[Pseudarthrosis and non-union of disjunctive talar fractures]. / Pseudarthroses et cals vicieux des fractures séparation du talus.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: Neck fractures of the talus are rare. Necrosis is the complication most often observed. Mal union or non union are rarely reported: 11 cases of such complications have been treated and are presented with results of surgical treatment. MATERIAL: Seven non unions and 4 mal unions after separation fracture of the talus, presenting with pain and deformity of the hindfoot were treated. The treatment included removal of the fibrous tissue, heel reaxation, bone grafting, peritalar joints arthrodesis. RESULTS: Bone healing was observed in 5 of 7 non unions, and the correction of the hindfoot deformity in 9 of the 11 cases. DISCUSSION: Non union or mal union after separation fracture of the neck of the talus are poorly tolerated, the patients walking with the foot in internal rotation, bearing most of the weight on the lateral border of the foot. Such poor course results from: the less mechanical stiffness of the medial part of the talus, the severity and the comminution of the fracture, insufficienct reduction and fixation, too early weight bearing, and is associated with degenerative changes of peritalar joints. Functional and antomical good results can be obtained with bone healing, hindfoot reaxation and peritalar arthrodesis. We emphasize the interest of X Rays in the examination and the adequacy of a good initial treatment.

Long-term results of unconstrained Roper-Tuke total elbow arthroplasty in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

We evaluated the long-term results of 12 unconstrained Roper-Tuke total elbow replacements that were performed in 12 patients with rheumatoid arthritis from 1983 to 1989. The mean follow-up period was 9.5 years (range 8 to 13 years). We used the Ewald elbow-scoring system to chart results. This showed that the scores for the 12 elbows had improved from an average preoperative score of 39 points (range 17 to 72 points) to an average postoperative score of 80 points (range 45 to 97 points). The greatest improvements were in terms of pain relief, function, and range of motion. Eight elbows were free of pain by the end of follow-up. Average elbow flexion increased from 115 degrees before operation to 140 degrees after operation, and pronation and supination increased from 52 degrees to 61 degrees and 42 degrees to 71 degrees, respectively. Radiographs of the 12 elbows showed constant wear of the ulnar polyethylene with loosening of 2 ulnar components. Revision of the prosthesis was necessary in 2 elbows because of aseptic loosening. Complications included 1 subluxation, 1 supracondylar fracture, and 2 ulnar neuropathies. Despite some excellent clinical results with a follow-up of over 10 years, the authors no longer recommend the use of this kind of elbow prosthesis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis because of the high complication rate and the impossibility of adapting this implant in the event of bone loss. The authors propose a new classification of humeral bone loss that will allow for better planning of primary and revision total elbow arthroplasties.