PURPOSE: To analyse the comparative clinical results between adults with multiple injury including the clavicular shaft fracture and only clavicular shaft fracture who had supportive care through retrospective aspect. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We had 48 adult patients in this hospital with simple fracture and multiple injury including the clavicular shaft whom we were able to evaluate at least more than a year. 12 of 48 patients were with only clavicular shaft fracture and the rest of them were with multiple injury. We classified patients into two groups those who had fracture with displacement for group A (A1 for the cases with over 50% of fracture surface contact rate and A2 for less than 50% from the images of simple X-ray) and those who had comminuted fracture for B. We compared the time of bone union, nonunion rate of only clavicular fractures and multiple injury, clinical results for patients who had supportive care with retrospective aspect. RESULTS: A1 (7 cases), A2 (4 cases), B (1 case) were prevalent in the group of only clavicular shaft fracture and A1 (8 cases) and A2 (16 cases) and B (12 cases) were prevalent in the group of multiple injury. For the cases with supportive care, we could find 1 nonunion case (8%) and 11 union cases on average 2.91 months in the group of only clavicular shaft fracture and 7 nonunion cases (19%) and 29 union cases on average 3.58 months in the group of multiple injury. The best clinical results had occurred in 8 cases (67%) of only clavicular shaft fracture group and 19 cases (53%) of multiple injury group. We could find out the union from all 8 nonunion cases that took operation afterward. CONCLUSION: Although the choice of treatment of clavicular fracture is supportive care, but multiple injury including the clavicular fracture is a high-energy injury, so the possibility of comminuted and displacement is high, so that nonunion rate is high. The possibility of early surgery must be considered seriously.
Adult ; Clavicle ; Fractures, Comminuted ; Humans ; Multiple Trauma* ; Retrospective Studies

PURPOSE: To investigate the utility of surgical treatment of clavicle shaft fracture using a percutaneous towel clip reduction and intramedullary fixation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was conducted for total 16 cases of patients who had no neurovascular injury and a few comminuted bone fragment among patients with clavicle shaft fracture from January 2002 to July 2003. The method of operation was percutaneous towel clip reduction and intramedullary fixation. The clinical and radiological results were evaluated. RESULTS: Radiologically, 15 cases showed bone unions and the average time was 9.1 weeks. According to Kang's criteria clinically, there were 14 cases which were more than an excellence. One case substituted open reduction and nailing fixation due to a medial migration of K-wire and re- displacement of fracture even in 1 week. However, there wasn't any other major complication. CONCLUSION: Due to its having no additional injury to soft tissues, no scar formations, and its short operation time, percutaneous towel clip reduction and intramedullary fixation will be very useful as one of the treatments of clavicular shaft fracture if it follows correct surgical indications.
Cicatrix ; Clavicle* ; Humans

PURPOSE: To analyze early postoperative complications of calcaneal fractures operated by a lateral extensile approach and to identify risk factors for wound complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From July 1990 to February 2003, 116 calcaneal fractures in 104 patients were treated by open reduction and internal fixation through a lateral extensile approach. The patient's records were reviewed for early postoperative complications. Statistical analysis was performed to determine significant relationships between predicted variables and the development of wound complications. RESULTS: Fourteen fractures (12.0%) developed infection. Ten of them were superficial infection and four were deep infection that required surgical treatment. Eight fractures (6.9%) developed skin necrosis. Six of them were marginal skin necrosis and two were flap necrosis that required surgical treatment. Seven fractures (6.0%) developed sural nerve injury, but their symptoms were improved without additional treatment. Open fracture (p=0.003) and prolonged operating time (p=0.049) increased significantly the rate of wound complications. CONCLUSION: The rate of early postoperative complications of calcaneal fractures operated by a lateral extensile approach is high. These complications can be reduced by meticulous treatment of an open wound, reduced operating time within 90 minutes through preoperative planning and skillful technique, and correct incision to avoid damage of the sural nerve.
Fractures, Open ; Humans ; Necrosis ; Postoperative Complications* ; Risk Factors ; Skin ; Sural Nerve ; Wounds and Injuries

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical results of modified tension band wire technique using cortical screw for treatment of displaced medial malleolar fractures of the ankle. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 2001 to January 2003, 24 patients were treated by modified tension band wiring using cortical screw for medial malleolar fracture. The follow-up period was 12~35 months (average 18 months). There were 13 males and 11 females, and the mean age was 46 years. Fractures were classified by Lauge-Hansen's classification. The results were analyzed by Meyer and Kumler's criteria. RESULTS: There were 13 cases (54%) of excellent, 9 cases (38%) of good, and one case of fair because of limitation of motion of the ankle joint and one case of poor which showed post-traumatic arthritis of the ankle. CONCLUSION: Modified tension band wire technique using cortical screw can be an effective operative method for the treatment of displaced medial malleolar fractures of the ankle.
Ankle ; Ankle Joint ; Arthritis ; Classification ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male

PURPOSE: To establish a general guide line in the treatment of the patellar fracture MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty three patellar fractures followed for 2.2 years in average, treated with internal fixation were evaluated retrospectively. The primary fixations were the metal screw fixation in 7, the Dall-Miles' cable circumferential fixation in 14 and combination of both methods in 2 cases. The additional fixations were the tension band wiring in 9, the load sharing cable fixation in 3 and combination of both methods in 5 cases. The initial postoperative immobilazation of the knee joint in flexion, preferably 90degrees, for 7 days was effective to gain full range of motion RESULTS: Complete union without displacement was achieved in all cases. Full ROM was achieved in all cases except one. CONCLUSION: The choice of internal fixation need to be individualized according to the level of comminution, bone strength, fracture site and soft tissue damage. A strong internal fixation, initial immobilization in flexion followed by early ROM exercise were important factors to gain good result.
Immobilization ; Knee Joint ; Patella ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Rehabilitation ; Retrospective Studies

