Objective To summarize the effect and complication of treatment for Pilon fracture using limited internal fixation combined with external fixation. Methods From April 1996 to June 2003, 20 patients with Pilon fracture were treated with limited internal fixation combined with external fixation as the treatment group and 22 patients with Pilon fracture with other methods as the control group. The X-ray films, clinical effect and complication were analyzed and compared between 2 groups. Results All cases were followed up for 8 to 26 months(15.2 months on average). According to Helfet’s criterion forclinical effect, the excellent and good rates were 75% in the treatment group and 72.7%in the control group, being no significant difference (Pgt;0.05). According to Burwell-charnley criterion for reduction, the X-ray film resultsshowed the excellent and good rates were 90% in the treatment group and 86.4% in the control group, being no significant difference (Pgt;0.05). But there was significant difference in complications between 2 groups (Plt;0.05). Conclusion Limited internal fixation combined with external fixation is better in resuming ankle joint function and remarkably reducing complication, especially in reducing soft tissue complication and collapse of bone joint; it is useful in the treatment of Pilon fracture.
Objective To study the cl inical effect of expert tibial nail (ETN) in the treatment of the complex tibial fractures of type C. Methods From May to October 2008, 10 cases of complex tibial fractures of type C were treated with unreamed ETN and closed reduction. There were 7 males and 3 females aging from 23 to 50 years with an average age of 39 years. Fracture was caused by traffic accident in 6 cases, by crush in 2 cases, and by fall ing from height in 2 cases. According to Association for the Study of Internal Fixation (AO/ASIF) classification, there were 2 cases of 42-C1 fractures, 4 cases of42-C2 fractures, and 4 cases of 42-C3 fractures; including 4 cases of closed fractures and 6 cases of open fractures (2 cases of Gustilo type I and 4 cases of Gustilo type II). Results The mean duration of surgery and blood loss were 75 minutes (range, 60-110 minutes) and 55 mL (range, 20-100 mL), respectively. All the incision healed by first intension without compl ication of infection. All cases were followed up for 12-17 months (average 14 months). X-ray films showed that no breakage of nail, iatrogenic fracture, l imb shortening, and angulation deformity occurred. All fractures healed after 3-8 months (average 4.2 months). At last follow-up according to Johner-Wruhs standard for the functional recovery, the results were excellent in 8 cases and good in 2 cases. Conclusion ETN has an angular stable locking system for intramedullary nails, which can enhance axial and transverse stabil ity for the treatment of complex tibial fractures of type C. It will provide firm fixation and minimal invasion.
ObjectiveTo explore the vascular conditions and the necessity of vascular reconstruction in the treatment of chronic ischemic diseases of lower extremities with tibial transverse transport (TTT) from the perspective of vascular surgery.MethodsA clinical data of 59 patients with chronic ischemic disease of lower extremities treated by TTT between February 2014 and July 2019 were analyzed retrospectively. Among them, there were 41 patients with diabetic foot (DF), including Wagner grade 3-4, Texas grade 2-3, and stage B-D lesions; the disease duration ranged from 0.7 to 2.4 years, with an average of 1.5 years, and 5 cases complicated with arteriosclerosis obliteran (ASO). There were 14 patients with ASO (Fontaine stage Ⅳ and Rutherford stage Ⅲ-Ⅳ) with an average disease duration of 10.8 months (range, 1.5-23.4 months). There were 4 patients with thromboangiitis obliteran (TAO) with an average disease duration of 12.3 months (range, 2.1-18.2 months), and the clinical stages were all in the third stage. In 18 patients that ankle brachial index (ABI) of anterior or posterior tibial artery was less than 0.6 before operation, or the blood flow of the three branches of inferior anterior tibial artery did not reach the ankle by imaging examination, vascular reconstruction was performed before TTT (5 cases of DF combined with ASO, 12 of ASO, 1 of TAO). After operation, the effectiveness was evaluated by ulcer wound healing, skin temperature, pain visual analogue scale (VAS) score, ABI, and CT angiography (CTA) examination.ResultsThe patients with DF were followed up 8-16 months (mean, 12.2 months); the ulcer wounds healed with a healing time of 5.1-9.2 weeks (mean, 6.8 weeks); CTA examination showed that the branches of inferior anterior tibial artery were opened in 5 patients after revascularization; and the tibial osteotomy healed for 5-14 weeks (mean, 8.3 weeks). The patients with ASO were followed up 13-25 months (mean, 16.8 months); the ulcer wounds healed with a healing time of 6.2-9.7 weeks (mean, 7.4 weeks). CTA examination showed that the branches of inferior anterior tibial artery were opened in 12 patients after revascularization; all tibial osteotomy healed, and the healing time was 4.5-14.4 weeks (mean, 10.2 weeks). The patients with TAO were followed up 12-23 months with an average of 12.3 months, and toe/limb amputation was performed after ineffective treatment. The patients were divided into two groups according to whether they were combined with revascularization or not. The ABI, VAS score, and skin temperature in the combined revascularization group significantly improved at 6 months after operation (P<0.05); while there was no significant difference in ABI at 6 months after operation in the TTT group (P>0.05), but the skin temperature and VAS scores significantly improved when compared with those before operation (P<0.05).ConclusionThe ABI of anterior or posterior tibial artery is more than 0.6, radiological examination shows that at least one of the three branches of inferior anterior tibial artery leads to ankle artery, which is a prerequisite for successful TTT in the treatment of chronic ischemic disease of lower extremities. DF is the indication of TTT. ASO can choose TTT, and TAO should use this technique cautiously.
Objective To compare the effectiveness of arthroscopy assisted percutaneous internal fixation and open reduction and internal fixation for Schatzker types II and III tibial plateau fractures. Methods Between August 2006 and April 2010, 58 patients with tibial plateau fractures of Schatzker types II and III were treated with arthroscopy assisted percutaneous internal fixation (arthroscopy group, n=38), and with open reduction and internal fixation (control group, n=20). There was no significant difference in gender, age, disease duration, fracture type, and compl ication between 2 groups (P gt; 0.05). The operation time, incision length, fracture heal ing time, and compl ications were compared between 2 groups. Knee function score and the range of motion were measured according to American Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) scorestandard. Results All patients achieved primary incision heal ing. The arthroscopy group had smaller incision length andlonger operation time than the control group, showing significant differences (P lt; 0.05). The patients of 2 groups were followed up 12 to 14 months. At 6 months, the HSS score and the range of motion of the arthroscopy group were significantly greater than those of the control group (P lt; 0.05). The X-ray films showed bony union in 2 groups. The fracture heal ing time of the arthroscopy group was shorter than that of the control group, but no significant difference was found (t=2.14, P=0.41). Morning stiffness occurred in 2 cases (5.3%) of the arthroscopy group, joint pain in 6 cases (30.0%) of the control group (3 cases had joint stiffness) at 1 week, which were cured after symptomatic treatment. There was significant difference in the incidence of compl ications between 2 groups (χ2=6.743, P=0.016). Conclusion The arthroscopy assisted percutaneous internal fixation is better than open reduction and internal fixation in the treatment of tibial plateau fractures of Schatzker types II and III, because it has smaller incision length and shorter fracture heal ing time.
Objectives To investigate the clinical therapeutic effect of tibial boneskin flaps in the repair of infective boneskin defects of the leg. Methods Between February 2000 and March 2005, 68 cases of leg infective wounds with tibial bone and skin defects were treated: 4 cases using free grafting, 64 cases using crossleg or ipsilateral transposition grafting of tibial boneskin flaps so that the tibial support continuity of the affected leg could be reconstructed and the wound could be covered at one stage. The skin flap area ranged from 9 cm×4 cm to 25 cm×12 cm and the bone flap length ranged from 6 cm to 21 cm. Results The flaps were completely survived in 67 of the 68 cases except 1 case which was repaired by fibular boneskin flaps because of the failed blood-vessel anastomosis; the bone flaps were healed in 66 cases,except 1 case which had delayed union of the proximal end through 6month follow-up because tibial bone flap was lengthened, leading to long soft tissue stripping of the proximal end. All the 68 patients were followed up 6 months to 5 years. The leg function and contour weresatisfactory 2 years after operation. Those patients followed up more than 2 years showed normal weight loading walking without obviously abnormal gait, and can engaged in original work. Conclusion On the basis of sufficient antiinfection, the onestage reconstruction of tibial support continuity and the covering of wound by the three methods are suitable for many types of leg bone and skin defects, have a great application value and high successful rate and can retain the affected limb and create the conditions for the functional recovery.
