ObjectiveTo evaluate the postoperative results of patients with supination-external rotation ankle fractures who underwent syndesmotic screw (SS) removal.MethodsRetrospective cohort study assessing the late postoperative results of 35 patients operated from January 2013 to June 2015. Patients undergoing treatment of rupture of the distal tibiofibular syndesmosis with SS fixation and who did not have any concomitant surgical injuries in sites other than the ankle were included. Patients who did not complete appropriate follow-up after surgery were excluded from the study.ResultsThere was no statistical significant difference in the evaluated outcomes among the patients who had their SS removed and those who remained with the SS.ConclusionSS removal did not significantly alter the clinical results of patients surgically treated with SS for supination-external rotation fractures.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the clinical results of surgical treatment of intraarticular fractures of the calcaneus, comparing the use of calcaneal plate and flat plate.MethodsThis was a retrospective study assessing the postoperative results of 25 patients between 2013 and 2015. Patients undergoing surgical treatment of intraarticular fractures of the calcaneus without concomitant surgical lesions were included. Patients who did not complete appropriate follow-up after surgery were excluded from the study.ResultsThe unavailability of calcaneal plates at resource-limited settings, associated with the availability and lower cost of flat plates, may have been a confounding factor in the present study. However, there was no statistical difference between the outcomes of fractures treated with calcaneal plates or flat plates.ConclusionStatistical inference shows that, when calcaneal plates are not available, it is possible to use flat plates with similar clinical outcomes.

No abstract

No abstract

Study Design. This was a retrospective cohort study. Objective. There are preoperative characteristics that predict rod lengthening of magnetically controlled growing rods (MCGR). The lengthening of MCGR will lead to increased kyphosis. Summary of Background Data. The amount of length gained by MCGR is variable, and predictors are lacking. Similarly, sagittal plane changes over the MCGR lengthening period have not been investigated. Materials and Methods. Patients with MCGR and a minimum 2-year follow-up were identified and those with previous spine surgery were excluded. Preimplantation, postimplantation, and last follow-up postlengthening radiographs were examined. Multiple linear regression analyses were used for rod length gain predictors. Results. Fifty-six patients with early-onset scoliosis met inclusion criteria: nine idiopathic, five congenital, 14 neuromuscular, 20 syndromic, and eight skeletal dysplasia patients. No difference was seen between subtypes of early-onset scoliosis for rod length gain (P = 0.62). Shorter preoperative T1-T12 height and higher curve correction rate after implantation were significant predictors for rod length gain (P < 0.001). Preoperative major curve magnitude and kyphosis were not significant predictors. Flattening of the spine around the actuator and compensative increase in T1-T5 kyphosis were seen secondarily after MCGR implantation. Maximum sagittal kyphosis, T1-T5 kyphosis, and T5-T12 kyphosis did not change during lengthening. Lumbar lordosis significantly decreased postimplantation (first erect) but then increased during lengthening. Pelvic incidence and sacral slope both increased during lengthening, but this may be age related. Conclusion.Patients who gained the most rod length with MCGR were those with an initially shorter T1-T12 height and better initial curve correction at implantation, likely representing that implants work best in small patients with flexible curves. Diagnosis, preoperative curve magnitude, and thoracic kyphosis were not related to rod length gain. Thoracic kyphosis did not deteriorate over the lengthening phase.