Australian Football (AF) is a popular sport in Australia, with females now representing one-third of participants. Despite this, the injury profiles of females versus males in largely unknown. The current study investigated fractures, dislocations and tendon ruptures in females versus males presenting to emergency departments (ED) with an AF injury. All patients, regardless of age, presenting to one of 10 EDs in Victoria, Australia, with an AF injury were included. Data were prospectively collected over a 10-month period, coinciding with a complete AF season. Data were extracted from patient medical records regarding injury-type, body-part injured and treatments required. Female and male data were compared with chi-squared tests. Of the 1635 patients presenting with an AF injury, 595 (36.0%) had a fracture, dislocation or tendon rupture, of whom 85 (14.3%) were female and the average age was 20.5 years (SD 8.0). Fractures accounted for most injuries (n=478, 80.3% of patients had a fracture), followed by dislocations (n=118, 19.8%) and tendon ruptures (n=14, 2.4%). Upper limb fractures were more common than lower limb fractures (71.1% v 11.5% of fractures). Females were more likely to fracture their hands or fingers than males (45.7% v 34.3%). Males were more likely to fracture ribs (5.4% v 0%). Most fractures (91.2%) were managed in the ED, with the remainder being admitted for surgery (GAMP/ORIF). Males were more likely to be admitted for surgery than females (11.2% v 5.9%). Regarding dislocations (n=118), females were more likely to dislocate the patella (36.8% v 8.1% of dislocations). Only males sustained a tendon rupture (n=14): finger extensor or flexor (57.1%), achilles tendon (28.6%) and patella tendon (14.3%). Orthopaedic AF injuries are common presentations to EDs in Victoria, though few require specialist orthopaedic intervention. Injury profiles differed between genders suggesting that gender specific injury prevention and management might be required.
The extended wait that most patients are now experiencing for hip and knee arthroplasty has raised questions about whether reliance on waiting time as the primary driver for prioritization is ethical, and if other additional factors should be included in determining surgical priority. Our Prioritization of THose aWaiting hip and knee ArthroplastY (PATHWAY) project will explore which perioperative factors are important to consider when prioritizing those on the waiting list for hip and knee arthroplasty, and how these factors should be weighted. The final product will include a weighted benefit score that can be used to aid in surgical prioritization for those awaiting elective primary hip and knee arthroplasty. There will be two linked work packages focusing on opinion from key stakeholders (patients and surgeons). First, an online modified Delphi process to determine a consensus set of factors that should be involved in patient prioritization. This will be performed using standard Delphi methodology consisting of multiple rounds where following initial individual rating there is feedback, discussion, and further recommendations undertaken towards eventual consensus. The second stage will then consist of a Discrete Choice Experiment (DCE) to allow for priority setting of the factors derived from the Delphi through elicitation of weighted benefit scores. The DCE consists of several choice tasks designed to elicit stakeholder preference regarding included attributes (factors).Aims
Methods
Subject-specific finite element models (FEMs) allow for a variety of biomechanical conditions to be tested in a highly repeatable manner. Accuracy of FEMs is improved by mapping density using quantitative computed tomography (QCT) and choosing a constitutive relationship relating density and mechanical properties of bone. Although QCT-derived FEMs have become common practice in contemporary computational studies of whole bones, many density-modulus relationships used at the whole bone level were derived using mechanical loading of small trabecular or cortical bone cores. These cores were mechanically loaded to derive an apparent modulus, which is related to each core's mean apparent or ash density. This study used these relationships and either elemental or nodal material mapping strategies to elucidate optimal methods for scapular QCT-FEMs. Six cadaveric scapulae (3 male; 3 female; mean age: 68±10 years) were loaded within a micro-CT in a custom CT-compatible hexapod robot Pre- and post-loaded scans were acquired (spatial resolution = 33.5 µm) and DVC was used to quantify experimental full-field displacements (BoneDVC, Insigneo) (Figure 1).. Experimental reaction forces applied to the scapulae were measured using a 6-DOF load cell. FEMs were derived from corresponding QCT scans of each cadaver bone. These models were mapped with one of fifteen density-modulus relationships and elemental or nodal material mapping strategies. DVC-derived BCs were imposed on the QCT-FEMs using local displacement measurements obtained from the DVC algorithm. Comparisons between the empirical and computational models were performed using resultant reaction loads and full-field displacements (Figure 2).Introduction
Methods
In revision hip surgery, Type IIIB femurs have presented the greatest historical challenge to achieving stable fixation and osseous integration. This study evaluated the intermediate term outcome of a modular, tapered, distal fixation revision femoral component used in a consecutive revision hip series with special attention to its performance in the defective Type IIIB femur. Between February 2002 and January 2005, 51 consecutive revision hip arthroplasties were performed using modular, tapered, distal fixation femoral components. The femoral defects at the time of revision surgery were classified using a system previously described by Paprosky. The most recent radiographs were reviewed and clinic notes examined to assess femoral component stability.Purpose
Methods
Bertolotti’s syndrome, first described in 1917, is characterised by the presence of an anomaly of unilateral or bilateral enlargement of the transverse process of the most caudal vertebra that may articulate or fuse with the sacrum or ilium. This gives rise to low back pain. Although described, relevant literature is sparse and in particular, no evidence exists as to its incidence specifically in young people. This study analysed all MRI scans of the lumbosacral spine performed on patients between July 2003 and November 2004 inclusive. MRI scans for all indications were included in the study. Out of a total of 818 MRI scans of the lumbosacral spine, 627 showed disc disease. Of these, 35 had radiological signs of Bertolotti’s syndrome (7 bilateral, 28 unilateral). There were 22 males and 17 females in this group. The average age of the Bertolotti group was 31.8+/−12.0 years (range: 15–60). This was less than those with multiple disc disease whose average age was 44.0+/−15.6 years (p<
0.0002, ANOVA), those with isolated disc disease (41.1+/−16.0 years, p=0.013, ANOVA) and those with isolated disc disease at the L4/5 level (46.0+/−11.3 years, p=0.003, ANOVA). The overall incidence of Bertolotti’s syndrome in this study was 5.6%. However, 18 of the patients in the Bertolotti group were under 30 years of age giving an overall incidence in this age group of 8.9%. Bertolotti’s syndrome is a frequently occurring pathology in the lumbosacral spine. It occurs in significantly younger patients than either multi-level disc disease or isolated disc disease including at the L4/5 level. In the under 30 group its incidence of 8.9% mandates that it must form part of a differential list in the investigation of low back pain in young people.
