Occipitocervical fusion and dysphagia. The role of head neck alignment: A case report.

Dysphagia is a less reported but serious adverse outcome post occipitocervical fusion. Any patient suffering from dysphagia and or nasal regurgitation post fusion in flexion should be offered early revision. The right position for occipitocervical fusion is neutral alignment.

Manipulation under anesthesia for post traumatic stiff knee-pearls, pitfalls and risk factors for failure.

BACKGROUND: Stiffness is common following fractures around knee. Manipulation under anesthesia (MUA) is the initial noninvasive procedure usually performed for such patients. Though MUA has been extensively evaluated for knee arthroplasty, there is paucity of literature regarding its benefits in trauma cases. The purpose of this study was to define the role of manipulation in post traumatic stiff knees. METHODS: Hospital inpatient and outpatient records from January 2010 to June 2014 were retrospectively reviewed to identify patients undergoing MUA at our institution. Patients with more than one year follow up and adequate data were included. Clinical and radiographic parameters were analyzed to assess outcomes, complications, effect of timing on flexion gain as well as identify risk factors associated with failure. RESULTS: Out of 45 patients undergoing manipulation, 41 patients with 48 knees (34 unilateral and 7 bilateral) met inclusion criteria. Thirty six manipulations were successful while 3 were abandoned due to tight tissues and 9 developed complications.Successful MUA resulted in immediate gain of 62.36° of flexion which decreased to 49.86° at 1year. There was statistically significant loss of flexion of 12.5° over a year (p value 0.0013). Arc of motion improved from 48.5° to 106.1° at 1year (p value <0.0001). Significant improvement was also seen in extension and fixed flexion deformity (p value <0.0001). No significant difference could be detected between early (<3 months) and late (>3 months) groups with respect to outcomes (p value 0.883)or complications (p value 0.3193). Failed group had significantly lower pre MUA flexion and pre MUA range of motion (p value 0.003). Univariate analysis showed that extensor mechanism ruptures during injury (p value <0.0001) and knees with Flexion <40° (p value 0.0022) or ROM<30° (p value 0.0002) were significantly associated with failures. CONCLUSION: MUA is a suitable non invasive treatment option for post traumatic stiffness. There is no effect of timing on outcome and late manipulation also results in good outcome. Extensor mechanism rupture and pre manipulation ROM<30° or flexion <40° are associated with failure and such cases should be considered for alternative options for better outcome.

Manubriosternal dislocation with spinal fracture: A rare cause for delayed haemothorax.

Type 2 manubriosternal dislocations with concomitant spinal fracture are rare and may be associated with thoracic visceral injuries. The complication of delayed haemothorax has not been reported yet. We report a case of a young male who suffered manubriosternal dislocation with chance type thoracic spine fracture due to fall of a tree branch over his back. The haemothorax presented late on day three. The possible injury mechanism is discussed along with review of literature. We conclude that a lateral chest radiograph is indicated in spinal fracture patients complaining of midsternal pain. Computerized axial tomography scan of chest with contrast is indicated to rule out visceral injuries and a chest radiograph should be repeated before the patient is discharged to look for delayed haemothorax.

Well-leg compartment syndrome after fracture fixation in hemilithotomy position: case report of a preventable condition.

OBJECTIVE: To report a case of subtrochanteric femur fracture that led to intraoperative compartment syndrome in the well leg. CLINICAL PRESENTATION AND INTERVENTION: A 28-year-old obese male who presented with a comminuted subtrochanteric fracture underwent a prolonged open reduction and internal fixation using dynamic condylar screw. In the postoperative period, after the effect of epidural analgesia had worn off, the patient complained of severe pain and swelling of the well leg. A diagnosis of well-leg compartment syndrome was made and urgent two-incision fasciotomy was performed. CONCLUSION: Obesity and prolonged surgery could have caused the acute compartment syndrome of the well leg in this patient.

Miniarthrotomy assisted percutaneous screw fixation for displaced medial malleolus fractures - A novel technique.

AIM: To describe here a technique of miniarthrotomy assisted percutaneous screw insertion for displaced Herscovici type B and C medial malleolar fractures. METHOD: Incision was made centred over the superomedial angle of the ankle mortise, about half a cm medial to tibialis anterior. Arthrotomy was done and reduction obtained. Percuntaneously, two 4 mm cancellous cannulated screws were inserted through medial malleolus. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: This approach allows direct visualization of reduction, removal of entrapped soft tissue and preservation of saphenous vein and nerve.

Elbow dislocation with ipsilateral distal radius fracture.

Elbow dislocation associated with ipsilateral distal radius fracture is a rare pattern of injury, although it is common for elbow dislocation and forearm fractures to occur separately. We report a rare case of a 20-year-old male who had a posterior elbow dislocation and ipsilateral distal radius fracture. Elbow dislocation was first reduced in extension and distal radius fracture was then reduced in flexion. Both the injuries were conservatively managed. At 6 months follow-up, the patient had no pain in his elbow and minimal pain in his wrist on heavy lifting and had resumed his work as a laborer.

Bilateral anterior shoulder dislocation.

Shoulder dislocations are the most common major joint dislocations encountered in the emergency departments. Bilateral shoulder dislocations are rare and of these, bilateral posterior shoulder dislocations are more prevalent than bilateral anterior shoulder dislocations. Bilateral anterior shoulder dislocation is very rare. We present a case of 24-year-old male who sustained bilateral anterior shoulder dislocation following minor trauma, with associated greater tuberosity fracture on one side. Prompt closed reduction followed by immobilization in arm sling and subsequent rehabilitation ensured a good outcome.

