Salvage of distal tibia metaphyseal nonunions with the 90 degrees cannulated blade plate

Nonunion of distal tibia metaphyseal fractures after trauma is a major problem. Treating these nonunions is made more challenging by the presence of symptomatic ipsilateral tibiotalar arthrosis. The current study examined the use of the 90 degrees cannulated blade plate as an alternative method of stable internal fixation for 13 distal tibia metaphyseal nonunions and simultaneous fusion of three arthritic tibiotalar joints in 13 patients (seven males and six females) with an average age of 42.4 years (range, 21-73 years). Each patient had an average of three prior procedures (range, 2-6). Patients were followed up for an average of 34.2 months (range, 24-55 months). All 13 patients achieved radiographic and clinical union an average of 15.6 weeks (range, 12-20 weeks) from the date of the definitive procedure. There were two broken screws, but no secondary procedures were required to obtain fusion. All patients were ambulatory without support at the last followup. The implant proved effective for stable internal fixation of distal tibia metaphyseal nonunions alone or with simultaneous fusion of the tibiotalar joint.     

解剖型钢板治疗胫骨远端骨折

胫腓骨骨折发生率很高,约占长骨骨折的10％。胫腓骨远端骨折在胫腓骨骨折中最为常见,由于涉及干骺端的骨折,髓内钉治疗有其局限性。2002年3月～2003年7月,笔者采用解剖型钢板治疗胫骨远端骨折12例,取得了良好疗效。     

Reconstruction of distal tibia fractures using a posterolateral approach and a blade plate

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this article is to report a technique for the management of distal tibia fractures with significant anteromedial soft-tissue injury. The patients were initially treated with a spanning external fixator, open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) of the fibula at the discretion of the surgeon, and soft-tissue management or flap coverage. ORIF of the tibia was performed on a staged basis, using a 90-degree cannulated blade plate and autogenous iliac crest bone graft through a posterolateral approach. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of a consecutive series of patients. SETTING: Two academic level-1 trauma centers. PATIENTS: Fifteen patients with 15 distal tibia fractures (13 open fractures), Orthopedic Trauma Association (OTA) type 43A3 and 43C1, were definitively treated and followed to union between July 2000 and July 2004. Five patients were referred from outside sources after initial stabilization. INTERVENTION: Initial stabilization in an external fixator and management of the open fracture and soft tissue. Staged ORIF of the tibia with bone graft was performed through a posterolateral approach when the soft tissues allowed. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Radiographic union, American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot score, and complications. RESULTS: All 15 fractures were followed to union. Average time to union was 20 (12 to 47) weeks from the time of fixation with blade plate and bone grafting. (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot score was used to measure outcome. The average score was 81 (60 to 97) out of a possible 100. There were no deep infections. There was one nonunion; the fracture united after revision with a locked plate and bone graft. The average length of follow-up was 14 months (4 to 37). CONCLUSIONS: The staged treatment of high-energy distal tibia fractures with soft-tissue injury can lead to good outcomes and consistent bone union. Our results were obtained by the combination of the posterolateral approach, careful soft-tissue management, and stable internal fixation.     

Functional outcome after treatment of lower-extremity nonunions

BACKGROUND: The results for nonunion surgery usually have been judged in terms of bony union, time to union, infection rate, range of motion for the adjacent joints, and muscle strength. The goal of this study was to assess the improvement of patient-oriented physical and mental functional outcomes. METHODS: The functional status of 23 patients with nonunion of the lower extremity was assessed using the Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) questionnaire. The SF-36 subscores were compared with preoperative values and with the average values for the U.S. population. RESULTS: Of the 23 patients, 21 healed. The functional status for nonunions of the lower extremity was greatly improved 1 year after operative intervention in this study. Nevertheless, the results show that it did not reach the level of the average U.S. population. CONCLUSION: The results of this study can be used to guide patients' expectations regarding the functional outcome of treatment for a nonunion of the lower extremity.     

