Clinical orthopaedics and related research
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Clin. Orthop. Relat. Res. · Dec 2011
Precontoured superior locked plating of distal clavicle fractures: a new strategy.
The ideal management of fractures of the distal third of the clavicle remains a topic of debate. Locked plating is a new treatment method but is not yet widely studied. ⋯ Level IV, therapeutic study. See Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
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Clin. Orthop. Relat. Res. · Dec 2011
Precontoured plating of clavicle fractures: decreased hardware-related complications?
Operative treatment of displaced midshaft clavicle fractures reportedly decreases the risk of symptomatic malunion, nonunion, and residual shoulder disability. Plating these fractures, however, may trade these complications for hardware-related problems. Low-profile anatomically precontoured plates may reduce the rates of plate prominence and hardware removal. ⋯ Level III, therapeutic study. See Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
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Clin. Orthop. Relat. Res. · Dec 2011
Diagnostic performance tests for suspected scaphoid fractures differ with conventional and latent class analysis.
Evaluation of the diagnostic performance characteristics of radiographic tests for diagnosing a true fracture among suspected scaphoid fractures is hindered by the lack of a consensus reference standard. Latent class analysis is a statistical method that takes advantage of unobserved, or latent, classes in the data that can be used to determine diagnostic performance characteristics when there is no consensus reference (gold) standard. ⋯ Level II, prognostic study. See the Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
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Clin. Orthop. Relat. Res. · Dec 2011
Comparative StudyAnalysis of operative versus nonoperative treatment of displaced scapular fractures.
Operative indications for displaced scapular fractures have been controversial and inconsistent. Surgeons have been dissuaded to operate on these uncommon fractures because of the complex anatomy, approaches, and fracture patterns. It is unclear whether return to work, pain, or complications differ in patients with scapular fractures treated nonoperatively or operatively. ⋯ Level III, therapeutic study. See Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
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Clin. Orthop. Relat. Res. · Dec 2011
Locked plating of proximal humeral fractures: is function affected by age, time, and fracture patterns?
Locking plate fixation of proximal humeral fractures improves biomechanical stability. It has expanded the indications of traditional open reduction internal fixation and become increasingly common for treating unstable, displaced proximal humeral fractures. Despite improved stability it is unclear whether these improve function and if so for which patients. ⋯ Level IV, therapeutic study. See Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.