Mid-term follow-up results of gradual capitate lengthening for the treatment of stage IIIA Kienbock's disease.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the mid-term radiological and clinical results of gradual lengthening of capitate for the treatment of stage IIIA Kienbock's disease. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed nine patients (five females, four males) with Lichtman stage IIIA Kienbock's disease who underwent gradual capitate lengthening at our hospital. Their clinical (range of motion (ROM), grip strength, visual analogue scale (VAS) value for pain, and Mayo wrist score (MWS)) and radiological outcomes (in terms of progression of arthritis and carpal height ratio) at the last follow-up were compared to the preoperative values. RESULTS: The mean age of the nine patients was 30 years (range: 20-38 years). The mean follow-up period was 73.8 (60-83) months. The average grip strength increased from 14.3 kg preoperatively to 22.3 kg at the last follow-up. The mean MWS increased from 58.8 preoperatively to 79.4 postoperatively. The mean VAS values decreased from the preoperative values: from 1.9 to 0.36 at rest, from 3.75 to 1.6 during mild effort, and from 5.35 to 3 during severe effort. The average carpal height ratio changed from 0.38 preoperatively to 0.53 postoperatively. None of the patients had any arthritic changes in their wrists. CONCLUSION: Gradual lengthening of capitate offers satisfactory mid-term results for treating stage IIIA Kienbock's disease.

Acute correction of distal femoral deformities by retrograde femoral nail using preoperative planning.

PURPOSE: This study presents the technique and results of acute correction of distal femoral deformities using retrograde femoral nailing based on preoperative planning without using a fixator. METHODS: Twenty-eight patients (34 limbs: 22 left-sided, 12 right-sided, mean age = 36 years) undergoing distal femoral deformity correction with retrograde femoral nailing between 2013 and 2020 were examined retrospectively. The osteotomy line, block screw location and number were identified by detailed preoperative planning. Osteotomy was performed using the percutaneous multiple drill method, and the retrograde femoral nail was placed. RESULTS: The average follow-up period was 62.7 months (range: 13-84 months). Postoperatively, the mean mechanical axis deviation was corrected to 6.8 mm (range: 0-8 mm) and the mean mechanical lateral distal femoral angle to 87.42° (range: 84-90°). The Association for the Study an Application of the Method of Ilizarov (ASAMI) score was excellent for all patients. None of the patients had fracture, infection, implant failure, or non-union. CONCLUSION: Distal femoral deformities can be corrected acutely, without applying external fixators, with good preoperative planning and using the retrograde femoral nail. This technique is safe and effective, with a low complication rate.

Limb lengthening with one Precice nail over its capacity.

The Precice nail is used to treat limb length discrepancies and has a low complication rate and a high patient satisfaction rate. While the Precice nail can be used for lengthening, unlike other lengthening nails, it can also be used for shortening. We report a 37-year-old female patient with a 14 cm limb length discrepancy that was treated with a new surgical technique using the shortening feature of the Precice nail. Following maximum possible lengthening using the nail and without waiting for union on the osteotomy line, the distal interlocking screws were removed, and the nail was shortened by external remote control with the help of the fixator. The distal interlocking screws were then reattached to continue lengthening. This surgical technique can be used safely and satisfactorily in cases with more shortness as we can correct the extremity length discrepancy using only one nail.

Effect of cable cerclage on regional blood circulation in rabbits: a scintigraphic study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate changes in blood circulation of the femoral cortex in rabbits using scintigraphy before and after cable cerclage alone or combined with an intramedullary Kirschner wire. METHOD: Ten New Zealand rabbits were used. For the right femur, a 2-mm-thick cable was placed around the mid-diaphyseal region and squeezed with a 400-N force and locked with a clip. For the left femur, a 1.8-mm Kirschner wire was inserted retrogradely into the medullary canal, and a 2-mm-thick cable was applied using the same technique. The blood perfusion ratio of the region of interest (ROI) before and after surgery was evaluated using scintigraphy. RESULTS: For the right femurs, the mean ROI perfusion ratio decreased by 45% from 2.51 to 1.37 after intervention (p=0.001). For the left femurs, the mean ROI perfusion ratio decreased by 56% from 2.12 to 0.92 after intervention (p<0.001). The mean ROI perfusion ratio post-intervention was higher in the right than left femurs (p=0.017). CONCLUSION: Cable cerclage around the femoral cortex significantly decreased blood circulation in the area.

