Treatment Of Fractures Research Articles

Traumatic Asphyxia due to Automobile Accident. A Case Report

Introduction: Traumatic Asphyxia is probably much more common than the surgical literature shows and should always be kept in mind as a possible complication of injuries of the thorax and /or upper abdomen. Traumatic Asphyxia or Perthe’s syndrome is a result of a sudden and severe trauma of the thorax and /or upper abdomen. We report a case of traumatic Asphyxia due to an automobilistic accident. Our patient is a 62-year-old male who was brought to the emergency room due to thorax trauma related to a bicycle accident. He got under a van from one side, and while the shaft of the van rotated, it pulled and crushed the patient between the body of the van and the shaft. There was no direct trauma history on the face and neck area of the patient. In our case, we found associated injuries such as a fracture of the right 7th rib, displaced fracture of the right tibia, and bilateral pulmonary contusion. In our case, supportive therapy and specific treatment for the right tibial fracture were performed. Conclusion: Perthes syndrome should be considered in patients presenting with the associated ecchymoses mask with cutaneous petechial hemorrhages and subconjunctival bleeding as a complication of compression of the thorax. The outcome is variable depending on the severity and duration of compression. When characteristic findings of traumatic Asphyxia are detected in traumatic patients, other organ pathologies should be quickly eliminated, and supportive therapy should be initiated. If any other organ pathology is detected, treatment for the detected pathology should be administered because the prognosis of patients with timely and effective treatment is considerably good.

Transfer of Olivea colebrookeae into the teak-rust genus Neoolivea (Crossopsoraceae), with its first report for Pakistan, based on light and scanning electron microscopy and DNA barcoding techniques

Colebrookea oppositifolia (Lamiaceae) is a valuable traditional therapeutic plant with a wool-like shrubby appearance, present mostly in subtropical regions of some Asian countries. This plant possesses anti-oxidant, anti-fungal and anti-microbial properties. Its leaves are used locally for the treatment of wounds and fracture and its roots are used for epilepsy. During phytopathogenic surveys conducted in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan, the rust fungus Olivea colebrookeae (Raveneliaceae, Pucciniales) was collected on this economically important plant. Based on morpho-anatomical characteristics and molecular phylogenetic analyses, it was determined that Olivea colebrookeae is related to the teak-rust genus Neoolivea, now placed in the Crossopsoraceae, Pucciniales. Thus, this rust fungus on Colebrookea oppositifolia is transferred to Neoolivea as Neoolivea colebrookeae and reported for the first time from Pakistan. Detailed morphology along with scanning electron micrographs are provided.

Different Internal Fixation Methods for Sanders Type II and III Calcaneal Fractures: A 5-Year Retrospective Study and Finite Element Analysis.

Soft tissue defects and postoperative wound healing complications related to calcaneus fractures may result in significant morbidity. The aim of this study was to investigate whether percutaneous minimally invasive screw internal fixation (PMISIF) can change this situation in the treatment of calcaneal fractures, and aimed to explore the mechanical effects of different internal fixation methods on Sanders type III calcaneal fractures through finite element analysis. This retrospective analysis focused on 83 patients with Sanders II and III calcaneal fractures from March 2017 to March 2022. Among them, 32 patients underwent PMISIF, 24 patients underwent tarsal sinus incision plate internal fixation (TSIPIF), and 27 patients underwent extended lateral incision plate internal fixation (ELIPIF). The present study aimed to compare various parameters, including the perioperative hospital stay, intraoperative blood loss, operative time, postoperative drainage volume, incidence of postoperative wound complications, and Gissane angle and Bohler angle data before surgery, after surgery, and at the last follow-up, among the three treatment groups. Additionally, three different finite element models were created to simulate Sanders III calcaneal fractures treated with PMISIF, TSIPIF, and ELIPIF. The models were subjected to longitudinal stresses of 350 and 700 N, and the displacement and stress distribution were analyzed to compare the stability of each model. Compared with ELIPIF and TSIPIF, PMISIF has several advantages, including shorter operative times, smaller incisions, shorter hospital stays, and lower incidences of postoperative complications. At the 12-month time point after the operation, the percentages of patients with excellent and good American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) functional scores were 96.9%, 91.7%, and 96.2%, respectively, for the three methods, demonstrating similar outcomes. Intraoperative blood loss in the PMISIF group was comparable to that in the TSIPIF group and lower than that in the ELIPIF group. There were no significant differences in the Gissane or Bohler angles among the three groups before or after the operation. However, the differences in the Gissane and Bohler angles after the operation within each group were statistically significant compared with those before the operation. Finite element analysis revealed that stress in all three internal fixation models was primarily concentrated on the subtalar articular surface, whereas displacement was mainly observed on the medial side of the subtalar articular surface. The peak stress and displacement of bone fragments and implants in the PMISIF model were lower than those in both the TSIPIF and ELIPIF models. PMISIF can achieve excellent and good rates comparable to those of TSIPIF and ELIPIF. Additionally, this approach offers the advantages of reduced operative trauma, a lower incidence of complications, and shorter preoperative preparation and hospitalization times. Furthermore, this approach can achieve a similar level of biomechanical stability.

