Femoral neck system as a safe alternative to cannulated compression screw and dynamic hip screw in femoral neck fractures: an early comparative study.

INTRODUCTION: The femoral neck system (FNS) is a safe alternative to cannulated compression screw (CCS) and dynamic hip screw (DHS) in femoral neck fractures. METHODS: A dual-centre retrospective cohort study was performed on femoral neck fractures (AO type 31-B) treated with closed reduction and internal fixation using FNS, DHS or CCS between April 2016 and April 2020. Exclusion criteria were as follows: patients aged below 16 years; chronic fractures beyond 7 days; pathological fractures; fracture extension to the intertrochanteric region or ipsilateral neck and shaft fractures; and open fractures. A total of 85 patients were identified: FNS (n = 28), DHS (n = 29) and CCS (n = 28). RESULTS: The FNS and CCS groups had a lower Garden and Pauwels classification compared to the DHS group (both P < 0.001). Both FNS and CCS groups were comparable in postoperative orthopaedic complications (10.7% [n = 3] vs. 3.6% [n = 1], adjusted P = 0.321). The DHS group had more postoperative orthopaedic complications than the FNS group, but this was not statistically significant (27.6% [n = 8] vs. 10.7% [n = 3], adjusted P = 0.321). There were no significant differences in median time to radiological union or median femoral neck shortening at union (both P > 0.05) among the three groups. CONCLUSION: The new DePuy Synthes FNS is a safe alternative to CCS with comparable complication rates for femoral neck fractures that are less displaced and more stable. The FNS also appears to be a safe alternative to DHS in the fixation of femoral neck fractures for the few cases of high-energy femoral neck fractures.

Does the Schatzker III Tibial Plateau Fracture Exist?

Background: The Schatzker classification system for tibial plateau fractures is one of the most commonly used systems. However, there has been controversy if a Schatzker III type fracture truly exists by their original definition. We aimed to correlate the radiographic and CT images of type III fractures, describe the additional propagating fracture patterns and determine if these fractures do exist by their original description. Methods: This multicenter retrospective cohort observational study included patients with tibial plateau fractures across five trauma centers over 9 years were identified. All X-rays and CT scans were assessed. Two independent fellowship trained, Orthopaedic trauma surgeons reviewed all knee X-rays and classified them according to the Schatzker system. The CTs were subsequently reviewed and the fractures were reclassified based on CT findings. Results: 569 Tibial plateau fractures in 566 patients were analyzed. All X-ray classified Schatzker III fractures were reclassified to a Schatzker II type after review of CT scans by both assessors independently as there were always at least two or more fracture lines propagating from the depressed fragment to the lateral cortex in all cases. The interobserver variability as assessed by the kappa correlation coefficient (κ) for X-rays and CT-based classifications were κ = 0.274 and κ = 0.906, respectively. The majority of cases had two lateral cortical breaks (83.8%). In addition, the depression occurred mostly in the anterolateral and posterolateral positions (60.3%) of the lateral tibial plateau. Conclusion: This study did not support the existence of true Schatzker Type III fractures.

Social determinants of outcomes in nonoperatively treated proximal humerus fractures.

