Combining Salter-Harris and Dias-Tachdjian could be better at determining the prognosis of distal tibial physeal fractures.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is determining the factors that affect prognosis of distal tibial physeal fractures (DTPF) and analyzing whether Salter-Harris (SH) or Dias-Tachdjian (DT) classification is more predictive for outcomes. METHODS: Patients treated for DTPF were retrospectively analyzed. Fracture patterns were classified according to SH and DT. Treatment methods and fracture characteristics were noted. Distal tibial angles and joint irregularities were analyzed on patient's final ankle radiographs followed by American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Score questionnaire. RESULTS: 75 patients followed-up between 6 and 96 months meeting the inclusion criteria were evaluated. Joint irregularity was observed in 41.3% and partial premature physeal closure (PPC) in 34.7% of the patients. Lateral distal tibial angle (LDTA) and talocrural angle related deformity were detected in 20% and 14.7% of the patients, respectively. Partial PPC and joint irregularities that have been developed in pronation-eversion-external rotation and supination-inversion injuries (SH type 3, 4) were 62% and 50%, and 42% and 75%, respectively. On follow-ups of supination-external rotation injuries (SH type 2) joint irregularity has never been observed. Following supination-external rotation and supination-plantar flexion injuries, a low rate of partial PPC have been developed; LDTA related deformity was revealed at a high rate of 39.1% after supination-inversion injuries. There weren't any differences observed between the initial displacement, residual displacement or surgical technique and PPC, joint irregularity and angular deformities. Patients treated by ORIF technique had lower AOFAS scores than patients treated by other surgical techniques. CONCLUSIONS: In this study it was revealed that SH classification system is not sufficient alone to determine the prognosis of DTPF, the injury mechanisms causing SH types might be also significant in prediction of the prognosis of DTPF.

Mid-term clinical and radiographic outcomes of perilunate injuries treated with open reduction and internal fixation.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to present the mid-term clinical and radiographic outcomes of patients with perilunate injuries treated with open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF). METHODS: Patients who underwent ORIF due to perilunate injuries from 2004 to 2015 were retrospectively reviewed. Surgery was mostly performed using a standard dorsal approach. Each injury was graded as per Mayfield staging. At the final follow-up, pain intensity was evaluated using a 10-cm visual analog scale (VAS). Wrist and elbow range of motion, handgrip and pinch strength, Modified Mayo Wrist Scores, and the disabilities of the arm, shoulder, and hand (DASH) scores were measured. On plain radiographic examination, the scapholunate (SL) angle, SL interval, carpal height, and continuity of Gilula arcs were evaluated. The presence of arthritis was also assessed using the Herzberg classification. RESULTS: In total, 26 male patients (27 wrists) who met the inclusion criteria were included in the study. The mean age was 40 years (range: 20-58); the mean follow-up was 45 months (range: 16-96). Most of the injuries were fracture-dislocations (n=20; 71.4%). According to Mayfield staging, 7 wrists were grade 3, and 20 wrists were grade 4. According to Herzberg staging, 11 (40.7%) patients were stage 2a. The mean VAS was 2.3 (range: 0-5) at rest and 3.3 (range: 0-7) during activity. The mean wrist flexion and extension were 50° (range: 21-80°; 73.5% of the unaffected side) and 45.1° (range: 20-74°; 70.9% of the unaffected side), respectively. The mean radial and ulnar deviation were 14.6° (range: 6-25°; 63.6% of the unaffected side) and 22.3° (range: 5-40°; 64.7% of the unaffected side), respectively. Grip and pinch strength were 57.6 kg (range: 15-106; 65.5% of the unaffected side) and 18.6 kg (range: 8-28; 78.2% of the unaffected side), respectively. The mean Mayo score was 63.3 (range: 20-90), and the DASH score was 24.1±25.2. The mean SL angle was 61.6° (range: 40-83). There was 1 wrist with a pathological SL interval, 11 wrists with dorsal intercalated segmental instability, and 3 wrists with fractures of the Gilula arcs. The mean carpal height was within the normal range. CONCLUSION: In the treatment of perilunate injuries, satisfactory clinical and radiographic outcomes can be expected from ORIF at mid-term follow-up. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, Therapeutic Study.

