Reduction of the dislocated hips with the Tübingen hip flexion splint in infants.

PURPOSE: Early detection and conservative treatment are essential for a successful outcome in developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH). The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of Tübingen hip flexion splint treatment on dislocated hips of type D, 3, and 4 according to the Graf classification. METHODS: A total of 104 dislocated hips in 92 patients were treated with Tübingen splints. Splint treatment was applied to patients with dislocated hips as diagnosed under ultrasonographic evaluation. After four to six weeks of treatment, the hips were re-evaluated according to the Graf classification under ultrasonography. The success of Tübingen splinting was determined as follows: hips initially diagnosed as Graf type 3 and 4 were upgraded to type 2c, 2b, or 1 after treatment, and hips initially diagnosed as Graf type D were upgraded to type 2b or 1 after treatment. RESULTS: The mean age at treatment initiation was 11.91 ± 5.16 (range, 4-32) weeks. There were no statistically significant relationships between success rates and sex, bilateral hip involvement, or initial physical examination findings (p > 0.05). The age at the start of treatment was found to be statistically significant in terms of the success of the splint (p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: For successful treatment with Tübingen splints, the cut-off point of starting initial treatment was defined as the 15th week, with sensitivity of 84.62% and specificity of 62.50%. The success rate was 75% with a successful outcome in 78 hips. In view of these results, Graf type D, 3, and 4 dislocated hips can be successfully treated with Tübingen splints.

Effect of Ankaferd Blood Stopper on muscle healing.

PURPOSE: Ankaferd Blood Stopper (ABS), which is a standardized mixture of herbal extracts obtained from five plants, has been proven as an efficient hemostatic agent and is still used in emergency situations. It is not known exactly if decreased bleeding has positive or negative effects on muscle healing and fibrosis, so the purpose of this study was to test the effect of ABS on muscle healing and morphology. METHODS: A total of 66 outbred Wistar rats were divided into three control and three experimental subgroups. In the experimental groups, ABS was sprayed on the cut surface of the soleus. In the control groups, a saline solution was sprayed on the cut surface of the soleus. Subgroups were euthanized after 2 weeks, 3 weeks and 4 weeks, respectively. In each subgroup, eight rats were used for the biomechanical study to determine muscle healing and three rats were used for the histopathological investigation. RESULTS: Although muscle strength in the control groups was lower than that of the experimental groups in early weeks, no differences were found between the control and the experimental groups at 4 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: ABS has no negative effect on muscle healing. We also observed that ABS accelerated muscle healing compared to the control group. ABS could be used in hemostasis of open fractures and elective orthopedic surgeries.

An alternative treatment method for defective pseudoarthrosis; evaluation of eight patients treated with Artelon+Kryptonite.

Pseudoarthrosis with bone loss is one of the most challenging orthopaedic problems for surgeons. Bone loss usually leads to technical difficulties during surgery due to instability in the fracture area. Eight patients with pseudoarthrosis of different long bones were operated on by the same surgeon. The median age was 53 years (25-61), and the median time period after the index operation was 21 months (12-72 months). Radiographic union was achieved in all patients in 3.62 months (2-5 months). Efficient healing with new bone formation was observed in all of the patients. The result of the current case series is promising. This treatment method can be used for the treatment of pseudoarthrosis without increasing morbidity. Long-term follow-up and larger case series are needed for evidence of the adequacy and reliability of this method of treatment.

Maternal Height and Infant Body Mass Index Are Possible Risk Factors for Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip in Female Infants.

Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is a wide-spectrum disease with a multifactorial etiology and, despite its prevalence, no definitive etiology has yet been established. The aim of this study was to investigate new risk factors for DDH by evaluating newly defined potential risk factors. A total of 71 infants were separated into 2 groups:Group I, 28 female first-born infants diagnosed with DDH and their mothers;and Group II, 43 healthy female first-born infants and their mothers. The maternal height and weight before pregnancy, infant height and weight at birth, and body mass index (BMI) of both mother and infant were determined. Calculations were made of the ratios between these parameters. Of the examined risk factors, only maternal height and the ratio of maternal height to infant BMI (MH/I-BMI) were found to be significant for DDH in infants. In conclusion, the results of this study show that a short maternal height and a low MH/I-BMI increase the risk of DDH. Further studies with a larger series are necessary to confirm these results.

The efficacy of semirigid hip orthosis in the delayed treatment of developmental dysplasia of the hip.

