Traction spica cast for femoral-shaft fractures in children

We treated 20 children for an isolated femoral shaft fracture using distal tibial traction incorporated into a spica cast with the knee in full extension. Patients were discharged from the hospital at a mean of 5.1 days following injury. All fractures healed, and there were four minor complications. At a mean follow-up of 35 (13-72) months, all patients were asymptomatic with normal function. All but one fracture healed in acceptable alignment, and there was no clinically significant leg-length discrepancy. The method is relatively simple to employ and may be advantageous in a setting of limited resources.     

Postural control and torque of the knee joint after healed tibial shaft fracture

Muscular atrophy occurs as a consequence of trauma and immobilisation. This cohort comparison study was conducted to evaluate the limb function after healed tibial shaft fractures, which were treated by casting versus nailing. Balance (as centre of pressure) and muscle strength (as torque of the knee joint during knee extension) have been measured in 27 patients with tibial shaft fractures with a mean age of 39 (19-73) years, 1 year after fracture healing. Fourteen patients were treated by intramedullary nailing 'nailed group' and 13 by plaster cast with or without minimal internal fixation 'casted group'. Centre of pressure was measured on a force platform. Knee extension torque was measured during isometric and concentric muscle actions by an isokinetic dynamometer. Centre of pressure tended to be more towards the uninjured leg in patients who had been treated by plaster cast (P<0.05). Side-to-side differences for isometric torque were significantly higher within the casted group (P<0.05). Patients with tibial shaft fractures treated by intramedullary nailing showed better postural control, one-leg standing test, and side-to-side differences for isometric muscle strength compared with patients treated by cast. Therefore, we recommend intramedullary nailing as a better method of treatment for tibial shaft fractures, with regard to recovery of muscle function.     

Disability of the hindfoot after fracture of the tibial shaft.

Hindfoot (subtalar) movement and disability after fracture of the tibial shaft have been studied. One hundred patients with soundly healed fractures of the tibial shaft treated by immobilisation in a long leg plaster cast were examined at least one year after the fracture had healed. Subtalar movement was accurately measured by a special technique and the patients were questioned specifically about any disability associated with their hindfoot. Subtalar movement was limited to some degree in 72% of patients. Forty-three per cent of patients complained of symptoms related to their subtalar joint and 12% found these symptoms troublesome.     

Intramedullary fixation of tibial shaft fractures using an expandable nail: early results of 54 acute tibial shaft fractures

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate and present our experience using the expandable nail system for the treatment of acute tibial shaft fractures. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: Two level-1 trauma centers-University teaching hospitals. METHODS: Fifty-four consecutive patients were treated by this nail system for acute tibial shaft fracture. Two nail diameters were used, 8.5 mm and 10 mm. Operation, hospitalization and healing times, reaming versus nonreaming, isolated versus multiple injuries, and reoperations were recorded and analyzed statistically. RESULTS: Follow-up was obtained either until fracture healing or for a minimum of 1 year with an average of 14 months (12 to 24). All fractures healed in an average time of 72 days (21 to 204). The average healing times for patients treated with 8.5-mm and 10-mm nails were 77.2 days (27 to 204) and 63.4 days (21 to 121), respectively. Average operative time was 103 minutes (40 to 185) if reamed and 56 minutes (30 to 80) if unreamed. Average healing times were 65.4 days (21 to 190) if reamed and 79.5 days (42 to 204) if unreamed. There were 11 complications (20.4%) related to the nailing: 3 deep infections, 2 superficial infections, 2 bone shortenings of 1 cm secondary to nail protrusion in the knee, 1 compartment syndrome, 1 fracture propagation, 1 distal malalignment, and 1 delayed union. Hardware was removed in 6 patients (3 infections, 2 patients' request and 1 protrusion into the knee), and 1 additional patient underwent exchange nailing due to a delayed union. CONCLUSIONS: The expandable nail offers the theoretical advantages of improved load sharing and rotational control without the need for interlocking screws. This study demonstrates satisfactory healing and alignment for the treatment of tibial shaft fractures using this device. However, caution must be exercised when using this nail in cases of significant comminution and in cases where the fracture pattern involves the more proximal or distal aspect of the tibial shaft.     

