Comparison of Supination-Adduction Type 2 and Supination-External Rotation Type 4 in Bimalleolar Ankle Fractures: Does Partial Pylon Variant of Supination-Adduction Type Fracture Affect Functional Outcomes?

BACKGROUND: Supination-adduction (SAD) type injuries are pylon variant injuries and lie between partial intra-articular pylon fractures and rotational ankle fractures. We aimed to evaluate functional outcomes of SAD type 2 bimalleolar fractures in comparison to supination-external rotation (SER) type 4 fractures. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed data of 42 cases with SER type 4 and 20 cases with SAD type 2 injuries. Patients with a history of rheumatic disease, open fractures, pathologic fractures, nonbimalleolar fractures, neuropathic disease, and talus osteochondral lesion, and those operated on after greater than 72 hours because of skin lesion or managed with a two-stage surgical protocol after external fixation, were not included in the study. We compared these two groups in terms of the mean age, follow-up time, visual analog scale pain and American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society scores, Kellgren-Lawrence arthrosis classification, union time, and complications. RESULTS: The groups did not differ in terms of mean age (P = .115) and sex (P = .573). There was no significant difference in terms of union time between the groups (P = .686). American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society score was significantly higher in the SER group (91.2 ± 9.9) than in the SAD group (86.1 ± 13.2; P = .034). Visual analog scale pain scores were similar in the SAD (0.3 ± 0.92) and the SER (0.26 ± 0.7) groups (P = .897). CONCLUSIONS: Supination-adduction bimalleolar fractures may have worse functional outcomes in the intermediate term than do SER bimalleolar fractures, implying pylon variant fractures as a mechanism of injury. Supination-adduction bimalleolar fractures might be associated with a high rate of intra-articular cartilage impaction, resulting in varus deformity after surgery.

Evaluation and Management of Idiopathic Unilateral Foot Drop.

BACKGROUND: In this study, our purpose is to evaluate patients who were followed by acute developing single-sided foot drop and improving with conservative management or spontaneously. METHODS: Between 2019 and 2020, 10 patients were evaluated for a unilateral weakness of the lower extremity in the form of absent dorsiflexion at the ankle joint and were given a diagnosis of foot drop without any etiological cause. Patients were followed for a period of 18 months. All patients were evaluated for acute foot drop of the affected extremity by utilizing the following diagnostic modalities, EMG, MRI lumbar spine, MRI knee, peripheral MRI neurography and non-contrast brain MRI. Each patient was evaluated for a history of Covid-19 infection over the past year. Patients with any identified cause were excluded. RESULTS: Initial evaluation of muscle strength in all patients revealed 0/5 by the MRC muscle testing grading scale. (1) In 2 patients, the muscle strength was 3/5 at the 6th month, and in the other 8 patients 4/5 at the 6th month. The muscle strength of all patients improved as 5/5 in 1 year. Six of the patients were dispensed an AFO device and nine patient's performed physical therapy. Evaluation of EMG results identified significant neuropathy at the level of the common peroneal at the fibular head in all patients. In comparison with peroneal nerve stimulation below and above the fibular head in the lateral popliteal fossa; 50% reduction in sensory amplitude, and motor conduction slowing of >10 m/s was present. Evaluation of knee MRI revealed, no masses, edema, or anatomical variations at the level of the fibular head. CONCLUSIONS: In patients diagnosed with unilateral acute foot drop without an etiological cause, one should keep in mind that spontaneous resolution of this condition can occur within one year period.

Retrospective analysis of 35 pediatric femoral neck fractures.

