Clinical orthopaedics and related research
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Clin. Orthop. Relat. Res. · Mar 1998
Assessment of neuroforaminal decompression in degenerative spinal stenosis.
Surgical decompression of spinal stenosis is a balance between adequate removal of bone and soft tissue for an effective decompression of neural structures and a sufficient retention of bone to maintain mechanical stability of the spine. To develop an objective, reproducible technique for the assessment of neuroforaminal decompression in the adult lumbar spine, facet sparing laminectomies were performed from L1-S1 on the lumbar spines of 59 human cadavers. A series of semirigid probes in 0.5-mm increments were passed into each successive intervertebral foramen bilaterally, beginning at L2-L3. ⋯ There were no significant differences in interobserver or intraobserver measurements. There were no complications related to passage of the probes. This study provides a method for the intraoperative determination of the adequacy of neuroforaminal decompression.
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Clin. Orthop. Relat. Res. · Mar 1998
Norian SRS cement augmentation in hip fracture treatment. Laboratory and initial clinical results.
Bone quality, initial fracture displacement, severity of fracture comminution, accuracy of fracture reduction, and the placement of the internal fixation device are important factors that affect fixation stability. New high strength cements that are susceptible to remodeling and replacement for fracture fixation may lead to improved clinical outcome in the treatment of hip fractures. Norian SRS is an injectable, fast setting cement that cures in vivo to form an osteoconductive carbonated apatite of high compressive strength (55 MPa) with chemical and physical characteristics similar to the mineral phase of bone. ⋯ Use of this material potentially could improve fracture stability, retain anatomy during fracture healing and improve hip function, thus achieving better clinical outcomes. In vivo animal studies have shown the material's biocompatibility, and cadaveric studies have shown the biomechanical advantage of its use in hip fractures. Initial clinical experience (in 52 femoral neck fractures and 39 intertrochanteric fractures) showed the potential clinical use of this innovative cement in the treatment of hip fractures.
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Clin. Orthop. Relat. Res. · Feb 1998
Comparative StudyArthrodesis versus resection arthroplasty for failed hallux valgus operations.
The results for 18 patients (20 feet) in whom a hallux valgus procedure had failed were reviewed. Ten patients (11 feet), with a mean age of 63 years, had correction with Keller resection arthroplasty and were observed for an average of 10 years (range, 3-15 years). The hallux valgus angle improved an average of 11 degrees +/- 3 degrees, and the intermetatarsal angle improved an average of 2 degrees +/- 1.7 degrees. ⋯ None of the patients required additional revision operation. Resection arthroplasty is a simple procedure and does not require cast immobilization. Resection arthroplasty and arthrodesis are reasonable options for salvage treatment of failed hallux valgus operations in older patients because good results were achieved in six of nine (67%) feet after arthrodesis and in six of 11 (54%) feet after resection.
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Clin. Orthop. Relat. Res. · Feb 1998
Anatomic considerations of superior cluneal nerve at posterior iliac crest region.
No previous studies describe the anatomic relationship of the superior cluneal nerve to the posterior iliac crest and thoracolumbar fascia. In the current study, 15 cadavers were dissected to determine the relationship of the superior cluneal nerve to the posterior iliac crest and thoracolumbar fascia. The distances from the medial branch of the superior cluneal nerve to the posterior superior iliac crest and the midline were 64.7 +/- 5.3 mm and 81.0 +/- 9.2 mm, respectively. ⋯ The intermediate and lateral branches of the superior cluneal nerve either pierce the thoracolumbar fascia or pass through an orifice or fissure in the thoracolumbar fascia. In two specimens, the medial branches of the superior cluneal nerve were constricted within the osteofibrous tunnel. The nerve was entrapped between the rigid fibers of the thoracolumbar fascia and the iliac crest.
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Clin. Orthop. Relat. Res. · Feb 1998
Biography Historical ArticleHistory of the AO and its global effect on operative fracture treatment.
In 1958 a group of Swiss general and orthopaedic surgeons established the AO (Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Osteosynthesefragen) or the Association of the Study of Internal Fixation (ASIF) to strive to transform the contemporary treatment of fractures in Switzerland. This association was revolutionary in development of instruments and implants for operative fracture treatment. The first instructional course for teaching the use of these instruments and implants occurred in Davos, Switzerland, in the newly founded Laboratory of Experimental Surgery in 1960. ⋯ In 1984, the AO/ASIF Foundation was created with an AO Board of Trustees comprising 90 leading trauma surgeons from throughout the world. Continuous research, implant and instrument development, clinical documentation, and multifaceted educational opportunities are coordinated by the AO/ASIF Foundation to maintain its position as the international authority in the treatment of trauma. The medical community recognizes today the enormous positive global effect that this respected and ever changing organization has had by continually improving operative fracture treatment.