Comparison of Functional and Cosmetic Outcomes According to Fracture Level in Gartland Type III Pediatric Supracondylar Humerus Fractures

Background@#Supracondylar humerus (SCH) fractures in children have been traditionally categorized according to the Wilkins-modified Gartland classification scheme, which is solely based on the degree of displacement. As this classification does not consider fracture patterns in the coronal or sagittal plane, the relationship between the fracture pattern and prognosis in SCH fractures remains unclear.Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the fracture level and prognosis of pediatric SCH fractures. @*Methods@#Medical records and radiographs of 786 patients with SCH fractures who underwent surgical treatment between March 2004 and December 2017 were reviewed. A total of 192 patients were included in this study. Anteroposterior elbow radiographs taken at the time of injury were evaluated to obtain the level of fracture. Functional outcomes were evaluated based on modified Flynn grading at the last follow-up. @*Results@#Of 192 patients included in this study, 24 (12.1%), 148 (74.8%), and 20 (10.1%) had fractures in zone 1 (metaphyseal-diaphyseal area), zone 2 (between zones 1 and 3), and zone 3 (metaphyseal-epiphyseal area), respectively. There were significant differences in age at the time of injury (p = 0.011), direction of fracture displacement (p = 0.014), and loss of carrying angle (p < 0.001) between fractures in zone 3 and those in zone 1 or zone 2. Zone 3 fractures and classic zone 2 fractures also showed significant difference in outcomes, with zone 3 fractures having more unsatisfactory outcome than classic zone 2 fractures (p = 0.049). @*Conclusions@#For SCH fractures, varus deformity of the elbow was more common in zone 3 (metaphyseal-epiphyseal area) than in the other zones. Thus, pediatric orthopedic surgeons should be mindful of the possibility of cubitus varus deformity when treating SCH fractures in zone 3. A thorough postoperative follow-up is required.

Clinical Outcome after Clavicular Hook Plate Fixation for Displaced Medial-End Clavicle Fractures

Background@#Surgery of the medial end of the clavicle remains a challenge for orthopedic surgeons. Moreover, there is no standard surgical procedure for treating displaced fractures or dislocation of the medial clavicle. Thus, the present study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of using a hook plate for treating medial-end clavicular fractures and present functional outcomes. @*Methods@#We retrospectively investigated 18 patients who underwent surgery with a hook plate from July 2016 to December 2021. There were 14 men and 4 women with a mean age of 57.4 years. Fracture union was assessed at follow-up by computed tomography (CT). Other outcome parameters were complications, including implant failure, infection, nonunion, osteolysis of sternal manubrium, and migration of the hook portion. Range of motion (ROM), visual analog scale (VAS), Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (Quick DASH), and American Shoulder and Elbow Society (ASES) scores were evaluated 6 months postoperatively and at the last follow-up. @*Results@#The mean operation time was 43.8 minutes (range, 35–50 minutes) and the mean follow-up was 22.8 months (range, 12–42 months). Bone union was confirmed in all cases. The mean union time was 6.2 months (range, 6–7 months). Implant removal was performed routinely according to the clinical course in 17 cases. The mean implant removal time was 10.0 months (range, 6–14 months). Clinical and functional outcomes measured at the last follow-up were significantly improved compared to those at 6 months postoperatively (p 0.05). @*Conclusions@#Clavicle hook plating can be a safe and effective method that can be easily applied with good outcomes if it is used with appropriate surgical planning and technique for medial-end clavicle fracture. CT scans are useful for preoperative planning and postoperative evaluation of bone union or complications.

Treatment Outcomes at Skeletal Maturity after Calcaneo-Cuboid-Cuneiform Osteotomy for Symptomatic Flatfoot Deformity in Children

Background@#The purpose of this study was to evaluate clinical and radiological outcomes at skeletal maturity after a calcaneo-cuboid-cuneiform osteotomy (triple C osteotomy) for symptomatic flatfoot deformity compared with healthy young adult controls. @*Methods@#Nineteen patients (30 feet) who undergone a triple C osteotomy for idiopathic symptomatic flatfeet from July 2006 to April 2013 were compared with 19 controls (38 feet). Radiographic measurements at preoperative examination, 1-year postoperative follow-up, and follow-up at skeletal maturity were evaluated. Functional outcomes were assessed by using the validated visual analog scale foot and ankle (VAS-FA) and the modified American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Surgery (AOFAS) score. @*Results@#In the triple C osteotomy group, 11 of 12 radiographic measurements were significantly improved at 1 year postoperatively and the last follow-up (p 0.05). There were no significant differences in nine of 12 radiographic measurements between the triple C osteotomy group at maturity and the control group (p > 0.05). Average VAS-FA and AOFAS scores were significantly improved at the time of skeletal maturity (p < 0.001). @*Conclusions@#Surgical correction of symptomatic flatfoot deformity in childhood resulted in favorable outcomes after the triple C osteotomy. Deformity correction was also maintained during follow-up at skeletal maturity.