可吸收钉固定治疗儿童胫骨远端骨骺损伤15例

[目的]探讨切开复位可吸收钉固定治疗儿童胫骨远端骨骺损伤的疗效。[方法]回顾分析本院2006年1月~2011年12月采取切开复位可吸收螺钉固定方法治疗的胫骨远端骨骺损伤患儿37例,其中15例获得随访;手术年龄5~15岁,平均12岁,其中男11例,女4例;左侧11例,右侧4例。按Salter-Harris骨骺损伤分型:Ⅱ型7例,Ⅲ型4例(包括1例Tillaux骨折),Ⅳ型2例,三平面骨折2例。所有患儿随访14~75个月,平均36.1个月。手术在C型臂X线机透视下进行,切开复位达到解剖复位后可吸收螺钉固定。术后石膏托固定6~8周。以改良Weber评估标准评价踝关节功能及愈合情况;拍摄双下肢全长正位、双踝关节正侧位X线片,评估切开复位可吸收钉治疗儿童胫骨远端骨骺损伤的疗效。[结果]本研究所有患侧与健侧下肢影像学分析结果显示:下肢机械轴与水平线成角,胫骨长度健侧与患侧比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。而正侧位踝穴角患侧与健侧比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。对获得随访的15例按改良Weber评分,优13例,良2例。所有患儿踝关节活动均不受限,均能参加正常的体育活动。X线片检查所有病例均骨性愈合,其中2例发生骨骺早闭,有骨桥形成,踝关节内翻畸形,肢体短缩并伴有下肢机械轴线的偏移。[结论]可吸收钉对胫骨远端骨骺损伤的固定可靠,对骨折愈合和踝关节功能恢复而言,具有良好的效果。     

Minimally invasive plating of high-energy metaphyseal distal tibia fractures

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate clinical results and outcomes of a strict cohort of high-energy injuries of the metaphyseal distal tibia with minimal or no intraarticular involvement treated using the minimally invasive plating concept. SETTING: Level II trauma center. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of a consecutive case series with limb-specific and whole-person outcomes measures. INTERVENTION: Minimally invasive medial plating for high-energy metaphyseal fractures of the distal tibia with little or no intraarticular involvement. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENT: Clinical and radiographic results were assessed at a minimum of 1 year, and outcomes measures were applied at final follow-up at a minimum of 2 years. Limbs were assessed with the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Surgeons (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot instrument and the method of Olerud and Molander. Patient outcomes were evaluated with the Short Form-36 (SF-36) and the Musculoskeletal Functional Assessment (MFA). RESULTS: Twenty-six patients were followed until healed at an average of 36 months (12-56 months). Mean fracture healing time was 35 weeks (12-112 weeks) with acceptable alignment restored (angulation2 years were comparable to normative data of patients with uninjured limbs, whereas MFA results showed functional deficits in 4 of 10 subsections. CONCLUSIONS: Minimally invasive medial plating will restore limb alignment and yield successful clinical outcomes for high-energy metaphyseal fractures of the distal tibia. Despite the significant reoperation rate and prolonged time to union, most patients can expect a predictable return of function. Strong consideration should be given to adjunctive measures in at-risk patients, including those with highly comminuted fracture patterns, bone loss, or Type II or III open fractures.     

两种微创方法治疗儿童胫骨远干骺端骨折的对比研究

[目的]对比弹性髓内钉和锁定加压钢板治疗儿童胫骨远干骺端骨折的临床疗效。[方法]2008年1月~2014年6月收治儿童胫骨远干骺端骨折91例,其中应用弹性髓内钉治疗26例,比较两组手术时间、手术切口、术中失血量、住院费用、住院时间、影像学愈合时间、术后并发症、术后6个月AOFAS踝关节功能评分。[结果]所有患儿均获得随访,随访时间8~39个月,平均27个月。住院时间、骨性愈合时间及术后6个月AOFAS踝关节功能评分两组比较差异无统计学意义。手术时间、手术切口、术中失血量、住院费用比较弹性髓内钉组均优于锁定加压钢板组,但在术后局部皮肤刺激症状及骨折对位不良方面均较锁定加压钢板组有增高趋势。[结论]弹性髓内钉及锁定加压钢板治疗儿童胫骨远干骺端骨折均可取得满意效果,但锁定加压钢板系统具备角度稳定性,骨折固定更可靠,弹性髓内钉需依据患儿年龄、体重、骨折类型及稳定性严格掌握适应证。     

The use of a locking custom contoured blade plate for peri-articular nonunions

A retrospective chart and radiographic review was performed of 37 operative procedures over 7 years period for peri-articular nonunions. This was a consecutive cohort from a single orthopedic trauma service of a Level 1 center. Nonunions of the tibia and humerus were treated with blade plates fashioned from standard compression plates. Twenty-nine operative sites were treated successfully. The average age was 45.0 years; the average follow-up being 5.3 years. The average number of operations before blade plate was 4.0 (range 1-16). Sixteen blade plates were performed in patients with a diagnosis of clinical infection and all progressed to union and resolution of infection. Seven tissue transfers were used as adjunctive therapy. Five other patients with blade plate surgery had persistent nonunion, of which four united after a second custom contoured blade plate procedure. This study illustrates that surgeon contoured blade plates are an option for peri-articular nonunions even in the presence of infection. This technique resulted in a high union rate and a low complication rate compared to other options.     

