Fractures of the foot and ankle

Fractures of the foot and ankle are common in all age groups. Soft tissue swelling, smoking and co-morbidities such as diabetes mellitus and peripheral vascular disease should be considered when forming the management plan.Careful attention to neurovascular status and the soft tissue envelope of the foot and ankle is essential to the management of these injuries especially where crush injuries have occurred. Open fractures should be treated urgently with a combined approach with the plastic surgeons.A good understanding of surgical anatomy is key to managing these fractures. Good intra-articular involvement and ligamentous stability are crucial in predicting long-term prognosis.The core principles of management are: to maintain the soft tissue envelope (minimize disruption); to obtain appropriate alignment; restoration of joint surfaces; and rehabilitation to obtain optimum function.     

Distale Tibiafrakturen

Distal tibial fractures can be divided by mechanism into injuries caused by torsion trauma or by compression trauma. The latter ones are often associated with a complete destruction of the tibial joint surface, so-called tibial plafond fractures. Another group of fractures are the distal metaphyseal fractures of the tibia with only minimal involvement of the ankle as a result of low energy torsion trauma. Multiple factors can be held responsible for posttraumatic complications and poor outcome: malalignment, nonanatomic reduction of the joint surface or bone defects, and severe soft tissue injury. Therefore a sophisticated therapeutic regime of distal tibial fractures is necessary, which we present in detail in this article. In cases with only minor soft tissue injury a primary definitive open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) of the tibial fracture is possible. Fractures with severe soft tissue injury should be initially fixed with an external fixator. Definitive fixation and reconstruction should here be performed in subsequent operations. Early functional therapy can be attempted if fractures are reliably stabilized.     

关节镜检查和镜下治疗膝关节急性损伤47例

目的 分析膝关节急性损伤早期关节镜检查和镜下治疗的价值。方法 对４７例膝关节急性损伤患者进行早期关节镜检查,其中２６例行关节镜下手术治疗。结果 ４７例关节镜检查患者,镜下除证实Ｘ线诊断外,另发现损伤２８处;２６例镜下治疗患者优良率８３．３％。结论 早期关节镜检查可全面评估损伤程度,提高诊断水平;镜下手术治疗具有创伤小、并发症少、功能恢复快以及总体疗效好等优点。     

手术治疗漂浮膝损伤33例

目的探讨手术治疗漂浮膝损伤的方法和疗效。方法对33例漂浮膝损伤的患者,根据骨折部位、骨折类型及软组织损伤情况,使用股骨加压钢板-胫骨外固定架固定6例,股骨交锁髓内钉-胫骨外固定架固定10例,股骨交锁髓内钉-胫骨交锁髓内钉固定15例,股骨交锁髓内钉-胫骨髁钢板内固定2例。结果3例失访,30例经1～5年随访,平均2年9个月,优良率86.7%。结论早期手术治疗有利于严重多发伤的治疗和关节功能的恢复,手术方法应根据骨折部位、类型及软组织损伤情况,采用合适的方法。     

The acute management of soft tissue injuries of the knee

The acute management of soft tissue injuries of the knee requires knowledge of the injury mechanism, physical findings, and results of adjunctive tests. Knee dislocations, fractures, and extensive soft tissue injury requires immediate and thoughtful treatment. All injuries are afforded the benefit of the basic principles of rest, ice, compression, and elevation until definitive treatment is carried out.     

Le fratture dei piatti tibiali: MIPO artroscopico assistita

Tibial plateau fractures (TPF) are major traumatic injuries. These fractures encompass several fracture configurations with differing degrees of articular depression and displacement. Orthopaedics have widely used the Schatzker classification system for management and prognosis. In case of improper restoration of the plateau surface and of the axis of the leg, these fractures may lead to premature osteoarthritis, ligament injury, lifelong pain, disability. Surgical treatment is advantageous to achieve a stable knee. Early knee motion permits reduced knee stiffness and improved cartilage regeneration. Minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO) improves the healing rate by minimizing disruption of soft tissues and preserving vascular supply, thus minimizing the risks of infection and wound dehiscence. MIPO reduces postoperative pain and enables early rehabilitation. It is cosmetically more acceptable. Arthroscopy permits superior reduction and soft tissue (meniscal and ligamentous) management.     

