Including Modifiable and Nonmodifiable Factors Improves Injury Risk Assessment in Professional Baseball Pitchers.

OBJECTIVES: To (1) evaluate an injury risk model that included modifiable and nonmodifiable factors into an arm injury risk prediction model in Minor League Baseball (MiLB) pitchers and (2) compare model performance separately for predicting the incidence of elbow and shoulder injuries. DESIGN: Prospective cohort. METHODS: A 10-year MiLB injury risk study was conducted. Pitchers were evaluated during preseason, and pitches and arm injuries were documented prospectively. Nonmodifiable variables included arm injury history, professional experience, arm dominance, year, and humeral torsion. Modifiable variables included BMI, pitch count, total range of motion, and horizontal adduction. We compared modifiable, nonmodifiable, and combined model performance by R2, calibration (best = 1.00), and discrimination (area under the curve [AUC]; higher number is better). Sensitivity analysis included only arm injuries sustained in the first 90 days. RESULTS: In this study, 407 MiLB pitchers (141 arm injuries) were included. Arm injury incidence was 0.27 injuries per 1000 pitches. The arm injury model (calibration 1.05 [0.81-1.30]; AUC: 0.74 [0.69-0.80]) had improved performance compared to only using modifiable predictors (calibration: 0.91 [0.68-1.14]; AUC: 0.67 [0.62-0.73]) and only shoulder range of motion (calibration: 0.52 [0.29, 0.75]; AUC: 0.52 [0.46, 58]). Elbow injury model demonstrated improved performance (calibration: 1.03 [0.76-1.33]; AUC: 0.76 [0.69-0.83]) compared to the shoulder injury model (calibration: 0.46 [0.22-0.69]; AUC: 0.62 [95% CI: 0.55, 0.69]). The sensitivity analysis demonstrated improved model performance compared to the arm injury model. CONCLUSION: Arm injury risk is influenced by modifiable and nonmodifiable risk factors. The most accurate way to identify professional pitchers who are at risk for arm injury is to use a model that includes modifiable and nonmodifiable risk factors. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2022;52(9):630-640. Epub: 9 July 2022. doi:10.2519/jospt.2022.11072.

Assessment of the interaction effect between injury regions in multiple injuries: A nationwide cohort study in Japan.

BACKGROUND: There have been no clinical studies to sufficiently reveal the interaction effect generated by combinations of injury regions of multiple injuries. We hypothesized that certain combinations of trauma regions might lead to increased risk of traumatic death and aimed to verify this hypothesis using a nationwide trauma registry in Japan. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective study of trauma patients registered in the Japan Trauma Data Bank between 2004 and 2017. We included patients who suffered blunt trauma with an Injury Severity Score of 16 or more. The trauma was classified into four regions (head, chest, abdomen, and extremities), and a multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed that included interaction terms derived from the combination of two regions as covariates. RESULTS: We included 78,280 trauma patients in this study. Among them, 16,100 (20.6%) patients were discharged to death. Multivariable logistic regression showed the odds ratio (OR) of in-hospital death compared with patients without injury of an Abbreviated Injury Scale score of 3 or more in each injured region as follows: head score, 2.31 (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.13-2.51); chest score, 2.28 (95% CI, 2.17-2.39); abdomen score, 1.68 (95% CI, 1.56-1.82); and extremities score, 1.84 (95% CI, 1.76-1.93), respectively. In addition, the ORs of the statistically significant interaction terms were as follows: head-chest 1.29 (95% CI, 1.13-1.48), chest-abdomen 0.77 (95% CI, 0.67-0.88), chest-extremities 1.95 (95% CI, 1.77-2.14), and abdomen-extremities 0.70 (95% CI, 0.62-0.79), respectively. CONCLUSION: In this population, among patients with multiple injuries, a combination of head-chest trauma and chest-extremities trauma was shown to increase the risk of traumatic death. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic, Level III.

