Clinical orthopaedics and related research
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Clin. Orthop. Relat. Res. · Apr 2010
Comparative StudyPosterior malleolar stabilization of syndesmotic injuries is equivalent to screw fixation.
Fixation of unstable ankle fractures, including fixation of posterior malleolus fracture fragments with the attached, intact posteroinferior tibiofibular ligament (PITFL), reportedly provides more stable fixation than transsyndesmotic screws. ⋯ Level II, therapeutic study. See Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
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Compartment syndrome of the lower leg or foot, a severe complication with a low incidence, is mostly caused by high-energy deceleration trauma. The diagnosis is based on clinical examination and intracompartmental pressure measurement. The most sensitive clinical symptom of compartment syndrome is severe pain. Clinical findings must be documented carefully. A fasciotomy should be performed when the difference between compartment pressure and diastolic blood pressure is less than 30 mm Hg or when clinical symptoms are obvious. Once the diagnosis is made, immediate fasciotomy of all compartments is required. Fasciotomy of the lower leg can be performed either by one lateral incision or by medial and lateral incisions. The compartment syndrome of the foot requires thorough examination of all compartments with special focus on the calcaneal compartment. Depending on the injury, clinical examination, and compartment pressure, fasciotomy is recommended via a dorsal and/or medial plantar approach. Surgical management does not eliminate the risk of developing nerve and muscle dysfunction. When left untreated, poor outcomes with contractures, toe deformities, paralysis, and sensory neuropathy can be expected. In severe cases, amputation may be necessary. ⋯ Level III. See Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
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Clin. Orthop. Relat. Res. · Apr 2010
Clinical TrialLessons learned with extended-release epidural morphine after total hip arthroplasty.
An extended-release epidural morphine (EREM) has been introduced to improve postoperative pain management. Studies have shown the effectiveness of this agent in providing better pain control and patient satisfaction for patients undergoing total joint arthroplasty. We evaluated postoperative pain relief by comparing average daily pain scores and opioid use with those of the control group. Safety was measured by comparing the occurrence of postoperative complications, nausea and vomiting, pruritus, and respiratory depression between the two groups. Between February 2006 and March 2008, we selected 203 patients to receive EREM for THA. These patients were matched in a 2:1 ratio with patients undergoing THA and receiving spinal anesthesia. We retrospectively reviewed all major and minor postoperative complications from a prospective database. Patients receiving EREM had lower pain scores than patients not receiving EREM on Postoperative Day 1 (POD 1) but not POD 2, or POD 3. Patients receiving EREM experienced a slightly higher incidence of pulmonary embolism and supraventricular tachycardia. Patients receiving EREM also experienced more nausea and vomiting and pruritus. We found EREM provided better pain relief on POD 1 at the expense of a slightly higher incidence of side effects compared with spinal anesthesia alone. ⋯ Level III, therapeutic study. See the Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
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Clin. Orthop. Relat. Res. · Apr 2010
Syndesmotic stabilization in pronation external rotation ankle fractures.
Boden et al. suggested syndesmosis fixation was not necessary in distal pronation external rotation (PER) ankle fractures if rigid bimalleolar fracture fixation is achieved and was not necessary with deltoid ligament injury if the fibular fracture is no higher than 4.5 cm of the tibiotalar joint. We asked whether height of the fibular fracture with or without medial stability predicted syndesmotic instability as compared with intraoperative hook testing in these fractures. We reviewed 62 patients (35 male, 27 female) with a mean age of 45.6 years (range, 19-80 years). Using a bone hook applied to the distal fibula with lateral force to the distal fibula in the coronal plane, we fluoroscopically assessed the degree of syndesmosis diastasis in all patients. The mean height of the fibular fracture in patients with a positive hook test was higher than in patients with a negative hook test (54.2 mm; standard deviation [SD], 29.3 versus 34.8 mm; SD, 21.4, respectively). The height of the fibular fracture showed a positive predictive value of 0.93 and a negative predictive value of 0.53 in predicting syndesmotic instability; specificity of the criteria of Boden et al. was high (0.96). However, sensitivity was low (0.39) using the hook test as the gold standard. The criteria of Boden et al. may be helpful in planning, but may have some limitations as a predictor of syndesmotic instability in distal PER ankle fractures. ⋯ Level III, diagnostic study. See Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
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Clin. Orthop. Relat. Res. · Apr 2010
Comparative StudyIs fibular fracture displacement consistent with tibiotalar displacement?
We believed open reduction with internal fixation is required for supination-external rotation ankle fractures located at the level of the distal tibiofibular syndesmosis (Lauge-Hanssen SER II and Weber B) with 2 mm or more fibular fracture displacement. The rationale for surgery for these ankle fractures is based on the notion of elevated intraarticular contact pressures with lateral displacement. To diagnose these injuries, we presumed that in patients with a fibular fracture with at least 2 mm fracture displacement, the lateral malleolus and talus have moved at least 2 mm in a lateral direction without medial displacement of the proximal fibula. We reviewed 55 adult patients treated operatively for a supination-external rotation II ankle fracture (2 mm or more fibular fracture displacement) between 1990 and 1998. On standard radiographs, distance from the tibia to the proximal fibula, distance from the tibia to the distal fibula, and displacement at the level of the fibular fracture were measured. These distances were compared preoperatively and postoperatively. We concluded tibiotalar displacement cannot be reliably assessed at the level of the fracture. Based on this and other studies, we believe there is little evidence to perform open reduction and internal fixation of supination-external rotation II ankle fractures. ⋯ Level IV, case series. See Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.