Background and Objectives: Restrictions on daily activities to slow down the propagation of COVID-19 have changed the epidemiological pattern of pediatric fractures in many countries. However, the effect of the pandemic on pediatric fractures has not been fully studied. In this study, we investigated the impact of COVID-19 on early adolescent fractures in Korea. Materials and methods: We conducted a retrospective follow-up on a nationwide cohort of Korean early adolescents born between 2006 and 2009. The prevalence and incidence of pediatric fractures and the frequency of surgical treatment were compared between two different eras. Results: The prevalence and incidence of fractures during the pandemic have both shown a significant decrease: prevalence reduced from 34,626 to 24,789 (p < 0.001), while incidence decreased from 29,804 to 18,898 (p < 0.001). Considering sex, the shift in fracture prevalence was statistically significant (p = 0.020), whereas the incidence was not (p = 0.862). The decline in both fracture prevalence and incidence exhibited significant variation across birth year groups (prevalence, p < 0.001; incidence, p < 0.001), with a more pronounced reduction observed in the older age groups. While the proportion of patients who required surgeries has increased, the mean frequency of surgical treatment per patient remained at a similar level (by prevalence, p = 0.181; by incidence, p = 0.735). The decline in both fracture prevalence and incidence has shown significant variation in relation to fracture sites (prevalence, p < 0.001; incidence, p < 0.001), with a decrease in distal limb fractures and an increase in forearm and axial body fractures. Conclusions: The pediatric fracture pattern in Korea has been notably influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic, warranting further investigation into causal factors. Our findings should help predict epidemiology in the post-pandemic period and thus aid policymaking and patient management.

Background: With the rapid increase in the aging population, the number of patients complaining of shoulder pain is also increasing. Among shoulder ailments, rotator cuff tears (RCTs) are most frequently observed in middle-aged and elderly individuals. Sarcopenia refers to the decline in muscle mass (lean body mass) and the subsequent decrease in muscle function that is linked to the natural aging process. To the best of our knowledge, there is currently limited information available regarding the association between RCTs and sarcopenia. Methods: The study included only individuals who had undergone dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and body composition assessments. After applying the exclusion criteria, the participants were divided into sarcopenia and non-sarcopenia groups by the body composition tests. Next, those diagnosed with RCTs were assigned to the experimental group, and those without RCTs were assigned to the control group. The matching was performed using propensity score matching. Sarcopenia was defined as a skeletal muscle index lower than 7.0 kg/m² in males and 5.4 kg/m² in females. Multivariable logistic regression with backward elimination was performed. Results: After propensity score matching, there were no significant differences in age, sex, and bone mineral density between the RCT and control groups. In the univariate analysis, it was observed that most of the baseline data and demographic factors did not exhibit significant differences, except for calcium levels and the presence of chronic kidney injury. According to the multivariable logistic regression analysis of factors related to RCTs, sarcopenia was unrelated to RCTs, but chronic kidney injury and Ca levels were significantly associated. Also, there was also no significant association between sarcopenia and RCT size and severity. Conclusions: In conclusion, we cannot find a significant relationship between sarcopenia and RCTs.

Oh CH, et al. Clin Orthop Surg. 2024 Dec;16(6):979-986. https://doi.org/10.4055/cios23385

In 1979, Linburg and Comstock reported a lesion that interfered with the independent flexion of the fingers due to an abnormal connection between the flexor pollicis longus and the tendon of the flexor digitorum profundus to the index finger. This entity can cause discomfort in daily life when functionally delicate finger use is required; therefore, surgical treatment is sometimes recommended depending on the symptoms. The authors performed surgical treatment for a patient who visited our outpatient clinic seeking functional improvement for congenital symptoms of simultaneous thumb and index finger flexion and obtained satisfactory results. Reports of surgical treatment for Linburg-Comstock syndrome are rare in Korea, so the authors report this experience, along with a review of the literature.