Objective To evaluate the treatment results of LCP and locked intramedullary nailing for tibial diaphysis fractures.MethodsFrom October 2003 to April 2006, 55 patients with tibial diaphysis fractures ( 58 fractures) were treated. Of them there were 39 males and 16 females with an average of 39 years years ( 14 to 62 years). The fractures were on the left side in 27 patients and on the right side in 31 patients (3 patients had bilateral involvement). Thirtyfour fractures were treated by intramedullary nailing (intramedullary nailing group) and 24 fractures by LCP fixation (LCP group). The average disease course was 3 days (intramedullary nailing group) and 3.1 days(LCP group). The operation time, the range of motion of knee and ankle joints, fracturehealing time, and complications were evaluated. Results The patients were followed up 8-26 months(13 months on average). The operation time was 84.0±9.2 min (intramedullary nailing group) and 69.0±8.4 min (LCPgroup)； the average cost in hospital was￥19 297.78 in the intramedullary nailing group and ￥14 116.55 in the LCP group respectively, showing significant differences(P＜0.05). The flexion and extension of knee joint was 139.0±3.7° and 4.0±0.7° in intramedullary nailing group and 149.0±4.2° and 0±0.4° in LCP group, showing no significant difference(Pgt;0.05). The doral flexion and plantar flexion of ankle joint were 13.0±1.7° and 41.0±2.6° in intramedullary nailing group, and 10.0±1.4° and 44.0±2.3° in LCP group, showing nosignificant differences(Pgt;0.05). The mean healing time was 3.3 months in intramedullary nailing group, and 3.1 months in LCP group. Length discrepancy occurred in 1 case (2.5 cm), delayed union in 1 case and nailing endtrouble in 3 cases in intramedullary nailing group; moreover rotation deformityoccurred 1 case and anterior knee pain occurred in 6 cases(17.1%). One angulation and open fracture developed osteomyelitis in 1 case 1 week postoperatively and angulation deformity occurred in 1 case of distalthird tibial fractures in LCP group. Conclusion LCP and locked intramedullary nailing can achieve satisfactory results in treating tibial diaphysis fracture LCP has advantages in less complication, operation time and cost in hospital.
ObjectiveTo review the history, current situation, and progress of augmentation plate (AP) for femoral shaft nonunion after intramedullary nail fixation.MethodsThe results of the clinical studies about the AP in treatment of femoral shaft nonunion after intramedullary nail fixation in recent years were widely reviewed and analyzed.ResultsThe AP has been successfully applied to femoral shaft nonunion after intramedullary nail fixation since 1997. According to breakage of the previous nailing, AP is divided into two categories: AP with retaining the previous intramedullary nail and AP with exchanging intramedullary nail. AP is not only suitable for simple nonunion, but also for complex nonunion with severe deformity. Compared with exchanging intramedullary nail, lateral plate, and dual plate, AP has less surgical trauma, shorter healing time, higher healing rate, and faster returning to society. However, there are still some problems with the revision method, including difficulty in bicortical screw fixation, lack of anatomic plate suitable for femoral shaft nonunion, and lack of postoperative function and quality of life assessment.ConclusionCompared with other revision methods, AP could achieve higher fracture healing rate and better clinical prognosis for patients with femoral shaft nonunion. However, whether patients benefit from AP in terms of function and quality of life remain uncertain. Furthermore, high-quality randomized controlled clinical studies are needed to further confirm that AP are superior to the other revision fixations.
Objective To investigate the advantages and the clinical outcomes of the treatment of comminuted inferior femoral fractures with combination of supracondylar locked intramedullary nail and shape memory block hoop internal fixator under arthroscopy. Methods From June 2002 to December 2004, 12 cases of comminuted inferior femoral fractures were treated(9 males, 3 females). Of them, 5 cases were classified as type B and 7 cases as type C according to AO classification . All cases were treated with combination of supracondylar locked intramedullary nail and shape memory block hoop internal fixator under arthroscopy. In 12 cases of one-stage bone grafting, there 5 of autologous cancellous bone grafting and 7 allo-freeze drying bone grafting.Results With a follow-up of 6 to 18 months, all fractures healed within 3 to 6 months. There were no infection and nonunion. The function of all the knees joint was excellent. According to Noye’s criterion for knee scoring, the results were excellent in 9 cases and good in 3 cases; the excellent and good rate was 100%. Conclusion It is a good method to treat comminuted inferior femoral fractures with combination of supracondylar locked intramedullary nail and shape memory block hoop internal fixator under arthroscopy. It has many advantages of less injury to knee joint, good anatomic reduction and reliable fixation.
