Surgical Correction of Pelvic Malunion and Nonunion

Regardless of the method of treatment, as many as 5% of all pelvic fractures result in malunion or nonunion of the pelvis. However, there is not much information in the literature on the management of these late complications. Because they cause disabling symptoms and socioeconomic problems, some patients with malunion or nonunion of pelvic fractures need to undergo surgery. We report our experience with satisfactory results of surgery for pelvic malunion and nonunion in four patients. The key to successful reconstruction is thorough preoperative planning and methodical surgical intervention.

Progression of a Fracture Site Impaction as a Prognostic Indicator of Impacted Femoral Neck Fracture Treated with Multiple Pinning

BACKGROUND: We evaluated the clinical and radiologic results of impacted femoral neck fractures treated with multiple pinning and determined the influence of the progression of impaction at the fracture site on clinical outcome. METHODS: There were 34 patients with a mean age of 65.5 years. The mean follow-up period was 3.4 years. Progression of fracture site impaction was measured using an articulo-trochanteric distance index and the percentage decrease in the articulo-trochanteric distance index between follow-up intervals. The failure of treatment was clarified as non-union and avascular necrosis. Other characteristics of the patients, including mean waiting time for surgery, preoperative Singh index score, and body mass index, were also measured to evaluate the influence on the clinical outcome of surgery. RESULTS: There were 6 fractures which were not treated successfully (3 non-union, 8.8% and 3 avascular necrosis, 8.8%). The mean percentage decrease of the articulo-trochanteric distance index within the first 6 weeks after surgery was 4.5% in the successful group and 25.1% in the failure group (p < 0.001). There was also a significant mean percentage decrease in the articulo-trochanteric distance index between 6 weeks and 3 months (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Primary stabilization with Knowles pins for impacted femoral neck fractures had a reasonable clinical outcome with low morbidity. Despite a significant difference of a mean percentage decrease in the articulo-trochanteric distance index between the successful group and the failure group, we could not verify it as a risk factor for failure of treatment because the odds ratio was not statistically significant.

Progression of a Fracture Site Impaction as a Prognostic Indicator of Impacted Femoral Neck Fracture Treated with Multiple Pinning

BACKGROUND: We evaluated the clinical and radiologic results of impacted femoral neck fractures treated with multiple pinning and determined the influence of the progression of impaction at the fracture site on clinical outcome. METHODS: There were 34 patients with a mean age of 65.5 years. The mean follow-up period was 3.4 years. Progression of fracture site impaction was measured using an articulo-trochanteric distance index and the percentage decrease in the articulo-trochanteric distance index between follow-up intervals. The failure of treatment was clarified as non-union and avascular necrosis. Other characteristics of the patients, including mean waiting time for surgery, preoperative Singh index score, and body mass index, were also measured to evaluate the influence on the clinical outcome of surgery. RESULTS: There were 6 fractures which were not treated successfully (3 non-union, 8.8% and 3 avascular necrosis, 8.8%). The mean percentage decrease of the articulo-trochanteric distance index within the first 6 weeks after surgery was 4.5% in the successful group and 25.1% in the failure group (p < 0.001). There was also a significant mean percentage decrease in the articulo-trochanteric distance index between 6 weeks and 3 months (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Primary stabilization with Knowles pins for impacted femoral neck fractures had a reasonable clinical outcome with low morbidity. Despite a significant difference of a mean percentage decrease in the articulo-trochanteric distance index between the successful group and the failure group, we could not verify it as a risk factor for failure of treatment because the odds ratio was not statistically significant.

Current perspectives in the management of scaphoid nonunions

When left untreated, scaphoid fractures follow a downward spiral resulting in carpal collapse and arthritis. The purpose of intervention is to allow a cartilage-wrapped bone to heal and maintain a smooth articular surface. Proposed treatment options for scaphoid nonunions have varied success rates. Using the Mack Lichtman classification for nonunions, a plan can be formulated for individual patients based on motion loss, degenerative changes, carpal collapse, and fracture instability manifested by bone loss. Stable nonunions may benefit from bone grafting and internal fixation. Unstable nonunions require grafting and fixation. With the development of arthritis, grafting and fixation must be weighed against suitability of a proximal row carpectomy or a four-corner fusion with scaphoid excision. Advanced carpal collapse and arthritis mandates fusion, either limited or complete. CT allows preoperative planning to assess grafting requirements. MRI defines vascular supply if a vascular graft is considered. Vascularized graft options have multiplied as attention has been focused on the impact of improved blood supply on the avascular scaphoid. Patient- and fracturespecific factors are important considerations when determining surgical options; underestimating their importance can compromise surgical results even with a high level of technical skill. Successful treatment of scaphoid nonunions remains a difficult challenge despite improvement in fixation devices and surgical options. By regarding injury status, together with patient factors, surgical options can be narrowed and patient expectations managed more realistically

