Injury. 2026 Mar 25;57(6):113192. doi: 10.1016/j.injury.2026.113192. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The Physician Payments Sunshine Act was proposed in 2007 and adopted as a part of the Affordable Care Act in 2010 to address the ongoing concerns regarding the monetary relationships between physicians and the medical industry. We aim to identify the prevalence of industry payments to orthopaedic surgery Residency Program Directors (PDs) and Department Chairs. We further aim to quantify the subspecialty among PDs and chairs receiving the largest payments. Additionally, we aim to quantify the categories for which PDs and chairs received the most funding.

METHODS: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Open Payments Database was queried to identify all payments made to orthopaedic surgery residency program directors and residency department chairman from the years 2017-2023 to determine the trends in payments by program. PDs and chairs of orthopaedic residency programs were identified using the Fellowship and Residency Electronic Interactive Database provided by the American Medical Association.

RESULTS: A total of 209 PDs and 169 chairs were included in the study of 209 orthopaedic surgery residency programs. There were 41,465 payments totaling $126.3 million over the study period. The majority (95%) of PDs and chairs received industry funding. Smith & Nephew Inc. (26%) and Stryker Co. (21.6%) highly supported residency program directors and residency department chairman. Males (91.1%) and Doctor of Medicine degree holders (MD) (88.9%) received the most industry funding. The majority of payments were for Food and Beverage for PDs (60.7%) and chairs (47.5%).

CONCLUSIONS: From 2017 to 2023, the vast majority of orthopaedic surgery residency program directors and department chairs received industry funding. Trauma-trained PDs and Total Joints-trained chairs received the highest average payments, while Trauma subspecialists received the greatest total funding overall. Most payments were under $1000 and primarily for Food & Beverage. Industry support was predominantly from Smith & Nephew Inc. and Stryker Co. Funding was disproportionately directed toward male orthopaedic surgeons and those with MD degrees.

PMID:41905179 | DOI:10.1016/j.injury.2026.113192

Injury. 2026 Mar 20;57(6):113188. doi: 10.1016/j.injury.2026.113188. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Household head injuries in infants are a significant concern due to their high incidence and potential for serious morbidities. Therefore, understanding the patterns, mechanisms, and outcomes of these injuries is crucial for prevention and management. This study aimed to measure domestic head trauma frequency, study the demographic features, and measure outcomes in pediatric patients aged < 2 years at King Fahad Medical City in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

PROCEDURES: This retrospective observational cohort study included all children aged < 2 years who presented with domestic head trauma at King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, between June 2018 and June 2022. Associations between age, injury mechanisms, and outcomes were analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests.

FINDINGS: The study included 133 patients (45.1 % were infants) who presented to the pediatric emergency department with head trauma. Head injuries were due to household falls (42.1 %), falls with a caregiver (8.3 %), and falls from baby walkers (8.3 %). Only 22.6 % of injured children underwent computed tomography. Of all injured children, 3 % had complications. A significant relationship was observed between age (months) and cause of head injury and management outcomes among the study participants.

IMPORTANCE: Household falls were the most common cause of head injuries in infants and children aged < 2 years. Imaging plays a vital role in assessing head trauma severity. Given the difficulties in assessing head injury severity and the delay in presentation, a diagnostician must be aware of the basic diagnostic methods used in determining brain injury severity.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: LEVEL IV: Type of Study: Retrospective observational cohort study.

PMID:41905178 | DOI:10.1016/j.injury.2026.113188

Injury. 2026 Mar 24;57(6):113167. doi: 10.1016/j.injury.2026.113167. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

AIM: This study aimed to evaluate the association of hematological and biochemical markers with the development of complications and mortality in patients undergoing surgical treatment for acute peripheral arterial thromboembolism or traumatic vascular injury. In addition to classic inflammatory indicators, the prognostic value of derived parameters such as the Inflammatory Burden Index (IBI) and Systemic Immune-Inflammation Index (SII), which have recently gained prominence in the literature and whose clinical applicability is debated, was analyzed.

