[Distal radius fractures. 2.4 mm locking compression plates. Are they worth the effort?]. / Der distale Speichenbruch. Winkelstabile Osteosynthese mit 2.4 mm Formplatten. Ist der Aufwand gerechtfertigt?

Fracture of the distal radius has a second peak of incidence in the second half of life. Because complex injuries are seen frequently, there is a need for differentiated treatment to achieve good results. The aim of our study was to evaluate the treatment of distal radius fractures with 2.4-mm locking compression (LC) plates in patients older than 65 years suffering from osteoporosis to determine the complications and compare costs of treatment with different interventions. Thirty-seven patients were included in this prospective study. The distribution of fractures according to AO classification was: nine type A, one type B, and 27 type C. The mean age was 76 years. Twenty-six volar plates, seven dorsal and four "sandwich" procedures were applied. The mean follow-up for 33 patients was 11.1 months. Using the functional Lidström score, we found 13 very good results, 15 good, four fair, and one poor, the radiologic Lidström scores were: 15 very good, 13 good, four fair, and one poor results. With the application of 2.4-mm LC plates, findings were good or very good in over 80%of osteoporotic distal radial fractures. Compared to other treatments, the real costs of intervention for LC plates is much higher.

Refixation of femoral anterior cruciate ligament tears combined with a semitendinosus tendon augmentation. Technique and results.

As part of a retrospective study, 76 patients with acute tears of the anterior cruciate ligament who underwent reinsertion and augmentation with the semitendinosus tendon were examined. The follow-up took place on average 4.5 years (range 3-7 years) after surgery. A decreased range of motion upon comparison with the uninjured opposite side was seen in 43 patients. The Lachman test revealed a grade 1 instability in 42 patients, grade 2 in 17 and grade 3 in 2, while 15 patients had a negative test result. The average Lysholm score was 92 points and the Tegner activity score had an average of 7.1 points. KT-1000 measurements showed an identical degree of anterior translation for both knees at 89 N in 25 individuals. The analysis revealed a difference of 2 mm in 15 patients, 4 mm in 19,6 mm in 15 and greater than 6 mm in 2. The radiographic follow-up examination revealed a deterioration of the degenerative change of 1 deg in 17 patients and 2 deg in 4 patients. Isometric testing showed no loss in flexion strength of the operated knee joints compared to the healthy opposite side. The ratio between flexion and extension strength was also identical for both knees. The reinsertion and augmentation with a single strand of semi-tendinosus tendon is not, as this study demonstrates, the appropriate reconstructive technique for the majority of ACL tears.

Ratite production as an agricultural enterprise.

The ratite industry remains in the market introduction stage of evolution; basic information on markets and production is limited. It is uncertain when, or perhaps whether, either the ostrich or emu industries will progress to the market growth stage. Until significant expansion occurs, ratite operations are likely to be faced with low or even nonexistant profits. It is the authors' observation that the ostrich industry is making slow but significant progress toward introducing products into potential growth markets. The fact that ostrich products were in demand prior to the ostrich being introduced into North America has helped the industry. The future of the emu industry appears to be much less certain. In the authors' opinion, in order for the emu industry to become profitable and grow, significant promotion of emu meat and immediate resolution of the value of the oil must be achieved. Meat sales alone will not carry emu production as a profitable commercial enterprise. Veterinarians can derive significant conclusions from this information. Currently, ratite production is composed of firms generating losses or minimal profits. South African producers are receiving approximately the same amount for a slaughter ostrich as North American producers. It is unlikely that North American ostrich prices will increase significantly. Prices of ostrich breeders of $2,000 to $4,000 per pair and $400 to $450 for slaughter birds are likely to remain the same for some time. Given that world demand has increased at a slower rate than supply, prices may decrease further. Breeder and slaughter birds will continue to require significant veterinary care; however, the producer will be forced to perform more farm treatments, given the negligible margins. Based on the differences in efficiency of existing operations, there are ample opportunities for veterinarians and extension services to assist producers. Vertical coordination in the ratite industry may evolve slowly in the future, especially in the arid regions of the country; however, economies of size in ratite slaughter are likely to remain uncaptured in the short run, limiting the rate at which vertical coordination evolves. If significant opportunities develop for veterinarians in vertically integrated ratite firms, the emphasis, as with other intensive livestock operations, will be preventative rather than therapeutic medicine, and will involve the integration of nutrition, management, genetics, and the control of disease.