This study compares the effectiveness of locking and non-locking palmar plating and external fixation for unstable distal radius fractures in the elderly. In a retrospective match-paired study, 45 patients aged 50 to 70 years who underwent surgery for C1/C2 distal radius fractures were evaluated. The surgical procedures were external fixation or plating with locking or non-locking palmar plates. Radiological and functional outcomes were assessed. Outcomes according to Gartland and Werley, Martini and the Disability of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire were compared. The locking palmar plate fixation method demonstrated significantly better radiological and functional results in comparison to external fixation and the non-locking palmar plating methods. The subjective assessment of plate fixation proved to be better than that of external fixation. Complications and reoperations were fewer for both plate fixation groups. Our data indicates that most displaced intra-articular distal radius fractures can be treated successfully with the locking palmar plate.

One of the current standard treatment options for younger patients with stable traumatic vertebral fractures is conservative treatment using braces. Kyphoplasty as a minimally invasive procedure has been shown to be effective in stabilizing vertebral body fractures, resulting in immediate pain relief and improved physical function. The purpose of this prospective study was to clarify whether patients with acute traumatic vertebral fractures benefit more from kyphoplasty or from conservative treatment with a brace. A prospective study was undertaken in two centers. Forty patients with acute painful traumatic vertebral body fractures type A1-A3 (AO-classification) after adequate trauma, without osteoporosis, suitable for kyphoplasty or therapy by brace were included into the study. Follow-up was 12 months. Patients of the kyphoplasty group showed an immediate beneficial and significant effect postoperatively, and better outcomes 1 and 3 months after operation compared to the conservatively treated group in pain feeling, mobility and vertebral body height. After 12 months the difference between both groups was not significant excepting the vertebral body height. Kyphoplasty provides early and lasting reduction of pain and improvement of daily activity. However, there are clinically asymptomatic cement leakages in up to 45% of which we do not know the consequences in long term. Every patient with traumatic vertebral body fracture treated by kyphoplasty has to be informed about that. Long-time results are outstanding and our findings require confirmation by randomized controlled trials.

Clinical studies of this technique showed a significant amelioration of pain perception, improved range of motion and DASH score in all patients after anchor fixation. The results are comparable to other techniques. All patients returned to work after the operation. Accordingly, using this technique a very good stabilization of the DRUJ with low complications can be achieved.

Shoulder dislocation in the newborn is a rare entity. Therefore, a therapeutic regimen does not exist. This retrospective clinical study (1967-2003) includes 9 newborns with 12 dislocations of the shoulder. The data focus in particular on the therapeutic strategy and its success. The position of the joint and its functionality were monitored with a questionnaire. Publications from 1904 to 2003 were reviewed and served for comparison. Results of calculations showed that 0.018-0.07% of newborns suffer from shoulder dislocations. The diagnosis was made on average at the age of 22 days. Our data include four cases each of congenital and paralytic and two cases each of spastic and traumatic shoulder dislocations. All of them were initially treated conservatively, but because of inadequate results one patient finally had to be operated. In the follow-up of 19.4 years, none of them developed a redislocation and all shoulder functions were suitable for daily life. We propose that patients primarily be treated conservatively; however, if therapy fails, surgery has to be performed.

Overall, the results after PIP joint replacement are very good. All patients reported a marked improvement in pain reduction. In group B a significant reduction in the rate of loosening of the prosthesis was shown. Moreover, the rate of swan neck deformity, the range of motion, the reduction of pain and the patient's satisfaction improved over the last years. The application of a new PIP-joint-score for a standardized evaluation of the outcome indicated a good correlation with patient satisfaction over time. The experience of the past years enabled improvements in PIP joint replacement. We consider cementing the prosthesis, a large contact area between the prosthesis and the bone and an emphasis on easy intraoperative flexion/extension as factors which can improve the results after PIP joint replacement. However, some problems could not been solved to date. In this respect, prospective clinical and biomechanical studies are necessary.