The Journal of bone and joint surgery. American volume
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J Bone Joint Surg Am · Mar 2007
Multicenter StudyResults of polyaxial locked-plate fixation of periarticular fractures of the knee.
Locked-plate fracture-fixation techniques and designs continue to evolve. Polyaxial locking plates that allow screw angulation and end-point locking have become available; however, there are no clinical data documenting their strength and efficacy, to our knowledge. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical performance of a variable-axis locking plate in a multicenter series of periarticular fractures about the knee. ⋯ The variable-axis locking plates performed well, with a high rate of fracture union and no evidence of varus collapse due to failure of the polyaxial screw fixation, in a series of complex fractures about the knee. Complication rates were similar to those for historical controls treated with fixed-trajectory locking plates. Polyaxial locking plates offer more fixation versatility without an apparent increase in mechanical complications or loss of reduction.
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J Bone Joint Surg Am · Jan 2007
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative StudyNonoperative treatment compared with plate fixation of displaced midshaft clavicular fractures. A multicenter, randomized clinical trial.
Recent studies have shown a high prevalence of symptomatic malunion and nonunion after nonoperative treatment of displaced midshaft clavicular fractures. We sought to compare patient-oriented outcome and complication rates following nonoperative treatment and those after plate fixation of displaced midshaft clavicular fractures. ⋯ Operative fixation of a displaced fracture of the clavicular shaft results in improved functional outcome and a lower rate of malunion and nonunion compared with nonoperative treatment at one year of follow-up. Hardware removal remains the most common reason for repeat intervention in the operative group. This study supports primary plate fixation of completely displaced midshaft clavicular fractures in active adult patients.
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J Bone Joint Surg Am · Jan 2007
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudyPrevalence of heterotopic ossification following total disc replacement. A prospective, randomized study of two hundred and seventy-six patients.
Despite reports of good clinical outcomes in patients treated with lumbar and cervical disc replacements, varying degrees of heterotopic bone have been observed around these devices. The purposes of the present study were to determine the prevalence of heterotopic ossification following lumbar disc replacement and to investigate whether heterotopic ossification results in loss of motion or negatively affects clinical outcome. ⋯ Heterotopic ossification is infrequent in patients treated with the CHARITE Artificial Disc, and it does not impact the range of motion or clinical outcome.
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J Bone Joint Surg Am · Jan 2007
Multicenter StudyInfluence of preoperative functional status on outcome after total hip arthroplasty.
International registries with large, heterogeneous patient populations provide excellent research opportunities for studying factors that influence treatment outcomes after total hip arthroplasty. In the present study, we used a European multinational database to investigate whether there is an association between three functional variables (preoperative pain, mobility, and motion) and functional outcome. ⋯ Patients with poor preoperative walking capacity and hip flexion are less likely to achieve an optimal outcome with regard to walking and motion. In contrast, there is no correlation between the preoperative pain level and pain alleviation, which is generally good and long-lasting after total hip arthroplasty.
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J Bone Joint Surg Am · Dec 2006
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative StudyOpen reduction and internal fixation compared with circular fixator application for bicondylar tibial plateau fractures. Results of a multicenter, prospective, randomized clinical trial.
Standard open reduction and internal fixation techniques have been successful in restoring osseous alignment for bicondylar tibial plateau fractures; however, surgical morbidity, especially soft-tissue infection and wound necrosis, has been reported frequently. For this reason, several investigators have proposed minimally invasive methods of fracture reduction followed by circular external fixation as an alternative approach. To our knowledge, there has been no direct comparison of the two operative approaches. ⋯ Both techniques provide a satisfactory quality of fracture reduction. Because percutaneous reduction and application of a circular fixator results in a shorter hospital stay, a marginally faster return of function, and similar clinical outcomes and because the number and severity of complications is much higher with open reduction and internal fixation, we believe that circular external fixation is an attractive option for these difficult-to-treat fractures. Regardless of treatment method, patients with this injury have substantial residual limb-specific and general health deficits at two years of follow-up.