A Clinical Study of Treatment of Unstable Ankle Fracture / 대한정형외과학회잡지

Although the method to obtain a good results of treatment is still controversial in ankle fracture, most authors agree with open reduction and internal fixation for unstable ankle fracture. They also emphasize the importance of accurate reduction and rigid fixation of fractured lateral malleolus. Recently, the good results of early weight bearing and joint motion has been recognized. Therefore the cast immobilization for long duration is eliminated after surgery by many authorities. In addition to positive role of early ankle motion and weight bearing, we could expect the advantage of subsidence of stiffness, osteoporosis, and early returning to social activity. The seventy-eight unstable ankle fractures treated at Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of medicine with open reduction and internal fixation were analyzed in clinical and radiological aspects. The following results were obtained. 1. In unstable ankle fracture, the good functional results were obtained with early joint motion and weight bearing after accurate reduction and rigid fixation. 2. The accurate reduction and rigid fixation for lateral malleolar fracture was the most significant factor in contributing to good results. 3. Syndesmotic ligament should be examined on each exploration of fractured fibular. In spite of the immediate weight bearing, the transfixion screw has remained in place without loosening or breakage. 4. The reduction of medial malleolar fracture was relatively easy and seems not to affect the results.

A Case of Separation of the Symphysis Pubis and 2 Cases of Sacroiliac Strain During and After Spontaneous Labor / 대한정형외과학회잡지

Mechanically the symphysis pubis serves to anchor the ends of the two weight bearing arches of the pubis-the femorosacral and ischiosacral arches. Under normal conditions it has been found to exceedingly resistant to separation. Sacroiliac strain is also uncommon because the sacroiliac ligaments are very strong and the movement which produce a torsion strain upon the joint is more likely to cause a strain of thinner capsular ligaments surrounding the small lumbosacral joints. We experienced a case of separation of the symphysis pubis and 2 cases of sacroiliac strain during and after spontaneous labor.

Clinical Studies on the Supracondylar Fractures of the Humerus / 대한정형외과학회잡지

Supracondylar fractures of the humerus is the most common elbow fractures in children. Many papers has been published about the treatment of the supracondylar fractures of the humerus in children and prevention of both Volkmann's ischemic contractures and nerve injuries associated with these fractures, however, unfortunately it is still one of the most difficult fractures to manage. After successful reduction, the late complications of loss of elbow motion, the change in carrying angle, myositis ossificans, and progressive ulnar nerve palsy still lie ahead. For the period of 5 years from January 1975 to December 1979, 110 patients who had been treated for supracondylar fractures of the humerus at Severance Hospital, Yonsei University Coilege of Medicine were studied and analyzed retrospectively and the results are summerized as follows: 1. The age of the patients varied from 1 to 26 years, the majority (80.0%) being between 4 to 11 years and the fractures were on the left side in 71.8% and males comprized 75.5%. 2. The extension type comprized 94.5%. 3. Most common complications were cubitus varus deformities. 4. Percutaneous pinning and open reduction and internal fixation elicited rare cubitus varus diformities. 5. Limitation of motion was most frequent camplication after open reduction and internal fixation. 6. All cases which showed cubitus varus deformities were initially medially displaced fractures. 7. Four median nerve injuries were associated with posterolateral displacement and one radial nerve injury was associated with posteromedial displacement. 8. Finally, with prompt and adequate treatment, there were no Volkmanns ischemic contractures seen in this study.