The Elbow Technique: A Novel Reduction Technique for Anterior Shoulder Dislocations.

BACKGROUND: Anterior dislocation of the glenohumeral joint is a common upper extremity injury in orthopedic and emergency medicine. The aim of this study was to introduce a novel reduction technique, "elbow technique," for anterior shoulder dislocations. DISCUSSION: This study included 26 patients with anterior shoulder dislocation who were treated using the elbow technique in our hospital's emergency department between October 2014 and December 2015. One orthopedic physician performed the reduction maneuver and the vast majority of the patients were sedated. Patients who presented with posterior shoulder dislocation, remained dislocated for more than 7 days, who had Neer three or four parts proximal humerus fractures, and who had received previous shoulder surgery were excluded from this study. Twenty-one dislocations (80% of the patients) were primary. Six patients (23% of the dislocations) had associated fractures of the greater tuberosity. All of the patients were successfully reduced with the elbow technique. Mean time for reduction was 5 s (range 3-69 s). No iatrogenic fractures or neurovascular injuries were noted after the reductions. CONCLUSIONS: The elbow technique involves traction, leverage, pulsion, and can be performed by a single operator. The elbow technique is a safe, elegant, simple, effective, fast, and gentle reduction procedure for anterior shoulder dislocations in the emergency department.

Calf circumference discrepancies in patients with unilateral clubfoot: Ponseti versus surgical release.

BACKGROUND: Talipes equinovarus is the most common congenital lower limb abnormality. Decreased calf size has been found to have negative impacts on patients' subjective appraisals of long-term outcomes. This study compares calf circumference ratios in 2 groups of patients with unilateral clubfoot, those treated according to the Ponseti method and those treated with extensive surgery, to determine whether the current standard of care achieves better anatomic outcomes. METHODS: Patients >1 year after treatment for unilateral clubfoot were recruited during normal follow-up appointments and both calves were measured using a standardized protocol. A questionnaire concerning their treatment history was also completed. Data were analyzed by comparing calf circumference ratios between treatment modalities. RESULTS: Thirty-five patients with unilateral clubfoot were recruited after satisfying inclusion criteria. Twenty-four (69%) were included in the Ponseti-managed group, and 11 (31%) were in the extensive surgery group. The affected legs were on average 3% to 10% smaller than the control legs across all groups. The surgery group's average calf ratio was significantly less at 90.8%±3.5% compared with 94.4%±3.3% in the Ponseti group. CONCLUSIONS: The calf circumference of limbs affected by clubfoot is significantly smaller in those treated with extensive surgery as compared with those treated with the Ponseti method alone, with or without percutaneous tenotomy. This supports the Ponseti method as the standard of care for achieving the most favorable anatomic outcome. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level I.

Quality of Plaster Molding for Distal Radius Fractures Is Improved Through Focused Tuition of Junior Surgeons.

OBJECTIVES: Successful nonoperative management of distal radius fractures requires an adequately reduced fracture held in a well-molded cast. The purpose of this study was to determine whether a targeted teaching session to the same group of junior doctors led to objective improvement in fracture reduction and plaster molding and hence a decrease in the redisplacement of these fractures. DESIGN: Retrospective review. SETTING: Level I academic trauma center. METHODS: A retrospective review of all dorsally angulated distal radius fractures treated in plaster that presented to our plaster room over a 4-week period (group 1, n = 52). This was followed by the intervention and a subsequent 4-week prospective review (group 2, n = 36). Radiographs were reviewed before manipulation, after manipulation, and at follow-up by a single senior orthopaedic trainee using predetermined criteria. INTERVENTION: A targeted teaching session on fracture reduction and cast molding to the same group of junior doctors involved in managing all these cases. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Adequate fracture reduction, plaster molding, redisplacement, and further intervention before and after the targeted intervention. RESULTS: In group 1, 85% had adequate fracture reduction but only 36% showed adequate molding. This was improved in group 2%-94% adequate reduction and 65% adequate molding (P = 0.022). The rate of redisplacement was improved from 65% to 44% in group 2. In both groups, the rate of redisplacement was around 20% for adequately reduced and molded fractures, compared with around 90% for adequately reduced but inadequately molded cases (P < 0.001). The rate of further intervention improved from 27% to 8% (P = 0.052). CONCLUSIONS: We recommend that specific teaching focusing on fracture reduction and molding techniques is included in orthopaedic juniors' induction teaching or as a separate session. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

