Functional Outcome of Paediatric Diaphyseal Fractures of Femur Treated with Closed Reduction and Multiple K Wire Fixation.

Background: Diaphyseal fracture of the femur in children is one of the common causes of paediatric morbidity. These fractures in children above the age of five years, depending upon the fracture personality, can usually be managed satisfactorily using different intramedullary implants, including Kirchner wires, Rush nail, as well as extramedullary implants using various combinations of plates and screws. Each of these methods of fracture fixation has its own merits and demerits. The current study is aimed at assessing the efficacy of internal fixation of these fractures using closed reduction and percutaneous ‘K’ wire fixation. Methods: Twenty six (n=26) children with a mean age of 7.2 years (range 5-14 years) were treated using closed reduction and multiple percutaneous K wire fixation under image intensifier. The minimum follow up period was twelve months. The final clinical and radiological assessment of patient was done at the end of one year. Three patients (n=3) were lost to final follow-up and were excluded from the final statistical calculations. Results: Twenty one fractures (n=21) united at an average time interval of 4.1 months (range 3- 6.5 months). Two patients had delayed union and one had malunion. Superficial wound infections were seen in two (8.7%) patients. Impingement of bent k wires was felt by another two (8.7%) patients. Stiffness of the knee joint was seen in three patients (13%) during follow-up. Out of three (n=3) patients with knee stiffness two responded well to vigorous physiotherapy programme, while one (n=1) patient had limited knee range of motion even at the final follow-up. Malunion was seen in one (n=1) patient. Conclusion: Closed reduction and percutaneous K wire fixation is a safe, economical, technically non-demanding and highly efficacious technique for the treatment of paediatric femoral diaphyseal fractures.

Two Staged Surgery for Gap Non-Union of Patella Fracture: A Good Alternative.

Gap Nonunion of patella fractures are rare conditions whose treatment is challenging for surgeons. Strict protocol for such fracture gap nonunion of patella is not well documented in the literature. The decision in treatment of these conditions is based on many factors such as functional demands of the patient, factors leading to nonunion, and presence of an intact extensor mechanism of the knee. We present a case of neglected gap nonunion of a transverse fracture of patella treated at 5 months after injury with a two stage reconstruction procedure.

An Assessment of Fate of CHA Blocks Used in the Cystic Lesions of Bone.

Background: The calcium phosphate system and in particular hydroxyapatite (CHA), has been the subject of intensive investigation. Although coralline hydroxyapatite is not inherently as strong as trabecular bone and does not exhibit plastic properties owing to the absence of a collagen matrix, with subsequent growth of native bone, it has been shown to become stronger but less stiff than autogenous graft material. Method: Thirty six cases of cystic lesions of long bones were curretted and filled with CHA blocks with or without autogenous cancellous bone chips between 2013 to 2014 with follow up duration ranging from 12 to 24 months. Filling by CHA blocks, mixing with autogenous bone grafts was done in osteoclastoma and fibrous dysplasia cases, while only CHA block filling was done in solitary bone cyst, aneurysmal bone cyst and fibroma cases. In all the cases, the diagnosis was made on the basis of clinical, radiological and histopathological examination. Both with and without pathological fractures cystic lesions were taken. Results: In the present study, 11 cases had pathological fracture. In our series, maximum cases were of osteoclastoma. Most of the cases were associated with pathological fracture. The pathological fractures united from 20-30 weeks time, Radiologically, the density of CHA blocks increased with the lapse of time. In our series, the longest follow up period was about 24 months and the shortest was of 12 months duration. 20 patients had excellent results with full functional, anatomical restoration without any pain and radiograph shows no recurrence, with healing of pathological fracture. While 2 patients had poor results they were not able to do activities of daily living, had pain and delayed healing. Conclusion: The CHA has favourable clinical result because of less adverse effects, biocompatibility to the tissue of the body, ease of manufacture, production and shape adjustment. Therefore, it is strongly suggested as a useful bone substitute.In our limited experience with coralline hydroxyapatite bone graft substitutes, we have encountered no significant complications related to implant themselves.

Outcome of Discectomy by Fenestration Technique in Prolapsed Lumbar Intervertebral Disc.

Background: Prolapsed disc is the major cause of low backache with radiculopathy. Many different techniques, from extensive laminectomy to minimal invasive endoscopic surgeries have been described with aim to minimize the possibility of damage to other structures. Methods: Twenty patients with clinical symptoms and signs prolapsed disc having radiological confirmation by MRI were subjected to disc excision by fenestration technique. Results: The follow-up analysis as per Modified Mac Nab’s Criteria showed excellent results in 15 patients, good in 4 patients and fair in 1. Conclusion: Discectomy by fenestration offers sufficient and adequate exposure for lumbar disc excision. Advantages over conventional discectomy are smaller incision, lesser morbidity, shorter convalescence, early return to work and comparable overall results. It can even be performed in peripheral centers where recent microscopic and endoscopic facilities are not available.

