Clinical orthopaedics and related research
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Clin. Orthop. Relat. Res. · Aug 1993
Mechanical monitoring of fracture healing using ultrasound imaging.
Ultrasound scanning is based on biologic noninvasive use of high-frequency sonic vibration ultrasounds to obtain images of diagnostic relevance in vivo. Ultrasound scanning was used as an additional parameter in evaluation of healing of long bone fractures in patients treated by external fixation devices. ⋯ Strain-recorded maximal values variations are synchronous with the variations of reflected echo demonstrating a correlation between the ultrasound image and mechanical status of external callus. In the current state-of-the-art, no quantitative evaluation of mechanical status of fracture site is possible by ultrasound technique alone.
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There have appeared no objective means by which preoperative risk in patients with fractures of the hip can be quantitatively predicted. The developed risk's core is based on medical history, physical examination, chest radiograph, and screening laboratory data. This system reproducibly assigns patients into one of three groups. ⋯ The medical complications in Group I were 12.6%; in Group II, 28.6%; and in Group III, 67.6%. The difference for each group was significant. This preoperative risk assessment appears effective in more accurately identifying patient risk.