Tibial tubercle avulsion fractures in adolescents: impact on function and quality of life.

The objective of the study was to assess functional outcomes and quality of life of patients treated for tibial tubercle avulsion fractures (TTAFs). Retrospective study of patients under 18 years of age treated from June 2011 to May 2018. Demographic data included age, gender, mechanism of injury, side, fracture classification, associated injuries, predisposing factors, and type of treatment. Clinical results included knee range of motion, pain, return to sports, overall satisfaction, functional outcomes, and complications. At final follow-up, Tegner Lysholm Knee Scoring Scale, and Kidscreen-10 were applied. Ten patients were included, all males, with a median age of 15 years. Mechanism of injury: football (three patients), basketball (two patients), running (two patients), handball (one patient), gymnastics (one patient), and fall (one patient). Nine were treated surgically with reduction and fixation with cannulated screws or Kirschner wires, plus treatment of associated injuries (three patellar tendon avulsions, one contralateral proximal tibia epiphyseal fracture, and two prophylactic fasciotomies). One patient developed mild recurvatum and two presented minor decreased knee flexion. Eight patients returned to their previous level of sports activity. Median Tegner Lysholm Knee Score was 100/100 and Kidscreen-10 was 50/50. With appropriate treatment, nearly 100% of TTAFs have good functional outcomes and low impact on quality of life.

[How to Resume Elective Orthopaedic Surgical Procedures during the COVID-19 Pandemic?] / Como Retomar a Atividade Cirúrgica Eletiva em Ortopedia durante a Pandemia COVID-19?

This document was prepared by the College of Orthopedics of the Portuguese Medical Association with the aim of developing the guidelines on the resumption of elective surgical activity in Orthopedics during the COVID-19 pandemic. It sets the criteria that allow the prioritization of surgeries according to the severity of the clinical situation, based on existing and published classifications. Moreover, it provides an organizational model for patient preparation and describes the patient pathways in the preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative periods. It also describes safety rules for elective surgery and a model for monitoring patients after discharge according to scientific evidence.

Este documento foi elaborado pelo Colégio de Ortopedia da Ordem dos Médicos com o objetivo de estabelecer as orientações sobre a retoma da atividade cirúrgica programada em Ortopedia durante a pandemia COVID-19. As presentes normas de orientação: a) definem os critérios que permitem a priorização das cirurgias de acordo com a gravidade da situação clínica, com base em classificações existentes e publicadas; b) fornecem um modelo de organização para a preparação dos doentes, descrevendo os circuitos do doente nos períodos pré-operatório, intraoperatório e pós-operatório; c) realçam as regras de segurança para a realização de cirurgias e desenham um modelo de acompanhamento após a alta de acordo com a evidência científica.

Redisplacement of paediatric distal radius fractures: what is the problem?

PURPOSE: Distal radius fractures represent one of the most common fractures in children. Our purpose is to analyze risk factors for redisplacement in children with distal radius fractures treated by means of closed reduction and plaster cast immobilization. METHODS: Retrospective study, including children under the age of 17 years, who underwent closed manipulation and cast immobilization for a distal third radius fracture, between 2012 and 2015. Preoperative radiographs were reviewed for initial translation, angulation and shortening, distance of the fracture from the physis, degree of fracture obliquity and the presence of an ulna fracture. Postoperative radiographs were analyzed for translation, angulation and shortening, as well as the quality of closed reduction. Cast index, gap index and three-point index, were measured on the postoperative radiographs. Redisplacement and re-intervention during follow-up were registered. RESULTS: A total of 26 patients were included in this study. Comparison between post-reduction and immediate post-cast removal radiographs did not show any statistically significant difference between translation or shortening. Coronal (p = 0.002) and sagittal (p = 0.002) angulation showed a statistically significant difference, but both median values remained below cut-off values for redisplacement. Redisplacement was observed in four patients. Only one patient underwent remanipulation. All four had full remodelling and proper radiological alignment at final follow-up. Quality of reduction was found to be a statistically significant risk factor for redisplacement (p = 0.013). CONCLUSION: Closed reduction and cast immobilization under general anaesthesia yields good results in the treatment of distal forearm fractures in paediatric patients. Quality of reduction was the only risk factor that we found to be predictive of redisplacement. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III - Retrospective comparative study.