METHOD: A retrospective evaluation was conducted on 86 patients who underwent surgical treatment between 2022 and 2025 (thromboembolism: n = 27, trauma: n = 59). Patients were subgrouped based on clinical outcomes such as complications, mortality, amputation, and revision. The relationship between these clinical outcomes and inflammatory markers derived from hemogram parameters, including neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), CRP, IBI, SII, and initial lactate levels, was statistically analyzed. Each group was evaluated internally, and no comparisons were made between groups.

RESULTS: In the thromboembolism group, IBI, SII, NLR, and lactate levels were significantly higher in patients who developed mortality (p < 0.05). IBI > 100, SII > 1500, and NLR > 5, along with lactate > 3.5 mmol/L, were significantly associated with an increased risk of mortality, complications, and amputation, respectively. In the trauma group, IBI, SII, NLR, and lactate levels were significantly higher in patients who developed both mortality and complications (p < 0.05). IBI > 50, SII > 1200, and the combination of NLR > 4 + SII > 1200 were associated with an increased risk of amputation, mortality, and revision, respectively.

CONCLUSION: IBI, SII, NLR, and lactate levels show a significant association with complications and mortality in thromboembolic and traumatic vascular events. High values of IBI and SII, in particular, emerge as important biomarkers for clinical prognosis. Early evaluation of these parameters may assist in risk stratification and the prediction of potential adverse outcomes.

PMID:41905177 | DOI:10.1016/j.injury.2026.113167

Injury. 2026 Mar 26;57(6):113175. doi: 10.1016/j.injury.2026.113175. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Pediatric electric scooter injuries are increasing alongside expanding availability. Although national data across all ages suggest racial and ethnic disparities, pediatric-specific analyses are limited. We aimed to quantify the burden of e-scooter injuries among pediatric patients, describe trends by age, sex, race/ethnicity, and injury characteristics, and assess disparities in incidence and severity.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study using 2020-2024 data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System, a nationally representative sample of U.S. emergency departments. We included patients < 18 years with e-scooter injuries. Injury characteristics were summarized by age, sex, and race/ethnicity. Chi-square tests compared injury patterns, and survey-weighted logistic regression evaluated associations between race/ethnicity and hospitalization or death (severity proxy), adjusting for age and sex.

RESULTS: From 2020-2024, there were 2117 pediatric e-scooter injuries, with incidence increasing annually; 42.2% occurred in 2024. Males accounted for 70.1% of injuries, and children aged 11-14 years represented the largest age group (38.3%). Most injuries involved the musculoskeletal system (40.4% fractures, dislocations, strains, or sprains) or soft tissues (36.7%). The weighted hospitalization rate was 7.7%, and 0.3% of cases resulted in death. Black (16.0%) and Hispanic (15.7%) children accounted for a greater proportion of e-scooter injuries compared with their representation among all pediatric injuries. In adjusted analyses, race and ethnicity were not significantly associated with hospitalization (Black vs White: aOR 0.92, 95% CI 0.54-1.56; Non-Hispanic vs Hispanic: aOR 0.63, 95% CI 0.30-1.31).

CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of electric scooter injuries is increasing, with younger adolescent males most often impacted. Black and Hispanic children account for a disproportionate share of pediatric e-scooter injuries, although adjusted analyses did not demonstrate significant racial or ethnic differences in hospitalization. Targeted prevention strategies combining educational, legislative, and environmental measures will be essential to curb rising incidence and address disparities.

PMID:41905176 | DOI:10.1016/j.injury.2026.113175

Injury. 2026 Mar 25;57(6):113193. doi: 10.1016/j.injury.2026.113193. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Distal radius torus fractures (DRTFs) are among the most common pediatric skeletal injuries, yet management strategies vary widely between institutions. Repeated outpatient visits and imaging associated with rigid immobilisation impose direct medical costs and indirect burdens on families that are rarely quantified. This study aimed to compare outpatient revisit frequency, imaging burden, direct medical costs, indirect caregiver costs, and total societal costs among children with DRTFs managed with soft bandage (SB), short arm splint (SAS), or long arm splint (LAS).

METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted at a tertiary orthopedic centre. Consecutive patients aged 0-16 years with a radiographically confirmed DRTF presenting between 2024 and 2025 were stratified by immobilisation type: SB (n = 69), SAS (n = 492), and LAS (n = 106). Direct costs comprised outpatient visit fees, imaging, and immobilisation material costs derived from National Social Security Institution reimbursement tariffs. Indirect costs were estimated using the human capital approach, valuing caregiver time at the 2025 national minimum wage (0.053 USD/minute). Between-group comparisons were performed using the Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests.

RESULTS: A total of 667 patients were included (mean age 8.6 ± 3.9 years; 67.0% male). SB was associated with significantly fewer outpatient visits (median 2 vs 3 vs 4; p < 0.001), fewer radiographs (median 2 vs 3 vs 3; p < 0.001), and lower total caregiver time (median 120 vs 176 vs 204 min; p = 0.005). Mean direct cost was lower in the SB group ($12.35 vs $19.74 vs $27.00; p < 0.001), as were indirect ($11.11 vs $15.08 vs $17.06; p = 0.005) and total societal costs ($23.46 vs $34.82 vs $44.06; p < 0.001). Immobilisation material cost was the most discriminating component, differing 4.2-fold between SB and SAS and 8.7-fold between SB and LAS. Had all splint-treated patients been managed with SB, a combined societal saving of $7773 could have been achieved over the study period.

CONCLUSION: SB immobilisation was associated with fewer revisits, reduced imaging burden, and lower direct and indirect costs compared with rigid splinting, supporting its adoption as a cost-effective strategy in resource-conscious healthcare settings.

PMID:41904913 | DOI:10.1016/j.injury.2026.113193

Injury. 2026 Mar 21;57(4):113174. doi: 10.1016/j.injury.2026.113174. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Popliteal artery injuries are rare even in urban Trauma Centers. The vast majority occur secondary to penetrating trauma. These injuries are uncommon; therefore, few Trauma Surgeons and Trauma Centers have developed significant experience with their management. Experiences reported in both military and civilian publications consistently report the highest complications and amputation rates of all vascular injuries due to popliteal vessel injuries. The popliteal artery is an end artery. Injuries cause significant ischemia that significantly threaten limb viability. The popliteal vein provides the main outflow from the calf musculature. Repair is preferred to preserve venous outflow in the injured limb. Popliteal vessel injuries require excellent surgical technique to repair and restore blood flow in a timely fashion, prioritizing operative efficiency to decrease ischemia, preserve limbs and avoid amputations. These factors are of the utmost importance to achieve excellent results. Past and recent military conflicts have provided Trauma Surgeons with experiences to develop protocols to manage these injuries, most importantly experiences from the Vietnam conflict. If there are any lessons to be learned from the recent conflicts in Iraq, Afghanistan, and currently Ukraine; is that Trauma Surgeons must be well trained to rapidly deal and effectively repair these injuries. We have endeavored to provide updates and explore current controversies, but most important is the call to formulate a comprehensive surgical plan to adequately train competent Trauma, Vascular, and General Surgery residents to deal with vascular injuries, given the current controversies as to which surgical specialists should deal with these injuries. How will the field of academic surgery proceed to train future generations of surgeons? This remains an unknown.

PMID:41903235 | DOI:10.1016/j.injury.2026.113174

Int Orthop. 2026 Mar 28. doi: 10.1007/s00264-026-06795-2. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The terms Köhler´s teardrop, Köhler disease I and Köhler disease II are known to almost all orthopaedic surgeons and radiologists. However, little is known about this prominent personality of the German and world radiology, who described these structure or diseases. Alban Köhler (1874-1947) was one of the first German speaking pioneers in the emerging discipline - radiology, particularly radiology of bones and joints. He introduced new radiological techniques, such as "Teleröntgenographie", and published a number of outstanding studies focused primarily on the musculoskeletal system, as well as on pulmonary tuberculosis and cardiac radiology. For a long time, Köhler had been actively involved in the study of radiation sickness and proposed measures that are valid to this day. The most famous Köhler´s publication "Lexikon der Grenzen des Normalen und der Anfänge des Pathologischen im Röntgenbilde" (The borderlands of the normal and early pathological in the skiagrams) was published for the first time in 1910. After Köhler´s death, the book was repeatedly published and gained recognition worldwide. Its 9th edition was initiated by Professor Emil Alfred Zimmer in 1953. Under a slightly modified title "Borderlands of normal and early pathological findings in skeletal radiology ", it is still published today, both in German and English.