OBJECTIVE: Pediatric proximal femur fracture is extremely rare trauma comparing to other fractures. The proximal femur fracture is 1% of all pediatric fractures. The aim of current study is to compare the incidence of early complications and outcomes of pediatric proximal femur fractures regarding fracture types retrospectively. DESIGN: Our study includes 35 cases which are criticized by Delbet classification system, modalities of treatment, duration of waiting for surgery, duration of follow-up and also complications. Our inclusion criteria are age below 16 years old, proximal femur fractures with no evidence of tumoral, romathologic and methabolic conditions. Age, sex and surgery type (open-closed) were noted, and the data were statistically assessed. Assessment of the final outcome was made at the last follow-up visit using the Ratliff's method. RESULTS: The mean of age of patients in our study is 9.5 ± 5.06 years. The average follow-up was 25.6 ± 13.2 months. 15 patients (42.9%) are type 2 Delbet fracture, 5 patients (14.2%) are Delbet type 3 and 15 patients (42.9%) are Delbet type 4 fracture. Using the Ratliff's method, 25 patients (71.4%) had satisfactory outcomes. Ten patients (28.6%) had unsatisfactory outcomes. The complications as AVN, coxa vara and premature closure of physis, non-union and postoperative infections have been detected in this study. AVN was seen in four (11.4%) patients. In addition, coxa vara was seen in six (17.2%) patients. CONCLUSION: Pediatric femoral neck fractures are extremely rare fractures and can be treated with low complication rates in cases with early treatment and anatomic reduction.

Hyaluronic Acid-Based Mesh Add-On Iliac Autograft Improves Bone Healing and Functional Outcomes in Atrophic Nonunion of Clavicular Midshaft: A 2-Year Followup.

BACKGROUND: Atrophic nonunion may frequently be seen after clavicular midshaft fractures. Despite a variety of surgical options, clavicular nonunion cases are associated with impaired bone healing. The aim of current study was to evaluate efficacy of perioperatively administered hyaluronic acid (HA)-based mesh in patients with atrophic midshaft clavicular nonunion managed with iliac wing autograft and plate fixation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective clinical study investigated 44 patients with atrophic midclavicular nonunion who underwent open reduction plate fixation with iliac wing autografts. Patients were divided into two groups as those managed with iliac wing autograft and anatomical locking plate (ALP) fixation alone and those managed with add-on perioperative HA-based mesh, i.e., Group 1 (n = 24) and Group 2 (n = 20), respectively. Age, duration till to surgery, fracture healing time, length of gap, and length of injured and contralateral clavicle were also invastigated. The 2-year Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) and Constant scores were evaluated. Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, Mann-Whitney U-test, and Spearman's correlation test were used to assess variables. RESULTS: Patients' age, followup time, and duration till surgery were similar between two groups. The study groups did not significantly differ in terms of postoperative clavicular length, as measured relative to unaffected side. Mean duration of the fracture healing was significantly shorter in Group 2 compared to that in Group 1. Mean postoperative 2-year Constant score was statistically higher in Group 2 compared to that of Group 1. In addition, Group 2 had also significantly higher DASH score than that of Group 1. CONCLUSIONS: HA-based mesh application added on the iliac wing autografting with ALP fixation may be an efficacious alternative for atrophic nonunion of clavicular midshaft.

Compatibility of Lauge-Hansen Classification Between Plain Radiographs and Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Ankle Fractures.

We evaluated the accuracy of the predictive injury sequences of the Lauge-Hansen (L-H) classification using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with ankle fractures and determined the possible causes of mismatch. Sixty-five patients with ankle fractures who had a complete series of anteroposterior, lateral, and oblique radiographs and ankle MRI studies available were included. The fracture pattern was assigned by 2 senior orthopedic surgeons according to the L-H classification system. The syndesmotic ligaments, lateral collateral ligaments, and medial deltoid complex ligaments were evaluated on the preoperative MRI scans. Comparisons were performed between the predicted ankle ligamentous injury based on the radiographic L-H classification and preoperative MRI analysis. Of the 65 feet in 65 patients, 50 feet (76.9%) were classified as having a supination-external rotation (SER) fracture, 6 feet (9.2%) as having a pronation-external rotation fracture, 4 feet (6.2%) as having a supination adduction fracture, and 2 feet (3.1%) as having a pronation abduction fracture. The overall compatibility of the radiologic classification with the MRI classification was 66.1%. In the evaluation of 50 feet with the MRI SER designation, maximum compatibility was found for stage 4 (77.3%). The main cause for the discrepancy in the SER designation was missing the presence of deltoid ligament disruption on the plain radiographs, especially in the stage 2 and 3 SER fracture pattern. In the evaluation of deltoid complex injuries, all injuries were localized to the anterior part of the medial deltoid complex. The validity of the L-H classification system was low. A new classification system is needed to address the medial malleolus fracture or deltoid complex injuries without posterior injury. Also, stress radiographs could be added to standard radiographs for the classification to address deltoid complex injuries.

