Objective To compare the differences between volar and dorsal plate positions in the treatment of unstable fracture of distal radius. Methods From June 2000 to December 2006, 61 cases with fracture of distal radius weretreated, 27 males and 34 females aged 22-70 years (55.5 years on average), among which 18 cases were caused by traffic accidents and 43 cases falls. All cases were fresh closed fractures. All patients had AP and lateral X-ray films of the wrist preoperatively and 30 cases experienced CT scan. According to AO, there were 25 cases for B1, 18 for B2, 7 for B3, 7 for C1, and 4 for C2. All the cases were randomized into 2 groups: the wrist palmar group (group A, n=34) and dorsal group (group B, n=27), to perform volar and dorsal plate fixation, respectively. As to the measurement of fortune for the preoperative ruler and incl ination angle, group A were (—45.0 ± 53.0)º and (8.6 ± 3.1)º, respectively, and group B were (—40.0 ± 30.0)º and (7.3 ± 5.6)º, respectively. Preoperative radial shortened (12.0 ± 5.3) mm in group A, and (10.3 ± 4.2) mm in group B. Joint surface level was (4.3 ± 2.2) mm in group A, and (4.1 ± 3.3) mm in group B. Results All of the 61 cases were followed up for 6-27 months (16 months on verage). All the fractures were healed, the time to heal ing in group A was (8.2 ± 1.6) weeks, and in group B was (8.1 ± 1.2) weeks, and the difference was not significant (P gt; 0.05). As for the wrist function by Cartland-Werley scoring at the 8th week after operation, 7 cases were excellent, 10 good, and 17 poor in group A with the choiceness rate of 50.0%, while 7 cases were excellent, 11 good and 9 poor in group B with the choiceness rate of 66.7%. There was significant difference between the two groups (P lt; 0.01). And at the 24th week after operation, 21 cases were excellent, 9 good, and 4 poor in group A with the choiceness rate of 88.2%, while 18 cases were excellent, 5 good, and 4 poor in group B with the choiceness rate of 85.2%. There was no significant difference between the two groups (P gt; 0.05). As for radiological assessment by Sarmiento, device and palm incl ination angles in group A were (9.5 ± 3.1)º and (18.0 ± 8.2)º, respectively, and in group B were (11.0 ± 4.7) º and (16.0 ± 7.6)º, respectively. No radial shortening was found either in group A or in group B, and joint surface level in both groups were less than 1 mm. There was no significant difference between group A and group B in terms of all indicators postoperatively (P gt; 0.05), but there was significant difference when compared with preoperation (P lt; 0.001). With regard to comparison of postoperative compl ications between the two groups, there was no significant difference (P gt; 0.05) in early postoperative compl ications, but there was in long-term compl ications (P lt; 0.01). Conclusion The volar and dorsal plate positions may offer effective stabil ity for unstable distal radial fracture and early functional exercise. The volar plate position may influence the pronation function of the wris joint in the short run, while the dorsal plate position may cause more compl ications in the long run.
ObjectiveTo review the current status and progress of locking plate for the treatment of distal femoral comminuted fractures.MethodsThe related literature was extensively reviewed to summarize the current status and progress in the treatment of distal femoral comminuted fracture with locking plate from four aspects: the current treatment situation, the shortcomings of locking plate and countermeasures, the progress of locking technology, locking plate and digital orthopedic technology.ResultsTreatment of distal femoral comminuted fractures is challenging. Locking plates, the most commonly used fixation for distal femoral comminuted fractures, still face a high rate of treatment failure. Double plates can improve the mechanical stability of comminuted fractures, but specific quantitative criteria are still lacking for when to choose double plates for fixation. The far cortial locking screw has shown good application value in improving the micro-movement and promoting the growth of callus. The biphasic plating is a development of the traditional locking plate, but needs further clinical examination. As an auxiliary means, digital orthopedic technology shows a good application prospect.ConclusionThe inherent defect of locking plate is a factor that affects the prognosis of distal femoral comminuted fracture. The optimization of locking technology combined with digital orthopedic technology is expected to reduce the failure rate of treatment of distal femoral comminuted fracture.