PMID:41902913 | DOI:10.1007/s00264-026-06795-2

Int Orthop. 2026 Mar 28. doi: 10.1007/s00264-026-06793-4. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To assess whether diabetes mellitus (type 1 or type 2) increases the risk of developing adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder).

METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted in 2026 using multiple electronic databases. Additional studies were identified through screening reference lists and consulting professional networks. Studies examining the relationship between diabetes mellitus and the incidence of adhesive capsulitis were eligible for inclusion. Study quality and bias risk were assessed, and when enough data were available, a random-effects meta-analysis was performed to estimate the general association between diabetes and the development of frozen shoulder.

RESULTS: The combined analysis showed that people with diabetes had 3.69 times higher odds (95% CI 2.99-4.56) of developing adhesive capsulitis compared to people without diabetes. Several additional risk factors were noted across studies, including poor glycemic control, obesity, hyperlipidaemia, hypertension, thyroid issues, age between 40 and 65, female gender, smoking, and alcohol use.

CONCLUSION: Diabetes mellitus is strongly associated with an increased risk of adhesive capsulitis. However, the observed association may be influenced by unmeasured confounding factors. Further high-quality longitudinal studies are required to clarify the causal relationship and underlying mechanisms.

PMID:41896299 | DOI:10.1007/s00264-026-06793-4

Injury. 2026 Mar 25:113169. doi: 10.1016/j.injury.2026.113169. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Early common femoral artery (CFA) access in trauma resuscitation has the potential to improve hemodynamic monitoring and facilitate interventions. However, data on its utilization and impact are limited. This study aimed to collect objective data on early CFA access.

METHODS: We conducted a prospective observational study using trauma video review at a Level 1 trauma center. Critically injured trauma patients were included based on predefined criteria. Video and chart review were used to collect data on patient demographics, injury characteristics, procedural details of CFA access (including time of procedural milestones), and hemodynamic measurements. Trauma team leaders were also surveyed to determine their impressions on early arterial access.

RESULTS: Among 72 patients, 34.7% underwent early CFA access. Early CFA access was associated with blunt mechanism (p < 0.001), lower presenting GCS (p = 0.006), and worse functional status at discharge (p = 0.028). The median time from arrival to visualizing an arterial waveform was 16.5 min (IQR 13.2, 26.2). Ultrasound improved first-pass success rates (median attempt number: 1 vs 2, p = 0.030). Noninvasive systolic blood pressure measurements were, on average, 13.5 mmHg higher than invasive measurements; the discrepancy was more pronounced in patients with arterial SBP < 90 mmHg, and 9 paired measurements revealed occult shock diagnosed only by CFA access. Early CFA access was associated with a longer time to incision (49 min [IQR 42-69] vs 34 min [IQR 26-37]; p = 0.002), but not with a delay in time to hemostasis (162 [IQR 127-220] vs 160 [IQR 92-271]; p > 0.999).

CONCLUSIONS: Early CFA access in trauma resuscitation is feasible and can be performed rapidly, particularly with the use of ultrasound. While early CFA access may increase time to incision, it does not delay hemostasis. Further research should evaluate the direct impact of early CFA access on patient outcomes and resource utilization.

