Tension Band Wire Fixation Research Articles

Mechanical Evaluation of Pin and Tension‐Band Wire Factors in an Olecranon Osteotomy Model

To evaluate the effect of altering pin and wire diameter, wire position and configuration, and osteotomy angle on applied load and absorbed strain energy in a pin and tension-band wire (PTBW) fixation model. In vitro mechanical study. Delrin models (n=96). PTBW was applied to Delrin olecranon osteotomy models. A control configuration was defined and then altered, 1 variable (wire diameter, pin diameter, wire-hole position, wire configuration, osteotomy angle) at a time, to create 11 test configurations. Tensile force was applied and displacement at the caudal aspect of the osteotomy was measured. Fixation strength, in terms of tensile load and strain energy, was compared between control and each test configuration at 4 osteotomy displacements. Models with larger wire, pins, or combined figure-of-eight/lateral wires were stronger than control, whereas those with smaller wire, pins, or a solitary lateral wire were weaker. The superior strength of the larger wire was apparent for all assessed osteotomy displacement. PTBW fixation strength increases as implant diameter is increased, with wire diameter having greatest effect. Lateral wire configuration is weaker than figure-of-eight, but can be added to figure-of-eight configuration to increase strength. Wire-hole position and osteotomy angle have little effect on PTBW strength. Wire diameter is the key determinant of PTBW strength, whereas pin diameter is somewhat less critical. Wire passage through an additional hole proximally provides equivalent strength and may avoid soft-tissue entrapment and subsequent loosening.

Metatarsal fractures

Metatarsal fractures are relatively common and if malunited, a frequent source of pain and disability. Nondisplaced fractures and fractures of the second to fourth metatarsal with displacement in the horizontal plane can be treated conservatively with protected weight bearing in a cast shoe for 4-6 weeks. In most displaced fractures, closed reduction can be achieved but maintenance of the reduction needs internal fixation. Percutaneous pinning is suitable for most fractures of the lesser metatarsals. Fractures with joint involvement and multiple fragments frequently require open reduction and plate fixation. Transverse fractures at the metaphyseal-diaphyseal junction of the fifth metatarsal ("Jones fractures") require an individualized approach tailored to the level of activity and time to union. Avulsion fractures of the fifth metatarsal bone are treated by open reduction and tension-band wiring or screw fixation if displaced more than 2 mm or with more that 30% of the joint involved. The metatarsals are the most common site of stress fractures, most of which are treated nonoperatively. Symptomatic posttraumatic deformities need adequate correction, in most cases by osteotomy across the former fracture site.

Interventions for treating proximal humeral fractures in adults.

Proximal humeral fractures are common yet management varies widely. In particular, the role and timing of any surgical intervention have not been clearly defined. To collate and evaluate the scientific evidence supporting the various methods used for treating proximal humeral fractures. We searched the Cochrane Musculoskeletal Injuries Group trials register, MEDLINE, PubMed, the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, CINAHL, the National Research Register and bibliographies of trial reports. The search was completed in July 2000. All randomised studies pertinent to the treatment of proximal humeral fractures were selected. Independent quality assessment and data extraction were performed by two reviewers. Although quantitative data from trials are presented, trial heterogeneity prevented pooling of results. Nine randomised trials were included. All were small trials; the largest study involved only 85 patients. Bias in these trials could not be ruled out. Six trials evaluated conservative treatment, two compared surgery with conservative treatment and one compared two surgical techniques. In the 'conservative' group there was very limited evidence indicating that the type of bandage used made any difference in terms of time to fracture union and the functional end result. However, an arm sling was generally more comfortable than a body bandage. There was some evidence that mobilisation at one week instead of three weeks alleviated pain in the short term without compromising long term outcome. Two trials provided some evidence that patients, when given sufficient instruction to pursue an adequate physiotherapy programme, could generally achieve a satisfactory outcome if allowed to exercise without supervision. Operative reduction improved fracture alignment in two trials. However, in one trial, surgery was associated with a greater risk of complication, and did not result in improved shoulder function. Fracture fixation of severe injuries was associated with a high rate of re-operation in one trial, comparing tension-band wiring fixation with hemi-arthroplasty. Only tentative conclusions can be drawn from the available randomised trials, which do not provide robust evidence for many of the decisions which need to be made in contemporary fracture management. It is unclear whether operative intervention, even for specific fracture types, will produce consistently better long term outcomes. There is a need for good quality evidence for the management of these fractures.

Olecranon fractures: treatment options.

