Clinical trials evaluating the impact of sentinel node biopsy, completion lymph node dissection and adjuvant medical therapies on patient outcomes have changed practice significantly.
This clinical challenge is based on this month’s Focus articles. To complete this activity, go to the RACGP website.
Management of individual fractures depends on the fracture pattern and age of the child.
The specialty of orthopaedics includes management of musculoskeletal pathology of the upper limbs, spine and lower limbs across the lifespan, from the very young to the very old.
The natural history of bunions is of progression, and patients are unlikely to obtain long-term pain relief or resolution of symptoms with non-operative management.
Appropriate education of patients regarding the nature of the illness, lifestyle modifications to avoid aggravating activities and appropriate use of analgesics are critical in effective management.
Some recent advances affect the practice of general orthopaedics, while others may be more specific to subspecialty practice, such as refinements of surgical techniques.
Treatment of central low back pain is difficult given the numerous treatment options available.
Management of basal thumb arthritis is dependent on both the clinical stage of the disease and patient expectations and demands.
Management of acute Achilles tendon rupture has evolved, with increasing evidence that non-operative management is appropriate providing patients participate in a functional rehabilitation protocol.
Pre-operative education and exercise, termed prehabilitation, has an important role in optimising patient outcomes following hip and knee arthroplasty.
Readers express their opinions on published articles and topics of interest.
Characterising the general practice response to the COVID-19 pandemic is important for ongoing policy planning.
Prognostic uncertainty delays discussions and leads to unnecessary treatments for older patients who are dying.