Current Concepts of Vitamin D and Calcium in the Healing of Fractures

Fragile fractures, also known as osteoporosis fractures, insufficiency fractures, and senile fractures are a significant problem encountered by orthopedic surgeons. Calcium and vitamin D are essential for maintaining bone health and deficiencies in calcium and vitamin D are major risk factors for the development of osteoporosis. Sufficient amounts of calcium are also required for fracture-callus mineralization. Hence, compromised bone repair that is frequently observed in osteoporotic patients might be attributed to calcium and vitamin D deficiencies. Consequently, calcium and vitamin D supplementation represents a potential strategy for treating compromised fracture healing in osteoporotic patients.There is some clinical evidence of the positive effect of supplementation in fracture healing and posttraumatic bone turnover, but research in this area is ongoing. Calcium and vitamin D should be the primary treatment of choice in osteopenic patients with an insufficiency of calcium and vitamin D and for the prevention of secondary osteoporotic fractures. Calcium and vitamin D can also be used as addition to other primary osteoporotic medications such as antiresorptive or bone-forming agents. The role of calcium and vitamin D in fracture healing and the therapeutic potential of calcium and vitamin D supplementation is summarized in this context.

Current Concepts of Vitamin D and Calcium in the Healing of Fractures

Fragile fractures, also known as osteoporosis fractures, insufficiency fractures, and senile fractures are a significant problem encountered by orthopedic surgeons. Calcium and vitamin D are essential for maintaining bone health and deficiencies in calcium and vitamin D are major risk factors for the development of osteoporosis. Sufficient amounts of calcium are also required for fracture-callus mineralization. Hence, compromised bone repair that is frequently observed in osteoporotic patients might be attributed to calcium and vitamin D deficiencies. Consequently, calcium and vitamin D supplementation represents a potential strategy for treating compromised fracture healing in osteoporotic patients.There is some clinical evidence of the positive effect of supplementation in fracture healing and posttraumatic bone turnover, but research in this area is ongoing. Calcium and vitamin D should be the primary treatment of choice in osteopenic patients with an insufficiency of calcium and vitamin D and for the prevention of secondary osteoporotic fractures. Calcium and vitamin D can also be used as addition to other primary osteoporotic medications such as antiresorptive or bone-forming agents. The role of calcium and vitamin D in fracture healing and the therapeutic potential of calcium and vitamin D supplementation is summarized in this context.

Risk Factors Associated with Failure of Cephalomedullary Nail Fixation in the Treatment of Trochanteric Hip Fractures

BACKGROUND: Intramedullary (IM) nailing is widely performed in elderly patients with trochanteric fractures. Thus, it is important to identify causative factors associated with fixation failure. We investigated fixation failures after IM nailing in elderly patients with trochanteric fractures and compared the failure group with nonfailure group to identify risk factors of fixation failure.METHODS: A total of 396 patients aged 65 years or older underwent IM nailing for trochanteric fractures between January 2012 and August 2016 at our institution. Of those, 194 patients who were followed up for more than 12 months were enrolled in this study; 202 patients were excluded due to death during follow-up, bedridden status before injury, and loss to follow-up. All patients underwent plain radiography and preoperative computed tomography (CT).RESULTS: Fixation failure occurred in 11 patients (5.7%). Seven patients had stable fractures (AO/OTA); eight patients had basicervical fractures (confirmed by CT). Five patients had comminution in the greater trochanter (confirmed by CT). Regarding fracture reduction, eight patients showed discontinuity in the anterior cortex. The position of the lag screw on the lateral view was in the center in six patients and in a posterior area in the other five patients. On the basis of comparison with the 183 patients without fixation failure, risk factors of fixation failure were higher body mass index (BMI; p = 0.003), basicervical type of fracture (p = 0.037), posterior placement of the lag screw on the lateral view (p < 0.001), and inaccurate reduction of the anterior cortex (p = 0.011).CONCLUSIONS: Among the risk factors of fixation failure after IM nailing in elderly patients with trochanteric fractures, discontinuity of the anterior cortex and posterior position of the lag screw are modifiable surgeon factors, whereas higher BMI and basicervical type of fracture are nonmodifiable patient factors. Therefore, care should be taken to avoid fixation failure in IM nailing for patients with a basicervical type of fracture or higher BMI or both.