Gunshot Injuries to the Extremity: Is Immediate General Surgery Presence Needed?

Gunshot wounds (GSW) are becoming increasingly prevalent in urban settings. GSW to the trunk mandate full trauma activation and immediate surgeon response because of the high likelihood of operative intervention. Extremity GSW proximal to the knee/elbow also require full trauma activation based on American College of Surgeons Committee on trauma standards. However, whether isolated extremity GSW require frequent operative intervention is unclear. We evaluated GSW at our Level I trauma center from January 2012 to December 2016. Demographic data and injury patterns were abstracted from the trauma registry and charts. The number of GSW increased yearly but the age, gender, Injury Severity Score and injury pattern did not change (P = ns, not shown). There were 504 GSW that included an extremity and 194 (38%) involved multiple body regions. There were 310 GSW (62%) isolated to an extremity and 176 were proximal to the elbow/knee. If proximal GSW had an Emergency Department systolic blood pressure <90 mm Hg, 53 per cent underwent vascular repair, 12 per cent had soft tissue repair, and 29 per cent required no operation. If proximal GSW had an Emergency Department blood pressure >90 mm Hg, 57 per cent underwent orthopedic repair, 22 per cent required no surgery, and only 13 per cent required vascular repair (P < 0.01). In the absence of other criteria for full trauma activation such as shock, the need for the immediate presence of a general surgeon to perform emergency surgery for a GSW isolated to the extremity is low.

Introduction of a simple guideline to improve neurological assessment in paediatric patients presenting with upper limb fractures.

BACKGROUND: Neurological examination in children presenting with upper limb fractures is often poorly performed in the Emergency Department (ED). We aimed to assess the improvement in documented neurological examination for children presenting with upper limb fractures following introduction of a simple guideline. METHODS: We developed and introduced a simple guideline for upper limb neurological assessment in children ('rock, paper, scissors, OK'). We compared documentation of neurological examination and nerve injury detection at our hospital before and after introduction of this guideline, as well as for children admitted from external hospitals (where the guideline had not been introduced). RESULTS: In the period following guideline introduction, 97 children with upper limb fractures were admitted (46% presenting directly to our ED and 54% admitted from external hospitals). This cohort was similar in number and distribution to the cohort reviewed prior to the guideline. Documentation of neurological examination in our ED increased from 92% to 98% after guideline introduction. Documented information on nerves examined also increased from 2% to 68% (p<0.01). Prior to the guideline, there were six nerve injuries, all of which were missed in our ED. After guideline introduction, there were four nerve injuries, all of which were detected in our ED. Documentation and nerve injury detection at external hospitals over the same time period showed no improvement. CONCLUSIONS: A simple guideline to assist neurological examination in children with upper limb fractures can significantly improve the quality of documented neurological assessment and nerve injury detection.

Diagnosing fractures: pain intensity and subjective functional impairment are unreliable markers for initial assessment of possible extremity fractures.

OBJECTIVES: The triage of trauma patients is based on patient-given information. The aim of the study was the accuracy of pain intensity, subjective functional impairment, trauma history, and clinical examination in identifying patients with fractures. METHODS: We prospectively asked 436 patients with an extremity trauma whether they believed they had a fracture. Pain intensity and subjective functional impairment were also assessed. The physicians were also asked, based on trauma history and clinical examination. RESULTS: The sensitivity and specificity of patient opinion and of the functional questions for fracture detection were low. The combination of history and clinical examination delivered the best results. There was only a slight difference in pain intensity between patients with and those without fractures. CONCLUSION: Fracture diagnosis based only on patient opinion or subjective functional impairment can be misleading. Pain intensity needs further investigation for its role in fracture detection.

Simultaneous hip and upper limb fracture in the elderly: incidence, features and management considerations.

