OBJECTIVETo study the advantage of fir bark splint for the treatmet of distal radius fracture.

METHODSFrom January 2006 to June 2008, 80 cases were randomly divided into two groups and treated by fir bark splint fixation or plaster fixation. There were 40 cases in the fir bark splint group, including 18 males and 22 females with an average age of 45.2 years ranging from 20 to 66 years. There were 40 cases in the plaster group, including 19 males and 21 females with an average age of 44.1 years ranging from 23 to 65 years. Four weeks after manipulative reduction and external fixation, the fixtion effect, function recovery, bone mineral density of secondly metacarpus were obsearved by X-ray film, and the clinical effect were evaluated according to healing time ahead of schedule.

RESULTSAs compared between the two groups, the fixation effect of the fir bark splint group was better than that of the plaster group (Z = -2.844, P = 0.004 < 0.05); the function recovery of the fir bark splint group was better than that of the plaster group (Z = -3.196, P = 0.001 < 0.05); the bone mineral density of secondly metacarpus of the fir bark splint group were better than that of plaster group (t = 4.56, P < 0.001); the curative effect of fir bark splint group was better than that of the plaster group (Z = -2.601, P = 0.009 < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONFir bark splint could effectively keep fixation stability and promote fracture healing as well as function recovery.

Adult ; Aged ; Bone Density ; Casts, Surgical ; External Fixators ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Radius Fractures ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Splints

OBJECTIVETo investigate the therapeutic effects of closed reduction and external fixation (plaster or splint) for the treatment of displaced humeral supracondylar fractures in children.

METHODSFrom March 2007 to September 2009,33 children (15 female and 18 male) with humeral supracondylar fractures treated in our hospital, ranging from 3 to 12 years old with an average of 6.4 years old. All the fractures were extension-type injuries, the flexion injures were excluded in our study. The humeral supracondylar fractures were classified according to Gartland classification. There were 21 Type H and 12 type III. In the initial treatment, all the patients were treated with closed reduction and external immobilization. The blood supply of the damaged upper extremity was evaluated before and after treatment. Clinical assessment was obtained at final follow-up using Flynn criteria, and radiologic assessment was obtained using Baumann and lateral humerocapitellar angles.

RESULTSAll the children were treated successfully with closed reduction in the initial time; 24 children maintained limb alignment by external immobilization. Nine patients lost position due to the swelling around the elbow which affected unstable external fixation during the follow-up, 5 of which were treated with a repeated closed reduction and internal fixation with Kirschner wires, 4 of which were treated with traction. Thirty-one patients had a satisfactory outcome and 2 patients had an unsatisfactory outcome according to the Flynn criteria at the latest follows-up.

CONCLUSIONClosed reduction and external stabilization is an important method for the treatment of displaced humeral supracondylar fractures in children. Making regular follow-up visits after closed reduction and casting is important for patients to maintain acceptable alignment, avoid complications and diagnose any loss of reduction.

Casts, Surgical ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; External Fixators ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; Humans ; Humeral Fractures ; surgery ; Male ; Splints

No abstract available.
External Fixators

No abstract available.
External Fixators

No abstract available.
External Fixators*

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to determine whether the three-dimensional computed tomography (3D-CT) images would increase the reliability of fracture classification and influence treatment plan of distal radius fractures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four independent observers evaluated radiographic images of thirty patients with distal radius fractures. The fracture classification has been performed based on (1) AO classification, (2) Fernandez classification, (3) Frykman classification. And then treatment plan was planned based on (1) closed reduction with Sugar-tong splint, (2) closed reduction with pinning, (3) closed reduction with external fixator, (4) open reduction with plate (volar approach), (5) open reduction with plate (dorsal approach). Two rounds of evaluation were compared regarding: (1) simple radiographs alone, and (2) simple radiographs and 3D-CT together two weeks after that. This cycle was then repeated to assess intraobserver reliability. RESULTS: 3D-CT improved the intraobserver and interobserver reliability regarding the fracture classification and treatment plan. And the addition of 3D-CT to simple radiographs influenced treatment recommendations, resulting in a significantly greater number of decisions for an open approach (p<0.05, McNemar test). CONCLUSIONS: 3D-CT is a reliable tool of fracture classification and improves treatment plan of distal radius fractures.
External Fixators ; Humans ; Radius ; Radius Fractures ; Splints

OBJECTIVETo study and compare the difference on the therapeutical effectiveness between paper splint adduction fixation and plaster abduction fixation in Bennett fracture.

