Fixation of femoral neck fracture with femoral neck system: a retrospective cohort study of 43 patients.

BACKGROUNDS: This study aimed to analyze the clinical outcomes of femoral neck fractures (FNF) in patients treated with a femoral neck system (FNS, DePuy Synthes), which is a recently introduced device. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study of 43 patients who underwent osteosynthesis using FNS for FNF between July 2019 and June 2021 with a minimum follow-up of 6 months. The researchers examined the patients' demographic factors and radiologically evaluated the fracture type and fixation status, bone union, and postoperative complications. RESULTS: Of 43 patients, 25 were female, and the patients' mean age and body mass index were 62.1 years and 22.5 kg/m2, respectively. According to the Association of Osteosynthesis/Orthopaedic Trauma Association (AO/OTA) classification, the most common fracture types were 31B1.1 and B1.2 (13 cases each), followed by B2.3, B2.1, and B2.2 (seven, five, and four cases, respectively). Radiological bone union was confirmed in 39 patients (90.7%), and the mean time to union was 3.6 months. Two cases of nonunion, one case of lag screw cut-out, and one case of osteonecrosis were confirmed; all four cases later underwent arthroplasty. The mean time to reoperation was 4.5 months. Meanwhile, five patients underwent implant removal after the bone union, and distal locking screw stripping was noted in three patients. All three patients required metal plate cutting to remove the implants. CONCLUSIONS: Osteosynthesis of FNF using the newly introduced FNS showed favorable clinical outcomes and no specific hardware-related complications were reported during the follow-up. However, attention must be paid to the issue regarding distal locking screw failure during hardware removal.

Psoas muscle area is associated with prognosis in elderly patients with hip fracture.

INTRODUCTION: Sarcopenia is a key predictor of prognosis in patients with hip fractures. This study utilized computed tomography (CT) scan (1) to determine the association between psoas muscle cross-sectional area (CSA) and mortality, along with other muscles, and (2) to confirm the correlation between muscle CSA and appendicular lean mass (ALM) measured using DXA in elderly patients with hip fracture. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients who were aged ≥ 50 years and underwent surgical treatment for hip fracture were eligible for this study. After a series of exclusion criteria, 217 female patients were included. Patient data, including clinical characteristics, such as body mass index (BMI), CSA, and ALM, were retrospectively collected. The Kaplan-Meier survival method and Cox proportional hazards regression analysis were used for the statistical analyses. The correlation between CSA/BMI and ALM was also assessed. RESULTS: Patients in the lowest quartile of psoas muscle CSA/BMI had shorter survival times than those in the other quartiles. When the Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was adjusted for multiple variables, the lowest quartile of the CSA/BMI of the psoas was a risk factor for mortality. The CSA/BMI of the psoas showed the highest correlation coefficient. The CSA/BMI ratio of the other muscles showed a moderately positive correlation with ALM. CONCLUSION: The CSA of the psoas is associated with prognosis in elderly patients with hip fractures and shows a moderately positive correlation with ALM. Hence, the CSA of psoas is useful for predicting survival and muscle mass in elderly patients with hip fractures.

Failure after intramedullary nailing for geriatric trochanteric fracture: does quality of fracture reduction on the AP and lateral planes show the same results?

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the failure of trochanteric fracture fixation according to the quality of fracture reduction on the anteroposterior (AP) and lateral views. METHODS: Data from 340 female and 152 male patients ≥ 60 years of age who underwent intramedullary nailing for a trochanteric fracture between 2016 and 2020 were analysed retrospectively. The quality of fracture reduction was classified as type A, type E, and type I on the AP view and type N, type A, and type P on the lateral view according to the relative position of the proximal and distal fragments. The failure rate was evaluated and compared according to the quality of fracture reduction. The risk factors of the fixation failure were investigated by comparison of variables between patients with and without failure and by regression analysis. RESULTS: Patients with poor reduction, type I and type P had higher failure rates. However, a statistically significant difference was found only for patients with poor reduction (type P) on the lateral view (p < 0.001). Patients with failure showed significantly higher rates of poor reduction on the lateral view and AO/OTA type A3 fractures. The regression analysis also showed that poor reduction on the lateral view (odds ratio [OR] 12.70; 95% confidence interval [CI] 4.0-40.6; p < 0.001) and AO/OTA type A3 fractures (OR 5.40; 95% CI 1.24-23.49, p = 0.025) were risk factors for failure. CONCLUSION: Poor reduction such as type P reduction was associated with failure after intramedullary nailing for trochanteric fractures. Surgeons should check the quality of fracture reduction carefully with the proper fluoroscopic view to prevent failure in geriatric patients with trochanteric fractures.

Selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) with vitamin D composite agent can prevent fracture better than SERMs treatment: based on the National Health Claims Database 2017-2019.

With the analysis of nationwide health claim data, treatment with the composite agent of SERMs and vitamin D reduces the risk of osteoporotic fracture and hip fracture better compared to SERMs treatment in women with osteoporosis aged ≥ 50 years. PURPOSE: This study compared the potential of the composite agent of selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) and vitamin D (SERM + VitD) with that of SERMs-only for fracture prevention and mortality reduction in women aged ≥ 50 years. METHODS: The incidence of osteoporotic fracture (fractures of the vertebrae, hip, wrist, or humerus) and all-cause death after treatment with SERM + VitD and SERMs were characterized using the Korean National Health Insurance Service database 2017-2019. The participants were divided into two groups (SERM + VitD vs SERMs). After exclusion and propensity score matching, 2,885 patients from each group were included in the analysis. Fracture incidence was compared between groups. Kaplan-Meier curves were used to compare mortality. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was used to compare the risks of fracture occurrence and mortality between the groups. RESULTS: The incidence rate (138.6/10,000 vs. 192.4/10,000 person-years), and risk of osteoporotic fractures (hazard ratio [HR], 0.77; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.61-0.97; p = 0.024) were lower in the SERM + VitD group than in the SERMs group. Analysis for specific fractures showed a lower hazard of hip fracture in the SERM + VitD group (HR, 0.25; 95% CI, 0.09-0.71; p = 0.009). No difference was observed between the groups regarding mortality. CONCLUSION: The risk of osteoporotic fractures, especially hip fractures, was lower in the SERM + VitD group than in the SERMs group. Therefore, the composite agent of SERMs and vitamin D can be considered as a viable option for postmenopausal women with a relatively low fracture risk.

Fibular Fixation in Same-Level Distal Third Tibiofibular Fractures: Is Fibular Fracture Regarded as a Secondary Importance?

Background: Although most studies focused on the alignment or union of the tibia in same-level distal third tibiofibular fractures, the outcome of a concomitant fibular fracture is generally regarded as being of secondary importance in the literature. This study aimed to assess the outcomes of fibular fractures in same-level distal third tibiofibular fractures. Methods: In this retrospective study, we enrolled 111 patients with same-level distal third tibiofibular fractures treated at our institute between January 2016 and August 2020. Tibial fractures were stabilized with intramedullary nailing, and the cases were divided into two groups based on whether they additionally underwent fibular fixation (group 1, 57 cases) or not (group 2, 54 cases). Clinical and radiographic outcomes were used for the evaluation of tibial and fibular alignments, union of the tibia and fibula, number of interlocking screws in the distal tibial fragment, range of motion of the ankle joint, and complications. Results: No statistically significant differences in the tibial union rate or mean tibial alignment were observed between the two groups on either the immediate postoperative or final radiographs. The fibular union rate in group 1 was significantly higher than that in group 2 (fibular nonunion, 0 vs. 15; p < 0.001). Statistically significant differences in fibular displacement were observed on immediate postoperative radiographs between patients with fibular union and those without it. At the final follow-up, the mean range of ankle motion and lower extremity functional scale scores did not differ between the two groups. Conclusions: Regardless of whether fibular fixation was performed, the overall tibial alignment with intramedullary nailing was well restored and the union rate of the tibia was comparable in the two groups. Fibular nonunion is not uncommon in unfixed fibula fractures. Displacement of the fibula as seen on immediate postoperative radiographs was related to fibular nonunion.

