Health outcomes of delayed union and nonunion of femoral and tibial shaft fractures

Introduction

Knowledge about the functional consequences of lower limb long bone fractures is helpful to inform patients, clinicians and employers about their recovery process and prognosis. This study aims to describe the epidemiology and health outcomes of femoral and tibial shaft fractures treated at two level I trauma centres, by comparing the differences between patients with delayed union or nonunion and patients with union.

Patients and methods

An analysis of registry data over two years, supplemented with medical record review, was conducted. Fracture healing was retrospectively assessed by clinical and radiological evidence of union, and the need for surgical intervention. SF-12 scores, and work and pain status were prospectively recorded at six and twelve months post injury.

Results

285 fractures progressed to union and 138 fractures developed delayed union or nonunion. There was a significant difference between the two cohorts with regards to the mechanism of injury, association with multi-trauma, open fractures, grade of Gustilo classification, patient fund source, smoking status and presence of comorbidities. The SF-12 physical component score was less than 50 at both six and twelve months with improvement in the union group, but not in the delayed union or nonunion group. 72% of patients with union had returned to work at one year, but 54% continued to have pain. The difference compared to patients with delayed union or nonunion was significant.

Discussion

Even patients whose fractures unite in the expectant time-frame will have residual physical disability. Patients with delayed union or nonunion have still poorer outcomes, including ongoing problems with returning to work and pain. It is important to educate patients about their injury so that they have realistic expectations. This is particularly relevant given that the patients most likely to sustain femoral or tibial shaft fractures are working-age healthy adults, and up to a third of fractures may develop delayed union or nonunion.

Conclusion

Despite modern treatment, the patient-reported outcomes of lower limb long bone shaft fractures do not return to normal at one year. Patients with delayed union or nonunion can expect poorer outcomes.     

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.     

Success of exchange reamed intramedullary nailing for femoral shaft nonunion or delayed union

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the success of exchange reamed femoral nailing in the treatment of femoral nonunion after intramedullary (IM) nailing, and to analyze factors that may contribute to failure of exchange reamed femoral nailing. DESIGN: Retrospective consecutive clinical series. SETTING: Level I trauma center and tertiary university hospital. PATIENTS: Twenty-three patients were identified whose radiographs failed to show progression of healing for four months after treatment with a reamed IM femoral nail. Nineteen patients had undergone primary IM nailing of an acute femoral shaft fracture, one patient had been converted to an IM nail after initially being treated in an external fixator, and three patients had previously undergone an unsuccessful exchange reamed nailing. INTERVENTION: All patients were treated by exchange reamed femoral nailing. The diameter of the new nail was one to three millimeters larger than that of the previous nail (the majority were two millimeters larger). The intramedullary canal was overreamed by one millimeter more than the diameter of the nail. Most of the nails were statically locked, and care was taken to avoid distraction of the nonunion site by reverse impaction after distal interlocking was performed or by applying compression with a femoral distractor. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Radiographic evaluation of union was determined by the presence of healing on at least three of four cortices. Factors reviewed included the patient's age, smoking history, mechanism of injury, associated injuries, whether the initial fracture was open or closed, the pattern and location of the fracture, the type of nonunion, the increase in nail diameter, whether the nail was dynamically or statically locked, and the results of any intraoperative cultures. RESULTS: Tobacco use was found to have a detrimental impact on the success of exchange reamed nailing. All eight of the nonsmokers healed after exchange reamed nailing, whereas only ten of the fifteen smokers (66.7 percent) healed after exchange reamed nailing. Overall, exchange reamed femoral nailing was successful in eighteen cases (78.3 percent). Three patients achieved union with additional procedures. Intramedullary cultures were positive in five cases; all of these achieved successful union. CONCLUSIONS: Exchange reamed nailing remains the treatment of choice for most femoral diaphyseal nonunions. Exchange reamed IM nailing has low morbidity, may obviate the need for additional bone grafting, and allows full weight-bearing and active rehabilitation. Tobacco use appears to have an adverse effect on nonunion healing after exchange reamed femoral nailing.     

