R. Gaulke

The incidence of ulnocarpal complaints after distal radial fracture in relation to the fracture of the ulnar styloid

Two hundred distal radial fractures, with a mean follow up of 20 months (range 6–49), were divided into three groups according to the presence and healing status of an ulnar styloid fracture. The patients underwent both clinical and radiological examination and completed two different questionnaires. One hundred and one, of 200 distal radial fractures, were associated with an ulnar styloid fracture. Forty-six of these developed an ulnar styloid nonunion. The authors encountered significantly higher pain scores (ulnar sided pain p = 0.012), a higher rate of DRUJ instability (p = 0.032), a greater loss of motion and grip strength (p = 0.001), and a poorer clinical outcome in cases with an ulnar styloid fracture, but no differences were apparent when those with healed ulnar styloid fractures or ulnar styloid nonunions were compared (p > 0.05). The investigators propose that the incidence of ulnocarpal complaints following distal radial fracture depends on the presence but not the healing status of an ulnar styloid fracture.

Ist eine routinemäßige Implantatentfernung nach unfallchirurgischen Eingriffen sinnvoll

We present a literature review about implant removal after operative extremity and spine fracture treatment. The indication for implant removal procedures has become less frequent in recent years, but is still more common in Europe than for example in North America. The time required to perform a implant removal can easily exceed the planned amount. Implant removal can result in significant complications like soft tissue damage, fractures, infections, and other problems. Not only because of these problems, the decision on whether or not to remove the implant should be made with great care. Therefore good communication with the patient and thorough information about risks and benefits are essential.

Is routine implant removal after trauma surgery sensible

We present a literature review about implant removal after operative extremity and spine fracture treatment. The indication for implant removal procedures has become less frequent in recent years, but is still more common in Europe than for example in North America. The time required to perform a implant removal can easily exceed the planned amount. Implant removal can result in significant complications like soft tissue damage, fractures, infections, and other problems. Not only because of these problems, the decision on whether or not to remove the implant should be made with great care. Therefore good communication with the patient and thorough information about risks and benefits are essential.

Radiolunate fusion in the rheumatoid wrist with Shapiro staples: clinical and radiological results of 22 cases.

We performed a retrospective clinical and radiological case control study on 22 rheumatoid wrists following radiolunate fusion via Shapiro staples with a mean follow-up of 5 years. Radiographs showed one early loosening through dorsal staple migration and four nonunions. Six wrists fused in mild ulnopalmar dislocation of the lunate. Primary intra-articular positioning of a staple was found in nine wrists, secondary intra-articular staple dislocation was found in two wrists. Dorsal staple dislocation was found in four fused arthrodeses. Osteolysis around the staples was found in all but two wrists. In contrast to unsatisfactory radiological results the clinical results were good or excellent in 18 patients. Good and excellent clinical results in the majority of the patients following radiolunate fusion does not depend on the fixation device. Nevertheless staple fixation of the radiolunate joint in the rheumatoid wrist is associated with a high rate of radiological complications.

Conservative functional treatment of Achilles tendon ruptures

The conservative functional treatment of Achilles tendon ruptures has developed further over the last 20 years and is basically possible for 60-80% of patients. The treatment leads to success if the indications obtained by dynamic sonography are correctly interpreted (adaptation of the tendon ends up to 20 degrees plantar flexion), if the patient presents sufficient compliance and the physiotherapy is increasingly intensified depending on tendon healing. Modern ortheses allow an increased equinus position and therefore improved protection of the healing tendon. If these factors are present a relatively low re-rupture rate of only 7% can be achieved. The decisive advantage of conservative functional therapy is the avoidance of specific operative risks, such as infection and injury to the sural nerve. After removal of the orthesis the tendon should continue to be modeled using shoe insoles and raised heels.

Konservativ-funktionelle Behandlung der Achillessehnenruptur

The conservative functional treatment of Achilles tendon ruptures has developed further over the last 20 years and is basically possible for 60-80% of patients. The treatment leads to success if the indications obtained by dynamic sonography are correctly interpreted (adaptation of the tendon ends up to 20 degrees plantar flexion), if the patient presents sufficient compliance and the physiotherapy is increasingly intensified depending on tendon healing. Modern ortheses allow an increased equinus position and therefore improved protection of the healing tendon. If these factors are present a relatively low re-rupture rate of only 7% can be achieved. The decisive advantage of conservative functional therapy is the avoidance of specific operative risks, such as infection and injury to the sural nerve. After removal of the orthesis the tendon should continue to be modeled using shoe insoles and raised heels.

