The authors prospectively assess the results of surgically treated, unstable extra-articular distal radius fractures from 29 patients with good bone quality. Mean age was 49 years, ranging from 22 to 69 years; the female gender was the most frequently affected (58.6% of the cases). Surgical fixation was indicated for fractures presenting an angulation above 20 degrees , marked dorsal comminution, and radius shortening in excess of 10 mm on initial x-rays (anteroposterior and lateral views). The Kapandji technique, with intrafocal, nonthreaded Kirschner wires, was employed. Clinical data assessed anatomic aspects according to Scheck, functional aspect after Gartland and Werley, strength by Scheck's methods, and esthetic by Frykman's criteria. Functional assessment, according to Gartland and Werley, revealed 72.1% of excellent and good results at 3 months; 89.7% at 6 months; and 96.6% at 12 months. Immediate postoperative reduction was not maintained at the final follow-up at 12 months; however, that loss was not severe, and the anatomic outcome was good and excellent in 96.6% of the cases. Six patients presented complications. Four patients presented reflex sympathetic dystrophy; 1 patient had a superficial Kirschner wire infection, and another patient had radial nerve superficial branch paresthesia. The employed technique showed to be effective in the treatment of unstable, extra-articular fractures of the distal radius. It is easy to learn and to perform. The device employed has a low cost and is widely available in operation rooms.

Serratus anterior palsy can be a very disabling condition. However, not much has been written about many other upper limb palsies and the surgical approaches for them. In contrast, not much has been published about this particular muscle palsy. Most investigators engaged in the treatment of peripheral nerve palsies are focused on the restoration of elbow flexion/extension and shoulder abduction/external rotation. Nevertheless, scapulothoracic stability is of utmost importance for shoulder function inasmuch as it offers a stable base for arm motion--mostly forward flexion. As a result, serratus anterior palsy leads to loss of strength, range of motion, and pain due to fatigue of synergistic muscles--an issue disabling enough to warrant surgical intervention. Many investigators have suggested a variety of techniques including muscle transfers, fascial slings, or scapulothoracic fusion. The last option leads to obvious limitations in the final range of motion and should be avoided in young high-demand patients. Fascial slings have a tendency to attenuate over time.

No abstract

Paralysis or nerve injury associated with fractures of forearm bones fracture is rare and is more common in exposed fractures with large soft-tissue injuries. Ulnar nerve paralysis is a rare condition associated with closed fractures of the forearm. In most cases, the cause of paralysis is nerve contusion, which evolves with neuropraxia. However, nerve lacerations and entrapment at the fracture site always need to be borne in mind. This becomes more important when neuropraxia appears or worsens after reduction of a closed fracture of the forearm has been completed. The importance of diagnosing this injury and differentiating its features lies in the fact that, depending on the type of lesion, different types of management will be chosen.