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We analyzed retrospectively the rate and outcome of pin-tract complications in 314 unstable fractures of the distal radius, treated with the Hoffmann small-frame external fixator. The overall rate of complications was 27%. The commonest complication (21%) was pin-tract infection, which was treated with oral antibiotics. There were no cases of osteitis. Complications led to premature removal of the fixator in 17 of the cases. Women over the age of 75 years had a significantly higher rate of pin loosening (17%), but not a higher rate of premature removal of the fixator due to complications. 4% of the cases had a pin-site fracture, all women. The rate of pin-tract complications was high, but severe complications were rare, even in old women.

40 patients with transversal or short oblique fractures of the proximal shaft of the fifth metatarsal bone (Jones fracture) were treated with full weight bearing with or without elastic bandage in 39 cases and plaster cast immobilization in one. 24 cases were acute traumatic fractures, 14 stress fractures and 2 refractures. After 17 (11-26) years, 33 of the fractures had healed primarily, evidence of refracture or delayed union was found in 7 and there were no non-unions. All but one of the patients were free of symptoms.

Totally, 178 elbow dislocations--with and without concomitant fracture--that had occurred in the city of Malmö in the course of 12 years were studied. There was some preponderance of left-sided injury, but no significant sex difference. The dislocations were most frequent in the very young and occurred most often in conjunction with sports activities.

Fifty-six conservatively treated children (7-17 years) with a displaced (1-15 mm) fracture of the medial humeral epicondyle were examined 35 (21-48) years after the injury. In 31 cases a pseudarthrosis had developed of which 3 had mild ulnar nerve symptoms. The function and range of motion of the elbow was good in all cases.