The results of immediate plate fixation of 97 open fractures of the tibial shaft in 95 patients are reported. Significant joint stiffness occurred in 11.4% and angular malunion of greater than 5 degrees in any plane was seen in 3.1%. The infection rate was 10.3%. However, even in those cases which develop delayed union or other complications, plate fixation of open fractures can produce excellent recovery of limb function

We have reviewed the results of treating 75 fractures of the proximal femoral shaft in the presence of a cemented femoral prosthesis. A simple radiographic classification into four types is proposed, and suggestions are made on the appropriate management of each. Comminuted fractures around the implant need early revision, whilst spiral fractures in this region may be treated conservatively or by operation. Transverse fractures at the level of the tip of the prosthesis are difficult to manage, and may require open reduction and internal fixation

The development of genu valgum in a child after a fracture of the upper metaphysis of the tibia with a medial gap is due to the interposition of a flap of fibrous tissue consisting of pes anserinus and periosteum avulsed from the lower fragment. The ensuing biomechanical disturbance induces bowing of the shaft and asymmetrical growth at both ends of the bone. Four cases of established deformity are reported, together with two cases of fresh fracture successfully treated by surgical clearance of the fibrous tissue from the gap

Aims

We analyzed the long-term outcomes of patients observed over ten years after resection en bloc and reconstruction with extracorporeal irradiated autografts

We report the operative technique and results of a new method of central grafting for persistent nonunion of the tibial shaft. The operation is performed through a lateral approach, anterior to the fibula. Fresh autogenous bone from the iliac crest is used to form a central bridge between the tibia and fibula above, below and at the level of the nonunion. In 48 tibiae, most with long-standing nonunion and some with infection or bone defects, sound healing was obtained in 45 after one operation. Only one failure needed amputation

1. Fifteen cases of bone transplantation for fibrous union of fractures of long bones are described, using boiled minced cancellous bone from cadavers. One transplant became infected but the infection responded to treatment. 2. In one patient with non-union of the shaft of the humerus, bony union was not obtained, but a good functional result obviated further treatment. 3. It is suggested that this relatively simple method of bone transplantation could be used more widely if its potentialities were appreciated more fully

1. The findings in this series of fractures of the shaft of the femur treated by intramedullary nailing confirm the observation of Smith (1959) that the incidence of non-union is significantly diminished when operative intervention is postponed more than one week from the time of the injury. 2. The series is too small to afford conclusive proof, and it offers no explanation of the opposite findings of Smith and Sage (1957), but it indicates that this very important aspect of the operative treatment of fractures ought to be submitted to thorough investigation by many more observers

1. Congenital coxa vara and infantile coxa vara must be separated as distinct entities. 2. Infantile coxa vara is likely to be due to distal movement of the head fragment relative to the shaft and neck. This can result either from severe trauma in normal bone or from shearing stress on an abnormal femoral neck. 3. There is no justification for considering infantile coxa vara as congenital, developmental or due to interruption of ossification. The nature of the pathological lesion at the epiphysial line in some children is unknown

1. Linear fractures of the shaft of the long bones are divided into four basic types: 1) transverse; 2) oblique transverse; 3) spiral; and 4) oblique. 2. The mode of production of these fractures is deduced on the grounds of simple mechanical theory: 1) transverse fractures are a result of angulation; 2) oblique transyerse are the result of angulation with axial loading; 3) spiral fractures are the result of axial twists with or without axial loading; 4) oblique fractures are the result of angulation and axial twisting in the presence of axial loading

1. Nineteen patients with congenital shortening of the femur without associated coxa vara have been examined and discussed. 2. The diagnosis is made on finding a short, bulky thigh, held in lateral rotation. The radiographs commonly show no abnormality apart from shortening, but delay in ossification of the head of the femur, with lateral bowing and cortical sclerosis of the shaft, are occasionally present. The overall shortening of the limb seldom exceeds three inches. 3. The place of various surgical procedures to control limb length is briefly discussed

Aims

Carpal malalignment after a distal radial fracture occurs due to loss of volar tilt. Several studies have shown that this has an adverse influence on function. We aimed to investigate the magnitude of dorsal tilt that leads to carpal malalignment, whether reduction of dorsal tilt will correct carpal malalignment, and which measure of carpal malalignment is the most useful.

Seventeen femoral fractures occurred in 1,751 operations for total hip replacement. They usually occurred during dislocation of the hip, reaming of the shaft, or insertion of the femoral component, and were common in second operations. The short oblique fracture can be controlled by use of the standard implant, and the long oblique fracture by internal fixation. Fractures well below the implant should probably be treated by continous traction. The eventual results were adequate in all cases. The liability to fracture can be reduced by taking special care during operation in particulary susceptible cases

Aims

To identify a suite of the key physical, emotional, and social outcomes to be employed in clinical practice and research concerning Perthes' disease in children.

Between 1993 and 2000 we treated 14 patients with nonunion of fractures of the distal humerus; 11 had already had previous fixation which had failed. The mean time to surgery was 21 months after injury. All the fractures were very low which made it difficult to obtain a firm hold of the small distal fragment. The problem of fixation was addressed by inserting a Coventry infant hip screw into the humeral condyles. The screw has a thread of wide diameter which gives excellent purchase on the small distal fragment. The condyles can then be compressed on to the humeral shaft using a 4.5 mm narrow tibial dynamic plate. Of these 14 difficult cases of nonunion, 12 progressed to union

Aims

The aim of the current study was to assess the reliability of the Ottawa classification for symptomatic acetabular dysplasia.

Ten patients with multiple non-ossifying fibromata are reported. All had associated extraskeletal congenital anomalies such as cafe-au-lait spots, mental retardation, hypogonadism or cryptorchidism, ocular anomalies or cardiovascular malformations. The radiographic picture and the distribution of the skeletal lesions are characteristic and constant. There are lucent areas in the shaft with a sclerotic margin; these areas narrow the medullary canal or may completely fill it. It is suggested that these features characterise a new malformation syndrome, possibly allied to neurofibromatosis. After skeletal maturation is complete, the skeletal lesions may (like non-ossifying fibromata) regress and undergo spontaneous healing

A prospective study on 227 patients undergoing arthroplasty of the hip was carried out with reference to the effects on the cardiovascular and respiratory systems. Investigations revealed that the placing of acrylic bone cement and the prosthesis in the femoral shaft produced clinical and biochemical disturbances which were consistent with pulmonary microembolism. A fall in arterial oxygen tension during the procedure and hypoxaemia extending into the postoperative period with elevation of serum lipase and a fall in triglycerides supported the idea that embolisation with marrow fat occurred. The method of venting (by catheter or proximal hole) did not influence the biochemical disturbances. The implications of these findings are discussed

1. The results of internal fixation are described in 470 tibial shaft fractures. 2. The immediate internal fixation of compound fractures was followed by so high an incidence of serious complications that the use of this method is not recommended. The immediate internal fixation of fresh closed fractures was also followed by many complications. 3. Delayed rigid internal fixation proved satisfactory for difficult fractures in which an acceptable reduction could not be obtained by closed means ; skeletal traction was of value in such fractures until the skin was soundly healed. 4. Delayed internal fixation reduced both the healing time and the complications