PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficasy of dorsal percutaneous Acutrak screw fixation for acute stable or unstable scaphoid fractures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We assessed 7 cases of acute scaphoid fracture from January 2001 to Febrary 2002, 5 cases were of acute stable fracture (Herbert type A2) and 2 cases were of unstable minimal displaced fracture (Herbert type B2). All were treated by dorsal percutaneous Acutrak screw fixation. The postoperative management protocol involved removing the splint at postoperative 1 week, this was followed by active and strengthening exercise. Patients returned to work at a postoperative 2 weeks, and a follow-up study 7cases from 12 to 20 months (average 15.8 months). RESULTS: According to tenderness at the anatomical snuff box, pain during range of motion of the wrist joint and the Maudsley scale, 6cases (Herbert type A2: 5 case, Herbert type B2: 1 case) were excellent and one case (Herbert type B2) was good. CONCLUSION: Dorsal percutaneous Acutrak screw fixation is useful method for acute stable or minimal displaced scaphoid waist fractures, because it reduces complications due to prolonged cast immobilization.
Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Immobilization ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Splints ; Tobacco, Smokeless ; Wrist Joint

Streptococcal myositis is an extremely uncommon infectious disease that is caused by Group A Streptococcus (GAS). A GAS infection spreads rapidly and diffusely through the muscle, resulting in edema and necrosis. This can lead to streptococcal toxic shock syndrome with an extremely hig mortality. We report a 42 year-old female patient with Streptococcal myositis accompanying with systemic lupus erythematosus who initially presented with fever, severe pain, and tenderness on the calf without any prodromal symptom of myositis. Despite the aggressive management, her general symptoms were aggravated and she died 7 days later as result of the toxic shock syndrome.
Adult ; Communicable Diseases ; Edema ; Female ; Fever ; Humans ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic* ; Mortality ; Myositis* ; Necrosis ; Prodromal Symptoms ; Shock, Septic ; Streptococcus