Arthroscopic Reduction and Internal Fixation in Patients with Acetabular Posterior Wall Fractures

Background@#This study aimed to access the radiologic and clinical outcomes after arthroscopic reduction and internal fixation with screws in patients with posterior wall fractures of the acetabulum. @*Methods@#From May 2013 to December 2019, 13 patients (11 men and 2 women) with posterior wall fractures of the acetabulum were treated with arthroscopic reduction and internal fixation with screws at two medical centers. The mean age at the index operation was 39 years (range, 22–58 years). The mean duration of follow-up was 23 months (range, 12–46 months). Clinical assessment was performed using the modified Merle d'Aubigné and Postel functional scoring system. The maximum displacement of acetabular or femoral head fragments detected on radiographs was used as radiographic results. Secondary osteoarthritis, osteonecrosis, or heterotrophic ossification was assessed at the latest follow-up. @*Results@#Bony union was shown at 12 weeks of follow-up in all patients. The radiologic outcomes showed an anatomical reduction in 11 patients and a satisfactory reduction in 2 patients. The modified Merle d'Aubigné and Postel functional score was excellent in 7 patients, good in 5 patients, and fair in 1 patient. Two patients had transient pudendal nerve palsy after hip arthroscopy. However, no sciatic nerve palsy occurred. At the latest follow-up, there was no heterotopic ossification, osteonecrosis of the femoral head, or posttraumatic osteoarthritis. @*Conclusions@#Arthroscopic reduction and internal fixation with cannulated screws can be good alternative options with good radiographic and clinical outcomes, convenient removal of intra-articular loose body, and low complication rates.

Clinical and Radiological Outcomes of ‘Blocking Kirschner Wire Technique’ in Displaced Intra-Articular Calcaneal Fractures via the Extended Sinus Tarsi Approach / 대한정형외과학회잡지

Purpose@#The purpose of this study was to retrospectively evaluate the effect of ‘Blocking Kirschner Wire (K-Wire) Technique’, which has been developed to reduce protrusion of the lateral wall, in maintaining the level of reduction through clinical and radiological outcomes. @*Materials and Methods@#Twenty-two patients with displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures who used the blocking K-wire to maintain reduction (group A) and 44 patients that did not use blocking K-wire and were paired in 1:2 ratio with those Group A patients (group B), between January 2015 and December 2017 were enrolled in the study. All surgical procedures were performed via the extended sinus tarsi approach, and internal fixation using cannulated screws, Steinmann pins and K-wires was performed. American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Ankle-Hindfoot scale and postoperative recovery of exercise ability were compared for postoperative clinical outcomes.The radiological results were compared the Böhler angle, Gissane angle, calcaneal height and width, step off of posterior calcaneal joint, and the degree of protrusion of the lateral wall. Moreover, postoperative complications in both groups were compared. @*Results@#There were no significant differences in the clinical outcomes of the two groups (p=0.924, p=0.961). The amount of Böhler angle, Gissane angle, calcaneal height and width, and step off of posterior calcaneal joint from the radiological results was not significantly different between the two groups (p=0.170, p=0.441, p=0.230, p=0.266, and p=0.400). However, the degree of protrusion of the lateral wall was 1.78 mm and 4.95 mm in group A and group B, respectively, and the difference between the two groups was significant (p=0.017). Although sural nerve entrapment and painful exostosis were more frequent in group B, they were occurred in a non-significant manner (p=0.293, p=0.655). @*Conclusion@#Most of the clinical and radiological results as well as the complications were not significantly different between the two groups. However, the degree of protrusion of the calcaneus lateral wall in group A was promising. The ‘Blocking K-Wires Technique’ established by the authors may be an effective surgical option for maintaining the reduction of the lateral wall protrusion in displaced intraarticular calcaneal fractures.

Midterm-clinical Outcomes after Hip Arthroscopy in Middle-aged Patients with Early Osteoarthritis / 대한고관절학회지