High Detection Rate of Posterolateral Tibial Plateau Fractures and Poor Functional Outcomes in Type IIIB Impaction Fractures After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Rupture and Reconstruction.

The incidence of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) ruptures has been increasing annually. However, clinical surgeons have overlooked the impaction fractures of the posterolateral tibial plateau and lateral femoral condyle in patients with ACL ruptures. The purpose of the present study was to report the detection rate of the posterolateral tibial plateau impaction fractures in patients with ACL ruptures, and to evaluate the functional outcomes of patients following ACL reconstruction (ACLR) without treatment of the tibial fractures at a 2-year postoperative follow-up. Four hundred eighty-eight patients treated for ACL ruptures between January 2016 and June 2020 were retrospectively reviewed, and the posterolateral tibial plateau impaction fractures were classified based on MRI assessment. The detection rate of the posterolateral tibial plateau impaction fractures was calculated, and the functional outcomes (SF-12 Mental Component Summaries, SF-12 Physical Component Summaries, Tegner, Lysholm, IKDC, and KOOS) were evaluated at a 2-year postoperative follow-up. The detection rate of posterolateral tibial plateau impaction fractures was 41.6% among ACL ruptures. Of these, 285 cases (58.4%) had no fractures, 98 cases (20.1%) had type I impaction fractures, 41 cases (8.4%) had type IIA impaction fractures, 15 cases (3.1%) had type IIB impaction fractures, 22 cases (4.5%) had type IIIA impaction fractures, and 27 cases (5.5%) had type IIIB impaction fractures. Patients with type IIIA or IIIB impaction fractures showed an increased detection rate of contact mechanism compared to the other subgroups. Significant differences in Tegner (postoperation) and KOOS (QOL) were found between no fracture and type IIIB impaction fractures in patients following ACLR. The detection rate of posterolateral tibial plateau impaction fractures in patients with ACL ruptures was high. Patients with type IIIB impaction fractures following ACLR had poor functional outcomes.

Satisfactory Functional Outcomes Can Be Achieved with Conservative Treatment of Proximal Humerus Fractures in the Elderly

Satisfactory Functional Outcomes Can Be Achieved with Conservative Treatment of Proximal Humerus Fractures in the Elderly

Early Postoperative Outcomes of Surgical Fixation of Proximal Phalanx Fractures With Intramedullary Nails Versus Kirschner Wires.

Kirschner wire (K-wire) and intramedullary (IM) screw fixation are accepted techniques for treatment of unstable proximal phalanx fractures, but comparative reports are lacking. This study aimed to evaluate early clinical outcomes following treatment with K-wire or IM fixation. A retrospective review of all proximal phalanx fractures treated surgically at a single center by multiple surgeons was performed from May 1, 2019 to March 1, 2024. Inclusion criteria consisted of patients above 18 years of age with transverse or short-oblique proximal phalanx fractures, without associated soft-tissue injury or involvement of multiple digits, who were treated with IM screw or K-wire fixation. Outcomes were available for 49 patients (27 K-wire, 22 IM nail). Chart review was performed to assess range of motion (ROM) and Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand outcomes 6 and 12 weeks postoperatively. A significant difference was found in total active motion (TAM) (207.4° vs 150.8°, P = .03) and proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint motion (71.8° vs 54.5°, P = .04) between the IM and K-wire cohorts 12 weeks after surgery. Proximal interphalangeal motion was also significantly different (57.6° vs 34.3°, P = .03) 6 weeks after surgery with no significant difference in TAM (176.6° vs 122.1°, P = .13) at that time point. Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand scores 12 weeks after surgery were not significantly different between the IM (M: 15.8) and K-wire (M: 28.15) groups (P = .13). Total active motion and PIP joint motion were found to be significantly higher 12 weeks postoperatively following IM fixation compared to K-wire fixation for extra-articular proximal phalanx fractures.

