Foot & ankle international
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Comparative Study
Comparison of supination external rotation type IV ankle fractures in geriatric versus nongeriatric populations.
Geriatric patients' (defined as those older than 65 years old) inherent comorbidities, functional limitations, and bone quality present obstacles to successful clinical outcomes for operatively treated supination external rotation (SER) ankle fractures. We retrospectively reviewed a prospectively collected series of SER injuries between 2004 and 2010. This is a comparison of the radiographic and clinical outcomes of our geriatric (27 patients) and nongeriatric (81 patients) populations. We hypothesized that geriatric patients would have worse outcomes when compared to nongeriatric patients. ⋯ Geriatric patients exhibited equivalent complication rates, radiographic outcomes, and functional outcomes compared to nongeriatric patients in this series. Anatomic fixation and soft tissue management counter the inherent risks of operative intervention in geriatric populations that report higher rates of comorbidities. This study supports aggressive fracture- and ligament-specific operative intervention in geriatric patients presenting with unstable SER injuries.
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This study was conducted to evaluate the clinical outcome of the treatment of type C pilon fractures by using an external fixator combined with limited open reduction and absorbable internal fixation. ⋯ External fixator combined with limited open reduction and absorbable internal fixation was a reliable treatment for closed and open AO/OTA type C pilon fractures of the distal tibia.
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Jones fracture and proximal diaphyseal stress fracture of the fifth metatarsal have been associated with prolonged healing times and nonunions. We hypothesized that the Jones fracture and proximal diaphyseal stress fracture have a high incidence in elite collegiate football players and that they lead to a decrease in participation in the NFL. Also, we hypothesized that these fractures are associated with a cavovarus foot alignment. ⋯ No statistically significant difference was noted in participation in the NFL following Jones fractures and proximal diaphyseal stress fractures of the fifth metatarsal, although a trend toward decreased participation was noted. Radiographic abnormalities were noted in the coronal plane with varus alignment, but not in the sagittal plane.
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Comment Letter
Comment on "compression screw fixation of the syndesmosis".