Posterior Malleolus Fractures in Trimalleolar Ankle Fractures: Malleolus versus Transyndesmal Fixation.

BACKGROUND: In ankle fractures involving the posterior malleolus, the issue of which types of fractures require posterior malleolus fixation is still controversial. Recent studies have demonstrated that trimalleolar fractures adversely affect the functional outcomes in comparison to bimalleolar fractures of the lateral and medial malleolus. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of posterior malleolus fixation on the functional and radiological outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Reduction quality, development of posttraumatic ankle osteoarthritis, and functional outcomes in 49 consecutive trimalleolar ankle fractures were evaluated retrospectively in patients with and without posterior malleolus fixation. Group I consisted of 29 patients, in which posterior malleolar fracture was left untreated. Twenty patients in Group II, posterior malleolar fragment was fixed directly by screws alone or plate screw. Twenty-one of these 49 patients were male (43%). The mean age was 47 years (range 20-82 years). RESULTS: The mean followup was 12 to 51 months with a mean of 15 months (range 12-51 months). Statistically significant differences were found between Group I and Group II in terms of ankle arthrosis. American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society score was significantly lower in Group I compared to Groups II. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate that posterior malleolar fracture fixation is closely related to successful radiological and functional outcomes after trimalleolar fractures. Transyndesmal screw fixation may not be needed in the cases where the posterior malleolar fracture fixated. For these reasons, we recommend that all posterior malleolar fractures have to be fixed regardless of size.

ASSOCIATED POSTERIOR PELVIC INJURY PATTERNS IN TRANSVERSE-ORIENTED ACETABULAR FRACTURE.

OBJECTIVE: Our study analyzed the incidence of posterior pelvic injury patterns and their influence on the surgical treatment of transverse-oriented acetabular fractures . METHODS: Fifty-one transverse-oriented acetabular fracture cases admitted between 1999 and 2013 were evaluated retrospectively. Comparative studies were performed for groups organized by acetabular fracture type, degree of sacroiliac separation, and postoperative reduction quality . RESULTS: Associated posterior pelvic injuries were found in 34 (66.7%) of the 51 patients. There were 32 sacroiliac separations in the 34 patients with associated posterior pelvic injury, and ipsilateral sacroiliac separations were more frequent in this subgroup. Measurements guided by computerized tomography showed that 16 sacroiliac separations were ≤0.5 cm (mean=0.43±0.14 cm), 10 were 0.5-1 cm (mean=0.73±0.17 cm), and the remaining 6 were >1 cm (mean=1.55±0.15 cm). In the group of 34 patients with associated posterior pelvic injury, acetabular reduction was anatomic in 19 (55.9%) patients, imperfect in 10 (29.4%) patients, and poor in 5 (14.7%) patients. For isolated acetabular fractures, reduction rates were as follows: 12 (70.6%) anatomic, 3 (17.6%) imperfect, and 2 (11.8%) poor. The rate of anatomic reduction was significantly higher when sacroiliac separation was ≤0.5 cm (p=0.027) . CONCLUSION: Associated posterior pelvic injuries, especially ipsilateral sacroiliac joint separation, accompany most transverse-oriented acetabular fractures and may influence the quality of acetabular reduction. Level of Evidence III, Therapeutic Studies Investigating the Results of Treatment.