后内侧入路胫骨远端后内侧解剖板治疗胫骨下段骨折

目的探讨后内侧入路胫骨远端后内侧解剖板治疗胫骨下段粉碎性骨折的临床疗效。方法采用小腿后内侧入路胫骨远端后内侧解剖型钢板内固定对30例胫骨下段粉碎性骨折患者进行治疗。结果术后随访8—16（12．9±3）个月,伤口均一期愈合,所有病例获得骨性愈合,愈合时间9～17（12±3）周。按Mazur等踝关节功能评分标准：优23例,良5例,可2例。结论胫骨远端后内侧解剖板符合胫骨骨远端后内侧的解剖形态,固定确切可靠,对于胫骨下段粉碎性骨折的治疗是理想的内固定物,伴局部内外侧软组织损伤重或皮肤条件差者尤为适用。     

Interlocking nails for displaced metaphyseal fractures of the distal tibia

Metaphyseal fractures of the distal tibia near the ankle joint are difficult to manage. Poor soft tissue coverage and comminution of the fracture complicate open reduction. This prospective study aims to evaluate the practicability of using interlocking nails to treat such fractures. Using the method of closed reduction and internal fixation with a shortened tibial interlocking nail, 20 consecutive cases of distal tibial metaphyseal fractures within 4 cm of the ankle joint line were enrolled from 1997 to 2001. All patients received regular post-operative radiographic check-up and the ankle function was evaluated with the Iowa Ankle-Evaluation rating system. Our result was satisfactory and all of the fractures united solidly with a mean union time of 17.2 weeks. No major complication occurred. We conclude that tibial interlocking nailing is a reliable and safe method for managing metaphyseal fractures of the distal tibia near the ankle joint.     

经皮微创钢板固定法治疗胫骨干骺端骨折

目的 探讨经皮微创钢板固定法治疗胫骨干骺端骨折的临床疗效。方法 32例涉及胫骨干骺端的骨折，其中男性19例，女性13例。患者平均年龄42.5岁(25～64岁)。按AO分型，A型(不涉及关节面)12例；B型(伴有部分关节内骨折)11例；C型(伴有完全关节内骨折)9例。其中，胫骨近端18例，胫骨远端骨折14例。结果 患者完全负重时间为15.1周(12～26周)；X线愈合时间为14.3周(11-24周)。按照Johner-Wruhs评价法，功能优为19例，良为10例，中为3例，差为0例，优良率为90.6％。浅表感染2例，皮肤水疱3例；无深部感染及皮肤坏死。结论 微创钢板固定法手术创伤小，骨折愈合率高，固定可靠，是治疗胫骨干骺端骨折的有效治疗手段。在X线监视下进行良好的间接复位是手术成功的保证。     

Functional outcome following bone transport reconstruction of distal tibial defects

BACKGROUND: Little has been written about the functional outcome of patients treated with bone transport to reconstruct a distal tibial defect. The aim of this study was to investigate the functional capabilities of patients who had undergone reconstruction with distraction osteogenesis for the treatment of a distal tibial defect in one lower limb. METHODS: At least eighteen months after completion of treatment, eight patients who had no pain and were able to walk and climb stairs without difficulty performed isometric ankle plantar flexion maximum voluntary contractions while the electromyographic activity of the tibialis anterior and triceps surae muscles was simultaneously recorded. Seven of the patients also underwent gait analysis. Data for the involved limb were compared with those collected for the contralateral limb. RESULTS: During gait, stance time (p = 0.01), the plantar flexion angular displacement and peak moment developed during the second half of stance (p < 0.046), and the amount of ankle power generated (p = 0.02) were significantly decreased in the involved limb compared with the contralateral limb. Similar decreases were observed in the plantar flexion (p = 0.01) and dorsiflexion (p = 0.01) maximum voluntary contractions and the corresponding electromyographic activity (p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that adaptive changes had occurred at the level of the transported muscles, which affected both routine and maximal effort capabilities. These findings contribute to our understanding of the functional limitations of patients who have undergone bone transport with its obligatory shortening of muscle length.     

