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Soft tissue injuries are common in the military, generally producing simple hematomas without the need for intensive evaluation and management. In certain situations, a shearing effect between fascial planes whereby a disruption of the vasculature and lymphatic systems creates a "closed degloving injury" is more generally referred to as a Morel-Lavallée Lesion (MLL). With a consistent pool of blood, lymph, and pieces of soft tissue, an M7LL can cause significant poor cosmesis, chronic pain, and risk secondary infection if left undetected and untreated. Proper diagnosis can be made through the effective use of ultrasound and, if detected early enough, through conservative measures to include needle aspiration and compression sleeves. Prior cases describe chronic MLLs existing for extended periods of time, in some cases years, requiring operative intervention, and in some cases poor outcomes. We present two cases of active duty soldiers presenting with seemingly innocuous injuries found on closer evaluation to have MLL, treated in one case with needle aspiration and compression, in the other with operative management., (Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Association of Military Surgeons of the United States 2023. This work is written by (a) US Government employee(s) and is in the public domain in the US.)

Background: The efficacy and safety of perforator-based propeller flaps (PPF) versus free flaps (FF) in traumatic lower leg and foot reconstructions are debated. PPFs are perceived as simpler due to advantages like avoiding microsurgery, but concerns about complications, such as flap congestion and necrosis, persist. This study aimed to compare outcomes of PPF and FF in trauma-related distal lower extremity soft tissue reconstruction., Methods: We retrospectively studied 38 flaps in 33 patients who underwent lower leg and foot soft tissue reconstruction due to trauma at our hospital from 2015 until 2022. Flap-related outcomes and complications were compared between the PPF group (18 flaps in 15 patients) and the FF group (20 flaps in 18 patients). These included complete and partial flap necrosis, venous congestion, delayed osteomyelitis, and the coverage failure rate, defined as the need for secondary flaps due to flap necrosis., Results: The coverage failure rate was 22% in the PPF group and 5% in the FF group, with complete necrosis observed in 11% of the PPF group and 5% of the FF group, and partial necrosis in 39% of the PPF group and 10% of the FF group, indicating no significant difference between the two groups. However, venous congestion was significantly higher in 72% of the PPF group compared to 10% of the FF group. Four PPFs and one FF required FF reconstruction due to implant/fracture exposure from necrosis. Additionally, four PPFs developed delayed osteomyelitis post-healing, requiring reconstruction using free vascularized bone graft in three out of four cases., Conclusions: Flap necrosis in traumatic lower-leg defects can lead to reconstructive failure, exposing implants or fractures and potentially causing catastrophic outcomes like osteomyelitis, jeopardizing limb salvage. Surgeons should be cautious about deeming PPFs as straightforward and microsurgery-free procedures, given the increased complication rates compared to FFs in traumatic reconstruction., Data Access Statement: The datasets generated during and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background: Maxillofacial Injury (MFI) is a major public health concern that is multifactorial in etiology-road traffic accidents (RTAs), falls and violence. RTAs are the major cause of maxillofacial injuries (MFIs) in countries like India. Recent studies have shown that maxillofacial fractures (MFF) constitute a significant proportion of facial injuries seen in hospitals (56.5%). The incidence of maxillofacial fractures can vary depending on several factors, including age, gender, and environmental factors. Of particular concern is the impact of seasonal variations, such as the monsoon season, which lead to high incidence of maxillofacial fractures due to hazardous conditions., Methods: A retrospective review of medical records was done in a tertiary-care dental teaching hospital was done., Results: Data of 200 subjects including 154 males (77%) and 46 females (23%) with a mean age of 35.38 ± 16.541 years; age range: 1 - 80 years was analyzed. A total of 200 MFI's were recorded between 2021 and 2022. Soft tissue injuries were reported in 37.5% of the cases in non-monsoon season and 42.3% of the cases during the monsoon season. Dentoalveolar fractures were reported in 6.2% of the cases during the non-monsoon seasons and 7.7% during the monsoon season. In this study, mandible was the most fractured bone (n=104,52%) followed by zygomatic complex (n=50, 25%). The frequently observed pattern among mandibular fracture was condyle 8.3% during the non-monsoon season and 2.9% during the monsoon season)., Conclusions: The results of the study indicate that mandibular fractures are most commonly seen in maxillofacial fractures, followed by fractures of the zygomatic complex. The study also reveals a higher incidence of soft tissue injuries and dentoalveolar fractures during the monsoon season. Further research is warranted to explore the factors that contribute to the seasonal variation in maxillofacial fractures for effective interventions to reduce their occurrence., Competing Interests: No competing interests were disclosed., (Copyright: © 2024 Shukla AD et al.)

During the turn of the year, injuries caused by fireworks occur in Germany every year. According to the professional associations, the Unfallkrankenhaus Berlin, for example, treats an average of 50 injuries caused by fireworks on New Year's Eve. Patients come with burns, soft tissue injuries, or fractures; eyes and hands are particularly frequently affected. Again and again, there are also very serious or even fatal injuries. The background is usually the improper or illegal use of larger fireworks. Smaller fireworks such as sparklers, bangers, or smaller rockets are available in Germany in most supermarkets, and their use is permitted from the age of 12 or 18. However, the use of larger fireworks in Germany requires proof of an official permit to handle pyrotechnic objects, which is why they are often acquired abroad. The following report describes such a case. Shortly after the turn of the year 2022, a young man died as a result of an explosive effect on the facial skull after using an illegal firework shell. The case is discussed with regard to the autopsy findings, the possible cause of the accident, and the type of firework used., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Objective: To explore the clinical efficacy of posterior femoral muscle flaps combined with posterior femoral cutaneous nerve nutrient vessel flap and closed lavage in the treatment of stage Ⅳ ischial tuberosity pressure ulcers. Methods: This study was a retrospective observational study. From March 2021 to March 2022, 15 patients with stage Ⅳ ischial tuberosity pressure ulcers who met the inclusion criteria were admitted to Dezhou Dongcheng Hospital, including 11 males and 4 females, aged 31 to 72 years. The pressure ulcer wound size ranged from 6.0 cm×4.5 cm to 10.0 cm×6.0 cm, with cavity diameters of 10-14 cm. Five cases were complicated with ischial tuberosity bone infection. After clearing the lesion, the biceps femoris long head muscle flap with an area of 10.0 cm×4.0 cm-18.0 cm×5.0 cm and the semitendinosus muscle flap with an area of 8.0 cm×4.0 cm-15.0 cm×5.0 cm combined with the posterior femoral cutaneous nerve nutrient vessel flap with an area of 6.5 cm×5.5 cm-10.5 cm×6.5 cm was transplanted to repair the pressure ulcer wound. The flap donor area was directly sutured, and the closed lavage with tubes inserted into the wound cavity was performed for 2-3 weeks. The postoperative survival of the muscle flaps and skin flaps, the wound healing of the donor and recipient areas were observed. The recurrence of pressure ulcers, the appearance and texture of flaps, and scar conditions of the donor and recipient areas were followed up. Results: All the muscle flaps and skin flaps in the 15 patients successfully survived after surgery. Two patients experienced incisional dehiscence at one week after surgery due to improper turning over, during which the incision in the recipient area was pressed on, and the wounds healed after dressing changes of 3 to 4 weeks; the wounds in the donor and recipient areas healed well in the other patients. All patients received follow-up after surgery. During the follow-up period of 6 to 12 months, none of the patients experienced pressure ulcer recurrence, and the texture, color, and thickness of the skin flaps closely resembled those of the surrounding skin at the recipient site, with only linear scar left in the donor and recipient areas. Conclusions: When using the posterior femoral muscle flaps combined with the posterior femoral cutaneous nerve nutrient vessel flap and closed lavage to treat stage Ⅳ ischial tuberosity pressure ulcers, the tissue flap can be used to fully fill in the dead space of the pressure ulcers. After treatment, the wound heals well, the appearance of the donor and recipient areas is better, and the pressure ulcers are less prone to reoccur.

