Objective To study advantages and disadvantages of the super-cutaneous calcaneal locking plate in the treatment of calcaneal fractures. Methods Between October 2007 to June 2008, 12cases of calcaneal fracture were treated with a super-cutaneous calcaneal locking plate. According to the Sanders classification system, 8 cases were of type ⅡA, one case of type ⅡB, one case of type ⅡC, one case of type Ⅲ AC, and one case of type Ⅳ. All the cases were fresh fractures. The skin incision was made from the distal tip of the fibula to the base of the fourth metatarsal. In direct observation of the posterior facet and anterior tuberosity, the articular fragments were reduced anatomically. Then the reduced calcaneus was fixed by a super-cutaneous calcaneal locking plate. After bone union was confirmed 3 months after the operation by the CT scans and X-ray films, the super-cutaneous plates and screws were removed in clinic. Results The average time of follow-up was 16 months with a span from 12 to 20 months. There were no incision or pin-hole infections. The reduction of the articular surface and bone union were good. One type ⅡA developed lateral wall exostosis which resulted in peroneal tendonitis and stenosis followed by obvious walking pain. The preoperative X-ray films of the 12 patients showed that the average B(o)hler angle was 11.9°±9.4° and the Gissane angle 86. 8°± 7. 7°. Their postoperative X-ray files demonstrated that the B(o)hler angle was improved to 29. 4°± 7.0° and the Gissane angle to 115.8°± 7.7°, with a significant difference ( P ＜ 0. 01 ). According to the Ankle Hindfoot Clinical Rating System of the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS),their average score was 91 points (68 to 100 points). Conclusions Using a super-cutaneous calcaneal locking plate to treat calcaneal fractures can result in limited invasion, a low rate of skin infection, satisfactory reduction of the articular surface and stable fixation. Since the fixation can be removed without re-hospitalization, it is a cheaper and less painful alternative for the treatment of displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures.

Objective To compare the posterior midline approach and the combined lateral and medial approach usually used in elbow arthrolysis. Methods From January to December in 2009, 41 cases of elbow stiffness were treated and fully followed up by the same team in our hospital. The posterior midline approach was used in 21 cases, 15 males and 6 females, with an average age of 35.8 years (16 to 70 years). In this group, the total flexion-extension arc was ＜ 30° in 12 cases, 31° to 60° in 7 cases, and 61° to 90° in 2 cases. Eight cases had ulnar symptoms. The combined lateral and medial approach was applied in 20 cases, 8 males and 12 females, with an average age of 38. 8 years (16 to 51 years). In this group, the total flexion-extension arc was ＜ 30° in 11 cases, 31° to 60° in 7 cases, and 61° to 90° in 2 cases. Five cases had ulnar symptoms. Results The 41 cases were followed up for 4 to 15 months (average, 7.9 months). In the posterior approach group, the mean preoperative flexion-extension ROM (27.6°± 25.7°) was improved to the postoperative 111.4°± 25.6°, the mean preoperative rotation ROM ( 152.9°± 46. 9°) to the postoperative 168.1°± 19. 1°, and the mean preoperative MEPS score (65.5 ± 11.5) to the postoperative 95.7 ±6.4. In the combined approach group, the mean flexion-extension ROM was improved from 35.5°± 25.0° preoperatively to 116. 5°± 19.1° postoperatively, the mean rotation ROM from 138.0°±55.7° preoperatively to 148.5°± 45.6° postoperatively, and the mean MEPS score from 66. 3 ± 13.0 preoperatively to 97.3 ± 7.0 postoperatively. The differences were statistically significant between preoperation and postoperation in both groups ( P ＜ 0. 05), but not statistically different between the 2 groups in the preoperative or postoperative values ( P ＞ 0. 05). In the posterior approach group, 5 patients had huge hematoma, 3 had wound dehiscence at the posterior elbow, and the others all had mild hematoma. But in the combined approach group, no wound complications were noted. Conclusion The combined lateral and medial approach should be used as far as possible in the elbow arthrolysis to avoid the likely complications when the posterior midline approach is used.

