The use of elastic intramedullary nailing in the stabilisation of paediatric fractures

The treatment of paediatric long-bone fractures remains controversial. Elastic intramedullary nailing has been proposed as an alternative for the treatment of paediatric long-bone fractures. PATIENTS: We treated 68 children in a time span of 9 years with 32 fractures of the forearm, 27 fractures of the femur and nine fractures of the tibia. The mean age was 8.3 years and the mean admission time 2.6 days. RESULTS: Mean consolidation time was 7.9 weeks for the forearm fractures, 11.9 weeks for the femur fractures and 10.6 weeks for the tibial fractures. Full weight bearing for the latter two fracture types was allowed within the first week. There were no major complications. The complications encountered were three hydrops of the knee, four low-grade infections and one delayed union. Leg length discrepancy was only seen in five patients (18%) and was less than 2 cm. DISCUSSION: In femur fractures, we let the parents decide between skeletal traction and intramedullary rods. When confronted with the possible complications (operation-related complications and infection) compared to the advantages (early weight bearing and short admission time), they almost always choose the operative approach. In our opinion, elastic intramedullary nailing is an excellent treatment option for diaphyseal fractures in children with skeletal immaturity, especially of the femur.     

The increasing burden of pelvic fractures in older people, New South Wales, Australia

Despite their significant health burden, epidemiological information regarding pelvic fractures is scarce. In this study, we examine trends in admission for pelvic fractures to acute hospitals in New South Wales, Australia, between July 1988 and June 2000, using routinely collected hospital separations statistics. Over this period, the number of admissions for pelvic fractures among those aged 50 years and over increased by 58.4% in men and 110.8% in women. Age-specific rates of admissions per 100,000 population for pelvic fracture also rose significantly, particularly for those aged at least 75 years. The number and proportion of transport related pelvic fractures fell significantly for both men (chi(2)=23.82, d.f.=1, p<0.001) and women (chi(2)=49.26, d.f.=1, p<0.001) while those resulting from falls increased significantly over the 12-year-period. Falls are increasingly becoming the single most important cause of pelvic injuries in older people, suggesting that preventive measures aimed at reducing the risk of falls need to be pursued. Factors contributing to the rise of fall-related pelvic fractures need to be investigated to inform strategies aimed at reversing the observed increase in the number and age-specific rates of pelvic fractures in older people.     

Treatment of intertrochanteric fractures in geriatric patients with a modified external fixator

Forty-two geriatric patients who had an intertrochanteric fracture were treated with a semicircular modification of the Ilizarov frame designed by Cattaneo and Catagni between January 1997 and September 2001. Twenty-five of the patients were female, 17 male. The average age of the patients was 77.5 years (range, 63-99). No intraoperative complication occurred. Deep pin-track infection was found in four patients and varus deformity was observed in two patients and shortening of less than 2 cm in 10 patients. Fixator removal was achieved in a mean time of 12 weeks (range, 10-18). No implant failure, refracture or stiffness of knee and hip joint movements was recorded. We concluded that the treatment of intertrochanteric fractures of the elderly patients with our modification provides significant advantages such as minimal operative and anaesthetic risks, no blood loss, early weight-bearing, short hospitalisation time and rapid union time.     

Reliability of classification systems for intertrochanteric fractures of the proximal femur in experienced orthopaedic surgeons

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to determine the reliability of currently used classification systems for intertrochanteric fractures of the proximal femur, and to determine the reliability of these systems in experienced orthopaedic surgeons. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty intertrochanteric fractures of the proximal femur were classified independently by five experienced observers using the AO, Evans, Kyle, and Boyd classification systems on two separate occasions 3 months apart. The interobserver and intraobserver variation was assessed using kappa statistics. RESULTS: The level of agreement for classification into AO groups was almost perfect or substantial, and higher than other classification systems. When the fractures were further classified using the AO classification with subgroups, reliability became worse. CONCLUSIONS: The current study suggests that the AO classification system with groups can be used more reliably to measure intertrochanteric fractures of the proximal femur than Evans, Kyle, and Boyd classification systems. However, the reliability of the AO classification with subgroups is not satisfactory.     

Complex regional pain syndrome type 1 after fractures of the distal radius: a prospective study of the role of psychological factors

A prospective study was designed to investigate the question "Do patients who develop Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Type 1 (CRPS Type 1) after fracture of the distal radius display different psychological behaviour patterns and/or are more depressive than those who recover uneventfully after this fracture?" Sixty-two patients of mean age 56 years with displaced distal radius fractures were operated on by closed reduction and percutaneous fixation with K-wires. All these patients were examined psychologically on the day after the operation. A series of standardized, self-administered questionnaires was used to assess personality and depression. Fifty of the 62 patients were reassessed at 2 months for symptoms and signs of CRPS Type 1 and a diagnosis of this condition made on clinical grounds. Nine patients (18%) were diagnosed as having CRPS Type 1. There were no significant differences in scores on any of the personality and depression scales between CRPS Type 1 and non-CRPS Type 1 patients. Therefore, patients who eventually developed CRPS Type 1 after radial forearm fracture had neither a unique psychological pattern nor displayed more symptoms of depression than those who recovered uneventfully.     

