Combined Approach for Intra-articular Distal Radius Fracture: A Case Series and Literature Review

Background@#The purpose of this study was to classify the possible indications for a combined approach to distal radius fractures (DRFs) by investigating surgical outcomes of patients treated according to our treatment algorithm. @*Methods@#A combined approach was performed in 32 patients. Patients who were thought to need a combined approach were classified into three types according to the combined injuries associated with loss of volar cortical buttresses in DRFs. The classifications included the following: type 1, free intra-articular fragments; type 2, distally migrated dorsal fragments located beyond the wrist joint; and type 3, centrally impacted articular fragments and displaced dorsal fragments, not reduced by indirect methods. @*Results@#Seven patients had type 1 fractures treated with volar plates and excision of the intra-articular fragments. Fourteen patients had type 2 fractures: 12 were treated with volar plates and excision of dorsal fragments, and 2 with relatively large unstable dorsal fragments were treated with combined volar and dorsal plates. The remaining 11 patients had type 3 fractures treated with combined volar and dorsal plates. At the latest follow-up, the radiographs revealed an average of 16.9° of radial inclination, an average of 4.2° of volar tilt, and an average of 7.5 mm of radial height. According to the Garland and Werley scores, the functional results were excellent for 3 patients, good for 25, and fair for 4. @*Conclusions@#The classification system indicated when an additional dorsal approach was needed in unstable DRFs, and it may establish useful guidelines for appropriate surgical decision-making.

Osteoporosis and Osteoporotic Fracture Fact Sheet in Korea

Background@#The socioeconomic burdens of osteoporosis and related fractures have increased in parallel with population aging. The Korea Society of Bone and Mineral Research published fact sheets on these topics in 2017, 2018, and 2019. This study provides complied epidemiological data based on these fact sheets for understanding current status of osteoporosis in Korea. @*Methods@#Data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2008-2011) performed by the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and from National Health Information database (2008-2016) by National Health Insurance Service of Korea was used for analyzing the prevalence and incidence of osteoporosis and related fractures, respectively, fatality rates after fractures, and prescription status of anti-osteoporotic medications (AOMs). @*Results@#Among Korean adults aged ≥50 years, 22.4% and 47.9% had osteopenia or osteoporosis, respectively. Incidences of osteoporotic hip, vertebral, humerus, and distal radius fractures plateaued in 2013. The cumulative incidence of subsequent fractures gradually increased over 4 years of follow-up once an osteoporotic fracture occurred. Crude fatality rates in the first 12 months after hip fracture were 14.0% for women and 21.0% for men. Only 33.5% of patients with osteoporosis took AOMs, and even after an osteoporotic fracture, only 41.9% of patients took AOMs within the following 12 months. Despite a steady increase in AOM prescriptions of ~6% per annum, only 33.2% of patients were medication compliant (medication possession ratio ≥80%) at 12 months after treatment initiation. @*Conclusions@#Continuous efforts are required to diagnose patients at high risk of fracture and ensure proper management in Korea.

Osteoporosis and Osteoporotic Fracture Fact Sheet in Korea

Background@#The socioeconomic burdens of osteoporosis and related fractures have increased in parallel with population aging. The Korea Society of Bone and Mineral Research published fact sheets on these topics in 2017, 2018, and 2019. This study provides complied epidemiological data based on these fact sheets for understanding current status of osteoporosis in Korea. @*Methods@#Data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2008-2011) performed by the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and from National Health Information database (2008-2016) by National Health Insurance Service of Korea was used for analyzing the prevalence and incidence of osteoporosis and related fractures, respectively, fatality rates after fractures, and prescription status of anti-osteoporotic medications (AOMs). @*Results@#Among Korean adults aged ≥50 years, 22.4% and 47.9% had osteopenia or osteoporosis, respectively. Incidences of osteoporotic hip, vertebral, humerus, and distal radius fractures plateaued in 2013. The cumulative incidence of subsequent fractures gradually increased over 4 years of follow-up once an osteoporotic fracture occurred. Crude fatality rates in the first 12 months after hip fracture were 14.0% for women and 21.0% for men. Only 33.5% of patients with osteoporosis took AOMs, and even after an osteoporotic fracture, only 41.9% of patients took AOMs within the following 12 months. Despite a steady increase in AOM prescriptions of ~6% per annum, only 33.2% of patients were medication compliant (medication possession ratio ≥80%) at 12 months after treatment initiation. @*Conclusions@#Continuous efforts are required to diagnose patients at high risk of fracture and ensure proper management in Korea.