Management of primary malignant bone and soft tissue tumors of foot and ankle: Is it worth salvaging?

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Performing limb salvage with safe margins and preserving meaningful function is very difficult in the setting of primary malignant bone and soft tissue tumors due to the complex and constrained anatomy of the foot and ankle. The study aims to evaluate the efficacy of limb salvage procedures in terms of functional and oncological outcomes. METHODS: Clinical data of 48 patients, who underwent surgical treatment between 1992 and 2015 in our institution, were retrospectively analyzed. Twenty-one (43.7%) patients had unplanned resections elsewhere previously. Limb salvage surgery (LSS) was the index surgery in 43 (89.6%) patients. In the LSS group, 28 (65.1%) received preoperative radiotherapy and 13 (30.2%) underwent complex reconstruction. The functional outcomes were assessed with Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) scores. Limb survival and oncological outcomes were evaluated according to Kaplan-Meier curves. RESULTS: The mean follow-up time was 32.7 (3-115) months. Mild deformities and wound healing problems were the most common problems. While the functional scores were significantly higher in the LSS group, no significant difference was detected between amputation and LSS patients in terms of survival rates. CONCLUSION: LSS performed in specialized centers is an effective treatment method for malignant tumors of the foot and ankle.

Arthroscopy-assisted versus standard intramedullary nail fixation in diaphyseal fractures of the humerus.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to assess applicability of arthroscopic technique in intramedullary nail fixation of humerus shaft fractures and to compare with conventional nailing in terms of its effects on perioperative and postoperative intra-articular complication rates as well as on clinical and functional outcomes. METHODS: This prospective randomized controlled clinical trial included 40 patients (12 females and 28 males) indicated for surgery between either undergo arthroscopy-assisted (Arthroscopy-assisted intramedullary nailing [AIMN]; n = 20) or conventional (Intramedullary nailing [IMN]; n = 20) anterograde intramedullary nailing. Two groups were compared in terms of mean number of fluoroscopic shootings until the guide wire was inserted, time for union, length of hospital stay, and complication rates. Shoulder functions were assessed by Constant and American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score. RESULTS: Groups did not significantly differ in terms of age, gender, and mechanism of injury, length of hospital stay, union rate, and mean union time ( p > 0.05). Mean ASES and Constant scores were found to be statistically significantly higher in AIMN group than that in IMN group ( p = 0.000 and p = 0.002, respectively). Mean number of fluoroscopic shootings until the guide wire was inserted was 2.15 in AIMN group, which was significantly lower compared to 4.2 of IMN group ( p = 0.000). CONCLUSIONS: Arthroscopy-assisted technique may be an applicable and safe method owing to its cosmetic advantages and more satisfactory postoperative shoulder functions subsequent to less injury to deltoid, rotator cuff, and other soft tissue, as compared to conventional anterograde approach.

The effect of teicoplanin on fracture healing: an experimental study.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to investigate the effect of teicoplanin on fracture healing stereologically and histopatologically. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty male Wistar albino rats were separated into two as the study (teicoplanin) and control groups. After intramedullary fixation of the right tibia of all the rats with 0.5 mm Kirschner wire under general anesthesia, standard closed shaft fractures were created using fracture formation apparatus. Teicoplanin (10 mg/kg) and saline were administered intraperitoneally to the study and control groups, respectively. Control radiographs were taken at the end of the procedure and the rats were sacrificed after 28 days. New bone and connective tissue volumes were calculated on obtained tissue samples using unbiased stereological and histopathological techniques. RESULTS: It was observed that teicoplanin increased the formation of bone, vascularization, and connective tissue. There was a statistically significant difference between the two groups in respect of bone and vascular total volume (p<0.05). Although an increase was observed in connective tissue total volume, no statistically significant difference was detected between the two groups (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: In addition to its antibacterial effect, teicoplanin may increase new bone formation; thus, it may be used safely in the treatment of bone defects accompanied with infection.