The acetabular roof reinforcement plate for the treatment of displaced acetabular fractures in the elderly: results in 59 patients.

INTRODUCTION: Open reduction and internal fixation is considered the gold standard of treatment for displaced acetabular fractures in younger patients. For elderly patients with osteoporotic bone quality, however, primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) with the advantage of immediate postoperative mobilization might be an option. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical and radiological outcomes of surgical treatment of displaced osteoporotic acetabular fractures using the acetabular roof reinforcement plate (ARRP) combined with THA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 2009 and 2019, 84 patients were operated using the ARRP combined with THA. Inclusion criteria were displaced osteoporotic fractures of the acetabulum with or without previous hemi- or total hip arthroplasty, age above 65 years, and pre-injury ability to walk at least with use of a walking frame. Of the 84 patients, 59 could be followed up after 6 months clinically and radiographically. Forty-nine (83%) were primary fractures and 10 (17%) periprosthetic acetabular fractures. RESULTS: The mean age was 80.5 years (range 65-98 years). The average time from injury to surgery was 8.5 days (range 1-28). Mean time of surgery was 167 min (range 100-303 min). Immediate postoperative full weight bearing (FWB) was allowed for 51 patients (86%). At the 6-month follow-up, all 59 patients except one showed bony healing and incorporation of the ARRP. One case developed a non-union of the anterior column. No disruption, breakage or loosening of the ARRP was seen. Additional CT scans performed in 18 patients confirmed bony healing. Twenty-six patients (44%) had regained their pre-injury level of mobility. Complications requiring revision surgery occurred in 8 patients. Five of them were suffering from a prosthetic head dislocation, one from infection, one from hematoma and one from a heterotopic ossification. CONCLUSIONS: The ARRP has proven to provide sufficient primary stability to allow for immediate FWB in most cases and represents a valuable option for the surgical management of displaced acetabular fractures in this challenging patient group.

Outcomes after shoulder arthroplasty revision with glenoid reconstruction and bone grafting.

PURPOSE: Extensive glenoid bone loss after failed shoulder arthroplasty represents a challenge for revision arthroplasty. Treatment options vary widely and have been a source of controversy among experts. METHODS: Between 2004 and 2010, a total of 17 patients underwent glenoid reconstruction surgery using an autologous iliac crest bone graft and secondary revision arthroplasty due to extensive glenoid bone loss after failed previous total shoulder arthroplasty. The outcomes were assessed by means of clinical examination, Constant score, and bi-plane radiography as well as pre-, postoperative and follow-up CT. RESULTS: Before the revision surgery, the mean Constant score was 24 ± 17 and improved to 40 ± 13 after the glenoid rebuilding and revision arthroplasty. CT imaging revealed adequate glenoid bone stock restoration with no relevant graft resorption or loosening of the glenoid. The average postoperative antero-posterior diameter of the glenoid was 28 ± 3 mm which had decreased to 25 ± 3 mm at follow-up. The average postoperative version of the glenoid was 95.7° ± 6° and had decreased to 98.5° ± 4° at follow-up. Both the glenoid version and diameter had changed significantly (P < 0.001) comparing postoperative and follow-up CT-scans. CONCLUSION: Glenoid reconstruction surgery using an iliac crest bone-block autograft prior to revision arthroplasty represents a valuable salvage procedure in cases of extensive glenoid bone loss after primary shoulder arthroplasty. Sufficient glenoid bone stock restoration is indispensable for reliable fixation of glenoid components and in turn a satisfactory clinical outcome.

Efficacy of anterior odontoid screw fixation in the elderly patient: a CT-based biometrical analysis of odontoid fractures.

