Long-term outcome of displaced radial neck fractures in adulthood: 16–21 year follow-up of 5 patients treated with radial head excision

Background There have been no reports on the long-term outcome of radial neck Mason type IIIb fractures in adults

The impact of long-term moderate physical activity on functional performance, bone mineral density and fracture incidence in elderly women

BACKGROUND: Earlier studies have shown that physical exercise and a higher workload increase muscle strength and improve gait and balance at all ages for both sexes. Published studies have, so far, failed to investigate the functional performance of elderly individuals concerning their long-term physical activity and variables of daily living. OBJECTIVE: To compare elderly women who participate in long-term, moderate exercise programmes with two age-matched groups of women from an urban and a rural community. METHODS: All participants answered a questionnaire about health, social circumstances and fractures. We measured the vibration threshold of the lower extremities, bone mineral density of the distal radius and functional performance such as muscle strength, balance and gait. RESULTS: The elderly, active groups performed significantly better in all functional tests and had sustained fewer fractures than the urban control group. When the comparison was made with the rural control group the differences were less obvious. The active group rated their health as better than both the control groups. CONCLUSION: Elderly women, who continue with moderate exercise programmes over many years, sustain fewer fractures and have better muscle strength, balance, gait and health ratings than women in general. Whether this is the result of the exercise or inherited characters, remains to be proved

A radial head prosthesis appears to be unnecessary in Mason-IV fracture dislocation

Background and purpose - Previous reports on elbow injuries with concomitant comminute radial head fracture are difficult to interpret, since they include an array of different soft-tissue and bony injuries around the elbow. We focused on Mason-IV fracture dislocations of the elbow and retrospectively reviewed 2 treatment options: radial head resection or replacement with a radial head arthroplasty, both in combination with lateral ligament repair. Patients and methods - In Linkoping, 18 consecutive patients with Mason-IV fracture dislocation and with a median age of 56 (19-79) years were treated with a radial head arthroplasty. In Malmo, 14 consecutive patients with a median age of 50 (29-70) years were treated for the same injury with radial head resection. With a follow-up of at least 2 years (Linkoping: median 58 months; Malmo: median 108 months), the outcome was assessed using the Mayo elbow performance score (MEPS), the Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand questionnaire (DASH), range of movement, instability, and plain radiographs. Results - There was no statistically significant difference between the groups regarding MEPS, DASH, or range of motion. The rate of additional surgery was higher in patients treated with arthroplasty. Ulno-humeral osteoarthritis was more pronounced in the group treated with radial head resection, but the follow-up time was longer in these patients. Functional results and range of motion tally well with previous reports on similar injuries. Interpretation - Functional results did not improve by using a press-fit radial head arthroplasty in Mason-IV fracture dislocation of the elbow. Secondary osteoarthritis after resection of the radial head is a concern, but it did not affect the functional outcome during the follow-up time

Acute Achilles Tendon Rupture A Questionnaire Follow-up of 487 Patients

BACKGROUND: The optimum treatment of acute total Achilles tendon rupture remains controversial. In the present study, the outcomes of surgical and nonsurgical treatment in a large number of patients were compared on the basis of patient age and sex. METHODS: The records of all 487 patients with an acute total Achilles tendon rupture that had occurred between 2002 and 2006 and had been treated at one of two university hospitals in Sweden were manually reviewed. Surgical treatment was primarily used at Hospital 1, whereas nonoperative functional treatment was primarily used at Hospital 2. At one to seven years after the rupture, the majority of the patients were evaluated for complications, the Achilles Tendon Total Rupture Score was calculated, a heel-raise test was performed, and calf circumference was measured. The outcomes of surgical and nonsurgical treatment were compared on the basis of patient age and sex. RESULTS: The mean age at the time of the injury was forty-five years. In the surgical treatment group at Hospital 1, six (3%) of 201 patients had a re-rupture and three (1.5%) had an infection. In the nonsurgical treatment group at Hospital 2, the rate of re-rupture rate was 6.6% (fifteen of 227). When the results for the surgical treatment group at Hospital 1 were compared with those for the nonsurgical treatment group at Hospital 2, there was no significant difference in terms of the mean Achilles Tendon Total Rupture Score (81.7 compared with 78.9; p = 0.1), but both the difference in the heel-raise test (p = 0.01) and the difference in calf circumference (1.4 compared with 2.0 cm; p = 0.01) reached significance in favor of surgery. Nonsurgically managed female patients showed significant worsening of the Achilles Tendon Total Rupture Score and heel-raise test with increasing age at the time of injury. CONCLUSIONS: The good Achilles Tendon Total Rupture Score in the nonsurgically managed group, together with the relatively low rate of re-ruptures and other complications in these patients, makes this treatment a preferable option for most patients. However, the tendency for a lower re-rupture rate and better performance on the heel-raise test in surgically treated patients suggest surgery may be beneficial in selected patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence

Closed treatment of Jones fracture. Good results in 40 cases after 11-26 years

40 patients with transversal or short oblique fractures of the proximal shaft of the fifth metatarsal bone (Jones fracture) were treated with full weight bearing with or without elastic bandage in 39 cases and plaster cast immobilization in one. 24 cases were acute traumatic fractures, 14 stress fractures and 2 refractures. After 17 (11-26) years, 33 of the fractures had healed primarily, evidence of refracture or delayed union was found in 7 and there were no non-unions. All but one of the patients were free of symptoms

Long-term outcomes after different types of Horne and Tanzer olecranon fractures

Background: It is unclear whether the outcomes differ after different Horne and Tanzer types of olecranon fractures. Materials and methods: We evaluated 40 men and 55 women with isolated olecranon fractures, journals and radiographs from fracture event. The fractures were classified according to Horne and Tanzer. After a mean 19 years after the fracture events, we evaluated subjective, clinical and radiographic outcomes, using the uninjured arms as controls. Results: 95% of patients with type I fractures reported, at follow-up, no differences between the elbows, 80% with type II fractures and 95% with type III fractures (p = 0.43). The three types of fractures had no differences in elbow range of motion or hand grip strength (when comparing injured and uninjured arms) and the proportions of individuals with radiographic elbow degenerative changes or joint space reduction were no different (all p > 0.05). Individuals with elbow degenerative changes had no inferior subjective elbow function compared to individuals with normal radiographs (p = 0.66), in contrast to those with joint space reduction compared to individuals with normal radiographs (p < 0.001). Interpretation: All types of Horne and Tanzer olecranon fractures have favourable long-term outcome. Elbow joint space reduction is associated with inferior subjective elbow function while degenerative changes are not