Objective: To investigate the clinical repair strategy for ischial tuberosity pressure ulcers based on the sinus tract condition and range of skin and soft tissue defects. Methods: The study was a retrospective observational study. From July 2017 to March 2023, 21 patients with stage Ⅲ or Ⅳ ischial tuberosity pressure ulcers who met the inclusion criteria were admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, including 13 males and 8 females, aged 14-84 years. There were 31 ischial tuberosity pressure ulcers, with an area of 1.5 cm×1.0 cm-8.0 cm×6.0 cm. After en bloc resection and debridement, the range of skin and soft tissue defect was 6.0 cm×3.0 cm-15.0 cm×8.0 cm. According to the depth and size of sinus tract and range of skin and soft tissue defects on the wound after debridement, the wounds were repaired according to the following three conditions. (1) When there was no sinus tract or the sinus tract was superficial, with a skin and soft tissue defect range of 6.0 cm×3.0 cm-8.5 cm×6.5 cm, the wound was repaired by direct suture, Z-plasty, transfer of buttock local flap, or V-Y advancement of the posterior femoral cutaneous nerve nutrient vessel flap. (2) When the sinus tract was deep and small, with a skin and soft tissue defect range of 8.5 cm×4.5 cm-11.0 cm×6.5 cm, the wound was repaired by the transfer and filling of gracilis muscle flap followed by direct suture, or Z-plasty, or combined with transfer of inferior gluteal artery perforator flap. (3) When the sinus tract was deep and large, with a skin and soft tissue defect range of 7.5 cm×5.5 cm-15.0 cm×8.0 cm, the wound was repaired by the transfer and filling of gracilis muscle flap and gluteus maximus muscle flap transfer, followed by direct suture, Z-plasty, or combined with transfer of buttock local flap; and transfer and filling of biceps femoris long head muscle flap combined with rotary transfer of the posterior femoral cutaneous nerve nutrient vessel flap; and filling of the inferior gluteal artery perforator adipofascial flap transfer combined with V-Y advancement of the posterior femoral cutaneous nerve nutrient vessel flap. A total of 7 buttock local flaps with incision area of 8.0 cm×6.0 cm-19.0 cm×16.0 cm, 21 gracilis muscle flaps with incision area of 18.0 cm×3.0 cm-24.0 cm×5.0 cm, 9 inferior gluteal artery perforator flaps or inferior gluteal artery perforator adipofascial flaps with incision area of 8.5 cm×6.0 cm-13.0 cm×7.5 cm, 10 gluteal maximus muscle flaps with incision area of 8.0 cm×5.0 cm-13.0 cm×7.0 cm, 2 biceps femoris long head muscle flaps with incision area of 17.0 cm×3.0 cm and 20.0 cm×5.0 cm, and 5 posterior femoral cutaneous nerve nutrient vessel flaps with incision area of 12.0 cm×6.5 cm-21.0 cm×10.0 cm were used. The donor area wounds were directly sutured. The survival of muscle flap, adipofascial flap, and flap, and wound healing in the donor area were observed after operation. The recovery of pressure ulcer and recurrence of patients were followed up. Results: After surgery, all the buttock local flaps, gracilis muscle flaps, gluteus maximus muscle flaps, inferior gluteal artery perforator adipofascial flaps, and biceps femoris long head muscle flaps survived well. In one case, the distal part of one posterior femoral cutaneous nerve nutrient vessel flap was partially necrotic, and the wound was healed after dressing changes. In another patient, bruises developed in the distal end of inferior gluteal artery perforator flap. It was somewhat relieved after removal of some sutures, but a small part of the necrosis was still present, and the wound was healed after bedside debridement and suture. The other posterior femoral cutaneous nerve nutrient vessel flaps and inferior gluteal artery perforator flaps survived well. In one patient, the wound at the donor site caused incision dehiscence due to postoperative bleeding in the donor area. The wound was healed after debridement+Z-plasty+dressing change. The wounds in the rest donor areas of patients were healed well. After 3 to 15 months of follow-up, all the pressure ulcers of patients were repaired well without recurrence. Conclusions: After debridement of ischial tuberosity pressure ulcer, if there is no sinus tract formation or sinus surface is superficial, direct suture, Z-plasty, buttock local flap, or V-Y advancement repair of posterior femoral cutaneous nerve nutrient vessel flap can be selected according to the range of skin and soft tissue defects. If the sinus tract of the wound is deep, the proper tissue flap can be selected to fill the sinus tract according to the size of sinus tract and range of the skin and soft tissue defects, and then the wound can be closed with individualized flap to obtain good repair effect.

This study aimed to clarify the association between swallowing disorder and prevertebral hyperintensity on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with cervical spinal cord injury (CSCI) without a major fracture. This retrospective observational study included 30 patients who were diagnosed with acute CSCI without a major fracture (mean age: 69.3 years, 27 men). Swallowing disorder was defined as tube-dependent nutrition because of obvious aspiration 28 days after injury. The high-intensity area (HIA) and anteroposterior width (HIW) of the prevertebral space at C1-7 levels were measured using MRI short-TI inversion recovery midsagittal images. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was used to determine the optimal cutoff values of the HIA for predicting swallowing disorder. The incidence of swallowing disorder after CSCI was 16.7%. The HIA was significantly higher in the swallowing disorder group (median, 409.0 mm2) than in the non- swallowing disorder group (median, 159.1 mm2) (P = .04). There was no significant difference in HIW between the two groups. The optimal cutoff point of the HIA was measured at 203.2 mm2 with 80.0% and 20.0% sensitivity and specificity, respectively, with an area under the curve of 0.848 (95% confidence interval, 0.657-1.000, P = .01). The prevertebral hyperintensity area on MRI for swallowing disorder in patients after cervical cord injury without skeletal injury is associated with swallowing disorder. The optimal cutoff point of the area was determined to be 203.2 mm2., Competing Interests: The authors have no funding and conflicts of interest to disclose., (Copyright © 2023 the Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.)

This investigation aimed to evaluate the impact of coronal articular fragment displacement of Schatzker type II tibial plateau fractures on concomitant soft tissue knee injuries. One hundred consecutively treated patients were included. Depression depth and coronal articular fragment displacement were measured radiographically, and medial collateral ligament (MCL) and lateral meniscus (LM) injury, and pain and range of motion (ROM) on final follow up, were recorded. Multivariable regression was then performed. Coronal articular fragment displacement was medially and laterally hinged in 74% and 26% of patients, respectively. MCL injuries were significantly higher in the lateral hinge group (odds ratio [OR]: 3.25; confidence interval [CI]: 1.07 to 9.84; p = 0.03). No difference was found in LM injury incidence and amount of articular depression between groups. At final follow-up, average pain and ROM was similar between groups. Findings demonstrate a significant correlation between laterally hinged articular depression in Schatzker II tibial plateau fractures and concomitant MCL injury. (Journal of Surgical Orthopaedic Advances 32(4):270-275, 2023).

Patients with limb loss face the challenge of having an increased risk of skin disease at residual limb sites. Hyperhidrosis is a common concern for persons with amputation and excessive sweat can cause various skin pathology. Recently, microwave thermoablation (MT) was reported as an effective off-label treatment for hyperhidrosis in patients with limb loss. We present a case in which a patient following MT procedure for hyperhidrosis of a transtibial amputation developed multifocal full thickness cutaneous necrosis and deep venous thrombosis. The possible aetiologies of these complications are discussed including vascular congestion and external thermal injury.Such a case warrants the attention of individuals and providers seeking to use MT for off-label purposes, particularly for patients with limb loss, due to the large treatment surface area and potential for temporary or permanent functional loss of the amputated limb., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2023. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

Muscle injuries make up the majority of injuries in popular sports. The causes for the development are multifactorial and can be divided into functional disorders and a lack of knowledge regarding training control. Insufficient warm-up and overtraining both increase the danger of the occurrence of the injury. Knowledge of the different types of muscle injuries and their incorporation into an exact classification enable the establishment of a correct treatment plan and can have a positive influence on the healing process. In addition to acute treatment the knowledge and application of preventive programs are necessary as these can significantly reduce the prevalence of muscle injuries in sports., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Medizin Verlag GmbH, ein Teil von Springer Nature.)

