Foot & ankle international
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Three purposes of this study were to: 1) describe the sustentaculum tali in relation to surrounding structures, 2) identify its radiographic projection onto the lateral calca neus, and 3) determine optimal angles for screw placement. Twelve cadaver specimens were used. The length a width of the sustentaculum was measured. ⋯ The angles required to pass a pin from point A into the sustentaculum were determined. The sustentaculum projected as a triangular/elliptical structure on the lateral radiograph. It was superimposed on the anterior portion of the posterior facet.
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The incidence of calcaneal fracture has been slowly increasing; however, the ideal treatment for displaced intra-articular fracture is not available yet, even though the fracture brings frequent complication and disability. Between April 1991 and March 1998, we treated 103 displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures of 92 patients surgically with limited posterior incision, modified Gallie approach. There were thirty-seven tongue-type fractures, fifteen tongue-type fractures with moderate comminution, nineteen joint-depression fractures, twenty-nine joint-depression fractures with moderate comminution, and three extensively comminuted fractures. ⋯ We recommend a limited posterior incision for reduction and internal fixation of displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures. For displaced intra-articular fractures with three or four large fragments without further comminution and without a displaced fracture of the calcaneal cuboid joint, this method is particularly useful. We also recommend a Circle draw test for evaluation of subtalar joint motion as well as an indicator of functional recovery after displaced calcaneal fractures.
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Review Case Reports
Isolated medial cuneiform fracture: review of the literature and report of two cases.
The authors present two unusual cases of isolated medial cuneiform fracture. Both fractures were difficult to see on plain films and therefore diagnosed with ancillary tests (computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging). Treatment was nonweightbearing cast immobilization, in which both patients healed within twelve weeks of treatment without complication and returned to full work related activities.
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Human tibial plafond cadaveric specimens were coronally sectioned and imaged to assess the accuracy of evaluation of ankle joint line congruity using anteroposterior radiography. Two interesting representative clinical cases are discussed. ⋯ In severe fractures of the tibial plafond multiple forms of internal and external devices are frequently used for fixation. In these circumstances hardware may obscure the lateral view making it impossible to obtain adequate lateral radiographs to assess fracture reduction and joint line congruity. In this scenario, the anteroposterior radiograph is frequently relied upon to confirm the anatomic relationship of the displaced fragments. However, this view fails to accurately characterize reduction in the entire joint line and, intra-operatively, may mislead the surgeon to accept a reduction as anatomic when intra-articular incongruity still exists. Strict attention to pre-operative radiographs and the use of additional rotated views may aid the surgeon in this setting to assess fracture reduction and joint line congruence.
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Foot and ankle operations are being performed with greater frequency as outpatient procedures. Although the surgical procedure remains the same whether the operation is done in an inpatient or an outpatient setting, the anesthesia and postoperative analgesia are greatly affected when patients must be discharged soon after their operation. ⋯ This was the sole anesthetic technique for both the operation and the immediate postoperative period. This technique appears to have several advantages: 1) Excellent anesthesia during the operation and for about ten hours postoperatively; 2) Use of a proximal calf tourniquet, and 3) Absence of systemic or local complications as might be seen with general, spinal or epidural anesthesia.