Orthopedics
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In contrast to radicular pain during pregnancy, the incidence of postpartum radicular pain is rare. Sacral stress fractures are unusual but important causes for low-back and buttock pain and even postpartum radicular pain. To date, only 10 postpartum sacral stress fractures have been reported in the literature, with two descriptions of radicular pain as the presenting symptom. ⋯ Bone scintigraphy and computed tomography are considered harmful for the fetus. Magnetic resonance imaging, which is more suitable for pregnancy, is more sensitive than bone scintigraphy in revealing stress injuries of the bone. Physical examination and proper radiologic evaluation are the main keys for revealing the pathology.
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Case Reports
Closing wedge retrotubercular tibial osteotomy and TKA for posttraumatic osteoarthritis with angular deformity.
Posttraumatic osteoarthritis of the knee can be associated with angular deformities and alterations in the joint line as a result of the initial trauma and subsequent surgical procedures. These deformities can be characterized as extra-articular or intra-articular or can involve aspects of both. Conversion to total knee arthroplasty (TKA) may require either a staged or a simultaneous corrective osteotomy to restore the limb alignment and proper knee function. ⋯ Radiographs revealed posttraumatic osteoarthritis, a 35 degrees varus deformity, and patella infera. Maintaining the tibia tubercle continuity with the distal tibia allowed for correction of the varus deformity and improvement in the patella tendon height relative to the joint line. At 5-year follow-up, the patient had osteotomy healing, clinically neutral limb alignment, and improvement in joint line biomechanics with resolution of symptoms of pain and instability.
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Regional anesthesia has an expanding role in upper extremity surgery. Brachial plexus blocks offer several advantages including providing effective analgesia, reducing narcotic requirements, and facilitating ambulatory care surgery. Despite the popularity of nerve blocks, the surgeon must not forget the complications associated with regional anesthesia. ⋯ We attribute this complication to significant abdominal obesity causing compromised pulmonary reserve and poor tolerance of transient hemidiaphragmatic paresis. In recent studies, waist circumference and abdominal height were inversely related to pulmonary function. We suspect that the incidence of symptomatic phrenic nerve palsy associated with brachial plexus blocks will increase as the prevalence of obesity increases in this country.
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This article describes a case of a 23-year-old man who sustained a far medial fracture dislocation of the medial clavicle. We performed an open reduction and internal fixation of the fragment back to the remaining medial fragment using a small locking plate. This fracture can be problematic and usually requires reduction due to the potential vascular or airway compromise. ⋯ Postoperatively, the patient was permitted to use his arm for most activities but was restricted from pushing, pulling, or lifting heavy objects for 4 weeks. He recovered well and returned to normal activities of daily living with no restriction. Therefore, these plates may have a role in fixation of periarticular fractures.
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Damage from spinal cord injury (SCI) may be complicated by concomitant hemodynamic alterations within hours to months of the initial insult. Neurogenic shock, symptomatic bradycardia, autonomic dysreflexia, and orthostatic hypotension are specific conditions occurring commonly with SCI. Early recognition and appropriate management of each disorder may minimize secondary injury to the cord, avert systemic complications, and help alleviate patient discomfort.