We reviewed 13 patients with a complex fracture-dislocation of the proximal interphalangeal joint of a finger and one patient with a complex fracture-dislocation of the interphalangeal joint of thumb. We had treated these injuries using a pins and rubbers traction system which had been modified to avoid friction of the pins against the bone during mobilisation of the joint in order to minimise the risk of osteolysis. A Michigan hand outcome questionnaire was used for subjective assessment. The active range of movement (AROM) of the proximal and distal interphalangeal joints and the grip strength were used for objective assessment. The mean follow-up was 34 months (12 to 49). The mean normalised Michigan hand outcome score was 84. The mean AROM of the proximal interphalangeal joint was 85° and that of the distal interphalangeal joint 48°. The mean grip strength was 92% of the uninvolved hand. Twelve patients have returned to their original occupations. There has been no radiological osteolysis or clinical osteomyelitis. This modified traction system has given acceptable results with a low rate of complications. It is light, cheap, effective and easy to apply

We have tested the hypothesis that the meniscofemoral ligaments make a significant contribution to resisting anteroposterior and rotatory laxity of the posterior-cruciate-ligament-deficient knee. Eight cadaver human knees were tested for anteroposterior and rotatory laxity in a materials-testing machine. The posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) was then divided, followed by division of the meniscofemoral ligaments (MFLs). Laxity results were obtained for intact, PCL-deficient, and PCL-MFL-deficient knees. Division of the MFLs in the PCL-deficient knee increased posterior laxity between 15° and 90° of flexion. Force-displacement measurements showed that the MFLs contributed 28% to the total force resisting posterior drawer at 90° of flexion in the intact knee, and 70.1% in the PCL-deficient knee. There was no effect on rotatory laxity. This is the first study which shows a function for the MFLs as secondary restraints to posterior tibial translation. The integrity of these structures should be assessed during both imaging and arthroscopic studies of PCL-injured knees since this may affect the diagnosis and management of such injuries

Aims

Open wedge high tibial osteotomy (OWHTO) for medial-compartment osteoarthritis of the knee can be complicated by intra-operative lateral hinge fracture (LHF). We aimed to establish the relationship between hinge position and fracture types, and suggest an appropriate hinge position to reduce the risk of this complication.

Objectives

The goal of this study is to investigate the relation between indicators of osteoporosis (i.e., bone mineral density (BMD), and Cortical Index (CI)) and the complexity of a fracture of the proximal humerus as a result of a low-energy trauma.

The treatment of fractures of the neck of the radius in children is difficult, particularly if the angulation of the fracture exceeds 60°. Since 1994 we have used closed reduction and stabilisation with an intramedullary Kirschner wire in patients with grade-IV fractures according to the classification of Judet et al. In a retrospective analysis of a two-year period (1994 to 1996), 324 children with fractures of the elbow were treated in our department. Of these, 29 (9%) had a fracture of the neck of the radius; six were grade-IV injuries (1.9%). Five of the latter had an excellent postoperative result with normal movement of the elbow and forearm. One patient with a poor result had a concomitant dislocation of the elbow. Our results suggest that closed reduction and intramedullary pinning of grade-IV fractures allows adequate stabilisation while healing occurs

We reviewed 13 cases of osteochondritis dissecans of the patella followed-up for 18 months to 19 years. Two were treated conservatively with excellent results, and 11 by operation with six excellent, four good and one fair result. There was complete radiographic healing of the defect in 10 cases and partial healing in three. The size of the osteochondritic lesion appeared to be of prognostic significance. Osteochondritis dissecans of the patella is the result of repeated minor injuries to the articular surface. Operation is indicated for persistent pain, intra-articular loose bodies and subchondral sclerosis; excision of the fragment and curettage of the crater, with or without drilling, is recommended

