Injury
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High-quality imaging is crucial for orthopedic traumatologists in the evaluation and management of pelvic and acetabular fractures. Computed tomography (CT) plays an essential role in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with these complex injuries. A thoughtful evaluation of associated soft tissues can reveal additional details about the patient and their injury that may impact treatment. This review aims to highlight soft tissue findings that should be identified when evaluating the initial diagnostic imaging after pelvic and acetabular trauma.
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The treatment of intertrochanteric fractures in the elderly remains challenging for orthopedic surgeons, due to aging, comorbidities, and poor bone quality. The Heracles straight blade has proven a lower rate of cut-out and femoral head displacement in biomechanical studies; however, there are currently no published clinical studies using this nail. ⋯ The Heracles nail using a cephalic straight blade has proven to be a valid treatment of trochanteric fractures, due to the functional recovery of the patients and low level of complications.
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Coronal shear fractures of the distal humerus are uncommon injuries representing 6% of distal humeral fractures. There is no univocal consensus about the correct management of this type of fracture. A national survey was conducted to gain more insight into the current classification, diagnosis and treatment of coronal shear fractures in Italy. ⋯ An algorithm of treatment has been proposed. To better classify coronal shear fractures, the authors recommended the integration of two classification systems: AO and Dubberley classifications. In the case of posterior wall comminution, a Kocher extensile approach is recommended, otherwise, if a posterior wall is intact, Kocher or Kaplan approach can be used. The posterior transolecranic approach can be reserved to Dubberley type III or AO 13B3.3. The best treatment choice is represented by independent screws and plates placed according to fracture patterns while arthroplasty is indicated when a stable ORIF is not possible. Mobilization is postponed for about 2 weeks.
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Motorcycle collisions comprise a large portion of motor vehicle injuries and fatalities with over 80,000 injuries and 5,500 fatalities per year in the United States. Unhelmeted riders have poor medical outcomes and generate billions in costs. Despite helmet use having been shown to lower the risk of neurological injury and death, helmet compliance is not universal, and legislation concerning helmet use also varies widely across the United States. ⋯ Stringent helmet laws may be an effective mechanism for decreasing unhelmeted mortality. Therefore, universal helmet laws may be one such mechanism to decrease motorcycle-related neurological injury and fatality burden. In states with existing helmet laws, elimination of exemptions for certain riders and motorcycle-type vehicles may also decrease fatalities.