Management of hip fractures in the elderly

A fracture of the proximal femur (or hip fracture) is a devastating injury to an elderly patient. Nearly all patients require surgery as part of their treatment but their care necessitates complex multidisciplinary involvement. In the last ten years there have been a number of initiatives to help improve care for this challenging patient group, as well as establishment of The National Hip Fracture Database, to allow us to audit the care provided. With this focus, we have seen both mortality and length of stay decrease. The aim of this article is to summarize the current recommendations for patients who suffer a hip fracture.     

Management of hip fractures in the elderly

A fracture of the proximal femur (or hip fracture) is a devastating injury to an elderly patient. Nearly all patients require surgery as part of their treatment but their care necessitates complex multidisciplinary involvement. In the last few years there have been a number of initiatives to help improve care for this challenging patient group, as well as establishment of National Hip Fracture Databases, to allow us to audit the care provided. With this focus we have seen both mortality and length of stay decrease. The aim of this article is to summarize the current recommendations for patients who suffer a hip fracture.     

Fracture of the talus

Summary A total of 218 talar injuries were studied with particular attention to the nature and extent of associated injuries. In 96 patients (44%) there was a fracture of one of the neighbouring bones, viz. 59 fractures of the ankle, 27 of the calcaneum, and 11 of the navicular. Talar injury, ankle fracture, and calcaneal fracture co-existed in 7 patients. Among the cases complicated by ankle fractures 15 were open (25%) and many affected the trochlea (37%). Thirty-six (61%) of the ankle fractures associated with talar injuries were of the supination type, 8 of the pronation type, 5 of the pronation-external rotation type, and 2 of the supination-external rotation type. Of the talar injuries occurring in a supinated foot about half were shearing fractures of the talar neck. Of the 27 calcaneal fractures 11 were compression fractures with depression of the joint surface, whereas the others were non-displaced shearing fractures or avulsion fractures. It is concluded that as a rule the talar injury is not isolated, but associated with a more extensive regional injury and that a supination force is the decisive factor causing a talar injury.

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Résumé Les auteurs ont étudié 218 traumatismes de l'astragale en tenant particulièrement compte de la nature et de l'étendue des lésions associées. Chez 96 blessés (44%), il existait une fracture d'un os voisin, à savoir: 59 fractures du cou-de-pied, 27 du calcanéum et 11 du scaphoïde tarsien. Sept fois, la lésion astragalienne était associée à une fracture du cou-de-pied et du calcanéum. Parmi les cas compliqués de fractures bimalléolaires, 15 étaient ouverts (25%) et plusieurs (37%) siégeaient au niveau de la poulie astragalienne.Trente-six (61%) des lésions associées du cou-de-pied étaient des fractures par supination, 5 étaient des fractures par pronation et 2 par supination-rotation externe. La moitié environ des traumatismes astragaliens survenus sur un pied en supination étaient des fractures par cisaillement du col de l'astragale. Parmi les 27 fractures du calcanéum, 11 étaient des fractures par compression, avec enfoncement thalamique, tandis que les autres étaient des fractures sans déplacement, par cisaillement, ou des fractures par avulsion.Les auteurs concluent qu'en règle un traumatisme de l'astragale n'est pas isolé mais associé à des lésions régionales plus étendues et qu'une force s'exerçant en supination constitue le facteur déterminant des lésions traumatiques de l'astragale.

     

Trochanteric and Subtrochanteric Fractures: One Year Follow-up of a Prospective Study of Ender and McLaughlin Osteosynthesis

The clinical and social status of 110 patients with trochanteric and subtrochanteric fractures was evaluated in a prospective and comparative study 1 year after Ender or McLaughlin osteosynthesis.

In both groups the mortality rate during the first year was 21 per cent. There were no significant differences between the two groups concerning pain, hip movement, walking ability or the social status of the patients. Of the 110 patients surviving the first year, 35 per cent were unable to walk, 20 per cent walked with a cane or crutches and 30 per cent had periodic pains in the hip or knee. About 20 per cent of the patients admitted from their own home now lived in nursing homes.     

