ObjectiveTo review the history, current situation, and progress of augmentation plate (AP) for femoral shaft nonunion after intramedullary nail fixation.MethodsThe results of the clinical studies about the AP in treatment of femoral shaft nonunion after intramedullary nail fixation in recent years were widely reviewed and analyzed.ResultsThe AP has been successfully applied to femoral shaft nonunion after intramedullary nail fixation since 1997. According to breakage of the previous nailing, AP is divided into two categories: AP with retaining the previous intramedullary nail and AP with exchanging intramedullary nail. AP is not only suitable for simple nonunion, but also for complex nonunion with severe deformity. Compared with exchanging intramedullary nail, lateral plate, and dual plate, AP has less surgical trauma, shorter healing time, higher healing rate, and faster returning to society. However, there are still some problems with the revision method, including difficulty in bicortical screw fixation, lack of anatomic plate suitable for femoral shaft nonunion, and lack of postoperative function and quality of life assessment.ConclusionCompared with other revision methods, AP could achieve higher fracture healing rate and better clinical prognosis for patients with femoral shaft nonunion. However, whether patients benefit from AP in terms of function and quality of life remain uncertain. Furthermore, high-quality randomized controlled clinical studies are needed to further confirm that AP are superior to the other revision fixations.
Objective To evaluate the treatment results of LCP and locked intramedullary nailing for tibial diaphysis fractures.MethodsFrom October 2003 to April 2006, 55 patients with tibial diaphysis fractures ( 58 fractures) were treated. Of them there were 39 males and 16 females with an average of 39 years years ( 14 to 62 years). The fractures were on the left side in 27 patients and on the right side in 31 patients (3 patients had bilateral involvement). Thirtyfour fractures were treated by intramedullary nailing (intramedullary nailing group) and 24 fractures by LCP fixation (LCP group). The average disease course was 3 days (intramedullary nailing group) and 3.1 days(LCP group). The operation time, the range of motion of knee and ankle joints, fracturehealing time, and complications were evaluated. Results The patients were followed up 8-26 months(13 months on average). The operation time was 84.0±9.2 min (intramedullary nailing group) and 69.0±8.4 min (LCPgroup)； the average cost in hospital was￥19 297.78 in the intramedullary nailing group and ￥14 116.55 in the LCP group respectively, showing significant differences(P＜0.05). The flexion and extension of knee joint was 139.0±3.7° and 4.0±0.7° in intramedullary nailing group and 149.0±4.2° and 0±0.4° in LCP group, showing no significant difference(Pgt;0.05). The doral flexion and plantar flexion of ankle joint were 13.0±1.7° and 41.0±2.6° in intramedullary nailing group, and 10.0±1.4° and 44.0±2.3° in LCP group, showing nosignificant differences(Pgt;0.05). The mean healing time was 3.3 months in intramedullary nailing group, and 3.1 months in LCP group. Length discrepancy occurred in 1 case (2.5 cm), delayed union in 1 case and nailing endtrouble in 3 cases in intramedullary nailing group; moreover rotation deformityoccurred 1 case and anterior knee pain occurred in 6 cases(17.1%). One angulation and open fracture developed osteomyelitis in 1 case 1 week postoperatively and angulation deformity occurred in 1 case of distalthird tibial fractures in LCP group. Conclusion LCP and locked intramedullary nailing can achieve satisfactory results in treating tibial diaphysis fracture LCP has advantages in less complication, operation time and cost in hospital.
Objective To study the effect of two different absorbable intramedullary nails in treatment of metacarpal and phalanx fractures.Methods From January 2002 to December 2002, open reduction and internal fixation were done with two different absorbable intramedullary nails in 60 cases of metacarpal and phalanx fractures( 52 cases of open fractures and 8 cases of closed fractures). The fracture locations were metacarpal in 24 cases, proximal phalanx in 22 casesand media phalanx in 14 cases. The emergency operation was performed in 47 cases, selective operation in 13 cases.Out of 60 patients, 24 were treated with intramedullary nails of poly-DL-lactic acid (PDLLA) (PDLLA group), 36 with intramedullary wire of PDLLA composed of chitosan(PDLLA+chitosan group). Results In the PDLLA group(n=24), the rejection occurred in 8 cases 3-4 weeks after operation. PDLLA nails were taken out in 6 of the 8 cases after 5-10 days of operation and bone healing was achieved 2 months after re-fixation by Kirschner wire; therejection subsided in the other 2 cases after 25 days of conservative treatment, and bone fracture healed after 14 weeks. No rejection was observed with primary healing in the other 16 cases of the PDLLA group. In PDLLA + chitosan group(n=36), the rejection occurred in 1 case 19 days after operation, but therejection subsided after 3 days of conservative treatment.No rejection was observed in the other 35 cases with primary healing. All patients were followed up 4-11 monthswith an average of 6 months. No rejection was observed and bone healing was achieved during the follow-up. The time of bone healing was 6-16 weeks(8 weeks onaverage). There was statistically significant difference in the curative resultbetween two groups(Plt;0.05). Conclusion Intramedullary nail of PDLLAwas verysuitable to fix fractures of metacarpal and phalanx. During the degradation of PDLLA, the acidic products can cause rejection. When PDLLA mixed with chitosan,PDLLA can not only strengthen the intensity but also neutralize the acidity. So the rejection can be decreased.PDLLA intramedullary nails composed of chitosan were better than PDLLA intramedullary nails in clinical treatment of metacarpal and phalanx fractures.