A comparison of the scapular manipulation and Kocher's technique for acute anterior dislocation of the shoulder.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to compare the scapular manipulation technique and the Kocher's method in terms of efficacy, safety, and the intensity of pain felt by the patient in the reduction of acute anterior shoulder dislocation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between July 2009 and January 2010, a total of 64 patients with acute traumatic anterior dislocation of the shoulder were evaluated. Of the 64 patients assessed, three patients were excluded because of cardiopulmonary problems. The remaining 61 patients (41 males, 20 females; mean age 42±18.5 years; range 17 to 87 years) were enrolled in this prospective randomized study and divided into two groups. Thirty-one patients were treated with scapular manipulation (group 1) and 30 patients were treated by the Kocher's method (group 2). A procedural sedation/analgesia was applied before the reduction to meet the target sedation score of 1 or 2 according to the Ramsay sedation scale. A visual analog scale was used to determine the intensity of the pain felt by the patients during reduction. RESULTS: Reduction was successfully achieved with the scapular manipulation method in 96.7% of the patients, and with the Kocher's method in 93.3% (p>0.05). The degree of pain experienced by group 1 was lower than group 2 (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: Both scapular manipulation and Kocher's techniques are successful and reliable methods when procedural sedation/analgesia is used routinely. Scapular manipulation is a less painful method of reduction of an anterior shoulder dislocation in comparison with the Kocher's technique.

Procedural sedation and analgesia in a Canadian ED: a time-in-motion study.

INTRODUCTION: Some patients presenting to emergency departments (EDs) suffer from conditions requiring potentially painful treatment; procedural sedation and analgesia (PSA) are important components of their management. The purpose of this study was to determine the resources used during the administration of PSA. METHODS: This prospective observational study was conducted in a Canadian urban teaching center. Detailed data concerning the dosage of PSA medications, adverse events, and ED times for patients requiring PSA for treatment of fractures, reductions of joint dislocations, and cardioversion for atrial fibrillation were collected. Descriptive analyses included proportions, means with standard deviations, and medians with interquartile ranges. RESULTS: Of the 177 PSA cases considered for analysis, 69.5% were orthopedic manipulations and 30.5% were cardioversions. Propofol alone or combined with fentanyl was the commonest medication, and 27 minor adverse events were documented. The median number of staff used in each PSA was 4 (4, 4). The median time from triage to the start of the procedure was 175 minutes (98, 259). The median time from the end of monitoring to discharge was 186 minutes (104, 316). The median time from the start of PSA administration to the end of patient monitoring was 12 minutes for fractures/dislocations and 7 minutes for cardioversion. The total ED length of stay was 6.6 hours. CONCLUSION: Procedural sedation and analgesia are potentially time-consuming interventions requiring the coordination of ED staff; delays in procedures represent opportunities to reduce ED overcrowding. Procedural sedation and analgesia guidelines may assist with standardization.

An investigation comparing the Oxford Chair Technique with the traditional methods of glenohumeral dislocation reduction currently implemented.

UNLABELLED: This paper reports on the findings of a quantitative, retrospective service evaluation. It compared a new, conscious, sedation-free technique to reduce anterior glenohumeral dislocations with the traditional methods of reduction (TMR) currently implemented. OBJECTIVES: The first objective for this study was to examine whether a new method, used at an Emergency Department (ED) in the south of England, of glenohumeral dislocation reduction, called the Oxford Chair Technique (OCT) can reduce anterior glenohumeral dislocations and to compare the success rates of reduction with the TMR. Secondary objectives examined how the OCT compared, using four set factors, against the TMR currently used. The fundamental comparisons being analysed was in terms of time taken for treatments. METHODS: A retrospective service evaluation was performed using data collected from the Patient Administration System (PAS) software and the Picture Archiving and Communications System (PACS) on patients who presented to an ED in the South of England with an anterior glenohumeral dislocation between March 2005 and August 2006. RESULTS: Of the 61 cases in which the OCT was used over the sampling period, 38 attempts to reduce the dislocation were successful, with 23 being unsuccessful. An overall success rate of 62% was obtained with the OCT. There were no complications reported with the OCT. Statistically significant differences were found with the mean time from arrival to discharge (OCT 141 v. TMR 254 min, p<0.001); mean time between the first diagnostic X-ray and post reduction X-ray (OCT 70 v. TMR 102 min, p<0.003) and the mean time between the post reduction X-ray and discharge (OCT 51 v. TMR 119 min, p<0.001). No patients treated with the OCT required conscious sedation compared to 90% of patients treated with TMR (p<0.001). Only 38% of patients treated with the OCT had morphine administered compared to 90% of patients treated with TMR (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the success rate for reduction using the OCT was good in view of this being a new treatment to the ED. While the OCT had a lower success rate of reduction compared to TMR, when reduction was successful using the OCT, there were overwhelming time-saving benefits to the patient with subsequent logistical benefits to the ED. The use of conscious sedation and morphine was also significantly less for the OCT group compared to TMR.