The Utility of the Radiocapitellar View in Pediatric Medial Epicondyle Fracture Evaluation.

Anteroposterior (AP) and lateral radiographs often underestimate displacement in medial epicondyle fractures, further complicating the already debated operative indications. The radiocapitellar (RC) view is an alternative radiograph that allows for the separation of the humeroradial and humeroulnar joints. This study investigates the utility of the RC view in measuring displacement and identifying the need for operative intervention in pediatric medial epicondyle fractures. A retrospective analysis was conducted on pediatric patients who presented to our institution with a medial epicondyle fracture treated operatively from 2015 to 2022 and received initial AP and RC radiographs. Fracture displacement was measured by 3 orthopaedic surgeons using the corresponding point measurement method and inter/intra-rater reliability was computed. A fracture >5mm was considered to be within the threshold for recommendation of operative treatment. McNemar test was used to assess differences in sensitivity in detecting operative fractures between AP and RC radiographs, with a P-value of < 0.05 considered significant. A total of 45 patients met the inclusion criteria. The RC view had significantly higher sensitivity in identifying fractures greater than the operative threshold of 5mm compared with the AP view (93.3% vs. 68.9%, P=0.0127), and on average, measured 2.5mm more displacement (P<0.001) than the corresponding AP view. AP and RC radiographs both measured >5mm of displacement in 62.2% (28/45) of fractures, with 6.7% (3/45) determined as >5mm by AP view and ≤5mm by RC view. 31.1% (14/45) of fractures were measured to be >5mm by RC view and ≤5mm by AP view. The RC view significantly increases sensitivity in detecting the 5mm displacement threshold for operative treatment of pediatric medial epicondyle fractures due to improved visualization of fracture displacement. Level III, diagnostic study.

The Functional Outcome of Open Reduction and Internal Fixation with Plate Versus closed Reduction and Fixation with Hybrid Ilizarov in the Treatment of Tibial Plateau Fractures

The Functional Outcome of Open Reduction and Internal Fixation with Plate Versus closed Reduction and Fixation with Hybrid Ilizarov in the Treatment of Tibial Plateau Fractures

Open Reduction and Internal Fixation with Plate Versus Closed Reduction and Fixation with Hybrid Ilizarov in the Treatment of Tibial Plateau Fractures: Complications

Open Reduction and Internal Fixation with Plate Versus Closed Reduction and Fixation with Hybrid Ilizarov in the Treatment of Tibial Plateau Fractures: Complications

Treatment of geriatric odontoid fractures

The treatment of odontoid fractures in geriatric patients, particularly type II fractures, remains controversial. In biologically young patients, studies suggest advantages of surgical treatment in terms of mortality; however, this advantage is not observed in geriatric patients. While the mortality appears to be higher after conservative treatment in patients aged 65-80years, there are studies that have shown no differences in mortality for patients aged 80years or older and even showed advantages of conservative treatment in this age group. The complication rates of both surgical and conservative approaches are comparable. Although conservative treatment is associated with ahigher rate of pseudarthrosis, healing in a"rigid" pseudarthrosis is associated with agood clinical outcome and can therefore be considered atreatment success. The central problem with the currently available literature, including the present prospective but nonrandomized data, is selection bias, which significantly limits the comparability of the patient cohorts. So far, no clear superiority of either treatment method has been demonstrated. Therefore, conservative treatment retains its importance in the geriatric patient population and the majority of these patients achieve avery good functional outcome with conservative treatment.

Comparative Outcomes Between Three Different Techniques in the Fixation of Ulnar Styloid Fractures.

