Anterior knee pain and thigh muscle strength after intramedullary nailing of a tibial shaft fracture: an 8-year follow-up of 28 consecutive cases

OBJECTIVES: Chronic anterior knee pain is a common complication after intramedullary nailing of a tibial shaft fracture. The source of pain is often not known, although it correlates with a simultaneous decrease in thigh muscle strength. No long-term follow-up study has assessed whether weakness of the thigh muscles is associated with anterior knee pain after the procedure in question. DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: University Hospital of Tampere, University of Tampere. PATIENTS: The muscular performance of 40 consecutive patients with a nailed tibial shaft fracture was tested isokinetically in a follow-up examination an average of 3.2 +/- 0.4 (SD) years after the initial surgery. An 8-year follow-up was possible in 28 of these cases. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Isokinetic muscle strength measurements were made in 28 patients at an average 8.1 +/- 0.3 (SD) years after nail insertion and an average 6.6 +/- 0.3 (SD) years after nail extraction. All nails were extracted at an average 1.6 +/- 0.2 years after the nailing. RESULTS:: Seven patients were painless initially and still were at final follow-up (never pain, or NP). In 13 patients, the previous symptom of anterior knee pain was no longer present at final follow-up [pain, no pain (PNP)], and the remaining 8 had anterior knee pain initially and at final follow-up [always pain group (AP)]. With reference to the hamstring muscles, the mean peak torque difference between the injured and uninjured limb was -2.2% +/- 12% in the NP group, 1.6% +/- 15% in the PNP group, and 10.3% +/- 30% in the AP group at a speed of 60 degrees/second (Kruskal-Wallis test; chi(2) = 1.0; P = 0.593). At a speed of 180 degrees/second, the corresponding differences were -2.9% +/- 23% and 7.0% +/- 19% and 4.4% +/- 16% (Kruskal-Wallis test; chi = 1.7; P = 0.429). With reference to the quadriceps muscles, the mean peak torque difference was -2.8% +/- 9% in the NP group, 5.9% +/- 15% in the PNP group, and -13.0% +/- 16% in the AP group at a speed of 60 degrees/second (Kruskal-Wallis test; chi(2) = 7.9; P = 0.019). At 180 degrees/second, the corresponding differences were -9.4% +/- 13% and 4.9% +/- 16% and -1.9% +/- 9%, respectively (Kruskal-Wallis test; chi(2) = 4.8; P = 0.092). CONCLUSION: Based on this prospective long-term follow-up study, it appears that the anterior knee pain symptoms that are present after intramedullary nailing of a tibial shaft fracture disappear in a number of patients 3 to 8 years after surgery. Quadriceps, but not hamstring weakness, and lower functional knee scores are associated with anterior knee pain at 8 years.     

胫骨干骨折髓内钉治疗后膝关节痛的临床研究

目的 通过对胫骨干骨折髓内钉内固定治疗后膝关节痛的临床观察，探讨膝关节痛的发生和病因。方法 回顾性研究我院1997年1月～2002年12月应用髓内钉内固定治疗胫骨干骨折的1332例病例。所有病例在骨折愈合后均有一次以上随访，平均随访时间为27个月。结果 共有409例胫骨干骨折术后发生患侧膝关节痛；经髌韧带入路组膝关节痛发生率为31.9％，髌韧带旁入路组为28.9％。结论 髌韧带旁入路不能减少胫骨干骨折髓内钉治疗术后膝关节痛的发生。     

Anterior knee pain and thigh muscle strength after intramedullary nailing of tibial shaft fractures: a report of 40 consecutive cases