Diagnosing posterior tibial tendon tear with dynamic ultrasound following tibial intramedullary nailing

Complications following tibial intramedullary nailing include anterior knee pain, malunion, nonunion, and symptomatic/prominent interlocking screws. We report a case of a posterior tibial tendon tear caused by placement of a distal interlocking screw which was detected via dynamic ultrasound. This is a rare and possibly underreported complication which could be the cause of persistent medial sided ankle pain following locked tibial nail placement.     

Treatment of open tibial shaft fractures by delayed closed intramedullary nailing.

Forty-seven open tibial fractures in 43 patients were internally fixed by delayed closed nailing after reaming the medullary canal. The procedure was usually undertaken after complete healing of the wound. Early mobilization was encouraged in all cases. In 37 patients (86%) the fractures were caused by road traffic accidents; 21 patients (49%) had other skeletal and soft tissue injuries. All fractures united with a mean of 19 weeks, but five had delayed union. Most patients had a full range of knee and ankle movements. No infection was encountered in the series.     

Fixed intramedullary nailing and percutaneous autologous concentrated bone-marrow grafting can promote bone healing in humeral-shaft fractures with delayed union

Treatment of humeral diaphyseal nonunion can be difficult and usually requires an extensive approach to the humerus with bone grafting, a procedure that could result in a lengthy operation with significant morbidity for the patient. The purpose of the present study is to describe a novel minimally invasive technique for the treatment of humeral-shaft fractures that do not demonstrate union progress within 16-24 weeks of injury. Fixed intramedullary nailing with percutaneously harvested and introduced autologous concentrated bone-marrow cells (mixed with demineralised bone matrix putty) was successfully used to treat five patients who had delayed union of a humeral-shaft fracture. The procedure was minimally invasive with no complications and resulted in sound union of all cases within 20 weeks.     

Delayed union of humeral shaft fractures treated by closed flexible intramedullary nailing

Ten patients with humeral shaft fractures and no clinical or radiographic signs of healing after at least six weeks' immobilisation were treated by flexible intramedullary nailing using a closed retrograde technique. Bone grafting was not performed, and active movement was encouraged after operation. Nine fractures healed; the mean time to union was 10.5 weeks (range 6 to 22 weeks). One patient needed compression plating and bone grafting at 22 weeks, and another required re-operation for distal migration of the rods. There were no infections, nerve palsies or other complications. Stiffness of the shoulder which had developed during early treatment improved after operation.     

扩髓带锁髓内钉治疗胫骨干骨折不愈合

1999年3月～2003年6月,我院应用扩髓带锁髓内钉治疗无菌性胫骨干骨折不愈合32例,疗效满意。     

Cigarette smoking influences the clinical and occupational outcome of patients with tibial shaft fractures

Tibial shaft fracture is one of the most common types of bone fracture in young patients. In this prospective clinical cohort study, we investigated the effects of cigarette smoking on the clinical, functional, psychosocial and occupational outcomes after isolated lower-leg fracture.We examined 85 patients, including 61 men and 24 women, with a collective mean age of 46 years (range: 18–84 years). Thirty-nine patients had never smoked (G1) and 45 patients were current or previous smokers (G2).The G2 group displayed a significantly increased risk for delayed union or nonunion (G1 = 3 patients, G2 = 18 patients; P = 0.0007) and increased time required for fracture healing (mean times: G1 = 11.9 weeks, G2 = 17.4 weeks; p = 0.003) and a markedly increased time out of work (mean times: G1 = 16.1 weeks, G2 = 21.5 weeks; p = 0.1177 (not significant)). The 18 negatively affected patients in G2 displayed a significant increase in the time required for fracture healing and time out of work (26 weeks (p = 0.02) and 31 weeks (p = 0.03), respectively). G2 group members had a 3- to 18-fold higher risk of impaired bone healing. The mean Short Form 36 (SF-36) was similar in both groups. The physical-function scores were G1 = 49.6 and G2 = 48.6; the mental scores were G1 = 52.7 and G2 = 52.8.These findings indicate that smoking significantly increases the risk of impaired fracture healing, which has clinical and occupational consequences for the affected patients. Based on our data, we developed a score to estimate the individual risk of impaired fracture healing. These types of patients must be informed and closely monitored to determine the need for timely re-intervention with additional therapy, such as BMP s or ultrasound.     

