Objective To explore the reduction and support effect of the subchondral screw compression technique for residual or secondary collapse of the lateral tibial plateau during operation. Methods Between January 2020 and June 2021, 11 patients with residual or secondary collapse of the lateral tibial plateau during operation were treated with the subchondral screw compression technique. There were 6 males and 5 females, aged 52.3 years old (range, 27-64 years). The fractures were caused by traffic accident in 10 cases and falling from height in 1 case and located at the left knee in 6 cases and the right knee in 5 cases. According to Schatzker classification, there were 5 cases of type Ⅱ fractures, 4 cases of type Ⅲ fractures, and 2 cases of type Ⅴfractures. According to the three columns classification, there were 5 cases of lateral column, 4 cases of lateral column and posterior column, and 2 cases of three columns. The time from injury to operation was 4.5 days (range, 3-7 days). During the follow-up, X-ray films were obtained and the Rasmussen standard was used to evaluate the quality of fracture reduction, meanwhile fracture healing was observed. The medial proximal tibial angle (mPTA), posterior tibial slope angle (pTSA), and articular surface collapse were measured at immediate and 12 months after operation. The knee joint range of motion was evaluated at last follow-up, and the knee joint function was evaluated using the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) score. Results All operations were successfully completed, with a mean operation time of 71.4 minutes (range, 55-120 minutes), and a mean hospital stay of 8.0 days (range, 5-13 days). The incisions all healed by first intention, without complications such as infection, flap necrosis, or vascular and nerve injury. All patients were followed up 16.5 months on average (range, 12-24 months). X-ray films showed that the fracture reduction score was 14-18 (mean, 16.7) according to Rasmussen score criteria; and 5 cases were rated as excellent and 6 as good. All fractures healed clinically with a mean clinical healing time of 14.9 weeks (range, 12-16 weeks), and there was no complications such as plate or screw loosening. At 12 months after operation, the mPTA and pTSA were (87.5±1.7)° and (6.2±3.1)°, respectively; there was no significant difference when compared to the values at immediate after operation [(87.6±1.8)° and (6.5±3.1)°] (P>0.05). The articular surface of the tibial plateaus was effectively supported, and it collapsed again by 0-1.0 mm at 12 months, with an average of 0.4 mm. At last follow-up, the knee joint range of motion was 115°-135° (mean, 126.8°) and the HSS score for knee joint function was 87-98 (mean, 93.9). Five patients underwent secondary operation to remove the internal fixator at 12-18 months after operation.ConclusionThe subchondral screw compression technique is helpful for the reduction of residual or secondary collapse of the lateral tibial plateau during operation, and can provide good support for osteochondral blocks.
Objective To analyze the effectiveness of flexible internal fixation with locking plate for distal femoral fractures. Methods Between January 2015 and June 2016, 21 cases of distal femoral fractures were treated. There were 5 males and 16 females with an average age of 62 years (range, 32-88 years). Injury was caused by falling in 14 cases, by traffic accident in 5 cases, and by falling from height in 2 cases. The fractures located at the left side in 13 cases and the right side in 8 cases. Twenty cases were fresh closed fractures and 1 case was open fracture. According to AO/Association for the Study of Internal Fixation (AO/OTA) typing, there were 5 cases of type 33-A1, 3 of type 33-A2, 8 of type 33-A3, 2 of type 33-C2, and 3 of type 33-C3. The time from injury to operation was 3-13 days (mean, 6.5 days). Results All operation incisions healed primarily. Eighteen patients were followed up 12-24 months (mean, 16 months). All fractures healed, and the healing time was 8-24 weeks (mean, 16.6 weeks). The articular surface was smooth and the thigh length was recovered. No screw loosening, plate breakage, valgus or varus of the knee, stiff of the knee or non-unions occurred during follow-up. There was no significant difference in visual analogue scale (VAS) score between at 6 and 12 months after operation (P>0.05), and the difference was significant bewteen the other time points (P<0.05). There were significant differences in the range of motion of knee between 1 month and 3, 6, 12 months (P<0.05); there was no significant difference between 3, 6, and 12 months (P>0.05). There were significant differences in the Neer scores between 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after operation (P<0.05). According to Neer score criteria, the results were excellent in 12 cases and good in 6 cases at 12 months after operation. Conclusion Flexible internal fixation with locking plate for distal femoral fractures can get good functional recovery.