Use of a magnetic bone nail for lengthening of the femur and tibia.

PURPOSE: To report our experience with the PRECICE nail for limb lengthening in 23 patients. METHODS: Records of 15 female and 8 male patients aged 14 to 38 (mean, 23.6) years who underwent lengthening of the tibia (n=6) or femur (n=21) using the PRECICE nail were reviewed. The reasons for lengthening included trauma (n=7), hemihypertrophy (n=2), focal femoral deficiency (n=2), Ellis-van Creveld syndrome (n=1), hip septic arthritis sequelae (n=1), hereditary multiple exostosis (n=1), club foot sequela (n=1), congenital tibial pseudoarthrosis (n=1), fibrous dysplasia (n=1), idiopathic limb length discrepancy (n=7), and cosmetic (n=1). RESULTS: The mean follow-up duration was 20.72 months. The mean lengthening was 48.20 mm, and the mean acute angular correction was 15.5º. The mean time to full weight-bearing was 5.15 months, and the mean consolidation index was 1.12 months/cm. The mean maturation index was 0.78 months/cm. One patient had nail breakage during the consolidation phase. The nail was replaced by an intramedullary nail until consolidation, after which another PRECICE nail was used to treat the residual shortening. Eight patients had over-lengthening and the nails were driven back to the desired length. No patient had infection. CONCLUSION: The PRECICE nail is a viable option for lengthening of the femur and tibia.

A new point of view for mosaicplasty in the treatment of focal cartilage defects of knee joint: honeycomb pattern.

BACKGROUND: A focal full thickness cartilage lesion of knee joint is one of the commonly seen intraarticular pathologies among the joint cartilage problems. Osteochondral autograft transfer mosaicplasty is a method which has satisfactory outcomes among the treatment preferences of cartilage defects. In spite of the favorable clinical results there are some pitfalls of mosaicplasty treatment especially in cases of large defects. One of the major problems of the classical OAT mosaicplasty is the gap spaces between the plugs. The objective of the present study is to report the early clinical and radiological outcomes and to evaluate the clinical application of a new hexagonal osteochondral graft system (HOGS) with the hypothesis of improvement of the OAT mosaicplasty method with the use of hexagonally shaped plugs. The study has intended to answer two questions. (1) Does mosaicplasty with the new HOGS has favorable early clinical outcomes? (2) Is it possible to arrange the osteochondral autografts without leaving gap spaces by using hexagonal pattern in OAT mosaicplasty? PATIENTS AND METHODS: We designed a retrospective study to report analysis of early outcomes of the initial case series of OAT mosaicplasty by using a new HOGS. Six male individuals with the diagnosis of osteochondral defect and treated with HOGS and reached sixth month follow-up formed the basis of the study. The clinical status of the patients were evaluated with IKDC score. The radiological evaluations were carried out with direct X-rays and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies. The mosaicplasty procedures were carried out via standard surgical method of classical OAT mosaicplasty by using the HOGS following a diagnostic arthroscopy in the same session. The inclusion criteria was a full thickness osteochondral lesion of femoral condyle between 1.5 and 6 cm(2) and completion of 6 month follow-ups. The patients having deformities around the knee or major ligament lesions were excluded. MOCART scoring system was used for the evaluation of follow-up MRI findings. The clinical status of the patients were evaluated with IKDC scores. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 40.8 (±5.2) years and the mean duration of the symptoms on presentation was 16 (±4.3) months. On the initial MRI studies mean defect area was measured 3.7 cm(2) (±0.9) which was compatible with arthroscopic findings. During the surgical procedures it was possible to fill the defect area completely. The mean number of plugs in this series was 4.8 (±1.1). We did not faced with insufficient donor reserve problem in any of the cases. On the sixth month follow-up physical examination there was no limitation of the knee joint range of motion in the cases. All patients were able to bear weight on to their operated extremities without pain. The mean postoperative IKDC score improvement was 70.2 (±3.5) which shows significant improvement compared to preoperative scores. On the control MRI studies the bone integration of the hexagonal plugs were complete the cartilage continuity of the articular surfaces were intact and the grafts were well incorporated in all cases. The mean MOCART score on the 6th month MRI studies was 65.8 (±4.1). CONCLUSION: The early outcomes of OAT mosaicplasty with HOGS are comparable to studies on the classical mosaicplasty. According to our observations in this study we can say that the gap space left between the cylindrical plugs can be solved by using hexagonal prism shaped plugs.