PMID:41896154 | DOI:10.1016/j.injury.2026.113169

Injury. 2026 Mar 25;57(6):113195. doi: 10.1016/j.injury.2026.113195. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Fragility fractures are a major cause of morbidity, functional decline, and loss of independence in older adults. Although surgical management restores structural stability, postoperative outcomes are strongly influenced by the timing, intensity, and quality of rehabilitation. Contemporary guidelines advocate early mobilization, timely weight-bearing, and multidisciplinary orthogeriatric care; however, rehabilitation practice often remains overly cautious. Despite increasing evidence supporting early mobilization after fragility fractures, clinical rehabilitation pathways remain highly variable, contributing to delayed recovery, increased complications, prolonged hospitalization, and reduced quality of life. This narrative review synthesizes current evidence on rehabilitation after fragility fractures and examines the persistent gap between evidence-based recommendations and real-world clinical practice. In addition, the review proposes a structured clinical decision-making framework designed to bridge the gap between evidence and orthopedic rehabilitation practice. A structured literature search was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and EBSCO for studies published between 2015 and 2025. Priority was given to systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and randomized controlled trials addressing early mobilization, orthogeriatric co-management, fall prevention, and emerging rehabilitation strategies. The findings indicate that risk-averse rehabilitation practices are driven by interacting clinician-, patient-, and system-level factors. Clinician concerns about fixation stability, patient-related barriers such as pain, fear of falling, and cognitive impairment, and system-level constraints including limited geriatric rehabilitation pathways contribute to delayed mobilization. Based on these findings, a clinical framework integrating fixation stability, medical readiness, functional capacity, and environmental support is proposed to guide progressive and individualized rehabilitation after fragility fractures.

PMID:41894946 | DOI:10.1016/j.injury.2026.113195

Injury. 2026 Mar 20;57(4):113176. doi: 10.1016/j.injury.2026.113176. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Distal radius metaphyseal-diaphyseal junction (MDJ) fractures in children are technically demanding, and the optimal fixation strategy remains controversial. The clinical performance of proximal-forearm antegrade elastic stable intramedullary nailing (A-ESIN) was compared with conventional retrograde crossed Kirschner-wire fixation (R-KW).

METHODS: This retrospective study included 79 children treated for distal radius MDJ fractures at [blinded for review] between January 2018 and April 2024, with a minimum follow-up of 12 months. Thirty-eight underwent A-ESIN and 41 received R-KW fixation. Intraoperative variables (operative time, blood loss, fluoroscopic exposures, open-reduction rate), postoperative recovery (time to cast removal, time to implant removal, excellent/good rates of forearm rotation and wrist flexion-extension), radiographic alignment, and complications were analyzed.

RESULTS: Compared with R-KW, A-ESIN resulted in lower blood loss (3.8 ± 2.8 mL vs 5.6 ± 4.1 mL; P = 0.024) and a reduced need for open reduction (10.5 % vs 36.6 %; P = 0.007). Casts were removed earlier (25.1 ± 2.0 days vs 39.4 ± 6.9 days; P < 0.001). Excellent/good functional outcomes were more frequent for forearm rotation (92.1 % vs 65.9 %; P = 0.006) and wrist flexion-extension (97.4 % vs 70.7 %; P = 0.003). Radiographic alignment was excellent/good in 84.2 % of A-ESIN cases versus 65.9 % of R-KW cases (P = 0.048). Fewer complications occurred with A-ESIN (one superficial wound infection) than with R-KW (five pin-tract infections, one transient radial-nerve palsy, two redisplacements, and two physeal injuries).

CONCLUSIONS: Proximal-forearm A-ESIN is a less invasive, more stable technique that expedites functional recovery and lowers complication rates relative to retrograde crossed K-wires. It represents a safe and effective alternative for managing pediatric distal radius MDJ fractures.

PMID:41894945 | DOI:10.1016/j.injury.2026.113176

Int Orthop. 2026 Mar 27. doi: 10.1007/s00264-026-06796-1. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:41894011 | DOI:10.1007/s00264-026-06796-1

Int Orthop. 2026 Mar 27. doi: 10.1007/s00264-026-06790-7. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:41894010 | DOI:10.1007/s00264-026-06790-7

Int Orthop. 2026 Mar 27. doi: 10.1007/s00264-026-06794-3. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Routine augmentation of pedicle screws in standard clinical practice is performed using polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) cement. However, owing to its high compressive strength and high Young's modulus, this material acts more as a stiffener in the spine than as a suitable replacement for compressed cancellous bone. Adjacent fractures caused by this represent a common clinical problem. A new experimental magnesium phosphate cement seems more suitable for this purpose, as it shows promising biomechanical properties and has been proven to be injectable via long cannulated systems. However, the application of this material has not yet been explored or quantified.

