Le fratture articolari ed extra-articolari del ginocchio

Joint fractures of the knee include epiphyseal detachments of the distal femur and proximal tibia (types 3 and 4 according to Salter-Harris). Extra-articular fractures include: avulsion of the tibial spines, detachment of the anterior tuberosity and patellar fractures. Fractures involving the distal femoral and proximal tibial epiphysis are relatively infrequent but may lead to long-term complications owing to the formation of post-traumatic bone bridges. Unless the fracture is composed, surgical treatment is always indicated. Avulsion fractures of the tibial spines occur as a result of a chondro-epiphyseal detachment of the insertion of the cruciate ligaments (predominantly the anterior one). They are infrequent injuries (3 per 100,000 cases per year, 2% of all knee injuries). Accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment prevent unfortunate outcomes. Adolescent tibial tubercle fractures are uncommon, high-energy injuries sometimes combined with patellar tendon rupture; they represent a frequently missed diagnosis. Open reduction/internal fixation is generally required. Patellar fractures are caused by direct trauma (primary osseous fractures) or by an eccentric load during extension of the knee (sleeve and avulsion fractures). Most fractures require open reduction/internal fixation. The complication rate is low but late reconstruction of missed injuries may result in an extensor deficit.

     

Comminuted simultaneous bilateral tibial tubercle avulsion fractures: a case report

A 16-year-old male had simultaneous bilateral tibial tubercle avulsion fractures after making a sudden stop while running at full speed. The left knee injury (type V) was minimally displaced, was treated conservatively with closed reduction, and the patient recovered uneventfully. The right tibial tubercle injury was unusual. The tuberosity and anterior aspect of the proximal epiphysis remained as one, but there was severe intra-articular comminution posterior to the displaced tubercle fragment. The right knee injury (type III) required open reduction and internal fixation to reduce the apophyseal fragment and 2 intra-articular displaced fragments. The patient's recovery was complicated by a severe, persistent flexion deformity on the right side. Eventually, the patient required manipulation under anaesthesia, extensive continuous passive mobilisation and a turnbuckle extension splint. A residual 5-degree flexion deformity remained at 16 months post-injury. This case highlights the importance of identifying any intra-articular fragments, their careful anatomical reduction, and aggressive mobilisation when treating tibial tubercle avulsion fractures.     

Operative treatment of fractures about the knee

It should be emphasized that most fractures about the knee in children and adolescents can be treated by closed methods. It follows that open reduction and fixation is employed when closed reduction fails. An interposed flap of torn periosteum may prevent closed reduction. Internal fixation is often required in avulsion fractures of the tibial tubercle, reduced displaced fracture-separations of the proximal tibial epiphysis, fracture-separations of the distal femoral epiphysis displaced in the sagittal plane, and displaced Salter-Harris type III and IV fracture-separations. A displaced avulsion of the anterior intercondylar eminence of the tibia can sometimes be reduced using closed means but more often requires reduction by arthrotomy or with arthroscopy. Late reconstruction for ensuing leg length discrepancy, angular deformity, or instability may be indicated.     

Combined physeal/apophyseal fracture of the proximal tibia with anterior angulation from an indirect force: report of 2 cases

Physeal fracture of the proximal tibia is a rare injury, comprising less than 2% of all physeal injuries. The literature distinguishes between tibial tubercle avulsions (apophyseal injuries) classified by Ogden, Tross, and Murphy as type I, II, and III and Salter-Harris II fractures. An extensive review of the literature located only 5 cases in which patients sustained a combined fracture of the proximal tibial physis and tibial tubercle. We report 2 such cases, which are not amenable to classification by current systems, and agree with Ryu and Debenham's suggestion to add a fourth type, avulsion hinge fracture of the proximal tibial epiphysis, to the Watson-Jones/Ogden classification.     

Avulsion fractures of the tibial tubercle in adolescents. A report of bilateral fractures and a review of the literature

Avulsion fractures of the tibial tubercle prior to epiphyseal closure are being treated with greater frequency. Watson-Jones Types I and III fractures are the most common; both require open reduction and internal fixation. Type II fractures respond to closed reduction and plaster immobilization. The authors have found only 76 fractures reported in the literature since 1935. Four cases were bilateral. Fifty-nine patients were boys, and two were girls; the sex was not reported for 11 patients. Type III fractures occurred most often in older adolescents. Types I and II fractures occurred in younger patients. No reports of growth disturbance of the proximal tibial epiphysis occurring after a Type III fracture were found.     