Four different management strategies in missed Monteggia lesions in children.

OBJECTIVES: Management of missed Monteggia lesions presents a challenging clinical scenario for pediatric orthopaedic surgeons as the patient may be exposed to possible morbidities and increased complications. There are several evidenced surgical strategies described. We aimed to present 18 patients diagnosed within 4 months of injury who were treated using 4 of the identified many surgical strategies. METHODS: Eighteen consecutive cases of missed Monteggia lesions were treated in our institution between 2011 and 2014. The mean delay from injury to surgery was 8.3 weeks (range 4-16). Bilateral preoperative and postoperative radiographs, Oxford Elbow Score, the direction of radial head dislocation, Bado classification, ulnar pathology (plastic deformation or fracture), carrying angle, head-neck ratio, any abnormal bony architecture, and any related condition. RESULTS: There were no major complications to surgery. All patients had regained painless range of motion of the forearm and elbow, and reduced radiocapitellar joint. Ligament reconstruction or transcapitellar k-wire fixation did not influence the radiographic or clinical outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Because conservative treatment of this injury may cause high morbidity, surgical management should be preferred in the foreground. The ulnar deformity is a key point in the reduction of the radiocapitellar joint. The preferred treatment strategy has no significant effect on the results as long as it provides radial head reduction.

Incidence of Venous Thromboembolism After Achilles Tendon Surgery in Patients Receiving Thromboprophlaxis.

BACKGROUND: Surgical or nonsurgical treatment of an Achilles tendon rupture includes a period of immobilization that is a well-documented risk factor for deep venous thrombosis (DVT). The DVT is a source of morbidity in orthopedic surgery because it can progress to pulmonary embolism. The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence of DVT and pulmonary embolism after surgical treatment of an Achilles tendon rupture. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was made of patients who underwent surgical treatment of Achilles tendon rupture between January 1, 2006, and November 30, 2014. Patient data were collected from the hospital medical record system. RESULTS: Of 238 patients with a mean age of 39 years (range, 18-66 years), 18 (7.6%) were diagnosed as having symptomatic DVT. The average body mass index of the patients with DVT was 31.8 (range, 24-33). Of the patients with DVT, 11 were older than 40 years and two-thirds had a body mass index of 30 or greater. Pulmonary embolism was diagnosed in four patients (1.7%), none of whom had DVT symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Venous thrombosis continues to be a major cause of morbidity and mortality in postoperative patients. Limited data are available for the use of thromboprophylaxis in foot and ankle surgery. In light of the literature review and results of this study, we suggest that routine thromboembolism prophylaxis should be considered for patients with Achilles tendon rupture.

Successful management of unilateral congenital patellar tendon aplasia: case report.

Anatomical variation is discovered frequently in humans, and much such variation in the musculoskeletal system has been reported. We present a rare case of unilateral congenital patellar tendon aplasia with concomitant apparent shortness of the bilateral halluces as a result of shortened first metatarsals as an anatomical variant.

A skin tumor from an orthopedic oncology perspective: Pilomatrixoma in extremities (11 years experience with 108 cases).

Pilomatrixoma, also known as calcifying epithelioma of Malherbe, is a benign skin neoplasm originating from hair follicle matrix cells. Pilomatrixoma is a common skin neoplasm that is often misdiagnosed as another type of skin condition. The aim of our study is to review 11 years' worth of experience in examining clinical and histopathological presentations, imaging findings, management approaches, and treatment outcomes of pilomatrixoma at a tertiary hospital. A review of the pathology database revealed that 108 extremity pilomatrixomas were excised between 2007 and 2018. Hospital charts, and pathology and orthopedic clinic records, were reviewed for patient data such as age, gender, clinical and histopathological presentations, preoperative diagnosis and imaging results, management approach, recurrence, and treatment outcomes. The main presenting symptom was a hard, subcutaneous, slowly growing mass. The preoperative diagnosis was accurate and consistent with the pathological diagnosis of pilomatrixoma in only 35 cases (32%). The optimal diagnostic tool for pilomatrixoma seems to be ultrasound imaging of superficial tissue, and the optimal first-line treatment might be surgical excision with clear margins. However, pilomatrixoma is a benign tumor, with atypical forms, and there no tumor-specific diagnostic tool is available other than careful histopathological examination.