PURPOSE: Although the number of hip arthroscopies is rapidly increasing in non-elderly patients, outcomes of this procedure in middle-aged patients are not well documented or clearly understood. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical and radiological outcomes after hip arthroscopy in middle-aged patients with early osteoarthritis.MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study analyzed 189 patients with early osteoarthritis of various diagnoses aged 40 years or older who underwent hip arthroscopy between January 2010 and December 2015. Clinical (e.g., modified Harris hip score [mHHS], hip outcome score-activities of daily living [HOS-ADL], visual analogue scale [VAS] for pain, range of motion) and radiological (change of Tönnis grade) outcomes were assessed at a minimum of 3-year follow-up.RESULTS: The mean preoperative and final mHHS and HOS-ADL improved from 61.2 and 60.6 to 79.5 and 81.8, respectively, while the VAS pain score decreased from 6.3 to 3.2 (P<0.001). Although the mean range of internal rotation and flexion increased from 14.2 and 100.7° preoperatively to 30.4 and 110.6° at 1-year postoperatively, they decreased slightly to 27.4 and 105.4° at the final follow-up, respectively. Eight cases (4.2%) underwent revision arthroscopic surgery and three cases (1.6%) were converted to total hip arthroplasty.CONCLUSION: Patients with early-stage osteoarthritis of various diagnoses achieved improved clinical outcomes. Therefore, using hip arthroscopy in middle-aged patients with early osteoarthritis, it is possible to achieve good surgical options.

Pathological Fracture of the Femoral Neck due to Tophaceous Gout: An Unusual Case of Gout / 대한고관절학회지

A 48-year-old man visited the emergency room with right hip pain that started abruptly while walking out of the bathroom. Computed tomography showed an intraosseous mass in the femoral neck. The patient had a 15-year history of gout and had numerous bilateral tophi in his hands, feet, knees, and elbows. After operation, we diagnosed a pathological fracture due to intraosseous tophi. Patients with hip pain who have many subcutaneous tophi and long-standing gout should be diagnosed carefully. Peri-hip joint pain caused by gout is uncommon, however, if a patient complains of pain, a simple X-ray may be required. If intraosseous tophi are present, appropriate treatment (e.g., strict hyperuricemia control with or without prophylactic internal fixation), may be required before fracture occurs.

Arthroscopic Treatment for Femoroacetabular Impingement with Extraspinal Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostosis

BACKGROUND: Patients with extraspinal diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) involving the hip joint have symptoms like femoroacetabular impingement (FAI). To date, no reported study has determined the clinical outcomes of arthroscopic treatment in extraspinal DISH involving the hip joint. METHODS: A total of 421 hips with FAI that underwent arthroscopic treatment were reviewed retrospectively. We determined the extraspinal involvement of DISH with three-dimensional computed tomography (3D-CT) and simple radiography of the pelvis and hip joint. Clinical outcomes were evaluated at a minimum of 2 years postoperatively. The visual analog scale score (VAS), modified Harris hip score (MHHS), and hip outcome score–activity of daily living scale (HOS-ADL) were used, and hip range of motion (ROM) was evaluated pre- and postoperatively and at the time of the final follow-up. RESULTS: Among the 421 hips (372 patients) with FAI that underwent arthroscopic treatment, 17 hips (12 patients, 4.04%) had extraspinal DISH on the hip joints. The mean age of the patients was 51.5 years. The 3D-CT scans and simple radiographs showed extraspinal DISH on multiple points around the pelvis and hip joint. Nine of the 17 hips (seven of 12 patients) had spinal DISH. At the final follow-up, VAS, MHHS, and HOS-ADL improved significantly from 6.5, 65.3, and 66.6, respectively, to 1.2, 87.8, and 89.5, respectively, and hip flexion and internal rotation improved significantly from 97.7° and 7.9°, respectively, to 117.1° and 18.2°, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This study has demonstrated that extraspinal DISH involving the hip joint could lead to FAI, and arthroscopic treatment could result in relief of symptoms, including pain and ROM limitation, in extraspinal DISH patients.

Surgical Outcomes of the Reinforcing Technique of a Weakened Medial Capsule in Severe Hallux Valgus Using Internal Brace / 대한족부족관절학회지

PURPOSE@#This study evaluated the clinical and radiological results after reinforcement of the weakened medial joint capsule using Internal Brace (Arthrex) for treating severe hallux valgus.@*MATERIALS AND METHODS@#This study reviewed 56 cases of 50 patients that were followed-up postoperatively for at least 12 months, from September 2017 until August 2018. An extended distal chevron osteotomy combined with a distal soft-tissue release was performed by a single surgeon to treat severe hallux valgus. Internal Brace was applied in 12 cases (group A) who had weakened medial joint capsules, and capsulorrhaphy was performed in 44 cases (group B), and these two groups were compared postoperatively for the clinical and radiological results. The postoperative complications were also investigated.@*RESULTS@#No significant differences at 1-year follow-up on the Manchester-Oxford Foot Questionnaire and the patients' satisfaction scores were found between the two groups (p=0.905 and p=0.668, respectively). For the radiology, the changes of the values between before surgery and at 1-year follow-up according to the group showed no significant differences in the hallux valgus angle, intermetatarsal angle, and the hallux interphalangeal angle (p=0.986, p=0.516, p=0.754, respectively). Recurrence of hallux valgus was reported in two cases in group A, and in three cases in group B. Transfer metatarsalgia occurred in 4 cases in group B.@*CONCLUSION@#Based on these results, we recommend the capsule reinforcing technique using Internal Brace as a successful operative option for treating a weakened medial capsule in patients with severe hallux valgus.

