ObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness of intra-articular radioulnar ligament reconstruction in the treatment of chronic instability of the distal radioulnar joint. MethodsBetween January 2006 and June 2012, the intra-articular radioulnar ligament reconstruction was used to treat chronic instability of the distal radioulnar joint in 12 patients. Of 12 cases, 8 were males and 4 were females with an average age of 37.3 years (range, 22-54 years). The causes of injury were tumble in 9 patients, traffic accident in 2 patients, and sprain in 1 patient. The average time from initial injury to operation was 6.2 months (range, 2-13 months). The pain and function of the wrists were assessed with Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation (PRWE) (27.5±4.7). Broadening of the distal radioulnar joint space was seen on the anteroposterior radiograph in all the patients. Lateral view showed dorsal instability in 10 patients and palmar instability in 2 patients. There was no radial fracture, ulnar fractures or degeneration of the distal radioulnar joint. ResultsAll patients achieved primary healing of incision. No complication of deep infection or nerve injury occurred. They were followed up from 12 to 30 months (mean, 20.6 months). Pain and the clicking sound of the wrists disappeared; grip strength increased; the range of motion values of the wrist and forearm were restored. PRWE score was 5.8±2.1 at last follow-up, showing significant difference when compared with preoperative score (t=14.215, P=0.000). Imaging examination showed good appositions of the distal radioulnar joint, with no dislocation or subluxation. ConclusionIntra-articular radioulnar ligament reconstruction can rebuild the anatomic stability of the distal radioulnar joint, which does not damage the adjacent structures of the joints and can obtain satisfactory function of the reconstructed joint. It is a good choice for chronic instability of the distal radioulnar joint without articular degeneration.
ObjectiveTo compare the effectiveness of triple Endobuttons and clavicular hook plate fixation in the treatment of fresh acromioclavicular joint dislocation (Rockwood type III-V). MethodsBetween February 2008 and October 2010, 40 patients with fresh acromioclavicular joint dislocation (Rockwood type III-V) were treated with triple Endobuttons in 18 cases (trial group) and with clavicular hook plate in 22 cases (control group). There was no significant difference in gender, age, disease duration, joint dislocation classification, preoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) score and Constant-Murley score between 2 groups (P gt; 0.05). ResultsAfter operation, wound healed by first intention with no early complication of infection or neurovascular injury. The patients were followed up 12-20 months (mean, 15.8 months) in trial group and 13-24 months (mean, 17.2 months) in control group. Significant differences were found in the VAS score and Constant-Murley score at the last follow-up between 2 groups (P lt; 0.05). X-ray films showed no loosening of internal fixators or hook displacement occurred. No re-dislocation was observed. ConclusionTriple Endobuttons has less shoulder pain and better shoulder motion than clavicular hook plate, so it is an effective method of treating Rockwood type III-V fresh acromioclavicular joint dislocation.