Treatment of open fractures with a computer-assisted external fixator system without the use of fluoroscopy.

BACKGROUND: Developed for the treatment of deformity correction, computer-assisted circular external fixators in recent years have also been used for fracture fixation. In this study, we aimed to present the efficacy of computer-assisted circular external fixator use in open long bone fractures with our new technique. METHODS: Between February 2013 and June 2014, 14 patients (mean age 24.5 (range 20-32)) with open tibial or femoral open fractures were treated with the computer-assisted fixation system (Spider Frame-Tasarim Medikal, Istanbul, Turkey). In all patients, appropriate positions of the rings and Schanz screws were determined by measurements on preoperative radiographs. The length of the Schanz screws were determined by depth measure marks on drill bits. Obvious deformities were corrected intraoperatively by manipulations, but residual deformities were corrected by a software program (Spiderfix, Tasarim Medikal, Istanbul, Turkey). We did not use fluoroscopy during the procedures. RESULTS: Ten patients had tibia diaphyseal and four patients had femoral diaphyseal fractures. Mean surgical time was 24.2 (range 18-28) min. Average follow-up time was 10.2 (range 9-14) months. Mean time for deformity correction was 3.1 (2-5) days. Complete union was observed in all patients with a mean of 4.9 (range 3-9) months. There were two grade 2 pin site infections treated with oral antibiotherapy and pin site care. We did not detect any Schanz screw breakage, loosening, deep infection, nonunion, or malunion. CONCLUSIONS: Computer-assisted external fixation systems can be used in the treatment of open fractures, and they provide the chance for acute or gradual correction. Preoperative planning and assistant devices with depth measures may decrease the procedure time and the need for fluoroscopy use.

The importance of reaming the posterior femoral cortex before inserting lengthening nails and calculation of the amount of reaming.

BACKGROUND: Lengthening nails have been used to correct limb length discrepancy caused by different etiologies, as well as for post-traumatic reasons. Two important lengthening nail-related complications are damage to the distraction mechanism and femoral fractures around the nail tip. As a result of the curved anatomy of the femur, straight nails impinge on the anterior cortex. Therefore, proper reshaping of the medullary canal to accommodate straight lengthening nails is crucial for the prevention of this problem. Reaming the dense posterior cortex is important when aiming to insert a lengthening nail without incurring anterior cortex nail tip impingement-related complications. Posterior femoral cortex over-reaming is a solution to this situation. METHODS: Sixty patients received lengthening nails during 2008-2013, (ISKD, Fitbone, Precice). Posterior cortex rigid-reaming technique was used successfully in 45 retrograde femoral lengthening cases. The preoperatively planned posterior cortex amount was reamed until the impingement was overcome during the operation under fluoroscopic control for each case. Since the preoperative determination of posterior cortex reaming amount is time consuming and operator dependent, we evaluated the X-rays of the patients with computer software and conventional paper-based measurements. The effect of reaming the posterior cortical wall on the inclination of the nail tip to the anterior femoral cortex was detected with measurements on the preoperative and postoperative lateral femoral X-rays by using the CorelDRAW® Graphic Suite X6 software package (Corel, Inc., Ottawa, Ontario, Canada) software. On the same software, X-rays and the posterior reaming amount were also calculated. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 27 years (11-42), while the mean lengthening was 5.9 cm (2-14). The mean consolidation index was 1.05 (0.75-1.62), and the mean follow-up period was 31 months (range, 18-45 months). The mean distance of the osteotomy site to the intercondylar notch of the femur was 81.2 mm (± 16.92). The mean displacement of the nail tip position was 15.42 mm (± 4.77) on the measurements on the postoperative X-rays after nail insertion compared to the preoperative simulations on the templates. The mean posterior cortex reaming thickness was 3.68 mm (± 1.02). CONCLUSIONS: We derived a formula that allows the required amount of optimal posterior cortex reaming to be determined. No impingement-related complications or nail damage were observed.

