ObjectiveTo study the effectiveness of a new anterolateral approach of distal femur in the treatment of type C distal femoral fractures by comparing with traditional lateral and anterolateral approaches. MethodsThe clinical data of 51 patients with type C distal femoral fractures treated between January 2008 and August 2011 were retrospectively analyzed. Of 51 patients, 24 patients received the new anterolateral approach of distal femur combined with fixation of condylar buttress plate (modified group), and 27 patients underwent traditional lateral or anterolateral approach combined with fixation of condylar buttress plate (traditional group). There was no significant difference in gender, age, injury cause, American Society of Anesthesiologist (ASA) classification, side, fracture type, complication, and the time from injury to operation between 2 groups (P>0.05). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, frequency of intraoperative fluoroscopy, hospitalization time, fracture healing time, and Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) scores of the knee at 3, 6, and 12 months were recorded. ResultsThe operation was successfully completed and the incision healed by first intention in all patients. The operation time and frequency of intraoperative fluoroscopy of modified group were significantly less than those of traditional group (P<0.05). But the intraoperative blood loss and the hospitalization time showed no significant difference between 2 groups (P>0.05). All patients were followed up 12-37 months (mean, 21.3 months). X-ray films showed all fractures were union. The fracture healing time was (12.92±2.24) weeks in the modified group and (13.24±2.52) weeks in the traditional group, showing no significant difference (t=0.476, P=0.637). The knee HSS scores of modified group were significantly higher than those of traditional group at 3, 6, and 12 months after operation (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of knee varus or valgus, leg length discrepancy, internal fixator loosening, flexing dysfunction of knee, traumatic arthritis of knee, and total complications between 2 groups (P>0.05). ConclusionComparing with traditional lateral and anterolateral approaches, using the new anterolateral approach to treat type C distal femoral fractures has the advantages of less damage to soft tissue, excellent exposure, less operation time, and frequency of intraoperative fluoroscopy, and better postoperative rehabilitation of knee joint.
Objective To evaluate the biomechanical properties of proximal femoral medial buttress plate (PFMBP) for fixing the reverse oblique intertrochanteric fractures by comparing with proximal femoral locking compression plate (PFLCP) and proximal femoral nail antirotation (PFNA). Methods Eighteen synthetic femoral bone models (Synbone) were divided into 3 groups (group PFLCP, group PFNA, and group PFMBP), 6 models in each group; an AO 31-A3.1 reverse oblique femoral intertrochanteric fracture was made based on the same criterion. After being fixed and embeded, the axial load testing, torsion testing, and axial load-to-failure testing were performed on each model. The axial displacement of different loads, torque of different torsion angles, and failure load of each model were recorded, and the stiffness of axial load and torsion were calculated. Results The axial stiffness in groups PFLCP, PFNA, and PFMBP were (109.42±30.14), (119.13±29.14), and (162.05±22.05) N/mm respectively, showing significant differences between groups (P<0.05). There were significant differences in torque between different torsion angles in the same group, as well as in the torque between groups at the same torsional angle (P<0.05). The torsion stiffness in groups PFLCP, PFNA, and PFMBP were (1.45±0.44), (1.10±0.13), and (1.36±0.32) N·mm/deg respectively; there were significant differences when compared groups PFLCP and PFMBP with group PFNA (P<0.05), but no significant difference was found between group PFLCP and group PFMBP (P>0.05). The failure loads of groups PFLCP, PFNA, and PFMBP were (1 408.88± 0.17), (1 696.56±0.52), and (2 154.65±0.10) N respectively, showing significant differences between groups (P<0.05). Conclusion The newly-designed PFMBP is better than PFNA and PFLCP in axial load stiffness and torsion stiffness for fixing reverse oblique intertrochanteric fracture by biomechanical test, indicating that reconstruction of medial stability is a key element for unstable intertrochanteric fracture.
ObjectiveTo summarize the research progress of medial buttress plate assisted fixation for femoral neck fractures in young adults.MethodsThe literature about buttress plate assisted fixation for femoral neck fractures in young adults was widely reviewed and analyzed. The design principle, background, biomechanical characteristics, and clinical results of buttress plate were summarized.ResultsMedial buttress plate assisted fixation is the latest treatment of femoral neck fractures in young adults, which can convert the shear force at the fracture sides into compression force and promote fracture healing. Medial buttress plate can improve the biomechanical stability of femoral neck fractures and reduce the maximum stress of fixation implants. In clinical, the medial buttress plate can maintain fracture reduction, reduce the incidences of nonunion and surgical failure, and improve hip joint function.ConclusionMedial buttress plate assisted fixation can achieve good effectiveness for femoral neck fractures in young adults. However, due to the preliminary application, its indications, fixation implants, and long-term effectiveness need to be further studied and improved.