OBJECTIVES: Chronic anterior knee pain is a common complication following intramedullary nailing of a tibial shaft fracture. The source of pain is often not known nor is the reason for a simultaneous decrease in thigh muscle strength. Anterior knee pain has also been reported following an anterior cruciate ligament rupture. No previous investigation has assessed whether weakness of the thigh muscles is associated with anterior knee pain following intramedullary nailing of tibial shaft fractures. DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: University Hospital of Tampere, University of Tampere. PATIENTS: Fifty consecutive patients with a nailed tibial shaft fracture were initially included in the study. Ten patients did not have isokinetic strength testing for various reasons and were eliminated from the study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Isokinetic muscle strength measurements were done in 40 patients at an average 3.2 +/- 0.4 (SD) years after nail insertion (1.7 +/- 0.3 years after the nail extraction). RESULTS: Twelve (30%) patients were painless and 28 (70%) patients had anterior knee pain at follow-up. With reference to the hamstrings muscles, the mean peak torque deficit of the injured limb (as compared with the uninjured limb) was 2 +/- 11% in the painless group and 11 +/- 17% in the pain group at a speed of 60 degrees /s (P = 0.09, [95% CI for the group difference = -18% to 0%]). At a speed of 180 degrees /s, the corresponding deficits were -3 +/- 13% and 10 +/- 21% (P = 0.03, [95% CI for the group difference = -4% to -2%]). With reference to the quadriceps muscles, the mean peak torque deficit of the injured limb was 14 +/- 15% in the painless group and 15 +/- 15% in the pain group at speed of 60 degrees /s (P = 0.71, [95% CI for the group difference = -11% to 10%]). At a speed of 180 degrees /s, the corresponding deficits were 9 +/- 11% and 14 +/- 17% (P = 0.46, [95% CI for the group difference = -14% to 5%]). CONCLUSION: Based on this prospective study, we conclude that anterior knee pain after intramedullary nailing of a tibial shaft fracture, although of multifactorial origin, may be related to deficiency in the flexion strength of the thigh muscles.     

Anterior knee pain after intramedullary nailing of fractures of the tibial shaft. A prospective, randomized study comparing two different nail-insertion techniques

BACKGROUND: Anterior knee pain is the most common complication after intramedullary nailing of the tibia. Dissection of the patellar tendon and its sheath during nailing is thought to be a contributing cause of chronic anterior knee pain. The purpose of this prospective, randomized study was to assess whether the prevalence or the intensity of anterior knee pain following intramedullary nailing of a tibial shaft fracture is reduced by the use of a paratendinous incision for the nail entry portal. METHODS: Fifty patients with a tibial shaft fracture requiring intramedullary nailing were randomized equally to treatment with paratendinous or transtendinous nailing. Twenty-one patients from both study groups were followed for an average of three years after nailing. After fracture union, all but two patients had elective nail removal through the same surgical approach as was used for the nailing. At the follow-up evaluation, the patients used visual analog scales to report their level of anterior knee pain and the impairment caused by that pain. The scales described by Lysholm and Gillquist and by Tegner et al., the Iowa knee scoring system, and simple functional tests were used to quantitate the functional results. Isokinetic thigh-muscle strength was also measured. RESULTS: Fourteen (67%) of the twenty-one patients treated with transtendinous nailing reported anterior knee pain at the final evaluation. Of these fourteen patients, thirteen were mildly to severely impaired by the pain. Fifteen (71%) of the twenty-one patients treated with paratendinous nailing reported anterior knee pain, and ten of the fifteen were impaired by the pain. The Lysholm, Tegner, and Iowa knee scoring systems; muscle-strength measurements; and functional tests showed no significant differences between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Compared with a transpatellar tendon approach, a paratendinous approach for nail insertion does not reduce the prevalence of chronic anterior knee pain or functional impairment by a clinically relevant amount after intramedullary nailing of a tibial shaft fracture.     

