Archives of orthopaedic and trauma surgery
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Arch Orthop Trauma Surg · Feb 2002
Comparative StudyAdjacent segment degeneration after lumbar spinal posterolateral fusion with instrumentation in elderly patients.
This retrospective study investigated adjacent segments radiologically and clinically after posterolateral fusion of the lumbar spine with instrumentation. Thirty-two patients over 60 years old with a postoperative follow-up of at least 4 years were included. These patients all met the criteria of a postoperative symptom-free period of over 2 years, evident fusion mass seen on plain radiographs, and no implant breakage or loosening. ⋯ However, no statistically significant difference (p = 0.7878) was found according to the Fisher exact test. Comparing the effect of different types of instruments, there still was no statistically significant difference (p = 0.1161) between the VSP plate and Isola rod groups in inducing degeneration of adjacent segments after posterolateral fusion of the lumbar spine. After measuring the mobility of degenerated adjacent segments, relative hypermobility was more likely responsible for the accelerated degeneration rather than the absolute increase of mobility.
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Arch Orthop Trauma Surg · Feb 2002
Conservative treatment of Garden stage I femoral neck fracture in elderly patients.
We reviewed 38 patients aged 65 years and older with fresh Garden stage I femoral neck fractures treated nonsurgically to determine factors that influence fracture union. The mean follow-up period was 20 (range 6-86) months. Twenty-three (61%) fractures united within 6 months after injury, while 15 (39%) failed to unite. ⋯ The incidence of union was considerably higher (p < 0.05) in patients who began ambulation 20 days or later after injury than in those who began within 19 days. There was no statistical difference in the amount of valgus or retroversion of the femoral head between patients whose fractures united and those whose fractures did not. Patients without severe dementia regained the ability to walk significantly more frequently than did patients with severe dementia (p < 0.05).
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Arch Orthop Trauma Surg · Feb 2002
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialResults of a prospective randomised study comparing a non-invasive surgical zipper versus intracutaneous sutures for wound closure.
A prospective randomised study was undertaken to investigate the advantages and disadvantages of a non-invasive surgical zipper (Medizip) vs intracutaneous sutures skin closure in orthopaedic surgery. The study group consisted of 120 consecutive patients, 45 men and 75 women with a mean age of 47 years. The Medizip was used in 20 surgical knee wounds, 20 hip wounds and 20 orthopaedic spine wounds. ⋯ Patients were positive in their assessment of the wound healing progress and results; they found the skin closure device agreeable to wear. The scar result was rated very good in 82% (n = 4 9) of the zipper group, and 85% (n = 5 1) in the intracutaneous group (p = 0 .67). Based on the results obtained, the non-invasive skin closure system Medizip represents a safe option in the spectrum of surgical wound treatment.
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Arch Orthop Trauma Surg · Feb 2002
Comparative StudyComparison of two different posterior approachs for hemiarthroplasty of the hip.
A prospective study was undertaken on 183 patients who had suffered a femoral neck fracture between 1998 and 1999. The aim was to compare the complication rates for the classical posterior approach and the modified posterior approach. The modified posterior approach used was the one described by Williams et al., which preserved the pyriformis, the labrum and the capsule. ⋯ This difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences in the incidences of other intraoperative and postoperative complications. We concluded that the modified posterior approach significantly increases the stability of a hemiarthroplasty in relation to the classical posterior approach.
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Arch Orthop Trauma Surg · Feb 2002
Comparative StudySurgical treatment of basal joint disease of the thumb: comparison between resection-interposition arthroplasty and trapezio-metacarpal arthrodesis.
Thirty-six thumbs with symptomatic osteoarthritis of the first carpometacarpal joint were treated either by trapezio-metacarpal arthrodesis (n = 18) or resection-tendon-interposition arthroplasty (n = 18). The mean follow-up of the 29 patients was 42 months. ⋯ No difference in grip strength between the operated and the normal contralateral hand could be established. Nevertheless, the arthrodesis seems to be the procedure causing fewer problems (only one patient not completely satisfied) and is therefore preferred over the resection-tendon-interposition arthroplasty.