Tibial eminence fractures in children

Nondisplaced tibial eminence fractures require only cast immobilization. Moderately displaced fractures require reduction and either casting or internal fixation. Grossly displaced fractures usually require reduction with internal fixation. Arthroscopy has become a popular method of evaluating and treating these fractures and is an excellent alternative to the standard treatment of open fracture reduction and internal fixation for displaced fractures. Although tibial eminence fractures in children can lead to increased knee laxity and loss of motion, the vast majority of patients have minimal functional complaints.     

Meniscal injuries in children and adolescents undergoing surgical treatment for tibial eminence fractures

Purpose

To prospectively evaluate the prevalence and characteristics of meniscal injuries in children and adolescents undergoing surgical treatment for tibial eminence fractures and to test for possible relationships between associated meniscal lesions and patient demographics or injury characteristics.

Methods

A prospective multicenter study was conducted to arthroscopically assess the prevalence and characteristics of meniscal injuries in children and adolescents undergoing surgical treatment for tibial eminence fractures between 04/2014 and 10/2015. Patient demographics and injury characteristics were assessed preoperatively. The presence of a meniscal injury was evaluated arthroscopically and characterized according to tear type and location (Cooper classification). Patients with and without meniscal injuries were compared with regard to sex, age, height, weight, BMI, type of injury, mechanism of injury, time to surgery, Tanner stage, sexual maturity (prepubescent vs. pubescent), and modified Meyers and McKeever classification.

Results

A total of 54 consecutive patients (65 % males, mean age: 12.5 ± 3.2 years) were enrolled. Meniscal injury were found in 20 patients (37 %). The lateral meniscus was involved in 18 patients (90 % of all meniscus injuries) and the medial meniscus in 2 patients (10 % of all meniscus injuries). The most common tear pattern was a longitudinal tear of the posterior horn of the lateral meniscus (30 % of all meniscus injuries) and the second most common tear was a root detachment of the anterior horn of the lateral meniscus (20 % of all meniscus injuries). Higher age, advanced Tanner stage, and pubescence were significantly associated with an accompanying meniscal injury.

Conclusion

Meniscal injuries in children and adolescents undergoing surgical treatment for tibial eminence fractures must be expected in almost 40 %, with a higher prevalence with increasing age and sexual maturity. With regard to the clinical relevance, the results of the present study argue in favor for magnetic resonance imaging prior to surgery in every patient with a suspected tibial eminence fracture and for an arthroscopic approach to adequately diagnose and treat meniscal injuries.

Level of evidence

II.

     

Biomechanical evaluation of different fixation methods for tibial eminence fractures

BACKGROUND: Tibial eminence fractures have become more common, but the best method of fixing these fractures arthroscopically has not been elucidated. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to assess the stability of different fixation methods for tibial eminence fractures. STUDY DESIGN: Controlled laboratory study. METHODS: The authors evaluated the initial fixation strength of 4 different fixation techniques for tibial eminence fractures (2 screws, 1 screw, suture fixation with 1 mm Ethibond, and suture fixation with No. 5 FiberWire) using single cycle and cyclic loading tests. The tests were performed by loading the knee with an anterior tibial shear force. RESULTS: Suture cerclage with the FiberWire showed significantly higher maximum load (599.6 N) and stiffness (36.99 N/mm) than all other fixation methods tested. The lowest maximum load in the single cycle loading test was observed in the group with 2 screws (1 screw, 371.2 N; 2 screws, 249.8 N). The lowest stiffness was found in the Ethibond group (14.5 N/mm). After 1000 cycles of loading, the maximum load of the FiberWire fixation was significantly higher than the maximum load of the Ethibond fixation (399.4 N), the fixation with 1 screw (354.2 N), and the fixation with 2 screws (301.5 N). CONCLUSION: These biomechanical data suggest that under cyclic loading conditions, suture fixation of tibial eminence fractures provides more fixation strength than screw fixation. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: A second screw has no positive effect on the biomechanical characteristics of screw fixation.     

关节镜下空心钉治疗胫骨髁间棘撕脱性骨折

使用关节镜下带垫圈空心钉治疗胫骨髁间棘撕脱性骨折21例。术后随访3～24个月,所有患者术后恢复较好,X线片显示骨折均骨性愈合。Lysholm评分为94～100分,平均(96.4±1.7)分。     

Absorbable and non-absorbable suture fixation results in similar outcomes for tibial eminence fractures in children and adolescents

Purpose

To evaluate efficacy and safety of extraphyseal tibial eminence avulsion fracture repair with absorbable sutures and a distal bone bridge fixation in comparison to previously described technique with non-absorbable sutures and distal screw fixation.

