Clinical orthopaedics and related research
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Clin. Orthop. Relat. Res. · Mar 2008
Expansion of the coordinator role in orthopaedic residency program management.
The Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education's (ACGME) Data Accreditation System indicates 124 of 152 orthopaedic surgery residency program directors have 5 or fewer years of tenure. The qualifications and responsibilities of the position based on the requirements of orthopaedic surgery residency programs, the institutions that support them, and the ACGME Outcome Project have evolved the role of the program coordinator from clerical to managerial. ⋯ Although there has been expansion of the role of the program coordinator, challenges exist in job congruence and position reclassification. We believe use of professional groups such as ARCOS and certification of program coordinators should be supported and encouraged.
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Clin. Orthop. Relat. Res. · Feb 2008
Clinical TrialHow effective is a saline arthrogram for wounds around the knee?
Traumatic arthrotomies may predispose patients to subsequent septic arthritis and therefore are regarded as serious injuries requiring emergent treatment. The saline arthrogram is a commonly used test to determine if a patient has a traumatic arthrotomy. We determined the sensitivity of the saline arthrogram to identify known intraarticular wounds in 78 patients (80 knees) undergoing elective arthroscopic procedures. There were 66 infrapatellar and 14 suprapatellar incisions. The average length of the incision was 7.5 mm. Intraarticular position was confirmed with a blunt probe. A saline arthrogram then was performed using 60 mL normal saline. The known arthrotomy (operative wound) was observed during the injection for evidence of saline leakage (positive static test). If no leakage was observed, the knee was brought through a range of motion with continued observation for leakage from the arthrotomy (positive dynamic test). Twenty-two of 80 knees had a positive test without passive range of motion of the knee (static sensitivity, 36%). Eight additional knees had a positive test with subsequent passive motion (dynamic sensitivity, 43%). Our data suggest a saline arthrogram has low sensitivity for detecting known small traumatic arthrotomy wounds of the knee. ⋯ Level I, diagnostic study. See the Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
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Clin. Orthop. Relat. Res. · Feb 2008
Randomized Controlled TrialMinimum 10-year survival of Kerboull cemented stems according to surface finish.
The optimal surface finish for a cemented THA stem is still debated. We hypothesized surface finish would influence survival of Kerboull cemented hip arthroplasties and a matte finish would have lower survival. We reviewed survival of 433 total hip arthroplasties in 395 patients: 284 consecutive patients (310 hips) were enrolled in a prospective, randomized study of polished (165 hips) or matte finish stems (145 hips) and compared to a historical series of satin stems (123 hips) in 111 patients. The satin and matte finish implants had similar geometry but the polished was quadrangular rather than oval. Finish roughnesses were: polished (radius, 0.04 microm), satin (radius, 0.9 microm), and matte (radius, 1.7 microm). The mean age of the patients at the time of the index arthroplasty was 63.6 years. The survival rate at 13 years, using radiographic loosening as the end point, was 97.3%+/-2.6% for polished stems, 97.1%+/-2.1% for satin stems, and 78.9%+/-5.8% for matte stems. The data suggest survival of Kerboull stems was higher with a polished or satin surface finish than with a matte finish. ⋯ Level II, therapeutic study. See the Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
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Clin. Orthop. Relat. Res. · Feb 2008
Biography Historical ArticleRichard von Volkmann: surgeon and Renaissance man.
Richard von Volkmann (1830-1889), one of the most important surgeons of the 19(th) century, is regarded as one of the fathers of orthopaedic surgery. He was a contemporary of Langenbeck, Esmarch, Lister, Billroth, Kocher, and Trendelenburg. He was head of the Department of Surgery at the University of Halle, Germany (1867-1889). ⋯ This led him to introduce the "antiseptic technique" to Germany that was developed by Lister. His powers of observation and creativity led him to findings and achievements that to this day bear his name: Volkmann's contracture and the Hueter-Volkmann law. Additionally, he was a gifted writer; he published not only scientific literature but also books of children's fairy tales and poems under the pen name of Richard Leander, assuring him a permanent place in the world of literature as well as orthopaedics.
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Clin. Orthop. Relat. Res. · Jan 2008
Leg lengthening with a motorized nail in adolescents : an alternative to external fixators?
Leg lengthening by external fixation is associated with various difficulties. We evaluated eight adolescent patients who underwent leg lengthening with a motorized intramedullary lengthening device. We asked whether this method could reduce the time of hospitalization and rehabilitation and whether the incidence of complications commonly associated with external fixators could be reduced. We compared our preliminary results with those from other reports, with a focus on leg length achieved, time of rehabilitation, and rate of complications. The average leg-length discrepancy was 3.8 cm (range, 3-5 cm). The average lengthening distance was 3.8 cm (range, 2.9-4.7 cm). In six patients, leg lengthening was combined with successful correction of the mechanical axis alignment. The consolidation index averaged 26 days/cm (range, 19-41 days/cm). The average hospital stay was 9.6 days. No bone or soft tissue infections were observed. In comparison to other studies (1.0-2.8 complications/patient), our results suggest that the difficulties commonly associated with external fixators can be reduced with this method. It also allows good angular correction in patients with mechanical axis deviation. These features combined with a short time of hospitalization and rehabilitation make it a promising procedure for limb lengthening. ⋯ Level IV Therapeutic study.