Objective To compare the clinical results of locking compress plate (LCP) as an external fixator and standard external fixator for treatment of tibial open fractures. Methods Between May 2009 and June 2012, 59 patients with tibial open fractures were treated with LCP as an external fixator in 36 patients (group A), and with standard external fixator in 23 patients (group B). There was no significant difference in gender, age, cause of injury, affected side, type of fracture, location, and interval between injury and surgery between 2 groups (P gt; 0.05). The time of fracture healing and incision healing, the time of partial weight-bearing, the range of motion (ROM) of knee and ankle, and complications were compared between 2 groups. Results The incidence of pin-track infection in group A (0) was significantly lower than that in group B (21.7%) (P=0.007). No significant difference was found in the incidence of superficial infection and deep infection of incision, and the time of incision healing between 2 groups (P gt; 0.05). Deep vein thrombosis occurred in 5 cases of group A and 2 cases of group B, showing no significant difference (χ2=0.036, P=0.085). All patients were followed up 15.2 months on average (range, 9-28 months) in group A, and 18.6 months on average (range, 9-47 months) in group B. The malunion rate and nonunion rate showed no significant difference between groups A and B (0 vs. 13.0% and 0 vs. 8.7%, P gt; 0.05); the delayed union rate of group A (2.8%) was significantly lower than that of group B (21.7%) (χ2=5.573, P=0.018). Group A had shorter time of fracture healing, quicker partial weight-bearing, greater ROM of the knee and ankle than group B (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion The LCP external fixator can obtain reliable fixation in treating tibial open fracture, and has good patients’ compliance, so it is helpful to do functional exercise, improve fracture healing and function recovery, and reduce the complication incidence.
Objective To investigate the classification and treatment of Monteggia equivalent fractures in children. Methods A retrospective analysis was made on the clinical data of 35 cases of Monteggia equivalent fractures between January 2008 and January 2012. There were 17 boys and 18 girls with an average age of 7 years and 5 months (range, 1 year and 2 months to 14 years and 11 months). The causes of injury were tumbling injury in 25 cases, falling injury in 3 cases, and sport injury in 7 cases. The disease duration from injuries to admission ranged from 1 hour to 16 days (median, 28 hours). According to the criteria of self-made classification, there were 22 cases of type I (ulnar fracture with radial neck fracture or proximal radial epiphysis injury), 2 cases of type II (posterior elbow dislocation with radial neck fracture or proximal radial epiphysis injury), 10 cases of type III (ulnar fracture and/or olecranon fracture with humeral lateral condylar fracture), and 1 case of type IV (fractures of radius and ulna with radial neck fracture or proximal radial epiphysis injury). All patients were treated by open reduction and internal fixation/external fixation. Results All incisions healed by first intention without infection. Thirty-four cases were followed up 14 months on average (range, 12-18 months). All fractures healed at 2.5 months on average (range, 6 weeks to 5 months). According to Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) score system, the results were excellent in 29 cases, good in 4 cases, and fair in 2 cases, with an excellent and good rate of 94%. No cubit varus/valgus or delayed ulnar nerve injury was observed. Conclusion New self-made classification is simple and easy to remember, and it is helpful to reduce omission diagnose rate and select therapeutic methods. Surgery is an effective method to treat Monteggia equivalent fractures.
Objective To explore the procedure and effectiveness of sequential reduction and fixation for zygomatic complex fractures. Methods Between March 2004 and February 2012, 32 patients with zygomatic complex fractures were treated. There were 28 males and 4 females with a median age of 29 years (range, 17-55 years). Fractures were caused by traffic accident in 29 cases and by tumble in 3 cases. The time between injury and admission was 1-12 days (mean, 3 days) in 28 fresh fractures and 22-60 days (mean, 40 days) in 4 old fractures. All patients were diagnosed by clinical symptom and CT scan. Coronal scalp incision, lower eyelid aesthetic incision, and intraoral incision were used to expose the zygomatic bone segments. The sequence of fractures reduction and fixation was horizontal first, and then longitudinal. In horizontal orientation, reduction and simultaneous fixation started from the root of the zygoma, to zygomatic arch, body of the zygoma, and inferior orbital rim in turn. Longitudinally, fracture reduction of zygomatico-frontal suture and orbital posterolateral walls was done first, followed by fracture reduction of zygomaticomaxillary buttress. Results Primary healing of incision was obtained in all 32 cases, without complications of maxillary sinus fistula and infection. Eighteen patients were followed up 6 months to 6 years with a median time of 32 months. All the patients gained satisfactory results with normal zygomatic contour and symmetric midface. All patients restored normal mouth opening. No eye and vision damage occurred. Frontal disappearance and brow ptosis were observed in 2 cases. Hair loss (2-3 mm) was seen at the site of coronal scalp incision, without scar hyperplasia; there was no obvious scar at lower eyelid. CT and X-ray films showed bony healing at 6 months after operation. Conclusion Sequential reduction and fixation is accord with the mechanical characters of complicated zygomatic fractures. It is very easy to achieve anatomic reduction of the bone segments and facial symmetry.
