Risedronate Reduces the Risk of First Vertebral Fracture in Osteoporotic Women

Risedronate treatment reduces the risk of vertebral fracture in women with existing vertebral fractures, but its efficacy in prevention of the first vertebral fracture in women with osteoporosis but without vertebral fractures has not been determined. We examined the risk of first vertebral fracture in postmenopausal women who were enrolled in four placebo-controlled clinical trials of risedronate and who had low lumbar spine bone mineral density (BMD) (mean T-score =–3.3) and no vertebral fractures at baseline. Subjects received risedronate 5 mg (n= 328) or placebo (n= 312) daily for up to 3 years; all subjects were given calcium (1000 mg daily), as well as vitamin D supplementation (up to 500 IU daily) if baseline serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels were low. The incidence of first vertebral fracture was 9.4% in the women treated with placebo and 2.6% in those treated with risedronate 5 mg (risk reduction of 75%, 95% confidence interval 37% to 90%; P= 0.002). The number of patients who would need to be treated to prevent one new vertebral fracture is 15. When subjects were stratified by age, similar significant reductions were observed in patients with a mean age of 64 years (risk reduction of 70%, 95% CI 8% to 90%; P= 0.030) and in those with a mean age of 76 years (risk reduction of 80%, 95% CI 7% to 96%; P= 0.024). Risedronate treatment therefore significantly reduces the risk of first vertebral fracture in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis, with a similar magnitude of effect early and late after the menopause. Received: 12 September 2001 / Accepted: 11 December 2001     

Fit and fill analysis of a newly designed femoral stem in cementless total hip arthroplasty for patients with secondary osteoarthritis

The fit and fill of the femoral canal are critical to the success of cementless femoral stems in total hip arthroplasty. It is difficult for conventional stems to provide a good fit and fill for the femora of patients with secondary osteoarthritis. Based on measurements of 100 femora of these patients, we designed two types of Fukui Medical School (FMS) stems with a proximal lateral flare that differed in the medial radius. We compared the fit and fill of the FMS stems with those of four conventional stems, using computer simulation. The mean proximal fit and total fit of the FMS stems were 46% and 53% respectively, a significant improvement compared with the other stems examined. The mean fill of FMS stems was 82% at the lower end of the lesser trochanter and 84% at the upper end of the isthmus, values that were significantly higher than those of the other stems. Since September 1995, we have implanted FMS stems in 15 hips with secondary osteoarthritis. Radiographic evaluations showed that the canal fill of the FMS stems was significantly greater in the proximal femur compared with other stems previously inserted at our department. A summary of this paper was presented at the 9th Symposium on Computer-Assisted Radiology; June 1995, Berlin, and at the 8th International Symposium on Technology in Arthroplasty; September 1995, Puerto Rico.     

锁骨钩钢板内固定配合康复治疗锁骨远端骨折

目的探讨和分析应用锁骨钩钢板内固定配合康复治疗锁骨远端骨折的新方法。方法42例应用锁骨钩钢板配合术后早期康复治疗锁骨远端骨折的患者全部得到了随访,随访时间2～46个月(平均15.6个月),患者年龄36～57岁,平均45.6岁。术后2d患肩按照制定的康复训练方法进行功能训练,最终随访按Lazzcano评价标准〔1〕评价治疗结果。结果42例患者术后X线检查均达到满意复位与固定,局部Lazzcano功能评定关节功能恢复优良率97.6%。结论应用锁骨钩钢板治疗锁骨远端骨折手术操作简单,配合术后完善的康复治疗,可得到非常满意的结果。     

Results of non-operative treatment following hip fracture compared to surgical intervention

We followed all consecutive hip fracture patients admitted between 2004 and 2006, identified cases in which the intention was to treat non-operative and compared their functional outcome and mortality with a similar cohort treated surgically over the same period. We recorded length of hospital stay, place of discharge, pre and post-fracture mobility and residence, 30 days and 1 year mortality, re-admission due to same fracture and delayed surgery. The group treated surgically was recruited and matched for age, gender, pre and post-fracture mobility, mental confusion and independence. 25 patients were treated non-operative. 22 patients treated surgically over the same time period matched the patient characteristics of the non-operative arm. The mean hospital stay was 13 days in both groups. There were 4 extra-capsular fractures (3 displaced) and 21 intra-capsular fractures (5 displaced) in the non-operative arm and 11 extra-capsular fractures and 9 intra-capsular fractures in the surgically treated arm. 4 patients from the non-operative treatment group underwent late surgery because of persisting hip pain 20 days-2 months after the index event (2 cannulated screws, 1 hemiarthroplasty, 1 total hip arthroplasty). 11 patients in the surgical treatment arm underwent dynamic screw fixation, 1 had cannulated screw, 1 had total hip replacement and 7 had hemiarthroplasty. 14 of the non-operative treated patients were mobile independently or with aid before fracture but only 9 patients retained their pre-fracture mobility following treatment, compared to 16 patients pre-fracture and 11 patients post-fracture after surgery. 16 patients treated non-operative were living independently prior to injury but only 7 went back to their own residence. Of the operatively treated patients 14 patients were living independently and 10 patients went back to their previous residence. 1 month and 1 year mortality in the non-operative treated group was 4/21 and 7/21 respectively compared to 1/20 and 5/20 in the operative fixation group. There was no statistically significant difference in mobility, residence or mortality between the two groups (Fisher exact test, p > 0.05). Non-operative management after hip fracture is suitable for medically unfit patients and does not result in statistically significant difference in functional outcome or mortality compared to patients treated surgically.     