New implant and technique for valgus osteotomy with dynamic osteotomy plate

With the increased rate of orthopedic trauma especially proximal femur, neck femur fractures, non-union, malunion and hip osteoarthritis; and the increased production of instrumentation, we designed a new implant for valgus osteotomy with dynamic osteotomy plate. This implant overcomes a lot disadvantages occurred with the other implants. The aim of this work is to present this implant and its results in treating union problems [nonunion and malunion] in proximal femur and neck femur fractures. 30 patients with different hip problems were included in this study. From April 2000 to May 2005. 12 females and 18 males. Their age ranged from 21 to 68 years old. All patients submitted to a period of follow up [x-rays and clinical evaluation]. This study reported a significant results in early union, correction of the deformity and good hip range of movement with the use of the valgus osteotomy dynamic plate. In conclusion there is a marvelous results and better outcomes with use of this implant. This paper had been presented in: The 1st SGH group international orthopedic conference Riyadh, KSA in sept. 2002. The annual international congress of the EOA in nov. 2001 Heliopolis Sheraton Cairo Egypt. And the author was awarded

Percutaneous versus open bone grafting in the treatment of tibial fractures: a randomized prospective trial.

PURPOSE: To compare the results between percutaneous bone grafting and open bone grafting of tibial shaft fractures. METHOD: Thirty tibial fractured shafts with a delayed union or a high-energy tibial fractures which required early prophylaxis bone grafts were randomized to either percutaneous bone graft (n= 15) or open bone graft (n=15). One patient from the open bone graft group was lost to follow-up. Characteristics of the patients were similar in both groups. RESULTS: The mean length of follow-up was 2.5 years. Percutaneous bone graft technique was associated with significantly less blood loss (p<0.01) and shorter operative time (p<0.01). One patient in the percutaneous group had posterior tibial nerve palsy postoperatively, which recovered completely after 6 weeks. There were no differences in rate of union, healing time of the successful cases, postoperative pain and hospital stay. CONCLUSION: The percutaneous technique has effective results similar to the open technique in promoting union of tibial fractures. It should be considered as a useful alternative to the open bone graft technique.

Treatment of non union of humerus using G. A. Ilizarov technique.

The management of the non union of humerus is one of the most challenging problems that the surgeon confronts in his practice. The procedures traditionally used are: I.M. Nailing, interlocking, plating, transplantation of allograft. In our series, 36 cases with non union has been treated by G.A. Ilizarov technique. The age range were: 21-62 years with an average of 32 years. The initial treatment were done by DCP, rush nails & plates with screw fixation. The duration of treatment ranged from 5-11 months (average 8 months). With the application of Ilizarov fixator a good range of elbow & shoulder motion were achieved. The average follow up period was 5 years with a range of 1-8 years. Union was achieved in all the 36 cases.

Repair of nonunion lateral humeral condyle: a case report.

Epiphyseal injury of the lateral condyle of distal humerus is found commonly in children. Complications following such an injury can result in nonunion with late development of angular deformity and ulnar nerve neuritis. Nonunion at this area is extremely troublesome and difficult to treat. Controversy exists as whether late open reduction and fixation can restore the anatomy of the elbow joint and improve the function. We describe a technique of corrective osteotomy to correct the cubitus valgus deformity and repair the nonunion. The patient was treated successfully with 4 years follow-up.

Role of pulsed electromagnetic fields in recalcitrant non-unions.

Twenty-nine patients of recalcitrant nonunion of long bones were treated by pulsed electromagnetic fields in an attempt to bring about osteogenesis. The pulse used was rectangular, equal mark space wave in the astable, continuous mode operating at a frequency of 40 Hertz. The success rate was 82.5%. The result was not dependent on the age, sex, time of nonunion or the presence of infection. However, the results were uniformly poor when infection and fracture instability were coexistent in the same patient.