Objective To review the injury mechanism and the treatment progress of terrible triad of the elbow, and to analyze the direction of further research. Methods Related literature concerning terrible triad of the elbow was extensively reviewed and comprehensively analyzed. Results The main treatment of terrible triad of the elbow is operation. The ultimate goal of treatment is to reconstruct sufficient stability of the elbow. The treatment includes fixation of the coronoid by suture, screw or plate; fixation of radial head by screw and plate, partial or complete replacement of the radial head; fixation of lateral collateral ligament and the medial collateral ligament by bone suture or anchors and the application of the external fixator. These surgical treatments have their own indications and advantages, most get satisfactory results. Conclusion Generally, surgery is needed to maintain the stability of the elbow for patients of terrible triad elbow. However, medial ligament repair or not, the choice of approach, and mechanism of injury still need further study.
Objective To investigate the treatment method and effectiveness of fresh closed fracture-dislocation of the midtarsal joint. Methods Between April 2004 and April 2011, 73 patients (75 feet) with fresh closed fracture-dislocation of the midtarsal joint were treated with closed reduction combined with open reduction and internal fixation. There were 56 males (58 feet) and 17 females (17 feet), aged from 19 to 62 years (mean, 35.8 years). Injuries were caused by falling from height in 35 cases, by sprain in 4 cases, by machine twist in 5 cases, by heavy pound in 9 cases, and by traffic accident in 20 cases. The time from injury to admission ranged from 1 hour and 30 minutes to 48 hours (mean, 4.5 hours). According to Main’s classification standard, 6 feet were rated as vertical compression injury, 33 feet as medial displacement injury, 17 feet as lateral displacement injury, 9 feet as flexion injury, and 10 feet as crush injury. Concomitant injuries included midfoot fracture-dislocation (34 feet), scaphoid fracture (6 feet), cuboid bone fracture (18 feet), calcaneal fracture (8 feet), talus fracture (7 feet), tibiotalar joint dislocation (2 feet), subtalar joint dislocation (2 feet), medial malleolus fracture (1 foot), and acute compartment syndrome (3 feet). Results Healing of incision by first intention was achieved in 65 cases (67 feet), by second intention in 8 cases (8 feet). Sixty-two cases (62 feet) were followed up from 11 months to 7 years and 11 months (mean, 3 years and 6 months). After operation, feet pain occurred in 26 cases, and stiffness or discomfort of the affected foot in 36 feet when walking. The X-ray examination showed good reduction of fracture-dislocation of the midtarsal joint and concomitant injuries with no re-dislocation or bone nonunion in 59 feet; 3 feet had flatfoot secondary to navicular necrosis, and underwent arthrodesis. The American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score was 77-90 (mean, 88.6) at last follow-up. Conclusion According to the preoperative evaluation of the damage, using the manual reduction combined with internal fixation (mini-plate or hollow screw with Kirschner wire) methods can obtain good effectiveness in the treatment of fracture-dislocation of the midtarsal joint.
