Isolated bilateral fibular insufficiency fractures: Case report of an unusual entity

Insufficiency fractures are a type of stress fractures that occur due to physiological stress on weakened bones. These have certain sites of predilection of which an uncommon site is fibular shaft. Isolated bilateral fibular fractures have previously only been reported twice, where the causes were repeated trauma and fatigue fracture. Insufficiency fractures of both fibula in isolation have not previously been reported. We present this case where a young patient presented with these fractures and was found to have vitamin D deficiency on subsequent investigations.     

Fibula fixation in the treatment of tibial pilon fractures – Is it really necessary?

BackgroundThere is a lack of consensus about the role of fibula fixation in these complex fractures, with only two clinical studies in the literature. We hypothesize that the fibula fracture need not be fixed in the tibial pilon fractures if primary stability can be achieved with tibial fixation alone.MethodsWe reviewed 79 patients with operatively treated tibial pilon with associated fibula fractures from 2007 to 2017 and divided them into two groups; patients with fibula fracture fixation and those without fixation. The primary outcome measure was any mechanical complications. Secondary outcomes were wound complications and other morbidities.ResultsThere were 54 (68.4%) patients with fibula fixation and 25 (31.6%) patients without fixation. There were no statistically significant differences in mechanical complications between the two groups. However, patients without fibula fixation were noted to have more wound complications (44% vs 25.9%, p = 0.108) although this was not statistically significant. In terms of removal of implant (ROI), there were no differences noted in patients with or without fibula fixation (33.3% vs 28%, p = 0.796). There were also no significant differences in ROI for those fixed with plate and screws when compared to those fixed with Rush rod and K wire within the group with fibula fixation.ConclusionFibula fixation in the treatment of tibial pilon fractures is not routinely necessary and does not result in decreased mechanical complications such as malunion, delayed union, nonunion and implant failure. Fibula fracture fixation should be reserved for cases where it may aid reduction or provide additional stability.     

Isolated fibular stress fractures: Radiographic parameters

BackgroundFibular stress fractures are uncommon injuries with an incompletely understood pathogenesis and predisposing characteristics. This study investigated the demographic and radiographic risk factors for fibular stress fractures.MethodsA retrospective chart review from 2010 to 2018 revealed thirteen patients with isolated fibular stress fractures. Demographics, history of fracture, fracture location, bone quality, and heel alignment were collected.ResultsThe cohort consisted of six men and seven women with a mean age of 41.8 years. The average BMI was 28.5 kg/m². Three patients used tobacco. 69.2% of fractures were in the distal third, 23.1% proximal third, and 7.7% middle third. No patients had evidence of osteopenia. Distal fibula stress fractures were more common in women (66.7%) and associated with hindfoot valgus.ConclusionDistal third fibula stress fractures were most common and associated with hindfoot valgus. This could be due to a greater amount of axial force through fibula in this alignment.Level of evidenceLevel IV, Retrospective Case Series.     

Acute osteomyelitis of the distal fibula in children: Treatment options and long-term follow-up

IntroductionAcute osteomyelitis of the distal fibula is a rare disease in children and is characterized by special features compared with other sites. The objective of this study was to report the functional outcome at long-term follow-up.MethodsWe reviewed retrospectively, between January 2000 and December 2010, all cases of acute osteomyelitis of the distal fibula. Epidemiological and bacteriological data as well as therapy and outcome factors were analyzed. At the last follow-up, functional outcome was studied based on ankle motion, growth disturbance, and radiological sequelae.ResultsSeven cases of acute osteomyelitis of the distal fibula were found. The mean age was patients was 7.71 years and the sex ratio was 2.5. The portal of entry of the pathogen was a skin injury in 57% of cases. Staphylococcus aureus was identified in 71% of cases. The mean duration of antibiotic therapy was 33.2 days. At a mean of 12.85 years of follow-up, no growth disturbance was found. The mean plantar and dorsal flexion was 41° and 27.7°, respectively. The mean postoperative American Orthopedics Foot and Ankle score (AOFAS) was 96.71 points.ConclusionAcute osteomyelitis of the distal fibula in children is scarce and rarely reported in the literature. It occurs more often in boys at an average age of 7 years. Local symptoms are usually more obvious than general symptoms. Surgical debridement of the subperiosteal abscess without bone trepanation seems to lead to a satisfactory outcome.Level of evidenceLevel IV – case series.IRBSahloul Hospital Human Research Ethics Committee.     