Ochronotic black meniscus during knee arthroscopy.

Ochronotic arthropathy is a rare condition found in patients with alkaptonuria, which is a hereditary metabolic disease associated with deposition the of homogentisic acid derivatives in various connective tissues of the body. We present the case of a 30-year-old woman in whom arthroscopic examination of the left knee prior to meniscectomy for bucket handle tear of medial meniscus revealed brown-black discoloration of the articular cartilage and menisci leading to the diagnosis of alkaptonuria by further laboratory evaluation. After medical and surgical treatment, patient's complaints were alleviated and no further complaints were registered, during the next follow-up.

Orthopaedic surgeon's nightmare: iatrogenic fractures of talus and medial malleolus following tibial nailing.

Intramedullary interlocking nailing is the gold standard for treatment of tibial shaft fractures. The growing use of intramedullary nailing has resulted in an increased number of tibial nailing in daily clinical practice. Despite adequate surgeon experience, tibial nailing is not without complications if proper techniques are not followed. A case of iatrogenic talar neck and medial malleolus fractures during intramedullary nailing of tibia in a 24-year-old male is reported. It is believed to be caused by forceful hammering of insertion zig with foot dorsiflexed. To the best of our knowledge, no such case has been reported in the literature. It is possible to reduce the risk of this complication by adoption of preventive measures.

Pseudoaneurysm of the superior lateral genicular artery: case report of a rare complication after total knee arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Pseudoaneurysm of superior lateral genicular artery following total knee arthroplasty is a rare complication and has been reported following lateral release performed for eversion of patella in a knee with tight lateral structures. CASE PRESENTATION: This report describes a case of pseudo aneurysm of superior lateral geniculate artery that developed after primary Total knee arthroplasty for a stiff knee in a 68 year old patient. Patient presented with pain and rapidly increasing swelling in early post operative period. Diagnosis was made on duplex ultrasound and confirmed by angiography. Angiographic coil embolisation of the pseudoaneurysm was performed. Since no lateral release was performed in this case, the probable mechanism was shear injury to the vessel. CONCLUSION: Pseudoaneurysm of superior lateral genicular artery can occur in absence of lateral release by shear injury to an atherosclerotic vessel. Angiographic coil embolisation appears to be the best method for treating such post arthroplasty pseudoaneurysm because of less chance of infection, non interference with rehabilitation and diagnosis and treatment during same procedure.

Biological fixation of comminuted subtrochanteric fractures with proximal femur locking compression plate.

INTRODUCTION: Subtrochanteric fractures are difficult fractures associated with high incidence of complications and various implants, both intramedullary and extramedullary, are available for their fixation. Traditional extramedullary implants are associated with higher rate of implant failure and varus collapse while the biomechanically better intramedullary nails are technically demanding and are associated with higher re-operation rates. This study was done to evaluate the outcome following biological (indirect) fixation of unstable comminuted subtrochanteric fractures with proximal femur-locking compression plate (PF-LCP). METHODS: Thirty-five consecutive patients with comminuted subtrochanteric fractures were operated upon with PF-LCP by using an indirect reduction technique. Seinsheimer types 3-5 fractures were included in the study. Operating time, blood loss and any technical difficulty with the implant were recorded. Patients were followed clinically and radiologically for union at fracture site and implant-related complications. The Harris Hip Score was used to document hip function at final follow-up. RESULTS: Thirty-two patients with average age of 44.7 years were available for final evaluation. The mean operating time was 79.5min and total blood loss averaged 233.13ml. Union was achieved in all cases with an average time of 15.62 weeks. Complications included two cases of delayed union and two cases of infection. Two cases had a shortening of 1cm and one case had malunion with external rotation. No instances of implant failure or nonunion were recorded. CONCLUSION: Biological fixation of comminuted subtrochanteric fractures with PF-LCP provides stable fixation with high union rate and fewer complications.

Spontaneous migration of bullet from arm to forearm and its ultrasound guided removal.

Spontaneous migration of a retained bullet is rare. We are presenting here a case of a 24-year-old male with spontaneous migration of bullet from arm to forearm. At the time of initial injury, bullet was left inside the arm as it was deep and patient had no complaints. Three months after injury, he started complaining of pain over forearm and tingling sensations in the forearm and hand over median nerve distribution. Radiographs showed bullet in the proximal forearm. The bullet was than precisely localized and removed under ultrasound guidance. This case report emphasizes the fact that spontaneous migration of bullet in extremities may occur and have the potential to cause neurovascular damage. Removal under ultrasound guidance is a viable option in such locations.

Nonunion of forearm fracture: a rare instance in a toddler.

When compared to adults, pediatric fractures unite readily and nonunion is quite rare. Nonunion is often associated with open fractures, operative interventions, infection, pediatric osteogenesis imperfecta and neurofibromatosis. There are only a few studies and reports mentioning nonunion following conservative ma- nagement of closed pediatric fractures. We report here a case of an eighteen-month-old child who developed nonunion following treatment of fracture of both forearm bones with cast and was successfully treated with plating. To the best of our knowledge, this is the youngest reported case of nonunion following conservative management of closed diaphyseal pediatric fracture.