Overview Operative management of fractures achieves anatomic alignment and stable fixation, allowing early mobilisation. It can be considered in fractures that are unstable, displaced, intra-articular, open, or associated with polytrauma, neurovascular compromised and failed conservative treatment. Closed or open techniques…
Pelvic ring fractures commonly occur in young individuals due to high-energy mechanisms, whereas those in the elderly population are caused by low-energy mechanisms (e.g., a fall from ground level). The most common cause of death from a pelvic ring fracture…
Chronic Shoulder Instability and Dislocation Dislocations make the shoulder joint prone to further episodes. Repeated episodes can lead to chronic shoulder instability, where the laxity of the shoulder joint causes the head of the humerus to not remain consistently in…
Rotator Cuff Injury The rotator cuff is a group of 4 muscles and their tendons that form a cuff which stabilises the humerus within the glenoid cavity. They provide dynamic stability and strength to the shoulder joint. Rotator cuff injuries…
Anatomy The ankle mortise is comprised of the socket (distal ends of the tibia and fibula) and the tenon (upward projecting talus). It is a hinge joint that is supported by a fibrous capsule, 3 bands of lateral ligaments, and…
Tibia Plafond (Pilon) Fracture Tibia plafond fracture is a severe fracture involving the distal end of the tibia. This fracture is usually comminuted with intra-articular extension and significant soft-tissue injury. Surgery is usually delayed for unstable fractures to allow soft-tissue…
Osteotomy Osteotomy involves cutting the bone and realigning its fragments. This corrects length, alignment, and rotation for improved joint mechanics. Arthrodesis Arthrodesis involves removing all the articular cartilage of a joint and fusing the bones. This relieves pain while completely…
Osteoarthirtis Osteoarthritis is a chronic, progressive, non-inflammatory degenerative joint disease. It is associated with aging (primary osteoarthritis), though other arthropathies and weight can predispose to osteoarthritis (secondary osteoarthritis). There is loss of articular cartilage with bone remodelling, osteophyte formation, ligamentous…
Anatomy of the spine The spine consists of 33 vertebrae divided into 5 sections. There are 7 cervical vertebrae (in lordotic alignment), 12 thoracic rib-bearing vertebrae (in kyphotic alignment), and 5 lumbar vertebrae (in lordotic alignment). These upper 24 are…
Anatomy of the Hip The hip is a ball-and-socket joint where the head of the femur articulates with the acetabulum of the pelvis. The hip joint is more important for weight bearing rather than its range of motion (of which…