Splinting of Low-Risk Pediatric Fractures.

ABSTRACT: This review covers common orthopedic injuries seen after acute traumatic injury. A thorough physical examination and radiographic review of these injuries are key to ensuring appropriate management. Although many injuries may require urgent or emergent orthopedic consultation and management, this review focuses on injuries that are low-risk and amenable to splinting with outpatient orthopedic follow-up. This review covers key physical examination features, radiographic findings that help providers assess injuries, as well as reviewing splinting application to help facilitate rapid management of these injuries in the acute care setting.

Methods to accelerate fracture healing - a narrative review from a clinical perspective.

Bone regeneration is a complex pathophysiological process determined by molecular, cellular, and biomechanical factors, including immune cells and growth factors. Fracture healing usually takes several weeks to months, during which patients are frequently immobilized and unable to work. As immobilization is associated with negative health and socioeconomic effects, it would be desirable if fracture healing could be accelerated and the healing time shortened. However, interventions for this purpose are not yet part of current clinical treatment guidelines, and there has never been a comprehensive review specifically on this topic. Therefore, this narrative review provides an overview of the available clinical evidence on methods that accelerate fracture healing, with a focus on clinical applicability in healthy patients without bone disease. The most promising methods identified are the application of axial micromovement, electromagnetic stimulation with electromagnetic fields and direct electric currents, as well as the administration of growth factors and parathyroid hormone. Some interventions have been shown to reduce the healing time by up to 20 to 30%, potentially equivalent to several weeks. As a combination of methods could decrease the healing time even further than one method alone, especially if their mechanisms of action differ, clinical studies in human patients are needed to assess the individual and combined effects on healing progress. Studies are also necessary to determine the ideal settings for the interventions, i.e., optimal frequencies, intensities, and exposure times throughout the separate healing phases. More clinical research is also desirable to create an evidence base for clinical guidelines. To make it easier to conduct these investigations, the development of new methods that allow better quantification of fracture-healing progress and speed in human patients is needed.

[Clinical and functional evaluation of pediatric patients with pelvic fracture treated in a third level Hospital]. / Evaluación clínica y funcional de pacientes pediátricos con fractura de pelvis tratados en un Hospital de Tercer Nivel.

INTRODUCTION: pelvic fracture in children is considered one of the most important injuries due to its high mortality. They are rare, but have a major impact on patients' functional outcomes. OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the clinical evolution and functional grade in pediatric patients with pelvic fractures who have already been treated, either conservatively or surgically. MATERIAL AND METHODS: descriptive-cross-sectional-retrospective study. Sample of 24 patients, aged five to 16 years with pelvic fracture, treated from 2016 to 2021. Clinical and functional outcome was assessed using the Barthel index and hip range of motion, as well as surgical or conservative treatment, accompanying lesions and injury mechanism. RESULTS: to find out if there is an association between the Torode and Zieg classifications with the Barthel index and hip range of motion, an association analysis was performed with the 2 statistic, obtaining a 2 value = 19.213. with p = 0.004 for the Barthel index and a 2= 14.253 with p = 0.0026 for hip ranges of motion; these results indicate that there is statistically significant association. CONCLUSION: the most frequent type of pelvic fracture in pediatric patients treated is type III on the Torode and Zieg scale, which according to the Barthel index is associated with a degree of independence and complete hip mobility arches, so the clinical and functional outcome in these patients is high in severe injuries.

INTRODUCCIÓN: la fractura de pelvis en edad pediátrica es considerada de las lesiones más importantes debido a su alta mortalidad; son poco frecuentes, pero tienen gran impacto en el resultado funcional de los pacientes. OBJETIVO: evaluar la evolución clínica y grado funcional en niños con fracturas de pelvis tratados de forma conservadora o quirúrgica. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: estudio descriptivo-transversal-retrospectivo. Muestra de 24 pacientes, de cinco a 16 años de edad, con fractura de pelvis, tratados del 2016 al 2021. Se valoró el resultado clínico y funcional mediante el índice de Barthel y arcos de movilidad de cadera, tratamiento quirúrgico o conservador, lesiones acompañantes y mecanismo de lesión. El análisis estadístico se realizó con el software IBM SPSS Statistics®. RESULTADOS: se realizó un análisis de asociación mediante 2 entre las clasificaciones de Torode y Zieg con el índice de Barthel y arcos de movilidad de cadera, obteniendo un valor de 2 = 19.213 con p = 0.004 para índice de Barthel y un valor de 2= 14.253 con p = 0.0026 para arcos de movilidad de cadera; estos resultados indican que hay una asociación estadísticamente significativa. CONCLUSIÓN: el tipo de fractura de pelvis más frecuente en pacientes tratados es el tipo III en la escala de Torode y Zieg, la cual, según el índice de Barthel, se asocia con un grado de independencia y arcos de movilidad de cadera completos, por lo que el resultado clínico y funcional en estos pacientes es alto en lesiones severas.