Utility of the Three-Point Index in the determination of reduction loss during the conservative treatment of pediatric forearm mid-third fractures.

BACKGROUND: Forearm fractures constitute approximately 40% of all pediatric fractures. Generally, in conservative treatment,a plaster cast is applied with the elbow in 90° flexion. Success of the treatment depends on theprevention of the reduction in the correct position and suitable duration of the plaster cast. Failure, or the risk of angulation within the cast, is associated with movement within the cast. The aim of this study was to evaluate the applicability of the Cast Index (CI) and Three-Point Index (TPI) measurements, which indicate the loss of reduction, in pediatric mid-third forearm fractures. The hypothesis of the study was that as edema decreases and deformity of the plaster cast occurs after fracture reduction, TPI and CI should be examined during follow-up, as they indicate shifting due to movement within the plaster cast. METHODS: This retrospective study included a total of 48 patients, who were treated with closed reduction and long-arm plaster cast for a mid-third forearm diaphyseal fracture at our Emergency Polyclinic between March and September 2014. The mean age of the patients was 8.15±3.19 years (range, 5-14 years). Patients were excluded from the study if they had isolated radial or ulnar fracture, open fractures, concomitant fracture or systemic disease (bone metabolism disease, etc), and <10° fracture angulation in the ulna and radius on the initial radiograph and if they did not followup. TPI and CI values were calculated on anterioposterior (AP) and lateral radiographs in the Picture Archiving Communication Systems. RESULTS: In the AP plane, compared with TPI values after reduction, statistically significant increases were observed in TPI values 10 days after reduction (p<0.01). However, no significant difference was observed between those with and without reduction loss in TPI values in the AP plane (p>0.05). Although there was a statistically significant increase in TPI values 15 daysafter reduction compared with the values immediately after reduction, a significant difference between those with and without reduction loss was observed only on lateral TPI. CONCLUSION: In cases of pediatric forearm diaphyseal fracture, ulnar TPI examined in the lateral plane can be used in monitoring the fracture in a plaster cast applied after the reduction.

Femur neck fracture in young adults, is it really an urgent surgery indication: retrospective clinical study.

INTRODUCTION: Femur neck fracture comprises a significant part of intracapsular femur fracture in the intracapsular area of proximal femur and it is mostly seen in elder people. However, these kinds of fractures may be seen in young adults. The present study aims to search factors that affect femoral neck fractures in young adults after surgery carried out by internal determination method. METHODS: Files of patients who were applied internal determination through closed reduction and cannulated screw because of intracapsular femur neck fractures between 2010 and 2015 were analyzed retrospectively. Fractures were evaluated by means of Garden classification, which is based on radiological appearance. The cases were examined in terms of timing of surgery in two groups. Cases operated in the first 24 hours after trauma consisted of group 1 and after 24 hours group 2. Radiological staging in femoral head avascular necrosis was evaluated by Ficat-Arlet classification system whereas acetabular fractures and hip functionality was evaluated by Letournel and Judet system, which is based on direct graph of fracture line. RESULTS: Mean age at the time of surgery for 31 cases included in the study was 40.04 ± 9.63 year. The average duration from injury to surgery was 6.6 (1-20) days. Thirty nine percent of fractures was nondisplaced whereas 61% was displaced. The average follow-up period was 4.9 ± 1.35 years. The rate of nonunion was found 16% and femoral head avascular necrosis 6.4%. According to Judet System, 67.7% of cases showed excellent/good and 32.3% moderate/bad functional results. Six cases had a secondary surgery. Cases who had displaced fractures statistically showed worse functional results and underwent more secondary surgery than patients with nondisplaced fractures (P>0.05). As a result of logistic regression analysis, presence of displacement was a factor negatively affecting the judet score but did not affect the rate of complication. There were no significant differences between the two groups according to the surgical timing in terms of functional outcomes and complications. CONCLUSION: Because of surgical treatment of femoral neck fractures in the first 24 hours does not affect functional outcomes and complication rate, surgery is recommended in optimal conditions. In the case of displacement, care must be taken in terms of poor functional results.

