Acta orthopaedica Scandinavica
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Between the 1950s and the 1980s, the incidence of forearm fractures increased in the city of Malmö. We have now collected data on all forearm fractures during 1991 and 1992 and compared them with previously published data from 1953-1957 and 1980-1981. During the 1990s, 1314 individuals with wrist fractures and 125 with shaft fractures were recorded. ⋯ In women, the increase in incidence of wrist fractures appears to have been interrupted, when comparing the years 1991-1992 and 1980-1981. Among men, the incidence of wrist fractures appears to be increasing, even after the 1980s. The reduction in incidence among women may partly be explained by warmer winters during 1991-1992.
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We performed a retrospective survey of the clinical records and radiological examinations of 10 patients with a diagnosis of spinal epidural abscess, without spondylodiscitis. All patients had an acute onset of fever and local or radiating back pain. 3 patients had mild, and 1 patient severe neurological symptoms. The diagnosis and subsequent regression of the abscess after treatment were verified by MRI. ⋯ Blood cultures showed Staphylococcus aureus as the etiological agent in 8/10 patients. In 2 cases, no agent was found, probably due to ongoing antibiotic therapy when the cultures were taken. All patients were treated successfully using antibiotics alone, with complete regression of the neurological symptoms.
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We studied 30 patients with arthrosis in one knee operated on with a cemented (n 26) or an uncemented total knee arthroplasty (TKA) (n 4). Full weight-bearing from the first postoperative day was allowed in all patients, and they received standard postoperative physiotherapy. 1 week prior to surgery, and after 3 and 6 months, isokinetic and isometric muscle strength in both legs were measured, using a Cybex 6000 dynamometer. Isokinetic tests showed a bilateral, significant, and progressive increase (30-53%) in flexor muscle strength most pronounced in the operated legs. ⋯ Isometric extension strength showed a temporary decrease at 3 months, which returned to the preoperative level. No significant change in isometric strength was observed in the contralateral legs. The knee pain during the muscle strength measurements decreased significantly from the preoperative level, which may indicate that the substantial pain relief within 3 months after a TKA is an important factor for evaluation of muscle strength.
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Clinical Trial Controlled Clinical Trial
No influence of large volume blood loss on serum vancomycin concentrations during orthopedic procedures.
We prospectively studied orthopedic patients with either large or small blood loss who also received vancomycin prophylaxis to determine the effect of intraoperative volume shifts on serum vancomycin concentrations. There were 6 index patients in the large blood loss group (greater than 2 L), and 7 in the control group (less than 2 L). Mean estimated blood loss for index and controls was 4.4 L and 1.0 L, respectively. ⋯ This was a morbidly obese patient with massive blood loss. Thus, blood loss during orthopedic procedures has minimal effects on intraoperative kinetics of vancomycin. Redosing is rarely indicated, although a preoperative 1.5 gram-dose should be considered for patients weighing more than 90 kg.
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We treated 167 diaphyseal tibial fractures without reaming and with intramedullary fixation, using an unlocked Küntscher nail. The patients were followed for a minimum of 2 years. ⋯ Migration of the nail was observed in 11 cases. We conclude that this treatment is simple and gives satisfactory results in diaphyseal fractures after low- or mid-energy trauma.