Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to J A Ungersma.
The portable dental X-ray machine has been used to augment standard field x-ray equipment. This allows for more rapid assessment of combat casualties. The data presented describe the use of the portable dental X-ray machine during the 100-hour ground war against Iraq.
The Inyo nail is a new intramedullary device for the treatment of fractures of the distal fibula. It is a tapered V-shaped nail made of malleable stainless steel, which provides rigid fracture fixation. Torsional stress is resisted because of its triflanged shape. It may be introduced closed, using the image intensifier. Two groups of patients were evaluated: Group I was treated with the Inyo nail and Group II was treated by the Association For the Study of Internal Fixation (ASIF) technique. Eighty-five percent of the patients in Group I were rated as good, compared with 63% in Group II. There was significantly less morbidity and complications in Group I. Several factors must be observed in the treatment of ankle fractures. Stress radiographs must be obtained intraoperative. Surgery may be indicated in unstable supination lateral rotation Type II injuries, if these occur in patients with high physical demands. Anatomic reduction of the lateral malleolus must be obtained. Early weight-bearing and motion produces the best result. Late reconstruction of malunions can be accomplished using the Inyo nail.
An interesting fracture of the fibula is described which occurs very close to the radiographic isthmus of the bone. This fracture is produced by a rotational maneuver but does not result in a rotational type injury. It is our conclusion that these fractures were produced by a force distributed along the long axis of the fibula and bear a direct relationship to that fibula's anatomical ability or inability to transmit the force required of it at the moment of forcible dorsiflexion of the foot.