The Results of Physical, Radiologic, Pedabarographic, and Quality-of-Life Assessments in Patients with Surgically Treated Intraarticular Calcaneus Fractures.

Calcaneal fractures are complex injuries and have historically had a poor prognosis that results in substantial disability. However, no studies have been performed that analyze both the radiographic and plantar pressure changes after treatment of intraarticular calcaneus fracture. Patients with an intrarticular calcaneus fracture treated at our institution during the study period were identified from computerized hospital records. A total of 36 patients (34 males) completed physical examination and radiographic and dynamic pedobarographic assessments. The follow-up period was from 13 to 82 months (median 38 months). The mean pain score at rest was 3.7 and during activity was 4.0 on a 10-cm visual analogue scale. The mean range of motion of the subtalar joint was restricted. The mean American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society function scale score was 68.1; the mean Short Form-36 physical score was 41.8; and the mental score was 44.9. Pedabarographic results showed that the mean maximum force in the midfoot, forefoot, and toes (p = .001; p = .04; p = .002) and peak pressure in the midfoot, forefoot (p = .001; p = .007), and contact area of the midfoot and toes (p = .038; p = .004) were significantly increased in the injured foot. Radiologic findings showed hindfoot varus, forefoot adductus, and an increase in the medial arch. Even after appropriate anatomic realignment with open reduction and internal fixation of calcaneus fractures, residual differences in plantar pressures and radiographic measures are noted compared to uninjured foot.

Surgically treated Hoffa Fractures with poor long-term functional results.

INTRODUCTION: Hoffa fractures are rare injuries and usually involve the lateral condyle. There are few published studies of large series of isolated coronal plane fractures of the femoral condyle. The aim of the study to determine the long-term functional outcomes and complications in surgically treated Hoffa fractures. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective review was made of 13 consecutive patients who were treated surgically for an isolated coronal plane fracture of the distal femur posterior condyle. The patients were evaluated with physical examination, PA and lateral radiographs and CT at the final follow-up examination. Functional outcome was evaluated with the OXFORD knee scoring system and Knee Society Score (KSS). Pain at rest and in activity was assessed using a Visual Analog Scale (VAS). RESULTS: The patients comprised 11 males and 2 females with an average age at surgery of 27.5 years. The mean follow-up period was 93 months (range, 62-134 months). Mean time to fracture healing was 10 weeks (range, 8-12 weeks). The mean ROM was determined as 110°, mean KSS 78,4 and mean Oxford knee score 38,2. The mean KSS was 66,5 for medial Hoffa fracture patients and it was 83,8 for lateral Hoffa fracture patients. The mean Oxford knee score was 33,2 for medial Hoffa fracture patients and it was 40,4 for lateral Hoffa fracture patients. The mean VAS at rest and in activity was 1,1 and 2,9, respectively. Osteoarthritis was seen in 7 (54%) patients and avascular necrosis in 2 (15.4%). Varus instability was determined in 1 patient and valgus instability in 1 patient. CONCLUSION: Hoffa fractures may easily be overlooked if the radiological examination is not made carefully. Screw fixation was seen to provide enough biomechanical stability until the fracture healed. Arthrosis is a frequent long-term complication which worsens the functional results. Medial Hoffa fractures tend to have worse functional results than lateral Hoffa fractures. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level IV retrospective case series.

