Usefulness of Spring Plate for Acetabular Posterior Wall Fracture Including Small Fragment

PURPOSE: We applied internal fixation using a spring plate against an acetabular posterior wall fracture including small fragments and then evaluated the clinical and radiological results and want to understand the usefulness of the spring plate. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifteen patients in whom fixation was difficult using leg screws or a metal plate because of a small bone fragment, in patients with posterior wall acetabular fractures who presented in our hospital since August of 2011 to March of 2014 were enrolled. The mean age was 42.6 years (range 24-54 years) with relatively young patients, and they were followed-up for at least one year. We analyzed the rate of reduction after surgery using the classification of Matta in radiographs, and the classification of Borrelli in 3-dimensional computed tomography (CT) and clinical results were evaluated using the clinical grading system. RESULTS: There were five cases of anatomical reduction, 9 cases of imperfect reduction, and 1 case of unsatisfactory reduction according to the classification of Matta. Except for one case during the follow-up period, the union of bone was successful without failure of fixation and the clinical results were 6 cases of excellence, 8 cases of good, and 1 case of failure. Articular displacement was also evaluated in postoperative CT scan according to Borrelli's criteria. The mean of gap and step off was 2.04 mm, 1.3 mm. CONCLUSION: Use of leg screw fixation and so on in posterior wall fractures including a small fragment of the acetabular rim is not easy. However the method using spring plate fixation enables relatively accurate reduction and fixation for a small fragment and the clinical outcome showed satisfactory results.

The Correlation between the Fracture Types and the Complications after Internal Fixation of the Femoral Neck Fractures / 대한고관절학회지

PURPOSE: This study aims to determine the correlation between the fracture patterns and the complications in patients with femoral neck fracture treated with internal fixation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study comprises 45 patients with femoral neck fracture treated with multiple screws or compression hip screw between May 2008 and April 2012. The mean age was 48 years at the time of the surgery and the mean duration from initial injury to surgery was 20 hours. The fracture patterns were identified according to the anatomical location, the Garden classification and the Pauwels classification. The occurrence of nonunion and avascular necrosis were reviewed with clinical results including Harris hip score and Lunceford hip function test. The correlation between the fracture pattern and occurrence of complications were analyzed. RESULTS: Fracture site union was achieved in 40 hips with the average union time of 17 weeks. Five nonunions occurred which showed high likelihood to occur in subcapital type, displaced (Garden stage III or IV) and Pauwels type III fractures (P0.05). The mean Harris hip score was 91 points, and Lunceford functional results were excellent in 15 hips, good in 24, fair in 4 and poor in 2. CONCLUSION: There was high risk of nonunion in subcapital type fracture, displaced fracture (Garden stage III and IV) and vertically oriented fracture (Pauwels type III). Careful attention is needed in these fracture types.

Simultaneous Bilateral Patellar Tendon Ruptures Associated with Osteogenesis Imperfecta / 대한정형외과학회잡지

Bilateral patella tendon rupture is rare, particulary when associated with osteogenesis imperfecta. Brittleness of the bone in osteogenenesis imperfect patients may cause this rupture. We report on this rare case and suggest the direct repair with the additional wire loop as a proper treatment option for patients with the substantial rupture of patella tendon.