Methods

In a physeal-sparing technique, tibial eminence fractures (n = 25; McKeever type II/III n = 11/14) were either treated in group A (n = 15, follow-up 28.1 months) using an absorbable suture fixed over a bone bridge or in group B (n = 10, follow-up 47.4 months) with a non-absorbable suture wrapped around an extraarticular tibial screw. IKDC and Lysholm scores were assessed, and the difference between the surgical and contralateral knee in anteroposterior (AP) translation, measured with a Rolimeter.

Results

There was no significant difference between group A and group B in IKDC and Lysholm scores with 90.1 points ± 10.2 and 94.1 points ± 8.1, respectively (n.s.). AP translation did not differ between groups (n.s.). Eight of ten screws in group B had to be removed in a second intervention. A total of four arthrofibroses were counted (three in group A).

Conclusion

Extraphyseal tibial eminence repair with absorbable sutures and a distal bone bridge fixation results in similar rates of radiographic and clinical healing at 3 months after surgery as non-absorbable sutures tied around a screw, while avoiding the need for hardware removal. The minimal invasive technique to fix an eminence fracture without any permanent sutures or hardware is advantageous for children. To our knowledge, this is the first study that compares non-absorbable with absorbable sutures for a physeal-sparing technique.

Level of evidence

III.

     

Biomechanical stability of different suture fixation techniques for tibial eminence fractures

Purpose

Displaced tibial eminence fractures require surgical fixation in order to obtain a stable knee joint. Suture fixation with FiberWire^® seems to be the most favorable therapeutic option. Biomechanical studies show failure of this technique most commonly due to a suture cutout with subsequent fracture of the tibial eminence fragment. The goal of this study is to compare the biomechanical properties of three different techniques of suture fixation using FiberWire^®.

Methods

Bone mineral density was evaluated in 18 human knee specimens by pqCT, and three similar groups were formed. A standardized anterior tibial eminence fracture was created, and suture fixation was performed using one of three different techniques in 6 specimens each. Cyclic and destructive testing was conducted.

Results

Significant differences between the three techniques could be shown neither in the cycles needed to achieve a steady state nor in a failure load or initial stiffness. Almost all specimens failed by suture cutout.

Conclusion

The presented modification of the existing technique for suture fixation of tibial eminence fractures did not lead to an increased initial stability nor did it lower the rate of suture cutout. All tested suture techniques showed comparable initial stiffness and failure load.     

Tibial eminence fractures in children: prevalence of meniscal entrapment

BACKGROUND: Meniscal entrapment under a displaced tibial eminence fragment may be a rationale for arthroscopic or open reduction in type 2 and 3 tibial eminence fractures. PURPOSE: To determine the prevalence of meniscal entrapment in children with type 2 and 3 tibial eminence fractures. STUDY DESIGN: Case series. METHODS: Records of a consecutive series of 80 skeletally immature patients (mean age, 11.6 years; range, 5 to 16) who underwent arthroscopic (71), open (5), or combined arthroscopic and open (4) reduction and internal fixation of type 3 tibial eminence fractures (57) or type 2 fractures that did not reduce in extension (23) from 1993 to 2001 were reviewed. RESULTS: Entrapment of the anterior horn of the medial meniscus (36), intermeniscal ligament (6), or anterior horn of the lateral meniscus (1) was seen in 26% (6 of 23) of type 2 fractures and 65% (37 of 57) of type 3 fractures. An associated meniscal tear was seen in 3.8% of patients (3 of 80). CONCLUSIONS: Meniscal entrapment is common in patients with type 2 and 3 tibial eminence fractures. Arthroscopic or open reduction should be considered for type 3 fractures and for type 2 fractures that do not reduce in extension to remove the incarcerated meniscus, allowing for anatomic reduction.     

Genu valgum after proximal tibial fractures in children

Eight children with fractures of the proximal tibial metaphysis developed a significant genu valgum on the injured side. A study of the radiographs showed that the deformity was primarily due to bowing of the tibia below the site of fracture. The deformity may be the result of plastic bowing of the tibia accentuated by weight bearing during healing.     

Physeal sparing arthroscopic fixation of displaced tibial eminence fractures: a new surgical technique

We describe a novel physeal sparing arthroscopic technique for anatomic suture refixation of tibial eminence fractures and assess the mid-term results of six consecutive patients (McKeever type II n = 2, III n = 3 and IV n = 1). The mean follow-up was 5 ± 2 years. Five of six patients were painfree. All patients returned to their preinjury sport level. Mean passive ipsilateral and contralateral flexion was 143° ± 5°. The IKDC score was A in five and B in one patients. The mean Lysholm score was 97 ± 3%. The median Tegner score was 8 (range 6–9) preinjury and at follow-up. The mean Total Knee Society score was 197 ± 4 points. ACL laxity (KT-1000 134 N) showed a side-to-side difference of 2 ± 2 mm. Two of six patients underwent a tibial screw removal under local anaesthesia. No loss of reduction or grossly physeal disturbance was observed. The reported surgical technique showed excellent to good clinical and radiological results and may be a physeal sparing alternative to previously described procedures.     