Lack of experience is a significant factor in the missed diagnosis of perilunate fracture dislocation or isolated dislocation.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to analyze the risk factors contributing to the misdiagnosis of perilunate injuries. METHODS: The study included patients who had perilunate dislocation or fracture dislocation correctly or incorrectly diagnosed on initial examination between 2008 and 2014. Data related to the length of time until correct diagnosis of the perilunate injury; cause of injury; presence of associated fractures, polytrauma or concomitant trauma in the ipsilateral upper extremity; time between injury and first presentation; first treatment applied; presence of ligamentous perilunar injuries only or fracture and dislocation; inadequate radiographic assessment; and experience of the physicians were recorded and analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 44 wrists were included in the study. Of those, 10 (22.7%) wrists (mean patient age: 44.4 years [28 ± 58 years]) with perilunate injuries were misdiagnosed in the initial evaluation. All of the risk factors were found to be similar between the group of patients with correct initial diagnosis and missed diagnosis group, except for the experience of the orthopedic surgeon assessing the injury (p = 0.0001). Of the surgeons who missed the diagnosis, 70% reported that it was their first encounter with a perilunate injury. CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicated that lack of experience was the most important factor in the misdiagnosis of perilunate fracture dislocation or isolated dislocation. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, diagnostic study.

The effects of therapeutic exercises on pain, muscle strength, functional capacity, balance and hemodynamic parameters in knee osteoarthritis patients: a randomized controlled study of supervised versus home exercises.

The aim of the study was to compare the effects of low-intensity exercise programs for lower extremities, either supervised or at home, on pain, muscle strength, balance and the hemodynamic parameters of knee osteoarthritis (OA) patients. This randomized study included 78 patients with knee OA in 2 groups of supervised and home-based exercise program. Exercises were applied to the first group in the clinic as a group exercise program and were demonstrated to the second group to be performed at home. Before and after the 6-week exercise program, assessment was made of pain, quadriceps and hamstring muscle strengths, 6-min walk test (6MWT), and non-invasive hemodynamic parameters. Results of the 78 patients, 56 completed the study. Pain, muscle strength, and 6MWT scores showed significant improvements in both groups. There were also significant differences in the amount of change in pain and muscle strength (pain: p = 0.041, Rqdc: 0.009, Lqdc: 0.013, Rhms: 0.04) which indicated greater improvements in the supervised group. The balance scores of supervised group showed a significant improvement (p = 0.009). No significant change was determined in hemodynamic parameters of either group. Conclusion according to the results of this study showed that low-intensity lower extremity exercises conducted in a clinic under the supervision of a physiotherapist were more effective than home-based exercises in reducing post-activity pain levels and improving quadriceps and right hamstring muscle strength. Both the supervised and home exercise programs were seen to be effective in reducing rest pain and increasing 6 MW distance in knee osteoarthritis patients.

Pedobarographic and Radiological Analysis After Treating a Talus Neck Fracture.

Misalignment of the talar neck after surgical repair can redistribute the load among the posterior, middle, and anterior facets of the subtalar joints, which can change the joint biomechanics, cause arthritis, and impair function. However, we found no studies analyzing the plantar pressures after treatment of talus neck fracture. We determined the dynamic plantar pedobarographic and radiographic characteristics and ankle range of motion, function, and pain among patients after surgical repair of talar neck fractures. A total of 19 patients completed the assessments. The median follow-up period was 29 (range 12 to 113) months. At the last visit, the mean pain score was 3.3 on a 10-cm visual analog scale. The mean American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society function scale score was fair (73.5), and the mean range of motion was restricted in 4 planes. The mean maximum force was lower in the hindfoot (p = .002) and midfoot (p = .03) of the injured foot than in the noninjured foot. The mean peak pressure was lower in the hindfoot (p = .05) but higher in the forefoot (p = .03). Radiographic measurements revealed differences between the feet in the talo-first metatarsal angle (p = .002), Meary's angle (p = .001), and the medial cuneiform-fifth metatarsal angle (p = .002). Radiographic and pedobarographic analysis showed an elevated arch in the injured foot. Thus, talar injury and immobilization can affect the stance and the gait cycle in these patients. Pain, range of motion, function, and the weight transfer pattern should be evaluated carefully during the follow-up period to provide the best postoperative results.

