ObjectiveTo report a new type of anatomical locking plate for sternocalvicular joint, and investigate its effectiveness in treatment of sternoclavicular joint fracture and dislocation.MethodsA new type of anatomical locking plate for sternoclavicular joint was developed, which accorded with the anatomical features and biomechanical characteristics of Chinese sternoclavicular joint. By adopting the method of clinical randomized controlled study, 32 patients with the sternoclavicular joint fracture and dislocation who met the selection criteria between June 2008 and May 2015 were randomly divided into groups A and B (n=16), and the patients were treated with new anatomic locking plate and distal radial T locking plate internal fixation, respectively. There was no significant difference between 2 groups in gender, age, injured side, body mass index, cause of injury, type of injury, the time from injury to operation, and preoperative Rockwood grading score (P>0.05). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, incision length, hospitalization time, and postoperative complications in 2 groups were recorded, and the effectiveness was evaluated by Rockwood grading score.ResultsThe operations of 2 groups completed successfully. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, and hospitalization time in group A were significantly less than those in group B (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference in the incision length between 2 groups (t=0.672, P=0.507). All the patients were followed up 18-30 months (mean, 24 months). In group A, there were 1 case of sternoclavicular joint pain and 2 cases of wound infection; in group B, there were 1 case of sternoclavicular joint pain, 1 case of internal fixation loosening, and 1 case of sternoclavicular joint re-dislocation; there was no significant difference in complication incidence between 2 groups (P=1.000). The Rockwood grading scores at each time point after operation in 2 groups were significantly higher than those before operation. At 1 month after operation, the Rockwood grading score in group A was significantly higher than that in group B (t=2.270, P=0.031); but there was no significant difference in the Rockwood grading scores between the 2 groups at 6 months and at last follow-up (P>0.05). At last follow-up, according to the Rockwood scoring standard, the results of group A were excellent in 13 cases, good in 2 cases, poor in 1 case, the excellent and good rate was 93.75%; the results of group B were excellent in 11 cases, good in 4 cases, poor in 1 case, and the excellent and good rate was 93.75%; there was no significant difference between 2 groups (Z=–0.748, P=0.455).ConclusionThe new type of anatomic locking plate accords with the Chinese anatomical characteristics. It has the advantages of easy operative procedure, less surgical trauma, shorter operation time, less intraoperative blood loss, shorter hospitalization time, and it can achieve better results in the treatment of sternoclavicular joint fracture and dislocation.
ObjectiveTo investigate the effectiveness of anatomical locking plate internal fixation combined with coracoclavicular ligament reconstruction in treatment of the Neer type Ⅱb distal clavicle fractures by comparing with the simple anatomical locking plate internal fixation.MethodsThe clinical data of 40 patients with Neer type Ⅱb distal clavicle fractures who met the criteria between February 2013 and January 2017 were analyzed. Eighteen cases were treated with anatomical locking plate internal fixation and coracoclavicular ligament reconstruction by using a suture anchor (reconstruction group), and 22 cases were treated only with anatomical locking plate internal fixation (non-reconstruction group). There was no significant difference in gender, age, injured side, causes of injury, associated injuries, time from injury to operation between 2 groups (P>0.05). The operation time, medical expense, postoperative coracoclavicular distance, Constant-Murley scores of injured side, and complications were recorded and compared between 2 groups.ResultsAll patients were followed up 12-27 months (mean, 16.3 months). One patient in reconstruction group had superficial wound infection. One patient in non-reconstruction group had pullout of screws from the distal fragment and reduction loss at 1 month postoperatively. The operation time and medical expense in reconstruction group significantly increased when compared with those in non-reconstruction group (P<0.05). All fractures in 2 groups achieved bony union at last follow-up. The rate of coracoclavicular distance increase of injured side in non-reconstruction group was significantly higher than that in reconstruction group (t=2.371, P=0.023). The Constant-Murley scores at 1 month, 3 months after operation, and last follow-up were significantly improved when compared with preoperative values in 2 groups (P<0.05), but no significant difference was observed between 2 groups (P>0.05).ConclusionBoth anatomical locking plate internal fixation with and without coracoclavicular ligament reconstruction can achieve good effectiveness for the Neer type Ⅱb distal clavicle fractures. Therefore, the coracoclavicular ligament reconstruction is not necessary, except for comminuted fractures with the length of lateral fragment less than 1 cm or the patients with poor compliance.