This study aims to compare the clinical and radiological outcomes of three different techniques used in the surgical treatment of ulnar styloid fractures. Ulnar styloid fractures treated surgically between 2012 and 2022 were evaluated retrospectively. There were three groups in the study: Group I (Kirschner wire, N= 19), Group II (tension band, N= 27) and Group III (headless compression screw, N= 25). The Gaulke classification was applied to categorise the fractures. After a follow-up period of at least one year, range of motion, Modified Mayo Wrist Score (MMWS), Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Score (QDASH), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and grip strength were measured. In addition, radiological union, bone resorption and dorsal subluxation of the DRUJ were evaluated. There was no difference between the three groups in terms of demographic data. Gaulke type 2 A was more frequently observed in all three groups (47.4%, 74.1%, 64%, respectively). Range of motion (flexion, extension, supination, pronation) was similar in all three groups (p>0.05). QDASH and MMWS were similar in all three groups. Grip strength was significantly lower in Group I than in Group II (p=0.039). Radiological outcomes (nonunion, dorsal subluxation, bone resorption) were similar in all three groups. Implant irritation was significantly higher in Group II (p=0.026). K-wires, tension band wiring and headless compression screws yield similar clinical and radiological outcomes in the surgical treatment of unstable ulnar styloid fractures. However, the need for secondary surgery is more frequent when a tension band is used. Level IV.

Clinical consequence of the 4-week X-ray control after ESIN osteosynthesis of forearm fractures in children

PurposeThe absence of evidence based general guidelines for radiographic follow-ups of pediatric diaphyseal forearm fractures treated with ESIN results in an arbitrary array of X-ray examinations. In most pediatric traumatology departments, an X-ray check is carried out 4 weeks after ESIN osteosynthesis of forearm shaft fractures to detect incipient consolidation of the fracture. However, the elevated sensitivity to ionizing radiation requires special precautions in the pediatric populations. To prevent the indiscriminate use of this diagnostic tool it is necessary to assess the consequence of routinely taken X-rays at the 4-week follow-up.MethodsThis retrospective analysis included 219 pediatric patients who underwent ESIN treatment for a diaphyseal forearm fracture between 2010 and 2018 at the same pediatric trauma center. The primary outcome was defined as the prevalence of aberrant radiographic findings (ARF) during the 4-week follow-up with an otherwise normal clinical course and examination. Pathologies in the physical exam and irregularities in the medical history were summarized as non-radiological abnormalities (nRD). Binary logistic regression was calculated to identify risk factors associated with an increased likelihood of an ARF.ResultsOf the 219 pediatric patients included, 123 patients had no nRDs at the 4-week follow-up. Only one patient was found to have an ARF (absolute risk = 0.008). Regression showed that the odds of receiving an ARF increased significantly as other nRDs were detected (p = 0.012, OR 14.554). A positive correlation was found especially for irregularities in the medical history (n = 59, p = 0.003, OR = 8.134).ConclusionThis study provides evidence that standardized radiographic follow-up 4 weeks after surgical treatment has no clinical consequences if the course of the fracture is otherwise uneventful. It should be strictly reserved for pediatric patients with a complicated course.

High Fixation Failure Rate of Cephalomedullary Nail Fixation in Patients with Low-Energy Basicervical Femoral Fractures: Do We Need Extramedullary Reduction?

Background and Objectives: A basicervical femoral fracture is a relatively uncommon type of proximal femoral fracture. However, as the proportion of proximal femoral fractures rises in conjunction with the aging of society, the absolute number of patients with basicervical femoral fractures is also increasing. Nevertheless, the optimal surgical methods for the treatment of basicervical femoral fractures remain a topic of debate. The aim of this study is to evaluate the failure rates of cephalomedullary nail fixation in basicervical femoral fractures based on reduction types. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 22 patients (22 hips) with AO/OTA 31-A1.2 hip fractures who had undergone treatment with a cephalomedullary nail (PFNA-II or Gamma-3) between March 2007 and February 2018. They were classified into three groups based on the reduction types: extramedullary (E), anatomical (A), or intramedullary (I). The intramedullary group included cases where the basicervical component was impacted into the medullary canal, while the extramedullary group comprised cases where the component was displaced beyond the medullary canal. The anatomical group consisted of specimens that exhibited complete anatomical reduction. This was determined by both the anteroposterior (AP) view and the lateral view using simple radiographs. Results: There were 13 patients (59.1%) in Group E and 9 patients (40.9%) in Group A. No patients were classified in Group I. Fixation failure occurred in four patients (18.1%, 4/22). In Group E, no patients exhibited fixation failure (0%, 0/13). In contrast, four patients in Group A demonstrated fixation failure (44.4%, 4/9). Group A exhibited a significantly higher incidence of fixation failure (0% vs. 44.4%, p =0.037) compared to Group E. Conclusion: In the treatment of low-energy basicervical femoral fractures with cephalomedullary nails, extramedullary reduction demonstrated a lower rate of fixation failure compared to anatomical reduction in this study. While definitive conclusions regarding its superiority cannot be drawn due to the limited sample size, extramedullary reduction may serve as a promising alternative to reducing the high fixation failure rate associated with this challenging fracture type.