Objective To assess the factors that affect the outcome of distal femoral fractures treated by retrograde intramedullary nail ing. Methods Between November 1999 and June 2006, 30 patients with 31 distal femoral fractures (15 males and 15 females, 1 bilateral) were treated by retrograde nail ing. Their ages ranged from 44 to 82 years old (average, 67.2 years old). The causes of injury were sl ipping downs in 17 patients, traffic accidents in 11, and fall ing from height in 2. Theaverage interval from injury to operation was 1.8 days. There were 14 cases of A1 fracture, 7 cases of A2, 8 cases of A3, and 2 cases of C1 according to AO/OTA classifications. The mean distance between the most distal l ine of the fracture and the intercondylar notch was 7.2 cm (range, 0-12 cm). Closed retrograde nail ing was done without reaming, and bone grafts were not done. Re sults The operation time averaged 76 minutes (range, 45-110 minutes). All patients were followed up for 19-69 months, and the mean follow-up duration was 27 months. Twenty-eight of 31 fractures united on the average of 14.7 weeks (range, 12-22 weeks). Compl ications occurred in 7 cases. There were 3 nonunions in AO-A3 fractures which were treated by changing implants or bone graft. Two patients suffered screw loosening of distal locking, that were re-fixed. Two patients showed l imited knee motion of less than 90 degrees flexion. There were no cases of deep infection, malunion over 10 degrees of angulation or 1 cm of shortening. A satisfactory outcome (excellent and good results) was achieved in 26 of 31 cases (84%), according to Schatzker and Lambert’s criteria. Poor results and compl ications were related to fractures of comminution and located within 5 cm from the intercondylar notch (Pearson Chi-square test, P=0.03). Other possible factors including age, kinds of nails used, associated injury, and numbers of distal locking screws were not related to the outcome and compl ication (Pearson Chi-square test, P gt; 0.05). Conclusion Retrograde nail ing may be a useful option for distal femoral fractures, but attention should be paid to comminuted fractures or fractures close to the knee joint.
ObjectiveTo explore the efficacy and advantages of the lower extremity axial distractor assisted closed reduction and retrograde intramedullary nail internal fixation in the treatment of distal femoral fractures.MethodsThe clinical data of 49 patients with distal femoral fractures treated with retrograde intramedullary nail internal fixation between April 2016 and December 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. According to the different methods of intraoperative reduction, the patients were divided into trial group (29 cases, using lower extremity axial distractor to assist closed reduction) and control group (20 cases, using free-hand retraction reduction). There was no significant difference in general information between the two groups (P>0.05), such as gender, age, side of injury, cause of injury, and fracture classification. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, intraoperative fluoroscopy frequency, and callus formation time were recorded and compared between the two groups. The function of the affected limb was evaluated according to the Schatzker-Lambert standard at 1 year after operation.ResultsAll patients successfully completed the operation. In the control group, there was 1 case with open reduction and internal fixation, and the rest of the two groups were closed reduction. There was no significant difference in operation time, intraoperative blood loss, and intraoperative fluoroscopy frequency between the two groups (P>0.05). There was no complication such as vascular or nerve injury and iatrogenic fracture, etc. during and after operation, and the incisions healed by first intention. Except for 2 patients in the trial group who were lost to follow-up at 3 months after operation, the rest of the patients were followed up 12-36 months, with an average of 16.0 months. There was no significant difference in the callus formation time between the two groups (t=2.195, P=0.145). During the follow-up, postoperative knee joint stiffness occurred in 1 case in the control group, which improved by strengthening the knee joint function exercise and removing the internal fixator; the rest were not found to be associated with delayed or nonunion fractures, knee stiffness, and internal fixation complication. The function of the affected limb was evaluated according to the Schatzker-Lambert standard at 1 year after operation, the trial group achieved excellent results in 22 cases, good in 4 cases, and fair in 1 case, with an excellent and good rate of 96.3%; in the control group, the results were excellent in 16 cases, good in 3 cases, and fair in 1 case, with an excellent and good rate was 95.0%; showing no significant difference in the excellent and good rate between the two groups (χ2=0.451, P=0.502).ConclusionThe lower extremity axial distractor assisted closed reduction and retrograde intramedullary nailing for the treatment of distal femoral fractures is convenient, which has satisfactory efficacy.
