Objective To explore the effectiveness of fixation of atlas translaminar screws in the treatment of atlatoaxial instability. Methods A retrospective analysis was made on the clinical data of 32 patients with atlatoaxial instability treated with atlantoaxial trans-pedicle screws between March 2007 and August 2009. Of them, 7 patients underwent atlas translaminar screws combined with axis transpedicle screws fixation because of fracture types, anatomic variation, and intraoperative reason, including 5 males and 2 females with an average age of 48.2 years (range, 35-69 years). A total of 9 translaminar screws were inserted. Injury was caused by traffic accident in 4 cases, falling from height in 2 cases, and crushing in 1 case. Two cases had simple odontoid fracture (Anderson type II), and 5 cases had odontoid fracture combined with other injuries (massa lateralis atlantis fracture in 2, atlantoaxial dislocation in 1, and Hangman fracture in 2). The interval between injury and operation was 4-9 days (mean, 6 days). The preoperative Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score was 8.29 ± 1.60. Results The X-ray films showed good position of the screws. Healing of incision by first intention was obtained, and no patient had injuries of the spinal cord injury, nerve root, and vertebral artery. Seven cases were followed up 9-26 months (mean, 14 months). Good bone fusion was observed at 8 months on average (range, 6-11 months). No loosening, displacement, and breakage of internal fixation, re-dislocation and instability of atlantoaxial joint, or penetrating of pedicle screw into the spinal canal and the spinal cord occurred. The JOA score was significantly improved to 15.29 ± 1.38 at 6 months after operation (t=32.078, P=0.000). Conclusion Atlas translaminar screws fixation has the advantages of firm fixation, simple operating techniques, and relative safety, so it may be a remedial measure of atlatoaxial instability．
Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of posterior unilateral pedicle screw fixation plus lumbar interbody fusion in treatment of degenerative lumbar instability. Methods Between February 2008 and December 2011, 33 patients with degenerative lumbar instability were treated with posterior unilateral pedicle screw fixation plus lumbar interbody fusion, including 14 cases of lumbar disc protrusion with instability, 15 cases of lumbar spinal stenosis with instability, 3 recurrent cases of lumbar disc protrusion at 1 year after discectomy, and 1 case of extreme lateral lumbar disc protrusion. There were 20 males and 13 females with an average age of 47.2 years (range, 39-75 years). The average disease duration was 12.8 months (range, 6-25 months). Single-segment-fixation was performed in 28 cases (L4, 5 in 21 cases, L5, S1 in 6 cases, and L5, 6 in 1 case), and double-segment-fixation was performed in 5 cases (L3, 4 and L4, 5). The clinical results were evaluated by using Oswestry disability index (ODI) and modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score for low back pain. Results Infection occurred in 1 case, and was cured after dressing change; primary healing was obtained in the other patients. Thirty-one patients were followed up 32.3 months on average (range, 15-53 months). Cage displacement occurred in 1 case who received bilateral pedicle screw fixation plus lumbar interbody fusion; no screw breaking, Cage displacement, or pseudoarthrosis was observed in the others. X-ray films showed bone fusion in the other patients except 1 case of bone fusion failure. ODI and JOA score at last follow-up were significantly improved when compared with the ones before operation and at 2 weeks after operation (P lt; 0.05); the improvement rates were 74.0% ± 10.1% and 83.6% ± 9.4%, respectively. Conclusion Posterior unilateral pedicle screw fixation plus lumbar interbody fusion is an effective and reliable method for patients with degenerative lumbar instability because it has the advantages of simple operation and less trauma.
【Abstract】 Objective To review the progress in pathoanatomy, diagnosis, and treatment of posterolateral rotatory instability (PLRI) of the elbow. Methods Related literature concerning PLRI of the elbow was extensively reviewed, comprehensive analysis was done. Results The lateral collateral ligament complex (LCLC), radial head, capitellum, and coronoid process are important constraints to PLRI. Muscle groups that cross the lateral elbow are secondary constraints to PLRI. Clinical examination includes lateral pivot-shift test, lateral pivot-shift apprehension test, chair sign, active floor push-up sign, tabletop relocation test, and posterolateral rotatory drawer test. Radiology, arthroscopy, and ultrasound can help diagnosis of PLRI. Reconstruction of bony fixation or soft tissue fixation can be used for treatment of injured LCLC. Conclusion The primary constraints to PLRI is LCLC. Ultrasound imaging is accurate for identification and measurement of normal LCLC. Therefore, ultrasound may prove valuable in assessment of abnormal lateral ulnar collateral ligaments. Reconstruction of soft tissue fixation, which can avoid iatrogenic fracture, is a selective treatment method.