Objective To investigate an effect of the Fixion expandable intramedullary nail on treatment of the closed fracture of the tibial shaft, and to compare the Fixion nail with the traditional locked intramendullary nail.Methods From September 1, 2005 to August 31, 2006, 79 patients (53 men, 26 women; aged 17-57 years, 37 years on average) with the closed fracture of the tibial shaft were treated with the Fixion expandable intramedullary nail, and the effect of the nail was evaluated. According to the AO classification, the patients were typed as Type 42A or Type 42B. And the patients were divided into the following two groups: the expandable intramedullary nail group (n=31) and the traditional locked intramedullary nail group (n=48). Of the 31 patents in the first group, 24 were of Type 42A and 7 were of Type 42B; of the 48 patients in the second group, 37 were of Type 42A and 11 were of Type 42B. All the patients were followed up after operation. Observation was made on the time of the bony callus development and the time of the clinical healing of the bone,and on whether there was the bone malunion, late healing, disunion or infection. The limb function was also evaluated.Results The follow-up of all the 79 patients for 4-15 months averaged 10.3 months revealed that in the expandable intramedullary nail group, the average operating time was 35 minutes (range, 20-60 minutes), with no requirement of blood transfusion. The X-ray examination showed that the bony callus developed as early as 4 weeks after operation. The clinical healing time of the bone was 3-8 months, averaged 5 months. All the patients in this group had the healing by first intention. Evaluatedby the Johner-Wruhs method, an excellent result was found in 28 patients, goodin 3 patients, and poor in none of the patients, with an excellent/good rate of100%. In the traditional locked intramedullary nail group, the average operating time was 75 minutes (range, 45-110 minutes), with no requirement of blood transfusion. The X-ray examination showed that the bony callus developed as early as 4.5 weeks after operation. The clinical healing time was 3-12 months, averaged 5.8 months. In this group, 46 patients had the healing by first intention and 2 patients had the healing by second intention. Evaluated by the JohnerWruhs method,an excellent result was found in 35 patients, good in 11 patients, and fair in 2 patients, with an excellent/good rate of 95.8%.Conclusion The expandable intramedullary nail treatment has advantages of less invasion, simpler manipulation, earlier weightbearing of the bone, quicker healing ofthe bone fracture, and fewer complications. This kind of treatment is worth popularizing in the medical practice if the indication is strictly controlled.
ObjectiveTo investigate the application effect of wire reduction technique guided by minimally invasive wire introducer in the treatment of difficult-reducing intertrochanteric fractures.MethodsBetween April 2016 and April 2018, 30 patients with intertrochanteric fractures who had difficulty in closed reduction under the traction bed were treated. There were 17 males and 13 females, aged from 60 to 93 years (mean, 72 years). The causes of injury included falls in 22 cases and traffic accidents in 8 cases. The fractures were classified according to AO/Orthopaedic Trauma Association (AO/OTA) classification: 12 cases of type A1, 12 cases of type A2, and 6 cases of type A3. Intramedullary nail incision and self-made minimally invasive wire introducer were used to assist reduction of intertrochanteric fracture, and then intramedullary nail internal fixation was performed.ResultsThe operation time was 30-70 minutes, with an average of 45 minutes. The intraoperative blood loss was 100-210 mL, with an average of 160 mL. One case died of cerebrovascular accident at 3 months after operation; the remaining 29 cases were followed up 6-18 months, with an average of 8.3 months. Postoperative DR reexamination showed that all patients had a good reduction in the fracture end, no retraction, fracture displacement, hip valgus deformity, and other serious complications occurred. The fracture was completely healed and the healing time was 3-8 months, with an average of 6 months. At 3 months after operation, the visual analogue scale (VAS) score was 1-3, with an averge of 1.7. According to Harris functional score of hip joint, 26 cases were excellent and 3 cases were good.ConclusionFor the difficult-reducing intertrochanteric fractures, minimally invasive wire introducer is used to insert steel wire into the incision of head and neck nail for assisted reduction, which can achieve satisfactory reduction results and improve the effectiveness of intertrochanteric fracture.
