Treatment Of Femoral Nonunion Research Articles

Clinical outcomes of bone transport using rail fixator in the treatment of femoral nonunion or bone defect caused by infection.

The rail fixator can improve the treatment outcome and provide good stability in patients with femoral bone transport. The purpose of this study is to investigate the clinical outcomes of bone transport using the Ilizarov technique by rail fixator in the treatment of femoral nonunion or bone defects caused by infection. Clinical feature and treatment outcomes of 32 consecutive adult patients with femoral nonunion or bone defect caused by infection from January 2012 to January 2019 at a minimum of 2 years of follow-ups were retrospectively analyzed. Data were collected on participants' demographic details. All difficulties related to bone transport were documented according to Paley's classification. The clinical outcomes were evaluated using ASAMI criteria at the last clinical visit. All 32 patients with an average follow-up of 33.5 months. There were 17 problems, 21 obstacles, and 8 complications, and the complication rate per patient was 1.4. The main complications were pin-site infection (53.1%), axial deviation (21.9%), joint stiffness (18.8%), the delayed union of the docking site (18.8%), soft tissue incarceration(15.6%), delayed consolidation(6.3%), malunion(6.3%), and refracture (3.1%). All the patients achieved bone union, and no recurrence of infection was observed. The excellent and good rates of ASAMI bone and functional results were 87.5% and 81.3%, respectively. Bone transport using the Ilizarov technique is an effective method for the treatment of femoral nonunion or bone defect caused by infection, and rail fixators have obtained satisfactory results in terms of bone and functional results.

The Reamer-Irrigator-Aspirator (RIA) System for the treatment of aseptic femoral nonunions: Report of two cases and literature review.

Femoral shaft nonunions are disabling complications of fractures, with relevant socioeconomic and psychological impact. The incidence of femoral shaft nonunions is not negligible, ranging between 1% and 10% after intramedullary nailing, but can exceed 20% in case of subtrochanteric fractures. Treatment options are influenced by pathomechanical, anatomical, and clinical factors. Hypertrophic nonunions are usually treated by enhancing stability of fixation, while atrophic nonunions require additional biological stimulation to achieve bone union. The Reamer-Irrigator-Aspirator (RIA) System® was developed to reduce intramedullary pressure and heat generation during intramedullary reaming, thus preventing thermal necrosis and decreasing the risk of fat embolism. The RIA System allows to provide large volumes of high-quality morselized autologous bone, that has shown high osteogenetic and osteoinductive properties. Therefore, its use has been expanded as a valuable source of autologous bone graft for the treatment of large bone defects of different nature. In this article, we present two cases of complex femoral nonunions treated with the use of the RIA System. A review of the published literature on the treatment of femoral nonunions with RIA was also performed. Core tip: In case of atrophic nonunions, the RIA System can be used to obtain biologically active tissue to enhance bone healing. Despite the absence of high-quality studies focused on femoral nonunions, the efficacy of RIA is well-known and orthopaedic surgeons should be aware of this powerful tool.

