Late collapse of distal radius fractures after K-wire removal: is it significant?

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to find out whether distal radius fractures treated by Kirschner wire (K wire) fixation loose reduction after wire removal and analyze the variables may influence this. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients who underwent K wire fixation for unstable fractures of distal radius over a period of 3 years were included in this retrospective study. Fractures were classified according to AO classification. Radiographs taken just prior to removal of K wires and radiographs taken at least 1 month after wire removal were analyzed to study three radiological parameters; Palmar or dorsal tilt, radial inclination and ulnar variance. Loss of these angles was analyzed statistically against variables like age, sex, AO classification and duration of fixation. RESULTS: 59 fractures were analyzed with mean age of 56 years and male to female ratio of 1:2. Average loss of radial tilt was 2.6 degrees , loss of palmar tilt was 2.6 degrees and loss of ulnar variance was 1.3 mm. CONCLUSIONS: We found that distal radius fractures treated by percutaneous K wire fixation, did not suffer significant loss of reduction of fracture position after removal of wires. This remains true regardless of age, sex, fracture type according to AO type or duration of wire fixation.

The 22-mm vs the 32-mm femoral head in cemented primary hip arthroplasty long-term clinical and radiological follow-up study.

A retrospective clinical and radiological analysis was performed on 117 patients (138 hips) with a mean age of 75 years and a mean follow-up of 11 years. The prostheses used were 2 similar monoblock femoral components with 22- and 32-mm head sizes; their effects on the wear of the high-density polyethylene cup were studied. Wear of component was determined by evaluating the standardized initial and follow-up radiographs. The mean rate of linear wear was higher in the 22-mm femoral head, whereas the volumetric wear was higher in the 32-mm femoral head. In both groups, volumetric wear was significantly correlated with cup lysis. Increasing body weight in both groups was associated with more volumetric wear. The radiological evidence of prosthetic loosening did not correlate well with clinical evaluation of the hip.