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It is difficult to treat complex fractures of the acetabulum, the cup-shaped cavity at the junction of three bones of the pelvis containing the ball-shaped head of the femur (thigh bone - together these bones form the hip joint). With nonoperative treatment it is almost impossible to achieve joint stability, but the deep location within the pelvis makes surgery dangerous. Clear visualization of the acetabulum is necessary for good surgical results. During a four-year period, 51 patients were treated surgically for complex acetabular fractures. Twenty-four of these patients underwent a procedure that included open reduction (surgical correction) and rigid internal fixation of the fracture performed using two incisions to allow exposure of both the anterior and posterior aspects of the acetabulum. Follow-up of these patients, ranging from 4 to 32 months, indicated that good anatomical reduction and stable fixation was achieved in 21 of 24 patients (88 percent). This high rate of success was attributed to the combined approach which provided a better view of the fracture fragments. All patients had some heterotopic ossification, a nonmalignant overgrowth of bone frequently occurring after a fracture, which may cause limitation of motion. The amount of injured tissue found at surgery was related to the subsequent distribution and amount of heterotopic ossification. There were two cases of disabling limitation of motion. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Arthroscopically-assisted reduction and percutaneous fixation of tibial plateau fractures is associated with fewer adverse events, better knee motion, and better Rasmussen functional scores compared to open reduction internal fixation in a number of non-randomized studies. The purpose of this study was to measure the influence of arthroscopy on the interobserver reliability in classification, treatment, and evaluation of intra-articular pathology and fracture reduction for fractures of the tibial plateau.

As attendees of orthopedic meetings consider how to integrate presented information into their practice, it is helpful to consider the quality of the data presented. One surrogate metric is the proportion of and changes to presented abstracts that become journal publications. With this study, using the 2010 American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) Annual Meeting abstracts, the authors sought to answer the following questions: Did the publications following abstract presentations differ in terms of the conclusions, study subjects, or coauthors? What proportion of abstracts was published? What are the most common subtopics and journals, and what is the most common author country? Keywords and authors from the 2010 AAOS Annual Meeting proceedings program (698 podium and 548 poster abstracts) were searched in PubMed, Embase, and Google Scholar. If a publication resulted, differences in the conclusion, number of study subjects, and authorship between the abstract and the journal publication were tabulated. The proportion of abstracts published, specialty subtopics, authorship country, and journals of publication were collected. At journal publication, 1.7% of podium and 1.7% of poster conclusions changed. Mean number of authors for podium and poster increased significantly (As attendees of orthopedic meetings consider how to integrate presented information into their practice, it is helpful to consider the quality of the data presented. One surrogate metric is the proportion of and changes to presented abstracts that become journal publications. With this study, using the 2010 American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) Annual Meeting abstracts, the authors sought to answer the following questions: Did the publications following abstract presentations differ in terms of the conclusions, study subjects, or coauthors? What proportion of abstracts was published? What are the most common subtopics and journals, and what is the most common author country? Keywords and authors from the 2010 AAOS Annual Meeting proceedings program (698 podium and 548 poster abstracts) were searched in PubMed, Embase, and Google Scholar. If a publication resulted, differences in the conclusion, number of study subjects, and authorship between the abstract and the journal publication were tabulated. The proportion of abstracts published, specialty subtopics, authorship country, and journals of publication were collected. At journal publication, 1.7% of podium and 1.7% of poster conclusions changed. Mean number of authors for podium and poster increased significantly (P<.001), and 30% of podium and 44% of poster had a change in the number of study subjects. The overall journal publication percentage was 61% (68% podium and 53% poster). The majority of the authors were from the United States. The most common journal was The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery. It is important to evaluate the usefulness and clinical applicability of meetings, especially the final disposition of conference abstracts, from various angles to ensure that they are as worthwhile and educational as possible. [Orthopedics. 2020;43(4):e263–e269.]

