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Biomedical subjects

E Orthner

Publications and source records attributed to E Orthner.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

[Results of reconstruction of anterior cruciate ligament ruptures. Use of resorbable interference screws (minimum follow-up of 2.5 years)].

The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of biodegradable interference screw use in ACL reconstruction beyond the usual clinical historical and physical findings. The use of this material for interference screws has potential benefits if the problems of inflammation are minimal and the fixation properties are sufficient. There is no need for a second operation for removal and no complicating factor if revision surgery is necessary. A prospective study was initiated in May, 1993 to evaluate the use of biodegradable interference screws (Instrument Makar). Our patients were evaluated with the aid of the common OAK-score. The overall evaluation showed 89.5% excellent and good results, 7% fair results and 3.5% poor results. The average score was 90.7 points (63-100 points). The measurement with the arthrometer (KT 1000) showed a difference of up to 3 mm as compared to the knee joint not operated on in 24 (93%) of the patients. Four patients showed a 3 to 6 mm difference. A tibia translation of more than 4 mm was not measured in any case. The biodegradable interference screw is a safe and effective interference screw for fixation of the bone blocks for ACL reconstruction.

Adult

[Resorbable interference screws. Histologic study 4.5 years postoperative].

The use of degradable implants in recent years has brought not only good results. Foreign body reactions to implantation of degradable polymers clearly curtailed the initial expectations. Bioabsorbable polymers have been used for sutures, vascular clips, and fixation implants for both intra-articular fractures and malleolar fractures. In the literature these implants are controversial. Potential benefits remain for the use of this material for interference screws if the problems of inflammation are minimal and the fixation properties are sufficient. There is no need for a second operation for removal. In one patient, 4,5 years after to implantation of an degradable interference screw (Copolymer 85/15 D,L lactide glycolide; Biologically Quiet, Instrument Makar, Inc. Mount Hope, MI 48864, USA) we took an biopsy and made histological examinations. No foreign body reaction or inflammation signs could be detected.

Absorbable Implants

[Conservative treatment of stable finger joint dislocations using the Stack splint].

Stable dislocations of PIP-joints should be treated by early motion. It is important to gain full extension from the very beginning of treatment. The anatomy and biomechanics as well as the use of a Stack button-hole splint is reported. 28 patients with 32 dislocations have been treated for two to four weeks with excellent results.

Biomechanical Phenomena

Ulnar collateral ligament: differentiation of displaced and nondisplaced tears with US.

PURPOSE: To determine the usefulness of ultrasound (US) in the differentiation of displaced and nondisplaced tears of the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A 7.5-10-MHz linear-array transducer was used to examine 69 patients in whom a UCL tear was suspected, 43 of whom also underwent surgery. The US findings were compared with those obtained at surgery. RESULTS: Results of US corresponded to results of surgery in 37 of 43 patients. Findings were false-positive in six patients. Twenty-six patients were treated conservatively with thumb casts. These patients showed stability and free range of motion at the first metacarpophalangeal joint at clinical follow-up (9-13 months). CONCLUSION: Sonography is useful for evaluating nondisplaced and retracted tears of the UCL and determining the need for surgery.

Adolescent

[Initial experiences with the humerus interlocking nail].

A preliminary report is given on the good results of eleven patients, who had been treated with a locking nail for a fracture of the humerus at three different trauma departments. No non-union, infection or radial palsy has been seen nor was there any neurovascular complication intraoperatively. Four patients had misalignments of up to 15 degrees, whereof three of them had combined varus-recurvation-angulations without functional or cosmetic sequelae. All but one had excellent functional results six months postoperatively. Bone healing could be confirmed three months postoperatively. Only transverse and spiral fractures of the second to fifth sixth had been treated until now, though open fractures up to the second degree can be managed too. Finally, some technical issues are considered, which include a better guiding device, the use of cancellous screws for proximal looking, a more oblique position of one of the proximal screwholes to obtain some kind of interfragmentary compression for appropriate fractures, and the use of a Williams-screwdriver.

Bone Nails

[Elbow joint dislocation. Diagnosis, therapy, results].

Thorough knowledge of the anatomy and biomechanics in the elbow joint together with an special reference to constitutional variations is an important factor in understanding the pathomechanisms of its dislocation. We are presenting 27 case-reports of elbow-dislocations treated at the I. University Clinic for Traumatology in Vienna between 1979 and 1983. The so-called carrying angle showed no pathological deviation besides a tendency to cubitus valgus and hence elbow-joint to dislocation. Our results showed clearly that conservative treatment is possible and advisable in most cases. Only dislocation with osseous lesions and/or a tendency to redislocation after reduction should be operated on.