Objective To investigate the effectiveness of a new hook-shaped anatomical locking plate in the treatment of Danis-Weber type A lateral malleolus fractures. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical data of 45 patients with Danis-Weber type A lateral malleolus fractures who met the selection criteria between November 2020 and November 2022. According to the surgical methods, they were divided into the observation group (treated with the new hook-shaped anatomical locking plate, 23 cases) and the control group (treated with the conventional lateral malleolus anatomical locking plate, 22 cases). There was no significant difference in baseline data such as gender, age, cause of injury, Danis-Weber type of fracture, time from injury to operation, and combined ligament injury between the two groups (P>0.05). The operation time, partial weight-bearing time, return to work time, and postoperative complications were recorded and compared between the two groups. The function and pain of ankle joint were evaluated by the range of motion of ankle dorsiflexion, plantarflexion, varus, valgus, and visual analogue scale (VAS) score at 1 and 3 months after operation, and at last follow-up, and the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score at 3 months after operation and at last follow-up. Results All patients were followed up 10-18 months (mean, 15.1 months). There was no significant difference in operation time between the two groups (P>0.05); the postoperative partial weight-bearing time and return to work time of the observation group were significantly earlier than those of the control group (P<0.05). During the follow-up, there was 1 case of joint stiffness in the observation group, and 1 case of joint surface displacement, 1 case of joint stiffness, and 1 case of traumatic arthritis in the control group. There was no significant difference in the incidences of complications between the two groups (P>0.05). With the extension of time after operation, the range of motion of ankle dorsiflexion, plantarflexion, varus, valgus, and VAS score of the two groups gradually improved, and there were significant differences between different time points (P<0.05); At 1 and 3 months after operation, the above indexes in the observation group were significantly better than those in the control group (P<0.05), and there was no significant difference between the two groups at last follow-up (P>0.05). The difference of AOFAS score between the last follow-up and 3 months after operation in the observation group was significantly better than that in the control group (P<0.05). ConclusionCompared with the conventional lateral malleolus anatomical locking plate, the new hook-shaped anatomical locking plate has a more reliable fixation effect in the treatment of Danis-Weber type A lateral malleolus fracture, which is conducive to early functional exercise of the ankle joint, so that patients can bear weight earlier and return to work earlier, and the operation time is not significantly prolonged, and the effectiveness is satisfactory.
Objective To investigate the effectiveness of anatomical locking plate in the treatment of Rockwood type Ⅰ-Ⅲ patella fractures. Methods The clinical data of 16 patients with patella fractures who were admitted between November 2021 and January 2023 and met the selection criteria was retrospectively analyzed. There were 14 males and 2 females, with an average age of 44.5 years (range, 19-72 years). Causes of injuries included tumble in 12 cases and traffic accident in 4 cases. The fractures were rated as type Ⅰ in 2 cases, type Ⅱ in 9 cases, and type Ⅲ in 5 cases according to Rockwood classification criteria. The time from injury to operation ranged from 6 to 15 days, with an average of 9 days. After fracture reduction, an appropriate anatomical locking plate was selected for internal fixation. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, and incision healing were recorded; the Lysholm score, Böstman patella fracture efficacy score, knee joint mobility, and visual analogue scale (VAS) score were used to evaluate the knee joint function and pain degree; X-ray films were used to review the fracture reduction and healing. Results The operation time was 65-100 minutes (mean, 75.3 minutes); the intraoperative blood loss was 10-35 mL (mean, 25.6 mL). All incisions healed by first intention after operation. All patients were followed up 11-26 months (mean, 19.7 months). X-ray films showed that the fractures were reduced satisfactorily, and all achieved bony healing with healing time of 3-5 months. At last follow-up, the Lysholm score was 90-95 (mean, 93.0); the Böstman patella fracture efficacy score was 27-30 (mean, 28.8), of which 12 cases were excellent and 4 were good; the VAS score was 0-1 (mean, 0.3). There was no significant difference in the range of motion of the knee joint between the healthy and affected sides [145° (140°, 150°) vs 145° (140°, 145°); Z=1.890, P=0.059]. Conclusion Choosing anatomical locking plates for Rockwood typeⅠ-Ⅲ patella fractures can achieve strong fixation with minimal surgical trauma, rapid recovery of knee joint function, and mild pain after operation.