[Mid-term follow-up evaluation of plate osteosynthesis and hemiarthroplasty results in multipart fractures of the proximal humerus]. / Proksimal humerus çok parçali kiriklarinda plak osteosentez ve hemiartroplasti sonuçlarinin orta dönem takip ile degerlendirilmesi.

BACKGROUND: The present objective was to retrospectively evaluate factors affecting functional outcome of multipart proximal humeral fracture treated with fixation or hemiarthroplasty. METHODS: Included were 58 patients (19 women, 39 men; average age: 51.04 years; range 22-78 years) who underwent surgery for Neer type III or IV proximal humeral fractures between 2007 and 2012. All participants attended follow-up of at least 2 years. A total of 35 patients underwent open reduction and anatomical plate fixation; 23 underwent partial shoulder replacement. Patients were evaluated according to Constant-Murley shoulder scoring at final follow-up examination. Evaluated impacts on functional outcome included age, gender, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Physical Status classification, trauma energy, type of fracture, and time to surgery. RESULTS: Mean follow-up duration was 47.25±13.29 (25-76) months. Mean Constant-Murley score was 58.65±18.62 (65.77±18.67 for the fixation group, 47.82±12.52 for the hemiarthroplasty group; p=0.001). When impact of independent variables on functional scores was assessed, ASA score and type of fracture were found to significantly affect functional outcome in the fixation group, and trauma energy was found to significantly affect functional outcome in the hemiarthroplasty group. Complications were detected in 20 patients (34.5%) upon final examination, 14 of whom (70%) had rotator cuff deficiency. DISCUSSION: Though improved functional results may be obtained using plate fixation in the surgical treatment of multipart proximal humeral fractures, the high rates of rotator cuff failure associated with both surgical methods should be considered.

Comparison of postoperative pain after open and endoscopic carpal tunnel release: A randomized controlled study.

BACKGROUND: Results of open and endoscopic carpal tunnel surgery were compared with many studies done previously. To the best of our knowledge, difference in pain after endoscopic carpal tunnel release (ECTR) and open carpal tunnel release (OCTR) has not been objectively documented in literature. The aim of the study was to compare the pain intensity in the early postoperative period in patients undergoing OCTR versus those undergoing ECTR. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty patients diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome were randomized into two groups using "random number generator" software (Research Randomizer, version 3.0); endoscopic surgery group [(21 female, 1 male; mean age 49 years (range 31-64 years)] and open surgery group [(25 female, 3 male; mean age 45.1 years (range 29-68 years)] and received carpal tunnel release. Surgery was performed under regional intravenous anesthesia. The patients' pain level was assessed at the 1(st), 2(nd), 4(th), and 24(th) postoperative hours using a visual analog scale (VAS) score. RESULTS: Mean age, gender and duration of symptoms were found similar for both groups. Boston functional scores were improved for both groups (P < 0.001, P < 0.001). Pain assessment at the postoperative 1(st), 2(nd), 4(th) and 24(th) hours revealed significantly low VAS scores in the endoscopic surgery group (P = 0.003, P < 0.001, P < 0.001, P < 0.001). Need for analgesic medication was significantly lower in the endoscopic surgery group (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Endoscopic carpal tunnel surgery is an effective treatment method in carpal tunnel release vis-a-vis postoperative pain relief.

Is internal fixation of the intertrochanteric fractures reliable option in patients with cognitive dysfunction?

The purpose of this study was to compare the results of hemiarthroplasty with those of treatment internal fixation devices for stable intertrochanteric fractures in patients with moderate and severe cognitive dysfunction. 155 patients were evaluated retrospectively. 54 patients were treated with proximal femoral nail (PFN), 57 with dynamic hip screw (DHS) and 44 were underwent hemiarthroplasty (HA). Activities of daily living (ADL) were evaluated with the Barthel Activity Index (BI) score and the Health Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) with the Euroquol-5D (EQ-5D) test. The BI scores in HA patients were found to be at significantly high compared to the PFN and DHS groups both at the one and two years. A significant difference was also found in the EQ-5D scores in favor of HA group at one year. The most common complications in internal fixation patients were malunion (7/54 for PFN, 9/57 for DHS group), fixation failure (8/54 for PFN, 12/57 for DHS group) and dislocation (10/44), deep infection (8/44) for HA group. The strong predictive variables on ADL in dementia patients were, duration time to surgery and pre-operative MMSE score. In conclusion, HA is the prefered treatment for stable intertrochanteric fractures but that the dislocation (10/44) and infection rates (8/44) are very high in dementia.