Objective To review the outcomes of geriatric distal humeral fracture fixed with locking compression plate (LCP). Methods From January 2005 to December 2007, 24 patients (20 females and 4 males) with distal humeral fracture underwent open reduction and internal fixation with LCP. Their average age was 75.5 years old, ranged from 60 to 93 years old. Fracture was caused by injury from fall in 22 cases, by traffic accident in 1 case, and by direct hit in 1 case. There were 12 cases of type A2, 2 cases of type A3, 2 cases of type B1, 2 cases of type C1, 2 cases of type C2, 4 cases of type C3 fractures according to AO/ASIF classification. X-ray films in AP and lateral view were taken preoperatively. CT scan with three dimensional reconstructions was done in more comminuted fracture only. Open reduction with triceps sparingtechnique was used in all except type B fracture, and olecranon osteotomy was considered only in more comminuted C3fracture. The average interval between injury and operation was 3 days (range, 1-6 days). Outcome measures includedpain assessment, range of motion, and Mayo elbow performance score and findings at 1 year follow-up. Results Theaverage length of follow-up was 25 months (range, 12-48 months). All 24 fractures were healed within 6 months with anaverage of about 4 months. At 1 year follow-up, 83% (n=20) of patients felt no pain and 17% (n=4) of patients had mildpain; 83% of patient can gain a flexion range of more than 100°; according to Mayo elbow performance score, the meanscores of type A, B and C fracture groups were 97, 85, and 89, respectively, and the post-operative performance of typeA fracture was significantly better than that of type B and C (P=0.034). Four patients had postoperative compl ications.Conclusion Open reduction and internal fixation of geriatric distal humeral fracture can achieve relatively good functionalresult and bony union despite of age.
Objective To investigate the effect of tibial rotation on knee and ankle function in the patients with extra-articular distal tibial fractures after minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO) treatment. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 45 patients with extra-articular distal tibial fractures who underwent MIPO between January 2021 and December 2022. There were 20 males and 25 females, aged from 19 to 68 years (mean, 43.6 years). The causes of fractures included falling from heights in 11 cases, traffic accidents in 15 cases, bruising by a heavy object in 7 cases, and falling in 12 cases. The time from injury to hospitalization was 1-6 hours (mean, 3.7 hours). There were 28 cases of simple tibial fractures and 17 cases of tibial fractures combined with ipsilateral fibular fractures; 9 cases of open fractures and 36 cases of closed fractures. According to AO/Orthopaedic Trauma Association (AO/OTA) classification, the distal tibial fractures were classified as type 43A1 in 12 cases, type 43A2 in 17 cases, and type 43A3 in 16 cases. During follow-up, the Lower Limb Function Score (LEFS), American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score, and Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Score (KOOS) were used to evaluate the lower limb, ankle, and knee joint functions, respectively. The range of motion (ROM) of the knee and ankle joints was measured. The Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) was used to assess the quality of life of the patients. The fracture healing was observed by anteroposterior and lateral X-ray films of the ankle joint. The bilateral tibial rotation angles were measured on CT and the differences between the affected and healthy sides were caculated. The difference ≥10° was judged as tibial malrotation. According to whether there was tibial malrotation, the patients were allocated into a normal group and a malrotation group for efficacy comparison. Results The incisions of all patients healed by first intention without any early complications. All patients were followed up 12-26 months (mean, 18.6 months). Imaging re-examination showed that all fractures healed, with a healing time of 9-14 weeks (mean, 11.2 weeks). At last follow-up, the LEFS score was 60-68 (mean, 62.3); the AOFAS score was 89-97 (mean, 92.6); the KOOS score was 158-164 (mean, 161.3). The ROM of ankle was 40.0°-45.0° (mean, 42.8°) in flexion and 10.5°-22.0° (mean, 17.7°) in extension; the ROM of knee was 130.0°-135.0° (mean, 132.6°) in flexion and –8.8°- –5.0° (mean, –7.1°) in extension. The SF-36 score was 89-93 (mean, 90.7). The absolute value of difference of tibial rotation angle was 2.6°-17.3° (mean, 8.9°) in 45 patients, and the malrotation was observed in 15 patients (33.3%), including 10 cases of internal rotation and 5 cases of external rotation. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) in the proportion of patients with fibular fractures before operation between the malrotation group and the normal group, as well as in the AOFAS score, KOOS score, LEFS score, SF-36 score, and ROMs of knee and ankle joints at last follow-up. ConclusionThe incidence of tibial malrotation after MIPO treatment for extra-articular distal tibial fractures is relatively high, but it has no significant effect on knee and ankle functions. However, careful manipulation and precise evaluation should be performed during operation to avoid the occurrence of malrotation.