METHODSIn the study, seventy outpatient were selected from October 2005 to April 2007, and devided into two groups randomly involving experiment group (35 cases with paper splint adduction fixation) and control group (35 cases with plaster abduction fixation). After the fracture clinical healed and removed fixation, the patients had been followed up 6 months. At the 6th, 8th, 12th, 16th, 20th, 24th week after fracture, the fracture hand had been scored and compared according to Gabriele's score system.

RESULTSAt the 8th, 12th, 16th and 20th week, the excellent rate of experiment group was higher than control group, there was significant difference (P<0.05) At 6th week and 24th week there was no significant difference (P>0.05). At 8th, 12th, 16th, 20th and 24th week, the functional score of experiment group was higher than control group, there was significant difference (P<0.05); At 6th week there was no significant difference (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe paper splint adduction fixation could promote recovery of the hand function in Bennett fracture. In addition, the paper splint adduction fixation is comfortable to recipient. It could be spreaded in clinic as a effective fixation method.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Casts, Surgical ; External Fixators ; Female ; Fracture Fixation ; Fracture Healing ; Fractures, Bone ; therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Metacarpal Bones ; injuries ; Middle Aged ; Splints ; Treatment Outcome

The mechanical stiffness of Unilateral-Ring Hybrid External Fixation(URHEF) was analyzed and compared with conventional Ilizarov circular external fixation system and unilateral fixation with DynaExtor(R). Our URHEF is basically a unilateral external fixation system which affords easier incorporation and removal of the Ilizarov rings(200mm in diameter) coupled with connecting clamps at anytime, if needed. It allows controlled axial micromotion in due time. For mechanical test, URHEF system was constructed using a DynaExtor(R) fixed with two or three half pins(6 mm in diameter) attached with two proximal and distal Ilizarov rings fixed with an olive pin and a half pin on each ring. Unilateral fixation system was constructed with a DynaExtor(R) fixed with 2 or 3 half pins. Ring fixation system was constructed with four Ilizarov rings(140mm in diameter). Ilizarov system were assembled into 90degrees-90degrees and 45degrees-13 5degrees configurations with 2 olive pins, respectively. The distance between the center of pylon and the pin-clamp interface was equalized, being 70mm, in all the systems. Stiffness in axial compression, anteroposterior and lateral bending was measured. On axial compression and lateral bending tests, URHEF was stiffer than DynaExtor(R) and Ilizarov systems. On anteroposterior bending test, URHEF was less stiff than 90degrees-50degrees configuration of the Ilizarov system but stiffer than 45degrees-135degrees configuration. Considering the fact that instead of 90degrees-90degrees transfixing pin fixatin system, 45degrees-135degrees configuration system is generally used in clinical practice, URHEF appears to be significantly stiffer than unilateral(DynaExtor(R)) and circular (Ilizarov)fixation systems. This mechanical study implicates that URHEF can be beneficially applied in the clinical use with assurance of mechanical stability.
External Fixators ; Olea

No abstract available.
Arthrodesis* ; External Fixators* ; Knee*

A total of 16 metatarsal bones were treated for ten with brachymetatarsia using two different methods: single staged lengthening by bone graft(2 cases) and gradual distraction lengthening using unilateral external fixator(14 cases). Three cases of first metatasal bone and thirteen cases of fourth metatarsal bone were operated. All of the cases of the brachymetatarsia were congenital. The average amount of lengthening was 16.1 mm in gradual distraction lengthening while 10.5mm in single staged lengthening. Average percentile increase was 38.8% in gradual distraction lengthening and 23% in single staged lengthening. The average healing index of gradual distraction lengthening was 1.7(months/cm). Although single staged lengthening has advantage of cosmetics, gradual distraction lengthening using unilateral external fixator was thought to be effective functionally for metatarsal lengthening.
External Fixators ; Metatarsal Bones