Closed reduction in the treatment of tibial tubercle fractures

IntroductionOpen reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) is considered the standard care for displaced tibial tubercle fractures, but closed reduction and internal fixation (CRIF) can also be successful. Our aim was to compare outcomes between ORIF and CRIF for tibial tubercle fractures.Materials and methodsChildren younger than 18 years presenting for a tibial tubercle fracture at a single institution. The main outcomes were operative details (blood loss, tourniquet time, operative time) and complications. Follow-up of at least one month was required.Results98 fractures from 95 patients were included. Follow-up averaged 8.7 months. 49% of the fractures had intraarticular involvement (type III). The most common associated injuries were patellar tendon tears and compartment syndrome, occurring in 10.2% and 3.1% of patients, respectively. No meniscal or ligamentous injuries were encountered.ORIF was performed for 81 fractures and CRIF for 17. Both groups were similar regarding sex, age, weight, and follow-up duration (P>0.4). No tourniquet was used for CRIF, while the majority of ORIF cases utilized a tourniquet for an average of 50.6 minutes. Operative blood loss was 31mL less in CRIF (P<0.0001), and the procedure of CRIF was 23.3 minutes shorter than ORIF (P=0.0003).All cases, except 1 fracture treated with ORIF, achieved union. The complication rate was similar in both groups (P=0.79). At final follow-up, patients from both groups had favorable outcomes, with normal knee range of motion and angulation, gait, and quadriceps strength on exam.DiscussionCRIF is often overlooked in the surgical treatment of displaced tibial tubercle fractures. It is a less invasive treatment option for such fractures and has advantages such as less bleeding, avoiding a tourniquet, and shorter operative duration. Patients treated with either ORIF and CRIF healed with similar rates of complications and had a satisfactory outcome. Given the rarity of associated meniscal or ligamentous injuries, open reduction to visualize the joint surface might not be needed for most patients. The two most common associated injuries, patellar tendon tears and compartment syndrome, can be preliminarily diagnosed pre-operatively.ConclusionClosed reduction could be initially attempted for tibial tubercle fractures, even ones with intraarticular extension.     

Bilateral epiphyseal fractures of the proximal tibia within a six-month interval: a case report

An epiphyseal fracture commonly results from avulsion of the epiphysis by traction through the attached ligaments. A fracture of the proximal tibial epiphysis is, therefore, a rare injury because of the absence of collateral ligament attachments. Most proximal tibial epiphyseal injuries occur as avulsion fractures of the tibial tubercle; Salter-Harris Types I or II injuries involving pressure epiphyses are rare. In the current case of a thirteen-year-old boy, the proximal tibial epiphyseal injuries in both knees occurred during quadriceps contraction in the absence of violent trauma, and there was a six-month interval between the two injuries.     

Salvage of proximal tibia fracture treated with locked compression plate

The treatment of displaced proximal tibial fractures is challenging. Recent developments in the techniques of internal fixation, including the development of locking plates and minimally invasive surgical techniques have revolutionaries the treatment of such fractures. We present a case of proximal displaced tibial fracture that was treated with anatomical proximal tibial locking plate using minimally invasive percutaneous plate osteosynthesis. Patient made uneventful recovery even after he sustained re-injury and plate bending and was manipulated under anaesthesia for the same.     

The juvenile fracture of Tillaux

The juvenile fracture of Tillaux is an ankle joint avulsion fracture of the anterior distal tibial tubercle in adolescents, produced by external rotation force applied to the foot. Data from five patients with the juvenile fracture of Tillaux were reviewed. In four of the patients, an initial closed reduction was unsuccessful and had to be followed by open reduction and internal fixation of the displaced fragment. The fifth patient's treatment was nonoperative. All patients had an excellent functional and radiographic result at follow-up evaluation one to nine years after the injury. Results were compared with data from five major series of patients who had sustained this fracture. Nonoperative treatment was indicated for the undisplaced fractures but may give less than optimal results in initially displaced fractures. In cases where there was displacement of the fragment after closed reduction, open reduction and internal fixation of the displaced fracture gave excellent functional result.     

Frakturen im Bereich des Unterarms bei Kindern

A total of 285 chidren out of an 8 year period with fractures of the forearm were studied. Of these 175 (62.2%) had a fracture of the distal radius and 51 (18.2%) had a fracture of the distal forearm and there were 42 (14.7%) fractures in the middle or proximal third in this region. Three children with injuries of the distal radial epiphysis had to be treated by percutaneus wire fixation. Except for 2 cases who needed surgery all severe dislocated forearm cast for 3 to 4 weeks. Follow-up examinations up to 6 years after injury showed excellent results in distal forearm and distal radial fractures whereas results were only satisfactory in midshaft forearm fractures.     

