Der Unfallchirurg
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The gold standard in operative treatment of end-stage ankle osteoarthritis remains controversial even now. Endoprosthetic treatment, which has undergone significant improvements in recent years competes with arthrodesis, which can achieve excellent results particularly in the arthroscopically assisted technique. Both procedures offer specific advantages and disadvantages so that the decision about indications for treatment should always be made individually, taking specific needs and the individual constellation of findings of the patient into consideration.
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Due to the change in the age structure in Germany and the steadily increasing number of fractures, arthrosis of the upper ankle joint, mainly caused by posttraumatic conditions, is becoming more and more relevant in routine trauma surgery and orthopedics. Patients suffer from reduced functionality and quality of life as well as immobilizing pain. In addition to an ankle joint prosthesis arthrodesis of the upper ankle joint offers an alternative for the treatment of advanced arthrosis. ⋯ Comparative studies to date have shown an advantage of the arthroscopic technique in terms of complication rate, length of hospitalization, proportion of ossification and functional outcome. The indications for arthroscopic fusion should be strictly considered, especially in the case of malalignment, as major axis corrections are difficult to perform. In such cases, open fusion of the upper ankle joint still seems superior to the arthroscopic method.
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The aim of supramalleolar conversion osteotomy is to reduce the pain of the patient and stop or at least slow down joint degeneration. The indication for supramalleolar osteotomy is asymmetric osteoarthritis of the ankle joint with varus or valgus deformity. Good clinical results for arthritis can be achieved in the early or middle stages. ⋯ Further studies are necessary to support this. The indications for additional procedures, such as fibular osteotomy are still being discussed. Inframalleolar osteotomy and soft tissue interventions are frequently necessary for balancing the foot.
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In this article the basic principles of fracture sonography and meaningful areas of application in children and adults are explained. The sonographic fracture signs are presented and the typical areas of application, i.e. clavicular fracture, acromioclavicular (AC) joint dislocation, proximal humerus fracture, elbow fracture, wrist fracture, metacarpal 5 fracture, palmar plate, femoral bulge fracture, proximal tibia fracture, midfoot V fracture, toddler's fracture and march fracture, are outlined and known diagnostic algorithms are listed. When used correctly, fracture sonography is a safe, gentle and rapid diagnostic method.
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Interventional sonography describes the step from pure sonographic imaging diagnostics to sonographically controlled treatment that can be connected directly to sonographic imaging diagnostics instead of postponing it over a longer time interval with possibly further (X-ray, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging) diagnostics. The sonographically controlled interventional measures range from a simple puncture of fluid-filled spaces to infiltration of deeper lying areas, such as the labrum acetabulare, the dorsal knee joint capsule and facet joints up to infiltration of the sciatic nerve. The safety is guaranteed by adhering to clearly defined hygiene standards as well as by qualified training as part of the 3‑stage model of certification of the surgery section of the German Society of Ultrasound in Medicine (DEGUM). By using modern sonography devices, structures in the submillimeter range are visible even at close range, so that nowadays even splitting of the annular ligament of the finger has become possible under ultrasound control.