Der Unfallchirurg
-
For surgical treatment of posterior shearing tibial plateau fractures and avulsion fractures of the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) a posterocentral approach without dissection or separation of the heads of the gastrocnemius muscle is used. The aim of this study was an evaluation of this approach. ⋯ The posterocentral approach showed a low complication rate in the hands of experienced surgeons. The soft tissue cover seems to prevent implant infections.
-
Orthopaedic surgeons are faced with a large number of geriatric patients. An ageing society will lead to a significant increase in the number of geriatric patients in orthopaedic trauma units in the future. Due to the significant number of comorbidities an orthogeriatric service seems to be effective during acute care to maintain patients' independency. ⋯ All certified hospitals will have to participate in the registery. This will allow the participants to benchmark their own results with the data from the registery. Because of the identical core data set comparisons with similar international registeries will also be possible.
-
Malunion or nonunion of central talar fractures lead to significant impairment, pain and decreased motion of the foot and ankle. In a 20-year period from 1994 to 2013 at the Trauma Department of the University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus of the Technical University of Dresden we treated a total of 25 patients with secondary anatomical reconstruction of the talus. ⋯ Of the patients 21 out of 25 needed a bilateral approach and 6 additionally an osteotomy of the medial malleolus.The mean follow-up of 22 out of 25 patients was 5.4 years (range 1.0-21.5 years). The preoperative American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) hindfoot score increased on average from 36.6 to 86.7 points (p<0.001) at the time of follow-up.
-
Multifragmentary sesamoid bones of the hallux have established the concept of sesamoidea multipartita which is explained as a congenital characteristic of these bones. Sesamoid bones although fragmented are often asymptomatic as are, for example fragmented patellae. Evidence shows, however, that fragmentation of sesamoid bones is significantly more frequent in young people active in sports (soccer). The diagnosis of traumatic fractures and subsequent pain and disability is a challenge. Patients often present to physicians relatively late and are, therefore, treated in the acute phase long after onset of pain. ⋯ Inquisitive interview of the patient and precise examination together with a detailed radiological investigation (computed tomography) are essential to be able to determine a causal relation to the fragmentation of sesamoid bones. Treatment consists of an anatomical reconstruction of vital bone fragments possibly augmented with an autologous cancellous bone graft after debridement. Surgical approaches are longitudinal medial for the medial sesamoid bone and longitudinal plantar for the lateral sesamoid bone. The means of fixation mostly involves two 1.5 mm screws for optimal mechanical stability.
-
From June 2001 to May 2013 four selected patients with an isolated and old Lisfranc's ligament rupture were treated at the Trauma Department of the University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus in Dresden with an anatomical repair of the ligament using half of the extensor hallucis longus tendon. This kind of graft 7 cm in length was used in three cases and in the fourth case the whole extensor hallucis brevis tendon was used. Of the four patients three were female with an average age of 28.6 years (range 15-39 years). The fourth patient was a 23-year-old male who was followed up for only 3 months due to emigration abroad. The three female patients were postoperatively followed up for a minimum of 1 year clinically and at the 1 year follow-up all three women had a stable Lisfranc's joint, two were absolutely pain free and one was relatively pain free. ⋯ The youngest of the three females was 15 years old at the time of surgery and in preparation for the Olympic Games as a gymnast. This gave rise to the idea for an anatomical repair to avoid partial fusion of the Lisfranc's joint in this very young and extremely competitive sportswoman. The Lisfranc's joint was completely stable and pain free 2 years postoperatively and 10 years after surgery she qualified for the 2005 World Championships in Australia and the Olympic Games in Beijing in 2008.