Nonunion Of Tibial Fractures Research Articles

Use of non-vascularized autologous fibula strut graft in the treatment of segmental bone loss

Fractures resulting in segmental bone loss challenge the orthopedic surgeon. Orthopedic surgeons in developed countries have the option of choosing vascularized bone transfers, bone transport, allogenic bone grafts, bone graft substitutes and several other means to treat such conditions. In developing countries where such facilities or expertise may not be readily available, the surgeon has to rely on other techniques of treatment. Non-vascularized fibula strut graft and cancellous bone grafting provides a reliable means of treating such conditions in developing countries. Over a period of six years all patients with segmental bone loss either from trauma or oncologic resection were included in the study. Data concerning the type of wound, size of gap and skin loss at tumor or fracture were obtained from clinical examination and radiographs. Ten patients satisfied the inclusion criteria for the study. The average length of the fibula strut is 7 cm, the longest being 15 cm and the shortest 3 cm long. The average defect length was 6.5 cm. Five patients had Gustillo III B open tibial fractures. One patient had recurrent giant cell tumor of the distal radius and another had a polyostotic bone cyst of the femur, which was later confirmed to be osteosarcoma. Another had non-union of distal tibial fracture with shortening. One other patient had gunshot injury to the femur and was initially managed by skeletal traction. The tenth patient had a comminuted femoral fracture. All trauma patients had measurement of missing segment, tissue envelope assessment, neurological examination, and debridement under general anesthesia with fracture stabilization with external fixators or casts. Graft incorporation was 80% in all treated patients. Autologous free, non-vascularized fibula and cancellous graft is a useful addition to the armamentarium of orthopedic surgeon in developing countries attempting to manage segmental bone loss, whether created by trauma or excision of tumors.

Reamed and unreamed intramedullary nailing for the treatment of open and closed tibial fractures: a subgroup analysis of randomised trials

The choice between reamed and unreamed intramedullary nailing for the treatment of open and closed tibial fractures is an ongoing controversy. We carried out a comprehensive search strategy. Six eligible randomised controlled trials were included. Three reviewers independently assessed methodological quality and extracted outcome data. Analyses were performed using Review Manager 5.0. The results showed lower risks of tibial fracture nonunion and implant failures with reamed nails compared to unreamed nails in closed tibial fractures [relative risk (RR): 0.41, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.21-0.89, P = 0.008 for nonunion and RR: 0.35, 95% CI: 0.22-0.56, P < 0.0001 for implant failures], but no statistical differences in risk reduction of malunion, compartment syndrome, embolism and infection. Our results suggested no statistical differences in risk reduction of all the complications evaluated between reamed and unreamed nails in open tibial fractures. In conclusion, our study recommended reamed nails for the treatment of closed tibial fractures. But the choice for open tibial fractures remains uncertain.

Pulsed electromagnetic stimulation in nonunion of tibial diaphyseal fractures.

Background:Nonunion of long bones is a difficult clinical problem and challenges the clinical acumen of surgeons. Multiple surgical or nonsurgical modalities have been used to treat nonunions. Noninvasive pulsed electromagnetic stimulation is an entity known to affect the piezoelectric phenomenon of bone forming cells. We conducted a study on 45 long-bone fractures of tibia treated by pulsed electromagnetic stimulation, which are analyzed and reported.Materials and Methods:A total of 45 tibial fractures with established atrophic nonunion were enrolled between 1981 and 1988. All the patients had abnormal mobility and no or minimal gap at fracture site with no evidence of callus formation across the fracture site. The patients' age ranged between 24 and 68 years; 40 were men and 5 were women. All patients having evidence of infection, implant in situ, and gap nonunions were excluded from study. Pulsed electromagnetic stimulation was given using above-knee plaster of Paris cast (0.008 Weber/m2 magnetic field was created for 12 h/day). The average duration for pulsed electromagnetic stimulation (PEMS) therapy was 8.35 weeks, with the range being 6–12 weeks. The cases were evaluated at 6 weeks and subsequently every 6-weekly interval for clinical and radiological union. The withdrawal of therapy was decided as per clinicoradiological evidence of union.Results:All but three patients showed evidence of union. About 35% (n = 16) cases showed union in 10 weeks, and 85%(n = 38) cases showed union in 4 months. The average duration of therapy using PEMS was 8.35±0.48 weeks, and the average duration of immobilization was 3.02 ± 0.22 months. Three cases that did not show evidence of union were poorly compliant for the apparatus of PEMS.Conclusion:PEMS is a useful noninvasive modality of treatment for difficult nonunion of long bones.