OBJETIVO: Nosso estudo analisou a incidência de padrões de lesão pélvica posterior e sua influência no tratamento cirúrgico das fraturas do acetábulo com orientação transversal. MÉTODOS: Cinquenta e um casos de fratura acetabular com orientação transversal foram avaliados retrospectivamente entre 1999 e 2013. Foram realizados estudos comparativos para grupos formados de acordo com o tipo de fratura acetabular, grau de separação sacroilíaca e qualidade da redução no pós-operatório. RESULTADOS: Constataram-se lesões pélvicas posteriores associadas em 34 (66,7%) dos 51 pacientes. Havia 32 separações sacroilíacas nos 34 pacientes com lesão pélvica posterior associada, e as separações sacroilíacas ipsilaterais foram mais frequentes nesse subgrupo. De acordo com medições guiadas por tomografia computadorizada, 16 separações sacroilíacas foram ≤ 0,5 cm (média = 0,43 ± 0,14 cm), 10 estavam entre 0,5 e 1 cm (média = 0,73 ± 0,17 cm) e os 6 restantes foram >1 cm (média = 1,55 ± 0,15 cm). No grupo de 34 pacientes com lesão pélvica posterior, a redução acetabular foi anatômica em 19 (55,9%) pacientes, imperfeita em 10 (29,4%) pacientes e deficiente em5 (14,7%) pacientes. Nas fraturas acetabulares, as taxas de redução foram as seguintes: 12 (70,6%) anatômicas, 3 (17,6%) imperfeitas e 2 (11,8%) deficientes. A taxa de redução anatômica foi significativamente maior quando o grau de separação sacroilíaca foi ≤ 0,5 cm (p = 0,027). CONCLUSÃO: As lesões pélvicas posteriores associadas, especialmente a separação da articulação sacroilíaca ipsilateral, acompanham a maioria das fraturas do acetábulo com orientação transversal e podem influenciar a qualidade da redução acetabular. Nivel de Evidência III, Estudos Terapêuticos - Investigação dos Resultados do Tratamento.

Associated posterior pelvic injury patterns in transverse-oriented acetabular fracture / Padrões de lesão pélvica posterior associada em fratura acetabular com orientação transversal

ABSTRACT Objective: Our study analyzed the incidence of posterior pelvic injury patterns and their influence on the surgical treatment of transverse-oriented acetabular fractures . Methods: Fifty-one transverse-oriented acetabular fracture cases admitted between 1999 and 2013 were evaluated retrospectively. Comparative studies were performed for groups organized by acetabular fracture type, degree of sacroiliac separation, and postoperative reduction quality . Results: Associated posterior pelvic injuries were found in 34 (66.7%) of the 51 patients. There were 32 sacroiliac separations in the 34 patients with associated posterior pelvic injury, and ipsilateral sacroiliac separations were more frequent in this subgroup. Measurements guided by computerized tomography showed that 16 sacroiliac separations were ≤0.5 cm (mean=0.43±0.14 cm), 10 were 0.5-1 cm (mean=0.73±0.17 cm), and the remaining 6 were >1 cm (mean=1.55±0.15 cm). In the group of 34 patients with associated posterior pelvic injury, acetabular reduction was anatomic in 19 (55.9%) patients, imperfect in 10 (29.4%) patients, and poor in 5 (14.7%) patients. For isolated acetabular fractures, reduction rates were as follows: 12 (70.6%) anatomic, 3 (17.6%) imperfect, and 2 (11.8%) poor. The rate of anatomic reduction was significantly higher when sacroiliac separation was ≤0.5 cm (p=0.027) . Conclusion: Associated posterior pelvic injuries, especially ipsilateral sacroiliac joint separation, accompany most transverse-oriented acetabular fractures and may influence the quality of acetabular reduction. Level of Evidence III, Therapeutic Studies Investigating the Results of Treatment.