Radiological and Clinical Effectiveness of a Novel Calcaneal Fracture Brace after Intra-articular Calcaneal Fracture Surgery

BACKGROUND: After calcaneal fracture surgery, a short leg splint and cast are typically applied. However, these restrict joint exercises, which is inconvenient for patients. In addition, there is a risk of complications, such as pressure ulcers or nerve paralysis with a short leg cast. In this study, we evaluated clinical and radiological outcomes of the use of a specially designed calcaneal brace after calcaneal fracture surgery. METHODS: From among patients who underwent open reduction and internal fixation for calcaneal fracture between July 9, 2013 and May 31, 2017, 102 patients who wore a calcaneal fracture brace (group A) and 82 patients who wore a postoperative short leg cast (group B) were randomly chosen for this study. Radiological changes and clinical factors were compared between the two groups. After swelling at the surgical site decreased, a special calcaneal brace was applied to patients in group A. They were allowed to perform early weight bearing and joint motion. Patients in group B were immobilized in a short leg cast and were told to avoid weight bearing for 6 weeks. In each group, the Böhler's angle and Gissane's angle were measured and compared using postoperative and final follow-up radiographs. Pain (measured using a visual analogue scale [VAS]) and ankle joint range of motion (dorsiflexion, plantar flexion, eversion, and inversion) were measured serially until the final follow-up visit. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the Böhler's angle or Gissane's angle between the two groups as measured postoperatively and at the final follow-up (paired t-test). Differences in the VAS pain score and eversion were also statistically nonsignificant between the two groups. However, group A had a significantly higher range of dorsiflexion (p = 0.021), plantar flexion (p = 0.012), and inversion (p = 0.045) of the ankle than group B (independent t-test). CONCLUSIONS: Application of the calcaneal fracture brace after open reduction and internal fixation of a calcaneal fracture not only maintained the fracture reduction but allowed for greater joint motion than the short leg cast. Thus, the calcaneal fracture brace can be considered an effective postoperative management option that enables early resumption of daily activities and facilitates postoperative joint motion.

Morphologic Changes of Femoral Cam Lesion after Osteoplasty for Femoroacetabular Impingement / 대한정형외과학회잡지

PURPOSE: We evaluated the morphologic change of cam lesion of femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) using 3-dimensional computed tomography (3D-CT) at the minimum 2-year follow-up and estimated its relationship with clinical outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between February 2007 and March 2014, all patients who underwent hip arthroscopic femoroplasty under the impression of FAI were retrospectively evaluated. We selected patients who received 3D-CT and were followed-up for more than 2 years. We estimated the quantitative volume of femoroplasty, alpha angle and femoral head-neck offset using 3D-CT. RESULTS: Thirty-two patients (37 cases) were selected in our study. The mean age was 31.2 years (16–69 years) and the mean follow-up duration was 47.3 months (26–119 months). The mean resection volume measured after femoroplasty using 3D-CT was 48.9 mm2 (13.2–106.4 mm2), and follow-up mean resection volume was 37.9 mm2 (7.83–90.37 mm2). A little bit of the mean volumatic overgrowth of the resection area between immediate postoperative and last follow-up was shown; however, there was no statistically significant difference in the mean values (p>0.05). The clinical outcomes showed a significant improvement during the perioperative and follow-up periods in all categories (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: There was no significant regrowth of cam lesion after femoroplasty for FAI at maximum 9 years. Moreover, in most cases, clinical outcomes were improved. This suggests that we were able to achieve good clinical outcomes without harmful anatomical regrowth of cam deformity using arthroscopic femoroplasty.