Low-Demand Cemented Femoral Stem Designs and Revision Risk Following the Hemiarthroplasty Treatment of Geriatric Hip Fracture.

Cemented fixation is recommended in the hemiarthroplasty treatment of geriatric femoral neck fractures. Certain cemented stems have similarly designed "low-demand" counterparts, but it is unclear whether they yield comparable clinical outcomes. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the revision risk associated with two low-demand stems, Summit Basic (DePuy Synthes) and Versys LD/Fx (Zimmer Biomet), in comparison to their standard counterparts, Summit (DePuy Synthes) and Versys Advocate (Zimmer Biomet). Using our U.S. integrated healthcare system's Hip Fracture Registry, we identified patients aged ≥60 years who were treated with one of these four cemented hemiarthroplasty devices (2009-2022). Low-demand stems were compared with standard stems on the basis of aseptic revision rates (primary outcome measure) as well as periprosthetic fracture and 90-day complications (secondary outcome measures). Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression was used to adjust for potential confounders. Overall, there were 9,828 cemented hemiarthroplasties (69.0% female, 78.9% White), including 3,713 low-demand stems and 6,115 standard stems. In the adjusted analysis, low-demand stems were associated with a higher risk of aseptic revision compared with standard designs (hazard ratio [HR] 1.53, 95%CI 1.06-2.22, P = 0.024). This difference was driven primarily by a higher risk of periprosthetic fracture in the low-demand stems (HR 3.40, 95%CI 1.54-7.51, P = 0.003). Similar findings were observed when separately comparing Summit Basic with Summit and Versys LD/Fx to Versys Advocate, and when restricting to procedures performed by experienced total hip arthroplasty surgeons. In this study of 9,828 hip fracture patients treated with cemented hemiarthroplasty, low-demand stems were associated with a higher risk of aseptic revision as compared with their standard counterparts. Further research is required to determine the features of the low-demand stems which could be contributing to this finding, as well as the circumstances under which usage of low-demand stems could still be justified based on cost.

Treatment of posterolateral tibial plateau fractures through the articular line approach

BackgroundPosterolateral tibial plateau fractures pose significant challenges for orthopedic surgeons due to the anatomical risks associated with the posterolateral approach. Despite numerous surgical techniques available, there lacks a consensus on the optimal approach.MethodsArticular line incision approach was employed on 12 patients suffering from posterolateral tibial plateau fractures. Preoperative CT scans were utilized to assess the fractures, followed by an articular line incision to expose and fix the fractures with a 3.5 mm low-profile lateral locking compression plate. The surgical outcomes were evaluated through postoperative recovery metrics including pain levels, knee joint stability, and recovery time.ResultsAll patients achieved articular surface reduction and stable fixation without complications, loss of reduction, or infection. Postoperative assessments showed normal knee extension, with patients returning to pre-injury work levels. The average range of motion (ROM) of the knee joint was 123.3°, and the average Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) score was 96.4, indicating successful recovery outcomes.ConclusionThe articular line incision approach for posterolateral tibial plateau fractures provides a viable alternative to traditional methods. It offers the benefits of reduced trauma, shortened recovery times, and minimized risk of infection, making it a recommendable technique for such fractures.Trial registrationNot applicable.

Efficacy of absorbable vs. non-absorbable patient-specific, 3D-printed implants for the treatment of facial bone fractures: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

This systematic review and meta-analysis compares the efficacy and complication rate of absorbable versus non-absorbable 3D-printed, patient-customized, maxillofacial implants in facial trauma patients. A comprehensive search of four databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane) was conducted. A systematic review and single-proportion meta-analysis was conducted employing PRISMA guidelines. A comprehensive search of four databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane) yielded a total of 4087 results. After removing duplicates, 16 articles underwent full-text analysis, with 13 meeting the inclusion criteria. The inclusion focused on primary clinical data involving 3D-printed, patient-specific implants for facial bone fracture restorations. Exclusion criteria removed studies without full text, ongoing studies, animal studies, and studies not utilizing CAD/CAM for their implants. A total of 114 patients underwent insertion of 3D-printed implants. Patients receiving non-absorbable implants had a success rate of 84% (95% CI: 74-91), with complications in 12 patients. Patients receiving absorbable implants achieved a 100% success rate (95% CI: 0-100), with zero complications. The study suggests absorbable 3D-printed implants provide superior results with fewer complications compared to non-absorbable 3D-printed implants for the treatment of facial fractures. Not applicable.

