Background: Population data that examines recent national trends in the prevalence of fractures are lacking in the United States (US). Materials and Methods: Analyses were based on 1999–2020 data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Primary outcomes included the prevalence of hip, wrist, and vertebral fractures among adults aged greater than or equal to 50 years. Changes in the prevalence over time were determined by joinpoint regression analysis. The authors also described the variation by fracture subtypes, sociodemographic characteristics, and their combination. Results: For adults aged greater than or equal to 50 years in NHANES 2017–March 2020, the authors estimated that there was 2.6 million Americans with hip fractures, 14.6 million Americans with wrist fractures, and 5.2 million Americans with vertebral fractures. The prevalence of wrist fractures significantly increased from 8.7% (7.4–9.9%) in 1999–2000 to 12.8% (11.6–14.1%) in 2017–March 2020 among adults aged greater than or equal to 50 years (P for trend=0.04); significant increases were also observed in fractures that occurred at age less than 50 years, non-Hispanic White, high family income groups, and several combination subgroups (e.g. fractures occurred at age <50 years among women). The prevalence of vertebral fractures increased from 2.2% (1.7–2.8%) in 1999–2000 to 4.6% (3.7–5.5%) in 2017–March 2020 among adults aged greater than or equal to 50 years (P for trend=0.02); significant increases were also observed in 50–64 years, women, non-Hispanic White, high family income groups and several combination subgroups (e.g. fractures that occurred at age <50 years among women). The authors did not observe significant trend changes in the prevalence of hip fractures among adults aged greater than or equal to 50 years between 1999 and 2020. Conclusion: The estimated prevalence of wrist and vertebral fractures significantly increased among US adults aged greater than or equal to 50 years from 1999 to 2020, although hip fractures did not significantly change.

Advancements in motion sensing technology can potentially allow clinicians to make more accurate range-of-motion (ROM) measurements and informed decisions regarding patient management. The aim of this study was to systematically review and appraise the literature on the reliability of the Kinect, inertial sensors, smartphone applications and digital inclinometers/goniometers to measure shoulder ROM. Eleven databases were screened (MEDLINE, EMBASE, EMCARE, CINAHL, SPORTSDiscus, Compendex, IEEE Xplore, Web of Science, Proquest Science and Technology, Scopus, and PubMed). The methodological quality of the studies was assessed using the consensus-based standards for the selection of health Measurement Instruments (COSMIN) checklist. Reliability assessment used intra-class correlation coefficients (ICCs) and the criteria from Swinkels et al. (2005). Thirty-two studies were included. A total of 24 studies scored “adequate” and 2 scored “very good” for the reliability standards. Only one study scored “very good” and just over half of the studies (18/32) scored “adequate” for the measurement error standards. Good intra-rater reliability (ICC > 0.85) and inter-rater reliability (ICC > 0.80) was demonstrated with the Kinect, smartphone applications and digital inclinometers. Overall, the Kinect and ambulatory sensor-based human motion tracking devices demonstrate moderate–good levels of intra- and inter-rater reliability to measure shoulder ROM. Future reliability studies should focus on improving study design with larger sample sizes and recommended time intervals between repeated measurements.

The purpose of this systematic review was to evaluate the accuracy and reliability of wearable devices for objective gait measurement of Lumbar Spinal Stenosis (LSS) patients, with a focus on relevant gait metrics. Systematic searches were conducted of five electronic databases to identify studies that assessed gait metrics by wearable or portable technology. Data was collected according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) statement guidelines. Four articles were identified for inclusion in this review. The objectives, methodology and quality of the studies varied. No single gait metric was investigated in all four studies, making comparison difficult. The most relevant metrics reported included gait cycle, gait velocity, step length and cadence, which were reported in two studies. Two studies explored gait symmetry. Differences between LSS patients and normal healthy subjects are demonstrable using wearable technology. The measurements of gait cycle, cadence, step length, gait velocity, and number of steps with wearable devices can be used in the gait measurement of LSS patients for initial assessment, and objective outcomes following interventions. However, data and analysis are limited, and further studies are necessary to comment on reliability.