Revision with plates of humeral nonunions secondary to failed intramedullary nailing

Purpose

The objective of this study was to evaluate the results achieved after revision with plates of humeral nonunions secondary to failed intramedullary nailing.

Methods

We retrospectively evaluated 32 patients with humeral nonunions secondary to failed intramedullary nailing, treated by internal fixation with plates between 1998 and 2012. Nonunions were diaphyseal in 19 cases, they were located in the proximal humeral metaphysis in nine cases, and in the distal humeral metaphysis in four cases. There were 11 atrophic nonunions and 21 oligotrophic nonunions. Initial treatment was performed with static locked nails in 12 cases, nails with expansive locking systems in 11 cases, and using thin elastic nails in nine cases. The nails were placed antegrade in 18 cases and retrograde in 14 cases. Time between initial surgery and revision surgery averaged 14.5 months. In seven diaphyseal nonunions, the intramedullary nail was left in-situ. Bone graft was added in 25 cases.

Results

Follow-up averaged 35 months. Union was achieved in all cases, after an average of 3.8 months. Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) score at last follow-up averaged 14 points, and Constant’s score averaged 82 points. The analogue scale of pain averaged 0.8 points. Out of seven patients with radial nerve compromise, six recovered completely and one needed tendon transfers.

Conclusions

Revision with plates after failed intramedullary humeral nailing achieved union and good predictable objective and subjective results in all cases. Adequate implant selection and meticulous surgical technique are necessary to achieve successful osteosynthesis and bony union.     

下肢骨干骨折术后骨不连的原因分析及手术治疗

目的探讨下肢骨干骨折术后骨不连的原因、再次手术治疗方式及临床疗效。方法自2010-01—2012-06诊治下肢骨干骨折术后骨不连41例,分析骨不连原因,选择更换内固定物或保留髓内钉附加接骨板固定,并对营养不良型和萎缩型骨不连取自体髂骨植骨。结果骨不连分型：肥大型7例,营养不良型19例,萎缩型15例。27例原骨折固定技术存在明显力学错误,14例嗜烟。再次手术后获15~34（21.7±9.3）个月随访,术后切口均一期愈合。骨折均骨性愈合,股骨干愈合时间（8.6±3.3）个月,胫骨干愈合时间（9.3±4.4）个月。临床疗效按Johner-Wruhs评分标准：股骨干优良率90.0%,胫骨干优良率90.1%。结论骨折断端的血供被破坏、骨折不稳定、嗜烟是下肢骨干骨折术后骨不连的主要原因,针对不同原因骨不连而采用恰当的手术治疗能取得良好的疗效。     

Ulnar styloid process nonunion and outcome in patients with a distal radius fracture: A meta-analysis of comparative clinical trials

PurposeThere is no consensus on the relation between ulnar styloid process nonunion and outcome in patients with distal radius fractures. The aim of this study was to analyze whether patient-reported outcome is influenced by the nonunion of the accompanying ulnar styloid fracture in distal radius fracture patients.MethodsA meta-analysis of published studies comparing outcomes after distal radius fractures with a united versus a non-united ulnar styloid process was performed. In addition, if provided by the authors, the raw data of these studies were pooled and analysed as one study. The outcome measures of the analyses included patient-reported outcome, functional outcome, grip-strength, pain, and distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) instability.ResultsData from six comparative studies were included, concerning 365 patients with a distal radius fracture. One hundred and thirty-five patients with an ulnar styloid union were compared with 230 patients with a nonunion of the ulnar styloid. No significant differences were found between groups regarding any outcome measure.ConclusionBased on this meta-analysis, there is no relation between the nonunion of the ulnar styloid process and function in patients with a distal radius fracture.     

Health outcomes of delayed union and nonunion of femoral and tibial shaft fractures

Introduction

Knowledge about the functional consequences of lower limb long bone fractures is helpful to inform patients, clinicians and employers about their recovery process and prognosis. This study aims to describe the epidemiology and health outcomes of femoral and tibial shaft fractures treated at two level I trauma centres, by comparing the differences between patients with delayed union or nonunion and patients with union.

Patients and methods

An analysis of registry data over two years, supplemented with medical record review, was conducted. Fracture healing was retrospectively assessed by clinical and radiological evidence of union, and the need for surgical intervention. SF-12 scores, and work and pain status were prospectively recorded at six and twelve months post injury.

Results

285 fractures progressed to union and 138 fractures developed delayed union or nonunion. There was a significant difference between the two cohorts with regards to the mechanism of injury, association with multi-trauma, open fractures, grade of Gustilo classification, patient fund source, smoking status and presence of comorbidities. The SF-12 physical component score was less than 50 at both six and twelve months with improvement in the union group, but not in the delayed union or nonunion group. 72% of patients with union had returned to work at one year, but 54% continued to have pain. The difference compared to patients with delayed union or nonunion was significant.

Discussion

Even patients whose fractures unite in the expectant time-frame will have residual physical disability. Patients with delayed union or nonunion have still poorer outcomes, including ongoing problems with returning to work and pain. It is important to educate patients about their injury so that they have realistic expectations. This is particularly relevant given that the patients most likely to sustain femoral or tibial shaft fractures are working-age healthy adults, and up to a third of fractures may develop delayed union or nonunion.

Conclusion

Despite modern treatment, the patient-reported outcomes of lower limb long bone shaft fractures do not return to normal at one year. Patients with delayed union or nonunion can expect poorer outcomes.     

