Lisfranc injuries account for 0.2% of all fractures and have been linked to poorer functional outcomes, in particular resulting in post-traumatic arthritis, midfoot collapse and chronic pain. This study assesses the longitudinal functional outcomes in patients with low and high energy Lisfranc injuries treated both operatively and non-operatively.

Patients above 16 years with Lisfranc injuries from January 2008 and December 2017 were identified through the Victorian Orthopaedic Trauma Outcomes (VOTOR) registry. Follow-up performed at 6, 12 and 24 months through telephone interviews with response rate of 86.1%, 84.2% and 76.2% respectively. Longitudinal functional outcome data using Global Outcome Assessment, EQ-5D-5L, numerical pain scale, Short-Form 12, the WHO Disability Assessment Schedule and return to work status were collected. Univariate analysis was performed and variables showing a significant difference between groups (p < 0.25) were analysed with multivariable mixed effects regression model.

745 patients included in this retrospective cohort study. At 24 months, both the operative and non-operative groups demonstrated similar functional outcomes trending towards an improvement. Mixed effect regression models for the EQ items for mobility (OR 1.80, CI 0.91 – 3.57), self-care (OR 1.95, 95% CI 1.09-3.49), usual activities (OR 1.10, 95% CI 0.99-1.03), pain (OR 1.07, 95% CI 0.61-1.89), anxiety (OR 1.29, 95% CI 0.72-2.34) and pain scale (OR 1.07, 95% CI 0.51 – 2.22) and return to work (OR 1.28, 95% CI 0.56-2.91) between groups were very similar and not statistically significantly different.

We concluded that there was no statistically significant difference between operative and non-operative patients with low and high energy Lisfranc injuries. Current clinical practices in Lisfranc injury management are appropriate and not inadvertently causing any further harm to patients. Future research comparing fracture patterns, fixation types and corresponding functional outcomes can help determine gold standard Lisfranc injury management.

There is very limited literature describing the outcomes of management for proximal humerus fractures with more than 100% displacement of the head and shaft fragments as a separate entity. This study aimed to compare operative and non-operative management of the translated proximal humerus fracture.

A prospective cohort study was performed including patients managed at a Level 1 trauma centre between January 2010 to December 2018. Patients with 2, 3 and 4-part fractures were included based on the degree of translation of the shaft fragment (≥100%), resulting in no cortical contact between the head and shaft fragments. Outcome measures were the Oxford Shoulder Score (OSS), EQ-5D-5L, and radiological outcomes. Complications recorded included further surgery, loss of position/fixation, and non-union/malunion. Linear and logistic regression models were used to compare management options.

There were 108 patients with a proximal humerus fracture with ≥100% translation; 76 underwent operative management and 32 were managed non-operatively with sling immobilisation. The mean (SD) age in the operative group was 54.3 (±20.2) and in the non-operative group was 73.3 (±15.3) (p<0.001). There was no association between OSS and management options (mean 38.5(±9.5) operative vs mean 41.3 (±8.5) non-operative, p=0.48). Operative management was associated with improved health status outcomes; EQ-5D utility score adjusted mean difference 0.16 (95%CI 0.04-0.27, p=0.008); EQ-5D VAS adjusted mean difference 19.2 (95%CI 5.2-33.2, p=0.008). Operative management was further associated with a lower odds of non-union (adjusted OR 0.30, 95%CI 0.09-0.97, p=0.04), malunion (adjusted OR 0.14, 95%CI 0.04-0.51, p=0.003) and complications (adjusted OR 0.07, 95%CI 0.02-0.32, p=0.001).

Translated proximal humerus fractures with ≥100% displacement demonstrate improved health status and radiological outcomes following surgical fixation. Patients with this injury should be considered for operative intervention.

Proximal humerus fracture dislocations are amongst the most severe proximal humerus injuries, presenting a challenging management problem. The aim of this study was to report on the long-term outcomes of the management of proximal humerus fracture dislocations.

Patients with a proximal humerus fracture dislocation managed at a Level 1 trauma centre from January 2010 to December 2018 were included. Patients with an isolated tuberosity fracture dislocation or a pathological fracture were excluded. Outcome measures were the Oxford Shoulder Score (OSS), EQ-5D-5L, return to work, and radiological outcomes. Complications recorded included further surgery, loss of position/fixation, non-union/malunion, and avascular necrosis.

A total of 69 patients were included with a proximal humerus fracture dislocation in the study period; 48 underwent surgical management and 21 were managed with closed reduction alone. The mean (SD) age of the cohort was 59.7 (±20.4), and 54% were male. Overall patients reported a mean OSS of 39.8 (±10.3), a mean EQ-5D utility score of 0.73 (±0.20), and 78% were able to return to work at a median of 1.2 months. There was a high prevalence of complications in both patients managed operatively or with closed reduction (25% and 38% respectively). In patients undergoing surgical management, 21% required subsequent surgery.

