Jammed ulnar nerve after distal radius fracture: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Ulnar nerve lesions represent a rare complication of wrist fracture. The present manuscript describes the case of a particular traumatic mechanism in which the nerve resulted crushed between radial fracture fragments. CASE PRESENTATION: A 47-year-old man suffered a subtotal lesion of the ulnar nerve following an open displaced distal radius fracture. Symptoms of ulnar nerve deficiency worsened after reduction and temporary stabilization. Further surgery was performed to achieve definitive stabilization and ulnar nerve neurolysis. The ulnar nerve was found to be jammed inside the fracture side, and so was repaired with a direct suture. Progressive recovery was observed in the following months. CONCLUSIONS: Given the paucity of reports of ulnar nerve injury in the literature, clear recommendations for treatment of nerve lesions after wrist fractures have not yet been defined. Nevertheless, in our experience, peripheral nerve function should be assessed before and after fracture reduction, as a worsening of symptoms after surgical intervention could indicate nerve entrapment inside the fracture site.

Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with LARS™ artificial ligament results at a mean follow-up of eight years.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to review patients that underwent ACL reconstruction with the LARS™ ligament in the First Orthopaedic Division of Pisa University during the period between January 2003 and December 2005. METHODS: Twenty-six patients were reviewed with an average follow-up of 95.3 months (7.9 years). The review protocol was articulated in three phases: (1) a subjective evaluation using three grading scales: VAS, KOOS and the Cincinnati knee rating scale, (2) a clinical and objective evaluation, and (3) a biomechanical evaluation of the knee stability. RESULTS: A global positive result was obtained in 92.3 % of the patients (16 optimal results and eight good results), with a fast functional recovery and a high knee stability. A global poor result was reported in two cases. In our series we did not record cases of infection or knee synovitis. We recorded only one case of mechanical graft failure. The results obtained from our study are encouraging and similar to those in the literature. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that the LARS™ ligament can be considered a suitable option for ACL reconstruction in carefully selected cases, especially for older patients needing a fast functional recovery.

The dual radius hemispherical 'Trident" cup: results based on 150 consecutive cases.

INTRODUCTION: Initial stability with press-fit cups can be achieved in a number of ways based on the design of the cup. With line-to-line fit, screws fixation, press-fit of 1 to 2 mm which is obtained by an oversized hemispherical cup, initial stability can be achieved with the dual-radius press-fit cups, which have an equatorial diameter 1 to 2 mm greater than that of the polar diameter, to ensure a good press-fit and to provide adequate initial stability for bone ingrowth to occur reliably. METHODS: Between January 2002 and January 2008, 400 total hip replacements (THRs) were carried out. We examined the first 150 consecutive primary THRs. In all hips, the acetabular component was the dual radius Trident AD shell (Stryker Orthopaedics, Mahwah, New Jersey). RESULTS: The median duration of follow-up was 6,2 yrs (range, 5 to 7 yrs). The median post-operative Harris Hip Score for 150 hips was 90.5 (range, 51 to 98). At the time of the latest follow-up, there was a bony incorporation of all components; we found no definite evidence of radiographic loosening and no signs of radiolucency. CONCLUSION: According to the encouraging results of the present study we conclude that the Trident cup is a valid choice for acetabular replacement.

A multidisciplinary approach and surgical tips in major amputations of diabetic patients.

We aim to describe the results obtained in major amputations (transtibial and transfemoral) of diabetic patients followed with a close combined approach (medical and surgical). We evaluated 37 cases with an average age of 73.55 years. All were admitted in our Diabetology Department where they were monitored and treated in order to reach a new balance concerning cardiac failure, anemia, and other pathologies. Then, the orthopedic surgeons operate choosing an adequate level for amputation and pointing about adequate stump covering, accurate vessel, perineural and periosteal hemostasis, and nerve thermoablation. Reading literature we discovered in our series an improvement concerning perioperative mortality, considering the high average age and the bad general conditions of our patients; at the same time, we obtained an improvement about neuromas and ghost limb syndrome versus literature. About walking capabilities we had similar results compared to previous papers, obtaining the worst results for thigh amputations.