Objective To determine the efficacy and safety of external fixation versus intramedulllary nailing in the treatment of adult tibial shaft fracture. Methods We searched the specialized trials register of The Cochrane Collaboration’s Bone, Joint and Muscule Trauma Group, The Cochrane Library (CENTRAL), MEDLINE (1966 to March 2006), EMBASE (1980 to March 2006) and PUBMED (1966 to March 2006). We also handsearched some Chinese orthopedic journals. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-randomized trials (quasi-RCTs) comparing external fixation versus intramedullary nailing for tibial shaft fractures in adults were included. The quality of these trials was critically assessed. We used the Cochrane Collaboration’s RevMan 4.2.8 for data analyses. Result Three RCTs and two quasi-RCTs involving a total of 279 patients were included. The results of meta-analyses showed that external fixation for tibial shaft fractures in adults may increase the infection rate [RR 2.45, 95%CI (1.31,4.61), P=0.005], and the malunion rate [RR 2.85, 95%CI (1.20,6.79), P=0.02] but may reduce the duration of hospitalization [RR –5.50, 95%CI (–6.99,–4.01)]. The nonunion rate, delayed healing rate, and healing time, were comparable between external fixation and intramedulllary nailing. Conclusion The trials available for this systematic review are too few and small for reliable estimates of the relative effects of external fixation and intramedulllary nailing. Further studies are needed to determine these effects , especially for patients who have GustiloШ C fractures.
Objective To investigate the effectiveness of shortening-lengthening method using Ilizarov technique for repairing large tibial bone and soft tissue defects. Methods Between January 2006 and December 2011, 12 patients with large tibial bone and soft tissue defects were treated by shortening-lengthening method using Ilizarov technique. There were 8 males and 4 females with an average age of 39.3 years (range, 18-65 years). The causes were injury in 8 cases and chronic infection in 4 cases. The area of soft tissue defect was 5 cm × 4 cm to 20 cm × 16 cm, and the length of tibial bone defect was 4.5-8.0 cm with an average of 6.2 cm. Results Incision in the lengthening area healed by first intention; healing of wounds by first intention was achieved in 6 cases, delayed healing in 2 cases, and secondary healing in 4 cases, with no common peroneal nerve injury. All patients were followed up 18-54 months with an average of 29 months. In the lengthening area, the bone healing time was 180-365 days (mean, 267 days), and the healing index was 3.8-4.3 days/mm (mean, 4.1 days/mm). In the shortening area, the bone healing time was 195-380 days (mean, 297 days) in the others except 1 case who was repaired with bone grafting. Mild pin-related infection and loosening were observed in all cases, but no infection occurred in the lengthening or shortening area. At last follow-up, weight bearing of the leg was fully recovered in 12 cases. According to Mazur’s criteria, the function of ankle was excellent in 2 cases, good in 6 cases, and fair in 4 cases. Nine patients had equal limb length, and 3 patients had shortened length less than 2 cm. Conclusion Shortening-lengthening method using Ilizarov technique has the advantages of simple surgery, less complications, easy to close the wound, and good effectiveness in repairing of large tibial bone and soft tissue defects．
Objective To describe a surgical device for closed reduction of tibial fracture and investigate its clinical effectiveness. Methods Between June 2010 and December 2012, 24 cases of tibial fractures were treated with intramedullary nailing using a surgical device for closed reduction. There were 18 males and 6 females with an average age of 40 years (range, 20-64 years). All fractures were closed. There were 3 proximal third fractures, 12 middle third fractures, and 9 distal third fractures. According to AO classification, 12 cases were classified as type A, 8 cases as type B, and 4 cases as type C. The mean time between injury and operation was 3 days (range, 1-12 days). The intraoperative fluoroscopy frequency to confirm closed reduction and guide wire passing the fracture site, and the duration between fracture reduction and nail insertion were recorded. The injured limb alignment and fracture angular deformity were measured as described by Freedman et al. The fuction of affected limb was estimated by Johner-Wruhs criteria. Results Closed reduction was successfully performed in 24 patients. The mean fluoroscopy frequency to confirm closed reduction was 3 (range, 2-5). The fluoroscopy frequency to confirm guide wire passing the fracture site was 2. The mean duration between fracture reduction and nail insertion was 30 minutes (range, 20-42 minutes). No intraoperative or postoperative complication occurred, such as infection, vessel and nerve injuries. All incisions healed by first intention. Seventeen patients were followed up 6-16 months (mean, 10 months). Radiographic evidence showed that bridging callous was observed at 2-4 months (mean, 2.5 months). The injured limb alignment was normal on anteroposterial and lateral radiographs at 5 months postoperatively, no malalignment and obvious angular deformity was observed. The internal fixator had good position. According to Johner-Wruhs criteria for evaluation of the affected limb function, the results were excellent in 12 cases and good in 5 cases with an excellent and good rate of 100%. Conclusion The surgical device for closed reduction of tibial fracture is simple and easy to use, and has good effectiveness combined with intramedullary nailing.