解剖钢板固定治疗胫骨远端骨折

2002～2006年,我科应用胫骨远端解剖钢板治疗胫骨远端骨折患者31例,取得满意疗效。     

胫骨远端前外侧锁定钢板内固定治疗胫骨远端骨折

2008年10月-2010年1月,我科对18例胫骨远端骨折患者采用切开复位胫骨远端外侧锁定钢板内固定治疗,疗效满意。     

Functional outcome following excision of a tumour and reconstruction of the distal radius

We retrospectively studied the functional and oncological results of 15 patients after reconstruction of the distal radius with osteoarticular allograft or non-vascularised fibular graft following wide excision of an aggressive benign or malignant tumour. Eight patients underwent osteoarticular allograft and seven patients had a non-vascularised autogenous fibular graft reconstruction. The average time for incorporation of the graft was 6 and 5 months in each reconstruction respectively. There was no tumour recurrence after follow up over 41.5-95.5 (average 60.5) months. All patients had good and excellent functional results. Three patients in the group reconstructed with osteoarticular allograft had plate loosening and graft fractures which were successfully treated subsequently.     

经皮微创钢板固定技术(MIPPO)在胫骨近、远端粉碎性骨折中的应用

目的 探讨经皮微创钢板固定技术(MIPPO)治疗胫骨近、远端粉碎性骨折的方法和临床效果。方法 34例胫腓骨骨折的患者采用此方法治疗，其中男21例，女13例，年龄14～72岁。胫骨近端骨折12例，远端骨折22例。骨折按AO胫骨干分型，C1型16例，C2型10例，C3型8例。结果 本组34例随访3～26个月，平均14个月，患者伤口全部一期愈合。手术时间45～160min，平均80min，出血100～300mL，术中无输血。X线片示骨痂出现时间4～12周，平均8周，骨愈合时间4～14个月，平均6．7个月，无再骨折发生。以Johner—Wruhs方法评价功能，本组病例优21例、良11例、中2例，总体满意率94．1％。结论 经皮微创钢板固定技术创伤小、并发症少、骨愈合率高，是治疗胫腓骨近远端骨折的有效方法。     

单侧组合式外固定器治疗胫骨远端干骺端骨折

目的探讨应用单侧组合式外固定器结合选择正确的腓骨固定方法治疗胫骨远端干骺端骨折的效果。方法对31例胫骨远端干骺端骨折AO分型为A、B、C型骨折的患者进行治疗。腓骨骨折固定：A型不予固定;B、C型位于下胫腓联合上〈5 cm者用1/3管形钢板内固定,高位者不予固定,B型下胫腓联合以下者可不予固定,C型下胫腓联合以下者行腓骨远端解剖钢板固定。胫骨骨折固定：A、B型行闭合复位外固定器固定,C型行切开克氏针内固定后再用外固定器固定。并对该方法的治疗结果进行评估。结果 31例均获随访,时间6～23（16&#177;7）个月。关节面复位：优26例,良3例,差2例;肢体力线恢复：优27例,良3例,差1例。Phil-lips＆Shwart踝关节评分为78～92（85&#177;0.3）分。结论根据骨折类型,用单侧组合式外固定器固定结合选择正确的腓骨固定方式可有效避免伤口并发症,更好地恢复骨折端的解剖复位,固定牢固,疗效好。     

Prosthetic reconstruction for tumors of the distal tibia. Report of two cases

Prosthetic reconstruction in two patients with malignant bone tumors of the distal tibia was conducted. The diagnoses were metastatic bone tumor in one patient and low grade central osteosarcoma in another. The mean duration of follow-up was 5.5 years (3 and 8 years). Reconstruction was achieved using custom-made prosthesis (JMM, Japan Medical Materials), which replaced the distal tibia. In the patient with metastasis, local recurrence occurred 8 months after the primary surgery and the recurrent tumor was resected. Both patients were free from neoplastic disease at the latest follow-up. The average functional scores according to the system of the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society were 25 and 23. Custom-made prostheses allow an early return to functional weight-bearing without major complications. This technique provides a safe and effective method of stabilization for properly selected malignant tumors of the distal tibia.