Simulation for Reduction of Transverse Acetabular Fractures in Sawbones Models

PURPOSE: The transversely oriented fracture lines are very difficult to reduce during operations, even after clear exposure of the fracture site, in acetabular fractures. The purpose of this study is to verify the quality of reduction between the different subtypes (transtectal, juxtatectal, and infratectal) of transverse fractures. This study also determined the proper type of clamps to use and the proper zone for achieving accurate reductions in Sawbones models. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Six fractures in 3 different subtypes of transverse fractures were artificially created. Ten different reduction clamps were applied for reduction of the fractures. Twelve holes around the fracture were drilled for the maintenance of the clamps. The fracture displacements were measured at the extra-articular area and the intra-articular joint portion. The pictures of the intra-articular fracture displacements were taken by a camera and these were uploaded and analyzed by the TraumaCad® computer program (Brainlab). RESULTS: The reduction quality was poor in order of transtectal, juxtatectal and infratectal. The intraarticular opening was more prominent in the transtectal subtype. The safe zone, when giving consideration of the neurovascular bundles, was a quadrilateral surface of the ilium. Drill holes are useful for maintenance of the reduction clamps. Reduction clamps with points (Weber clamp) were the best for maintenance and accurate reduction. Regarding the concerns of placement of clamps, the middle to posterior combination was the best. The upper hole among the posterior holes in the ilium was the most likely to well reduce the intra-articular opening. CONCLUSION: Transtectal was the more complicated subtype in the aspect of reduction quality. The Weber type reduction clamp was the best for reduction by centrally located holes in the quadrilateral surface and posteriorly located iliac holes in transverse acetabular fractures. The upper hole, among the posterior holes in the ilium, was the best for reduction of the fracture displacements in the intraarticular portion of acetabulum.

Clinical Outcomes of U-blade Gamma3 Nails Used to Treat Patients with Trochanteric Fractures: Retrospective Multicenter Study / 대한고관절학회지

PURPOSE: This study was performed to assess the radiologic and clinical results of U-blade Gamma3 nail use for the treatment of trochanteric fractures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between September 2015 and May 2018, all patients aged 65 years and older who underwent surgery with U-blade Gamma3 nails were analyzed. A total of 129 patients were selected based on having at least six months of follow-up. Image evaluations included bone quality (T-score), fracture classification on plain radiograph (AO/OTA), computed tomography configuration, union period, position of lag screw, anatomical reduction, tip apex distance (TAD), sliding extent of lag screw, change of neck shaft angle, and complications leading to reoperations were analyzed. Functional outcome were assessed using the Koval grade (ambulatory ability) at the final follow-up. RESULTS: The mean time to union was 19.7 (range, 6–36) weeks. The screw position was centric (93 cases; 72.1%) and anatomical reduction was achieved in 74 cases (57.4%). The mean TAD was 20.3 (range, 12.3–38.1) mm. The mean sliding length of the lag screws was 3.8 (range, 0.1–12.6) mm. The mean change of neck shaft angle was 3.4° (range, 0–12.8°). Reoperations were required in two cases (1.6%) due to the cutting out of the lag screw (n=1) and metal failure with U-blade bending (n=1). Finally, Koval grades for 49.8% of patients reached preoperative status. CONCLUSION: Overall, use of the U-blade Gamma3 nail led to favorable clinical results, suggesting that this system may be a good option for the treatment of trochanteric fractures.

Failure of a Rotation Control Gamma 3 Lag Screw Used to Treat a Trochanteric Fracture / 대한고관절학회지

Gamma 3 rotation control lag screws (U-blade) are particularly useful when treating rotational and unstable fractures of the proximal femur. A 93-year-old woman who underwent closed reduction of a trochanteric fracture and internal fixation with a Gamma 3 nail rotation control lag screw. The patient presented with metal failure and U-blade bending following a fall occurring 4 weeks after surgery. Here, we present a case report summarizing removal of the failed lag screw.