Injury to the infrapatellar branch of the saphenous nerve,a possible cause for anterior knee pain after tibial nailing?

The purpose of this study was to determine the long-term incidence of infrapatellar nerve damage after tibial nailing and its relation to anterior knee pain. We retrospectively evaluated 71 patients in whom 72 isolated tibial shaft fractures were treated with an intramedullary nail. The mean follow-up time was 84 months. Twenty-seven patients (38%) complained of chronic anterior knee pain. Infrapatellar nerve damage was found in 43 patients (60%). Of the 27 patients with knee pain, 21 (78%) had sensory deficits in the distribution area of the infrapatellar nerve, compared to 22 of the 45 patients (49%) without knee pain (p=0.025). Patient and fracture characteristics showed no significant differences between the two groups. At time of follow-up a total of 33 nails were removed of which twelve were taken out because of knee pain. The pain persisted in seven of these twelve patients (58%). The incidence of iatrogenic damage to the infrapatellar nerve after tibial nailing is high and lasting. Injury to this nerve appears to be associated with anterior knee pain after tibial nailing.     

Stress fracture of the distal tibia secondary to severe knee osteoarthritis: a case report

Stress fracture of the tibia secondary to sports-related activities is relatively common, but rarely occurs secondary to osteoarthritis of the knee. Such fractures usually involve the proximal tibia. We report a 61-year-old woman with osteoarthritis and severe varus deformity of the knee who had a stress fracture of the distal tibial shaft. The patient had declined total knee replacement for severe osteoarthritis. She developed a stress fracture that subsequently malunited. The patient presented late and the diagnosis was not made for several months. The pathomechanics, diagnosis, and management options for this patient are discussed.     

顺势复位技术微创治疗FraserⅡ型浮膝损伤的疗效

目的:探讨顺势复位技术微创治疗FraserⅡ型浮膝损伤的临床疗效。方法:回顾性分析2016年11月至2018年7月河北医科大学第三医院创伤急救中心采用顺势复位技术微创治疗的7例FraserⅡ型浮膝损伤患者资料。男5例,女2例;年龄30~82岁,平均52岁;7例患者均为浮膝损伤合并胫骨平台骨折,其中FraserⅡA型（胫...     

Treatment of ipsilateral femoral neck and shaft fractures with the Russell-Taylor reconstructive nail.

Twenty-seven ipsilateral femoral neck and shaft fractures were treated with the Russell-Taylor reconstructive nail. Follow-up ranged from 6-48 months (average: 23.6 months). Femoral neck fractures healed within an average of 3.7 months and femoral shaft fractures healed within an average of 4.8 months. Complications included one case of avascular necrosis of the femoral head, a varus healing of one femoral neck fracture, and a rotational malalignment of the femoral shaft in another case. There were no cases of hardware failure. The Russell-Taylor reconstructive nail allows concomitant hip and shaft fractures to be fixed with a single implant.     

Repair and reconstruction of severe leg injuries： retrospective review of eighty-five patients

Objective:To explore a good way of the reconstruction of severe tibial shaft fractures by using different flaps and external fixators. Methods: Eighty-five patients of TypeⅢC tibial shaft fractures with average age of 42.5 years were treated in our hospital from 1990 to 2005. Injuries were caused by motorcycle accidents in 66 patients, by machine accidents in 16 patients, and by stone bruise in 3 patients. The management procedures consisted of administration of antibiotics, serial debridment, bone grafting if needed, application of different flaps, such as free thoracoumbilical flaps, fasciocutaneous flaps, saphenous neurocutaneous vascular flaps, sural neurocutaneous vascular flaps and gastrocnemius muscular flaps, and different external fixations, for instance, half-ring fixators, unilateral axial dynamic fixators, AO fixators, Weifang fixators, and Hybrid fixators. The average follow up was 6.3 years. Results: All flaps survived. Eighty-three cases had bone healed. The average bone healing time of different external fixations was 5.5 months in 47 cases with half-ring fixators, 9.2 months in 4 cases treated with unilateral axial dynamic fixators, 8.5 months in 6 cases with AO fixators, 10.7 months in 16 cases with Weifang fixators, and 7.8 months in 10 cases with assembly fixators. Except half-ring fixation, other fixations all needed necessary bone graft. Two cases treated with unilateral axial dynamic fixators had nonunion of bone and developed osteomyelitis. The wounds healed after the removal of the fixators and immobilization by plaster. The last follow up examination showed ankle and knee motion was normal and no pain was noted. Conclusions: The combination of half-ring external fixators with various flaps provides good results for TypeⅢC tibial shaft fractures.     

