Purpose: This study aims to analyse the correlation between the incidence rate of hand injuries and various major economic indicators in Singapore. We hypothesise that the number of hand injuries is correlated to activity in the construction and manufacturing industries in Singapore. Methods: Twenty thousand seven hundred sixty-four patients who underwent hand surgeries in a tertiary institution between 2012 to 2018 were reviewed. Two independent, blinded observers extracted the frequency of hand surgeries performed from Electronic Medical Records. Economic indicators pertinent to Singapore’s economic activity were collected and smoothed by simple moving average of the prior 3 months. Results were analysed using IBM SPSS v25.0. Results: Significant independent univariate variables were Purchasing-Manager-Index and Industrial-Production-Index. Multiple linear regression of quarterly reported figures showed that Total-Livestock-Slaughtered, Total-Seafood-Handled, Purchasing-Manger-Index, Industrial-Production-Index, Gas-Tariffs, Construction-Index, Consumer-Price-Index, Total-Air-Cargo-Handled, Total-Container-Throughput, Total-Road-Traffic-Accident-Casualties, Food-&-Beverage-Services-Index were significantly correlated (p < 0.05) with hand injuries, with R² = 62.3%. Conclusion: Quarterly economic indicators from major economic industries can be used to predict the incidence of hand injuries with a 62.3% correlation. These findings may be useful for anticipating healthcare resource allocation to treat hand injuries. Type of study and level of evidence: Economic and decision, Level II.

To investigate the efficacy of cryotherapy in relieving postoperative pain and restoring knee range-of-motion (ROM) after paediatric anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). Patients undergoing primary ACLR were randomised into cryotherapy or non-cryotherapy groups. Those receiving cryotherapy were subjected to a standardised icing protocol. Icing schedules were used to assess compliance. Standard postoperative rehabilitation protocol was followed for both groups. Outcome measurements were visual analogue scale at rest and movement and knee ROM. Patients were assessed on postoperative day 1 (POD1), 1, 4 and 6 weeks. Twenty-one out of 42 patients received cryotherapy. Both groups were similar in demographics, surgical technique and use of intraoperative anaesthesia. Patients in the cryotherapy group reported lower overall mean pain scores throughout the study duration at rest (0.61 ± 1.70, 95% CI = 0.23–0.99 vs. 1.06 ± 2.03, 95% CI = 0.60–1.53) and on movement (2.19 ± 2.68, 95% CI = 1.59–2.79 vs. 3.13 ± 2.75, 95% CI = 2.51–3.75; P = 0.032). Knee flexion in the cryotherapy group showed better recovery of knee flexion from week 4 onwards. Improvement of knee flexion from POD1 is statistically significant at week 6 (98.7 ± 19.1°, 95% CI = 89.5–107.9 vs. 65.4 ± 49.9°, 95% CI = 42.7–88.1; P = 0.010) and overall mean (71.2 ± 35.9°, 95% CI = 61.2–81.1 vs. 45.3 ± 55.5°, 95% CI = 30.4–60.2; P = 0.005). The cryotherapy group reported statistically significant better degree of overall mean knee extension (1.2 ± 3.3°, 95% CI = 0.5–2.0 vs. 2.6 ± 4.6°, 95% CI = 1.6–3.7; P = 0.032). The use of cryotherapy in postoperative ACLR recovery in paediatrics is a simple yet effective measure resulting in short-term pain relief and improvement in knee flexion.

Purpose: To compare the outcomes of the transtibial technique (TT) and the translateral technique (TLL) for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction in an Asian population. Methods: Patients who underwent either TT or TLL for ACL reconstruction between 2019 and 2021 were identified. Inclusion criteria were skeletal maturity, a magnetic resonance imaging–diagnosed ACL tear, completion of at least 2 of 3 postoperative assessments, and a minimum follow‐up of 24 months. Data collected include patient demographics, patient‐reported outcome measure scores (Tegner activity scale and Lysholm score), objective clinical outcome scores (KT‐1000), and medical records review to identify complications. Results: The average follow‐up time was 15.2 months (range: 6 to 24 months) in TT versus 17.5 months (range: 6 to 24 months) in TLL, P value = .622. Recovery of quadriceps function in a cohort of 134 patients was identified as the only significant difference in postoperative functional outcomes between the TT and TLL groups. At 12 months, the extension range of motion in TLL was statistically better than TT (TT: 1.1 ± 3.4 [–2.2, 4.4] vs TLL: –0.9 ± 2.9 [–3.7, 2.0], P = .005). KT‐1000 measurement, Tegner activity scale, and Lysholm score were not statistically significant between the TT and TLL groups at 24 months. The follow‐up rate (n [%]) between the TT and TLL groups at 12 months was 59 (78.7%) and 50 (84.7%), respectively, and at 24 months was 55 (77.3%) and 47 (79.7%), respectively. Conclusions: In this Asian cohort, transtibial and translateral ACL reconstruction showed similar short‐term outcomes. Small, transient differences in extension recovery favoring TLL did not persist at 24 months. Level of Evidence: Level III, retrospective comparative study.