METHODS: Fenestrated pedicle screws were inserted into polyurethane bone blocks of different densities and augmented with experimental magnesium phosphate cement. This was followed by biomechanical testing in a realistic loading scenario. In addition, the injection force required for augmentation was quantified depending on the syringe type.

RESULTS: Cement augmentation was possible in all bone blocks used and consistently had a positive effect on the biomechanical stability of fenestrated pedicle screws. The size of this effect varied depending on the density of the bone blocks used. No cutoff value could be identified at which augmentation should be performed.

CONCLUSION: The novel experimental ready-to-use formulation of magnesium phosphate cement reliably enabled cement augmentation of fenestrated pedicle screws and consistently resulted in improved biomechanical stability. These findings suggest that a biocompatible and degradable bone cement with suitable biomechanical properties may represent a future alternative for spinal augmentation.

PMID:41894009 | DOI:10.1007/s00264-026-06794-3

Injury. 2026 Mar 20;57(4):113154. doi: 10.1016/j.injury.2026.113154. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

International studies report that paediatric trauma patients retrieved by paediatric specialist teams have a shorter length of hospital stay, reduced mortality and fewer adverse events during transport when compared with generalist adult teams.This 10-year retrospective review of prospectively collected databases and electronic medical records compares paediatric trauma inter-hospital transport patient morbidity and mortality outcomes in New South Wales, Australia, between the state-wide paediatric specialist team and other medical retrieval teams, paramedics and flight nurses. We hypothesised that the duration of IHT does not adversely affect patient outcomes and that retrieval by a dedicated paediatric retrieval team is associated with better patient outcomes.Nine-hundred and thirty-two paediatric trauma inter-hospital retrievals to a paediatric trauma centre were included for analysis in this study. The paediatric specialist team completed 74 % of these retrievals. Comparing the adult medical retrieval service (AMRS) with the paediatric specialist team, there was no difference in the odds of a patient being admitted to PICU (OR 1.003, 95 %CI 0.63-1.59, p = 0.99). The odds of admission to PICU were higher for patients with an ISS 16-24 (OR 2.6, 95 %CI 1.78-3.81, p = <0.001) or 25-75 (OR 5.3, 95 %CI 3.3-8.4, p = <0.001) when compared to those with an ISS less than 12. Similarly, there was no significant difference in hospital length of stay between retrieval providers.Both AMRS and paediatric specialist teams delivered equitable patient outcomes, with no difference in PICU admission rate or LOS, and no difference in hospital LOS. The question remains, how does the current model of care for IHT of paediatric trauma patients in NSW achieve equity between the different medical retrieval teams unlike the published international experiences?

PMID:41887088 | DOI:10.1016/j.injury.2026.113154

Injury. 2026 Mar 21;57(4):113187. doi: 10.1016/j.injury.2026.113187. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Lisfranc injuries are uncommon but potentially debilitating midfoot injuries associated with chronic pain, arthritis, and gait dysfunction. Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) is commonly performed for unstable injuries, yet concerns remain regarding fixation failure and subsequent need for arthrodesis. However, large-scale data defining mid- and long-term conversion rates to arthrodesis after primary ORIF are limited.

METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was performed using the TriNetX Research Network to evaluate adults undergoing ORIF of Lisfranc injuries between 2005 and 2025, identified by CPT code 28615. Postoperative outcomes were evaluated at 5 and 10 years. Primary outcomes included reoperation rates, specifically hardware removal and secondary midfoot arthrodesis. Secondary outcomes included postoperative infection and gait abnormalities. Kaplan-Meier survival analyses were used to estimate event-free survival.

