As Kelsey stated “Four out of five individuals will have a significant complaint of back painat one time or another in their lives and impairment of the spine are the most frequent cause of time lost from work”., low back pain affects the quality of life for just about everyone, medical and economic impacts of low back pain are enormous. Nevertheless, neither the government not industry has been seriously involved in the study of the cause, prevention, and management of back pain. The purpose of this study was to review and analysis the clinical materials of low back painand draw differences, if any, between discogenic and stenotic low back pain. Three hundreds and fourty nine cases suffering from low back pain and/or sciatic pain, excluded fresh traumatic and inflammatory conditions of the spine, have been admitted and treated at Dept. of orthopaedic surgery, Eul-Ji General Hospital, Dae-Jeon from May, 1981 to April, 1984. They were consisted of H.N.P. (172 cases), Spinal stenosis (61 cases), Spondylolisthesis (42) cases), Degenerative joint Disease of the spine (48 cases), and Others (26 cases). Among them, two hundred and twenty six cases who were followed more than four months were mainly subjectecl to this study.
Back Pain ; Clinical Study ; Hospitals, General ; Intervertebral Disc ; Joint Diseases ; Low Back Pain ; Quality of Life ; Spinal Stenosis ; Spine ; Spondylolisthesis

No abstract available.

We reviewed 56 patients who received mandibulotomy at Yonsei medical center between 1989 and 1999. We also analysed the complications associated with mandibulotomy and its contributing factors. The complications occur in 16 patients(28.6%) and are classified into two categories; intraoperative and postperative complications. Nonunion was observed in 5 patients and osteoradionecrosis in 5. The patients who received preoperative radiation therapy were more tend to develop nonunion and osteoradionecrosis. This study suggests the benefits of mandibulotomy as a surgical approach to oral cancer: 1. Paramedian osteotomy was recommended for preservation of neurovascular bundle and ease of surgical access. 2. By using thin saw blade, reapproximation was improved with minimal bone loss. 3. osteotomy on anterior mandible which lies outside the usual portals of radiation therapy decreases the incidence of osteoradionecrosis.
Humans ; Incidence ; Mandible ; Mouth Neoplasms* ; Osteoradionecrosis ; Osteotomy

PURPOSE: To evaluate the results of surgical treatment of posterior wall fractures of the acetabulum and to determine the factors affecting the results. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-one posterior wall fractures were reviewed; 7 type A1-1, 19 type A1-2 and 5 type A1-3 by AO classification. Postoperatively, the accuracy of the reduction was evaluated. At the final follow-up, clinical and radiographic results were evaluated with medical records and radiographs. The factors affecting the results were determined. RESULTS: The reduction was graded as anatomical in 22 patients, imperfect in seven and poor in two. The clinical result was excellent in 21 hips, good in six, fair in three and poor in one. The quality of the reduction was strongly associated with the clinical result. The radiographic result was excellent in 22 hips, good in five, fair in two and poor in two. The clinical result was related closely to the radiographic result. Complications were osteoarthritis in three patients, osteonecrosis of the femoral head in one, heterotopic ossification in one, penetration of a screw into the joint in one and iatrogenic sciatic nerve injury in one. The factors affecting the clinical results were fracture patterns, the surgeon's experience, the accuracy of the reduction and late complications. CONCLUSION: In this present series of posterior wall fractures, as their prognosis depends on the severity of the injury and the accuracy of the reduction, satisfactory result can be obtained by anatomical reduction with thorough preoperative planning and the surgeon's experience.
Acetabulum* ; Classification ; Follow-Up Studies ; Head ; Hip ; Humans ; Joints ; Medical Records ; Ossification, Heterotopic ; Osteoarthritis ; Osteonecrosis ; Prognosis ; Sciatic Nerve

Lateral ankle sprains are one of the most common injuries to the lower extremity. Most of them well respond to conservative treatments. However, simultaneous peroneal nerve injuries may occur rarely following lateral ankle ligamentous injuries. We report a case presents superficial peroneal nerve injury with dorsal foot pain lasting for more than 2 months after lateral ankle sprain and review the literature.
Animals ; Ankle ; Foot ; Ligaments ; Lower Extremity ; Peroneal Nerve ; Sprains and Strains

Unstable fractures of the proximal humerus should be treated with precise reduction and stable fixation, and early joint motion should be permitted. But stable fixation of the proximal humerus is frequently difficult to obtain in older patients due to osteoporosis and fracture comminution. We treated one case of a segmental comminuted fracture of the proximal humerus with severe osteoporosis with a method of inlay fibular autograft and fixation with a helical locking compression plate (LCP). Stable fixation was obtained, so early motion of the shoulder joint was permitted. The fracture was healed in 12 weeks after the operation without loss of fixation and there were no problems at the donor site of the fibula. Functional recovery of the shoulder was satisfactory. The result of Neer's functional score was 87 points (satisfactory) and Constant score was 83 points.
Autografts* ; Fibula ; Fractures, Comminuted* ; Humans ; Humerus* ; Inlays* ; Joints ; Osteoporosis ; Shoulder ; Shoulder Joint ; Tissue Donors

