Lower Extremity Surfing Injuries Seen at United States Emergency Departments From 2002 to 2022.

Background: Surfing is an increasingly popular sport with a high propensity for both traumatic and atraumatic injuries. Purpose: To analyze the trends, etiologies, and diagnoses of lower extremity orthopaedic-related surfing injuries presenting to United States (US) emergency departments (EDs) within a 21-year study period. Study Design: Descriptive epidemiology study. Methods: The National Electronic Injury Surveillance System database was queried for data on lower extremity surfing injuries presenting to US EDs from January 1 to December 31, 2022. Data collected included year, injury mechanism, injury location, diagnosis, and disposition. The raw data were used to calculate national estimates (NEs) based on each hospital's assigned statistical sample weight. Linear regressions were performed to analyze annual trends. Results: A total of 776 lower extremity surfing injuries were included (NE = 49,218 injuries). The mean age of the patients was 29.4 ± 13.6 years. The most common injured areas were the foot (NE = 17,411; 35.4%), lower leg (NE = 8673, 17.6%), and knee (NE = 8139; 16.5%). The most common mechanism of injury was impact with board (NE = 17,144; 34.8%), and the most common fracture locations were the lower leg (NE = 1195; 29.5%), ankle (NE = 1594; 24.5%), and foot (NE = 1495; 23.0%). There were statistically significant decreases in weighted estimates for lower extremity surfing injuries by 108 per year (P < .001), for lacerations by 76 per year (P < .001), and for sprains by 18 per year (P = .01). Impact-with-board injuries decreased by 59 injuries per year (P < .001) and constituted 63.5% of lacerations and 12.1% of fractures. Only 3.9% of patients were admitted for hospitalization. Conclusion: There was a decreasing trend in lower extremity surfing injuries presenting to US EDs during the 21-year study period.

Decreasing Trend in Upper Extremity Surfing Injuries Presenting to United States Emergency Departments - A 20-Year Analysis.

Surfing is a globally popular recreational sport with limited epidemiologic data. Currently, there is a paucity of literature regarding injury profiles and mechanisms of orthopaedic-related injuries. This study analyzed trends, etiologies, and diagnoses of upper extremity orthopaedic-related surfing injuries presenting to United States (US) emergency departments. The National Electronic Injury Surveillance System database was accessed to query upper extremity surfing-related injuries presenting to US emergency departments from January 1, 2002 to December 31, 2021. Data were analyzed for year, body part, mechanism of injury, diagnosis, and disposition. National estimates were calculated based on the assigned statistical sample weight of each hospital. A total of 33 323 surfing-related injuries were included. The most common upper extremity body parts involved 15 169 shoulders (45.5%), 4220 fingers (12.7%), and 3753 hands (11.3%). The most common identifiable mechanisms of injuries were 7474 board-to-body (22.4%), 4188 impact with sand (12.6%), and 2639 impact with water (7.9%). Overuse constituted 7.2% of overall upper extremity injuries but 40% of strains. Only 2.2% of injuries required hospital admission. Between 2002 and 2021, there was a decreasing annual trend in upper extremity surfing-related injuries (P=.01). The decreasing trend in emergency department visits may be due to urgent care utilization and training for surfers and lifeguards to manage these injuries on-site, as the majority were minor given the small proportion requiring hospital admission. Chronic stress on rotator cuff and peri-scapular musculature while paddling in the prone position likely contributed to the large proportion of overuse injury.

Characteristics, Treatments, and Outcomes of Tibial Plateau Nonunions: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Due to the rare incidence of tibial plateau nonunions, current studies are limited to small sample sizes and patient demographics. The aim of this systematic review is to quantify and report patient and fracture traits, possible risk factors, and treatment outcomes of tibial plateau nonunions. METHODS: PubMed, Clinical Key, and MEDLINE were searched for articles published prior to August 2020 in accordance to the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA). The authors used varying combinations of the following terms to identify relevant articles: "tibial," "plateau," "nonunion," "non-union." Studies were assessed for patient demographics, pre-revision nonunion characteristics, treatment, and post-revision outcomes. RESULTS: Eight studies were included, yielding 31 tibial plateau nonunions (21 males, 10 females). The majority of nonunions were associated with high energy trauma (52.2%) and were Schatzker class VI (54.8%). Schatzker class I and II nonunions were not attributed to neglect, contradicting previous suggestions. Time to union was 4.0 months, the most common treatments being autologous bone grafting (76.7%) and revision plating (63.3%). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates the effectiveness of autologous bone grafts and revision plating for tibial plateau nonunions. Physicians may use these findings to guide decision making in the event of high energy plateau nonunions. Lastly, various limitations exist within the current literature, emphasizing the need for standardized reporting measures.

