Glenoid size, inclination, and version: an anatomic study.

Three hundred forty-four human scapular bones (172 matched pairs) were measured for their glenoid height, width, inclination, and version. The sample consisted of 50 black men, 50 white men, 50 black women, and 22 white women, all of whom were aged 20 to 30 years at the time of death. The mean age of the study group was 25.6 years. No difference in glenoid size was noted between black and white patients. The overall glenoid version for the entire study group was 1.23 degrees of retroversion. The difference in glenoid version between black and white patients was statistically significant. The average glenoid version for black and white patients measured 0.20 degrees and 2.65 degrees of retroversion, respectively (P =.000014). Specifically, the glenoid version for black and white men measured 0.11 degrees and 2.87 degrees of retroversion, respectively (P =.00034). The glenoid version for black and white women measured 0.30 degrees and 2.16 degrees of retroversion, respectively (P =.034). No statistical difference in glenoid version was found between men and women of the same race. No difference was found between measuring the glenoid version based on the transverse axis of the scapula and measuring the glenoid version perpendicular to the glenohumeral joint. No statistical difference was found in the glenoid inclination based on race or sex. The relationships between glenoid size, inclination, and version are important to understand when a surgeon prepares to resurface the glenoid during total shoulder arthroplasty. The knowledge of these values, their variation, and racial differences should help reproduce a more anatomical result.

The floating knee in the pediatric patient. Nonoperative versus operative stabilization.

The results of nonoperative and operative or rigid stabilization of ipsilateral femur and tibia fractures in children and adolescents were evaluated. Twenty-nine consecutive patients with open physes (30 affected extremities) were reviewed. Their mean followup was 8.6 years (range, 1.1-18.6 years). The nonoperative group consisted of 16 patients and 16 extremities treated by skeletal traction of the femoral fracture, closed reduction and splinting or casting of the tibia fractures, and eventual immobilization in a hip spica cast. The operative group, was comprised of 13 patients and 14 extremities in which one or both fractures were treated by open reduction and internal fixation, intramedullary fixation, or external fixation. Despite higher modified injury severity scores and skeletal injury scores, the patients who were treated operatively had a significantly reduced hospital stay, 20.1 days versus 34.9 days, respectively; decreased time to unsupported weightbearing, 16.8 weeks compared with 22.3 weeks, respectively; and fewer complications. Operative stabilization of the femur had a significant effect on decreasing the length of hospital stay and the time to unassisted weightbearing. The patients also were analyzed according to their age at the time of injury: 9 years of age or younger and 10 years of age and older. The younger children who were treated nonoperatively had an increased rate of lower extremity length discrepancy, angular malunion, and need for a secondary surgical procedure as compared with younger children who were treated operatively with rigid fixation. Based on the results of the current study, operative stabilization of at least the femur fracture and, preferably, both fractures in the treatment of a child with a floating knee is recommended, even for younger children.

Posterior tibial tendon insufficiency. Its Diagnosis, Management, and Treatment.

Posterior tibial tendon dysfunction, once thought to be a rare clinical entity, has been observed to be a major cause of acquired flatfoot deformity in adults. Several risk factors have been identified, ranging from inflammatory conditions to obesity. A physical examination using a series of tests, including the single-limb rise, first-metatarsal rise sign, and the "too-many-toes" sign, used in combination with selected radiographic imaging techniques, allows classification of the severity of disease. This staging system then serves as the basis for formulating the treatment options, which include nonoperative as well as operative alternatives. Conservative treatment involves rest, anti-inflammatory medication, orthotic devices, and modifications to shoes. Operative options are numerous and include primary tendon repair, tendon transfer, osteotomies, and arthrodesis.

Managing injuries of the great toe.

Most of the common great-toe injuries that affect active people are self-limiting and easily treated if detected early. Reviewed here are the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of hallux valgus, turf toe, hallux rigidus, sesamoid dysfunction, nail abnormalities, dislocations and fractures, calluses, and blisters. Conservative treatment will usually enable patients to return to activity relatively quickly. Continued disability may require referral to an orthopedist.