Hip Arthroscopy for Incarcerated Acetabular Labrum following Reduction of Traumatic Hip Dislocation: Three Case Reports / 대한고관절학회지

Traumatic hip fracture-dislocations are associated with chondral and labral pathology as well as loose bodies that can be incarcerated in the hip joint. Incarceration, such as interposed labrum between acetabulum and femoral head that is not readily visualized preoperatively, is a rare but important cause of pain and can potentially be a source for early degeneration and progression to osteoarthritis. We present three cases, arthroscopic surgery of incarcerated acetabular osseo-labral fragment following reduction of traumatic hip fracture-dislocation.

Usefulness of the Medial Portal during Hip Arthroscopy

The current conventional portals for hip arthroscopic surgery are the anterior, anterolateral, and posterolateral portals. For lesions in the medial anteroinferior or posteroinferior portion of the hip, these portals provide insufficient access to the lesion and consequently lead to incomplete treatment. Thus, in such a situation, a medial portal approach might be helpful. However, operators have avoided this procedure because of the risk of injury to the obturator, femoral neurovascular structures, and the medial femoral circumflex artery. Thus, to overcome the disadvantages of the conventional method for medial lesions of the hip, we performed a cadaveric study to evaluate the technique, usefulness, and risk of the medial portal technique.

Arthroscopic Treatment of Symptomatic Internal Snapping Hip with Combined Pathologies

BACKGROUND: Arthroscopic iliopsoas tendon release was introduced in 2000. The purpose of this study was to evaluate clinical outcomes of arthroscopic iliopsoas tendon release for painful internal snapping hip with concomitant hip pathologies. METHODS: Between January 2009 and December 2011, we performed arthroscopic iliopsoas tendon release and related surgeries in 25 patients (20 men and 5 women; mean age, 32 years; range, 17 to 53 years) with combined intraarticular hip pathologies. The patients were followed for a minimum of 2 years postoperatively. Clinical and radiological evaluations were performed. RESULTS: Snapping sounds had disappeared by the 2-year follow-up in 24 of the 25 patients. All patients who had presented with loss of flexion strength postoperatively showed recovery at postoperative week 6 to 10. Harris hip score improved from 65 points (range, 46 to 86 points) preoperatively to 84 points (range, 67 to 98 points) postoperatively (p < 0.001). Seven hips (28%) had an excellent score, 15 hips (60%) a good score, 2 hips (8%) a fair score, and one hip (4%) a poor score (p < 0.001). The Tonnis grade of osteoarthritis did not change in any of the patients at the last follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with painful internal snapping hip have combined hip pathologies. Therefore, the surgeon should keep in mind that painful internal snapping hips are frequently combined with concomitant intraarticular pathologies.

Treatment of Achilles Tendon Rupture with Absorbable Suture / 대한족부족관절학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to report on the result of repairing Achilles tendon using absorbable suture under nerve block. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 20 patients with acute Achilles tendon rupture who were followed up for at least six months after the operation. We repaired Achilles tendon using two absorbable sutures using the Krackow technique for the proximal stump and the Kessler technique for the distal stump. A programmed postoperative management including non-weight bearing with a short leg cast for four weeks after the operation was applied for all patients. We evaluated clinical results using American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot score, visual analogue scale (VAS) for satisfaction, range of motion of ankle, functional recovery rate, and the starting time of single heel raise. RESULTS: The mean VAS score for satisfaction and AOFAS score was 9.2 and 93.0, respectively. The affected ankle showed a mean dorsiflexion rate of 90% and plantar-flexion rate of 94% compared to the uninjured side. The single heel raise could start at a mean of 3.5 months after the operation. CONCLUSION: Treatment of Achilles tendon rupture with absorbable suture material using the hybrid suture technique of proximal Krackow and distal Kessler showed sufficient stability and minimal chronic inflammatory reaction.

Ultrasound-guided Nerve Block for Skin Grafting on Large Diabetic Ulcer of Foot and Leg: A Technical Report / 대한족부족관절학회지

Skin grafting is often required for diabetic ulcerative foot lesions. In skin grafting, effective regional or local anesthesia into the donor and recipient areas plays a significant role in continuous control of pain. We report on a technique of ultrasound-guided nerve block on the femoral, sciatic, and lateral femoral cutaneous nerves in large split-thickness skin grafting for ulcer of the foot and leg.

