Management of Complex Open Tibial Plateau Fracture: A Case Report on the Application of Locked Plate External Fixation Technique during Bone Callus Formation stage to Replace transarticular External Fixation.

Transarticular external fixation is primarily used for open fractures involving the joint. However, its biggest drawback is the potential forjoint dysfunction. The article reports a successful case with complex open tibial plateau fracture treated using locked plate external fixation technique during bone callus formation stage to replace transarticular external fixation. We present a case of a 55-year-old male who sustained a complex open fracture of the tibial plateau. In addition, he also suffered from multiple rib fractures, a fibula fracture, a clavicle fracture, hemorrhagic shock, and lung contusion. The patient has occurred tibial bone infection after undergoing open reduction and transarticular external fixation for fracture management. Our team skillfully applied locked plate external fixation technique during bone callus formation stage to replace transarticular external fixation. Ultimately, the approach not only successfully controls infection and achieves fracture healing but also preserves knee joint function after five years of follow-up. In conclusion,the application of locked plate external fixation technique during bone callus formation stage to replace transarticular external fixation is a valuable approach that orthopedic clinicians should consider and learn from when managing complex intra-articular fractures.

Three-Dimensional Computational Model Simulating the Initial Callus Growth during Fracture Healing in Long Bones: Application to Different Fracture Types.

Bone fractures are among the most common and potentially serious injuries to the skeleton, femoral shaft fractures being especially severe. Thanks to recent advances in the area of in silico analysis, several approximations of the bone healing process have been achieved. In this context, the objective of this work was to simulate the initial phase of callus formation in long bones, without a pre-meshed domain in the 3D space. A finite element approach was computationally implemented to obtain the values of the cell concentrations along the whole domain and evaluate the areas where the biological quantities reached the thresholds necessary to trigger callus growth. A voxel model was used to obtain the 3D domain of the bone fragments and callus. A mesh growth algorithm controlled the addition of new elements to the domain at each step of the iterative procedure until complete callus formation. The implemented approach is able to reproduce the generation of the primary callus, which corresponds to the initial phase of fracture healing, independently of the fracture type and complexity, even in the case of several bone fragments. The proposed approach can be applied to the most complex bone fractures such as oblique, severely comminuted or spiral-type fractures, whose simulation remains hardly possible by means of the different existing approaches available to date.

Evolución de la osteosíntesis de los huesos largos: fijación por enclavado intramedular con clavos rígidos

Se presenta la evolución histórica y científica de la osteosíntesis de huesos largos realizada con clavos rígidos. Mediante una revisión bibliográfica retrospectiva en revistas de Traumatología nacionales y extranjeras, así como libros relevantes de esta especialidad, se pudieron establecer tres momentos claves en la osteosíntesis intramedular con clavos rígidos y caracterizar las diferentes generaciones que aportaron a este procedimiento en la historia de la Ortopedia y la Traumatología. Destacan las innovaciones tecnológicas incorporadas a la práctica quirúrgica y el desarrollo de biomateriales para mejorar la reparación de lesiones e incorporar al paciente a su vida cotidiana. El trabajo demuestra cómo ha avanzado la técnica quirúrgica de fijación intramedular y la consolidación ósea; y gracias a ello los problemas de las fracturas han quedado prácticamente solucionados.

The historical and scientific evolution of osteosynthesis of long bones performed with rigid nails is presented. Through a retrospective bibliographic review in national and foreign Traumatology journals, as well as relevant books of this specialty, it was possible to establish three key moments in intramedullary osteosynthesis with rigid nails and characterize the different generations that contributed to this procedure in the history of Orthopedics and Traumatology. The technological innovations incorporated into surgical practice and the development of biomaterials to improve the repair of injuries and incorporate the patient into their daily lives stand out. The work demonstrates how the surgical technique of intramedullary fixation and bone consolidation has advanced; and how thanks to this the problems of fractures have been practically solved.

Distinct Morphologies of Bone Apatite Clusters in Endochondral and Intramembranous Ossification.