Extrusion-based additive manufacturing of Mg-Zn/bioceramic composite scaffolds

The treatment of femoral nonunion with large segmental bone defect is still challenging. Although magnesium alloys have been considered potential materials for such a treatment, their application is limited by their fast degradation. Adding bioceramic particles into magnesium to form Mg-matrix composites is a promising strategy to adjust their biodegradation rates and to improve their mechanical properties and cytocompatibility further. Here, we developed an extrusion-based additive manufacturing technique to fabricate biodegradable Mg-Zn/bioceramic composite scaffolds ex-situ. Inks carrying a Mg-Zn powder and 5, 10 and 15% β-tricalcium phosphate (TCP) powder particles were investigated regarding the dispersion of β-TCP particles in the inks and viscoelastic properties. Optimally formulated inks were then employed for subsequent 3D printing of porous composite scaffolds. The in vitro biodegradation rate of the scaffolds containing 5% β-TCP decreased to 0.5mm/y, which falls within the range desired for critical-sized bone substitution. As compared to the monolithic Mg-Zn scaffolds, the elastic moduli and yield strengths of the composite scaffolds were much enhanced, which remained in the range of the cancellous bone properties even after 28 d of in vitro degradation. The Mg-Zn/5TCP and Mg-Zn/10TCP scaffolds also exhibited improved biocompatibility when cultured with preosteoblasts, as compared to Mg-Zn scaffolds. In addition, the ALP activity and mineralization level of the composite scaffolds were much enhanced in the extracts of the composite scaffolds. Taken together, this research marks a great breakthrough in fabricating porous Mg-matrix composite scaffolds that meet several design criteria in terms of appropriate biodegradation rate, mechanical properties, and bioactivity. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: The treatment of posttraumatic femoral nonunion with large segmental bone defect is still challenging. In this study, we developed a multi-material extrusion-based additive technique to fabricate porous Mg/bioceramic composite scaffolds for such a treatment. The technique allowed for the fine-tuning of printable inks to optimize the dispersion of micro-sized particles. The relative densities of the struts of the fabricated composite scaffolds reached 99%. The added bioceramic particles (β-TCP) exhibited proper interfacial bonding with the Mg alloy matrix. The porous Mg-based composite possessed desired biodegradability, bone-mimicking mechanical properties throughout thein vitrobiodegradation period and improved bioactivity to bone cells. These results demonstrated great prospects of extrusion-based 3D printed porous Mg materials to be developed further as ideal biodegradable bone-substituting materials.

Treatment of Femoral Non-Union with the Gene-Activated Osteoplastic Material: А Case Report

Background. Non-unions of distal femur fractures are difficult to treat and occur in about 6% of cases. Multifactorial causes of fractures non-unions require individual treatment for each patient in accordance with the “diamond” concept. The standard protocol for patients with atrophic non-unions treatment involves bone autografts using, but there are limitations of size, shape, quality and quantity of autografts. Osteoplastic materials with osteoinductive (angiogenic) and osteoconductive activity can be used as bioresorbable implants in combination with autogenous spongy bone in the treatment of extremities long bones non-unions.Clinical case description. A 63-year-old patient was admitted to the clinic for non-union of distal third of the femur with bone defect, fragments were fixed with a plate. The examination revealed plate fracture, screws migration (group III according to the Non-Union Scoring System). The volume of supposed bone defect was about 8.5 cm3. The surgery was performed: plate removal, debridement of the non-union zone, femur defect replacement with a bone autograft in combination with the gene-activated osteoplastic material “Histograft” in a ratio of 1:1, osteosynthesis of the femur with two plates. After 6 months. during the control computed tomography, consolidation was determined (4 points on the REBORNE scale). Pain was practically absent (NRS-2). The range of motion in the knee joint: flexion — 80o, extension — 180o. According to the Knee Society Score (KSS) — 68 points.Conclusion. In this case report the complete fracture fusion was achieved in patient within 6 months — 4 points on the REBORNE scale. No adverse events were observed. It confirms the safety and efficacy of described method and allows to continue the clinical trials.

Effect of double plate technique combined with autogenous iliac bone graft in the treatment of femoral nonunion after intramedullary nailing

To investigate the clinical effect of double plate combined with iliac bone graft in the treatment of femoral nonunion after intramedullary nailing. From December 2008 to December 2017, double plate combined with autogenous iliac bone graft was used to treat femoral nonunion after intramedullary nailing. There were 11 cases, including 10 males and 1 female, aged 35 to 62 years, and the time from fracture to nonunion was 12 to 20 months. According to Judet classification, there were 8 cases of atrophic nonunion and 3 cases of proliferative nonunion. Regular follow-up was conducted after operation to record the fracture healing time, load-bearing activity time and complications, and to observe the repair effect of double plate fixation combined with iliac bone graft on nonunion after femoral shaft fracture operation. All patients were followed up for 12 to 22 months. The operation time was 70 to 130 min and the blood loss was 180 to 350 ml. After operation, 2 cases had knee stiffness, which recovered after passive exercise with CPM machine for 2 weeks;1 case had pain in iliac bone donor area, which was relieved after 3 months. The time of fracture healing was 24 to 40 weeks, and the time of complete weight-bearing activity was 14 to 32 weeks. SF-36 quality of life score at the final follow-up:body pain 70 to 82, activty 70 to 82, social function 72 to 83, the overall health 72 to 82. At the end of the follow-up, there were no complications such as limb shortening, infection, poor wound healing, internal fixation failure (fracture, loosening). It is an effective method to treat nonunion of femur after intramedullary nailing by using double plate combined with autogenous iliac bone graft.