Background: Orthopedic implant removal following open reduction internal fixation of a fracture is a common procedure, especially in the foot and ankle. The purpose of this study was to evaluate functional change after the removal of symptomatic implants following ankle fracture open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) using the Short Musculoskeletal Function Assessment (SMFA) outcome score. We hypothesized that implant removal after ankle fracture would result in improved functional outcomes.Methods: Retrospective review of prospectively collected data on patients with a closed ankle fracture between 2013 and 2016 was performed. Inclusion criteria were skeletal maturity, symptomatic ankle implants and completion of the SMFA questionnaire prior to and 6 months after removal. Exclusion criteria were development of a nonunion, prior or current infection, peripheral neuropathy or ongoing litigation surrounding the surgery. The primary outcome was change in SMFA score from baseline to follow-up using Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Additional logistic regression models evaluated the effects of age, sex, body mass index, smoking status, and patient American Society of Anesthesiologists scores.Results: The study population consisted of 43 patients. There was a statistically significant improvement in function, represented by a decrease in SMFA scores from baseline to the 6-month follow-up period (∆ = −4.1 [95% confidence interval, −7.0, −1.3]; P= .003). Secondary outcome measures of the bother index and daily activities domain also demonstrated significant improvements (P= .005 and P= .002, respectively). Additional logistical regression models identified no significant effects by assessed covariates for change in SMFA scores.Conclusion: Patients with symptomatic implants following ankle fracture ORIF had a statistically significant improvement in function following implant removal. There appears to be value in removing implants from the ankle in patients who report discomfort during daily activities. Further investigation into the specific indications for implant removal and the impact of injury and fracture pattern on outcomes is warranted.Level of Evidence: Level IV, case series.

Reoperation rates are high after surgery for hip fractures. We investigated the effect of a sliding hip screw versus cancellous screws on the risk of reoperation and other key outcomes.

Tibial plateau fractures may result in significant limitations postoperatively. Studies have described outcomes of arthroscopic-assisted percutaneous fixation (AAPF) of these injuries but have rarely reported postoperative activity levels. Between 2009 and 2013, patients who sustained a lateral split, split depression, or pure depression type tibial plateau fracture (Schatzker types I–III fractures) and underwent outpatient AAPF were eligible for the study. Outcomes were assessed using Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) Subjective Knee Evaluation Form, Lysholm score, and Marx activity score. Twenty-five consecutive patients were eligible for the study, and 22 (88%) were included in the final analysis, with average follow-up of 2.5 years (range, 1–5.2 years). Thirteen women and 9 men with an average age of 48.3 years (range, 23–65 years) comprised the study population. Average number of screws used for fixation was 2 (range, 1–4). The average depression was 8 mm preoperatively and 0.9 mm (range, 0–3 mm) postoperatively. Four patients (18%) had complications: 2 with hardware removal and 2 with postoperative deep venous thrombosis. Average postoperative Marx activity score was 5.7. Average postoperative KOOS Symptoms, Sports, and Quality of Life scores were 88 (range, 68–100), 85 (range, 45–100), and 77 (range, 50–100), respectively. Average IKDC and Lysholm scores were 81 (range, 55–97) and 87 (range, 54–100), respectively. The AAPF surgical technique, which was performed in an outpatient setting, facilitated excellent postoperative range of motion, outcomes, and activity scores with minimal complications. [Tibial plateau fractures may result in significant limitations postoperatively. Studies have described outcomes of arthroscopic-assisted percutaneous fixation (AAPF) of these injuries but have rarely reported postoperative activity levels. Between 2009 and 2013, patients who sustained a lateral split, split depression, or pure depression type tibial plateau fracture (Schatzker types I–III fractures) and underwent outpatient AAPF were eligible for the study. Outcomes were assessed using Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) Subjective Knee Evaluation Form, Lysholm score, and Marx activity score. Twenty-five consecutive patients were eligible for the study, and 22 (88%) were included in the final analysis, with average follow-up of 2.5 years (range, 1–5.2 years). Thirteen women and 9 men with an average age of 48.3 years (range, 23–65 years) comprised the study population. Average number of screws used for fixation was 2 (range, 1–4). The average depression was 8 mm preoperatively and 0.9 mm (range, 0–3 mm) postoperatively. Four patients (18%) had complications: 2 with hardware removal and 2 with postoperative deep venous thrombosis. Average postoperative Marx activity score was 5.7. Average postoperative KOOS Symptoms, Sports, and Quality of Life scores were 88 (range, 68–100), 85 (range, 45–100), and 77 (range, 50–100), respectively. Average IKDC and Lysholm scores were 81 (range, 55–97) and 87 (range, 54–100), respectively. The AAPF surgical technique, which was performed in an outpatient setting, facilitated excellent postoperative range of motion, outcomes, and activity scores with minimal complications. [Orthopedics.2016; 39(3):e486–e491.]

