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PURPOSE OF THE STUDY The aim of our study was to determine the indications for radial head resection at the present day. MATERIAL AND METHODS The radial head resection was performed in the period from 2008 to 2015 in 63 patients divided into three groups. The first group marked "CR" consisted of 33 patients with the Mason type III fracture. The second group marked "CRLUX" included 20 patients with the Mason-Johnston type IV fracture, i.e. a fracture of the proximal end of the radius with a dislocation of the elbow joint. Within this group, in 8 cases also the coronoid process of the ulna was fractured. The third group marked as "CRFR " was composed of 10 patients, in whom concomitant proximal radial fracture and proximal ulna fracture occurred, and in all the cases osteosynthesis of the proximal ulna fracture was performed. For subjective evaluation of the upper limb function the DASH score was used. The functional outcomes were expressed using the Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS). Moreover, the range of motion in the elbow and forearm (flexion and extension of the elbow, pronation and supination of the forearm), elbow joint stability and presence of neurological lesions were assessed. The radiological assessment consisted of measuring the proximalization of the radius, monitoring the heterotopic ossifications, signs of arthrosis, recurrent re-dislocation of elbow and proximal ulna fracture healing. RESULTS The mean follow-up period was 17.6 months (range of 13.2 - 81.0 months, SD 11.5). The mean DASH score was 15.6 (range of 0 - 60, SD 15.3) in the CR group, 12.0 (range of 0 - 52.7, SD 16.7) in the CRLUX group and 17.5 (range of 0 - 62.3, SD 12.8) in the CRFRgroup. A considerably limited mobility was seen in the CR group in three cases (9.1%), in the CRLUX group in four cases (20.0 %) and in the CRFRgroup in two cases (20.0 %). The MEPS score showed similar results in all the groups, excellent and good results were always achieved in more than ¾ of patients. Elbow stiffness did not develop in any of the patients. In the CRLUXgroup, one case a re-dislocation of the elbow occurred. In the CRFRgroup, in one case an injury to the interosseous membrane and distal radioulnar joint ligaments failed to be diagnosed and a clinically significant proximalization of the radius (9 mm shift) occurred, which subsequently required ulnar shortening osteotomy. Additional two proximalization of the radius with a minor shift (2 and 3 mm) in the group CR and CRLUX were not associated with major mobility limitations. Heterotopic ossification occurred in a total of 11 cases (17.5 %) and in four cases it caused major mobility limitations (two cases in the CR group, one case in the CRLUX and CRFRgroups). Surgical treatment was indicated in one case with a good functional effect, in one case the range of motion improved after actinotherapy. In the CR group, one case of neuroma of the radial nerve developed and the condition was treated by sural nerve transplantation. DISCUSSION The current papers view simple proximal radial resection positively unless elbow instability is present. In literature, references are made to serious, mainly late complications (arthrosis, valgus deformity, considerable limitation of elbow range of motion, proximal radial-ulnar synostosis, proximalization of the radius and symptomatic radioulnar joint subluxation). Resection of the radial head is contraindicated in the so called "terrible triad" of the elbow, i.e. the combination of a radial head fracture, a coronoid process fracture and elbow dislocation, and in the Essex-Lopresti injury, i.e. a radial head fracture with a concomitant tear of the interosseous membrane of the forearm and radioulnar joint dislocation. The Essex-Lopresti injury is often overlooked during the initial examination, proximalization of the radius can occur gradually only after several months. CONCLUSIONS The evaluation of our groups of patients showed that the radial head resection can be a good treatment option with no serious early complications in the Mason type III fractures. Serious complications occurred only in cases when the fracture was accompanied by a concomitant injury, i.e. in the Mason-Johnson type IV fractures and in concomitant proximal ulna fracture. When an indication for radial head resection is made, it is essential to correctly diagnose the injury which is clearly a contraindication to this method, i.e. the Essex-Lopresti and the "terrible triad" injuries. Key words: fracture, radial head, resection.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY A saddle-shaped deformity of the femoral head has a poor prognosis due to rapid development of secondary changes. A new method of treatment by intra-articular anteromedial wedge reduction osteotomy (AWRO) of the femoral head may preserve the hip for the future. This study was designed to ascertain that this invasive technique was safe and effective and to confirm our hypothesis that AWRO significantly improved functional and radiological parameters of the hip joint. MATERIAL AND METHODS Patients who underwent AWRO between 2010 and 2013 were enrolled in this study. The indication criteria for the procedure included Stulberg grade V hips on AP radiographs, hinged abduction with pain, limping and a limited range of movement. Values of the Stulberg grading, capital diaphyseal index, caput-collum-diaphyseal angle and Harris hip score were recorded before and after surgery and the results were statistically evaluated using the paired t-test. The AWRO procedure was performed from the anterolateral approach after subperiosteal protection of the vessels had been ensured. The central necrotic part of the femoral