ObjectiveTo analyze the feasibility and effectiveness of elastic intramedullary nail fixation for the fifth metacarpal neck fracture under the guidance of high frequency ultrasound.MethodsThe clinical data of 30 patients with the fifth metacarpal neck fractures who were treated with elastic intramedullary nails fixation under the guidance of high frequency ultrasound and met the selection criteria between May 2013 and September 2017 were retrospectively analysed. There were 24 males and 6 females, the age ranged from 18 to 58 years, with an average of 31.4 years. The head-shaft angle of the fifth metacarpal was (55.6±11.3)°. The time from injury to operation was 12 hours to 8 days, with an average of 2.4 days. The operation time, number of intraoperative fluoroscopy, fracture reduction, complications, and fracture healing time were recorded. The head-shaft angle of the fifth metacarpal on the affected side after fracture healing were measured and compared with the healthy side. At last follow-up, the active range of motion of the fifth metacarpophalangeal joint of both sides were measured, and the function was evaluated by using the total active movement (TAM) evaluation standard of the Hand Surgery Association of Chinese Medical Association.ResultsThe operation time was 22-40 minutes, with an average of 32.4 minutes; the intraoperative fluoroscopy was performed once; ultrasound images and X-ray fluoroscopy showed that the fracture was well reduced and no adjustment was required. The incisions healed well after operation, without tendon adhesion or local numbness. All 30 patients were followed up 8-16 months, with an average of 11.7 months. The fracture healing time was 4-8 weeks, with an average of 5.6 weeks. The head-shaft angle of the fifth metacarpal was (13.2±1.4)°, which was significantly improved when compared with preoperative value (t=?20.02, P=0.00); and there was no significant difference (t=1.94, P=0.06) when compared with the healthy side [(12.6±1.0)°]. At last follow-up, the active range of motion of the fifth metacarpophalangeal joint on the affected side was (89.4±2.4)°, showing no significant difference (t=?1.58, P=0.13) when compared with the healthy side [(90.3±2.0)°]. According to the TAM evaluation standard of the Hand Surgery Association of Chinese Medical Association, all patients were considered to be excellent.ConclusionThe effectiveness of elastic intramedullary nail fixation for the fifth metacarpal neck fracture under the guidance of high frequency ultrasound is definite. It can dynamically observe the fracture reduction from different angles, reduce ionizing radiation and postoperative complications.
Objective To determine the effect of interlocking intramedullary nail in treatment of open tibial and fibula fractures and analyze the method to promote the bone union. Methods From December 2003 to June 2006, thirtyfive patients with open tibial and fibula fracture were treated with emergency debridement, interlocked intramedullary fixation for tibia and fixed fibula at the same time. During operation, the bone marrow was collected and grafted into the fracture gaps. Among them, there were 27 males and 8 females, involving in 22 left legs and 13 right legs. Their ages ranged from 19 to 65 years, with an average of 34.7 years. The location of fracture was the middle of the tibia and fibula in 16 cases, the distal 1/3 of the tibia and fibula in 12 cases and the proximal 1/3 in 7 cases. According to the Gusitilo classification of open injuries, there were 7 cases of type I, 19 cases of type II, 8 cases of type III a and 1 case of type III b. The mean range of knee motion was 48.3° (45-70°). The mean time from injury to operation was 4.3 hours (50 minutes to 7 hours). Results The mean operation time was 94 minutes (60-132 minutes) and the mean blood loss was 122 mL (100-350 mL). The wound healed by first intention in 32 patients. Incision was sutured in 2 cases of type III a fractures after operation 4 days, gastrocnemius flap graft was performed in 1 case of type III b fracture 1 week after operation. They all achieve good heal ing. No fractures spl it off, no iatrogenic nerve and vascular injury occurred, no osteofascial compartment syndromes or deep vein thrombus happened. Tension bl isters appeared in 1 case of type II fracture after operation and subsided after 5 days. Patients were followed up for 14-43 months (mean 22 months). The X-ray films showed that fracture union was observe in 30 cases after 14 weeks of operation, in 3 cases after 18 weeks and in 1 caseafter 22 weeks of operation. The fractures union time was 15.2 weeks on average. About 2 cm nonunion in lateral tibial appeared in 1 case of type I fracture. No fracture occurred again. The mean range of knee motion was 127° (121-135°). The mean HSS score was 96.5 (87-100) at the end of the follow-up. The excellent and good rate was 100%. Conclusion The curative effect of interlocking intramedullary nail is definite in treatment of open tibial and fibula fractures and it can enhance fracture union to plant bone marrow into the fracture gaps.
