A technique is presented by which single-fragment, major intra-articular fractures about the knee can be reduced anatomically under arthroscopic control and internally fixed with percutaneously placed cancellous screws. A displaced intra-articular fracture of the femoral condyle and a tibial plateau fracture were treated utilizing this technique. Both patients obtained excellent results with rapid return of function of the injured limb.
We have discussed 13 patients with Pasteurella multocida infection of the hand, six of whom developed chronic hand impairment as a result of the infection. It is thus apparent that chronic morbidity following Pasteurella infection of the hand is nearly 50 percent. Despite a fairly wide antibiotic susceptibility pattern of this organism, the infection may have long-term consequences such as osteomyelitis, or small joint stiffness due to paraarticular infection. We wish to emphasize the rapid evolution of the clinical picture following inoculation and the need for vigorous antibiotic therapy supplemented by rest, elevation immobilization, and occasional surgical decompression or drainage. At this time, the preferred antibiotic for initial care would appear to be on of the cephalosporins changed to penicillin for the culture-proven infection.