骨碎补总黄酮治疗骨折延迟愈合和骨不连

为评价骨碎补总黄酮治疗骨折延迟愈合和骨不连的临床疗效与安全性。将69例骨折延迟愈合和骨不连病人分为两组。对照组33例,祛除导致骨折延迟愈合和骨不连的诱因,将骨折端重新复位、固定,使用合适的内固定材料或给予植骨。治疗组36例,在对照组所用治疗方法的基础上加服强骨胶囊。分别观察两组病人的临床症状、X线骨折愈合率、愈合时间及不良反应,并进行比较。发现治疗组的临床症状恢复、骨折愈合率、愈合时间明显优于对照组,经统计学分析,差异具有显著意义（P〈0.05）。两组间不良反应的差异无显著意义（P〉0.05）。认为骨碎补总黄酮配合治疗骨折延迟愈合和骨不连,不仅使病人临床症状恢复快,还可缩短骨折愈合时间,而且无明显不良反应,有利于病人的早日康复。     

AO-wrist arthrodesis: with and without arthrodesis of the third carpometacarpal joint

The incorporation of the third carpometacarpal joint (CMCJ-3) during wrist arthrodesis is controversial. This retrospective study of 146 consecutive wrist arthrodeses with AO plate fixation specifically addresses this question. In 79 wrist arthrodeses the CMCJ-3 was also arthrodesed, and in 67 the CMCJ-3 was simply bridged. Problems relating specifically to the CMCJ-3 could not be analyzed clearly with the plate in situ. Therefore after plate removal only 81 wrists were evaluated with respect to the CMCJ-3. Of 47 wrists that had CMCJ-3 arthrodesis and plate removal, 20 developed a nonunion. Eleven of these were painful and further surgical treatment was required. In contrast, of 34 wrists with the CMCJ-3 bridged all but one remained free of symptoms after the plate had been removed. We conclude that the CMCJ-3 must not be included in the arthrodesis when performing an AO-wrist arthrodesis.     

股骨干骨折骨不愈合的原因分析

目的:探讨股骨干骨折骨不愈合的原因。方法:通对33例运用不同方法治疗的股骨干骨折出现骨不愈合的结果进行分析。结果:33例骨不愈合的病例中,手术所致占24例,闭合治疗所致占9例。结论:指出手术内固定失效及牵引不当,软组织嵌插为骨不愈合的主要原因。     

交锁髓内钉治疗四肢长骨干骨折骨缺损骨不连

目的探讨交锁髓内钉在四肢长骨干骨折骨缺损、骨不连治疗中的应用方法，并对其疗效进行评估。方法2000年3月～2007年7月我科应用交锁髓内钉治疗四肢长骨干骨折骨缺损、骨不连62例。结果本组术后随访6个月～2年（平均1年2个月），除1例因术后过早下地活动，导致髓内钉折断，需再次手术外，其余病例均愈合，愈合率98．4％。结论交锁髓内钉治疗四肢长骨干骨折骨缺损、骨不连，具有固定牢靠、有效维持肢体长度、早期活动、有利于关节功能恢复、并发症少等优点。     

The role of reamed intramedullary nailing in the treatment of nonunions and malunions following femoral shaft fractures

Summary This retrospective consecutive clinical series describes our satisfactory experience with reamed intramedullary femoral nailing in the treatment of nonunions, axial or rotational deformities as well as length discrepancies following the primary treatment of femoral shaft fractures. 31 patients (32 fractures) treated at our institution from 1992 to 1997 were reviewed for age, gender, cause of injury, type of femur fracture, primary treatment, indication for secondary nailing, operative procedure, complications, need for additional procedures and time for consolidation. 3 patients were lost for follow-up, leaving 28 patients (29 fractures) for evaluation. The average follow-up was 79 weeks (range 24 to 192). The indications for secondary nailing were: 18 nonunions, 7 rotational or axial deformities, 4 length discrepancies. Consolidation was achieved in 25 patients (26 fractures) at an average time of 38 weeks (range 12 to 104). Nonunion was recorded in 3 patients. They were treated successfully with an additional procedure (one exchange intramedullary nailing and two autologous bone grafts). The reamed intramedullary interlocking nail offers many advantages, especially a good initial and middle term stability which is important in case of a slow process of consolidation. By the treatment of atrophic and long lasting nonunion, simultaneous bone grafting seems to be indicated. We conclude that interlocking reamed femoral nailing is a safe treatment option for nonunions and malunions following primary treatment of femoral shaft fractures, resulting in successful union without additional procedure in 26 of 29 fractures in this series.     

Increased serum OPG in atrophic nonunion shaft fractures

Background  Bone repair alteration is hypothesized for nonunion fracture pathogenesis. Since it is involved in osteoclast regulation, the RANK/RANKL/OPG system (receptor activator of nuclear factor kB/its ligand/osteoprotegerin) may play a role. Materials and methods  Serum OPG, free RANKL, bone alkaline phosphatase (BAP), osteocalcin (OC), and urinary deoxypyridinoline (DPD) were determined in 16 male patients (20–39 years) with long bone atrophic nonunion fractures. Serum markers were also measured in 18 age-matched male controls who healed from the same type of fractures within six months, and in 14 age-matched male controls who were healing from the same fractures one month after injury. One-way ANOVA and Bonferroni’s test were used for statistical analysis. Results  Only OPG was significantly higher (0.56 sd 0.11 ng/ml) in the patients compared to healed (0.26 sd 0.04 ng/ml; P < 0.001) and healing (0.29 sd 0.09 ng/ml; P < 0.001) controls. The patients’ DPD levels were normal. No correlations were found between bone markers and the characteristics of the subjects in all groups. Conclusions  A normal steady state of bone metabolism seems to be present in patients with atrophic nonunion fractures, despite the high serum OPG. The reason for the inability of the patients’ OPG to inhibit osteoclastic activity is unknown. Osteoblast activity also appears normal, so another cellular source of OPG can be hypothesized.