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ABSTRACT: The treatment of humeral shaft fractures ranges from conservative modalities to operative fixation, including plate osteosynthesis and intramedullary fixation. Nonunion is a complication of conservative and operative interventions but is more often associated with elastic nailing. This article discusses elucidates the successful outcomes achieved with flexible nailing of humeral shaft fractures.
Orthopedics 06/2012; 35(6):512-5. · 2.66 Impact Factor
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Lower Extremity Review. 04/2012;
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ABSTRACT: The tarsometatarsal joint complex is an osseous and capsuloligamentous network that includes the 5 metatarsals, their articulations with the cuneiforms and cuboid, and the Lisfranc ligament, a strong interosseous attachment between the medial cuneiform and second metatarsal. A multitude of injury patterns exist involving the tarsometatarsal joint complex; a Lisfranc injury does not delineate a specific injury, but instead a spectrum of processes involving the tarsometatarsal joint complex.
Orthopedics 11/2011; 34(11):882-7. · 2.66 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Lateral epicondylitis is a commonly made diagnosis for general practitioners and orthopedic surgeons. Corticosteroid injection is a mainstay of early treatment. However, conflicting evidence exists to support the use of steroid injection, and no evidence in the literature supports an injection technique. Nineteen patients diagnosed with acute lateral epicondylitis were evaluated to compare the peppered- and single-injection techniques using the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) score, visual analog score (VAS), and grip strength. For elbows with a single injection, mean grip strength increased from 22.9 to 27.8 (P=.053), mean VAS pain score decreased from 4.8 to 3.6 (P=.604), and mean DASH score decreased from 2.6 to 1.8 points (P=.026). For elbows with peppered injections, mean grip strength increased from 28.7 to 32.8 (P=.336), mean VAS pain scores decreased from 3.7 to 2.3 (P=.386), and mean DASH score decreased from 2.6 to 1.3 (P=.008).No studies have directly compared the peppered-injection technique to the single-injection technique. Our results suggest that patient outcome is improved with the single injection. The biomechanical or chemical reason for the distinction is yet unknown, but we postulate that the peppered technique may actually further damage the already compromised tendon. The theory that the peppered injection stimulates blood flow may be overestimated or false. Histochemical studies of the pathologic tissue must be performed to further delineate the reason for improved outcomes with the single-injection technique.
Orthopedics 11/2011; 34(11):e708-12. · 2.66 Impact Factor
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Orthopedics 06/2010; 33(6):417-21. · 2.66 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Necrotizing fasciitis is a rare but life-threatening soft-tissue infection characterized by rapidly spreading inflammation and subsequent necrosis of the fascial planes and surrounding tissue. Infection typically follows trauma, although the inciting insult may be as minor as a scrape or an insect bite. Often caused by toxin-producing, virulent bacteria such as group A streptococcus and associated with severe systemic toxicity, necrotizing fasciitis is rapidly fatal unless diagnosed promptly and treated aggressively. Necrotizing fasciitis is often initially misdiagnosed as a more benign soft-tissue infection. The single most important variable influencing mortality is time to surgical débridement. Thus, a high degree of clinical suspicion is necessary to avert potentially disastrous consequences. Orthopaedic surgeons are often the first to evaluate patients with necrotizing fasciitis and as such must be aware of the presentation and management of this disease. Timely diagnosis, broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy, and aggressive surgical débridement of affected tissue are keys to the treatment of this serious, often life-threatening infection.
The Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons 04/2009; 17(3):174-82. · 2.66 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Calcaneus fractures with severe comminution and soft tissue injury are prone to wound complications. These potentially devastating consequences remain a significant challenge in their treatment. Accordingly, a combined percutaneous and open procedure that allows for both restoration of the posterior facet and acceptable anatomic restoration of the calcaneal body should be considered. Such a technique would appear to allow for the minimization of major soft tissue complications.
Orthopedics 12/2008; 31(11):1112. · 2.66 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: : Because of its irreversible nature, Plavix (clopidogrel) has become a double edged sword in the care of some of our sickest patients, particularly when surgical intervention is required. Platelets exposed to a single dose of clopidogrel are affected for the remainder of their lifespan and recover normal platelet function at a rate consistent with platelet turnover, which is within 5 days to 7 days (1-3) with the generation of new platelets not influenced by the drug; however, delay of surgical fixation for orthopedic patients, particularly patients with hip fractures may lead to increased morbidity and mortality.
