Clinical implications of additional posterior fractures in combined anterior-posterior pelvic ring fractures in elderly patients

ObjectivesHistorically, pelvic ring fractures (PRF) are considered to occur predominantly in the anterior ring and therfore to be mechanically stable. Combined anterior and posterior (A + P) PRF are expected to be less mechanically stable and therefore to be associated with higher levels of pain and reduced mobility compared to isolated anterior fractures. The current study investigates the clinical relevance of combined A + P PRF in elderly patients.MethodsA prospective multicentre cohort study was conducted in patients >70 years of age with anterior PRF after low-energy trauma diagnosed on conventional radiographs. All patients underwent an additional CT-scan. Patients were divided into two groups; isolated anterior or combined A + P fractures. Patients were treated conservatively with adequate analgesia for at least one week. If patients could not be mobilised after conservative treatment, surgical fixation was performed. Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) pain scores, dependence on walking aids and Activities of Daily Living scores (ADL) were measured at 2–4 weeks, and 3, 6 and 12 months after fracture.Results102 patients (age 81.1 ± 7.6 years) were included. Isolated anterior fractures were diagnosed in 25 (24.5%) and A + P fractures in 77 (75.5%) patients. Baseline characteristics did not differ between the two groups. Most patients were successfully treated conservatively and 5 (4.9%) underwent percutaneous trans-iliac, trans-sacral screw fixation after failure of conservative treatment. At 2–4 weeks post trauma, patients with A + P fractures had similar median pain scores (3 (range 0–8) vs. 5 (0–10), p = 0.19) and ADL scores (85 (25–100) vs. 78.6 (5–100), p = 0.67), but were more dependent on walking aids (92.8% vs. 72.2%; p = 0.02) compared to patients with isolated anterior fractures. There were no significant differences at 3 months. At one year follow-up the median NRS pain and ADL scores for both fracture groups were 0 and 100, respectively. Mortality was 10.8%, and additional loss to follow-up was 17.6%.ConclusionsThe vast majority of elderly patients with PRF have combined A + P fractures. The clinical implications of additional posterior pelvic ring fractures in elderly patients appears to be limited.     

长臂单轴椎弓根螺钉在单纯性胸腰椎压缩性骨折复位固定中的应用及对肌肉损伤的影响

目的分析长臂单轴椎弓根螺钉经 Wiltse入路在单纯性胸腰椎压缩性骨折中的应用效果及对肌肉损伤的影响。方法选取自 2018年 1月至 2020年 8月周口市中心医院收治的单纯性胸腰椎压缩性骨折病人 87例，根据复位固定术式不同，分为观察组 38例、对照组 49例，其中观察组采取长臂单轴椎弓根螺钉经 Wiltse入路，对照组采取 AF系统经传统后正中入路。记录两组病人围术期指标、手术前后血清肌肉损伤指标［肌酸激酶( CK)、肌红蛋白( Mb)］变化；采用疼痛视觉模拟评分( VAS)评价病人不同时间节点疼痛水平；经胸腰椎正侧位片检查获取伤椎原始高度( H0)、术前及术后 1周伤椎椎体前缘高度( H1H2)，计算术前、术后 1周伤椎相对高度( H1/H0、H2/H0)及伤椎复位率，并测量矢状位 Cobb角变化；随访 3个月，采用 Oswestry功能障、碍指数( ODI)评价功能障碍情况，并统计手术相关并发症。结果观察组手术时长、术中失血量、术后引流量及首次下床活动时间均明显短于或低于对照组( P<0.05)。术后 3d，两组血清 CK、Mb水平均较术前升高( P<0.05)，且观察组血清 CK、Mb水平     

Focal hole versus screw stimulation to prevent false negative results in detecting pedicle breaches during spinal instrumentation

ObjectiveWe describe a stimulus-evoked EMG approach to minimize false negative results in detecting pedicle breaches during lumbosacral spinal instrumentation.MethodsIn 36 patients receiving 176 lumbosacral pedicle screws, EMG threshold to nerve root activation was determined using a focal probe inserted into the pilot hole at a depth, customized to the individual patients, suitable to position the stimulating tip at the point closest to the tested nerve root. Threshold to screw stimulation was also determined.ResultsMean EMG thresholds in 161 correctly fashioned pedicle instrumentations were 7.5 mA ± 2.46 after focal hole stimulation and 21.8 mA ± 6.8 after screw stimulation. Direct comparison between both thresholds in individual pedicles showed that screw stimulation was always biased by an unpredictable leakage of the stimulating current ranging from 10 to 90%. False negative results were never observed with hole stimulation but this was not true with screw stimulation.ConclusionsFocal hole stimulation, unlike screw stimulation, approaches absolute EMG threshold as shown by the lower normal limit (2.6 mA; p < 0.05) that borders the upper limit of threshold to direct activation of the exposed root.SignificanceThe technique provides an early warning of a possible pedicle breakthrough before insertion of the more harmful, larger and threaded screw.     

A review of suture anchors

Suture anchors are designed to allow soft tissue to bone healing in cases where inadequate soft tissue stock on bone makes it impossible to perform a direct soft tissue-to-soft tissue repair. Suture anchor fixation is one of the most important innovations in arthroscopic glenohumeral shoulder surgery, optimizing the link between bone and soft tissue at the rotator cuff footprint. Newer developments and techniques have expanded the use of suture anchors to most other musculoskeletal tissues including the hip, elbow, hand, knee foot and ankle.Their success depends on having an understanding of the biology and biomechanics that affect their use and knowing the factors that may affect the clinical outcome. This review concentrates on the design, insertion technique, composition and evolution of suture anchors in orthopaedic surgery and the ways in which they are utilised in different tissues.     