Early clinical and radiological results of minimally invasive total hip replacement.

INTRODUCTION: It is critical to achieve both proper component positioning and intact muscle balance if satisfactory results are to be attained after total hip replacement (THR). There have been fewer studies on minimally invasive (MI) THR than standard approaches. The objective of this paper is to present the early clinical and radiological results of posterolateral MI THR. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The retrospective analysis of the records of patients undergoing posterolateral MI THR surgery between 2011 and 2014 was the basis of this study. 73 hips of 68 patients were included in the study. The acetabular component and femoral stem positions were measured on plane X-rays. Data on preoperative and postoperative hemoglobin and hematocrit values, as well as transfusion amounts, were also studied. The clinical evaluations were carried out with Harris Hip Scores. RESULTS: The mean HHS at the 3rd postoperative month was 87.60 (±7.70). Of the 73 cases, 61 were within the Lewinnek safe zone. The mean PMFA was 88.12 (±7.63°), which is within the normal ranges. The mean postoperative hemoglobin value was 9.7 g/dl (±1.3) and the mean postoperative hematocrit value was 29.8% (±3.8). A nondisplaced proximal femoral fracture line was evident on the early postoperative X-ray of one patient. One patient experienced early dislocation caused by acetabular component malpositioning and an early acetabular cup revision was necessary. CONCLUSION: MI posterior approach for THR is a method in which the prosthetic components can be properly placed. Posterolateral MI approaches are safe when THR is performed, and afford satisfactory results.

Does lengthening after acute correction negatively affect bone healing during distraction osteogenesis?

OBJECTIVE: Lengthening after acute correction has a negative effect on bone healing during distraction osteogenesis. In this study, we investigated whether correcting an acute deformity prior to lengthening resulted in a negative effect on bone healing. METHODS: Patients with shortened femora were assigned to 3 matched groups. Retrograde femoral nailing after distal metaphyseal-diaphyseal osteotomy was used in all cases. Group 1 (9 femora) included cases of lengthening >4 cm using intramedullary distraction devices after acute correction. Group 2 (16 femora) included pure lengthening cases of ≥4 cm using intramedullary distraction devices. Group 3 (13 femora) included cases of lengthening ≥4 cm with lengthening and the retrograde nailing method (LORN) following acute correction. RESULTS: Healing indices and full weight-bearing times of patients were evaluated. Mean lengthening values were 6.6 (range: 4-14 cm), 5.7 (range: 4-8 cm), and 5.2 cm (range: 4-6.5 cm) in Groups 1-3, respectively, and mean radiographic consolidation index and full weight-bearing times were 31.0±8.2, 30.2±5.5, and 39.0±5.0 day/cm in Groups 1-3, respectively. The consolidation index was significantly better in the Groups 1 and 2 compared to that in Group 3, but no difference was detected between Groups 1 and 2. CONCLUSION: Acute correction had no negative effect on bone healing after distraction osteogenesis using new-generation intramedullary distraction devices. We suggest that the negative impact on healing and the prolonged consolidation index in patients undergoing LORN may be due to impaired periosteal blood supply due to fixator pins.

Femoral lengthening and deformity correction using the Fitbone motorized lengthening nail.

