Injury
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Peri-prosthetic fractures (PPF) are a recognised complication following hip arthroplasty. Prosthesis design and type influence PPF pattern. Surgeons rely on classification systems, such as the Vancouver, to aid treatment planning. ⋯ Two of the six patients who were considered to have a Vancouver B1 fracture underwent open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF), and had treatment-related complications. Retrospective review of the radiographs showed subtle features, such as subsidence of the stem into the centraliser, that are characteristic of a B2 fracture pattern. In summary, it is important to recognise this fracture pattern around secure PTC stems in order to prevent misinterpretation of the fracture as a Vancouver B1 rather than a B2, leading to failure of treatment, and to alert the surgeon that complex reconstruction will be required because of the extensive fragmentation.
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Dynamisation of a previously interlocked intramedullary nail is believed to stimulate an osteogenic response due to increased load across the fracture site. The purpose of this study was to retrospectively investigate fracture patterns that could tolerate dynamisation without the risk of major complications. Thirty patients (24 males) with an average age of 33 years (17-90) were studied. ⋯ Significant femur shortening (>20 mm) was noticed in four patients and rotational malalignment in one patient. Logistic regression analysis revealed high odds ratio (OR=70, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.5-1998) for the unstable/atrophic pattern of osseous lesion to develop major complications. In the unstable/atrophic pattern of osseous lesion, dynamisation should never be done, as it could lead to significant complications.
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The conflict between the anatomist and biologist surgeons is exemplified by the debate about subtrochanteric hip fractures. Closed intramedullary nailing is biologically friendly but may result in prolonged procedures and malunion. By contrast, accurate anatomical open reduction may disturb the biological composition of the fracture environment. ⋯ The results demonstrate that judicious use of cerclage cables to augment fixation of subtrochanteric femur fractures does not have a deleterious effect on healing. One should endeavour, however, to minimise the number of cables used. The basic science literature underpinning our approach to these unstable fractures is also discussed.
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Bone bruising of the scaphoid is a term reported when magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is carried out for scaphoid injury. The aim of our study was twofold: to see if bone bruising alone without fracture of the scaphoid bone seen on initial MRI, in a clinically symptomatic (tender) patient at 10-14 days, progressed to fracture, and to define how this entity of bone bruising should be managed. ⋯ Bone bruising detected on MRI without fracture is an important entity, and can lead to occult fracture (2%). It can take anywhere up to 8 weeks to declare. Treatment for bone bruising should be with a scaphoid cast and follow-up X-ray.
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This study was conducted to evaluate baseline cerebral tissue regional oxygen saturation (rSO(2)) values and identify risk factors related to severe rSO(2) reductions in elderly patients with hip fractures. ⋯ Low baseline cerebral rSO(2) values are common in elderly hip fracture patients, despite normal haemodynamic and arterial saturation values. Preoperative haematocrit, SpO(2) and age explain a significant portion of cerebral rSO(2) variability. More studies are needed to validate our findings and assess the potential benefit of interventions aimed at improving cerebral rSO(2) in elderly hip fracture patients.