Variation in practice habits in the treatment of pediatric distal radius fractures.

Distal radius fractures are widespread in the pediatric population. Standardized treatment protocols have not been well defined. We sought to examine the diversity of current practice patterns in the treatment of these fractures by surveying hand, pediatric, and general orthopedic surgeons.

Long-term results of Swanson silicone arthroplasty for proximal interphalangeal joint osteoarthritis.

Purpose: To review the long-term outcome of the Swanson silicone arthroplasty in the osteoarthritic proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint at a single institution.

Methods: We identified 51 patients who had undergone PIP joint Swanson silicone arthroplasty for osteoarthritis and included in the study only those 22 patients (38 joints) who responded and could follow up. These patients returned for follow-up evaluation at an average of 10 years (range, 2-24 y).

Treatment strategies of distal radius fractures.

There has been a surge in the operative management of distal radius fractures. Closed reduction, external fixation, and open reduction with internal fixation each have advantages and disadvantages. The purpose of this review is not to provide the clinician with an algorithm for treatment of distal radius fractures.

The effects of surgical delay on the outcome of pediatric supracondylar humeral fractures.

Background: Occasionally, the treatment of a pediatric supracondylar humeral fracture is delayed owing to lack of an available treating physician, necessitating transfer of the child, or delay in availability of an operating room. The purpose of this study is to prospectively evaluate whether delayed pinning of these fractures affects the outcome or number of complications.

Methods: We reviewed information that was prospectively collected on 145 pediatric supracondylar humeral fractures that were treated by closed reduction and percutaneous pinning, with a minimum follow-up of 8 weeks.

Peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremity: medical comorbidity that confounds common orthopedic pathology.

In the orthopedic patient, the diagnosis of a compression neuropathy may be straightforward. However, various medical comorbidities can obscure this diagnosis. It is paramount for the practicing orthopedic surgeon to have an appreciation for the medical pathology of common axonal neuropathies to properly diagnose, treat, and refer a patient with altered sensation in the upper extremity.

Electrocautery-induced asystole in a scoliosis patient with a pacemaker.

Pediatric heart condition management may include a variety of implanted cardiac devices. Monopolar electrocautery (Bovie) produces significant electromagnetic interference to these devices. This interference can alter the function of a cardiac generator resulting in a variety of complications including impaired cardiac output and asystole.

Bilateral patellar dislocation associated with alpha-mannosidase deficiency.

Mannosidosis is an extremely rare genetic disease characterized by a deficiency of the lysosomal enzyme, alpha-mannosidase. This enzyme is necessary for cleavage of mannose from many glycoproteins. In the absence of this enzyme, mannose accumulates in cells throughout the body, including the joints and the synovium.