Background: Among the leading causes of work-related disability, musculoskeletal diseases (MSDs) profoundly affect productivity and quality of life. Workplace changes, equipment adjustments, and training courses, among other ergonomic interventions, seek to lower the frequency and degree of MSDs. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated whether ergonomic interventions help prevent and control MSDs in various workplace environments. Methods: A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library to identify relevant studies. Inclusion criteria included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that evaluated ergonomic interventions against conventional conditions. Effect sizes were computed using mean differences and pooled using a random-effects model in case of heterogeneity. A uniform Excel sheet was used for data extraction. Revman software (Cochrane Collaboration, Copenhagen, Denmark) was used for statistical analysis. Results: This meta-analysis included 24 RCTs with 4086 workers with different occupations. A meta-analysis of 10 included studies demonstrated lower pain intensity with a mean difference in VAS score between ergonomic interventions and the control group of −0.28 (95%CI: −0.43, −0.14, p = 0.0001). Also, there was a significant reduction in reported MSD-related pain in the lower back with ergonomic interventions with an OR 0.53 (95%CI: 0.40–0.70, p < 0.00001). Moreover, there were statistically significant results for ergonomic interventions in the upper back, ankles, wrists, and neck. In contrast, there were no significant improvements in the thighs, arms, knees, shoulders, and elbows. Conclusions: Our findings support implementing ergonomic strategies as a practical approach to reducing work-related MSDs. However, further research is needed to improve intervention design and long-term effectiveness.

Although open surgery is the conventional option for ankle arthritis, there are some reports in the literature regarding the use of the arthroscopy procedure with outstanding results. The primary purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to analyze the effect of the surgery technique (open-ankle arthrodesis vs. arthroscopy) in patients with ankle osteoarthritis. Three electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus) were searched until 10 April 2023. The Cochrane Collaboration’s risk-of-bias tool was used to assess the risk of bias and grading of the recommendations assessment, development, and evaluation system for each outcome. The between-study variance was estimated using a random-effects model. A total of 13 studies (including n = 994 participants) met the inclusion criteria. The meta-analysis results revealed a nom-significant (p = 0.072) odds ratio (OR) of 0.54 (0.28–1.07) for the fusion rate. Regarding operation time, a non-significant difference (p = 0.573) among both surgical techniques was found (mean differences (MD) = 3.40 min [−11.08 to 17.88]). However, hospital length stay and overall complications revealed significant differences (MD = 2.29 days [0.63 to 3.95], p = 0.017 and OR = 0.47 [0.26 to 0.83], p = 0.016), respectively. Our findings showed a non-statistically significant fusion rate. On the other hand, operation time was similar among both surgical techniques, without significant differences. Nevertheless, lower hospital stay was found in patients that were operated on with arthroscopy. Finally, for the outcome of overall complications, the ankle arthroscopy technique was a protective factor in comparison with open surgery.

Background: Evaluating the predictors of unfavorable outcomes in patients with ankle fractures is crucial for identifying high-risk patients and implementing personalized treatment strategies. This study aimed to analyze factors that influence quality of life in patients with ankle fractures. Methods: Four databases were consulted. The main outcomes were functionality and quality of life scales combined using the standard mean difference (SMD) (Review Manager 5.4). Results: Eight studies with 2486 patients were included. A significant correlation was found between female sex and worse functionality scores (beta 4.15, 95% CI 1.84–6.46). Additionally, older age was correlated with worse functionality scores (beta −0.24, 95% CI −0.29 to −0.19). Patients with diabetes or metabolic syndrome also had worse outcomes (SMD 0.27, 95% CI 0.18–0.36). High BMI and obesity were also associated with worse quality of life scores (beta 2.62, 95% CI 0.77–4.48). Smokers had greater disability in the analyzed scales (SMD 0.22, 95% CI 0.05–0.39). No significant differences were observed with respect to syndesmotic involvement. Conclusions: Age, sex, diabetes, high BMI, and smoking negatively impact functional outcomes and quality of life in patients with ankle fractures.