UNLABELLED: This study assessed the use of semirigid hip orthosis to stabilize the femoral head into the acetabulum in the delayed treatment of developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH; Graf type IIb or more severe) under the age of 6 months. Ninety-eight hips from 75 patients (four boys, 71 girls) were evaluated retrospectively. The mean age at treatment initiation was 3.2±1.3 months (1-6 months). As the dysplastic hip matured into a type I hip, we applied the weaning regimen for 1 month. Seventy-two patients (96%) were treated successfully in 4.2±1.1 months (2-8 months). All of the failures were type IV hips. We did not detect any acetabular or femoral head pathology in the later follow-up. Semirigid hip orthosis is safe and effective as the first-line treatment method for delayed DDH except in type IV hips in patients under 6 months of age. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV. Case series.

A new measurement method in Graf technique: prediction of future acetabular development is possible in physiologically immature hips.

BACKGROUND: Universal ultrasound screening has led to overtreatment and higher follow-up rates than are found with clinical examination alone because of high incidence of physiologically immature hips (type IIa) in the first weeks of life. The ability to predict future acetabular development in physiologically immature hips (type IIa) would therefore help to reduce overtreatment and unnecessary follow-up. METHODS: We described the γ-angle to assess the femoral head coverage by the acetabular roof, which is measured between the baseline defined by Graf and the cartilaginous edge line connecting the inferior point of the iliac bone (lower limb) to the medial corner of the acetabular labrum. We retrospectively analyzed ultrasonographic findings of infants with developmental dysplasia of the hip diagnosed in our hospital and infants with normal hips screened in our hospital. Group 1 (35 hips) consists of type IIa hips at initial examination and went on to develop into dysplastic hips at follow-up. Group 2 (279 hips) consists of type IIa hips at initial examination and went on to develop into normal hips (type I) at follow-up. RESULTS: The γ-angles of type IIa hips that developed into type I hip at follow-up ranged between 77 and 82. The γ-angles of type IIa hips that developed into hip dysplasia ranged between 72 and 78. All type IIa hips that had γ-angles >78 degrees developed into normal hips. We also observed that all type IIa hips that had γ-angles <77 degrees developed into dysplasia. CONCLUSIONS: The amount of cartilage mass covering the femoral head, which is a part of the acetabular roof, can therefore provide information about future acetabular development. This paper describes a new method of measurement (the γ-angle) that assesses the extent of the cartilage coverage of the femoral head, which can predict acetabular development. Its use would decrease the rates of unnecessary follow-up and treatment. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II (development of diagnostic criteria on the basis of consecutive patients).

Brachial artery transection associated with open elbow dislocation in a 12-year-old: a case report.

Although acute elbow dislocations are common orthopedic injuries, concomitant neurovascular injury is rare. Brachial artery transection can result from open elbow dislocation and responds well to vascular repair. Rapid evaluation and a high level of suspicion are essential to facilitate immediate treatment. Delay to identify vascular injury after elbow dislocation or reduction can potentially lead to limb ischemia, and potential loss of limb. We present a case of relatively rare transection of the brachial artery, with an accompanying traumatic open elbow dislocation in a 12-year-old boy.

Pulsed radiofrequency application in the entrapment neuropathy of a sural nerve.

Compressive and entrapment neuropathy of the peroneal nerve is the most common entrapment syndrome in the lower limbs, often caused by mechanical or dynamic compression of a segment of nerve at the level of the fibula head. Because of its special anatomic situation, external compression while under trauma or traction is quite easy. A case of entrapment neuropathy syndrome in a 33-year-old man treated by pulse radiofrequency to the lateral cutaneous branch of the common peroneal nerve is presented.

Restricted scapular mobility during arm abduction: implications for impingement syndrome.

Scapular mobility plays a central role in normal shoulder function, and alterations in scapular mobility have been suggested as a factor in impingement syndrome. We therefore measured the effect of restricted scapular mobility during arm abduction on acromiohumeral and coracohumeral distances. For the control measurements, healthy volunteers (n = 10, all male, age range 25-35 years) underwent multislice computed tomography in a supine position, with the humerus actively maintained in the scapular plane at 45 degrees internal rotation and 60, 90 or 120 degrees abduction. To restrict scapular mobility a custom-made brace was then placed on each volunteer and fastened firmly with bandages, and the measurements were repeated. From the three-dimensional images the acromiohumeral and coracohumeral distances were measured. With the humerus in 90 degrees abduction, the acromiohumeral distance was significantly reduced (Student's t test). This result suggests that impingement syndrome may have a functional component.