ObjectiveTo explore the effectiveness of the clavicular hook plate combined with trapezius muscle fascia for reconstruction of acromioclavicular and coracoclavicular ligaments to treat acute complete acromioclavicular dislocations. MethodsBetween January 2008 and April 2012, 66 patients with acromioclavicular dislocation were treated with the clavicular hook plate combined with trapezius muscle fascia for reconstruction of acromioclavicular and coracoclavicular ligaments in 32 cases (experimental group) and with the clavicular hook plate in 34 cases (control group). There was no significant difference in gender, age, injured side, the cause of injury, and the time from injury to operation between 2 groups (P>0.05). Visual analogue scale (VAS), Constant shoulder scores, and coracoid clavi-cledistance (CC.Dist) were measured at preoperation and at 2 years after operation. Signal/noise quotiem (SNQ) was measured by MRI at 2 years after operation. The operation complications were observed. ResultsThe patients of 2 groups obtained primary healing of incision. The morbidity of complication in experimental group (12.5%, 4/32) was significantly lower than that in control group (91.2%, 31/34) (χ2=40.96, P=0.00). All the cases were followed up 2.8 years on average (range, 2 to 4 years). VAS scores and CC.Dist significantly decreased at 2 years after operation when compared with preoperative values in the 2 groups (P<0.05). VAS scores and CC.Dist of the experimental group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). According to Constant shoulder scores at 2 years after operation, the results were excellent in 19 cases, good in 11 cases, and general in 2 cases with an excellent and good rate of 93.75% in the experimental group; the results were excellent in 7 cases, good in 8 cases, general in 16 cases, and poor in 3 cases with an excellent and good rate of 44.11% in the control group; and significant difference was shown between 2 groups (t=2.30, P=0.03). SNQ was significantly lower in experimental group than in control group at 2 years after operation (t=55.03, P=0.00), indicating that ligament healing was better in experimental group than control group. ConclusionCompared with simple clavicular hook plate fixation, the clavicular hook plate combined with trapezius muscle fascia for reconstruction of acromioclavicular and coracoclavicular ligaments is successful in treating acute complete acromioclavicular dislocations, with the advantages of higher ligament healing, less complication, and early improvement of shoulder functions.
ObjectiveTo develop an instrument for sacroiliac joint fixation with less injury and less complications. MethodsFirstly, 18 adult pelvic specimens (8 males and 10 females) were used to measure the anatomical data related to the locking plates and locking screws on the sacrum and ilium, and the polyaxial locking plate screw system of the sacroiliac joint was designed according to the anatomic data. This system was made of medical titanium alloy. Then 4 adult male plevic specimens were harvested and the experiment was divided into 3 groups:group A (normal pelvic), group B (the dislocated sacroiliac joint fixed with sacroiliac screws), and group C (the dislocated sacroiliac joint fixed with polyaxial locking plate screw system). The vertical displacement of sacroiliac joint under the condition of 0-700 N vertical load and the horizontal displacement on angle under the condition of 0-12 N·m torsional load were compared among the 3 groups by using the biological material test system. Finally, the simulated application test was performed on 1 adult male cadaveric specimen to observe soft tissue injury and the position of the locking plate and screw by X-ray films. ResultsAccording to the anatomic data of the sacrum and ilium, the polyaxial locking plate screw system of the sacroiliac joint was designed. The biomechanical results showed that the vertical displacement of the sacroiliac joint under the condition of 0-700 N vertical load in group A was significantly bigger than that in group B and group C (P < 0.05), but there was no significant difference between group B and group C (P>0.05). The horizontal displacement on angle under the condition of 0-12 N·m torsional load in group A was significantly less than that in group B and group C (P < 0.05). The horizontal displacement on angle under the condition of 0-6 N·m torsional load in group B was bigger than that in group C, and the horizontal displacement on angle under the condition of 6-12 N·m torsional load in group B was less than that in group C, but there was no significant difference between group B and group C (P>0.05). The test of simulating application showed that the specimen suffered less soft tissue injury, and this instrument could be implanted precisely and safely. ConclusionThe polyaxial locking plate screw system of the sacroiliac joint has the advantages of smaller volume and less injury; polyaxial fixation enables flexible adjustment screw direction. The simulated application test shows satisfactory fixing effect.