Objective To compare the clinical outcomes of open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) with total elbow arthroplasty (TEA) for type C inter-condylar fractures of the distal humerus in the elderly. Methods Twenty-two patients who were treated with ORIF or TEA from April 2003 to September 2009 were included in the study. All fractures were OTA classification 13C. Among them, 10 patients who were treated with ORIF were follow up for 8-56 months, while 12 patients who were treated with TEA were followed up for 15-54 months. The Mayo elbow performance score (MEPS) and the complications were compared. Results Using the MEPS, there were 2 in excellent, 4 in good, 4 in fair in the patients treated with ORIF. Complications included heterotopic ossifications (2 cases) and ulnar nerve dysfunction (2 cases).There were 6 in excellent, 4 in good, 2 in fair in the patients treated with TEA. Complications included 1heterotopic ossification (1 case), ulnar nerve dysfunction (1 case), the weakness of musculus triceps brachii (1 case). The patients treated with TEA had significantly better range of motion (107.5° vs 84.5°, P=0.007),also had better MEPS (87.9 vs 75.5, P=0.047) than those with ORIF had ones. Conclusion TEA is a liable option for type C inter-condylar fractures of the distal humerus in the elderly.

Recurrent anterior shoulder instability is a common problem we have to deal with in clinic. With the progress in shoulder and elbow surgery, there have appeared many new concepts about the etiology, diagnosis and treatment of this disease. About 2 decades ago, people realized the important role of glenohumeral ligaments. Now we believe that the stability of the glenohumeral joint relies heavily on the congruent articulating surfaces and surrounding soft tissues that act as static and dynamic stabilizers. Many new methods, such as MRI, physical examination under anesthesia and arthroscopy, can help us diagnose the disease accurately. Moreover, substantial progress has been made in the treatment of anterior shoulder instability. Open Bankart repair has become the golden standard for the treatment. With the advance of techniques, however, arthroscopic stabilization of anterior shoulder instability can now achieve good results comparable with those of open surgery.

Objective To study the relationship between the Bado's classification of the Monteggia fracture in adult and their prognosis. Methods Studying the 60 patients in our hospital suffering from Monteggia fracture-dislocation during 10 years between 1994 to 2004, and their clinical data of the follow-up is analysised with statistics. There were 26 cases with Bado type Ⅰ fracture-dislocations, 14 cases with Bado type Ⅱ fracture-dislocations, 19 cases with Bado type Ⅲ and 1 case with Bado type Ⅳ fracture-dislocations. The fractures of the shaft of the ulna were treated operatively with open reduction and internal fixation using plates and screws. The fractures of the radial head were operated with open reduction and internal fixation, or are treated with the resection of the partial or total radial head. For the cases of the dislocation of the radial head without fracture, the most commonly used treatment method was to reduce the dislocation closely and stable the position with external fixation by a plaster cast. For the injury of the radial nerve associated with the Monteggia fracture dislocation, no operation had been done to make an exploration. Rank Sun Test of NoSA system was adopted to analysis the clinical data gained above. Results The average duration of the follow-up was 24 months (12-72 months). The results were graded according to the score system of Broberg and Morrey. In Bado type Ⅰ, 24 cases were considered satisfactory and 2 cases unsatisfactory, satisfactory ratio is 92%; In Bado type Ⅱ, 10 cases satisfactory and 4 cases unsatisfactory, satisfactory ratio was 71%; In Bado type Ⅲ and type Ⅳ, all the cases gained satisfactory results, satisfactory ratio was 100%. Rank Sun Test showed there was no obvious difference on prognosis between every group of the Bado's classification system. But statistical obvious difference could be found between the group with the fractures of the radial head and the group without. Conclusion The classification system of Bado has no prediction prognosis. In adult Monteggia fracture, the final result largely depends on whether there is a fracture of the radial head.

