Fragment specific fixation with APTUS wrist system for volar rim fractures of the distal radius: a multicentric study.

PURPOSE: Volar rim fractures of the distal radius are a spectrum of pathology that must be well identified and treated to achieve good outcomes and avoid surgical failures. New devices of fragment specific fixation have been developed during the last decades to fix this fragment. The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate the ability of APTUS® wrist distal radius system to securely fix different types of volar rim fractures. METHODS: Patients with at least 1 year of follow-up and a preoperative CT-scan evaluation of the fracture pattern were included in the study. Clinical, radiological and functional outcomes were assessed. RESULTS: Sixty-eight patients with an average follow-up of 34, 1 months (12-61) were included in the study. There were no clinical and radiological complications, including loss of reduction, device failure and tendon ruptures. No patients required hardware removal. Wrist range of motion in flexion-extension averaged 96°, while in pronation-supination 144°. At final follow-up mean visual analogue scale pain was 1,8. Questionnaires, as dissabilities of the arm, shouldder and hand (DASH) score and patient-related wrist evolution (PRWE) score were 6,6 and 3 respectively. Grip strenght measured 86% compared to the normal side. CONCLUSION: APTUS® wrist presents a versatile set of fragment specific fixation plates able to easily and securely fix all types of volar rim fracture. The system can be used with other devices without any kind of interference between them. When correctly placed and used with the right indications, no late complications can be recorded.

How to ease the fixation of carpal bones? Twenty-four lesions treated by 1,5 mm headless compression screws.

BACKGROUND: Carpal bone lesions are common, even in acute injuries or as sequalae of missed fractures. If not correctly diagnosed and treated, can lead to loss of function, especially in active patients. The surgical management remain difficult particularly in case of small, atypical or non-unions fragments. The treatment of heterogenic shape fractures should require a fragment specific fixation using, traditionally, Kirschner-wire (K-wire). This method of treatment remains the most popular but could be prone to some complication as: not stable fixation, need to long time immobilization and wire mobilization. Methods Nineteen patients presented with carpal bone lesions were treated by the use of HCS 1,5 mm headless compression screws. Patients were evaluated post-operative by Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation (PRWE), the Visual Analogic Scale (VAS), Quick-DASH Score and the grip strength was measured by Jamar dynamometer. RESULTS: Authors observed improvement of pain control and common activity; fine movements were restored; we observed no post-operative functional instability. CONCLUSIONS: HCS 1,5 mm headless compression screws are suitable and smart technique to treat these uncommon fractures to achieve a stable primary fixation and allow an early mobilization and conciliate the versatility of K-wire and the compression action due to screws also in small bone fragment.

Outcomes of 173 metacarpal and phalangeal fractures treated by intramedullary headless screw fixation with a 4-year follow-up.

Surgical treatment of extra-articular metacarpal and phalangeal fractures should be considered when there is instability or in patients with high demand. To overcome the issues related to the use of Kirschner wires, external fixators, and open reduction and internal fixation procedures, intramedullary headless screw fixation (IHSF) is an alternative technique to achieve primary fracture stability and early return to daily activities. We report the data of the Italian Multicentric Intra-Medullary Experience, which includes 173 cases of extra-articular unstable fractures (38 phalanges and 135 metacarpals) treated with the IHSF. After surgery, patients underwent early mobilization without splinting. The results confirm the reliability of IHSF in cases with non-articular involvement, showing a good recovery rate in terms of bone healing and range of motion.Level of evidence: IV.

Dorsal fracture-dislocation of the radiocarpal joint: a new classification and implications in surgical treatment.

Dorsal dislocations and fracture-dislocations of the radiocarpal joint are a spectrum of pathology involving both the bony and ligamentous structures that stabilize the radiocarpal joint. We retrospectively reviewed 63 dorsal radiocarpal dislocations treated in our Institute in order to propose a new classification and define surgical treatment. Preoperative CT-scan findings together with clinical and radiological outcomes were recorded. We identified four main types of lesions: Type I, pure dorsal radiocarpal dislocation; Type IIA, dorsal wall impaction and radial styloid avulsion; Type IIB, as IIA with additional intra-articular die punch; Type III, volar and dorsal marginal fragments; Type IV, larger volar and dorsal fragments. For each type of lesion, we propose specific options for treatment that are progressively more invasive. We believe that this classification adequately addresses the whole spectrum of bony and soft tissue injuries that occurs in dorsal radiocarpal fracture-dislocations giving a practical guide for surgical treatment.Level of evidence: IV.

Hook Plate for Volar Rim Fractures of the Distal Radius: Review of the First 23 Cases and Focus on Dorsal Radiocarpal Dislocation.

Background Fragment-specific fixation of the distal radius is born to fix each articular fragment with limited surgical approach and low-profile devices. Over time, many devices with different designs and characteristics have been developed. However, many of them have showed the inability to securely fix marginal, small, and comminuted fragments as bony ligament avulsions and bony compression injuries. Purpose The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical and radiological outcome of a new device born to treat marginal articular fractures of the distal radius. Patients and Methods A retrospective review was conducted on 23 patients with a mean follow-up of 21 months including postoperative clinical evaluation, grip strength, computed tomography scan, and X-ray control. Results All fragments healed and maintained reduced until the final follow-up. The carpus was aligned with the distal radius in all patients presenting with a radiocarpal dislocation. Conclusion The volar rim fragment is an attachment site for the short radiolunate and the volar distal radioulnar ligament. Its unstable fixation can lead to articular incongruity, volar or dorsal subluxation of the carpus, and distal radioulnar instability. The involvement of this fragment on distal radius fractures is relatively common and many studies of the literature have been focused on its treatment. The Hook Plate stabilizes distal fragments at their bone-ligament interface. In addition to bony reduction, the device permits to stabilize the capsule and ligaments, as volar bony ligament avulsions, in a picture of dorsal radiocarpal dislocation. Level of Evidence This is a Level IV, case series.

A Posttraumatic Distal Radius Allograft: 10 Years Follow-Up.

Background Wrist osteoarthritis is a common disease often resulting from malunited fractures of the distal radius. The primary treatment purpose is to provide pain relief, while maintaining strength and mobility whenever possible. In a patient presenting a posttraumatic degeneration of the wrist, deciding which surgical technique, which joints to sacrifice and which to preserve is crucial to optimizing the outcome. Case Description We describe a 10-year follow-up of an osteoarticular allograft of the distal radius proposed to treat an isolated distal radius posttraumatic degeneration. The patient was young and active. No or slight articular degeneration of the carpal rows was present. The surgical technique was based on a periarticular step-cut that allowed the preservation of the dorsal capsule and the maximum contact between the bone and the allograft. Literature Review In the literature, the allograft of the radius is described as a solution to an oncologic problem. Considering a posttraumatic scenario other techniques are usually performed. However, compared with artificial interbody fusion devices and prosthetic implants, structural bone allograft retains an advantage in biologic performance. It has osteoconductive properties and is similar to native tissues providing a progressive incorporation by the host. Clinical Relevance This surgical technique provide a metaphyseal step-cut able to ensure a secure stabilization and a wide contact surface between the allograft and the native bone. Integration of the allograft with good functional and radiological outcome seen after 10 years supports this technique.