The effect of teriparatide on fracture healing after atypical femoral fracture: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

This meta-analysis demonstrated that a greater prevalence of delayed union and nonunion and a longer time to fracture healing in the group that did not receive TPTD treatment after AFFs than in the group that received TPTD treatment. PURPOSE: To date, there is no hard evidence for medical management after atypical femoral fracture (AFF), even though weak data indicate faster healing with teriparatide (TPTD). Herein, we aimed to investigate the effect of postfracture TPTD treatment on AFF healing using a pairwise meta-analysis focusing on delayed union, nonunion, and fracture healing time. METHODS: A systematic search of the MEDLINE (PUBMED), Embase, and Cochrane Library databases was performed for studies investigating the effect of TPTD after AFF up to October 11, 2022. We compared the incidence of delayed union and nonunion and the time of fracture healing between the TPTD ( +) and TPTD (-) groups. RESULTS: The 6 studies analyzed a total of 214 AFF patients, including 93 who received TPTD therapy after AFF and 121 who did not. The pooled analysis showed a significantly higher rate of delayed union in the TPTD (-) group than in the TPTD ( +) group (OR, 0.24; 95% CI, 0.11-0.52; P < 0.01; I2 = 0%), and a higher nonunion rate was observed in the TPTD (-) group than in the TPTD ( +) group with low heterogeneity (OR, 0.21; 95% CI, 0.06-0.78; P = 0.02; I2 = 0%). The TPTD (-) group required 1.69 months longer to achieve fracture union than the TPTD ( +) group, with statistical significance (MD = - 1.69, 95% CI: - 2.44 to - 0.95, P < 0.01; I2 = 13%). Subgroup analysis for patients with complete AFF showed that the TPTD (-) group had a higher rate of delayed union with low heterogeneity (OR, 0.22; 95% CI, 0.10-0.51; P < 0.01; I2 = 0%), but there was no significant difference in the nonunion rate between TPTD ( +) and TPTD (-) groups (OR, 0.35; 95% CI, 0.06-2.21; P = 0.25; I2 = 0%). Fracture healing took significantly longer in the TPTD (-) group (MD = - 1.81, 95% CI: - 2.55 to - 1.08; P < 0.01; I2 = 48%). The reoperation rate showed no significant difference between the two groups (OR, 0.29; 95% CI, 0.07-1.20; P = 0.09; I2 = 0%). CONCLUSIONS: The current meta-analysis supported the hypothesis that TPTD treatment following AFF might benefit fracture healing, lowering the rate of delayed union and nonunion and shortening the fracture healing time.

Long-term results of Bernese periacetabular osteotomy using a dual approach in hip dysplasia.

We report the long-term results of Bernese periacetabular osteotomy using a dual approach in hip dysplasia. Fifty-three hips (49 patients, mean age 39.9 years: 13-62 years; bilateral hips: four patients) that underwent periacetabular osteotomy using a dual approach (combined Smith-Peterson and Kocher-Langenbeck techniques) between May 1997 and December 2005 were analyzed in this study. The clinical and radiologic outcomes and complications were analyzed and the final survival rates of the operated hips were investigated with survival analysis curves. Forty-nine hips survived until the final follow-up without arthroplasty, and four hips underwent arthroplasty. The average follow-up period was 11.5 years (8-16 years). The pain visual analogue scale improved from 6.3 to 1.1, while the Harris hip score improved from 61.9 to 91.1. Radiologic findings showed that all cases showed improvements in the center edge angle, acetabular angle, acetabular depth, and femoral head coverage. Two patients underwent intraarticular osteotomy due to a complication, and one patient underwent additional osteotomy due to an under-correction. Three cases showed an asymptomatic nonunion of the superior pubic ramus osteotomy site. One patient developed an avulsion fracture of the anterior superior iliac spine, and none of the cases had an infection or permanent neurologic damage. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that the 10-year survival rate was 93% (95% confidence interval [CI] 81-98%) with arthroplasty as the endpoint and 86% (95% CI 70-91%) with the progression of osteoarthritis based on Tönnis osteoarthritis rating as the endpoint. Based on the outcomes of a long-term follow-up of more than 10 years on average, Bernese periacetabular osteotomy via a dual approach was found to be a satisfactory method for lowering the incidence of complications while preserving hips.

