A pilot evaluation of the role of bracing in stable thoracolumbar burst fractures without neurological deficit.

Study Design: Prospective, 2-center, observer-blinded, randomized controlled trial.

Objective: Investigate clinical and radiologic outcomes of bracing versus no-bracing in the treatment of stable thoracolumbar burst fractures.

Summary Of Background Data: Management of thoracolumbar burst fractures depends upon clinical presentation of neurological deficit and radiographic features of fracture severity.

Clinical examination of scaphoid fractures.

Undetected scaphoid fractures may lead to complications, including nonunion, malunion, avascular necrosis, and wrist arthritis. A competent physical examination is essential for the diagnosis of scaphoid fractures in the setting of occult fractures presenting with normal radiographs. The differential diagnosis of occult scaphoid fractures includes acute tears of the scaphoid-lunate ligament, Kienbock's disease, occult ganglion, nondisplaced radial styloid fractures, and injury to the radial aspect of the radio-scapho-capitate ligament.

Physical examination of the wrist.

Physical examination of the wrist requires knowledge of wrist anatomy and pathology to make a diagnosis or narrow the differential diagnosis. Symptoms are provoked by palpation and signs are produced by manipulation. Negative findings elsewhere in the wrist are important.

Physical examination of the wrist.

Physical examination of the wrist requires knowledge of wrist anatomy and pathology to make a diagnosis or narrow the differential diagnosis. Symptoms are provoked by palpation and signs are produced by manipulation. Negative findings elsewhere in the wrist are important.

A biomechanical study in cadavers of cast boots used in the early postoperative period after first metatarsophalangeal joint arthrodesis.

Objectives: To compare the effectiveness of 3 common models of walking boots (Walkabout, Samson Walker and Equalizer Premium Walker) to that of a fibreglass cast in protecting an arthrodesis of the first metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint in the early postoperative period, we carried out a biomechanical study in cadavers in the bioengineering laboratory at Memorial University of Newfoundland.

Methods: Two cadaver models of a first MTP joint arthrodesis were prepared by placing a strain gauge at the joint. This provided a measure of the bending moment across the fusion site.