关节镜辅助下轴向螺钉内固定术治疗Sanders-2型跟骨骨折疗效观察

目的探讨关节镜辅助下轴向螺钉内固定术治疗Sanders-2型跟骨骨折的临床疗效。方法将50例Sanders-2型跟骨骨折患者按照随机数字表法分为研究组与对照组,各25例。研究组给予关节镜辅助下轴向螺钉内固定术治疗,对照组给予传统切开复位内固定术治疗。术后观察3个月。比较两组手术时间、住院时间、骨折愈合时间、术前与术后3个月末两组Bohler角、Gissane角度数及跟骨高度、宽度,以及两组Maryland足功能评分、手术疗效。结果研究组手术时间、住院时间及骨折愈合时间均显著短于对照组(P<0.05或0.01)。术后3个月末两组Bohler角及Gissane角度数均较术前显著增大(P<0.01),研究组较对照组增大更显著(P<0.05或0.01)。术后3个月末研究组跟骨高度显著>术前(P<0.01),两组跟骨宽度均显著>术前(P<0.01),两组间比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。术后3个月末两组Maryland足功能评分均较术前显著升高(P<0.01),研究组较对照组升高更显著(P<0.01)。研究组手术治疗总有效率显著高于对照组(P<0.05),并发症发生率显著低于对照组(P<0.05)。结论关节镜辅助下轴向螺钉内固定术治疗Sanders-2型跟骨骨折效果显著,能有效促进患者足踝功能恢复,安全性较高,值得临床推广应用。     

关节镜下经髌腱入路空心拉力螺钉复位固定治疗胫骨髁间嵴撕脱骨折*

目的探讨在关节镜下经髌腱入路,利用空心拉力螺钉复位固定胫骨髁间嵴撕脱骨折(TEFx)的安全性和有效性。方法选取2014年1月-2015年12月23例TEFx的患者,均在关节镜下经髌腱入路,用空心拉力螺钉复位固定。术前Meyers-McKeever分型:Ⅱ型8例,Ⅲ型10例,Ⅳ型5例;男17例,女6例;年龄16～53岁,平均27.8岁。术前前抽屉试验、Lachman试验均阳性。比较术前术后的视觉模拟评分(VAS)、Lysholm、Tegner和国际膝关节文献委员会(IKDC)评分评价患侧膝关节功能。结果 23例患者均得到随访,随访时间30～40个月,平均36个月。术后即刻X线片示TEFx均复位良好,术后3个月骨折均愈合。无1例感染、关节僵硬、伸直受限、复位丢失及神经血管损伤等并发症。最终随访患侧膝关节活动度均恢复正常,前抽屉试验、Lachman试验均阴性。VAS评分术前(4.8±1.2)分,最终随访为(1.2±0.8)分,术前术后比较,差异有统计学意义(t=18.72,P=0.003);Lysholm评分术前为(50.8±6.2)分,最终随访为(90.8±5.4)分,术前术后比较,差异有统计学意义(t=-42.64,P=0.000);Tegner评分术前为(4.0±1.0)分,最终随访为(5.1±1.2)分,术前术后比较,差异有统计学意义(t=-16.82,P=0.005);IKDC主观评分术前为(52.5±7.4)分,最终随访为(91.5±5.7)分,术前术后比较,差异有统计学意义(t=-40.58,P=0.000)。结论膝关节镜下经髌腱入路空心拉力螺钉内固定治疗TEFx具有微创、操作简捷、固定可靠和恢复快的优点。     

Accidental external rotation of distal interlock jig in retrograde femoral nailing can lead to more prominent screws

Objective

Symptomatic distal interlocking screws in retrograde femoral nailing are common due the difficulties of imaging the trapezoidal femur. Screws appearing to have appropriate length on imaging may possibly be prominent, creating symptoms. Screw trajectory may influence the degree of this radiographic error. We hypothesize that external rotation of screw trajectory will increase measurement error of screw length.

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。     

Risks and benefits of timely screw removal after thoracolumbar spine fractures treated with non-fusion technique

BackgroundPercutaneous-short segment screw fixation (SSSF) without bone fusion has proven to be a safe and effective modality for thoracolumbar spine fractures (TLSFs). When fracture consolidation is confirmed, pedicle screws are no longer essential, but clear indications for screw removal following fracture consolidation have not been established.MethodsIn total, we enrolled 31 patients with TLSFs who underwent screw removal following treatment using percutaneous-SSSF without fusion. Plain radiographs, taken at different intervals, measured local kyphosis using Cobb’ angle (CA), vertebra body height (VBH), and the segmental motion angle (SMA). A visual analogue scale (VAS) and the Oswestry disability index (ODI) were applied pre-screw removal and at the last follow-up.ResultsThe overall mean CA deteriorated by 1.58° (p < 0.05) and the overall mean VBH decreased by 0.52 mm (p = 0.001). SMA preservation was achieved in 18 patients (58.1%) and kyphotic recurrence occurred in 4 patients (12.9%). SMA preservation was statistically significant in patients who underwent screw removal within 12 months following the primary operation (p = 0.002). Kyphotic recurrence occurred in patients with a CA ≥ 20° at injury (p < 0.001) with a median interval of 16.5 months after screw removal. No patients reported worsening pain or an increased ODI score after screw removal.ConclusionScrew removal within 12 months can be recommended for restoration of SMA with improvement in clinical outcomes. Although, TLSFs with CA ≥ 20° at the time of injury can help to predict kyphotic recurrence after screw removal, the clinical outcomes are less relevant.