Der Unfallchirurg
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Proximal tibial epiphyseal injury is a rare finding in adolescents. We report the case of a 13-year-old boy with simultaneous epiphyseal fractures of both proximal tibiae to illustrate appropriate diagnosis and treatment of this condition. The injury occurred while performing a long jump: a Salter-Harris type II fracture of the right proximal tibia was sustained at take-off and a Salter-Harris type III avulsion fracture of the left tibial tuberosity upon landing. Closed reduction and internal fixation using K-wires were performed on the right side, whereas open reduction and internal fixation were done on the left side, using a lag screw and additional McLaughlin wiring.
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If the standard technical guidelines are ignored so that the antirotation screw is not correctly placed during gamma nail osteosynthesis, dislocation of the hip screw is possible. In the rare cases of migration into the pelvis, the consequences may be lethal.
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[Prehospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS): An interdisciplinary training in preclinical trauma care].
There is clinical evidence that standardized management of trauma patients in the emergency department improves outcome. Standardized prehospital management has been established for stroke patients and those suffering acute coronary syndrome. Prehospital treatment of trauma patients differs quite significantly from one system to another. The data from the German Trauma Registry show that the average time from accident until arrival in the emergency department is 72 min. This needs improvement. ⋯ PHTLS teaches a standardized and established approach to the trauma patient in the emergency department. It has been established in 36 countries and the content is reviewed regularly to consider new scientific evidence. Healthcare personnel in Germany have the chance to participate in this international standard of care and to introduce their own experiences into the review process.
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Modern strategies for postoperative care of patients with hip fractures include early discharge from the acute care hospital to inpatient interdisciplinary rehabilitation facilities. Whether these programs are effective for the patients and improve their long-term outcomes or if they simply transfer costs, with a reduction of the inpatient days in the acute care hospital, is currently under discussion. ⋯ Postoperative inpatient rehabilitation programs enhance short-term activities of daily living. In particular, patients who lived at home before the trauma and were reintegrated back home benefited in perpetuity from geriatric rehabilitation. A policy for early discharge to geriatric rehabilitation is associated with extension of overall hospital stay. This association along with the related increased health care costs should be weighed against the sociofunctional effectiveness of these programs.
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The management of patients with sport-related injuries of the spine is a challenging issue with regard to the ability to resume former sport activities. The current study analyses the rate of resumption of sports participation after conservative and operative treatment. ⋯ The current management of injuries of the spine effectuates a high rate of resumption of sports activity following conservative or operative treatment.