Effects of morphological changes in the patellar tendon on the development of anterior knee pain after intramedullary nailing for tibial shaft fractures: A retrospective comparative study

ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the effects of morphological changes of the patellar tendon (length, width, and thickness) on the development of anterior knee pain (AKP) after intramedullary nailing (IMN) of tibial shaft fractures.MethodsA total of 39 patients, treated by IMN using the transpatellar approach for tibial shaft fractures, were retrospectively reviewed and included in the study. The patients were then divided into 2 groups based on the presence of AKP: group A, patients who developed AKP (9 men, 9 women; mean age=35.39±9.32 years), and group B, patients without AKP (13 men, 8 women; mean age=41.38±14.78 years). To assess the morphological changes in the patellar tendon, magnetic resonance imaging was performed on the operated and unoperated, contralateral knees of the patients. The patellar tendon index (PTI) was calculated using the length, width, and thickness of the patellar tendon, and a set of variables was established to be a proportion of the measurements of the operated knees to those of the unoperated ones (operated/healthy PTI ratio). PTI ratios were compared between both the groups. Furthermore, the morphological features of the patellar tendon, including the length, width, and thickness, were examined within the groups as independent variables. To assess pain intensity in group A, a 10-cm visual analogue scale (VAS) was used. To evaluate functional status, the Lysholm knee scoring system was used.ResultsThe PTI ratio was significantly higher in group A (1.37±0.12) than in group B (1.03±0.08) (p<0.001). In group A, the mean VAS score was 5.35±1.11, and a moderate linear correlation was found between PTI ratios and VAS scores (r=0.494, p=0.044). The mean Lysholm score was significantly lower in group A (80.17±3.05) than in group B (89.76±3.05) (p<0.001). In group A, the width and thickness of the patellar tendon were found to be significantly different between the operated and unoperated knees (p=0.024 and p=0.002, respectively). In group B, there was no difference between the operated and unoperated knees in terms of the 3 measurements (length, width, and thickness) (p=0.762, p=0.753, and p=0.118, respectively).ConclusionEvidence from this study revealed that morphological changes occurring in the patellar tendon after IMN for tibial shaft fractures using a transpatellar approach may have a significant role in the development of AKP. The increase in the tendon width and thickness may be the cause of pain and insufficient knee function in such patients.Level of EvidenceLevel III, Therapeutic study     

胫骨干骨折髓内针固定术后膝关节疼痛的临床观察及原因分析

[目的]通过对256例胫骨干骨折髓内针固定后病人膝关节前侧疼痛的临床观察，分析膝关节前侧疼痛的原因。[方法]回顾性分析本院自2000年1月～2007年12月应用髓内针治疗的胫骨干骨折的病人共256例。其中男183例，女73例。平均45岁，其中76例（30％）的病人是开放性骨折，156例（60％）病人在伤后24h之内进行手术，其余100例（40％）病人在伤后12d内予以手术治疗。[结果]共有166例病人发生了膝关节前侧的疼痛，占病人总数的65％。其中经髌韧带科路者96例（发生率为58％）；髌韧带旁入路者为70例（发生率为42％）。膝关节前侧疼痛在活动后加重。在166例病人中，有90例（54％）病人在术后1年髓内针取出后疼痛感消失，经休息或口服止痛药物缓解的为33例（20％），其余病人在加强膝关节周围肌肉的练习后疼痛感减轻或消失。[结论]手术入路的不同并不能减少胫骨干骨折髓内针治疗后膝关节前侧疼痛的发生，而髓内针的移除、加强膝关节周围肌肉的练习可减少此种疼痛的发生。     

Anterior gonalgic syndrome after intramedullary nailing: ultrasound and radiologic study