Background: Fracture blister (FB) is a complication of fracture, which damages to the skin integrity and increases the risk of infection. Inflammation plays an important role in the formation and development of FBs, but its specific mechanism is still unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the patterns and dynamic changes of inflammatory cytokines in fracture blister fluid (FBF) and plasma., Materials and Methods: FBF and plasma were collected simultaneously from patients with lower extremity fractures with FBs on the first and fifth day after blisters formation. 92 inflammation-related protein biomarkers were measured in plasma and FBF using Proximity Extension Assay (PEA). We analyzed the cytokine patterns and their dynamic changes in FBF and plasma. Cytokine patterns in plasma from FB patients, fracture without blister patients, and healthy subjects were also analyzed., Result: The cytokine pattern in FBF and plasma of patients with FBs was different but 11 cytokines were significantly correlated in the two sample types. 23 cytokines were different in plasma across FB patients, fracture without blister patients and healthy subjects. In the analysis of plasma from FB patients and fracture without blister patients, 15 cytokines were significantly different and they may be potential risk factors for the occurrence of FBs. The FBF and plasma showed different cytokine patterns in the early and late stages, with 50 cytokines significantly changed in FBF and 20 cytokines in plasma., Conclusion: The different cytokine patterns in plasma between FB patients and fracture without blisters patients may be the potential factors for the occurrence of blisters. The cytokine patterns in FBF and plasma showed a dynamic change from the inflammatory stage to the proliferative and repair stage, which indicates that FBs may have new clinical importance in addition to being a soft tissue injury., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Though associated meniscus and/or knee ligament injuries following lateral tibial plateau fractures (TPF) are common, the importance of development in gait recovery is unknown. This study aim to report the 12- and 36-month gait recovery in patients with lateral TPF divided into two groups presenting with and without associated meniscus and/or knee ligament injuries. (Associated meniscus and/or knee ligament injuries were grouped as: 1) missing, 2) lateral or medial menisci, 2) posterior and anterior cruciate ligament (PCL/ACL), and 4) lateral or medial collateral ligament.) HYPOTHESIS: Comparable results at the 12- and 36-month follow-up between groups presenting with and without soft tissue injuries., Patients and Methods: Study design: cohort study. Included were patients admitted following a lateral TPF (AO-type 41 B) between December 1, 2013 and November 30, 2016. The primary outcome score was gait sample., Results: Fifty-six patients were included. The mean age of the patients at the time of fracture was 56 years (range from 22 to 86). Female gender represents 75%. MRI-verified associated meniscus and/or knee ligament injuries were observed in 28 patients (50%). The average gait speed at the 12- and 36-month follow-up were 125.7 (SD31.3) and 127.7 (SD16.6) cm/sec. for patients with associated meniscus and/or knee ligament injuries and 125.2 (SD31.1) and 130.1 (SD15.6) cm/sec. for patients without associated meniscus and/or knee ligament injuries (p=0.96, p=0.17). Regardless of soft tissue injuries, the development in percent of gait asymmetry for step-length and single-support decrease significantly between the 12- and the 36-month follow-up. (p>0.002) DISCUSSION: This study indicates that gait recovery following lateral TPFs were not associated with associated meniscus and/or knee ligament injuries at the 12- and 36-month follow-up. Between the 12- and 36-month follow-up asymmetry of the gait function decline significantly indicating a prolonged recovery period of gait function following TPFs., Level of Evidence: II; prospective cohort study., (Copyright © 2023 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Dog bite injuries occur in approximately 102 of every 100,000 population. Pediatric facial injuries due to dog bites are more common than in the adult largely due to height difference and ease of access for the dog to the head and neck region. Although majority are soft tissue injuries, pediatric facial fractures from dog bites are estimated at approximately 5%, with the true incidence unknown. We hypothesize that depth and facial subsite of laceration can indicate likelihood of facial fracture presence in pediatric patients with dog bite injuries., Methods: This single-institution retrospective study included 162 patients 18 years or younger (n = 162) who had an ICD-9 code of E906.0 or ICD-10 code of W54.0 for dog bites in the head and neck region between 1/1/2015 and 12/31/2019 and were treated in the emergency department by either an emergency department, otolaryngology, or plastics surgery provider. Multivariable logistic regressions were used to examine the association between patient age, sex, and dog size, and the outcomes: laceration depth (epidermis, dermis, muscle, bone), and facial subsite (upper, middle, lower third)., Results: Males had a lower laceration penetration at the epidermis level (aOR = 0.36; 95% CI 0.19, 0.69) but a higher laceration penetration at the muscle level (aOR = 2.29; 95% CI 1.04, 5.04) compared to females. No significant findings were observed for the levels of dermis and bone. In the multivariable analysis, there were no significant associations to suggest facial fractures found between facial subsites and age, sex and dog size., Conclusion: No significant associations between depth or facial subsite of facial injury from dog bites and the presence of facial fractures in pediatric patients except with regard to male sex and laceration level of epidermis and muscle., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Injury of almost all intra-abdominal organs in blunt trauma without bone and brain injury is very rare. This is the case report of a 16-year-old adolescent with severe abdominal trauma who was hit on his abdomen by a falling maytree. After admission to a Level I trauma center, emergency room treatment according to ATLS and after this emergency surgery was performed. Blood coagulation diagnostics was done using thrombo-elastography and factors and blood products have been applied according to its results keeping guidelines in mind. Damage-control surgery stopped the bleeding, and he was admitted to ICU. After second and third look surgery, the abdomen was closed. Structured diagnostics and treatment were crucial in this case. The education of trauma surgeons should include general surgery skills. These skills and knowledge of blood coagulation diagnostics and therapy saved the patient's life in this case., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

The treatment of the Cierny-Mader (C-M) type III-IV calcaneus osteomyelitis combining with the soft-tissue defect is sophisticated and difficult. The aim of this study is to introduce the application and availability of the modified distally based sural flap with an adipofascial extension to reconstruct these defects. We retrospectively reviewed the data of 37 patients with C-M type III-IV calcaneus osteomyelitis accompanied with soft-tissue defect between December 2004 and December 2019. A modified distally based sural flap with an adipofascial extension was conducted to reconstruct the defect. The patient's demographics, duration of the diseases, etiology, reconstruction outcomes, infection control rate, recurrence rate, amputation rate, and follow-up data were collected to evaluate the effectiveness and reliability of the modification. The American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle and hindfoot scale was applied to assess the function of the ankle and hindfoot. Thirty-four flaps survived uneventfully, 1 flap displayed marginal necrosis and 2 flaps (5.41%) developed partial necrosis. Using this modified flap alone or combining with some simple salvage methods reconstructed all of the defects successfully. The calcaneus osteomyelitis was cured successfully, and no recurrences were observed during the follow-up period. The AOFAS ankle and hindfoot scores were excellent in 27 patients and good in 8 patients. The distally based sural flap with an adipofacial extension is a simple and effective technique to reconstruct the calcaneus osteomyelitis combined with soft-tissue defect in 1 stage. Applications of the adipofacial extension to obliterate the dead space and the well-vascularized skin island to cover the defect are the guarantee of achieving good ankle and foot functions. However, this technique is not appropriate for the patients with calcaneum less than half weight-bearing area.

Although prior literature has evaluated firework injuries broadly, there are no focused investigations examining trends, etiology, and costs associated with firework injuries to the hand. The 2006 to 2014 National Emergency Department Sample (NEDS) was used. International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision ( ICD-9 ) codes identified patients presenting to the emergency department with a firework-related injury of the hand that resulted in a burn, open wound, fracture, blood vessel injury, or traumatic amputation. A linear regression model was used to identify significant changes over time, with a significance threshold of P <.05. A total of 19,473 patients with a firework-related injury to the hand were included, with no significant change in the incidence from 2006 to 2014 (7.5 per 1,000,000 population). The greatest number of injuries occurred in July (57.1%), January (7.4%), and December (3.7%). Age groups affected were young adults (18-35 years; 43.6%), older adults (36-55 years; 19.2%), adolescents (12-17 years; 18.6%), and children (0-11 years; 16.1%). Nearly 74% of the injuries resulted in burns, 24.5% resulted in open wounds, 8.0% resulted in fracture, 7.6% resulted in traumatic amputation, and 1.4% resulted in blood vessel injury. Of 14,320 burn injuries, 15.2% had first-degree burns, 69.9% had second-degree burns, and 5.1% had third-degree burns involving the skin. The median emergency department charge was $914 and the median hospitalization charge (for inpatient admittance) was $30,743. Incidence of firework-related injuries to the hand has not changed over time. There is a need for better dissemination of safety information to mitigate the occurrences of these avoidable accidents. [ Orthopedics . 2023;46(3):180-184.].