Die septische Koxitis des Erwachsenen

Septic arthritis of the hip can be caused via a hematogenous route, by penetration of periarticular infections, open hip trauma, injections or operations. Ultrasound, hip puncture and elevation of inflammatory parameters lead to the diagnosis. Differentiation of septic arthritis from gout and chondrocalcinosis may be difficult. Nevertheless, early revision of the hip has to be performed to avoid joint destruction. Open revision is the therapy of choice in the majority of cases.ZusammenfassungDie septische Koxitis kann hämatogen, durch periartikuläre Infektionen, offene Verletzungen, Injektionen und Operationen hervorgerufen werden. Sonographie, Hüftgelenkpunktion und laborchemische Untersuchungen führen zur Verdachtsdiagnose. Auch wenn eine Differenzierung gegenüber den Kristallarthropathien initial nicht immer eindeutig möglich ist, besteht die Notfallindikation zur Revision, um Gelenkschäden vorzubeugen. Die offene Revision gilt in den meisten Fällen als Therapie der Wahl.AbstractSeptic arthritis of the hip can be caused via a hematogenous route, by penetration of periarticular infections, open hip trauma, injections or operations. Ultrasound, hip puncture and elevation of inflammatory parameters lead to the diagnosis. Differentiation of septic arthritis from gout and chondrocalcinosis may be difficult. Nevertheless, early revision of the hip has to be performed to avoid joint destruction. Open revision is the therapy of choice in the majority of cases.

Comparative biomechanical analysis of two techniques of radiolunate fusion: Shapiro staples vs. plate and oblique screw

The purpose of this prospective randomized comparative biomechanical study on six pairs of human cadaveric forearms was to study the mechanism of implant loosening and loss of lunate positioning and to discern whether primary stability following staple arthrodesis differs from plate fixation. Six wrists were randomly assigned to either group such that one wrist of each pair was fixed via titanium staples and the other via a mini-titanium plate with oblique screw. Under fluoroscopic guidance, passive extension and flexion of each wrist was performed using a spring balance. Traction force increased by 5 N at each step, ranging from 0 N to a maximum of 100 N. Fixation using a plate and oblique screw demonstrated greater flexibility than staple fixation. Loosening of the implant and/or the lunate occurred earlier following staple fixation in all pairs. Osteolytic rims around the staple limbs within the lunate occurred in all wrists. These were observed to be an early sign of implant loosening and fusion failure. The current investigators conclude that radiolunate fusion via miniplate and oblique screw is superior to staple fixation in terms of primary stability which is consistent with the radiological results of comparable clinical trails.

Establishing an optimal trajectory for calcaneotibial K-wire fixation in emergent treatment of unstable ankle fractures.

OBJECTIVE In unstable ankle fractures the associated soft tissue damage can be a therapeutic challenge. The aim of this study was to optimize planning of minimally invasive stabilization of ankle fractures by calcaneotibial transfixation, which is a demanding technique due to the complex hind foot anatomy. METHODS In a retrospective radiographic analysis the angles and dimensions of a safe drill tunnel for calcaneotibial K-wire insertion were defined on standard radiographs of the ankle joint. 165 lateral weight-bearing radiographs (77 right; 88 left) and 147 (80 right; 67 left) mortise views of 186 (90 right; 96 left) uninjured feet from 123 patients (74 women (114 feet); 49 men (72 feet)) were included in this study. The average patient age was 49 (range, 13-85) years. Inter- and intra-observer reliability was evaluated on 20 randomized radiographs that were analyzed in a default set, three times, by two different examiners on three different days. RESULTS In the lateral view the drilling tunnel was orientated at 59.4° to the plantar plane with a maximum proximal variance of 7.1 image-mm. Distal variance cannot be tolerated since an ankle joint injury would ensue. In the mortise view the drill tunnel was directed with a mean angle of 18.4° to the distal tibial articular surface. At most a mean of 11° fibular- and 13.4° tibial- expansion can be tolerated. Intra- and inter-observer reliability was higher for the angles than for the drill corridors. CONCLUSION The three-dimensional (3D) orientation for safe K-wire placement for calcaneotibial transfixation should adhere to the drill tunnels established in this study.

Comparative biomechanical analysis of two techniques of radiolunate plate-fusion: Oblique screw vs. parallel screws

The purpose of this prospective randomized comparative biomechanical study on four pairs of human cadaveric forearms was to discern whether primary stability following plate arthrodesis differs from the position of the screws. Four wrists were randomly assigned to either group such that one wrist of each pair was fixed via parallel screws and the other via an oblique screw crossing the radius and the lunate. Under fluoroscopic guidance, passive extension and flexion of each wrist was performed using a spring balance. Traction force increased by 5 N at each step, ranging from 0 N to a maximum of 100 N. Fixation using a plate and oblique screw demonstrated lower recoverable deformation of the implant and a higher primary stability at the fusion site than parallel screws. The current investigators conclude that an oblique screw crossing radius and lunate increase primary stability which is consistent with the radiological results of comparable clinical trails.