Three-Dimensional Computed Tomography Reconstructions Do Not Improve the Interobserver Reliability of the AO/Orthopaedic Trauma Association and Young and Burgess Pelvic Fracture Classifications.

Purpose: To evaluate the value of three-dimensional (3D) computed tomography (CT) scans on the interobserver and intraobserver reliability of AO/Orthopaedic Trauma Association (OTA) and Young and Burgess (YB) classifications for pelvic ring injuries. Methods: Seven reviewers (four fellowship-trained orthopaedic trauma surgeons and three fellows) independently classified 36 pelvic ring injuries using radiographs and axial two-dimensional (2D) CT scan images and then repeated this process 2 months later with the addition of 3D CT images. Interobserver and intraobserver reliability was assessed. Results: The interobserver reliability of the AO/OTA classification using 2D vs. 3D CT scans was considered fair (k 0.23, CI 0.17-0.29) vs. slight (k 0.16, CI 0.09-0.22), with no observed difference [mean difference (MD) - 0.07, CI 0.16-0.01]. The interobserver reliability of the YB classification using 2D vs. 3D CT scans was considered fair for both (k 0.37, CI 0.32-0.42, vs. 0.37, CI 0.30-0.45), with no observed difference (MD - 0.0005, CI - 0.08 to 0.08). The intraobserver reliability of the AO/OTA vs. YB classifications was considered fair (k 0.35, CI 0.26-0.44) vs. moderate (k 0.49, CI 0.40-0.57), with the YB classification having higher kappa value (MD 0.13, CI 0.01-0.26, p = 0.03). Conclusion: The addition of 3D CT scan reconstructions to radiographs and 2D CT did not improve the interobserver reliability of AO/OTA and YB classifications for pelvic ring injuries.

Need for syndesmotic fixation and assessment of reduction during ankle fracture fixation, with and without contralateral fluoroscopic images, has poor interobserver reliability.

PURPOSE: To determine the interobserver reliability of syndesmosis assessment using intraoperative ankle mortise fluoroscopic images, with and without contralateral images. METHODS: A survey of 19 operative ankle fracture cases was administered to 17 orthopedic surgeons. Respondents were presented with fluoroscopic mortise and stress images of the ankle after fracture fixation and asked if they would fix the syndesmosis. Final fluoroscopic mortise images were then shown, and respondents were asked to assess the reduction of the syndesmosis. Six weeks later, the survey was administered again with the addition of contralateral fluoroscopic ankle mortise images. Responses were compared to a standard response agreed upon by fellowship-trained orthopedic trauma surgeons. RESULTS: Interobserver reliability for syndesmosis fixation and reduction, with and without contralateral images, was considered weak (kappa 0.48 and 0.43; mean difference 0.05, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.01 to 0.1) and minimal (kappa 0.25 and 0.22; mean difference 0.02, CI - 0.02 to 0.08). With the addition of contralateral mortise images, the number of surgeons who changed their response for syndesmosis fixation and reduction quality ranged from 0% to 41% and 0% to 88%; with the number of responses matching the standard increasing for both fixation (proportional difference (PD) 7%, CI 1% to 14%) and reduction (PD 14%, CI 7% to 21%); CONCLUSIONS: Interobserver reliability of syndesmosis fixation and reduction remained weak to minimal between surgeons, with and without contralateral images. Future studies are necessary to understand the variability in surgeon responses in order to improve the intraoperative assessment and fixation of syndesmotic injuries.

