The Relationship between Limb-Length Discrepancy on Function, Dislocation, Pain and Acetabular Wear after Bipolar Hemiarthroplasty for Femoral Neck Fracture

PURPOSE: To evaluate the relationship between a limb-length discrepancy and the clinical and radiological outcomes after bipolar hemiarthroplasty for femur neck fractures in elderly patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between August 2004 and January 2007, 60 out of 80 cases over 65 years who underwent cemented bipolar hemiarthroplasty for femur neck fractures with a more than 2 years follow-up were evaluated retrospectively by dividing the patients into two groups, > 5 mm (group 1) and 0.05). CONCLUSION: Limb-lengthening by hemiarthroplasty may be a cause of pain but with little effect on the overall functional outcome.

Bony Landmarks for Determining the Mechanical Axis of the Femur in the Sagittal Plane during Total Knee Arthroplasty

BACKGROUND: There is no accepted landmark for the mechanical axis of the femoral axis in sagittal plane in conventional total knee arthroplasty. METHODS: As palpable anatomic landmarks of the femur, lateral epicondyle, and anterior margin of the greater trochanter were identified. The line connecting these two landmarks was defined as the "palpable sagittal axis". The mechanical axis of the femur was compared with the palpable sagittal axis and the distal femoral anterior cortex axis. These axes were also compared with sagittal bowing of the femur. RESULTS: The distal femoral anterior cortex axis and the palpable sagittal axis were flexed by 4.1degrees and 2.4degrees more than the sagittal mechanical axes, respectively (p < 0.05). However, the palpable sagittal axis was not correlated with sagittal bowing of the femur (Spearman's rs, 0.17; p = 0.14). CONCLUSIONS: The palpable sagittal axis showed a consistent relationship with the sagittal mechanical femoral axes regardless of the severity of the sagittal bowing of the femur.

Effectiveness of Arterial Embolization in Hemodynamically Unstable Pelvic Fracture

Purpose: To assess the effectiveness and appropriate time for arterial embolization with angiography in patients who sustained a hemodynamically unstable pelvic bone fracture Materials and methods: Nineteen cases with hemodynamically unstable pelvic bone fractures that were managed with arterial embolization out of 287 pelvic bone fractures between May, 2002 and February, 2007 were reviewed retrospectively. The blood pressure, pulse rate, hemoglobin, prothrombin time, partial prothrombin time and platelet checked were evaluated immediately after arrival at the emergency room, before and after embolization. Repeated measures analysis of variance was used for the statistical evaluation. Results: The blood pressure showed a statistically significant increase from before and after embolization. The hemoglobin and prothrombin time checked upon arrival were significantly lower than those checked before embolization. In addition, the hemoglobin and prothrombin time was significantly higher before embolization than after embolization. The partial thromboplastin time and platelet checked immediately upon arrival were significantly lower than those checked before embolization. Conclusion: Interventional angiography and embolization can be an effective treatment modality in patients with hemodynamically unstable pelvic bone fractures showing rapid changes in the hemoglobin level, prothrombin time, partial thromboplastin time and platelet count but little response to fluid and transfusion resuscitation,.

Migration of Multiple Cannulated Screws in the Treatment of Femur Neck Fractures

PURPOSE: We wanted to assess the characteristics and clinical significance of screw migration after surgical treatment of femoral neck fractures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed 44 hips (22 males, 22 females) that were treated with closed reduction and multiple cannulated screws between February 1998 and May 2005. The medical records and radiographs were analyzed retrospectively at a minimum of 18 months after surgery. 3 mm migration was arbitrarily chosen as the differentiating measure between the migration (27cases) and the nonmigration (17 cases) groups. The anatomical location of the fracture, Garden's classification, comminution, the screw position in the femoral head and the complications were statistically compared between the migration and nonmigration groups. The time sequence of events after surgery and the distance of migration were evaluated in the migration group. RESULTS: No significant differences between the two groups were noted in regard to complications, the screw position in the femoral head, the degree of displacement of fractures with using Garden's classification and the anatomic location of the fracture. There was a statistically significant difference between the two groups with regard to comminution (p=.001). In the migration group, the screws started migrating from 1 month after the operation and this was remarkable at 3~6 months. The average migration was 6.51 mm with 4.23 mm migration occurring in the first 3 months. CONCLUSION: For comminuted femur neck fractures that are treated with multiple cannulated screws, screw migration and shortening of the femoral neck can be anticipated to happen at 3 months after surgery.

Bipolar Hemiarthroplasty of Displaced Femoral Neck Fractures in Pakinsonism Patients

PURPOSE: To evaluate clinical outcome and functional result after cemented bipolar hemiarthroplasty of displaced neck fracture in parkinsonism patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 12 parkinsonism patients treated by cemented bipolar hemiarthroplasty of displaced femur neck fracture from August 1994 to October 2002 were evaluated. Posterolateral approach was performed. Preoperative and postoperative walking ability, activity of daily life and severity of parkinsonism were compared. The effects of parkinsonism on clinical outcome were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: The median difference of walking ability was 1 (p=0.001) and that of ADL scale was -3 (p=0.0005). There was no significant change in the severity of parkinsonism (p=0.5), and the severity and duration of parkinsonism were not correlated with postoperative functional status. 7 cases of voiding difficulty, 5 of temporary delirium, and 2 of temporary respiratory insufficiency were noted as general complications. 2 cases of dislocation and 1 of infection were noted as orthopaedic complications. CONCLUSION: In parkinsonism patient, walking ability was worsened, activity was more independent, but severity of parkinsonism was not changed after hemiarthroplasty of displaced femur neck fracture. Orthopaedic surgeons should bear in mind that functional outcome is poor and orthopaedic complication rate high in parkinsonism.

Pseudoaneurysm of Superficial Femoral Artery Following Proximal Femoral Nail Fixation

Pseudoaneurysm of the femoral artery is a rare complication following the fixation of the fracture of proximal femur or protruded bony fragment and reports injuring on superficial femoral artery is very rare compared to deep femoral artery complicated by the insertion of distal interlocking screw. The chance of injuring superficial femoral artery may increase by deep insertion of drill bit or the repetitive arterial pulsation on prominent distal interlocking screw tip during the perioperative period. Authors experienced one case of injury on the superficial femoral artery postoperative 42 hours followed by the use of proximal femoral nail advocated by the AO group recently and would like to call attention upon the possibilities of vessel injury complicated with the use of the distal interlocking screw.

Symptomatic Vertebral Hemangioma Treated by Radiotherapy: A Case Report / 대한치료방사선과학회지

Vertebral hemangiomas are rarely symptomatic and have been treated by surgical managements in patients with symptoms. A case of symptomatic vertebral hemangioma which was treated by radiotherapy successfully is presented.