Thirteen patients with ruptures of the calcaneal tendon diagnosed more than four weeks after injury were reviewed. Eleven patients had operative reconstruction with tendon shortening and the postoperative follow-up ranged from one to seven years. Isometric and isokinetic measurements, as well as the strength of the triceps surae, all compared favourably with the normal contralateral leg. Only one tendon re-ruptured. Eight of the eleven patients were satisfied with the results and the two patients who had refused reconstruction had worse functional results. Late reconstruction of a ruptured calcaneal tendon is thus a worthwhile procedure

This paper reports a prospective study of 72 consecutive patients with fractures or fracture-dislocations of the upper end of the humerus, treated during 1981. Most were elderly and treatment was conservative. Of the 72 patients 64 were followed up for a period of six months. Observations were made on the type of fracture, the speed and pattern of recovery of shoulder movements, on the time of commencement of physiotherapy, and on its duration. We found that with conservative treatment alone, 94% of our patients had good or satisfactory results at six months from injury. The criteria for manipulation are discussed and the literature is reviewed

Splitting fractures of the humeral head are rare; part of the humeral head dislocates and the unfractured part remains attached to the shaft. We report eight cases in young patients. In five the diagnosis was made at presentation: three had minimal internal fixation using a superior subacromial approach, one had a closed reduction and one a primary prosthetic replacement. All five patients regained excellent function with no avascular necrosis at two years. In three the injury was initially unrecognised; two developed a painless bony ankylosis and one is awaiting hemiarthroplasty. It is important to obtain the three trauma radiographic views to diagnose these unusual fractures reliably. CT delineates the configuration of the fracture. In young patients open reduction and internal fixation seems preferable to replacement of the humeral head, since we have shown that the head is potentially viable

The pattern of fracture-dislocation of the upper part of the sacrum is demonstrated in three patients. The fracture line followed the segmental form of the sacrum and was usually caused by a posterior force against the pelvis which had been locked by hip flexion and knee extension. Fractures of the lumbar transverse processes also occurred, presumably from avulsion by the quadratus lumborum muscle. The damage to the sacral plexus found in all three cases recovered after several months. Radiographs of the injury are difficult to obtain in severely injured patients but oblique views of the sacrum help to determine the extent of the forward dislocation

1. Strain or rupture of the anterior marginal attachments of the meniscus was observed in approximately 10 per cent of a group of patients operated upon for internal derangement. 2. In about half of these a tear of the body of the meniscus was found and it is probable that this tear may have been the cause of the symptoms. In the remainder no injury to the body of the meniscus was found. 3. Recognition may be difficult and delay in diagnosis may be the cause of degenerative joint changes. 4. The condition should be looked for at operation when the meniscus appears to be intact or when the only lesion appears to be an area of chondromalacia on the weight-bearing surface of the femoral condyle

1. The results in 211 fractures of the shaft of the femur in adults treated by internal fixation have been reviewed. 2. A comparison has been made between the effects of early internal fixation within the first six days of injury and delayed fixation. 3. Eighty-five fractures treated by early fixation gave a rate of non-union of 23 per cent; in 126 fractures treated by delayed fixation the rate was 0·8 per cent. 4. Delayed operation is therefore advocated for the majority of femoral shaft fractures for which internal fixation is indicated

1. The success of any method of treating the injured hand is to be measured by the use that is made of the remnant. 2. Careful, prompt surgical treatment of the wound will usually allow prompt healing. 3. Skin-grafts, internal fixation of fractures and the eking out and rearrangement of tissues that have escaped injury have an important place in primary treatment. 4. Many hands so treated are ready for use after one operation and within a few weeks of being injured. 5. Reconstruction in several stages should not be carried out unless it offers a reasonable prospect of improvement that will be useful to the particular patient

1. Twenty-seven patients with a Brown-Séquard syndrome resulting from trauma have been studied, fourteen of the left side of the cord and thirteen of the right. There were sixteen gunshot wounds and eleven closed injuries. 2. The prognosis for recovery is much better than the initial catastrophic nature of the symptoms and signs would indicate. 3. The pattern of recovery is discussed in detail and the long and rather tedious course of the treatment is indicated. 4. Spasticity on the side worse affected still presents a difficult problem, but a less severe one than that presented by flaccid paralysis