Objective To compare the effectiveness of biplanar vertical fixation and inverted triangle fixation with hollow screw for Pauwels type Ⅲ femoral neck fracture in young and middle-aged patients. Methods The clinical data of 55 young and middle-aged patients with Pauwels type Ⅲ femoral neck fracture between June 2021 and December 2022 was retrospectively analyzed. All patients were treated with closed reduction and internal fixation with hollow screws, 25 cases were treated with biplanar vertical fixation (study group), 30 cases with inverted triangle fixation (control group). There was no significant difference in gender, age, affected side, cause of injury, underlying diseases, and time from injury to operation between the two groups (P>0.05). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, fluoroscopy times, guide needle puncture times, starting time of weight bearing, time of full weight bearing, time of fracture healing, and complications were recorded and compared between the two groups. The hip joint function was evaluated by Harris score at 1 day, 6 months, 12 months after operation, and at last follow-up, and the pain relief was evaluated by visual analogue scale (VAS) score. The femoral neck shortening was measured on the X-ray film at last follow-up. Results All patients were followed up 12-31 months (mean, 22.0 months), and there was no significant difference in follow-up time between the two groups (P>0.05). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, and fluoroscopy times in the study group were higher than those in the control group, but the difference was not significant (P>0.05). The guide needle puncture times in the study group was more than that in the control group, and the time of starting weight bearing and the time of full weight bearing in the study group were shorter than those in the control group, the differences were significant (P<0.05). Bony healing was achieved in both groups, and there was no significant difference in fracture healing time between the two groups (P>0.05). No osteonecrosis of the femoral head and incision-related complication was found in the two groups during follow-up, and the femoral neck shortening length in the study group was significantly shorter than that in the control group at last follow-up (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in Harris score between the two groups at 1 day after operation (P>0.05), and the Harris score of the study group was significantly better than that of the control group at other time points (P<0.05); there was no significant difference in VAS score between the two groups at each time point after operation (P>0.05). Conclusion Compared with the inverted triangle fixation, the treatment of Pauwels type Ⅲ femoral neck fracture with biplanar vertical fixation can effectively reduce femoral neck shortening without affecting fracture healing, and improve hip joint function in early stage.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of proximal femoral nail anti-rotation (PFNA) combined with curettage and bone graft through Watson-Jones approach in the treatment of proximal femur benign tumors and tumor like lesions.MethodsThe clinical data of 38 patients with benign tumors and tumor like lesions in the proximal femur who were treated through the Watson-Jones approach with PFNA combined with curettage and bone graft between January 2008 and January 2015 were retrospective analysed. There were 24 males and 14 females with an average age of 28 years (range, 15-57 years). Pathological types included 20 cases of fibrous dysplasia, 7 cases of bone cyst, 5 cases of aneurysmal bone cyst, 3 cases of giant cell tumor of bone, 2 cases of enchondroma, and 1 case of non-ossifying fibroma. Before operation, hip pain occurred in 19 patients, pathological fracture occurred in 12 patients, limb shortening and coxa varus deformity was found in 4 patients, and 3 patients received surgery for the local recurrence. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, and full-weight bearing time after operation were recorded. Patients were followed up to observe union of bone graft and the position of internal fixator on X-ray films and CT images. Visual analogue scale (VAS) score was used to evaluate the level of pain. The Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS93) score was used to evaluate lower limb function. Harris hip score was used to evaluate hip joint function.ResultsThe operation time was 130-280 minutes (mean, 182 minutes) and the intraoperative blood loss was 300-1 500 mL (mean, 764 mL). After operation, 3 cases of fat liquefaction of incision healed successfully by carefully dressing, and the rest incisions healed by first intention. All patients started partially weight-bearing exercise at 2-4 weeks after operation. The total weight-bearing time was 3-6 months (mean, 4.2 months). All the patients were followed up 24-108 months (median, 60 months). Imaging examination showed that the bone graft fused and the fusion time was 8-18 months (mean, 11.4 months). During the follow-up period, there was no complication such as pathological fracture, femoral head ischemic necrosis, hip joint dislocation, internal fixation loosening and fracture, and no tumor recurrence or distant metastasis occurred. At last follow-up, the VAS score, MSTS93 score, and Harris score were significantly improved when compared with preoperative ones (P<0.05).ConclusionThe treatment of proximal femoral benign lesions by PFNA combined with curettage and bone graft through the Watson-Jones approach is safe and effective, with advantages of better mechanical stability, less residual tumor, and less postoperative complications.