预置阻挡钉在治疗胫骨螺旋形骨折合并后踝骨折中的作用

目的 探讨预置阻挡钉在治疗胫骨中下1/3 螺旋形骨折合并后踝骨折中的作用.方法 回顾性分析2018 年5月至2020 年6 月收治的24 例胫骨中下1/3 螺旋形骨折合并后踝骨折患者临床资料.所有患者均采用预置阻挡钉技术,并进行髓内钉及空心钉内固定治疗.术后记录胫骨正位 X 线片上冠状面力线(胫骨远端外侧角)、膝关节疼...     

Infection after an open supracondylar fracture above a total knee arthroplasty treated with the supracondylar nail

A 72-year-old man with an open fracture above a total knee arthroplasty was treated with a supracondylar intramedullary nail. Five months after internal fixation, the patient developed a Staphylococcus aureus infection of the knee, which resolved after a 42-day course of IV antibiotics. After reimplantation with a posteriorly stabilized condylar total knee arthroplasty using femoral and tibial stems with vancomycin-impregnated cement, the patient has been pain-free and ambulatory at 8 months' follow-up. The supracondylar nail may be an acceptable internal fixation device for closed fractures above a total knee arthroplasty, but, if possible, open fractures in this location may be better treated with fixation devices that do not violate the knee joint.     

The tibial shaft fracture.

Two large series of civilian-incurred (212) and combat-incurred (228) tibial shaft fractures are compared. Closed tibial fractures were treated by closed manipulation and weight bearing ambulation in a long leg plaster cast. Open injuries following wound exploration and debridement were treated similarly with wound closure. Combat-incurred tibial shaft fractures responded similarly to civilian-incurred injuries. Allowing an open fracture to heal with exposed bone at the fracture site resulted in an average time to removal of external immobilization only two weeks greater than for the uncomplicated tibial fracture. Whether weight bearing ambulation was instituted immediately (24-48 hr) or early (3-4 wk) did not shorten the time to removal of external immobilization. The infection rate in 289 open tibial fractures (228 combat-incurred and 61 civilian-incurred) was 3.8%, and all infections occurred in the open penetrating injuries.     

One-stage emergency treatment of open tibial shaft fractures with bone loss. Specifics and indications

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to report our experience in the reconstruction of severe tibial shaft fractures in emergency treatment. PATIENTS: Five male patients were admitted to the emergency room with a grade IIIB open tibial shaft fracture with bone loss, one patient with a grade IIIA open tibial fracture with massive articular bone loss and one patient with a grade IIIC open tibial fracture. INTERVENTION: Primary one-stage management was the same for the five patients with a grade IIIB: debridement, stabilization by locked intramedullary nailing, bone grafting from iliac crest. Skin loss was covered in the same operative time using free muscle flaps (four latissimus dorsi, one gracilis). For the patient with massive articular and diaphyseal bone loss, a vascularized fibula transfer with arthrodesis was performed one day after the trauma. For the patient with grade IIIC open tibial fracture, a shortening was performed in emergency treatment. RESULTS: The average follow-up was 21 months (range: eight months to 3.5 years). Partial weight-bearing was started at three months and the time of full weight-bearing was five months after the trauma. No angular complication and no non-union were observed. We noted one superficial infection without osteitis. All fractures healed within five to ten months (mean: 8.5 months). At the last follow-up, ankle and knee motion was normal and no pain was noted, except for the patient who had an arthrodesis and another who had associated lesions. CONCLUSION: We think that "aggressive" emergency management for severe open tibial fractures gives good results. It significantly reduces tissue loss from infection and improves healing and rehabilitation times.     

