The effect of post-fixation olecranon lengthening on range of motion of the elbow: a cadaveric study.

BACKGROUND: Principles of fixation of comminuted olecranon fractures include anatomical reduction of the articular surface and restoration of ulnohumeral joint motion. However, comminution sometimes may not permit anatomical fixation of fracture fragments, resulting in inadvertent olecranon lengthening after plate fixation. The aim of our study is to investigate the relationship between olecranon lengthening following plate fixation and loss of elbow extension. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Transverse olecranon osteotomies were performed on 8 cadaveric elbows. The osteotomy sites were then fixed with olecranon plates. Lengthening of the osteotomy sites were simulated by placement of 2mm, 4mm, 6mm and 8mm blocks. Lateral view photographs of the elbows were taken after each degree of lengthening. These photographs were then printed and measurements of elbow extension were performed with a goniometer with average values taken. The measurements were tabulated and statistical analysis performed to determine the relationship between degree of elbow extension loss and amount of olecranon lengthening. RESULTS: Average values of each degree of lengthening (at 2mm, 4mm, 6mm and 8mm) were taken and compared with the baseline measurement (at 0mm). Cluster analysis showed that for every increment in osteotomy length of 2mm, there is a corresponding increase of 0.79° of elbow extension loss (p<0.01, 95% confidence level 0.55°-1.03°). CONCLUSION: Lengthening of olecranon by increments of 2mm correlates positively with loss of elbow extension. This shows that inadvertent intra-operative olecranon lengthening post-fixation may result in limited range of motion. However, it is reassuring to know that the small degree of extension loss may not translate to functional limitation.

Combined open calcaneocuboid, naviculocuneiform and subtalar dislocation: A case report and literature review.

Open dislocations of the midfoot and subtalar joints are extremely rare injuries. Understanding the anatomy of these joints and the various injury patterns is imperative to obtain stable concentric reduction and provide good functional outcome. We present a report of a 26- year old male who was involved in a road traffic accident and sustained open dislocations of the calcaneocuboid, naviculocuneiform and subtalar joints. He initially underwent external fixation in view of the severe soft tissue injury. After improvement of the soft tissue condition, he underwent K-wiring of the calcaneocuboid joint, buttress plating of the talonaviculocuneiform joint, peroneal tendon reconstruction using hamstring allograft and defect coverage with a free anterolateral thigh flap. With appropriate rehabilitation protocols, patient recovered well and was allowed to weight bear as tolerated by 10 weeks. His wounds healed completely by 4 months. We report this case considering the rarity of the combined calcaneocuboid, naviculocuneiform and subtalar dislocations which were successfully managed.

Mycobacterium fortuitum and Mycobacterium abscessus infections in the foot and ankle in two immunocompetent patients.

Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) infections of the musculoskeletal system are commonly missed due to its rarity and the absence of systemic symptoms. A high clinical index of suspicion is required to recognize such infections as they may occur in immunocompetent hosts. We present two cases of foot and ankle NTM infections involving Mycobacterium fortuitum and Mycobacterium abscessus in two such patients. The first case involves an 83-year old lady who presented with a two-month history of multiple foot abscesses initially treated at a rural hospital. She underwent drainage and debridement of her foot, with eventual cultures growing Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Mycobacterium abscessus. She was initially treated with clarithromycin and doxycycline. At one year follow-up review, her wound healed completely. The second case involves a 55-year old man who presented with infection following midfoot fusion and anterolateral thigh flap for an open complex fracture dislocation of his right foot. Cultures eventually grew Mycobacterium fortuitum and he was treated with cefoxitin, clarithromycin and doxycycline. 10 months after his initial injury, the infection has cleared and his flap was clean. Through these 2 cases, we hope to highlight the unusual presentations of such infections and illustrate that with a high initial index of suspicion and appropriate treatment, these infections can be treated successfully.

Raised compartment pressures are frequently observed with tibial shaft fractures despite the absence of compartment syndrome: A prospective cohort study.

PURPOSE: To measure the intracompartmental pressures surrounding tibial fractures not exhibiting any clinical evidence of compartment syndrome. Our hypothesis was that pressures often exceed the recommended threshold of fasciotomy despite the absence of compartment syndrome, and hence diagnosis based on pressure measurements alone is unreliable. METHODS: Thirteen consecutive patients with closed tibial shaft fractures without clinical suspicion of compartment syndrome, and who were planned for intramedullary nailing, were prospectively enrolled. Compartment pressures ( P) in all four compartments of the affected leg were measured at the start of surgery and immediately after tibial reaming, and differential pressures (delta P) were calculated based on the diastolic blood pressure prior to induction of anaesthesia. RESULTS: No patients required reoperation in the post-operative period, as a result of an undiagnosed compartment syndrome. Using commonly quoted threshold pressure criteria, 62% (using P > 30 mmHg) and 23% of patients (using delta P < 30 mmHg) have been incorrectly diagnosed with compartment syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that raised compartment pressures are frequently seen in patients with tibial shaft fractures; but in most cases, it does not equate to the presence of compartment syndrome. Diagnosis of compartment syndrome based on intracompartmental pressure measurements alone may result in unnecessary fasciotomies in a sizeable number of patients. Compartment syndrome remains a clinical diagnosis, and one which always needs to be considered when managing tibial fractures.

Surgical outcomes of fifth metacarpal neck fractures--a comparative analysis of dorsal plating versus tension band wiring.

The purpose of our study is to retrospectively compare the use of tension band (TB) wiring and dorsal plating (DP) for the fixation of fifth metacarpal (MC) neck fractures. A retrospective study of patients who had surgical treatment of 5th MC fractures from 2009 to 2013 was performed. Data including patient demographics, mechanism of injury, pre and postoperative pain score, range of motion (ROM), duration of follow-up and whether implants were removed were documented. Three radiological parameters: angulation (in degrees), radial-ulnar displacement (in millimetres) and MC height ratio were measured. There were a total of 84 patients with isolated closed 5th MC neck fractures, of which 41 underwent DP and 43 underwent TB. Patients who underwent DP demonstrated better improvement in fracture angulation, radial-ulnar displacement, MC height ratio and final ROM compared to those who underwent TB. This study has shown that DP is a viable surgical treatment option for 5th MC neck fractures.