Objective To investigate the advantages and the clinical outcomes of the treatment of comminuted inferior femoral fractures with combination of supracondylar locked intramedullary nail and shape memory block hoop internal fixator under arthroscopy. Methods From June 2002 to December 2004, 12 cases of comminuted inferior femoral fractures were treated(9 males, 3 females). Of them, 5 cases were classified as type B and 7 cases as type C according to AO classification . All cases were treated with combination of supracondylar locked intramedullary nail and shape memory block hoop internal fixator under arthroscopy. In 12 cases of one-stage bone grafting, there 5 of autologous cancellous bone grafting and 7 allo-freeze drying bone grafting.Results With a follow-up of 6 to 18 months, all fractures healed within 3 to 6 months. There were no infection and nonunion. The function of all the knees joint was excellent. According to Noye’s criterion for knee scoring, the results were excellent in 9 cases and good in 3 cases; the excellent and good rate was 100%. Conclusion It is a good method to treat comminuted inferior femoral fractures with combination of supracondylar locked intramedullary nail and shape memory block hoop internal fixator under arthroscopy. It has many advantages of less injury to knee joint, good anatomic reduction and reliable fixation.
Objective To compare the effect of two different operations on treating severely comminuted intercondylar fracture. Methods From December 2001 to October 2003, 20 cases of severely comminuted intercondylar fracture were operated. Of the 20 cases, 7(group 1) were treated with closed reduction and retrograde intramedullary nailing through arthroscope, 13(group2) were treated with open reduction and retrograde intramedullary nailing without arthroscope. Follow-ups were conducted after operation. Results All cases of fracture were recovered. Swelling in group 1 was alleviated more obviously than that in group 2. In group 1, all knees could flex to 120° during 6th to 9th weeks after the operation. In group 2, only 4 could flex 110°.Conclusion Retrograde intramedullary nailing through arthroscope proves to be less invasive and more effective in treating heavily comminuted intercondylar fracture.
ObjectiveTo compare the short-term effectiveness between Gamma 3 intramedullary nails and Gamma 3 U-Blade system in the treatment of osteoporotic intertrochanteric fractures in the elderly. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 124 elderly patients with osteoporotic intertrochanteric fractures, who were admitted between February 2020 and February 2023 and met the selection criteria. The fractures were fixed with Gamma 3 intramedullary nails in 65 patients (control group) and Gamma 3 U-Blade systems in 59 patients (UB group). The differences between the two groups were not significant in age, gender, body mass index, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classification, bone mineral density, time from injury to operation, fracture classification, and affected side (P>0.05). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, hospital stay, and fracture healing time were recorded; the tip-apex distance, fracture reduction quality, and lag screw position were evaluated on X-ray films at immediate after operation; the lag screw sliding distance and change value of neck-shaft angle were measured on X-ray films at last follow-up. Harris hip score at 1 year after operation and the occurrence of internal fixation-related complications were compared between the two groups. Results The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, and hospital stay in the UB group increased compared to the control group, but the differences were not significant (P>0.05). All patients in both groups were followed up 12-24 months (mean, 17.1 months). At 12 months after operation, there was no significant difference in the Harris hip score between the two groups (P<0.05). Radiological examination showed that there was no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05) in terms of tip-apex distance, fracture reduction quality, and lag screw position. Fractures healed in both groups, and there was no significant difference in healing time (P>0.05). At last follow-up, the change value of neck-shaft angle and lag screw sliding distance in the UB group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). During follow-up, no related complications occurred in the UB group, while 6 cases (9.2%) in the control group experienced complications, and the difference in the incidence was significant (P<0.05). ConclusionFor the osteoporotic intertrochanteric fractures in the elderly, the Gamma 3 U-Blade system fixation can achieve good short-term effectiveness, with better imaging results compared to Gamma 3 intramedullary nails fixation.