Objective To explore the feasibility and effectiveness of spinal pedicle screw internal fixation through endoscope-assisted posterior approach for the treatment of traumatic atlantoaxial instability. Methods Between September 2008 and September 2010, 44 patients with traumatic atlantoaxial instability received spinal pedicle screw internal fixation through endoscope-assisted posterior operation (micro-invasive surgical therapy group, n=22) or traditional surgical therapy (control group, n=22). There was no significant difference in gender, age, type of injury, disease duration, and preoperative Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score between 2 groups (P gt; 0.05). The blood loss, operation time, length of the incision, improvement rate of JOA, and graft fusion rates were compared between 2 groups to assess the clinical outcomes. Results The blood loss, operation time, and length of the incision in the micro-invasive surgical therapy group were better than those in control group (P lt; 0.05). All incisions were primary healing. Of 88 pedicle screws, 7 pedicle screws penetrated into the interior walls of cervical transverse foramen in the micro-invasive surgical therapy group and 8 in the control group, but there was no syndrome of vertebral artery injury. All patients of the 2 groups were followed up 12 to 37 months (mean, 26 months). Bony fusion was achieved in all cases within 3 to 12 months (mean, 5.3 months). No loosening or breakage of screw occurred. At 6 months to 1 year after operation, the internal fixator was removed in 6 cases and the function of head and neck rotary movement were almost renewed. The JOA score was significantly improved at last follow-up when compared with preoperative score (P lt; 0.05), and no significant difference in JOA score and improvement rate between the 2 groups at last follow-up (P gt; 0.05). Conclusion The micro-invasive surgical therapy can acquire the same effectiveness to the traditional surgical therapy in immediate recovery of stability, high graft fusion rate, and less complication. Moreover, it can significantly reduce the operation time, blood loss, and soft tissue injury, so this approach may be an ideal way of internal fixation to treat traumatic atlantoaxial instability.
Objective To investigate the method and the cl inical outcomes of reconstruction of the knee stability after resection of tumors of the proximal fibula. Methods The cl inical data were retrospectively analyzed, from 16 patients with tumors of the proximal fibula undergoing proximal fibular resections and reconstructions of the lateral collateral ligament and the tendon of the biceps femoris with anchors between January 2008 and December 2009 (test group). Five patients underwent proximal fibular resection but were not given reconstruction surgery at the same period as the control group. There was no significant difference in gender, ages, disease duration, and tumor site between 2 groups (P gt; 0.05). Lateral stress test was performed after operation; X-ray films were taken to measure the joint space. Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) functional score system was used to evaluate the joint function. Results All incisions healed by first intention in 2 groups. Iatrogenic complete peroneal nerve function loss occurred in patients undergoing Malawer type II surgical resection. The patients in both groups were followed up 12 to 36 months, with an average of 30 months. One patient with osteosarcoma of the test group developed local recurrence, and died of lung and systemic metastases after 12 months; the other patients had no recurrence. At last follow-up, the results of knee lateral stress test were negative in the test group, and the joint space increased and was classified as grade A; the results of knee lateral stress test were positive in the control group, and the joint space was classified as grade D. The MSTS score was 97.5 ± 3.5 in the test group and 87.5 ± 3.5 in the control group, showing significant difference (t=2.85, P=0.01). Conclusion The reconstruction of the bony attachment of the lateral collateral ligament and the tendon of the biceps femoris with anchors after resection of the proximal fibula is a safe, rel iable, and simple technique to reconstruct knee stabil ity after resection of tumors of the proximal fibula.