Arthroscopic Labral Repair Associated with Femoroacetabular Impingement: Short Term 2-5 Years Follow-up Results / 대한고관절학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to report on the short term follow-up of patients who underwent arthroscopic acetabular labral repair for femoroacetabular impingement and acetabular labral tear. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 45 consecutive patients who underwent arthroscopic acetabular labral repair after diagnosis of femoroacetabular impingement and acetabular labral tear from January 2008 to December 2010 were included in this study. Modified Harris hip score (MHHS), VAS, Hip outcomes score (HOS), and patient satisfaction were used for evaluation of the clinical results. RESULTS: Patients included 22 males and 23 females, and the mean age of the patients was 33.0(range, 16-54) years old, and the mean follow up period was 26.7(range, 24-56) months. Of the clinical results, mean VAS score was 6.4 and 2.5 points before and after surgery, respectively, and mean MHHS score improved from 59.5 points before surgery to 85.4 points after surgery. Activities of daily living and sports-related activities of HOS were 58.3% and 51.2%, respectively, before surgery, and 83.0% and 79.8% after surgery. Revision arthroscopic surgery was performed on five cases(12.1%); labro-synovial adhesion, three cases, pull-out of suture anchor, one case, heterotropic ossification, one case. CONCLUSION: Arthroscopic acetabular labral repair is considered an effective treatment for femoroacetabular impingement and accompanying acetabular labral tear.

Liner Dissociation by Extrusion of the Acetabular Cup Fixation Screw after Total Hip Replacement: Two Cases Report / 대한고관절학회지

This is a report of 2 cases that showed dissociation of the acetabular cup liner by acetabular fixation screw among patients who underwent total hip replacement. Screws for fixation of the acetabular cup were used during the primary surgery in both cases. Each patient visited the out patient department complaining of pain and noise from the joint; radiologic finding revealed a collapse of the column shape bone graft area with dissociation of the acetabular cup liner. In both cases, during revision surgery, screw was extruded to the inner side of the acetabular cup, since it migrated superiorly. There has been no report of liner dissociation by extrusion of acetabular cup fixation screw after total hip replacement. Therefore, we report two cases of dissociation of the acetabular cup liner of hip arthroplasty, which occurred due to screw issues after total hip replacement with structural autogenous bone graft.

Outcomes from Treatment of Simple Bone Cyst in the Long Bones with Flexible Intramedullary Nailing in Children and Adolescents: A Retrospective Cases Series / 대한정형외과학회잡지

PURPOSE: A retrospective review of cases series about the outcomes of treatment for simple bone cyst in the long bones with flexible intramedullary nailing in children and adolescents. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty-five cases with a simple bone cyst in the long bones diagnosed between April 2002 and December 2007 were enrolled in the study. The mean age of the patients was 10.8 years. Thirteen cases were accompanied by a pathological fracture, and 72 cases were not. Thirty-three cases had a simple bone cyst on the proximal humerus, 41 cases on the shaft of the humerus, and 11 cases on the proximal femur. Steroid injections were performed in 21 cases (group 1), curettage and a synthetic bone graft in 18 cases (group 2), and decompression and fixation using flexible intramedullary nailing in 46 cases (group 3). We followed up all cases for at least 24 months and evaluated the results according to the Capanna classification. RESULTS: The mean duration for absorption and healing of bone cysts was 18.4 months in group 1, 10.6 months in group 2, and 5.8 months in group 3. The complete cure rate according to the Capanna classification was 67% in group 1, 56% in group 2, and 78% in group 3. There was one case of recurrence in group 1 (5%), one case in group 2 (6%), and one case in group 3 (2%), as well as two cases of "no response to treatment" in group 1 (9%) and one case in group 2 (6%). CONCLUSION: Flexible intramedullary nailing for simple bone cysts in children and adolescents is effective for healing cystic lesions with a short healing duration and for mechanical stability.

Changes in Cervical Spine Range of Motion after Laminoplasty in Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study. OBJECTIVES: This study examined the cervical range of motion (ROM) of cervical spondylotic myelopathy patients, before and after open door laminoplasty. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: Majority of the cases regarding the change of cervical range of motion after cervical laminoplasty showed decreased range of motion, and the results were diverse. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Of the 487 patients, who underwent open door laminoplasty at our hospital from March 1997 to March 2008, 98 had been followed for at least 2 years and had cervical flexion-extension lateral x-rays. In all patients, open door laminoplasty involved at least three segments: three, four, and five segments in 11, 52, and 35 patients, respectively. In previous cases, fixation involved sutures using suture anchors. The lordosis or kyphosis between C2 and C7 was analyzed using cervical flexion-extension lateral radiographs before and 2 years after the operation. RESULTS: The average patient age was 62.7 (range 32-82) years; 65 patients were male and 33 were female. From preoperatively to postoperatively, the average kyphosis of cervical flexion decreased from 10.7degrees to 7.8degrees, average lordosis decreased from 21.2degrees to 14.2degrees, and cervical ROM decreased from 31.9degrees to 22.0degrees, respectively (mean 9.9degrees, 31.0%). CONCLUSIONS: We could observe decreased cervical range of motion after cervical laminoplasty for cervical spondylotic myelopathic patients. Thus, the treatment to prevent the postoperative decrease of cervical range of motion and further study to find a new treatment are thought to be essential.

