Rolando's fracture of the first metacarpal. Treatment by external fixation.
(65/342)
External fixation of the first metacarpal was used in Rolando's fracture to counter the forces that cause shortening and articular incongruity. Satisfactory reduction was achieved and maintained in five patients. (+info)
Indirect reduction and percutaneous fixation versus open reduction and internal fixation for displaced intra-articular fractures of the distal radius: a randomised, controlled trial.
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A total of 179 adult patients with displaced intra-articular fractures of the distal radius was randomised to receive indirect percutaneous reduction and external fixation (n = 88) or open reduction and internal fixation (n = 91). Patients were followed up for two years. During the first year the upper limb musculoskeletal function assessment score, the SF-36 bodily pain sub-scale score, the overall Jebsen score, pinch strength and grip strength improved significantly in all patients. There was no statistically significant difference in the radiological restoration of anatomical features or the range of movement between the groups. During the period of two years, patients who underwent indirect reduction and percutaneous fixation had a more rapid return of function and a better functional outcome than those who underwent open reduction and internal fixation, provided that the intra-articular step and gap deformity were minimised. (+info)
Techniques for improving stability in oblique fractures treated by circular fixation with particular reference to the sagittal plane.
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Biomechanical studies involving all-wire and hybrid types of circular frame have shown that oblique tibial fractures remain unstable when they are loaded. We have assessed a range of techniques for enhancing the fixation of these fractures. Eight models were constructed using Sawbones tibiae and standard Sheffield ring fixators, to which six additional fixation techniques were applied sequentially. The major component of displacement was shear along the obliquity of the fracture. This was the most sensitive to any change in the method of fixation. All additional fixation systems were found to reduce shear movement significantly, the most effective being push-pull wires and arched wires with a three-hole bend. Less effective systems included an additional half pin and arched wires with a shallower arc. Angled pins were more effective at reducing shear than transverse pins. The choice of additional fixation should be made after consideration of both the amount of stability required and the practicalities of applying the method to a particular fracture. (+info)
Salvage of diffuse ankle osteomyelitis by single-stage resection and circumferential frame compression arthrodesis.
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Salvage of diffuse ankle osteomyelitis, especially in compromised hosts, is a challenging problem. The purpose of this report was to evaluate early complications and results using a standardized salvage protocol. Eight patients with diffuse ankle osteomyelitis were treated by resection of all infected tiissue and hybrid-frame compression arthrodesis. At presentation, five had open wounds. According to the Cierny/Mader classification, all had diffuse anatomic involvement and six of eight were compromised hosts. Seven had central distal tibial column involvement and one had primarily talar involvement. Surgical technique involved a two-inicision approach, removal of all infected materialand application of a compression circumferential frame with five thin wires across the foot, two across the tibia and two half-pins in the tibia. Fusion of eight ankles and four subtalar joints was attempted. All patients received six weeks of intravenous antibiotics. Open wounds were treated with wound vacuum assisted closure (VACs) devices until closure was achieved. Frames were removed at three months and walking casts were appliedfor one to two more months. Ankle sepsis was eradicated in all patients. Seven of eight ankles fused at an average of 13.5 weeks (range, 10 to 16 weeks). One limb required below-knee amputation (BKA) at five weeks due to nonreconstructible vascular insufficiency. Three of four subtalar joints fused. Fixation problems included two pin-track infections cleared with oral cephalexin and one broken half-pin. Two diabetic Charcot patients required long-term ankle-foot orthosis (AFO) use due to subtalar instability. At average 3.4-year follow-up, none of the seven fused ankles has required further surgery. Use of this standardized salvage treatment protocol for these difficult problems in selected patients was effective with a relatively low associated complication rate. (+info)
Cosmetic bilateral leg lengthening: experience of 54 cases.
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The Ilizarov method for leg lengthening was used for cosmetic reasons in 54 patients with constitutional short stature. A mean lengthening of 7 cm with a low rate of complications produced an excellent or good outcome in all the patients, including improvement in psychological disturbances related to short stature. Those who undergo the procedure must be highly motivated, fully informed and understand the technique and possible complications. We suggest that the Ilizarov method for cosmetic limb lengthening is a technique without major complications. However, it requires careful follow-up, and the involvement of orthopaedic surgeons who are familiar with use of the circular frame and are experienced in limb lengthening and correction of deformity for pathological conditions. (+info)
Open fractures of the tibia in children.
