1. Five cases of greenstick fracture of the upper end of the ulna with dislocation of the radio-humeral joint are described. 2. Although the direction of angulation of the fracture and the corresponding displacement of the upper end of the radius may be lateral, medial or anterior, it is suggested that all five cases form a group in which the mechanism of injury is essentially the same. This mechanism is considered to be a fall on the outstretched hand with the forearm held in supination. 3. The complications of the injury are described

Aims

Besides conventional radiographs, the use of MRI, CT, and bone scintigraphy is frequent in the diagnosis of a fracture of the scaphoid. However, which techniques give the best results remain unknown. The investigation of a new imaging technique initially requires an analysis of its precision. The primary aim of this study was to investigate the interobserver agreement of high-resolution peripheral quantitative CT (HR-pQCT) in the diagnosis of a scaphoid fracture. A secondary aim was to investigate the interobserver agreement for the presence of other fractures and for the classification of scaphoid fracture.

Aims

Patients with abnormal spinopelvic mobility are at increased risk for instability. Measuring the change in sacral slope (ΔSS) can help determine spinopelvic mobility preoperatively. Sacral slope (SS) should decrease at least 10° to demonstrate adequate posterior pelvic tilt. There is potential for different ΔSS measurements in the same patient based on sitting posture. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of sitting posture on the ΔSS in patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA).

We used single-photon absorptiometry to assess the forearm bones after the removal of internal fixation plates in 14 patients. We found convincing evidence of cortical atrophy in only one patient, in whom the plates had been removed prematurely after only 16 months. It is suggested that such plates should be retained for at least 21 months, to allow bone density to return to its prefracture level. The recommendations of the AO/ASIF group are supported

Lesions of the anterior interosseous nerve in the forearm are rare and often misdiagnosed as tendon injuries. A consecutive series of 13 patients with this condition referred for electrodiagnosis is reviewed. Only three had originally a correct clinical diagnosis and three were initially considered to have tendon ruptures. Five cases were of mechanical origin and seven due to ‘neuritis’. All showed electrophysiological abnormalities, most commonly involving the pronator quadratus. Late spontaneous recovery was common, and only one case had surgical exploration

Introduction

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a rapidly implemented restructuring of UK healthcare services. The The Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Stanmore, became a central hub for the provision of trauma services for North Central/East London (NCEL) while providing a musculoskeletal tumour service for the south of England, the Midlands, and Wales and an urgent spinal service for London. This study reviews our paediatric practice over this period in order to share our experience and lessons learned. Our hospital admission pathways are described and the safety of surgical and interventional radiological procedures performed under general anaesthesia (GA) with regards to COVID-19 in a paediatric population are evaluated.

The results of ten excision arthroplasties of the elbow for rheumatoid disease are described. The operation may afford good relief of pain and a useful increase both of hinge motion and of forearm rotation. Instability is not a serious problem unless the patient has to bear weight on crutches. To increase stability after arthroplasty it appears that Kirschner wire fixation is advisable as well as a plaster cast. For advanced rheumatoid disease unilateral excision arthroplasty has a definite value, especially for patients confined to a wheelchair

1. The posterior Monteggia fracture usually conforms to a typical pattern. 2. Its incidence is greatest among middle-aged women. 3. The mechanism of the injury is probably similar to that of the dislocated elbow. Excessive rotation of the forearm plays no part in its production. 4. Internal fixation of the ulna combined with excision of the whole radial head, or of its detached segment, is suggested as the treatment of choice. 5. The functional results after operation are excellent, but some slight permanent restriction of movement is to be expected

In a prospective, controlled study 58 patients aged under 60 years with Colles' fractures were treated either by a forearm plaster or by the application of an external fixator. In 94% of those treated by a fixator it was possible to insert the distal pins of the frame into the fracture fragment, the fixation obtained being sufficient to forgo additional splintage. The external fixator proved more effective at holding the manipulated position, and the radiological loss of position during fracture union was minimal compared with that seen in patients treated in plaster