Background: Multiple ligament knee injuries (MLKIs) represent a spectrum of injury patterns that are often associated with concomitant musculoskeletal and neurovascular injuries, complex treatment, and postoperative complications. However, there has not been high-level evidence describing the presentation and treatment of MLKIs. The purpose of this multicenter retrospective study was to describe characteristics of MLKIs, their management, and related complications using a pathoanatomic MLKI classification system based on the Schenck Knee Dislocation classification system., Methods: This review identified and analyzed MLKIs that occurred between 2011 and 2015. Cases with an MLKI were included in this study if there was a complete tear of ≥2 ligaments and at least 1 ligament was repaired or reconstructed. Cases in which a ligament was deemed clinically incompetent due to a partial ligament tear and required surgical repair or reconstruction were considered equivalent to grade-III tears for inclusion and classification. Demographic information, the mechanism of injury, times from injury to presentation to an orthopaedic surgeon and to surgery, the ligament injury pattern, associated injuries, surgical procedures, and complications were captured. Data were analyzed descriptively., Results: A total of 773 individuals from 14 centers who underwent surgery for an MLKI were reviewed. The mean age of the individuals was 30.5 ± 12.7 years, and 74.2% were male. The most common mechanism involved sports (43.2%). The median time from injury to presentation to the orthopaedic surgeon was 11 days (interquartile range [IQR], 3 to 48 days), and the time to initial ligament surgery was 64 days (IQR, 23 to 190 days). While the most common injury patterns were an anterior cruciate ligament tear combined with either a medial-sided (MLK 1-AM, 20.7%) or lateral-sided (MLK 1-AL, 23.2%) injury, one-third (34.7%) were bicruciate injuries. Associated injuries most often involved menisci (55.6%), nerves (18.5%) and tendons (15.6%). The method of surgical intervention (repair versus reconstruction), external fixator use, and staging of procedures varied by MLKI classification. Loss of motion (11.4%) was the most common postoperative complication., Conclusions: A better understanding of the clinical characteristics and management of the various MLKI patterns can be used to support clinical decision-making and individualized treatment of these complex injuries, and may ultimately lead to enhanced outcomes and reduced associated risks., Level of Evidence: Therapeutic Level IV . 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/JBJS/H440 )., (Copyright © 2023 Written work prepared by employees of the Federal Government as part of their official duties is, under the United States Copyright Act, a “work of the United States Government” for which copyright protection under that Act is not available. As such, copyright protection does not extend to the contributions of employees of the Federal Government prepared as part of their employment.)

Objective: The aim of the present study was to assess the safety and efficacy of Diclofenac sodium (DS) 140 mg medicated plaster vs. Diclofenac epolamine (DIEP) 180 mg medicated plaster and placebo plaster, for the treatment of painful disease due to traumatic events of the limbs., Patients and Methods: This was a multicenter, phase III study involving 214 patients, aged 18-65 years, affected by painful conditions due to soft tissue injuries. Patients were randomized to DS, DIEP or placebo arms and treated with once-daily application of the plaster for a total treatment period of 7 days. The primary objective was first to demonstrate the non-inferior efficacy of the DS treatment when compared to the reference DIEP treatment and second that both, test and reference treatments, were superior with respect to placebo. The secondary objectives included the evaluation of efficacy, adhesion, safety, and local tolerability of DS in comparison to both DIEP and placebo., Results: The mean visual analog scale (VAS) score decrease for pain at rest was higher in the DS (-17.65 mm) and the DIEP group (-17.5 mm) than in the placebo (-11.3 mm). Both active formulation plasters were associated with a statistically significant pain reduction compared to placebo. No statistically significant differences were observed between DIEP and DS plasters efficacy in relieving pain. Secondary endpoint evaluations supported the primary efficacy results. No serious adverse events (SAEs) were registered, and the most commonly detected adverse events were skin reactions at the application site., Conclusions: The results showed that both the DS 140 mg plaster and the reference DIEP 180 mg plaster are effective in relieving pain and present a good safety profile.

Tibial plateau fractures are usually associated with soft tissue injury. This study aimed to use the extent of joint depression and lateral widening in computed tomography (CT) to predict the soft tissue injury accompanying fractures.The study included 23 patients with type Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Osteosynthesefragen-classified 41B fractures. Demographics, mechanism of injury, age, gender, and injury sites were assessed. Post-traumatic radiography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and CT were obtained. MRI evaluated the meniscal, cruciate, and collateral ligament injuries, and CT measured the extent of joint depression and lateral widening in millimeters using digital imaging software. The relationship between joint depression, lateral widening, and soft tissue injuries was statistically analyzed. Of the 23 patients, 17 (74%) were males and 6 (26%) were females. Lateral meniscus injuries increased and the risk of bucket handle lateral meniscus tears increased as the CT joint depression exceeded 12 mm (p < 0.05). Joint depression of <5.9 mm was associated with medial meniscus injury (p < 0.05). The mean distribution examination of all soft tissue injuries and joint depression revealed no statistically significant difference between the groups (p > 0.05). Increased joint depression in lateral tibial plateau fractures increases the risk of lateral meniscus bucket handle tear, and decreased joint depression increases the risk of medial meniscus injury. Accordingly implementing the treatment plan and patient management will improve the clinical outcomes.

Although the incidence of cervical spinal cord injury (CSCI) with ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) has increased in older adults, its etiology and neurological outcomes remain unknown. We identified OPLL characteristics and determined whether they influence neurological severity and improvement of CSCI in older patients. This multicenter retrospective cohort study identified 1512 patients aged ≥ 65 years diagnosed with CSCI on admission during 2010-2020. We analyzed CSCI etiology in OPLL patients. We performed propensity score-adjusted analyses to compare neurological outcomes between patients with and without OPLL. Cases were matched based on variables influencing neurological prognosis. The primary neurological outcome was rated according to the American Spine Injury Association (ASIA) impairment scale (AIS) and ASIA motor score (AMS). In 332 OPLL patients, the male-to-female ratio was approximately 4:1. Half of all patients displayed low-energy trauma-induced injury and one-third had CSCI without a bony injury. Propensity score matching created 279 pairs. There was no significant difference in the AIS grade and AMS between patients with and without OPLL during hospitalization, 6 months, and 12 months following injury. OPLL patients tended to exhibit worse neurological findings during injury; nevertheless, OPLL was not associated with poor neurological improvement in older CSCI patients., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Objective: The aim: To demonstrate the features of clinical manifestations and complications that occur with delayed medical treatment in cases of gunshot shrapnel through a wound of the thigh with damage to the superficial femoral artery., Patients and Methods: Materials and methods: The wounded individual, S., was 52 years old and had sustained a gunshot wound through a shrapnel wound of the left thigh with damage to the superficial femoral artery and soft tissue defect. Medical assistance was provided during the stages of medical evacuation., Results: Results: The soldier sustained a gunshot wound through the upper third of the left thigh, resulting in damage to the vascular-nerve bundle and a soft tissue defect. First aid was provided at the scene, and surgical procedures were performed during the stages of medical evacuation, including primary surgical treatment of wounds in the upper third of the left thigh. On the second day following the injury, the wounded man was transferred to the Vinnytsia Military Medical Clinical Center and admitted to the vascular surgery department. After an ultrasound examination and repeated surgical treatment of the wound on the left thigh, damage to the superficial femoral artery was identified., Conclusion: Conclusions: The presence of features of blood circulation in gunshot wounds of the main vessels of the lower limbs can favorably affect the possibility of saving the limb, as evidenced by the case presented.