RESUMO Objetivo: Nosso estudo analisou a incidência de padrões de lesão pélvica posterior e sua influência no tratamento cirúrgico das fraturas do acetábulo com orientação transversal. Métodos: Cinquenta e um casos de fratura acetabular com orientação transversal foram avaliados retrospectivamente entre 1999 e 2013. Foram realizados estudos comparativos para grupos formados de acordo com o tipo de fratura acetabular, grau de separação sacroilíaca e qualidade da redução no pós-operatório. Resultados: Constataram-se lesões pélvicas posteriores associadas em 34 (66,7%) dos 51 pacientes. Havia 32 separações sacroilíacas nos 34 pacientes com lesão pélvica posterior associada, e as separações sacroilíacas ipsilaterais foram mais frequentes nesse subgrupo. De acordo com medições guiadas por tomografia computadorizada, 16 separações sacroilíacas foram ≤ 0,5 cm (média = 0,43 ± 0,14 cm), 10 estavam entre 0,5 e 1 cm (média = 0,73 ± 0,17 cm) e os 6 restantes foram >1 cm (média = 1,55 ± 0,15 cm). No grupo de 34 pacientes com lesão pélvica posterior, a redução acetabular foi anatômica em 19 (55,9%) pacientes, imperfeita em 10 (29,4%) pacientes e deficiente em5 (14,7%) pacientes. Nas fraturas acetabulares, as taxas de redução foram as seguintes: 12 (70,6%) anatômicas, 3 (17,6%) imperfeitas e 2 (11,8%) deficientes. A taxa de redução anatômica foi significativamente maior quando o grau de separação sacroilíaca foi ≤ 0,5 cm (p = 0,027). Conclusão: As lesões pélvicas posteriores associadas, especialmente a separação da articulação sacroilíaca ipsilateral, acompanham a maioria das fraturas do acetábulo com orientação transversal e podem influenciar a qualidade da redução acetabular. Nivel de Evidência III, Estudos Terapêuticos - Investigação dos Resultados do Tratamento.

The relation between elbow range of motion and patient satisfaction after open release of stiff elbow.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this retrospective study was to find out whether a cut off value existed for elbow flexion and extension after open surgical release of elbow contracture that would correlate with subjective patient satisfaction. METHODS: The study enrolled 77 patients (53 males and 24 females with a mean age of 35.1 (18-77) years at the time of operation) with elbow contracture who attended regular follow-up appointments for more than 12 months. The mean follow up period was 44.2 months (12-186). The preoperative and postoperative modified MAYO elbow scores, objective parameters of increase in both flexion and extension end point measurements and improvement in total ROM were compared in order to determine the cut off degree of ROM in both flexion and extension that significantly correlated with patient satisfaction. RESULTS: Of the 77 participating patients, 26 patients had an extrinsic (33.8%) and 51 patients had an intrinsic elbow contracture (66.2%). Surgeries performed involved 40 cases of lateral release and 37 cases of both lateral and medial (progressive) release. The median preoperative total flexion-extension arch (ROM) was 45° (20°-65°). The median postoperative total flexion-extension arch (ROM) was 110° (97.5°-125°). The modified MAYO elbow score improved from 60 to 85 points postoperatively. The postoperative flexion cut off value was 115° for an excellent or good postoperative modified MAYO elbow score. CONCLUSION: Post-operative flexion cut off value was 115° and had a positive effect on the postoperative patient satisfaction. The cut off value for postoperative extension was 20° but it was not a significant variable on patient satisfaction as was the total increase in ROM. LEVEL OF SIGNIFICANCE: Level IV Therapeutic Study.

