The Orthopedic clinics of North America
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Surgical treatment of proximal humeral nonunions and malunions are technically challenging. Osteosynthesis with bone grafting for the treatment of nonunions is indicated in young, active patients with adequate bone stock in the proximal fragment and preservation of the glenohumeral articular surfaces. Corrective osteotomy may be a reasonable option for proximal humeral malunions in young patients without evidence of degenerative joint disease. Arthroplasty for proximal humerus nonunions and malunions has a guarded outcome because of limitations in shoulder motion, but pain relief is more consistently improved upon.
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Acromioclavicular (AC) joint injuries are a frequent diagnosis following an acute shoulder injury. The literature on AC joint dislocation is extensive, reflecting the intense debate surrounding the topic. The choice of treatment is influenced by factors including the type of injury, the patient's occupation, the patient's past medical history, the acuity of the injury, and patient expectations. ⋯ It is difficult to study with a well-designed prospective study because of the low frequency of this injury. Posterior dislocations are much less common than anterior dislocations. Posterior dislocations, however, are more serious; they are associated with significant complications and require prompt attention.
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The glenohumeral joint is the most mobile articulation in the body and the most commonly dislocated diarthroidal joint. Anterior dislocation is by far the most common direction and can lead to instability of the glenohumeral joint, which ranges from subtle increased laxity to recurrent dislocation. ⋯ Likewise, significant advances in arthroscopic equipment have allowed use of the arthroscope to address anatomically the various lesions that cause instability. This article reviews the anatomy, pathophysiology, clinical evaluation, and treatment of anterior shoulder instability.
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Orthop. Clin. North Am. · Apr 2008
ReviewSoft tissue coverage of the elbow: a reconstructive algorithm.
Soft tissue defects can occur for various reasons, but they are primarily due to trauma, tumor, and infection. Coverage choices may include primary closure, skin grafting, local cutaneous flaps, fasciocutaneous transposition flaps, island fascial or fasciocutaneous flaps, muscle or myocutaneous pedicled flaps, and microvascular free-tissue transfer. Despite the multitude of options for coverage, the authors have found four flaps to provide reliable coverage for most elbow deficits within their practice; these flaps are the latissimus dorsi flap, the radial forearm flap, the anconeus flap, and the free anterior lateral thigh flap. This article provides an overview of treatment options for elbow coverage, with specific emphasis on the use of these four specific flaps.
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Posterolateral rotatory instability of the elbow is the most common pattern of chronic lateral elbow instability. The primary lesion in posterolateral rotatory instability is injury or attenuation of the lateral ulnar collateral ligament. ⋯ Reconstruction of the lateral ulnar collateral ligament with repair of the surrounding soft tissue structures is recommended in patients who have symptoms of recurrent lateral instability. Open and arthroscopic reconstruction techniques have resulted in improvement of elbow function and satisfactory results in most patients, although mild limitation in terminal extension of the elbow is a common finding.