The utilization of intraoperative contralateral ankle images for syndesmotic reduction.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the variability in ankle syndesmotic morphology on contralateral ankle fluoroscopic images and the reductions obtained utilizing these images. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was performed at a level one trauma center including 46 adult patients undergoing operative fixation of malleolar ankle fractures that also had anteroposterior (AP) and lateral fluoroscopic images of the uninjured contralateral ankle intraoperatively. Contralateral and post-fixation fluoroscopic images were used to measure the tibiofibular clear space (TFCS) as a proportion of the superior clear space (SCS) on mortise images and the posterior tibiofibular distance (PTFD) as a proportion of the lateral superior clear space (LSCS) on lateral images. Differences between contralateral and post-fixation ankle measurements were compared between those patients with syndesmotic injuries and those without (control group). RESULTS: The mean TFCS/SCS and PTFD/LSCS ratios measured on contralateral ankle images were 1.2 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.1 to 1.3; range 0.7 to 1.8) and 1.8 (95% CI 1.5 to 2; range 0.5 to 3.4). The mean difference between the contralateral and post-fixation TFCS/SCS and PTFD/LSCS in patients with and without syndesmotic fixation was 0.07 vs. 0.13 (F-ratio 0.3, p = 0.5) and -0.2 vs 0.5 (F ratio 5.2, p= 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Contralateral syndesmotic measurements varied widely and the utilization of these images allowed for syndesmotic reductions with similar measurements. Intraoperative contralateral ankle images should be considered to assess syndesmotic reduction.

Skeletal Muscle Regeneration by the Exosomes of Adipose Tissue-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells.

Profound skeletal muscle loss can lead to severe disability and cosmetic deformities. Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-derived exosomes have shown potential as an effective therapeutic tool for tissue regeneration. This study aimed to determine the regenerative capacity of MSC-derived exosomes for skeletal muscle regeneration. Exosomes were isolated from human adipose tissue-derived MSCs (AD-MSCs). The effects of MSC-derived exosomes on satellite cells were investigated using cell viability, relevant genes, and protein analyses. Moreover, NOD-SCID mice were used and randomly assigned to the healthy control (n = 4), muscle defect (n = 6), and muscle defect + exosome (n = 6) groups. Muscle defects were created using a biopsy punch on the quadriceps of the hind limb. Four weeks after the surgery, the quadriceps muscles were harvested, weighed, and histologically analyzed. MSC-derived exosome treatment increased the proliferation and expression of myocyte-related genes, and immunofluorescence analysis for myogenin revealed a similar trend. Histologically, MSC-derived exosome-treated mice showed relatively preserved shapes and sizes of the muscle bundles. Immunohistochemical staining revealed greater expression of myogenin and myoblast determination protein 1 in the MSC-derived exosome-treated group. These results indicate that exosomes extracted from AD-MSCs have the therapeutic potential for skeletal muscle regeneration.

Straight nail insertion through a laterally shifted entry for diaphyseal atypical femoral fractures with bowing: good indications and limitations of this technique.

PURPOSE: Inserting a straight (piriformis fossa entry) nail through the tip of the greater trochanter has been used for treating atypical femoral fractures (AFFs) with bowing. This study aimed to determine what degree of bowing can be successfully treated using a laterally shifted entry technique. METHODS: Twenty-three complete and six incomplete diaphyseal AFFs treated using the shifted entry technique were retrospectively analysed. Radiologic parameters and complications were evaluated. The complete AFFs were divided into two groups based on the severity of preoperative bowing: grade 0-II bowing and < 20° lateral bowing (minimal/moderate) and grade III bowing or ≥ 20° lateral bowing (severe). Comparison according to postoperative malalignment, a change of lateral or anterior bowing ≥ 5° was also performed. RESULTS: Three complete AFFs in the minimal/moderate group showed malalignment, as did all in the severe group (p < 0.001). The change of bowing was greater for the severe group in lateral and anterior bowing (p = 0.004 and 0.001, respectively). A greater fracture gap was found on AP and lateral radiographs in the severe group (p = 0.044 and 0.026, respectively). In the comparison according to postoperative malalignment, a significant difference was found for the percentage of severe deformity (p < 0.001). All incomplete AFFs were united without complication. CONCLUSION: Diaphyseal AFFs with grade 0-II bowing and < 20° anterior bowing were treated successfully by the shifted entry technique. However, postoperative malalignment was found in all cases of AFFs with severe bowing. Therefore, other techniques should be considered for AFFs with grade III bowing or ≥ 20° anterior bowing.