head was removed, and the medial segment was mobilised and fixed to the intact lateral segment. Either a hip spica cast or bed-rest for six weeks was indicated. Full weight bearing was allowed at 3 months after surgery. RESULTS Twelve patients with an average follow-up of 55 months were evaluated. There were eight boys and four girls with an average age of 14 years at the time of surgery. The average Harris hip score improved from 54.52 before to 73.58 after surgery. The post-operative outcomes according to the Stulberg classification included one grade II hip, seven grade III hips, three grade IV hips and one grade V hip. The average capital-diaphyseal index dropped from 1.56 (1.19-1.92) to 1.28 (0.95-1.67) and the average caput-collum-diaphyseal angle increased from 134 degrees (121-143) to 140 degrees (130-155) after surgery. Avascular necrosis developed in two patients. All the differences were statistically significant. DISCUSSION Reduction osteotomies of the femoral head reported in the literature differ from the AWRO procedure used in this study in both the approach and the performance. The results presented here are in agreement with those published in the relevant literature. They showed no significant deterioration in comparison with the outcomes of our short-term study reported earlier. The outcome of treatment is related to the disease aetiology, functional parameters and previous procedures involving the hip joint. CONCLUSIONS AWRO is a salvage procedure that prolongs the longevity of joints in incongruent hips with very high morbidity. This procedure gave significantly better results in years after surgery, which confirmed our hypothesis. Level of evidence IV Key words: hinge abduction, Perthes disease, Stulberg, femoral head reduction osteotomy, avascular necrosis, arteria circumflexa femoris medialis.

At the present time proximal femoral fractures account for 30% of all fractures referred to hospitals for treatment. Our population is ageing, the proportion of patients with post-menopausal or senile osteoporosis is increasing and therefore the number of proximal femoral fractures requiring urgent treatment is growing too. In the age category of 50 years and older, the incidence of these fractures has increased exponentially. Our department serves as a trauma centre for half of Prague and part of the Central Bohemia Region with a population of 1 150 000. Prague in particular has a high number of elderly citizens. Our experience is based on extensive clinical data obtained from the Register of Proximal Femoral Fractures established in 1997. During 14 years, 4280 patients, 3112 women and 1168 men, were admitted to our department for treatment of proximal femoral fractures. All patients were followed up until healing or development of complications. In the group under study, 82% were patients older than 70 years; 72% of those requiring surgery were in their seventies and eighties. Men were significantly younger than women (p<0.001) and represented 30% of the group. The fractures were 2.3-times more frequent in women than in men. In the category under 60 years, men significantly outnumbered women (p<0.001). The patients with pertrochanteric fractures were, on the average, eight years older than the patients with intertrochanteric fractures, which is a significant difference (p<0.001). The mortality rate within a year of injury was about 30%. Trochanteric fractures accounted for 54.7% and femoral neck fractures for 45.3% of all fractures. The inter-annual increase was 5.9%, with more trochanteric than femoral neck fractures. There was a non-significant decrease in intertrochanteric (AO 31-A3) fractures. On the other hand, the number of pertrochanteric (AO 31-A1+2) fractures increased significantly (p<0.001). A total of 1 394 fractures were treated with a proximal femoral nail; a short nail was used in 1260 and a long nail in 134 of them. A dynamic hip screw (DHS) was employed to treat 947 fractures. Distinguishing between pertrochanteric (21-A1, 31-A2) and intertrochanteric (31-A3) fractures is considered an important approach because of their different behaviour at reduction. Pertrochanteric fractures occurred more frequently (81.5%); the patients' age was higher (80 years on the average) and women outnumbered men at a ratio of 3:1. Intertrochanteric fractures were found in significantly younger patients (average, 72 years), with a women-to-men ratio of 1.3:1. Stable pertrochanteric fractures (31-A1) were preferably indicated for DHS surgery. Unstable pertrochanteric (31-A2) and intertrochanteric (31- A3) fractures were treated with a nail. The patients underwent surgery on the day of injury or the next day. In the case of contraindications to an urgent intervention, surgery was performed after the patient's medical condition had stabilised. The number of complications was largely related to technical errors, such as insufficient reduction or an incorrectly inserted implant. Intertrochanteric fractures were associated with a higher occurrence of complications. No implant can compensate for errors due to surgery. Serious complications can be reduced by the correct assessment of fracture type, the use of an appropriate operative technique and early treatment of potential complications. The necessity of restoring continuity in the medial cortex of the femoral neck (Adams' arch) is the requirement that should be observed. Pseudoarthrosis or varus malalignment in a healed hip should be managed by valgus osteotomy. When the femoral head or the acetabulum is damaged, total hip arthroplasty is indicated. A prerequisite for successful surgical outcome is urgently and correctly performed osteosynthesis allowing for early rehabilitation and mobilisation of the patient.