Management of the First-time Traumatic Anterior Shoulder Dislocation

Traumatic anterior dislocation of the shoulder is one of the most common directions of instability following a traumatic event. Although the incidence of shoulder dislocation is similar between young and elderly patients, most studies have traditionally focused on young patients due to relatively high rates of recurrent dislocations in this population. However, shoulder dislocations in older patients also require careful evaluation and treatment selection because they can lead to persistent pain and disability due to rotator cuff tears and nerve injuries. This article provides an overview of the nature and pathology of acute primary anterior shoulder dislocation, widely accepted management modalities, and differences in treatment for young and elderly patients.

Meniscal Ossicle / 대한정형외과학회잡지

Meniscal ossicle of the knee, an ossified tissue formed within the meniscus, is rare in humans. We experienced a case of a 48-year-old male with no history of trauma, who presented with intermittent locking symptoms and knee pain upon standing. The patient was diagnosed with meniscal ossicle and cartilage lesion in the medial femoral condyle accompanied by a medial meniscus posterior horn radial tear and treated with arthroscopic resection and microfracture. Therefore, we report on this case with relevant literature.

Open Repair of Acute Tibial Avulsion Injury of Posterior Cruciate Ligament: Clinical Outcomes and Usefulness of Preoperative 3-D CT / 대한정형외과학회잡지

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical outcome of open repair of acute tibial posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) tibial avulsion injury using the posteromedial approach, and to examine the usefulness of pre-operative 3D-computed tomography (CT) imaging. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From July 2004 onwards, among the 33 patients with acute tibial avulsion injury of the PCL, 22 patients were available for a 1-year follow-up. Patients underwent internal fixation using screws, pullout sutures or staples through the posteromedial approach. Clinical evaluations were performed using the posterior drawer test, posterior drawer stress x-ray, range of motion and Tegner score. In addition, size of the fragment, visibility, comminution, displacement and presence of extension were studied and were compared to the pre-operative X-ray and 3D-CT imaging. RESULTS: Four cases demonstrated 10-degree restriction in flexion and 1 case demonstrated 10-degree restriction in extension compared to the unaffected side. Except for the 2 cases which had Grade I posterior instability on the posterior drawer test, the results of the post-operative joint stability were negative and the posterior drawer stress X-ray using the Telos device showed an average of 0.57+/-0.4 mm. Like the average pre-operative Tegner score of 6.7+/-0.9, the Tegner score was restored to 6.2+/-0.7 (p>0.05) at the last follow-up. 3D-CT showed an improved accuracy in visibility (55.6%), comminution (50%) and displacement (44.4%) compared to the simple X-ray. CONCLUSION: The acute tibial avulsion injury treated with the appropriate internal fixation through the posteromedial approach based on the fracture size demonstrated exellent outcomes. The pre-operative 3D-CT was useful for identifying the fracture pattern and choosing the appropriate internal fixation.

A Comparison of Monteggia Fractures in Children and Adults / 대한정형외과학회잡지

PURPOSE: This study compares the mechanism of injury and the treatment outcomes in children and adults with Monteggia fractures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 30 patients with Monteggia fractures were treated. There were 14 children with an average age of 8.6 years and 16 adults with an average age of 36.2 years. The results are based on a review of the clinical records and the initial radiographs combined with a follow-up examination. RESULTS: Pediatric Monteggia fractures were almost always found to be the result of low energy trauma (86%), but in adults, these fractures were most often found to be result of high energy trauma (88%). There were high prevalence of type III fractures with concomitant posterior interosseous nerve injury in the children. There were 7 serious complications in the adults. CONCLUSION: The clinical outcomes of Monteggia fracture in children were satisfactory as compared to that in adults. Yet, we recommend cautiously diagnosing and treating this injury in children because most type III fractures were accompanied by posterior interosseous nerve injury.