Objective To develop an anatomical locking plate in accordance with the anatomical characteristics of the sternoclavicular joint, which is reliable fixation and easy to operate, so as to provide an ideal internal fixation device for the treatment of sternoclavicular joint dislocation or peripheral fractures. Methods Gross measurement and CT measurement were performed on the 8 adult antiseptic and moist cadaver specimens (16 sides) to measure the parameters of surrounding bone structure of the sternoclavicular joint. The parameters included the thickness of presternum, sternal notch width, anteroposterior diameter of proximal 1/3 of clavicle, upper and lower diameters of proximal 1/3 of clavicle, angle between proximal end of clavicle and presternum in coronal plane, and angle of thoracoclavicular joint at anatomic position forward. According to the anatomical parameters and biomechanical properties of the specimens, the anatomical locking plate was designed and developed. The sternoclavicular ligament and joint capsule of all the specimens were completely cut off to make the sternoclavicular joint dislocation model. The left and right sternoclavicular joint of each specimen were randomly divided into experimental group (anatomic locking plate fixation) and control group (oblique T shape locking plate fixation). The sternoclavicular joint activity and common force mechanism was simulated on the universal mechanical testing machine, and the clavicular distal load test, sternoclavicular joint torsion test, and anti-pulling of steel plate manubrium part test were performed. Results The differences between the anatomical parameters of gross measurement and CT measurement were not significant (P>0.05). In the clavicular distal load test, when the anatomical position perpendicular to the distal clavicle back loading to 20 N, the displacement of loading point in the experimental group was (8.455±0.981) mm, which was significantly less than that in control group [(10.163±1.379) mm] (t=–3.012,P=0.020); the distal clavicle displacement of loading point of experimental group and control group were (5.427±1.154) mm and (6.393±1.040) mm, respectively, showing no significant difference (t=–1.459, P=0.188). In the sternoclavicular joint torsion test, the torque of experimental group was significantly greater than that of control group when the clockwise torsion angle was at 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 degrees and the counterclockwise torsion angle was at 4, 6, 8, and 10 degrees (P<0.05). The torsional stiffness in the experimental group under clockwise and counterclockwise condition was 0.122 and 0.108 N·m/° respectively, which were significantly higher than those in the control group (0.083 and 0.078 N·m/° respectively) (F=67.824, P=0.000; F=20.992, P=0.002). In the anti-pulling of steel plate manubrium part test, the maximum pullout force of experimental group [(225.24±16.02) N] was significantly higher than that in control group [(174.40±21.90) N] (t=5.785, P=0.001). Conclusion The new type of anatomical locking plate can realize the sternoclavicular joint three-dimensional fixation, and has the advantages of reliable fixation, simple operation, less trauma, superior biomechanical properties, and earlier functional exercise. It may be an ideal internal fixation device in clinical treatment of sternoclavicular joint dislocation or peripheral fractures.
Objective To investigate the cl inical efficacy, compl ications and necessity of removing internal fixation in treatment of fresh Tossy type III acromioclavicular joint dislocations and Neer type II distal clavicle fractures with clavicularhook plate. Methods From June 2005 to June 2008, 24 patients with fresh Tossy type III acromioclavicular joint dislocations and 20 patients with fresh Neer type II distal clavicle fractures were treated. There were 32 males and 12 females with an agerange of 18-66 years (38.5 years on average), involving 18 left shoulders and 26 right shoulders. The injury was caused bytraffic accident in 31 cases and by fall ing in 13 cases. The mean time from injury to operation was 4 days (range, 2-8 days). All patients were treated by reduction with clavicular hook plate fixation. The coracoclavicular l igaments were not sutured. The shoulder functions were evaluated according to University of Cal ifornia-Los Angeles (UCLA) score system and analysed before and after removing internal fixation. Results Wound infection occurred in 2 cases 1 week after operation and healed after symptomatic managment, the other incisions healed by first intention. One case accepted hook plate fixation again because of loosening hooking-up 1 week after operation. One case accepted hook plate removal and Kirschner wire fixation because of severe shoulder’s pain on the postoperative third day. Thirty-eight patients were followed up for 8-32 months (18 months on average), there was no plate breakage. Clavicle fractures got bony union after 3-6 months (4.2 months on average). At last followup (before plate removal), according to UCLA shoulder function score system, the results were excellent in 11 cases, good in 22 cases, and fair in 5 cases; the excellent and good rate was 86.8%. Because of shoulder’s pain, plates were removed in 20 patients 3-16 months (10 months on average) after operation. The cases were followed up 3-8 months (5 months on average) after removing plate. No dislocation and fracture occurred again. There was statistically significant difference (P lt; 0.01) in the functional scores of shoulder between before (30.55 ± 4.00) and after removing internal fixation (33.85 ± 1.95). Conclusion Clavicular hook plate fixation is an effective treatment for fresh Tossy type III acromioclavicular joint dislocations and Neer type II distal claviclefractures. Normative operating, correct plate moulding, functional rehabil itation after operation are key factors in preventingcompl ications and reaching good cl inical efficacy. For the patients with postoperative symptoms, the plate should be removed to improve the shoulder’s function.