Bone apatite crystals grow in clusters, but the microstructure of these clusters is unknown. This study compares the structural and compositional differences between bone apatite clusters formed in intramembranous (IO) and endochondral ossification (EO). Calvaria (IO) and femurs (EO) are isolated from mice at embryonic days (E) 14.5 to 15.5 and post-natal days (P) 6 to 7, respectively. Results show that the initially formed bone apatite clusters in EO (≅1.2 µm2 ) are >10 times larger than those in IO (≅0.1 µm2 ), without significant changes in ion composition. In IO (E14.5 calvarium), early minerals are formed inside matrix vesicles (MVs). In contrast, in EO (P6 femur epiphysis), no MVs are observed, and chondrocyte-derived plasma membrane nanofragments (PMNFs) are the nucleation site for mineralization. Apatite cluster size difference is linked with the different nucleation sites. Moreover, an alkaline pH and slow P supply into a Ca-rich microenvironment are suggested to facilitate apatite cluster growth, as demonstrated in a biomimetic mineralization system. Together, the results reveal for the first time the distinct and exquisite microstructures of bone apatite clusters in IO and EO, and provide insightful inspirations for the design of more efficient materials for bone tissue engineering and repair.

[Application of individualized controllable stress external fixation in open tibial fractures].

OBJECTIVE: To study the clinical effect of individualized controllable stress external fixator in the treatment of open tibial fractures. METHODS: From December 2018 to July 2020, 60 patients with open tibial fractures were treated, including 35 males and 25 females;The age ranged from 23 to 58 years;The course of disease was 1.2 to 10.0 h. According to the stress stimulation on the fracture end after operation, all patients were divided into 4 groups, including non stress group (15 cases) and 3 groups with different stress stimulation(15 cases in each group). All patients with open tibial fractures were treated with controllable stress external fixator. Four weeks after operation, the stress group adjusted the elastic external fixator to apply axial stress of 1/6, 2/6 and 3/6 of their own weight to the fracture end based on the patient's weight. The wound healing of all patients after operation was observed, the plain CT images of fracture ends at 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 weeks after operation were followed up, the average valueof callus area per 10 scanning planes was calculated, and the differences between the groups were compared. The fracture healing was observed and statistically analyzed. RESULTS: The wounds of all patients healed well, of which 7 patients underwent secondary free skin grafting and transferred myocutaneous flap. All patients were followed up for 12 to 24 months, with an average of 16.5 months. The final follow-up results showed that the fracture healing of stress groups and non stress group had significant difference(P<0.05). After axial stress stimulation at the fracture end, CT examination was performed on the fracture end of all patients at 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 weeks. The average values of callus area in 10 plain scanning planes were calculated as follows:no stress group (0.275±0.092) mm2, (0.383±0.051) mm2, (0.412±0.048) mm2, (0.472± 0.019) mm2, (0.548±0.036) mm2, the area of callus growth in the stress group was significantly higher than that in the non stress group. There was significant difference among these groups(P<0.05). CONCLUSION: When the controllable stress external fixation technique is used to treat open tibial fractures, the elastic external fixator is adjusted according to the patient's own weight after 4 weeks, and a certain axial stress is applied to the fracture end, which is conducive to the fracture healing of patients, and can reduce the incidence of delayed union or nonunion of open fractures, which has a certain application value.

A new approach for initial callus growth during fracture healing in long bones.

The incidence of bone fracture has become a major clinical problem on a worldwide scale. In the past two decades there has been an increase in the use of computational tools to analyse the bone fracture problem. In several works, various study cases have been analysed to compare human and animal bone fracture healing. Unfortunately, there are not many publications about computational advances in this field and the existing approaches to the problem are usually similar. In this context, the objective of this work is the application of a diffusion problem in the model of the bone fragments resulting from fracture, working together with a mesh-growing algorithm that allows free growth of the callus depending on the established conditions, without a pre-meshed domain. The diffusion problem concerns the different biological magnitudes controlling the callus growth, among which Mesenchymal Stem Cells and chondrocytes concentrations were chosen, together with Tumour Necrosis Factor α and Bone Morphogenetic Protein as the factors influencing the velocity in the callus formation. A Finite Element approach was used to solve the corresponding diffusion problems, obtaining the concentration values along the entire domain and allowing detecting the zones in which biological magnitudes reach the necessary thresholds for callus growth. The callus growth is guided by a geometrical algorithm which performs an additional mesh generation process (self-added mesh) at each step of the iterative procedure until complete callus formation. The proposed approach was applied to different types of diaphyseal femoral fractures treated by means of intramedullary nailing. Axisymmetric models based on triangular quadratic elements were used, obtaining results in good agreement with clinical evidence of these kinds of fractures. The algorithm proposed has the advantage of a natural callus growth, without the existence of a previous mesh that may affect the conditions and direction of growth. The approach is intended for the initial phase of callus growth. Future work will address the implementation of the corresponding formulations for tissue transformation and bone remodelling in order to achieve complete fracture healing.