老年髋部骨折的牵引治疗

目的了解因全身其他因素,不能接受手术治疗的老年髋部骨折患者,进行牵引治疗的结果。方法2000年11月至2005年1月共有102例老年髋部骨折患者,因伴有心脏病、糖尿病、高血压等内科疾病而行牵引治疗。其中股骨颈骨折37例,股骨粗隆间骨折65例,年龄48～98岁,平均75．8岁。所有病例均在家中接受牵引治疗。结果1年内死亡9例,死亡率8．8％（9／102）。其他并发症依次为褥疮30例,发生率29．4％（30／102）,肺部感染6例,发生率5．9％（6／102）,下肢深静脉血栓2例,肺栓塞1例,泌尿系感染1例。股骨颈骨折愈合15例,愈合率51．7％（15／29）。股骨粗隆间骨折愈合40例,愈合率97．6％（40／41）。调查时与伤前Harris评分比较,股骨颈骨折组平均下降23．1分,股骨粗隆间骨折组下降15．6分。结论对于无移位或稳定的股骨颈骨折,以及部分粗隆间骨折,牵引治疗可以获得良好的结果,且其花费低,在现阶段仍具有一定的适用范围。     

螺旋CT三维重建指导髋臼骨折手术入路的选择

目的：用螺旋CT三维重建来指导髋臼骨折手术入路的选择。方法：对33例髋臼骨折患者的螺旋CT三维重建资料进行分析。发现8例髋臼后壁骨折（均有髋关节后脱位引起）,4例前柱骨折,4例髋臼前壁骨折,5例横行骨折,2例前柱伴后方半横行骨折,4例T型骨折,4例双柱骨折,2例后柱骨折。结果：本组8例行髂腹沟入路,19例采用Kocher-Langenbeck入路,6例采用上述联合切口,术后复位按Judet评分,本组12例为解剖复位,21例复位满意,晚期有3例股骨头缺血性坏死发生。关节功能按Matta评分法：优 12例,良 15例,可 4例,差 2例。优良率81.8%。结论：螺旋CT三维重建对复杂的髋臼骨折能明确骨折移位、粉碎程度,能显示整个骨盆的轮廓及立体感,对术前指导骨折的手术入路有一定的临床价值。     

闭合复位逆行交锁髓内钉治疗股骨下段骨折的疗效分析

目的：总结临床应用闭合复位逆行交锁髓内钉治疗股骨下段骨折的经验.方法：应用闭合复位自髌韧带处纵形小切口经股骨髁间窝前方插钉行逆行交锁髓内钉内固定治疗股骨下段骨折38例.结果：38例股骨下段骨折全部骨性愈合.骨折愈合的时间平均11周.根据Lysholm膝关功能评分标准进行疗效评定,结果优30例,良6例,一般2例,差0例.优良率为94%.结论：闭合复位逆行交锁髓内钉治疗股骨下段骨折更利于骨折的愈合和膝关节功能的恢复.     

Spinal epidural lipomatosis in children with renal diseases receiving steroid therapy

Spinal epidural lipomatosis (SEL) in patients on steroid therapy may be explained by two hypotheses: (1) steroids induce SEL and (2) steroids cause the growth of a pre-existing SEL, especially in obese children. Steroid-induced SEL (SSEL) is rarely described in children, with only six cases reported elsewhere. However, we have already reported four nephrotic children with SSEL, including one child in another hospital, in addition to the six cases. We investigated the frequency of SSEL in 125 children with renal diseases treated with glucocorticoids in a single hospital over 16 years, and examined the risk factors in 62 patients with SSEL reported in the literature. When patients complained of symptoms at the early stage of SSEL, i.e., back pain or numbness, and patients were obese, we performed spinal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). SSEL was detected in 5 of 125 children (4.0%). Of the 5 patients with SSEL, 3 had vertebral compression fractures, and all 5 patients were on methylprednisolone pulse therapy. Our study suggests that many more patients can be detected at the early stage of SSEL by performing spinal MRI for patients with early symptoms, obesity, and those who have received methylprednisolone pulse therapy.     

The characteristics of fractures in Polish adolescents aged 16–20 years

The aim of the study was to identify associations between fractures in childhood and family, anthropometric and lifestyle factors. Among 1,246 subjects aged 16.3–20.6 years (539 boys, 707 girls), based on a questionnaire, 869 were fracture-free while 377 (30.26%) had fractures. Of those reporting fractures, 146 reported multiple fractures (12% of studied population, 39% of all fractures). More boys had fractures than girls (35.6% vs 24.9%, p < 0.001). Fracture sites included: forearm (37%), fingers (23%) wrist (16%), ankle (14%), humerus (10%), tibia (8%) clavicle (7%) and femoral shaft / neck (3%). Among adolescents with multiple fractures, 52% also reported fractures in at least one family member, compared with 29% of those without a fracture history. Fractures in siblings and mothers (but not fathers) accounted for 44% of the liability in adolescents fractures. Subjects with multiple fractures reported more time at the computer than those without fractures and reported more time participating in team sports, and 18.6% avoided milk, whereas 12.4% of those without fractures reported milk-free diets. Using a logistic regression model, none of the lifestyle factors, except for computer use, were independently associated with fractures. Fractures, particularly multiple fractures, are common in childhood and adolescence. Familial clustering of fractures suggests shared genetic and environmental factors are responsible.