Objective To evaluate short-term effectiveness of staged management for complex tibial plateau fracture with severe soft tissue injury. Methods A clinical data of 12 patients with complex tibial plateau fractures and severe soft tissue injuries between July 2017 and March 2021 and met the selection criteria was retrospectively analyzed. There were 7 males and 5 females with an average age of 43.1 years (range, 33-58 years). All patients were traffic accident injuries and admitted to hospital within 24 hours after injury. The tibial plateau fractures were closed fractures. According to the Schatzker classification standard, the fractures were rated as type Ⅳ in 3 cases, type Ⅴ in 4 cases, and type Ⅵ in 5 cases. According to the Tscherne classification standard, the soft tissue injuries were rated as grade Ⅱ in 4 cases and grade Ⅲ in 8 cases. The treatment of all patients was divided into 3 stages. In the first stage, emergency trans-articular fracture fixation with external fixator was performed; in the second stage, the fracture reduction and internal fixation were performed and bone cement was implanted to fill the bone defect; in the third stage, the bone cement was removed and the bone graft was performed to repair defect. All patients performed joint function exercise after operation as early as possible. Results There was no neurological symptom after all staged managements, the incisions healed by first intention, and no complications such as incision infection or necrosis occurred. All patients were followed up 6-32 months (mean, 16.9 months). The fractures were all anatomical reduction confirmed by the X-ray films after operation. During follow-up, there was no obvious loss of reduction, loosening and rupture of internal fixator, or collapse of the articular surface. All fractures healed after 14-20 weeks (mean, 17.6 weeks). The posterior slope angle of the tibial plateau was (9.7±2.3)° and the varus angle was (3.9±1.9)° immediately after bone grafting, and were (8.5±2.9)° and (4.3±1.9)° respectively at 6 months after operation. There was no significant difference between the two time points (t=0.658, P=0.514; t=−1.167, P=0.103). At last follow-up, the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) score was 85-96 (mean, 91.2), and the range of motion of knee was 110°-135° (mean, 120.9°). Conclusion The staged management for complex tibial plateau fracture with severe soft tissue injury can obtain good short-term effectiveness, but the long-term effectiveness needs to be further followed up.
Objective To compare the biomechanical differences among the five internal fixation modes in treatment of Day type Ⅱ crescent fracture dislocation of pelvis (CFDP), and find an internal fixation mode which was the most consistent with mechanical principles. Methods Based on the pelvic CT data of a healthy adult male volunteer, a Day type Ⅱ CFDP finite element model was established by using Mimics 17.0, ANSYS 12.0-ICEM, Abaqus 2020, and SolidWorks 2012 softwares. After verifying the validity of the finite element model by comparing the anatomical parameters with the three-dimensional reconstruction model and the mechanical validity verification, the fracture and dislocated joint of models were fixed with S1 sacroiliac screw combined with 1 LC-Ⅱ screw (S1+LC-Ⅱ group), S1 sacroiliac screw combined with 2 LC-Ⅱ screws (S1+2LC-Ⅱ group), S1 sacroiliac screw combined with 2 posterior iliac screws (S1+2PIS group), S1 and S2 sacroiliac screws combined with 1 LC-Ⅱ screw (S1+S2+LC-Ⅱ group), S2-alar-iliac (S2AI) screw combined with 1 LC-Ⅱ screw (S2AI+LC-Ⅱ group), respectively. After each internal fixation model was loaded with a force of 600 N in the standing position, the maximum displacement of the crescent fracture fragments, the maximum stress of the internal fixation (the maximum stress of the screw at the ilium fracture and the maximum stress of the screw at the sacroiliac joint), sacroiliac joint displacement, and bone stress distribution around internal fixation were observed in 5 groups. Results The finite element model in this study has been verified to be effective. After loading 600 N stress, there was a certain displacement of the crescent fracture of pelvis in each internal fixation model, among which the S1+LC-Ⅱ group was the largest, the S1+2LC-Ⅱ group and the S1+2PIS group were the smallest. The maximum stress of the internal fixation mainly concentrated at the sacroiliac joint and