Avulsion fracture of the anterior inferior iliac spine.

A 14-year-old was admitted with right groin pain which has started after kicking ball in a football game one week before. He had limited active and passive hip extension. A plain AP radiograph of the pelvis revealed a bone fragment displaced inferiorly about 1 cm from the right anterior inferior iliac spine. The patient was treated conservatively with analgesics and limited weight bearing. Four weeks later, range of motion was normal without pain and at eighth week the hip flexors regained full strength.

[Chondromyxoid fibroma: an evaluation of 11 patients]. / Kondromiksoid fibroma: 11 olgunun degerlendirilmesi.

OBJECTIVES: We evaluated surgical treatment of patients with chondromyxoid fibroma. METHODS: The study included 11 patients (6 females, 5 males; mean age 31 years; range 8 to 53 years) who underwent surgical treatment for chondromyxoid fibroma. The most common site of involvement was the tibia in three patients. Diagnosis was made preoperatively by tru-cut biopsies in seven patients and all the diagnoses were confirmed postoperatively by histopathologic examination. In addition to plain radiographs, computed tomography was used in 10 patients, and magnetic resonance was used in six patients. Surgery included wide resection, marginal excision or intralesional curettage followed by autologous bone graft or bone cement. The mean follow-up was 62.8 months (range 2 to 162 months). RESULTS: The main presenting symptom was pain in all the patients. Two patients with thoracic wall and tibia involvement, respectively, complained of a mass. Radiologic imaging showed soft tissue involvement in two patients. Recurrence occurred in three patients (27.3%), in whom initial surgical procedures were curettage alone (n=2) or with iliac graft (n=1). One patient with involvement in the phalanx of the thumb presented with pain 46 months after the second operation. A tru-cut biopsy yielded a diagnosis of secondary chondrosarcoma for which ray amputation was performed. No wound site infections or functional loss developed after surgical treatment. CONCLUSION: Chondromyxoid fibroma may develop in various bones of the body and occur at a wide age range. Curettage with autologous bone graft is an effective surgical method.

Radiographic artifact mimicking epiphysis of the femoral head in a seven-month-old girl.

Conventional x-ray is still the most important diagnostic and follow-up tool in developmental dysplasia of the hip joint, where hip joint ultrasonography cannot be performed. Artifacts that are seen because of technical errors can cause difficulties in diagnosis and and even can lead to wrong diagnoses and treatments. Herein, we report a diagnostic problem caused by an x-ray artifact in a child who is followed up with developmental dysplasia of the hip joint.

External application of hypertonic salt solution for treatment of posttraumatic oedema.

In 20 New Zealand rabbits (two groups of 10 rabbits each), hind limb circumference and anterior compartment pressure were measured following ketamin anaesthesia (time zero). During the same anaesthesia, closed transverse proximal tibial shaft fractures were created in both groups. Twenty-four hours after the fractures, during a second anaesthesia, limb circumference and compartment pressure were measured as before, and fractured limbs were fixed to the rabbits' bodies. At the same time, treatment was started: one group received external application of saturated salt solution and the other group received intermittent ice application. During 48 hours of treatment (from 24 to 72 hours) in the saturated salt solution group, the mean limb circumference decreased from 125.70 +/- 9.93 mm to 115.70 +/- 8.78 mm (p = 0.005) and the mean compartment pressure decreased from 18.30 +/- 1.70 mmHg to 12.40 +/- 1.77 mmHg (p = 0.005). In the control group, the mean limb circumference decreased from 127.85 +/- 7.47 mm to 122.00 +/- 6.83 mm (not significant) and the mean compartment pressure decreased from 19.57 +/- 1.27 mmHg to 17.85 +/- 2.67 mmHg (not significant). In short, differences in compartment pressure and limb circumference before and after treatment were statistically significant in the saturated salt solution group (p = 0.005) but not in the control group.

Bilateral transverse (Bowdler) fibular spurs with hypophosphatasia in an adolescent girl.

Hypophosphatasia is a clinically heterogeneous inheritable disorder characterized by defective bone mineralization and the deficiency of serum and tissue liver/bone/kidney alkaline phosphatase activities. Due to the mineralization defect of the bones, various skeletal findings can be radiologically observed in hypophosphatasia. Bowing and Bowdler spurs of long bones are the characteristic findings. The Bowdler spurs reported on in the previous pertinent literature were observed in the perinatal aged patients and these lesions have rarely involved adolescents. We herein report on a 14-year-old girl with fibular Bowdler spurs.