Journal of orthopaedic trauma
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Comparative Study
The mechanical behavior of locking compression plates compared with dynamic compression plates in a cadaver radius model.
The purpose of this cadaveric study was to compare the mechanical behavior of a locked compression plate, which uses threaded screw heads to create a fixed angle construct, with a dynamic compression plate construct in a cadaver radius model. ⋯ Our findings indicated that LCP constructs may demonstrate subtle mechanical superiority compared with the LC-DCP. The LCP specimens had less energy absorption in the AP group and survived longer in the torsion group. Discordance of motion between measurement regions was observed only in the LC-DCP torsion group, and may have been caused by plate-bone slippage or bone-screw subcatastrophic failure. However, many other compared parameters were found to be similar, and the clinical significance of the few differences found between constructs mandates further investigation.
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This study was performed to determine 1) the rate of ankle fractures in the elderly in the United States stratified by hospital referral region, and 2) whether the percentage of ankle fractures treated surgically is affected by factors, such as fracture location, hospital referral region, concentration of orthopaedists, presence of a teaching hospital in that region, patient age, race, gender, or the number and type of specific medical comorbidities. ⋯ The term ankle fracture involves a wide spectrum of injuries. We found a large variation through the United States in both the rate of ankle fractures and the percentage of those that undergo surgical intervention.
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This study was designed to assess the benefits of a new Anodic Plasma Chemical calcium-phosphate (APC-CaP) surface treatment on reducing pin track infection and pin loosening in comparison to anodized titanium (Ti) during external fracture fixation. ⋯ This study has shown that the APC-CaP surface improves the clinical performance of Ti pins with respect to pin loosening and pin track infection.
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Multicenter Study Clinical Trial
Trochanteric nail insertion for the treatment of femoral shaft fractures.
This study was designed to evaluate whether the use of a new femoral nail, specifically designed to be inserted through the greater trochanter, could eliminate the complications previously seen with insertion of straight nails through this entry portal for the treatment of femoral shaft fractures. ⋯ This study demonstrates that antegrade nailing of femoral shaft fractures with a specially designed nail inserted through a trochanteric starting point provides predictably high union rates and low rates of complications. Ease of entry and utility in patients with a large body habitus are advantages over conventional piriformis fossa entry techniques. Nailing through the greater trochanter with the patient supine is presently our treatment of choice for patients with femoral shaft fractures.
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This study was designed to investigate the relationship between upper extremity (UE) injuries and occupant restraint systems among front seat occupants who were involved in frontal motor vehicle collisions (MVCs). ⋯ The results of this study suggest that UE injuries may become more common as a result of MVCs as the proportion of airbags in motor vehicles increases.