Acta Orthop Belg
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Comparative Study
Treatment of thoracolumbar burst fractures: short-segment pedicle instrumentation versus kyphoplasty.
The management of amyelic thoracolumbar burst fractures remains controversial. In this study, we compared the clinical efficacy of percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) and short-segment pedicle instrumentation (SSPI). Twenty-three patients were treated with PKP, and 25 patients with SSPI. They all presented with Type A3 amyelic thoracolumbar fractures. Clinical outcomes were evaluated by a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) preoperatively, postoperatively, and at two years follow-up. Radiographic data including the anterior and posterior vertebral body height, kyphotic angle, as well as spinal canal compromise was also evaluated. The patients in both groups were similar regarding age, bone mineral density (BMD), follow-up period, severity of the deformity and fracture. Blood loss, operation time, and bed-rest time were less in the PKP group. VAS, ODI score improved more rapidly after surgery in the PKP group. No significant difference was found in VAS and ODI scores between the two groups at final follow-up (p > 0.05). Meanwhile, the height of anterior vertebrae (Ha), the height of posterior vertebrae (Hp) and the kyphosis angle showed significant improvement in each group (p < 0.05). The postoperative improvement in spinal canal compromise was not statistically significant in the PKP group (p > 0.05); there was a significant improvement in the SSPI group (p < 0.05). Moreover, these postoperative radiographic assessments showed significant differences between the two groups regarding the improvement of canal compromise (p < 0.05). At final follow-up, remodeling of spinal canal compromise was detected in both groups. ⋯ Both PKP and SSPI appeared as effective and reliable operative techniques for selected amyelic thoracolumbar fractures in the short-term. PKP had a significantly smaller blood loss and shorter bed-rest time, but SSPI provided a better reduction. Long-time studies should be conducted to support these clinical outcomes.
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This retrospective study analyzed 276 cases of giant cell tumour of bone in the appendicular skeleton of patients first diagnosed and treated at the Orthopaedic Department of the West China Hospital in Sichuan University between 1988 and 2007. Fifty-eight percent of the tumours involved the knee region. The most common primary treatment was curettage (162 patients) combined with adjuvant local therapy. ⋯ Therefore, we recommend high-speed burring as a necessary adjuvant therapy. The combination of all adjuvants (burring, liquid nitrogen, and electro-cauterization) is recommended as a standard treatment. Cement filling of the cavity after curettage was not widely used in this series, but its merits have been reported in several studies; we therefore recommend that cement filling should be added to the adjuvants to be used after burring, liquid nitrogen and/or electrocauterization.
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Management of intra-articular calcaneal fractures during the past years has ranged from the nihilistic approach of no active treatment to open reduction and internal fixation or even to early subtalar arthrodesis. Operative treatment presents the surgeon with many challenges. Good results require atraumatic exposure, anatomic reduction, rigid fixation and early mobilization. ⋯ The controlled distractive force provides numerous benefits. These include improved exposure of the subtalar joint, correction of angulation and maintenance of temporary stability prior to definitive fixation. We have found this technique applicable and easily reproducible.
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The aim of this study was to assess the results of percutaneous injection of autologous bone marrow in the treatment of fractures presenting with delayed union or non union after internal fixation. Twenty consecutive patients presenting to our outpatient clinic with internally fixed fractures with delayed union or non union were included in the study. ⋯ Nineteen out of the twenty fractures achieved clinical and radiological union, on average after 2.95 months. In this series, percutaneous bone marrow injection appeared as a simple and effective method to accelerate fracture healing in patients with delayed union and nonunion of fractures.