膝关节前交叉韧带急性损伤早期关节镜下检查和手术治疗

目的 探索关节镜下早期微创修复与重建膝关节交叉韧带（ＡＬＣ）的方法。方法 对２３例ＡＣＬ急性完全断裂者施行了早期关节镜术。结果 １８例主前诊断相符;３你关节镜下明确诊断,２例发现断裂：观察到内侧副韧带断裂间接与直接损伤征象各２例。ＡＣＬ断裂病理类型：韧带体部断裂２１例,上、下止点撕脱各１例。２１例早期重建ＡＣＬ中,６例在关节镜下完成。结论 ＡＣＬ急性损伤早期施以关节镜手术,创伤小、诊断明确,可观察     

The management of open tibial fractures

Open tibial fractures are challenging injuries to deal with. To receive the best outcome they require the services of both an experienced orthopaedic trauma surgeon and plastic surgeon with an interest in lower limb trauma. The A&E management should follow ATLS protocols followed by administration of prophylactic antibiotics. The surgical management includes adequate débridement, lavage, skeletal stabilisation and ultimately soft tissue coverage. The best method of skeletal stabilisation is yet to be proven, although from the studies available it appears that reamed and unreamed nailing as well as external fixation are all acceptable surgical options, each with their own advantages and disadvantages, which the surgeon should be aware of. The results of immediate soft tissue coverage following open tibia fractures are encouraging, however this method is not yet adequately proven to be safe by randomised controlled trials, and hence cannot be encouraged routinely. Definitive soft tissue cover should certainly be achieved within 5–10 days of the injury. Bone morphogenic proteins may have a role in promoting union of grade III open tibial fractures. When patients have a mangled extremity score of greater than or equal to 7, or grade IIIC injuries, surgeons should consider early amputation, rather than limb salvage.     

The impact of injuries below the knee joint on the long-term functional outcome following polytrauma

Previous studies have suggested that the lower-extremities are among the most frequently injured body regions in polytrauma patients and have a major impact on the functional recovery following polytrauma. In particular, injuries to the distal part of the lower-extremity appear to be associated with a poor functional outcome. Therefore, the goal of this study was to evaluate the impact of injuries below the knee joint on the long-term functional outcome following polytrauma. Three hundred eighty-nine polytrauma patients with associated lower-extremity fractures and a minimum follow-up of 10 years were included in this study. All patients were examined by a doctor, using a patient questionnaire and a standardised physical examination. Significantly, inferior outcomes were seen in patients with fractures below the knee joint as measured by the modified Karlstr?m-Olerud score, Lysholm score, range of motion, weight bearing status, Hannover score for polytrauma outcome (HASPOC), SF-12, Tegner activity score, and inability to work (P < 0.05). Fractures below the knee joint have a significant impact on the functional recovery following polytrauma. We suggest that delayed treatment, thin soft tissue envelope below the knee joint, high-energy trauma, unfavorable blood supply, and complex fracture patterns contribute to these unfavorable outcomes.     

Knee fractures in the athlete

Sports-related fractures of the knee, although uncommon, do occur during athletic participation. The assessment and management of each fracture type have been emphasized in this article to provide a guideline for treating these acute knee injuries to a successful return to sports-specific competition. Anatomic fracture reduction is necessary to have optimal joint function in the knee as well as stability of fracture for early joint motion, promote bone healing, and avoid traumatic arthritis. This is especially crucial to the injured athlete, as residual deficits of the knee can greatly affect performance. Selection of low-profile implants at the time of surgery to prevent soft tissue irritation and possible implant removal must also be considered with the return to athletic activity.     

Treatment strategies for gunshot wounds of the extremities

The incidence of gunshot wounds is increasing also in Europe and surgeons in urban trauma centers are more frequently confronted with this type of injury. Since there is no established treatment algorithm for gunshot injuries to the extremities, the surgeon should rely on established soft tissue injury and fracture protocols. Gunshot fractures with minor soft tissue destruction should be treated as closed fractures. The treatment of choice for unstable fractures is early internal stabilization, whereas stable fractures may be treated by functional bracing. The administration of an antibiotic prophylaxis for fractures with minor soft tissue injury is controversial. Gunshot fractures with major soft tissue injury should be treated as open fractures. Debridement of nonviable tissue and external fixation are recommended. Prophylactic intravenous antibiotics are mandatory and prophylactic fasciotomy is often required. Upon definitive internal stabilization, bone grafting should be considered since gunshot fractures are usually associated with a high degree of comminution. Articular gunshot injuries are treated as open joint injuries and require irrigation, debridement, foreign body removal and antibiotic prophylaxis.     

