Der Unfallchirurg
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The objective of this article is to summarize the history of the German Spine Society (DWG). This society resulted in the year 2006 after several attempts from the fusion of two established German societies, which were dealing with topics around the spine, der "German Society for Spine Research" founded in the year 1958 and the "German Society for Spine Surgery" founded in the year 1987. This fusion was the beginning of a success story, as from this time on the annual membership increased so much that the DWG became the largest spine society in Europe and one of all spine societies worldwide.
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Osteoporosis-associated fractures are of increasing importance in trauma surgery. The implementation of systematic diagnostics and treatment of osteoporosis during hospitalization, however, remains insufficient; therefore, a specific algorithm for the diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis in trauma surgery patients was developed based on the German Osteology Society (Dachverband Osteologie, DVO) guidelines for osteoporosis from 2014. In a first step, the individual patient age and risk profile for osteoporosis are identified considering specific fractures indicative of osteoporosis. ⋯ The treatment algorithm for diagnostics and treatment of osteoporosis in hospitalized trauma surgery patients can systematically and efficiently improve the identification of patients at risk. Thus, further fractures associated with osteoporosis or failure of internal fixation could be reduced in future. A prospective validation of the algorithm has already be initiated.
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Vertebral body replacement after corpectomy is nowadays a standard procedure in spinal surgery. ⋯ Many different expandable and non-expandable implants are now available and both types of implant can still be justified. This article describes the historical development of these implants and shows how this innovational process has significantly increased the therapy options for surgeons.
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This article presents a case of primary septic arthritis of the knee due to serogroup C Neisseria meningitidis. A 19-year-old female presented to the emergency department with a painless but swollen knee joint which had started 2 days previously and fever (38 °C). The patient reported that she suddenly felt unwell 3 days ago and developed a rush at the same time which had almost disappeared when arrived at the emergency department. ⋯ Therapy was then switched to antibiotic therapy with ceftriaxon and arthroscopic irrigation was performed. The patient quickly recovered and was discharged from hospital after 14 days. This case example shows the difficulties of the clinical and microbiological diagnostics of a primary septic meningococcal arthritis; however, the treatment is relatively easy and mostly successful compared to other forms of bacterial joint infection.