We performed a retrospective analysis of all patients admitted to a single unit over 4 years with fractured neck of femur. Of the 760 patients admitted over this period of time 36 (4.7%) were found to also have a fracture of the upper limb. The associated upper limb fractures were distal radius (n=28), olecranon (n=2) and neck of humerus (n=5) and fifth metacarpal (n=1), with the same ratio of intracapsular to extracapsular fractures as the whole group. The female to male ratio in the isolated hip fracture group was 2.4:1 and for the combined fractures group was 8:1 (difference P=0.014). The mean patient age was 77.3 years for isolated hip fractures and 83.9 for the combined group (P=0.037). The mean total length of stay in hospital for isolated hip fracture was 15.6 days and for combined fractures was 20.4 days (P=0.010). We have demonstrated that combined upper limb and neck of femur fractures occur in a population that is older and predominantly female. They are associated with a significant increase in hospital stay and increased difficulties in mobilisation as a consequence of the combined fractures. It is therefore important to recognise this specific subgroup of patients presenting with hip fractures in order to ensure that they receive adequate treatment and rehabilitation and that the use of valuable health care resources are optimised.

[The topicality and use of the radiological exam in gunshot wounds of the limbs. An assessment of 132 cases]. / Attualità e impiego dell'esame radiologico nelle ferite da arma da fuoco degli arti. Valutazione di 132 casi.

INTRODUCTION: Gunshot wounds of limbs are frequent injuries especially in Western countries. They can be single or associated with other penetrating gunshot wounds, for instance to the chest, abdomen and skull. PURPOSE: We investigated the current role and usefulness of conventional radiography in the assessment of gunshot injuries to limbs because, despite major advances in diagnostic imaging, this method remains the examination of choice in this condition. We stress the valuable contribution of conventional radiography to detection of bone blow-out fractures, multifocal traumatic bone changes, bone and joint injuries, bullet retention, and finally subcutaneous emphysema. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 132 cases of firearm injuries of limbs submitted to radiography March 1996 to July 1999. All the patients were men ranging in age 17-66 years (mean: 35). Radiography followed a preliminary physical examination, and follow-ups were carried out in the following days after orthopedic reduction of bone fractures or surgery with metal osteosynthesis. Emergency CT was performed first when chest, abdomen, or skull were involved. RESULTS: The lower limbs were involved three times as much as the upper ones; the leg was most frequently involved (61%), followed by thigh (61%), forearm and hands (24%), and feet (15%). The right lower limb was wounded in 65% of cases, especially tibia (55 cases) and femur (46 cases). Spiral injuries to bone diaphysis were the most frequent ones, followed by mixed fractures caused by cortical bone sinking from bullet impact. Bullets were retained in 60% of cases; subcutaneous emphysema was found in 78% of cases and vascular injuries in 25 cases in relation to disarranged fractures. We observed 4 arteriovenous fistulas during 3 years' follow-up. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Gunshot wounds to the limbs need a different clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic approach than thoracoabdominal and skull injuries, which require immediate and quick diagnosis and emergency treatment. The cases with injury to a primary artery from open and splintered fractures require emergency surgical reconstruction with vascular anastomosis and reduction of compound fractures, to prevent necrosis and amputation. Conventional radiography does depict the bullet and its site, subcutaneous emphysema, blow-out fractures, and the location of bone splinters. This permits adequate emergency surgery and an efficacious orthopedic approach, as well as selection of the cases to be submitted to clinical monitoring.

Limb arterial injuries associated with limb fractures: clinical presentation, assessment and management.

