Therapeutische Umschau. Revue thérapeutique
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Nutcracker fractures of the tarsal navicular and cuboid usually result from dislocations of the midtarsal (Chopart's) joint. The classic pathomechanism consists of forced adduction or abduction (medial or lateral stress) mostly in combination with axial force. ⋯ Classification of Chopart fracture-dislocations is based on the proposed pathomechanics and the direction of the dislocating force. The goals of open reduction and stable internal fixation of Chopart fracture-dislocations are realignment of the medial and lateral columns of the foot, restoration of joint congruity and temporal transfixation in case of ligamentous instability to ensure proper ligament healing.
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Comparative Study
[Biological internal fixation -- guidelines for the rehabilitation].
The process of fracture healing restores the biological and mechanical state of the bone tissue. In contrast to other tissues, bone has the unique capacity to heal through a real repair process resulting not in a scar but in a regular reconstitution of its original tissue structure. During the last two decades, the understanding of bone biology continuously evolved leading to the new concept that preservation of the viability of the bone fragments is the key to unimpaired fracture healing. ⋯ The mechanical efficiency of this new plate generation is enhanced due to its possibility for angular stability screw insertion; load transfer by friction can be replaced by a load transfer by interlocking (internal fixator), reducing the biological interference of this implant (no contact implant). Functional rehabilitation with painfree mobilization needs to be performed carefully because the loading capacity of the biological plate osteosynthesis is low until radiological signs of bone healing via callus formation is visible. Clinical signs of overload and radiological indicators of potential mechanical failure of the fixation have to be identified by the general practitioners, and the compliance of the patient has to be controlled during the rehabilitation phase to avoid complications after biological internal fixation.
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Rhabdomyolysis is a severe clinical symptom of variable etiology. Acquired factors of exogenous origin such as traumata and endogenous metabolic disturbances have to be separated from hereditary disease as causative mechanism. Most frequently, exertional stress during hyperthermia, traumatic damage or ethanol abuse are observed. ⋯ Therapeutic options are to correct the hypovolemia with sufficient fluid supply, the prevention of oliguria using loop diuretics, alkalinization of the urine, normalization of serum electrolytes with reduction of hyperkaemia, and decompression of compartment syndromes. An underlying disease should be evaluated to initiate specific therapeutical and preventative steps. Avoiding pre-disposing factors by identifying the mechanisms of disease will reduce the occurrence of rhabdomyolysis with its still high mortality.
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Annual incidences of kidney stones are about 0.1-0.4% of the population, and lifetime prevalences in the USA and Europe range between 8 and 15%. Kidney stones occur more frequently with increasing age and among men. Within ten years, the disease usually recurs in more than 50% of patients. ⋯ On the other hand, a diet rich in alkali (vegetables, fruit) is associated with a lower risk of stone formation. A "common sense diet" containing sufficient amounts of fluids, 1200 mg of calcium per day and reduced amounts of flesh protein as well as salt is able to reduce the 5-year stone recurrence rate in calcium stone formers by 50%. The scientific evidence for drug treatment (thiazides, alkali citrate) is rather poor: the most widely quoted randomized thiazide trial included only 42 patients of whom 36% left the protocol prematurely, whereas 36-48% of patients included in three randomized studies with alkali citrate suffered from undesirable side-effects; nevertheless, citrate therapy reduced the stone recurrence rate by 38%, compared with 22% in patients on placebo treatment (p < 0.0005).
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Many randomized trials have shown aspirin as an effective antiplatelet drug for the secondary prevention of cardiovascular events. The NNT (number needed to treat) to prevent 1 vascular event is about 25. The NNH (number needed to harm) inducing one cerebral bleeding is about 1'000, to provoke one severe extracerebral bleeding about 100-200. ⋯ S. Preventive Services Task Force. The mechanisms of action, interactions and the "aspirin-resistance" are briefly discussed.