Risk factors for newly developed osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures following treatment for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures

Background context

It has been reported that newly developed osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCFs) occur at a relatively high frequency after treatment. While there are many reports on possible risk factors, these have not yet been clearly established.

Ultrasound Evaluation of the Protector Role of the Pronator Quadratus Suture in Volar Plating

The main complication of volar locking plates for distal radius fractures is flexor tendon rupture. The flexor pollicis longus (FPL) is the most commonly ruptured. Repair of the pronator quadratus (PQ) is one of the ways to prevent tendon rupture. The main purpose of this series was to evaluate the role of PQ repair after volar plating to prevent flexor tendon rupture using ultrasound (US). This work was a mono‐operator prospective series of 20 consecutive patients with volar locking plates for distal radius fracture between September 2014 and May 2015. The PQ was repaired in all patients. A clinical, ultrasound, and perioperative evaluation of the flexor tendon was performed by this same surgeon. There was no flexor tendon rupture or tenosynovitis. There were no type A cases, which are characterized by contact between the plate and the FPL, and mostly type C cases, which are characterized by no contact between the plate and the FPL on US imaging. The suture of the PQ was sustainable over time when we removed the plate. Pronator quadratus repair is one of the ways to prevent flexor tendon rupture after volar plating. The outward‐running suture is an effective technique for repairing the PQ. Ultrasound may be helpful during follow‐up to detect asymptomatic flexor tendon irritation.     

30-day adverse events,length of stay and re-admissions following surgical management of pelvic/acetabular fractures

IntroductionPelvic/acetabular fractures are associated with significant morbidity, mortality and cost to the society. We sought to utilize a national surgical database to assess the incidence and factors associated with prolonged length of stay (LOS), non-home discharge destination, 30-day adverse events and readmissions following surgical fixation of pelvic/acetabular fractures.Materials & methodsThe 2011–2016 ACS-NSQIP database files were queried using CPT codes (27215, 27217, 27218, 27226, 27227, 27228) for patients undergoing open reduction/internal fixation (ORIF) for pelvic/acetabular fractures. Patients undergoing additional procedures for associated fractures (vertebral fractures, distal radius/ulna fractures or femoral neck/hip fractures) were excluded from the analysis to ensure that a relevant population of patients with isolated pelvic/acetabular injuries were included in the analysis. A total of 572 patients were included in the final cohort. Severe adverse events (SAE) were defined as: death, ventilator use >48 h, unplanned intubation, stroke, deep venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, cardiac arrest, myocardial infarction, acute renal failure, sepsis, septic shock, re-operation, deep SSI and organ/space SSI. Minor adverse events (MAE) included – wound dehiscence, superficial SSI, urinary tract infection (UTI) and progressive renal insufficiency. An extended LOS was defined as >75th centile (>9days).ResultsFactors associated with AAE were partially dependent functional health status pre-operatively (p = 0.020), transfusion ≥1 unit of packed RBCs (p = 0.001), and ASA > II (p < 0.001). Experiencing a SAE was associated with congestive heart failure (CHF) pre-operatively [p = 0.005), total operative time >140 min (p = 0.034) and Hct <36 pre-operatively (p = 0.003). MAE was associated with transfusion≥1 unit of packed RBCs (p = 0.022) and ASA > II (p = 0.007). Patients with an ASA > II (p = 0.001), total operative time>140 min (p < 0.001) and Hct <36 (p = 0.006) were more likely to have a LOS >9 days. Male gender (p = 0.026), prior history of CHF (p = 0.024), LOS >9 days (p = 0.030) and >10% bodyweight loss in last 6 months before the procedure (p = 0.002) were predictors of 30-day mortality.ConclusionPatients with ASA grade > II, greater co-morbidity burden and prolonged operative times were likely to experience adverse events and have a longer length of stay. Surgeons can utilize this data to risk stratify patients so that appropriate pre-operative and post-operative medical optimization can take place.     

Distal humeral fractures in the adult

The management of distal humeral fractures in adults presents a unique set of challenges. Almost always they necessitate operative management, which might include complex intra-articular fracture fixation of very comminuted free fragments in an already complex joint, or, increasingly, novel arthroplasty techniques. Clinicians managing these injuries must be confident that they possess the requisite skills set, and, in the UK at least, this in itself is under scrutiny. This summary aims to acquaint the reader with the basic knowledge sufficient to begin to understand the approaches to managing these injuries, and some of the decision-making difficulties that are encountered.     

The Diagnostic Challenge of Ankle Injuries in the Emergency Department

An ankle injury is a very common musculoskeletal problem that can be easily misdiagnosed. About 15% to 20% of these injuries result in fractures, whereas the rest can range from a simple sprain to more complicated injuries, including tears to ligaments and the interosseous membrane. Ankle injuries that are not properly assessed may result in a lifetime of joint instability, pain, and problems with ambulation.     

