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Ortho Update

Complex Limb Reconstruction Case Report: Combined Use of the Ilizarov Technique and Taylor Spatial Frame

Aug. 21, 2015

Successful combined use of the Ilizarov technique and Taylor spatial frame spared a healthy mother of two from the amputation of her left leg (above the knee) following a traumatic accident; the team was able to save her knee and work to heal it before any amputation needed to occur.

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Magnetically Controlled Growing Rod System Offers Nonsurgical Distraction for Early Onset Scoliosis

Aug. 21, 2015

A magnetically controlled growing rod system (MAGnetic Expansion Control, MAGEC™) was approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for treatment of early onset scoliosis in February 2014. Used in Europe since 2009, MAGEC provides a nonsurgical distraction alternative to conventional growing rod systems.

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Pearls for Internal Distraction Plating of Complex Distal Radius Fractures

Aug. 21, 2015

Distal radius fractures are the most common type of fracture treated in emergency departments. According to Alexander H. Payatakes, MD, Penn State Bone and Joint Institute, “The vast majority of operative distal radius fractures can be successfully treated with a volar locking plate.”

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Superior Labral Tears in Patients Older Than 40: What is the Best Treatment?

Jan. 5, 2015

Superior labrum anterior-posterior (SLAP) repair in young athletes has a well-established record of success, marked by relief of pain, improved range of motion, and return to normal levels of activity.

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Proof of Concept: Experimental Metatarsal osteotomy Leads to Greater Reduction in Plantar Pressure Versus Weil Osteotomy and its Modifications

Jul. 24, 2014

For treating various conditions that result in metatarsalgia, the basic aim is to reduce load transmission through the operated metatarsal and reduce pressure on the plantar surface of the metatarsal. The classic Weil osteotomy, recommended for the subluxed or dislocated metatarsal phalangeal joint (MTPJ), is effective for reducing pain.

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Successful Repair of Osteochondritis Dissecans: Sometimes Less Is More

Jul. 15, 2014

For osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) of the knee, avascular necrosis of subchondral bone can lead to fragmentation of bone and overlying cartilage; osteochondral loose body formation may occur, leading to pain and further articular damage.

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Costotransversectomy: An alternative surgical approach to challenging thoracic spine reconstructions

Mar. 14, 2014

While open thoracotomy is the traditional approach most often chosen for patients undergoing thoracic spine reconstruction, alternative approaches can be useful in certain situations. Mark Knaub, MD, Penn State Bone and Joint Institute, says, “For patients with spinal tumors, osteomyelitis or major trauma, particularly at upper thoracic levels, an open thoracotomy may not offer sufficient access to the surgical site.”

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Four-Year Study of MRI-Defined Hip Labral Tears in High-Level Ice Hockey Players

Nov. 27, 2013

In high-level athletes, joint pathology discovered on imaging studies is extremely common, even among those not manifesting clinical symptoms. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies of asymptomatic professional baseball pitchers show 79 percent with labral abnormalities in the shoulder; likewise, 65 percent of asymptomatic college basketball players show some combination of patellar tendinosis or chondrosis. Based on the abnormalities present on MRI, surgeons can potentially be misled into recommending a surgical procedure, based on an imaging finding, that does not correlate with clinical symptoms or physical exam.

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Changing the Status-Quo of Osteoporosis Screening and Treatment

Jun. 27, 2013

Osteoporosis-related fractures are associated with costs reaching into the tens of billions of dollars annually in the United States. Many of these fractures may be prevented if at-risk patients received timely diagnosis and treatment. Specific treatment may include starting a pharmaceutical agent; calcium and vitamin D are good for healthy bone metabolism, but are not enough by themselves to stave off age-related and menopause-related bone loss.

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Treating Supracondylar Elbow Fractures in Children: Seeing the Challenges, Heading Off the Risks

Jun. 26, 2013

For young children, running, climbing, and jumping are a normal part of healthy development. With such activities, however, comes potential for injury.

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Penn State Bone and Joint Institute represents the clinical aspect of Penn State Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation. Faculty from Penn State Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation teach and perform leading-edge research in the department, and provide innovative care in the multi-disciplinary Penn State Bone and Joint Institute. As a department, Penn State Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation faculty, clinicians and researchers have been recognized nationally, ranking twentieth in orthopaedic research funding from the National Institutes of Health.

 

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