OBJECTIVES: Review of limb arterial injuries associated with limb fractures. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: University Hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The clinical presentation, assessment and management of 25 patients with upper (seven) and lower (18) limb arterial injuries associated with limb bone fractures has been retrospectively reviewed. MAIN RESULTS: Five patients presented with life threatening injuries and classic signs of acute limb ischaemia, 15 patients had an obvious limb arterial injury, and 5 presented with a suspected limb arterial injury. The site of arterial damage was: superficial femoral (4); popliteal (11); tibioperoneal trunk (3); anterior tibial (4); posterior tibial (3); peroneal (2); axillary (1); brachial (5); radial (4); and ulnar artery (4). The types of arterial repair were: autogenous vein interposition or bypass grafting (17); P.T.F.E. (2); end-to-end anastomosis (14); and ligation (8). The popliteal vein was injured in six cases, repaired in four and ligated in two; the superficial femoral vein was injured in four cases, repaired in three and ligated in one; and the axillary vein was injured in one case and was ligated. Primary nerve repair was employed in six out of seven injured nerves. Skeletal fixation preceded vascular repair in 21 patients and in four a Javid shunt was used. Intraoperative fasciotomy was performed in 12 out of 18 patients with lower limb ischaemia. Completion arteriography revealed residual thrombi in the distal foot of four patients, in whom intraarterial thrombolysis was effective. During the follow-up period of 1.5 to 2 years, the upper and lower limb preservation rate was 100 and 89%, respectively. The upper limb function was judged excellent in five patients, good in one and fair in one. In the lower limbs it was excellent in 11 patients, good in three, fair in one and poor in one. CONCLUSIONS: To ensure life and functional limb salvage of patients with devastating vascular injuries, a well organised multidisciplinary approach is necessary.

[Assessment of the value of stimulation from a preparation of Tolpa peat for treatment of trauma related osteomyelitis]. / Badania wartosci stymulujacej preparatu torfowego Tolpy w leczeniu pourazowego zapalenia kosci.

Tolpa peat preparation at the dose of 5 mg per day was administered to 10 patients with chronic posttraumatic osteomyelitis for 6 weeks period of time. Good clinical result (ceasing of the inflammatory process) was found in 4 patients but 3 of them were concurrently treated surgically. Immunological examination (angiogenesis test and chemiluminescence test) performed before the onset and after completion of the treatment with Tolpa preparation did not reveal meaningful changes indicating immunomodulating action of the preparation on the course of posttraumatic osteomyelitis.

Trauma in the Afghan guerrilla war: effects of lack of access to care.

Little or no acute medical care or evacuation capability was available to resistance forces in the Afghanistan War. We examined the effects of these constraints through a review of 1373 patients admitted to a Pakistani border hospital from 1985 to 1987. Most wounds were to the extremities (92%). Serious complications from injuries were found in 41% of cases, of which the leading causes were soft-tissue infections (36%), chronic osteomyelitis (25%), and marked restriction of joint movement (18%). For 201 patients with known cause of injury, the distribution of responsible weapons was similar to the wars in Korea, Vietnam, and the Falkland Islands. The ratio of critical-area wounds (trunk, head and neck)/extremity wounds was low (0.07) compared with most other wars (about 0.50), indicating that the most seriously injured patients died before treatment was obtained. These early deaths and the many complications from injuries reflect the lack of appropriate surgical attention and evacuation facilities in the field. It is proposed that the ratio of wounds in critical areas to wounds in the extremities might be useful in monitoring the efficiency of evacuation in similar conflicts. Early surgical management and evacuation of battle casualties could have greatly reduced mortality from the war and subsequent disabilities.

[Rheumatoid arthritis and trauma. 5 cases]. / Polyarthrite rhumatöide et traumatisme. A propos de 5 observations

The authors report 5 cases of post-traumatic rheumatoid polyarthritis. After the traumatism had initiated the first stages of ordinary inflammation, chain reactions, perhaps by means of an "immune" field, intervened to transform it into a self-maintained rheumatoid inflammation. In fact, the etiopathogenic problems of post-traumatic rheumatoid polyarthritis have not yet been elucidated and it cannot be said either that the question of legal compensation for it is any nearer solution. The growing importance of traumatisms in everyday life and of compensation for them, and the gravity of the condition and its disabling sequelae require that great caution should be exercised in the search for criteria for attributing the disease to the traumatism: the almost indefinite evolution of the disease with time makes the choice of the consolidation date arbitrary.