Heterotopic ossification (HO) in periarticular tissue can appear after brain or local joint trauma. The aim of this study was to investigate differences of manifestation and outcome after surgical ...therapy of patients suffering from HO of the hip after isolated brain injury (n = 18), local hip trauma (n = 21), or the combination of both (n = 25). HO can cause progressive lost of joint movement; once mature, the only therapy to improve joint mobility is the excision.
All patients underwent surgical removal of HO and postoperative irradiation therapy. On the basis of plain radiographic findings, we evaluated the recurrent ossification after 1-year and 5-year follow-up periods. Within this prospective study, clinical performance status was scored according to the classification of d'Aubigne and a planimeter was used to evaluate the area of heterotopic bone formation in standard x-rays films.
The severity of brain trauma observed by Glasgow Coma Scale correlated with the ossification size (square centimeters). Correlation was noticed as well between severity of brain injury and functional outcome. The evaluation of an average 1-year and 5-year follow-up period showed relief of pain and clear improvement of range of motion in all patients. There was mild recurrence of heterotopic bone growth within the first postoperative year without deterioration of the functional results.
The severity of brain trauma has an influence on the extent of HO near the hip joint and also on the rehabilitation process. The histologic findings and recurrence of HO after excision were not affected by the localization of initial trauma. There was only mild recurrence of heterotopic bone growth between the first and fifth postoperative year. For objective evaluation of heterotopic bone formation in standard x- ray films, planimetric measurement is a useful method.
A bone defect of 14 cm resulted after wrist implant removal because of loosening in a 46-year-old patient. Performing wrist arthrodesis the defect was reconstructed by a vascularized fibular ...transfer. Solid bone fusion was complete in six weeks. Free function of the digits was seen because of length reconstruction.
The appearance of animal bite injuries varies in regard to location and extent. Injuries with puncture wounds involving the extremities carry great risk of infection. Managing the complications often ...requires substantial medical treatment and increased costs. The aim of this study is the evaluation of the course of disease, medical care, and treatment costs in patients with infected bite injuries. In the year 2000, 16 patients were treated for infection after bite injuries of the extremities. Fourteen patients received substandard therapy because of incorrect assessment of the extent of the bite wound. Because of infection, the average time needed for treatment before returning to work was 3 months, including 12 days of hospitalization and 16 days of out-patient treatment. The average treatment costs exceeded 6,100 Euro for the health insurance companies. Because of its increasing prevalence and inadequate treatment, this type of injury has become a serious public health problem.
The essential problematic of the distal fracture of the radius lies in the quality of its reduction and retention. 35 patients with distal fractures of the radius and strain fractures of the styloid ...process of the ulna were followed up with regard to their functional and radiological results and their subjective symptoms. Patients with intra-articular fractures were found to have significantly poorer functional results compared to those with extra-articular fractures. 29 out of 35 patients developed a nonunion of the styloid process of the ulna in the form of a compensatory false position with a significant dorsal tilt of the articular surface of the radius. Their functional results were also significantly poorer than those of the other 6 patients. The patients whose radii were shortened by more than 2 mm also had significantly poorer functional results and a median dorsal tilt of 5 degrees of the articular surface. Where the dorsal inclination of the articular surface of the radius exceeded 5 degrees, a significant increase in the scapholunar angle, which averaged 62 degrees, was found. On the basis of these figures, we conclude that in the reduction of the distal fracture of the radius, shortening by not more than 2 mm and a dorsal inclination of the articular surface of the radius, taken laterally, of not more than 5 degrees should be tolerated in order to minimise functional impairments of the wrist.
The reconstruction of soft-tissue damage on the part of the head which is covered with hair is aimed not only at repairing the damage in such a way that it will withstand mechanical strain but also ...at the restoring the hair on the scalp. In a 5-year-old boy with a scalping injury involving second- and third-degree soft-tissue damage over an area of 20 x 12 cm after a dog bite, surgery was initially performed to transform the damage into purely second-degree damage, which was then repaired with a split skin graft. One year later, the scalp containing the hair was stretched with the aid of two skin expanders over a period of 3 months, so that the split skin graft area could be removed and the hair on the scalp restored.
