Comparative Study between the Precontoured Anatomical Locking Plate and Clavicle Brace for Displaced Mid-Shaft Clavicle Fractures.

BACKGROUND: Most of the midshaft clavicle fractures heal conservatively without further complications with union rate of 94 to 99.7%. Several recent studies recommend surgery for displaced midshaft fracture, to reduce risk of non-union malunion and clavicle shortening. So there is still dilemma for the optimal treatment for displaced midshaft clavicle fracture. METHODS: This was the prospective comparative study performed in Civil Service Hospital, Nepal. Patients were divided into the two groups each containing 40 patients and were treated with figure of eight brace for group 1while group 2 patients were treated surgically. RESULTS: Mean time to unite the fracture was 11.87±1.78 versus 11.55±1.46 weeks (P value 0.37). There were 14 (35%) cases of malunion more than 10 degree in group 1 and 1 (2.5%) malunion in group 2 (P value 0.001). Twenty nine (72.5%) patients in group 1 and 35 (87.5%) in group 2 were fully satisfied one year after treatment Constant and Murley score in group 1 were 75.22±2.85, 90.87±3.39 and 96.30±1.80 at the time of fracture union, six month and one year after surgery while that score in group 2 were 81.67±2.86, 93.87±2.17, 98.20±1.20 respectively ( P value <0.001). CONCLUSIONS: There is higher incidence of nonunion, symptomatic malunion and inferior perception of satisfaction in conservatively treated patients. Functional outcomes are comparable one year after surgery, however it is significantly better in operative group before that.

Functional Outcomes of Capitellum Fractures Treated by Open Reduction and Internal Fixation with Herbert Screw: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study.

INTRODUCTION: Based on the complex intra-articular nature of capitellum fractures, it has been sometimes difficult to formulate a universally accepted method of surgical treatment. The purpose of this study is to present the functional outcomes of capitellum fractures after fixation with Herbert screw including the safety and tips of the surgical approach. METHODS: This descriptive cross-sectional study was done from December 2014 to November 2019. Ethical approval was taken. The study included 22 capitellum fractures treated by open reduction and internal fixation with Herbert screws either lateral or anterolateral approach. Functional outcomes were assessed with Mayo elbow performance index scores at the latest follow-up visit. Convenient sampling was done. Data entry was done using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (version16.0). RESULTS: Out of 22 surgeries, the average time to unite the fracture was 11.13±1.20 weeks (range 9 to 15). The mean range of movement for flexion and extension was 138.41±8.22 degree while the mean supination and pronation range was 161.59±6.79 degree. The average time of follow-up in this series was 37.45±9.43 weeks (range 22 to 58 weeks). Similarly, the mean Mayo elbow performance index score at the latest follow-up was 90.22±8.65 (range 70 to 100). CONCLUSIONS: Careful assessment and radiological evaluation, anatomical reduction, and stable fixation with Herbert screws maintaining the minimal damage to the articular cartilage can maximize the functional outcomes and minimize the incidence of complications.

Multiply Broken Metallic Hardware Removal for United Patella Fracture Applied Twenty Years Before: A Case Report.

Breakage of tension band wires, used to treat the patella fracture, is not uncommon several years after the fracture fixation. Broken wires may migrate to surrounding neurovascular structures, other vital organs like heart and may cause potentially fatal complications. Once the wires have been broken, it is very difficult to remove the broken pieces of metal wires. We report a 50 years old male patient with broken tension band wires at multiple sites for patella fracture. The broken wires were removed 20 years after the initial surgery without any undue complications, however patient sustained significant soft tissue damage to remove all the pieces of broken wires that would otherwise have been removed without any undue complications immediately after fracture union.

Scaphoid nonunion: does open reduction, bone grafting and Herbert screw fixation justify the treatment?

PURPOSE: Conventional bone grafting and Herbert screw fixation give satisfactory results for scaphoid nonunion; however, vascularized bone grafting has superior results, especially in the case of avascular necrosis of proximal fragment. Vascularized bone grafting is technically more demanding with small error of margin, problems of getting the appropriate graft, fixation and incorporation, and requires longer duration for wrist immobilization. METHODS: Forty-five patients of scaphoid nonunion were treated by cancellous bone grafting, cortex containing graft if required and Herbert screw fixation. Functional outcomes were assessed at the latest follow up after surgery (minimum one year after surgery). RESULTS: The average pre-operative and post-operative scapho-lunate angle, grip strength, flexion-extension movement, radio-ulnar movement, scaphoid index and modified mayo score were improved from 49.60 ± 6.40° (37-66) to 36.26 ± 4.73° (range 28-46), 20.66 ± 3.17 kg (15-27) to 31.11 ± 3.29 kg (range 25-40), 78.57 ± 14.22° (45-110) to 132.86 ± 13.90° (100-165), 30.06 ± 6.06° (20-44) to 44.95 ± 6.37°(range 35-59), 0.66 ± 0.076 (0.55-0.79) to 0.60 ± 0.065 (range 0.49-0.73) and 58.66 ± 5.24 (50-70) to 84.37 ± 5.01 (range 75-95), respectively, with P value <0.001. Based on modified mayo score, 21 (46.7%) patients had excellent results, 19 (42.2%) had good results, 4 (8.9%) had fair results and one patient (2.2%) had poor results. CONCLUSION: Bone grafting and Herbert screw fixation provides a good option for treatment of scaphoid nonunion, especially in the absence of avascular necrosis of proximal fragment. More importantly, vascularized bone grafting in all scaphoid nonunion may not be necessary and could otherwise have been united uneventfully by this technique. However, avascular necrosis of proximal fragment must be ruled out pre-operatively as well as intra-operatively.