Developing a core outcome set for acetabular fractures: a systematic review protocol.

BACKGROUND: Clinical trials investigating acetabular fractures are heterogeneous in their investigated outcomes and their corresponding measurements. Standardization may facilitate comparability and pooling of research results, which would lead to an increase in knowledge about the optimal treatment of acetabular fractures, resulting in long-term evidence-based treatment decisions and improvements in patient care. The aim of this systematic review is to identify the reported outcomes and their measurements from studies on treatments for acetabular fractures to develop a core outcome set which contains the most relevant outcome measures to be included in future studies. METHODS: Studies published in English and German including patients aged 16 years and older, with a surgically treated acetabular fracture, will be included. Studies with nonsurgical treatment, pathologic fractures, polytraumatized patients, and patients younger than 16 years of age will be excluded because other outcomes may be of interest in these cases. Any prospective and retrospective study will be included. Systematic reviews will be excluded, but their included studies will be screened for eligibility. The literature will be searched on MEDLINE, CENTRAL, Web of Science, ClinicalTrials.gov, and WHO ICTRP. Risk of selective reporting of outcomes will be assessed using the Outcome Reporting Bias in Trials classification system. Heterogeneously defined outcomes that measure the same outcome will be grouped and subsequently categorized into outcome domains using the taxonomy of the Core Outcome Measures in Effectiveness Trials Initiative. DISCUSSION: It is expected that a high number of studies will be included, and many outcomes will be identified using different definitions and measurement instruments. A limitation of this systematic review is that only previously investigated outcomes will be detected, thus disregarding potentially relevant outcomes. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42022357644.

Resuscitative Endovascular Balloon Occlusion of The Aorta (REBOA) And Mortality in Hemorrhagic Shock Associated with Severe Pelvic Fracture: a National Data Analysis.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the mortality of patients who received Resuscitative Endovascular Balloon Occlusion of The Aorta (REBOA) in severe pelvic fracture with hemorrhagic shock. METHODS: The American College of Surgeon Trauma Quality Improvement Program (ACS-TQIP) database for the calendar years 2017-2019 was accessed for the study. The study included all patients aged 15 years and older who sustained severe pelvic fractures, defined as an injury with an abbreviated injury scale (AIS) score of ≥ 3, and who presented with the lowest systolic blood pressure (SBP) of < 90 mmHg. Patients with severe brain injury were excluded from the study. Propensity score matching was used to compare the patients who received REBOA with similar characteristics to patients who did not receive REBOA. RESULTS: Out of 3,186 patients who qualified for the study, 35(1.1%) patients received REBOA for an ongoing hemorrhagic shock with severe pelvic fracture. The propensity matching created 35 pairs of patients. The pair-matched analysis showed no significant differences between the group who received REBOA and the group that did not receive REBOA regarding patients' demography, injury severity, severity of pelvic fractures, lowest blood pressure at initial assessment and laparotomies. There was no significant difference found between REBOA versus no REBOA group in overall in-hospital mortality (34.3% vs. 28.6, P = 0.789). CONCLUSION: Our study did not identify any mortality advantage in patients who received REBOA in hemorrhagic shock associated with severe pelvic fracture compared to a similar cohort of patients who did not receive REBOA. A larger sample size prospective study is needed to validate our results. CASE-CONTROL RETROSPECTIVE STUDY: Level of Evidence IV.

Metatarsal Fractures.

Metatarsal fractures are some of the most common fractures reported in the human body. Recent advances in surgical techniques and fixation have helped facilitate healing and improved outcomes for our patients. The treatment goals of metatarsal fractures are to maintain the metatarsal parabola, sagittal position of the metatarsal heads, and a congruent metatarsophalangeal joint. Most of these injuries can be treated nonoperatively, but displaced fractures require surgical intervention to preserve normal gait biomechanics.

Fifth Metatarsal Fractures.

Fifth metatarsal features are the most common fractures in the foot. They have a long history that has resulted in many classification systems and little consensus on appropriate treatment. Although there is some agreement among experts, there are also many questions yet to be answered. There is a general consensus that dancer's fractures and zone 1 fractures can generally be treated nonoperatively. There is much more debate about zone 2 and 3 fractures and appropriate treatment guidelines. The authors review the current literature and give the recommendation for treatment based on their experience in a community-based private practice.

Pediatric Trauma.