交锁髓内钉治疗胫骨远端开放性骨折

目的探讨交锁髓内钉治疗胫骨远端开放性骨折疗效。方法26例胫骨远端开放性骨折患者,先清创或牵引复位外固定,再闭合或小切口切开复位交锁髓内钉内固定。结果患者均获随访,时间7～22(15.2±3.3)个月。骨性愈合时间3.5～15.5(7.3±2.8)个月。术后功能恢复按Johner-Wruhs标准:优16例,良8例,可2例。可2例中1例出现骨折延迟愈合、断钉,经更换髓内钉并植骨后5个月获骨性愈合;1例皮肤坏死,经清创后Ⅱ期植皮愈合,遗留踝关节功能障碍。结论交锁髓内钉治疗胫骨远端开放性骨折是一种有效方法。     

带锁髓内钉治疗胫骨骨折

交锁髓内钉治疗胫骨骨折应用广泛,固定坚强可靠,能早期活动,并发症少。2005年6月～2007年6月,我科应用带锁髓内钉内固定治疗胫骨骨折38例,疗效满意。     

骨折不愈合与延迟愈合的成因与治疗

目的探讨骨折不愈合与延迟愈合的成因、报肯治疗的方法与设果。方法对1990年7月～2004年12月间收治的107例骨折不愈台、54例骨折延迟愈合2例先天性胫骨骨不连进行回顾性研究，分析原因，随访治疗结果。18例延迟愈合行保守治疗，本组其他145例行手术治疗，结果除2例先天性胫骨骨不连外，其余161例的成因中均有医源性因素。10例失去随访，153例平均随访17（6-28）个月，骨折均获骨性连接，愈合时间平均10（6-14）个月，肢体功能恢复良好，结论医源性技术缺陷是骨折不愈合与延迟愈合的主要原因，针对各种不同因素进行合理治疗可获得满意效果。     

骨折延迟愈合和不愈合的治疗进展

骨折最主要并发症之一是骨折不愈合或延迟愈合。为了最终恢复骨的完整性和生物力学性能，骨折治疗包括手术或内固定方式、骨移植、外固定、电刺激、超声检查、高能量体外冲击波等。骨不愈合及延迟愈合的最佳治疗方法是自体骨移植。然而，合适的移植骨是有限的，且移植后会增加供骨部位的发病率。目前，骨不愈合或延迟愈合的治疗原则已有进步，目标是提供无损伤、并发症少及安全的治疗。本文介绍了骨不愈合或延迟愈合的一些有效而安全的治疗方法的进展。     

髌上入路胫骨髓内钉治疗胫骨近端骨折

目的:探讨膝关节半伸直位髌上入路胫骨髓内钉治疗胫骨近端骨折的临床疗效。方法:2013年1月至2014年1月共收治胫骨近端骨折16例,男14例,女2例;年龄26～57岁,平均42.2岁。所有患者为单侧闭合骨折,采用膝关节半伸直位髌上入路META-NAIL胫骨髓内钉内固定治疗。记录手术时间、术后并发症、骨愈合时间、胫骨力线和膝关节活动范围,并采用视觉模拟评分法(visual analogue scale,VAS)和Lysholm膝关节评分评定手术疗效。结果:所有16例患者手术时间65～95 min,平均(75.7±8.3) min.无明显围手术期并发症发生。所有患者获随访,时间12～24个月,平均(15.6±8.1)个月。15例获得Ⅰ期骨愈合,平均骨愈合时间(3.6±1.8)个月(3～5个月).末次随访时,所有患者胫骨力线良好,无膝前疼痛。患侧膝关节屈伸活动范围平均(124.4±18.8)°,健侧(127.5±16.7)°。Lysholm膝关节评分77～92分,平均86.4±12.3.结论:膝关节半伸直位髌上入路胫骨髓内钉治疗胫骨近端骨折,术中复位及固定操作方便,术后并发症少,患肢功能恢复良好,临床疗效满意。     

