Injury
-
This cadaveric study sought to evaluate the feasibility of applying a locking proximal humerus plate with a novel minimally invasive technique. A unique pre-contoured locking plate was placed on cadaveric proximal humeri through a described minimally invasive approach. Proximity of the plate and screws to the axillary nerve and their respective surgical tracks were quantified. ⋯ Placement of a locking proximal humerus plate via a minimally invasive lateral trans-deltoid approach is safe if the locking screws are limited to superior and inferior holes. This can be done safely without entrapment of the axillary beneath the plate. Plate fixation of proximal humerus fractures may now be more desirable with the use of this approach.
-
Paediatric spinal injuries, although rare (1-2% of all paediatric fractures) are associated with the highest mortality rate of all orthopaedic injuries in children. The low incidence is due, not only to the plasticity of the paediatric spine, but also the difficulty of diagnosis and the usually severe if not fatal associated injuries. A 10-year (1995-2004) retrospective study was undertaken of all patients treated for a spinal injury at our institute, which functions as both an acute care centre and a tertiary referral centre for seriously injured children. ⋯ Treatment included closed reduction in two patients and posterior open reduction and stabilisation in two patients, with one of these also requiring decompression. Spinal injuries in children differ from adults due primarily to the biomechanical and anatomical features of the developing musculoskeletal system. When a spinal injury is identified on initial radiographic or clinical evaluation of an injured child, one should have a high index of suspicion that concurrent, potentially life-threatening injuries may be present.
-
Juvenile Tillaux fracture is relatively an uncommon injury for which there appears no established treatment protocol. ⋯ Treatment of juvenile Tillaux fractures with 2mm or more displacement by internal fixation without any attempt of closed reduction gives excellent results.
-
Intramedullary nailing has become a popular and effective procedure for the treatment of most tibial fractures. However, concerns regarding difficulties with reduction, the use and extent of intramedullary reaming, and hardware failure are probably the only constraints to its widespread use. In this prospective study, we present the clinical and radiographic results of the Orthofix tibial nailing system used in the treatment of tibial shaft fractures. ⋯ There were no substantial differences in time to fracture union or in the rate of complications related to minimal open reduction. In addition, there seem to be more benefits than risks in the use of power intramedullary reaming during intramedullary fixation of tibial shaft fractures. In conclusion, most tibial shaft fractures can effectively and safely be treated using this type of locking intramedullary nailing device, with relatively few complications, and with satisfactory long-term clinical results.