In the elderly population, reported union rates with anterior odontoid screw fixation (AOSF) for odontoid fracture (OF) treatment vary between 23 and 93% when using plain radiographs. However, recent research revealed poor interobserver reliability for fusion assessment using plain radiographs compared to CT scans. Therefore, union rates in patients aged ≥60 years treated with AOSF have to be revisited using CT scans and factors for non-union to be analysed. Prospectively gathered consecutively treated patients using AOSF for odontoid fracture with age ≥60 years were reviewed. Medical charts were assessed for demographics, clinical outcomes and complications. Patients' preoperative radiographs and CT scans were analysed to characterize fracture morphology and type, fracture displacement, presence of atlanto-dental osteoarthritis as well as a detailed morphometric assessment of fracture surfaces (in mm(2)). CT scans performed after a minimum of 3 months postoperatively were analysed for fracture union. Those patients not showing CT-based evidence of completely fused odontoid fracture were invited for radiographic follow-up at a minimum of 6 months follow-up. Follow-up CT-scan were studied for odontoid union as well as the number of screws used and the square surface of screws used for AOSF and the related corticocancellous osseous healing surface of the odontoid fragment (in %) were calculated. Patients were stratified whether they achieved osseous union or fibrous non-union. Patients with a non-union were subjected to flexion-extension lateral radiographs and the non-union defined as stable if no motion was detected. The sample included 13 male (72%) and 5 female (18%) patients. The interval from injury to AOSF was 4.1 ± 5.3 days (0-16 days). Age at injury was 78.1 ± 7.6 years (60-87 years) and follow-up was 75.7 ± 50.8 months (4.2-150.2 months). 10 patients had dislocated fractures, 14 had Type II and 4 "shallow" Type III fractures according to the Anderson classification, 2 had stable C1-ring fractures, 8 had displayed atlanto-dental osteoarthritis. Fracture square surface was 127.1 ± 50.9 mm(2) (56.3-215.9 mm(2)) and osseous healing surface was 84.0 ± 6.8% (67.6-91.1%). CT-based analysis revealed osseous union in 9 (50%) and non-union in 9 patients (50%). Union rates correlated with increased fracture surface (P = 0.02). Statistical analysis revealed a trend that the usage of two screws with AOSF correlates with increased fusion rates (P = 0.06). Stability at C1-2 was achieved in 89% of patients. CT scans are accepted as the standard of reference to assess osseous union. The current study offers an objective insight into the union rates of odontoid fractures treated with AOSF using CT scans in consecutive series of 18 patients ≥60 years. Literature serves evidence that elderly patients with unstable OF benefit from early surgical stabilization. However, although using AOSF for unstable OF yields segmental stability at C1-2 in a high number of patients as echoed in the current study, our analysis stressed that using follow-up CT scans in comparison to biplanar radiographs dramatically reduces osseous union rates compared to those previously reported for AOSF.

Long-term investigation of nonsurgical treatment for thoracolumbar and lumbar burst fractures: an outcome analysis in sight of spinopelvic balance.

The nonsurgical treatment of thoracolumbar (TLB) and lumbar burst (LB) fractures remains to be of interest, though it is not costly and avoids surgical risks. However, a subset of distinct burst fracture patterns tend to go with a suboptimal radiographic and clinical long-term outcome. Detailed fracture pattern and treatment-related results in terms of validated outcome measures are still lacking. In addition, there are controversial data on the impact of local posttraumatic kyphosis that is associated, in particular, with nonsurgical treatment. The assessment of global spinal balance following burst fractures has not been assesed, yet. Therefore, the current study intended to investigate the radiographical and clinical long-term outcome in neurologically intact patients with special focus on the impact of regional posttraumatic kyphosis, adjacent-level compensatoric mechanisms, and global spine balance on the clinical outcome. For the purpose of a homogenous sample, strong in- and exclusion criteria were applied that resulted in a final study sample of 21 patients with a mean follow-up of 9.5 years. Overall, clinical outcome evaluated by validated measures was diminished, with 62% showing a good or excellent outcome and 38% a moderate or poor outcome in terms of the Greenough Low Back Outcome Scale. Notably, vertebral comminution in terms of the load-sharing classification, posttraumatic kyphosis, and an overall decreased lumbopelvic lordosis showed a significant effect on clinical outcome. A global and segmental curve analysis of the spine T9 to S1 revealed significant alterations as compared to normals. But, the interdependence of spinopelvic parameters was not disrupted. The patients' spinal adaptability to compensate for the posttraumatic kyphotic deformity varied in the ranges dictated by pelvic geometry, in particular the pelvic incidence. The study substantiates the concept that surgical reconstruction and maintenance of a physiologically shaped spinal curve might be the appropriate treatment in the more severely crushed TLB and LB fractures.

Acromioclavicular reconstruction using autogenous semitendinosus tendon graft: results of revision surgery in chronic cases.

Revision surgery of acromioclavicular dislocation is challenging owing to the altered anatomic relationships and the lack of stabilizing structures. In this study, an autogenous semitendinosus tendon graft was used for revision acromioclavicular stabilization, aiming at anatomic coracoclavicular reconstruction, as these patients had previously undergone a Weaver-Dunn procedure, which failed. Twelve patients were followed up clinically and radiographically for a mean of 49.5 months. The primary diagnosis was acromioclavicular joint dislocation Rockwood type III in 6, type IV in 4, and type V in 2 cases. At follow-up, the mean Constant score averaged 76.4 points. Pain relief was statistically significant (P < .01). Radiologic coracoclavicular distance and posterior displacement of the lateral clavicle in the Rockwood type IV cases decreased significantly (P < .01). We conclude that with this new technique of autogenous semitendinosus tendon graft replicating the anatomic ligamentous properties, good to excellent results can be achieved in revision cases of acromioclavicular reconstruction.

The Austrian Spinal Cord Injury Study: a registry for patients living with a traumatic spinal cord injury.