Treatment of a collapse fracture of the anterolateral tibial plateau with a lateral locking plate and the Jail screw technique

BackgroundTo explore the advantages of a lateral tibial locking plate combined with Jail screw fixation in the treatment of anterolateral tibial plateau collapse fracture (ATPCF).MethodsA retrospective analysis was conducted on patients with ATPCFs admitted to our hospital from February 2019 to February 2023. Twenty-six patients were successfully included, including 15 males and 11 females, with an average age of 58.6 ± 7.8 years (range 45–68 years). All fractures were Schatzker type II fractures. After fracture reduction and fixation, a lateral locking titanium plate was placed through the anterolateral approach of the tibial plateau, and two screws of appropriate length were placed in the sagittal direction according to the Jail screw technique. Postoperative evaluation indices included surgery time, fracture healing time, the degree of tibial plateau collapse shown by computed tomography (CT) images at 3 days and 1 year after surgery, and the patient's knee range of motion at 1 year after surgery. The effects of fracture reduction and fixation before surgery, 3 days after surgery and 1 year after surgery were evaluated by the Rasmussen radiological score. The Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) knee score was used to evaluate the knee joint function of patients at 1 year after surgery.ResultsThe average operation time was 64 ± 6.8 min (range 56–82 min). The fractures healed clinically at 13.8 ± 2.8 weeks (range 12–18 weeks) postoperation. After 15 ± 3.1 months (range 12–19 months) of average follow-up, all the patients were pain-free with a full range of motion and stable knees. At the 1-year postoperative assessment, the CT images showed no secondary collapse of the articular surface, the average knee range of motion was 136.3 ± 2.5° (range, -5° to 135°), the average Rasmussen radiological score was 16.2 ± 0.8 points, and the average HSS knee score was 93.6 ± 3.2 points.ConclusionsThe fixation of a anterolateral tibial plateau collapse fracture(ATPCF) using a lateral locking plate and the Jail screw technique has achieved good knee joint function, providing a new option for the treatment of ATPCFs. The clinical efficacy is satisfactory in the short term, avoiding secondary articular surface collapse.

Prevalence of vertebral fractures at death

Abstract Introduction Despite many studies on the prevalence of vertebral fractures (VFs), the VF prevalence at death in the Japanese population remains unclear. Materials and methods We evaluated the VF prevalence at death in a Japanese cohort using autopsy imaging computed tomography (AiCT). We enrolled 365 cadavers (188 men, 177 women, mean age of 84.6 years) donated for anatomical dissection at Shimane University School of Medicine. The VFs were diagnosed using the semiquantitative technique of Genant from the first cervical vertebra to the fifth lumbar vertebra. Results The overall VF prevalence was 69.6% (58.5%/81.4% in men/women), of which 46.0% (29.8%/63.3% in men/women) had thoracic VFs, and 58.1% (50.5%/66.1% in men/women) had lumbar VFs. The most frequent fracture site was lumbar spine 1 (L1) with 31.5% (22.9%/40.7% in men/women), followed by thoracic spine 12 (T12) with 31.0% (20.7%/41.8% in men/women). In terms of severity, 3.8% (4.8%/2.8% in men/women), 23.8% (27.1%/20.3% in men/women), and 41.9% (26.6%/58.2% in men/women) were Grades 1, 2, and 3. The VFs from T3 to L5 and of Grade 3 severity were significantly higher in women. VF and Grade 3 fractures were associated with a history of surgical intervention for femoral neck fractures. VFs were not associated with the following underlying causes of death: cancer, heart disease, senile death, cerebrovascular disease, pneumonia, and aspiration pneumonia. Conclusion The VF prevalence at death, assessed by AiCT in cadavers donated for anatomical dissection, was higher in both men and women compared with previous studies conducted on individuals aged ≥ 80 years in Japan.