A total of 33 patients submitted to tibial intramedullary osteosynthesis for fracture (27 cases) and non-union were assessed by ultrasound and x-rays an average of 10.9 months after surgery. The route of access was patellar transtendineal in each case; the means of synthesis used was the Marchetti Vicenzi nail. In 19 patients (57.6%) there was anterior gonalgia. Radiologic assessment evaluated prominence of the nail, while nail-tendon impingement was examined by ultrasound. Nail-tendon impingement was frequently observed (24 cases, 72.7%); in cases such as these anterior pain in the knee was present in 17 patients: however, this fact did not achieve statistical significance. The patellar tendon was thickened as compared to the contralateral one, with disorganization of the fibrillar echotexture, but it was not shortened. The tendinous morphostructure did not reveal any relationship with anterior gonalgia. In none of the cases did we observe the formation of scarring nuromas. In the area of the Hoffa body reactive synovitis phenomena with structural hyperechogenicity, an unclear aspect of the posterior tendinous profile and calcifications were observed. Radiographic prominence of the nail was correlated with echographic impingement, but not with clinical findings. Removal of the instrumentation carried out in 8 patients characterized by anterior gonalgia did not lead to resolution of symptoms in 2 cases in which MRI study showed patellar tendinitis and in 1 case patellar chondropathy with irregularity of the Hoffa body in the second.     

Anterior knee pain following intramedullary nailing of tibial shaft fractures: does bony portal point in the sagittal plane affect the outcome?

Forty-four consecutive diaphyseal extra-articular tibial fractures (43 patients) were treated with intramedullary interlocking nail. There were 35 men and eight women with a mean age of 38 years. Average follow-up was 25 months. Cases were divided into two groups: anterior-knee-pain group, 20 knees; and no-pain group, 24 knees. The lateral projection radiographs of their tibiae were scrutinised for precise bony portal point. The distance between articular surface and tibial tubercle was divided into three equal zones. In the superior zone, six had pain and six did not. In the central zone, eight had pain and 15 did not. In the inferior zone, six had pain and three did not. There was no significant difference between anterior knee pain and the three zones of the bony entry, age, gender, mechanism of injury, dynamisation, nail protrusion, approach and union time. We conclude that bony entry point in the sagittal plane is not a significant prognostic indicator for anterior knee pain following intramedullary tibial nailing.     

Precise nail tip positioning after tibial intramedullary nailing prevents anterior knee pain

Purpose

Anterior knee pain (AKP) is a common complication following intramedullary nailing of tibial shaft fractures. Our aim was, by analysing the postoperative lateral knee X-rays and clinical status (VAS score), to find the best intramedullary tip position of a non protruded nail that will provide the best postoperative outcome avoiding AKP.

Methods

We evaluated the postoperative outcome of 221 patients, from the last four years, with healed fractures initially treated with intramedullary reamed nails with two or three interlocking screws proximally and distally through a medial paratendinous incision for nail entry portal. Our aim was to analyse a possible relationship between AKP according to the VAS scale, and nail position marked as a distance from tip of nail to tibial plateau (NP) and to tibial tuberosity (NT), measured postoperatively on lateral knee X-rays.

Results

Two groups of patients were formed on the basis of presence of pain related to AKP (the level of pain was neglected): group A were patients with pain and group B without pain. The difference between the two groups concerning NP and NT measurements appeared to be statistically significant concerning NT measurement (p < 0.05), with high accuracy according to the classification tree.

Conclusions

We presume that the position of the proximal tip of the nail and its negative influence on the innervation pattern of the area dorsal to patellar tendon could be the key factor of AKP. We conclude that the symptoms of AKP will not appear if the tip of the nail position is more than 5.5 mm from the tibial plateau (NP) and more than 2.5 mm from the tibial tuberosity (NT).     

不扩髓交锁髓内钉治疗胫骨开放性骨折

对于胫骨开放性骨折 ,往往由于皮肤和软组织损伤严重 ,骨折端血供破坏 ,治疗较为困难。国内外对此类骨折的治疗有不同见解 ,尤其对骨折固定方法无统一认识。 1998年 1月～ 2 0 0 1年 12月 ,我们应用不扩髓交锁钉治疗 36例胫骨开放性骨折 ,取得良好的效果。1　材料与方法1.1　病例资料　本组 36例 ,男 2 6例 ,女 10例 ,年龄 2 0～ 6 2岁。跌伤 9例 ,车祸 2 3例 ,压伤 4例 ,均为开放性骨折。Gustillo分型 :Ⅰ型 16例、Ⅱ型 13例、ⅢA型 5例、ⅢB 型 2例。外伤至手术的时间为 2～ 7h ,平均 4h。1.2　治疗方法　彻底清创后采用不扩髓交锁钉技…     