严重Pilon骨折的手术治疗

目的探讨严重Pilon骨折的不同手术方法、手术时机及治疗效果。方法对1999年5月至2006年6月间46例严重Pilon骨折分别采用有限内固定、有限内固定结合外支架固定及三叶草钢板内固定等方法进行手术治疗。按AO分类方式，所有患者均为C型，C1型10例，C2型22例，C3型14例。开放性骨折11例。闭合性骨折35例。结果所有患者术后均获得8～48个月的随访，平均20个月。踝关节功能按Mazur评价，优21例，良12例，可8例，差5例。主要并发症包括2例皮肤坏死，2例皮肤软组织感染，1例骨感染。5例钉道感染。结论 严重Pilon骨折根据不同的骨折类型、软组织损伤程度及医疗条件选择不同的手术方式和手术时机，均可取得良好的治疗效果。     

Decision-making in burst fractures of the thoracolumbar and lumbar spine

The most common site of injury to the spine is the thoracolumbar junction which is the mechanical transition junction between the rigid thoracic and the more flexible lumbar spine. The lumbar spine is another site which is more prone to injury. Absence of stabilizing articulations with the ribs, lordotic posture and more sagitally oriented facet joints are the most obvious explanations. Burst fractures of the spine account for 14% of all spinal injuries. Though common, thoracolumbar and lumbar burst fractures present a number of important treatment challenges. There has been substantial controversy related to the indications for nonoperative or operative management of these fractures. Disagreement also exists regarding the choice of the surgical approach. A large number of thoracolumbar and lumbar fractures can be treated conservatively while some fractures require surgery. Selecting an appropriate surgical option requires an in-depth understanding of the different methods of decompression, stabilization and/or fusion. Anterior surgery has the advantage of the greatest degree of canal decompression and offers the benefit of limiting the number of motion segments fused. These advantages come at the added cost of increased time for the surgery and the related morbidity of the surgical approach. Posterior surgery enjoys the advantage of being more familiar to the operating surgeons and can be an effective approach. However, the limitations of this approach include inadequate decompression, recurrence of the deformity and implant failure. Though many of the principles are the same, the treatment of low lumbar burst fractures requires some additional consideration due to the difficulty of approaching this region anteriorly. Avoiding complications of these surgeries are another important aspect and can be achieved by following an algorithmic approach to patient assessment, proper radiological examination and precision in decision-making regarding management. A detailed understanding of the mechanism of injury and their unique biomechanical propensities following various forms of treatment can help the spinal surgeon manage such patients effectively and prevent devastating complications.     

Unusual combined scaphoid and lunate fracture of the wrist: a case report

All perilunate fracture-dislocations combine ligament ruptures, bone avulsions, and fractures in a variety of clinical forms. The most frequent is the dorsal trans-scaphoid perilunate dislocation. In rare cases, however, these dislocations also have been associated with capitate fractures, triquetral fractures, or lunate fracture. We report a combined scaphoid and lunate fracture of the wrist that was not associated with perilunate dislocation.     

Fractures of the thumb and finger metacarpals in athletes

Most metacarpal fractures are minimally displaced and are treated without surgery. Markedly displaced fractures, fractures causing finger rotation, and displaced intra-articular fractures require surgical intervention. The challenge with the elite athlete is achieving an early return to play without compromising fracture position. Casts, splints, and surgery each have a role in getting the athlete back into action as soon as possible.     

Case report of a fracture of the base of the acromion in association with mal-union of the clavicle

Summary Isolated acromial fractures are very rare in practical traumatology. Acromion fractures are usually due to violent trauma, associated with other serious lesions. Following observation of a clinical case of a fracture at the base of the acromion associated with a mal-union of the ipsi-lateral clavicle, the authors have reviewed the literature of isolated acromial fractures. The clinical observation reported here confirms the involvement of the claviculo-scapular system in the production of these fractures.     

不稳定骨盆骨折合并髋臼骨折的手术治疗

目的探讨手术治疗不稳定骨盆骨折合并髋臼骨折的临床疗效。方法对15例不稳定骨盆骨折合并髋臼骨折患者进行手术复位内固定,术后早期功能锻炼。结果患者均获随访,时间12～38个月。术中无血管神经损伤发生,无切口感染、内固定松动及断裂、骨不愈合、明显双下肢不等长。髋臼骨折复位效果按MattaX线评估标准：优8例,良5例,一般2例。功能恢复根据Majeed评分标准：优5例,良8例,可2例。结论手术治疗不稳定骨盆骨折合并髋臼骨折可获得满意的临床疗效。     

手术治疗Ⅱ、Ⅲ型Pilon骨折36例

2002年1月～2006年6月,我们手术治疗36例Ⅱ、Ⅲ型Pilon骨折患者,疗效较好. 1 材料与方法 1.1 病例资料本组36例,男25例,女11例,年龄20～63岁.     

