Weight-bearing in ankle fractures: An audit of UK practice

IntroductionThe purpose of this national study was to audit the weight-bearing practice of orthopaedic services in the National Health Service (NHS) in the treatment of operatively and non-operatively treated ankle fractures.MethodsA multicentre prospective two-week audit of all adult ankle fractures was conducted between July 3rd 2017 and July 17th 2017. Fractures were classified using the AO/OTA classification. Fractures fixed with syndesmosis screws or unstable fractures (>1 malleolus fractured or talar shift present) treated conservatively were excluded. No outcome data were collected. In line with NICE (The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) criteria, “early” weight-bearing was defined as unrestricted weight-bearing on the affected leg within 3 weeks of injury or surgery and “delayed” weight-bearing as unrestricted weight-bearing permitted after 3 weeks.Results251 collaborators from 81 NHS hospitals collected data: 531 patients were managed non-operatively and 276 operatively. The mean age was 52.6 years and 50.5 respectively. 81% of non-operatively managed patients were instructed for early weight-bearing as recommended by NICE. In contrast, only 21% of operatively managed patients were instructed for early weight-bearing.DiscussionThe majority of patients with uni-malleolar ankle fractures which are managed non-operatively are treated in accordance with NICE guidance. There is notable variability amongst and within NHS hospitals in the weight-bearing instructions given to patients with operatively managed ankle fractures.ConclusionThis study demonstrates community equipoise and suggests that the randomized study to determine the most effective strategy for postoperative weight-bearing in ankle fractures described in the NICE research recommendation is feasible.     

外固定架治疗桡骨远端粉碎性骨折的疗效分析

目的:探讨闭合手法复位外固定架治疗桡骨远端粉碎性关节内骨折的临床疗效。方法:对29例桡骨远端粉碎性关节内骨折,通过外固定架的牵伸辅助复位,矫正桡骨的短缩、成角移位,恢复关节面的解剖关系,利用外固定架维持复位后的位置并进行功能练习。术后定期进行X线和腕关节功能的评价。结果:29例均获得随访,随访时间3~12个月,平均6.5个月。根据Aro功能评价:优9例,良17例,可2例,差1例,优良率89.66%。结论:外固定架能很好维持复位后的位置,恢复桡尺骨的相对长度和关节面的平整,使腕关节功能得到良好的恢复,因此是治疗桡骨远端粉碎性关节内骨折的有效方法。     

人工骨椎体成形术治疗胸腰椎爆裂骨折

目的:探讨经椎弓根人工骨植入椎体成形术治疗胸腰椎爆裂性骨折的方法和效果。方法:胸腰椎爆裂骨折12例,男8例,女4例;年龄28～61岁,平均47.5岁;受伤时间4～12d;术前Frankel分级:C级1例,D级3例,E级8例;受伤椎体:T112例,T122例,L15例,L23例;术前后突角11°～35°,平均24°;术前椎管占位率39%～85%,平均64.5%;术前伤椎椎体前缘高度平均为正常的47%。行后路切开复位短节段椎弓根钉内固定后,人工骨经伤椎椎弓根植入椎体成形术。结果:所有患者均获随访,时间3～19个月,平均13个月。脊柱后突角平均恢复20°,椎体高度平均恢复96%,椎管占位率平均恢复至7%。2例人工骨椎体内充填不足;无内固定松动、断裂、椎体高度变低及生理弧度丢失。神经功能恢复:1例术前Frankel分级C级及2例D级患者术后均恢复至E级。结论:经椎弓根人工骨植入椎体成形术重建了椎体高度,增加了脊椎前柱的抗压稳定性,使患者能早期活动,减少内固定物因应力过大造成的断钉、松动、椎体再压缩等并发症。     

腕舟状骨疲劳骨折3例

疲劳骨折亦称行军骨折，多发生在下肢骨骼，发生在第2、3跖骨、胫骨、股骨颈等部位的疲劳骨折已不少见，但是发生在上肢的疲劳骨折尚不多见。自2002年以来，发现3例腕舟骨疲劳骨折，现报告如下。     

Effect of a patellar realignment brace on patellofemoral relationships: Evaluation with kinematic MR imaging

The effect of a newly developed patellar realignment brace was evaluated in 21 patellofemoral joints (19 patients) with patellar subluxation (13 joints with lateral subluxation and eight with medial subluxation) by using active-movement, loaded kinematic magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. Sixteen patellofemoral joints (76%) demonstrated a qualitative correction of or improvement in patellar subluxation (ie, centralization of the patella or a decrease in the displacement of the patella) after application of the brace. Four of the five “failures” occurred in patellofemoral joints that had patella alta and/or dysplastic bone anatomy. These results indicate that the patellar realignment brace was able to counteract patellar subluxation in the majority of patellofemoral joints studied, as shown by active-movement, loaded kinematic MR imaging. This brace appears to be useful for conservative treatment of patients with patellofemoral joint pain secondary to patellar malalignment and maltracking.