Purpose Our aim was to assess the basic musculoskeletal competency of pre-internship graduates from Nigerian medical schools. Methods We administered the Freedman and Bernstein basic musculoskeletal competency examination to 113 pre-internship graduates from seven Nigerian medical schools over a three year period from 2008 to 2010 at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital. Five specialist residents took the examination to test criteria relevance. Results All graduates failed this test, obtaining scores ranging from 7% to 67%. The duration of the orthopaedic posting, and observation of operative fracture fixation, were not significant determinants of the score. The two final-year specialist residents each had a marginal pass in the examination.Conclusion Basic musculoskeletal competency among preinternship Nigerian medical-school graduates is inadequate.

Background: Proximal femoral focal deficiency is an extremely rare congenital anomaly with an incidence of 1.1-2.0 in 100,000 live births. It is a dysplastic phenomenon with predilections for the proximal two-thirds of the femur leading to limb length discrepancies. We report two cases of proximal femoral focal deficiency, which is a rare entity. Case presentations: Case 1 A 4.5-month-old baby Annang tribe girl was referred in April 2019 to our Radiology Department, University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Nigeria for lower limb radiographs. This was on account of her shortened left lower limb from birth despite uneventful antenatal history. An examination revealed bulky left thigh with abduction of her left hip joint. Radiographic evaluations showed absent left femoral capital epiphysis, with deficient proximal left femur. A diagnosis of proximal femoral focal deficiency was made. Sadly, the parents and baby failed to honor future orthopedic consultations on intimation of sequential management protocols. Case 2 A 4-month-old baby Ibibio tribe girl was similarly referred in August 2019 to the same Radiology Department for lower limb conventional radiographs due to short left lower limb that was noticed from birth. An examination showed shortened left lower limb in external rotation. Her right and left lower limbs measured 27 cm and 23 cm, respectively, with landmark taken from anterior superior iliac spine to tip of medial malleolus. A diagnosis of proximal femoral focal deficiency was made. Corroborating radiographs showed shortened and hypoplastic left femoral shaft but preserved femoral capital epiphysis. Coincidentally, the parents have not brought back their baby to our orthopedic clinic. Conclusions: The discovery of two cases of proximal femoral focal deficiency, a rare entity, from referrals for conventional radiography in our Radiology Department encourages literature documentation. Such recognition will facilitate early institution of management, thus ensuring meaningful childhood growth.

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Fractures of the shaft of the tibia and fibula are common. Complications are minimal following careful application of principles during treatment by the Orthopaedic Surgeon. However, in our environment, not all patients present to the Orthopaedic Surgeon as they opt for some form of unconventional treatment, usually with the traditional bone setters. Such treatments sometimes lead to clinically unacceptable outcomes. This is a case report of a 42-year old female Nigerian with a 4-year history of post traumatic anterior angulation of the distal right tibia with severely contracted Achilles tendon following traditional bone setter’s treatment for open fractures of the distal tibia and fibula. There was 7 cm of right lower limb shortening and 45 degrees anterior angulation of a tibial malunion. She had a two- stage operation to correct the deformities. Patient achieved a plantigrade foot and fracture union without limb length discrepancy. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ajms.v6i1.10198   Asian Journal of Medical Sciences Vol.6(1) 2015 108-111

Aim: Consumption of alcohol plays a key role in traumatic injuries The capacity of alcohol to distort human cognitive ability and reasoning makes it an important factor in the causation of motor vehicle and interpersonal violence-related injuries The aim of this study was to investigate the role of alcohol in severe facial injuries in settings of motor vehicular crashes and interpersonal violence. Study Design: A prospective study of 118 patients who suffered alcohol-related facial injuries. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at the University of Uyo teaching hospital Uyo, Nigeria over a 5-year period, from January 2007 to January 2021. Methodology: The variables analyzed included socio demographics, nature of injury and sites of injuries. Alcohol Use Disturbance Identification Test (AUDIT test) was used to identify risks and damages of alcohol use and dependence. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 21.0. Multivariate analysis was carried out using binary logistic regression analysis, P = 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Results: A total of 118 patients suffered alcohol-related facial injuries in the period of the study. There were 97 males and 21 females, giving a male to female ratio of 4:1 The mean age  of the patients’ population was  43 .The commonest age range involved in alcohol-related facial injuries was 29-38 years. Road traffic injuries were the commonest cause of facial injuries.  Medium risk alcohol consumption and male gender were identified as risk factors for  moderate and severe injuries  as well as for avulsive injuries. Conclusion: Alcohol-related injuries often turn out severe, and the identifiable risk factors include male gender, high-risk alcohol consumption and road traffic crashes.