Antegrade interlocking nailing of humeral shaft fractures

The results of 39 humeral shaft fractures (37 patients) treated with antegrade locked nailing using a Russell–Taylor nail were reviewed. There were 30 acute fractures, 6 fractures malaligned in a hanging cast or brace, and 3 pathological fractures. Patient age ranged from 26 to 80 years (average, 59.7 years) and average follow-up was 25.7 months (range, 6–48 months). Fracture union was achieved in 92.3% of our cases, while shoulder function was excellent or good in 87.2% of cases. Antegrade locked nailing offers a dependable solution for the treatment of humeral shaft fractures, especially in polytrauma patients and cases of segmental or pathological fractures. Far less satisfactory results were obtained in comminuted fractures of the proximal third in the humerus, especially in osteoporotic patients, and we therefore advocate caution with the use of intramedullary nailing in this type of fracture. Certain technical aspects such as avoiding nailing the fracture in distraction, properly countersinking the tip of the nail, and achieving adequate fixation stability have been found to be of paramount importance to reduce the incidence of delayed union/non-union rate and to obtain better functional results from the shoulder joint.     

肱骨干骨折--髓内钉与钢板固定的比较

总体而言，这些报道提示：采用髓内钉治疗肱骨干骨折较采用钢板带来更多的并发症，尤其是采用顺行人路。同时，这些报道没有提供确切的证据证明何种方法在骨折愈合、减少感染或上肢总体功能上优于另一种。     

Osteoporosis and Back Pain among the Elderly

Questionnaire responses from 120 men and 337 women over the age of 50 years were studied to determine the prevalence of back pain among the elderly. In order to gain a rough indication of the back pain among elderly women which might be due to osteoporosis, the prevalence was compared in the two sexes. The prevalence of back pain without radiation to the legs and concomitant morbidity was found to be similar among men and women up to the 70–79-year age-group. After this age the prevalence was higher in women. Those with exceptional loss of body height or kyphosis had a high prevalence of back pain, while those who had sustained previous hip or radius fractures did not. There was increasing prevalence of back pain among women with increasing number of previous fractures. The study gives little indication of serious morbidity of osteoporosis in the form of back pain before very old age.     

External fixation of unstable pelvic ring fractures: comparative rigidity of some current frame configurations

The effectiveness of external fixation in the stabilisation of pelvic ring fractures was studied in a laboratory cadaveric series. Shearing displacements occurring at sacroiliac joint and symphysis pubis dislocation sites, due to simplified longitudinal loading of the sacrum in an Instron unit, were monitored using variable-impedence transducers. The rigidity of fixation was compared for the Slätis and the Bonnel single anterior frames, for coupled and uncoupled double anterior frames, and for combined anterior-plus-posterior fixation achieved with separate transfixation pin clusters, with through-and-through pin clusters, or with a posterior screw plate. The data showed that the use of posterior fixation provided greatly enhanced stabilisation compared to that achieved with anterior fixation alone. The complex double anterior frames performed only slightly better than did the simpler single anterior frames. In no case, however, was it possible to recover rigidity levels approaching those of the intact pelvis. The results suggest that the transfixation pin arrangement is the most important determinant of pelvic fixation stability, and that further investigation of posterior screw-plate fixation is warranted.     

动力加压髁螺钉治疗股骨髁部骨折临床与实验研究

本研究结合１４例股骨髁间、髁上骨折以动力加压髁螺钉（Ｄynamic Ｃondylar Ｓcrew ＤＣＳ）固定。目的：为临床提供应用ＤＣＳ的实验数据。方法：采用成人新鲜尸体股骨髁部标本,按照ＡＯ/ＡＳＩＦ分类,模拟Ｙ形骨折模型,以ＤＣＳ固定,置于ＷＤ－１０Ｅ万能电子力学实验机上其抗拉伸、抗扭转、抗村缩、抗剪切强度。结果：ＤＣＳ有较好的固定强度。临床应用１４例,随访６个月至１年,优良率为８５．７１％。结论：ＤＣＳ适合于     

螺旋CT轴位扫描及重建对隐匿性骨折的临床应用价值研究

目的 探讨螺旋CT轴位扫描及重建（MPR、3D）在隐匿性骨折诊断中的临床价值。方法 选择34例隐匿性骨折患者，将螺旋CT薄层（2-5mm）扫描的容积数据转输至工作站进行MPR和3D处理，并对轴位、MPR和3D图像进行比较。结果 轴位在二维平面内清晰显示隐匿性骨折的基本情况，但MPR和3D能更好显示隐匿性骨折。MPR可以从任意平面和曲面观察隐匿性骨折及周围结构，3D能通过旋转和切割技术充分曝露病变，直观、逼真的显示隐匿性骨折立体关系。结论 螺旋CT对隐匿性骨折的诊断具有很高应用价值。MPR、3D及轴位图像的联合应用，为临床医师提供立体、直观、多方位的影像信息，有利于临床治疗方案的选择。     

”Spinolaminar breach”: an important sign in cervical spinous process fractures

Objective. To report the sign of ”spinolaminar breach” and its likely importance in fractures of the cervical spinous processes. Design. Six cases of spinous process fractures demonstrating disruption of the spinolaminar line or ”spinolaminar breach” were analyzed. Lateral and anteroposterior radiographs (n=6), CT scans (n=3) and MRI scans (n=1) were reviewed together by the authors, with consensus being reached as to the radiographic findings. Clinical records were also reviewed. Results. The levels of injury were C6 (n=5) and C5 (n=2). Injuries were associated with delayed anterior subluxation (n=4) and neurological deficit (n=2). Five patients were male and one was female with a mean age of 31 years (range 8–59 years). Injuries resulted from motor vehicle accidents (n=4), a motor cycle accident (n=1) and a fall (n=1). Conclusion. ”Spinolaminar breach”, or disruption of the spinolaminar line, indicates a complex spinous process fracture with extension into the lamina and spinal canal. Spinous process fractures with spinolaminar breach may have associated posterior ligamentous injury with potential for delayed instability and neurological deficit. It is important that radiologists and physicians caring for the trauma patient be aware of this sign in order to avoid misdiagnosis as a ”clay shoveler’s fracture”, which can lead to adverse outcome. Received: 20 July 1999 Revision requested: 14 September 1999 Revision received: 13 October 1999 Accepted: 26 October 1999     

桡神经损伤62例治疗体会

目的回顾桡神经损伤62例的治疗,探讨其最佳治疗方案。方法闭合性肱骨骨折并桡神经损伤38例,先手法复位小夹板或石膏托外固定,观察2周,有20例改手术治疗;开放性、刀砍伤22例,行急诊手术;陈旧性骨折、桡神经扭曲成瘤2例,择期手术神经吻合。结果62例桡神经损伤的治疗随访8个月至12年,非手术治疗18例,均4个月后功能恢复;手术治疗44例,神经吻合15例,松解29例,大部分术后4～6个月开始恢复功能,其中1例手术时间较晚,神经外膜挫伤严重,1年后才稍有恢复。结论合理选择治疗方案,提高手术技巧,有利于桡神经功能早恢复,保证治疗效果。