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Clinician uncertainty concerning the need for antibiotic prophylaxis to prevent prosthetic joint infection (PJI) after undergoing dental procedures persists. Improved understanding of the potential clinical and economic risks and benefits of antibiotic prophylaxis will help inform the debate and facilitate the continuing evolution of clinical management guidelines for dental patients with prosthetic joints.

Fractures in the trochanteric region of the femur are classified as AOOTA 31-A, as they are extracapsular1(Fig. 1). This report analyzes the relatively rare 31-A3 fracture, which has also been referred to as an “intertrochanteric femur fracture with subtrochan-teric extension,” “reverse obliquity intertrochanteric femur fracture,” “unstable intertrochanteric femur fracture,” or a “subtrochanteric femur fracture.” The A3 fracture is characterized by having a fracture line exiting the lateral femoral cortex distal to the vastus ridge. Possible fixation constructs include compression hip screws, intramedullary hip screws, trochanteric intramedullary nails, cephalomedullary antegrade intramedullary nails, and 95° plates. Most reports investigating 31-A fractures do not describe the 31-A3 fracture. For this analysis, only reports clearly indicating that the fracture treated was a 31-A3 were included. It should be understood that this approach therefore excludes reports on generic “subtrochanteric fractures” or “intertrochanteric fractures,” some of which may have been 31-A3 fractures.

Symptomatic sacroiliac (SI) joint disease is poorly understood. The literature provides no clear aetiology for SI joint pathology, making evaluation and diagnosis challenging. We hypothesised that patients with documented sacroiliac pain might provide insight into the aetiology of these symptoms. Specifically, we questioned whether SI joint symptoms might be associated with abnormal hip radiographs. We reviewed the pelvic and hip radiographs of a prospectively collected cohort of 30 consecutive patients with SI joint pathology. This database included 33 hips from 30 patients. Radiographic analysis included measurements of the lateral centre edge angle, Tönnis angle, and the triangular index, of the ipsilateral hip. Evidence for retrotorsion of the hemipelvis was recorded. Hips were graded on the Tönnis grading system for hip arthrosis. In this cohort 14/33 (42%) of hips had evidence of significant osteoarthrosis indicated by Tönnis grade 2 or greater and 15/33 (45%) displayed subchondral cyst formation around the hip or head neck junction. In assessing acetabular anatomy, 21% (7/33) had retroversion, 12% (4/33) had a lateral centre edge angle >40° with 3% (1/33) >45°. Tönnis angle was <0° in 27% (9/33). Coxa profunda and acetabuli protrusio were present in 47% (17/33) and 3% (1/33), respectively. When femoral head morphology was assessed, 33% (11/33) showed evidence of cam impingement. Overall, 76% (25/33) had at least one abnormality on their hip radiograph. A significant number of patients meeting strict diagnostic criteria for SI joint pain had radiographic evidence of femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) and hip arthrosis. The clinician should maintain FAI in the differential diagnosis when investigating patients with buttock pain.

The number of hip fractures is likely to exceed 500,000 in the United States and 88,000 in Canada annually over the next 40 years. Hip fractures are associated with a 30% mortality rate at 1 year and profound temporary, and sometimes permanent, impairment of independence and quality of life.