ObjectiveTo investigate the effectiveness of the treatment under the guidance of “diamond concept” for femoral shaft fractures nonunion after intramedullary fixation.MethodsBetween January 2014 and December 2016, 21 cases of femoral shaft fractures nonunion after intramedullary fixation were treated with auxiliary plate fixation combined with autogenous iliac graft, and autologous bone marrow concentrate and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) gel under the guidance of the “diamond concept”. There were 13 males and 8 females, with an average age of 32.5 years (range, 17-48 years). All fractures were closed femoral shaft fractures. Four patients underwent internal fixation with plate and resulted in nonunion, then they were fixed with intramedullary nails, but did not heal either. The rest 17 patients were fixed with intramedullary nailing. Fracture nonunion classification: 4 cases of hypertrophic nonunion, 17 cases of atrophic nonunion; the length of bone defect was 1-3 mm; the duration from the last treatment to the current treatment was 10-23 months (mean, 14.3 months). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, the time between operation and full loading, fracture healing time, and complications were recorded. The visual analogue scale (VAS) score and the imaging system of fracture healing of the extremities (RUST) of patients before operation and at last follow-up were recorded to evaluate the fracture healing; the function of the affected limb was evaluated according to the Schatzker-Lambert efficacy score standard at last follow-up.ResultsThe operation time was 105-160 minutes, with an average of 125.6 minutes; the intraoperative blood loss was 160-580 mL, with an average of 370.5 mL. All incisions healed by first intention, without vascular or nerve injury. All patients were followed up 22-46 months (mean, 26.5 months). All the fractures healed, with a fracture healing time of 3-7 months (mean, 4.8 months). During the follow-up, there was no infection, loosening, implant breakage, re-fracture, and other complications. The VAS score at last follow-up was 0.8±0.3, showing significant difference (t=7.235, P=0.000) when compared with preoperative score (5.2±3.7); the RUST score was 3.4±0.3, which was significantly higher than the preoperative score (1.5±0.7) (t=8.336, P=0.000). According to the Schatzker-Lambert effectiveness evaluation standard, the limb function was excellent in 16 cases, good in 4 cases, fair in 1 case, and the excellent and good rate was 95.42%.ConclusionNonunion after intramedullary fixation of femoral fracture treated with auxiliary plate combined with autogenous iliac graft, autogenous bone marrow concentration and PRP gel in accordance with the “diamond concept” can not only restore the stability of the fracture ends, but also improves the biological environment of the fracture site, and can improve the rate of fracture healing.
ObjectiveTo explore the application value of lithotomy position in the treatment of tibial shaft fracture with closed reduction and interlocking intramedullary nail fixation.MethodsThe clinical data of 78 patients with tibial shaft fractures treated with closed reduction and interlocking intramedullary nail fixation between January 2015 and May 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 33 patients were treated with lithotomy position (trial group) and 45 patients were treated with traditional supine position (control group). There was no significant difference between the two groups in general data such as gender, age, the cause of injury, the interval between injury and admission, the interval between injury and operation, and fracture type and site (P>0.05). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, intraoperative fluoroscopy times, the number of patients with open reduction, postoperative incision infection, and fracture healing were recorded. Pain visual analogue scale (VAS) score and Harris score were used to evaluate the effectiveness.ResultsBoth groups of operations were successfully completed. The trial group was superior to the control group in terms of operation time, intraoperative blood loss, intraoperative fluoroscopy times, and the number of patients with open reduction (P<0.05). Incision infection occurred in 1 case (3.03%) of the trial group and 3 cases (6.67%) of the control group after operation. The difference in the incidence of infection was significant (χ2=0.139, P=0.045). The incisions of other patients healed by first intention. X-ray film reexamination showed that the fractures of the two groups healed. The fracture healing time of the trial group was (5.30±1.33) months, while that of the control group was (5.98±1.80) months, with no significant difference (t=?1.815, P=0.073). There was no significant difference in VAS score, Harris scores of knee joint and ankle joint between the two groups before operation and at 3, 6, and 12 months after operation (P>0.05). At 3 days after operation, the VAS score was lower in the trial group than in the control group, and the Harris scores of knee joint and ankle joint were higher in the trial group than in the control group, and the differences were significant (P<0.05).ConclusionApplication of lithotomy position in closed reduction and interlocking intramedullary nail fixation for tibial shaft fracture is favorable for fracture reduction, with less bleeding, shorter operation time, and fewer fluoroscopy.