Purpose: Soft tissue injury and soft tissue injury as risk factors for nonunion following trochanteric femur fractures (TFF) are marginally investigated. The aim of this study was to identify risk factors for impaired fracture healing in geriatric trauma patients with TFF following surgical treatment with a femoral nail., Methods: This retrospective cohort study included geriatric trauma patients (aged > 70 years) with TFF who were treated with femoral nailing. Fractures were classified according to AO/OTA. Nonunion was defined as lack of callus-formation after 6 months, material breakage, and requirement of revision surgery. Risk factors for nonunion included variables of clinical interest (injury pattern, demographics, comorbidities), as well as type of approach (open versus closed) and were assessed with uni- and multivariate regression analyses., Results: This study included 225 geriatric trauma patients. Nonunion was significantly more frequently following AO/OTA 31A3 fractures (N = 10, 23.3%) compared with AO/OTA type 31A2 (N = 6, 6.9%) or AO/OTA 31A1 (N = 3, 3.2%, p < 0.001). Type 31A3 fractures had an increased risk for nonunion compared with type 31A1 (OR 10.3 95%CI 2.2 to 48.9, p = 0.003). Open reduction was not associated with increased risk for nonunion (OR 0.9, 95%CI 0.1 to 6.1. p = 0.942) as was not the use of cerclage (OR 1.0, 95%CI 0.2 to 6.5, p = 0.995). Factors such as osteoporosis, polytrauma or diabetes were not associated with delayed union or nonunion., Conclusion: The fracture morphology of TFF is an independent risk factor for nonunion in geriatric patients. The reduction technique is not associated with increased risk for nonunion, despite increased soft tissue damage following open reduction., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Despite the remarkable success of total hip arthroplasty as treatment of arthritis of the hip, complications can still occur, and imaging plays a crucial role for both diagnosis and guiding management. Component dislocation in total hip arthroplasty is usually diagnosed on radiographs, but cross-sectional imaging is necessary to quantitatively assess component orientation which may have predisposed to the dislocation. The definitive sign of component loosening on radiography is progressive motion of the component, but CT will provide more osseous detail and recent studies have shown the role of MRI in assessing component loosening as well. Infection is a devastating complication for which early diagnosis is crucial. Radiographs are not sensitive for infection, but there are certain MRI features that can suggest infection, and ultrasound and fluoroscopy are useful for guiding arthrocenteses to diagnose infection. Tendon and neurovascular injuries can be a source of long-term disability after total hip arthroplasty, and radiological studies, particularly advanced cross-sectional imaging such as MRI and ultrasound, often play an important role in their diagnoses., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: The unprotected nature of motorcycle riding exposes motorcyclists to an elevated risk of sustaining facial soft tissue injuries (STIs); however, its link with underlying facial bone fractures remains unexplored. The purpose of this study is to determine whether the type and site of STI sustained by motorcyclists were associated with the presence of underlying facial bone fractures., Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of patients identified from the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Department of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Center trauma census who had motorcycle-related injury and met the inclusion criteria. The primary predictor variable was the type (laceration, contusion, abrasion, and no injuries) and site of STIs sustained. The site of the facial STI was categorized as per 17 different zones based upon the modified MCFONTZL classification. The primary outcome variable was the presence or absence of facial bone fractures as determined from the computed tomography scan. Descriptive and bivariate statistics were computed to measure the association between sustaining facial bone fractures and type/site of STI., Results: Seventy three patients (65 men and 8 women) were included in this study. The average age was 31.9 years (standard deviation ± 13.6) with a range of 18 to 70 years. There were 1,241 facial zones being assessed with 285 (23%) and 214 (17%) zones having STI and fractures, respectively. Laceration (124/285, 43%) and the orbital zone (53/285, 19%) were the most common type and site of STI, respectively, among motorcyclists. Facial bone fractures are more commonly seen following STI in the midface (71% of STI had fractures) compared to upper face (53%) and lower face (31%). Sustaining laceration type of STI was not associated with a higher rate of facial bone fracture when compared with other type of STI (54.8% vs 55.9%, P = .858) with the exception of laceration in the frontal zone (42.9% vs 10.5%, P = .022)., Conclusions: The different types of STI in the facial area cannot be used as a predictor for sustaining underlying facial bone fractures., (Copyright © 2022 American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Blisters of the skin can be caused by very different diseases. Therefore, it is an interdisciplinary and interprofessionally relevant challenge. In the clinical routine different local therapeutic procedures are currently practiced. Either the blister is left in place or the blister is punctured and the blister roof is left in place; alternatively, the complete blister roof is ablated. Each of these approaches has potential advantages and disadvantages. A review of the current literature and consensus by the experts of the Initiative Chronische Wunde (ICW) e.V. was performed. The following approaches are recommended: uncomplicated blisters without pressure pain: leave blisters in place; pressure painful and palmar and plantar localized blisters: puncture blister and leave roof; ruptured blisters without clinical signs of infection: leave remnants of bladder roof; ruptured bladders with clinical signs of infection: remove remnants of the blister roof; blisters in burns of grade 2a or higher or in cases of unclear burn depth or chemical burn: remove blister roof. This is followed in each case by the application of a sterile wound dressing. There is no single correct local therapeutic procedure for blisters on the skin. When planning a therapeutic concept, the genesis of the blisters should be clarified and, if necessary, causal treatment should be given. Local therapy is then based on various individual factors. Thus, the approach chosen together with the patient can vary between individuals., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Undermining is thought to improve wound outcomes; however, randomized controlled data regarding its efficacy are lacking in humans. The objective of this randomized clinical trial was to determine whether undermining low to moderate tension wounds improves scar cosmesis compared to wound closure without undermining. Fifty-four patients, 18 years or older, undergoing primary linear closure of a cutaneous defect with predicted postoperative closure length of ≥ 3 cm on any anatomic site were screened. Four patients were excluded, 50 patients were enrolled, and 48 patients were seen in follow-up. Wounds were divided in half and one side was randomized to receive either no undermining or 2 cm of undermining. The other side received the unselected intervention. Three months, patients and 2 masked observers evaluated each scar using the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS). A total of 50 patients [mean (SD) age, 67.6 (11.5) years; 31 (64.6%) male; 48 (100%) white] were enrolled in the study. The mean (SD) sum of the POSAS observer component scores was 12.0 (6.05) for the undermined side and 11.1 (4.68) for the non-undermined side (P = .60). No statistically significant difference was found in the mean (SD) sum of the patient component for the POSAS score between the undermined side [15.9 (9.07)] and the non-undermined side [13.33 (6.20)] at 3 months. For wounds under low to moderate perceived tension, no statistically significant differences in scar outcome or total complications were noted between undermined wound halves and non-undermined halves.Trail Registry: Clinical trials.gov Identifier NCT02289859. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02289859 ., (© 2021. The Author(s).)

Tibial plateau fractures are common fractures which are often associated with concurrent soft tissue injury and for which accurate preoperative diagnosis is important for development of an appropriate treatment plan and outcome prediction. Here, we present an extreme manifestation of the pivot shift phenomenon with an unusual tibial plateau fracture with flipped component not described by any existing tibial plateau fracture classification system and never reported previously in conjunction with an anterior cruciate ligament injury. We describe the utilization of advanced imaging not typically utilized in the management of tibial plateau fractures in combination with clinical suspicion to diagnose the associated soft tissue injuries and develop an appropriate management plan., (© 2021. ISS.)

Introduction: Extremity trauma is the most common battlefield injury, resulting in a high frequency of combat-related extremity wound infections (CEWIs). As these infections are associated with substantial morbidity and may impact wounded warriors long after initial hospitalization, CEWIs have been a focus of the Infectious Disease Clinical Research Program (IDCRP). Herein, we review findings of CEWI research conducted through the IDCRP and discuss future and ongoing analyses., Methods: Military personnel with deployment-related trauma sustained between 2009 and 2014 were examined in retrospective analyses through the observational Trauma Infectious Disease Outcomes Study (TIDOS). Characteristics of wounded warriors with ≥1 open extremity wound were assessed, focusing on injury patterns and infection risk factors. Through a separate trauma-associated osteomyelitis study, military personnel with combat-related open fractures of the long bones (tibia, femur, and upper extremity) sustained between 2003 and 2009 were examined to identify osteomyelitis risk factors., Results: Among 1,271 wounded warriors with ≥1 open extremity wound, 16% were diagnosed with a CEWI. When assessed by their most severe extremity injury (i.e., amputation, open fracture, or open soft-tissue wound), patients with amputations had the highest proportion of infections (47% of 212 patients with traumatic amputations). Factors related to injury pattern, mechanism, and severity were independent predictors of CEWIs during initial hospitalization. Having a non-extremity infection at least 4 days before CEWI diagnosis was associated with reduced likelihood of CEWI development. After hospital discharge, 28% of patients with extremity trauma had a new or recurrent CEWI during follow-up. Risk factors for the development of CEWIs during follow-up included injury pattern, having either a CEWI or other infection during initial hospitalization, and receipt of antipseudomonal penicillin for ≥7 days. A reduced likelihood for CEWIs during follow-up was associated with a hospitalization duration of 15-30 days. Under the retrospective osteomyelitis risk factor analysis, patients developing osteomyelitis had higher open fracture severity based on Gustilo-Anderson (GA) and the Orthopaedic Trauma Association classification schemes and more frequent traumatic amputations compared to open fracture patients without osteomyelitis. Recurrence of osteomyelitis was also common (28% of patients with open tibia fractures had a recurrent episode). Although osteomyelitis risk factors differed between the tibia, femur, and upper extremity groups, sustaining an amputation, use of antibiotic beads, and being injured in the earlier years of the study (before significant practice pattern changes) were consistent predictors. Other risk factors included GA fracture severity ≥IIIb, blast injuries, foreign body at fracture site (with/without orthopedic implant), moderate/severe muscle damage and/or necrosis, and moderate/severe skin/soft-tissue damage. For upper extremity open fractures, initial stabilization following evacuation from the combat zone was associated with a reduced likelihood of osteomyelitis., Conclusions: Forthcoming studies will examine the effectiveness of common antibiotic regimens for managing extremity deep soft-tissue infections to improve clinical outcomes of combat casualties and support development of clinical practice guidelines for CEWI treatment. The long-term impact of extremity trauma and resultant infections will be further investigated through both Department of Defense and Veterans Affairs follow-up, as well as examination of the impact on comorbidities and mental health/social factors., (Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Association of Military Surgeons of the United States 2022. This work is written by (a) US Government employee(s) and is in the public domain in the US.)