Efficacy of comprehensive rehabilitation therapy for checkrein deformity: A case report

BACKGROUND In clinical practice, checkrein deformity is usually found in patients with calf injuries after ankle fracture or distal tibial fracture. The patients with checkrein deformity mainly report distending pain in toe tips, pain when walking or wearing shoes, and gait instability. Previous studies have mainly reported surgical treatments for checkrein deformity, while few studies have reported using comprehensive rehabilitation alone to improve the checkrein deformity.CASE SUMMARY A 28-year-old woman was admitted to the hospital due to unstable gait caused by pain in the right hallux, for which she was unable to stretch for over three months. The patient had undergone "resection of ameloblastoma at the right mandible, mandibulectomy, and autogenous right fibula grafting". The patient’s hallux toe, as well as the second and third toes of the right foot could not be stretched, with pain in all the toes during walking. Based on the medical records of the patient, as well as the results of physical and auxiliary examinations, the main diagnosis was checkrein deformity in the right foot. Since the patient refused surgical treatment, rehabilitation was the only treatment option. At discharge, the patient reported evident improvement in the pain in the toes, gait stability, as well as increased ability to climb up and downstairs.CONCLUSION Comprehensive rehabilitation therapy could effectively alleviate the manifestations of checkrein deformity and improve the walking ability of the patients.     

Functional and aesthetic treatment outcomes after immediate jaw reconstruction using a fibula flap and dental implants

Purpose

Microvascular fibula flap surgery is a reliable and effective procedure for reconstructing the jaws after tumour surgery. This procedure allows the placement of dental implants after bone consolidation. This study was designed to evaluate the oral, functional, and aesthetic rehabilitation of tumour patients with immediate fibula transfer and dental implants and included assessment of diet, speech, and aesthetics.

Guide flange prosthesis for early management of reconstructed hemimandibulectomy: a case report

Surgical resection of the mandible due to presence of benign or malignant tumor is the most common cause of the mandibular deviation. Depending upon the location and extent of the tumor in the mandible, various surgical treatment modalities like marginal, segmental, hemi, subtotal, or total mandibulectomy can be performed. The clinicians must wait for extensive period of time for completion of healing and acceptance of the osseous graft before considering the definitive prosthesis. During this initial healing period prosthodontic intervention is required for preventing the mandibular deviation. This case report describes early prosthodontic management of a patient who has undergone a reconstructed hemi-mandibulectomy with modified mandibular guide flange prosthesis. The prosthesis helps patient moving the mandible normally without deviation during functions like speech and mastication.     

腓骨肌(皮)瓣一期修复下颌骨缺损

目的：总结应用腓骨肌（皮）瓣一期修复下颌骨缺损的经验.方法：根据7例患者下颌骨缺损的部位和特征,对其腓骨进行截骨和塑形,以恢复其下颌骨的形态和功能,并以大钛板进行坚固内固定.结果：7例以腓骨肌（皮）瓣修复下颌骨缺损患者全部成功,伤口愈合良好.结论：腓骨肌（皮）瓣可根据下颌骨缺损的部位和形态进行截骨和塑形,是用来修复下颌骨缺损的一种理想的方法.     

Pilon骨折的术前评估与治疗进展

正胫骨远端Pilon骨折,也称作Pilon骨折,指胫骨远端关节面在受到轴向暴力引起的胫骨远端关节内压缩塌陷型骨折。Pilon骨折常因高能量暴力导致关节面损伤严重且伴有严重的软组织损伤。Pilon骨折因其关节面损伤严重,常须手术治疗,Rüedi和Allg?wer最早描述了Pilon骨折的分型及其治疗。Pilon骨折的手术治疗复杂,临床预后并发症较多。本文主要总结分析了近年来Pilon骨折的术前评估与分型、切口选择、内固定选择及治疗方法,并对本期发表的相关文章进行点评。