Faculty Bibliography

We studied 45 patients with 46 fractures of the scaphoid who presented sequentially over a period of 21 months. MRI enabled us to relate the pattern of the fracture to the blood supply of the scaphoid. Serial MRI studies of the four main patterns showed that each followed a constant sequence during healing and failure to progress normally predicted nonunion.

We report three complete ruptures and one partial rupture of the flexor pollicis longus tendon in association with the insertion of a volar plate for the treatment of fracture of the distal radius. Rupture was associated with the chronic use of steroids.

We report three complete ruptures and one partial rupture of the flexor pollicis longus tendon in association with the insertion of a volar plate for the treatment of fracture of the distal radius. Rupture was associated with the chronic use of steroids.

Intraarticular fractures of the distal radius are difficult to treat successfully by traditional non-operative methods. The goal is to achieve a pain free functional wrist, and residual articular step offs of 2 mm or more will prevent such a result. Classification systems have evolved to reflect the preeminent consideration that must be given to the articular surface, and preoperative radiographic evaluation should usually include tomographic imaging to avoid a failure to recognize the fragment positions. A number of papers of the past decade have demonstrated that operative reduction of intraarticular fragments to reconstruct the articular surface and diminish step offs will give better clinical results, at least during the first several years of followup so far available. Attention to meticulous surgical technique will facilitate good results.