Ultrasound evaluation of the rotator cuff after osteosynthesis of proximal humeral fractures with locking intramedullary nail / Avaliação ultrassonográfica do manguito rotador após a osteossíntese de fraturas da extremidade proximal do úmero com haste intramedular bloqueada

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate supraspinatus tendon integrity with ultrasound (US) in patients submitted to proximal humeral fracture (PHF) fixation with a locking intramedullary nail., Methods: Thirty-one patients with PHF treated with curvilinear locking intramedullary nail, aged between 50 and 85 years, were assessed by US at six months postoperatively and clinically at six and 12 months postoperatively. The primary aim was supraspinatus tendon integrity, evaluated by US at six months postoperatively. Secondary aims included the Constant-Murley, DASH score, and visual analog pain scores, as well as complications and reoperation rates. Results: Full-thickness rotator cuff ruptures were observed in four patients (13%), supraspinatus ruptures in three cases (10%), and subscapularis ruptures in one case (3%). Partial ruptures were diagnosed in 10 cases (32%). The results using the Constant-Murley score at 12 months were 71.3 ± 15.2 points for the entire series, with 73.2 ± 16.1 points for patients without rotator cuff ruptures and 68.7 ± 14.1 points for those with partial or complete ruptures, without a statistically significant difference (p= 0.336). Complications, exclusively for rotator cuff ruptures, were observed in nine patients (29%). Conclusion: A high rate of rotator cuff ruptures was demonstrated, with partial ruptures in 32% of cases and full-thickness ruptures in 13%. However, clinical results are satisfactory, and are not influenced by the presence of rotator cuff ruptures.

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar a integridade do tendão do supraespinal por meio da ultrassonografia (US) em pacientes submetidos à fixação de fraturas da extremidade proximal do úmero (FEPU) com haste intramedular bloqueada. Métodos: Foram avaliados por exame de ultrassonografia aos seis meses de pós-operatório e clinicamente aos seis e 12 meses de pós-operatório 31 pacientes com FEPU entre 50 e 85 anos, tratados com haste intramedular bloqueada inclinada. O objetivo primário foi avaliar a integridade do tendão supraespinal e os secundários incluíam descrever os demais achados da ultrassonografia, as escalas de Constant-Murley, EVA e Dash e a taxa de complicações e comparar os resultados clínicos dos pacientes com e sem rotura do manguito rotador. Resultados: Roturas transfixantes do manguito rotador foram observadas em quatro pacientes (13%), com rotura do supraespinal em três casos (10%) e do subescapular em um caso (3%). Roturas parciais foram diagnosticadas em dez casos (32%). Os resultados pela escala de Constant-Murley aos 12 meses foram de 71,3 ± 15,2 pontos para toda a amostra, de 73,2 ± 16,1 pontos para os pacientes sem rotura do manguito rotador e de 68,7 ± 14,1 pontos para aqueles com rotura parcial ou completa (p = 0,336). Complicações, exclusive a rotura do manguito rotador, foram observadas em nove pacientes (29%). Conclusão: Observou-se uma alta taxa de alterações nos tendões do manguito rotador, com roturas parciais em 32% dos casos e transfixantes em 13%. No entanto, os resultados clínicos são satisfatórios, não influenciados pela presença de rotura do manguito rotador.

Epidemiologic study of ankle fractures in a tertiary hospital

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the epidemiology of ankle fractures surgically treated at the Instituto de Ortopedia e Traumatologia do Hospital das Clínicas da Universidade de São Paulo. METHODS: Medical records of patients admitted with foot and ankle fractures between 2006 and 2011 were revised. Seventy three ankle fractures that underwent surgical treatment were identified. The parameters analyzed included age, gender, injured side, AO and Gustilo & Anderson classification, associated injuries, exposure, need to urgent treatment, time to definitive treatment and early post-operative complications. Study design: retrospective epidemiological study. RESULTS: Male gender was predominant among subjects and the mean age was 27.5 years old. Thirty nine fractures resulted from traffic accidents and type B fracture according to AO classification was the most common. Twenty one were open fractures and 22 patients had associated injuries. The average time to definitive treatment was 6.5 days. Early post-operative complications were found in 21.3% of patients. CONCLUSIONS: Ankle fractures treated in a tertiary hospital of a large city in Brazil affect young people victims of high-energy accidents and present significant rates of associated injuries and post-operative complications. Level of Evidence IV, Cases Series. .