Fractures of the distal forearm are widely regarded as the result of “fragility”. We have examined the extent to which patients with Colles’ fractures have osteopenia. We measured the bone mineral density (BMD) in the contralateral radius of 235 women presenting with Colles’ fractures over a period of two years. While women of all ages had low values for ultra-distal BMD, the values, in age-matched terms, were particularly low among premenopausal women aged less than 45 years. This result was not due to the presence of women with an early menopause. This large survey confirms and extends the findings from earlier small studies. We consider that it is particularly important to investigate young patients with fractures of the distal forearm to identify those with osteoporosis, to seek an underlying cause and to consider treatment

After brachial plexus injuries, and other forms of paralysis of the upper limb, even when residual paralysis is very grave indeed, and even when the limb is almost flail—a forearm which can project forwards by the construction of a bone-block behind the elbow, with arthrodesis of the shoulder when necessary; a hand with fingers in the form of a claw and a thumb which opposes them; and a wrist which may perhaps be arthrodesed, but which still better can flex or extend when the forearm is pronated or supinated; together with the wise use of such muscles as are likely to gain function; may enable a patient to do very much more than he can with an artificial limb

A 48-year old man presented with back pain that was resistant to treatment. An MR scan showed spondylolisthesis at L4-5 and narrowing of the exit foraminae. He had a posterior fusion which did not relieve his symptoms. He continued to have back pain and developed subcutaneous nodules in both forearms. Biopsy from the skin revealed cutaneous sarcoidosis, and one from the lumbar spine showed sarcoidosis granuloma between the bone trabeculae. A CT scan of the abdomen and chest revealed axillary lymphadenopathy, mediastinal enlarged nodes, apical nodular nodes and splenomegaly. The patient was started on large doses of methotrexate and steroids. His angiotensin-converting enzyme and calcium levels returned to normal and the back pain resolved

1. Open osteotomy near the tuberosity of the radius to enable correction of fixed supination deformity of the forearm in children is an alternative to Blount's closed osteoclasis of both bones. 2. In five out of six cases with residual obstetrical palsy substantial correction of the deformity was maintained. 3. The cosmetic result was impressive, especially in girls, but an improved function was also observed. If the hand is paralysed, correction of supination facilitates reconstruction. 4. Complications such as angulation, displacement, delayed union and synostosis of the proximal radius and ulna did not affect the final results. 5. With the method described a more or less permanent "blocking" of rotatory movement in the forearm was observed but this did not seem to impair the functional result

1. Three cases of localised deposition of calcium salts deep to the origin of the common extensors of the forearm with acute symptoms clinically indistinguishable from "tennis elbow" are described. 2. Reports of nine similar cases have been found in the literature. 3. It is suggested that "tennis elbow" is caused by a lesion, probably an adventitial bursa, in the tissue space between the tendon of origin of the forearm extensors and the capsule of the radio-humeral joint; and that it is the sudden precipitation of calcium phosphate at this site which causes the lesion here described. 4. Acute calcification near the elbow joint is compared with the similar calcification which may occur in the insertion of the supraspinatus tendon. 5. Operative treatment is advised

Upper limb amputations, ranging from transhumeral to partial hand, can be devastating for patients, their families, and society. Modern paradigm shifts have focused on reconstructive options after upper extremity limb loss, rather than considering the amputation an ablative procedure. Surgical advancements such as targeted muscle reinnervation and regenerative peripheral nerve interface, in combination with technological development of modern prosthetics, have expanded options for patients after amputation. In the near future, advances such as osseointegration, implantable myoelectric sensors, and implantable nerve cuffs may become more widely used and may expand the options for prosthetic integration, myoelectric signal detection, and restoration of sensation. This review summarizes the current advancements in surgical techniques and prosthetics for upper limb amputees.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2021;103-B(3):430–439.

Aims

Fungal periprosthetic joint infections (fPJIs) are rare complications, constituting only 1% of all PJIs. Neither a uniform definition for fPJI has been established, nor a standardized treatment regimen. Compared to bacterial PJI, there is little evidence for fPJI in the literature with divergent results. Hence, we implemented a novel treatment algorithm based on three-stage revision arthroplasty, with local and systemic antifungal therapy to optimize treatment for fPJI.

