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IntroductionThe American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Ankle-Hindfoot Score is among the most commonly used instruments for measuring the outcome of treatment in patients who sustained a complex ankle or hindfoot injury. It combines a clinician-reported and a patient-reported part. A valid Dutch version of this instrument is currently not available. Such a translated and validated instrument would allow objective comparison across hospitals or between patient groups, and with shown validity and reliability it may become a quality of care indicator in future. The main aims of this study are to translate and culturally adapt the AOFAS Ankle-Hindfoot Score questionnaire into Dutch according to international guidelines, and to evaluate the measurement properties of the AOFAS Ankle-Hindfoot Score-Dutch language version (DLV) in patients with a unilateral ankle or hindfoot fracture.Methods and analysisThe design of the study will be a multicentre prospective observational study (case series) in patients who presented to the emergency department with a unilateral ankle or hindfoot fracture or (fracture) dislocation. A research physician or research assistant will complete the AOFAS Ankle-Hindfoot Score-DLV based on interview for the subjective part and a physical examination for the objective part. In addition, patients will be asked to complete the Foot Function Index (FFI) and the Short Form-36 (SF-36). Descriptive statistics (including floor and ceiling effects), internal consistency, construct validity, reproducibility (ie, test–retest reliability, agreement and smallest detectable change) and responsiveness will be assessed for the AOFAS DLV.Ethics and disseminationThis study has been exempted by the Medical Research Ethics Committee (MREC) Erasmus MC (Rotterdam, the Netherlands). Each participant will provide written consent to participate and remain anonymised during the study. The results of the study are planned to be published in an international, peer-reviewed journal.Trial registration numberNTR5613. pre-result.

Purpose Most elbow dislocations can be treated conservatively, with surgery indicated in special circumstances. Surgical options, apart from fracture fixation, range from repair or reconstruction of the damaged ligaments to static external fixation, usually entailing either a long period of immobilization followed by carefully monitored initiation of movement or dynamic external fixation. In general, no consensus regarding surgical treatment has been reached. A new method of open ligament repair and augmentation of the lateral ulnar collateral ligament using a non-absorbable suture tape in cases of acute and subacute elbow instability following dislocations has been described here, which allows an early, brace-free initiation of the full range of motion. This is the first description of the technique of internal bracing of the lateral elbow with preliminary patient outcome parameters for acute treatment of posterolateral rotatory instability. Methods Seventeen patients (14 males and 3 females) with acute or subacute posterolateral elbow instability as a result of dislocation or fracture dislocation were treated in our centre (Sporthopaedicum, Straubing, Regensburg, Germany) from 2014 to 2015 with open LUCL re-fixation and non-absorbable suture tape augmentation. The elbows were actively mobilized immediately after the operation and a maximum bracing period of 3 days. Results At 10 month median follow-up, none of the patients showed clinically apparent signs of instability or suffered subluxation or re-dislocation. One patient required re-operation for heterotopic ossification. The median range of motion was from 10° (0–40) to 130° (90–50) and median Oxford, Mayo Elbow Performance score, Simple Elbow Value, and DASH Scores were 41(29–48), 100 (70–100), 83% (60–95), and 18.5 (1.6–66), respectively. All patients reported a complete return to pre-injury level of activity. Conclusion Augmentation with a non-absorbable suture tape acting as an ‘Internal Brace’ following an elbow dislocation is a safe adjunct to primary ligament repair and may allow the early mobilization and recovery of elbow stability and range of motion. Level of evidence IV.

Background L3 vertebral fractures with posterior dislocation are rare and usually secondary to high-energy trauma. To assess the outcome of a valuable distraction technique, using long-tail multiaxial pedicle screw which we have employed in reduction of L3 vertebral fracture with posterior dislocation, and emphasize the importance of preoperative blood vessel evaluation. Case presentation A 47-year-old patient fell from a height of 4 m and was paralyzed. Computed tomography scan revealed a three-column ligamentous injury with posterior fracture-dislocation of the L3 vertebral body. Computed tomography angiography showed that the third lumbar artery was ruptured without active bleeding. The patient underwent posterior approach with reduction, transpedicular fixation, and posterolateral fusion with autologous bone graft. Finally, Vertebral reduction and sagittal balance were achieved and patients recovered well after operation. Conclusion Preoperative blood vessel evaluation is very important to avoid massive bleeding during the surgery, and the standard technique which can achieve good reduction is easy to understand, perform, and is reproducible.