The development of patient-oriented health status measurements has resulted in the emergence of several generic condition-specific and anatomic-specific instruments. These instruments are generally designed to measure the function of the individual as a whole from the individual's own point of view. They are not intended to replace traditional physician-oriented clinical outcome measures, such as complication rates, ranges of motion, or time to fracture union; instead, they are an attempt to measure the results of a treatment or condition from the patient's perspective. Over the past decade, the Musculoskeletal Function Assessment (MFA) instrument has been developed and used as one of the primary generic musculoskeletal functional assessment tools, in part because of its validity, reliability, and responsiveness.1,2Despite the numerous publications reporting the MFA/SMFA, we are unaware of any publications that have used those results to subsequently affect patient care. We hope that this special interest article highlights the current underutilization of the available data and encourages the orthopedic community to maximize the clinical and research potential of the MFA/SMFA (Short Musculoskeletal Function Assessment).

The purpose of this study is to report the clinical and functional results of a cohort of patients with knee dislocations associated with vascular injury.

To identify current opinions among orthopedic traumatologists relating to technical aspects of internal fixation and arthroplasty for patients with femoral neck fractures.

Leg threatening injuries present patients and clinicians with a difficult decision: whether to pursue primary amputation or limb salvage? The purpose of our study was to review the literature in an effort to inform this management decision.

A better understanding of the factors influencing return to work (RTW) after major limb trauma is essential in reducing the high costs associated with these injuries.

To describe the functional outcome of bilateral limb-threatening injuries at 2 years postinjury and to evaluate whether a different decision-making process should be used for these patients as opposed to patients with unilateral limb-threatening injury.

Fractures in the trochanteric region of the femur are classified as AO/OTA 31-A, as they are extracapsular1(Fig. 1). This report analyzes the relatively rare 31-A3 fracture, which has also been referred to as an "intertrochanteric femur fracture with subtrochanteric extension," "reverse obliquity intertrochanteric femur fracture," "unstable intertrochanteric femur fracture," or a "subtrochanteric femur fracture." The A3 fracture is characterized by having a fracture line exiting the lateral femoral cortex distal to the vastus ridge. Possible fixation constructs include compression hip screws, intramedullary hip screws, trochanteric intramedullary nails, cephalomedullary antegrade intramedullary nails, and 95° plates. Most reports investigating 31-A fractures do not describe the 31-A3 fracture. For this analysis, only reports clearly indicating that the fracture treated was a 31-A3 were included. It should be understood that this approach therefore excludes reports on generic "subtrochanteric fractures" or "intertrochanteric fractures," some of which may have been 31-A3 fractures.

The assessment of fracture healing is both a clinically relevant and frequently used outcome measure following lower extremity trauma. However, it remains uncertain whether there is a consensus in the assessment of fracture healing among orthopaedic surgeons. Variability in the assessment of healing may have important implications in surgeons' decisions to intervene when they perceive fracture healing is slow to progress.

Manufactures of orthopaedic fracture implants have turned to titanium in a pure form and an alloy during the past ten to fifteen years. Although primarily because of the biomechanical properties of this metal, concern for allergy to nickel and chromium ions in stainless steel was a factor in these decisions.

To determine whether a greater severity of injury as documented by the AO/OTA code would correlate with poor scores of impairment, functional performance, and self-reported health status.

(a) to report the demographic, socioeconomic, behavioral, social, and vocational characteristics of patients enrolled in a study to examine outcomes after high-energy lower extremity trauma (HELET) and to compare them with the general population; (b) to determine whether characteristics of patients undergoing limb salvage versus amputation after HELET are significantly different from each other.

