Supracondylar fractures of the humerus in children. A comparison between non-surgical treatment and minimum synthesis.

The authors propose a comparison between methods used to treat supracondylar fractures of the humerus in children. The study included: 33 patients treated at the Ist Orthopaedic Clinic in Padova by non-surgical reduction and thoracobrachial plaster, and 33 patients treated at the Division of Orthopaedics and Traumatology at the Treviso Hospital by minimum synthesis and brachiometacarpal plaster. Mean follow-up was 7 years. The results were classified based on the Lagrange and Rigault system and the following parameters were also considered: time of hospitalization, cost-benefit relationship, loss of reduction of the fracture, any dysmetria. The two methods are equal in terms of time required for healing, and axial deviations, which were always less than 15, although somewhat better results were observed in cases judged to be excellent, with hospitalization under 2.5 days, and when minimum synthesis was used.

[Post-traumatic hemarthrosis of the knee]. / L'emartro post-traumatico del ginocchio.

A clinical survey of 130 patients suffering from acute traumatic hemarthrosis of the knee shows that hemarthrosis is a significant symptom of knee injury. The evaluation of stability under anesthesia was misleading in 45% of the cases. Arthroscopy allows a more accurate diagnosis of the injury.