RESULTS: A total of 8101 patients met inclusion criteria. Hardware removal was the most frequent cause of reoperation, occurring in 19.4 % of patients at 5 years and 19.8 % at 10 years. Secondary arthrodesis was less common, occurring in 2.7 % and 2.8 % of patients at 5 and 10 years, respectively. Postoperative infection occurred in 2.0 % of patients at 5 years and 2.2 % at 10 years, and abnormal gait was documented in 4.9 % and 5.3 % of patients at 5 and 10 years, respectively. Event-free survival remained high for arthrodesis and infection (>95 %), whereas hardware retention progressively declined over time.

CONCLUSION: In the largest ORIF-specific cohort to date, reoperation following Lisfranc ORIF was common and largely driven by hardware removal, affecting nearly one in five patients at both five and ten years. In contrast, secondary arthrodesis and postoperative infection were infrequent. The low rate of conversion to fusion suggests that joint-preserving fixation is structurally durable for most patients, supporting ORIF as a viable and lasting first-line operative strategy despite a meaningful implant-related reoperation burden.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, retrospective cohort study.

PMID:41887087 | DOI:10.1016/j.injury.2026.113187

Injury. 2026 Mar 20;57(4):113158. doi: 10.1016/j.injury.2026.113158. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Trauma volume can vary significantly throughout the year. Identifying factors associated with trauma volume variation can be helpful in allocating resources and staff during busy trauma periods. The present study aimed to determine the relationship between overall orthopaedic trauma volume, mechanism of injury, site and acuity of injury and weather variables.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Orthopaedic trauma consultations between July 1, 2019 and July 1, 2022 at a single Level 1 trauma center were identified using an institutional database. Patient demographics, mechanism and location of injury, and acuity were collected. Time-series analysis with Poisson models and multivariate analysis was utilized to examine the relationship between daily weather variables and the total number consults, acuity, and mechanism or site of injury.

RESULTS: 8699 patients were included. Overall trauma consults were positively associated with temperature and negatively associated with precipitation and humidity. Trauma acuity was positively correlated with temperature. Motor vehicle collision (MVC) and falls were positively associated with temperature and negatively associated with humidity. Gunshot wounds (GSW) were only positively associated with temperature. Of the injury sites examined, only cervical injuries were not positively associated with temperature. Shoulder and elbow, cervical, leg and knee, and foot and ankle injuries were negatively associated with humidity. Foot and ankle injuries were negatively associated with precipitation.

CONCLUSIONS: Overall, temperature was positively associated with trauma volume and acuity, while precipitation and humidity were negatively associated. By contrast, snow, wind speed, baro pressure, visibility, UV index, and moon phase were not associated with outcomes. As peak temperatures occurred in the summer while the greatest humidity and lowest precipitation occurred in the winter, these findings confirm long-held theories about increased trauma volumes in summer months and support increasing access and resource allocation in trauma.

PMID:41887086 | DOI:10.1016/j.injury.2026.113158

Injury. 2026 Mar 20;57(4):113189. doi: 10.1016/j.injury.2026.113189. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Falls among older adults constitute a critical public health concern, ranking as the leading cause of hospital admissions and contributing significantly to healthcare expenditures and socioeconomic burden. A shorter length of stay (LOS) after a fall typically indicates earlier mobilization, lower healthcare costs, and better outcomes, while a longer LOS often reflects higher resource use and poorer prognosis.. This prospective cohort study aimed to assess the average of fall-related hospitalizations among older adults (aged ≥55 years), identify key predictors of prolonged hospital stay, and examine subgroups with the highest utilization of inpatient services. Conducted at Al-Razi Orthopaedic Hospital in Kuwait, the study evaluated 393 older adults admitted for fall-related injuries and discharged alive over 12-months. Logistic regression, random forest, Cox proportional hazards modeling, and survival analysis were used to analyze factors influencing the duration of stay in fall-related hospitalizations. The median LOS was 14days, with wide variability. Prolonged LOS (exceeding the 75th percentile = 25 days) accounted for approximately 23.2%of the admitted patients. Across all analytical approaches, advanced age was the strongest predictor of LOS (OR = 3.66, 95% CI: 1.39-9.65, p = 0.008). older adults aged 75-84 years had a significantly increased hazard of prolonged hospitalization (HR = 1.41, 95% CI: 1.01-1.97, p = 0.04). Social support factors such as widowhood and single status showing additional influence to increase the length of hospital stay (HR = 1.45, 95% CI: 0.99-2.11, p = 0.05). Dependence level was significantly associated with increased hazard (HR = 1.22, 95% CI: 1.01-1.48, p = 0.03). Conversely, a history of previous falls was linked to a reduced risk of extended hospital stay (HR = 0.76, 95% CI: 0.64-0.89, p = 0.001). Length of hospital stay may serve as a broader indicator of healthcare system discharge planning complexity, age-related factors, and social care needs, rather than a direct proxy for injury severity. These findings underscore the importance of integrating clinical and social determinants into discharge planning for older adults hospitalized due to falls, and highlight the need for age-sensitive care pathways, strengthened fall-prevention strategies, and enhanced social support services to improve recovery outcomes and reduce hospital burden.