Objective To explore the relative prognostic factors of Tile C pelvic injury after iliolumbar fixation. Methods Between March 2007 and March 2010, 60 patients with Tile C pelvic injuries were surgically treated with iliolumbar fixation, including 39 males and 21 females with an average age of 37 years (range, 17-66 years). Of them, 27 cases were classified as Tile C1, 20 as Tile C2, and 13 as Tile C3. The preoperative injury severity score (ISS) was 12-66 (mean, 29.4). The time from injury to surgery was 2-25 days (mean, 8.1 days). Iliolumbar fixation was performed in all patients. Unconditional logistic analysis was used to analyze the relationship between the age, sex, body mass index (BMI), operation opportunity, the preoperative combined injury, classification of fracture, the postoperative complication, reduction outcome, sacral nerve injury, and the time of physical exercise and the prognosis. Results All 60 patients were followed up 12-56 months (mean, 27.3 months). Infection of incisions occurred in 12 cases and were cured after dressing change; healing of incision by first intention was obtained in the other patients. Delay sacral nerve injury was found in 15 patients, 6 patients underwent nerve decompression, and 9 underwent conservative treatment. Ten patients had nail protrusion of Schanz screws at the posterior superior illac spine, and 3 patients had pain, which was relieved after removal of the internal fixator. One patient had bone-grafting nonunion of sacroiliac joint, which was improved by pressured bone graft. Five patients had the beam breakage without significant effect. Six patients had deep vein thrombosis, among them 4 underwent filter and 2 underwent nonsurgical treatment. The healing time of fracture was 3-6 months (mean, 3.9 months). According to the Matta function score, the results were excellent in 31 cases, good in 24 cases, fair in 3 cases, and poor in 2 cases with an excellent and good rate of 91.7% at last follow-up. Majeed score was 58-100 (mean, 86), 28 were rated as excellent, 12 as good, 16 as fair, and 4 as poor with an excellent and good rate of 66.7%. The logistic analysis showed that the age, sex, BMI, and postoperative complications were not prognostic factors; early operation (within 10 days), early function exercises (within 7 days), the better reduction quality, and the less sacral nerve injury were in favor of prognosis; and the worse preoperative combined injury and pelvic injury were, the worse the prognosis was. Conclusion Operation opportunity, the preoperative combined injury, reduction outcome, sacral nerve injury, and the time of physical exercise are all significantly prognostic factors of Tile C pelvic injuries
Objective To analyze the effectiveness of volar locking compression plate (LCP) and radial styloid process plate for the treatment of type C fractures of the distal radius. Methods Between May 2010 and May 2011, 24 cases of type C fractures of the distal radius were treated, including 8 males and 16 females with an average age of 52 years (range, 23-73 years). Injury was caused by falling in 20 cases and by traffic accident in 4 cases. All were fresh closed fractures. The locations were the left side in 15 cases and the right side in 9 cases. According to AO typing, there were 16 cases of type C2 and 8 cases of type C3. The preoperative palmar tilt angle ranged from — 60 to 25° (mean, — 45.3°); the preoperative ulnar inclination angle ranged from — 16 to 13° (mean, 8.2°); and the preoperative radial length shortening was 8-18 mm (mean, 12 mm). The time from injury to operation was 3-10 days (mean, 5.2 days). Results All operation incisions healed primarily. All patients were followed up 9-16 months (mean, 13.5 months). The healing time of fracture was 8-12 weeks (mean, 10.2 weeks). The articular surface was smooth and the radial length was recovered. The postoperative palmar tilt angle ranged from 8 to 15° (mean, 12.3°); the postoperative ulnar inclination angle ranged from 18 to 26° (mean, 22.3°). No loss of reduction, refracture, or carpal tunnel syndrome occurred during follow-up. The average range of motion of the wrist was 45.3° (range, 30-70°) in dorsal extension, was 50.2° (range, 26-78°) in palmar flexion, was 13.5° (range, 8-25°) in radial inclination, was 23.6° (range, 15-32°) in ulnar inclination, was 65.7° (range, 35-90°) in pronation, and was 72.5° (range, 20-90°) in supination at last follow-up. According to the wrist function by Gartland-Werley scoring, the results were excellent in 12 cases, good in 8 cases, and fair in 4 cases; and the excellent and good rate was 83.3%. Conclusion Treatment of type C fractures of the distal radius with volar LCP and radial styloid process plate can reconstruct normal anatomic structures and get good functional recovery.
