Combined use of minimal screw synthesis and external articulated fixation is effective for the management of supra-intercondyloid humeral fractures in the elderly? A retrospective study.

Background: Fractures of the distal humerus are relatively rare and can be a source of disabling outcomes especially if not properly treated. Therefore, the objective of the treatment must be to obtain a stable synthesis that allows early mobilization, avoiding complications such as muscular hypotonotrophy, joint rigidity or delays in consolidation that may be due to prolonged immobilization of this joint. Although ORIF treatment of these fractures may intuitively appear to be the gold standard, there is still no consensus in the literature on which type of treatment is most suitable. Patients and method: We report in this retrospective case series analysis our experience on 31 elder patients (more than 65 years old), affected by a supra-intercondyloid humerus fracture, treated using a minimal internal fixation with cannulated screws combined with the use of an external articulated elbow fixator. This methodology is less invasive but allows a stable synthesis and an early mobilization.Clinical and radiographic examinations were performed for each patient at 1, 2, 3 and 6 months after surgery. At 6 months the residual joint excursion was evaluated and the data were collected. In addition, at 6 months, each patient underwent three different functional capacity assessment questionnaires: MAYO Elbow Performance score, The Disability of the ARM, Shoulder and Hand Score (QuickDASH) and Oxford Elbow Score. Results: The healing rate was 100% with no cases of non-union, despite the old age of our patients. The average range of motions obtained at 6 months from the surgery was 111° in flexion-extension and 157° in pronation-supination for the patient with an extra-articular fracture, 88° in flexion-extension and 153° in pronation-supination for the patients with a partial articular fracture and 85° in flexion-extension and 149° in pronation-supination for the patients with a complete articular fracture. Our results in the recovery of an arc of motion in flexion-extension are slightly less performing than the results obtained with an ORIF treatment. Indeed, according to literature the mean postoperative flexion arc in an ORIF treatment of distal humerus fractures in adults is 110°.The functional results obtained were satisfactory, with an average score at 6 months from the surgery of 95/100 (Mayo score) for the patients with an extra-articular fracture, 83.3/100 for the patients with a partial articular fracture and 79/100 for the patients with a complete articular fracture. Conclusion: The results obtained, in terms of range of motions, function, pain and healing and complications rate lead us to affirm that, in selected patients, this technique can represent a valid treatment and therefore a valid option that could be considered.

Surgical management of hip prosthetic failure in metallosis: A case series and literature review.

Local and remote complications can be observed in hip prosthesis failures associated with metallosis. Structural changes in the periprosthetic bone and soft tissues may not always be precisely assessed preoperatively due to metal artifacts. The unpredictability of the damage extension, potentially leading to complex and insidious surgeries, requires the availability of alternative surgical plan(s) for the reconstruction of the joint. The aim of the study is to present and analyze, with the literature data support, practical tips for the revision of the prosthetic components, the management of ARMD and of intraoperative complications in the unusual scenario of metallosis.

Deltoid ligament reconstruction with autologous gracilis tendon in chronic medial ankle instability after ankle fracture surgery: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: The repair of a deltoid ligament injury, following an ankle fracture with involvement of the syndesmosis, has no univocal consensus. Also the surgical strategies in case of a subsequent chronic instability are still under debate. In this work the result of a double bundle anatomic reconstruction of deltoid ligament with ipsilateral autologous gracilis muscle tendon is presented. CASE REPORT: A 50 year old active male patient came to our attention with a catastrophic medial ankle instability, a severe pronation of the hindfoot and disabling ankle pain. He reported a Weber type B fracture of the left ankle with a lesion of the syndesmosis treated with anatomic plate and screws and a transyndesmotic screw 8 months before. The imaging showed a complete deltoid ligament lesion. Due to the impossibility of a direct repair of the ligament, we performed the reconstruction of the medial ligamentous complex with an autologous gracilis tendon graft. 10 months after the medial ligamentous complex reconstruction, the patient showed an excellent recovery of walking ability, disappearance of pain under load and resumed an active lifestyle. DISCUSSION: The deltoid ligament has a key role in ankle joint stability and its integrity promotes the recovery after ankle fractures. However, its lesion is often left untreated in the acute setting. The result of a chronic untreated deltoid ligament injury could be extremely disabling and the ligament reconstruction, when an optimal native deltoid ligament repair is not achievable, is the choice to restore ankle function and stability. CONCLUSION: In the delayed treatment of a deltoid ligament rupture the described double bundle anatomic reconstruction with autologous tendon graft can be an effective and suitable option.

Functional and radiological outcomes in displaced heel fractures: Open reduction and internal fixation versus external fixation.

Management of intra-articular heel fractures is controversial. The main goals of surgical treatment are restoring subtalar articular congruence and width, height, form and alignment of the heel. The gold standard is considered Open Reduction and Internal Fixation (ORIF), a complex technique with a high rate of complications. External Fixation (EF) could be a good alternative. In this study were identified 37 fractures in 35 patients (24 patients underwent ORIF and EF was performed in 13 cases) and the outcomes of the two techniques were compared. The mean surgical time for ORIF was 107.8 minutes, while for EF was 88.61 minutes and the ORIF group presented a higher rate of complications, despite of similar results in the mean postoperative AOFAS Ankle and Hindfoot Scale scores (73.31/100 points in the ORIF group and 75.40/100 points in the EF group). Fast learning curve, short surgery time and low complications rate make EF an alternative to ORIF in treating intraarticular heel fractures.