Simple Subperiosteal Hematoma with a Periosteal Reaction Mimicking a Malignancy / 대한정형외과학회잡지

A benign periosteal reaction, which can occur after trauma or stress, has a solid and uninterrupted appearance on radiography. In contrast, an aggressive periosteal reaction, which may indicate a malignancy, appears as a Codman's triangle or with a spiculated and sunburst pattern. In the present case, an 11-year-old boy with a previous injury to the distal radial growth plate presented with diffuse osteolysis on the distal radial metaphysis and decreased opacity of the lateral side cortex on plain radiograph. A Codman's triangle-like lesion was seen on the lateral side of the distal radius, and a few spicules were observed on the medial side of the distal radius. A T2-weighted coronal magnetic resonance image revealed a mass that had stripped the periosteum; the mass had heterogeneous signal intensity and a fl uid-fluid level on axial views. The margins of the mass were unclear, but enhanced. Suspecting a primary malignancy, we performed a biopsy. The pathology revealed that the mass was a simple hematoma.

Separate Vertical Wirings for the Extra-articular Fractures of the Distal Pole of the Patella

PURPOSE: To evaluate the usefulness of separate vertical wirings for extra-articular fracture of distal pole of patella. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We have analyzed the clinical results of 18 cases that underwent separate vertical wirings for extra-articular fracture of distal pole of the patella from March 2005 to March 2010, by using the range of motion and Bostman score. Occurrence of complication was also evaluated. Additionally, by taking simple radiographs, the correlation between the postoperative degree of anterior transposition of bone fragment and the time of bone fusion, preoperative length of bone fragment, and occurrence of comminuted fracture were investigated. RESULTS: It took an average of 13.8 weeks for radiological bone union after separate vertical wiring fixation. Flexion contracture was an average of 0.8 degrees and further flexion was an average of 127.6degrees, and Bostman score was an average of 27.5 points (excellent in 12 cases, and good in 6 cases). On the first postoperative year, average flexion contracture was 0.6 degrees and further flexion was an average of 136.3degrees, which exhibited increased joint motion and recovery to normal range of motion, and Bostman score was an average of 28.7 points (excellent in 16 cases, and good in 2 cases). There was no statistically significant difference between the preoperative bone fragment length and presence of comminution, and degree of anterior transposition of bone fragment after fracture union on simple radiograph (p=0.175, p=0.146). CONCLUSIONS: We were able to obtain satisfactory clinical results, while preserving the bone fragment by separate vertical wiring fixation for extra-articular fracture of distal pole of patella. Moreover, the method is easy to perform, which is also considered as a useful surgical method for extra-articular fracture of distal pole of patella.

Anatomically Percutaneous Wiring Reduction in Minimally Invasive Plate Osteosynthesis for Distal Tibial Fractures

PURPOSE: To report the method of anatomical reduction and its maintenance by percutaneous wiring reduction in minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis for distal tibial fractures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 17 cases that were diagnosed oblique, spiral or transverse fracture of distal tibia from August 2007 to February 2010 and were able to anatomically reduce by the method of percutanous wiring reduction in minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis were included in this study. Mean age was 50, and mean follow up period was 18 months. We investigated the period until bone union was achieved, degree of angulation angle, and complications. For postoperative evaluation, Olerud and Molander ankle score and VAS pain score in daily living were checked. RESULTS: The mean varus/valgus angulation after bone union on AP radiograph was 0.9 degrees and the mean anterior/posterior angulation on lateral radiograph was 2.0 degrees The mean Olerud and Molander ankle score was 89.4, and mean pain score due to walk adjacent to metal plate was 0 points. CONCLUSION: By the method of percutaneous wiring reduction in distal tibial fracture, anatomical reduction is easily acquired, and only by wire itself, reduction could be maintained, so that without additional manual reduction, plate could be easily fixed.