A piezoelectric bone fixation plate for in vivo application and monitoring of mechanical loading during fracture healing

Fracture non-union, the failure of a bone fracture to bridge, occurs in roughly 5%–10% of treated fractures and requires lengthy and expensive follow-up interventions. A significant body of research has investigated the efficacy of low-magnitude, high-frequency (LMHF) vibration as a treatment for femoral non-unions through the use of whole-body vibration. This work presents a novel piezoelectric fixation plate for investigating the efficacy of LMHF treatment by applying loads directly to the fracture site, thus reducing undesired systemic effects such as hormonal up-regulation induced by whole-body vibration. The fixation plate can apply mechanical loading in the LMHF regime and monitor the mechanical environment at the fracture site during ambulation to quantify progressive changes in callus stiffness over time as an indication of healing. Mechanical testing demonstrated the ability of the plate to provide displacements of up to 10 µm, as well as to estimate the changing stiffness of the fracture environment.

J-bone graft with double locking plate: a symphony of mechanics and biology for atrophic distal femoral non-union with bone defect

ObjectiveAtrophic distal femur non-union with bone defect (ADFNBD) has been a worldwide challenge to treat due to the associated biological and mechanical problems. The purpose of this study was to introduce a new solution involving the use of a J-shaped iliac crest bone graft (J-bone) combined with double-plate (DP) in the treatment of femoral non-union.MethodsClinically, 18 patients with ADFNBD were included in this retrospective study and were treated with a combination of J-bone graft and DP. The average follow-up time was 22.1 ± 5.5 months (range, 14 to 34 months). The imaging information and knee joint activity tests and scores were used to evaluate the time to weight-bearing, the time to non-union healing, and the knee joint mobility. A finite element analysis was used to evaluate the differences between the following: (1) the use of a lateral locking plate (LLP) only group (LLP-only), (2) a DP only group (DP-only), (3) a DP with a J-bone group (DP+J-bone), and (4) an LLP with a J-bone group (LLP+J-bone) in the treatment of ADFNBD. A finite element analysis ABAQUS 6.14 (Dassault systems, USA) was used to simulate the von Mises stress distribution and model displacement of the plate during standing and normal walking.ResultAll patients with non-union and bone defect in the distal femur achieved bone healing at an average of 22.1 ± 5.5 months (range, 14 to 34 months) postoperatively. The average healing time was 6.72 ± 2.80 months. The knee Lysholm score was significantly improved compared with that before surgery. Under both 750 N and 1800 N axial stress, the maximum stress with the DP+J-bone structure was less than that of the LLP+J-bone and DP-only structures, and the maximum stress of J-bone in the DP+J-bone was significantly less than that of the LLP+J-bone+on structure. The fracture displacement of the DP+J-bone structure was also smaller than that of the LLP+J-bone and DP-only structures.ConclusionJ-bone combined with DP resulted in less maximum stress and less displacement than did a J-bone combined with an LLP or a DP-only graft for the treatment of ADFNBD. This procedure was associated with less surgical trauma, early rehabilitation exercise after surgery, a high bone healing rate, and a satisfactory rate of functional recovery. Therefore, a combination of J-bone and DP is an effective and important choice for the treatment of ADFNBD.

Systematic review of dynamization vs exchange nailing for delayed/non-union femoral fractures.

