Orthopedics
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Intra-articular morphine versus bupivacaine for postoperative pain management.
The purpose of this study was to determine whether morphine would be as effective as bupivacaine for postoperative pain control after knee arthroscopy with no worsening of the side effect profile. Eighty-two patients who underwent partial meniscectomy, chondral debridement, or both were prospectively randomized to receive 10 mg of morphine (10-cc volume) or 10 cc of .5% bupivacaine immediately postoperatively. Visual analog scale scores and side effect profiles were recorded in the postanesthesia care unit, in the transitional care unit, and then every 4 hours postoperatively until 24 hours. ⋯ Four patients in the morphine group and 1 patient in the bupivacaine group experienced side effects. This study indicates that 10 mg of intra-articular morphine is as effective as 10 cc of .5% bupivacaine for postoperative pain control for partial meniscectomy and chondral debridement of the knee. It minimally increases side effects initially and circumvents the issue of chondral toxicity of bupivacaine.
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Multicenter Study
Mixing implants of differing metallic composition in the treatment of upper-extremity fractures.
Mixing implants with differing metallic compositions has been avoided for fear of galvanic corrosion and subsequent failure of the implants and of bone healing. The purpose of this study was to evaluate upper-extremity fractures treated with open reduction and internal fixation with metallic implants that differed in metallic composition placed on the same bone. The authors studied the effects of using both stainless steel and titanium implants on fracture healing, implant failure, and other complications associated with this method of fixation. ⋯ This study implies that mixing implants with differing metallic compositions on the same bone for the treatment of fractures does not adversely affect bone healing. No evidence existed of corrosion or an increase in complications with this method of treatment. Contrary to prior belief, small modular hand stainless steel plates can be used to assist in reduction of smaller fracture fragments in combination with anatomic titanium plates to obtain anatomic reduction of the fracture without adversely affecting healing.
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Increased knee flexion after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) may contribute to patients' increased satisfaction and more active lifestyles. This study evaluated a TKA component designed for high flexion (more than 125°). The design features an anatomic sagittal femoral radius with short, flared femoral condyles to allow for femoral rollback. ⋯ Mean Knee Society knee and function scores and the Short Form 12 physical component scores were 52, 55, and 32 preoperatively, respectively, and 89, 77, and 40 one year postoperatively, respectively. Of the 50 knees, 84% had improvement in their Knee Society function scores, and 76% had improvement in their Short Form 12 physical component scores. The study revealed evidence of increased early postoperative flexion with the use of a cruciate-retaining high-flexion TKA design.
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Comparative Study
Comparison of insertional trauma between suprapatellar and infrapatellar portals for tibial nailing.
The purpose of this study was to determine differences in insertional articular trauma in infrapatellar tibial portal and suprapatellar portal intramedullary tibial nail insertion techniques. A cadaveric study was performed on 10 matched pairs of fresh-frozen adult cadaver lower extremities with intact extensor mechanisms. Two study groups with 10 limbs each were created: left lower limbs were treated with a standard medial parapatellar nailing portal and right lower limbs were treated with a suprapatellar tibial nailing portal. ⋯ The structure was considered damaged if the structure was obviously damaged on visual inspection or if a measurement was less than 1 mm. Impact to intra-articular structures was numerically lower in the suprapatellar group (2/10) compared with the infrapatellar group (4/10), but the difference was not statistically significant between the 2 groups (P=.629). The suprapatellar portal approach to the tibial start point demonstrated a lower overall incidence of damage to intra-articular structures, but no significant statistical difference existed between the 2 treatment groups.
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The importance of osteoporosis in proximal humerus fractures is well recognized. However, the local distribution of bone quality in the humeral head may also have a significant effect because it remains unclear in what quality of bone screws of standard implants purchase. The goal of this study was to investigate whether the failure of proximal humerus locked plating can be predicted by the DensiProbe (ARI, Davos, Switzerland). ⋯ The validity of the DensiProbe was proven by the correlation between its peak torque measurements and BMD. The correlation between the peak torque and cycles to failure revealed the potential of the DensiProbe to predict the failure of locked plating in vitro. This method provides information about local bone quality, potentially making it suitable for intraoperative use by allowing the surgeon to take measures to improve stability.