Comparison of tibiofibular syndesmosis stability following treatment of proximal, middle, and distal third fibula fractures

PurposeWhile treatment modalities for Maisonneuve fractures involving the proximal third of the fibula are established, no studies to date have reported outcomes associated with syndesmotic-only fixation of middle third fibular shaft fractures. The purpose of this study was to evaluate outcomes associated with syndesmotic-only fixation in the treatment of Maisonneuve fractures involving the middle third of the fibula.MethodsA retrospective review was conducted on 257 cases of syndesmotic ankle instability with associated fibular fractures at a level 1 trauma center between 2013 and 2023. Patients were divided into cohorts based on fibular fracture location in the proximal, middle, or distal third of the fibula. The Chi-square test of independence, two-sample t-test, and analysis of variance were used to compare outcome measures between cohorts.ResultsSixty-six patients were identified including 48% (n = 32) with proximal third fibular fractures, 20% (n = 13) with middle third fibular fractures, and 32% (n = 21) with distal third fibular fractures. Rates of infection, loss of reduction, wound healing complications, and reoperation did not vary significantly between cohorts. Functional outcome measures including range of motion, time to weight-bearing, and tibiofibular/medial clear space measurements at final follow-up were similar across cohorts.ConclusionPatients with Maisonneuve fractures involving the middle third of the fibula demonstrated positive outcomes with syndesmotic fixation alone, with no documented cases of infection, loss of reduction, or wound healing issues. By demonstrating maintenance of anatomic reduction and low rates of complications, our results support the use of syndesmotic-only fixation in the treatment of middle third Maisonneuve fractures.

Increased Lag-Screw Slide and All-Cause Revision in a New-Generation Cephalomedullary Nail after Treatment of Geriatric Intertrochanteric Femoral Fractures.

To compare lag-screw slide and revision surgery rate between two generations of the Stryker Gamma cephalomedullary nail (Stryker, Kalamazoo, MI). Design: Retrospective chart review. Single academic, Level-1 Trauma Center. All geriatric patients (65-years and older) who underwent fixation of an intertrochanteric femoral fracture (AO/OTA type 31A1/2/3) by a single surgeon with the Stryker Gamma System from 2020-2024 with at least 3-month follow-up. The Gamma3 system was utilized until the Gamma4 became available in September 2022. Patients were grouped based on the implant utilized for fixation: Gamma3 (G3) or Gamma4 (G4) and sub-grouped based on the centrum-collum-diaphyseal (CCD) angle of the implant (125° versus 130°). The main outcome was sliding of the lag screw. Slide distance was calculated from the difference between the screw position immediately post-operatively and at 6 and 12 weeks post-operatively. The secondary outcome variables were revision surgery for any reason, tip-apex distance (TAD), and reduction quality. Fifty-one patients (40 female) with a mean age of 83 years (range 65-99) were in the G3 group compared to 46 patients (31 female) with a mean age of 79 years (range 65-96) in the G4 group. The average BMI of the G3 group was 24 kg/m2 (15-35 kg/m2) compared to 27 kg/m2 in the G4 group (17-41 kg/m2) (p = 0.004). There were no significant differences when comparing diabetes, smoking status, or mechanism of injury between groups (p>0.05). There was no significant difference when comparing the average TAD between the G3 (10 mm) and G4 (9.5 mm) (p = 0.39). There was no significant difference in reduction quality between the G3 (46 good reductions) and the G4 (42 good reductions) groups (p = 0,85).At 6 weeks, the G4 (5 mm) had significantly greater lag screw slide compared to the G3 (3 mm) (p = 0.016). At 12 weeks, the G4 (7 mm) also had significantly greater lag screw slide when compared to the G3 (4 mm) (p = 0.004). There was no significant difference in lag screw slide for the 125° implant between the G3 and G4 groups at 6-weeks (3 mm versus 5 mm, p = 0.44) or 12 weeks (4mm versus 6 mm, p = 0.14). Regarding the 130° implant, the G4 had significantly greater slide compared to the G3 at both at 6-weeks (5 mm versus 3mm, p =0.03; 95% CI -6.07 to -0.41) and 12-weeks (8 mm versus 4 mm, p = 0.03; 95% CI -5.65 to -0.26). The G4 group had 7 revision procedures performed (3 lag screw exchanges for iliotibial band irritation and 4 revision arthroplasties for lag screw slide, fracture shortening, iliotibial band irritation, abductor malfunction, and leg length discrepancy) compared to 1 revision procedure (lag screw exchange for iliotibial band irritation) in the G3 group (p = 0.04). The 130° Gamma4 demonstrated increased lag screw slide and all-cause revision surgery when compared to the 130° Gamma3 when utilized in the treatment of geriatric IT femoral fractures. Given the high incidence of increased slide and the significantly higher revision surgery rate, this implant should undergo further investigation.