Synovial shelves of the knee: association with chondral lesions.

The objectives of the present study were to evaluate whether synovial shelves of the knee are associated with increased incidence of chondral lesions and to determine which types of plica are associated with significant articular damage. Data were collected prospectively from 1,000 consecutive knee arthroscopies. Of these patients, 321 (32.

Is there an association between articular cartilage changes and degenerative meniscus tears?

Purpose: The objective of the present study was to evaluate whether horizontal cleavage and complex meniscus tears, which are degenerative tears, are associated with an increased incidence of cartilage damage, in comparison with patients having other patterns of meniscal injury.

Type Of Study: Case series study.

Methods: Data were collected prospectively from 497 consecutive knee arthroscopies carried out from 1997 to 2001.

Internal derangements of the knee associated with patellofemoral joint degeneration.

The objective of the present study was to evaluate whether internal derangements of the knee joint are associated with patellofemoral joint (PFJ) degeneration. Data were collected prospectively from 1,000 consecutive knee arthroscopies. Chondral lesions were observed in 854 patients, and these patients were included in this study.

Shoulder hemiarthroplasty in the management of humeral head fractures.

The results of hemiarthroplasty for shoulder fracture were evaluated in 26 patients, 20 women and 6 men with a mean age of 64.7 +/- 8.2 years.

Use of a Dall-Miles plate and cables for the fixation of a periprosthetic humeral fracture.

Increase in the use of shoulder arthroplasty has resulted in the emergence of periprosthetic fractures of the humerus. The management of such fractures is technically demanding. We describe a case in which a displaced periprosthetic fracture at the tip of a stable humeral implant was successfully managed with the Dall-Miles plate and cables system.

Relevance of the restoration of humeral length and retroversion in hemiarthroplasty for humeral head fractures.

Sixteen patients, with a fracture of the upper humerus treated with hemiarthroplasty, were followed-up for 45.7 +/- 15.1 (20-72) months after surgery.

Complications and problems related to pedicle screw fixation of the spine.

This retrospective study analyzes the complications and the problems developed during and after pedicle screw fixation in patients with spinal disorders and trauma. One hundred twelve patients were treated using the Cotrel-Dubousset pedicle screw fixation system for degenerative disease (57 patients), trauma (42 patients), infection (eight patients), and tumor (five patients) of the lumbar or thoracolumbar spine. The average age of the patients was 47 years and the average followup was 35 months.

Posterior compact Cotrel-Dubousset instrumentation for occipitocervical, cervical and cervicothoracic fusion.

The authors report on 32 consecutive patients with instability at the craniocervical, cervical and cervicothoracic regions suffering from various pathologies, who were treated with posterior instrumentation and fusion using the posterior hooks-rods-plate cervical compact Cotrel-Dubousset (CCD) instrumentation alone or, in three patients, in combination with anterior operation. The patients were observed postoperatively for an average of 31 months (range 25-44 months) and evaluated both clinically and radiographically using the following parameters: spine anatomy and reconstruction, sagittal profile, neurologic status, functional level, complications and status of arthrodesis. All patients but one (who died) achieved a solid arthrodesis based on plain and flexion/extension roentgenograms.

An individualized approach for the implantation of a humeral prosthesis with the proper retroversion in fractures.

We applied a new methodology in 7 patients with a fracture of the upper humeral head that required hemiarthroplasty, to implant a humeral prosthesis with an individualized posterior version. Our goal was to determine preoperatively the distance from the posterior edge of the bicipital groove where the lateral fin of the humeral prosthesis should sit, in order to reproduce the individual retroversion during surgery. Using three computed tomography scan sections of the upper humerus and image processing software, we estimated the above-mentioned distance in the sound humerus and implanted the prosthesis in each patient accordingly.

The bicipital groove as a landmark for orientation of the humeral prosthesis in cases of fracture.

We studied 45 dry cadaveric humeri to determine whether the bicipital groove of the humerus can be used as a landmark for a proper, individualized orientation of a humeral prosthesis, especially in the case of a fracture. We performed 3 computed tomography sections (at a level just below the lower portion of the head, at the middle of the humeral head, and at a distance 5 cm below the first section), and we used special software for 3-dimensional image processing. To reproduce the individual posterior version of the head, when a humeral prosthesis is implanted for fracture, the lateral fin of the prosthesis should be a mean distance 5.

Treatment of unstable thoracolumbar and lumbar spine injuries using Cotrel-Dubousset instrumentation.

Study Design: In this prospective study, the results of treating unstable thoracolumbar and lumbar injuries with Cotrel-Dubousset instrumentation were investigated.

Objective: To determine the pain and work status of the patients, to evaluate neurologic status, and to assess the efficacy of instrumentation in the short term.

Summary Of Background Data: Short-segment pedicle screw construct is the method of choice for reduction and stabilization of unstable thoracolumbar spinal injuries.

Simultaneous double interphalangeal dislocation in a finger.

A rare case of simultaneous dorsal dislocation of both interphalangeal joints in a finger is presented. Review of reported cases revealed that this injury usually occurs on the ulnar side of the hand of young male athletes and has a good outcome with conservative treatment.