Injuries to the hand and wrist.

Because sports-related injuries to the hand and wrist are relatively frequent and lead to significant disability if misdiagnosed or improperly treated, it is important to identify the specific nature of such an injury to reach an accurate diagnosis and administer appropriate treatment. The author advocates an initial three-step process that may help the clinician to effectively diagnose and treat injuries: listen to the description of injury mechanisms; observe the site of injury; palpate the area for tenderness or instability.

Avascular necrosis of the femoral head after closed intramedullary shortening in an adolescent.

Closed intramedullary shortening has become a popular treatment method for limb-length inequality in adolescents. An important, potentially devastating complication of closed intramedullary fixation only recently described is avascular necrosis of the femoral head. We believe alternative treatment options must be considered to avoid this irreversible and catastrophic complication.

Healing of a large nonossifying fibroma after grafting with bone matrix and marrow. A case report.

Healing of a large tibial nonossifying fibroma in a 12-year-old girl occurred following excision, curettage, and filling of the bony defect with human demineralized bone matrix powder mixed with a small quantity of the patient's bone marrow. The use of this graft composite was successful in the treatment of the lesion and reduced the potential risk and morbidity associated with pediatric orthopedic surgical procedures with autogeneic iliac crest and other bone grafts.