[The accuracy of references in Turkish journals in orthopedics and traumatology]. / Türkiye'deki ortopedi ve travmatoloji dergilerinde kaynak kullanim hatalari.

OBJECTIVES: The accuracy of references was assessed in Turkish journals of orthopedics and traumatology. METHODS: All references cited in four journals (Acta Orthopaedica et Traumatologica Turcica, Arthroplasty Arthroscopic Surgery, Hacettepe Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery, and The Journal of Turkish Spinal Surgery) throughout 1995 to 1999 were numbered consecutively. One percent of references from each journal was randomly selected to be evaluated in comparison with primary sources. Errors were classified in three categories. Another randomized selection was made to check 50 references from each journal. The results were assessed by the t-test. RESULTS: Of 18,193 references cited in four journals, 182 references were checked. Errors were found in 117 references (63%), seven of which were major errors that prevented location of the primary source. When 50 references were checked from each journal, the mean inaccuracy rate was 60%. No significant differences were found between the journals with respect to the frequency of erroneous references. CONCLUSION: The high rate of inaccuracy emphasizes the need for greater care in the use of references on the part of authors, journal editors, and reviewers.

Relationship between onychocryptosis and foot type and treatment with toe spacer. A preliminary investigation.

The relationship between onychocryptosis and foot type was investigated in a series of 512 patients. Of these patients, 124 had signs or a history of onychocryptosis. Among the nine foot types identified by digital and metatarsal formulas, the Greek index minus and squared index minus types showed the strongest association with onychocryptosis, which was present in more than one-third of such feet. When anteroposterior radiographs of each type of foot were taken after binding the first and second toes together to simulate a tight shoe, the enlargement of bony structures of the second toe at the distal interphalangeal level in the Greek and squared index minus feet moved toward the distal enlargement of the distal phalanx of the first toe where the ingrowing occurs. Ten cases of stage I and four cases of stage II onychocryptosis were treated by placing a toe spacer between the first and second toes; all healed in about 3 weeks, suggesting that counterpressure of the second toe in tight shoes is a factor in the development of onychocryptosis.