the fracture line of crescent fracture. The maximum stress of the screw at the sacroiliac joint was the largest in the S1+LC-Ⅱ group and the smallest in the S2AI+LC-Ⅱ group. The maximum stress of the screw at the ilium fracture was the largest in the S1+2PIS group and the smallest in the S1+2LC-Ⅱ group. The displacement of the sacroiliac joint was the largest in the S1+LC-Ⅱ group and the smallest in the S1+S2+LC-Ⅱ group. In each internal fixation model, the maximum stress around the sacroiliac screws concentrated on the contact surface between the screw and the cortical bone, the maximum stress around the screws at the iliac bone concentrated on the cancellous bone of the fracture line, and the maximum stress around the S2AI screw concentrated on the cancellous bone on the iliac side. The maximum bone stress around the screws at the sacroiliac joint was the largest in the S1+LC-Ⅱ group and the smallest in the S2AI+LC-Ⅱ group. The maximum bone stress around the screws at the ilium was the largest in the S1+2PIS group and the smallest in the S1+LC-Ⅱ group. Conclusion For the treatment of Day type Ⅱ CFDP, it is recommended to choose S1 sacroiliac screw combined with 1 LC-Ⅱ screw for internal fixation, which can achieve a firm fixation effect without increasing the number of screws.
Objective To investigate the effectiveness of osteotomy of non-core weight-bearing area of the lateral tibial plateau, reduction, and internal fixation in the treatment of tibial plateau fractures involving posterolateral column collapse. Methods A clinical data of 23 patients with tibial plateau fractures involving posterolateral column collapse, who had undergone osteotomy of non-core weight-bearing area of the lateral tibial plateau, reduction, and internal fixation between January 2015 and June 2021, was retrospectively analyzed. There were 14 males and 9 females with an average age of 42.6 years ranging from 26 to 62 years. The causes of injury included traffic accident in 16 cases, falling from height in 5 cases, and other injuries in 2 cases. According to Schatzker classification, there were 15 cases of type Ⅴ and 8 cases of type Ⅵ. The time from injury to operation was 4-8 days with an average of 5.9 days. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, fracture healing time, and complications were recorded. The depth of articular surface collapse of posterolateral column and posterior inclination angle (PSA) of the tibial plateau were compared before operation and at 2 days and 6 months after operation; fracture reduction of tibial plateau fracture was evaluated by Rasmussen anatomic score. The recovery of knee function was evaluated by Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) score at 2 days and 6 months after operation. Results All 23 patients were completed the operation successfully. The operation time was 120-195 minutes, with an average of 152.8 minutes; the intraoperative blood loss was 50-175 mL, with an average of 109.5 mL. All patients were followed up 12-24 months, with an average of 16.7 months. One patient had superficial wound infection after operation, and the incision healed after dressing change; primary healing of incision of other patients was obtained. The fracture healing time was 12-18 weeks, with an average of 13.7 weeks. No failure of internal fixation, varus and valgus deformity of the knee joint, and instability of the knee joint was found at last follow-up. One patient developed joint stiffness and the range of motion of the knee joint was 10°-100°; the range of motion of the knee joint of other patients was 0°-125°. At 2 days and 6 months after operation, the depth of articular surface collapse of posterolateral column, PSA, and Rasmussen anatomic scores significantly improved when compared with those before operation (P<0.05). There was no significant difference between the two postoperative time points (P>0.05). The HSS score at 6 months after operation was significantly higher than that at 2 days after operation (P<0.05). Conclusion For tibial plateau fractures involving posterolateral column collapse, reduction and internal fixation through osteotomy of non-core weight-bearing area of the lateral tibial plateau has the advantages of fully expose the posterolateral column fragment, good articular surface reduction, sufficient bone grafting, and fewer postoperative complications. It is beneficial to restore knee joint function and can be widely used in clinic.