Application of Three-Dimensional Computed Tomography Improved the Interrater Reliability of the AO/OTA Classification Decision in a Patellar Fracture.

We investigated whether interrater reliabilities of the AO/OTA classification of patellar fracture change with the imaging modalities applied, including plain radiography and two- and three-dimensional (2-D and 3-D) computed tomography (CT). Seven orthopedic specialists and four orthopedic residents completed a survey of 50 patellar fractures to classify the fractures according to the AO/OTA classification for patellar fractures. Initially, the survey was conducted using plain radiography only, then with 2-D CT introduced three weeks later and 3-D CT introduced six weeks later. Fleiss' Kappa coefficients were calculated to determine interrater reliability. The overall interrater reliability of the AO/OTA classifications was 0.40 (95% CI, 0.38-0.42) with plain radiography only and 0.43 (95% CI, 0.41-0.45) with the addition of 2-D CT. With the addition of 3-D CT, the reliability was significantly improved to 0.54 (95% CI, 0.52-0.56). In specialists, interrater reliability of the classifications was moderate with all three imaging modalities. With the use of 3-D CT, interrater reliability of the classification was 0.53 (95% CI, 0.50-0.56), which was significantly higher than that with the use of 2-D CT (κ = 0.45; 95% CI, 0.42-0.48). In residents, interrater reliability of the classification was 0.30 (95% CI, 0.24-0.36) with plain radiography. The reliability improved to 0.49 (95% CI, 0.43-0.56) with the addition of 2-D CT, which was significantly higher than that with plain radiography only. The use of 3-D CT imaging improved interrater reliability of the classification. Therefore, surgeons, especially residents, may benefit from using 3-D CT imaging for classifying and planning the treatment of patellar fractures.

Clinical outcomes of osteosynthesis of well-fixed periprosthetic proximal tibial fractures (Felix type 2A) after total knee arthroplasty.

AIMS: This study aimed to evaluate the clinical and radiologic outcomes of well-fixed periprosthetic tibial fractures after TKA. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The medical records of patients who presented with Felix type 2A periprosthetic tibial fractures after TKA between March 2015 and February 2020 were retrospectively obtained from 5 institutions. Data on injury mechanism, fracture pattern including open fractures and Felix classification, and surgical method were recorded. Functional outcomes including range of motion (ROM) and Knee Society Score (KSS) at postoperative 1 year were reviewed. The need for reoperation was also reviewed. Radiologic findings included union time and mechanical proximal tibial angle (MPTA) at the last radiologic follow-up. RESULTS: Eighteen patients (13 women, 5 men; average age, 73.9 years) were included. The average follow-up duration was 20.8 months. The fractures resulted from high-energy (11 cases) and low-energy (7 cases) injuries. Two cases involved open fractures. Anatomical locking plates were used in all cases: single plate (4 cases) and dual plates (14 cases). The average number of proximal screws was 7.1 (range, 4-9). All patients achieved bone union at an average of 18.6 weeks without secondary intervention. No infection occurred; however, 1 patient with skin necrosis required local flap. Implant removal was performed in 5 cases: 1 case, skin defect and 4 cases, discomfort due to plate prominence. The average ROM and KSS were 120.3° and 85.9, respectively. The mean MPTA was 87.8°; the MPTA was higher in the single-plate group (94.0° vs. 88.1°, p=0.013). Three cases involved values beyond the normal MPTA range (85-90°): 104° and 96° with a single plate and 92° with dual plates. The malalignment rate was higher in the single-plate group (p=0.043). CONCLUSION: Felix type 2A periprosthetic tibial fractures treated with minimally invasive osteosynthesis showed excellent clinical outcomes, and tibial alignment was well maintained in the dual-plate group.

An international survey of pelvic trauma surgeons on the management of pelvic ring injuries.

