The Journal of bone and joint surgery. American volume
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J Bone Joint Surg Am · Dec 2007
Outcomes following plate fixation of fractures of both bones of the forearm in adults.
Internal fixation of diaphyseal forearm fractures has been associated with high union rates and satisfactory forearm motion. The purpose of this study was to investigate patient-based functional outcomes and to objectively measure strength following plate fixation of fractures of both bones of the forearm. ⋯ Stabilization with internal plate fixation following fracture of both bones of the forearm restores nearly normal anatomy and motion. However, a moderate reduction in the strength of the forearm, the wrist, and grip should be expected following this injury. Perceived disability as measured with the DASH and SF-36 questionnaires is determined by pain more than by objective physical impairment.
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J Bone Joint Surg Am · Dec 2007
The influence of insurance status on the transfer of femoral fracture patients to a level-I trauma center.
The aim of the present study was to evaluate transfer patterns and insurance status for patients with a femoral fracture who were definitively managed within a six-hospital health-care system. We hypothesized that insurance status significantly influenced transfer of these patients to the level-I trauma center and that the level-I center provided definitive care for a disproportionate percentage of uninsured femoral fracture patients. ⋯ The majority (71%) of the patients with a femoral fracture who had been managed definitively within our health-care system, regardless of injury severity, had been taken directly to the trauma center. This finding suggests over-triage, which errs on the side of patient well-being. Because there was a significant difference in insurance status between patients who had been transferred to the level-I center and those who had not been transferred as well as between patients who had been definitively managed at the level-I center and those who had been managed in community hospitals, it can be assumed that insurance status as well as injury severity and orthopaedic surgeon availability influence the decision to transfer femoral fracture patients to a level-I trauma center.
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The effect of obesity on the outcomes of metal-on-metal resurfacing arthroplasty is not currently known. In this study, we assessed the influence of body mass index on the survival of a metal-on-metal hybrid hip resurfacing prosthesis by comparing the clinical results of patients with a body mass index of >or=30 with those of patients with a body mass index of <30. ⋯ Metal-on-metal resurfacing hip arthroplasty is performing well in patients with a high body mass index, although the function scores are reduced compared with those for patients with a body mass index of <30. The protective effect of a high body mass index on survivorship results may be explained by a reduced activity level and a greater component size in this patient population.
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J Bone Joint Surg Am · Nov 2007
Multicenter StudyNon-neurologic complications following surgery for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.
The reported prevalence of non-neurologic complications following corrective surgery for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis ranges from 0% to 10%. However, most studies were retrospective evaluations of treatment techniques and did not focus solely on complications. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of non-neurologic complications following surgery for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis and to identify preoperative and operative factors that can increase this risk. ⋯ The prevalence of non-neurologic postoperative complications following surgery for correction of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis in this study was 15.4%. The few factors noted to significantly increase the rate of complications include a history of renal disease, increased operative blood loss, prolonged posterior surgery time, and prolonged anesthesia time.