Publications by authors named "Robert Eberl"

Purpose: The aim of the present study is to present the outcome of a cohort of adolescent patients with trochlear dysplasia and elevated tibial tuberosity trochlear groove (TTTG) distance suffering from recurrent patellar dislocation. Treatment consisted of medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction and a modified Grammont procedure.

Methods: MRI examinations were obtained pre- and postoperatively.

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Background and purpose - Heavily displaced radial neck fractures in children are sometimes associated with poor outcome. A substantial number of these fractures require open reduction. We hypothesized that Judet type-IV fractures with a completely displaced radial head would result in a worse outcome than radial neck fractures with remaining bony contact.

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Purpose: Different treatment methods including immediate mobilization with or without brace, bed rest or immobilization using thoracolumbosacral orthosis have been applied for stable compression fractures of the pediatric spine. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of bracing on the remodeling capacity of pediatric thoracolumbar type A 1.2 impaction fractures.

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Introduction: In children, fractures have a huge impact on the health care system. In order to develop effective prevention strategies exact knowledge about the epidemiology of fractures is mandatory. This study aims to describe clinical and epidemiological data of fractures diagnosed in infants.

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Purpose: Type A fractures of the spine requiring operative stabilization are rare injuries in the pediatric population. Current reports have demonstrated the safety of the combination of balloon kyphoplasty and minimal invasive management of thoraco-lumbar fractures in adults. There is no information about the efficacy of this approach in managing pediatric vertebral fractures.

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An avulsion fracture occurs when the growth plate of an apophysis is injured due to a sudden and forceful contraction of the attaching musculotendinous unit. Usually it is adolescents who sustain these injuries, and a significant male preponderance has been found. Even though apophyseal fractures have been described in a variety of locations, the apophyses of the pelvis and hip are more prone to these injuries.

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In the last few decades, sports injuries in pediatric and adolescent athletes have increased dramatically, with ∼ 38 million young athletes participating in organized sports annually in the United States. Starting at the age of 2 years, an increase of the incidence of knee injuries until adulthood with a peak at 6 and at 13 years of age has been observed. Due to a physiologic laxity of the ligaments, ligament injuries are uncommon in these patients, but they are getting more frequent.

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Background: Foot fractures account for 5% to 13% of pediatric fractures. Fractures of the hallux require special attention due to its role in weight bearing, balance, and pedal motion. In this study, a large series of children with hallux fractures is presented.

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Background: Pediatric supracondylar humeral fractures are regularly complicated by vascular compromise. However, the treatment regimen for pulseless hands with good capillary refill time is discussed controversially. The aim of the present study was to present our treatment strategy in a series of children sustaining supracondylar humeral fractures associated with impaired peripheral blood flow.

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Achilles tendon and overlying soft tissue reconstruction presents an interdisciplinary challenge. In the literature many possible procedures are described, but each reconstruction in this region has its specific demands. Single stage reconstruction is normally pursued, but it is not always the best procedure for the patient, either aesthetically or functionally.

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Purpose: Different femoral origins for both the medial collateral ligament (MCL) and the lateral collateral ligament (LCL) have been reported in the growing skeleton (epiphyseal and metaphyseal). Knowledge about the exact attachment sites is mandatory for anatomically correct reconstruction. This study assesses the femoral origins of the knee collateral ligaments in skeletally immature individuals using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

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Background: Significantly displaced juvenile proximal humeral fractures (Neer-Horowitz type 3 and 4) usually require reduction and fixation. The most commonly used fixation methods are Kirschner wire (K-wire) pinning or retrograde elastic stable intramedullary nailing (ESIN). However, results comparing the long-term outcome of both methods are absent in the literature.

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Background/purpose: Ulnar polydactylies present with a wide variation in the size and appearance of the affected finger, ranging from small cutaneous appendages to fully formed additional fingers. Since ulnar polydactyly is rarely associated with functional disabilities, psychological and cosmetic reasons are the main rationale for surgical treatment. The aim of this study was to present the appearance, treatment regimen, and outcome of a series of children treated with ulnar polydactylies.