Acute tibial tubercle avulsion fractures in the sporting adolescent

Introduction  The authors report 7 cases of acute tibial tubercle avulsion fractures. The fracture occurred in 6 out of the 7, after an abrupt tension of the patellar tendon in male sporting adolescents (age 13–17 years). Two patients presented symptoms of homolateral Osgood-Schlatter’s disease before the lesion. Method  According to Ogden’s classification, the tibial tubercle avulsion fracture was not displaced in 3 cases (stage IA) and was treated conservatively by immobilization for 6 weeks. In 4 cases, the fracture was displaced and necessitated an internal fixation with plaster for about 6 weeks. A torn patellar tendon was noted in one adolescent having a stage IIIB avulsion fracture. Result  The mean follow-up was of 4.5 years (1.5–7.5 years). The results were satisfactory: complete functional recovery, resumption of sport at the previous level and absence of recurvatum.     

Tibial plateau fracture following oblique osteotomy of the tibial tubercle: a case report

Oblique osteotomy of the tibial tubercle is a preferred technique in patellofemoral disorders, resulting in a satisfactory clinical outcome. However, postoperative fractures of the proximal metaphysis of the tibia may often develop. An incomplete fracture of the lateral tibial plateau occurred in a 23-year-old female patient following an oblique osteotomy of the tibial tubercle. There was no history of trauma. The patient had undergone two operations in the same knee due to patellar instability. She also had bilateral high congenital hip dislocation. The correct diagnosis could only be made by computed tomography. Complete union was obtained following six weeks of plaster cast fixation. Due to inherent biomechanical limitations, complications may arise following oblique osteotomy of the tibial tubercle even adequate care is given to the surgical technique.     

Epiphyseal fractures of the proximal tibia

Fractures of the proximal tibial epiphysis and apophysis are rare. Data of ten patients seen in the last 17 yr with an epiphyseal (6) or apophyseal (4) fracture of the proximal tibia were reviewed. Three patients with an epiphyseal fracture were treated by open reduction and fixation, the other three by closed reduction. All apophyseal fractures were treated by open reduction and internal fixation. No major complications occurred. The final results were good.     

A transepiphyseal fracture of the proximal femur combined with a fracture of the mid-shaft of ipsilateral femur in a child: a case report and literature review

The paper describes a rare fracture of proximal femur, classified by Delbet (Am J Surg 6:793-797, 1929) as type I (transepiphyseal type) combined with a fracture of the midshaft of ipsilateral femur in a 2-year-old child. Immediate operation with open reduction and internal fixation was successful. During the postoperative course, avascular necrosis (AVN) of capital femoral epiphysis was seen by bone scan. Applying an abduction orthosis used for the treatment of Legg-Calvè-Perthes disease, collapse of capital epiphysis was prevented. Although, a minimal area of AVN and coxa vara remained, no clinical complaints were recorded at the midterm follow-up. While reviewing the relevant literature, the type-I fractures need to be subclassified into two types for appropriate treatment and/or prediction of outcomes based on their anatomic location of the separated femoral capital epiphysis. In type Ia, femoral capital epiphysis is minimally displaced and within the acetabulum and in type Ib it is widely displaced and lying outside the capsule. Our case is a first case of a type Ib fracture of the proximal femur combined with a fracture of the midshaft of ipsilateral femur. Since the complication rate and the prognosis differed between two subclasses, type-Ib fractures need immediate surgical intervention, our case was prevented from massive AVN. And to prevent the collapse of femoral head following AVN, a major complication of the fracture of proximal femur in child, abduction orthosis is recommended as a choice of treatment.     

The pathophysiology of Osgood-Schlatter disease: a magnetic resonance investigation

Osgood-Schlatter disease (OSD) is a well-described clinical condition, although its origin remains controversial. Mechanical, growth or traumatic factors are suggested as causes of this lesion. Thirty-five patients were included in this study. Twenty of them had OSD (study group) and the remaining 15 adolescents constituted the control group. Magnetic resonance imaging of the knees was performed in all patients. The distance between the distal pole of the patella and the proximal margin of patellar tendon attachment to the tibial apophysis (A), the distance between the distal pole of the patella and the tibial tubercle epiphysis (B), the distance between the proximal margin of the patellar tendon attachment to the tibia and the tibial tubercle epiphysis (C) and the distance between the knee joint level and the tibial tubercle epiphysis (D) were measured. The ratio of the distance between the distal pole of the patella and the proximal margin of the patellar tendon attachment to the tibia to the distance between the distal pole of the patella and the tibial tubercle epiphysis (A : B) was lower in the study group. The ratio of the distance between the proximal margin of the patellar tendon attachment point to the tibia and the tibial tubercle epiphysis to the distance between the knee joint level and the tibial tubercle epiphysis (C : D) was higher in the control group. We conclude that if the patellar tendon attaches more proximally and in a broader area to the tibia, this might probably cause OSD.     

