Objectives Acute compartment syndrome (ACS) can be caused by multiple causes that affect people of different ages. It is considered an orthopedic emergency condition that requires immediate diagnosis and surgical intervention to avoid devastating complications and irreversible damages. This systematic review aimed to present the etiology of trauma-related forearm ACS. Methods A systematic review was performed on four different databases: Embase, Medline, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) and Cochrane Database of systematic review register databases via Ovid, with no restriction on dates (last date was June 30, 2021). It included all the studies containing data about the etiology of trauma-related forearm ACS. Results A total of 4893 articles were retrieved: 122 met the inclusion criteria, 39 were excluded, 25 were out of scope and 14 had insufficient details. Hence, this review constituted 83 articles and 684 patients. The etiology of ACS causing forearm ACS was classified into three groups: fracture-related, soft tissue injury-related and vascular injury-related. The fracture-related group was the most common group (65.4%), followed by soft tissue injury (30.7%), then vascular injuries (3.9%). Furthermore, supracondylar humerus fractures were the most common cause of fractures related to forearm ACS. Blunt traumas were the most common cause of soft tissue injuries-related forearm ACS, and brachial artery injuries were the most common cause of vascular-related forearm ACS. Conclusion Frequent assessment of patients with the most prevalent etiologies of forearm ACS is recommended for early detection of forearm ACS and to save limbs.

Hand compartment syndrome is a limb-threatening emergency. Although it is a relatively uncommon condition, early diagnosis, and urgent fasciotomy can prevent irreversible ischemia, myonecrosis, nerve dysfunction, and subsequently permanent loss of hand functions. The occurrence of hand compartment syndrome is relatively infrequent, resulting in a limited amount of literature on its causes. As a result, we conducted a systematic review to provide the most comprehensive data regarding the etiology of traumatic hand compartment syndrome. This systematic review was conducted and reported in light of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) checklist. We searched among Medline, and EBSCO Database, with no restriction on the dates (last date of the systematic search was done on April 28, 2022). We included all studies containing data regarding traumatic hand compartment syndrome. A total of 29 articles with 129 patients constituted the basis of this review. The etiology of traumatic hand compartment syndrome was classified into three groups: soft tissue injury-related, fracture-related, and vascular injury-related causes. The most common etiology of hand compartment was related to soft tissue injuries which constituted 86.8% of all etiologies, followed by fracture-related (5.4%), then vascular injury-related (1.5%). Further, burns were the most likely injury to lead to hand compartment syndrome which made up 63.4% of soft-tissue injuries, followed by animal bites (8.9%). Hand compartment syndrome can be caused by multiple etiologies that affect people of different ages. Therefore, identifying the most prevalent causes can help in early detection of compartment syndrome by frequent assessment of patients that present with the most prevalent causes like burn among soft tissue injuries and metacarpal bone fracture among fractures.

BackgroundThe orthopedic surgery workforce constitutes a vital role in the healthcare system, with data being scarce. Therefore, through this study, we share an overview of the orthopedic workforce distribution, demographic trends, and changes over the past decade in Saudi Arabia. MethodsAll practicing orthopedic surgeons in Saudi Arabia from January 1, 2010, to December 31, 2021, were included in the study. Data regarding orthopedic surgeons' demographics and numbers were obtained from the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCFHS), whereas the data related to the geographical distribution of orthopedic surgeons was obtained from the Ministry of Health Statistical Yearbook of 2020. ResultsThe ratio of orthopedic surgeons per 100,000 people was 5.42 in 2010, which grew subsequently to 12.29 in 2021. The number of Saudi orthopedic surgeons has been noticeably rising through the years, while a slowly growing pattern can be seen among non-Saudi orthopedic surgeons. In addition, the highest ratios of orthopedic surgeons per 100,000 were in Makkah (1.72), Riyadh (1.26), and the Eastern Region (1.06). ConclusionIn this study, we demonstrate the progress of the orthopedic workforce in Saudi Arabia over a period of 12 years. The number of orthopedic surgeons per 100,000 people showed a significant rise due to several factors, one of which is road traffic accidents. Also, although the number of female orthopedic surgeons has been rising lately, they are still much fewer than males in this field. In addition, Saudi Arabia has been developing a new healthcare system via the privatization of some of the governmental hospitals, which will lead to changes in the future workforce and its accommodations.

BackgroundCarpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) afflicting the upper limbs with a prevalence of approximately 14.4% in the general population. Previous studies have noted the increasing prevalence of MSDs among teachers but have not investigated in depth the prevalence and predictors of CTS symptoms in this population. The aim of this study was to help fill this gap in the literature by investigating teachers working in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. MethodsWe conducted this cross-sectional study in Riyadh using an online survey. We distributed the Boston carpal tunnel questionnaire (BCTQ) to schoolteachers in the city through the social media applications Twitter, WhatsApp, and Telegram. We assessed the respondents' symptoms using Univariate association analyses with a Wilcoxon rank sum test for the continuous variables and Fisher's exact test and Pearson's chi-squared test for the categorical variables. We assessed the independent risk factors for CTS by constructing multivariate binary logistic regression models and expressed the results using the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs), with p < 0.05 indicating statistical significance. ResultsThe sample for this study included 490 teachers. Among them, the prevalence of moderate to severe CTS symptoms was 40.0%, and self-reported CTS was 9.1%. The teachers who were female, relatively old, lefthanded, retired, and spent significant time using a pen, keyboard, and/or blackboard were more likely than those who were male, relatively young, right-handed, and did not spend significant time using a pen, keyboard, and/or blackboard to self-report CTS and exhibit moderate to severe symptoms. ConclusionsWe found a relatively high percentage (40.0%) of CTS symptoms among teachers working in Riyadh. This finding suggests that any sign of CTS symptoms should be checked to ensure early diagnosis and treatment, which contribute to positive outcomes, particularly given the recent increase in such risk factors for CTS as diabetes, hypothyroidism, and high BMI in populations worldwide.

Cubital tunnel syndrome is a common disorder that affects the upper limb and involves compression of the ulnar nerve. However, this syndrome is rarely caused by multiple intraneural ganglion cysts. Of all intraneural ganglion cysts, only 9% affect the elbow. This study presents a case report of a 73-year-old female patient who manifested pain, numbness, tingling, and paralysis of the medial aspect of her left forearm, fourth, and fifth fingers of the left hand for six months. Intraoperative findings showed multiple intraneural cysts at the left elbow, which were confirmed via histopathology. The cysts were surgically excised, whereas the ulnar nerve was released into the cubital tunnel and anteriorly transposed. Complete sensory and motor recovery were achieved. Although similar cases of intraneural cysts were reported in the literature, this case has the uniqueness of the unusual number and site of intraneural cysts in the ulnar nerve on the background of osteoarthritic changes. Therefore, the aim of reporting this case is to increase awareness of the presence of these cysts when the symptoms are severe.