ObjectiveTo analyze the reasons and the influence of internal fixation about the guide pin eccentricity of helical blade during proximal femoral nail anti-rotation (PFNA) internal fixation for femoral intertrochanteric fractures.MethodsA retrospective analysis of the intraoperative imaging data of 175 patients with femoral intertrochanteric fractures, who underwent closed reduction and PFNA internal fixation between January 2018 and January 2020, was performed. There were 76 males and 99 females with an average age of 79.8 years (mean, 61-103 years). The internal between admission and operation was 12-141 hours (median, 32 hours). According to AO/Orthopaedic Trauma Association (AO/OTA) classification, the fractures were rated as type 31-A1 in 64 cases and type 31-A2 in 111 cases. In the intraoperative fluoroscopy image by C-arm X-ray machine, the caputcollum-diaphysis (CCD) was measured after closed reduction and internal fixation, respectively; the angles between the center line of the head nail hole and the axis of proximal nail and between the axis of guide pin and proximal nail were measured, and the difference between the two angles was evaluated; the quality of fracture reduction was evaluated according to the alignment of the medial cortex, anterior cortex of the head and neck bone block, and femoral shaft cortex; the position of the helical blade in the femoral head was evaluated according to the Cleveland method.ResultsThe CCDs of proximal femur were (134.6±6.8)° after closed reduction and (134.9±4.3)° after internal fixation. There was no significant difference between pre- and post-internal fixation (t=0.432, P=0.766). The angles between the center line of the head nail hole and the axis of proximal nail and between the axis of guide pin and proximal nail were (125.4±2.44)° and (126.3±2.3)°, respectively, showing significant difference (t=2.809, P=0.044). The difference between the two angles was (0.8±2.2)°. The guide pin eccentricity of helical blade occurred in 47 cases. After tapping the helical blade along the eccentric guide pin, 10 cases had fracture reduction loss, and 5 cases had a poor position of the helical blade in the femoral head. ConclusionDuring PFNA internal fixation, a variety of reasons can lead to the eccentric position of the guide pin of helical blade, including unstable fracture, soft tissue inserted, severe osteoporosis, mismatched tool, and fluoroscopic imaging factors. It is possible that the fracture end would be displaced again and the helical blade position may be poor when knocking into the helical blade along the eccentric guide pin. During operation, it should be judged whether the direction of the guide pin needs to be adjusted according to the eccentric angle.
ObjectiveTo investigate the effectiveness of the treatment under the guidance of “diamond concept” for femoral shaft fractures nonunion after intramedullary fixation.MethodsBetween January 2014 and December 2016, 21 cases of femoral shaft fractures nonunion after intramedullary fixation were treated with auxiliary plate fixation combined with autogenous iliac graft, and autologous bone marrow concentrate and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) gel under the guidance of the “diamond concept”. There were 13 males and 8 females, with an average age of 32.5 years (range, 17-48 years). All fractures were closed femoral shaft fractures. Four patients underwent internal fixation with plate and resulted in nonunion, then they were fixed with intramedullary nails, but did not heal either. The rest 17 patients were fixed with intramedullary nailing. Fracture nonunion classification: 4 cases of hypertrophic nonunion, 17 cases of atrophic nonunion; the length of bone defect was 1-3 mm; the duration from the last treatment to the current treatment was 10-23 months (mean, 14.3 months). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, the time between operation and full loading, fracture healing time, and complications were recorded. The visual analogue scale (VAS) score and the imaging system of fracture healing of the extremities (RUST) of patients before operation and at last follow-up were recorded to evaluate the fracture healing; the function of the affected limb was evaluated according to the Schatzker-Lambert efficacy score standard at last follow-up.ResultsThe operation time was 105-160 minutes, with an average of 125.6 minutes; the intraoperative blood loss was 160-580 mL, with an average of 370.5 mL. All incisions healed by first intention, without vascular or nerve injury. All patients were followed up 22-46 months (mean, 26.5 months). All the fractures healed, with a fracture healing time of 3-7 months (mean, 4.8 months). During the follow-up, there was no infection, loosening, implant breakage, re-fracture, and other complications. The VAS score at last follow-up was 0.8±0.3, showing significant difference (t=7.235, P=0.000) when compared with preoperative score (5.2±3.7); the RUST score was 3.4±0.3, which was significantly higher than the preoperative score (1.5±0.7) (t=8.336, P=0.000). According to the Schatzker-Lambert effectiveness evaluation standard, the limb function was excellent in 16 cases, good in 4 cases, fair in 1 case, and the excellent and good rate was 95.42%.ConclusionNonunion after intramedullary fixation of femoral fracture treated with auxiliary plate combined with autogenous iliac graft, autogenous bone marrow concentration and PRP gel in accordance with the “diamond concept” can not only restore the stability of the fracture ends, but also improves the biological environment of the fracture site, and can improve the rate of fracture healing.
