Der Orthopäde
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High energy fractures of the pelvis are often associated with genitourinary, neurological, vascular, intestinal, and other skeletal injuries. The pelvic fracture therefore reflects only some of the destructive energy sustained by the patient and is a marker for the associated soft tissue injuries. In these complex pelvic injuries assessment, stabilization, and definitive treatment are complicated. ⋯ From 1972 to 1990 the clinical course and outcome of 132 patients with complex pelvic injuries were reviewed. The overall mortality was 34.8%. As the changes in the treatment protocol were implemented mortality decreased from 66.7% (1972-1978) to 18.7% (1985-1990).
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Fractures of the lateral clavicle have different biomechanical conditions compared with fractures of the medial and central third; they therefore demand different therapy. Some 237 patients with fractures of the clavicle were followed, of which 75 (33%) were located in the lateral third of the clavicle. At the 5-year follow-up after exclusively conservative treatment, good results were found for Neer types I and III and 3 Jäger/Breitner type IIb fractures, while 4 out of 13 Jäger/Breitner type II a fractures ended in pseudarthroses (31%). ⋯ It prevents the posterior and upward dislocation of the proximal fragment by vertical compression and rotation of the distal fragment by fixation of the arm. Open reduction and internal fixation by preferably extraarticular implants is recommended for unstable and dislocated Jäger/Breitner type II a fractures. For fractures of the lateral clavicle, good results can be achieved when the instability is recognized and adequately treated.
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Shoulder dislocations associated with a displaced fracture of the humeral head or glenoid require different treatment than shoulder dislocations without fracture. If the humeral head is fractured, two possible complications must be considered:impairment of the subacromial gliding mechanism and insufficient blood supply to the humeral head. In glenoid fractures, instability may be induced. ⋯ For operative treatment of a displaced "en bloc" fracture, we recommend closed reduction and percutaneous screw fixation performed under regional anesthesia. "Supraspinatus avulsion fractures" ought to be treated like rotator cuff tears because there is no possibility of the small fragments healing due to their placement on the joint cartilage. In fracture dislocations, the blood supply of the humeral head is seriously jeopardized if the fracture is situated in the anatomical neck, whereas this is not the case in a fracture of the surgical neck. The number of displaced fragments allows a prediction concerning the survival of the articular segment of the humeral head.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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If the correct treatment is applied, growth disturbances following epiphyseal fractures of the distal tibia are rare. Even if the prognosis is good after the correct treatment of epiphyseal fractures of the distal tibia, the parents and child may have to be informed about growth disturbances. Most frequent is a varus deformity after asymmetric closure of the medial growth plate. ⋯ Joint incongruence reacts well to axis alignment. The pre-arthrotic joint can remain free of symptoms for years. We never encountered epiphyseal fractures of the distal fibula, but we did see one case of deformity of the ankle joint as a result of closure of the proximal fibular growth plate.