Digital arthrodesis: current fixation techniques

Several hammertoe implant devices have recently been introduced in an attempt to provide optimal fixation for proximal interphalangeal joint arthrodesis. This article reviews these implants individually, and discusses their advantages and disadvantages. There is a lack of research with long-term follow-up available for these devices. Percutaneous Kirschner-wire fixation persists as a time-honored and effective method of fixation. The buried Kirschner-wire technique is also an effective, cost-conscious option, with many of the same advantages as newer implantable devices.     

Ankle arthrodesis combined with tibial lengthening using the Ilizarov apparatus

 We report our experience using the Ilizarov method to perform combined ankle arthrodesis and tibial lengthening in six patients (mean age 47 years; range 25–66 years). The average distraction length was 4.1 cm (range 1.1–6.8 cm), and the mean period of follow-up was 36 months (range 26–44 months). Three patients had active infection of the ankle. Four patients had undergone previous surgery, two of which were primary ankle arthrodeses. We performed compression-distraction in three patients and bone transport in three. In the compression-distraction group, the mean length gained was 1.9 cm, the mean external fixation index (EFI) was 144 days/cm, and the mean external fixation time was 246 days. In the bone transport group, the mean length gained was 6.2 cm, the mean EFI was 35.4 days/cm, and the mean external fixation time was 233 days. All cases achieved a good clinical result with a solid ankle arthrodesis and no infection, deformity, or need for additional support. The Ilizarov method may be practically applied for ankle arthrodesis, especially in complicated cases. The EFI and external fixation time tended to increase for patients with a length gain of 3 cm or less. Received: January 16, 2002 / Accepted: August 1, 2002 Offprint requests to: H. Tsuchiya     

Analysis of screw pullout strength: A function of screw orientation in subtalar joint arthrodesis

The purpose of this cadaveric study was to compare the pullout strength and failure load of 2 different screw orientations for subtalar arthrodesis. Twenty-six specimens from 13 cadaver donors (1 left and 1 right each) were used. A 7.3- x 65-mm long-thread profile (32-mm length) cannulated screw inserted into the calcaneus from dorsal to plantar (calcaneal specimens) was compared with a 7.3- x 65-mm short-thread profile (16-mm length) cannulated screw inserted into the talus from plantar to dorsal (talar specimens). A torque screwdriver with a calibrated electronic vernier scale measured the torque of screw insertion. Screw pullout strength and load failure were measured by using a servohydraulic materials testing machine. Distraction was applied along the axis of the screw at a displacement rate of 25 mm/min. The peak torque of insertion in all calcaneal specimens was reached on initial insertion through the dorsal subchondral bone plate of the calcaneus; in talar specimens, it was reached as the screw threads were completely buried into the talus. A significant difference (P = .00647) was found between the mean torque of insertion for the calcaneal (1.50 Nm) and talar specimens (1.30 Nm). A comparison of pullout forces showed a significantly stronger mean failure load for calcaneal specimens (P = .000085). The mean failure load for paired calcaneal specimens was 1782 N compared with a mean 1245 N for talar specimens. Although the pullout force was clearly greater in the dorsal-to-plantar screw application, the pullout force in the plantar-to-dorsal orientation was also considerable.     

External Fixation of the Pelvic Girdle as a Test for Assessing Instability of the Sacroiliac Joint

External fixation of the pelvic girdle was used in a consecutive series of ten female patients suffering from suspected chronic instability of the sacro-iliac joint. The condition was attributed to pelvic relaxation after pregnancy in seven patients and to trauma in three.

External fixation of the pelvis with a trapezoid frame reduced the average radiographic displacement of the symphysis from 5.0 to 2.4 mm in eight patients, relieved the dorsal pain in seven, and markedly improved walking ability in five. Seven of the ten patients were subsequently subjected to an anterior sacro-iliac joint arthrodesis in which square compression plates and autogenous bone grafts were used. At follow-up examination five of these patients were improved, and two unchanged. The results suggest that external fixation of the pelvis is useful in assessing painful sacro-iliac joint instability and should precede surgical intervention.     