Distal tibial triplane fractures: diagnosis with CT

Distal tibial triplane features, which constitute 6%-10% of epiphyseal injuries, are most accurately delineated and analyzed with computed tomography (CT). This is directly related to the special geometry of these fractures that have important transverse components. CT, with its transaxial orientation, is the only radiographic technique that directly images the otherwise inaccessible, horizontally oriented tibial plafond, the integrity of which largely determines the prognosis. CT is the method of choice for preoperative and postoperative evaluation of these injuries.     

膝关节镜下多种钢丝固定方法治疗胫骨髁间棘骨折

目的对胫骨髁间棘骨折采用关节镜下钢丝固定的微创手术治疗,探讨不同骨折情况各种钢丝穿入和固定方法,总结此种技术治疗胫骨髁间棘骨折的疗效。方法对15例胫骨髁间棘骨折采用关节镜下钢丝固定的微创治疗方法。根据骨折情况,固定方法包括单钢丝、多钢丝、三角形或交叉钢丝固定方式。术后早期膝关节功能锻炼。随访9—30个月。结果全部患者无感染等严重并发症。1例单钢丝固定者术后4个月钢丝自打结处断裂,骨折移位不明显;2例膝关节活动度受限,其中1例未完成康复治疗,1例为陈旧性骨折。余患者功能恢复正常。结论为恢复膝关节稳定,避免髁间窝撞击等并发症,对明显移位的胫骨髁间棘骨折应早期实施固定治疗。比较开放手术,关节镜下微创手术具有创伤小、并发症少、利于功能恢复等优点。根据骨折情况,可采用单钢丝、多钢丝、三角形或交叉钢丝固定等方式。     

儿童髌骨套状骨折的影像学诊断

目的:探讨分析儿童髌骨套状骨折的影像学表现.方法:对8例儿童髌骨套状骨折的影像学表现和临床资料进行回顾性分析.结果:X线平片表现为关节软组织肿胀、高位髌骨、髌股关节间隙增宽及髌骨下极与主体髌骨分离的小斑状或点状小骨片,MRI检查可见撕脱软骨、小骨片、周围软组织损伤及关节腔积液或积血等.结论:熟悉儿童髌骨套状骨折的直接和间接征象,可减少漏诊、误诊,MRI检查对治疗方案的选择、评估有重要价值.     

三维CT重建及MRI在复杂性胫骨平台骨折中的诊断价值

目的：探讨多层螺旋C T三维重建技术结合M RI在胫骨平台骨折诊断和治疗中的价值。方法收集87例胫骨平台骨折患者的X线平片、螺旋CT三维重建、MRI影像检查资料,比较分析MRI结合多层螺旋CT三维重建技术在临床诊断和治疗中的价值。结果在诊断正确率及分型符合率上,多层螺旋C T三维重建技术结合M RI均优于X线平片,并且M RI能明确显示韧带、关节软骨受损伤情况。结论多层螺旋C T 三维重建技术能直观、立体地显示胫骨平台骨折的形态,M RI能明确显示韧带、关节软骨受损伤情况。两者结合,有助于骨折的分型及手术方式的确定。     

16层螺旋CT重建对胫骨后侧平台骨折诊断的临床价值

胫骨骨折是常见的管状骨折,并且多见于胫骨平台.传统的X线检查在对关节腔内的结构显示欠佳,因此对于粉碎性骨折的诊断存在一定的误差[1～3].16层螺旋CT具有扫描速度快、可以进行大范围扫描、高分辨率和强大的图像后处理能力[4].对其诊断有重要的临床价值.     

Tibial intercondylar eminence fractures in adults: arthroscopic treatment

Results obtained from the surgical treatment of 15 cases of type II and III tibial intercondylar eminence fractures—according to the classification of Meyers and McKeever [12, 13]—are reported in this paper. The average age of the patients observed was 22 years (range 18–41). All patients underwent an arthroscopic procedure of reduction and fixation. We used a bioabsorbable suture in ten patients and a nonabsorbable suture in five patients. The suture was passed at the ACL insertion, then pulled out through drilled tunnels and tied onto the anterior surface of the tibial metaphysis. Two of the 15 patients treated underwent an additional arthroscopic procedure because of arthrofibrosis, 2 months after the first surgical intervention. All patients were examined clinically and radiographically with an average follow-up of 18 months. According to the IKDC scoring system, recovery of the 13 patients not undergoing additional intervention was graded as normal or near normal. In 14 patients, anterior laxity was inferior to 5 mm at the KT-1000 arthrometer evaluation. Absorbable or nonabsorbable suture fixation is effective for obtaining a secure fixation and achieves good clinical and functional mid-term results.