Although researchers and clinicians are encouraged to use health‐status questionnaires to evaluate, monitor, and modify care, their use is hindered by the lack of reference values. Without reference values, it is difficult to interpret or evaluate questionnaire scores. In this paper, we present reference values for the Musculoskeletal Function Assessment, a 101‐item health‐status questionnaire designed and validated for patients with a broad range of musculoskeletal disorders. We describe reference values for two samples: non‐patients (n = 123) and patients with isolated extremity injuries (n = 274). For the non‐patient sample, descriptive statistics are presented by age and gender, measured at one point in time. For the patient sample, descriptive statistics are provided for seven Orthopaedic Trauma Association/AO diagnostic groups, measured at two points in time. Reference values for changes in the Musculoskeletal Function Assessment total score are described for patients 3 and 9 months and 6 and 12 months after injury. The total scores by post‐injury interval, across the diagnostic groups, are significantly better at follow‐up than at baseline (p = 0.00). Reference values for changes in total scores are also described in terms of these diagnostic groups across post‐injury intervals. Musculoskeletal Function Assessment total scores for Orthopaedic Trauma Association/AO diagnostic groups are significantly better at follow‐up than at baseline (p < 0.03). Changes in the total score are also tested for responsiveness with use of standardized response means. Large effects are demonstrated for patients completing the Musculoskeletal Function Assessment at 3 and 9 months (1.03), and small effects are demonstrated for those completing it at 6 and 12 months (0.49). Moderate and large effects are demonstrated for Orthopaedic Trauma Association/AO diagnostic groups across post‐injury intervals.

The recent changes in health care delivery and payment have focused renewed interest on the assessment of functional outcome from the patient's perspective. The development of clinically relevant functional outcome questionnaires for this purpose requires scientific rigor. These tools must be demonstrated to be reliable, valid, and responsive to clinically significant changes in subjects. The steps employed in developing an outcome tool and its characteristics are described.

Laser Doppler flowmetry was used intraoperatively to differentiate viable from nonviable bone during the debridement of 12 cases of chronic osteomyelitis and three cases of acute bone infection following trauma. Six weeks of i.v. antibiotic therapy were directed against two cases of gram-positive and 13 cases of gram-negative bone infection. In cases of chronic infection, free muscle flaps were added for soft tissue coverage in five cases and rotational muscle flaps in four cases. At follow-up observation, of 1 to 3 years, no recurrences were seen. Laser Doppler flowmetry is an easy-to-use adjunct to the surgical debridement of bone infection.

The functional microcirculatory system of the meniscus was investigated in nine sheep using laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF). The highest blood flows recorded were found at the periphery and at the anterior and posterior horns, and this finding was confirmed by india ink injections in five sheep and by meniscal autoradi ographs following intraatrial injection of 20 million Cs46microspheres in four sheep. LDF provides accurate and reproducible assessment of meniscal blood flow. If adequate probes can be developed, this method offers great promise in the clinical assessment of blood flow within the substance of meniscal tears, thus offering the surgeon initial information in the decision to repair or resect a meniscal tear.

Summary: Laser Doppler Flowmetry (LDF) has been shown to be a useful tool in the experimental and clinical measurement of bone blood flow. Two LDF receiving fiber channel systems, one with a 2mW He−Ne tube laser source and the other with an infrared diode laser source, were compared with specific reference to their light attenuation through three types of bone as well as their threshold thickness for the same specimens. The threshold thickness was higher for the infrared diode system for all three bone types whereas the attenuation was identical. The demonstrated differences were most likely due to the criteria established for flow detection; the infrared diode system has a greater degree of amplification of the output signal, yielding a higher value at each thickness of bone. The two systems will produce similar output data when used for experimental analysis of bone blood flow.

We used a miniature swine femoral neck fracture model to demonstrate the effects of the fracture on blood flow, histologic appearance, MRI signal and the development of posttraumatic osteonecrosis. The fracture was created and internally fixed in the right hip of 11 swine, with the left hip serving as the control. Femoral head blood flow via Laser Doppler Flowmetry and MRI data was examined for the experimental hip preoperatively, postoperatively and at 1, 2, 4 and 8 weeks postfracture. At 8 weeks, the animals were killed and the femoral heads were evaluated. Femoral head blood flow decreased immediately postfracture and continued to diminish with time. MRI signal intensities in the femoral head at 4 and 8 weeks were significantly less when the fixation failed than when it was intact. Histologic grades (0-14 points) and bone densities were 7.6 and 49%, respectively, on the experimental side, compared to 1.6 and 56% on the control side. Histologic grading, bone density values and blood flow data had no relation to changes in MRI signal intensity.