PURPOSE: To investigate the characteristics of the sliding pattern of the proximal fragment (head and neck) in unstable intertrochanteric fractures, which were fixed with a dynamic hip screw (DHS) with anterior to posterior or posterior to anterior insertion angle in the axial view. MATERIALS AND METHODS: AO type A2.1 intertrochanteric fracture was reproduced in 10 proximal femur model (Synbone, Malans, Switzerland). Five fractured models were reduced and fixed using DHS with anterior to posterior insertion angle (group 1) and five models were fixed with posterior to anterior angle (group 2). Load of 500 N (30 cycles) was applied to the fracture fragment-plate complex using Instron 6022. Data on the distance of sliding and the angle of rotation of the proximal fragment were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: No significant difference was noted statistically in the distance of sliding between the two groups (p=0.92). However, the mean angle of rotation was 13.4degrees and 8.0degrees in group 1 and 2, respectively and the difference was statistically significant (p=0.012). Anterior cortical fracture of distal fragment was noted in 3 cases of group 1. There was no fracture of the anterior cortex in group 2. CONCLUSION: In unstable intertrochanteric fracture, the insertion angle of the lag screw in axial view does seem to play a role in the fate of bone-plate complex. Early eccentric contact of both fragments caused rotation of the proximal fragment in all cases and anterior cortical fracture of the distal fragment in 3 cases of group 1.
Femur ; Hip ; Hip Fractures*

PURPOSE: To compare the radiological and clinical results of Wayne-County reduction with anatomical reduction in treatment of the intertrochanteric fractures of the femur in elderly patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Among one hundred-three of intertrochanteric fractures treated with 135- degree angled compression hip scresw, eighty three cases treated by Wayne-County reduction (Group 1, 42 cases) and anatomical reduction (Group 2, 41 cases) with at least 1 year follow-up were reviewed. The average pateint ages were 72.4 (65~92) in group 1, 71.6 (65~89) in group 2, respectively. 33 cases (75.2%) in group 1 and 31 cases (77.5%) displayed unstable fractures by Jensen classification. The radiological observation was included neck-shaft angle, penetrating length of lag screw into head, sliding length of lag screw and time of bony union. The clinical results were evaluated by Koval criteria, Kyle's functional evaluation, leg length inequality and complications. RESULTS: There were no significant changes between group 1 and group 2 in stable fractures in the radiological and clinical results. In unstable fractures, the neck-shaft angle averaged 132.2 degree in group 1 and 129.4 degree in group 2 in the final follow-up films. The penetrating length of lag screw into head were 2.2 mm in group 1 and 3.1 mm in group 2 (p<005). But there were little differences in the sliding length of lag screw, the time of bony union and complication rates between groups. In post- operative evaluation of walking abilility by Koval, 31 patients (73.8%) in group 1 and 28 (68.3%) recovered the activity level before injury by the postoperative 1 year follow-up. Leg length discrepancy at final follow-up was 4.1+/-6 mm shortening in group 1 and 6.5+/-8 mm in group 2, respectively. CONCLUSION: Both Wayne-County reduction and anatomical reduction had a favorable results after treatment of stable intertrochanteric fractures of the femur, but Wayne-County reduction may be a better method in treatment of unstable fractures, especially in elderly patients, in which it is difficult to obtain anatomical reduction.
Aged* ; Classification ; Femur* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Head ; Hip ; Hip Fractures* ; Humans ; Leg ; Leg Length Inequality ; Walking

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical and radiologic results of the fracture fixation using the Proximal Femoral Nail (PFN) or Gamma nail in patient with the intertrochanteric fractures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 1999 to February 2002, we reviewed 63 patients of intertrochanteric fractures including 31 patients managed with Gamma nail and 32 patients with PFN. In variate analysis of age, the pattern and stability of fracture, bone density (Singh index), preoperative patient activity, there was no difference between two groups. We evaluated the operation time, blood loss, stable reduction rate and varus reduction rate as operation-related factors, and radiologically investigated union time, the frequency of delayed union and nonunion, failure of fixation, status of the fracture line and complications. Functional results were evaluated by the possibility of early ambulation, ambulation ability at last follow up, and the pre and postoperative difference of ambulatory ability. RESULTS: Mean operation time was 103+/-40 minutes in Gamma nail group and 101+/-28 minutes in PFN group. It was not statistically significant (p=0.801). Even though intraoperative blood loss was less in PFN group, it was not significant (p=0.601). Postoperative stable reduction rate was 31% in Gamma nail group and 30% in PFN group (p=0.934), suggesting not significant. Postoperative varus reduction and impacted amount of the fracture line was not significant. Delayed union developed in one case of Gamma nail group and 2 cases of PFN group. Mean loss of ambulation ability was 1.28 grade in Gamma nail group and 0.86 grade in PFN group (p=0.383). Statistical analysis was performed with the use of Student T test and Chi-square test. Analyses resulting in a p value of <0.05 were considered to show significance. CONCLUSION: Generally, the radiologic and clinical results of intertrochanteric fractures were comparable for the PFN group and Gamma nail group. Even though it was not statistically significant, PFN group had superior results in operation time and blood loss than Gamma nail group for the fixation of the patients with intertrochanteric fracture.
Early Ambulation ; Femur* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fracture Fixation ; Fractures, Bone ; Hip Fractures* ; Humans ; Walking

No abstract available.
Arthroplasty ; Femoral Fractures ; Hip

No abstract available.
Osteoporosis ; Republic of Korea