[Quality of life after complex tibial reconstruction].

58 patients following Gustilo IIIB open tibial fractures, treated by serial debridements, osteosynthesis and microvascular free tissue transfer were investigated after an average of 6 years. Assessment of life satisfaction was done by means of a proven valid and reliable test instrument (FLZ-"Fragen zur Lebenszufriedenheit"). Further specific questions on treatment satisfaction, aesthetic result, occupation and income were added to this questionnaire.

[The monorail system--bone segment transport over unreamed interlocking nails].

A treatment protocol is demonstrated, consisting of an osteotomy, either proximal or distal, of the bone defect with subsequent segmental transport via an anteromedially (tibia) or laterally (femur) mounted AO external fixation over an unreamed interlocking nail (monorail system). Twenty patients were treated by this method with indications as follows: 13 had a segmental bone defect of the tibia, 3 of the femur. Three patients showed post-traumatic and postinfectious leg-length discrepancies and one was treated for hypertrophic non-union of the femur.

Segmental transport after unreamed intramedullary nailing. Preliminary report of a "Monorail" system.

The Ilizarov method of segmental bone transport has been shown to be an alternative to more conventional treatments of posttraumatic bony defects. After extensive clinical experience with the unreamed tibial nail in open fractures up to Grade IIIb, a new monorail fixation system for callus distraction and segmental bone transport was devised. This Monorail system is composed of an unreamed intramedullary (IM) nail and a unilateral AO distraction device.

Isokinetic muscle strength parameters for shoulder movements.

A study was carried out on shoulder muscle strength using an isokinetic dynamometer device, and normal parameters were established on 20 men and 20 women for a total of 80 shoulders. This population consisted of fit, athletic individuals with a mean age of 26·65 years and 25·35 years for the women and men; respectively. Peak torque, angle of peak torque, and arc of maximum strength (= peak±2 N m) were measured.