A quantitative and non-invasive vibrational method to assess bone fracture healing: a clinical case study.

Orthopaedics needs a robust diagnostic tool that can help or even replace traditional radiography in bone healing assessment, thus reducing patient exposure to ionizing radiation. We used a vibrational method to assess the healing of a complex fracture treated with external fixation, exploiting a quantitative and non-invasive procedure. Callus stiffening was monitored from the time of surgery until the fixator was removed. Our approach overcomes previous limitations and involves a longer period of healing monitoring (about 9 months), very frequent tests (bi-weekly), and the analysis of a single test configuration. The healing process was monitored by analysing the percentage increments of the squared resonant frequencies (SFIs), related to the stiffness variation and the changes in the frequency response functions. The results were validated by X-rays images, and revealed that the most sensitive parameter to quantify the healing was the SFI of the first resonant frequency which increased by about 20% per month during the formation of the woven callus and up to about 50% at the end of healing completion. This study confirms the potential of the vibrational method as an alternative to radiography in fracture healing assessment.

The potential of micro-CT for dating post-cranial bone fractures: a macroscopic, radiographic, and microtomography study of fractures of known post-traumatic ages.

The estimation of the post-traumatic survival time (PTST) in case of bone injuries remains a tricky issue in the forensic field, especially when dealing with dry bones. Newer high-resolution imaging, and in particular microcomputed tomography (micro-CT), has the potential to significantly improve our abilities to interpret antemortem and perimortem lesions and accurately date fractures in a less destructive analysis. In this paper, nine costal fractures of known post-traumatic ages were analyzed through gross examination, conventional radiography, and microcomputed tomography, in order to test the potential of microcomputed tomography for dating fractures. As a result, microcomputed tomography provided images of high quality and definition and allowed the observation of the internal microarchitecture of the fractures and calluses. While microcomputed tomography cannot substitute histological examination for the estimation of the post-traumatic survival time, it constitutes a potent and helpful complementary tool for the analysis of bone trauma.

Mechanical Influence of Surrounding Soft Tissue on Bone Regeneration Processes: A Bone Lengthening Study.

Bone lengthening is a bone regeneration technique with multiple clinical applications. One of the most common complications of this treatment is the lack of adaptation of the surrounding soft tissue to their extension. A better understanding of the mechanobiology of the tissues involved in distraction osteogenesis would allow better control of the clinical cases. Bone lengthening treatments were performed in vivo in the metatarsus of Merino sheep, measuring the distraction forces by means of an instrumented fixator. The tissue relaxation after distraction was analyzed in this study. A viscoelastic model was also applied to distraction data to assess the mechanical behavior of the tissues during the distraction phase. Tissue relaxation is similar to other bone regeneration processes which do not imply surrounding soft tissue extension, e.g. bone transport. The effects of this tissue on distraction forces are limited to the first minutes of distraction and elongations above 4% of the original length with the protocol applied. Moreover, the surrounding soft tissue initially loses some of its viscoelasticity and subsequently suffers strain hardening from day 5 of distraction until the end of the distraction phase, day 15. Finally, anatomical changes were also evidenced in the elongated limb of our specimens.

