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Background In acetabular fracture treatment, 3 disease-specific outcome scores are mainly used: the original and modified Merle d'Aubigné-Postel Score, and the Harris Hip Score. Methods The original and modified Merle d'Aubigné- Postel Score and the Harris Hip Score were recorded in 1,153 follow-ups of 450 patients. 492 follow-ups were excluded because factors other than the acetabular fracture were found to affect the outcome scores. This gave 661 patient records for the study. Results The Spearman correlations were between 0.81 and 0.89. The quartile analyses showed Kappa agreement between 0.45 and 0.55. About 40% of the observations were classified into another quartile when switching from one outcome score to another. The 25th and 50th percentiles comprised 85% and 95% of the total numeric scores, respectively, while the 75th percentiles showed ceiling value (100% of the maximum) in all 3 scores. Interpretation Despite the excellent overall correlation between the outcome scores, the Kappa agreements were only moderate. The scores were all skewed in distribution with considerable ceiling effects that could limit their clinical use. The scores did not capture any differences in 25% of the observations at the upper end of the scales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study Design: Retrospective case series.Introduction: Traumatic lumbosacral dissociation (TLSD) is a rare subgroup of sacral fractures caused by high-energy trauma in healthy adults. There are no accepted treatment algorithms for these injuries. Neurologic deficits and pain are commonly associated with these injuries, however, little is known about the long-term functional outcome in patients with TLSD. The objective of this study was to assess long-term functional outcome in patients with traumatic lumbosacral dissociation (TLSD) injuries.Materials and Methods: Thirteen patients with TLSD were retrospectively identified and followed with clinical and radiological examination mean 7.7 (3-12) years after the injury. Five were treated operatively, and eight non-operatively. Sensorimotor impairments in the lower extremities were classified according to ASIA. Urinary function was assessed with uroflowmetry, and bowel- and sexual functions were assessed using a structured interview. Pain was assessed using a visual analogue scale (VAS), and patient-reported health with SF-36. CT images were scrutinized for non-union and kyphotic angulation across the fracture.Results: Eleven patients had neurologic deficits corresponding to L5 and sacral roots. Urinary dysfunction was observed in nine, and bowel dysfunction in three patients. Eight patients reported problems associated with sexual activities, with pain during intercourse and erectile dysfunction being the most common problems. Twelve patients reported pain in the lumbosacral area, in combination with radiating pain in the majority. The overall patient-reported health (SF-36) was significantly lower than the normal population. All sacral fractures were united as seen on CT. Sacral kyphotic angulation was present in 11, which had increased in three patients comparing with the initial radiographs.Conclusion: In this long-term follow-up, functional impairments, pain, and poor patient-reported health were common findings among patients with TLSD. High rates of neurologic, urinary and sexual dysfunctions were reported. Extended follow-up several years after the injury with a special focus on urogenital dysfunctions and pain management may be beneficial to these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Level of Evidence: Therapeutic Level I. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence., Competing Interests: Disclosure: Funding for this study was received from Sophies Minde Ortopedi AS, The South-East Health Authority Norway, and The Research Council of Norway. The funding sources did not play a role in the investigation. The Disclosure of Potential Conflicts of Interest forms are provided with the online version of the article (http://links.lww.com/JBJS/I188)., (Copyright © 2024 by The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, Incorporated.)

Background The advantage of pronator quadratus (PQ) repair following internal fixation via the volar approach in distal radius fracture (DRF) surgery remains unconfirmed in the literature. The aim of this study was to compare grip strength, patient-reported outcomes, and functional results between patients with an intact PQ and those with a ruptured PQ before undergoing surgery with a volar locking plate for dorsally displaced unstable extra-articular DRFs. Methods A total of 120 patients aged 55 years and older were included in a randomized controlled trial comparing a volar locking plate with a dorsal nail plate. Of the 60 patients randomized to the volar plate group, the integrity of the PQ muscle was recorded during surgery for 55 patients, who were included in this study. The outcomes measured were the Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand Outcome Measure (QuickDASH) score, the Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation (PRWE) score, the EQ-5D index, the visual analog scale (VAS) score, grip strength, and range of motion (ROM). Results The median age was 67 years (range 55 to 88), and the one-year follow-up rate was 98%. Patients with an identified intact PQ (28/55) before surgical release had better QuickDASH scores after one year (2.5 vs 8.0, mean difference 5.5, 95% CI: 1.3 to 9.8, p=0.028). Patients in the intact group also had better EQ-5D Index scores after one year (0.94 vs 0.85, mean difference 0.089, 95% CI: 0.004 to 0.174, p=0.031), and demonstrated better grip strength throughout the trial; after one year: 24 kg vs 20 kg (mean difference 3.9; 95% CI: 0.3 to 7.6, p=0.016). After one year, the intact group had regained 96% of their grip strength and the nonintact group had regained 93% of their grip strength compared to the uninjured side. The observed differences may be of questionable clinical importance, as they were lower than those of previously proposed minimal clinically important differences (MCIDs). Conclusions Patients with a DRF and a ruptured PQ prior to surgery exhibited higher QuickDASH scores and lower EQ-5D index scores after one year. The integrity of the PQ should be reported in future studies., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright © 2024, Eikrem et al.)