AIMTo analyze the literature on efficacy of dynamamization vs exchange nailing in treatment of delayed and non-union femur fractures.METHODSUltimately, 31 peer-reviewed articles with 644 exchanged nailing patients and 131 dynamization patients were identified and analyzed. The following key words were inputted in different combinations in order to search the field of publications in its entirety: “non-union”, “delayed union”, “ununited”, “femur fracture”, “femoral fracture”, “exchange nailing”, “dynaiz(s)ation”, “secondary nailing”, “dynamic”, “static”, and “nail revision”. The initial search yielded over 150 results, and was refined based on the inclusion criteria: Only studies reporting on humans, non-unions and delayed unions, and the usage of exchange nailing and/or dynamization as a secondary treatment after failed IM nailing. The resulting 66 articles were obtained through online journal access. The results were filtered further based on the exclusion criteria: No articles that failed to report overall union rates, differentiate between success rates of their reported techniques, or articles that analyzed less than 5 patients.RESULTSExchange nailing lead to fracture union in 84.785% of patients compared to the 66.412% of dynamization with statistically comparable durations until union (5.193 ± 2.310 mo and 4.769 ± 1.986 mo respectively). Dynamically locking exchange nails resulted in an average union time of 5.208 ± 2.475 mo compared to 5.149 ± 2.366 mo (P = 0.8682) in statically locked exchange nails. The overall union rate of the two procedures, statically and dynamically locked exchange nailing yielded union rates of 84.259% and 82.381% respectively. Therefore, there was no significant difference between the different locking methods of exchange nailing for union rate or time to union at a significance value of P < 0.05. The analysis showed exchange nailing to be the more successful choice in the treatment of femoral non-unions in respect to its higher success rate (491/567 EN, 24/57 dynam, P < 0.0001). However, there was no significant difference between the success rates of the two procedures for delayed union fractures (25/27 EN, 45/55 dynam, P = 0.3299). Nevertheless, dynamization was more efficient in the treatment of delayed unions (at rates comparable to exchange nailing) than in the treatment of non-unions.CONCLUSIONIn conclusion, after examination of factors, dynamization is recommended treatment of delayed femur fractures, while exchange nailing is the treatment of choice for non-unions.

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Treatment of atrophic femoral non-unions according to the diamond concept: Results of one- and two-step surgical procedure

BackgroundThe treatment of non-unions in long bones poses a great challenge, particularly in cases of infection or large osseous defects. This article evaluates the use of the diamond concept in the treatment of femoral non-unions in a one-step or two-step procedure according to the Masquelet technique. Patients and methodsBetween February 2010 and March 2014, 88 patients with atrophic femoral non-unions were included in our study. The treatment was performed in one step (Group G1) on 41 patients and in two-step Masquelet technique (Group G2) on 47 patients, according to the diamond concept. In 72 cases it was decided to apply the growth factor BMP-7. The mean age of patients was 49.9±15.3. The data were analysed after following up all patients for at least 12 months after surgery. Results74% of patients achieved consolidation in an average of 9.3 months. Positive bacterial cultures were found in 16 cases (18%). The consolidation rate in G2 was dependent on the non-union localisation and the osteosynthesis method applied. 83% of patients treated by intramedullary reaming achieved consolidation, while this was the case for only 60% of patients with osteosynthesis plates. Smokers in G2 had a larger average osseous defect and a lower consolidation rate. The quality of life as assessed with the SF-12 questionnaire had improved in both groups, with no significant differences between G1 and G2 one year after surgery. ConclusionsOne-step therapy is a suitable method of treatment for aseptic femoral non-unions with small osseous defects, using BMP-7 and RIA in the case of primarily failed atrophic non-union treatment. The Masquelet technique is an efficient means of eradicating infections in non-unions. In combination with intramedullary nailing, this technique is the method of choice for the treatment of femoral shaft non-unions with large defects.

Treatment of Femoral Nonunions by Using Cyclic Compression and Distraction

Eleven patients with femoral diaphyseal nonunions after intramedullary nailing were treated with cyclic compression and distraction with an external fixator over the nail. We evaluated the limitations of this technique and whether patients having this closed procedure could achieve union without additional operative procedures. Patients with hypertrophic nonunions (n = 4) were treated with gradual compression of the nonunion site. Cyclic compression and distraction was done in patients with oligotrophic (n = 2) or atrophic nonunions (n = 5) to stimulate consolidation. The average age of the patients was 32.9 years (range, 21-48 years), and the average followup was 40.5 months (range, 24-64 months). Union was achieved in an average of 5.8 months in all patients after one operation and without additional surgical intervention. However, pain necessitating strong analgesic agents and pin-related complications consisting of osteomyelitis, septic arthritis, and pin breakage in the atrophic nonunion group were a major limitation of this technique. Based on our study, the cyclic compression and distraction technique can be used in hypertrophic and oligotrophic nonunions that have failed one or more prior exchange nailings. However, it might not be an option for treatment of patients with atrophic nonunions unless pin-site problems are resolved. Therapeutic study, Level IV (case series--no, or historical control group). See the Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.