Patient reported outcome measures post proximal humerus fracture dislocations do not return to normal population levels. These injuries are associated with a high prevalence of complications regardless of management. Appropriate patient counselling should be undertaken before embarking on definitive management.

Aims

Hip fractures are associated with high morbidity, mortality, and costs. One strategy for improving outcomes is to incentivize hospitals to provide better quality of care. We aimed to determine whether a pay-for-performance initiative affected hip fracture outcomes in England by using Scotland, which did not participate in the scheme, as a control.

Traumatic disruption of the pelvic ring has a high risk of mortality. These injuries are predominantly due to high-energy, blunt trauma and severe associated injuries are prevalent, increasing management complexity. This population-based study investigated predictors of mortality following severe pelvic ring fractures managed in an organised trauma system.

Cases aged greater than 15 years from 1st July 2001 to 30th June 2008 were extracted from the population-based state-wide Victorian State Trauma Registry for analysis. Patient demographic, pre-hospital and admission characteristics were considered as potential predictors of mortality. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify predictors of mortality with adjusted odds ratios (AOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) calculated.

There were 348 cases over the 8-year period. The mortality rate was 19%. Patients aged greater than 65 years were at higher odds of mortality (AOR 7.6, 95% CI: 2.8, 20.4) than patients aged 15–34 years. Patients hypotensive at the scene (AOR 5.5, 95% CI: 2.3, 13.2), and on arrival at the definitive hospital of care (AOR 3.7, 955 CI: 1.7, 8.0), were more likely to die than patients without hypotension. The presence of a severe chest injury was associated with an increased odds of mortality (AOR 2.8, 95% CI: 1.3, 6.1), while patients injured in intentional events were also more likely to die than patients involved in unintentional events (AOR 4.9, 95% CI: 1.6, 15.6). There was no association between the hospital of definitive management and mortality after adjustment for other variables, despite differences in the protocols for managing these patients at the major trauma services (Level 1 trauma centres).

The findings highlight the importance of the need for effective control of haemodynamic instability for reducing the risk of mortality. As most patients survive these injuries, further research should focus on long term morbidity and the impact of different treatment approaches.

Background: Hip fractures are a common cause of hospitalisation amongst elderly patients, imposing a burden on resources and resulting in significant morbidity and mortality. Despite the high incidence questions remain surrounding the efficacy of current treatment protocols. There has also been relative neglect, within current literature, of the ‘young’ hip fracture patient.

Objectives: To analyse clinical and patient-reported outcomes for patients with hip fractures treated at two Australian level-1 trauma centres, and, to highlight key differences between the ‘typical’ patient (age> 60 years) and those aged 60 years or less.

Methods: Patients with traumatic proximal femoral fractures treated at The Royal Melbourne and Alfred hospitals between 2003 and 2006 were identified via the Victorian Orthopaedic Trauma Outcomes Registry. Patient-reported outcomes were prospectively measured at 6 and 12 months post-injury using the 12-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-12) and a Numerical Pain Scale. A priori defined clinical outcomes were also determined by reviewing medical records and X-rays.

Results: A total of 695 patients were identified with similar distribution between institutions. The male: female ratio was 1:2 and 13.8% were aged 60 years or less at presentation. ‘Community-dwellers’ accounted for 69.9% with 25.6% presenting from an institutional setting. Displaced subcaptial fractures (AO-31B3) occurred most commonly.

Median hospital length of stay was 12 days. Inpatient mortality reached 5.5% whilst mortality at 6 and 12 months post-injury was 17.1% and 22.6% respectively. Upon discharge 16.1% returned to the community and 60.5% required rehabilitation. At 6 months 48.0% were residing at home and 30.5% at an institutional setting. Institutionalisation decreased to 27.7% at 12 months, approaching pre-injury levels. Mean physical SF-12 scores remained well below population norms at 12 months (36.4 vs 48.9). Younger patients demonstrated significantly different results with reference to presentation, management and outcomes. Several factors were highlighted as predictors of mortality and/or functional recovery.

Conclusions: Mortality following hip fracture treatment at an Australian level-1 trauma centre is comparable to statistics achieved by similar international institutions. The rise in mortality is greatest within the initial 6 months representing a period during which close medical attention is paramount. The Mortality predictors highlighted may be useful in guiding this resource allocation. Patient-reported health status also plateaus following the initial 6 months, warranting a review of current protocols to ascertain whether this represents a golden ‘window-period’ for successful rehabilitation or whether appropriate care is not being provided beyond 6 months. Patients aged 60 years or younger represent a significant and unique group. Approach to management and goals of treatment should be tailored accordingly.