Archives of orthopaedic and trauma surgery
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Arch Orthop Trauma Surg · Jan 1999
Case ReportsSeverance of the radial nerve complicating transverse fracture of the mid-shaft of the humerus.
A case of radial nerve injury associated with a transverse fracture of the middle third of the humerus is reported. The radial nerve was found to be completely severed at the fracture site. Early exploration of the nerve and internal fixation of the fracture gave a satisfactory result.
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Arch Orthop Trauma Surg · Jan 1999
Comparative StudyEarly complications of surgically managed ankle fractures related to the AO classification.A review of 118 ankle fractures treated with open reduction and internal fixation.
The charts of 118 consecutive ankle fractures were reviewed. The patients' age, sex, energy of trauma, hospital stay, need for traction therapy, syndesmosis fixation and soft-tissue problems were related to the various types of fractures according to the AO classification. An interobserver check study revealed an agreement of 0.61 (kappa), which is considered good. ⋯ The energy of trauma was not related to perioperative problems. The period of hospitalisation was significantly longer in the patients with B2/B3 type fractures (P < 0.001). Judging by the significantly higher incidence of perioperative complications, longer hospital stay, and predominance of instability and skin damage in the AO B2 and B3 type fractures, these fractures may benefit from more attentive and urgent care.
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Arch Orthop Trauma Surg · Jan 1999
Diagnosis and treatment of scaphoid fractures, can non-union be prevented?
In order to evaluate the diagnostic management of scaphoid fracture, 100 consecutive patients with clinically suspected scaphoid fractures were investigated. If a scaphoid fracture was seen on scaphoid radiographs, patients were immobilized in a plaster cast. If the radiographs were negative or dubious for scaphoid fracture, patients were referred for three phase bone scintigraphy. ⋯ Of these 68 patients, 17 patients (25%) showed a hotspot on the bone scan in the region of the scaphoid. We found that scaphoid radiographs, additional carpal box radiographs and the bone scan (in radiographically negative patients) in combination with conservative therapy did not lead to non-union at long-term follow-up in patients who were treated for scaphoid fracture. We conclude that when a scaphoid fracture is diagnosed within the 1st week followed by plaster immobilization, non-union of the scaphoid could be prevented.
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Arch Orthop Trauma Surg · Jan 1999
Combined sciatic and femoral nerve block for knee arthroscopy: 4 years' experience.
Selective block of the femoral and sciatic nerves was performed on 601 patients undergoing knee arthroscopy. The results were good in 87%, adequate in 12%, and poor in 1%. ⋯ No correlation was observed between the effectiveness of the anesthesia and type of surgery performed. The technique described thus proved adequate for knee arthroscopic surgery, reproducibility was excellent, costs and hospital stays were reduced with respect to general anesthesia, and surgeon and patient satisfaction was high.
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Arch Orthop Trauma Surg · Jan 1999
Case ReportsAtraumatic spontaneous posterior subluxation of the sternoclavicular joint.
We report a case of atraumatic spontaneous posterior subluxation of the sternoclavicular joint in a 19-year-old woman without any known underlying pathology. There was no history of injury. The patient was treated operatively using the gracilis tendon to reinforce the anterior sternoclavicular ligament. One year later the patient is asymptomatic and has returned to her usual life.