Objective To analyze the treatment of the sternoclavicular joint dislocation by clavicular hook plate and investigate its cl inical value to find a theropy with more safety and stabil ity. Methods Between January 2003 and January 2007, 15 patients with sternoclavicular joint dislocation were involved, among whom there were 12 males and 3 females, aged 28-45 years old (34 on average). There were 12 cases of fall ing injury and 3 cases of vehicle accident injury. The course of disease was 1-12 hours. A total of 2 cases were on the left side and 13 were on the right side. There were 14 casesof anterior dislocation and 1 of posterior dislocation. Two patients were compl icated by acromioclavicular joint dislocationwith no pneumothorax, and 2 patients had a l ittle pleural effusion without any special treatment. As to the damage degree,according to the Grade system, there were 2 cases of type II and 13 cases of type III. Results All patients’ incisionsobtained heal ing by first intention after operation. The X-ray films showed that the reduction of joint dislocation and thelocation of internal fixation were good. All the 15 patients were followed up for 6-18 months (14 months on average). All cases were scored by Rockwood after the operation to assess the curative effect, with 12 excellent, 2 good and 1 fair. There was no wound infection, neurovascular injury, hemopneumothorax, internal fixation failure, redislocation or other side injuries. The anatomical structure as well as appearances and functions were restored. Conclusion The fixation of clavicular hook plate in treating ternoclavicular joint dislocation has superiority over other methods with more stabil ity, less risk and small chances of cardiovascular injury. Besides, the patients can do functional exercises early and the shoulder joint function can be improved to the maximal degree.
Objective To compare the effectiveness of arthroscopy-assisted and orthopaedic robot-assisted techniques in the treatment of Rockwood type Ⅲ and Ⅳ acute acromioclavicular dislocation. MethodsThe clinical data of 33 patients with acromioclavicular dislocation who were treated with titanium plate with loop fixation between October 2022 and December 2024 and met the selection criteria were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into robot group (17 cases) and arthroscopy group (16 cases) according to the different ways of assisted surgery. There was no significant difference in baseline data between the two groups (P>0.05), such as gender, age, cause of injury, side, Rockwood classification, time from injury to operation, and preoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) score, Constant-Murley score, coracoclavicular distance (CCD). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, total length of incision, intraoperative fluoroscopy frequency, changes of VAS score at 1 day after operation (compared with those before operation), and complications were recorded and compared between the two groups, and the degree of acromioclavicular joint separation was evaluated by CCD measurement on three-dimensional CT coronal plane at 2 days and 6 months after operation. The accuracy of the clavicular and coracoid drilling position was evaluated at 2 days after operation. Constant-Murley score was used to evaluate the function of the shoulder joint before operation and at 1 and 6 months after operation. ResultsThe incisions of the two groups healed by first intention. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, total length of incision, and the change of VAS score at 1 day after operation in the robot group were significantly less than those in the arthroscopy group (P<0.05), and the intraoperative fluoroscopy frequency in the robot group was significantly more than that in the arthroscopy group (P<0.05). Patients in both groups were followed up 6-12 months, with an average of 10.15 months. At 2 days after operation, digital radiography showed that the acromioclavicular joint had been reduced. The CCD at 2 days and 6 months after operation were significantly lower than those before operation, and the CCD at 6 months after operation was significantly higher than that at 2 days after operation (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in CCD between the two groups at two time points after operation (P>0.05). There was no significant difference in the accuracy of clavicular drilling position between the two groups at 2 days after operation (P>0.05); the accuracy of coracoid drilling position in the robot group was significantly lower than that in the arthroscopy group (P<0.05). There was no complication such as vascular and nerve injury, coracoid process fracture, or redislocation in both groups. Constant-Murley scores at 1 and 6 months after operation were significantly higher than those before operation, and that at 6 months after operation was higher than those at 1 month after operation, and the differences were all significant (P<0.05). The Constant-Murley score of the robot group was significantly higher than that of the arthroscopy group at 1 month after operation (P<0.05), and there was no significant difference between the two groups at 6 months after operation (P>0.05). ConclusionBoth assisted techniques of internal fixation with titanium plate with loop can achieve good effectiveness in the treatment of acromioclavicular dislocation. Robot assisted surgery has advantages in incision length, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative VAS score, and early postoperative shoulder joint function, but arthroscopic assisted surgery has advantages in intraoperative fluoroscopy frequency and accuracy of coracoid drilling.