Impact of Bone Mineral Density on the Incidence of Age-Related Vertebral Fragility Fracture

Background@#Vertebral fragility fracture (VFF) is a common fracture related to osteoporosis. However, VFF might be asymptomatic and often occurs in patients without osteoporosis. Therefore, we investigated the characteristics of age-related VFF and their correlation with bone mineral density (BMD). Furthermore, we analyzed other factors affecting VFF @*Methods@#Medical records from a single center were retrospectively reviewed for 2,216 patients over 50 years old with vertebral fractures conservatively treated from 2005 to 2016. Patients' age, gender, body mass index (BMI), BMD, fracture level, previous vertebral fractures, and anti-osteoporosis medications were obtained. Patients were divided into fragilityon-fragility groups and age sub-groups. The odds ratio for VFF in relation to BMD was evaluated. We also identified other predictive factors for VFF by age groups. @*Results@#The fragility group had a higher women ratio, older age, lower BMI, lower BMD, and greater incidence of previous vertebral fractures than the non-fragility group. VFFs were seen in 41.18% of normal BMD patients aged 50–59 and 67.82% of those aged 60–69. The proportion of VFFs increased with age in all WHO osteoporosis classifications. Patients with osteopenia and osteoporosis were 1.57 and 2.62 fold more likely to develop VFFs than normal BMD. In the younger group (under 70), age, women, BMD, and previous vertebral fracture were significant factors affecting VFF, and in the older group (70 and over), age, women, and BMD were factors. In the fragility group, anti-osteoporosis medication rates were 25.08% before and 45.96% after fracture. @*Conclusion@#Considerable VFFs occurred in the younger age groups without osteoporosis and age itself was another important predictor of VFF especially in older age groups. The discrepancy between the incidence of VFF and BMD suggests the necessity of supplemental screening factors and anti-osteoporosis treatment guidelines using only BMD should be reconsidered.

How Many Screws Are Needed for Reliable Stability of Extra-articular Nonosteoporotic Distal Radius Fractures Fixed with Volar Locking Plates?

BACKGROUND: We hypothesized that volar locking pate fixation using a minimum number of screws—four in the distal row and two in the shaft of the plate—will provide sufficient stability for unstable extra-articular fractures of the distal radius. We aimed to compare the biomechanical properties of different numbers and locations of screws in volar locking plate fixation and describe the clinical and radiological outcome of plate fixation using a minimum number of screws for distal radius fractures.METHODS: We divided 48 artificial radius fracture bones into four groups (group A–D) based on the number and location of screws used for fixation with volar locking plates. The artificial bone models were subjected to axial compression and volar bending load with a force of 250 N and 80 N, respectively, for 1,000 cycles at a frequency of 1 Hz. We also retrospectively reviewed 42 patients with unstable, extra-articular, distal radius fractures who were treated with volar locking plate fixation using a minimum number of screws.RESULTS: Group A (seven distal screws and three proximal screws) had the highest mean stiffness: 303.7 N/mm under axial compression and 61.1 N/mm under volar bending. Compared with group A, group D (four screws in the distal part and two screws in the shaft) showed significantly lower stiffness; therefore, group D was considered inferior in terms of stability. However, in the fatigue test, neither deformation of the metal plate nor detachment or breakage of the metal screws was observed in all groups. In the clinical study, all fractures united without displacement and satisfactory clinical outcome was obtained.CONCLUSIONS: In the dorsally comminuted, extra-articular, nonosteoporotic distal radius fractures, the minimum number of screws—four in the distal row and two in the shaft—in volar locking plate fixation can provide sufficient stability. Further biomechanical studies involving osteoporotic bone will be necessary to confirm the results because volar plate fixation is most commonly used in patients with osteoporosis.

Incidence of Osteoporotic Refractures Following Proximal Humerus Fractures in Adults Aged 50 Years and Older in Korea

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to investigate the incidence and characteristics of osteoporotic refractures after proximal humerus fracture in Korean adults aged above 50 years. METHODS: Patients aged 50 years or older with initial proximal humerus fractures reported in 2012 were enrolled and followed up until 2016 using the Korean National Health Insurance data. Based on the last claim date, the refractures were classified as osteoporotic fractures including spine, hip, distal radius, and humerus 6 months after the index fracture involving the proximal humerus. Each osteoprotic fracture was identified using specific International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision codes and site-specific physician claims for procedures. RESULTS: A total of 5,587 first-time fractures involving proximal humerus were reported in 2012. Among them, a total of 1,018 osteoporotic refractures occured between 2012 and 2016. The total cumulative incidence of osteoporotic refractures was 4.85% (271/5,587) at 1 year, 9.61% (537/5,587) at 2 years, 14.21% (794/5,587) at 3 years, and 18.22% (1,018/5,587) at 4 years. In terms of site by year, the incidence of associated refractures was as follows: spine, 48.62% (495/1,018); hip, 25.83% (263/1,018); wrist 18.57% (189/1,018); and humerus 6.97% (71/1,018) during all the follow-up periods. CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed that the cumulative incidence of osteoporotic refractures following proximal humerus fractures in the elderly population has been increasing over the years. Given that osteoporotic refractures are associated with an increased mortality risk, a public health strategy to prevent the refracture after proximal humerus fracture in the elderly is imperative.