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 improved reduction technique for depression fractures of the lateral tibial plateau and its effectiveness. Methods Between January 2008 and December 2010, 48 patients (48 knees) with depression fractures of the lateral tibial plateau (Schatzker II or III fractures) were treated. There were 32 males and 16 females with an average age of 45.8 years (range, 16-79 years). All fractures were fresh closed fractures, which were caused by traffic accident in 27 cases, by falling from height in 5 cases, by crushing in 8 cases, and by sustained falls in 8 cases. According to Schatzker classification, 29 cases were classified as type II and 19 cases as type III. The lateral cortex was cut off to expose the depression and compacted cancellous bone was elevated to reset the articular surface. After reduction, autologous iliac bone graft and locking plate internal fixation were used. Results Healing of incision by first intention was achieved in all patients, and no complication occurred. All patients were followed up 1.7 years on average (range, 1-3 years). At last follow-up, the knee extension was ( — 0.5 ± 0.3)°, and the knee flexion was (136.9 ± 8.8)°. X-ray films showed that the fracture healing time was 52 weeks and no breakage of internal fixation occurred. According to Rasmussen clinical score, the results were excellent in 35 cases, good in 10 cases, and fair in 3 cases. According to Rasmussen radiographical score, the results were excellent in 41 cases, good in 7 cases; there were 41 excellent scores and 7 good scores of articular reduction; all gained good recovery of coronal and sagittal alignment and condylar width. The articular surface collapse was (1.0 ± 0.7) mm at immediate postoperatively and (1.2 ± 0.7) mm at last follow-up, showing no significant difference (t= — 1.42, P=0.20), but significant differences were found when compared with that at preoperation [(12.2 ± 8.0) mm, P lt; 0.05]. Conclusion This improved technique can provide a satisfactory effectiveness of fracture reduction and can avoid loss of reduction. The short-term effectiveness is good, but futher follow-up is necessary to determine the long-term results.
Objective To investigate the effectiveness of tissue transplantation combined with bone transmission in treatment of large defects of tibial bone and soft tissue. Methods Between February 2006 and February 2011, 15 cases of traumatic tibia bone and soft tissue defects were treated. There were 12 males and 3 females, aged from 16 to 54 years (mean, 32 years). After internal and external fixations of fracture, 11 patients with open fracture (Gustilo type III) had skin necrosis, bone exposure, and infection; after open reduction and internal fixation, 2 patients with closed fracture had skin necrosis and infection; and after limb replantation, 2 patients had skin necrosis and bone exposure. The area of soft tissue defect ranged from 5 cm × 5 cm to 22 cm × 17 cm. Eight cases had limb shortening with an average of 3.5 cm (range, 2-5 cm) and angular deformity. The lenghth of bone defect ranged from 4 to 18 cm (mean, 8 cm). The flap transplantation and skin graft were used in 9 and 6 cases, respectively; bone transmission and limb lengthening orthomorphia were performed in all cases at 3 months after wound healing; of them, 2 cases received double osteotomy bone transmission, and 14 cases received autologous bone graft and reset after apposition of fracture ends. Results All flaps and skin grafts survived; the wound healed at 3.5 months on average (range, 3 weeks-18 months). The length of bone lengthening was 6-22 cm (mean, 8 cm). The time of bone healing and removal of external fixation was 9.5-39.0 months (mean, 15 months). The healing index was 40-65 days/cm (mean, 55 days/cm). All patients were followed up 1-5 years (mean, 4 years). The wounds of all the cases healed well without infection or ulceration. The functions of weight-bearing and walking were recovered; 6 cases had normal gait and 9 cases had claudication. The knee range of motion was 0° in extention, 120-160° in flexion (mean, 150°). According to the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) scoring system for ankle function, the results were excellent in 7 cases, good in 4 cases, and fair in 4 cases, with an excellent and good rate of 73.3%. Conclusion Tissue transplantation combined with bone transmission is an effective method to treat large defects of soft tissue and tibial bone, which can increase strength of bone connection and reduce damage to the donor site.
Objective To study the effect of the human umbilical cord blood on the content of trace elements in whole blood during fracture healing in rabbits and to explore the mechanism of promoting fracture healing. Methods The right tibial fracture model was made in 63 white New Zealand rabbits (aged, 4-5 months; weighing, 2.0-2.5 kg). The fracture site was treated with 3 mL human umbilical cord blood (group A, n=21) and 3 mL normal saline (group B, n=21) at 3 and 8 days after operation, and was not treated as a control (group C, n=21). At 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 weeks after operation, the X-ray and histological observations were done; the contents of zinc, copper, magnesium, ferrum, calcium, and phosphorus were detected. Results X-ray observation showed that the fracture healing speed of group A was significantly faster than that of groups B and C; the fracture healing X-ray score of group A was significantly higher than that of groups B and C at 2-6 weeks (P lt; 0.05). The histological observation indicated that new trabeculae and osteoid of group A were significantly more than those of groups B and C; at 2-5 weeks, the histological score of group A was significantly higher than that of groups B and C (P lt; 0.05); at 6 weeks, the score of group A was significantly higher than that of group B (P lt; 0.05), but no significant difference was found between groups A and C (P gt; 0.05). Changes trend of the trace elements in 3 groups after operation was basically consistent. The content of copper first decreased and then gradually increased; the contents of ferrum, zinc, and magnesium at different time points decreased, but were basically stable; the content of calcium first increased and then decreased; the content of phosphorus first decreased and then increased. The contents of copper, zinc, magnesium, ferrum, calcium, and phosphorus in group A were significantly higher than those in groups B and C at different time points (P lt; 0.05), but there was no significant difference between groups B and C (P gt; 0.05). Conclusion Injection of the human umbilical cord blood at the fracture end of rabbits can significantly slow down the loss of trace elements in whole blood, ensure the contents of necessary trace elements during fracture healing, which may be one of the mechanisms of the umbilical cord blood promoting fracture healing.