BACKGROUND: This study reports our results with retrograde Fitbone insertion in patients with femoral shortening and deformity. We also present our experience regarding the benefits, complications, and factors associated with complications of the Fitbone technique. METHODS: Twelve males and ten females had femoral shortening and deformities treated using the retrograde Fitbone technique between 2009 and 2012. The etiologies were post-traumatic in 12 patients, poliomyelitis in four, cosmetic in two, congenital hypoplasia in two, achondroplasia in one, and Perthes sequela in one. RESULTS: The follow-up time was 30.8 months. The mean lengthening was 5.8 (range 2-14) cm. The degree of acute angular correction was 9° (5-22°) in nine cases. The time to full weight-bearing was 5.9 months. The consolidation index was 1.07 (0.75-1.62) months/cm. Complete consolidation was obtained in all cases except two. Running back was observed in two cases. CONCLUSIONS: The Fitbone technique allows accurate deformity correction. The rigid reamers allow the surgeon to use the Fitbone even in patients with a narrow medullary canal. As this might result in poor bone regeneration, thinner lengthening nails should be considered.

Intramedullary skeletal kinetic distractor in lower extremity lengthening.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to report the clinical and radiological results of patients with Intramedullary Skeletal Kinetic Distractor (ISKD) lengthening. METHODS: Ten femoral and 2 tibial lengthening were performed in 12 patients (7 male, 5 female; mean age: 27 years (13-40)) by using ISKD nail. The mean limb length discrepancy of the patients was 4.41 cm (2-7). On the postoperative 7th day the patients were trained about lengthening and the lengthening started. Follow-up X rays were taken weekly during the distraction period and every second weeks during the consolidation period. One patient with tibia lengthening was lost to follow-up after completing the distraction period. RESULTS: The planned lengthening amounts were achieved in all of the cases. The mean lengthening was 4.41 cm (2-7). The mean bone healing index was 37.8 day/cm (28.5-78.0). There were uncontrolled distractions in 4 cases. Autogenous bone grafting was necessary in a case with incompetent bone formation. The kinetic nail was locked and failed to distract in a patient, in which the problem was solved with closed manipulation under anesthesia. No patient had a joint stiffness. CONCLUSION: Intramedullary extensible nails decrease the risk of joint contractures and infection. This procedure can be well tolerated by the patients and they can return to their daily activities earlier.

Efficacy of the Taylor spatial frame in the treatment of deformities around the knee.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine whether the Taylor spatial frame (TSF) can precisely correct deformities around the knee and whether application of TSF is easy and safe for treatment of the deformities around the knee. METHODS: This study included 50 retrospectively reviewed limbs of 37 patients (mean age: 23 years, range: 10 to 58 years) with deformity around the knee joint treated using the TSF. Thirty-three limbs had tibial and 17 femoral deformities. Preoperative standard anteroposterior, lateral radiographs and standing orthoroentgenographic measurements were taken for each patient. Mechanical axis deviation (MAD), leg-length discrepancy (LLD) and lateral femoral distal angle (LDFA) and medial proximal tibial angle (MPTA) were measured from standing orthoroentgenographics. All measurements were repeated after external fixator removal. RESULTS: The frame was applied for an average of 20.3 (range: 4 to 36) weeks. Mean follow-up time following removal of external fixator was 32 (range: 15 to 54) months. An effective and accurate correction was achieved in all cases. Solid bone consolidation was obtained in all but two cases which underwent bone grafting. CONCLUSION: Taylor spatial frame appears to be a safe and effective method for the gradual correction of the complex translational and rotational deformities around the knee.

Lengthening over a retrograde nail using 3 Schanz pins.

The technique of lengthening over an antegrade nail is used widely for distraction osteogenesis of the femur. Most reported complications of this technique are related to Schanz pins. We hypothesized that reducing the number of Schanz pins would enable successful distraction with fewer complications. To this purpose, we describe a new technique for lengthening over a retrograde nail using only 1 proximal and 2 distal Schanz pins.