Elbow Joint

A locking nail for fractures of the humerus.

We reviewed 19 patients treated for upper arm fractures using Seidel's locking nail system, which allows for early function after operation. The overall results were good with no cases of pseudarthrosis, infection or radial nerve palsy. All the patients regained full shoulder movements with no evidence of rotator cuff lesions.

Bone Nails

[Prevention of thromboembolism in para-articular femoral fractures of the hip--results of a prospective randomized study of heparin-DHE and ASS-DHE].

The effectiveness of prophylaxis of thromboembolism either by acetyl-salicylic-acid (ASA) 0.5 g + dihydroergotamin (DHE) 2.5 mg three times a day or by Heparin 5000 IU + 0.5 mg DHE (HDHE) three times a day was compared in 404 patients, elder than 55 years, with fractures close by the hip joint. Effectiveness was proved daily clinical controls, perfusion scintigraphy on the day after admission, the fourth postoperative day and the day before discharge and by autopsy of the died patients. Clinical manifest thrombosis were seen on the operated legs in the HDHE-group in 7.6% of the patients, in ASA-DHE-group in 15.6%, on the not operated leg under prophylaxis by HDHE in 3.8%, by ASA-DHE in 4.1% of the patients. Increased postoperative bleeding could be found under HDHE in 16.1% of the patients, under ASA-DHE in 9.3% of the patients, wound haematoma in 9.5% under HDHE and in 5.7% of the patients of the ASA-DHE-group. Superficial wound infections occurred under HDHE in 8.1%, under ASA-DHE in 5.7% of the patients, deep infections under HDHE in 0.5% and under ASA-DHE in 1.6% of the patients. Gastrointestinal bleeding under HDHE in 0.5% of the cases and under ASA-DHE in 3.1% of the cases. Prophylaxis had to be discharged in 7.6% of the patients of the HDHE-group and of 19.7% of the ASA-DHE-group. Pathologic perfusion scars should be found in 54.0% of the patients of the HDHE-group and in 54.9% of the ASA-DHE-group. Pulmonal perfusion became worse despite of prophylaxis by HDHE in 15.6% of the cases and despite prophylaxis with ASA-DHE in 17.6%. Pulmonal perfusion became better under HDHE in 11.9% and under ASA-DHE in 12.4% of the cases. The mortality was 9.7%. Fatal thromboembolism occurred under HDHE in three patients (1.4%) and under ASA-DHE in three patients too (1.6%), after subcapital fractures in 0.5%, after pertrochanteric fractures in 2.1% and after subtrochanteric fractures in 6.25% of the patients without any significant difference between the two groups of prophylaxis. Fatal gastrointestinal bleeding had to be remarked in 1.0% of the patients of the HDHE-group and in 2.1% of the ASA-DHE-group, fatal infections in 0.5% of the patients of the HDHE-group and in 1.6% of the ASA-DHE-group. Fatal cardinal infarction could be seen under HDHE in 1.9% of the patients, under ASA-DHE no fatal cardial infarction occurred.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Aged

[Tendon injuries of the knee joint extensor mechanism].

Diagnosis, aetiology and therapy of injuries to the extensor mechanism of the knee joint are presented. 22 cases of ruptures and discisions of the lig. patellae or the quadriceps tendon could be reexamined. All cases but one, with operation within the first week after injury, suturing with absorbable or non absorbable material, immobilisation for 6 weeks and following physical therapy, had a good functional result. No rerupture occurred. In one case a limitation of the range of movement had to be seen afer an open discision of the lig. patellae. After transposition of the tuberositas tibiae, discission of the scares and functional therapy a good result could also be achieved.

Female

[Dislocation of the peroneal tendon].

Anatomic, histological and experimental investigations show that for preventing luxation of the peroneal tendons, the shape of the retromalleolar groove is less important. The deciding structure is the retinaculum musculorum peroneorum superius. A subtly differentiated way for diagnosis and therapy, depending on the natural anatomy is presented. The results of a follow-up examination of 31 patients are reported.

Ankle Injuries

[Percutaneous Goetze cerclage in torsion fractures of the tibia. A computer-assisted follow-up of 186 cases].