Although closed interlocking femoral nailing is generally considered to be a difficult but effective procedure, the true incidence of technical complications has not been well documented. Similarly, long-term and functional patient-oriented data are limited. We reviewed our experience with an interlocking nail system that was introduced in our institution in October 1987. One hundred and twenty-three patients were retrospectively reviewed with particular attention to technical complications (Group I). A second group of 144 patients with femoral shaft fractures were reviewed prospectively as a part of our Orthopaedic Trauma Outcome Database (Group IIA). In the earlier retrospective group, the technical complications in 123 cases included one distal screw fracture, one broken drill bit left (in situ), one “missed” locking distal screw, and three cases where comminution at the fracture site was increased. In the prospective group of 144 fractures, the technical complications included two “missed” distal locking screws, two broken screws, and one bent nail due to additional secondary trauma. In a third group of 56 patients (Group IIB) selected from Group IIA, an abbreviated functional assessment was performed at a minimum of 12 months postinjury. Of this group, 37 of the patients had pain that was described as related to barometric changes and was either constant or activity related; 39 had some limitation in ability to ambulate or stand. Nine percent had to obtain new employment or seek job modifications. Based on our data we conclude that closed intramedullary nailing can be done at a Level I Trauma Center with relatively few technical complications, but the functional outcomes are not as good as had been previously believed. A significant portion of patients with femoral shaft fractures treated with interlocking nails will have permanent functional loss.

To determine patient-perceived functional outcome after lower extremity fracture (LEF), a prospective, follow-up study of patients managed at three level I trauma centers was conducted. Patients with unilateral LEF involving the acetabulum and distally were eligible for the study. A total of 444 patients were enrolled. Of these, 363 (82) were interviewed at 6 months postdischarge. Study patients were predominantly young (mean age 34 years), white (72) men (71) who had been working preinjury (78). Their injuries resulted primarily from motor vehicle crashes (73); 30 had more than one fracture to the same extremity. Functional status was measured using the Sickness Impact Profile (SIP), a well-validated, general health status instrument. Mean 6-month SIP scores were significantly worse (higher) than those based on preinjury activities (9.8 vs. 2.5) (p < 0.01). Overall disability levels were moderate compared with other health conditions. Analysis of the 12 subscores comprising the SIP indicated particularly high scores in ambulation (16.2 postdischarge vs. 1.1 preinjury), sleep/rest (13.1 vs. 5.1), household management (14.5 vs. 2.6), recreation (17.6 vs. 4.2), emotional well-being (9.9 vs. 2.1), and most significantly work (33.2 vs. 8.8). Of those working preinjury, only 49 had returned by 6 months. SIP scores were highest for persons with three or more fractures to the same extremity and for fracture patterns typical of high-energy forces.

Summary: Results in 23 patients with significant craniocerebral trauma (Glasgow Coma Scale ≤10) and displaced acetabular fracture requiring surgery were reviewed after a minimum follow-up of 1 year. Despite a postoperative anatomic reduction in all but one case, clinical outcome for these hips was poor, with an average Harris hip rating of 59. Patients older than 40 years had a significantly poorer outcome than did younger patients (p = 0.004). Postoperative problems occurred in 70 of patients (n = 16); the largest portion of these represented symptomatic heterotopic bone, which occurred in 61. None of the four patients who had an anterior ilioinguinal surgical approach had symptomatic heterotopic ossification. The average Glasgow outcome score was 3.9 out of 5, and 20 of the 23 patients, despite a prolonged convalescence, were able to return to independence and self-care.