Application of individualized controllable stress external fixation in open tibial fractures / 中国骨伤

OBJECTIVE@#To study the clinical effect of individualized controllable stress external fixator in the treatment of open tibial fractures.@*METHODS@#From December 2018 to July 2020, 60 patients with open tibial fractures were treated, including 35 males and 25 females;The age ranged from 23 to 58 years;The course of disease was 1.2 to 10.0 h. According to the stress stimulation on the fracture end after operation, all patients were divided into 4 groups, including non stress group (15 cases) and 3 groups with different stress stimulation(15 cases in each group). All patients with open tibial fractures were treated with controllable stress external fixator. Four weeks after operation, the stress group adjusted the elastic external fixator to apply axial stress of 1/6, 2/6 and 3/6 of their own weight to the fracture end based on the patient's weight. The wound healing of all patients after operation was observed, the plain CT images of fracture ends at 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 weeks after operation were followed up, the average valueof callus area per 10 scanning planes was calculated, and the differences between the groups were compared. The fracture healing was observed and statistically analyzed.@*RESULTS@#The wounds of all patients healed well, of which 7 patients underwent secondary free skin grafting and transferred myocutaneous flap. All patients were followed up for 12 to 24 months, with an average of 16.5 months. The final follow-up results showed that the fracture healing of stress groups and non stress group had significant difference(@*CONCLUSION@#When the controllable stress external fixation technique is used to treat open tibial fractures, the elastic external fixator is adjusted according to the patient's own weight after 4 weeks, and a certain axial stress is applied to the fracture end, which is conducive to the fracture healing of patients, and can reduce the incidence of delayed union or nonunion of open fractures, which has a certain application value.

A Comparative Study of the Pharmacokinetics of Bis- and Pentaphosphonic Acids Labeled with Gallium-68 in Rats with Experimental Model of Bone Callus.

We analyzed biodistribution of 68Ga-labeled hydroxyethylidenediphosphonic acid (68Ga-HEDP) and diethylenetriaminepentakis(methylenephosphonic acid) (68Ga-DTPMP) in Wistar rats with experimental model of bone callus. It was shown that the content of 68Ga-DTPMP and 68Ga-HEDP in bone callus was ~1.5-fold higher than in intact femur. 68Ga-DTPMP was characterized by higher stability in vivo, higher uptake in the bone tissue, and lower uptake in others visceral organs in comparison with 68Ga-HEDP. Thus, 68Ga-DTPMP had more suitable pharmacokinetic properties than 68Ga-HEDP.

Therapeutic Effects of Revascularisation on the Healing of Free Bone Grafts in Dogs.

INTRODUCTION: The therapeutic effect of subcutaneous embedding and revascularisation on the repair of canine bone defects caused by open fracture was examined. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 12 adult beagle dogs were randomly split into a control group (group C) and a test group (group T). A section of the radius was removed from each dog under general anaesthesia and the deficit supported by an orthopaedic implant. Group T had the section surgically implanted next to the blood vessel-rich saphenous vein and Group C had it cryopreserved at -80°C. After eight weeks, the bone was surgically implanted back into the matching radial deficit. Bone healing was evaluated by gross morphological and X-ray examinations, post-mortem histology, and successive blood measurements of key bone biochemical markers. RESULTS: At 12 weeks, the bone healing boundary was disappearing more quickly in group T dogs than in their group C counterparts. X-ray and histological examinations showed that the cortical repair of group T subjects was complete and the bony plate arrangement was more regular than that in group C. The levels of bone biochemical markers also proved that the healing state of group T was better. CONCLUSION: The results showed that the degree of healing, osteoclast activity, and bone formation status of group T were better than those of group C, proving that the vascularised bone graft had a significantly shorter healing time than the cryopreserved bone graft.

Carbon/PEEK nails: a case-control study of 22 cases.