Background: Data on management of traumatic lower extreity arterial injuries comes largely from military experience and involves few civilian centers. This study reports on the experience of an urban trauma center and factors associated with limb loss., Methods: A retrospective review of lower extremity arterial injuries between 2013 and 2020 at an academic urban level 1 trauma center was completed. Patients with lower extremity revascularization were included in the final data analysis. Demographics, clinical variables, operative details, type of revascularization, as well as 30-day morbidity and postoperative outcomes were analyzed. The primary outcome of interest was 30-day limb loss. Secondary outcomes included postoperative complications and functional outcomes., Results: Seventy-five patients were included in our analysis. Sixty-nine were male (92%), mean age 33 ± 15 years, 50 patients had penetrating trauma (67%), mean injury severity score was 15 ± 9. Thirty-day limb loss was reported in 8 (11%). Factors associated with limb loss included female sex (P = 0.001), high body mass index (P = 0.001), blunt injury (P = 0.001), associated fractures (P = 0.005), significant soft tissue injury (P = 0.007), delayed repair after shunt placement (P = 0.003), bypass revascularization (P = 0.001), initial revascularization failure (P = 0.019), and wound complications (P < 0.001). Fifty-five patients had at least one return to the operating room (ROR), including 24 patients (32%) for complications related to their revascularization. These included delayed compartment syndrome (n = 7), revascularization failure (n = 9), bleeding (n = 3), and vascular surgical wound complications (n = 5). Mean length of hospital stay (LOS) for the cohort was 24 ± 20 days with 3 ± 3 ROR, in contrast patients who ultimately required amputation had LOS of 57 ± 21 days with 8 ± 4 ROR. Fifty-seven patients (76%) followed in clinic for a median 36 [14-110] days, with only 32 (43%) at >30 days. Twenty-three reported ambulation without assistance, 9 neuromotor deficit including 1 patient that had delayed amputation., Conclusion: Patients with blunt trauma and associated fracture and/or extensive soft tissue injury are at risk of limb loss. These injuries are often associated with postoperative wound complications, requiring aggressive soft tissue care that substantially increases ROR and LOS; Expectations for limb salvage in these patients should be tempered when the other associated factors with limb loss mentioned above are also present. When limb salvage is achieved, regaining full limb function remains a challenge., (Copyright © 2021. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

This proof-of-concept study demonstrates that repetitive loading to the pain threshold can safely recreate overloading-induced soft tissue damage and that localised tissue stiffening can be a potential marker for injury. This concept was demonstrated here for the soft tissue of the sole of the foot where it was found that repeated loading to the pain threshold led to long-lasting statistically significant stiffening in the overloaded areas. Loading at lower magnitudes did not have the same effect. This method can shed new light on the aetiology of overloading injury in the foot to improve the management of conditions such as diabetic foot ulceration and heel pain syndrome. Moreover, the link between overloading and tissue stiffening, which was demonstrated here for the first time for the plantar soft tissue, opens the way for an assessment of overloading thresholds that is not based on the subjective measurement of pain thresholds., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

In recent years nitrous oxide has become a popular party drug. Large cylinders filled with nitrous oxide are used to fill balloons for recreational use. We present two patients with severe third-degree cold burns on their thighs after clamping a large cylinder between their legs while filling balloons. During filling, large amounts of nitrous oxide are inhaled, which causes the pain to be numbed. As nitrous oxide is discharged from the cylinder, the cylinder becomes ice cold. Due to direct contact with the icecold cylinder and numbness, third-degree frostbite wounds occur. In both cases presented, the burn wounds had to be debrided and treated with split-thickness skin transplants. Awareness is needed as at first presentation as the burns look superficial, but can rapidly develop into third-degree burn wounds. Close follow-up and aggressive treatment is necessary to prevent infections and to regain a good functional outcome of the affected limb.

Objective: To explore the effectiveness of thin free lateral femoral circumflex artery perforator flaps that dissected under the superficial fascia in repair of scar contracture deformity in hand and foot., Methods: Between January 2017 and October 2020, 15 patients with scar contracture deformity in hand or foot were admitted. There were 9 males and 6 females; aged 6-42 years, with a median age of 23 years. Scar contracture lasted from 1 to 21 years, with a median of 13 years. There were 11 cases of scar contracture deformities in the hands and 4 cases in the feet, all of which showed different degrees of hand and foot joint dysfunction. After the scar contracture was released, the size of wounds ranged from 6 cm×4 cm to 9 cm×8 cm, including 12 cases with exposure of blood vessels, nerves, or tendons, and 4 cases with tendon defects. A thin free lateral circumflex femoral artery perforator flap that dissected under the superficial fascia was used to repair the wound. The size of flap ranged from 6.0 cm×5.0 cm to 10.0 cm×8.5 cm. Fascia strips were used to reconstruct tendons and the donor sites were sutured directly., Results: The venous vascular crisis occurred in 1 flap, and the flap survived successfully after treatment. The rest flaps survived well, and the wounds healed by first intention. All incisions at donor sites healed by first intention. All patients were followed up 6-12 months after operation, with an average of 9 months. The flaps were in good shape and texture. The functions of the affected hand had been restored to a large extent. According to the upper limb function evaluation standard of the Society of Hand Surgery of the Chinese Medical Association, 7 cases were excellent and 4 cases were good. The deformity of the toe joint of the affected foot significantly improved. No muscular hernia, sensory numbness, or other complications occurred at the donor sites., Conclusion: The thin free lateral femoral circumflex artery perforator flap that dissected under the superficial fascia is an effective method to repair scar contracture deformity of hand and foot with well appearance, good function recovery, and less complication of the donor sites.

Treatment of calcaneal fractures has to be tailored to the individual pathoanatomy. If operative treatment is chosen, anatomic reconstruction of the calcaneal shape and joint surfaces is mandatory. For most of the displaced, intraarticular fractures, this can be achieved by less invasive reduction and fixation via a sinus tarsi approach, which may be extended along the "lateral utility" line for calcaneocuboid joint involvement or calcaneal fracture-dislocations. Purely percutaneous fixation is the treatment of choice for displaced extraarticular fractures and simple intraarticular fractures with adequate control of joint reduction. Specific approaches are used for rare calcaneal fracture variants., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Aim: The present study aimed to determine the risk factors related to permanent maxillary incisors and soft tissue injuries along with providing information about the age distribution of trauma, overjet, lip competence and physical activity., Methods and Materials: The sample consisted of 2100 school children aged 8-14 years from 15 schools in the Nellore district. The sample was selected adopting a stratified random sampling method and screened applying WHO criteria for the oral examination. The screening was done in classrooms to obtain demographic data, including name, age, gender and children's experience to the maxillary incisor and soft tissue injuries. The injuries were categorized according to Andreasen classification. Overjet and lip competences were recorded, and physical activity was assessed using a questionnaire (PAQ-C)., Results: Of the 2100 children, 228 (10.8%) had suffered traumatic injuries. Boys were 1.6 fold more prone to trauma than girls. Enamel fractures were a common type of trauma, and the commonly involved were maxillary central incisors. The relative risk for trauma is 1.215 times higher in increased overjet when compared to normal overjet. Incompetent lips showed 1.189 times greater risk of trauma. The high physical activity showed 1.692 times higher risk for trauma when compared to low physical activity., Conclusion: The prevalence of traumatic dental injuries among 8-14 year children was 10.8%. Boys were more commonly injured than girls. Increased overjet incompetent lips and high physical activities are risk factors for trauma. Enamel fracture was the most common type, and maxillary central incisors were the most common teeth having traumatic injuries., Competing Interests: None

Hypertrophic scars (HTS) following burns and other trauma and are associated with significant functional and psychosocial impairment. Ablative fractional lasers (AFLs) are increasingly being applied in the treatment of HTS supported by a rapidly expanding multidisciplinary base of literature. The multidisciplinary authors sought to evaluate existing literature, provide context and identify gaps, and make recommendations for a path forward. A systematic review was conducted to identify literature pertinent literature through September 2019. Retrospective cohort, randomized controlled trials, quasi-randomized controlled trials, observational prospective cohort, or case series with five or more subjects with hypertrophic scars incurred from burns and related trauma were considered. Twenty-two of the 23 evaluated studies documented statistically significant and/or meaningful qualitative improvements in nearly all outcome measures. Adverse events were generally infrequent and minor. Significant heterogeneity was observed among the studies included in this systematic review, precluding metaanalysis of pooled data. There is abundant existing literature on the use of AFLs in the management of HTS but study heterogeneity limits generalizability. Future studies should prioritize standardized protocols including assessments of function and quality of life.