1. A case is reported of traumatic dislocation of the shoulder joint complicated by rupture of the axillary artery and vein and complete brachial plexus palsy. Whether the rupture occurred at the time of injury or during reduction is not known. 2. Despite a delay of five weeks before operative treatment was undertaken the usefulness of the arm was preserved. 3. After rupture of the axillary artery at this level an adequate collateral circulation is rapidly established in a healthy young adult. 4. The case illustrates the importance of careful examination of the peripheral nervous and vascular systems before and after reduction of a dislocated shoulder

Posterior dislocation of the shoulder is an unusual injury and there is often much delay before the diagnosis is made. Nevertheless, if the condition is borne in mind when examining the patient and studying the X-ray films the diagnosis should not be missed. A single antero-posterior radiograph of the shoulder joint is inadequate. For the radiologist a pair of stereoscopic films is desirable; but for routine emergency work in hospital other projections are necessary. A vertical view should be taken, either with the limb abducted and the tube in the axilla, or with the tube above the shoulder and a curved cassette in the axilla. When this is impossible a profile or posterior oblique view of the scapula may be substituted

In children with obstetric brachial plexus palsy (OBPP) who develop an internal rotation deformity of the shoulder, release of subscapularis improves the range of external rotation of the shoulder and the strength of supination of the forearm. We studied the strength of supination in 35 healthy adult volunteers at 45° of both internal and external rotation. The mean and maximum torques were greater in external than internal rotation by 8.7% and 7.5%, respectively. This was highly significant (p < 0.0001). The increased strength of supination in external rotation is probably because the maximum power of biceps, particularly the long head, may be exerted in this position. In children the difference may be even greater due to anatomical differences causing the dramatic increases in the strength of supination after surgery for OBPP. In adults our findings suggest that the supination exercises which are undertaken after injury or surgery to the forearm or wrist should be performed in external rotation

An experimental model was established to investigate the possibility of repairing cervical nerve roots damaged above the dorsal root ganglion, as occurs in traction injuries of the brachial plexus. In four sheep the C6 root was divided and repaired within the dura using freeze-thawed muscle grafts. Recovery was assessed after eight months by electrophysiology and histology. Action potentials were recorded distal to the grafts in all four sheep, indicating regeneration of motor fibres. Histological examination showed regenerated fibres in the ventral roots below the grafts in all cases. These fibres could be traced distally to the brachial plexus. There was no evidence of recovery of dorsal roots

We reviewed 19 children who had undergone a new modification of the L'Episcopo procedure for obstetric brachial plexus palsy. Through an axillary approach the latissimus dorsi tendon was re-routed anteriorly to the humerus and then anastomosed to the teres major tendon routed posteriorly. At an average follow-up of four years two months, the mean increase in shoulder abduction was 26 degrees and the mean increase in external rotation was 29 degrees. No neurovascular injury or postoperative infection occurred. Two patients had complications, and five did not gain from the procedure. The modified operation was relatively easier to perform and provided excellent cosmesis

There is evidence to suggest that fractures heal more rapidly in patients with a head injury as a result of systemic factors released from the site of this injury. We have measured the circulating level of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and IGF binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) in serum because of their known involvement in the stimulation of the activity of osteoblasts and the healing of fractures. The serum level of IGF-1 was significantly lower in patients with both head injury and fracture and fracture only compared with that in healthy volunteers (p < 0.01 and p < 0.02, respectively). The level of IGFBP-3 was also significantly lower in patients with both head injury and fracture (p < 0.01). Our findings showed, however, that the level of IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 varied from week to week in both the patients and healthy control subjects. These results indicate that the levels of circulating IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 are unlikely to be responsible for the altered healing of fractures seen in conjunction with head injury