Purpose of the Study: The aim of the study was to evaluate the long-term results in a group of patients treated by proximal tibial valgus osteotomy., Material: A group of 92 high tibial osteotomies performed in the 1985/1994 period were evaluated. All were indicated for primary osteoarthritis. Closing wedge osteotomy was the technique used. Staple-fixed osteotomy was immobilised in a plaster cast for 6 weeks in 44 cases. Osteotomy fixed with a plate in 35 or with a cerclage in 13 cases was immobilised for two weeks., Methods: Recurrent intensive pain and walking problems were regarded as a termination of the favourable effect of osteotomy. This was evaluated by the Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. The tibio-femoral angle 5 to 10 degrees of valgus was considered as an optimal deformity correction. The results were compared in relation to complications, correction, duration of immobilisation and patient age., Results: The mean age of the patients was 59.8 ± 8.7 years (range, 42 to 78). During surgery, medial unicompartmental arthritis, grade II or higher, was recorded in 59 patients (64.1%) and multicompartmental knee arthritis was found in 66 patients (71.7%). The absence of noticeable problems was reported by 80.4% of the patients at 10 years and by 30.4 % at 15 years after osteotomy. Surgery decreased the range of motion from 100 ± 6.9 to 94.5 ± 17.7 degrees flexion (p = 0.04). Poor correction and post-operative complications were found in 21 patients (22.8 %) who also experienced significantly worse outcomes (p = 0.003). Good results after 10 and 15 years were reported by 47.6% and 14.3% of the patients, respectively. Of 71 patients (77.2%) who had good correction and surgery without complications, the osteotomy showed a good effect in 90.1% at 10 post-operative years and in 35.2% at 15 years. A longer immobilisation resulted in significantly worse results (p = 0.04) and a restricted range of motion (p = 0.02). The patients younger than 60 years achieved better results than the elderly patients (p = 0.38), but the difference was not significant., Discussion: Good results were recorded up to 10 years after osteotomy, although some patients had had worse arthritis than recommended for this procedure. Inadequate correction and complications deteriorated the effect of osteotomy. With the opening wedge technique it is easier to achieve good correction, and stable fixation allows for active physical therapy. Better long-lasting results are achieved with total knee arthroplasty (TKA). However, in young active adults TKA can fail prematurely. Osteotomy can postpone the necessity of this implantation. If TKA is performed after osteotomy, functional outcomes are similar to those after primary implantation., Conclusions: Corrective osteotomy is an effective method in patients below 60 years who have an early-stage osteoarthritis of the knee with axial mal-alignment. If the tibio-femoral angle is over-corrected to more than 10 degrees valgus, patelo-femoral pain will ensue. Post-operative active physical therapy is necessary. After bone healing, implants must be removed. Corrective osteotomy has not been overcome by the development of joint replacement techniques, but both methods are complementary in the treatment of osteoarthritis.