Are emergency department junior doctors becoming less experienced in performing common practical procedures?

A questionnaire was designed to measure junior doctors' experience of performing practical procedures and was distributed to all junior doctors working in our emergency department during June 2005 and June 2006. The junior doctors were subjectively less experienced in all the procedures measured in 2006 compared to 2005. There were statistically significant reductions in experience of shoulder manipulation, suturing and wound exploration. Junior doctors are becoming less experienced in performing some practical procedures.

Physiotherapy and osteoporosis: practice behaviors and clinicians' perceptions--a survey.

Physiotherapists typically use a variety of modes to treat their clients, including manual therapy. The literature cautions against the use of manual therapy in individuals with osteoporosis, (Musculoskeletal Manipulation: Evaluation of the Scientific Evidence, Charles C Thomas Publisher, Springfield, IL; Common Vertebral Joint Problems, 2nd Edition, Churchill Livingstone, New York; Maitland's Vertebral Manipulation, 6th Edition, Butterworth-Heinemann, Boston; Br. J. Sports Med. 37 (2003) 195-196) yet clinical experience (Br. J. Sports Med. 37 (2003) 195-196) and published cases (J. Manip. Physiol. Ther. 15(7) (1992) 450-454) suggest that these techniques are still being used by at least some clinicians. The purpose of this study was to measure the most common treatment modes used by a random sample of physiotherapists practicing in the province of British Columbia (BC) in the treatment of individuals with osteoporosis. To assess whether physiotherapists in BC have concerns about the use of manual therapy in individuals with osteoporosis, particularly whether physiotherapists have concerns about fracture as a complication of treatment. This cross-sectional study of 171 physiotherapists in BC used a questionnaire developed by the physiotherapist in the Osteoporosis Program at the BC Women's Health Centre (a part of the Children's & Women's Health Centre of BC). The response rate (67/171) was 39%. Ninety-seven per cent of respondents reported using strength exercises and postural reeducation, while 45% reported using manual therapy in this population. Ninety-one per cent of respondents reported having concerns about the use of manual therapy. Vertebral fracture and rib fracture were the most commonly reported concerns. These findings suggest that most physiotherapists practicing in BC, Canada use evidence-based methods (i.e. strength training) when treating individuals with osteoporosis, a large number use manual therapy, and most have concerns about its use. Physiotherapists are most concerned about fractures, in particular vertebral fracture, but injury to other musculoskeletal tissues is also of concern. Studies of safety and effectiveness of manual therapy in this population are needed to guide clinical practice.

Do Norwegian manual therapists provide management for patients with acute low back pain in accordance with clinical guidelines?

Manual therapists (MTs) are specialized in examining and treating patients with low back pain (LBP). The aim of the study was to investigate if patients' consultations with Norwegian MTs are in accordance with clinical guidelines for the management of acute LBP. Semi-structured interviews were conducted based on observation of the first consultation. Twenty-two MT students observed two consultations, and thereafter interviewed MTs (convenience sample) about clinical findings, information, advice and specific therapeutic procedures given. The interviews were tape-recorded, transcribed, and organized. Forty-two reports were derived from 34 MTs (12% of all in Norway). The MTs commonly informed the patients of main clinical findings. The intention to eliminate fear avoidance was specifically mentioned in 43% of the interviews. Advice of being active in daily life activities was given to 50% of the patients, and 43% were advised to avoid particular pain provoking movements. Working ability and sick leave was considered in only 20% of those employed. The most frequent treatment modalities recommended were home-exercises (69%) and a combination of joint mobilization and individually tailored exercises (48%). To some extent the MTs acted according to main points of clinical guidelines. However, functioning at the participation level was little emphasized in the consultations.

A descriptive study of the usage of spinal manipulative therapy techniques within a randomized clinical trial in acute low back pain.

The majority of randomized clinical trials (RCTs) of spinal manipulative therapy have not adequately defined the terms 'mobilization' and 'manipulation', nor distinguished between these terms in reporting the trial interventions. The purpose of this study was to describe the spinal manipulative therapy techniques utilized within a RCT of manipulative therapy (MT; n = 80), interferential therapy (IFT; n = 80), and a combination of both (CT; n = 80) for people with acute low back pain (LBP). Spinal manipulative therapy was defined as any 'mobilization' (low velocity manual force without a thrust) or 'manipulation' (high velocity thrust) techniques of the spine described by Maitland and Cyriax. The 16 physiotherapists, all members of the Society of Orthopaedic Medicine, utilized three spinal manipulative therapy patterns in the RCT: Maitland Mobilization (40.4%, n = 59), Maitland Mobilization/Cyriax Manipulation (40.4%, n = 59) and Cyriax Manipulation (19.1%, n = 28). There was a significant difference between the MT and CT groups in their usage of spinal manipulative therapy techniques (chi2 = 9.178; df = 2; P = 0.01); subjects randomized to the CT group received three times more Cyriax Manipulation (29.2%, n = 21/72) than those randomized to the MT group (9.5%, n = 7/74; df = 1; P = 0.003). The use of mobilization techniques within the trial was comparable with their usage by the general population of physiotherapists in Britain and Ireland for LBP management. However, the usage of manipulation techniques was considerably higher than reported in physiotherapy surveys and may reflect the postgraduate training of trial therapists.

