Pilon fractures present a unique challenge to the patient and orthopaedic surgeon. Care for the soft tissue envelope is as important as management of this articular fracture. Assessment of the degree of energy causing the fracture and careful planning of the joint reconstruction will lead to acceptable results in most cases.

Forty-five patients (AO-ASIF classification) treated between 2003 and 2008 were examined clinically and radiologically at an average of 24 months after injury. The patients were treated in three different ways: primary internal fixation with a plate following, which was reserved for patients with closed fractures without severe soft tissue trauma; one-stage minimally invasive osteosynthesis for reconstruction of the articular surface with long-term transarticular external fixation of the ankle for at least eight weeks and hybrid external fixation. Objective evaluation criteria were infection rate, pseudarthrosis, amount of posttraumatic arthritis, range of ankle movement.

In 65% of all pilon tibial fractures we observed an uncomplicated course of healing. Early complications were mainly soft tissue infections, whereas we found pseudarthrosis to be the most frequent late complication.

The complication rate depends mainly on the type of fracture, the soft tissue damage and the type of treatment. In the case of low-grade soft tissue damage, good to excellent results were accomplished. In the case of higher-grade soft tissue damage, the problem of soft tissue coverage and reconstruction of the joint surface could be solved with good results by the hybrid external fixation. Herewith it is important to use limited open reduction of displaced fragments and fixation by cannulated screws and K-wires

The treatment of the displaced proximal humerus-fracture with solid osteosynthesis is complicating by coexistence of osteoporosis and simultaneous degenerative changes of the rotator cuff. These specific problems, as well as the usage of primary endoprosthetic replacement should be reduced through the introduction of locking-screw-plate-systems.

From April 2006 to March 2008, 70 patients received the clinical application of a newly developed locking-screw-plate (Winsta PH) in a prospective study. 48 of 70 patients were subjected to re-examination after averagely 15 months (1–3 years), 34 women and 14 men. The average age was 68.7 years. The classification of the fractures occurred after Neer. Concerned are 12 two-fragment, 21 three-fragment and 15 four-fragment fractures. The functional result after surgery was rated according to the Constant- and Dash-Score.

The average absolute Constant-Score was 63% and the Dash-score 18.3. Patients with accurate anatomical reduction achieved a significantly better score. Secondary loss of correction occurred in 3 patients with collapse of the humeral-head and perforation of the screws. An early metal removal combined with subacromial decompression took place in 3 patients, because of post-traumatic impingement. In a Neer VI-fracture-case, an early revision to hemiarthroplasty occurred due to a postoperative dislocation. One postop-wound discharge was surgically debrided.

Modern locking-screw systems like Winsta-PH plate allow a safe treatment of complex fractures of the proximal humerus, diminishing the need for primary endoprosthetic replacement significantly. Anatomic reduction is essential for the locking screw plate system to form the pillar for a successful outcome.

Autogenous iliac bone grafts has been proved to be the most reliable mean to achieve a solid fusion in spine surgery. The purpose of our study is to evaluate that healing process of the ilium after been used as donor site of bone grafts in the treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

Eighteen patients underwent posterior spinal fusion for progressive adolescent idiopathic scoliosis between 1989 and 1993. Thirteen patients were female and five were male with a mean age at the time of operation of 14.6 years (12–33). The same surgeon performed all procedures with nearly identical technique using the Hart-shill frame as stabilizing instrumentation. The average of the number of levels involved in spinal fusions was 10.3 levels. In all cases the autogenous bone graft used was harvested from the right posterior iliac crest.

All patients were reviewed at least fourteen years after surgery. CT scans were performed in all 18 patients in order to evaluate the status of ossification at the donor site.

CT scans of the ilium showed that bone deficit was present in 9 cases (50%) and in 9 cases (50%) it was found that both cortical and cancellous bone was fully restored. Using the T-student test we found that bone reformation was independent from the number of levels fused and the amount that was harvested. Our important result is that younger patients with smaller Risser’s line have greater capability to restore bone stock at this area.

In conclusion ICBG remains the most effective mean to achieve fusion in spinal surgery. The iliac wing and especially the periosteum of immature patients (Risser 3,4) seem to have great capabilities to regenerate the bone defects

The SRS-22 is a valid instrument for the assessment of the health related quality of life of patients with Idiopathic scoliosis. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the reliability and validity of the adapted Greek version of the refined Scoliosis Research Society-22 Questionnaire.

Following the steps of cross – cultural the adapted Greek version of the SRS-22 questionnaire and a validated Greek version of the SF-36 questionnaire were mailed to 68 patients treated surgically for Idiopathic Scoliosis with a mean age at the time of operation 16.2 years and a mean age at the time of evaluation 21.2 years respectively. A 2nd set of questionnaires was mailed in 30 patients within 30 days from the 1st set. Reliability assessment was determined by estimating Cronbach’s a and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) respectively. Concurrent validity was evaluated by comparing SRS-22 domains with relevant domains in the SF-36 questionnaire using Pearson’s Correlation Coefficient (r).

The calculated Cronbach’s a of internal consistency for three of the corresponding domains (pain 0.85; mental health 0.87; self image 0.83) were very satisfactory and for two domains (function/activity 0.72 and satisfaction 0.67) were good. The ICC of all domains of SRS-22 questionnaire was high (ICC> 0.70). Considering concurrent validity all correlations demonstrated high correlation coefficient.

The adapted Greek version of the SRS-22 questionnaire is valid and reliable and can be used for the assessment of the outcome of the treatment of the Greek speaking patients with idiopathic scoliosis

Purpose: Purpose of that paper is the presentation of our experience and the evaluation of the results we had, using our method in the treatment of acute raptures of the Achilles tendon.

Methods-materials: A total of 27 patients (26m-1f) were treated in our clinic during the years 1996–2002. There was an age width from 21 to 67 y.o. with an average of 36, 8 years. 70.3% of the cases concerned patients in their 3rd decade of life and 92.2% of the cases involved injuries after participation in acceleration – deceleration pattern sports. All but one (he asked for treatment after a week), underwent an operation within 48 hours. The restoration of tendon’s continuity was achieved with a modified Kessler end to end suture, with plantaris use (24 cases) for repair covering as it was described by Lynn, gastrocnemius fascia use (2 cases), and tendon’s sheath use (1 case). Cordell 1,5mm and Vicryl sutures were used for tendon’s repair. In 4 cases an ABC medium suture and in 1 case a synthetic graft LARS were used. In all cases we applied immobilization with the use of a full length cast from upper thigh to metatarsal necks with the foot in gravity equinus for 3 weeks and then an additional 3 weeks immobilization in a shorter (bellow the knee) cast with the foot gradually brought to the plantigrade position. Physical therapy for 2 weeks followed the immobilization. The average follow up was 3.75 years.

Results: In the majority of the cases the postoperative period was untroubled. Two complications were noted: a case of skin necrosis which necessitate the intervention of plastic surgeons for reconstruction and a case in which the sutures came out through the incision but with preservation of an excellent functional outcome. Subjectively, 87% of the patients were very satisfied, while objectively and after a clinical examination and strength – motion tests this ratio was found higher. The return in their previous activities was clearly influenced by a phobic feeling towards the possibility of a rerapture and not at all by our intervention’s efficiency.

Conclusions: Based on very good results we had using Lynn’s technique for the surgical treatment of acute raptures of the Achilles tendon, in combination with the postoperative rehabilitation program we use, we concluded that this method ensures a curing approach of that injuries in a very efficient and effective way.