Objective There is few report on dynamic stabil ization for posterior cervical reconstruction. To investigate the biomechanical properties of a novel cervical spine posterior fixation using the bio-derived freeze-dried tendon in posterior cervical spine reconstruction. Methods The palmaris longus flexor tendon and metacarpal extensor tendon were collected from the death donors’ stump to prepare bio-derived tendon. Twenty fresh cervical vertebrae (C1-7) were harvested from goats and were randomly divided into 4 groups (n=5): intact group (group A); injury control group (group B); screwrods fixation group, fixed with screw-rods on C3，4 (group C); tendon reconstruction group, cross-fixed with bio-derived freezedried tendon on C3，4 bilatera facet joints (group D). The range of motion (ROM) values in flexion, extension, lateral bending, and axial rotation were measured. Results In flexion, the ROM values of group C were significantly lower than those of the other 3 groups (P lt; 0.05), and the ROM values of group B were significantly higher than those of groups A and D (P lt; 0.05). In extension, lateral bending, and axial rotation, the ROM values of group C were significantly lower than those of groups A, B, and D (P lt; 0.05), and no significant difference was found within the other 3 groups (P gt; 0.05). Conclusion The novel cervical spine posterior fixation using the bio-derived frozen-dried tendon can provide enough stabil ity in flexion motion, but it can not limit the lateral bending and axial rotation motion, which can provide dynamic stabil ization in animal model.
Objective To discuss the effectiveness of operation technique for antero-medial rotatory instability (AMRI) of the knee joint caused by motorcycle. Methods Between June 2007 and December 2009, 32 cases of AMRI caused by motorcycle were treated. There were 28 males and 4 females with an average age of 35.5 years (range, 20-50 years). The interval between injury and surgery was 5-10 days (mean, 7 days). The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) was injured at the attachment point of the condyles crest; the medial collateral ligament (MCL) was injured at central site in 19 cases, at medial condyles of femur in 10 cases, and at medial condyles of tibia in 3 cases, which were all closed injuries. The bone avulsion of condyles crest was fixed by steel wire and MCL was repaired. Results Red swelling and a little effusion occurred at the incision in 1 case, and the other incisions healed by first intention. Traumatic arthritis of the knee occured in 5 cases. Thirty-two cases were followed up 16-22 months (mean, 18.5 months). The X-ray examination showed that the fracture union time was 5-8 weeks (mean, 6 weeks) after operation. At last follow-up, the extension of knee joint was 0° and the flexion of the knee joint was 110-170° (mean, 155°). According to the synthetic evaluating standard of International Knee Documentation Committee, 24 cases were rated as A level, 6 cases as B, 1 case as C, and 1 case as D at last follow-up. Lysholm knee score was 85.93 ± 3.76 at last follow-up, which was significantly higher (t=53.785, P=0.000) than preoperative score 37.54 ± 3.43. Conclusion In patients with AMRI caused by motorcycle, steel wire is used to fix the bone avulsion of condyles crest and MCL should be repaired simultaneously as far as possible. And associating with the early postoperative functional exercise, the short-term effectiveness is satisfactory, but long-term effectiveness still need further follow-up observation.
Objective To investigate the effect of complete anterior bundle of medial collateral ligament (MCL) on the valgus stability of the elbow after reconstruction and to assess the efficacy of artificial tendon and interference screw in reconstruction the anterior bundle of MCL. Methods The bone-tendon of the elbow were made in 12 adult upper limb specimens. There were 8 males and 4 females, left side and right side in half. Using biomechanic ways and pressure sensitive film, the valgus laxity, the stress area of the humeroulnar joint, and the intra-articular pressure were measured in integrated anterior bundle of MCL (control group, n=12) and reconstructed anterior bundle of MCL with artificial tendon and interference screw (experimental group, n=12) in elbow flexion of 0, 30, 60, and 90°. Results There was no significant difference in the valgus laxity within group and between groups in different flexion degrees (P gt; 0.05). No significant difference was found in the intra-articular pressure in elbow flexion of 30, 60, and 90° within group and between groups (P gt; 0.05) except in elbow flexion of 0° (P lt; 0.05). The stress area of the humeroulnar joint in 0° flexion was significantly larger than that in 30, 60, and 90° flexion in the control group (P lt; 0.05), but no significant difference was found within group and between groups in the other flexion degrees (P gt; 0.05). Conclusion The anterior bundle of MCL has important significance for maintaining the valgus stability of the elbow, after reconstructing the anterior bundle by using artificial tendon and interference screw, the medial stability of elbow can be recovered immediately.
Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of lumbar interbody fusion impacted bone grafts combined with regrafting in situ with spinous process and vertebral plate complex and pedicle screw fixation for lumbar degenerative instabil ity. Methods Between January 1998 and October 2010, 48 patients with lumbar degenerative instabil ity were treated by posterior decompression, lumbar interbody fusion impacted bone grafts combined with regrafting in situ with spinous processand vertebral plate complex and pedicle screw fixation. There were 26 males and 22 females, aged 52-76 years (mean, 62.4 years). The disease duration was 7 months to 25 years (mean, 6.5 years). One segmental instabil ity was located at L3, 4 in 1 case, at L4, 5 in 10 cases, and at L5, S1 in 11 cases; multi-segmental instabil ity was located at L3, 4, L4, 5, and L5, S1 in 5 cases, at L2, 3 and L3, 4 in 2 cases, at L3, 4 and L4, 5 in 10 cases, and at L4, 5 and L5, S1 in 9 cases. Of 48 patients, 32 complicated by lumbar disc herniation, 46 by lumbar spinal stenosis, and 16 by degenerative scol iosis. The cl inical results were evaluated by the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, recovery rate, disc height, and lumbar lordosis angles. Results The incisions obtained healing by first intention after operation. No nerve injury, rod or screw breakage, and infection occurred during and after operation. All 48 patients were followed up 1 to 6 years. The fusion time was 12-18 weeks (mean, 16.2 weeks). Vertebra sl i pping or degenerative scol iosis was corrected, and spinal column series became normal. At preoperation, 6 months after operation, and last follow-up, the disc heights were (5.2 ± 2.3), (11.9 ± 2.0), and (11.6 ± 2.1) mm, respectively; the JOA scores were 3.2 ± 2.1, 12.8 ± 1.6, and 13.6 ± 1.2, respectively; and the lumbar lordosis angles were (—20.5 ± 10.5), (30.5 ± 8.5), and (31.2 ± 5.6)°, respectively. The JOA scores, disc heights, and lumbar lordosis angles were significantly improved at 6 months after operation and last follow-up when compared with preoperative ones (P lt; 0.05), but no significant difference was found between 6 months after operation and last follow-up (P gt; 0.05). The recovery rate of JOA was excellent in 36 cases, good in 10 cases, and fair in 2 cases at 6 months after operation, with an excellent and good rate of 95.8%. Conclusion Lumbar interbody fusion impacted bone grafts combined with regrafting in situ with spinous process and vertebral plate complex and pedicle crew fixation for lumbar degenerative instabil ity can restore and maintain the intervertebral disc height effectively with high fusion rate. It is a plasty close to anatomic reconstruction.
Objective To investigate the cl inical results and complications of minimally invasive anterior transarticular screw fixation and fusion for atlantoaxial instabil ity. Methods Between May 2007 and December 2010, 13 patients with atlantoaxial instabil ity were treated with minimally invasive anterior transarticular screw fixation and fusion under endoscope. There were 11 males and 2 females, aged 17-61 years (mean, 41.3 years). The time between injury and operation was 5-14 days (mean, 7.4 days). All cases included 6 patients with Jefferson fracture, 5 with odontoid fracture, and 2 with os odontoideum. According to Frankel classification of nerve functions, 2 cases were rated as grade D and 11 cases as graed E. The operation time, intra-operative blood loss, radiation exposure time, and complications were recorded and analyzed. The stabil ity was observed by X-ray films. The cl inical outcome was assessed using the Frankel scale, and the fusion rates were determined by CT scan threedimensional reconstruction at last follow-up. Results The mean operation time was 124 minutes (range, 95-156 minutes); the mean intra-operative blood loss was 65 mL (range, 30-105 mL); and the mean radiation exposure time was 41 seconds (range, 30-64 seconds). Thirteen patients were followed up 12-47 months (mean, 25.9 months). No blood vessel and nerve injuries or internal fixator failure occurred. The bone fusion time was 6 months, and the dynamic cervical radiography showed no instabil ity occured. At last follow-up, the neurological function was grade E in all patients. The fusion rate was 84.6% (11/13). No continuous bone bridge was seen in the joint space of 2 patients, but they achieved stabil ity. Conclusion Minimally invasive anterior transarticular screw fixation and fusion is a safe and effective procedure for treatment of atlantoaxial instabil ity.