Implementing Regional Nerve Blocks in Hip Fracture Programs: A Review of Regional Nerve Blocks, Protocols in the Literature, and the Current Protocol at The Queen's Medical Center in Honolulu, HI.

Hip fractures are a common cause of acute pain in elderly patients. However, pain may be undertreated due medical comorbidities. Strong evidence supports the use of regional nerve blocks to reduce preoperative pain after hip fracture. Despite recommendations for their use, regional nerve blocks may not be in widespread practice in the United States. To help promote the addition of regional nerve blocks into hip fracture protocols, this paper will provide an overview of two commonly used regional nerve blocks for hip fracture (fascia iliaca compartment block and femoral nerve block), review the regional nerve block protocols presented in 12 studies, and present the detailed protocol currently in use at The Queen's Medical Center in Honolulu, HI.

A Comparison of Skeletal Injuries Arising from Moped and Motorcycle Collisions.

Motorcycle and moped injuries remain a significant cause of motor-vehicle related morbidity and mortality. There is a paucity of literature describing the skeletal injuries of moped riders and how these compare to those of motorcyclists, however. This study seeks to examine the skeletal injuries sustained in such incidents and determine if there are significant differences. Hospitalized riders injured on powered two-wheeled vehicles (PTW) between 2004 and 2007 were entered into a registry along with their presentation and clinical course. This registry was sorted by PTW type. Riders with injuries of the appendicular skeleton, bony pelvis, and spine were extracted. Injuries were categorized by bone location. Demographic data, helmet use, head injury, facial fracture, Injury Severity Score (ISS), and mortality were extracted. Overall, 406/578 motorcyclists, 197/357 moped riders, and 62/92 dirt-bike riders sustained fractures of the appendicular skeleton, pelvis and/or spine. Motorcyclists had a significantly higher ISS upon presentation and had increased first-hospital day mortality in addition to more skeletal injuries, more fractures of the upper extremity, and more fractures of the spine, pelvis, and foot. Moped riders had a significantly lower rate of helmet use and higher rate of head injuries and facial fractures. In summary, while both moped and motorcycle riders share a risk for injuries of the lower extremity, their overall pattern of injury differs. Motorcyclists appear to be at increased risk for more severe injuries and injuries of the upper extremity, spine, and pelvis, while moped riders are at increased risk for significant head and facial injury.

Denosumab-Associated Peri-Implant Atypical Femur Fracture: A Case Report.

Bisphosphonate use has been associated with atypical pathologic fracture and slowed bone turnover. We present a case of a bisphosphonate-associated peri-implant atypical femur fracture following use of a recon nail for treatment of a prior bisphosphonate-associated atypical femur fracture.

Closed treatment of overriding distal radial fractures without reduction in children.

BACKGROUND: Traditionally, distal radial fractures with marked displacement and angulation have been treated with closed or open reduction techniques. Reduction maneuvers generally require analgesia and sedation, which increase hospital time, cost, patient risk, and the surgeon's time. In our study, a treatment protocol for pediatric distal radial fractures was used in which the fracture was left shortened in an overriding position and a cast was applied without an attempt at anatomic fracture reduction. METHODS: Consecutive patients three to ten years of age presenting between 2004 and 2009 with a closed overriding fracture of the distal radial metaphysis were followed prospectively. Our protocol consisted of no analgesia, no sedation, and a short arm fiberglass cast gently molded to correct only angulation. Patients were followed for at least one year. All parents or guardians were given a questionnaire assessing their satisfaction with the treatment. Financial analysis was performed with use of Current Procedural Terminology codes and the average total cost of care. RESULTS: Fifty-one children with an average age of 6.9 years were included in the study. Initial radial shortening averaged 5.0 mm. Initial sagittal and coronal angulation averaged 4.0° and 3.2°, respectively. The average duration of casting was forty-two days. Residual sagittal and coronal angulation at the time of final follow-up averaged 2.2° and 0.8°, respectively. All fifty-one patients achieved clinical and radiographic union with a full range of wrist motion. All parents and guardians answered the questionnaire and were satisfied with the treatment. Cost analysis demonstrated that closed reduction with the patient under conscious sedation or general anesthesia is nearly five to six times more expensive than the treatment used in this study. Adding percutaneous pin fixation increases costs nearly ninefold. CONCLUSIONS: This treatment protocol presents an alternative approach to overriding distal radial fractures in children and provides the orthopaedic surgeon a simple, effective, and cost and time-efficient method of treatment.