Understanding the pathogenesis of hip fracture in the elderly,osteoporotic theory is not reflected in the outcome of prevention programmes

Hip fractures are an acute and worsening public health problem. They mainly affect elderly people, a population group that is highly vulnerable to disease and accidents, and to falls in particular. Although it has been suggested that osteoporosis is the cause of hip fractures, they mainly occur after a fall has been suffered. The underlying causes of a fall are not related to osteoporosis, although pharmaceutical companies have coined the term "osteoporotic fracture" for hip fractures in the elderly. Drug treatments for osteoporosis have not diminished the frequency of these injuries, nor have they prevented the occurrence of a subsequent fracture. Since pharmaceutical interests require osteoporosis to be considered a disease, rather than a normal condition of senescence, they go further by assuming that treatment for osteoporosis is essential, and that this policy will diminish the incidence of hip fractures. On the other hand, the origin and treatment of conditions that may be conducive to provoking falls are very difficult to elucidate. In this paper, we consider some of the medical and social problems that arise in this area, as well as conflicts of interest regarding the aetiopathogenesis and prevention of hip fracture, and propose a new paradigm for the prevention of falls.     

Combination of Obesity with Hyperglycemia is a Risk Factor for the Presence of Vertebral Fractures in Type 2 Diabetic Men

Although patients with type 2 diabetes show no bone mineral density (BMD) reduction, fracture risks are known to increase. It is unclear why the patients have an increased risk of fracture despite sufficient BMD. We investigated the relationships of body mass index (BMI), HbA_1c, and urinary C-peptide (uC-peptide) versus BMD, bone metabolic markers, serum adiponectin, and prevalent vertebral fracture (VF). A total of 163 Japanese type 2 diabetic men were consecutively recruited, and radiographic and biochemical data were collected. BMI was positively correlated with BMD at the whole body, lumbar spine, and femoral neck (P < 0.05) and negatively correlated with osteocalcin and urinary N-terminal cross-linked telopeptide of type-I collagen (uNTX) (P < 0.01). HbA_1c was negatively correlated with osteocalcin (P < 0.01) but not BMD at any site. Subjects were classified into four groups based on BMI and HbA_1c (group LL BMI < 24 and HbA_1c < 9, group LH BMI < 24 and HbA_1c ≧ 9, group HL BMI ≧ 24 and HbA_1c < 9, group HH BMI ≧ 24 and HbA_1c ≧ 9). Serum adiponectin, osteocalcin, and uNTX were lower and the incidence of VF was higher despite sufficient BMD in the HH group. Multivariate logistic regression analysis adjusted for age, duration of diabetes, uC-peptide, and estimated glomerular filtration rate showed that the HH group was associated with the presence of a VF and multiple VFs (odds ratio [OR] = 3.056, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.031–9.056, P = 0.0439, and OR = 5.415, 95% CI 1.126–26.040, P = 0.0350, respectively). Combination of obesity with hyperglycemia was a risk factor for VF despite sufficient BMD in diabetic men.     

Spontaneous and simultaneous rupture of both Achilles tendons and pathological fracture of the femur neck in a patient receiving long-term hemodialysis

Spontaneous rupture of the Achilles tendons in hemodialysis patients is a rare complication. The majority of these patients have additional predisposing factors, such as previous use of fluoroquinolone antibiotics or corticosteroids. Spontaneous rupture of bilateral Achilles tendons without any of those predisposing factors is exceptional. In this paper, we report a 43-year-old woman who had been undergoing regular hemodialysis for 16 years. She developed bilateral spontaneous and simultaneous rupture of the Achilles tendons. She also developed pathological fracture of right femur neck 3 years later. Based on previous cases of tendon ruptures in uremic patients and the lack of history for the use of corticosteroids or fluoroquinolones, we believe that secondary hyperparathyroidism is the predisposing factor in this patient.     

Nonunion of distal radius fracture and distal radioulnar joint injury: a modified Sauvé–Kapandji procedure with a cubitus proradius transposition as autograft

The Sauvé–Kapandji (SK) procedure is indicated in distal radius nonunion or malunion and distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) instability. It can also be used to treat the rheumatoid wrist with severe degenerative changes in the DRUJ. The main objective is to allow a pain-free range of movement. We present a patient with rheumatoid arthritis and distal radius nonunion who, after three operations, was treated with the SK procedure. The clinical and radiological results were excellent. A 53-year-old woman diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis fell on her forearm at home 2 years ago. Examination at an outpatient clinic revealed a distal radius fracture classified as type V according to the Frykman classification. She had been operated three times with open reduction internal fixation using a plate, screws, and bone allograft. She came to our institution with a distal radius nonunion, positive post-traumatic ulnar variance, and ulnar nerve paresis. The range of movements was 20°–10° flexion-extension and 40°–30° pronation–supination, and she needed daily fentanyl. We performed a modified SK procedure with an autologous iliac crest bone graft and ulnar bone graft from the osteotomy area (cubitus proradius), bone morphogenetic protein, and a low profile distal radius plate. After 1 year of follow-up, the distal radius fracture has healed and the wrist is pain-free with a complete range of movement in flexion-extension and pronation-supination. The main indication for the SK procedure is post-traumatic positive ulnar variance and associated ulnocarpal impaction. The cubitus proradius bone graft transposition is an interesting technical note that makes this case a challenge for skilled orthopedic hand surgeons.     