Objective To introduce the arthroscopic technique of figure-of-eight suture fixation for tibial eminence fracture, and to report its clinical results. Methods From January 1998 to June 2001, 21 cases of tibial eminence fracture were treated arthroscopically with figure-of-eight suture fixation technique. Active rehabilitation began one week after operation. The patients were followed up 6-24 months. The reduction and union of fracture, knee laxity, range ofmotion, and total knee function were evaluated. Results All fracture healed without displacement six weeks after operation. Three months postoperatively, no knee laxity or instability was detected in all patients; full range of motion of the affected knee returned in all patients when compared with the normal side. Six months postoperatively, the Lysholm knee score was 93.4±2.7. Conclusion Arthroscopic treatment of tibial eminence fracture with figure-of-eight suture fixation technique is reliable for fracture reduction , fixation and early mobilization. Arthroscopy is conducive to diagnoses and treatment of associated knee arthropathy, reduces the morbidity associated with arthrotomy, and restores knee function to the greatest extent when combined with figure-of-eight suture fixationtechniques.
Objective
To introduce a surgical protocol based on the location and orientation of the apex of the medial condylar fracture line for the treatment of Schatzker type Ⅳ tibial plateau fractures and report the preliminary effectiveness.
Methods
The clinical data of 18 patients with Schatzker type Ⅳ tibial plateau fractures underwent open reduction and internal fixation between March 2012 and April 2016 were retrospectively analysed. There were 6 males and 12 females, aged 36-74 years (mean, 45 years). The causes of injury included traffic accident in 2 cases, falling in 14 cases, bruise injury in 1 case, and crush injury of heavy object in 1 case. All cases were fresh closed fractures, without injury of nerves and blood vessels. According to sub type of Wahlquist tibial plateau type Ⅳ fracture classification, there were 1 case of type A, 5 cases of type B, and 12 cases of type C. The interval of injury and operation was 6-16 days (mean, 9.5 days). The location of the apex of the medial condylar fracture line was determined the surgical approach. After operation, reduction of tibial plateau fractures was evaluated by the DeCoster score evaluation criteria. The knee joint function was assessed by short Musculoskeletal Function Assessment (SMFA) score and Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) score.
Results
The incisions all healed by first intension after operation without surgery related complications. All the patients obtained satisfactory exposure and reduction during operation. According to DeCoster score evaluation criteria, the results were excellent in 13 cases and fair in 5 cases. All the patients were followed up 12-30 months (mean, 18 months). X-ray films showed that all fractures healed at 10-16 weeks (mean, 12 weeks) after operation. There was no plate displacement, screw loosening, and other complications occurred during follow-up. At last follow-up, the SMFA score was 15-48 (mean, 28.5). The HSS score was 52-94 (mean, 81.1), and the results were excellent in 10 cases, good in 5 cases, fair in 2 cases, and poor in 1 case with an excellent and good rate of 83.3%; the main clinical manifestation was severe traumatic osteoarthritis symptom in 1 case with the fair result.
Conclusion
The surgical program should be developed based on the location and orientation of the apex of the medial condylar fracture line. Open reduction and internal fixation for treating Schatzker type Ⅳ fractures can achieve satisfactory effectiveness.
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 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.
Tibial transverse transport (TTT) was firstly applied to treat thromboangiitis obliterans successfully by Professor QU Long in China in 2000. Based on this, the team of Professor HUA Qikai in the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University applied this technique to treat diabetic foot since 2013, and until now, more than 500 patients underwent this treatment with excellent effectiveness including a salvage rate as high as 96.1%. Our team also improved this technique in many aspects, and developed a TTT-based classification system and treatment for diabetic foot. We also explored the underlying mechanism of TTT treatment using imaging, histology, and other basic research methods. To further promote the application of this technique in clinic, we reported the findings from our cases and reviewed our previous findings in this study.