1. A Long-Term Clinical Study on Dislocated Ankle Fractures Fixed with Self-Reinforced Polylevolactide (SR-PLLA) Implants
- Author
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Hannu Pätiälä, Michael W. Hess, Nina H. Voutilainen, T Toivonen, Leena Krogerus, and Esa K. Partio
- Subjects
medicine.medical_specialty ,040301 veterinary sciences ,business.industry ,medicine.medical_treatment ,0206 medical engineering ,Biomedical Engineering ,Traumatology ,04 agricultural and veterinary sciences ,02 engineering and technology ,Osteoarthritis ,Dislocated ankle ,medicine.disease ,020601 biomedical engineering ,Self reinforced ,Absorbable Implants ,3. Good health ,Surgery ,0403 veterinary science ,Fracture fixation ,Orthopedic surgery ,medicine ,business ,General Dentistry ,Reduction (orthopedic surgery) - Abstract
Sixteen patients with dislocated ankle fractures fixed between 1988 and 1991 with self-reinforced poly(L-lactide; SR-PLLA) screws and/or rods were followed up after 8.6 to 11.7 years (mean 9.6 years) at the Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Helsinki University Central Hospital. In all patients accurate reduction of the fractures was retained and uneventful bony union was achieved. Good or excellent long-term functional results were observed in 15 out of 16 patients. One patient had post-traumatic osteoarthritis. In 5 patients, a late tissue reaction was observed over an extruding screw head with mild symptoms, which led to removal of small palpable masses. There were two superficial wound infections, one after a primary operation and one caused by a late tissue reaction after an operation. The correct operative technique, where all extruding extraosseous SR-PLLA material should be removed during the primary operation, should be followed.
- Published
- 2002
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