PMID:41887085 | DOI:10.1016/j.injury.2026.113189

Injury. 2026 Mar 19;57(4):113160. doi: 10.1016/j.injury.2026.113160. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Limb rotations of the upper arms frequently happen during daily activities, and these actions can produce significant torsional forces which aggravate patients' conditions. However, there is limited research concerning the impact of humerus rotation on the initial stability of locking plate fixation after proximal humerus fracture reconstruction. The current study conducted a biomechanics analysis to investigate this important issue.

METHODS: Dynamic mechanical tests with repetitive torsional loads were executed in six fracture-model specimens. The mechanical behaviors of resistance to torque, maximum torque, and energy dissipation were recorded. A new surveillance system of digital image correlation (DIC) technology was used to observe the continuous strains of the fixation system in real time.

RESULTS: Mean resistance to torque was significantly reduced when the rotation exceeded 3.2°. Beyond 3.2° of rotation, the mean energy dissipation increased by approximately fourfold. DIC observations showed large strains concentrated around the screw holes at the proximal shaft and waist of the plate.

CONCLUSIONS: Under our experimental conditions, we observed a marked rise in non-elastic energy dissipation beyond 3.2° of rotation, which indicated the onset of permanent construct deformation in vitro. Surgeons should remind patients that daily upper extremity torques may affect the initial rotational stability of fixation system after surgery.

PMID:41887084 | DOI:10.1016/j.injury.2026.113160

Injury. 2026 Mar 21;57(4):113170. doi: 10.1016/j.injury.2026.113170. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Vertebral compression fractures are common and incur significant healthcare costs. Orthotic bracing is a frequently used treatment; however, studies have shown uncertainty regarding its effectiveness. Upright radiographs after brace placement are recommended to assess fracture stability, but there is lack of research on the ideal timing of these radiographs. The primary purpose of this study was to determine the amount of compression change in post-brace radiographs in the ED and whether this changed clinical management.

METHODS: We performed a retrospective cross-sectional study of compression fractures over an eight-year period. Vertebral height loss was calculated using the formula (1 - [A ÷ B]) x 100, where A is the shortest portion of the fractured vertebral body and B is the tallest portion of the unfractured vertebral body. Multinomial logistic regression was used to predict post-brace height change based on acuity, spinal level, and the covariate of age in years. Adjusted odds ratios with corresponding 95 % confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated.

RESULTS: 125 patients with 212 fractures were identified. 69 % of fractures were deemed acute; 31 % were deemed chronic or of uncertain age. Change in height loss ranged from 16 % improvement to a 33 % worsening after brace placement. However, the median change was 0 % (interquartile range -4 % to 2 %). Thoracic fractures were statistically less likely than lumbar fractures to have a height decrease, relative to no height change, after brace placement (adjusted odds ratio 0.36 (95 % CI 0.16-0.79)). No patients had change in management from brace to surgery on the initial visit.

CONCLUSIONS: Post-orthotic brace imaging in the emergency setting for thoracolumbar compression fractures did not demonstrate significant compression worsening and did not change patient management.

PMID:41887083 | DOI:10.1016/j.injury.2026.113170