Safety of spinal manipulation in the treatment of lumbar disk herniations: a systematic review and risk assessment.

OBJECTIVE: To provide a qualitative systematic review of the risk of spinal manipulation in the treatment of lumbar disk herniations (LDH) and to estimate the risk of spinal manipulation causing a severe adverse reaction in a patient presenting with LDH. DATA SOURCES: Relevant case reports, review articles, surveys, and investigations regarding treatment of lumbar disk herniations with spinal manipulation and adverse effects and associated risks were found with a search of the literature. DATA SYNTHESIS: Prospective/retrospective studies and review papers were graded according to quality, and results and conclusions were tabulated. From the data published, an estimate of the risk of spinal manipulation causing a clinically worsened disk herniation or cauda equina syndrome (CES) in patients presenting with LDH was calculated. This was compared with estimates of the safety of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and surgery in the treatment of LDH. RESULTS: An estimate of the risk of spinal manipulation causing a clinically worsened disk herniation or CES in a patient presenting with LDH is calculated from published data to be less than 1 in 3.7 million. CONCLUSION: The apparent safety of spinal manipulation, especially when compared with other "medically accepted" treatments for LDH, should stimulate its use in the conservative treatment plan of LDH.

A proposed new classification system for whiplash associated disorders--implications for assessment and management.

The development of chronic symptoms following whiplash injury is common and contributes substantially to costs associated with this condition. The currently used Quebec Task Force classification system of whiplash associated disorders is primarily based on the severity of signs and symptoms following injury and its usefulness has been questioned. Recent evidence is emerging that demonstrates differences in physical and psychological impairments between individuals who recover from the injury and those who develop persistent pain and disability. Motor dysfunction, local cervical mechanical hyperalgesia and psychological distress are present soon after injury in all whiplash injured persons irrespective of recovery. In contrast those individuals who develop persistent moderate/severe pain and disability show a more complex picture, characterized by additional impairments of widespread sensory hypersensitivity indicative of underlying disturbances in central pain processing as well as acute posttraumatic stress reaction, with these changes present from soon after injury. Based on this heterogeneity a new classification system is proposed that takes into account measurable disturbances in motor, sensory and psychological dysfunction. The implications for the management of this condition are discussed.

Dynamic magnetic resonance guided treatment of developmental dysplasia of the hip.

This study demonstrates the feasibility and advantages of near real-time, multiplanar, dynamic magnetic resonance image-assisted treatment of patients with developmental dysplasia of the hip. Pathoanatomy and dynamic blocks to reduction are visualized with anatomic clarity not otherwise possible. Continuous imaging allows accurate assessment and maintenance of optimum positioning throughout the casting procedure. Patient charges for this new technique are less than standard methods of treatment, and the child receives no ionizing radiation.

A randomized clinical trial of manual therapy for cervico-brachial pain syndrome -- a pilot study.

Cervico-brachial pain syndrome is an upper quarter pain condition in which mechanosensitive neural tissue is considered a primary feature. A single-blind randomized controlled trial was conducted to determine the clinical effect of two manual therapy interventions. Thirty subjects (20 females and 10 males) were randomly allocated to one of three groups - one of two manual therapy intervention groups or a control group. One manual therapy intervention group consisted of passive techniques aimed at mobilizing neural tissue structures and the cervical spine. The other involved indirect manual therapy techniques with a focus on articular components of the gleno-humeral joint and thoracic spine. The treatment period lasted 8 weeks in total and was combined with a home exercise programme. Following the 8-week baseline period the control group were crossed over into the specific neural tissue manual therapy group. Pain visual analogue scale (VAS), the short-form McGill pain and Northwick Park neck pain questionnaires were completed before, midway and after the treatment period. The findings suggest that both manual physiotherapy interventions combined with home exercises are effective in improving pain intensity, pain quality scores and functional disability levels. A group difference was observed for the VAS scores at 8 weeks with the neural manual therapy technique having a significantly lower score.