Der Orthopäde
-
Between 1971 and 1990 we treated 121 juvenile patients up to 14 years of age with fractures of the ankle joint and foot in the department of trauma surgery at Hannover Medical School. A total of 128 fractures were treated in these patients, excluding toe fractures. The distribution of fractures as referred to the anatomical-functional planes was as follows: Tibia-talar joint 69; talus 8; calcaneus 6; Chopart joint 5; Lisfranc joint 4 and metatarsal area 36. ⋯ Optimal treatment again is comparable to that in adults: open, anatomical reduction with Kirschner-wires followed by temporary, tibio-tarsal transfixation; this is important since no compensatory mechanisms develop if a subluxation is present after reduction. Metatarsal fractures often occur along the first and fifth rays and have a good prognosis. Conservative treatment is justified, since, according to our results, even in intraarticular fractures of the metatarsal head good remodeling to fragments occurs.
-
The transoral approach to the upper cervical spine and the respective neuraxis has been recognized for almost 100 years, but it is still not in common use. Based on over 200 operations on patients with a variety of lesions and an age range from 2 1/2 to 83 years, we outline the pathological mechanism, surgical anatomy, indications for surgery, preoperative investigations, variations and extensions of the transoral approach to the upper cervical spine, neuraxis and skull base. The most common post-traumatic lesions and the most frequent tumors are discussed and the recommended surgical approach is described. Surgical techniques, possible complications and their management, as well as postoperative care, are listed.
-
Fresh human cadaveric specimens of occiput (C0) to C3 were subjected to 1.5 nm of flexion, extension and bilateral bending and axial torque. The resulting physiological motions were studied in an unconstrained three-dimensional manner. The effects of sequential transections of the left and right alar ligaments on the relative motion of C0-1 and C1-2 were studied. ⋯ In axial rotation, changes in the total motion of the C0-2 joint complex were more reliable indicators. For left alar transsection, most increases were in right axial rotation, e.g., 25.6% for right rotation versus 11.2% for left rotation in the NZ parameter. Functional loss of the alar ligaments indicates a potential for instability which, however, must be determined in conjunction with other clinical findings, such as neurological dysfunction, pain and deformity.
-
Intra- and periarticular fractures about the elbow joint are treated with open reduction and internal fixation. This allows early functional after-treatment. Nevertheless, the range of motion remains more or less unsatisfactory. ⋯ Blauth. Patients with very severe (preoperative ROM 0-30 degrees) and severe (preoperative ROM 30-60 degrees) contractures profited more (relative improvement 60%) than the others (relative improvement 45%). Overall, the average arc of total motion increased 49 degrees; the relative improvement of motion increased by 58%.
-
This report documents our limited experience with total hip replacement requiring large bone-graft reconstruction of the acetabulum with internal fixation. Four of the 14 patients were elderly and had a fresh fracture of the acetabulum; 6 had severe loosening of the acetabular companent with non-union, necessitating plate fixation along the pelvic rim in 5 patients. Four patients had large defects after tumor resection. ⋯ Our results are promising and we plan to increase the use of pelvic plates in these extremely unstable cases. Following stabilization of the pelvic ring, a metallic reinforcement ring increases stability. These operations were performed via an anterior ilioinguinal approach.