Injury
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We set out to examine the implications of seasonal variation in hip fracture for trauma services and for the frail older people who typically suffer this injury. Since 2007 the National Hip Fracture Database (NHFD) has been reporting data for all over-60 year old patients presenting in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. We analysed published NHFD data for the 450,764 people who presented during the seven years from April 2011 to March 2018. ⋯ An 8% increase in hip fracture numbers during the winter would equate with 1250 additional fractures during these months each year. Patients average over 20 days in hospital, so these additional cases will compound the stresses on hospital services over the Christmas and New Year holiday period. Such factors must be taken into consideration when organising trauma services if we are to try and avoid the additional 325 deaths that we found to occur each winter.
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Miniplates were initially developed as targets for foot and hand fractures, but they have been used in the treatment of fixation of small bone fragments, reduction of long bone fractures and non-union treatment, which have been difficult to treat. In this study, the authors used miniplates to treat fractures of the upper extremities, lower extremities, and pelvis obtained good outcomes. Herein, the authors report these good outcomes and review the current concept of miniplates. ⋯ Miniplates are not just small metal plates. Depending on the location and treatment of the fracture, the miniplate can effectively fix small bone fragments, help the main plate to maintain the reduction of large bone fragments, and increase the fixation force for nonunion treatment.
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Limb length discrepancy in adults is not an uncommon occurrence following trauma and limited literature exists on limb lengthening in skeletally mature populations using modern techniques. This study aimed to evaluate outcomes of limb lengthening surgery using the PRECICE magnetic limb lengthening intramedullary nail in an adult population. ⋯ The PRECICE intramedullary nail is a reliable limb lengthening device in skeletally mature patients, providing predictable lengthening and bone regeneration.
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Fractures in poliomyelitic limbs are a challenge to surgeons, due to polio's sequelae and morphological disorders, which make conventional osteosynthesis difficult. We present a retrospective study of 62 patients and 73 non-simultaneous fractures in their lower limbs. Average age was 61,7 years and 53,2% were females. ⋯ Most of the surgical treatments employed were similar as the ones used in non-poliomyelitic patients, although some cases required atypical implants, such as a Multiloc (® DePuy Synthes) humeral nail for a tibial shaft fracture, due to narrow bone. Mortality along the 1st year was 2.7%. We found similar functional and radiological results as those described in non-poliomyelitic limbs.
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In the present study, we evaluated the mechanical outcome of different configurations formed by partially threaded screws (PTS) alone or combined screws consisting of PTS and fully threaded screws (FTS) in the treatment of unstable femoral neck fracture. ⋯ For unstable femoral neck fractures, superior results were obtained by stabilizing the fracture with superior or inferior triangle configuration consisting of one PTS and two FTSs. If screws removal was taken into account after fracture union, fixation type of inferior triangle configuration should be the recommended choice.