The Radiologic Comparison of Operative Treatment Using a Hook Plate versus a Distal Clavicle Locking Plate of Distal Clavicle Fracture

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to compare the radiologic results of patients who underwent surgery with a hook plate and a locking plate in distal clavicle fractures. METHODS: Sixty patients underwent surgical treatment for Neer type IIa, IIb, III, and V distal clavicle fracture. Twenty-eight patients underwent fracture fixation with a hook plate and 32 with a locking plate. Coracoclavicular distance was measured on standard anteroposterior radiographs before and after the surgery, and union was confirmed by radiograph or computed tomography taken at 6 months postoperatively. Other radiologic complications like osteolysis was also checked. RESULTS: Bony union was confirmed in 59 patients out of 60 patients, and 1 patient in the hook plate group showed delayed union. Coracoclavicular distance was decreased more in the hook plate group after surgery (p < 0.01). After 6 weeks of the hook plate removal, the coracoclavicular distance was increased a little compared to before metal removal, but there was no difference compared to the contralateral shoulder. Eleven out of 28 patients (39.3%) showed osteolysis on the acromial undersurface in the hook plate group. CONCLUSIONS: Both the hook plate group and the locking plate group showed satisfactory radiologic results in distal clavicle fractures. Both hook plate and locking plate could be a good treatment option if it is used in proper indication in distal clavicle fracture with acromioclavicular subluxation or dislocation.

Unique Imaging Features of Spinal Neurenteric Cyst

A 50-year-old male presented with acutely progressed paraplegia. His magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated two well-demarcated components with opposite signals in one cystic lesion between the T1- and T2-weighted images at the T1 spine level. The patient showed immediately improved neurological symptoms after surgical intervention and the histopathological exam was compatible with a neurenteric cyst. On operation, two different viscous drainages from the cyst were confirmed. A unique similarity of image findings was found from a review of the pertinent literature. The common findings of spinal neurenteric cyst include an isointense or mildly hyperintense signal relative to cerebrospinal fluid for both T1- and T2-weighted images. However, albeit rarer, the signals of some part of the cyst could change into brightly hyperintensity on T1-weighted images and hypointensity on T2-weighted images due to the differing sedimentation of the more viscous contents in the cyst.

Arthroscopic Treatment of Septic Arthritis of the Hip in a Child: A Case Report / 대한고관절학회지

Recommended treatment options for acute septic arthritis in children include repeated aspiration, open arthrotomy, and arthroscopic drainage. However, reports of arthroscopic treatment of septic arthritis of the hip in a child are rare. We experienced a case of arthroscopic management of acute septic arthritis of the right hip joint in a three-year-old child using a 30degrees, 2.7 mm arthroscope for the ankle joint through manual traction without use of a traction table. The patient had complete range of motion in the right hip joint two weeks after surgery and recurrent infection was not observed at the final follow-up two years postoperatively.

Modified Tension Band Wiring Combined with Anti-Gliding Loop Augmentation Technique for the Treatment of Comminuted Patellar Fracture: Technical Note and Report of Early Results: Technical Note

In order to investigate the feasibility of a modified tension band combined with anti-gliding loop augmentation technique for the treatment of comminuted patellar fracture, 21 patients with comminuted patellar fracture were enrolled in this study. After the modified tension band wiring of patellar fracture, a cerclage wire was passed around the patella. Anti-gliding loops were made on the bending sites of Kirshner-wires. A knot was tied using both ends of the anti-gliding loops, and the cerclage wire was tightened using proximal knots. Bone union was achieved at 4.5+/-1.5 months postoperatively without nonunion. The Lysholm score was 87.1+/-2.8, and the range of motion of the knee was 2.1degrees+/-3.4degrees to 132.2degrees+/-6.5degrees at the last follow-up. The modified tension band combined with anti-gliding loop augmentation technique might be considered an alternative modification of modified tension band wiring for the treatment of comminuted patellar fracture.