Among 1685 patients who sustained a hip fracture at the island of Crete (Greece) in a 4-year period we found 106 patients with bilateral noncontemporary hip fractures. Pathologic hip fractures and fractures that emerged from high energy trauma were excluded. To investigate the possible factors predisposing to the later fracture in the sound hip, we studied these 106 patients and compared them with the 1579 patients who sustained a single hip fracture (control group). There was no significant difference between the mean age of the bilateral group at the time of the first hip fracture (78.3 +/- 7.4 years, range 52-94 years) and the mean age of the control group (77.3 +/- 11.9 years, range 50-101 years). We found no significant difference in the bone status between the two groups, using both lumbar spine dual photon absorptiometry (DXA) and calcaneus broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA). Falls, which were the main cause of all the hip fractures, were much more common in the bilateral group. The second hip fracture was of the same location (trochanteric or cervical) in 92% of the trochanteric and 68% of cervical fractures and a tendency to greater displacement or instability was observed. Of the second hip fractures 75% happened in the first 48 months after the first one. The mean interval time was much longer (160 months) when a neck fracture was followed by a trochanteric one.

Shoulder dislocation associated with ipsilateral humeral shaft fracture is an uncommon combination. Two cases treated, one by open and the other by closed methods, are presented. The mechanism of this complex injury is detailed and the treatment modalities are discussed. The relevant literature is reviewed.

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We assessed the bone mineral density (BMD), the body mass index (BMI), and the hip axis length (HAL) in 78 postmenopausal women with 38 cervical and 40 trochanteric hip fractures. The results were compared with those of age-matched, control postmenopausal women. No statistically significant difference was found in the values of BMD, BMI, and HAL between the groups of patients with cervical and those with trochanteric fractures, but lower BMD and BMI were found in fracture patients compared with the corresponding values of the control subjects. Contrary to the existing data, HAL was found to be shorter in the fracture patients compared with the controls. Thus, the type of hip fracture was found to be independent of the value of BMD, BMI, and the length of the patient's hip axis. The fact that a shorter hip axis was found in the group of fracture patients compared with that found in the control subjects raises questions about the significance of this parameter as an independent risk factor for hip fracture.

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In 11 patients with a Rolando's fracture of the first metacarpal, the mini-Hoffman external fixation was used to maintain closed reduction of the fracture, with two pins placed distally in the first metacarpal and one pin proximally in the trapezium. The results were excellent in 7 patients; in 3 patients mild arthritis was noted radiographically, and one patient had a poor result because of severe postraumatic arthritis 1-5 years (mean 30 months) after the injury. This method of treatment is proposed for patients with Rolando's fracture as it is very easily performed and provides good results.

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An H-shaped device was invented to facilitate placement of the distal interlocking screws during closed femoral nailing. Eleven sound cadaveric femurs were experimentally nailed before the application of the device in 15 patients with a femoral shaft fracture. In all experimental cases the insertion of the distal screws proved to be easy. In 11 of 15 patients with a femoral fracture, distal locking was achieved using the H-device. These primary results should stimulate further clinical application of the device.