Summary: The development of laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) has provided a real-time, reliable method for monitoring capillary perfusion in multiple tissues. LDF has potential for the experimental and clinical assessment of bone blood flow. To compare the accuracy and ease of use of two commercially available laser Doppler flowmeters with different mechanisms for processing the Doppler-shifted component of light, estimates of bone blood flow were obtained in a sheep model using the two systems, and the values derived then compared with estimates of bone blood flow also obtained in a sheep using the technique of injection of labeled microspheres. The single-channel laser Doppler flowmeter, the LD 5000, processes the reference and Doppler-shifted beams on the surface of a single photodetector using optical heterodyning for measurement. The dual-channel flowmeter, the Periflux 2, uses two optical fibers to transmit reference and Doppler-shifted light to two separate photodetectors. The differential amplification and detection system improves the signal-to-noise ratio. Measurement of both metaphyseal (cancellous) and diaphyseal (cortical) blood flow using both LDF systems was compared with values obtained with an injection of85Sr-labeled microspheres in three sheep. The LDF measurements were repeated after occlusion of the left femoral artery, and a46Sc microsphere injection was performed prior to animal sacrifice. Two of the animals developed vasomotor instability, resulting in poor correlation between the measurements obtained with the Periflux 2, which is motion sensitive, and the values obtained with the microsphere method. High correlation was apparent in two of the three animals for the LD 5000 and the microsphere values. Four additional sheep were evaluated using only the Periflux 2, and the data collected yielded R values of 0.6–0.98. Both the single- and dual-channel LDF systems offer accurate assessment of local cortical and cancellous bone blood flow.

Miniature swine were used to study the effect of cervical fracture on femoral head blood flow. Laser Doppler flowmetry was used to evaluate femoral head blood flow before and after the fracture, after internal fixation with or without compression, and 8 weeks post-fracture. Fluorescent bone-labeling was performed at 2, 4 and 6 weeks post-fracture. Femoral head blood flow decreased to 40 percent of baseline following fracture, partly from the disruption of venous drainage. Histologically, all femoral heads showed some degree of trabecular thinning, micro-fracture, and neovascularization when compared with controls. Analyses of the laser Doppler flowmetry data, fluorescent label histology, microradiography and bone densitometry indicated that late (4-6 weeks) revascularization produces severe trabecular mechanical weakening and resultant femoral head collapse. Femoral head ischemia following fracture probably falls along a continuum, with only the more severe cases proceeding to mechanical collapse.Femoral neck fractures in the minipig produce femoral head necrosis of a severity and incidence which closely parallels that of the human population; thus, the minipig is a useful model for further study of complications following femoral neck fracture in humans

A midshaft femoral fracture in a high-energy trauma victim should prompt the orthopedist to search carefully for an ipsilateral fracture of the femoral neck. This fracture will be present in 5 per cent of patients, and the incidence may be increasing. Management of the femoral neck fracture should include emergent capsulotomy, anatomic reduction, and rigid fixation with compression. Management of the femoral shaft should not interfere with these goals because of the risk of post-traumatic necrosis of the femoral head. Successful methods of management of the femoral shaft fracture have included compression plating, retrograde Kuntscher nailing, and interlocking nails. Approaches to the treatment of concomitant intertrochanteric and femoral shaft fractures should be selected according to the skill and experience of the surgeon and the availability of equipment.

We reviewed 40 patients who had undergone 57 operations for tarsal coalition between 1965 and 1980. Ten patients were treated for talocal-caneal coalitions. Four had successful resections and the remainder had successful single or combination arthrodesis. Thirty patients had 39 calcaneona-vicular resections and five primary triple arthrodeses. In the entire series only two patients had a poor end result due to either technically poor surgery or failed calcaneonavicular resection because of advanced degeneration. Poly-tomography, computed tomography, or both were valuable in determining if talocalcaneal coalition resection was feasible. Care must be taken in evaluating the talonavicular joint for degenerative changes. The talar “beak” is not necessarily a degenerative spur, but rather a traction process occurring secondary to increased motion.