Distal fusion level selection in Lenke 1A curves according to axial plane analyses.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: In adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), identification of curve patterns and determination of fusion levels are most important for correcting deformity, improving trunk balance, and saving motion segments. Lenke 1A scoliosis is the most common type of AIS, accounting for around 16% of all AIS; however, how to determine the lower instrumented vertebrae in this common curve type is unclear. PURPOSE: The aim was to classify Lenke 1A curves according to lumbar axial plane analyses to determine optimal distal fusion level selection. STUDY DESIGN: This was a retrospective study. PATIENT SAMPLE: This study included 69 consecutive patients with AIS (13 males and 56 females) of Lenke Type 1A curve who underwent posterior correction and fusion of the thoracic spine between 2001 and 2013 in a single center. OUTCOME MEASURES: Coronal, sagittal, and axial parameters were measured from plain radiographs that were obtained at initial medical examination of the patients. METHODS: Coronal and sagittal plane and whole spine segmental vertebra rotations from thoracic 1 to lumbar 5 were evaluated by using Drerup method. As a result of analysis of axial plane, all patients with Lenke 1A curves were divided into three groups depending on lumbar vertebral rotation. In Group I, the rotation of lumbar vertebral rotation was accepted as neutral. In Group II, the direction of lumbar vertebral rotation was same with other vertebrae in the main curve. In Group III, the rotation of lumbar vertebral rotation had opposite direction with vertebrae in the main curve. RESULTS: In Group I curves, the mean position of lower end vertebrae (LEVs) was more frequently at T11, neutral vertebra (NV)-last touched vertebra (LTV) at T12, and stable vertebra (SV) at L2. In Group II curves, the mean position of LEV was more frequent at L1, LTV at L2, NV at L3, and SV at L4, whereas in Group III curves, the median position of LEV-NV-LTV was frequently at T12 and that of SV at L1. Then, Group I to III curves between Group II curves showed the gap differences of NV-LEV, SV-LEV to be significantly different. Similarly, the SV was not more than two segments distal from LEV in Group I and Group III but more than two to three segments from LEV in Group II. CONCLUSIONS: Our analysis suggested that not all Lenke 1A curves yield satisfactory outcome with the same fusion extend although a high percentage of the patients with Lenke 1A curves have shown satisfactory outcome with NV fusion. Thus, it seems that some Lenke 1A curves may require fusion to SV.

Outcome in early adolescent idiopathic scoliosis after deformity correction: assessed by SRS-22, psychometric and generic health measures.

The purpose of this study was to examine the health status of early adolescent patients with idiopathic scoliosis using depression-anxiety scales, a generic Quality-of-Life Inventory as well as the Scoliosis Research Society-22 (SRS-22) questionnaire to search for the most comprehensive approach for the measurement of outcomes. Thirty-seven early adolescent patients with idiopathic scoliosis were analyzed within 6-12 months of the postoperative time period. There was no statistically significant correlation between the total score of SRS-22 and the total scores of the pediatric quality-of-life inventory. However, the total scores of SRS-22 were positively correlated with the self-esteem level and negatively correlated with the depression level and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children scores. In early adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis deformity correction, SRS-22 may be inadequate in terms of mental health and physical activity parameters to evaluate overall quality of life.

Boyd amputation in adults.

BACKGROUND: Foot ulcerations resulting in amputation are one of the most devastating consequences of diabetes mellitus and peripheral arterial disease. In foot amputations, Boyd amputation has been even less accepted than Syme amputation due to its dependence on calcaneotibial osseous union in adults. METHODS: Fifteen Boyd amputations were performed for 14 adults. The indications for amputation were diabetic ulceration of the foot in eight patients, ischemic disease of the lower extremity in four and salvage of the deformed foot due to peripheral neuropathy in one patient. One patient with scleroderma had bilateral amputations due to digital ischemic necrosis. RESULTS: Complete wound healing was documented in seven feet of six patients. Further revisions to a more proximal amputation level were required in seven patients. CONCLUSION: Despite the high failure rate, we believe Boyd amputation is still a good option in some patients to try to preserve length.

Operative treatment of hip fractures in patients receiving hemodialysis.

Fifteen hips in 13 patients with hip fracture were treated in patients receiving hemodialysis for chronic renal failure. There were four intertrochanteric and 11 femoral neck fractures. 10 of the 11 femoral neck fractures and one of the four intertrochanteric fractures were treated with cemented bipolar hemiarthroplasty. Two intertrochanteric fractures fixed with sliding compression screws. External fixation was used for stabilization in two patients who had femoral neck and intertrochanteric fractures. Two intertrochanteric fractures that were treated with sliding hip screw showed radiological union postoperatively at the 6th month. Of the 11 hemiarthroplasty, four hips developed aseptic loosening (36%). According to Harris hip score grading system, three (37.5%) poor, two (25%) fair, two (25%) good and one (12.5%) case had excellent outcome in the hemiarthroplasty group. The survival of dialysis patients with a hip fracture is markedly reduced. Initial treatment of hemiarthroplasty allows early mobilization and prevents revision surgery.