scholarly journals Preliminary image findings of lower limb stress fractures to aid ultrasonographic diagnoses: A systematic review and narrative synthesis

Ultrasound ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1742271X2199552
Author(s):  
Madeleine Schaper ◽  
James Harcus
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Lower Limb ◽  
Injury Severity ◽  
Callus Formation ◽  
Plain Film ◽  
Stress Fractures ◽  
Doppler Imaging ◽  
Narrative Synthesis ◽  
Plain Film Radiography ◽  
Bony Callus

Introduction This systematic review investigates which image appearances are most common when diagnosing lower limb stress fractures using ultrasound imaging, with the aim of outlining an image critique guideline for operators to support confident diagnoses. Method A comprehensive literature search of medical databases and handsearching was undertaken to identify relevant studies. All studies were critically examined for quality using the CASP critical appraisal tool. Results from eight studies were combined and interpreted using a narrative synthesis. Findings A clear outline of common stress fracture appearances using ultrasound were identified in a combined total of 119 participants. Each finding was ranked according to its popularity. Periosteal thickening (78/119) and cortical disruption/irregularity (83/119) were noted in all eight studies. Hypervascularity of the periosteum visualised by colour Doppler imaging (66/119) was reported in six of the eight studies. Soft tissue hypervascularity (13/119), bony callus formation (5/119) and cortical break (22/119) were seen in three studies. Conclusions Based on the findings, we offer a guideline of the most significant preliminary image findings to be utilised by operators when examining athletes suspected of having lower limb stress fractures. The results show a gap in research for evaluating changes in appearance depending on the injury severity. Further research into distinguishing stress fractures from pathological involvement may in future reduce reliance on plain film radiography.

scholarly journals The effects and safety of telerehabilitation in patients with lower-limb joint replacement: A systematic review and narrative synthesis

2020 ◽  
pp. 1357633X2091786
Author(s):  
Miia M Jansson ◽  
Arja Rantala ◽  
Jouko Miettunen ◽  
Ari-Pekka Puhto ◽  
Minna Pikkarainen
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Physical Therapy ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trials ◽  
Physical Functioning ◽  
Joint Replacement ◽  
Lower Limb ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Narrative Synthesis ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Number Of Patients

Introduction As the number of patients undergoing primary lower-limb joint replacement has risen continuously, hospital-based healthcare resources have become limited. Delivery of any ongoing rehabilitation needs to adapt to this trend. This systematic literature aimed to examine the effects and safety of telerehabilitation in patients with lower-limb joint replacement. Methods A systematic review of randomized controlled trials was conducted according to procedures by the Joanna Briggs Institute. Studies published prior to February 2020 were identified from Medline Ovid, Scopus, Ebsco Databases and Web of Science. Reference lists of relevant studies were also manually checked to find additional studies. Two researchers conducted study selection separately. The Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist for Randomized Controlled Trials was used to evaluate the quality of the relevant studies published. A narrative synthesis was used to report the results whereas effect sizes were estimated for different outcomes. Results Nine studies with 1266 patients were included. Study quality was predominantly affected by the lack of blinding. The patients who completed telerehabilitation showed an improvement in physical functioning that was similar to that of patients completing conventional in-person outpatient physical therapy without an increase in adverse events or resource utilization. The effect of telerehabilitation on physical functioning, however, was assessed as heterogeneous and moderate- to low-quality evidence. Discussion Telerehabilitation is a practical alternative to conventional in-person outpatient physical therapy in patients with lower-limb joint replacement. However, more robust studies are needed to build evidence about telerehabilitation.

Lower limb acute joint injuries: when to refer for X-ray?