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We describe the results of treatment of open tibial fractures in 92 children; 22 fractures were Gustilo type I, 51 type II and 19 type III. All children received tetanus prophylaxis, systemic antibiotics for 48 hours and thorough debridement and irrigation of the wound. Fifty-one wounds with minimal soft-tissue injury were closed primarily. The other 41 were initially left open; of these, 18 small wounds were allowed to heal secondarily and 23 larger wounds required split skin grafts or soft-tissue local or microvascular free flaps. Stable fractures were reduced and immobilised in an above-knee plaster cast (71%) and external fixation (28%) was used for unstable fractures, extensive soft-tissue injury and multiple injuries. Short-term complications included compartment syndrome (4%), superficial infection (8%), deep infection (3%), delayed union (16%), nonunion (7.5%) and malunion (6.5%): these incidences are similar to those reported in adults. Selective primary closure of wounds did not increase the incidence of infection. External fixation was associated with a greater occurrence of delayed and nonunion than plaster immobilisation, but this technique was used most often for the more severe injuries. Late review, at 1.5 to 9.8 years, showed a high incidence of continuing morbidity including pain at the healed fracture site (50%), restriction of sporting activity (23%), joint stiffness (23%), cosmetic defects (23%) and minor leg-length discrepancies (64%). Open tibial fractures in children are associated with a high incidence of early and late complications, which are more frequent in children with Gustilo type III injuries. The Gustilo classification was a useful guide for predicting the outcome and planning treatment. (+info)
Effects of parathyroid hormone on newly regenerated bone during distraction osteogenesis in a rabbit tibial lengthening model. A pilot study.
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OBJECTIVE: The overall purpose of the study is to determine the effects of parathyroid hormone (PTH) (1-34) on bone formation in regenerated and surrounding bone of distracted callus during limb lengthening in rabbits. Additionally the aim of the pilot study is to titrate the optimal dose of PTH for distraction osteogenesis treatment in rabbits' tibial lengthening model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 18 rabbits underwent right tibia lengthening by callus distraction. Lengthening was started 5 days postoperatively 1 mm/day for a 10-day period and consolidation of 20 days followed. Rabbits were divided into three groups: group I received PTH (1-34) treatment at a dose of 5 microg/kg/day, group II received treatment with PTH (1-34) at a dose of 25 microg/kg/day; group III rabbits were treated with saline. After euthanasia, tibiae of both legs were dissected free, kept frozen and underwent x-ray analysis, dual x-ray absorptiometry-scanning, microcomputed tomography scanning and three-dimensional evaluation and mechanical test followed. RESULTS: Over all, during distraction osteogenesis in a new regenerated bone, PTH (1-34) treatment with two different doses of 5 microg/kg/day and 25 microg/kg/day increased callus cross-sectional area, callus bone mineral density and bone mineral content, bone volume density; dramatically increased trabecular number with slight increase in trabecular thickness, whereas decreased trabecular separation, bone surface density and decreased degree of anisotropy when compared to control group animals. CONCLUSION: PTH (1-34) treatment improved mineralization, structural indices of regenerated distracted rabbits' tibiae, whereas treatment at a dose of 25 microg/kg/day PTH (1-34) was significantly more effective than 5 microg/kg/day PTH(1-34) dose treatment when compared to control group. Bigger dose has been chosen for the main study. (+info)
Deformity correction and lengthening of lower legs with an external fixator.
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Deformities combined with shortening in 34 lower limb segments of 28 patients were treated with an Ilizarov external fixator or a Taylor spatial frame at the same level as the osteotomy. We compared an acute correction group (A) with a gradual correction group (G) in patients undergoing deformity correction followed by lengthening. We retrospectively examined the amount of deformity correction, length gained, distraction index, maturation index, and external fixation index in both groups. The mean age of subjects was 12.9 years for A, 17.9 years for G. The mean deformity correction was 17.8 degrees for A, 25.1 degrees for G. Mean lengthening was 5.5 cm for A, 5.0 cm for G. Mean distraction index was 16.4 days/cm for A, 10.6 days/cm for G (P<0.05). Mean maturation index was 40.5 days/cm for A, 29.5 days/cm for G (P=0.081). Mean external fixation index was 58.6 days/cm for A, 42.5 days/cm for G (P<0.05). The distraction index and external fixation index differences between the two groups were statistically significant. Gradual correction may represent a better approach than acute correction with the use of external fixators to treat deformity combined with shortening. (+info)