Glenohumeral dislocation is a common shoulder injury that can result in nerve injury. However, the full impact of these injuries on patient function and recovery remains unclear. This systematic review aimed to determine (1) the incidence, (2) risk factors, and (3) functional outcomes following nerve injuries after glenohumeral dislocation. The study followed PRISMA guidelines and used the PICO strategy. PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, and Cochrane Collaboration Library databases were searched for studies. Two reviewers independently assessed the study eligibility, and data extraction was conducted by two authors. The quality of included studies was assessed using the Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies (MINORS) criteria. Thirteen studies comprising 17,087 patients were included. The incidence of nerve injury ranged from 0.4% to 65.5%, with the axillary nerve being most commonly affected. The time to reduction did not significantly affect the incidence of nerve injury. The mechanism of injury, the affected side, associated injuries, and recovery time were found to be potential risk factors for nerve injury. Motor recovery was incomplete in many patients, and sensory recovery was less complete. By synthesizing the available evidence, this systematic review underscores the importance of considering nerve injury in the management of patients with glenohumeral dislocations. Future research can build on these findings to develop targeted prevention and treatment approaches that optimize patient outcomes.

Introduction: Construction workers, who are constantly engaged in physically demanding tasks, face a significant prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs). These conditions affect their quality of life and work performance and call for immediate attention. This study delves into the prevalence of WMSDs among construction workers and the associated demographic risk factors, highlighting the issue’s urgency.Methods: Our research process was thorough. Our search spanned electronic databases like PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane, Embase, and Web of Science. We included studies that involved adult construction workers reporting the prevalence of WMSDs such as back pain, neck pain, and other musculoskeletal diseases. The data were rigorously analyzed using R software, with subgroup and meta-regression analyses to assess the association between demographic factors and the prevalence of WMSDs.Results: The prevalence pooled by the meta-analysis was 59% for WMSDs from 14 studies with extensive study-level heterogeneity. Subgroup analysis illustrated differences by region, with higher prevalence in Asia (63%) compared to America (39%) and Africa (52%). Analysis of demographic factors identified the prevalence as significantly higher in the male gender (OR = 19.60). Workers over 40 were likelier to have WMSDs (OR = 39.04). Daily work hours were inconsistently associated. Lower back and shoulders were the most affected body regions.Conclusion: Our findings underscore the need for further research to identify other risk factors and design effective prevention strategies. The high incidence of WMSDs among construction workers, significantly related to demographic factors such as gender and age, calls for continuous investigation and the introduction of targeted interventions like work rotation, ergonomic training, and psychosocial support. These measures are crucial in preventing WMSDs and promoting the well-being and performance of construction workers.Systematic review registration: https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/BJ9KV.

(1) Objectives: The objective of this study was to quantify the exact clinical-radiological efficacy and safety of the extreme lateral interbody fusion (XLIF) technique in spinal surgery; (2) Methods: A meta-analysis was performed using PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Cochrane Collaboration Library. Studies focusing on patients surgically treated with XLIF were included. The outcomes were as follows: visual analog scale (VAS) and Oswestry disability index (ODI), radiological outcomes, and adverse events. Cohort studies and case series were also included. Clinical outcomes were assessed at 12 months of age. Data were combined using Review Manager 5.4 and WebPlotDigitizer 13.1.4; (3) Results: Nineteen studies with a pool of 1409 patients were included in this meta-analysis. Leg pain VAS and back pain VAS significantly improved at 12 months (SMD 2.75, 95% CI 0.59–4.90; SMD 4.54, 95% CI 1.39–7.69). ODI showed significant improvement (MD 32.51, 95% CI 24.01–41.00) at 12 months. Disc height increased significantly (SMD −2.73, 95% CI −3.58 to −1.88). Lumbar lordosis and segmental lordosis were significantly corrected postoperatively (MD −2.44, 95% CI −3.45 to −1.43; MD −2.55, 95% CI −3.61 to −1.48). The fusion rates at 12 months ranged from 85.0% to 93.3%. The most frequent complications were transient neurological conditions (2.2%), hardware failure (1.9%), and transient pain (1.8%). The most frequent serious complications were nerve root injury (1.0%), gastrointestinal impairment (0.7%), and vertebral fractures (0.6%); (4) Conclusions: This is the first meta-analysis of the specific use of XLIF in spinal surgery. This study demonstrates that the XLIF technique in spine surgery is associated with good clinical and radiological results and a low complication rate.