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©2013 Baishideng Publishing Group Co., Limited. All rights reserved.
World J Orthop. Oct 18, 2013; 4(4): 259-266
Published online Oct 18, 2013. doi: 10.5312/wjo.v4.i4.259
Published online Oct 18, 2013. doi: 10.5312/wjo.v4.i4.259
Collecting a comprehensive evidence base to monitor fracture rehabilitation: A case study
Stuart A Callary, David M Findlay, Lucian B Solomon, Centre for Orthopaedic and Trauma Research, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, 5000 South Australia, Australia
Stuart A Callary, David M Findlay, Lucian B Solomon, Department of Orthopaedics and Trauma, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, 5000 South Australia, Australia
Dominic Thewlis, Alex V Rowlands, School of Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, 5000 South Australia, Australia
Author contributions: Solomon LB designed the study and performed the surgery on both patients included in this study; Callary SA performed the radiostereometric analysis radiographic examinations and subsequent measurements; Rowlands AV performed the activity monitoring; Thewlis D performed the gait analysis and subsequent analysis; all authors contributed to detailed analysis, interpretation of results, and the preparation of the manuscript.
Correspondence to: Lucian B Solomon, Associate Professor, Department of Orthopaedics and Trauma, Royal Adelaide Hospital, North Terrace, Level 4, Bice Building, Adelaide, 5000 South Australia, Australia. bogdansolomon@mac.com
Telephone: +61-8-82222665 Fax: +61-8-82323065
Received: June 14, 2013
Revised: August 1, 2013
Accepted: September 4, 2013
Published online: October 18, 2013
Revised: August 1, 2013
Accepted: September 4, 2013
Published online: October 18, 2013
Core Tip
Core tip: The extent to which patients follow rehabilitation instructions, likely affects not only the early recovery, but also the long-term outcomes that are dependent on maintenance of fracture reduction. We have demonstrated the feasibility of using radiostereometric analysis, gait analysis and activity monitoring to assess early fracture healing. Future larger clinical studies using this novel combination of assessment tools may provide an evidence base for particular rehabilitation schedules following different fracture types and fixation techniques.