An infection caused by a new variant of the coronavirus Delta and Omicron could be more contagious than previously thought, experts say. The discovery, named Deltacron, was made by a team in Cyprus who identified 25 cases.
The strain is likely the result of an error in laboratory procedure, said Aris Katzourakis, a professor of evolution and genomics at Oxford University. It occurs when a virus’s genome is split into genetic fragments and analysed before it’s put back together in a computer.
It is used to treat proximal humerus fractures
Proximal humerus fractures (PHF) are one of the most common fractures in elderly patients. They are non-operatively treated in the majority of cases, but operative treatment is recommended in cases of severe or displaced PHF.
Reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA) is a surgical procedure that has gained popularity for the treatment of displaced PHF. However, there is a lack of RCTs comparing RTSA to non-operative treatment.
Moreover, limited data on the rate of improvement in shoulder function beyond 1 year after rTSA are available from previous studies. This study is designed to evaluate the rate of improvement in shoulder function after rTSA for displaced 3- and 4-part proximal humerus fractures.
The study is a multicenter, prospective, randomised controlled trial. It is intended for patients with a displaced 3- or 4-part proximal humeral fracture, age >= 70 years, and independent living with a low-energy injury mechanism.
It is a reverse prosthesis
A shoulder replacement depends on muscles and tendons that attach to the bone of the shoulder joint called the rotator cuff to be intact. However, when these tendons are damaged or torn, they can’t work properly and this causes pain and loss of movement in the shoulder.
A reverse prosthesis (also known as a “reversed anatomy” or “reversed ball-and-socket” prosthesis) is used to treat shoulders that have irreparable rotator cuff tears. It is designed to shift the center of rotation so that the deltoid muscle can work better.
This has been shown to reduce pain and increase range of motion in patients with rotator cuff tears. Moreover, it can improve quality of life in patients who have been suffering from pain and stiffness for years.
It is a splint
Despite the name, deltacon is not a medical device but rather a splint. The splint is essentially a plastic plate with a hole drilled into the patient’s elbow that is filled with a small amount of cement. The splint is meant to be worn on the front or back of the patient’s arm for the best part of a week or two depending on the severity of the damage. The splint is an excellent treatment for those who aren’t interested in surgery but want the benefits of a cast without the pain and swelling.
