Biomechanical Comparison of Olecranon Sled Versus Intramedullary Screw Tension Banding for Olecranon Osteotomies.

Background: Olecranon osteotomies are frequently performed to gain access to the distal humeral articular surface. Repair of the osteotomy or fixation of a simple 2-part olecranon fracture with traditional tension band construct is often plagued by complication. Proximal migration and irritation attributed to hardware are common complications of the standard construct of an intramedullary screw with tension band and are causes for reoperation.

Current Practice in the Management of Open Fractures Among Orthopaedic Trauma Surgeons. Part A: Initial Management. A Survey of Orthopaedic Trauma Surgeons.

Objectives: Open fractures are one of the injuries with the highest rate of infection that orthopaedic trauma surgeons treat. The main purpose of this survey was to determine current practice and practice variation among Orthopaedic Trauma Association (OTA) members and make treatment recommendations based on previously published resources.

Design: Survey.

Costs of non-helmeted motorcycle riding in Connecticut.

Motorcycle-related head injuries and fatalities are a serious public health concern that can be reduced with helmet use. Caring for crash victims places additional economic stress on the healthcare system. The current Connecticut motorcycle helmet law does not require all motorcyclists to wear helmets.

Effects of transdermal testosterone on bone and muscle in older men with low bioavailable testosterone levels, low bone mass, and physical frailty.

Objectives: To investigate the effects of testosterone supplementation on bone, body composition, muscle, physical function, and safety in older men.

Design: Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial.

Setting: A major medical institution.

The value of mentorship in orthopaedic surgery resident education: the residents' perspective.

Background: The concept of mentoring is believed to be influential in an effective medical and surgical educational environment. Several authors have discussed the issue of mentorship and its challenges, yet no one has studied the prevalence of mentoring among orthopaedic residency programs and its perceived value from the orthopaedic residents' perspective.

Methods: Between January 1, 2008, and February 1, 2008, a survey created by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons was distributed by mail and e-mail to 3655 orthopaedic residents to obtain their opinion of the value of and their experience with mentorship.

Olecranon fractures repaired with FiberWire or metal wire tension banding: a biomechanical comparison.

Purpose: Tension band constructs are commonly used for olecranon fracture fixation. The purpose of this study was to determine if a tension band constructed of FiberWire (Arthrex, Naples, FL), a high-strength polyester and polyethylene suture, will provide fixation that is equivalent to an 18-gauge metal wire tension band.

Methods: The following 4 fixation methods were biomechanically tested in cadaveric elbows with a simulated transverse olecranon fracture: (1) Kirschner wires (K-wires) with an 18-gauge metal wire tension band, (2) K-wires with a FiberWire tension band, (3) intramedullary screw with an 18-gauge metal wire tension band, and (4) intramedullary screw with a FiberWire tension band.

Chronic osteomyelitis: results obtained by an integrated team approach to management.

Background: The pathology of chronic osteomyelitis suggests that thorough debridement of bone and soft tissue, with closure of dead space, supported by appropriate antibiotics would be the optimal therapeutic strategy.

Methods: In 1993, we formed a multidisciplinary Bone Infection Team (orthopaedic surgeon, infectious diseases specialist, plastic surgeon, and nurse practitioner) to apply those principles to the treatment of chronic osteomyelitis. We present the outcomes of such therapy in 82 patients treated by the Team in the first seven years.

Moving toward a standard for spinal fusion outcomes assessment.

Previous spinal fusion outcomes assessment studies have been complicated by inconsistencies in evaluative criteria and consequent variations in results. As a result, a general consensus is lacking on how to achieve comprehensive outcomes assessment for spinal fusion surgeries. The purpose of this article is to report the most validated and frequently used assessment measures to facilitate comparable outcomes studies in the future.