The prevalence of deep Venous thrombosis of the lower extremity in hospitalised bedridden orthopaedic patients: a pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of objectively confirmed deep vein thrombosis of lower extremities in bedridden hospitalised orthopaedic patients who received no thromboprophylaxis. METHODS: The prospective cross-sectional study was conducted at Dr Ruth Pfau Civil Hospital, Karachi, from April to June 2021, and included all patients aged ≥40 years admitted for intended major lower limb surgery and expected to be confined to the bed for at least 4 days. Duplex ultrasound scanning of both legs was used to confirm deep vein thrombosis. Data was analysed using SPSS 22. RESULTS: Of the 104 subjects, 60(57.6%) were males and 44(42.3%) were females. The overall mean age was 51.9±7.4 years. The most common type of fracture was the neck of femur 28(26.9%). The mean delay between the fracture and admission was 6.44±4.9 days. The mean length of hospital stay was 12.76±3.8 days. The overall prevalence of deep vein thrombosis was 16(15.3% and none of these patients had any symptom at all. CONCLUSIONS: There was 15.3% prevalence of deep vein thrombosis. Considering that the condition is potentially lethal, routine prophylaxis for all at-risk patients should be encouraged.

Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices of Healthcare Workers Regarding the Use of Face Mask to Limit the Spread of the New Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19).

Introduction Many countries including Pakistan are currently using face masks in their pandemic control plans. Being highly prevalent, the correct use of these masks is particularly important, as an incorrect use and disposal may actually increase the rate of transmission. The purpose of this study was to investigate the knowledge, attitude, and practices of healthcare workers (HCWs) in wearing a surgical face mask to limit the spread of the new coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Materials and Methods This survey was conducted by interviewing HCWs using a questionnaire consisting of the basic demographic characteristics, and the knowledge, attitude, and practices regarding the use of surgical face mask to limit the new COVID-19 exposure. Each correct answer was scored 1 and each incorrect answer scored 0. The total number of questions was 16, and the final score was calculated and then labeled according to the percentage (out of 16) of correct responses as good (>80%), moderate (60-80%), and poor (<60%). Results A total of 392 participants with a mean age of 42.37 ± 13.34 years (341 males and 51 females) were included in the study. The overall final results were good in 138 (35.2%), moderate in 178 (45.4%), and poor in 76 (19.3%). Around 43.6% of participants knew about the correct method of wearing the masks, 68.9% knew that there are three layers, 53% stated that the middle layer act as a filter media barrier, and 75.5% knew the recommended maximum duration of wearing it. The majority (88.2%) of participants knew that a cloth face mask is not much effective, around 79.8% knew that used face mask cannot be re-used, and 44.8% knew about the yellow-coded bag for disposal. Conclusions Knowledge, attitude, and practice of HCWs regarding the use of face masks were found to be inadequate. Studied HCWs had a positive attitude but moderate-to-poor level of knowledge and practice regarding the use of face mask. HCWs and general public awareness campaigns regarding the proper use of face mask by utilizing all social media available resources would be helpful during this pandemic.

Role of platelet-rich plasma in early osteoarthritis of knee joint: Experience from a tertiary care center in Pakistan.

PURPOSE: Osteoarthritis is the most common articular disease. The aim of this study was to observe the outcome after intra-articular platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection in our patients presenting with knee osteoarthritis. METHODS: This study was conducted in Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan, from December 2014 to December 2015. All patients between 35 years and 60 years of age diagnosed with grade I and II arthritis were included in the study. Three PRP injections were injected in the knees at 4-week interval. Patients were followed up in outpatient department (OPD) and were assessed for pain and physical activity associated with arthritis using the Western Ontario and McMaster University Arthritis Index (WOMAC) score at the time of induction in the study and at 6 months interval. RESULTS: Two hundred fourteen patients with the mean age of 55.15 (±6.93) years were studied. Female to male ratio was 3:1. One hundred fifty-five patients were classified as having Kellgren-Lawrence grade 1 osteoarthritis, while 59 were grade 2. One hundred eighty-nine patients had clinical symptoms for less than 2 years and 25 for more than 2 years. Mean WOMAC score before the start of treatment was 83.05, and after 6 months, it was reduced to 38.84 which was statistically significant ( p = 0.000). WOMAC score was improved more in the subgroup with patients having symptoms less than 2 years ( p = 0.005). Three patients developed minor hyperemia which was managed conservatively with activity limitation and ice application, but none of the patient developed gross infection. CONCLUSION: The sequential use of PRP injection for the treatment of early osteoarthritis proved to be effective in our study.

Experience of treating the Talipes equinovarus deformity with Ponsetti technique at district level.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the Ponsetti technique's effectiveness in the treatment of talipes equinovarus. Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted from January 2013 to March 2018in Naushehero Feroze disctrict of the province of Sindh, Pakistan, and data was assessed at the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Dow University of Health Sciences / Civil Hospital, Karachi. Children with talipes equinovarus were treated with Ponsetti casting. Results: Of the 86 patients, 53(68%) were boys and 33(32%) were girls. There were a total of 111 feet in the study. Once the foot reached neutral, percutaneous tenotomy of tendo achilles was done in 86)85%) of 111 feet. Seven (8%) patients had recurrence because of non-compliance in the maintenance phase. Overall, 17(19.7%) patients were lost to follow-up. Conclusion: Ponsetti casting was found to be a simple, effective and acceptable method of treatment for talipes equinovarus.

Pattern of Infecting Microorganisms and Their Susceptibility to Antimicrobial Drugs in Patients with Diabetic Foot Infections in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Karachi, Pakistan.

Diabetes mellitus is a universal health problem, with its prevalence in Pakistan making it among the top 10 countries in the world. Approximately 13.9 million people in Pakistan will have developed diabetes by 2030. Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is one of the more serious complications of diabetes. If not treated properly, patients may develop diabetic foot osteomyelitis leading to gangrene and amputation. These infections are usually polymicrobial, with Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), Proteus, Pseudomonas, and Escherichia coli (E. coli) being among the more common organisms isolated from DFU. This survey of patients with DFU in a tertiary hospital in Karachi, Pakistan found 68.5% of patients had peripheral neuropathy, 57% had chronic osteomyelitis, and 37% and 49% had Wagner grades 2 and 3, respectively. Infections were polymicrobial in 83% of patients, E. coli was isolated from 63%, and S. aureus from 58%. Of the isolated organisms, 95% were sensitive to meropenem and 81% to linezolid.

Use of fibular bone graft and cancellous screw fixation in the management of neglected femur neck fractures in young patients.

OBJECTIVE: To present the clinical outcome of patients with neglected femur neck fracture treated with fibular bone graft. METHODS: During May 2010-February 2013, 15 patients younger than 35 years of age with neglected fracture neck of femur were managed with non-vascularized fibular graft and cannulated screws. Fractures were classified according to Sandhu Classification. Hip function was assessed using Harris hip score. RESULTS: Fifteen patients with mean age of 28.67 years were managed. Mean period of delay from injury to presentation was 3.07 months. Mean follow-up was 18.5 months. Union was achieved in 13 cases. 2 patients developed nonunion with progression of avascular necrosis (AVN). Patients with healed fracture did not show radiological signs of AVN till the past follow-up. Functional status was evaluated at 6 months according to Harris hip score and was poor in 2 patients, fair in 2 patients, good in 6 patients, and excellent in 5 patients. CONCLUSION: Fibular graft along with two cancellous screws proved to be an effective technique in our cases with neglected femur neck fractures.