Background: Proximal humerus fractures (PHFs) are common fractures especially in the elderly, with most fractures being managed nonoperatively. Traditional biomedical factors such as radiological alignment have not been able to meaningfully predict comfort and capability after PHFs. Conversely, recent literature has increasingly recognized the role of psychological factors in determining comfort and capability after PHFs. Nonetheless, less is known about the impact of social factors. Additional study of these potentially modifiable social factors as targets for enhancing recovery from injury is merited. Among people recovering from a nonoperatively- treated proximal humerus fracture (PHF) we studied the social factors associated with patient-reported outcomes at 6 months and 1 year. Methods: One hundred seventy-one patients who received nonoperative management of a PHF completed baseline measures of sociodemographic characteristics (age, gender, race, employment status, household income, educational level, presence of domestic workers, housing type, and smoking status). Six and 12 months after fracture, participants completed the Oxford Shoulder Score (OSS), Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (QuickDASH) and EuroQol-5-Dimensions (EQ5D) measures of comfort and capability. The relationship between capability and social factors was assessed using linear regression modelling, accounting for potential confounding from age, fracture severity assessed using Neer classification, premorbid comorbidities measured by Charlson Comorbidity Index, and premorbid functional status measured by Parker Mobility Index and Barthel Index. Results: Lower capability (higher QuickDASH scores) 6 months and 1 year after fracture were associated with being unemployed (coef: -5.02 [95% CI: -9.96 to -0.07]; P = .047) and having domestic workers at home (coef: 8.63 [95% CI: 1.39 to 15.86]; P = .020), but not with Neer classification. Both greater shoulder discomfort and magnitude of incapability (lower OSS scores) and worse general quality of life (lower EQ5D scores) were associated with having domestic workers (coef: -4.07 [95% CI: -6.62 to -1.53]; P = .002 and coef: -0.18 [95% CI: -0.29 to -0.07]; P = .001 respectively) or living in an assisted care facility (coef: -14.82 [95% CI: -22.24 to -7.39]; P < .001 and coef: -0.59 [95% CI: -0.90 to -0.29] P < .001). Conclusions: The finding that people recovering from PHF experience less incapability in proportion to their social independence (employment, absence of a caregiver such as domestic workers at home and living outside care facilities) emphasizes the important associations of social factors to musculoskeletal health, and the utility of accounting for social factors in the development and assessment of care strategies.

Should closed reduction be attempted in the emergency department for an acute anterior shoulder fracture dislocation?

BACKGROUND: Whether an anterior shoulder fracture dislocation should be reduced under sedation in the emergency department is still a dilemma. This retrospective study aimed to determine when it is safe to perform a closed reduction based on the fracture pattern. METHODS: Surgically treated anterior shoulder fracture dislocations over eight years were classified into three groups. Group 1 involved an isolated greater tuberosity fracture. Group 2 and 3 involved surgical and or anatomical neck fractures. In group 2, the head and the shaft fragments were displaced together anteriorly and inferiorly; whereas in group 3, the head was displaced and locked under the glenoid, but the shaft migrated superiorly. The outcome and complications of closed reduction were reviewed. RESULTS: Twenty-nine patients with 30 surgically treated anterior shoulder fracture dislocations were reviewed. These included twelve patients (thirteen shoulders) in group 1, six patients in group 2, and eleven patients in group 3. Closed reduction was attempted in twelve shoulders in group 1, five shoulders in group 2, and six shoulders in group 3. Eleven group 1, four group 2, and none group 3 dislocations were successfully reduced. The patient who failed reduction in group 1 sustained an iatrogenic anatomical neck fracture. One patient failed reduction in group 2. His surgical neck fracture was displaced further after manipulation. No other complications occurred after closed manipulation. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Closed reduction under sedation is usually successful and safe for group 1 injuries with an iatrogenic complication rate of only 8.3% (1/12) in our series. It should also be considered for group 2 injuries as 80% (4/5) were successfully reduced. However, further displacement from the reduction maneuver may warrant an urgent open reduction. Closed reduction is futile for group 3 injuries. We recommend an acute management algorithm based on our results.

The continuous infusion fascia iliaca compartment block: a safe and effective analgesic modality in geriatric hip fracture patients.

OBJECTIVE: Hip fractures are common orthopaedic injuries in the elderly. Opioids can provide peri-operative pain relief in hip fracture patients, but may have side effects. Peripheral nerve blocks such as the fascia iliaca compartment block (FICB) have become an established part of the multimodal analgesic regime administered peri-operatively to hip fracture patients. We compare the efficacy of the continuous infusion FICB (CFICB) on peri-operative pain relief, opioid usage, its associated complications and the short as well as long term rehabilitation status in geriatric hip fractures patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this retrospective matched case control study, 40 geriatric patients with hip fractures who had received the CFICB from Nov 2014 to April 2016 were matched in a 1:3 ratio with similar patients whom had not received the CFICB from our institution's hip fracture database of 913 patients. RESULTS: A total of 157 patients in both the CFICB group (N = 40) and the control group (N = 117) were studied. The post-operative pain scores and the total opioid consumption during the first 3 days in the CFICB group were significantly less than the control group (p < 0.0001, respectively). The systemic complications in the CFICB group were comparable with the control group. The CFICB group had slower rehabilitation at up to 2 weeks but there was no significant difference at 1 year post surgery in terms of function and mobility between the two groups. In both groups, better pre-fracture function was associated with faster short term rehab outcomes in post-operative patients. CONCLUSION: The CFICB provides safe and effective post-operative pain relief in geriatric hip fracture patients. Post-operative opioid usage is decreased in older hip fracture patients treated with CFICB. Rehabilitation milestones are slower in the short term, but have no significant difference at 1-year post surgery.

