Ole Skov

Early motion of the ankle after operative treatment of a rupture of the Achilles tendon : A prospective, randomized clinical and radiographic study

BACKGROUND Different regimens of early motion of the ankle after operative treatment of a ruptured Achilles tendon have been suggested since the late 1980s. However, as far as we know, no controlled studies comparing these regimens with conventional immobilization in a cast have been reported. METHODS In a prospective study, seventy-one patients who had an acute rupture of the Achilles tendon were randomized to either conventional postoperative management with a cast for eight weeks or early restricted motion of the ankle in a below-the-knee brace for six weeks. The brace was modified with an elastic band on the posterior surface, in a manner similar to the principle of Kleinert traction. Metal markers were placed in the tendon, and the separation between them was measured on serial radiographs during the first twelve weeks postoperatively. The patients were assessed clinically when the cast or brace was removed, at twelve weeks postoperatively, and at a median of sixteen months postoperatively. RESULTS The separation between the markers at twelve weeks postoperatively was nearly identical in the two groups, with a median separation of 11.5 millimeters (range, zero to thirty-three millimeters) in the patients managed with early motion of the ankle and nine millimeters (range, one to forty-one millimeters) in the patients managed with a cast. The separation was primarily correlated with the initial tautness of the repair (r[S] = 0.45). No patient had excessive lengthening of the tendon. The patients managed with early motion had a smaller initial loss in the range of motion, and they returned to work and sports activities sooner than those managed with a cast. Furthermore, there were fewer visible adhesions between the repaired tendon and the skin in the patients managed with early motion, and these patients were subjectively more satisfied with the overall result. The patients in both groups recovered a median of 89 percent of strength of plantar flexion compared with that of the noninjured limb, as measured with an isometric strain-gauge at 15 degrees of dorsiflexion. The heel-rise index was similar for both groups: 0.88 for the patients managed with early motion and 0.89 for those managed with a cast. CONCLUSIONS Early restricted motion appears to shorten the time needed for rehabilitation. There were no complications related to early motion in these patients. However, early unloaded exercises did not prevent muscle atrophy.

Epidemiology of scaphoid fractures in Odense, Denmark

During a 7-year period, 273 scaphoid fractures were diagnosed in the approximately 175,000 residents of the municipality of Odense. The average annual incidence of scaphoid fracture was 8 per 100,000 women and 38 per 100,000 men, predominantly in young persons. The cause of injury was a fall in 69 percent and a blow in 28 percent.

Fracture of the carpal scaphoid : frequency and distribution in a well-defined population

The incidence, location, and type of scaphoid fractures found in a well-defined population is described. Fractures of the carpal scaphoid (n = 442) were identified during an eight-year period, of which 19 (5%) were nonunions. At the initial radiographic examination the fractures were visible on PA views in 70% of the cases (true lateral 10%, scaphoid view neutral 77%, scaphoid view ulnar deviated 73%, and scaphoid view with the X-ray tube tilted 30 degrees distally 71%). Among inhabitants living in the Odense Municipality (population at risk 170648 in 1983 to 174948 in 1989) 222 males and 51 females (age range 9-87 year) sustaining scaphoid fractures during a seven-year were period used for computation of incidences. During the survey, there was an average annual incidence of scaphoid fracture of 8 per 100000 females, and 38 per 100000 males. All patients (except a 9-year-old male) were aged 10 years or over. In the age-group 10-14 years there was an average annual incidence of 3 per 100000 females, and 39 per 100000 males. Average annual incidence per 100000 inhabitants of carpal scaphoid fractures according to the location was proximal 6, middle 15, and distal (fractures of the tuberosity included) 2. Average annual incidence per 100000 inhabitants of carpal scaphoid fractures according to type was transverse 7, horizontal oblique 9, vertical oblique 1, avulsion/fracture of the tuberosity 5, and not stated 1.