A modified minimally invasive technique for intra-articular displaced calcaneal fractures fixed by transverse and axial screws.

The management of displaced, intra-articular calcaneal fracture represents a surgical challenge to even an experienced orthopedic surgeon. Plate osteosynthesis using an extended lateral approach is complicated by soft tissue problems, while those treated by closed reduction and percutaneous pinning cannot address all the intra-articular fragments sufficiently. The objective of our study is to evaluate restoration of subtalar joint and long-term functional outcomes in intra-articular displaced calcaneal fractures treated with transverse subcondral screws through a small incision on lateral aspect of calcaneus and percutaneously placed axial screws through the calcaneal tuberosity. Forty-five intra-articular calcaneal fractures were managed with this minimally invasive technique. Calcaneal height, width, length, Bohler's angle, and Gissane angle were measured preoperatively and last follow-up visit. Functional outcomes were assessed on the basis of American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle/hind foot score. Preoperative calcaneal length, height, width, Bohler's angle, and Gissane angle were improved from 68.62 ± 2.64 to 72.44 ± 2.63 mm, 39.28 ± 2.72 to 32.37 ± 2.65 mm, 47.04 ± 2.56 to 49.55 ± 2.45 mm, 12.66° ± 2.86° to 26.93° ± 2.57°, 123.91° ± 3.13° to 96.06° ± 3.92°, respectively, after surgery with P value <0.001. There were 21 (46.7%) excellent, 17 (37.8%) good, 4 (8.8%) fair, and 3 (6.7%) poor outcomes based on AOFAS ankle/hindfoot scores. Time to unite the fracture was 11.06 ± 1.82 weeks (range 8-16 weeks), and all fractures were united without major complications. Minimally invasive technique through a small incision on lateral aspect of calcaneus gives a moderately good exposure for anatomical restoration of Sander's type II and III calcaneal fractures fixed with both transverse and axial screws under fluoroscopic guidance.

Open Reduction of Neglected Knee Dislocation: Case Report of a Rare Injury

Old neglected dislocation of knee joint is a rare injury. Any orthopaedic surgeon would have faced only a few cases of unreduced neglected dislocation in his life time practice. We report the case of a 30-year old male patient with one month old unreduced knee dislocation which was managed with open reduction and stabilization with two intra-articular crossed Steinman pins for six weeks, followed by removal of the pins and gradual weight bearing in hinged knee brace. At the end of one year, range of movement of knee joint was 0 to 50 degree with minimal knee pain on walking.

ediatric femoral shaft fractures treated by flexible intramedullary nailing / 中华创伤杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Nowadays pediatric femoral fractures are more commonly managed with operative treatment rather than conservative treatment because of more rapid recovery and avoidance of prolonged immobilization. Children between the ages of 5-13 years are treated either by traction plus hip spica and flexible/elastic stable retrograde intramedullary nail, or external fixators in the case of open fractures. The aim of this study is to evaluate the outcome of pediatric femoral shaft fractures treated by stainless steel flexible intramedullary nail in children between 5 and 13 years of age.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>There were 32 cases of femoral shaft fractures which were all fixed with stainless steel flexible intramedullary nail under fluoroscopy. Long leg cast was applied at the time of fixation. Partial weight bearing was started 2 weeks after surgery. Patients were evaluated in follow-up study to observe the alignment of fracture, infection, delayed union, nonunion, limb length discrepancy, motion of knee joint, and time to unite the fracture.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>We were able to follow up 28 out of 32 patients. The patients were 8.14 years of age on average. The mean hospital stay after operation was 4 days and fracture union time was 9.57 weeks. There were 3 cases of varus angulation, 2 cases of anterior angulation, and 4 cases of limb lengthening.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Patients aged between 5 and 13 years treated with flexible intramedullary nail for closed femoral shaft fracture have rapid union and recovery, short rehabilitation period, less immobilization and psychological impact, and cost-effective.</p>

Combined fracture dislocation of the navicular bone along with cuboid, cuneiform and longitudinal split fracture of the lateral malleolus: a rare combination of fractures.

Fracture dislocation of the navicular bone, fracture of the cuboid, cuneiform, and longitudinal split fracture of the lateral malleolus is a rare combination of fractures. This is a high velocity injury fracture and can be caused by forcible plantar flexion and inversion of the foot at the time of impact onto the ground. Here we reported such a case in a 35-year-old male patient who was treated by open reduction and fixation with a partially threaded screw and two K-wires for the navicular bone, and two interfragmentary screws with a one third tubular plate for the lateral malleolus. K-wires were removed 6 weeks after surgery followed by partial weight bearing. After 6 months, the patient can walk normally with minimal pain and swelling of the foot.