Injury
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There is limited research to guide physicians and patients in deciding whether it is safe to drive while wearing various forms of upper extremity immobilization. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of below-elbow removable splints and fiberglass casts on automobile driving performance. ⋯ Drivers should use caution when wearing any of the forms of upper extremity immobilization tested in this study. All forms of immobilization, with exception of the left short arm splint significantly increased perceived driving difficulty. However, only the fiberglass spica casts (both left and right arm), significantly increased drive run failures due to loss of vehicle control. We recommend against driving when wearing a below-elbow fiberglass spica cast on either extremity.
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This study was designed to assess the incidence and morphology of coronal plane fragments in AO/OTA 31-A trochanteric fractures. ⋯ On plain radiographs, a coronal plane fracture was identified in 59 cases, an incidence of 37.8% (59/156). In comparison, 3D CT reconstructions identified coronal plane fractures in 138 cases for an incidence of 88.4% (138/156). 3D CT reconstructions identified coronal fracture fragments in 81.9% (50/61) of AO/OTA 31-A1 cases, 94.5% (69/73) of 31-A2 cases, and 86.3% (19/22) of 31-A3 cases. Incidence of coronal fractures identified on plain radiographs of 3 AO/OTA 31-A1,A2,A3 groups was lower when compared to the incidence of coronal fractures identified on 3D CT. Of the 138 cases that had coronal plane fracture, 82 cases (59.4%) had a single coronal fragment (GT fragment 35 cases, GLT fragment 19 cases, GLPC fragment 28 cases). The remaining 56 cases (40.5%) had two coronal fragments. There is a high incidence of coronal fragments in intertrochanteric femur fractures when analyzed with 3D CT reconstructions. Our study suggests that these coronal fragments are difficult to identify on plain radiographs. Knowledge of the incidence and morphology of coronal fragments helps to avoid potential intraoperative pitfalls.
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Tension-band wire fixation of patellar fractures is associated with significant hardware-related complications and infection. Braided polyester suture fixation is an alternative option. However, these suture fixations have higher failure rates due to the difficulty in achieving rigid suture knot fixation. The Arthrex syndesmotic TightRope, which is a double-button adjustable loop fixation device utilizing a 4-point locking system using FibreWire, may not only offer stiff rigid fixation using a knotless system, but may also obviate the need for implant removal due to hardware related problems. The aim of our study is to compare the fixation rigidity of patella fractures using Tightrope versus conventional tension-band wiring (TBW) in a cadaveric model. ⋯ We found no difference between the TBW and Tightrope fixation in terms of fracture gapping and failure. With possible lower risk of complications such as implant migration and soft tissue irritation, we believe tightrope fixation is a feasible alternative in fracture management of transverse patella fractures.