Aim To explore the experience of registered nurses in assessing pain in hip fracture in patients with dementia in the postoperative setting. Methods The study questionnaire contained 23 items mainly addressing demographic and social data, information about communication and pain assessment, attention and awareness of the health-care professionals on the ward and suggestions for improving nursing. Results The nurses claimed that they began their assessment of pain in patients with dementia first by observing the patient and making a visual assessment of pain, after which they began to communicate with these patients; majority of dementia patients with hip fractures displayed more facial expressions of pain than patients without dementia. All the nurses agreed that the more severe the patient's dementia was, the less clear the facial expressions and that this in turn made it difficult for the nurses to take care of such patients. Body language was the most common way the patients with dementia and hip fractures expressed their pain. Assessing the pain of a dementia patient with hip fracture and interpreting a non-verbally communicative patient was experienced as very difficult by all the nurses. Conclusion The nurses found that the fact that they had not attended any courses on dementia and pain assessment in those patients made their work more difficult; they need to know more and to have more information about those patients and their needs for a more comprehensive exchange of information between the hospital wards and the patients' care homes.

Introduction: The best treatment for intertrochanteric fractures remains controversial. Many methods have been recommended. Aim: We aimed to assess the results of osteosynthesis using the Proximal Femoral Nail Antirotation (PFNA) system. Patients and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 113 consecutive patients with intertrochanteric fractures treated with PFNA. Fractures were classified in accordance with the AO/OTA classification system into the groups A1, A2 and A3. The postoperative quality of fracture reduction was described as good, acceptable or poor. The location of the blade within the head was recorded as per the Cleveland method. Tip-apex distance (TAD) was used as a method for evaluating screw position. Pre-fracture and postoperative functional level were evaluated by the new mobility score (NMS). Results: The average age at the time of surgery was 75.9 years. The majority, 75 (66.3 %), were unstable fracture types. The reduction was good in 67 (61.4 %) cases. Of the 24 deaths, 19 patients had comorbidities (p < 0.001). The number of deaths in the first 6 months was significantly higher than in the next 6 months (p = 0.001). The mean TAD was 25.6 mm. The Cleveland zone centre-centre was the most common placement of the blade, accounting for 33 (29 %) of the cases. Reoperation was required in four patients. There were four patients with cut-out. The pre-facture mean value NMS was 8.6 (SD 1.1) and the postoperative mean value was 4.3 (SD 3.6). Conclusion: We concluded that PFNA offers biomechanical advantages, but the best position of the blade is still unknown.

Introduction: Fractures of the proximal femur and hip are relatively common injuries in adults and common source of morbidity and mortality among the elderly. Many methods have been recommended for the treatment of intertrochanteric fractures. Material and methods: We retrospective analyzed all the patients with fractures of the hip treated with proximal femoral nail antirotation (PFNA) at the Clinic of Orthopedic and Traumatology, University Clinical Centre Tuzla from the first of January 2012 to 31 December 2012 years. The study included 63 patients averaged 73.6±11.9 years (range, 29 to 88 years). Fracture type was classified as intertrochanteric (Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Osteosynthesefragen classification 31.A.1, A.2 and A.3) and subtrochanteric fractures (Seinsheimer classification). Results and discussion: The ratio between the genders female-male was 1.6:1. There was statistically significant difference prevalence of female compared to male patients (p=0.012). There were 31 left and 32 right hip fractured. Low energy trauma was the cause of fractures in 57(90.5%) patients. Averaged waiting time for hospitalization was 3.2±7.5 days (range, 0 to 32 days). 44 patients were admitted the same day upon injuring. The average waiting time for the treatment was 3.6±5.7 days. The ratio between with or without co-existent disease was 4.7:1. During the three months postoperatively with ASA score 3 and 4 six patients died. There were no significant differences in deaths from ASA score 1 and 2 (p=0.52). Reoperation for the treatment of implant or fracture-related complications was required in three (4.7%) patients (infection, reimplantation and extraction). Three patient developed deep vein thrombosis. Statistically significant difference was found in the deaths in the first three months compared to the next three months (p=0.02). We found statistically significant difference between pre-injury and postoperative mobility score (p=0.0001). Conclusion: PFNA is an excellent device for osteosynthesis as it can be easily inserted. Moreover, it provides stable fixation, which allows early full weightbearing mobilization of the patient.

Objective – We present a case of osteoarthritis in a ten day old newborn who underwent aspiration and drainage on the fifth day after admission instead of on the first day . The aim of this case report is to describe the importance of a team approach and clinical management algorithms for the successful treatment of septic arthritis in newborns. Case report – We describe a 3580 g male baby, who underwent aspiration and drainage on the fifth day after admission to our Unit for septic arthritis of the right knee. After the surgical drainage of the joint, local signs of inflammation began to improve. Microbiological analysis did not reveal the causative agent. Conclusion – Septic arthritis requires early diagnosis, prompt administration of antibiotics and rapid removal of pus by surgical treatment, due to the possible development of serious and irreversible damage, and even lethal outcome. A team approach with treatment guidelines of septic arthritis in newborns is mandatory.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Fracture of the femoral shaft is a common fracture encountered in orthopedic practice. In the 1939, Küntscher introduced the concept of intramedullary nailing for stabilization of long bone fractures. Intramedullary nailing has revolutionized the treatment of fractures. Material and methods: The study included 37 male patients and 13 female patients, averaged 39±20,5 years (range, 16 to 76 years). Results and discussion: There were 31 left femurs and 21 right femurs fractured. 46 fractures were the result of blunt trauma. Low energy trauma was the cause of fractures in six patients, of which five in elderly females. 49 fractures were closed. Healing time given in weeks was 19,36 ± 6,1. The overall healing rate was 93,6%. There were three (6,25%) major complications nonunion. There were one (2%) delayed union, one (2%) rotational malunion and no infection. The shortening of 1 cm were in two patients. Antercurvatum of 10 degrees was found in one patient. There was no statistically significant reduction of a motion in the hip and knee (p<0.05). There was statistically significant in the thigh (knee extensors) muscle weakness (p<0.001). Conclusion: Intramedullary nailing is the treatment of choice for femoral shaft fractures.