Substantial reduction in the number of amputations among patients with diabetes: a cohort study over 16 years

Aims/hypothesisThe aim of this study was to describe the trends in rates of amputation among individuals with and without diabetes.MethodsWe studied amputation rates in the County of Funen (approximately 0.5 million residents) during the period 1996–2011. Amputations were identified from the hospital administrative system, diabetes status by linkage with the Danish National Diabetes Register, and mortality and population data by extraction from Statistics Denmark. Amputation rates were analysed using proportional hazard models. We analysed the incidence of the first amputation at each level as well as the incidence of further amputations, subdivided by level of amputation.ResultsDuring the period 1996–2011, a total of 2,832 amputations were performed, of which 1,285 were among patients with diabetes and 1,547 among individuals without diabetes. Relative to persons without diabetes, patients with diabetes had an HR for below-ankle amputations (BAAs) of 14.7 for men and 7.5 for women, and for from-ankle-to-knee amputations (BKAs) of 7.6 and 8.4 for men and women, respectively. For above-knee amputations (AKAs) the numbers were 4.0 for men and 3.7 for women. We found an annual reduction in BAA rates among patients with diabetes of 9.8%, and the annual reduction in BKA for patients with diabetes was 15.1%.Conclusions/interpretationThe amputation rate in patients with diabetes is still several-fold higher than in persons without diabetes, but the improvements in diabetes care in recent years have resulted in a steady decline in amputation rates among patients with diabetes from this Danish cohort.

Correction of congenital brachymetatarsia by gradual callus distraction

Two children with congenital brachymetatarsia of the fourth metatarsal bone were treated by osteotomy of the metatarsal bone and bone lengthening by the Ilizarov technique. Both children were cosmetically improved.

Complications and functional outcome after fixation of distal tibia fractures with locking plate – A multicentre study

INTRODUCTION The aim of this study was to evaluate the proportion of complications and the functional outcome following ORIF with low-profile locking plates in patients with distal tibia fractures. METHOD Retrospective data was retrieved using county databases, operation books, health record and X-ray images for 6 hospitals (1 level 1, 5 level 2) in the Region of Southern Denmark. Between January 2007 and April 2011 70 consecutive patients with 71 distal tibia fractures were treated with low-profile locking plate were included. The proportion of post-operative complications, classified as minor and major complications, was retrieved from electronic health records and patient interviews. Long-term functional outcome assessed by EuroQol EQ-5D-5L questionnaire, AOFAS Ankle-Hindfoot scale, and return to pre-injury job function through patient interview and examination. RESULTS There were 32 43A, 5 43B and 34 43C-fractures, 12 open and 10 high-energy fractures. Forty-nine cases (69%) experienced complications during the follow-up time, of which 34 were minor complications and 15 were major complications. Median EQ-5D-5L index value was 0.76, median EQ VAS-score was 80, and median AOFAS score was 73. Thirty-three percent of working patients had not returned to work as a result of the fracture. CONCLUSIONS Our study suggest that treatment of distal tibia fractures with low-profile locking plates might have a higher proportion of complications and worse functional outcome than previously reported. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Therapeutic level IV Case Serie.

Microdialysis as a tool to determine the local tissue concentration of dicloxacillin in man

The most common pathogen to cause postoperative infections in Denmark is Staphylococcus aureus. Despite using prophylactic antibiotics, infections are still seen. Whether the tissue concentration is above the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) for the pathogen is unknown. Thus, the concentration of dicloxacillin in muscle and adipose tissue was measured after intravenous administration, in healthy men.

Reconstruction of a complicated adjacent non-union of the radius and ulna using a free vascularised double-barrel fibula graft

While the free vascularised double-barrel fibula flap has been traditionally used in the reconstruction of defects in the long bones of the lower extremities, the advantages of this type of graft can also be seen in the treatment of adjacent radial and ulnar non-unions of the forearm. The main advantage of the double-barrel fibula flap in treatment of antebrachial non-unions is that it allows for the simultaneous anatomical reconstruction of the radius and the ulna while maximising forearm functionality. In contrast to other procedures, this tailored graft also helps preserve pronation and supination of the forearm. In this article, we chronicle a case in which a microvascular osteomyocutaneous double-barrel fibula flap was used to concurrently reconstruct the radius and ulna of a patient with a severe antebrachial non-union.

Newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes complicated by ketoacidosis and peripheral thrombosis leading to transfemoral amputation

Peripheral vascular thromboembolism is a rarely described complication of diabetic ketoacidosis. We report a 41-year-old otherwise healthy man admitted with ketoacidosis and ischaemia of the left foot. The patient was unsuccessfully treated with thromboendarterectomy, and the extremity was ultimately amputated. The patient had no family history of cardiovascular disease, and all blood sample analyses for hypercoagulability were negative. We recommend an increased focus on peripheral thromboembolism, when treating patients with severe ketoacidosis.