INTRODUCTION: There exists substantial variability in the management of pelvic ring injuries among pelvic trauma surgeons. The objective of this study was to perform a comprehensive survey on the management of pelvic ring injuries among an international group of pelvic trauma surgeons to determine areas of agreement and disagreement. METHODS: A 45-item questionnaire was developed using an online survey platform and distributed to 30 international pelvic trauma surgeons. The survey consisted of general questions on the acute management of pelvic ring injuries and questions regarding 5 cases: Lateral compression (LC) type 1 injury, LC-3, Anterior-posterior compression (APC) type 3 injury, a combined vertical shear (VS) injury through the sacrum, and VS injury through sacroiliac joint. Respondents were shown blinded anteroposterior pelvis radiographs and axial computed tomography (CT) images for each case and asked if the injury needed fixation, the type of fixation, the order of fixation, and postoperative weight-bearing status. The Kappa statistic was calculated to assess agreement between respondents for each question. RESULTS: Nineteen out of 30 pelvic trauma surgeons completed the survey. Respondents practiced in Brazil (n = 1), Germany (n = 1), India (n = 1), Italy (n = 1) United Kingdom (n = 1), and the United States (n = 14). Of the 45 questions in this survey, 38 (84%) had minimal to no agreement among the respondents. There was moderate agreement, for performing lumbopelvic fixation when indicated, for anterior and posterior fixation of the LC-3 injury, and on forgoing EUA or stress X-rays for the APC-3 injury. There was strong agreement for open reduction and internal fixation of the anterior pelvic ring in the APC-3 injury and the VS injury through the SI joint. In contrast, LC-1 injury and combined VS pelvic ring injury through the sacrum had no areas of moderate to strong agreement. DISCUSSION: This study identified specific areas of pelvic ring injury management with minimal to no agreement among pelvic trauma surgeons. Future research should target these areas with a lack of agreement to decrease practice variability and improve patient outcomes.

Patellar fractures in elderly patients: a multicenter computed tomography-based analysis.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to demonstrate the characteristics of patellar fractures and evaluate clinical outcomes in elderly patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Medical records of patients aged ≥ 60 years who presented with patellar fractures were retrospectively reviewed from an institutionally approved multicenter (five institutions) orthopedic database. Patient characteristics and fracture patterns were identified, and the clinical outcomes were investigated. We compared differences according to the injury mechanism (low- vs. high-energy). RESULTS: A total of 202 patients [mean age, 69.4 years (range, 60-88 years); male, 89, female, 113] were included in this study. The mean follow-up period was 14.8 months (range 6-58 months), and 75% of the fractures were from low-energy injuries. According to the AO /OTA classification, the most common type was type C (136 cases, 67.3%; 33 cases, C1; 23, C2; and 80, C3), followed by type A (39 cases), type B (26 cases), and unclassified (1 case). The unclassified case was an intra-articular marginal impaction without cortical breakage. Computed tomography (CT) revealed that of the cases, 66.8% had an inferior pole involvement; 80.7%, a comminuted fragment; and 10.4%, an impacted fracture. A total of 166 fractures (82.2%) were treated surgically. The mean union time and range of motion were 13.1 weeks and 123.8° (range 30-150°), respectively. The Lysholm score was 82.1 ± 12.0, with 65.7% of the cases having excellent or good function. The complication rate was 12.4% (24 cases), including ten, four, two, and five cases of infection, fixation failure, nonunion, malunion, and pin migration, respectively. The reoperation rate was 26.4%. CONCLUSION: Patellar fractures in the elderly were mostly from low-energy injuries, and types C3 and A1 were the most common. CT images demonstrated high rates of an inferior pole involvement and comminution. The complication and reoperation rates were relatively high.

Muscle mass measurements in hip fracture patients and control general population depending on dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry device used: The General Electric Lunar and Hologic systems.

