Circular frame treatment for limb reconstruction involves repeated follow-up visits, and a substantial number of these appointments are for pin site review only. We have encouraged our frame patients to take photographs of their pin sites when they carry out their weekly dressing changes. The photographs are taken with mobile phones or digital cameras by the patients themselves, and the images sent to us by email. We reply within 24 hours, with either reassurance or appropriate instructions as indicated. In the past 12 months, five patients have had their pin sites reviewed remotely using this method, and have expressed a high level of satisfaction. These early results are encouraging.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
ParameswaranAD, RobertsCS, SeligsonD, VoorM. Pin tract infection with contemporary external fixation: how much of a problem?J Orthop Trauma2003;17:503–7
2.
PatilS, MontgomeryR. Management of complex tibial and femoral nonunion using the Ilizarov technique, and its cost implications. J Bone Joint Surg Br2006;88:928–32
3.
KanakarisNK, GiannoudisPV. The health economics of the treatment of long-bone non-unions. Injury2007;38(Suppl. 2):77–84
4.
Hofmann-WellenhofR, SalmhoferW, BinderB, OkcuA, KerlH, SoyerHP. Feasibility and acceptance of telemedicine for wound care in patients with chronic leg ulcers. J Telemed Telecare2006;12(Suppl. 1):15–7
5.
KnolA, van den AkkerTW, DamstraRJ, de HaanJ. Teledermatology reduces the number of patient referrals to a dermatologist. J Telemed Telecare2006;12:75–8
6.
WhitedJD. Economic analysis of telemedicine and the teledermatology paradigm. Telemed J E Health2010;16:223–8
7.
RicciWM, BorrelliJ. Teleradiology in orthopaedics. Clin Orthop Relat Res2004;421:64–9
8.
PalomboA, FergusonJ, RowlandsA, PedleyD, FraserS. An evaluation of a telemedicine fracture review clinic. J Telemed Telecare2003;9(Suppl. 1):31–3
9.
SoopramanienA, PainH, StainthorpeA, MenariniM, VenturaM. Using telemedicine to provide post-discharge support for patients with spinal cord injuries. J Telemed Telecare2005;11(Suppl. 1):68–70
10.
Chanussot-DeprezC, Contreras-RuizJ. Telemedicine in wound care. Int Wound J2008;5:651–4
11.
TsaiHH, PongYP, LiangCC, LinPY, HsiehCH. Teleconsultation by using the mobile camera phone for remote management of the extremity wound: a pilot study. Ann Plast Surg2004;53:584–7
12.
Office for National Statistics. Internet Access – Households and Individuals. Cardiff: Office for National Statistics, 2009
13.
MartinL, FarrellM, LambrenosK, NayagamD. Living with the Ilizarov frame: adolescent perceptions. J Adv Nurs2003;43:478–87
14.
BüyükyilmazF, SendirM, SalmondS. Evaluation of body image and self-esteem in patients with external fixation devices: a Turkish perspective. Orthop Nurse2009;28:169–75
15.
FlemingDA, EdisonKE, PakH. Telehealth ethics. Telemed J E Health2009;15:797–803
16.
LeeRS, LangstaffRJ. Entrusting patients with their own plain radiographs increases their availability in fracture clinic. Injury2005;36:1413–5