2020 ◽  
Vol 81 (3) ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Oliver J Negus ◽  
Andrew Dunn ◽  
William Ridsdill-Smith
Keyword(s):  
Lower Limb ◽  
Decision Rules ◽  
Plain Film ◽  
Clinical Decision ◽  
Major Barrier ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Decision Tools ◽  
Joint Injuries ◽  
Plain Film Radiography ◽  
Highly Sensitive

This article summarises the clinical decision tools available to help decide when acute lower limb joint injuries should be referred for plain film radiography. The Ottawa foot and ankle rules are a tool for deciding whether to refer a patient for X-ray or not. The rules are highly sensitive, gaining National Institute for Health and Care Excellence recommendation in the UK, although they have limited benefit in some patient groups, such as those with peripheral neuropathy. The Ottawa knee rules are highly sensitive but less specific than the Pittsburgh decision rules. Although the Pittsburgh rules are more specific, they have been less extensively investigated and, unlike the Ottawa rules, are not National Institute for Health and Care Excellence recommended. A major barrier to use of these rules in clinical practice is the concern of litigation, although National Institute for Health and Care Excellence recommendation should reassure clinicians and thus reduce the amount of unnecessary radiation exposure.

Acute limb ischemia in a patient with pre-fibrotic myelofibrosis complicated by heparin-induced thrombocytopenia and thrombosis – case report and systematic review of dabigatran use

VASA ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marina Di Pilla ◽  
Stefano Barco ◽  
Clara Sacco ◽  
Giovanni Barosi ◽  
Corrado Lodigiani
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Case Report ◽  
Lower Limb ◽  
Limb Ischemia ◽  
Acute Limb Ischemia ◽  
Review Of The Literature ◽  
Heparin Induced Thrombocytopenia ◽  
Lower Limb Ischemia ◽  
Vein Thrombosis ◽  
Left Lower Limb

Summary: A 49-year-old man was diagnosed with pre-fibrotic myelofibrosis after acute left lower-limb ischemia requiring amputation and portal vein thrombosis. After surgery he developed heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) with venous thromboembolism, successfully treated with argatroban followed by dabigatran. Our systematic review of the literature supports the use of dabigatran for suspected HIT.

scholarly journals O42: THE ROLE OF TOURNIQUETS IN TRANSTIBIAL AMPUTATION FOR PERIPHERAL VASCULAR DISEASE: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW & META-ANALYSIS

2021 ◽  
Vol 108 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
D Cagney ◽  
J Byrne ◽  
GJ Fulton ◽  
BJ Manning ◽  
HP Redmond
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Blood Loss ◽  
Vascular Disease ◽  
Peripheral Vascular Disease ◽  
Revision Surgery ◽  
Lower Limb ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Peripheral Vascular ◽  
Operative Blood Loss ◽  
Transfusion Requirements

Abstract Introduction The use of lower limb tourniquets is traditionally discouraged in severe atherosclerotic disease. However, blood loss and increased transfusion requirements are associated with post-operative morbidity in patients undergoing major lower limb amputation. The aim of this systematic review is to summarise and pool the available data to determine the impact of tourniquet application when performing trans-tibial amputation for peripheral vascular disease. Method This systematic review was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines. A systematic search of Medline, Embase and Cochrane Library was undertaken for articles which compared the use of a tourniquet versus no tourniquet in patients undergoing trans-tibial amputation for peripheral vascular disease. The main outcomes included intra-operative blood loss, post-operative transfusion requirement, need for revision surgery and 30-day mortality. Result Four studies met the inclusion criteria for quantitative analysis with a total of 267 patients. A tourniquet was used in 130 patients. Both groups were matched for age, gender, co-morbidities and pre-operative haemoglobin. In patients undergoing trans-tibial amputation, tourniquets were associated with significantly lower intra-operative blood loss (Mean difference= -147.6mls; P=0.03) and lower transfusion requirements (pooled odds ratio (OR), 0.12, p=0.03). The need for stump revision (OR, 0.7; p=0.48), proceeding to transfemoral amputation within 30 days (OR, 0.67; p=0.25) and 30-day mortality (OR, 0.65; p=0.41) all favoured tourniquet use but the differences were not found to be significant. Conclusion Tourniquets can reduce intra-operative blood loss and transfusion requirements in patients undergoing trans-tibial amputation without increasing ischaemic complications and need for revision surgery. Take-home message Tourniquets are safe to use in trans-tibial amputation for severe peripheral vascular disease and can reduce intra-operative blood loss without increasing ischaemic complications.

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