Neurologic and Functional Outcomes after Traumatic Central Cord Syndrome / 대한정형외과학회잡지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the direction for treatment and to evaluate factors influencing improvement by comparison of neurologic and functional outcomes of surgical treatment and conservative treatment for traumatic central cord syndrome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 28 patients, who were available for follow-up for at least more than one year from January 2005 to December 2008, who were diagnosed as traumatic central cord syndrome were analyzed retrospectively. Fifteen patients underwent surgical treatment (group 1), and 13 patients received conservative treatment (group 2). Maximum canal compromise (MCC), and maximum spinal cord compression (MSCC) were used for radiologic assessment, and American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) motor score, Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, and neck disability index (NDI) were used for assessment of functional outcomes. RESULTS: The mean MCC was 47.2%, mean MSCC was 20.0%, and mean ASIA motor scale was 92.0 (group 1: 92.9, group 2: 90.9) at the final follow-up. The mean JOA score was 12.8 (group 1: 14.0, group 2: 11.4) and mean NDI was 25.0 (group 1: 25.7, group 2: 24.3) at the final follow-up. CONCLUSION: It is concluded that if a patient with traumatic central cord syndrome is young, with a high energy injury combined with fractures, and has severe spinal compression and mild initial neurologic defect, early surgical treatment would be needed as soon as possible.

The Treatment of Subtrochanteric Fractures with Proximal Femoral Nail Antirotation

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to analyze the results of treating subtrochanteric femoral fractures with proximal femoral nail antirotation (PFNA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty five consecutive patients diagnosed with subtrochanteric femoral fractures underwent intramedullary fixation using PFNA and followed-up for over 12 months. According to the Seinsheimer's classification, there were 2 type IIA, 9 type IIB, 2 type IIIA, 3 type IV and 9 type V. According to the AO classification, there were 10 type A, 9 type B and 6 type C. There were 16 cases of closed reduction group and 9 cases of limited open reduction group. Retrospectively, radiological outcomes were assessed at the union period, change of neck shaft angle, tip-apex distance, Cleveland index, sliding of lag screw and complication. RESULTS: Union was achieved in 23 of 25 cases, over an average of 17 weeks. Limb length shortening below 2 cm occurred in 7 patients. The Cleveland index was shown in 80% of 5, 6, 8 and 9 zone; the tip apex distance was 19.6 mm; the mean sliding distance was 4.4 mm; and the mean change of femur neck and shaft angle was varus 3 degree at the final follow-up. Complications included 3 cases of delayed union and 2 cases of nonunion. CONCLUSION: With its early bony union, ambulation, rehabilitation and low complication, PFNA is a useful and reliable choice for the treatment of subtrochanteric fractures of the femur. Limited open reduction and additional fixation such as cable grip are recommended if it is difficult to obtain anatomical reduction by closed reduction.

Percutaneous Cannulated Screw Fixation of Fifth Proximal Metatarsal Stress Fracture in Athletes / 대한스포츠의학회지

The purpose of this study was to know utility of percutaneous cannulated screw fixation of fifth proximal metatarsal stress fractures in athletes by assessment of radiological and clinical outcome. This study examined clinical and radiological union time of eleven cases of percutaneous screw fixation, which used the 4.0 mm cannulated screw, of fifth proximal metatarsal stress fracture in athletes. Type I of Torg classification is 7 cases, type II is 3 cases and type III is 1 case. All the cases showed fracture union, and all the patients resumed their athletics at the final follow-up. None of the cases complained of refracture or pain around where they had surgery, and visual analogue scale of pain, and American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society score was 0.73 and 93.4. The results of the study confirm that percutaneous screw fixation, which used the cannulated screw, of fifth proximal metatarsal stress fracture would help athletes resume their athletics in early stages.

Distal Tibiofibular Synostosis after Open Reduction and Internal Fixation in a Military Soldier (A Case Report) / 대한족부족관절학회지

The scanty literature on distal tibiofibular synostosis includes descriptions of relatively few specific complaints. Here we report a case of a 24-year-old young soldier who sustained a left ankle lateral malleolar fracture about 6 months ago and was initially treated by the open reduction and internal fixation with plate & screw. But 6 months later, he suffered from an vague ankle pain, each time the symptoms occurred right after an active ambulation, ankle dorsiflexion, especially when he had exercised aggressively. The radiographs revealed that there was a mature distal tibiofibular synostosis. We treated the patient with surgical excision of synostosis. Post-operative condition was satisfied to all concern and the result was found to be excellent during one-year follow-up.