ABSTRACT
Proximal humerus fractures are common in elderly patients. Not all patient are fit for major surgery. Percutaneous fixation can be a suitable option though surgeons should be aware of the risks and complications. This case is about a 90-year-old woman with a proximal humerus fracture. After closed anatomical reduction we performed percutaneous K-wire fixation of the humerus fracture with a single K-wire. Five days postoperatively the patient experienced increased pain and dyspnea due to a pneumothorax caused by intrathoracic migration of the K-wire. Percutaneous fixation can be a suitable treatment for low-maintenance and fragile patients but surgeons should act with caution. Multiple threaded K-wires with a bend-free end should be used to reduce the risk for loss of repositioning or migration of the K-wire.
ABSTRACT
A 52-year-old woman presented herself with pain on the medial sides of the proximal tibia after a minimal trauma. Conventional X-rays did not show any pathology. However, the MRI showed a bilateral fracture of the proximal tibia. Since the patient was treated with methotrexate due to rheumatoid arthritis, methotrexate osteopathy was considered. Long term treatment with low doses of methotrexate proved to inhibit osteoblast proliferation and may eventually lead to decreased bone formation and osteopenia. On the other hand, immobilization, joint deformities, and steroid treatment are associated with rheumatoid arthritis and are also known risk factors for fractures. The clinical relevance of methotrexate osteopathy still has to be established. However, if a patient treated with methotrexate localizes pain in the tibia, methotrexate osteopathy should be considered. Withdrawal of the drug may improve symptoms.