186 lower leg torsional fractures treated via percutaneous cerclage wiring (Götze's method) yielded good to very good final results. There were no intraoperative complications such as lesions of the vessels and nerves. The number of refractures (1.61%), the incidence of delayed healing (4.3%), infections (3.23%) and misalignments (6.9%) are all comparable with data that can be found in the literature. No pseudoarthroses were seen. Besides low rate of complications and the rapidity of the procedure, the simplicity and low cost of the required instrumentarium are also very attractive. The fact that the patients remain in the hospital for a short while only, is yet another contribution to keeping the cost of general health care low in these times of exploding expenditure for medical attendance.

Adult

[Experimental study for clarification of the pathogenic mechanism in traumatic peroneal tendon dislocation].

An experimental trial was performed to illustrate the causative mechanism of peroneal tendon luxation. It seemed that traumatic luxation of the peroneal tendons was found to originate in dorsiflexion, abduction and eversion of the forefoot. On the other hand, unless the peroneal muscles are at high tension and the ankle joint supported with a high shoe or similar a trimalleolar ankle fracture is likely. The depth of the retromalleolar groove is only one more factor predisposing to luxation of the peroneal tendons.

Ankle Injuries

[Dislocation of the scaphoid bone of the hand].

After presentation of the kinematic of the scaphoid and the mechanism of the luxation of the scaphoid, the importance of the correct diagnosis of a wrist instability, after this injury, is demonstrated. After closed reduction a lateral, anteroposterior and a stress-radiography in ulnar-and radialstress has to be done. If the gap between the scaphoid and lunate is widened, a wrist instability exists. Another sign for a wrist instability is a scapholunate angle with more than 70 degrees and a wrong position between radius, scaphoid, lunate and capitate. The problems of conservative treatment are presented and primary repair of a wrist instability with suture of the ruptured ligaments and temporary Kirschner-wire fixation is recommended.

Arthrodesis

[Possibilities for radiologic imaging of the retro-malleolar groove].

The possibilities of X-rays of the retromalleolar groove of the peroneal tendons have been proved. The CT-technique is simple in handling and gives most information because of the possibility to judge as well the peroneal tendons, the haematoma as the retromalleolar groove. It is fit for diagnosis and for preoperative planning of the therapy. A standardized technique of the tangential projection of the retromalleolar groove is presented. This technique is more difficult than CT, but, if it is done correctly, the information is from the same value than the information of the CT. X-rays of the ankle in the posterior-anterior and lateral projection are only of value in cases with an avulsion-fracture of the peroneal retinaculum. The tomography of the lateral malleolus gives not more information.

Ankle Injuries

[Dislocation of peroneal tendons].

From 1973 to 1985, 23 patients with a total of 25 peroneal tendon luxations were operated on. All luxations were successfully treated, although 1 patient had a recurrent dislocation and had to be operated on twice. At follow-up an average of 8.4 years later, 18 patients with 20 luxations were free of symptoms. In 3 patients there was a minimal loss in the range of movement in the ankle joint; in 1 the sensitivity of the skin distal to the incision was diminished and in 1 friction was found in the tendon sheath. The possibility of diagnosing these injuries precisely by tenography of the peroneal tendons and a tangential X-ray of the retromalleolar sulcus is pointed out. All fresh luxations were adequately treated by suturing the retinaculum; in some cases the sutures were secured with an additional screw. In patients with chronic luxation the procedure of Kelly can be recommended.

Adolescent

[First results after the use of a Y-plate for the stabilization of supradiacondylar humeral fractures].

A new implant for the stabilisation of supra- and diacondylar fractures of the humerus is assessed. If compared with other implants this y-shaped plate has a considerably better stability. Due to different diameters of the holes 4.5 mm screws may be used for the long part, 3.5 mm screws for the branches of the plate, which in most cases allow good stabilisation and early mobilisation of the limb. Out of twelve patients, operated since 1981, ten were reexamined for follow-up after a mean of 34.1 months. All of the fractures stabilised with the y-plate were healed with normal osseous consolidation. According to the scheme of Cassebaum, the result was excellent in five, good in four and unsatisfactory in one patient. For each of the two available types of plates the dimensions proved to be sufficient with respect to the branches. However, for cases with fractures continuing into the humeral shaft, an additional type with a longer mainpart would seem desirable.

Adolescent