Versorgungsstrategien bei Schussverletzungen der Extremität

The incidence of gunshot wounds is increasing also in Europe and surgeons in urban trauma centers are more frequently confronted with this type of injury. Since there is no established treatment algorithm for gunshot injuries to the extremities, the surgeon should rely on established soft tissue injury and fracture protocols. Gunshot fractures with minor soft tissue destruction should be treated as closed fractures. The treatment of choice for unstable fractures is early internal stabilization, whereas stable fractures may be treated by functional bracing. The administration of an antibiotic prophylaxis for fractures with minor soft tissue injury is controversial. Gunshot fractures with major soft tissue injury should be treated as open fractures. Debridement of nonviable tissue and external fixation are recommended. Prophylactic intravenous antibiotics are mandatory and prophylactic fasciotomy is often required. Upon definitive internal stabilization, bone grafting should be considered since gunshot fractures are usually associated with a high degree of comminution. Articular gunshot injuries are treated as open joint injuries and require irrigation, debridement, foreign body removal and antibiotic prophylaxis.     

High-energy tibial plateau fractures:Staged management

High-energy fractures of the tibial plateau create difficult treatment scenarios. Both osseous and soft tissue injuries can challenge the most experienced trauma surgeon. Because the injury is frequently the result of a crushing mechanism the soft tissues of the proximal leg may initially present an envelope unsuitable for extensile surgical incisions. A closed soft tissue envelope may be associated with marked contusion or significant degloving threatening skin viability, while rapid swelling may prohibit acute surgical wound closure. An open fracture may require multiple debridements, skin grafts, or free tissue transfer to achieve ultimate sterile wound coverage. Still, the vast majority of these fractures benefit from skeletal stabilization with restoration of joint congruity and coronal and sagittal alignment. We routinely deal with this combination of severe bone and soft tissue injury with provisional knee spanning external fixation within 24 hours of injury, aggressive management of open wounds followed by a period of soft tissue rest, then delayed ORIF 2 to 3 weeks after fixator application. Well planned minimal surgical incisions at this time accompanied by meticulous attention to soft tissue handling reproducibly result in successful restoration of alignment and fracture and soft tissue healing.     

关节镜下膝关节急慢性训练伤的诊断分析

目的 探讨军训及运动中膝关节稳定装置急慢性损伤的临床诊断与镜下诊断及其病理改变的差异程度。方法 97例膝关节训练损伤患者通过关节镜观察进行诊断，分析急性及慢性膝关节损伤的诊断及病理改变差异程度。结果 急性损伤(受伤6周之内)33例，临床诊断误诊率：ACL9.1％，PCL3.0％，半月板12.1％，二联征及三联征分别为6.1％及3.0％。慢性损伤64例，临床误诊率：ACLI1.6％，半月板4.7％，二联征及三联征各为1.6％。急性损伤合并软骨退变损伤5例(15.2％)，慢性损伤合并软骨退变性损伤25例(39.1％)，其中慢性膝关节损伤中韧带损伤合并软骨损伤20例，占80.0％。结论 急性膝关节损伤，由于关节肿胀、剧痛，临床检查受限，误诊率较高，应及早行关节镜检查，以提高诊断率。关节软骨损伤与关节损伤后不稳有关。慢性膝关节损伤引起软骨损伤的合并症，明显高于急性期，病程越长，软骨损伤越重。疑有韧带损伤、关节不稳、半月板损伤的患者应及早行韧带及半月板修复，以减少继发性软骨损伤。     

Acute knee dislocation: an evidence based approach to the management of the multiligament injured knee

Traumatic knee dislocations are uncommon yet serious injuries that historically have had variable prognosis. The evaluation and management of traumatic knee dislocations remains controversial. Appropriate early management has been shown to have a significant impact on long term functional outcome. A comprehensive review of the recent literature is presented alongside our current approach to management.The dislocated knee is an under diagnosed injury which relies on a high index of clinical suspicion on presentation of any knee injury. There is now a degree of consensus regarding need for surgery, timing of surgery, vascular investigations, surgical techniques and rehabilitation protocols.Vigilant monitoring for neurovascular complications, appropriate investigations and early involvement of surgeons with a specialist interest in knee ligament surgeries is the key to successful management of these difficult injuries.     