This study aimed to explore the association between hamstring strength, age and lower limb soft tissue injury history and subsequent hamstring injury among Australian Football League (AFL) players. This prospective cohort study recruited 125 players from three professional AFL teams. Eccentric knee flexor strength was assessed while performing the Nordic hamstring exercise in pre-season, and injury data were collected retrospectively (hamstring, groin, calf, quadriceps and knee), and prospectively (hamstring injuries) for one AFL playing season. Fourteen players (11%) sustained a hamstring injury in the subsequent playing season. Nordic strength was not significantly associated with future hamstring injury (Odds Ratio (OR) 1.9, p = 0.36), whereas player age greater than 25 years (OR = 2.9, p < 0.05), report of a hamstring injury within the previous year (OR = 3.7, p = 0.01), or greater than 1-year (OR = 3.6, p = 0.01), a previous groin (OR = 8.6, p < 0.01) or calf injury (OR = 4.6, p = 0.01) were factors significantly associated with subsequent hamstring injury. Based on these findings, increasing age and previous hamstring, groin and calf injury are all associated with an elevated risk of subsequent hamstring injury in AFL players.

Open tibia fractures are often associated with considerable soft tissue injuries. Management of open tibia fractures can be challenging, and some patients require amputation. The patient and treatment factors have not been described on a population level in the United States. A retrospective analysis was completed using the 2000 to 2011 Nationwide Inpatient Sample. Amputation rates during the index hospitalization after open tibia fracture were computed based on injury, patient, and hospital characteristics in patients 18 years or older. The overall amputation rate in open tibia fractures during the index hospitalization was 2.2% (n=3769). Patients with midshaft tibia fractures comprised the largest portion of patients undergoing amputation (46.8% of total amputations) compared with distal tibia (34.0%) and proximal tibia (19.3%) fractures. Patients with no neurovascular injury comprised the largest portion of patients undergoing amputation (85.9%), followed by isolated arterial injury (11.1%), combined neurovascular injury (1.9%), and isolated nerve injury (1.1%). Amputation rates were significantly increased for midshaft tibia fractures with neurovascular injury (odds ratio, 12.39; 95% CI, 5.52-27.83) and distal tibia fractures with neurovascular injury (odds ratio, 5.45; 95% CI, 1.73-17.19) compared with tibia fractures with no neurovascular injury while controlling for confounders. On the basis of a review of the Nationwide In-patient Sample during the past decade, the authors have shown that the early amputation rate in open tibia fractures for all-comers is 2.2%. Rates of amputation varied based on fracture site, associated neurovascular injury, medical comorbidities, and hospital location. [Orthopedics. 2021;44(1):48-53.]., (Copyright 2020, SLACK Incorporated.)

Impaired wound healing is a common complication of diabetes. In diabetic wounds, macrophages present dysfunctional efferocytosis and abnormal phenotypes, which could result in excessive neutrophil accumulation and prolonged inflammation, thereby eventually hindering wound repair. ANXA1 N-terminal peptide Ac2-26 exhibits a high potential in mitigating inflammation and improving repair; however, its efficacy in diabetic wound repair remains unclear. In this study, a cutaneous excisional wound model was built in genetically diabetic mice. Ac2-26 or a vehicle solution was employed locally in wound sites. Subsequently, wound zones were measured and sampled at different time intervals post-wounding. Using hematoxylin-eosin and Masson's trichrome staining, we observed the histopathological variations and collagen deposition in wound samples. Based on immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence, the numbers of neutrophils, macrophages, and CD206-positive macrophages in the wound samples were determined. Cytokine expression in wound samples was studied by immunoblot assay. Results showed that Ac2-26 treatment could facilitate diabetic wound closure, down-regulate the number of neutrophils, and improve angiogenesis and collagen deposition. In addition, Ac2-26 application expedited macrophage recruitment and up-regulated the percentage of macrophages expressing CD206, which is a marker for M2 macrophages. Moreover, Ac2-26 inhibited the expressions of TNF-α and IL-6 and up-regulated the expressions of IL-10, TGF-β, and VEGFA during diabetic wound healing. Hence, based on the aforementioned findings, Ac2-26 application in diabetic wounds could exert anti-inflammatory and pro-repair effects by reducing neutrophil accumulation and facilitating M2 macrophage development., (© 2020 The Wound Healing Society.)

Background: In theaters of operation, military orthopedic surgeons have to deal with complex open extremity injuries and perform soft-tissue reconstruction on local patients who cannot be evacuated. Our objective was to evaluate the outcomes and discuss practical issues regarding the use of pedicled flap transfers performed in the combat zone on local national patients., Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on data from patients treated by a single orthopedic surgeon during four tours in Chad, Afghanistan and Mali between 2010 and 2017. All pedicled flap transfers performed on extremity soft-tissue defects were included, and two groups were analyzed: combat-related injuries (CRIs) and non-combat related injuries (NCRIs)., Results: Forty-one patients with a mean age of 25.6 years were included. In total, 46 open injuries required flap coverage: 19 CRIs and 27 NCRIs. Twenty of these injuries were infected. The mean number of prior debridements was significantly higher in the CRIs group. Overall, 63 pedicled flap transfers were carried out: 15 muscle flaps, 35 local fasciocutaneous flaps and 13 distant fasciocutaneous flaps. The flap types used did not differ for CRIs or NCRIs. Complications included one flap failure, one partial flap necrosis and six deep infections. At the mean follow-up time of 71 days, limb salvage had been successful in 38 of the 41 cases. There were no significant differences between CRIs and NCRIs in terms of endpoint assessment., Conclusions: Satisfying results can be achieved by simple pedicled flaps performed by orthopedic surgeons deployed in forward surgical units. Most complications were related to failure of bone infection treatment. The teaching of such basic reconstructive procedures should be part of the training for any military orthopedic surgeon., Trial Registration: Retrospectively registered on January 2019 (n°2019-090 1-001).

Objective: To determine the effects of an improved method of peri-pin membrane immobilization in tibial Gustilo type III fracture treated with vacuum sealant drainage (VSD) combined with an external fixator., Method: A biliary T tube of suitable size and type was cut into a certain long arm and cross arm which wrapping around a pin to improving traditional peri-pin VSD method. Eighty-six cases of Gustilo type III tibial fracture admitted from January 2016 to December 2019 were prospectively treated, of which 43 cases were treated using a traditional method of VSD (Traditional group) and 43 cases in which VSD treatment was enhanced (Improved group). The 2 groups were compared by some clinical indexes. Statistical software was then used for data analysis. P < .05 was considered statistically significant., Results: Compared with the Traditional group, the improved group significantly reduced granulation tissue growth time (day) (7.35 + 2.59 vs 11.14 + 2.54, P < .05), antibiotic use time (day) (6.67 + 2.39 vs 8.70 + 1.98, P < .05), operation time (min) (72.44 + 16.79 vs 85.47 + 17.44, P < .05) duration of hospital stay (day) (18.23 + 5.04 vs 21.53 + 4.79, P < .05), wound closure time (day) (9.23 + 2.69 vs 14.19 + 2.67, P < .05), air leakage around the fixed needle (3/43 vs 16/43, P < .05) and postoperative pain score (P < .05). Meanwhile, the white blood cell, C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate of 1 week and 2 weeks post-operation were also reduced after adopting the improved method (P < .05). The difference in infection around the fixation pin and pin loosening between the 2 groups was not significant., Conclusion: The biliary T tube was effctive in improving VSD combined with external fixation for the treatment of tibial Gustilo type III fractures. The materials are easy to obtain and straightforward to use and so is worthy of clinical promotion.

The objective of this study is to compare the effects of virtual reality training (VRT) and sensory-motor training (SMT) in bone morphogenetic proteins (BMP) and inflammatory biomarkers expression in post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA) after the anterior cruciate ligament injury. Through a simple random sampling method, 60 eligible participants were allocated into VRT (n = 20), SMT (n = 20), and control groups (n = 20). They underwent training programs for 4 weeks. Clinical (pain intensity and functional disability) and biochemical (bone morphogenic proteins and inflammatory biomarkers) values were measured at baseline, after 4 weeks, 8 weeks and 3 months follow up. Four weeks following training, the VRT group shows more significant changes in pain intensity and functional disability than SMT and control groups (P < 0.001). Bone morphogenic protein (BMP) measures such as BMP 2, 4, 6, and 7 don't show any significant changes between the groups. But at the same time, the VRT group shows positive improvement in inflammatory biomarkers (CRP, TNF-α, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6) analysis than the other two groups (P < 0.001). Our study suggests that including virtual reality training in PTOA shows beneficial changes in pain, functional disability, and modification of inflammatory biomarkers than sensory-motor training, but at the same time it shows a negligible effect on bone morphogenic proteins.