Objective To investigate the diagnose and treatment of intra-articular fracture of the 5th metacarpale base with carpometacarpal joint dislocation (reverse Bennett fracture). Methods Between January 2008 and March 2012, 26 cases of reverse Bennett fracture were treated. There were 20 males and 6 females, aged 19-48 years (mean, 26 years). The injury causes included boxing injury in 19 cases, falling injury in 3 cases, heavy pound injury in 3 cases, and crushing injury in 1 case. According to Lundeen classification, there were 8 cases of type A, 9 cases of type B, 3 cases of type C, and 6 cases of type D. The time from injury to operation ranged 1-8 days with an average of 4 days. All patients underwent open reduction and internal fixation with Kirschner wires, screws, or plates by L-shaped dorsal incision. Results Primary healing was obtained in all incisions; no infection, hematoma, and necrosis occurred after operation. All patients were followed up with an average time of 12.5 months (range, 8-24 months). X-ray films showed that all fractures healed after 6-8 weeks (mean, 6.5 weeks); no delayed union or nonunion and no the 5th carpometacarpal joint dislocation were observed. Two cases had mild osteoarthritis. According to the upper extremity functional evaluation standard by Hand Surgery Branch of Chinese Medical Association, the results were excellent in 22 cases, good in 3 cases, and fair in 1 case, with an excellent and good rate of 96.2%. Conclusion For patients with reverse Bennett fracture, good results can be obtained if early diagnose is done and appropriate internal fixation is selected.
Objective To investigate the short-term effectiveness of reconstructive locked plate for treating sternoclavicular joint dislocation. Methods Between February 2008 and February 2012, 11 patients with sternoclavicular joint dislocation were treated with reconstructive locked plate, and the clinical data were retrospectively analyzed. There were 7 males and 4 females, aged 30-55 years (mean, 44 years). The causes of injury included traffic accident in 8 cases and crashing in 3 cases. The disease duration ranged from 2 hours to 11 days (median, 6 days). All patients had anterior dislocation of sternoclavicular joint. According to the Grade system, there were 2 cases of type II and 9 cases of type III. Results All patients obtained healing of incisions by first intention after operation. There was no neurovascular injury. The X-ray films showed that satisfactory reduction of joint dislocation and stable internal fixation were obtained at 2 days after operation. All patients were followed up 9-24 months (mean, 16 months). According to the Rockwood criteria, the score was 10-15 (mean, 13.2); the results were excellent in 9 cases and good in 2 cases, with an excellent and good rate of 100% at 9 months after operation. No internal fixation failure or re-dislocation occurred. All internal fixators were removed at 9-15 months after operation. Both the stability and the functions of the shoulder joint were good. Conclusion The reconstructive locked plate in treating sternoclavicular joint dislocation has the advantages of good stability and satisfactory reduction, and the patients can do functional exercises early and obtain good recovery of the shoulder joint function. The short-term effectiveness is satisfactory.