The Journal of bone and joint surgery. American volume
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J Bone Joint Surg Am · Mar 2010
Multicenter StudyOperative management of distal radial fractures with 2.4-millimeter locking plates: a multicenter prospective case series. Surgical technique.
In the past decade, there has been a trend toward open reduction and internal fixation of unstable distal radial fractures. There are now more than thirty different implant designs specific for the fixation of distal radial fractures. A multicenter prospective study of a case series was conducted to determine the efficacy of the operative management of distal radial fractures stabilized with 2.4-mm locking plates. ⋯ Internal fixation of displaced distal radial fractures with implants featuring locking screw fixation can result in good-to-excellent outcomes with a limited number of complications.
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J Bone Joint Surg Am · Mar 2010
Assessment of the posterior ligamentous complex following acute cervical spine trauma.
Magnetic resonance imaging is commonly used to assess the integrity of the posterior ligamentous complex following cervical trauma, but its accuracy and reliability have not been documented, to our knowledge. The purpose of this study was to determine the diagnostic accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging in detecting injury to specific components of the posterior ligamentous complex of the cervical spine. ⋯ Magnetic resonance imaging is sensitive for the evaluation of injury to the posterior ligamentous complex in the setting of acute cervical trauma. However, it has a lower positive predictive value and specificity, suggesting that injury to the posterior ligamentous complex may be "over-read" on magnetic resonance images. If magnetic resonance imaging is used in isolation to guide treatment, the high rate of false-positive findings may lead to unnecessary surgery. Other factors, including the morphology of the injury and the neurological status, should be considered as well when devising a treatment plan.
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J Bone Joint Surg Am · Mar 2010
Outcome of lumbar arthrodesis in patients sixty-five years of age or older. Surgical technique.
The value of lumbar spine arthrodesis in older patients is not well documented. As most of the literature regarding lumbar arthrodesis in older patients has focused on the prevalence of complications, the purpose of this study was to determine the clinical outcomes for older compared with younger patients undergoing lumbar arthrodesis. ⋯ This study demonstrates a substantial benefit for patients sixty-five years of age or older with degenerative disc disease who are treated with a single-level lumbar decompression and instrumented arthrodesis, and we conclude that lumbar arthrodesis is a viable and reasonable treatment option for appropriately selected patients sixty-five years of age or older.
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J Bone Joint Surg Am · Mar 2010
Multicenter StudyOpen reduction and internal fixation of proximal humeral fractures with use of the locking proximal humerus plate. Surgical technique.
The treatment of unstable displaced proximal humeral fractures, especially in the elderly, remains controversial. The objective of the present prospective, multicenter, observational study was to evaluate the functional outcome and the complication rate after open reduction and internal fixation of proximal humeral fractures with use of a locking proximal humeral plate. ⋯ Surgical treatment of displaced proximal humeral fractures with use of the locking proximal humeral plate that was evaluated in the present study can lead to a good functional outcome provided that the correct surgical technique is used. Because many of the complications were related to incorrect surgical technique, it behooves the treating surgeon to perform the operation correctly to avoid iatrogenic errors.
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J Bone Joint Surg Am · Mar 2010
Comparative StudySubtalar fusion after displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures: does initial operative treatment matter? Surgical technique.
Many patients with displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures require subtalar arthrodesis for the treatment of posttraumatic arthritis. We hypothesized that patients who underwent initial operative treatment would have better functional outcomes as compared with those who underwent initial nonoperative treatment before undergoing a subtalar arthrodesis. ⋯ In our study population, better functional outcomes and fewer wound complications were associated with subtalar fusion for the treatment of symptomatic posttraumatic subtalar arthritis after initial open reduction and internal fixation of a displaced intra-articular calcaneal fracture as compared with subtalar arthrodesis for the treatment of symptomatic posttraumatic subtalar arthritis secondary to calcaneal malunion following initial nonoperative treatment.Initial open reduction and internal fixation restores calcaneal shape, alignment, and height, which facilitates the fusion procedure and establishes an opportunity to create a better long-term functional result. We recommend open reduction and internal fixation for the treatment of displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures when appropriately indicated.