J Am Acad Orthop Sur
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Ankle fractures are among the most common skeletal injuries; selection of an optimal management method depends on ankle stability. Stable fractures (eg, isolated lateral malleolar) generally are managed nonsurgically; unstable fractures (eg, bimalleolar, bimalleolar equivalent) usually are managed with open reduction and internal fixation. Stress radiographs may aid in the management of incomplete deltoid injury in which there is medial swelling and tenderness without radiographic talar shift. ⋯ Ankle fractures with syndesmotic injury have additional tibiofibular instability that can be controlled by screw fixation. However, the choice between metal and bioabsorbable screws, screw size, number of cortices fixed, and indications for screw removal remain controversial. Conditions such as diabetes or advanced age are no longer contraindications to usual management recommendations.
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Growing interest in complementary and alternative medicine in the United States has been paralleled by increased use of spinal manipulative therapy in an attempt to manage symptoms of low back pain, spinal stenosis, and spondylolisthesis. Chiropractors have been the main practitioners of spinal manipulative therapy, with osteopaths and physical therapists providing a smaller fraction of these services. ⋯ The effects of spinal manipulation on patients with both acute and chronic low back pain have been investigated in randomized clinical trials. Most reviews of these trials indicate that spinal manipulative therapy provides some short-term benefit to patients, especially with acute low back pain.
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Degenerative lumbar scoliosis is a lateral deviation of the spine that typically develops after age 50 years. Clinical presentation varies, but the deformity frequently is associated with loss of lordosis, axial rotation, lateral listhesis, and spondylolisthesis. Although the etiology is unclear, degenerative scoliosis is associated with degenerative disk disease, facet incompetence, and hypertrophy of the ligamenta flava, typically leading to neurogenic claudication and back pain. ⋯ Indications for treatment include pain, progressive deformity, radiculopathy or myelopathy, and cosmetic deformity. Nonsurgical care focuses on patient education, exercise, and nonnarcotic medication. Surgical management should be considered carefully, balancing the benefits and risks for the patient.
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J Am Acad Orthop Sur · Nov 2002
ReviewPerioperative blood management practices in elective orthopaedic surgery.
Concern about the cost and safety of allogenic blood transfusion, including the risk of viral infection and immunosuppression, has led to refinements in and new approaches to blood conservation, including the development of transfusion practice standards and improvements in surgical practice. Preoperative autologous blood collection, the use of hemostatic agents, perioperative blood salvage, and the use of recombinant human erythropoietin (epoetin alfa) to stimulate erythropoiesis have contributed to decreased use of allogenic blood services. Development of appropriate blood management strategies to help reduce or eliminate exposure to allogenic blood requires a preoperative assessment of the likelihood of transfusion and of the risks as well as costs associated with conservation and replacement options. The informed selection of alternatives based on preoperative assessment of hematologic status, estimated blood loss, and sources for blood replacement may enhance blood management practices in major elective orthopaedic surgery.
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Traumatic forces applied to the immature knee result in fracture patterns different from those in adults. The relative abundance of cartilage in the knee of the growing child may make the diagnosis of certain injuries more challenging. ⋯ Although the use of appropriate treatment techniques may minimize the occurrence of late complications such as malunion and physeal bridging, not all problems are preventable. A careful discussion of the injury with both patient and parents should stress the importance of follow-up so that any problems that do occur can be promptly addressed.