椎间盘镜下与开放式中空螺钉内固定治疗齿状突骨折的对照研究

目的　比较椎间盘镜下与开放式中空螺钉内固定治疗齿状突骨折的优缺点。方法　对 8例采用椎间盘镜下中空螺钉内固定(椎间盘镜组)与 14例开放式中空螺钉内固定 (开放手术组 )治疗的齿状突骨折病例进行回顾性分析,比较两组的手术切口大小、手术时间、术中出血量、术中透视次数,术后骨折愈合时间、愈合率以及颈椎的活动度。结果　椎间盘镜组的手术切口平均 1. 62cm、手术时间 75min、出血量 20 .5ml,均小于开放手术组(P<0. 05)。两组的骨折愈合率、颈椎活动度差异无显著性 (P>0. 05)。结论　椎间盘镜下直接中空螺钉内固定术创伤较小,手术操作方便,能简化手术,缩短手术时间,减少出血量。     

重建型交锁髓内钉治疗复杂股骨骨折

目的　探讨重建型交锁髓内钉治疗复杂股骨骨折的临床疗效,掌握手术方法及注意事项。方法　对 18例复杂股骨骨折采用重建型交锁髓内钉固定,闭合或开放穿钉。结果　18例经 6~19个月的随访,愈合时间4 5~10个月,平均 6 5个月,优良率达 94%,无相关并发症。结论　颈干交锁,将整个固定系统与股骨头颈干构成一相对完整牢固的整体,可早期负重,功能锻炼,有利骨折愈合,重建型交锁髓内钉是治疗复杂股骨骨折的理想方法。     

手术治疗有移位的跟骨关节内骨折

目的评价手术开放复位、钢板和螺钉内固定治疗跟骨关节内骨折的疗效.方法63例71侧有移位的跟骨关节内骨折,其中SandersⅡ型18侧(25.4%),Ⅲ型26侧(36.6%),Ⅳ型27侧(38.0%).采用外侧可延伸的"L"型切口入路,开放复位、钢板和螺钉内固定.部分Ⅳ型骨折采用骨移植且术后予以石膏短期外固定.结果63例均获随访,时间6～26个月,平均15.9个月.按AOFAS标准评价功能,优29侧,良26侧,可11侧,差5侧,优良率77.6%.结论有移位的跟骨关节内骨折,切开复位,钢板、螺钉内固定治疗可获得满意的效果,但Ⅳ型跟骨关节内骨折的治疗效果较Ⅱ、Ⅲ型差.     

链式钢板改制钩钢板治疗肩锁关节脱位

目的观察链式钢板改制钩钢板后内固定治疗肩锁关节脱位的效果.方法按改良Rockwood分类,Ⅲ型以上肩锁关节脱位6例,均采用链式钢板改制的钩钢板内固定.结果改制的钩钢板符合锁骨"S"状外形,钩部分插入尖峰下端,对肩袖的影响较小,固定后肩关节极度外展时与肱骨头不发生撞击,对正常生理结构干扰极少,术后不用外固定,利于肩关节的早期功能锻炼.随访9个月～3年,按JOA评分标准,90～95分5例,80～89分1例.综合评价优良.结论链式钢板改制钩钢板取材容易,治疗肩锁关节脱位固定确切,操作简单,疗效可靠.     

髋臼横形伴后壁骨折的诊断和治疗

目的探讨髋臼横形伴后壁骨折的诊断方法和治疗效果.方法15例髋臼横形伴后壁骨折,通过X线平片、CT平扫及重建图像确诊,均手术治疗,其中改良Kocher-Langenbeck(K-L)入路10例、前后联合入路5例,均采用钢板和拉力螺钉固定.结果随访1～4年(平均2年),关节功能按改良d'Aubigne和Postel功能评定标准,解剖复位者12例中关节功能优良10例、可2例;复位欠佳2例中关节功能良1例、可1例;不满意复位1例关节功能差.结论髋臼横形伴后壁骨折一般采用手术治疗,手术入路为改良K-L入路或前后联合入路,骨折固定方法应满足解剖复位、坚强固定和安全的要求.     

带锁髓内钉治疗胫骨骨折

1998年6月～2003年12月．我科应用带锁髓内钉治疗胫骨骨折40例,疗效满意。