Benign Solitary Schwannoma of Right Ulnar Nerve – A Case Report.

Introduction: Benign peripheral nerve schwannomas are uncommon tumours. Extra cranial schwannomas have also been reported from uncommon and unusual sites including breast, pancreas, and gastrointestinal system. Peripheral nerve schwannomas may pose a problem in clinical diagnosis, however an appropriate diagnostic work-up including thorough history and clinical examination, Ultrasonography, magnetic resonance imaging, fi ne needle aspiration cytology, nerve conduction velocity and electromyography study may all help reaching the correct preoperative diagnosis. Th e important clinical diff erential diagnoses include traumatic neuroma, neurfi bromas, lipoma, cold abscess and muscle hernia. Th e defi nitive treatment of benign peripheral nerve schwannoma is complete enucleation of the tumour mass without damaging the intact nerve fascicles followed by confi rmatory histopathological examination. When there is a doubt on histopathology, a positive Immunohistochemical staining with S100 is helpful in confi rming a diagnosis of schwannoma. Case presentation: We had 40 years female who had a slow growing swelling over the inner aspect of her right elbow for the last one year; this was followed by pain, tingling and numbness over inner one and half fi ngers of her right hand for six months. Tinnels sign was positive over the swelling. Her subsequent clinical examination and investigations including a magnetic resonance imaging was suggestive of a benign growth in her right ulnar nerve in the elbow region. Complete enucleation of the swelling was done from the right ulnar nerve in the elbow region and subsequent histopathological examination confi rmed it to be a benign cellular schwannoma. Patient recovered successfully after the surgery and paresthesia in the distribution of her right ulnar nerve also improved six weeks after surgery. At her last follow-up six months after surgery, the patient was completely asymptomatic and highly satisfi ed with the results of surgery. Conclusion: A correct preoperative diagnosis of peripheral nerve schwannomas is possible, and it can be successfully managed with complete enucleation of tumour mass with satisfactory patient outcomes.

Cytotherapy for Osteonecrosis of Hip.

Osteonecrosis of hip is a pathological condition that leads to collapse of the femoral head, & the need for total hip replacement (THR). Research has shown that at the cellular level there is decrease in osteoblastic activity & the local mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) population that leads to osteonecrosis of femoral head (ONFH). Cellular therapy could thus be used to improve the local cellular environment. Th is can be achieved by implanting bone marrow, containing osteogenic precursors into the necrotic lesion of the femoral head.

Pattern of Orthopaedic Injuries Among Patients Attending the Emergency Department in a Tertiary Care Hospital – An Analytical Study.

Introduction: Th is study was aimed at analyzing the pattern of Orthopaedic injuries among patients attending the Emergency department in a tertiary care hospital. Retrospective study was conducted in the Department of Orthopaedics, Teerthanker Mahaveer Medical College & Research Centre. Methods: Th e record analysis of injured patients seen at the emergency department over a 12 months period from June 2012 to may 2013 was done. Th e data was analyzed with special reference tothepattern of Orthopaedic injuries. Results: A total of 1110 records of injured patients that attended the emergency department were analyzed. Study showed that themajority of victims were in the age group of 11-44 years (n=909, 81.89 percent). 71.09 percent (n=789) were males and 28.9 percent (n=321) were females. Road traffi c accident was the most common cause of injuries being responsible for 59.72 percent, (n=663) followed by fall from height (22.5 percent, n=247). Study revealed that the most common presentation of injuries was fracture (68.64 percent, n=762) and the most common site was lower limbs in 48.16 percent cases, (n=367). Next most common site was upper limbs (28.08 percent, n=214) followed by pelvic fracture (10.01 percent, n=77), spine fractures (8.26 percent, n=63), facial fracture (2.88 percent, n=22) & Ribs fracture (2.49 percent, n=19). Th ere were 71.65 percent cases (n=546) of simple fracture and 28.34 percent cases (n=216) ofthecompound fracture. Th ere were 3.87 percent cases (n=43), of various dislocations, shoulder dislocation being the most common. Crush injury was seen in 7.5 percent cases. Most commonly associated visceral injury wasthehead injury in 17.20 percent cases (n=191). Conclusion: Fractures were the most common pattern of Orthopaedic injuries, frequently associated with head injuries. Research in to appropriate strategies for prevention of injuries, especially RTA is required in tertiary care hospitals.