Injury
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Patients presenting with hip pain but normal plain radiographs may ultimately be shown on further investigation to have suffered an occult hip fracture (OHF). This diagnosis can be made with CT or MRI. Traditionally MRI has been considered a superior modality. We performed a retrospective review of all patients presenting to our service with a suspected OHF over a four-year period, investigated with either CT or MRI. ⋯ Modern imaging technology does not appear to miss clinically significant fractures. As CT is usually more accessible than MRI, the results of our study should encourage surgeons to consider CT as a first line investigation for occult hip fractures. We advocate a high index of suspicion and early imaging referral for elderly patients presenting with non-specific hip pain following a fall. Level 3 Evidence.
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This review will define the role of collagen and within-bone heterogeneity and elaborate the importance of trabecular and cortical architecture with regard to their effect on the mechanical strength of bone. For each of these factors, the changes seen with osteoporosis and ageing will be described and how they can compromise strength and eventually lead to bone fragility.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Clinical outcome of conventional versus biological fixation of subtrochanteric fractures by proximal femoral locked plate.
Surgical fixation is the standard management of the subtrochanteric fractures. Proximal femoral locked plating (PF-LCP) provides a strong construct for fixation with a high success rate. However, some studies reported implant failure due to loss of the postero-medial bone support and recommended an anatomical reduction. Other studies reported excellent to good results with indirect (biological) fixation without anatomical reduction. In this study, we reviewed the short-term clinical results of PF-LCP fixation for subtrochanteric fractures using both conventional and biological fixation. ⋯ PF-LCP provided a strong construct for fixation of the comminuted subtrochanteric fractures either by open or biological techniques. Low patient compliance is an influential factor for implant failure in both types.