To determine the outcomes of cases converted from an external fixator to an internal fixation device in the management of limb reconstructions and deformity corrections. A retrospective review of 18 patients, that underwent a conversion procedure to internal fixation following long term external fixation use, was done. This comprised 24 limbs. Inclusion criteria: All cases of long term external fixator use converted to internal fixation over a 5 year period. Average external fixation time, pin site care, conversion timing, surgical device used as well as outcome were documented.Purpose of the study:
Method:
Is circular external fixation a safe and effective method of managing closed distal third tibia fractures. These fractures are conventionally treated with plaster casts, intramedullary nails or plate fixation. These treatment modalities have complication rates in the literature of up to 16% malunion, 12% non-union, and 17% deep infections. Retrospective review of 18 patients with closed distal third tibia fractures, with or without extension into the ankle joint, treated with circular fixator systems and minimal percutaneous internal fixation of the intra-articular fragment if required. Patients were followed up for time to union, malunion incidence as well as incidence of pin tract and deep infection. Distal third fractures which were extra articular or with simple intra articular extension were included. (AO 43 A, B1, C1, C2 + AO 42 in distal third) Patients with pilon fractures (AO 43 B2, B3 and C3) were excluded.Purpose of the study:
Description and Methods:
This study attempts to establish whether biomechanical manipulation through distraction can result in fracture union. A retrospective clinical audit of 15 patients with delayed or hypertrophic non-unions treated successfully with closed distraction in circular external fixation. Average time to union, complications and complication rates were also reviewed. Inclusion criteria: all patients with delayed or hypertrophic non-union, treated by closed distraction between 2004 and 2011.Purpose:
Method:
Open bone graft harvesting continues to be recognized as the gold standard of obtaining autograft in patients needing bone graft. Conventional bone graft harvesting using the iliac crest is often cited as having significant donor site morbidity and complications. Intramedullary harvesting, using a reamer irrigation aspiration system (RIA) has recently become available. We performed a retrospective case series on 16 patients, where this system was used. A single pass reaming technique to harvest autograft from the femoral canal was performed. Fluoroscopy was used to size the canal and to confirm placement of a guide wire. Bone harvest volumes, complications encountered and donor site satisfaction post operatively was assessed. Patient satisfaction was determined via telephonic interviews at regular intervals with follow-up times up to 2 years.Introduction:
Method:
Percutanous acetabular surgery is a new and developing technique in fixation of acetabulum fractures. The most common screw used is the anterior column screw that traverses anterograde or retrograde through the anterior column of the acetabulum. Standard height and width calculations derived from CT scans do not take the trajectory of the screw into consideration. They have been shown to exaggerate the available safe bone corridor for screw passage. Posterior column screws can be placed in a retrograde fashion via the ischial tuberosity to fixate posterior column. Limited international data is available and no studies to date have been conducted on the South African population. This study assesses the anterior and posterior acetabular columns of South African individuals and ascertains the safe bone corridor sizes. Pelvic CT-scans of 100 randomly selected patients were reviewed. Specific computer software was used to virtually place anterior screws through the anterior acetabular column, in its clinical trajectory. Specific entry points inferior to the pubic tubercles significantly changed the relation of the screw trajectory to the mid- column isthmus and were incorporated in the measurement of the anterior column. All the available lengths and diameters were measured and averages were calculated for males and females.Purpose of the study
Methods
South African arthroplasty surgeons commonly make use of new bearing surface technology. This new technology only has short term, industry funded clinical trials or simulator studies available to prove its performance and motivate its use. These products are being used despite the availability of conventional components with proven long term in vivo efficacy. In the light of the recent Du Puy ASR recall, which also showed initial good clinical results, we reviewed the available data on some of the new available bearing surface technology. We performed a literature search to identify the best available clinical data regarding duration of follow up and number of patients for a selection of new bearing surfaces and compared it to well known long term clinical follow up studies and joint registry data of conventional products.Purpose
Methods