Purpose of the Study: The aim of this retrospective study was to assess the results of varus osteotomy of the proximal femur in adults with coxa valga after developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) and to evaluate the efficacy of this method., Material and Methods: Thirty hips in 28 patients treated by proximal femoral varus osteotomy in the period from 1983 to 1990 were evaluated. The indication for surgery involved coxa valga (145°-168°) with grade I- III of osteoarthritis and mild acetabular dysplasia. The patient group comprised twenty six women and two men with an average age of 28 years (18 to 42) at the time of surgery. The mean follow-up was 22 years (19 to 26). The preoperative radiographic examination included an AP view of the pelvis, AP views of the hip in neutral and in frog-leg position and AP views of the hip in 30° of abduction and neutral rotation. Varus osteotomy was indicated when the best position of the hip joint was achieved in abduction. The procedure was performed according to M. Müller. Hip assessment was based on the grade of osteoarthritis, CCD angle, Wiberg angle and AHI index. The results were statistically evaluated using the life table analysis of clinical survivorship of osteotomy and the Kaplan- Meier curve. Clinical failure was defined as conversion of osteotomy to total hip replacement (THR)., Results: At the latest follow-up of 22 years on the average, 18 patients (19 hips) still had osteotomy and 10 patients (11 hips) had undergone conversion to THR. The life table analysis showed the cumulative proportion of osteotomy with a clinical survivorship of 0.97 at 5 years, 0.75 at 10 and 15 years, and 0.68 at 20 and 25 years after surgery. The cumulative rate of clinical survivorship of osteotomy, as shown by the Kaplan-Meier curve, was 0.89 at 10 years, 0.75 at 20 years and 0.67 at 25 years after surgery. Nineteen patients were satisfied with the osteotomy outcome. The median of Harris hip scores in the patients with osteotomy was 48 points before surgery and 78 points at the latest follow-up. Conversion to THR in 10 patients (11 hips) was done at an average of 12 years after osteotomy. The median values before surgery and at the latest follow-up were: CCD angle, 158° and 118°; Wiberg angle, 13° and 20°; and AHI index, 56 % and 79 %, respectively., Discussion: The prerequisite for a good result of proximal femoral varus osteotomy is the correct indication, i.e., younger age (18 to 30 years), a lower grade of osteoarthritis, mild dysplasia and a spherical shape of the femoral head. A disadvantage of the procedure is a shortening of the limb. The best indication for femoral varus osteotomy is unilateral coxa valga with a longer leg., Conclusions: This study shows favourable long-term results after isolated proximal femoral varus osteotomy in young adults with developmental dysplasia of the hip. A good function had been preserved in 18 of 28 DDH patients for an average of 22 years.

Purpose of the Study: The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of correction and short-term outcomes of treatment by opening-wedge tibial osteotomy with the use of allograft and a modified Puddu plate fixation., Material: Between February 2001 and March 2003, 33 operations on 30 patients, at an average age of 54 years, with gonarthrosis and varus deformity were evaluated. Grade III arthritis was diagnosed in 24 knees (73 %) and grade II in nine knees (27 %)., Methods: The preoperative planning as well as intraoperative correction were based on the limb mechanical axis, as shown on an X-ray image of the whole lower extemity. Tibial osteotomy was performed from the medial approach and the position was fixed, in contrast to the original method, with an allograft and a T-plate. The corrrection was planned so that the mechanical limb axis should intersect the articular space at 62 % of its length laterally. The limb was postoperatively immobilized for 4 weeks in a knee brace allowing walking. Limited weight bearing was recommended from the third week. The outcome of treatment was evaluated at 11 months of follow-up by the Lysholm scoring system., Results: Correction of the limb mechanical axis involved the axis intersecting the plane of the joint space on average at 60.2 % of its length, as against the planned 62 %; the average deviation from the planned correction was 2.1 degrees. Lysholm scores improved on average by 23 points. Improvement by 20 points was regarded as a good outcome and was achieved in 31 joints (94 %). Two joints (6 %) showed poor outcomes due to associated complications. The complications included a fissure of the lateral tibial plateau in one knee, failed stabilization with subsequent loss of correction and pseudoarthrosis development in one joint, prolonged healing with a partial loss of correction (5 degrees) in one patient, and superficial infection in one patient., Discussion: In patients with knee arthritis and varus deformity, the achievement of optimal correction of the mechanical limb axis is the prerequisite for a long-term good outcome. Optimal correction, as characterized by Puddu, is attained when the mechanical axis intersects the joint space at 62 % of its length laterally. Hernigou et al. define the hip-knee-ankle angle in the range of 183 degrees -186 degrees as an optimal postoperation correction. In our experience, osteotomy combined with our modification of fixation is an exact method for correcting the axis; in addition, it is simple and is associated with a low occurrence of postoperative complications. In view of a possible total knee arthroplasty, there is less disturbance in the tibial plateau-diaphysis alignment and the tibial tuberosity level is preserved., Conclusions: Opening-wedge tibial osteotomy with the use of a Puddu plate and allograft in our modification is an effective, exact and simple method of correcting the lower extremity axis, and is associated with few complications. We do not recommend this method for interventions planned to achive corrections of more than 16 degrees, because these have a higher occurrence of complications. The use of allograft seems to have good prospects; another option for achieving large correction includes application of an LCP plate.