Osteochondral fracture of the patella without soft tissue injury and with no dislocation: A case report

IntroductionOsteochondral fracture of the patella is a fairly common pathology, but almost always associated with a spectrum of soft tissue injuries including anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture. We present a rare case of an osteochondral fracture of the patella in the absence of ligament or soft tissue injuries and with no dislocation of the patella in a pediatric patient.Presentation of caseAn 11-year-old male presented to the orthopedic clinic on crutches following a football injury. The patient had pain in his left knee with flexion deformity. Plain film radiography of the left knee was taken, and an osteochondral fracture of the patella was suspected. Further imaging studies were conducted including computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) which revealed an isolated osteochondral fracture of the patella with no other associated injuries. Open reduction and internal fixation of the displaced fragment was successfully preformed with favorable outcomes. During follow-up, almost full range of motion was regained, and plain film radiography revealed healed fracture with a normal appearance of the patella.DiscussionTraumatic osteochondral fracture of the patella is a common injury and most of these injuries are commonly accompanied by an acute dislocation of the patella or soft tissue injuries such as rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and almost half of all patellar dislocations incidence are associated with osteochondral fractures of the patella. This case had an isolated osteochondral fracture of patella.ConclusionAs demonstrated in this case, osteochondral fractures are common among younger population and patients need to be thoroughly evaluated. Advanced Imaging such as MRI and CT are essential to exclude soft tissue injuries. Although management is highly variable, the importance of open reduction and early fixation should be emphasized for optimal outcomes.     

Posterolateral dislocation of the knee:Recognizing an uncommon entity

Posterolateral dislocations of the knee are rare injuries.Early recognition and emergent open reduction is crucial.A 48-year-old Caucasian male presented with right knee pain and limb swelling 3 d after sustaining a twisting injury in the bathroom.Examination revealed the pathognomonic anteromedial "pucker" sign.Anklebrachial indices were greater than 1.0 and symmetrical.Radiographs showed a posterolateral dislocation of the right knee.He underwent emergency open reduction without an attempt at closed reduction.Attempts at closed reduction of posterolateral dislocations of the knee are usually impossible because of incarceration of medial soft tissue in the intercondylar notch and may only to delay surgical management and increase the risk of skin necrosis.Magnetic resonance imaging is not crucial in the preoperative period and can lead to delays of up to 24 h.Instead,open reduction should be performed once vascular compromise is excluded.     

The principles and practice of open fracture care, 2018

The principles of open fracture management are to manage the overall injury and specifically prevent primary contamination becoming frank infection. The surgical management of these complex injuries includes debridement & lavage of the open wound with combined bony and soft tissue reconstruction. Good results depend on early high quality definitive surgery usually with early stable internal fixation and associated soft tissue repair. While all elements of the surgical principles are very important and depend on each other for overall success the most critical element appears to be achieving very early healthy soft tissue cover. As the injuries become more complex this involves progressively more complex soft tissue reconstruction and may even requiring urgent free tissue transfer requiring close co-operative care between orthopaedic and plastic surgeons. Data suggests that the best results are obtained when the whole surgical reconstruction is completed within 48–72 h.     

Traumatic scapulothoracic dissociation

Scapulothoracic dissociation is an infrequent injury with a potentially devastating outcome. The diagnosis is based on clinical and radiographic findings of forequarter disruption. These include massive soft tissue swelling of the shoulder, displacement of the scapula and neurovascular injuries (brachial plexus, subclavian artery and osseous-ligamentous injuries). The mechanism of injury appears to be the delivery of severe rotational force sheering the shoulder girdle from its chest wall attachments around the scapula, shoulder joint and at the clavicle. Early recognition of the entity and aggressive treatment are crucial. Outcome is not dependent on management of the arterial injury, but rather on the severity of the neurological deficit.     

Treatment of infected total knee arthroplasty. When does implant salvage make sense?

Infection of a total knee arthroplasty can be classified as acute, chronic and haematogenic with and without implant loosening. A differentiated treatment concept for all types of infection is necessary. Furthermore, specific treatment has to be initiated early, as any delay is associated with a worsening of the prognosis. Treatment of infection with implant salvage may be one therapeutic option if the implant is not loose. According to the current literature, therapy with retention of the prosthesis may be promising: (1) in the case of early infection (<3 weeks of ongoing symptoms), (2) with unconstrained implants, (3) in the case of infection with a single organism that is susceptible to antibiotic therapy, (4) if soft tissue coverage is not affected, and (5) if the immune system is not compromised. Chronic infections, (semi-)constrained implants and soft tissue defects have to be considered as contraindications and implants should be removed. Early and consequent therapy with operative débridement and specific long-term antibiotic therapy are necessary to achieve implant salvage. The additional application of antibiotics addressing bacterial biofilms have helped to improve the prognosis. Due to the fact that revision arthroplasty is often associated with limited function after infection of the total knee joint, retention of the implant has to be considered a therapeutic alternative in early infection.