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The long-term outcome of juvenile hallux valgus treated by a modified Austin procedure was investigated. The clinical (subjective, AOFA Scores) and radiological outcome (hallux valgus angles, intermetatarsal angles, position of the sesamoid bones and metatarsal index of 15 feet in 12 patients, aged 14 years and 2 months (SD +/- 1 year 10 months) were assessed pre- and postoperatively and after 7 years and 3 months (SD +/- 3 years). A significant improvement of the hallux valgus angle and of the intermetatarsal angle was obtained, persisting until final follow-up.

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Purpose: Avulsion fractures of the ischial tuberosity are rare sports injuries typically occurring in young athletes. Their misdiagnosis may lead to chronic pain or disability. The aim of this study is to report a retrospective series of patients sustaining a fracture of the ischial tuberosity and to propose decision guidelines.

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Unlabelled: The treatment of blunt splenic injuries (BSI) has undergone a significant shift away from an operative approach to a conservative treatment regimen in the last decades. Data concerning long-term follow-up of children sustaining BSI are largely confined to telephone surveys. Children treated with BSI over a 33-year period were analyzed.

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Supracondylar fractures are commonly encountered in the pediatric population. An impacted radial or ulnar column may result in the deviation of the elbow axis in the frontal plane clinically seen as cubitus varus or valgus. Antegrade nailing has become a feasible alternative to treat supracondylar fractures.

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Background And Purpose: In skeletally immature patients, surgical options due to recurrent patella dislocation are limited, because bony procedures bear the risk of growth disturbances. In this retrospective study, we report the long-term functional and radiographic outcome in skeletally immature patients using the modified Grammont surgical technique.

Patients: Between 1999 and 2004, 65 skeletally immature knees (49 children) were treated with a modified Grammont procedure: an open lateral release and a shift of the patella tendon insertion below the growth plate on the tuberositas tibia, allowing the tendon to medialize.

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Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the tibial and femoral insertion site of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) using an objective coordinate system in a cadaver study in order to confirm radiological assumptions of previous investigators who identified the tibial footprint (T) of the ACL on T (5.3; 5.5) and the femoral footprint (F) on F (2.

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Introduction: The acute compartment syndrome (ACS) of the lower leg is a rare but serious complication following either fractures or soft tissue injuries. An acute intervention consisting of fasciotomy is indicated as ACS may cause muscle and nerve damage. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the cause, the incidence, the time to fasciotomy and the outcome of ACS of the lower leg following fractures in a paediatric population.

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Background: Dislocations of the sternoclavicular joint are rare injuries caused by massive forces applied to the joint. A high rate of complications has been reported following this injury emphasizing the importance of an accurate diagnosis and therapy.

Methods: We report a series of patients with chronic anterior or posterior sternoclavicular instability treated with figure-of-eight gracilis- or semitendinosus-tendon reconstruction.

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Background: Complex injuries of the foot in the paediatric population present difficult treatment challenges. While standardised protocols exist for the adult population to achieve an optimal result in the treatment of such injuries, therapy in paediatric patientsmust be managed without a firm treatment algorithm.

Methods: Medical records of all patients with a complex trauma of the foot treated at our Department over a period of 13 years were evaluated.

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Background And Purpose: Ulnar nerve injury may occur after pinning of supracondylar fractures in children. We describe the outcome and compare the rates of iatrogenic injuries to the ulnar nerve in a consecutive series of displaced supracondylar humeral fractures in children treated with either crossed pinning or antegrade nailing.

Methods: Medical charts of all children sustaining this fracture treated at our department between 1994 and 2009 were retrospectively reviewed regarding the mode of treatment, demographic data including age and sex, the time until implant removal, the outcome, and the rate of ulnar nerve injuries.

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Purpose: Elastic stable intramedullary nailing for fixation of paediatric forearm fractures has become the preferred method of osteosynthesis. The aim of the study was to develop a method for finding the correct entry point in the distal radius of children of all ages as a distance from the radial styloid, a landmark which is readily palpable at the wrist.

Method: MRI scans of the wrist in 19 children aged 2-7 years (mean 5) were reviewed.

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