Surgical Treatment of Diaphyseal Fractures of Both Forearm Bones in Adolescents

PURPOSE: To evaluate the results of surgical treatment for diaphyseal fractures of both forearm bones in adolescents. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between March 2005 and February 2009, fifteen adolescents with diaphyseal fractures in both forearm bones were treated with a compression plate for the ulnar fractures and intramedullary pin fixation for the radial fractures. They were clinically and radiologically evaluated retrospectively. RESULTS: The mean time for radiological bone union was 9.2 weeks. At the last follow up, the rotational deformity and angulation were within seven degrees and evaluations of the functional results were excellent in all cases. One patient had a refracture of the ulna after plate removal, which was treated with a long-arm cast. CONCLUSION: The use of a compression plate for the ulnar fractures and intramedullary pin fixation for the radial fractures can be an effective method for unstable displaced diaphyseal fractures of both forearm bones in adolescents.

Surgical Treatment of Diaphyseal Fractures of Both Forearm Bones in Adolescents

PURPOSE: To evaluate the results of surgical treatment for diaphyseal fractures of both forearm bones in adolescents. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between March 2005 and February 2009, fifteen adolescents with diaphyseal fractures in both forearm bones were treated with a compression plate for the ulnar fractures and intramedullary pin fixation for the radial fractures. They were clinically and radiologically evaluated retrospectively. RESULTS: The mean time for radiological bone union was 9.2 weeks. At the last follow up, the rotational deformity and angulation were within seven degrees and evaluations of the functional results were excellent in all cases. One patient had a refracture of the ulna after plate removal, which was treated with a long-arm cast. CONCLUSION: The use of a compression plate for the ulnar fractures and intramedullary pin fixation for the radial fractures can be an effective method for unstable displaced diaphyseal fractures of both forearm bones in adolescents.

Large Pulmonary Embolus after Percutaneous Vertebroplasty: A Case Report / 대한척추외과학회지

Percutaneous vertebroplasty for osteoporotic compression fractures or malignant osteolytic spinal tumors provides pain relief. A pulmonary embolism caused by polymethylmethacrylate migration after this procedure is rare and its major complication, pulmonary infarction, involves necrosis of the lung parenchyme, resulting from interference with the blood supply. We report a case of a large pulmonary embolus (diameter 2 cm) after cement vertebroplasty for an osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture and successful management with anticoagulation only.

Risk Factors of Falls for Home Staying Elderly People in a Rural Community / 대한정형외과연구학회지

PURPOSE: To evaluate risk factors of falls and related injuries for home-staying elderly people in a rural community, and to provide basic data to minimize injuries after falls. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We surveyed for 479 subjects aged 65 or more in the region of two cites of Kyungbuk, and analyzed risk factors of falls, which more divided into intrinsic and extrinsic variables. RESULTS: Of the participants, 219 (45.7%) fell during past year. Most falls occurred during walking (50.2%), on the road (28.8%), at sunset (36.1%), and in winter (44.7%). Of 219 people, 72.6% were injured in falls, 31.5% sustained serious injuries including fractures (14.6%). The lower extremities (35.2%) were most frequently injuried. 14.6% were admitted to hospital. 76.6% who experienced falls were afraid of recurrence, and 39.7% reduced physical activity after falls. CONCLUSION: Up to these days, we have only treated patients who visited hospital, but from now on we must make effort for preventive activity. We suggest that more systemic prevention and study for intrinsic and extrinsic factors of falls are needed to minimize a degree of injury after falls in elderly people.

Joint Depression Type of Intraarticular Calcaneal Fractures Treated with Essex-Lopresti Method

PURPOSE: To evaluate the result of joint depression type of intraarticular calcaneal fractures treated with Essex-Lopresti method. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From March 2001 to February 2005, Thirty two patients' joint depression type of intraarticular calcaneal fractures which treated with Essex-Lopresti method were clinically and radiographically evaluated retrospectively. RESULTS: According to Creighton-Nebraska Health Foundation Assessment Score (C-N score), there were 5 excellent, 11 good, 6 fair and 10 poor results. Böhler angle was corrected from 10.3 degrees to 24.5 degrees. There was a positive correlation between size of depressed fragment and C-N score (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: Essex-Lopresti method can substitute open reduction methods in joint depression type of intraarticular calcaneal fractures which have relatively large depressed joint fragments.

