Treatment of chronic nonunions of the humerus with free vascularized fibula transfer: a report of thirteen cases.

Chronic nonunions of the humerus remain a challenging problem. We reviewed 13 cases of chronic nonunion of the humerus resulting from trauma or osteomyelitis treated with vascularized fibula transfer after failure of conventional treatment. Patient averages were 35 years of age, follow-up of 19 months, and 4.

Effect of elbow position on grip strength in the evaluation of lateral epicondylitis.

Purpose: This study evaluated the maximum grip strength in a position of elbow extension versus flexion as a diagnostic tool in the assessment of a patient with suspected lateral epicondylitis (LE).

Methods: From our database we identified 81 patients with grip strength measurements and the diagnosis of LE. From these patient records we collected grip strength measurements with the elbow in full extension and with the elbow in 90 degrees of flexion for the affected and the healthy extremity.

Free fibula transfer in the treatment of difficult distal tibia fractures.

Management of the high-grade open distal tibia fracture remains problematic. The authors reviewed the charts of 14 cases of distal tibia and tibial plafond fractures reconstructed with a free fibula transfer. Six cases involved a plafond defect, and the fibula was used to arthrodese the tibio-talar joint.

Magnetic resonance imaging of the elbow: update on current techniques and indications.

The utility of magnetic resonance imaging of the elbow has noticeably improved over the past decade. Advances in equipment and refinement of pulse sequences has allowed for superior visualization of many pathologic processes involving the elbow joint and its surrounding structures. At this time, magnetic resonance imaging is most valuable in detecting occult fractures, osteochondritis dissecans, collateral ligament tears, nonossified intra-articular loose bodies, and soft tissue masses.

A new method of selecting Schwann cells from adult mouse sciatic nerve.

We describe a method of using laminin for the selection and purification of Schwann cells in vitro. We also studied the viability of the selected cells suspended in alginate beads both in vitro and in vivo. We observed that the homogeneity of the Schwann cell culture increased with each round of laminin selection and reached 85-90% after five passages.

Interposition arthroplasty with bone-tendon allograft: a technique for treatment of the unstable sternoclavicular joint.

Sternoclavicular joint instability is an uncommon but challenging clinical problem for the orthopaedic surgeon. Although most cases can be treated nonoperatively with minimal long-term pain or functional limitation, a small percentage may require surgical intervention. This includes chronic anterior instability associated with persistent pain or functional limitation as well as irreducible or recurrent posterior instability.

Use of ultrasound in determining treatment for avulsion of the flexor digitorum profundus (rugger jersey finger): a case report.

Avulsion of the flexor digitorum profundus (rugger jersey finger) commonly occurs in athletes as a result of forced extension of a flexed distal interphalangeal joint. Ultrasound can be a useful tool in defining the anatomy of a tendon avulsion when no fracture is present. In subacute situations, the degree of tendon retraction has important implications for the treatment of these common injuries.