Objective To evaluate the short-term results of discectomy combined with Isobar non-fusion internal fixation. Methods Between May 2006 and May 2008, 65 cases of single segment lumbar disc protrusion were random surgically treated by discectomy combined with Isobar non-fusion internal fixation (34 cases, group A) and single discectomy (31 cases, group B), respectively. In group A, there were 18 males and 16 females with an average age of 38.8 years (range, 23-51 years); the involved segments were L2,3 (1 case), L3,4 (4 cases), L4,5 (20 cases), and L5, S1 (9 cases), including 11 cases of protrusion type, 16 cases of prolapsed-type, and 7 cases of sequestered type; and the mean disease duration was 7.2 months (range, 1-66 months). In group B, there were 19 males and 12 females with an average age of 39.2 years (range, 21-49 years); the involved segments were L3,4 (2 cases), L4,5 (24 cases), and L5, S1 (5 cases), including 13 cases of protrusion type, 15 cases of prolapsed-type, and 3 cases of sequestered type; and the mean disease duration was 6.5 months (range, 3 weeks to 72 months). There was no significant difference in the general data between 2 groups (P gt; 0.05). The surgical results were assessed by visual analogue scale (VAS) for back/leg pain and the Oswestry disabil ity index (ODI). The height of involved intervertebral space was measured dynamically after operation. Results The patients of two groups were followed up 32 months on average (range, 24-49 months). All cl inical symptoms of the patients were notably improved in 2 groups. One patient in group B experienced postoperative cerebral fluid leakage, and was cured after extubation, changing posture, and other measures. There was no implant failure, such as pedicle fracture, screw loosening, or screw malposition during the follow-up. The ODI and VAS were significantlyimproved after operation. The back and leg pain VAS scores at each time point were decreased significantly when compared with
Objective To summarize the experience of treating old metatarsal fractures with surgery methods of miniplate internal fixation and autogenous il iac bone. Methods Between May 2009 and July 2010, 7 patients with old metatarsal fractures were treated surgically, including 5 multi-metatarsal fractures and 2 single metatarsal fractures. There were 5 males and 2 females aged from 25 to 43 years (mean, 33 years). The time from fracture to operation was 4-12 weeks. The X-rayfilms showed that a small amount of callus formed at both broken ends with shortening, angulation, or rotation displacement. The surgical treatments included open reduction, internal fixation by miniplate, and autogenous il iac bone graft (1.5-2.5 cm3). The external plaster fixation was used in all patients for 4 to 6 weeks postoperatively (mean, 5 weeks). Results All incisions healed by first intention. The 7 patients were followed up 8-18 months (mean, 13.5 months). The cl inical fracture heal ing time was 6 to 12 weeks postoperatively (mean, 8.4 weeks). No pain of planta pedis occurred while standing and walking. The American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) mesopedes and propodium score was 75-96 (mean, 86.4). Conclusion It has the advantages of rel iable internal fixation, high fracture heal ing rate, less compl ications to treat old metatarsal fractures with surgery methods of miniplate internal fixation and autogenous il iac bone graft, so it is an effective treatment method.