[Diagnosis and treatment of fracture-related infections]. / Diagnostiek en behandeling van fractuur-gerelateerde infecties.

Fracture-related infection (FRI) is a serious complication after fracture care and can lead to severe morbidity with loss of quality of life, a significant increase in medical expenses and loss of participation in work and social life. Early recognition, adequate surgical debridement, deep uncontaminated tissue cultures with (if indicated) soft tissue reconstruction and fracture stabilization followed by antibiotic therapy are the cornerstones of the successful management of FRI. Recently, in 2018, the AO/EBJIS consensus definition for FRI was published and both national and international working groups are being assembled and provide guidelines and tools for the care of patients with FRI. This paper is a synopsis of the Dutch guideline on FRI (2018), illustrated by a clinical case, and is aiming to provide an overview of the current knowledge on diagnosis and treatment of this disease.

Valid detection of self-propelled wheelchair driving with two accelerometers.

This study assessed whether self-propelled wheelchair driving can be validly detected by a new method using a set of two commonly used accelerometers.In a rehabilitation centre, 10 wheelchair-bound persons with spinal cord injury (SCI) (aged 29-63 years) performed a series of representative daily activities according to a protocol including self-propelled wheelchair driving and other activities. Two ActiGraph GT3X+ accelerometers were used; one was attached at the wrist, the other to the spokes of the wheelchair wheel. Based on the movement intensity of the two accelerometers, a custom-made algorithm in MatLab differentiated between self-propelled wheelchair driving and other activities (e.g. being pushed or arm movements not related to wheelchair driving). Video recordings were used for reference. Validity scores between the accelerometer output and the video analyses were expressed in terms of agreement, sensitivity and specificity scores.Overall agreement for the detection of self-propelled wheelchair driving was 85%; sensitivity was 88% and specificity 83%. Disagreement between accelerometer output and video analysis was largest for wheelchair driving at very low speed on a treadmill, wheelchair driving on a slope on a treadmill, and being pushed in the wheelchair whilst making excessive arm movements.Valid detection of self-propelled wheelchair driving is provided by two accelerometers and a simple algorithm. Disagreement with the video analysis was largest during three atypical daily activities.

Randomized controlled trial of a self-management intervention in persons with spinal cord injury: design of the HABITS (Healthy Active Behavioural Intervention in SCI) study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effectiveness of a 16-week self-management intervention on physical activity level and self-management skills (self-efficacy, proactive coping and problem solving skills) in persons with chronic SCI. METHOD AND DESIGN: Multicenter randomized controlled trial (RCT). Eighty persons with a SCI for at least 10 years and aged 18 to 65 will randomly be assigned to the intervention (self-management) or the control group (information provision). During the 16-week self-management intervention (one home-visit, five group and five individual sessions) active lifestyle will be stimulated and self-management skills will be taught. Data will be collected at baseline (T0), 16 (T1) and 42 (T2) weeks after baseline. Primary outcome measure is level of daily physical activity (self-report/objectively measured). Secondary outcome measures are self-managements skills, stage of behaviour change and attitude. CONCLUSION: This is the first RCT on self-management in people with chronic spinal cord injury. This trial will provide knowledge on the effects of a self-management intervention on physical active lifestyle in persons with a long-term SCI.