OBJECTIVES: The prevalence of sarcopenia, an independent risk factor for fragility fractures, is high in geriatric hip fracture patients. We aim to compare patients with hip fractures to the general population using different dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) devices - General Electric (GE) Lunar and Hologic. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed data of patients diagnosed with osteoporotic hip fractures. At our institute, 252 patients with hip fractures were measured with the GE Lunar DXA. The control group included 252 matched individuals from a general population dataset whose data were measured with the Hologic DXA; controls were selected using nearest-neighbor propensity score matching. Measurements included appendicular lean mass (ALM), bone mineral density, and subsequent rates of sarcopenia and osteoporosis. RESULTS: The BMD T-score was significantly lower in patients with hip fractures than in matched controls (-2.7 vs. -2.1, respectively; P < 0.001). However, mean lean body mass of the arm was significantly greater in the hip fractures group compared to the matched control groups (4.092 kg vs. 3.869 kg, respectively; P = 0.024). Additionally, mean lean body mass of the leg was similar between groups (11.565 kg vs. 11.986 kg, respectively; P = 0.084). ALM/height2 and subsequent sarcopenia rates were not different between groups (hip fractures and 6.257 kg/m2 and 38.5%; matched controls, 6.198 kg/m2 and 33.7%). CONCLUSIONS: Despite experiencing hip fractures, muscle mass measurements and sarcopenia prevalence were similar between the groups. Muscle mass measurements for evaluating sarcopenia present significant discrepancies according to the DXA used.

Evaluation of callus formation in distal femur fractures after carbon fiber composite versus stainless steel plate fixation.

INTRODUCTION: Carbon-fiber-reinforced polyetheretherketone (CFR) composite plates have a more favorable stress modulus than stainless steel (SS) plates that may confer an advantage to bridge plating. The purpose of this study was to compare callus formation after CFR and SS plating of distal femur fractures. METHODS: A retrospective review identified distal femoral fractures treated with CFR (n = 10) and SS (n = 21) plate fixation. Callus formation was measured using the modified Radiographic Union Score for Tibia (mRUST) at 3- and 6-month follow-up by three orthopedic trauma surgeons. Loss of alignment, implant failure, and revision surgeries were reviewed. RESULTS: At 3 months, the mRUST in the CFR and SS groups was 9.0 (range, 6.3-12.3) and 6.9 (range, 4.3-11.7), respectively (p = 0.01). At 6 months, the mRUST in the CFR and SS groups was 11.4 (range, 7.7-16.0) and 10.5 (range, 6.0-15.7), respectively (p = 0.3). CFR and SS groups had a loss of fracture alignment in 1 (10%) and 1 (5%) patient, respectively (p = 0.5), and an unplanned revision surgery in 0 (0%) and 3 (15%) patients, respectively (p = 0.2). All three revisions surgeries in the SS group were for nonunion repair. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of distal femur fractures with CFR versus SS plating resulted in greater callus formation at 3 months. At 6 months, there was no difference in callus formation between groups. A larger series of patients is necessary to determine if the observed early increased callus formation confers a benefit to clinical outcomes. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic level III.

Effect of preoperative vitamin D deficiency on functional outcomes after high tibial osteotomy: a retrospective case control study.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of vitamin D deficiency on the functional outcomes following a high tibial osteotomy (HTO). METHODS: Clinical data of 209 patients (327 knees) who underwent HTO done by a single surgeon were retrospectively registered for the study. Ninety-four patients (94 knees) who underwent HTO were analyzed. Patients were assigned into two groups according to their preoperative serum vitamin D levels (D- Deficiency and S- Sufficient); < 20 ng/ml (group D, N = 48) and ≥ 20 ng/ml (group S, N = 46) respectively. A subjective form of International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score, mechanical alignment, and cartilage status before and 1 year following HTO were studied between groups. RESULTS: The mean postoperative IKDC score was significantly higher in group S (p = 0.012). Moreover, the difference of IKDC score between pre- and post- HTO was also significantly higher in group S (p = 0.006). Preoperative vitamin D level and IKDC score did not show a significant correlation. Serum vitamin D level was found to be moderately correlated to postoperative IKDC score (r = 0.342 and, p = 0.001). A moderately positive correlation between serum vitamin D level and improvement of IKDC score following osteotomy was appreciated (r = 0.381 and, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Patients with vitamin D deficiency had less satisfactory functional outcomes within 1 year from HTO surgery. Our results suggest that preoperative serum vitamin D level is one of the factors affecting the outcome after HTO. We recommended analyzing serum vitamin D levels as part of the routine workup in patients undergoing HTO.