跟骨骨折治疗方法的疗效观察

目的比较跟骨骨折不同治疗方法的效果。方法88例96足跟骨骨折分成三组,分别应用撬拨复位石膏外固定、切开复位钢板内固定、可调节跟骨骨折外固定器治疗,术后从Bhler角的恢复、主观症状、并发症三个方面进行比较分析。结果可调节跟骨骨折外固定组在恢复Bhler角、术后主观症状改善、减少并发症方面优于撬拨复位石膏外固定组及切开复位内固定组。结论可调式跟骨骨折外固定器治疗跟骨骨折疗效优于撬拨组和内固定组。     

踝关节骨折腓骨钢板的后方固定

目的：探讨踝关节骨折中腓骨钢板固定的位置。方法：2001年1月～2003年1月共手术治疗踝关节骨折患者75例，仅对其中随访资料完整的48例患者进行分析。随访10～24个月，平均15个月。采用Baird和Jackson的踝关节评分系统评定踝关节术后疗效。结果：所有的患者均取得了良好的骨折愈合。术后疗效为优24例，良17例，可5例，差2例。优良率为85、4％。结论：腓骨钢板的后方放置可以减少缝合时的张力，钢板有更好的软组织覆盖，钢板无须过多塑形，固定比较牢固。     

肩胛骨骨折的螺旋CT多平面和三维重建诊断

目的 探讨螺旋CT多平面重建（MPR）、表面遮盖显示法（SSD）及最大密度投影法（MIP）在肩胛骨骨折诊断中的价值。方法 回顾性分析40例肩胛骨骨折患者的MPR、SSD及MIP图像；所有病例均用Mareoni Ultra Z型螺旋CT机扫描，并在图像工作站上用MPR、SSD及MIP技术获得多平面和三维图像。结果 MPR、SSD及MIP重建图像清晰显示了40例共45处肩胛骨骨折及7例肩关节脱位；MPR、SSD及MIP能多方位、立体、全面地显示肩胛骨骨折部位和程度。MPR在显示微小骨折方面较好，而MIP、SSD在显示骨折的位置、形态、范围及移位方面较好。结论 MPR、SSD及MIP是诊断肩胛骨骨折的有效方法，对肩胛骨骨折分类、手术入路及内固定器选择等方案的制定有帮助。     

Guidelines for external fixation frame rigidity and stresses

Using results from FEM analyses and experiments as references, analytical methods are applied to develop simple approximate formulas to relate frame rigidity, maximal pin stresses, and peak pin-bone stresses in external fracture fixation (EFF) configurations in axial loading to the most important frame, pin, and bone parameters. It is found that, in a realistic range, the parameters can be adapted to vary the frame rigidity from about 13 N/mm to 17,000 N/mm, thereby reducing the maximal stresses in the pins and at the pin-bone interface by a factor of 140. In particular, when compromises have to be established in the frame characteristics in order to ensure a flexible configuration and limit the stress values at the same time, the formulas presented can provide useful guidelines. The side-bar separation and the pin modulus, in particular, can be adapted to decrease the rigidity, while only moderately increasing the stresses, thereby reducing changes for pin failure, pin-bone loosening, and pin-tract infection. A nomogram is presented for a quick reference to estimated relations between frame characteristics, rigidity, and stresses. It is believed that this material may be of use in EFF design and applications in clinical and animal experimental trials.     

Pelvic Ring Fractures: Utility of Clinical Examination in Patients with Impaired Consciousness or Tracheal Intubation

Abstract Objective: To define the diagnostic accuracy of clinical examination in patients with impaired consciousness or endotracheal intubation to detect pelvic ring fractures and to identify those with severe bleeding. Methods: Included in this prospective data collection with retrolective data analysis were a consecutive series of blunt trauma victims with either a Glasgow Coma Scale ≤ 13 or tracheal intubation. Clinical examination comprised testing for stability of the iliac wings. Results: From 784 subjects (injury severity score 23.3 ± 17.4) 93 patients (11.9%) were found to have a pelvic ring fracture. Clinical instability of the pelvic ring was found in 42 patients. There was only one false positive. Fifty-two fractures could not be identified by clinical examination, including nine fractures (17%) that required surgical fracture stabilization (sensitivity of clinical examination 44.1%). Seventeen fractures (18.3%) were associated with a blood loss larger than 20% of circulating blood volume. Sixteen of those were identified by clinical instability of the pelvic ring (sensitivity 94.1%, specificity 97.0%, positive predictive value 38.1%, negative predictive value 99.9%). Conclusions: Clinical examination for stability of the pelvis in this selected group of patients missed a significant number of pelvic ring fractures including fractures that require surgical stabilization. The finding of a clinically unstable identifies most of the patients with the pelvic ring fracture being a major source of bleeding. A stable pelvis makes pelvic ring fracture as being the source of bleeding quite unlikely.     

Lower limb blocks for children

Femoral and lateral cutaneous nerve of the thigh blocks have been performed in a group of 50 children; the method has not previously been described in paediatric practice. The technique was judged to have been successful in 48 (96%) of the children. There were no early or late complications. It is concluded that these blocks are easy to perform, even in small children and infants, and that they can produce reliable postoperative analgesia for a variety of orthopaedic and plastic procedures.