Pediatric foot and ankle trauma includes a range of injuries affecting the lower extremities in children, typically aged from infancy to adolescence. These incidents can arise from various causes, including sports-related accidents, falls, and high-velocity injuries. Due to the dynamic growth and development of bones and soft tissues in pediatric patients, managing these injuries requires specialized knowledge and care. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment are crucial to ensure optimal recovery and prevent potential long-term consequences. Treatment depends on severity and type of injury but may involve a combination of immobilization, physical therapy, or surgical intervention.

Comprehensive comparison between conservative therapy and surgical management for completely displaced and comminuted mid-shaft clavicle fractures.

PURPOSE: It is still controversial whether complete displaced mid-shaft clavicle fractures should be treated with internal fixation or conservative therapy. This retrospective study aims to compare clinical outcomes of two treatment protocols. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 105 patients with displaced and comminuted mid-shaft clavicle fractures were included in this study, among which 55 patients were treated conservatively and 50 patients accepted surgical fixation and were followed up for over 20 months on average. Rate of union, malunion, time taken for union, functional outcome, self-reported satisfaction and complications were compared. RESULTS: Union rate of operative group (n=49, 98.0%) was higher than the non-operative group (n=48, 87.3%). Time taken for union in operative group (2.37±1.06 months) was shorter than the non-operative group (3.69±1.01 months). Malunion and asymmetric were only seen in the conservative group. Numbness of the shoulder was only reported in the operative group (n=23, 46.0%). Most of patients in the operative group (n=45, 90%) accepted a second operation to remove the implant. No statistically difference was found in self-reported satisfaction, Quick-DASH and Constant-Murley score. The operative group returned to work faster (1.47±0.89 to 3.34±1.37 months), regained full range of motion earlier (1.66±0.78 to 3.83±1.24 months) and regained strength faster (3.86±2.45 to 8.03±2.78 months) than the non-operative group. CONCLUSION: Complete displaced and comminuted mid-shaft clavicle fractures treated surgically have more reliable union and faster recovery when compared to conservatively treated fractures.

Technology Behind Cell Therapy Augmentation of Fracture Healing: Concentrated Bone Marrow Aspirate.

With an aging population, and an anticipated increase in overall fracture incidence, a sound understanding of bone healing and how technology can optimize this process is crucial. Concentrated bone marrow aspirate (cBMA) is a technology that capitalizes on skeletal stem and progenitor cells (SSPCs) to enhance the regenerative capacity of bone. This overview highlights the science behind cBMA, discusses the role of SSPCs in bone homeostasis and fracture repair, and briefly details the clinical evidence supporting the use of cBMA in fracture healing. Despite promising early clinical results, a lack of standardization in harvest and processing techniques, coupled with patient variability, presents challenges in optimizing the use of cBMA. However, cBMA remains an emerging technology that may certainly play a crucial role in the future of fracture healing augmentation.

On the Ion Implantation Synthesis of Ag-Embedded Over Sr-Substituted Hydroxyapatite on a Nano-Topography Patterned Ti for Application in Acetabular Fracture Sites.

Introduction: There is an ongoing need for improved healing response and expedited osseointegration on the Ti implants in acetabular fracture sites. To achieve adequate bonding and mechanical stability between the implant surface and the acetabular fracture, a new coating technology must be developed to promote bone integration and prevent bacterial growth. Methods: A cylindrical Ti substrate mounted on a rotating specimen holder was used to implant Ca2+, P2+, and Sr2+ ions at energies of 100 KeV, 75 KeV and 180 KeV, respectively, using a low-energy accelerator to synthesize strontium-substituted hydroxyapatite at varying conditions. Ag2+ ions of energy 100 KeV were subsequently implanted on the as-formed surface at the near-surface region to provide anti-bacterial properties to the as-formed specimen. Results: The properties of the as-formed ion-implanted specimen were compared with the SrHA-Ag synthesized specimens by cathodic deposition and low-temperature high-speed collision technique. The adhesion strength of the ion-implanted specimen was 43 ± 2.3 MPa, which is well above the ASTM standard for Ca-P coating on Ti. Live/dead cell analysis showed higher osteoblast activity on the ion-implanted specimen than the other two. Ag in the SrHA implanted Ti by ion implantation process showed superior antibacterial activity. Discussion: In the ion implantation technique, nano-topography patterned surfaces are not concealed after implantation, and their efficacy in interacting with the osteoblasts is retained. Although all three studies examined the antibacterial effects of Ag2+ ions and the ability to promote bone tissue formation by MC3T3-E1 cells on SrHA-Ag/Ti surfaces, ion implantation techniques demonstrated superior ability. The synthesized specimen can be used as an effective implant in acetabular fracture sites based on their mechanical and biological properties.