Atypical fractures of the femur: effect of anterolateral bowing of the femur on fracture location.

INTRODUCTION: Bisphosphonate therapy has been associated with the development of atypical femoral fractures. The most common sites of bisphosphonate-associated fractures are at the subtrochanteric region followed by the femoral shaft. This retrospective study hypothesizes that increasing anterolateral femoral bow is associated with more distal diaphyseal fractures. Awareness of this relationship is essential in the pre-operative planning and successful surgical management of these fractures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed twenty-one atypical subtrochanteric and femoral diaphyseal fractures and stress reactions within a 5-year period at our institution. Radiographs were assessed by two independent investigators for the degree of anterior and lateral femoral bow, and how distal the fracture was from the lesser trochanter. The relationship between the fracture position or stress reaction and degree of anterior and lateral bowing was analysed. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant linear relationship between anterior and lateral femoral bowing, and the fracture position along the diaphysis (correlation coefficient 0.63 (p = 0.002) and 0.684 (p = 0.001), respectively). Inter-observer reliability was highly correlated (Kappa value >0.8). CONCLUSION: In atypical femoral fractures associated with bisphosphonate use, more distal diaphyseal fractures occurred with a higher degree of anterior and lateral femoral bow.

Cephalomedullary nail versus sliding hip screw for unstable intertrochanteric fractures in elderly patients.

PURPOSE: To compare the short-term ambulatory function of elderly patients after fixation of unstable intertrochanteric fractures with either the AO-ASIF proximal femoral nail anti-rotation (PFNA) device or the dynamic hip screw (DHS). METHODS: 63 patients aged 60 years or older underwent fixation for unstable intertrochanteric fractures (AO types A2 and A3) using the PFNA (n=25) or DHS (n=38). The decision for the type of implant used was based on the lead surgeon's preference, according to perceived fracture stability and clinical experience. In patients having PFNA fixation, weight bearing ambulation and rehabilitation was commenced on day 2. The extent of weight bearing was decided by the lead surgeon based on the stability of the fracture. In patients having DHS fixation, non-weight bearing and ambulation with a walking aid was commenced on day 2. Ambulatory function before injury and after surgery was measured using the Parker Mobility Score (PMS). The 2 groups were compared in terms of the PMS, ambulatory independence, and environmental mobility. RESULTS: Respectively in PFNA and DHS patients, 32% and 13% (p=0.035) were ambulant with a walking frame at discharge; the remainder were wheelchair bound. Patients treated with PFNA had significantly higher median PMS at 6 months (4 vs. 2, p=0.002), median ambulatory independence score at 6 months (4 vs. 3, p=0.004) and at 12 months (5 vs. 4, p=0.001), and median environmental mobility score at 6 months (2 vs. 1, p=0.007). They also had significantly higher percentage of patients able to ambulate outdoor and in community at 6 months (64% vs. 29%, p=0.02) and able to walk independently or with a walking aid at 12 months (96% vs. 69%, p=0.01). There were 3 complications. Two patients treated with PFNA had blade cut-out, owing to poor fracture reduction. One patient treated with DHS had screw cut-out and subsequently developed avascular necrosis of the femoral head. CONCLUSION: Unstable intertrochanteric fractures in elderly patients with good pre-fracture ambulatory function stabilised with the PFNA resulted in better short-term ambulatory function.

Extensive open drainage for suppurative flexor tenosynovitis involving five digits: a case report.

An unusual case of suppurative tenosynovitis involving all five digits up to distal forearm in a 20-year-old male with no known risk factors is reported. We highlight the strategy of extensile skin incisions from the wrist to all five digits that allowed flexor sheath debridement, synovectomy, and infection resolution without causing skin flap ischemia. At three months, total active motion of 70% of contralateral hand was achieved.