ObjectiveTo compare the effectiveness of thoracoscopic assisted reduction and traditional manual reduction with percutaneous intramedullary nail internal fixation in the treatment of mid-clavicular fractures.MethodsA prospective randomized controlled trial was conducted. Twenty-two patients with mid-clavicular fractures who met the selection criteria between March 2012 and March 2017 were recruited and randomly divided into trial group (7 cases, thoracoscopic assisted reduction and percutaneous intramedullary nail fixation) and control group (15 cases, traditional manual reduction and percutaneous intramedullary nail fixation). There was no significant difference in gender, age, side, cause of injury, fracture classification, interval between injury and operation between the two groups (P>0.05). The operation time and fracture healing time were recorded and compared between the two groups. The effectiveness was evaluated by Constant-Murley scale at 6 months after operation, which included subjective evaluation indexes (functional activity and pain) and objective evaluation indexes (range of motion of shoulder joint and muscle strength).ResultsThe operation time of the trial group was significantly longer than that of the control group (t=5.881, P=0.000). Patients in both groups were followed up 7-20 months, with an average of 11 months. Satisfactory anatomical reduction achieved in all patients, and all incisions healed by first intension. In the control group, 1 patient had difficulty in removing the intramedullary nail, and 1 patient had fracture nonunion. No fracture nonunion or intramedullary nail rupture in the other patients of two groups. There was no significant difference in fracture healing time between the two groups (t=0.764, P=0.453). At 6 months after operation, there was no significant difference in Constant-Murley scale between the two groups (P>0.05).ConclusionThe treatment of the mid-clavicular fracture by using thoracoscopic assisted reduction with intramedullary nail internal fixation requires longer operation time, but does not require fluoroscopy. The effectiveness is comparable to that of traditional surgery.
Objective To compare the effectiveness between locking compression plate (LCP) and locked intramedullary nail (IMN) for humeral shaft fractures of types B and C. Methods Between January 2010 and January 2012, 46 patients with humeral shaft fractures of types B and C were treated, and the clinical data were retrospectively analyzed. LCP was used for internal fixation in 22 cases (LCP group), and IMN in 24 cases (IMN group). There was no significant difference in gender, age, injury causes, the side of fracture, the site of fracture, the type of fracture, associated injury, and time from injury to operation between 2 groups (P gt; 0.05). The regular clinical examination and evaluation of radiography were done. Shoulder function was evaluated by Neer grading system and elbow function was evaluated by Mayo elbow performance score after operation. Results The operation time and intraoperative blood loss in IMN group were significantly lower than those in LCP group (P lt; 0.05). There was no significant difference in hospitalization time between 2 groups (t=0.344, P=0.733). All patients were followed up 16.8 months on average (range, 12-24 months). At 6 months after operation, bone nonunion occurred in 1 patient of LCP group and in 2 patients of IMN group; the bone healing rate was 95.5% (21/22) in LCP group and 91.7% (22/24) in IMN group, showing no significant difference (χ2=0.000, P=1.000). Except for nonunion patients, the bone healing time was (11.77 ± 0.75) weeks in LCP group and (11.38 ± 0.82) weeks in IMN group, showing no significant difference (t=1.705, P=0.095). Between LCP and IMN groups, significant differences were found in radial nerve injury (4 cases vs. 0 case) and impingement of shoulder (0 case vs. 6 cases) (P lt; 0.05), but no significant difference in superficial infection (1 case vs. 0 case) and iatrogenic fracture (1 case vs. 2 cases) (P gt; 0.05). There was no significant difference in shoulder function and elbow function at 1 year after operation between 2 groups (P gt; 0.05). Conclusion LCP fixation and IMN fixation for humeral shaft fractures of types B and C can achieved satisfactory results. More attention should be paid to avoiding radial nerve injury by fixation of LCP; nail tail should be buried deeply into the cortex of the greater tuberosity and rotator cuff should be protected to decrease the rate of impingement of shoulder by fixation of IMN.
Objective To review the recent advances in treatment of aseptic femoral shaft nonunion. Methods The clinical studies about the treatments of aseptic femoral shaft nonunion in recent years were widely reviewed and analyzed. Results There are several surgical methods for aseptic femoral shaft nonunion. Due to uncertain clinical outcome, dynamization of nail should be carefully selected. The exchange nailing is suitable for the hypertrophic nonunion of the isthmal femoral shaft fracture. The exchange lateral plating is suitable for nonunion with obvious malformation. However, wave plate or dual plate should be chosen when the bone nonuinon is combined with the medial defect. The augmentation plating improves the success rate of nailing for femoral shaft nonunion, but it should be carefully selected for patients with obvious deformity or bone defect. Ilizarov technique is suitable for various bone nonunion, especially with complicated or large segmental bone defects. Induced membrane technique is also an important method for the treatment of bone nonunion with large bone defects. The clinical efficacy of the blocking screw remains to be supported by further evidence. Biological stimulants are mainly used for atrophic nonunion, and the clinical efficacy of them alone are still controversial. Conclusion Due to lack of comparative studies between different surgical methods, the orthopedist should choose the appropriate treatment according to the individual situations of the patient and the types of bone nonunion.