Outcomes of fixation for periprosthetic tibia fractures around and below total knee arthroplasty

IntroductionThe incidence of periprosthetic fractures after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is rising due to an increasing number of TKAs performed annually and the growing elderly population. Like periprosthetic fractures of the distal femur, periprosthetic tibia fractures are primarily treated with operative fixation; however, there is limited scientific literature that has reported outcomes of periprosthetic tibia fractures treated with modern plating techniques. To our knowledge, this is the largest series of non-intraoperative periprosthetic tibia fractures treated with open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) ever reported.MethodsRetrospective chart review of 4557 operatively treated tibia fractures with ORIF over a 16-year period at two Level 1 Trauma Centers.Results38 patients with an average follow-up of 15.3 months (range 3–24) were identified. 11 (28.9%) fractures were in the proximal tibia (four with extension into the plateau (Felix 1A) and seven adjacent to the tibial stem (Felix 2A)), six (15.8%) in the midshaft/diaphysis (Felix 3A), and 21 (55.3%) in the distal 1/3rd (metaphysis, Felix 3A). 76.3% (29/38) of fractures united by 6 months following the index procedure, leaving 9 nonunions. The overall re-operation rate was 31.6% (12/38). There were no significant differences in rates of union (p = 1.00), reoperation (p = 0.66), superficial infection (p = 0.66), or deep infection (p = 0.31) in patients treated with single versus dual plating.ConclusionPeriprosthetic tibia fractures are difficult to treat and have a high risk of nonunion and reoperation even with modern plating techniques. Most patients can be treated to union with operative fixation and do not require revision arthroplasty, if the components are stable initially. We recommend dual plating for fractures in the proximal third, and either single plating or nailing for fractures in the middle and distal thirds depending on bone quality, implant positioning, and fracture morphology.     

Hook plating in patella fractures

PurposeTension band wiring is considered the standard treatment for patella fractures. However, it is limited for fractures with marginal involvement, comminution, and osteoporotic bone. Our experience indicates that these limitations can be overcome with the hook plate. We evaluated the radiographic and clinical outcomes in patients with patella fracture treated with hook plating.MethodsWe enrolled 30 patients who underwent hook plating for patella fracture at two institutions between 2013 and 2017. Fracture classification and surgical options were reviewed. Postoperative fracture gap and time to union as radiographic measurements, and complications, range of motion, and functional outcome with the Lysholm score as clinical outcomes, were evaluated retrospectively.ResultsNine fractures were AO/OTA 34A1, three B1, one B2, two C1, nine C2, and six C3. All were closed fractures. There were 3 cases of revision, 4 with lateral or medial marginal fracture, 9 with isolated inferior pole fracture, and 14 with comminuted fracture. The average postoperative fracture gap was 0.4 (range, 0–2.0) mm, and bone union was achieved without additional intervention. The average time to union was 11.6 (range, 7–24) weeks. There were no complications, and no extension lag except in one case (10°). The average flexion was 138.5° (range, 110–145°). For functional outcomes, the average Lysholm score was 89.5 (range, 74–95), with 13 excellent, 14 good, 3 fair, and no poor cases.ConclusionThis study suggests that hook plating can result in good bone union and restored knee function in marginal or comminuted fractures of the patella.     

Scaphoid fracture geometrics: an assessment of location and orientation

The location and angle of scaphoid fractures are important attributes which guide management. We used a 3 dimensional scaphoid model, generated from CT scans, to map scaphoid fracture planes. The point at which the fracture plane crossed the central axis of the scaphoid was noted. The angle of the fracture planes with regard to the central axis was also noted. This allowed calculation of the location of the fracture and the angle of the 379 fractures. The mean point of intersection for fractures with the scaphoid axis was 50% along the scaphoid. Sixty percent of all fractures were found around the central 20% of the scaphoid. The mean angle between the scaphoid axis and the fracture plane was 63 degrees). On comparing angle with location, as fractures move away from the scaphoid waist, they become less perpendicular to the scaphoid axis (p?p?p?p?=?.018). There was no link between fracture plane angles and age, sex and union status. Most fractures occur at the centre of the scaphoid. There is a link between the location and angle of scaphoid fractures. It also identifies older patients and males are more likely to have more proximal scaphoid fractures.     

采用椎弓根螺钉内固定治疗寰枢椎骨折脱位

[目的]探讨寰枢椎椎弓根螺钉技术治疗创伤性寰枢椎不稳的临床效果。[方法]2009年9月~2017年3月,对6例创伤性寰枢椎不稳患者采用颈椎后路寰枢椎椎弓根螺钉固定技术治疗。术前均常规行颅骨牵引,椎弓根进钉点位于寰椎椎弓两侧距后结节20 mm、后弓下缘2 mm,内倾5°~10°、头倾10°~15°,置入直径3.5 mm、长22~26 mm螺钉。枢椎螺钉的进钉点位于侧块内上象限,内倾约25°,头倾约25°置入直径3.5 mm、长24~28 mm螺钉。[结果]术中无血管及神经损伤。术后随访6~36个月,患者临床症状得到明显改善。术后检查显示螺钉位置良好,无内置物松动、断裂。术后12个月JOA评分为11.00~17.00分。[结论]寰枢椎椎弓根螺钉固定治疗创伤性寰枢椎不稳疗效满意。