A Comparison of the Results between Internal Fixation and External Fixation in AO C Type Distal Radius Fractures

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the radiological and clinical results of plate fixation and external fixation with additional devices for treating distal radius fracture in AO type C subtypes, and propose a treatment method according to the subtypes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two hundred and one AO type C distal radius fracture patients were retrospectively reviewed. Eighty-five patients in group 1 were treated with volar or dorsal plate, and 116 patients in group 2, were treated with external fixation with additional fixation devices. Clinical (range of mtion, Green and O'Brien's score) and radiological outcomes were evaluated. RESULTS: At the 12-month follow-up, group 1 showed flexion of 64.4°, extension of 68.3°, ulnar deviation of 30.6°, radial deviation of 20.8°, supination of 76.1°, and pronation of 79.4° in average; group 2 showed flexion of 60.5°, extension of 66.9°, ulnar deviation of 25.5°, radial deviation of 18.6°, supination of 73.5°, and pronation of 75.0° in average. The mean Green and O'Brien score was 92.2 in group 1 and 88.6 in group 2. The radial height of group 1 and group 2 was 11.6/11.4 mm; radial inclination was 23.2°/22.5°; volar tilt was 11.6°/8.7°; and the ulnar displacement was 1.27/0.93 mm. CONCLUSION: Judicious surgical techniques during device application and tips for postoperative management during external fixation can produce similar clinical results compared with internal fixation patients.

Ulnar Nerve Injury Caused by the Incomplete Insertion of a Screw Head after Internal Fixation with Dual Locking Plates in AO/OTA Type C2 Distal Humerus Fractures

After dual plating with a locking compression plate for comminuted intraarticular fractures of the distal humerus, the incidence of ulnar nerve injury after surgery has been reported to be up to 38%. This can be reduced by an anterior transposition of the ulnar nerve but some surgeons believe that extensive handling of the nerve with transposition can increase the risk of an ulnar nerve dysfunction. This paper reports ulnar nerve injuries caused by the incomplete insertion of a screw head in dual plating without an anterior ulnar nerve transposition for AO/OTA type C2 distal humerus fractures. When an anatomical locking plate is applied to a distal humeral fracture, locking screws around the ulnar nerve should be inserted fully without protrusion of the screw because an incompletely inserted screw can cause irritation or injury to the ulnar nerve because the screw head in the locking system usually has a slightly sharp edge because screw head has threads. If the change in insertion angle and resulting protruded head of the screw are unavoidable for firm fixation of fracture, the anterior transposition of the ulnar nerve is recommended over a soft tissue shield.

Ulnar Nerve Injury Caused by the Incomplete Insertion of a Screw Head after Internal Fixation with Dual Locking Plates in AO/OTA Type C2 Distal Humerus Fractures

After dual plating with a locking compression plate for comminuted intraarticular fractures of the distal humerus, the incidence of ulnar nerve injury after surgery has been reported to be up to 38%. This can be reduced by an anterior transposition of the ulnar nerve but some surgeons believe that extensive handling of the nerve with transposition can increase the risk of an ulnar nerve dysfunction. This paper reports ulnar nerve injuries caused by the incomplete insertion of a screw head in dual plating without an anterior ulnar nerve transposition for AO/OTA type C2 distal humerus fractures. When an anatomical locking plate is applied to a distal humeral fracture, locking screws around the ulnar nerve should be inserted fully without protrusion of the screw because an incompletely inserted screw can cause irritation or injury to the ulnar nerve because the screw head in the locking system usually has a slightly sharp edge because screw head has threads. If the change in insertion angle and resulting protruded head of the screw are unavoidable for firm fixation of fracture, the anterior transposition of the ulnar nerve is recommended over a soft tissue shield.

Outcome of Surgical Treatment of AO Type C Pelvic Ring Injury / 대한고관절학회지

PURPOSE: To evaluate the radiologic and clinical outcomes of AO type C pelvic ring injury and identify the prognostic factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We studied 53 patients who were treated for AO type C pelvic ring injury from January 2002 to February 2010. Mean age and mean follow-up duration were 42.4 years and 14 months, respectively. We had 8 cases of AO type C1-1, 19 cases of C1-2, 11 cases of C1-3, 6 cases of C2 and 9 cases of C3 injury. We analyzed type of fracture, displacement, method of fixation and associated injuries. Radiologic outcome was evaluated with Matta and Saucedo criteria and clinical outcome was evaluated using Majeed score. RESULTS: The average Majeed score was 86.2 distributing as 36 excellent cases, 15 good cases and 2 fair cases. Using radiologic Matta and Saucedo criteria, patients were divided as 31 excellent cases, 17 good cases and 5 fair cases. There was no significant difference between the outcomes of anterior, posterior and antero-posterior fixation. Neurologic injury was the reason for an unsatisfactory functional outcome. We identified two cases with complication, one with postoperative infection and the other with nonunion following anterior-posterior fixation. CONCLUSION: Satisfactory radiologic and clinical outcomes were obtained with open reduction and internal fixation in the management of AO type C pelvic ring injuries. Neurologic injuries affected the clinical outcome.