BACKGROUND: Interest around carbon/PEEK plates and nails has been raising. The elastic modulus close to the bone, the high load-carrying capacity and radiolucency make CFR/PEEK materials a potential breakthrough. In the literature, there are abundant data about CFR/PEEK plates in the treatment of proximal humerus, distal radius and distal fibula fractures. In patients affected by bone metastasis, CFR/PEEK nails were proved effective and safe with 12 months of follow-up. Very little is known about performances of CFR/PEEK nails in patients affected by other pathologies. PURPOSES: The aim of the study was to evaluate safety and efficacy of CFR/PEEK nails in the treatment of various pathological conditions. It was also investigated whatever radiolucency of this nails could lead to a more objective evaluation of bone callus or disease site. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In the study group were included 20 patients (22 bone segments) who underwent CFR/PEEK nail implantation (eight humerus, one tibia, nine femur and four knee arthrodesis). They were affected by pathological fractures, and in four cases, they required an arthrodesis of the knee. They were retrospectively evaluated considering nail failures and bone callus or disease progression (RUSH scores). Mean follow-up time was 11 months (min 6.8-max 20.3). In the control group were included patients treated with titanium nails in the same institution for the same pathologies. An interclass correlation coefficient (ICC) analysis was performed in both groups considering RUSH scores by two expert surgeon from two institution to assess whether radiolucency could lead to a more objective evaluation of disease or bone callus site. RESULTS: The ICC of mean values between RUSH scores was 0.882 (IC 95%: 0.702-0.953) in the CFR/PEEK group, while it was 0.778 (IC 95%: 0.41-0.91) in the titanium group. Observers' evaluation showed a significantly higher obscuration by titanium nails than by CFR/PEEK nails. No osteosynthesis failures were reported in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our results confirm the safety of CFR/PEEK nails in the short-medium term. The radiolucency of these materials led our observers to perform more objective evaluations of bone callus formation or disease progression compared to the titanium group given the higher ICC. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III Case-control therapeutic study.

HMGB1 promotes bone fracture healing through activation of ERK signaling pathway in a rat tibial fracture model.

This work was to investigate potential roles of HMGB1-mediated ERK pathway in the healing process of bone fracture. Rat tibial fracture models were established and divided into control (rats with normal saline), HMGB1 (rats with HMGB1), and HMGB1+ PD98059 groups (rats with HMGB1 and 1 mg/kg of ERK1/2 inhibitor PD98059) with 30 rats per each. The healing of rats' fracture was observed by X-ray films, the morphological changes of bone fractures by HE staining, the callus formation by micro-CT and biomechanical test, and the expression of osteogenesis-related genes, HMGB1 and ERK-related proteins by qRT-PCR and Western blot. Rats in the HMGB1 group was increased in X-ray scores, peak torque, torsional stiffness, and the bone volume fraction (bone volume/total volume, BV/TV); meanwhile, those rats presented elevations in osteogenesis-related genes and HMGB1 expressions, as well as p-ERK/ERK ratio. However, rats in the HMGB1+ PD98059 group was significantly reduced in X-ray score, peak torque, torsional stiffness, and BV/TV, as well as the expression of osteogenesis-related genes and the ratio of p-ERK/ERK, as compared to those from HMGB1 group. HMGB1 could promote the expressions of osteogenesis-related genes and accelerate the healing process of fracture via activation of the ERK signaling pathway.

Mechanical solutions to salvage failed distraction osteogenesis in large bone defect management.

INTRODUCTION: Ilizarov bone transport for large bone defect is challenging and may end in distraction osteogenesis failure. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Ten forearm and seven tibial defect cases with failed regeneration due to ischaemia during bone transport were studied retrospectively. Mean forearm and tibial defects were 5.5 ± 0.8 and 7.6 ± 1 cm respectively, or 22.3 ± 3.6 and 20 ± 2.3% as compared with healthy segments. Most patients had numerous previous operations (2.6 ± 0.5 and 3.4 ± 0.8 per patient, respectively), extensive scars locally and post-traumatic neuropathy. There were seven infected defects. Mechanical solutions used were (1) additional osteotomy and transport of the fragment to compact the ischaemic regenerate (10 forearms, 4 tibias) and (2) compaction of the connective tissue layer in the tibial regenerate with either two 5-mm steps (two cases) or gradually (one case). RESULTS: Bone integrity was restored in all the cases. Complete compensation of the defects was achieved in 12 patients with the first technique. Two patients with 8-cm ulna defects remained with residual discrepancy. In the forearm, mean compaction was 1.7 ± 0.4 cm. It took 25.7 ± 5.4 days followed by an average fixation period of 107.1 ± 11.8 days. In the tibia, mean longitudinal compaction by distraction measured 1.7 ± 0.8 cm. The second technique ended up with an acceptable shortening of 1 cm in two cases. Four centimeters were compressed in the third case gradually. CONCLUSION: The technical solutions used for mechanical effects on the ischaemic distraction regenerate resulted in its rescue and bone union in all the cases.

