1/341. Three cases of patella fracture in 1,320 anterior cruciate ligament reconstructions with bone-patellar tendon-bone autograft. Between September 1992 and December 1996 we reviewed three transverse displaced fractures of the patella occuring in 1,320 ACL reconstructions using bone-patellar tendon-bone autograft. All the patients suffered local injury to the donor knee between 8 and 12 weeks postoperatively. Immediate rigid fixation using single or double anterior tension band allowed early mobilization and full weight bearing. Between 6 and 9 months after fracture, the screws and the wire were removed and the grafts tested. Results of the pivot shift and Lachman test under anesthesia were negative and arthroscopic visualisation showed the graft to be intact. Postoperative assessment included the Lysholm and Tegner scales, the International knee documentation Committee Evaluation form (IKDC), KT-1000 arthrometer, and isokinetic dynamometer strength testing. No significant differences in the final outcome were noted between reconstructions complicated by patellar fracture and normal ACL reconstructions. ( info) |
2/341. Triplane fractures in the hand. Two new cases of triplane fracture of the distal tibia are reported in the proximal phalanx of the thumb and the distal radius, respectively, of a 12-year-old girl and a 13-year-old boy. Neither fracture showed any displacement, achieving healing at 4 weeks of external immobilization. Triplane fractures can occur across growth plates other than the distal tibia. Because of the rapid physiologic physeal arrest, the potential for growth deformity is null. In cases without displacement, these fractures should be treated conservatively by external immobilization, as one would treat a one-plane fracture. ( info) |
3/341. Delayed dislocation of radial head following upper radial epiphysial injury. Injury to the upper radial epiphysis is mainly a radiological diagnosis. Delayed dislocation of the radial head following such injuries, where there is no evidence of primary subluxation or dislocation, has not been recorded in the literature. We have identified three such cases that needed open reduction. As long term results of delayed treatment of dislocation of any joint is not good, we advocate the awareness of this complication and also a longer period of routine follow-up (up to a year) of all upper radial epiphysial injuries, to avoid a catastrophe in an entirely preventable situation. ( info) |
4/341. Distal disinsertion of the patellar ligament combined with avulsion fractures at the medial and lateral margins of the patella. A case report and an experimental study. A 12-year-old boy presented with a proximally retracted patella 5 months after an injury to the left knee. The clinical and radiographic features and the findings at operation led to the conclusion that the original lesion had been a distal disinsertion of the patellar ligament combined with avulsion fractures at the medial and lateral margins of the patella, produced by the medial and lateral longitudinal patellar retinacula. Loading experiments on amputation and cadaver specimens showed that these retinacula, apart from being tendons for the vastus medialis and the vastus lateralis, respectively, constitute a direct fibrous connection of considerable strength between the patella and the tibia and thus are capable of producing avulsion fractures. ( info) |
5/341. Anterior process fracture or calcaneus secundarius: a case report. Avulsion of the anterior process of the calcaneus accounts for nearly 15% of calcaneal fractures according to some sources. Yet, this fracture rarely has been reported in the radiology literature. Lateral plain radiography of the foot may demonstrate an ossific structure, distinct from the distal end of the calcaneus, overlying the head of the talus. However, the fracture may be particularly subtle and go undetected on plain radiography. Furthermore, it may be mistaken for the calcaneus secundarius (CS), an accessory ossicle of the anterior facet of the calcaneus identified in up to 5% of the population during cadaveric studies. This article describes the physical and radiological findings in a patient with an anterior process fracture and how this fracture can be distinguished from the CS. ( info) |
6/341. Suture fixation as a treatment for acute traumatic osteochondral lesions. This is a report on the treatment of traumatic osteochondral lesions with suture fixation. Equivocal results from traditional, conservative treatment modalities have resulted in a recent surge in research in this area. literature reports of treatments for these lesions often rely on a fibrocartilage healing response that exhibits inadequate weight bearing, lubricating, and durability qualities. We describe here a method by which a large, intact osteochondral fragment over the articulating, weight-bearing portion of the patella may be repaired using suture. This method allows for the preservation of the articular topography without many of the complications seen using other fixation techniques. ( info) |
7/341. Disintegration of porous polyethylene prostheses. A Plastipore (porous polyethylene) Total ossicular replacement Prosthesis gave an excellent initial hearing result which was maintained for 14 years. hearing then began to deteriorate and revision surgery showed disintegration of the prosthesis and a defect in the stapes footplate. Histological examination confirmed previous findings in porous polyethylene with multinucleated foreign body giant cells and breakdown of the material. ( info) |
8/341. Low-energy scapular body fracture: a case report. scapula fractures are relatively rare and most often the result of high-energy trauma. However, they should always be included in a physician's differential diagnosis when a patient has a complaint of shoulder pain after trauma or violent muscular contraction about the shoulder. Because the vast majority are the result of a high-energy mechanism of injury, the physician should, as always, completely evaluate the patient for associated injuries. Most scapula fractures can be diagnosed on physical examination with localized tenderness, swelling, and hematoma formation over the fracture site. Radiographic confirmation and evaluation is routinely made using the three-view trauma series of the shoulder; additional views are rarely indicated. Treatment, consisting of a sling or sling and swath for comfort, mild narcotic medication, and early range-of-motion exercises virtually always leads to union and good glenohumeral function. Operative treatment is rarely indicated. A case of an low-energy isolated scapular body fracture sustained by a 41-year-old man is presented. ( info) |
9/341. clavicle malunion. The clavicle fracture that has united with deformity or shortening may have an adverse effect on normal shoulder girdle function. We report on 4 patients in whom a malunited fracture of the clavicle was believed to be a contributing factor to shoulder girdle dysfunction. In each patient, the functional status of the involved limb was improved after corrective osteotomy at the site of deformity, realignment, and plate fixation. ( info) |
10/341. Avulsion fracture of the anterior half of the foramen magnum involving the bilateral occipital condyles and the inferior clivus--case report. A 38-year-old male presented with an avulsion fracture of the anterior half of the foramen magnum due to a traffic accident. He had palsy of the bilateral VI, left IX, and left X cranial nerves, weakness of his left upper extremity, and crossed sensory loss. He was treated conservatively and placed in a halo brace for 16 weeks. After immobilization, swallowing, hoarseness, and left upper extremity weakness improved. Hyperextension with a rotatory component probably resulted in strain in the tectorial membrane and alar ligaments, resulting in avulsion fracture at the sites of attachment, the bilateral occipital condyles and the inferior portion of the clivus. Conservative treatment is probably optimum even for this unusual and severe type of occipital condyle fracture. ( info) |