STUDY DESIGN: Establishing the structure of a prospective spinal cord injury (SCI) patient registry. OBJECTIVES: To develop a registry for patients with traumatic spinal cord injury (tSCI) in Austria as a base for addressing research questions, improving patient outcomes, and establishing a platform for future clinical trials. SETTINGS: Coordinating institution: Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Austria; participating partners are located in nine states in Austria. METHODS: The Austrian Spinal Cord Injury Study (ASCIS) collects longitudinal data on simple forms within a 7-stage follow-up examination timeline. RESULTS: The implementation of the ASCIS in 2012 created the first nationwide SCI patient registry in Austria. ASCIS is currently implemented in 17 trauma hospitals in 9 Austrian states, and over 150 individuals with acute tSCI have been registered to date. As in Austria, the structure of the health-care system does not involve a specialized SCI center covering the primary health care and the rehabilitation care, major challenges have to be overcome to involve all participating primary centers and rehabilitation centers, which perform tSCI patient care, for ASCIS. Through implementing ASCIS, a network of SCI clinicians and researchers, which is now beginning to support translational research and to initiate clinical trials for patients with tSCI, has formed. CONCLUSIONS: ASCIS is uniquely positioned in Austria to capture detailed information from the early acute to the chronic phases of tSCI, to provide this information also to bigger and translational settings, and to connect researchers and clinicians to facilitate clinical research on tSCI.

Leriche-Like Syndrome as a Delayed Complication Following Posterior Instrumentation of a Traumatic L1 Fracture: A Case Report and Literature Review.

STUDY DESIGN: Case report and review of literature. OBJECTIVE: Case report of an acute Leriche-like syndrome as an unusual complication after posterior transpedicular instrumentation of an L1 fracture. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Injuries to the aorta after pedicle screw placement are rare. Reports exist about acute hemorrhage, erosions, and pseudoaneurysm formation. METHODS: A 47-year-old female developed an acute occlusion of the infrarenal aorta after posterior transpedicular instrumentation of an L1 burst-fracture. The patient presented with increasing sensation of hypothermia in both lower extremities and cyanosis of the toes, as well as claudication-like symptoms 15 days after the initial surgery. CT angiography showed bicortical placement of the left pedicle screw at L2 with perforation of the anterior cortex of 2.5 mm and complete obliteration of the infrarenal aorta up to the bifurcation. RESULTS: The patient was treated with resection of the aorta and implantation of a silver graft prosthesis. Preoperative symptoms resolved immediately after surgery without reoccurrence. CONCLUSION: Although rare, the risk of iatrogenic injuries to the aorta during spine surgery exists, several complications have previously been described. However, this is the first report of an acute Leriche-like syndrome after posterior instrumentation of the spine. Whereas bicortical pedicle screw placement in selected cases of posterior spinal instrumentation is intended, one has to be aware of the possible risks, as in our case where an acute aortic obliteration was observed. Preoperative CT-based planning of surgery and profound knowledge of the neurovascular anatomy is mandatory. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 5.

Transosseous arthroscopic repair of partial articular-surface supraspinatus tendon tears.

Partial articular-surface tendon avulsion (PASTA) lesions of the supraspinatus muscle represent a common cause for shoulder impairment and a preceding pathology for full-thickness tendon tears. Arthroscopic tendon repair is a possible surgical method of treatment. The purposes of cuff repair are anatomical tendon healing, prevention of tear size progression to completion and reduction of shoulder pain. In this report, we describe a transtendon arthroscopic technique of transosseous refixation of articular-side partial tears leaving the bursal layer of the supraspinatus tendon intact. A curved hollow needle is used to perform an all arthroscopic transosseous mattress suture. Thus, anatomical tendon-to-bone contact of the rotator cuff to the footprint is restored. Preliminary clinical results of 16 patients are convincing with significant pain relief and functional improvement.

The J-bone graft for anatomical glenoid reconstruction in recurrent posttraumatic anterior shoulder dislocation.

BACKGROUND: Posttraumatic shoulder dislocations with glenoid rim fractures show high rates of dislocation recurrence. For glenoid rim defects exceeding a certain size, several investigators recommend bone grafting. Few reports on anatomical glenoid reconstruction addressing this problem are published. HYPOTHESIS: Anatomical glenoid reconstruction by the J-bone graft creates permanent joint stability without a clinically relevant loss of motion. STUDY DESIGN: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. METHODS: Forty-seven shoulders with glenoid rim fractures after recurrent anterior dislocation were stabilized by a J-bone graft. For clinical outcome, motion and strength compared with the uninjured shoulder, as well as sports activity, were recorded. The Rowe score and the Constant-Murley score were used for scoring. In cases of follow-up exceeding 6 years, computed tomography scans were obtained and compared to preoperative radiographs. RESULTS: The mean Rowe score was 94.3 for the affected shoulder and 96.8 for the uninjured side. The Constant score reached 93.5 and 95 points, respectively. Loss of external rotation was 4.36 degrees in adduction and 3.19 degrees at 90 degrees of abduction. The computed tomography evaluation included 24 shoulders at a mean follow-up of 106.2 months. There were no recurrences of instability and 1 traumatic graft fracture. Of the 19 patients in whom arthropathy was present at follow-up, 11 had arthrosis before surgery. CONCLUSION: The J-bone graft is capable of creating a stable shoulder joint without causing extensive loss of motion on the long term in patients with traumatic glenoid rim fractures after shoulder dislocation. In some patients, mild to moderate arthropathy develops despite anatomical glenoid reconstruction.