Local Postoperative Complications after Surgery for Intertrochanteric Fractures Using Cephalomedullary Nails / 대한고관절학회지

PURPOSE: Cephalomedullary nails (CMN) are commonly used for the surgical treatment of intertrochanteric fractures. This study aimed to evaluate overall postoperative local complications by reviewing patients who received surgical treatment using three different types of implants. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study sample included 353 patients (107 males, 246 females) who underwent surgery using CMN for intertrochanteric fractures. Three different types of implants were used: i) the Gamma3® (Stryker) in 80 cases, ii) the Targon® PF (Aesculap) in 225 cases, and iii) the Compression Hip Nail® (Trademedics) in 48 cases. The mean age was 82.6 (range, 60–109) years and the average follow-up period was 15 (range, 6–80) months. Postoperative local complications and risk factors of cut-out were assessed. RESULTS: The most common complication was cut-out (n=26). Other complications included non-union (n=3), periprosthetic fracture (n=2), avascular necrosis (n=1), heterotopic ossification (n=1), and sleeve pull out (n=1). Multivariate analysis revealed that the cut-out group had a higher rate of poor reduction compared to the non-complicated group (P < 0.001). Although the mean tip-apex distance (TAD) was 18.4 mm in the non-complicated group, lower than that of the cut-out group (P=0.001), multivariate analysis revealed that TAD was not a significant risk factor for cut-out (P=0.065). CONCLUSION: Cut-out is the most common local complication associated with surgical treatment of intertrochanteric fractures using CMN. Proper reduction appears to be important in lowering the risk of cut-out. Maintaining low TAD is another critical factor in achieving sufficient fixation of lag screw to the subchondral bone of the femoral head.

Normative Values of Physical Examinations Commonly Used for Cerebral Palsy

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to establish normative values and to identify age-related change in physical examinations that are commonly used while evaluating patients with cerebral palsy (CP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred four healthy volunteers (mean age 36 years, standard deviation 15 years) were enrolled and divided into four age groups: 13−20, 21−35, 36−50, and 51 years and older. The eighteen physical examination tests for CP were selected by five orthopedic surgeons in consensus-building session. The measurements were taken by three orthopedic surgeons. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the measures of physical examination among all the age groups, except for the Staheli test (p=0.002). The post hoc test revealed that the mean hip extension was 2.7° higher in the 13−20-year-old group than in the other age groups. The bilateral popliteal angle had a tendency to increase in those over 36-years-old. There were 31 participants (30%) with a unilateral popliteal angle greater than 40°. CONCLUSION: We documented normative values that can be widely used for evaluating CP in patients 13 years and older.

An Intraosseous Epidermoid Cyst That Originated from the Nail Bed of Great Toe with Concurrent Joint Infection: A Case Report / 대한족부족관절학회지

We report on a rare case of an intraosseous epidermoid cyst in the distal phalanx of the great toe with concurrent infection in a 71-year-old woman with diabetes mellitus. The lesion was initially considered simple infectious arthritis and concomitant osteomyelitis in a patient with diabetes. However, after surgery, an intraosseous epidermoid cyst originating from the nail bed and involving the articular surface of the distal phalanx was detected. The epidermoid cyst may have contributed to the infectious arthritis in the interphalangeal joint. The lesion was treated via mass excision, arthrotomy, debridement, and intravenous antibiotics.