1 . In the common type of Volkmann's ischaemic contracture affecting the forearm flexors, the infarct takes the form of an ellipsoid with its axis in the line of the anterior interosseous artery and with its central point a little above the middle of the forearm. The greatest damage is at the centre and usually falls most heavily on flexor digitorum profundus and flexor pollicis longus, which are often necrotic. Those muscles more superficially placed, and sometimes the deep extensors, are more likely to exhibit fibrosis. 2. The median nerve runs near the centre of the ellipsoid and may exhibit profound ischaemia. The ulnar nerve, lying at the edge of the ischaemic zone, tends to be less severely affected. 3. The treatment for this condition is excision of all tissues irreparably damaged by ischaemia. If this operation is performed within twelve months from the time of injury, correction of the contracture should be almost complete. The tendons of shortened but active muscles are lengthened or transplanted. 4. After such excision it is possible to carry out reconstructive procedures commonly used in the surgery of lower motor neurone disorders and of trauma. A wide variety of tendon transplantations is available. The median nerve may be repaired either by a free graft or, in cases where both nerves have been extensively damaged by ischaemia, by an ulnar to median nerve-pedicle graft

Aims

It has been hypothesized that proximal radial neck resorption (PRNR) following press-fit radial head arthroplasty (RHA) is due to stress-shielding. We compared two different press-fit stems by means of radiographs to investigate whether the shape and size of the stems are correlated with the degree of PRNR.

Aims

Orthopaedic surgeries are complex, frequently performed procedures associated with significant haemorrhage and perioperative blood transfusion. Given refinements in surgical techniques and changes to transfusion practices, we aim to describe contemporary transfusion practices in orthopaedic surgery in order to inform perioperative planning and blood banking requirements.

We describe the results of treatment of open fractures of the humerus, radius and ulna in 61 children. Most were due to low-energy trauma and were rarely associated with head or other injuries; 72% were Gustilo type I, 15% type II and 13% type III. Fifteen children (25%) had open diaphyseal, supracondylar or T-shaped fractures of the humerus. Arterial injuries occurred in two (13%) and nerve injuries in 7 (47%). All nerve injuries recovered spontaneously. The long-term results in 13 children were excellent or good in 11 (85%) and fair in two (15%). Forty-six children (75%) had open forearm fractures. Arterial injuries occurred in one (2%), nerve injuries in five (11%) and a compartment syndrome in five (11%). Ruptured radial and ulnar arteries and median and ulnar nerves were repaired in one child. All other nerve injuries resolved spontaneously. Early compartment release in five children prevented Volkmann's ischaemic contracture. Normal union occurred in only 36 children (78%). Delayed union, nonunion, malunion and refracture frequently complicated type-II and type-III fractures of the shafts of the radius and ulna. The long-term results in 38 children were excellent or good in 33 (87%), fair in 4 (11%) and poor in one (2%). The short-term results for open fractures of the humerus were better than for open fractures of the forearm, but the long-term results were similar being excellent or good in 86% of the children

Aims

The aim of this study is to provide a detailed description of cases combining bridging patch repair with artificial ligament “internal brace” reinforcement to treat irreparable massive rotator cuff tears, and report the preliminary results.

Excision is not a suitable treatment for all comminuted fractures of the radial head. In elbows where instability can be predicted, a replacement arthroplasty of the radial head is more effective. The aim of this paper was to present the medium-term results of the Judet floating radial head prosthesis. This operation was performed on 14 patients between 1992 and 2003, of whom 12 were reviewed at a mean follow-up of five years and three months (1 to 12 years). The outcome was assessed using the Mayo elbow performance score and a modified Disability of Arm Shoulder Hand (DASH) questionnaire. There were six excellent results, four good, one fair and one poor, as graded by the Mayo score. The mean DASH score was 23.9/100 (0 to 65.8/100). The only significant complication occurred in one patient who developed a severe complex regional pain syndrome. There were no patients with secondary instability of the elbow, implant loosening, cubitus valgus, osteoporosis of the capitellum, or pain in the forearm and wrist. Our experience, combined with that of other authors using this device, has encouraged us to continue using the Judet prosthesis in comminuted fractures of the elbow where instability is a potential problem

Objectives

This review aims to summarize the outcomes used to describe effectiveness of treatments for paediatric wrist fractures within existing literature.