Learning from minor injury care restructure during the COVID-19 pandemic: a phenomenological study of orthopaedic clinical leaders.

BACKGROUND: During peaks of the COVID-19 pandemic, trauma and orthopaedic departments in England have been asked to support emergency departments by providing first contact care for minor injuries. The subsequent requirement for departmental restructure has resulted in a variety of service pathways across the country. This study aimed to explore the experiences of different clinical teams and identify any consistent themes or reflections, which could be applied to continuous improvement of minor injury care. METHODS: Using a phenomenological approach, nine semistructured interviews were conducted with trauma and orthopaedic clinical leads across England whose departments provided support to minor injuries service. Detailed transcripts were then analysed to identify themes for discussion. Interviews were conducted via video conferencing in November 2020 at the end of England's second national lockdown. RESULTS: Each of the nine orthopaedic departments provided support for minor injuries, six of which involved creating a new unit. Themes included the value of collaborative working between the emergency department and orthopaedic staff across multiple professions and the benefit to patients of early definitive decision making. A common theme was reduced barriers to change during the pandemic. Examples of long-term service improvements triggered by the pandemic focus on pathways to enable consultant to provide early opinions for injured patients. CONCLUSIONS: A range of experiences have demonstrated themes in reflection from service leaders. Departments across the country should be encouraged to consider what improvements to their own service may be applied long term. Resource limitations, staff well-being and education must all be considered.

A Debilitating Orthopaedic Complication following Corticosteroid Therapy for Polymyalgia Rheumatica.

Avascular necrosis (AVN) of the scaphoid secondary to corticosteroid use is a rare entity. Previous reports in the literature refer to chronic steroid intake. We report a case secondary to low dose, short term use. AVN has a multifactorial cellular and genetic aetiology and most frequently affects the femoral head. Diagnosis relies on a high index of suspicion and early magnetic resonance (MR) scanning. Treatment options are similar to those of traumatic scaphoid nonunions and include vascularised bone grafting and scaphoid excision. Polymyalgia Rheumatica is a common condition and its treatment is led by corticosteroid use. Mild to moderate strengths are advocated. However in our report we show that even with small doses serious adverse effects can be encountered.