Thirteen long Gamma nails were utilized without adjunctive bone cement in 11 patients for stabilization of 12 impending pathologic fractures and 1 pathologic fracture in the setting of metastatic disease (10 femora) and fibrous dysplasia (3 femora) of the proximal femur. Each femur was reamed to 18 mm proximally and 13 mm distally to accept the 17-mm diameter proximal portion and the 11-mm dist...

INTRODUCTION Pompe disease (PD), a lysosomal storage disease as well as a neuromuscular disorder, is a rare disease marked by progressive muscle weakness. Enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) in recent years allowed longer survival but brought new problems to the treatment of PD with increasing affection of the musculoskeletal system, particularly with a significantly higher prevalence of scoliosis...

Proximal humerus fractures represent an increasing challenge for the health system due to epidemiological changes. As estimated by a Finnish study group the number of fractures may triple by the year 2030. The majority of patients with these fractures are older than 60 years and in this population most of the proximal humerus fractures have been related to osteoporosis. Nondisplaced fractures a...

STUDY DESIGN Retrospective study. PURPOSE To evaluate the initial fixation using the cortical bone trajectory (CBT) technique for posterior lumbar fusion through assessment of the clear zones around the screws and the risk factors involved. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE Postoperative radiolucent zones (clear zones) are an indicator of poor conventional pedicle screw fixation. METHODS Between Jan...

A varus-producing distal femoral osteotomy (DFO) is an effective technique for the treatment of lateral patellar instability (LPI) in patients with concomitant moderate to severe valgus malalignment. Patellar maltracking and subluxation are corrected via neutralization of some of the laterally directed forces on the patella due to the valgus deformity. This can be accomplished with a distal fem...

BACKGROUND Orthopedic bracing is used in conservative treatment of spinal curvatures. Apart from rigid braces, SpineCor dynamic braces with a flexible design have recently become available. The idea behind dynamic bracing is that derotational and correcting forces are transmitted via a system of corrective bands. The essence of this technique is maintenance of spine mobility while effecting a p...

Introduction Ankle fractures involving the distal fibula belong to the most common fractures. Operative treatment is indicated in unstable ankle fractures by open reduction and internal fixation with plate and screws. Especially in the elderly, the osteoporotic bone provides reduced stabilization of this fixation. Therefore, an implant providing improved mechanical stabilization could allow a m...

Results Eight patients (6 men, 2 women) underwent non-union rib stabilization of 1 to 4 ribs during the study period. Median age was 56 years (range, 46-67 years). Mean BMI was 31.8 and median interval from index injury to rib fracture surgical repair was 14.5 months (range, 4-24 months). 75% of this cohort used tobacco chronically within the 3 years preceding repair. One patient underwent stab...

BACKGROUND The tibial pilon fractures represent a complex therapeutic problem for the orthopedic surgeon, given the frequent complications and outcomes disabling. The recent medical literature indicates that the best strategy to reduce amount of complications in tibial pilon fractures is two-stages procedure. We describe our experience in the primary stabilization of these fractures. METHODS ...

A best evidence topic was constructed according to a structured protocol. The question addressed was whether surgical stabilization is effective in improving the outcomes of patients with isolated multiple distracted and painful non-flail rib fractures. Of the 356 papers found using a report search, nine presented the best evidence to answer the clinical question. The authors, journal, date and...