Results of the Kapandji Procedure in the AO Type C Distal Radius Fracture in Patients over Age 60

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical and radiologic results of the Kapandji procedure in AO classification type C distal radius fracture patients over 60 years old. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-one type C distal radius fracture patients over the age of 60 years who were treated with the Kapandji procedure from June 2004 to June 2009 in our hospital and had a post-operative follow-up period of more than 1 year were enrolled. The volar tilt, radial inclination, and radial length were measured for the radiographic analysis using the modified Lidstrom scoring system about post-operative reduction loss in every follow-up radiogram. The clinical result was assessed with a visual analogue scale (VAS) and Korean Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Questionnaire (DASH) score at the last follow-up. RESULTS: The mean radiologic loss of volar tilt was 1.1degrees and the mean loss of radial length was 2.6 mm and the mean radial inclination loss was 2.7degrees compared with the immediate post-operative period and last follow-up period. The average VAS and DASH scores were 1.4 and 15.9. CONCLUSION: The radiologic results of closed reduction and percutaneous pinning using the Kapandji technique for distal radius AO type C fracture patients over 60 years of age was not satisfactory. Nevertheless, the clinical results were satisfactory.

Surgical Treatment of AO Type C Distal Femoral Fractures Using Locking Compression Plate (LCP-DF, Synthes(R))

PURPOSE: To analyze the surgical results of AO type C distal femoral fractures using locking compression plate. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From February 2006 to June 2008, 14 patients 15 cases were included. Injury mechanisms, combined injuries, radiologic and clinical results and postoperative complications were analyzed. RESULTS: The mean age was 59.6 (30~77) years. The mean follow up period was 25 (12~40) months. AO types were 3 of C1, 5 of C2 and 7 of C3. Injury mechanisms were 9 of traffic accident, 5 of slip down and 1 of fall from a height. Four cases were combined with other extremity injuries or fractures. The mean radiologic union was obtained at postoperative 15 (13~20) weeks. The mean Neer's functional score was 74.2 (58~97); 3 of excellent, 5 of satisfactory and 7 of unsatisfactory. Postoperative complications were 2 of infection and 1 of nonunion. There were no mechanical failures or fixation loss with locking compression plate at the final follow up. CONCLUSION: Internal fixation using locking compression plate for AO type C distal femoral fractures provided excellent fixations. At the final follow up, the clinical results were variable. The affecting factors on the final results seemed to be joint congruencies after anatomical reduction and active rehabilitation.

Plate Fixation of AO Type C3 Fractures of the Distal Radius

PURPOSE: To evaluate clinical and radiographic results of open reduction and internal fixation with plate in AO type C3 distal radius fracture. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We treated 18 fractures and the mean follow up was 16 months. The average age was 47.1 years old, 12 male and 6 female were included. There were 9 C3.1 fracture, 5 C3.2 and 4 C3.3. Green & O'Brien's modified clinical scoring system and Demerit Point system were applied to evaluate clinical results, for radiographic evaluation, radial length, radial inclination, volar tilt, and Sarmiento's Criteria for Anatomic results were assessed. RESULTS: Clinical results were 5 of excellent, 7 of good, and 6 of fair by Green & O'Brien's score and were 5 of excellent, 6 of good, and 7 of fair by Demerit point. There was no significant difference of radiographic results between immediate postoperation and last follow-up, and Sarmiento's Criteria showed 8 excellent, 4 good, and 6 fair. CONCLUSION: The open reduction and internal fixation with plate in AO type C3 distal radius is considered as a good treatment method that particularly benefits from fracture stable fixation without fixation loss and early rehabilitation.

Clinical Outcome of AO Type C Pelvic Ring Injury / 대한정형외과학회잡지

PURPOSE: To study the clinical results of AO type C pelvic ring injuries and identify the prognostic factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 25 patients were treated for C type pelvic ring fractures between January 1995 and August 2002. The injury mechanism, associated injuries, time from injury to surgery, ICU care, Injury Severity Score, fracture site of posterior ring, displacement, surgical method, and complications were analyzed. Radiological and clinical evaluations of the results were conducted using the Majeed's score. Of the 25 patients, 16 were male, 9 were female, with an average age of 41.6 years. All except one patient had associated injuries and 12 patients had neurological complications. There were 17, 7 and 1 case of C1, C2 and C3 type injuries respectively. Twenty three cases underwent surgical treatment. RESULTS: The average Majeed's score was 66.6 points, and 15 patients (60%) had good or excellent results. The complications included 3 cases of non-union and 1 case of SI joint infection were complications. The clinical results were worse in those patients with neurological symptoms. CONCLUSION: Satisfactory results were obtained after surgical treatment of C type pelvic ring injuries. Neurological injuries affected the clinical outcome and appropriate fixation of the anterior ring was needed for stable fixation of C type pelvic ring injuries.