Decision making in the management of malunion and nonunion of intertrochanteric fractures of the hip.

AIM: Intertrochanteric fractures account for almost 50% of hip fractures.Nonunion and malunion of these fractures are relatively uncommon. This study reviews the outcome of 31 cases of intertrochanteric fracture failures. An algorithm for the management of these injuries is also proposed. METHODS: 19 patients with intertrochanteric malunion and 12 patients with non-union were included in this study. Treatment of these injuries was initiated according to the algorithm proposed in this study. Treatment outcomes were evaluated by assessing union, pre and postoperative shortening and HSA (head-shaft angle). Functional outcomes were assessed by the Parker mobility scale and presence or absence of pain. RESULTS: All the patients with intertrochanteric malunion with follow-up had united. The postoperative shortening in all patients were ⩽2.5 cms. Patients having intertrochanteric nonunion with follow-up, who underwent internal fixation had united with an acceptable Parker mobility scale score, except in 1 patient who sustained an ipsilateral distal femur fracture. The average HSA correction obtained was 21° (range 3-60°). CONCLUSION: The algorithm proposed in this study helps streamline the treatment according to each case scenario.It helps in planning and managing patients with intertrochanteric fracture failures.

Biomechanical assessment of an alternative method of staple fixation for anchoring the Bone Patellar Tendon Bone graft to the tibia.

INTRODUCTION: The Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is the most commonly injured ligament around the knee and is best reconstructed with a biological graft. For ideal graft fixation, there should be sufficient initial strength to avoid failure of fixation and sufficient stiffness to restore the stability of the knee and to avoid gradual loosening in the post-operative period.When considering fixation of Bone Patellar Tendon Bone (BPTB) grafts to the tibia, the interference screw is considered to be the gold standard. As an alternative, we have used of staples and stainless steel (SS) wire to anchor the BPTB graft to the tibia and femur. The aim of this study was to assess the biomechanical efficacy of this fixation technique for anchoring the BPTB graft to the proximal tibia. We used a bovine model to compare three fixation techniques -interference screw, braided polyester sutures tied to a screw post and SS wire tied to a staple. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifteen fresh bovine knees specimens were used for the study. The patella was fixed to a load cell and the construct was pre-tensioned to 40N to allow for creep of the tendon. The BPTB graft was fixed to the tibia using the three fixation techniques - the interference screw, polyester suture tied to a post, and SS wire anchored to a staple. After fixation, the graft was subjected to a single load to failure test, and the forces generated were recorded. The ultimate failure load (the pullout strength), stiffness, and mode of failure were noted. RESULTS: In the single load-to-failure biomechanical testing, the ultimate failure load and stiffness for Staple with SS wire were 726.40N and 61.9N/mm respectively. For the screw post and polyester suture, it was 733.20N and 53.22N/mm, and for Interference screw - 594.00N and 79.50 N/mm respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in the stiffness or ultimate failure load between the three fixation techniques. The graft fixation using interference screws failed at the bone- tunnel interface by slippage of the bone block from the tunnel in all 5 specimens. In all 5 of the specimens fixed with polyester suture and the screw post, the fixation failed when the polyester suture snapped. When the SS wire and staple construct was stressed, the graft failed as the SS wire cut through the graft in 4 specimens, and in the fifth construct, the knot over the staple unraveled as the load was applied. CONCLUSION: The biomechanical properties of BPTB graft fixation with SS wire tied to a staple is similar to that of other fixation devices like the interference screw and suture post. This technique provides a simple, yet effective fixation for the graft - but needs further clinical assessment.

Claw Toe Deformity of the Foot due to Foreign Body Granuloma.