Treatment of femoral shaft fractures with Grosse-Kempf intramedullary nail

Ninety consecutive femoral shaft fractures in 87 patients treated by reamed Grosse-Kempf intramedullary nailing were reviewed. The median observation time was 45 months. The functional results were excellent or good in 82% of the fractures, fair in 16%, and poor in 2%. Four non-unions and two superficial infections were observed. Leg shortening of more than 2 cm was recorded in 2 patients. Rotatory malalignment exceeded more than 15° in 2 patients. We conclude that reamed Grosse-Kempf intramedullary nailing is an excellent treatment for femoral shaft fractures. Although this study represents the first period during which we used the nail, the number of complications was acceptable. Received: July 8, 1999 / Accepted: December 6, 1999     

Treatment of type IIIA open fractures of tibial shaft with Ilizarov external fixator versus unreamed tibial nailing

Introduction The aim of this study was to compare the radiographic results and clinical outcome of unreamed tibial nailing (UTN) and Ilizarov external fixation (IEF) for the treatment of type IIIA open fractures of the tibia. Materials and Methods Sixty-one patients with open type IIIA tibial shaft fractures were treated with an IEF (n = 32) or UTN (n = 29). Both groups were compared for union time, secondary outcomes of nonunion, infections, mechanical failure of the implant, and malunion. Results The average time-to-bone healing was 19 weeks (range 14–23 weeks) for IEF and 21 weeks (range 16–36 weeks) for UTN; it was significantly shorter in the IEF group (P = 0.039). One patient had refracture in the IEF group. Malunion occurred in four patients for each group. Posttraumatic osteomyelitis occurred in two patients in the IEF group and in three patients in the UTN group. In the IEF group, additional surgical procedures were indicated in three cases including sequestrectomy (n = 1), and pin replacement (n = 2). In the UTN group, seven patients needed additional surgery including bone grafting (n = 3), nail exchanged (n = 1), and posttraumatic osteomyelitis (n = 3). Conclusion The results of the current study showed that IEF technique had a notable incidence of pin-tract infection, joint contracture, and shorthening related to treatment of the delayed union. The UTN technique had the disadvantage of a posttraumatic osteomyelitis and delayed union requiring additional surgery. We believe that the decision to use IEF or UTN should be made on a case-by-case basis.     

经皮注射自体骨髓治疗骨折延迟愈合与不愈合

目的 探讨经皮注射注入自体骨髓移植治疗骨折延迟愈合与不愈合的治疗效果。方法 21例患者抽取自体红骨髓离心后在C臂X线机透视下经皮注射至骨折延迟愈合与不愈合部位,定期随访观察骨折愈合进展情况。结果 20例获随访,骨折愈合18例,2例未愈合,愈合率90％,愈合时间4-11个月,平均8个月。21例患者经注射后无局部及全身感染并发症,未见异位骨化。结论 经皮注射自体骨髓移植治疗骨折延迟愈合与不愈合具有安全、有效、创伤小等优点,是临床上可供选择的治疗方法,值得深入研究及推广。     

放疗模拟机定位经皮自体骨髓及骨宁注射治疗骨不连及延迟愈合的临床研究

我院于 1998年 8月～ 2 0 0 0年 8月 ,在放疗模拟机定位下 ,经皮自体骨髓及骨宁注射治疗骨不连及骨延迟愈合 14例 ,收到良好效果。1　临床资料本组 14例 ,男 10例 ,女 4例 ;年龄 17～ 5 6岁 ,平均 38岁 ;骨不连部位 :肱骨 2例 ,股骨 2例 ,胫骨 7例 ,尺骨 2例 ,外踝 1例 ,14例为创伤性骨折不愈合 ,其中 10例曾行切开复位内固定术 (8例为开放性骨折 ,2例为骨不连切开植骨内固定术后 ) ,骨不连部位的骨缺损间隙为 2～ 6ｍｍ ,平均为 3 5ｍｍ。2　治疗方法病人置于模拟机平台上 ,先在放疗模拟机下定位 ,然后消毒 ,铺无菌巾 ,局部浸润麻醉后 ,用…