Background One of the groups that is most vulnerable to the COVID-19 pandemic is pregnant women. They cannot choose to refrain from care; they and their children are at risk of severe complications related to the virus; and they lose comfort and support as clinics prohibit their partners and as societal restrictions demand isolation from friends and relatives. It is urgent to study how this group is faring during the pandemic and we focus here on their health-related worries. Methods A longitudinal survey at a Swedish hospital starting six months before (16 September 2019) and continuing during the COVID-19 outbreak (until 25 August 2020). 6,941 pregnant women and partners of diverse social backgrounds were recruited. 96 percent of birth-giving women in the city take early ultrasounds where recruitment took place. 62 percent of the women with an appointment and 51 percent of their partners gave consent to participate. Results Pregnant women experienced dramatically increased worries for their own health, as well as for their partner’s and their child’s health in the beginning of the pandemic. The worries remained at higher than usual levels throughout the pandemic. Similar, but less dramatic changes, were seen among partners. Conclusions There is a need for heightened awareness of pregnant women’s and partners’ health-related worries as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic. Related feelings such as anxiety have been linked to adverse pregnancy outcome and might have long-term effects. The health care system needs to prepare for follow-up visits with these families.

The aim was to investigate the long-term outcome after corrective osteotomy for malunion of distal radius fractures. Radiological findings, function, activity performance, pain, health-related quality of life and self-efficacy were studied. Evaluation of 37 patients 3-10 years after osteotomy fixated with a volar plate. Conventional radiographs were taken. Grip strength and range of motion were evaluated. Scores from the Patient Rated Wrist Evaluation (PRWE) were compared with normative values. The RAND-36 was used for evaluation of health-related quality of life and the General Self-Efficacy scale (S-GSE) for self-efficacy. Radial height, volar tilt, and ulnar variance improved postoperatively. In the long term, the corrections were maintained. Radiographs showed significantly more advanced osteoarthritis. Mean grip strength was 31 kg (SD 13) 89%, and range of motion varied between 80% and 95% compared to the uninjured side. The median PRWE was 12 points (0-99). The study group experienced higher levels of pain than reference values. There was a moderate correlation between the PRWE and volar tilt (rs ¼ 0.453, p ¼ .006) and grip strength (rs ¼ 0.40, p ¼ .014). At long-term follow-up functional outcome after a corrective osteotomy is generally good, but patients may experience some degree of pain. Corrective osteotomy might be considered for patients with a poor functional outcome after a distal radius fracture.

No abstract

Integration of patients' and health professionals' views on how rehabilitation services are coordinated and how (parts of) processes are set up elsewhere provide valuable information for the further optimization of rehabilitation services.

The aim of this study was to explore the everyday life experiences of people one year after corrective osteotomy following a symptomatic, malunited, distal radius fracture. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with twenty respondents, median age 65 (22-81) years. The respondents were recruited consecutively. The interviews were subjected to qualitative content analysis. Three authors took part in the analysis. The result is presented as one theme, 'Daily life works again' with five categories: Relief of inconveniences and symptoms, Managing new symptoms and complications, Regaining abilities, Normalised social relationships, Increased wellbeing. The symptoms had declined in severity, some participants regarded themselves as fully restored and used their hand again without hesitation. Others were still bothered by their wrist occasionally and a few had to manage complications. The participants had regained the ability to perform many everyday life activities and reported increased independence and less irritation between spouses, as well as increased wellbeing. One year after a corrective osteotomy following malunion of a distal radius fracture, the patients' experiences represent a continuum. Some are still restricted by their wrist occasionally, the majority experience an increased ease in their performance of activities of daily life and some regard themselves as fully restored. The recovery has a positive impact on social relationships and the patients' wellbeing.