儿童胫骨前嵴撕脱骨折手术治疗

目的　讨论儿童胫骨前嵴撕脱骨折的手术指征。方法　采用切开复位钢丝内固定术治疗15例儿童单纯性胫骨前嵴撕脱骨折 ,对 11例膝关节功能及影像学检查进行 2～ 12年的随访。结果　11例均能参加外伤前的各项活动 ,膝关节功能恢复满意 ,优 9例 ,良 2例。结论　胫骨前嵴撕脱骨折是关节内骨折 ,移位 >2mm需切开复位及内固定。膝关节稳定性和功能的恢复 ,与骨折良好复位及维持有关     

Patellar fixation protected with a load-sharing cable: a mechanical and clinical study

The stability of patellar fracture fixation protected with a load-sharing cable was studied in cadavers. A transverse patellar osteotomy was produced and stabilized with standard patellar fixation with or without a figure-of-eight cable that extends from the proximal pole of the patella to the tibial tubercle. Standard fixation techniques (interfragmentary cancellous screws or modified tension-band wiring) alone failed after significantly fewer cycles of flexion and extension than did the same fixation when supplemented with a load-sharing cable. In the clinical evaluation of the load-sharing cable, 14 consecutive patients with displaced patellar fractures were treated. No immobilization was used and the patients were started on passive and active range of motion and weight-bearing ambulation in the early postoperative period. Thirteen fractures healed uneventfully. The increased stability of patellar fracture fixation protected with a load-sharing cable offers three advantages: (a) adjunctive casting is unnecessary, (b) comminuted fractures can be "pieced" together anatomically with less concern for loss of fixation, and (c) early postoperative passive and active range of motion can be achieved.     

Phalangeal neck fractures in adults

The author investigated the pattern of injury and outcome of management in 11 adults with phalangeal neck fractures. The mean age was 40 years. The fracture occurred at the neck of the proximal phalanx of the thumb in seven cases and at the neck of the middle phalanx of the fingers in the remaining four cases. One patient had an undisplaced (Type I) fracture and was treated with splinting; the final result was graded as excellent. Nine patients had Type II fractures (the displaced distal fragment maintaining bone-to-bone contact with the proximal fragment) and all patients were treated with closed reduction and single K-wire fixation. The final outcome of Type II fractures was considered good in eight patients and fair in one patient. One patient had a Type III fracture (the displaced distal fragment was rotated 180 degrees with no bone-to-bone contact with the proximal fragment). The fracture required open reduction and K-wire fixation and the final result was poor.     

两种手术治疗胫骨平台骨折41例临床分析

目的 通过回顾性研究,比较胫骨近端解剖钢板与锁定钢板在胫骨平台骨折治疗中的应用和疗效.方法 回顾性分析收治41例胫骨平台骨折患者,按收治年限分为两组,A组是早期采用的手术采用胫骨近端解剖钢板内固定治疗的患者(26例),B组为后期采用锁定钢板治疗的患者(15例).结果 A组:优13例,占50.00％;良9例,占34.61％;可3例,占11.54％;差1例,占3.85％;优良率86.15％.B组:优8例,占53.33％;良5例,占33.33％;可1例,占6.67％;差1例,占6.67％;优良率83.33％.两组优良率比较,无显著差异(P＞0.05).结论 胫骨近端解剖钢板与锁定钢板内固定术两种方法,均是临床治疗胫骨平台骨折的安全有效方法.     

LCP在闭合性长骨远近端骨折中的应用

目的探讨A0锁定加压钢板（LCP）治疗闭合性长骨远近端骨折的方法和疗效。方法2004年5月至2006年12月我院收治闭合性肱骨近端和胫腓骨远段骨折患者86例。其中肱骨近端21例，胫骨远段65例。均采用切开复位，锁定加压钢板固定治疗。结果所有患者得到随访，随访时间7～18个月（平均14个月），没有伤口感染及骨髓炎发生。骨折愈合时间：肱骨近端骨折愈合时间为8～14周（平均为12周），无骨折不愈合和延迟愈合。胫骨远段骨折愈合时间为9～21周（平均14周），1例延迟愈合，无骨折不愈合。结论锁定加压钢板治疗闭合性肱骨近端和胫骨远段骨折具有创伤小、允许病人早期活动及并发症少等优点，是长骨远近段骨折理想的内固定方法之一。