No abstract

Background: The COVID pandemic challenged the orthopaedic mind on several fronts. 1 of them was in the management of intertrochanteric fractures. A subset of these patients refused surgical intervention during the pandemic for related reasons. Faced with the goal of early verticalisation, the senior author used pain relief as a method to facilitate early mobilisation in 23 patients with peritrochanteric fractures. Methods: 23 patients with stable intertrochanteric fractures received a β 6 distal sodium channel block (DSCB) and were allowed to walk from day 1 without surgery, traction or spica. The goal was to prevent complications of recumbency in this subset of patients. The basic idea of immediate mobilisation from the time of fracture was based on Sarmiento’s sausage theory. Results: All the fractures united. There were no major complications. No shortening was seen in more than 50% cases and the shortening did not exceed 2 cm in any case. All patients were satisfied with the outcome and had good to excellent Harris Hip Scores. Conclusions: The block and walk method is a surprisingly satisfactory method of treatment for stable intertrochanteric fractures. It circumvents the risks of surgery whilst allowing immediate mobilisation preventing complications associated with the other modalities of fracture management.

The present study was carried out to prepare a comprehensive list of endemic flowering plants occurring in Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve, Southern Eastern Ghats. A total of 147 species of endemic flowering plants belonging to 113 genera and 46 families were recorded. The family Acanthaceae harbours highest number of endemic species.

The present study was carried out to prepare a comprehensive list of endemic flowering plants found in Gudalur Forest Division, Nilgiri Plateau, Tamil Nadu. A total of 58 species of flowering plants belonging to 43 genera and 27 families were recorded. Majority of the species are Peninsular Indian endemics. Of the 58 endemic species, one belonged to the Critically Endangered, 7 Endangered and 4 Vulnerable category.

The extended distribution of a rare, endemic orchid species Luisia abrahami Vatsala from Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve, southern Eastern Ghats has been reported.