Dual Miniplate Fixation for the Comminuted Fractures of the Hand

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to evaluate clinical results of dual miniplate fixation for comminuted or periarticular fractures of the hand. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty cases in 18 patients who had comminuted or periarticular fractures of metacarpal or phalangeal bones were treated with dual miniplate fixation from April, 2007 to May, 2009. The mean followed up period was 14.7 months. Our study included comminuted or periarticular fractures which were difficult to keep the fixation by pining or single plating. We evaluated radiologic bony union, angular or rotational deformity, extensor tendon irritaion and total arc of motion. RESULTS: Bony union was achieved successfully after primary dual miniplate fixationin in 12 cases. In 7 cases with a nonunion following previous operative fixation, bony union was obtained by dual miniplate fixation and bone grafting. In one case who had received primary dual plate fixation, nonunion occurred due to massive bone defect. Bony union was obtained by secondary dual plate fixation and bone grafting. Postoperative rotational deformity, angular deformity and irritation symptom were not observed in all cases. Functionally acceptable range of active motion was restored by way of early active motion. CONCLUSION: The dual miniplate fixation is one of the useful method for comminuted metacarpal or phalangeal fractures which cannot obtain firm fixation by other methods.

Characteristics and Early Rehabilitation of Knee Stiffness post Different Fractures / 中国康复理论与实践

@#ObjectiveTo investigate the characteristics of knee stiffness and the results of rehabilitation after the fractures of distal femur （DF）, tibial plateau （TP） or patella （PF）. Methods70 cases with knee stiffness after DF, TP or PF were analyzed retrospectively. ResultsNo significant difference was observed in passive range of motion (PROM) among three groups (F=1.671，P=0.196) before rehabilitation. The differences were significantly different (F=19.264, P=0.000) 8 weeks after rehabilitation. Further LSD analysis revealed that there was significant difference between DF and TP (P=0.000) as well as DF and PF (P=0.000), but no significant difference was observed between TP and PF (P=0.114). ConclusionThe outcome of rehabilitation is associated with the locations of fracture, and the distal femoral fractures is the worst.

Results of Osteoporotic Treatment Drug after Periarticular Fracture of Hip

PURPOSE: The Purpose of the study is to know patients' compliance of drug treatment of osteoporosis after operation of fracture and to compare of accompanying fractures between patients who diagnosed with osteoporosis itself and had the drug treatment of osteoporosis after surgery of periarticular fracture of hip. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In experimental group, consecutive 60 patients who had fracture of femoral neck and trochanter. And in control group, 61 patients diagnosed osteoporosis with drug treatment within the same period in orthopedic department from July 2006 to July 2007. The average age is 73.8 (+/-6.7) year in experimental group, and 66.6 (+/-7.46) year in control group. Both groups had at least a year follow-up with drug treatment and had BMD again at least a year later. RESULTS: BMD test in experimental group showed -3.05 (+/-1.35) preoperatively and -2.74 (+/-1.50) in last follow-up. BMD test in control group showed -3.55 (+/-0.52) in initial administration and -3.10 (+/-0.87) in last follow-up. The results showed a significant improvement in statistical analysis (p=0.0002, p<0.0001). CONCLUSION: The compliance of drug treatment of osteoporosis after operation of periarticular fracture of hip is the same as in patients' diagnosed osteoporosis.

Treatment of Periarticular Fracture of Elbow with Hinged External Fixator

PURPOSE: To evaluate the result of the treatment with external fixator and early ROM exercise to prevent the stiffness and contracture of the elbow in unstable elbow injury. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From Jan. 1997 to Dec. 2001, ten patients of unstable elbow injury treated with hinged external fixator and early ROM exercise were evaluated. The age was average 37 years. The patients were followed at least 1 years and motorcycle injury (4 cases) was most common. Nine cases were comminuted fractures and one case was fractures with dislocation. We estimated the result of the treatment with Mayo elbow performance index. RESULTS: ROM exercise started in average 2 days after operation. Two cases were treated by ilizarov and eight cases treated by elbow distracter modified by the author. The result of the treatment was estimated as following: excellent in two, good in three cases, fair in eight cases, and poor in two case. CONCLUSION: There were satisfactory results in patients treated with external fixation with early ROM exercise, whose injuries had difficulty in being fixed internally. The authors recommend hinged external fixation and early ROM exercise to prevent postoperative stiffness & contracture of elbow joint in this circumference.

Treatment of a Difficult Periarticular Fracture of the Knee with a Circular External Fixator / 대한정형외과학회잡지

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the results and complications in difficult periarticular fractures of the knee treated with a circular(Ilizarov) external fixator. The mean follow-up period was 34 months(range: 12-55 months). Of the 27 cases, 12 cases involved fractures of distal femur (two M ller type A3, four type C2, six type C3) and 15 cases involved fractures of the proximal tibia (one Schatzker type V, eight type VI, two segmental, four metaphyseal comminuted fractures). Twenty-two cases(81%) were open fractures and most of the cases were open intra-articular comminuted fractures. The average duration of external fixation was 7.7 months (9.8 months for the distal femur cases, 6.5 months for the proximal tibia cases and 11.5 months for the cases which required lengthening, and 6 months in the non-lengthening group). In 8 cases, in which bone lenthening was done, no leg length discrepancy occurred after lengthening. The mean length gained was 5.9 cm and the mean healing index was 1.8 months/cm (1.8months/cm in distal femur cases and 1.9 months/cm in proximal tibia cases). According to Neers criteria, the treatment results for cases involving distal femur fracture were as follows: six satisfactory, three unsatisfactory, three failures; cases with proximal tibia fractures had these results: nine excellent, three satisfactory, three unsatisfactory. Average range of motion was 67 degrees in distal femur fracture cases and 114 degrees in proximal tibia fracture cases. According to Paleys complication grading system, six problems, six obstacles, and eight com- plications occurred. In conclusion, the Ilizarov external fixator can be a useful treatment method in periarticular fractures of the knee with severe intra-articular or metaphyseal comminution, bone loss, severe soft tissue injury, or multiple associated injury. Its use can reduce the associated complications such as leg length discrepancy, infection, and nonunion.