Background: Preparation for surgery has traditionally included the removal of body hair from the intended surgical wound site. The effect of this practice on postoperative wound infection is yet to be fully elucidated., Aims: This study sought to determine if preoperative chemical depilation reduces the risk of surgical site infection (SSI)., Methodology: Two methods of preoperative hair removal: razor shaving and depilatory cream were compared. The eligible patients were randomized into two groups and the presence of postoperative wound infection was evaluated using the Southampton wound grading system. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 21 Chicago-Illinois, statistical significance was inferred at Pvalue ≤ 0.05., Results: In total 100 patients were analyzed with 20 patients excluded due to co-morbidities and noncompletion of the study. The overall prevalence of SSI was 18.0% (7 (14.0%) and 11 (22.0%) in the depilatory cream and razor shaving groups, respectively). The difference in the rate of SSI was not statistically significant (P = 0.436). Hair was completely removed in 47 (94.0%) compared to 38 (76.0%) patients in the razor shaving group (P = 0.012) while skin injuries were noted in 21 (42.0%) vs 1 (2.0%) patients who had razor shaving and chemical depilation(P = <0.0001), respectively., Conclusion: There was no significant difference in SSI rates in patients that had preoperative chemical depilation when compared with razor shaving., Competing Interests: None

Rationale: Repair of soft tissue defects on the dorsum of the hand with accompanying tendon defects is a challenging problem in clinical practice., Patient Concerns: Here, we describe the case of a 3-year-old boy with a 1-week old soft tissue injury with infection due to a soft tissue defect on the dorsum of his right hand, and further describe its treatment., Diagnosis: A diagnosis of a soft tissue defect of the dorsum with extensor tendon defects in the fore, middle, ring, and little fingers of the right hand was made., Interventions: The defects were repaired using a dorsal foot flap combined with the extensor digitorum brevis tendon, under spinal anesthesia, and a small dose of the sedative phenobarbital (Lumina) was administered via pump injection after the surgery., Outcomes: The patient was followed-up for 6 months. The shape of the dorsal hand flap recovered satisfactorily and the skin color was almost normal. Protective sensation was restored and the tendon graft functioned well in vivo. Satisfactory outcomes were achieved in the flexion and extension of each finger., Lessons: This case study provides evidence that for soft tissue defects on the dorsum of the hand with tendon defects, 1-stage transfer of a dorsal foot flap with the extensor digitorum brevis tendon can be effective for recovery of appearance and extensor function. In case of infant patients, postoperative use of low-dose sedation can effectively reduce the risk of vascular crisis, thus promoting survival of the flap graft, and ensuring the success of the operation.

Background: Open fractures are among the most severe injuries observed in orthopedic patients. Treating open fractures is difficult because such patients with infections may require multiple operations and amputations. Furthermore, only a few studies have focused on antibiotic prophylaxis in open fractures and evaluated how to cover lost soft tissue to increase the success rate of reconstruction. We evaluated the risk factors for deep infection in lower limb Gustilo-Anderson (G-A) type III fractures., Materials and Methods: This retrospective study investigated patients who underwent surgical procedures for lower limb G-A type III fractures between January 2007 and January 2017 at our institution. We enrolled 110 patients with 114 lower limb G-A type III fractures (77 G-A type IIIA fractures and 37 G-A type IIIB fractures) who were followed up for at least 2 years. We compared patients presenting infections with those without infections by assessing the following factors: severe contamination, diabetes, smoking, Injury Severity Scale, segmental fracture, location of fracture, G-A classification, damage control surgery, methods of surgery, timing of fixation, combination of antibiotics used, duration of antibiotic prophylaxis, timing of wound closure, and soft-tissue reconstruction failure., Results: Eighteen fractures presented deep infections. Compared with patients without infections, patients developing infections differed significantly in terms of severe contamination (P < 0.01), G-A classification (P < 0.01), duration of antibiotic prophylaxis (P < 0.01), timing of wound closure (P < 0.01), and incidence of soft-tissue reconstruction failure (P < 0.01). Skin grafting was associated with significantly higher failure rates than muscle and free flap reconstructions (P = 0.04). Treatment with antibiotics was significantly longer in patients with drug-resistant bacterial infections than in those without infections (P < 0.01)., Conclusion: Early flaps rather than skin grafting should be used to cover G-A type IIIB fractures, because skin grafting resulted in the highest failure rate among soft-tissue reconstructions in open fractures. Longer duration of antibiotic use had a significant impact not only on deep infection rates but also on the presence of drug-resistant bacteria. These findings suggest that prolonged use of antibiotics should be avoided in cases of open fractures., Level of Evidence: Level IV retrospective observational study.

Background: The management of traumatic composite bone and soft tissue loss (TCBSTL) requires a classification system and decision-making algorithm for the purpose of description, prognosis and choice of treatment method., Patients and Methods: between the year 2000 and 2017 a series of 254 cases of TCBSTL were treated using distraction histogenesis and external fixation techniques. The tissue loss was due to either the initial injury or debridement of infection. Adjunctive procedures included split thickness skin grafting and ICBG when indicated. A classification system was designed by the author. The classification is based on factors that influence management and prognosis; (1) stability of the host bone (intact tibia or a well-fixed fracture), (2) presence or absence of infection in the fracture site, (3) size of bone defect, and (4) contamination (infection) of the medullary cavity. A flowchart and decision-making algorithm was subsequently developed., Results: Ilizarov external fixator was used in all cases. Ten cases (4%) had combined Masquelet - Ilizarov technique. One hundred seventy five cases (68.9%) had gradual distraction-compression (GDC) technique; while 79 cases (31.1%) had acute shortening and re-lengthening (ASRL) technique. Seventy-two cases (28.3%) had autogenous iliac crest bone graft (ICBG). All cases (100%) had complete clinical and radiological fracture union. All patients completed the follow up that ranged from 24 to 118 months (mean 43.3 ± 23). The results were satisfactory in 212 cases (83.5%) and unsatisfactory in 42 (16.5%) cases due to residual leg length discrepancy, joint stiffness, and persistent pain., Discussion: the proposed classification is simple, applicable, recallable and includes most scenarios of reconstructable TCBSTL. The classification provides a basis for communication, description and evaluation of such cases. The algorithm, based on our classification, provides a guideline for management without over/under treatment., Competing Interests: Declaration Competing of Interest The authors declare no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

A significant number of patients with pilon tibial fractures develop complications, the most devastating being a combination of infection and non-union with bone loss. The results of the Ilizarov bone transport technique were retrospectively evaluated in ten patients. All underwent an extensive resection and reconstruction aiming at an ankle arthrodesis. The outcome was registered by clinical and radiographic examination as proposed by Paley's functional and bone results classification. A good healing at the level of the docking site could be obtained in all patients but with a re- intervention in 8 of the 10. In 5 of these patients, re-intervention with a transcalcaneal nailing leaded to the final healing. Other options are debridement of the docking site (2 patients) and a new Ilizarov procedure (1 patient). If patients are prepared to participate in a long-term treatment with the risk of multiple interventions a reconstruction can be performed, resulting in a limb with an acceptable function, allowing all activities of daily life and even a professional occupation. To obtain this final result with a definite union at the docking site a secondary retrograde intramedullary nailing is considered a valuable and safe procedure.

Objectives: Pain caused by soft tissue injury (STI) is always intractable and will eventually result in physical and psychological problems. This experiment aimed to assess the efficacy and mechanisms of low-intensity focused ultrasound (LIFU) for pain-related STI., Methods: Rabbits (n = 30) with STI were given fixed treatment for 20 seconds and then mobile treatment for 60 seconds daily for 10 consecutive days by an LIFU device with a power output of 5 to 6 W and a frequency of 0.8 MHz. To evaluate the degree of pain, the levels of β-endorphin in serum were measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay before and 5 to 10 minutes after the 1st, 3rd, 7th, and 10th treatments. The pain threshold was measured by an electronic analgesy meter on the 1st, 3rd, 7th, 10th, 17th, and 24th days after the start of the treatment. To investigate inflammation, prostaglandin E 2 , interleukin-1β, and 5-hydroxytryptamine levels were detected by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and nuclear factor κB messenger RNA levels were determined by a real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction at the same time as the pain threshold was tested., Results: Compared with non-LIFU groups, β-endorphin levels and pain thresholds were significantly increased (P < .05), whereas nuclear factor- κB messenger RNA, prostaglandin E 2 , interleukin- 1β, and 5-hydroxytryptamine levels were significantly reduced (P < .05) after LIFU treatment in rabbits with STI., Conclusions: Low-intensity focused ultrasound can alleviate pain induced by STI and could have further clinical applications., (© 2019 by the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine.)