A Retrospective Study of the Presentation, Diagnosis, Management, and Outcomes of 27 Patients with Osteogenesis Imperfecta at a Single Center in Türkiye.

BACKGROUND This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the presentation, diagnosis, management, and outcomes of 27 patients diagnosed with osteogenesis imperfecta at a single center in Türkiye between January 2011 and January 2020. MATERIAL AND METHODS We analyzed data from the medical records of 27 patients with osteogenesis imperfecta admitted to Çukurova University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, between January 2011 and January 2020. The data included the clinical examination notes of the cases classified according to the Sillence and Shapiro systems, age, sex, parental consanguinity, genetic analysis (DNA isolation) results, the number and localization of past fractures, treatment methods, complications, hypermobility, and ambulation scoring. RESULTS The mean age of the patients (n=13 male, n=14 female) was 10.4±7.4 years, ranging from 3 to 39 years. Almost half (n=15, 55.6%) had consanguineous parents. The patients had 131 fractures during the 9 years between January 2011 and January 2020, with the femur being the most commonly fractured bone; 13 patients (48.15%) received surgical and conservative treatments, while the remaining 14 underwent only conservative treatments. The results revealed a strong association between the number of fractures and the types of genetic mutations (P=0.004). CONCLUSIONS Study findings indicate that the type of genetic mutation was not significantly correlated with the risk of treatment complications in osteogenesis imperfecta cases. Nevertheless, the study reveals a noteworthy association between the type of mutation and the number of surgeries required. Specifically, patients with the COL1A1 mutation needed more surgeries.

A Scoping Review of the Epidemiology, Management, and Outcomes of Golf-Related Fractures.

ABSTRACT: Golf is a popular sport; however, there is a paucity of data in relation to golf-associated fractures, and the rate and timing of returning to golf. The aim of this review is to describe golf-associated fractures, including epidemiology, management, and timing of returning to golf following treatment. A literature search was performed using MEDLINE/PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science. Data were extracted and summarized in a narrative synthesis. A total of 436 articles were identified with an initial search of which 58 met the inclusion criteria. Twelve anatomical sites of golf swing-related fractures were identified, of which 10 sites were specific for stress fractures. The most common sites of golf swing-related stress fractures were the ribs followed by the hook of hamate. There was a common theme of delay to diagnosis, being initially assigned to a soft tissue injury. Most golfers with swing-related stress fractures were able to return to golf with the exception of osteoporotic associated vertebral stress fractures. Timing of returning to golf was between 4 and 12 months for most of the golfers with stress fractures following conservative management. Operative intervention was an option of hook of hamate nonunion, following a stress fracture, and tibial shaft stress fractures. Golf equipment-related fractures were not rare and were associated with major trauma and in some cases associated with significant persistent morbidity. Golf-related stress fractures commonly involve the ribs and hook of hamate; knowledge of this may aid in early diagnosis and appropriate treatment when symptomatic golfers are encountered. Although golf is a noncontact sport, fractures associated with golf equipment can be life changing, and safety training guidelines should be established.

The role of hematopoiesis in bone repair: an update.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The repair of bone after injury requires the participation of many different immune cell populations, which are derived from the hematopoietic lineage. The field of osteoimmunology, or the study of the interactions between bone and the immune system, is a growing field with emerging impact on both the basic science and clinical aspects of fracture healing. RECENT FINDINGS: Despite previous focus on the innate immune system in fracture healing, recent studies have revealed an important role for the adaptive immune system in bone repair. The composition of adaptive and innate immune cell populations present at the fracture site is significantly altered during aging and diet-induced obesity, which may contribute to delayed healing. Recent data also suggest a complicated relationship between fracture repair and systemic inflammation, raising the possibility that immune populations from distant sites such as the gut can impact the bone repair process. SUMMARY: These findings have important implications for the treatment of fracture patients with antibiotics or anti-inflammatory drugs. Furthermore, the effects of systemic inflammation on fracture repair in the contexts of aging or obesity should be carefully interpreted, as they may not be uniformly detrimental.

Navicular and Cuboid Fractures.

Navicular and cuboid fractures can be complex and difficult to treat. Depending on the mechanism of injury, diagnosis of such fractures is not always possible with conventional radiographs due to the irregularity and overlap of the midfoot bones. Advanced imaging is indicated if a fracture is of high suspicion or to further characterize a displaced fracture. Cuboid and navicular fractures can occur in isolation but are often associated with other midfoot injuries due to their anatomic relationships. Typically, nondisplaced fractures can be treated conservatively, whereas displaced fractures require surgical intervention to prevent future complications.