磁力导航交锁髓内钉在治疗胫骨干骨折中的应用

目的 评价磁力导航交锁髓内钉治疗胫骨干骨折的疗效,并与普通交锁髓内钉疗效进行比较.方法 将62例胫骨干骨折患者分为两组:A组23例,使用磁力导航交锁髓内钉治疗;B组39例,使用普通交锁髓内钉治疗.记录两组远端2枚锁钉锁定成功时间,一次性锁定成功率及骨折愈合时间.用Kakar评分标准评价两组疗效.结果 远端2枚锁钉锁定成功时间:A组(6.7±2.0)min,B组(12.5±2.2)min,两组差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05);一次性锁定成功率:A组96%,B组77%,两组差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05);骨折愈合时间:A组(16.7±1.8)周,B组(16.9±1.6)周,两组差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05);Kakar评分优良率:A组91%,B组87%,两组差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).结论 磁力导航交锁髓内钉治疗胫骨干骨折疗效满意,与普通交锁髓内钉比较有定位准确、手术时间短、创伤小的优势.     

Sequential intramedullary nailing of open tibial shaft fractures after external fixation

We reviewed 32 tibial shaft fractures in 31 patients treated with sequential intramedullary nailing after primary external fixation. There were 30 open fractures and 2 closed injuries with severe blunt trauma requiring fasciotomy. Fifty per cent of the fractures were classified as Gustilo type III A and B injuries [13]. The mean external fixation treatment averaged 6.6 weeks, and secondary intramedullary nailing was done on average 7.4 weeks after injury. In 50% of the fractures, secondary nailing was done at the same procedure as removal of the external fixation. Overall, the incidence of osteomyelitis and nonunion was 3.1% each and of malunion 19%. The time to full weight-bearing averaged 31.2 weeks. The results were separately analyzed according to Gustilo types and subtypes. In the Gustilo type III B injuries, the incidence of osteomyelitis and non-union was 11 %, while malunion occurred in 33%. The time to full weight-bearing averaged 53 weeks. These results support the conclusion that this treatment modality is a valid alternative to other treatment options. However, previous pintract infections should be regarded as a contraindication for secondary nailing.Beispiel: Presented at the 15th Annual Meeting on Mycorrhizae, Chicago, 1992     

Femoral shaft fracture callus formation after intramedullary nailing: a comparison of interlocking and Ender nailing

 Intramedullary nailing is widely used for the operative treatment of femoral fractures. Recently, the biologic healing of fractures has become better understood from fundamental investigations. However, there has been no clinical comparison between the fracture healing process with these two fixation methods. The purpose of this study was to use radiographs to compare callus formation with two types of intramedullary nailing for femoral shaft fractures: reamed interlocking (IL) nails and Ender nails. Femoral shaft type A fractures (AO classification) were studied. Twenty-seven fractures were treated with reamed IL nailing, and 81 fractures were treated with Ender nailing. The callus area was calculated from the maximum cross-sectional area on the anteroposterior and lateral radiographs. The callus appeared at a mean of 3.9 weeks after surgery in the IL group, and at a mean of 2.8 weeks in the Ender group (P < 0.05). In the IL and Ender groups, fracture healing was noted at a mean of 3.4 and 2.0 months, respectively. The mean area of callus formation in the IL and Ender nailing groups was 439.5 mm² and 699.4 mm², respectively (P < 0.02). Ender nailing results in abundant callus, which forms at an earlier stage after the procedure than in patients treated with IL nailing. Dynamization at the fracture site is reported to increase external callus formation. Our results indicate that the elasticity of the fixation obtained with Ender nailing promotes callus formation. Received: November 9, 2001 / Accepted: February 13, 2002