Stress fractures are relatively common in runners, accounting for 10% to 15% of total running injuries. Bennell et al observed 111 track and field athletes for 12 months and noted a 21% incidence of stress fractures. Matheson et al reported that 7% of all stress injuries to bone involved the femur. One review and one prospective analysis of stress fractures in athletes have shown a 3.5% inciden...

The effects of an active vitamin D analog, eldecalcitol (ELD), on bone mineral density (BMD), bone geometry, and biomechanical properties of the proximal femur were investigated by using clinical CT. The subjects--a subgroup of a recent randomized, double-blind study comparing anti-fracture efficacy of ELD with alfacalcidol (ALF) - constituted 193 ambulatory patients with osteoporosis (189 post...

The AO interlocking nail was introduced to the Ulster Hospital, Dundonald in 1988 and since then has been used in over 50 patients with femoral shaft fractures. We have reviewed 45 patients with 46 femoral shaft fractures treated between June 1988 and April 1990. These included four compound fractures and 13 comminuted fractures. The results compare favourably with other series. The union rate ...

Concomitant ipsilateral shaft and femoral neck or pertrochanteric fractures are uncommon. They result from high-energy traumas and the mechanism of injury is usually complex. The proximal fracture is often not displaced and may be hardly visible on x-rays. Overlooking the proximal fracture may result in therapeutic problems. The best method of treatment is by closed stabilization of both fractu...

It is axiomatic that the surgeon must possess a detailed knowledge of the anatomy of the part on which he is to operate. In spite of the recent popularity of open reduction in the treatment of the fractured femoral shaft, little information is available on the details of its blood supply. Since the success of these operations depends, to a large extent, on a minimal interference with the blood ...

A study of the contamination of suckers used during total hip replacement has been undertaken. Thirty suckers used throughout the operation had their tips cultured: from 11 of these bacteria were grown. The organisms found were those which have previously been implicated in deep infection of total hip replacements. In subsequent operations a further 31 suckers were used for cleaning only the fe...

In vitro mechanical studies have demonstrated equal or superior fixation of pediatric femoral fractures with use of titanium elastic nails (TENS) as compared with stainless steel elastic nails (SSEN). SSEN are less expensive as compared to TENS. However, there are only two studies in the English literature which have compared the results of TENS and SSEN in paediatric femoral shaft fracture. Th...

A retrospective study was made of the results of surgical treatment of subluxation or dislocation of the hip in patients who had suffered from poliomyelitis. Good results were achieved in 46% and satisfactory results in 24%. The key factors for success are muscle balance, the femoral neck-shaft and anteversion angles, and the acetabular geometry. Iliopsoas transfer can augment the hip abductor ...