PURPOSE: evaluate the effectiveness of minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO) in unstable fractures of the distal tibia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From March 2001 to December 2003, 21 cases with unstable fractures of the distal tibia were treated with MIPO technique and followed for at least one year. Eighteen cases were extra-articular and three cases were intra-articular fractures. According to AO classification, six cases were 42-A, four 42-B, one 42-C, seven 43-A, and three 43-C. There was only one case of Gustilo-Anderson type II open fracture. We reviewed the results of fracture healing, axial and rotational deformity, ankle motion, and complications RESULTS: All fractures were healed in an average of 16.1 weeks (range, 11 to 24 weeks). There was only one case of 7-degree posterior angular deformity, but no cases of rotational malalignment. Recovery of ankle motion was satisfactory in all patients within 5-degree loss of motion. Subcutaneous abscess was developed in one case after fracture healing and cured by a drainage with implant removal. CONCLUSION: Although MIPO technique is technically more demanding than the traditional open technique, MIPO technique is an effective method for unstable fractures of the distal tibia because it minimizes incidence of soft-tissue compromise and infection and provides good fracture healing.
Abscess ; Ankle ; Classification ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Drainage ; Fracture Healing ; Fractures, Open ; Humans ; Incidence ; Intra-Articular Fractures ; Tibia*

STUDY DESIGNS: A retrospective study of clinical experience. OBJECTIVES: To investigate and report the iatrogenic form of spinal infections that occur after injection therapy in the spine. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: An iatrogenic infection after injection therapy in the spine is rarely reported to be a serious complication. However, an increase in the number of immunocompromised patients, the aging of the population, and particularly an increase in spinal procedureshave precipitated a rise in the incidence of spinal infections. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Iatrogenic spinal infections occurred in 8 patients after various injection therapy in the spine, which included an epidural steroid injection or trigger point injection for various spinal conditions. The medical records and images of these patients regarding the clinical findings, risk factors, and treatments were analyzed. RESULTS: The pathologic conditions of the spinal infection were discitis in four patients with a concomitant infection in the epidural space and paraspinal muscles, an epidural abscess, and solitary muscular abscess or myositis in the other 3 patients. The systemic risk factors contributing to the infections were diabetes mellitus, metastatic cancer, and chronic liver disease in four patients. For treatment, intensive antibiotic therapy was applied to all patients. Six of the 8 patients underwent surgical drainage for abscesses and/or fusion to stabilize the infected segments. The infections were eventually controlled in all patients. CONCLUSION: Iatrogenic pyogenic infections of the spine after injection therapy in the spine is a serious complication with regard morbidity and treatment. To avoid these serious complications, a specialist experienced in aseptic techniques should perform these spinal procedures, particularly in those patients with the risk factors.
Abscess ; Aging ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Discitis ; Drainage ; Epidural Abscess ; Epidural Space ; Humans ; Immunocompromised Host ; Incidence ; Liver Diseases ; Medical Records ; Myositis ; Paraspinal Muscles ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Specialization ; Spine* ; Trigger Points

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the surgical outcomes of isolated greater tuberosity fractures of the proximal humerus fixed with the spring plates. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fourteen patients who could be followed up at least 1 year after the surgical treatment of isolated greater tuberosity fracture were evaluated. Their mean age was 51 years (range, 25~73 years). The deltopectoral approach and fixation with the spring plate were performed in all cases. The spring plate was used in all cases. In some circumstances, sutures incorporating the rotator cuff, interfragmentary screw or tension band wire were added. We evaluated the clinical outcomes using UCLA scoring system and KSS (Korean Shoulder Score). RESULTS: The mean UCLA score was 29.8 and the mean KSS was 89.4. The average time of bony union was 10.2 weeks (range, 7~14 weeks) after the surgery, including 1 case that was performed the secondary operation due to metal failure. The shoulder stiffness were observed in 4 cases and one case of infection was treated well without operation. CONCLUSION: In the treatment of isolated greater tuberosity fractures of the proximal humerus, the spring plates fixation can be a good surgical option providing reliable functional results.
Humans ; Humerus ; Rotator Cuff ; Shoulder ; Sutures

PURPOSE: To evaluate the results and complications of treatment using T-plate fixation for two- and three-part fractures of the proximal humerus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 1996 and July 2003, thirty-three patients with two-part and three-part fractures of the proximal humerus were treated by T-plate fixation. There were 21 two-part fractures and 12 three-part fractures including three shoulder dislocations. The reduction was qualified and complications were assessed with final radiographs. The functional outcome was evaluated by Neer's rating system. RESULTS: Thirty-two cases (96.7%) were united, twenty-nine cases (87.9%) were reduced as good, and twenty-three cases (70%) had excellent or satisfactory results. There were four cases of loss of reduction, three cases of stiff joint, one case of nonunion, and one case of avascular necrosis of the humeral head, but no infection. No correlation was found between the final result and the type of fracture, age, gender, or quality of reduction. CONCLUSION: T-plate fixation for proximal humeral fractures is a reliable method to obtain good results through satisfactory reduction, rigid fixation, and early movement. Additional tension band wiring can provide stable fixation for osteoporotic or comminuted fractures difficult to obtain stable fixation.
Fractures, Comminuted ; Humans ; Humeral Head ; Humerus* ; Joints ; Necrosis ; Shoulder Dislocation ; Shoulder Fractures