Isolated posterior cruciate ligament injuries associated with closed tibial shaft fractures: a report of two cases

Introduction  Knee ligament injuries associated with tibia shaft fractures are usually neglected and treatment is delayed. To our knowledge, no case presentation discusses the clinical result of closed tibial shaft fracture with concomitant ipsilateral isolated PCL injury. In this literature, we report the clinical result of two cases that sustained closed tibial shaft fracture with concomitant PCL injury and discuss the treatment options. Materials and methods  We report the clinical result of two cases that sustained closed tibial shaft fracture with concomitant posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injury. Case 1 received open reduction with plate fixation for the tibial shaft fracture, and he also received arthroscopic reconstruction of PCL with bone-patellar tendon-bone graft due to neglecting PCL injury 5 months later after fracture fixation. Case 2 sustained left tibial-fibular shaft fracture with isolated PCL injury confirmed by magnetic resonance image on the first day of injury. She received tibia fixation with intramedullary nail and conservative treatment with bracing and rehabilitation for PCL injury. Results  In case 1, the male patient only focused on fracture healing without any knee rehabilitation. His knee flexed deeply for protected weight bearing in the injured leg which may have exacerbated the posterior instability and reduced the possibility of PCL healing. The end result of knee function was poor even though PCL reconstruction was done later. In case 2, the female patient with diagnosed posterior cruciate ligament injury on the day of injury, her knee was immobilized in brace with full extension, which improved PCL healing. In addition, she received rehabilitation of quadriceps strengthening, and hamstring muscle contraction was avoided in her daily activity. After rehabilitation, the female patient did not complain of severe subjective instability even with an obvious posterior translation on posterior drawer test. Conclusions  We need to perform a careful physical examination of ipsilateral knee in cases of leg fractures, and MRI of knee before surgery if any doubt exists. However, a further research is needed to conclude on the best operation and rehabilitation program in patients with combined tibial shaft fracture and PCL injury. No support from any institution was gained for this study.     

钢板结合髓内钉治疗胫骨单髁伴同侧胫骨干中、远段骨折

 目的 探讨钢板结合髓内钉治疗同侧胫骨平台单髁伴胫骨干中、远段骨折的可行性和临床疗效。方法 2003年 5月至 2008年11月,钢板结合髓内钉固定治疗胫骨平台单髁伴同侧胫骨干骨折21例,男15 例,女6 例;年龄20～55岁,平均34岁。按Schatzer分类,Ⅰ型4例、Ⅱ型11例、Ⅲ型6例。胫骨干骨折按部位分型,胫骨干中段骨折13例、中下1∕3骨折8例。复位后,先钢板固定胫骨平台再髓内钉固定胫骨干19例,先髓内钉固定胫骨干再钢板固定胫骨平台2例。结果 所有病均例获得随访,随访时间0.9～4年,平均2.2年。所有患者均获骨性愈合,胫骨平台平均愈合时间为12周;胫骨干骨折平均愈合时间为29周,3例患者胫骨干骨折延迟愈合,拆除交锁钉使之动力化后愈合。1例胫骨平台未能解剖复位导致骨折畸形愈合。根据HSS膝关节评分标准[2],优17例(80.95%)、良3例(14.29%)、中1例(4.76%)。结论 注意一些技术要点,应用两种熟悉的手术技巧,钢板结合髓内钉能够成功治疗胫骨平台单髁伴同侧胫骨干骨折。     

扩髓带锁髓内钉治疗股骨、胫骨干骨折不愈合、延迟愈合

目的　总结使用扩髓带锁髓内钉治疗股骨、胫骨干骨骨折不愈合、延迟愈合的临床经验。方法　回顾自 1999年 4月～2 0 0 1年 6月使用扩髓带锁髓内钉治疗股骨干、胫骨干骨折不愈合、延迟愈合病人 2 1例 ,其中股骨 8例 ,胫骨 13例 ,钢板固定术后 ,股骨 3例 ,胫骨 6例。普通髓内针股骨 5例。外固定架胫骨 2例。石膏固定胫骨 3例 ,骨牵引股骨 2例。均采用有限切口切开复位顺行扩髓 ,静力锁定加植骨术。结果　随访半年以上 18例 ,骨折均愈合 ,临近关节功能达正常。无感染、断钉等并发症。结论　采用有限切口切开复位、扩髓、静力锁定治疗股骨、胫骨干骨折不愈合、延迟愈合 ,具有骨折稳定性可靠、有利于骨折愈合和早期关节活动的优点 ,是治疗股骨、胫骨干骨折不愈合、延迟愈合的有效方法之一。     