Objective To summarize the methods and results of treatment of displaced humeral su rgical neck fractures with closed reductio n and percutaneous pin fixation.Methods We reviewed 46patients who had been diagnosed as the displaced hume ral surgical neck fractures and trea ted with closed reduction and percut aneous pin fixation using?2.5mm Kirschner wire with terminal t hread from January 2001to December 2002in our hospital.Results34patients received a complete follow-up.The mean follow-up time was 22months(10to 34months).Evaluation was done with Constant-M urley rating system.The mean absolu te Constant-Murley score was 92(76～100).86%(29/34)of the cases were excellent or good,14%(5/34)were fair,and none were poor.All the fractures united 6to 8weeks after operation,a nd no fixation failure or humeral hea d necrosis was found.Conclusion Treatment of displaced humeral surg ical neck fractures with closed reduction and percutaneous pin fixation can shorten operation time,lead to minimal soft tissue lesion and reliable fixation,and allow early functional exercis e after op-eration and easy removal of the wire. [

The shoulder is a complex joint which consists of sternoclavicular joint, clavicle, acromioclavicular joint, scapula, glenohumeral joint,proximal humerus and scapulothoracic joint. It is important for us to have a good knowledge of the normal biomechanics of the shoulder when we treat shoulder problems. So this article intends to help its readers to get familiar with the characteristics of functional anatomy, biomechanics and motion of the shoulder under physiological condition.

The article gives a brief account of the functional anatomy of the shoulder, and analyzes the movement of the shoulder and the function of each muscle involved in the movement. On the basis of the anatomy, the article also describes the anterior, lateral and posterior approaches to the shoulder, surgical procedures and points for attention related to the approaches.

0.05). Conclusion Although it is expensive, CT scan should serve as a routine examination before operation because it has significant effects on treatment plan and classification of tibial plateau fractures.

Objective To discuss complications in locking plate treating displaced proximal hu-meral fractures and explore preventive methods. Methods The study involved 92 patients who were treated with open reduction and internaI fixation with Locking plate from September 2004 to June 2007 and followed up for average 15.2 months(6-36 months).,There were 78 fresh fractures and 14 delayed ones.The average age of the patients was 47.7 years(17-83 years).American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Form(ASES)score,Constant-Murley score,University of California-Los Angels scoring system(UCLA) score and Simple Shoulder Test(SST)were used to evaluate the clinical results and observe range of mo-tion,recovery of pain and complications at the latest follow up.In the meantime.we observed the differ-ence of complications in different age,Sex,fracture side,operation time,injury causes,combined injury and fracture tvpe and compared the elinieal results between the patients with complications and those with-out. Results The average forward flexion wag(148.9 ±17.3)°(90°-170°).average external rota-tion up to(29.3 ±15.0)°(0°-70°)and average internal rotation reached T9(T4-L5).The mean VAS score was for(0.9 ±1.1)points(0-5 points).the mean ASES for(86.4 ±13.0)points(52-100points),the mean Constant score for(87.5±10.6)points(55-100 points),the mean UCLA for(30.2±4.0)points(18-35 points)and the mean positive answer of SST for 9.6(4-12).There were 17 pa-tients with complications.with incidence rate of 18.5%.As for incidence rate of complication.there was no statistical difierence upon different sex,time from injury to operation,injury side,combined injury,injury cause,fracture type or fixation type.However,there wag significant difierence in aspect of difierent ages.with incidence rate of complication for 25.5%in patients younger than 50 years old and 8.1% in those older than 50 years old(P＜0.05).Compared with non-complication group,complication group showed significant less extemal rotation and Constant-Murlev and UCLA functional score(P＜0.05).Conclusions Locking plate is a reliable method for displaced proximal humeral fractures.but there still with indication control and appropriate surgical technique,luring the whole procedure so as to reduce inci-dence rate of compl ication as possible.