Comparison of Bone Mineral Density in Elderly Patients according to Presence of Intertrochanteric Fracture

PURPOSE: To analyze difference in bone mineral density (BMD) between intertrochanteric fracture and control group and to explore the predictive value of BMD for intertrochanteric fracture. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 57 patients who were over 60-year-old with intertrochanteric fracture were examined. For control group, 110 patients who did not have any fracture were selected. Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry was studied at 1, 2, 3, 4 lumbar vertebrae, femoral neck, trochanter and Ward's triangle. BMD was compared at each site between two groups statistically. RESULTS: Fracture group consisted of 16 male, 41 female and was average 70.8 year old. Control group consisted of 21 male, 89 female and was average 68.1 year old. There was no differences in sex and age between two groups (p>0.05). BMD of L1, L2 and mean lumbar area were significantly less in fracture group than control group (p0.05). CONCLUSION: BMD of L1, L2 and mean lumbar area in fracture group had lower value significantly, but had no differences between two groups at another sites. BMD of L1, L2 and mean lumbar area might be used as the most sensitive predictive indicator for risk of osteoporotic fractures including intertrochanteric fracture in elderly patient.

Osteoid Osteoma in the Sacrum: A Case Report / 대한척추외과학회지

Osteoid osteomas occur most commonly in the lumbar spine. However, they rarely occur in the sacrum, and there is no report of such a case in Korea. We report a case of osteoid osteoma in the sacrum in a 15-year-old boy who was treated by a surgical excision with a satisfactory outcome. Although unusual, an osteoid osteoma should be considered when making a differential diagnosis of benign tumors in the sacral areas.

A Comparison according to Insertion Method for Intramedullary Nailing in Proximal Tibial Fractures

PURPOSE: To compare clinical and radiological results between standard insertion method and semiextended method which was designed to improve proximal fixation and alignment in proximal tibia fracture. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review from May 2000 to February 2004, identified 24 extraarticular fractures in proximal tibia, initially treated with locked intramedullary nails at least 1 year follow up. There were 12 open injuries, 4 segmental, 3 butterfly fragments and 17 comminuted. Semiextended method was used in 10 fratures and standard insertion method which is cephalad to tibial tubercle in 14. Follow up clinical assessment consisted of review of associated injuries and complications and these two methods were compared by postoperative angulation and displacement in anteroposterior and lateral radiographs. Data were analysed by t-tests. RESULTS: In semiextended group, average angulation was 2.3 degrees in coronal and 2.8 degrees in sagittal plane and average displacement was 4.5 mm in coronal and 5.3 mm in sagittal. In ordinary group, average angulation was 5.1 degrees in coronal and 7.4 degrees in sagittal plane and average displacement was 6.1 mm in coronal and 5.3 mm in sagittal. In semiextended group, there were significant reduction in coronal angulation (p=0.006) and sagittal angulation (p=0.001), but there was no significant difference in coronal (p=0.344) and sagittal (p=0.99) displacement. Both groups showed anterior, valgus angulation and posterolateral displacement in most cases. There were 14 associated injuries and one patient developed nonunion and was treated by nail exchange with autogenous bone graft. CONCLUSION: Our retrospective analysis demonstrated that semiextended method is effective for reducing coronal and sagittal angulation, but is not helpful for reducing displacement in both planes.

Radiological Study of Interphalangeal Sesamoid Bones on Hallux in Korean Subjects / 대한족부족관절학회지

PURPOSE: Frequency of sesamoid bone on hallucal interphalangeal joint has been described to be low probability in orthopaedic and anatomical literature. We have, however, experienced two cases of interphalangeal joint dislocation giving difficulty to usual manipulative reduction because of presence of sesamoid bone recently. In order to ascertain existence of sesamoid bone on interphalangeal joint of hallux in Korean adults, radiological study have been performed with feet of patients MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between May 2003 and October 2006, 974 patients with 1098 radiographs of feet which were reached skeletal maturity over 18-year-old were examined. Unilateral or bilateral anteroposterior, lateral and oblique radiographs were observed by one same person and presence was recorded if there was sesamoid in films. Distance of long and short axes were measured in lateral view and cases of two sesamoids in interphalangeal joint were recorded. Statistical differences between left and right side or between men and women were evaluated by chi-square test. RESULTS: Frequency of sesamoid was 980 cases (89.3%) and no occurrence in 118 cases (10.7%). Two sesamoids were observed in 3 cases. Average distance of long axis was 4.9 mm (range, 0.5-11.4) and average distance of short axis was 3.5 mm (range, 0.3-9.3). Unilateral sesamoid was observed in 7 patients (5.6%), bilateral absence was 7 patients (5.6%) and bilateral sesamoids in 110 patients (88.8%) out of 124 patients who took bilateral feet radiographs. Men has less frequency than women significantly (p=0.014) while there was no significant difference in frequency according to side(p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Sesamoid bone was seen in 980 feet (89.3%) out of 1098 normal Korean radiological studies of feet. We report 3 cases of two seamoids which was extremely rarely reported in literature. Korean frequency is similar with Japanese, but much higher than Caucasians and black Africans.