A cost analysis of treatment of tibial fracture nonunion by bone grafting or bone morphogenetic protein-7

The parameter of health economics in the use of any contemporary medical module plays a dominant role in decision making. A prospective nonrandomised comparative study of the direct medical costs on the first attempt of treating aseptic nonunions of tibial fractures, with either autologous-iliac-crest-bone-graft (ICBG) or bone morphogenetic protein-7 (BMP-7), is presented. Twenty-seven consecutive patients, who were successfully treated for fracture nonunions, were divided into two groups. Group 1 (n = 12) received ICBG and group 2 (n = 15) received BMP-7. All patients healed their nonunions, and the financial analysis presented represents a best-case scenario. Three out of 12 of the ICBG group required revision surgery while just one out of 15 required it in the BMP-7 group. Average hospital stay was 10.66 vs. 8.66 days, time-to-union 6.9 vs. 5.5 months, hospitals costs pound2,133.6 vs. pound1,733.33, and theatre costs were pound2,413.3 vs. pound906.67 for the ICBG and BMP-7 groups, respectively. The BMP-7 cost was pound3002.2. Fixation-implant was pound696.4 vs. pound592.3, radiology pound570 vs. pound270, outpatient pound495.8 vs. pound223.33, and other costs were pound451.6 vs. pound566.27 for the ICBG and BMP-7 groups, respectively. The average cost of treatment with BMP-7 was 6.78% higher (P = 0.1) than with ICBG, and most of this (41.1%) was related to the actual price of the BMP-7. In addition to the satisfactory efficacy and safety of BMP-7 in comparison to the gold standard of ICBG, as documented in multiple studies, its cost effectiveness is advocated favourably in this analysis.

A cost analysis of treatment of tibial fracture non-unions: A comparative study between autologous iliac crest bone grafting and bone morphogenetic protein-7

A cost analysis of treatment of tibial fracture non-unions: A comparative study between autologous iliac crest bone grafting and bone morphogenetic protein-7

Exchange Nailing of Ununited Fractures

Exchange nailing is most appropriate for a nonunion without substantial bone loss. There is no clear consensus regarding the use of exchange nailing in the presence of active, purulent infection. The exchange nail should be at least 1 mm larger in diameter than the nail being removed, and it has been recommended that it be up to 4 mm larger when the nail being removed was greatly undersized. Canal reaming should progress until osseous tissue is observed in the reaming flutes. Exchange nailing is an excellent choice for aseptic nonunions of noncomminuted diaphyseal femoral fractures, with union rates reported to range from 72% to 100%. On the basis of the available literature, exchange nailing cannot be recommended for distal femoral nonunions at this time. Exchange nailing is an excellent choice for aseptic nonunions of noncomminuted diaphyseal tibial fractures, with union rates reported to range from 76% to 96%. On the basis of the available literature, exchange nailing is generally not indicated for humeral nonunions.

Treatment of nonunion following intramedullary nailing of femoral and tibial fractures

目的 探讨股骨、胫骨骨折应用交锁髓内钉固定后骨不连的诊断及应用微创内固定系统(LISS)或锁定加压钢板(LCP)治疗其骨不连的临床疗效.方法 2003年2月～2004年12月,对7例股骨和胫骨骨折患者髓内钉固定后应用X线或CT扫描观察骨不连情况,并应用LISS或LCP固定+植骨治疗,病程10～49个月,平均23.3个月.结果 7例患者获4～16个月(平均9.1个月)随访;骨折均在术后4～6个月牢固连接,平均愈合时间4.7个月,无植入物松动等并发症发生.结论对骨折端较长时间存在骨折线、且骨折局部伴有疼痛症状者要果断进行手术干预,消除骨折端的微动和消灭骨缺损.LISS或LCP因其先进的锁定设计,可有效治疗股骨和胫骨骨不连。

