Thermographic skin temperatures of patients presenting to the hospital with red, hot swollen joints and of wrists, ankles and hips after fracture fixation.
This is a study of 12 months duration. Following wrist and ankle fixation, patients will be imaged after the operation, and at 1 or 2 weeks, 4, 6, 12 and 24 weeks. Following hip fixation, patients will be imaged whilst an inpatient and during routine follow-up. Patients attending with red, hot swollen joints will be imaged during admission and consecutive days up until washout and daily until discharge. Patients will then be pragmatically imaged during routine follow-ups, which will be directed by their surgeon. This will likely be at 1, 2, 4, 6, 12 and 24 weeks. Patients who present with a red, hot swollen joint but who do not undergo washout will be imaged during routine follow-up.
1. Wrist fractures treated with volar plate 2. Ankle fractures treated with plate and screws 3. Neck of femur fractures treated with dynamic hip screw or arthroplasty 3. Patients with painful, red, hot, swollen joints (shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee and ankle) attending the emergency department or who have been admitted
1. Aged <18 years old 2. Prior fixation to ipsilateral or contralateral ROI (Region of Interest) 3. Concurrent skin condition over ROI 4. Peripheral neuropathy or vasculopathy 5. Pathological Fracture 6. Inflammatory Arthropathy 7. Open fracture 8. Concomitant injuries or other joints or limbs affected 9. Skin conditions affecting the ipsilateral or contralateral region of interest 10. Conditions that will prevent the participant from having capacity, giving consent or following instructions