UNLABELLED: We present a case of dynamic claw deformity of the right third toe due to a foreign body granuloma adhering to the flexor digitorum longus (FDL) tendon at the level of the body of the metacarpal bone. The deformity was completely corrected after removal of the granuloma and lengthening of the FDL tendon. A 25-year-old woman presented with pain and claw deformity of the right third toe, which corrected with ankle plantar flexion. Ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging suggested the presence of foreign body granuloma of the right FDL tendon at the level of body of third metacarpal bone. On removal of the granuloma and Z plasty of the FDL tendon, there was complete correction of the claw. In the reported literature, claw deformity is seen with compartment syndrome or ankle fractures due to fixed length phenomenon or checkrein deformity of the flexor tendons usually at the level of medial part of the ankle. Here, we present a case of checkrein claw deformity of the FDL tendon due to a foreign body granuloma. LEVELS OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, Level IV: Case study.

Neglected Anterior Dislocation of the Knee with Common Peroneal Palsy.

Knee dislocations usually follow high velocity injuries and are increasingly being treated with immediate reduction and staged repair of the ligaments. Neglected knee dislocations are rare and more difficult to treat with inferior outcomes. We present a rare case of neglected anterior dislocation of the knee treated by surgical arthrodesis.

The efficacy of single-stage open intramedullary nailing of neglected femur fractures.

BACKGROUND: Neglected femur fractures are not rare in the developing world. Treatment options include single-stage open reduction and intramedullary nailing, or open release, skeletal traction, and then second-stage open intramedullary nailing, with bone grafting. Single-stage procedures have the potential advantage of avoiding neurovascular complications secondary to acute lengthening, but they require a second operation, with potentially increased resource use and infection risk. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: We sought to determine the (1) likelihood of union, (2) complications and reoperations, and (3) functional results with single-stage open intramedullary nailing without bone grafting in patients with neglected femur fractures. METHODS: Between January 2003 and December 2007, 17 consecutive patients presented to our practice with neglected femoral shaft fractures. All were treated with single-stage nailing without bone grafting. There were 15 men and two women with a median age of 27 years. The average time from fracture to treatment was 13 weeks (range, 4-44 weeks). Eleven patients underwent open nailing with interlocked nails and six were treated with cloverleaf Kuntscher nails. Patients were followed for a minimum of 6 months (mean, 33 months; range, 6-72 months). The mean preoperative ROM of the knee was 28° (range, 10°-150°) and femoral length discrepancy was 3.1 cm (range, 1-5 cm). RESULTS: All fractures united and the mean time to union was 16 weeks (range, 7-32 weeks). There were no neurologic complications secondary to acute lengthening. The mean postoperative ROM of the knee was 130° (range, 60°-150°). All patients were able to return to preinjury work. Sixteen patients regained their original femoral length. CONCLUSIONS: One-stage open intramedullary nailing of neglected femoral diaphyseal fractures without bone grafting was safe and effective, and obviated the need for a two-stage approach. Although the findings need to be replicated in larger numbers of patients, we believe this technique may be useful in treating patients with this injury, and may offer advantages in resource-constrained environments.

A simplified staging system based on the radiological findings in different stages of ochronotic spondyloarthropathy.

This study describes a group of 26 patients with ochronotic spondyloarthropathy who were on regular treatment and follow-up at a tertiary level hospital and proposes a simplified staging system for ochronotic spondyloarthropathy based on radiographic findings seen in the thoracolumbar spine. This proposed classification makes it easy to identify the stage of the disease and start the appropriate management at an early stage. Four progressive stages are described: an inflammatory stage (stage 1), the stage of early discal calcification (stage 2), the stage of fibrous ankylosis (stage 3), and the stage of bony ankylosis (stage 4). To our knowledge, this is the largest reported series of radiological description of spinal ochronosis, and emphasizes the contribution of the spine radiograph in the diagnosis and staging of the disease.

Practical considerations in the making and use of high-dose antibiotic-loaded bone cement.

Local antibiotic delivery with antibiotic loaded acrylic bone cement has been used extensively in the management of chronic osteomyelitis and implant related infections. Though newer drug delivery vehicles are being investigated, it remains the most widely used local antibiotic delivery vehicle in orthopaedic surgery. Self-made antibiotic loaded bone cement beads, which are cheaper and antibiotic specific, have been shown to elute less effectively than commercial antibiotic loaded cement beads. We offer several tips for increasing the elution and effectiveness of antibiotic loaded bone cement in clinical practice.