The Value of Intraoperative 3-Dimensional Fluoroscopy in the Treatment of Distal Radius Fractures: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

PURPOSE: This study attempted to determine the clinical effectiveness of the intraoperative use of 3-dimensional fluoroscopy compared with conventional 2-dimensional fluoroscopy in patients with distal radius fractures. METHODS: We performed a multicenter randomized clinical trial in which 206 patients were randomized between the use of 3-dimensional fluoroscopy or not during operative treatment of the distal radius fracture. The primary outcome was the quality of fracture reduction and fixation assessed on a postoperative computed tomography scan with a dichotomous outcome: indication for revision, yes or no. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in whether the fracture required revision surgery: 31% (2-dimensional group) versus 24% (3-dimensional group). In 11% of distal radius fractures allocated to the 3-dimensional group, additional intraoperative corrections (screw replacements) were performed. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with 2-dimensional fluoroscopy, the use of intraoperative 3-dimensional fluoroscopy does not appear to improve the quality of reduction and fixation in the management of patients with a distal radius fracture. However, the use of 3-dimensional fluoroscopy appears to have advantages such as more intraoperative revisions and less revision surgeries that this study could not clearly demonstrate. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Diagnostic II.

Internal fixation of fractures of the proximal humerus with the MultiLoc nail.

OBJECTIVE: Anatomical reduction of two- to four-part fractures of the proximal humerus using indirect reduction techniques. Intramedullary fixation with a short humerus nail. Restoration of a stable bone-implant construct that enables early functional after-treatment. INDICATIONS: Displaced and unstable two- to four-part fractures of the proximal humerus. Fractures of the proximal humerus extending in the humeral diaphysis (use a long nail). Ipsilateral combined lesions of the proximal humerus and the humeral diaphysis (use a long nail). CONTRAINDICATIONS: Poor physical and/or mental status. Critical soft tissue conditions in the area near the surgical site. Local soft tissue infection. Pre-existing severe osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint; severe shoulder stiffness. Head-split fractures of the humerus head that cannot be reduced. SURGICAL TECHNIQUE: Exposure of the fracture using an anterior acromial approach and determination of the correct nail entrance point. Anatomic fracture reduction using indirect reduction techniques. Stable fixation using an intramedullary MultiLoc® nail. Determination of the proximal locking configuration depending on the fracture morphology. Distal locking with angle-stable option. POST-OPERATIVE TREATMENT: Post-operative radiographs for documentation of the surgical result and implant position. Use of an arm sling for 7-10 days. Active and passive exercises of the shoulder joint starting on day 1. Shoulder abduction limited to 60° for 2 weeks. Subsequent abduction to 90° until the 4th week. Subsequent active mobilisation without restrictions. Weight bearing and sporting activities after 3 months. Radiological evaluation after 2, 6 and 12 weeks. RESULTS: During a 6-month period, 160 patients were documented in a prospective clinical multicentre study. According to the AO classification, there were 36% A-type fractures, 41% B- and 23% C-type injuries. A 6-month follow-up was available for 17 patients. The mean age of these patients was 67 years. One patient had an A-type fracture. There were ten B- and six C-type fractures. At the time of follow-up, the mean Constant score was 66 points. Radiographically, all fractures had healed. Intra-articular screw penetration and loss of reduction were both observed once.

A prospective cohort study comparing the VAS spine score and Roland-Morris disability questionnaire in patients with a type A traumatic thoracolumbar spinal fracture.

The Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ-24) and the VAS spine score have been regularly used to measure functional outcome in patients with back pain. The RMDQ-24 is primarily used in degenerative disease of the spine and the VAS Spine is used in trauma patients. The aim of this study is to compare these scores and to see if there is a correlation in patients with a traumatic thoracolumbar spinal fracture. Prospective cohort study comparing the RMDQ-24 and the VAS spine score in patients with a traumatic type A fracture thoracolumbar spine fracture. Fifteen non-operatively patients (group one) completed 118 questionnaires and 17 operatively treated patients (group two) completed 140 questionnaires. Group one scored an average of 6.6 and 65.9 for the RMDQ-24 and VAS Spine, in group two this was 5.1 and 82.9. Spearman's correlation test showed a significant correlation, in group one 0.83 and for the second group 0.87. RMDQ-24 and VAS Spine have a strong positive correlation in measuring disability in a group of patients with back pain because of a spinal fracture. In both non-operatively and operatively treated groups this correlation is significant.

Early proximal row carpectomy after severe carpal trauma.

Complex fracture dislocations of the wrist often result in post-traumatic arthrosis. In these cases, patients can experience severe pain and loss of function of the wrist and as a result many of them end up having a total arthrodesis. In trying to avoid the disadvantages of a total arthrodesis, alternative treatment strategies have been investigated, amongst which proximal row carpectomy (PRC). Basic conditions for a good outcome of PRC are an intact cartilage of the lunate fossa of the distal radius and an intact surface of the head of the capitate for the new radiocapitate joint (, schematic drawing post-PRC). Also, an intact (volar) radioscaphocapitate (RSC) ligament is necessary because it plays an essential role in stabilizing the new joint and preventing volar dislocation and ulnar translocation of the distal carpal row. Acute post-traumatic PRC can be indicated, but is rarely reported in literature. In this article, we present four patients whom we have treated with early PRC after severe trauma of the wrist. Three patients had a good outcome. In the patient with the bad outcome, the before-mentioned prerequisites were not met, which is discussed.