Early active motion after rigid internal fixation of unstable extra-articular fractures of the proximal phalanx.

The purpose of this study is to describe active early rehabilitation in proximal phalanx fractures treated with rigid internal fixation. A total of 22 consecutive patients presenting with spiral, oblique or comminuted extra-articular fractures of the proximal phalanx were included in the study. All fractures were rigidly stabilized with plate and screws or screws alone and subsequently entered an active early rehabilitation programme. The mean follow-up period was 15.4 months (SD 10.1). Mean visual analogue scale pain score was 0.3 (SD 0.5) and Disability of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand score was 9.2 (SD 4.1). Mean total active motion was 241.9° (SD 18.3). According to the digital functional assessment, 86.3% of the patients had excellent results. Extension lags of the proximal interphalangeal joint were observed in seven fingers (mean lag, 3.4° (SD 5.5)). The results of this study demonstrated high patient satisfaction and good outcomes after the surgical technique and postoperative rehabilitation protocol described in open reduction and rigid internal fixation of proximal phalangeal fractures. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

Early rehabilitation after stable osteosynthesis of intra-articular fractures of the metacarpal base of the thumb.

The aim of this study was to investigate the radiological and functional results of anatomical reduction and stable fixation followed by an early rehabilitation programme in the treatment of fractures of the base of the thumb metacarpal. Sixteen consecutive patients (11 men and five women; mean age: 36.4 years) with intra-articular fractures of the thumb metacarpal base were treated with plate and/or screw fixation between April 2002 and March 2011 at our department. Patients were followed-up for an average period of 15.62 months. Bony healing was achieved in all cases and all patients were able to return to pre-trauma activity levels 12 weeks following surgery. Open reduction with stable internal fixation and an early active rehabilitation programme appears to be an efficient method in the treatment of trapeziometacarpal joint fractures with satisfactory functional and radiological results.

A novel approach to the surgical treatment of lumbar disc herniations: indications of simple discectomy and posterior transpedicular dynamic stabilization based on carragee classification.

Surgery of lumbar disc herniation is still a problem since Mixter and Barr. Main trouble is dissatisfaction after the operation. Today there is a debate on surgical or conservative treatment despite spending great effort to provide patients with satisfaction. The main problem is segmental instability, and the minimally invasive approach via microscope or endoscope is not necessarily appropriate solution for all cases. Microsurgery or endoscopy would be appropriate for the treatment of Carragee type I and type III herniations. On the other hand in Carragee type II and type IV herniations that are prone to develop recurrent disc herniation and segmental instability, the minimal invasive techniques might be insufficient to achieve satisfactory results. The posterior transpedicular dynamic stabilization method might be a good solution to prevent or diminish the recurrent disc herniation and development of segmental instability. In this study we present our experience in the surgical treatment of disc herniations.