European journal of trauma and emergency surgery : official publication of the European Trauma Society
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Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg · Jun 2014
Acute traumatic fractures to the craniovertebral junction: preliminary experience with the "MILD" score scale.
Traumatic fractures to the craniovertebral junction (CVJ) are rare events requiring complex clinical management. Several classification systems are currently in use; however, recent improvements of junctional knowledge has focused attention on the role of ligaments and membranes in vertebral biomechanical stability. The aim of this study was to present our preliminary experience with the "MILD" score scale, which should allow fast and effective classification of all CVJ traumatic fractures based on vertebral instability in the acute setting. ⋯ The close association between the MILD scale and spinal instability is promising, although further studies are warranted in order to confirm our preliminary data.
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Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg · Jun 2014
Epidemiology of pertrochanteric fractures: our institutional experience.
Hip fractures, a common manifestation of fragility fractures, represent a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the elderly population and may have devastating consequences to the patient, their family, and society thereafter. We attempted to define the epidemiology of pertrochanteric fractures treated at a large university teaching hospital in the UK and compared our findings with the national and international literature. ⋯ The incidence of pertrochanteric fractures remained unchanged over the last 5 years. The relative incidence of pertrochanteric fractures is higher in elderly females; this may be explained by reduced bone mineral density and reduced trochanteric bone strength. Rigorous preventive treatments of osteoporosis should be considered in high-risk patients, along with improved safety measures to reduce falls.