Orthopedics
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Maisonneuve fractures are rare ankle injuries, accounting for up to 7% of all ankle fractures. They consist of a proximal third fibula fracture, syndesmotic disruption, and medial ankle injury (either a deltoid ligament disruption or a medial malleolus fracture), and are often successfully managed with nonoperative treatment of the proximal fibula fracture and open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) of the medial ankle injury and syndesmotic disruption. The hyperplantarflexion variant ankle fracture comprises approximately 7% of all ankle fractures and features dual posterior tibial lip fractures featuring a posterolateral fragment and a posteromedial fragment. ⋯ To the authors' knowledge, this unique fracture pattern has not been reported previously in the literature. The authors conclude that although good results were seen postoperatively in this case, the importance of ORIF of both the posteromedial and posterolateral fragments of variant fractures cannot be overstated. They also found MRI to be a particularly helpful adjunct in formulating the correct diagnosis and treatment plan.
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The authors retrospectively reviewed 269 patients treated from September 2006 to August 2011 with the minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO) technique using a universal reconstruction ribbon plate for fresh displaced midshaft fracture of the clavicle. Mean follow-up was 40.6 months. All had bony union (average healing time, 14.6 weeks). ⋯ A total of 258 patients were satisfied with the results of this surgery. This technique appears to be safe, simple, effective, and practical and to lead to rapid recovery, a high rate of union, a favorable cosmetic effect, and excellent function restoration. Thus, it can be considered an alternative to conventional plate osteosynthesis, intramedullary fixation, or non-operative treatment for fresh displaced midshaft clavicle fractures.
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This article describes a patient in whom a broken cerclage wire migrated from the left hip into the left ventricle. A 71-year-old woman was admitted to the authors' hospital for preoperative examination before femoral hernia repair. Chest radiograph showed a metallic wire in the left ventricle. ⋯ Because of the high risk of surgical left ventriculotomy associated with searching for wire that had migrated into the myocardial wall, patient monitoring was planned. Definitive management of this complication constitutes a dilemma. Although this complication is highly unusual, the possibility of intracardiac migration of broken wire should be considered when deciding on prophylactic surgical removal of hardware after fracture or osteotomy healing.
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Lyme arthritis results from acute inflammation caused by the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi. The number of cases per year has been rising since 2006, with a majority of patients being affected in the northeastern United States. Development of Lyme arthritis is of particular importance to the orthopedic surgeon because Lyme arthritis often presents as an acute episode of joint swelling and tenderness and may be confused with bacterial septic arthritis. ⋯ The authors present a case of Lyme arthritis in the pediatric ankle in an endemic region. No clear algorithm exists to delineate between septic arthritis and Lyme arthritis of the joint. Improved clinical guidelines for the identification and diagnosis of Lyme arthritis of the ankle are important so that appropriate antibiotics can be used and surgery can be avoided.