Objective To investigate the influence of the integration of fracture treatment and exercise rehabilitation on the effectiveness in the patients with intertrochanteric fracture of femur. Methods Between January 2007 and December 2009, 3 873 patients with intertrochanteric fracture of femur were surgically treated in 56 hospitals. Of them, 1 970 cases were treated with rehabilitation training according to scale of safety assessment of early exercise rehabilitation of patients with fractures (trial group), 1 903 cases were treated with traditional rehabilitation training methods (control group). There was no significant difference in age, gender, fracture type, internal fixation type, or postoperative safety score between 2 groups (P gt; 0.05). Results All the patients were followed up 13-49 months (mean, 30.5 months). There was no significant difference in the incidences of bone nonunion, delayed union, and systemic complication between 2 groups (P gt; 0.05); significant differences were found in the incidences of incision complication, deep vein thrombosis of the lower extremity, and the overall complication between 2 groups (P lt; 0.05). At 6 and 12 months after operation, the trial group was significantly better than the control group in the recovery of hip motion, curative effectiveness classification, and the excellent and good rate (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion The treatment of intertrochanteric fracture of the femur guided by the integration of fracture treatment and exercise rehabilitation can apparently improve the prognosis and reduce the incidence of complications.
Objective To explore the effectiveness of Colorado 2TM system in the stabil ity reconstruction of sacroil iac joint fracture and dislocation in Tile C pelvic fracture. Methods Between February 2009 and January 2011，8 cases of Tile C pelvic fracture were treated with Colorado 2TM system. There were 3 males and 5 females with an average age of 34.4years (range，22-52 years). Fractures were caused by traffic accident in 3 cases, by fall ing from height in 3 cases，and by crash of heavy object in 2 cases. According to Tile classification, 5 cases were classified as C1-2, 2 cases as C1-3，and 1 case as C2. The time between injury and operation was 5-10 days (mean, 7 days). After skeletal traction reduction, Colorado 2TM system was used to fix sacroil iac joint, and reconstruction plate or external fixation was selectively adopted. Results The postoperative X-ray films showed that the reduction of vertical and rotatory dislocation was satisfactory, posterior pelvic ring achieved effective stabil ity. All the incisions healed by first intention, and no blood vessel or nerve injury occurred. Eight patients were followed up 6-24 months (mean, 12 months). No loosening or breakage of internal fixation was observed and no re-dislocation of sacroil iac joint occurred. The bone heal ing time was 6-12 months (mean, 9 months). According to Majeed’s functional criterion, the results were excellent in 5 cases, good in 2 cases, and fair in 1 case at last follow-up. Conclusion Colorado 2TM system could provide immediate stabil ity of pelvic posterior ring and good maintenance of reduction effect, which is an effective method in the therapy of sacroil iac joint fracture and dislocation in Tile C pelvic fracture.
Objective To study the effect of local appl ication of different concentrations of nerve growth factor (NGF) on fracture heal ing, and to further search for the appropriate concentration gradient of NGF to promote fracture heal ing. Methods Seventy-five adult male Sprague Dawley rats, weighing (220.0 ± 2.5) g, were made the right tibia fracture model at 1 cm distal from the tibial tubercle and randomly divided into 5 groups (groups A, B, C, D, and E, n=15). Fractures were treated with 0.3 mL normal sal ine containing different concentration of NGF (0.006 48 × 10-2, 0.032 40 × 10-2, 0.162 00 ×10-2, and 0.810 00 × 10-2 μg/g) in groups A, B, C, and D, respectively, and the same amount of normal sal ine in group E. After2, 4, and 6 weeks, the specimens were harvested from 5 rats of each group to perform the biochemical test and histological observation. Before the rats were sacrificed, the arteriovenous blood was taken from the eye-ball to test the alkal ine phosphatase (ALP) activity. Results After 2, 4, and 6 weeks, the gross observation showed that the size and hardness of bone tissue and callus tissue growth gradually increased in groups A, B, C, and D, and group D was higher than groups A, B, C, and E. The X-ray films showed that the calcified area gradually increased in groups A, B, C, and D, and group D was higher than groups A, B, C, and E. The histological observation showed that the trabecular qual ity and maturity in group D were better than those in groups A, B, C, and E. Group D was significantly higher than groups A, B, C, and E (P lt; 0.05) in the gray values of callus tissue and the calcium content of callus tissue at 4 and 6 weeks, in the wet weight of callus tissue at 2 and 4 weeks, and in the ALP content of serum at 2 weeks. The trabecula surface index of osteoblast, the trabecular volume, and the trabecular width decreased as time in the order of groups A, B, C, and D, which were higher than those of group E; group D was the highest, showing significant differences when compared with the other groups (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion The local appl ication of NGF can promote fracture heal ing in rats. The high concentration gradient of NGF (0.810 00 × 10-2 μg/g) has an obvious promotion role on fracture heal ing.