空心钉结合髓内钉固定治疗同侧胫骨平台伴胫骨干骨折

目的探讨空心钉结合髓内钉固定治疗同侧胫骨平台伴胫骨干骨折的方法和疗效。方法采用空心钉结合髓内钉固定治疗同侧胫骨平台伴胫骨干骨折12例,先以空心钉固定胫骨平台骨折,部分关节面粉碎塌陷较严重、怀疑合并半月板及韧带损伤者使用关节镜辅助探查及复位胫骨平台关节面,再以髓内钉固定胫骨干骨折。结果本组获平均17（8～33）个月随访,均获得骨性愈合,胫骨平台骨折平均愈合时间为12周,胫骨干骨折平均愈合时间为23周。疗效根据Lowa膝关节功能评价标准评定：优8例,良3例,可l例。结论空心钉结合髓内钉既有效固定了两处骨折。又充分保护了软组织,是治疗同侧胫骨平台伴胫骨干骨折的有效方法。     

Segmental Tibial Shaft Fractures

A series of 54 cases with multiple fractures of the tibia is reported. Sixty-eight per cent of the group were pedestrians hit by a car. Fifty-two per cent were open fractures. Osteosynthesis was performed in 33 cases, whereas 21 were treated conservatively. Plate osteosynthesis was accomplished in 23 cases, seven had intramedullary nailing, and two were treated by Hoffmann's external fixation device. Only one patient sustained a severe complication, viz., deep wound infection and osteomyelitis; however, even this infection was transient. All fractures healed except those sustained by two patients who died within 3 months; these deaths were, however, without any causal relationship to the osteosynthesis. One patient had a traumatic vascular lesion concomitant with the fracture, and his leg was amputated 3 days after the injury. Another patient had his leg amputated 1 year after his accident, in this case also because of injury to the vessels and nerves. It was concluded from the present series that segmental or multiple tibial shaft fractures do not entail more complications nor do they exhibit'a slower rate of union than simple tibial shaft fractures if the treatment is individualized and due consideration is given to the soft tissue injury.     

Management of infected tibial intramedullary nailing using an organized treatment protocol

Twenty cases of osteomyelitis following intramedullary nailing of the tibial shaft fracture were managed with a prospective treatment protocol comprising intramedullary reaming debridement, antibiotic-bead depot, external skeletal fixation, microvascular muscle flap and early cancellous bone grafting. The follow-up period ranged from 25 to 48 months (average, 34.3 months). Pseudomonas aeruginosa (37.5%) and staphylococcus aureus (20.8%) were the organisms most commonly involved. There were 8 united and 12 ununited fractures after reaming debridement surgery. Nineteen infections were initially arrested by one debridement. One infection was arrested by two sequential debridements. All 12 ununited fractures were stabilized by Hoffmann unilateral external fixation until the fracture healed. The time spent in external fixation ranged from 3 to 7 months (average, 5.2 months). Early cancellous bone grafting was successfully accomplished for 9 ununited fractures with major debridement bone loss. The average union time of the 9 fractures with bone grafting was 7.2 months (range, from 6 to 8 months). We believe that this treatment protocol gives a predictable and rapid recovery. The complications were infection recurrence in two cases at the old tibial shaft fracture sites, minor pin tract infection of Hoffmann external fixators in two cases, and stiffness in two ankles and one knee.     

The use of Ender nails in fractures of the tibial shaft

Between November 1979 and January 1983, we treated fifty-one severe fractures of the tibial shaft with multiple intramedullary Ender nails. Thirty-six fractures were treated within two weeks after injury. Forty-one fractures united in less than four months and eight, in four to eight months. Only two were not united after eight months. An anatomical reduction was maintained in all but three of the fractures, in which the tibia shortened. Two tibiae united with an angulation of 7 degrees and one with 6 degrees, as measured in two planes. There were two infections, both after an open fracture. It has been our experience that Ender nails provide excellent rotational stability, allow early full weight-bearing, and markedly decrease the duration of need for immobilization. Ender nailing was of value both for the acute management of complicated high-energy fractures of the tibial shaft with extensive soft-tissue damage and as a salvage procedure to maintain reduction of a fracture when other techniques had failed.