Femoral nailing to treat fractures after lengthening for congenital femoral deficiency in young children.

Congenital femoral deficiency in children can be treated with femoral lengthening. A common complication is fracture soon after removal of the external fixator, often despite prophylactic hip spica cast application. These fractures present special challenges because the patients have tight soft tissues and sclerotic intramedullary canals.

Research directions for bone healing.

Recently our knowledge has vastly expanded in the pathophysiological mechanisms governing the healing process of fractures. Research is ongoing in every aspect of tissue engineering and regeneration. Several molecular mediators have entered phase III clinical trials in order to evaluate their efficacy in enhancing the biological activity of fractures.

Revision of malunited ankle fractures.

Malunion of an ankle fracture can lead to considerable pain and loss of function. Restoration of the normal anatomical alignments can restore function and minimize the onset of degeneration that will lead to severe arthrosis requiring an arthrodesis. This article outlines common causes of ankle malunion and treatment options.

Tibial fractures treated with circular fixation: does the use of olive wires at the fracture site improve healing?

Clinical experience and published studies suggest that oblique fractures of the tibia are associated with delayed healing and non-union. Experimental studies have attributed this to increased shear at the fracture site. We have adopted the practice of using supplementary olive wires to reduce shear when using circular fixation for these fractures.

Spinal injury patterns resulting from car and motorcycle accidents.

Study Design: Retrospective data analysis.

Objectives: To determine spinal injury patterns and clinical outcomes in patients involved in automotive accidents.

Summary Of Background Data: The records of 22,858 patients collected prospectively as part of the Trauma Audit Research Network (UK) Database (1993-2000).

Spinal injuries in motorcycle crashes: patterns and outcomes.

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine patterns of spinal injury and clinical outcomes resulting from motorcycle crashes.

Methods: We analyzed data collected on 1,121 motorcyclists involved in road traffic accidents (from 1993-2000) and identified those who had sustained a spinal injury.

Results: Spinal injury occurred in 126 (11.