II (randomized prospective study).

Level IV. Retrospective study.

We randomized 103 patients over the age of 50 with an unstable closed intra- or extra-articular dorsally displaced distal radius fracture to have either palmar fixed-angle plating (n=50) or 'mixed pinning' (n=53) and compared the clinical and radiological outcomes at 3, 6, 12 and 26 weeks after surgery in a prospective study. Postoperative palmar tilt was significantly better in those stabilized with K-wires, but loss of reduction was statistically less in those stabilized with a plate. At 26 weeks, functional results, assessed by DASH and Herzberg scores, were better in those fixed with a plate.

Excision is not a suitable treatment for all comminuted fractures of the radial head. In elbows where instability can be predicted, a replacement arthroplasty of the radial head is more effective. The aim of this paper was to present the medium-term results of the Judet floating radial head prosthesis. This operation was performed on 14 patients between 1992 and 2003, of whom 12 were reviewed at a mean follow-up of five years and three months (1 to 12 years). The outcome was assessed using the Mayo elbow performance score and a modified Disability of Arm Shoulder Hand (DASH) questionnaire. There were six excellent results, four good, one fair and one poor, as graded by the Mayo score. The mean DASH score was 23.9/100 (0 to 65.8/100). The only significant complication occurred in one patient who developed a severe complex regional pain syndrome. There were no patients with secondary instability of the elbow, implant loosening, cubitus valgus, osteoporosis of the capitellum, or pain in the forearm and wrist. Our experience, combined with that of other authors using this device, has encouraged us to continue using the Judet prosthesis in comminuted fractures of the elbow where instability is a potential problem.

Dislocation is a major complication of total hip arthroplasty (THA), whose frequency has been unaffected by improvements in surgical techniques and implants. The dislocation rate depends on multiple factors related to the patient, hip disease, and surgical procedure and is therefore also dependent on the surgeon. The many published studies on THA dislocation, its causes, and its treatment have produced conflicting results. The objective of this work is to review the management of THA dislocation, which is a severe event for both the patient and the surgeon. This lecture starts with a brief review of data on THA dislocation rates and the many factors that influence them. Emphasis is then put on the evaluation for a cause and, more specifically, on the challenges raised by detecting suboptimal cup position. Next, reported techniques for treating THA dislocation and the outcomes of each are discussed. Finally, a management strategy for patients selected for revision surgery is suggested.