ObjectiveTo investigate the association between the tip apex distance (TAD) and migration of helical blade in the femoral head of geriatric intertrochanteric fractures.MethodsA retrospective study of intertrochanteric fractures treated with the proximal femoral nail antirotation (PFNA) between June 2015 and June 2018 was performed. There were 32 males and 55 females with an average age of 84.7 years (range, 80-101 years). All of them were unilateral fresh closed intertrochanteric fractures caused by low energy injury. According to AO/Orthopaedic Trauma Association (AO/OTA) classification, 33 cases belonged to type 31-A1, 35 cases to type 31-A2, and 19 cases to type 31-A3. The time interval from injury to operation was 1-16 days (mean, 3.7 days). The TAD was measured according to immediate postoperative X-ray films. The cases were divided into two groups: group A with TAD less than 20 mm and group B with TAD greater than 20 mm. The difference of fracture healing and migration of helical blade between the two groups were observed.ResultsAccording to the TAD value immediately after operation, 49 patients in group A had TAD of 8.9-19.7 mm, with an average of 18.6 mm; 38 patients in group B had TAD of 20.1-41.4 mm, with an average of 27.7 mm. The 87 patients were followed up for an average of 11.7 months, ranging from 4 to 28 months. Three cases (all in group B) underwent screw blade cutting and displacement, which resulted in internal fixation failure, including 1 case with femoral head cut upward and 2 cases with femoral head penetrated inward. The remaining 84 cases had bone healing without internal fixation related complications such as fracture of internal fixator and fracture of femoral shaft. There was significant difference in the incidence of internal fixation failure between group A and group B (P=0.049). ConclusionReducing the TAD value of helical blade appropriately (15-20 mm) in PFNA internal fixation for intertrochanteric fracture patients over 80 years old can increase initial stability without increasing the risk of helical blade migration.
Objective To explore the operative method and effectiveness of talocalcaneal coal ition.Methods Between July 2008 and October 2010, 10 patients with talocalcaneal coal ition were treated, including 2 cases ofcongenital talocalcaneal coal ition and 8 cases of secondary talocalcaneal coal ition. There were 4 males and 6 females, aged53.5 years on average (range, 16-70 years). Three patients had middle-facet talocalcaneal coal ition and 7 had posterior-facettalocalcaneal coal ition. The preoperative visual analogue score (VAS) was 9.0 ± 0.4. According to American OrthopedicFoot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) hindfoot scale, the score was 42.4 ± 1.4. Two cases compl icated by subtalar degeneration.Resection of the bone bar and fat packing were performed in 8 cases of simple talocalcaneal coal ition, and resection and subtalararthrodesis in 2 cases of talocalcaneal coal ition combined with subtalar degeneration. Results Primary healing of incisionswas obtained in all patients. Eight patients were followed up 18 months on average (range, 12-36 months). At last follow-up,VAS was 2.0 ± 0.7, showing siginificant difference when compared with preoperative score (t=6.425, P=0.000). AOFAS score was86.9 ± 2.3, showing significant difference when compared with preoperative score (t=7.634, P=0.000). The X-ray films showedthat no recurrence of talocalcaneal coal ition was observed in patients underdoing simple removal of bone bar, and bone fusionwas observed in patients undergoing arthrodesis. Conclusion To achieve satisfactory outcomes for talocalcaneal coal ition, areasonable surgical procedure should be chosen according to the specific facet and complication.