Interphalangeal Dislocation of Great Toe with Incarcerated Sesamoid Bone: Report of Two Cases / 대한족부족관절학회지

Irreducible dislocation of great toe interphalangeal joint with incarcerated sesamoid is a rare condition, with only a few cases reported in literature. We describe two cases of dislocation of interphalangeal joint which were diagnosed by plain radiographs and three dimensional computed tomography (3D-CT) and successfully treated with open reduction without excision of sesamoid through dorsal approach along with literature pertinent to this condition.

Entrapment of Sural Nerve in Essex-Lopresti Axial Fixation for Calcaneal Fracture: A Case Report / 대한족부족관절학회지

Injuries to sural nerve through surgical incision or open wound in calcaneal fractures were reported as complications causing lateral hindfoot pain. But sural nerve entrapment by adhesive fibrous tissue after Essex-Lopresti axial fixation has not been reported. We report a case of sural nerve entrapment after Essex-Lopresti axial fixation which was successfully treated by nerve decompression.

Treatment of Lateral Malleolar Fractures using Minimally Invasive Plate Osteosynthesis Technique

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy and complication of minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO) technique for lateral malleolar fracture. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 2001 to December 2003, we had treated 13 cases of lateral malleolar fracture (AO-OTA classification, type A: 4, type B: 9) by MIPO technique and followed them up more than 1 year. Operation time, union time, radiologic alignment, range of motion of the ankle joint, functional results according to criteria of Meyer and complication were evaluated. RESULTS: After the final follow-up, all the fractures were healed without any second procedure, full-weight bearing ambulation was started in average 10 weeks. Any malunion was not observed by the inadequate bending of plate. Two patients felt a discomfort of ankle because the location of plate was lower than the tip of the lateral malleolus, but all the patients had excellent or satisfactory ankle functions. No deep infection or soft tissue compromise were observed at the last follow up. CONCLUSION: Minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis technique is safe and worthwhile method in management of lateral malleous fractures while avoiding the complications associated with conventional open plating methods.

Treatment of Tibial Fractures In Children With Pin and Plaster Technique

PURPOSE: To evaluate the result of tibial shaft fractures in children treated with pin and plaster method. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From March 1998 to February 2003, Tibial shaft fractures in thirty six pediatric patients which were treated with pin and plaster method were clinically and radiologicaly evaluated retrospectively. RESULTS: Mean bony union duration was 9.8 weeks. All fractures healed within acceptable angulations. There was neither delayed union nor nonunion. There were complications related to the pins, including superficial and deep infection, skin sloughing. There were 7 cases of tibial overgrowth but they had no functional disability. CONCLUSION: Pin and plaster method can substitute other operative methods in tibial fractures in children which is difficult to reduce or maintain reduction by conservative treatment.

An Animal Experiment on the Biocompatibility of AISI 316 LVM Stainless Steel Plates and Screws Manufactured at KAIST / 대한정형외과학회잡지

In order to assess the biocompatibility of domestic dynamic compression plates and screws manufactured at KAIST (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technclogy), hematological, serological, histological, and metallurgical studies were carried out on sixty rabbits through thirty-two weeks. The rabbits were divided into two groups, group I: thirty rabbits for KAIST plates and screws, group II: thirty rabbits for Osteo plates and screws. The plate and screws were fixed on the fixed tibial shaft. All the resulg of hematological, serological, histological, and metallurgical study revealed that there were no meaningful differences between the two groups. This, in fact, enco.urages us to use domestic KAIST plates and screws clinically and to develop more complicated designs including total joint replacement system.