: A Web-based survey was created and administered to the program directors of academic orthopedic surgery programs.
: Seventy-three percent of orthopedic residency programs responded that waiting 3 days or less for urgent but nonemergent operative interventions on patients on clopidogrel is acceptable with 23% feeling that no delay at all is necessary. For emergent surgery, the vast majority of programs 66 (89%) reported no delay to the operating room for patients on clopidogrel.
: The majority of orthopedic surgery residency programs who responded to the survey wait less than 3 days for urgent surgery and do not delay surgery for emergency cases for patients on clopidogrel. At this point we feel that an early intervention that occurs within approximately 2 days, with the acceptance of the possibility of increased blood loss is in the patient's best interest. Based on the reviewed physiology, a perioperative platelet transfusion may be of some benefit as the transfused platelets would be effective in forming a viable plug.
The Journal of trauma 05/2008; 64(4):996-1000. · 2.48 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study was to determine the method of treatment for open fractures in pediatric patients that is used and taught at academic orthopedic residency programs. A web-based survey was constructed and emailed to program directors of orthopedic residencies. Seventy programs out of a total of 140 surveyed programs responded. Data were tabulated and charts created in an Excel spreadsheet. Type I fractures were treated by most with a cephalosporin alone (97%) for less than 48 h (87%). Type II were treated by most programs with a cephalosporin alone with no aminoglycoside (84%) for less than 48 h (80%). Type IIIa were treated by most programs with a cephalosporin and an aminoglycoside (50%) for less than 48 h (60%). Type IIIb were treated by most programs with a cephalosporin and aminoglycoside (54%) for less than 48 h (53%). Type IIIc were also treated by most with a cephalosporin and an aminoglycoside (53%) for less than 48 h (51%). Wounds were closed by most responders for type I (90%), type II (86%) and type IIIa (50%) but not type IIIb (10%), and type IIIc (16%). For the programs responding to the pediatric section of the survey over half (53%) reported using a trauma room and 58% reported allowing residents to irrigate and debride wounds in the emergency room. In conclusion, for pediatric patients most orthopedic residencies use a cephalosporin alone for type I and type II open fractures with an aminoglycoside added for type III fractures. Treatment is typically for 48 h or less. Delay of 6 h seems to be accepted for type I and type II fractures but not type III fractures.
Journal of pediatric orthopaedics. Part B / European Paediatric Orthopaedic Society, Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America 02/2008; 17(1):1-6. · 0.66 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study is to determine the methods of treatment for open fractures that are currently used by academic orthopaedic residency programs. A Web-based survey was constructed and e-mailed to program directors of orthopaedic residencies. Seventy-four programs out of a total of 140 (53%) surveyed programs responded. Data were tabulated and charts were created in an Excel spreadsheet. Type I fractures were treated by most with a cephalosporin alone (99%) for less than 48 hours (86%). Type II fractures were treated by most programs with a cephalosporin alone with no aminoglycoside (85%) for less than 48 hours (81%). Type IIIa fractures were treated by most programs with a cephalosporin and an aminoglycoside (55%) for less than 48 hours (54%). Type IIIb fractures were treated by most with a cephalosporin and aminoglycoside (55%) for less than 48 hours (54%). Type IIIc fractures were also treated by most with a cephalosporin and an aminoglycoside (57%) for less than 48 hours (49%). Wounds were closed by most responders for type I (88%), type II (86%), and type IIIa (57%), but not type IIIb (5%) and type IIIc (11%) fractures. Fifty-four percent of programs reported having trauma rooms and 58% of programs allow residents to irrigate and débride wounds in the emergency room. The study concluded that most orthopaedic residencies utilize a cephalosporin alone for types I and II open fractures with an aminoglycoside added for type III fractures. Antibiotic treatment is typically given for 48 hours or less. A delay of 6 hours is accepted for types I and II fractures but not type III fractures.
Journal of surgical orthopaedic advances 02/2007; 16(3):111-7.
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ABSTRACT: Newer-generation intramedullary nails that allow placement of distal locking screws near the end of the nail have helped extend the indications for nailing in different types of tibial fractures.
Orthopedics 07/2005; 28(6):571-2. · 2.66 Impact Factor