Fractures of the olecranon process of the ulna typically occur as a result of a motor-vehicle or motorcycle accident, a fall, or assault. Nondisplaced fractures can be treated with a short period of immobilization followed by gradually increasing range of motion. Open reduction and internal fixation is the standard treatment for displaced intra-articular fractures. Stable internal fixation with figure-of-eight tension-band wire fixation for simple transverse fractures allows early motion to minimize stiffness. Use of two knots produces symmetric tension at the fracture site and provides more rigid fixation than a single knot. Care should be taken to ensure that the tension-band wire and the proximal ends of the Kirschner wires are positioned deep to the triceps fibers to prevent wire migration. If the anterior cortex is engaged, overpenetration of the wires into the soft tissues should be avoided. Plate fixation is appropriate for severely comminuted fractures, distal fractures involving the coronoid process, oblique fractures distal to the midpoint of the trochlear notch, Monteggia fracture-dislocations of the elbow, and nonunions. For comminuted fractures and nonunions, a dorsally applied limited-contact dynamic-compression plate with supplemental bone graft should be utilized to support comminuted depressed articular fragments. A one-third tubular hook-plate can be used for fractures with a small proximal fragment for which additional fixation of the olecranon tip is desired. Fragment excision and triceps advancement is appropriate in selected cases in which open reduction seems unlikely to be successful, such as in osteoporotic elderly patients with severely comminuted fractures.

Mechanical testing of the tension band wire fixation in the proximal femur

Mechanical testing of the tension band wire fixation in the proximal femur

Early complications in the operative treatment of patella fractures.

To identify and review early complications in the operative treatment of patella fractures. Retrospective review. Single tertiary care institution with multiple surgeons, including generalists and fellowship trained subspecialists. A consecutive series of eighty-seven patella fractures over a five year period was reviewed. Patients treated nonoperatively or with partial or total patellectomy were excluded. Minimum follow-up to fracture healing (four months) was available in fifty-one fractures. Modified tension band wire fixation was used in forty-nine fractures, whereas two fractures were treated with tension band wires threaded through cannulated screws. Early complications such as loss of reduction or fixation, infection, or soft-tissue problems were evaluated. Displacement of > or = 2 mm before healing was noted in eleven fractures. The displacement could be attributed to technical errors in five cases, and to patient noncompliance with postoperative activity restrictions in another five cases. Two cases of superficial infection were documented. Nine patients with symptomatic hardware required hardware removal. Twenty-two percent of fractures treated with tension band wiring and early motion displaced > or = 2 mm within the early postoperative period. Technical errors or patient noncompliance were identified as factors. The incidence of early complications in operatively treated patella fractures is higher than previously reported.

Olecranon Fractures

Forty-one adult patients with displaced olecranon fractures were treated with open reduction internal fixation in a prospective, randomized study comparing tension band wiring (TBW) and plate fixation (PF). Plate fixation required longer operative time, but did not lead to an increased complication rate. Range of elbow motion at six months did not differ significantly between the two groups. Symptomatic metal prominence was frequently observed after TBW (42%), although true Kirschner wire (K-wire) migration was seen in only one patient. Postoperative loss of reduction, leading to a significant articular step-off or gap, was more frequent after TBW (53%) than after PF (5%). Tension band wiring resulted in 37% good clinical and 47% good roentgenographic results, as compared with PF, which resulted in 63% good clinical and 86% good roentgenographic results. Plate fixation should be carefully considered when planning open reduction and internal fixation of displaced olecranon fractures.

Tension-band wiring and lag screw fixation of a transverse, comminuted fracture of a patella in a horse

Tension-band wiring and lag screw fixation of a transverse, comminuted fracture of a patella in a horse

Tension Band Wiring of Displaced Tibial Tuberosity Fractures in Adolescents

Twelve adolescent boys with avulsion fractures of the tibial tuberosity were treated with open reduction and tension band wire fixation. Fasciotomies were required in two cases for associated compartmental syndromes. All fractures healed in anatomic position. The tension band wire assisted both in neutralizing tensile (distracting) forces and compressing comminuted fragments. Early functional motion was started within four weeks. Osgood-Schlatter disease was diagnosed in five of the 12 patients. The apparent high incidence of this fracture pattern in the community prompted the recommendation to restrict jumping sports for adolescent boys with active Osgood-Schlatter disease.

Complications of tension-band wiring of olecranon fractures.

We encountered a high incidence of complications related to the technique of tension-band wire fixation of displaced fractures of the olecranon in a five-year retrospective study of twenty patients (twenty fractures). All had been treated with primary open reduction using the AO technique of tension-band wiring. Twenty patients were followed at least to union as determined radiographically. The most frequent complication was symptomatic prominence of the Kirschner wires at the elbow in sixteen patients. There was skin breakdown in four patients, and infection developed in one. Measurable proximal migration of the Kirschner wires, however, occurred in only three patients. Prominence of the Kirschner wires usually was due to improper seating at the time of surgery (twelve of sixteen patients). Most complications that are related to this method of fixation may be avoided by careful attention to surgical technique.

Comminuted displaced fractures of the patella

A series of 64 comminuted displaced fractures of the patella is reviewed. Morphologically the fractures can be classified into three groups reflecting the mechanism of injury and the degree of soft tissue damage. All fractures were operated on. Tension band wire was used in 21, partial patellectomy in 33 and total patellectomy in 10 patients. The problem of the management of these fractures is often in making the choice between excision and internal fixation. In this retrospective analysis the results of anterior tension band wire fixation were acceptable even in severe comminuted fractures. Partial excision showed satisfactory results provided that at least three-fifths of the patella could be preserved. Total excision is sometimes clearly unavoidable but should be preceded by sober contemplation whenever considered as the alternative to internal fixation.