio- and electrophysiological methods. The standards of general and local treatment are proposed for different stages and spread of the purulent process.

[Characteristic of combat trauma and treatment of gunshot fractures of long bones of the limbs]. / Kharakteristika boevoi travmy i lechebnye meropriiatiia pri ognestrel'nykh perelomakh dlinnykh kostei konechnostei.

Treatment of the patients with gunshot fractures of extremity long bones is one of the main problems of field surgery. The complex study of medical records obtained from 718 servicemen with gunshot fractures of extremity long bones who participated in counter-terrorist operation in the Republic of Chechnia (1994-1996) allowed to evaluate character and severity of the injuries, content of the treatment measures conducted at the stages of medical evacuation. The peculiarities of fighting trauma were the following: the high frequency of combined (22.5%) and multiple (25.9%) injuries, the high share of multi-fragmentation and splintered (76.4%), intra-articular fractures (17.3%), the primary defects of bones (7.1%) and soft tissues (4.8%), the injuries of main vessels (12.1%) and nerves (18.5%). Owing to the short periods of evacuation to the stage of specialized medical care (up to 18.2 +/- 5.3 h), high share of preserving variant of primary surgical treatment (82.3%); high quality of medical immobilization at the expense of wide introduction of functionally stable external osteosynthesis (51.2% of the casualties) it was possible to improve the treatment results.

Método strain index: aplicado para evaluar trabajos con riesgo de desarrollar trastornos dolorosos de extremidad superior distal / Strain index: applied to risk of upper limb muscle skeletal disorders evaluation

Considerando el aumento en la sintomatología musculo-esquelética de las extremidades superiores de trabajadores, donde se requieren posturas sostenidas, trabajo con esfuerzo y movimientos repetidos, fue establecido un programa para la detección y prevención de lesiones de extremidades superiores en una industria textil de Santiago, Chile. Se estudiaron clínicamente 256 trabajadores y mediante un método semicuantitativo (Strain index), fue evaluado el riesgo de sufrir lesiones músculo-esqueléticas en los puestos de trabajo. Se determinó que el 47 por ciento de los trabajadores estaba potencialmente en riesgo de desarrollar alguna lesión músculo-esquelética de la mano y muñeca. Los puestos de trabajo más inadecuados (Strain index > a 10 puntos) coincidieron con los trabajadores con el grado más alto de dolor durante la prueba. El 33 por ciento del grupo estudiado reveló tener una patología de mano y muñeca. Un 20 por ciento del grupo era sano, con la puntuación de Strain index < a 7 puntos, en sus respectivos puestos de trabajo. Además, se realizaron intervenciones de ergonomía en los puestos de trabajo; capacitación sobre autocuidado, detección temprana de síntomas, rotación de puestos de trabajo e implementación de una pausa activa, con lo cual finalmente hubo una significativa disminución de las lesiones de extremidad superior

Postoperative upper extremity radiographs using the image intensifier: a simple adjunct to the "inverted" C-arm technique.

When the C-arm is used as a table in upper extremity surgery, postoperative plain radiographs can be obtained by placing the x-ray cassette directly on the image intensifier. This has many advantages, including more rapid performance than conventional techniques, a high-quality image, and no need for a recovery room radiograph. Additionally, there is no overlying splint material to obscure image detail, and the extremity can be positioned as desired by the operating surgeon.