Contractures are the most common complication after traumatic injury to the elbow. Although evidence supporting the use of static progressive and serial static orthoses to help recover range of motion after these complex injuries is growing, there is currently a paucity of literature exploring its efficacy in pediatric populations. The following case study presents the results of the use of static progressive and serial static orthoses with a young patient who presented with both elbow extension and flexion contractures after a complex fracture dislocation injury. A noted and consistent improvement in both elbow extension and flexion can be observed after commencement of the static progressive and serial static orthoses. These results are consistent with the literature exploring the efficacy of these orthoses with adult populations with traumatic elbow injuries. Further studies evaluating the use of static progressive and serial static orthoses in the management of elbow contractures after traumatic injuries in pediatric populations is needed to establish best practices with this particular patient population. •Discussion of complications after traumatic elbow injuries.•Description of common orthoses for the management of complex elbow traumas.•Presentation of case study presentation.

Perilunate injuries most commonly occur in high energy trauma situations; however, they are rare and frequently missed. Familiarity with the complex bony and ligamentous anatomy is required to fully understand these complex injury patterns. Careful orthogonal imaging and evaluation is required to ensure timely diagnosis of a perilunate injury. Early recognition and management of acute perilunate injuries has been demonstrated to correlate with better patient outcomes. Delayed treatment of chronic injuries can result in post-traumatic osteoarthritis and carpal collapse requiring salvage interventions. Here, we review the anatomy, basic evaluation, and management of this frequently missed injury.

A Bennett fracture is a common injury that involves an intra-articular fracture at the base of the first metacarpal. This fracture typically results in a dorsally and radially displaced metacarpal shaft relative to the well-anchored volar ulnar fragment. Most Bennett fractures are treated with operative fixation, including closed reduction and percutaneous fixation, open reduction and internal fixation, or arthroscopically assisted fixation. However, the optimal surgical approach is controversial. There is a paucity of literature comparing the outcomes of the various treatments, leaving the surgeon without a clear treatment algorithm. Moreover, there is no consensus on acceptable reduction parameters, including articular gap or step-off, with some series stating that up to 2 mm of displacement is acceptable.

Introduction The objective of this study was to assess the clinical outcome of displaced proximal humerus fracture treated with a new locking blade nail. Materials and methods This prospective study included a series of 92 patients with acute fracture of the proximal humerus treated in one hospital level I trauma centre with locking blade nail between December 2010 and December 2013. According to the Neer classification, all fractures were two- to four-part fractures. Age adopted Constant score, DASH and visual analogue scores were used as outcome measures. Results A total of 92 patients were enrolled in the study. However, 29 patients were excluded due to loss to follow-up and death. Ultimately, 63 patients were available for final follow-up and data analysis. The mean duration of follow-up was 22 months (range 16–48 months). On average at 1 year, all fractures had united. The mean weighted Constant score was 84.2 % and the median disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand (DASH) score was 26, the range of elevation was 115 and range of abduction was 97. The head shaft angle was 130, and pain visual analogue was 1.6. We found that 5 of the 63 patients (8 %) demonstrated complications. Two patients (3 %) displayed secondary displacement and require device removal. Two patients (3 %) had impingement due to prominent metal work, and one patient had a superficial wound infection which was treated with a course of antibiotics. Conclusion Our study shows excellent results with new locking blade nail for displaced proximal humerus fractures. We think the locking blade nail offers stiff triangular fixation of the head fragment and support of the medial calcar region to prevent secondary varus collapse. Level of evidence III.