A retrospective study of 63 hallux valgus corrections using the osteodesis procedure.

Osteotomy procedures have been the most popular approach to hallux valgus deformity correction. Soft tissue approaches have, in general, been regarded as ineffective for moderate and severe hallux valgus deformities. Osteodesis is a soft tissue technique that has been shown to be effective in the past but is still seldom practiced. In the present report, we describe a retrospective study of 63 hallux valgus feet in 36 patients who had undergone the osteodesis procedure. Their mean age was 46 ± 12 years, and the mean follow-up period was 25.4 ± 9.6 months. The surgical technique consisted of metatarsus primus varus deformity correction by intermetatarsal cerclage sutures and hallux valgus deformity correction by rebalancing the ligaments. The first metatarsophalangeal angle improved from a mean of 32.5° ± 7.6° preoperatively to 18.4° ± 7° postoperatively, the first intermetatarsal angle improved from 14.6° ± 2.6° to 6.8° ± 1.8°, and the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society score improved from 59 ± 14 to 93 ± 8 points. The rate of patient satisfaction after surgery was 92% (33 of 36 patients, 59 of 63 feet). The complications included a second metatarsal stress fracture in 3 feet (5%), metatarsophalangeal joint medial subluxation in 3 feet (5%), and metatarsophalangeal joint stiffness in 5 feet (8%). This soft tissue, nonosteotomy procedure was a safe technique that effectively corrected hallux valgus and metatarsus primus varus deformities of various severities without osteotomy or fusion.

Estudo comparativo da velocidade e atenuação ultra-sônica na avaliação da consolidação óssea / A comparative study of ultrasonic velocity and attenuation in the evaluation of bone healing

OBJETIVO: O objetivo deste trabalho foi comparar a velocidade e atenuação ultra-sônica, na avaliação in vitro da consolidação óssea. MÉTODO: Foram empregados no estudo 17 carneiros, com massa corporal média de 37 kg, divididos entre grupos controle e três experimentais, conforme o período de observação pós-operatória de 30, 60 e 90 dias. As osteotomias foram realizadas nas tíbias direitas dos animais, ficando as esquerdas como controle. O processo de consolidação foi acompanhado por meio de avaliação radiográfica a cada duas semanas. Ao fim do período de observação estipulado para cada grupo, os animais sofreram eutanásia e as tíbias foram removidas para a análise ultra-sonométrica in vitro. Foram medidos e correlacionados a velocidade de propagação transversal e longitudinal do ultra-som e a atenuação do ultra-som (BUA) transversal na região da osteotomia. RESULTADOS: A velocidade de propagação do ultra-som (transversal e longitudinal, in vitro) aumentou com o avançar da consolidação, sendo as diferenças significantes em relação ao grupo controle e entre a maioria dos grupos experimentais. Já a BUA diminuiu, sendo parte das diferenças significantes entre os grupos. CONCLUSÃO: O método de avaliação da consolidação pelos parâmetros da ultra-sonometria é factível, com resultados confiáveis e precisos para medir a consolidação óssea.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to compare the in vitro ultrasonic velocity and attenuation in bone healing evaluation. METHODS: Seventeen sheep weighting 37 kg in average were used, being divided into two groups of five animals each and one group of seven animals, according to the postoperative follow-up time (30, 60 and 90 days, respectively). Osteotomies were performed on the right tibiae and the intact left tibiae of the 17 animals were used as control. The healing process was monitored with conventional conventional radiographs taken at two-week intervals. The animals were sacrificed at the end of the corresponding followup period and both right and left tibiae were removed for in vitro underwater and contact ultrasound evaluations. The transverse and longitudinal ultrasound propagation velocity (USPV) and the broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA) were measured and correlated. RESULTS: USPV increased with the progression of the healing process, while BUA decreased, with significant differences between the experimental and control groups and between the experimental groups, for most of the comparisons. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that the method using ultrasound as employed in this investigation is feasible and reliable for evaluating cortical bone healing.