Surgeons Recommend Broad Patient Assessment After Surgery for Shoulder
Posted 8 days ago
Before and after measurements of pain, motion, strength, and function are a good way to track which patients improve with surgery and rate the level of success or failure for each procedure. But there are over 30 different tests that can be done. All are not equal or reliable. So, to help surgeons decide which test to use and when to use it, this article reviews many of the commonly used before and after outcomes measures. Reference: Rick W. Wright, MD, and Keith M. Baumgarten, MD. Shoulder Outcomes Measures. In Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. July 2010. Vol. 18. No. 7. Pp. 436-444. read more [Link]

Best Treatment for Elbow Fractures in Children
Posted 8 days ago
In this study, orthopedic surgeons compared three ways to treat elbow fractures in children. The specific type of fracture was a lateral condylar fracture of the distal humerus . The distal humerus is at the bottom of the upper arm. Reference: Kyoung Hwan Koh, MD, et al. Clinical and Radiographic Results of Lateral Condylar Fracture of Distal Humerus in Children. In Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics. July/August 2010. Vol. 30. No. 5. Pp. 425-429. read more [Link]

Some Questions and Concerns About the Use of Platelet-Rich Plasma
Posted 8 days ago
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) (also known as blood injection therapy )) is a medical treatment being used for a wide range of musculoskeletal problems. Platelet-rich plasma refers to a sample of serum (blood) plasma that has as much as four times more than the normal amount of platelets. This treatment enhances the body’s natural ability to heal itself and is used to improve healing and shorten recovery time from acute and chronic soft tissue injuries. Reference: Steven P. Arnoczky, DVM, et al. On the Horizon From the ORS. Platelet-Rich Plasma to Augment Connective Tissue Healing: Making Sense of It All. In Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. July 2010. Vol. 18. No. 7. Pp. 445-448. read more [Link]

Single Bone Fixation is Possible When Both Forearm Bones are Broken
Posted 8 days ago
Surgeons face some interesting challenges when dealing with broken bones in children. One of the most common bone fractures in children between the ages of four and 14 is the forearm. There are two bones in there: the radius and the ulna . Reference: Jeffrey F. Dietz, MD, et al. Single Bone Intramedullary Fixation of the Ulna in Pediatric Both Bone Forearm Fractures: Analysis of Short-Term Clinical and Radiographic Results. In Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics. July/August 2010. Vol. 30. No. 5. Pp. 420-424. read more [Link]

Severe Foot Injuries in Children Riding Escalators Wearing Clogs
Posted 8 days ago
Department stores with escalators often have a sign posted that the escalator is not to be played on or ridden for fun when shopping. Safety is the store's first concern. Injuries can and do happen on escalators. These kinds of signs rarely keep children from taking a joy ride. And even when accompanied by an adult, severe fractures, cuts, and even traumatic toe amputations have been reported in children riding escalators. Reference: Kevin Boon Leong Lim, FRCS(Eng), FRCSEd(Orth), FAMS, et al. Escalators, Rubber Clogs, and Severe Foot Injuries in Children. In Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics. July/August 2010. Vol. 30. No. 5. Pp. 414-419. read more [Link]

Something New About Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
Posted 15 days ago
Patients with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) are faced with some very unpleasant symptoms. The first is unrelenting burning or aching pain followed by skin sensitivity, swelling, discoloration, sweating, and temperature changes. Reference: Jennifer S. Lewis, et al. Wherever Is My Arm? Impaired Upper Limb Position Accuracy in Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. In PAIN. June 2010. Vol. 149. No. 3. Pp. 463-469. read more [Link]

Long-term Results of Foot Injuries From Airbags
Posted 15 days ago
You probably won't be surprised to know that front-end collisions resulting in airbag release cause significant physical injuries. The force of the bag inflating against the body protects the person from smashing into the dashboard or going out the front window. Reference: Amar Patel, MD, et al. Midfoot Arthritis. In Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. July 2010. Vol. 18. No. 7. Pp. 417-425. read more [Link]

Treatment of Knee Arthritis in Young, Active Adults
Posted 15 days ago
In this review article, orthopedic surgeons from around the country bring us up to date on the latest research and evidence on the management of knee osteoarthritis in young, active adults. This patient population presents quite a challenge as they want to remain active but may be too young for a total knee replacement. Reference: Brian T. Feeley, MD, et al. Management of Osteoarthritis of the Knee in an Active Patient. In Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. July 2010. Vol. 18. No. 7. Pp. 406-416. read more [Link]

No Need For Muscle Relaxants with Acute Lumbar Disc Prolapse
Posted 15 days ago
Acute lumbar disc prolapse can be very painful. Back pain that goes down the leg (called sciatica ) often brings the patient in to the physician's office for help. Pain is managed with physical therapy and medications such as antiinflammatories. Reference: Doris Brötz, et al. Is There a Role for Benzodiazepines in the Management of Lumbar Disc Prolapse with Acute Sciatica? In PAIN. June 2010. Vol. 149. No. 3. Pp. 470-475. read more [Link]

Athletes With Flexible Joints: Are They At Risk for Injury?
Posted 3 weeks ago
An Australian physical therapist (they are called physiotherapists down under) won The American Journal of Sports Medicine's annual competition in 2009. It was for the best systematic review with meta-analysis on the subject of leg injuries in athletes who are hypermobile. Reference: Verity Pacey, GradDip (Sports Physiotherapy), et al. Generalized Joint Hypermobility and Risk of Lower Limb Joint Injury During Sport. In The American Journal of Sports Medicine. July 2010. Vol. 38. No. 7. Pp. 1487-1497. read more [Link]