胸腰段脊柱结核骨折前路与后路治疗途径比较的Meta分析

背景：在发展中国家脊柱结核的发病率仍然较高。除了进行药物治疗之外,部分患者需要进行手术治疗,但目前对脊柱结核的治疗途径尚无统一标准。目的：通过查阅与研究脊柱结核前路与后路治疗途径比较的文献,对此两种方式的效果做出系统评价。方法：通过检索Pubmed,Medline,Elseveir,万方,CNKI 等数据库,以“thoracolumbar tuberculosis”,“control ed randomized trial”,“RCT”,“anterior”“posterior”,“脊柱结核”,“前路”,“后路”,“随机对照”等关键词查找相关脊柱结核前后路治疗途径比较的病例对照研究论文,并利用Revman5.1荟萃分析软件对文献中手术时间,术中出血量,Cobb角矫正角度与末次随访丢失角度,植骨融合时间,总住院时间,疗效优良率等数据进行了系统评价。结果与结论：共检索论文1438篇,最后筛选出符合要求的文献9篇;总病例692例,其中前路手术组324例,后路手术组368例。前路手术时间较后路手术时间平均少46.25(40.23,52.26) min,前路手术组出血量较后路手术组出血量平均少148.91(135.12,1625.70) mL,前路手术组Cobb角矫正角度较后路手术组平均小2.40°(2.21°,4.62°),前路手术组Cobb角丢失角度较后路手术组Cobb角丢失角度平均多0.66°(0.41°,0.91°),前路手术组较后路手术组总住院时间平均少0.34(-0.32,1.01) d,前路手术组植骨融合时间较后路手术组平均少0.26(0.18,0.34)个月,前路手术组手术效果优良例数较后路手术组多1.18(-0.48,2.85)例;两组手术时间之间手术时间,术中出血量,Cobb角矫正角度与末次随访丢失角度,植骨融合时间之间有显著性差异(P <0.01),说明脊柱结核前后路方式之间手术时间、术中出血量、Cobb角矫正度数与末次随访丢失角度、植骨融合时间比较有显著区别,但二者总住院时间与手术疗效之间差异无显著性意义。     

Lisfranc损伤切开复位内固定术与关节融合术临床疗效的Meta 分析

 目的比较Lisfranc 损伤切开复位内固定术与关节融合术的临床疗效。方法收集所有比较Lisfranc损伤关节融合术
与切开复位内固定术的随机对照实验（RCT）和临床对照实验（CCT）,按Cochrane 协作网标准逐个进行质量评价和Meta 分析。
结果对符合纳入标准的3 篇RCT文献和3 篇CCT文献进行meta 分析。6 项研究显示,切开复位内固定术并发症低于关节融
合术（RRP=0.53,95%CI 0.34~0.83, P= 0.005）;2 种术式在需再次手术及再次手术矫形方面比较无统计学差异（RR P=1.16,95%CI
0.57~2.37, P=0.68;RRP=2.30,95%CI 0.73~7.22, P= 0.16）;关节融合术在内固定物取出方面明显优于切开复位内固定术（RRP=
6.07,95%CI 3.01~12.23, P< 0.000 01）。治疗效果评分因不同研究采用的评分系统不同,无法进行合并分析。结论在并发症发
生率方面,切开复位内固定术优于关节融合术。切开复位内固定术与关节融合术在再次手术和再次手术矫形方面并无差异。在
内固定物取出方面,关节融合术要优于切开复位内固定术。     

A cone beam CT based 3D-assessment of bony forefoot geometry after modified Lapidus arthrodesis

