Background From February 21, the day of hospitalisation in ICU of the first diagnosed case of Covid-19, the social situation and the hospitals' organisation throughout Italy dramatically changed. Methods The CIO (Club Italiano dell'Osteosintesi) is an Italian society devoted to the study of traumatology that counts members spread in public and private hospitals throughout the country. Fifteen members of the CIO, Chairmen of 15 Orthopaedic and Trauma Units of level 1 or 2 trauma centres in Italy, have been involved in the study. They were asked to record data about surgical, outpatients clinics and ER activity from the 23rd of February to the 4th of April 2020. The data collected were compared with the data of the same timeframe of the previous year (2019). Results Comparing with last year, overall outpatient activity reduced up to 75%, overall Emergency Room (ER) trauma consultations up to 71%, elective surgical activity reduced up to 100% within two weeks and trauma surgery excluding femoral neck fractures up to 50%. The surgical treatment of femoral neck fractures showed a stable reduction from 15 to 20% without a significant variation during the timeframe. Conclusions Covid-19 outbreak showed a tremendous impact on all orthopaedic trauma activities throughout the country except for the surgical treatment of femoral neck fractures, which, although reduced, did not change in percentage within the analysed timeframe.

Compared to three-point orthosis, patients treated with dynamic orthosis had a greater reduction in pain and a greater improvement in quality of life and respiratory function, with equal effectiveness in stabilizing the fracture, and fewer complications.

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We report a case of bilateral displaced acetabular fractures including both columns fractures with protrusio acetabuli in a female patient, aged 15 years, with osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) (Sillence Type I), epilepsy, blue sclera and bilateral ipoacusia. Since OI is a rare genetic disorder characterized by an increased propensity to osteopenia, intraoperative fracture risks and hemorrhagic diathesis, we opted for the open reduction and internal fixation of the acetabula in two surgical steps and using two different approaches. Although the clinical outcomes are not excellent in this report (HHS 45/100), the authors suggest that chances of a good outcome with reconstruction of the acetabulum must be balanced against the benefits of early or late total hip arthroplasty. The goal was to delay a joint replacement as long as possible due to the patient's young age.Level of evidence: V, case report.

We conclude that in complicated non-unions, the use of blade plate and bone strut allograft has a definite positive role in the management of such cases.