Objective To evaluate the cl inical results of arthroscopical subtalar arthrodesis for malunion of calcaneal fractures. Methods Between July 2006 and December 2008, 12 cases of malunion of calcaneal fractures were treated witharthroscopical subtalar arthrodesis, inculding 10 males and 2 females with an age range of 38-54 years (44.8 years on average). The location was left side in 5 cases and right side in 7 cases. The injury was caused by fall ing from height in 8 cases, by traffic accident in 3 cases, and other in 1 case. It was 3-7 months from injury to operation. All cases were classified as Stephens type II. The total score was 35.68 ± 10.35 and the pain score was 8.14 ± 1.83 before operation according to Hindfoot scores system of American Orthopaedic Foot amp; Ankle Society (AOFAS). Results All incisions achieved parimary heal ing and the patients were all followed up 14-32 months (18 months on average). The X-ray films showed bony fusion after 10-14 weeks (11.5 weeks on average). The total score was 76.45 ± 9.83 and the pain score was 1.52 ± 1.48 after operation according to Hindfoot scores system of AOFAS, showing significant difference when compared with those before operation (P lt; 0.01). Conclusion Arthroscopical subtalar arthrodesis can get satisfactory fusion rate with few compl ications for malunion of calcaneal fractures.
Objective To explore the treatment of the malunited fracture of the tibial plateau. Methods From June 2000 to June 2005, reconstruction was performed on 29 patients (18 males, 11 females; age, 1943 years, average, 31.6 years) with the malunited fracture of the tibial plateau. The injury duration ranged from 2.5 months to 2 years, averaged 9.7 months. After the injury, the plasterexternal fixation was performed on 8 patients and operation was performed on the other 21 patients. The operation was involved in the use of screws in 11 patients, anatomic plates, Golf plates and allotype plates in 8 patients, external fixation braces in 2 patients. A complicating injury to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) was found in 4 patients, an injury to the posterior cruciate ligament(PCL) in 2 patients, an injury to both ACL and PCL in 1 patient, and an injury to the meniscus in 6 patients. Reestablishment was performed on 19 patients, high tibial osteotomy on 7 patients, and osteotomy of the half tibial metaphysis on3 patients. Results Base on the followup for 8 months to 3 years(average, 13.6 months), the comprehensively scoring assessment showed that an excellent result was achieved in 8 patients, good in 15, fair in 4, and poor in 1, with an excellent and good rate of 82.1%, according to the Hohl knee joint function assessment on the pain, active movement, motion range, stability, and selfassessment. ConclusionFor the reconstruction of the malunited fracture of the tibial plateau, the satisfactory therapeutic effectiveness can only be achieved if the proper indications are identified and the suitable operative methods are adopted. The total knee replacement is only applicable to the elderly patient, and for the young patient, the reconstruction should be performed.
Objective To analyze the treatment of old united lateral condyle fractures of humerus in children.Methods From January 1997 toFebruary 2002, 13 cases of old united lateral condyle fractures of humerus were treated. There were 11 boys and 2 girls. Their age was from 4 to 11 years(7.2 years on average). The primary diagnosis results were 4 cases of degree Ⅰ fracture, 5 cases of degree Ⅱ fracture and 4 indefinitely diagnosed cases. Elbow extension disorder occurred in 13 cases, which was limited 30-70°. The elbow flexion was limited morethan 90°. X-ray films showed 10 nonunion and 3 malunion of fracture. The timefrominjury to operation was 32 to 81 days (56 days on average) in 12 cases and6 months in 1 case. All cases were treated by open reduction and internal fixation. One case was treated combined with implanting bone. Results After a follow-up of 3 to 8 years(5.4 years on average), no cubitus varus or valgus occurred.Five cases had growth disturbances of the lateral condyle of the distal humerus. The movement of these elbow joints improved from 40° to 70° (56° on average). The time of clinical bone union was 6 to 8 weeks and no nonunion and delayed union were observed in X-ray films. Conclusion It is important to accurately diagnose for treatment of lateral condyle fractures of the humerus in children so as to reduce the occurrence of malunion of fracture. It can save the joint function and reduce the cosmetic deformity effectively to operate as earlyas possible.
Objective To evaluate the clinical results of subtalar arthrodesis and calcaneal thalamus reconstruction for malunion of calcaneal fractures and to discuss the indications and its advantages of the management. Methods From December 1994 to January 2006, 84 cases(96 feet) of malunion of calcaneal fractures were treated with subtalar arthrodesis and calcaneal thalamus reconstruction. The L-shaped approach lateral to calcaneus was used. The bone autograft was harvested from iliac crest. Fiftyone cases were male and 33 cases were female, aging from 21 to 58 years (mean 385 years).One side was in volved in 72 cases and two sides in 12 cases. The injury was caused by falling from height in 57 cases, by traffic accident in 22 cases and other in 5 cases. It was 6-31 months from injury to operation (mean 9.5 months). Results Among the patients, all cases were followed up 1 to 132 months. The total excellent and good rate was 87.5%, including excellent in 31 feet, good in 53 feet and fair in 12 feet,according to Hindfoot scores system (American Orthopaedics Foot and Ankle Society). The B[AKo¨]hler’s and Gissane’s angles, the height of calcaneal thalamus and width of calcaneus were significant different from those of preoperation (Plt;0.01). Conclusion The treatment by bone autograft combined with subtalar arthrodesis and calcaneal thalamus reconstruction is an effective operation for malunion of calcaneal fractures, with advantages of correcting deformity, restoring the function of indfoot and relieving the pain of walking.