Management of post-traumatic stiffness of the shoulder following upper limb trauma with manipulation under anaesthetic

Background A proportion of patients who sustain upper limb fractures develop post-traumatic stiffness (PTS), which may progress in a similar way to primary frozen shoulder (PFS). We have had success in treating PFS with manipulation under anaesthetic (MUA) and therefore treated PTS using MUA. Oxford Shoulder Scores (OSS), range of motion (ROM) data pre- and post-MUA, and the need for repeat procedure were compared. Methods Sixty-four patients with PTS following an upper limb fracture, unresponsive to conservative measures, were seen between 1 January 1999 and 1 November 2015. Thirty-two patients had sustained a proximal humeral fracture, six of whom had a concurrent shoulder dislocation. MUA was performed using a standard technique. The results were compared with 487 PFS patients undergoing the same procedure. Results There was no significant difference in ROM change between the groups. Improvement in OSS was slightly greater in the PFS group (17 versus 14, p = 0.005) but, upon subgroup analysis of the PTS group, no significant difference was found for patients presenting with humeral fractures alone. Conclusions MUA results for PTS following upper limb fracture are comparable to MUA for PFS. We therefore recommend MUA in PTS cases where conservative methods have failed.

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Southampton Arm Fracture Frailty and Sarcopenia Study (SAFFSS): a study protocol for the feasibility of assessing frailty and sarcopenia among older patients with an upper limb fracture

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2019-031275 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (8) ◽

pp. e031275

Author(s):

Kinda Ibrahim ◽

Mark Mullee ◽

Guiqing Lily Yao ◽

Shihua Zhu ◽

Mark Baxter ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Upper Limb ◽

Ethics Committee ◽

University Hospital ◽

Major Health Problem ◽

Limb Fracture ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Registration Number ◽

Upper Limb Fracture ◽

Limb Fractures ◽

The University

IntroductionFalls are a major health problem for older people; 35% of people aged 65+ years fall every year, leading to fractures in 10%–15%. Upper limb fractures are often the first sign of osteoporosis and routine screening for osteoporosis is recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence to prevent subsequent hip fractures. However, both frailty and sarcopenia (muscle weakness) are associated with increased risk of falling and fracture but are not routinely identified in this group. The aim of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of assessing and managing frailty and sarcopenia among people aged 65+ years with an upper limb fracture.Methods and analysisThis study will be conducted in three fracture clinics in one acute trust in England. 100 people aged 65+ years with an upper arm fracture will be recruited and assessed using six validated frailty measures and two sarcopenia tools. The prevalence of the two conditions and the best tools to use will be determined. Those with either condition will be referred to geriatric clinical teams for comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA). We will document the proportion who are referred for CGA and those who receive CGA. Other outcome measures including falls, fractures and healthcare resource use over 6 months will be collected. In-depth interviews with a purposive sample of patients who undergo the frailty and sarcopenia assessments and healthcare professionals in fracture clinics and geriatric services will be carried out to their acceptability of assessing frailty and sarcopenia in a busy environment.Ethics and disseminationThe study was given the relevant ethical approvals from NHS Research Ethics Committee (REC No: 18/NE/0377), the University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, and the University of Southampton, Faculty of Medicine Ethics Committee and Research Governance Office. Findings will be published in scientific journals and presented to local, national and international conferences.Trial registration numberISRCTN13848445

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UPPER LIMB FRACTURE

The Professional Medical Journal ◽

10.29309/tpmj/2018.25.08.67 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 25 (08) ◽

pp. 1151-1154

Author(s):

Sajjad Rasool ◽

Basharat Manzoor ◽

Ali Amjad

Keyword(s):

Wound Infection ◽

Upper Limb ◽

Superficial Wound Infection ◽

Limb Fracture ◽

Suction Drain ◽

Superficial Wound ◽

Group A ◽

Upper Limb Fracture ◽

Limb Fractures ◽

Upper Limb Fractures

Introduction: Upper limb fractures are one of the common fractures presentingin Accident and Emergency departments. Some of the upper limb fractures need openreduction and internal fixation. Use of suction drains after upper limb surgery is still debatableissue. Some surgeons routinely use, others never use and few occasionally use. Objectives:Aim of this study was to compare the results of upper limb fracture surgery by using or not usingthe suction drains. Design: Quasi Experimental Design. Settings: Orthopedic department AzizBhatti Shaheed Teaching Hospital Gujrart. Period: From December 2015 to November 2016.Method & Material: Total 120 patients were selected as per selection criteria. In 60 patients weused suction drain post-operatively & remaining 60 patients without Suction drain. Results:In our study we selected 120 patients .Patients divided in two groups. In group A 60 patientsincluded in the study. We did not use suction drain in these patients. In group B we also selected60 patients of upper limb fractures. We used suction drain in these patients. We compared theresults of both groups on the basis of superficial wound infection and pain. In group A, sixpatients developed superficial wound infection while four patients developed superficial woundinfection in group. There was no difference in severity of pain in both groups. Conclusion:We concluded from our study that there is no added advantage of suction drain in upper limbfracture surgery.

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