Objective To measure the included angle between tibia anatomical axis and anterior cortex, and to define the relative position of them in order to give direction in placement of tibia extra-medullary alignment bar during total knee arthroplasty. Methods A total of 100 healthy volunteers were included (49 left knees and 51 right knees). There were 52 males and 48 females, aged 20-86 years with an average age of 45.2 years (20-35 years in 29 cases, 35-50 years in 32 cases, and over 50 years in 39 cases). The tibiofibular lateral X-ray films were taken to measure the included angle between tibia anatomical axis and anterior cortex with AutoCAD2004 system. The samples were grouped according to gender, age, and side. Results The included angles between tibia anatomical axis and anterior cortex ranged from 3.007 to 3.021° with an average of 3.001°; the angles were (2.965 ± 0.361)° in male and (3.041 ± 0.311)° in female; the angles were (2.996 ± 0.332)° in the left knee and (3.006 ± 0.347)° in the right knee; and the angles were (2.918 ± 0.346)° in 20-35 years age group, (3.060 ± 0.330)° in 35-50 years age group, and (3.014 ± 0.336)° in over 50 years age group. No significant difference was found in the included angle between tibia anatomical axis and anterior cortex between male and female, among different ages, and between left and right knees (P gt; 0.05). Conclusion The included angle between tibia anatomical axis and anterior cortex is about 3°, so tibia extra-medullary alignment bar should be placed at the angle of 3° with anterior cortex during total knee arthroplasty.
Objective To investigate the effectiveness of arthroscopically assisted treatment of acute tibial insertion avulsion fracture of the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) via posteromedial incision. Methods Between January 2010 and January 2012, 22 patients with acute tibial insertion avulsion of the PCL underwent arthroscopic reduction and fixation via posteromedial incision. There were 14 males and 8 females with an average age of 32 years (range, 18-48 years). The injury causes included traffic accident injury in 14 cases, sport injury in 4 cases, and falling injury in 4 cases. The disease duration ranged from 7 to 16 days (mean, 10 days). Of 22 patient, 14 had simple PCL injury, 6 had PCL injury with meniscus injury, and 2 with cartilage injury. The results of posterior drawer test were positive in all patients. The preoperative Lysholm score was 51.1 ± 3.4. Results All incisions healed by first intention without infection, deep venous thrombosis of lower limbs, or vessel and nerve injuries. All patients were followed up 12-24 months (mean, 18.4 months). X-ray films showed that all fractures healed with the healing time of 2-4 months (mean, 3 months). The Lysholm score was improved to 96.0 ± 2.2 at 6 months after operation, showing significant difference when compared with preoperative score (t=43.020, P=0.000). Conclusion Arthroscopically assisted treatment of acute tibial insertion avulsion fracture of the PCL via posteromedial incision is a safe, easy, and effective method.
Objective To explore the application value of self-made tibial mechanical axis locator in tibial extra-articular deformity in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) for improving the lower extremity force line. Methods Between January and August 2012, 13 cases (21 knees) of osteoarthritis with tibial extra-articular deformity were treated, including 5 males (8 knees) and 8 females (13 knees) with an average age of 66.5 years (range, 58-78 years). The disease duration was 2-5 years (mean, 3.5 years). The knee society score (KSS) was 45.5 ± 15.5. Extra-articular deformities included 1 case of knee valgus (2 knees) and 12 cases of knee varus (19 knees). Preoperative full-length X-ray films of lower extremities showed 10-21° valgus or varus deformity of tibial extra joint. Self-made tibial mechanical axis locator was used to determine and mark coronal tibial mechanical axis under X-ray before TKA, and then osteotomy was performed with extramedullary positioning device according to the mechanical axis marker. Results All incisions healed by first intention, without related complications of infection and joint instability. All patients were followed up 5-12 months (mean, 8.3 months). The X-ray examination showed lt; 2° knee deviation angle in the others except 1 case of 2.9° knee deviation angle at 3 days after operation, and the accurate rate was 95.2%. No loosening or instability of prosthesis occurred during follow-up. KSS score was 85.5 ± 15.0 at last follow-up, showing significant difference when compared with preoperative score (t=12.82, P=0.00). Conclusion The seft-made tibial mechanical axis locator can improve the accurate rate of the lower extremity force line in TKA for tibia extra-articular deformity.