BackgroundModified Lapidus arthrodesis (MLA) is a well-established treatment modality for hallux valgus deformities (HVD) associated with instability of the first ray. Although the three-dimensional (3D) nature of HVD has long been recognized, diagnostics still focus on plain radiographs. The objective of this study was to validate 3D Cone Beam CT (CBCT) in the perioperative assessment of HVD with focus on the alignment of the forefoot.MethodsIn a prospective clinical study, MLA was performed on 30 patients (25 females, 5 males; mean age: 63.2 years). Pre- and postoperatively standard radiographs and CBCT with full weight-bearing were acquired. For the CBCT based assessment, reproducible criteria have been defined, measured, and correlated with established radiological indicators.ResultsEvaluation of standard radiographic parameters (hallux-valgus angle [HVA], intermetatarsal angle 1-2 [IMA 1-2], distal metatarsal articular angle [DMAA], tibial sesamoid position [TSP]) showed significant improvement postoperatively. Comparison of measurements obtained from plain radiographs and CBCT were significantly correlated between both measuring techniques, indicating high reliability. Pronation of the first metatarsal and the sesamoids were significantly reduced by the procedure. Due to this repositioning effect, the second metatarsal head was elevated by 3.1 mm, and the lateral sesamoid was lowered by 3.8 mm. However, there was no correlation between the amount of pronation and conventional radiographic measures.ConclusionsCompared to plain radiographs, CBCT allows a more detailed view of the forefoot alignment in the coronal plain after MLA. MLA was able to recenter the sesamoids under der first metatarsal head and conversely led to elevation of the second metatarsal head.     

Can we correct first metatarsal rotation and sesamoid position with the 3D Lapidus procedure?

ObjectiveWe examine the technique and radiographic outcomes obtained with triplanar first tarsometatarsal arthrodesis (3D Lapidus) for the surgical correction of hallux valgus (HV). This procedure, apart from correcting angular deformity 1st–2nd intermetatarsal angle, HV angle, etc., is specifically intended to act on first ray pronation and place the sesamoids in their normal position, to alleviate the metatarsalgia often occurring in HV before and after surgery, possibly caused by their abnormal position.This study aims to examine the radiographic outcomes of the 3D Lapidus procedure.Materials and methodsRetrospective study of 37 feet operated on from April 2019 to December 2019, with a minimum 1-year follow-up (mean 420 days), using the 3D Lapidus procedure. Radiographic outcomes were evaluated.ResultsThe intermetatarsal angle decreased from a mean value of 16.42° to 5.62° (p < 0.0001). The HV angle decreased from a mean value of 32.12° to 8.05° (p < 0.0001). The preoperative first metatarsocuneiform angle, with a mean value of 21.86°, was null after arthrodesis (p < 0.0001). The tibial sesamoid position, according to the Hardy and Clapham classification, decreased from a mean value of 4.84 to 1.27 after surgery, within normality (p < 0.0001).DiscussionCorrection of the deformity in a single plane is generally insufficient. It is necessary to act on the three planes of space to correct the deformity, obtain good outcomes, and avoid recurrence.ConclusionsRadiographic outcomes of triplanar correction with the 3D Lapidus procedure are excellent, achieving statistically significant differences in all parameters studied.     

Comment vieillit-on en institution avec une scoliose ? Impact de l’arthrodèse vertébrale sur la qualité de vie des paralysés cérébraux adultes

IntroductionQuality of life is now part of the discussion, when considering spinal arthrodesis in children and teenagers with severe cerebral palsy and scoliosis. From the subjective point of view of close caregivers, quality of life is significantly improved two to five years after surgery. Nevertheless information relevant to the long-term evolution of those patients, most of them institutionalized, is lacking. In this study the quality of life of 45 adult cerebral palsy subjects with scoliosis (20 with arthrodesis and 25 without), classified IV or V on the Gross Motor Classification System and living in institutions was questioned.Material and methodFour items: daily care, pain/comfort, sitting position and communication, were proposed to evaluation by professional caregivers, blind to the final goal of the study and asked to answer along a Lickert scale (−2 to +2).ResultsResults show that professional caregivers dont make any difference between operated and non operated patients when considering easiness of daily care, pain/comfort of the resident or ability to communicate, but judge sitting position to be slightly better for those with spinal arthrodesis. Satisfaction with sitting posture depends for one part on the degree of scoliotic curve but other factors (hip and knee rigidity, quality of the sitting orthosis) also seem to be relevant.ConclusionSpinal arthrodesis is beneficial for sitting posture, even in aging subjects with severe cerebral palsy and scoliosis living in institutions. But the study also points to the numerous other health challenges which negatively affect the quality of life of such patients.