Treatment of nonunion of tibial fractures with local muscle flap transfer and injection of autogenous bone marrow

目的 报告局部转移肌瓣和注射自体红骨髓治疗胫骨骨折不连接的效果. 方法对 15例伤后 10～ 42个月,平均 22个月仍不连接的胫骨骨折实施切开复位、带锁髓内钉固定、髂骨植骨和局部转移肌瓣覆盖,术后 12～ 15d局部注射自体红骨髓治疗. 结果随访表明所有病例骨折均得到连接,术后 3～ 11个月 (平均 4.8个月 )愈合,除 2例术后出现切口皮缘小块坏死经换药愈合外,创口均一期愈合,没有发生感染和内固定失败. 结论在稳固内固定和植骨以外,局部转移肌瓣和注射自体红骨髓治疗胫骨骨折不愈合能取得满意疗效.

Nonunion of metaphyseal tibial fractures reconstructed by hybrid external fixator; Two cases report

Nonunion of metaphyseal tibial fractures reconstructed by hybrid external fixator; Two cases report

Percutaneous bone grafting in the treatment of the delayed union and non-union of tibial fractures

The classic method of open bone grafting in the treatment of un-united tibial fractures has been associated with some complications. A novel, minimally invasive, percutaneous technique of bone grafting is described. Forty-one consecutive patients with delayed union or non-union of a tibial fracture was treated with percutaneous bone grafting from 1993 to 1999. The mean age of the patients was 41 (15–86) years. Twenty-seven patients had grade I–III open fractures. The fractures had initially been treated in a cast ( n=26), external fixator ( n=14) or intramedullary nail ( n=1). Two patients had an earlier unsuccessful Phemister–Charnley-type bone-grafting procedure for delayed union. The mean interval from injury to percutaneous bone grafting was 21 (13–66) weeks. Thirty-seven of the 41 un-united fractures healed in 13 (10–48) weeks after the percutaneous bone grafting. The mean hospital stay was 1 day. No infections, bleeding or neural complications existed. Percutaneous bone grafting appeared to be as effective as open techniques, and possessed considerable advantages. It is safe, time saving and economical, it involves minimal trauma at the fracture site and it avoids major donor site problems.

Chapter 10: Managing Delayed Union and Non Union of Tibial Fractures Treated with Ilizarov Fixators

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Nonunion of tibial stress fractures in patients with deformed arthritic knees

Nonunion of tibial stress fractures in patients with deformed arthritic knees

Nonunion of tibial stress fractures in patients with deformed arthritic knees

In two years we treated four women with ununited stress fractures of their proximal tibial diaphyses. They all had arthritis and valgus deformity. The stress fractures had been treated elsewhere by non-operative means in three patients and by open reduction and internal fixation in one, but had failed to unite. After treatment with a modular total knee prosthesis with a long tibial stem extension, all the fractures united. A modular total knee prosthesis is suitable for the rare and difficult problem of ununited tibial stress fractures in patients with deformed arthritic knees since it corrects the deformity and the adverse biomechanics at the fracture site, stabilises the fracture and treats the arthritis.

Treatments of the delayed Union or Nonunion of Tibial Shaft Fracture Fixed with Interlocking IM nail

Treatments of the delayed Union or Nonunion of Tibial Shaft Fracture Fixed with Interlocking IM nail

Nonunion of tibial fractures treated with external fixation

We analyzed factors of importance for nonunion in a series of 39 closed and 32 open fractures of the tibia which were treated with external fixation. Factors analyzed included, age and sex of the patients, the mechanism of injury, the amount of soft tissue damage, the grade of comminution, the level at which the tibia was fractured, the presence of an intact fibula, the presence of multiple injuries, the type of external fixation used (Orthofix, STAR-90 or Hoffmann) and the need to supplement the stability of the reduction. We found that the type of open fracture, comminution of the fracture, extension the original wound for satisfactory reduction and fracture of the ipsilateral fibula, played a role in the development of nonunion.