Objective To evaluate the cl inical effectiveness of open reduction and internal fixation in the treatment of occult Lisfranc injury. Methods Between July 2002 and July 2009, 47 patients with occult Lisfranc injuries underwent open reduction and internal fixation. There were 31 males and 16 females with an average age of 35.6 years (range, 19-66 years). Injuries were casused by traffic accident in 27 cases, fall ing from height in 11 cases, sport in 16 cases, and crush in 3 cases. Thelocations were left foot in 18 cases and right foot in 29 cases. Simple medial column was involved in 6 cases, medial and middle columns in 24 cases, middle and lateral columns in 13 cases, and three columns in 4 cases. Base fractures of metatarsal bone were identified in all cases. The time from injury to operation was 4-21 days (mean, 8.6 days). The unstable Lisfranc joints were reduced and fixed by plates, screws, staples, and Kirschner wire through 1 or 2 longitudinal dorsal incisions. Results One case had infection and wound was repaired with flap at 2 weeks after operation; the other wounds healed primarily. Thirty-two patients were followed up 28.3 months on average (range, 12-75 months). The mean time of fracture heal ing was 12.3 weeks (range, 9-15 weeks). Osteoarthritis at midfoot was found in 15 cases at last follow-up and arthrodesis was not needed. The results were excellent in 9 cases, good in 16 cases, fair in 4 case, and poor in 3 cases according to American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) midfoot score system; the excellent and good rate was 78.1%. No re-dislocation occurred during the followup. Conclusion More attention should be paid to base fractures of metatarsal bone, operative exploration is conducive to diagnosis of occult Lisfranc injury. Suitable internal fixation should be selected according to injury type and concomitant injury. Anatomical reduction and stable fixation are the keys to reconstruct the joint stabil ity in the initial treatment of occult Lisfranc injury
Objective To evaluate the primary cl inical effectiveness of Austin metatarsal osteotomy combined with transection of adductor muscle and transverse metatarsal l igament for treating mild or moderate hallux valgus through a single medial incision. Methods Between May 2006 and January 2009, 41 patients (45 feet) with mild or moderate hallux valgus were treated. There were 9 males (10 feet) and 32 females (35 feet) with an average age of 45.3 years (range, 23-71 years). The hallux valgus angle (HVA) was (33.1 ± 1.4)°, and the first and second inter-metatarsal angle was (20.4 ±1.1)°. The American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle and hindfoot score of the affected foot’s function was 47.2 ± 3.7. A longitudinal medial incision was made at the first metatarsophalangeal joint. By the incision, Austin metatarsal osteotomy and lateral soft tissue release (including transection of adductor muscle and the transverse metatarsal l igament) were performed at the same time. Results During operation, 1 case had superficial peroneal nerve branch injury and suture repair was done microsurgically. All incisions healed by first intention postoperatively. All patients were followed up 16-36 months (mean, 26 months). Medial forefoot numbness occurred in 2 feet at 3 days after operation and rel ieved within 6 weeks. The X-ray films showed bone heal ing at osteotomy site within 8 weeks after operation. At last follow-up, the HVA was (10.7 ± 1.7)°, showing significant difference when compared with preoperative value (t=22.32, P=0.00), and the first and second inter-metatarsal angle was (12.1 ± 1.7)°, also showing significant difference when compared with preoperative value (t=21.17, P=0.03). The postoperative AOFAS ankle and hindfoot score of the affected foot’s function was 84.9 ± 4.5, showing significant difference when compared with preoperative score (t=20.75, P=0.01). No foot hallux varus, hallux valgus, or metatarsal necrosis occurred during follow-up. Conclusion The Austin metatarsal osteotomy combined with transection of adductor muscle, transverse metatarsal l igament through a single medial incision can effectively correct the mild or moderate hallux valgus, and avoid the scar and injury of deep peroneal nerve branches by traditional lateral incision.
Objective To evaluate the operative procedure and the cl inical effectiveness of open reduction and internal fixation in the treatment of posterior malleolus fractures. Methods Between June 2005 and December 2008, 46 patients with posterior malleolus fractures were treated with open reduction and internal fixation and followed up. There were 29 males and 17 females with an average age of 47.7 years (range, 19-76 years). Fractures were caused by sprain in 17 cases, by fallingin 15 cases, by traffic accident in 12 cases, and by other reasons in 2 cases. The locations were left ankle in 25 cases and right ankle in 21 cases. There were 6 simple posterior malleolus fractures, 13 lateral and posterior malleolus fractures, and 22 trimalleolar fractures, and 5 lateral and posterior malleolus fractures accompanying by injury of deltoid l igament of ankle. According to Lauge- Hansen classification system, 13 cases and 9 cases were rated as supination-external rotation type III and type IV respectively, and 18 cases as pronation-external rotation type IV. According to Naoki’s classification of posterior malleolus fractures, there were 29 cases of posterolateral-obl ique type, 11 cases of medial-extension type, and 6 cases of small-shell type. Seven patients underwent emergency operation and 39 patients underwent selective operation. Results Two patients developed superficial infection, which was cured after dressing change, and the other incisions healed by first intention. Forty-six patients were followed up 37 months on average (range, 18-63 months). All fractures healed after 3 to 6 months (mean, 4.3 months). One patient developed lateral suralcutaneous nerve injury, and 9 patients had mild weight-bearing pain or discomfort. The results of American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle and hindfoot score were excellent in 17 cases, good in 21 cases, and fair in 8 cases with an excellent and good rate of 83%. The mean visual analogue scale (VAS) score was 1.9 (range, 0-5). Conclusion The anatomic reduction and internal fixation can achieve the satisfactory results in the treatment of posterior malleolus fractures. The best treatment and fixation methods should be chosen based on different types of posterior malleolus fractures.