Thoracic and lumbar fractures associated with skiing and snowboarding injuries according to the AO Comprehensive Classification.

Background: The incidence of spinal fractures varies from 1% to 17% in alpine skiing injuries. Distinctions have been made regarding the differences in the mechanisms of injury and fracture types between skiing and snowboarding. Although fracture patterns have been described, there have not been any detailed descriptions of the specific fracture types and subgroups.

Physical and monetary costs associated with autogenous bone graft harvesting.

Although autogenous iliac bone is frequently used for bone graft, many well-documented complications are associated with this procedure-including chronic pain; nerve, arterial, and ureteral injury; herniation of abdominal contents; sacroiliac joint instability; pelvic fractures; hematoma; and infection. An understanding of the morbidities associated with bone graft harvesting and of the strategies for avoiding them is imperative for surgeons using this grafting source. In addition, although synthetic grafting materials are considered relatively expensive compared with autogenous sources, the majority of physicians are unaware of the actual direct and indirect costs associated with autogenous bone graft harvesting.

Differences in femoral notch anatomy between men and women: a magnetic resonance imaging study.

Background: Research has shown that variations in femoral intercondylar notch morphometry may be a predisposing factor for noncontact anterior cruciate ligament injury.

Hypothesis: There are anatomic differences in the anterior cruciate ligament and femoral notch between men and women.

Study Design: Descriptive anatomic study.