Prospective assessment of trochanteric fracture managed by intramedullary nailing with controlled and limited blade back-out.

INTRODUCTION: The main objective of the present prospective study was to assess mechanical complications associated with an original intramedullary nail with limited and controlled blade back-out in the treatment of trochanteric fracture. MATERIAL AND METHOD: All patients treated for trochanteric fracture in a single orthopedic/traumatologic surgery department over a 2-year period were included. Minimum follow-up was 6 months. Fracture stability was assessed on the AO criteria. The TFP® intramedullary nail has a monobloc helicoid blade. Its main feature is the controlled and limited blade back-out, optimizing fracture site compression in weight-bearing, without the drawback of excessive back-out. The main endpoint was onset of mechanical complications: cut-out, intra-articular protrusion, non-union, and pain. Baumgaertner's Tip-Apex Distance (TAD), blade centering within the femoral head and fracture reduction were also assessed. RESULTS: One hundred thirty-eight patients (mean age, 83 years) were operated on, and 118 followed up. There were 9 mechanical complications (7.6%): 4 cut-outs (3.4%), 3 intra-articular protrusions (2.5%), 1 non-union (0.8%) and 1 case of pain (0.8%). TAD length was not associated with complications rate. Poor reduction was significantly associated with more complications (p=0.02), as was blade malpositioning. Mean back-out was 3.3mm, affecting 22 nails (19%). There were no complications in case of back-out, versus a 9.4% rate in absence of back-out, although this difference was not significant (p=0.21). There were no postoperative infections. CONCLUSION: The TFP® nail is useful for fixation of trochanteric fracture, whether stable or unstable, due to its low rate of mechanical complications compared to the literature.

Management and results in periprosthetic tibial fracture after total knee arthroplasty: Two-center 15-case retrospective series at 2 years' follow-up.

INTRODUCTION: Periprosthetic tibial fracture after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is rare, but jeopardizes implant survival. The main objective of the present study was to assess treatment efficacy, on the hypothesis that surgery provides good long-term results. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A two-center retrospective study included 15 patients (6 male, 9 female: mean age, 71.8±10.2 years), managed between 1997 and 2017 for isolated tibial fracture after TKA. Patients were assessed clinically (IKS, inverted Oxford, Parker and SF-12 scores) and radiologically. Complications and revision surgeries were collated. Fractures were classified on the SoFCOT classification: 9 stable implants (4 type B1, 5 type C1), 4 periprosthetic osteolyses (1 type A3, 2 type B3, 1 type C3), and 2 loosenings (type A2). Treatments comprised: non-operative treatment (1 bed-ridden patient), 11 osteosyntheses for fracture on stable implant (2 standard plates, 7 locking plates, 2 intramedullary nailings), and 3 implant replacements by cemented long stem models for loosening. RESULTS: Mean follow-up was 28 months (range, 12-120 months). Consolidation was achieved in 13 cases, at a mean 15 weeks. Complications comprised: 4 infections, 2 cases of secondary displacement, and 2 of non-union. Surgical revision was required in 8 cases, including 2 secondary implant revision procedures. Functional results were good in 10 cases. At last follow-up, mean Parker score was 7 (range, 4-8.5), Oxford score 32 (range, 16-39), and IKS score 150 (range, 85-167) with knee and function scores respectively 78 (range, 55-86) and 75 (range, 30-85). CONCLUSION: Radiologic and clinical results were encouraging, but with impaired quality of life and a high rate of complications. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV, retrospective cohort study.