Symptomatic impingement of the rotator cuff between the humeral head and the coracoid process has been studied and three varieties recognised: idiopathic, iatrogenic and traumatic. In all three the clinical findings consisted of pain in front of the shoulder, referred to the upper arm and forearm, and especially felt during forward flexion and medial rotation; the pain could be reproduced by medial rotation with the arm in 90 degrees of abduction, or by adduction with the shoulder flexed to 90 degrees. Patients were relieved of their symptoms by restoring adequate subcoracoid clearance

The tissue surrounding carbon fibre reinforced epoxy resin plates applied to forearm and tibial fractures was biopsied in 32 patients at the time the plates were removed. The reaction was minimal and was compared with that in a control group of 16 similar patients in whom stainless steel plates were used. No significant histological differences were found. A series of experiments on rats, in which the histology was studied from 2 to 78 weeks, also showed that there was very little reaction to carbon fibre reinforced plastic

Traumatic tenosynovitis of the wrist extensors is a common and disabling condition associated with overuse. It has been found to be associated with hypertrophy of the bellies of abductor pollicis longus and extensor pollicis brevis where they overlie the radial extensor tendons in the forearm, compressing these tendons and their enveloping paratenons against the deep structures beneath. Simple surgical decompression of the sheath of these overlying muscles has been found to give quick relief of symptoms and to allow a more rapid return to strenuous work than the conservative treatments usually employed

We compared the mechanical properties of carbon fibre composite bone plates with those of stainless steel and titanium. The composite plates have less stiffness with good fatigue properties. Tissue culture and small animal implantation confirmed the biocompatibility of the material. We also present a preliminary report on the use of the carbon fibre composite plates in 40 forearm fractures. All fractures united, 67% of them showing radiological remodelling within six months. There were no refractures or mechanical failures, but five fractures showed an unexpected reaction; this is discussed

Aims

We aimed to address the question on whether there is a place for shoulder stabilization surgery in patients who had voluntary posterior instability starting in childhood and adolescence, and later becoming involuntary and uncontrollable.

Aims

The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to evaluate differences in functional outcomes and complications between single- (SI) and double-incision (DI) techniques for the treatment of distal biceps tendon rupture.

Little has been published about the Krukenberg operation, which has been regarded as primarily indicated for the blind patient with bilateral hand amputations. Of the 35 Krukenberg cineplasty operations I have performed in the last 36 years, only two have been on blind patients. The operation provides forearm amputees with pincers which allow them to perform tasks without a prosthesis, but does not preclude the use of any type of aid. The author's operative procedure is described and the results illustrate its practical application for most patients

We performed a lateral approach for the release of post-traumatic stiffness of the elbow in 22 patients using a modified technique designed to spare the lateral ligaments. They were reviewed after a mean interval of 26 months. The total humeroulnar joint movement had increased from a mean of 74° to 129° and forearm rotation from a mean of 135° to 159°. Both pain and function in the elbow had improved significantly. This modified lateral approach allows release of post-traumatic contracture without disruption of the lateral collateral ligament or the origins of the extensor tendon at the lateral epicondyle of the humerus. The advantages include a simplified surgical procedure, less operative morbidity, and unrestricted rehabilitation

We dissected 21 cadaver elbows to determine the relationship of the posterior interosseous nerve to the posterolateral approach to the elbow and head of the radius. At the distal end of the exposure the first branches at risk, those to extensor carpi ulnaris, were on average 6.0 ± 1.0 cm (4.0 to 8.4) from the articular surface of the radial head. When using the posterolateral approach it is important that the interval between extensor carpi ulnaris and anconeus is clearly identified with the forearm fully pronated. The supinator should be released close to its ulnar border. It is safe to expose the proximal radius as far as the distal aspect of the bicipital tuberosity

Aims

The primary aim of this study was to describe patient satisfaction and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) following corrective osteotomy for a symptomatic malunion of the distal radius.