Early prediction of outcomes in hip fractures: initial fracture displacement.

We retrospectively analyzed the surgical treatment of 28 pediatric hip fractures. The majority of cases were Delbet type 2 (57%) and type 3 (29%). The average age of the patients was 10.8 years (range: 2-16 years). The mean follow-up period was 91 months. Displaced fractures were found in 18 cases (64%). The major factor in the development of avascular necrosis was the degree of displacement at the time of initial presentation (P<0.05), irrespective of fracture type. Although the degree of initial displacement cannot be prevented, careful exposure of soft tissue during open reduction will reduce avascular necrosis.

Comparison of the effects of chronic intra-articular administration of tenoxicam, diclofenac, and methylprednisolone in healthy rats.

OBJECTIVE: Lyophilized drug manufacturing and intra-articular (IA) applications have increased to address gastrointestinal side effects resulting from chronic treatment with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for degenerative joint disease. Accordingly, we histologically examined joint and stomach tissues from rats to determine and compare the effects of long-term treatment with an IA corticosteroid (methylprednisolone acetate), lyophilized NSAID (tenoxicam), and non-lyophilized NSAID (diclofenac) following application to the knee joint. METHODS: One hundred Wistar albino rats were divided into 4 groups of 25 rats: control, methylprednisolone, tenoxicam, and diclofenac. Ten IA injections were administered at 1-week intervals. Rats were sacrificed at 48 h and 1, 2, 4, and 8 weeks after the tenth injection. Histomorphologically, knee joint samples were examined for osteoarthritic changes and stomach tissue samples for gastric changes. RESULTS: Unlike methylprednisolone, diclofenac and tenoxicam caused increased fibrosis and fibroblast production; furthermore, chronic methylprednisolone use had no negative effects on the synovium or cartilage. CONCLUSION: Chronic tenoxicam and diclofenac use affects joints more negatively than chronic steroid treatment.

Radiation in the orthopedic operating theatre.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to determine the amount of radiation exposure in the orthopedic operating theater, to show that the radiation dose was decreased with distance from the tube, and to inform personnel about protective measures. METHODS: Ionised radiation was measured in the orthopedic operating theater where fluoroscopy was used between 18 February 2014 and 02 June 2014. Four dosimeters were placed at the head and foot of the operating table and at 200 cm from those areas at a height of 60 cm vertical to the floor. RESULTS: At the end of 104 days, the total values were determined as 90.5 mrem at the foot of the table, 68.17 mrem at the head of the table, 7.5 mrem at 200 cm from the foot of the table, and 5.17 mrem at 200 cm from the head of the table. A significant decrease was observed in the values determined at a distance from the radiation source. CONCLUSION: The rate of radiation determined in the dosimeters decreased when distance from the radiation source increased. During the use of fluoroscopy in orthopedic surgery, the wearing of lead aprons, neck protectors, and glasses, in addition to maintaining a distance from the tube, will reduce the radiation exposure of individuals.

Neglected patellar tendon rupture with anterior cruciate ligament rupture and medial collateral ligament partial rupture.

Anterior cruciate ligament injuries are common, mostly occurring during sports trauma. Conversely, patellar tendon ruptures are uncommon injuries secondary to forceful contractions of the extensor mechanism. It is important to consider the possibility of combined injuries around the knee. We present a case of neglected patellar tendon rupture with anterior cruciate ligament and medial collateral ligament rupture treated with arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction combined with patellar tendon reconstruction.