Objective To discuss the clinical characteristics, mechanism, and treatment of odontoid fracture combined with lower cervical spinal cord injuries without fracture or dislocation. Methods According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 7 male patients aged 37-71 years (mean, 51.4 years), suffered from odontoid fractures combined with lower cervical spinal cord injuries without fracture or dislocation were analyzed retrospectively between June 2007 and October 2015. The trauma causes were traffic accidents in 2 cases, fall in 2 cases, and hit injury in 3 cases. The time from injury to admission was 2 hours to 3 days with an average of 9 hours. According to Anderson-Grauer classification of odontoid fracture, 1 case of type IIA, 3 cases of type IIB, 2 cases of type IIC, and 1 case of shallow type III were found. The cervical spinal cord injuries affected segments included C4, 5 in 1 case, C4–6 in 2 cases, and C5–7 in 4 cases. All the cervical spine had different degenerative changes: 2 of mild, 3 of moderate, and 2 of severe. The lower cervical spinal cord injury was assessed by Sub-axial Injury Classification (SLIC) with scoring of 4-6 (mean, 5.1). The visual analogue scale (VAS) score was used to evaluate the occipital neck pain with scoring of 7.8±1.0; the neurological function was assessed by American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) as grade B in 1 case, grade C in 4 cases, and grade D in 2 cases; and Japanese Orthopedic Association score (JOA) was 9.2±3.9. For the odontoid fractures, 4 cases were fixed with anterior screw while the others were fixed with posterior atlantoaxial fixation and fusion. For the lower cervical spine, 4 cases were carried out with anterior cervical corpectomy and titanium fusion while the others with anterior cervical disecotomy and Cage fusion. Results The operation time was 178-252 minutes (mean, 210.2 minutes); the intraoperative blood loss was 60-140 mL (mean, 96.5 mL) and with no blood transfusion. All incisions healed primarily. All the patients were followed up 12-66 months (mean, 18 months). There was no direct surgical related complications during operation, and all bone grafting got a fusion at 6-9 months (mean, 7.7 months) after operation. There was no inter-fixation failure or loosening. At last follow-up, the VAS score declined to 1.7±0.7 and JOA score improved to 15.1±1.7, showing significant differences when compared with preoperative ones (t=18.064, P=0.000; t=–7.066, P=0.000). The neurological function of ASIA grade were also improved to grade D in 5 cases and grade E in 2 cases, showing significant difference (Z=–2.530, P=0.011). Conclusion Complex forces and degeneration of lower cervical spine were main reasons of odontoid fracture combined with lower cervical spinal cord injuries without fracture or dislocation. The type of odontoid fracture and neurological deficit status of lower cervical spinal cord were important to guide making strategy of one-stage operation with a satisfactory clinic outcome.