三踝骨折的手术治疗

2001年1月~2005年3月,笔者收治31例三踝骨折患者,均进行了手术治疗,疗效满意。1材料与方法1.1病例资料本组31例,男21例,女10例,年龄18~40岁。右侧18例,左侧13例。所有病例均为新鲜骨折且骨折移位明显。按Weber的AO分型,B型19例,C型12例。1.2治疗方法硬膜外麻醉。如骨折片位于胫     

影响胫骨Pilon骨折疗效的相关因素分析

[目的]探讨影响Pilon骨折疗效的相关因素.[方法]胫骨Pilon骨折152例,根据骨折粉碎、移位的影像学改变,将骨折分为4型.按治疗方法分为开放复位内固定组和其他治疗方法组,其中内固定组92例、其他治疗方法组60例,平均随访9.6年(1～19年).对影响其疗效的相关因素进行临床分析.[结果]内固定组和其他方法治疗组复位质量优良率分别为83.70％、55.00％,治疗效果优良率平均为77.63％,其中内固定组优良率88.04％,其他方法组优良率61.67％.各型骨折内固定组的治疗效果优良率均高于其他方法组.术后并发症有浅表感染9例,创口裂开皮肤坏死延期愈合13例,外固定针道感染3例,骨延迟愈合2例,创伤性关节炎23例,深部感染骨髓炎1例.[结论]影响Pilon骨折临床疗效的主要因素是骨折类型、治疗方法、复位质量.Ⅰ型骨折两种治疗方法复位均满意;Ⅱ、Ⅲ型骨折切开复位内固定能获得优良疗效,Ⅳ型骨折两种治疗方法均难于达到解剖复位,部分Ⅳ型骨折伴有软组织严重损伤者适宜选择外固定器治疗.     

肱骨干骨折内固定术后骨不连原因分析及预防对策

目的分析肱骨干骨折内固定术后发生骨不连的原因,探讨预防对策。方法肱骨干骨折内固定术后发生骨不连10例,取出内固定物后改用可靠内固定加自体骨移植7例,外固定支架加压固定3例。结果平均随访18(5～24)个月,10例均达到骨性愈合,其中改用可靠内固定加自体骨移植者术后平均愈合时间为15(12～24)个月,改用外固定支架者为11(5～18)个月。结论发生肱骨干骨不连的主要原因是手术指征过宽、内固定器材选择不当、手术操作失误及术中过分破坏骨折端血运;而严格掌握手术适应证,注意保护断端周围血运,选择合适的内固定器材,并酌情结合可靠的外固定,可减少和避免骨不连的发生。     

Hoffa骨折的临床特点及治疗

目的探讨Hoffa骨折的临床特点及治疗方法。方法对5例Hoffa骨折患者1例保守治疗、4例切开复位内固定治疗。结果5例均获随访，时间13—31个月。功能恢复参照Letenneur方法进行评估：优良3例，可2例。结论Hoffa骨折的临床特点以膝关节屈曲外翻位损伤多见，外髁发生率较高。X线对诊断价值有限，多借助CT检查。治疗原则是解剖复位，坚强内固定，早期功能康复锻炼。     

Arthroscopic handlebar technique for the treatment of posterior malleolar fractures

Treating posterior malleolar fractures of the ankle remains a challenge. The arthroscopic handlebar technique is our novel surgical method used for reduction and fixation of posterior malleolar fractures and involves the restoration of posterior malleolar fractures under anterior arthroscopic guidance and the use of Kirschner wires that penetrates the fractured posterior malleolus. Arthroscopy enables visualization of the intra-articular fracture of the posterior malleolus, and a handlebar reduction bar is used to control the fractured posterior malleolus. The arthroscopic handlebar technique is a promising procedure for reduction and internal fixation of the posterior malleolar fractures.     

Research Update on Stress Riser Fractures

Stress fractures are fatigue-induced fractures which are caused by repetitive force, often from overuse. They are well-established and frequently encountered in the field of orthopedics. Stress fractures occur in the bone because of low-bone strength and high chronic mechanical stress placed on the bone. Stress riser fractures are also stress fractures that occur because of the presence of cortical defects (holes), changes in stiffness, sharp corners, and cracks (fracture lines). Periprosthetic or peri-implant fractures are good examples of stress riser fractures that occur in regions where stress forces are higher than those in the surrounding material. Most stress riser fractures are related to technical errors (iatrogenic causes) and are difficult to manage. It is possible and more effective to prevent the creation of stress riser fractures through better surgical techniques. The proper terminology for stress fractures, stress riser fractures, periprosthetic fractures, peri-implant fractures, interprosthetic fractures, and interimplant fractures is discussed. This review of the current state of knowledge, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of stress riser fractures is based on clinical evidence and recent literature.