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Introduction In the present study, we aimed to compare the clinical and radiological results of the single lateral locking plate fixation method to the dual plate (DP) fixation method in cases of unstable bicondylar proximal tibial plateau fractures. Materials and methods Fifty-six patients managed surgically with internal fixation for unstable bicondylar tibial plateau fractures (UBTF) (Schatzker type V and type VI or Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Osteosynthesefragen/Orthopaedic Trauma Association {AO/OTA} type 41-C) over 36 months from January 2017 to December 2020 were included in this prospective study. All the fractures were fixed surgically either using dual locking plates through double incisions (DP group) or with a single lateral locking plate (single plate {SP} group). All intraoperative and postoperative complications were assessed and recorded. Oxford Knee Score (OKS), Rasmussen's functional grading system, and Rasmussen's radiological scoring system were used to evaluate the functional and radiological outcomes. Result All of the patients were followed for at least 12 months. Twenty-six patients were fixed with a single lateral locking plate, and 30 patients were fixed with a double-incision dual locking plate. The mean Oxford Knee Score (OKS) was 43.24 ± 4.46 in the DP group and 42.7 ± 2.57 in the SP group (P = 0.544). The mean Rasmussen's functional score (RFS) score in the present study was 26.6 ± 2.21 in the DP group and 24.97 ± 3.92 in the SP group (P = 0.056). At the final follow-up, the mean Rasmussen's radiological score (RRS) was 9.06 ± 1.01 in the DP group and 8.1 ± 0.81 in the SP group (P = 0.0003). Conclusion There are no statistically significant differences in the functional outcomes between the two groups, but higher benefits were found in the radiological outcomes in the dual plating group as compared to single lateral locking plate group.
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The authors examine whether the surge in housing refinance and equity withdrawal generated by the housing boom disproportionately affected older households in terms of decisions on whether to refinance, whether to withdraw equity, and how much to withdraw, and how in turn these decisions affected their household wealth. Using the Federal Reserve's Survey of Consumer Finances, the authors found the highest rates of refinancing and cashing out equity among older (although not necessarily the oldest) households. The authors also found that appreciation in house value, being a baby boomer, and having higher household income were the factors that most increased the probability of refinancing and withdrawing equity. Amounts cashed out were higher among older than among younger households. Ordinary least squares (OLS) estimates showed that amounts withdrawn were increased by price appreciation, financial assets, and income, along with being a "pre-boomer" or "early boomer." Older cohorts displayed larger wealth effects than younger ones, but their withdrawn equity was a smaller percentage of total net worth. A relatively small percentage of respondents' dollars was used for consumption, and most dollars were used for home improvement, other investment, or debt repayment. However, massive equity withdrawal and the subsequent collapse of housing prices have caused housing leverage to soar, putting some homeowners "underwater" and jeopardizing others' retirement preparedness. The ensuing housing finance crisis raises numerous policy issues, from reform of mortgage underwriting, securitization, servicing, and foreclosure procedures, to potential limitations on borrowing against unrealized housing equity gains, to enhanced government transfers for distressed older homeowners, to local and state revenue policy changes.