[Use of the elastic stable intramedullary nailing technique in non-typical pediatric fractures]. / Moznosti vyuzití techniky nitrodrenového stabilního elastického hrebování (ESIN) detských zlomenin v netypických indikacích.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: The "Elastic Stable Intramedullary Nailing" (E.S.I.N.) of French authors as a method of treatment of children's diaphyseal long bone fractures is well known from nineties of the last century. After we got familiar with the technique we wanted to introduce it in other indications, especially some metaphyseal long bone fractures and injuries of metacarpals, meta-tarsals and phalangeal bones in the growing skeleton. MATERIAL: During two last years, i.e. 1999-2000, ESIN procedure in 97 children was performed in our Regional Pediatric Trauma Centre. That was 39% of all osteosyntheses and 3.05% of all children's fractures treated during this period. Children treated by ESIN procedure were divided into three groups (see in Methods), 52 being in group one, 28 in group two and 17 in group three. METHODS: In our series of patients managed with the use of ESIN procedure according to the type of fractured bone and physical behavior of the implants three groups were formed. In the first group called "Classic ESIN Procedure" were children with diaphyseal long bone fracture (femur, tibia, humerus and forearm bones), in the second group "Non-typical ESIN Procedure" metaphyseal long bone fractures (humerus, radius, tibia) and in the third group, "ESIN-like Procedure" patients with metacarpal and phalangeal digital fractures were included. In all children the technique was very similar to original French (Nancy) description. Supraphyseal trepanation of the bone and introduction of usually two prebent elastic nails intramedullary. RESULTS: All 97 children healed good. In four children we saw little problems. In one patient it was necessary to change the ESIN osteosynthesis of open tibia fracture to external fixation. In the other boy we saw delayed union of forearm bones and in the third a 2 centimeter overgrowth of the affected tibia was recorded. In the last boy where non-typical ESIN procedure was performed for proximal radial fracture separation the angulation of radial head, overgrowth and subluxation occurred. However, we were surprised by simplicity, short time of the procedure and good results in two new groups of patients with metaphyseal and metacarpal resp. phalangeal fractures. DISCUSSION: Though in metaphyseal long-bone fractures (Non-typical ESIN Procedure) and metacarpal and phalangeal digital fractures (ESIN-like Procedure) the technique does not respect original physical suggestions of three point fragment fixation it works very well. Already the French authors from Nancy mention the indication of the ESIN technique for some metaphyseal fractures (supracondylar humeral and proximal radial). We do not use the method in supracondylar fractures but found it excellent in earlier problematic proximal humeral and radial fractures and especially phalangeal digital fractures. Also we were able to establish three main indication groups for this procedure. CONCLUSIONS: The ESIN technique can be used in three groups of children's fractures. "Classic ESIN Procedure" in diaphyseal long bone fractures, "Non-typical ESIN Procedure" in metaphyseal long bone fractures and "ESIN-like Procedure" in metacarpal and phalangeal digital fractures.

Endoscopic access to the extremities: the principle of fascial clefts.

Technology for endoscopic surgery has developed rapidly during the last decade. Applications of endoscopic techniques to orthopaedic surgery have been made possible by the use of balloon dissectors. Balloon dissectors create an optical cavity by separating fascial layers of a constant anatomic plane called the fascial cleft. The optical cavity can be maintained with either carbon dioxide (CO2) insufflation or manual retractors. The authors of the present study have developed a safe, reliable technique using a balloon dissector to create such optical cavities in the extremities, pelvis, and acetabulum to facilitate minimally invasive surgery in these areas. The authors' clinical work and fresh cadaver dissection confirms that the fascial cleft is a universal anatomic constant. It can be accessed quickly to facilitate endoscopic procedures, such as bone grafting for delayed unions, tissue expansion for reconstructive surgery, sural nerve harvesting for nerve cable grafting, and microvascular tissue transfer harvesting and flap prefabrication for extremity reconstruction. Twenty-five cases, each with an average follow-up of 34 months, are presented. Indications, results, and complications of balloon-assisted endoscopic surgery are described.

Lateral-dorsal neurovascular island flaps for pulp reconstruction.

Finger pulp loss is often observed in daily practice. When the lateral and dorsal surfaces of the injured digit remain intact, a neurovascular island flap can be designed and raised from that part of the finger for pulp reconstruction. Two types of homodigital lateral-dorsal neurovascular island flaps were used in 17 patients (13 type I and 4 type II) for reconstruction of traumatic pulp loss on an emergent basis. The type I flap was used for the pulp defect less than 2.5 cm in length; the type II flap was designed for extensive pulp loss. The size of the pulp defect varied from 1.7 x 1.2 cm to 3.8 x 1.7 cm. All flaps survived completely without any partial loss. The mean follow-up was 17.7 months. The mean static two-point discrimination was 5.2 mm in type I flaps and 9.3 mm in type II flaps. All patients except five had full range of motion of the interphalangeal joint. These five patients (3 type I and 2 type II) had 10 to 20 deg reduction in flexion of the distal interphalangeal joints. The homodigital lateral-dorsal neurovascular island flap offers a durable, well-vascularized, sensate skin flap for one-stage pulp reconstruction in select patients. This technique is relatively simple, allows early postoperative mobilization, and has an acceptable surgical outcome.

Disorders of the upper extremity in children.

This article presents a brief overview of the indications of MR imaging in a variety of disorders of the upper extremity of the pediatric patient. This covers congenital anomalies: Sprengel shoulder, Poland sequence, arthrogryposis; posttraumatic lesions of cartilage, bone, tendon, muscle and nerve including the brachial plexus injury; inflammatory arthritis and synovitis; bone and joint infection; osteochondritis dissecans, bone necrosis and infarcts in sickle cell anemia and juvenile Gaucher disease, as well as tumors. In this last category, the authors briefly describe the appearances of cysts and tumors of bones and soft tissues of the upper extremity. Indications for the intravenous administration of Gadolinium are given throughout the article with emphasis on the synovial enhancement seen in active arthritis and synovitis.