ObjectiveTo investigate the effectiveness of pronator quadratus muscle sparing in volar plate fixation for unstable distal radius fracture in adults.MethodsThe clinical data of 62 cases of unstable distal radius fractures between January 2017 and December 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. According to the different methods of intraoperative exposure, the patients were divided into the observe group (28 cases with the pronator quadratus muscle sparing surgery) and the control group (32 cases with cutting the pronator quadratus muscle in operation and repairing it after volar plate fixation). There was no significant difference in general data such as gender, age, handedness, cause of injury, fracture classification, time from injury to operation, visual analogue scale (VAS) score, and range of motion (ROM) of wrist (flexion, extension, pronation, and supination) before operation between the two groups (P>0.05). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative hospital stay, fracture healing time, and postoperative complications were recorded and compared between the two groups. VAS score and ROM of wrist of two groups before operation and at 3 days and 3 months after operation were calculated and compared. The wrist function was evaluated according to the Krimmer evaluation criteria at 6 months after operation.ResultsThere was no significant difference in operation time and intraoperative blood loss between the two groups (P>0.05). The postoperative hospital stay and fracture healing time of the observe group were significantly shorter than those of the control group (P<0.05). Patients in both groups were followed up 6-30 months, with an average of 13 months. The VAS score and ROM of wrist of the observe group at 3 days after operation were superior to the control group (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference between the two groups at 3 months after operation (P>0.05). At 6 months after operation, according to Krimmer evaluation criteria, the wrist function of the observe group was excellent in 21 cases and good in 7 cases, with an excellent and good rate of 100%; and the wrist function of the control group was excellent in 22 cases, good in 11 cases, and fair in 1 case, with an excellent and good rate of 97.1%. There was no significant difference in wrist function between the two groups (χ2=1.344, P=0.511). One case of poor incision healing occurred in the observe group, and 7 cases of poor incision healing and 5 cases of tendon pain occurred in the control group after operation. The incidence of postoperative complications was less in the observe group (3.6%) than in the control group (35.3%) (χ2=9.325, P=0.002).ConclusionIt is feasible of the pronator quadratus muscle sparing in the volar plate fixation for unstable distal radius fracture in adults. It is beneficial to recover wrist function early after operation, reduce postoperative complications, shorten the length of hospitalization, protect the soft tissue of fracture site, and promote fracture healing.
Objective To explore the effectiveness and related issues in the treatment of multiple segments of thoracolumbar tuberculosis through posterior unilateral debridement with bone graft and internal fixation. Methods The clinical data of 29 patients with multiple segments of thoracolumbar tuberculosis who met the selection criteria were retrospective analyzed between January 2012 and July 2015. There were 17 males and 12 females, with age of 21-62 years (mean, 37.4 years). Lesions contained 3-8 vertebral segments, including 3 segments in 6 cases, 4-6 segments in 17 cases, and 7-8 segments in 6 cases. The center lesions located at thoracic spine in 8 cases, lumbar spine in 10 cases, and thoracolumbar segment in 6 cases, and thoracic lumbar skip lesions in 5 cases. The complications included vertebral abscess in 7 cases, psoas major abscess in 6 cases, sacral spine muscle abscess in 7 cases, iliac fossa and the buttocks abscess in 1 case, spinal canal abscess in 2 cases. Preoperative neurological function was assessed according to the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) classification: 1 case of grade B, 3 cases of grade C, 8 cases of grade D, and 17 cases of grade E. The disease duration was 6-48 months (mean, 19.3 months). All the patients were treated with posterior unilateral transpedicular or transarticular debridement with bone graft fusion and internal fixation under general anesthesia. Pre- and post-operative visual analogue scale (VAS) score, Oswestry disability index (ODI), and sagittal Cobb angle were recorded and compared. Bridwell classification standard was used to evaluate bone graft fusion. According to the number and the center of the lesion, the necessity to placement of titanium mesh cage was analyzed. Results All the patients were followed up 18-30 months (mean, 24 months). Cerebrospinal fluid leakage occurred in 3 cases, intercostal neuralgia in 2 cases, wound unhealed and fistula formation in 1 case, and ofiliac fossa abscess recurred in 1 case, and all recovered after symptomatic treatment. During follow-up, no fracture or loosing of internal fixation was found and all the lesions were cured at last follow-up. According to Bridwell classification standard, bone graft achieved bony fusion during 4-9 months after operation. The VAS score, ODI, and Cobb angle at immediate after operation and at last follow-up were significantly improved when compared with preoperative ones (P<0.05). At last follow-up, the neural function of all patients improved significantly when compared with preoperative one (Z= –3.101, P=0.002). The ratio of no placement of titanium mesh cage was significantly higher in patients with more than 6 lesion segments (6/6, 100%) than in patients with less than 6 lesion segments (4/23, 17.4%) (χ2=14.374, P=0.000). And the ratio of placement of titanium mesh cage was not significantly different between the patients with the different locations of center focus (χ2=0.294, P=0.863). Conclusion For treating multiple segments of thoracolumbar tuberculosis, the method of posterior unilateral debridement with bone graft and internal fixation can decrease the damage of posterior spinal structures and surgical trauma.