Hemiarthroplasty is the most commonly used treatment for displaced femoral neck fractures in the elderly. There is limited evidence in the literature of improved functional outcome with cemented implants, although serious cement-related complications have been reported. We performed a randomized, controlled trial in patients 70 years and older comparing a cemented implant (112 hips) with an uncemented, hydroxyapatite-coated implant (108 hips), both with a bipolar head. The mean Harris hip score showed equivalence between the groups, with 70.9 in the cemented group and 72.1 in the uncemented group after 3 months (mean difference, 1.2) and 78.9 and 79.8 after 12 months (mean difference, 0.9). In the uncemented group, the mean duration of surgery was 12.4 minutes shorter and the mean intraoperative blood loss was 89 mL less. The Barthel Index and EQ-5D scores did not show any differences between the groups. The rates of complications and mortality were similar between groups. Both arthroplasties may be used with good results after displaced femoral neck fractures. Level of Evidence: Level I, therapeutic study. See the Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Validation study using data from a multicenter, randomized, clinical trial (RCT). To evaluate the reliability, validity, responsiveness, and minimal important change (MIC) of the Dutch version of the Oxford Elbow Score (OES) and the Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (Quick-DASH) in patients with a simple elbow dislocation. Patient-reported outcome measures are increasingly important for assessing outcome following elbow injuries, both in daily practice and in clinical research. However measurement properties of the OES and Quick-DASH in these patients are not fully known. OES and Quick-DASH were completed four times until one year after trauma. Mayo Elbow Performance Index, pain (VAS), Short Form-36, and EuroQol-5D were completed for comparison. Data of a multicenter RCT (n = 100) were used. Internal consistency was determined using Cronbach's alpha. Construct and longitudinal validity were assessed by determining hypothesized strength of correlation between scores or changes in scores, respectively, of (sub)scales. Finally, floor and ceiling effects, MIC, and smallest detectable change (SDC) were determined. OES and Quick-DASH demonstrated adequate internal consistency (Cronbach α, 0.882 and 0.886, respectively). Construct validity and longitudinal validity of both scales were supported by >75% correctly hypothesized correlations. MIC and SDC were 8.2 and 12.0 point for OES, respectively. For Quick-DASH, these values were 11.7 and 25.0, respectively. OES and Quick-DASH are reliable, valid, and responsive instruments for evaluating elbow-related quality of life. The anchor-based MIC was 8.2 points for OES and 11.7 for Quick-DASH.

Background While good results have been reported with both nonoperative and operative treatment of isolated displaced partial radial head fractures, there remains considerable disagreement about the role of surgery in the management of these injuries. Questions/purposes We (1) compared isolated displaced partial articular radial head fractures treated nonoperatively with open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) in terms of validated outcomes scores, ROM, and strength; (2) assessed whether there were any predictor variables for outcomes; and (3) compared complications between groups. Methods We retrospectively compared patients with isolated partial articular radial head fractures displaced greater than 2 mm but less than 5 mm who received either nonoperative treatment (30 patients) or ORIF (30 patients). We reviewed the nonoperative and ORIF groups at a mean of 3 and 4.5 years, respectively. The nonoperative and ORIF groups were similar except for age (51 ± 17 years versus 39 ± 10 years, respectively) and fracture displacement (2.3 ± 0.3 mm versus 2.8 ± 0.6 mm, respectively). As there were no definitive guidelines on which treatment represented best management, treatment type was decided by the attending surgeon in conjunction with the patient on a case-by-case basis. Patients were evaluated using the Patient-rated Elbow Evaluation (PREE) (primary outcome measure), Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS), QuickDASH, SF-12, clinical examination, and radiographic evaluation (14 and 28 in the nonoperative and ORIF groups, respectively). Elbow ROM was assessed with a goniometer and hand grip strength with calibrated strength testing. We assessed possible predictive variables (age, displacement, energy of injury) for clinical outcome scores and recorded complications. Results PREE scores were not different between groups, but the MEPS favored the nonoperative group (93 versus 86; p = 0.012). ROM and grip strength were similar between groups. Younger age was associated with worse outcome, but displacement and energy were not. More complications occurred in the ORIF group (eight cases of mild heterotopic ossification, two cases of hardware failure) than in the nonoperative group (one case of mild heterotopic ossification, one case of complex regional pain syndrome). Conclusions No clinical benefit with ORIF could be found compared to nonoperative management of isolated partial articular radial head fractures with displacement of greater than 2 mm but less than 5 mm at short-term followup. A well-designed randomized trial and followup at longer term are required to provide better information about how to treat these common fractures. Level of Evidence Level III, therapeutic study. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.