[Evaluation of bone mineral density, osteoporosis prevalence and regional risk factors in Turkish women living in Kastamonu: KASTÜRKOS study]. / Kastamonu'da yasayan Türk kadinlarinda kemik mineral yogunlugu, osteoporoz yayginligi ve bölgesel risk faktörlerinin degerlendirilmesi: KASTÜRKOS çalismasi

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to identify the bone mineral density (BMD) values and the prevalence of osteoporosis (OP) in Turkish women living in Kastamonu within the purpose of contributing to Turkish database and to explore whether the characteristics of the regional climate and demographics in different provinces of Turkey are risk factors, comparing our results with similar studies. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between January 2009 and December 2011, 778 of 2018 subjects who were admitted to the healthcare centers equipped with dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) device in Kastamonu and met the inclusion criteria were included. The results of BMD were compared with the studies performed by Lunar DXA in two different provinces. The mean regional data obtained from the Turkish State Meteorological Service (1975-2010) and Turkish Statistical Institute (2009-2011) were used in the comparison of climate and demographic characteristics. The prevalence of OP was compared with those obtained from the FRACTURK study. RESULTS: The mean vertebral and femoral BMD values in all cases were lower than the values recorded in two geographical regions (Elazig-Istanbul), indicating a statistically significant difference (p<0.05). The mean temperature and duration of sunbathing in Kastamonu remained significantly lower than these two provinces for many years (p<0.05). The women population at the age of >50 and the old age dependency ratio were significantly higher in Kastamonu, compared to these provinces (p<0.05). The mean femoral BMD values of these cases >50 were significantly lower, suggesting a significant difference compared to the results obtained from FRACTURK study. The prevalence of OP (19.6%) was significantly higher than the FRACTURK study (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The results of the KASTÜRKOS study indicate that the mean BMD values of Turkish women living in Kastamonu are lower and the prevalence of OP is higher than the values of the women living in different provinces.

Calculating the mounting parameters for Taylor Spatial Frame correction using computed tomography.

The Taylor Spatial Frame uses a computer program-based six-axis deformity analysis. However, there is often a residual deformity after the initial correction, especially in deformities with a rotational component. This problem can be resolved by recalculating the parameters and inputting all new deformity and mounting parameters. However, this may necessitate repeated x-rays and delay treatment. We believe that error in the mounting parameters is the main reason for most residual deformities. To prevent these problems, we describe a new calculation technique for determining the mounting parameters that uses computed tomography. This technique is especially advantageous for deformities with a rotational component. Using this technique, exact calculation of the mounting parameters is possible and the residual deformity and number of repeated x-rays can be minimized. This new technique is an alternative method to accurately calculating the mounting parameters.

[Correction of complex lower extremity deformities with the use of the Ilizarov-Taylor spatial frame]. / Kompleks alt ekstremite deformitelerinin Ilizarov-Taylor uzaysal çerçeve ile düzeltilmesi.

OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the effectiveness of the Taylor spatial frame (Smith & Nephew, Memphis, TN, USA) in the treatment of complex lower extremity deformities. METHODS: The Taylor spatial frame (TSF) was applied to 29 bone segments of 25 patients (12 females, 13 males; mean age 17 years). Indications for the TSF were congenital disorders (n=12), rickets (n=6), physeal injuries (n=4), stiff nonunions (n=3), malunions (n=3), and sequela from septic arthritis of the knee (n=1). Applications involved the tibia (n=15), femur (n=9), foot (n=4), and knee (n=1) with (n=24) or without (n=5) osteotomies. Following acute correction with the use of the TSF and internal osteosynthesis by plating or nailing, the fixator was removed in six cases. The chronic mode was used in six cases who underwent acute correction. The remaining deformities were gradually corrected using the "total residual mode". The follow-up period ranged from eight months to 42 months (mean 29 months). RESULTS: The mean duration of external fixator was 24.5 weeks (range 18 to 37 weeks) in 13 tibial and five femoral segments. In all cases, correction was applied until the mechanical axis reached normal limits. Complete consolidation was achieved in all osteotomized segments, including three cases of nonunion. A plantigrade foot was obtained in all foot deformities. Recurrence was seen in one case in which knee contracture and subluxation were treated with soft tissue distraction without osteotomy. CONCLUSION: The Taylor spatial frame is a safe and practical method with excellent results in the treatment of nonunions and deformities complicated especially by translation and rotation providing correct clinical data are derived and used.