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate functional and radiographic results after open reduction and internal fixation of distal humeral fractures using precontoured locking plates. Our main hypothesis was that patients older than 65 years have inferior outcomes compared with younger patients., Methods: All patients treated for a distal humeral fracture with precontoured locking plates between 2006 and 2017 at a level 1 trauma center were identified. Included patients underwent a clinical examination, and new radiographs were obtained. Functional outcomes were evaluated using Quick Disability of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand, Mayo Elbow Performance Score, visual analog scale elbow satisfaction, and range of motion. Complications and reoperations were recorded., Results: Fifty-seven patients with a median age of 60 years were included in this study. Median Quick Disability of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand was 14, and median Mayo Elbow Performance Score was 85. There was no difference in functional scores in patients younger than 65 years or 65 years or older. However, the median flexion-extension arc was 121 degrees in patients younger than 65 years and 111 degrees in patients 65 years or older ( P = 0.01). The overall complication rate was 68%, and 24 patients had at least 1 reoperation. Ulnar neuropathy was the most common complication followed by reduced range of motion., Conclusions: Operative management of distal humeral fractures with precontoured locking plates provides good functional outcome. The patient-reported outcomes were good, independent of patient age. The implant failure rate is low with precontoured locking plates; however, the complication rate remains high, and reoperations are common., Level of Evidence: Level 4, retrospective study., Competing Interests: The authors report no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2022 The Authors. Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. on behalf of the Orthopaedic Trauma Association.)

The use of low-profile dorsal and volar locking plates for distal radial fracture surgery has improved results and lowered the complication rate compared with older plate designs. The purpose of the present randomized controlled trial was to compare patient-reported outcomes as well as radiographic and functional results between patients who underwent stabilization with a volar locking plate or a dorsal locking nail-plate for the treatment of dorsally displaced unstable extra-articular distal radial fractures., Methods: One hundred and twenty patients ≥55 years of age were randomized to surgery with either a volar locking plate or a dorsal locking nail-plate and were assessed at 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year. The primary outcome was the abbreviated version of the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (QuickDASH) score. Secondary outcomes were the Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation (PRWE), EuroQol 5 Dimensions (EQ-5D) index and visual analog scale (VAS), range of motion, grip strength, radiographic measurements, and complication rate., Results: The median age was 66 years (range, 55 to 88 years). The rate of follow-up was 97%. There was no clinically important difference between the groups at any point during follow-up. Patients in the volar locking plate group had better mean QuickDASH scores at 6 weeks, 6 months, and 1 year. However, the differences were small (5.8 vs. 11.3 points at 1 year; mean difference, -5.5 points [95% confidence interval (CI), -9.9 to 1.2]; p = 0.014), which is lower than any proposed minimum clinically important difference (MCID). The difference in PRWE scores was also lower than the MCID (1.0 vs. 3.5 at 1 year; mean difference, -2.5 [95% CI, -4.4 to 0.6]; p = 0.012). The dorsal locking nail-plate group had slightly better restoration of volar tilt (p = 0.011). EQ-5D index, EQ-5D VAS, range of motion, grip strength, and complication rates were similar., Conclusions: We found no clinically relevant difference between the volar locking plate and dorsal locking nail-plate groups after 1 year or in the time period up to 1 year. A dorsal locking nail-plate can therefore be an alternative method for the treatment of these unstable fractures or in cases in which a dorsal approach is preferable over a volar approach., Level of Evidence: Therapeutic Level I. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence., Competing Interests: Disclosure: The Disclosure of Potential Conflicts of Interest forms are provided with the online version of the article (http://links.lww.com/JBJSOA/A322)., (Copyright © 2021 The Authors. Published by The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, Incorporated. All rights reserved.)

Background: About 5000 people fracture their femoral neck every year in Norway. Mean age is about 83 years and about 3/4 are women. For more than 50 years the alternatives have been internal fixation or arthroplasty. In Norway, the tradition has been internal fixation. Recent studies, however, support the use of arthroplasty. The article provides a review on the treatment of femoral neck fractures., Material and Methods: The article is based on literature identified through a non-systematic search in Medline., Results: Internal fixation has a higher risk of treatment failure (30 - 40 % in displaced fractures) than arthroplasty (less than 10 %). In elderly patients with displaced fractures, arthroplasty provides better hip function than internal fixation. Most patients should be treated with hemiarthroplasty, but total hip arthroplasty may give better function in the healthiest and fittest of the elderly patients. In patients younger than 60 - 65 years, internal fixation should be attempted, even though the failure rate is about 30 %. Undisplaced fractures should be treated with internal fixation, irrespective of age. The risk of treatment failure is about 10 %., Interpretation: Elderly patients with displaced femoral neck fractures should be treated with arthroplasty, usually hemiarthroplasty. Osteosynthesis should normally be reserved for undisplaced fractures and fractures in young and otherwise healthy patients.

Study Design: A prospective, longitudinal single-cohort study of 32 patients treated with internal fixation for unstable sacral fractures., Objectives: To describe the prevalence of associated injuries in blunt pelvic trauma with unstable sacral fractures, and to characterize late impairments., Summary of Background Data: In high-energy pelvic ring injury, the close association of the spine, the intrapelvic organs and the bony pelvic ring result in high risk for additional injuries. These injuries may result in long-term sequels pertaining to mobility, voiding, bowel function, and sexual function. However, little is known about the components of long-term morbidity after unstable sacral fractures., Methods: The minimum 1-year follow-up included 32 patients surgically treated for unstable sacral fractures. Patients were analyzed for associated injuries, fracture classification, severity of trauma, and long-term measures of neurologic recovery, mobility, and functions pertaining to voiding, defecation, and sexual function., Results: Additional injuries occurred in 84%. Injury Severity Score was 27 (range, 9-57). At follow-up, sensory impairments were observed in 91%; impaired gait in 63%, and bladder, bowel, or sexual impairments in 59%. Sacral radiculopathies explained only 60% to 69% of these impairments. The presence of late impairments correlated to the severity of injury and to the presence of associated injuries, but not to fracture characteristics., Conclusions: Unstable fractures of the sacrum are frequently associated with additional injuries. These injuries have a significant effect on morbidity still 1 year after injury. The multifactor etiology of impairments after sacral fractures should be acknowledged in the assessment of these patients.