Ankle arthrodesis using an anterior AO T plate. (1/277)

We describe a surgical technique for ankle arthrodesis using an anterior approach to the ankle and internal fixation with an anteriorly-placed AO T plate. A total of 33 patients who had ankle arthrodeses have been followed retrospectively. Thirty-one (94%) of the ankles fused although two patients developed tibial stress fractures. Four patients had a superficial infection which did not prevent union. The surgical technique is simple, easily reproducible and gives excellent clinical results with a high rate of union.  (+info)

The orthopaedic aspects of multiple epiphyseal dysplasia. (2/277)

Five cases of multiple epiphyseal dysplasia (MED) were treated from 1985-1996 at the Orthopaedics and Trauma Department of SSK Izmir Educational Hospital. Four patients were female and one was male. The pedigrees of the first two female patients had the same features of inter-related marriages. The patients have been followed up for 5.5-11 years (average of 7.5 years). Surgical operations were mostly required in the lower limbs. Problems in the hips required adductor myotomy, the Soutter procedure, total hip replacement, and pertrochanteric extension osteotomy. Management of the knees required supracondylar shortening and extension osteotomy of the femur, high tibial extension osteotomy, debridement of the knee joint with removal of osteophytes, ogleotomy of the patellar lengthening of the knee flexors and posterior capsulotomy. Interphalangeal arthrodesis for hammer toes, extension osteotomy of the head of the first metatarsals, and Kellers operation were carried out in the foot. In the upper limb decompression and anterior transposition of the ulnar nerve, debridement of the elbow joint, extension and valgus osteotomy of the distal radius, and extension osteotomy of the head of the first metacarpal were required.  (+info)

In vivo and in vitro CT analysis of the occiput. (3/277)

Arguments concerning the best procedure for occipito-cervical fusion have rarely been based upon occipital bone thickness or only based on in vitro studies. To close this gap and to offer an outlook on preoperative evaluation of the patient, 28 patients were analysed in vivo by means of spiral CT. Ten macerated human skulls were measured by means of CT and directly. Measurements were taken according to a matrix of 66 points following a grid with 1 cm spacing based upon McRae's line. Maximum thickness in the patient group was met 4 cm above the reference plane in the median slice (11.87 mm; SD 3.41 mm) and 5 cm above it in the skull group (15.85 mm; SD 1.81 mm). Correlation between CT and direct measurements was good (91.79%). Intra-individual discrepancies from one side to the respective point on the other side are common (difference > 1 mm in 60%). Judging areas suitable for operative fixation using the 10% percentile value (6.68 mm for the maximum value of 11.87 mm) led to the conclusion that screws should only be inserted along the occipital crest in an area extending from 1.5 cm above the posterior margin of the foramen magnum to the external occipital protuberance (EOP). At the level of the EOP screws may also be inserted up to 1 cm lateral of the midline. A reduction of screw length to 7 mm (9 mm for the EOP) is proposed. Preoperative evaluation of the patient should be carried out by spiral CT with 1 mm slicing and sagittal reconstructions.  (+info)

Spondyloptosis and multiple-level spondylolysis. (4/277)

An unusual case of a combination of multiple bilateral spondylolyses (L2, 3 and 4), spondylolisthesis at L3/4, spondyloptosis at L4/5 and sacralization of L5 in a teenage female is described. The patient had severely increasing lower back pain radiating to the left lower limb. Radiography identified the abnormalities and myelography revealed complete obstruction and compression of the thecal sac at the L4/5 level. The case was treated surgically by posterior decompression, corpectomy and fusion in a three-stage operation. The follow-up was extended to 2 years with no complications. No similar case has previously been reported.  (+info)

The 'MW' sacropelvic construct: an enhanced fixation of the lumbosacral junction in neuromuscular pelvic obliquity. (5/277)

Fixation to the lumbosacral spine to correct pelvic obliquity in neuromuscular scoliosis has always remained a surgical challenge. The strongest fixation of the lumbosacral junction has been achieved with either a Galveston technique with rods or screws or with iliosacral screws. We have devised a new fixation system, in which iliosacral screws are combined with iliac screws. This is made possible by using the AO Universal Spine System with side opening hooks above and below the iliosacral screws and iliac screws below it. The whole sacropelvis is thus encompassed by a maximum width (MW) fixation, which gives an 'M' appearance on the pelvic radiographs and a 'W' appearance in the axial plane. We report on our surgical technique and the early results where such a technique was used. We feel that this new means of fixation (by combining the strongest fixation systems) is extremely solid and should be included in the wide armamentarium of sacropelvic fixation.  (+info)

Vertical atlantoaxial dislocation. (6/277)

An unusual case of vertical atlantoaxial dislocation without medulla oblongata or spinal cord injury is reported. The pathogenic process suggested occipito-axial dislocation. The case was treated surgically with excellent results on mobility and pain.  (+info)

Subtalar arthrodesis with correction of deformity after fractures of the os calcis. (7/277)

We have reviewed the long-term results of 22 patients (23 fusions) with fractures of the os calcis, who had subtalar arthrodesis with correction of the deformity between 1975 and 1991. The mean follow-up was nine years (5 to 20). All patients were evaluated according to a modified foot score. A radiological assessment was used in which linear and angular variables were measured including the fibulocalcaneal abutment, the height of the heel and fat pad, the angle of the arch and the lateral talocalcaneal and the lateral talar declination angles. The technique used restores the normal relationship between the hindfoot and midfoot and corrects the height of the heel. This leads to better biomechanical balance of the neighbouring joints and gives a favourable clinical outcome. The modified foot score showed a good or excellent result in 51% of the feet. Residual complaints were mostly due to problems with the soft tissues. Subjectively, an excellent or good score was achieved in 78% of the cases. After statistical analysis, except for the height of the heel and the degenerative changes in the calcaneocuboid joint, no significant difference was found in the measured variables between the operated and the contralateral side.  (+info)

A population study in the Province of Ontario of the complications after conversion of hip or knee arthrodesis to total joint replacement. (8/277)

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the complication rates after conversion of hip and knee fusions to total joint replacements in the Province of Ontario. DESIGN: A retrospective cohort study. PATIENTS: Those who had undergone an elective conversion of a hip or knee fusion to a total joint replacement during fiscal year 1993 through 1996, as captured in the Canadian Institute for Health Information and Ontario Health Insurance Plan databases. OUTCOME MEASURES: Inhospital complications and length of initial hospital stay, revision, infection, amputation and repeat fusion rates within 4 years. RESULTS: Conversion of hip and knee fusion to total joint arthroplasty was generally performed by high-volume surgeons in high-volume hospital settings. Forty hip and 18 knee replacements involved conversion of a previous fusion. Conversion of a hip fusion was associated with a 10% infection rate, a 10% revision rate and a 5% resection arthroplasty rate due to infection within 4 years of the conversion. Conversion of a knee fusion was associated with an 11% infection rate, and a more than 5% revision rate at 4 years. Over 16% of patients who underwent conversion of a knee fusion required removal of the components (for various reasons) within the first 4 years. CONCLUSIONS: There is a high rate of complications after conversion of a hip or knee fusion to a total joint arthroplasty. These issues must be carefully considered and discussed with the patient before any conversion procedure.  (+info)