Fractures of the hip following seizure are uncommon but mayhave devastating consequences if allowed to go unrecognized. The presence of groin pain suggests hip pathology, but the ability to ambulate does not necessarily rule out fracture. Sprains around joints are common; hip sprains are not. Given the powerful contractions that occur with convulsions, musculoskeletal pain following seizure should not be dismissed until fractures or dislocations have been ruled out. We report the case of a young man with bilateral hip fractures following seizure, illustrating the violent muscular forces possible.

The through-and-through forms of femoral skeletal traction that are often used during intramedullary nailing for femur fractures can present two problems (a) impingement with the intramedullary nail, requiring repositioning of the traction pin intraoperatively under radiographic control, to a position that may not optimally control the fracture; and (b) the risk of contaminating the intramedullary canal that will soon contain the metallic fixation device, especially when placed in the emergency room or at the bedside. Two new forms of extramedullary skeletal femoral traction are presented. The pullout strength and optimal positioning of these devices on the distal femur were evaluated. The first form of extramedullary traction evaluated was the large AO/ASIF pinless clamp. The second form of extramedullary traction, the extramedullary skeletal clamp, was based on a modification of the Gardner-Wells tong. These two forms of skeletal traction were compared with standard tensioned Kirschner wire (K-wire) through-and-through traction. Six fresh-frozen distal femora from donors (average age 29 years) were used to test the three femoral traction devices. Five of these specimens were skeletally mature. A total of 38 pullout tests were conducted. The pullout strength of the tested devices was in the following descending order (a) tensioned K-wire; (b) extramedullary skeletal clamp (in the optimal metadiaphyseal position, 77 the strength of the K-wire); and (c) large ASIF pinless clamp (in the optimal metaphyseal position, 46 the strength of the K-wire). The mode of failure for each device was cut-out through or from the bone. The latter two values were significantly less (p <0.05) than were those with the K-wire. A surgeon may find these extramedullary traction devices helpful, to prevent impingement with the intramedullary nail, which can occur with a through-and-through traction device. Another potential clinical application of these extramedullary devices is in cases where distal femoral traction is favorable to proximal tibial traction, but there is fear of inoculating the femoral canal. Other examples include fractures where more direct control of the distal fragment is needed or where ligamentous damage to the knee has occurred. However, clinical trials testing the efficacy of these extramedullary devices are required before recommending their use.

Carbon fiber rods were developed to provide radiolucent sidebars for external fixation. In the present study, a single-plane, half-pin, double-bar external fixator construct with either stainless-steel tubes or carbon fiber rods was applied on the anteromedial surface of an osteotomized synthetic human tibia and evaluated for fixation rigidity. Testing was performed with the bone fragments in cortical contact and with a 5-mm midshaft gap between the fragments. The sidebars then were loaded to failure in bending. The results of this study show (a) that the carbon fiber rods were 15% stiffer than the stainless-steel tubes (p = 0.009) and (b) that the external fixator with carbon fiber rods achieved 85% of the fixation stiffness of the external fixator with stainless-steel tubes. The loss of stiffness of the external fixator with carbon fiber rods is most likely due to the clamps being less effective in connecting the carbon fiber rods rigidly to the Schanz screws.

Since 1987, reports have appeared of a streptococcal toxic shock syndrome in various clinical settings. None have appeared in the orthopaedic literature. Between 1989 and 1991 at our institution three patients with relatively minor orthopaedic injuries or procedures died of group A streptococcal infections complicated by toxic shock syndrome. The manifestations of this syndrome included rapid progression of systemic sepsis, necrotizing soft-tissue infections, acute renal failure, adult respiratory distress syndrome, and coagulopathy. All three patients died despite aggressive resuscitative measures and surgical debridement. Optimal treatment of this life-threatening process requires early recognition, aggressive surgical debridement, appropriate antibiotic management, and intensive care unit support.

Opinion leaders have been shown to have significant influence on the practice of health professionals and patient outcomes.