NONUNION OF TIBIAL SHAFT FRACTURES TREATED WITH LOCKED INTRAMEDULLARY NAILING WITHOUT BONE GRAFTING

Twenty-five nonunions of tibial fractures were treated with Grosse-Kempf slotted, locked nails in 20 men and 5 women 6 to 54 months after fracture. No bone grafts were performed in connection with nailing. For better alignment, opening of the nonunion site, fibular osteotomy/resection, or both were used. In one patient reoperation with nailing and bone grafting was necessary after the first nail broke. There were three postoperative infections (12%), two with persistent drainage. All nonunions healed. In one patient an external rotatory malalignment was corrected by a later osteotomy. In no case was the function of the ankle or foot impaired by the index operation. Static locking was not unfavorable for healing. We conclude that bone grafting is rarely needed and function is restored early after locked nailing of tibial nonunions.

Locked nailing for nonunion of the tibia.

We treated 24 patients with nonunion of tibial shaft fractures by locked intramedullary nailing, 18 by open and six by closed techniques. Union was achieved in 22 patients, failing only in two patients with active infection. Locked nailing prevented recurrence of deformity and allowed the patients to mobilise without external support. Supplementary bone grafting was essential only for major defects.

Nonunion of a Complex Tibial Plateau Fracture

Nonunion of tibial plateau fractures are uncommon; only five cases have been reported in the literature. This report presents the sixth nonunion and highlights the management of an angulated, periarticular pseudoarthrosis. Pitfalls in the initial fracture treatment that contributed to the development of the pseudoarthrosis are reviewed.

Intramedullary Fixation for Arthrodesis of the Knee After Infected Total Knee Arthroplasty

Knee arthrodesis with curved intramedullary rods was performed in 12 patients after infected total knee arthroplasty. The underlying pathologic condition was osteoarthritis in nine patients and rheumatoid arthritis in three patients. Nine patients with a postoperative follow-up time of greater than two years (average, 34 months; median, 29 months; longest, 55 months) were evaluated for functional results. Six patients obtained a satisfactory knee fusion in an average of 6.6 months (range, three to 11 months; median, five months). Those patients without massive bone loss preoperatively attained a fusion rate of 66.6%. Two thirds of the patients with massive bone loss attained fusion. Indications for surgery in addition to infection included massive bone loss, mixed infection with multiple organisms, infrapatellar tendon rupture, ligamentous instability, and severe valgus deformity with tibial fracture nonunion. Failure occurred in three cases. One was associated with rod breakage; another was due to massive bone resorption; and the third was in a diabetic female with infrapatellar tendon rupture. All patients with successful arthrodesis reported an absence of pain and the ability to ambulate with, at most, a walker. The use of curved intramedullary rods is a convenient technique for obtaining successful arthrodesis after infected total knee arthroplasty.

Role of revascularization to treat chronic nonhealing fractures in ischemic limbs.

The contribution of chronic limb ischemia to long-term nonunion of a lower extremity fracture was suggested in a single published case report from our group 13 years ago. We have since encountered three additional patients with nonunited lower extremity fractures occurring in limbs with arterial ischemia. In each of these four patients limb revascularization was undertaken in an effort to stimulate healing of the fracture. These patients had chronic (mean 6 months) nonunion of tibial (three) or femur (one) fractures associated with severe lower extremity ischemia (ankle/brachial index m = 0.33; range 0.24 to 0.5). All patients had histories of chronic lower extremity ischemia before the fracture (ischemic rest pain, 2; claudication, 2). All patients underwent angiography followed by lower extremity revascularization. Restoration of normal arterial supply to the fracture site was followed by healing of the fracture in all patients. To our knowledge, this represents the first reported series of patients undergoing elective limb revascularization to stimulate healing of the fracture. Widespread appreciation of this relationship by orthopedic surgeons may be of considerable clinical importance.