Treatment and Complications of Patients With Ipsilateral Acetabular and Femur Fractures: A Multicenter Retrospective Analysis.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to review the treatment of patients with ipsilateral acetabular and femur fractures to provide descriptive demographic data, injury pattern classification, treatment, and evaluate the complication profile reflective of current practices. STUDY DESIGN: Multicenter retrospective cohort. SETTING: Eight Level 1 Trauma Centers. PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS: One hundred one patients met inclusion criteria. INTERVENTION: Surgical treatment of both the acetabular and femur fractures. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: The complications evaluated include avascular necrosis, heterotopic ossification, posttraumatic arthritis, deep venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolism and superficial/deep infection, fracture union, and secondary surgeries. RESULTS: Forty-three patients had 31 type fractures (29A; 11B, and 3C), 60 had 32 type (37A, 8B; 15C), and 8 had 33 type (1A, 4B, 3C) femur fractures; 10 patients had combinations involving more than 1 femur fracture pattern. There were 35 62A type fractures, 47 62B, and 19 62C acetabular fractures. Age of 45 or older was associated with marginal impaction (P = 0.001). The aggregate infection rate was 17%. More than 30% of patients required secondary surgeries. The rate of avascular necrosis was higher in acetabular fractures combined with proximal femur fractures (P < 0.05). The rate of deep venous thrombosis was associated with increased age and time to surgical fixation (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: We report the largest review of the surgical treatment and complications of ipsilateral acetabular and femoral fractures. This study provides useful information regarding the complications and provides some treatment recommendations regarding these injuries. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

A Quantitative Exposure Planning Tool for Surgical Approaches to the Sacroiliac Joint.

OBJECTIVES: To aid in surgical planning by quantifying and comparing the osseous exposure between the anterior and posterior approaches to the sacroiliac joint. METHODS: Anterior and posterior approaches were performed on 12 sacroiliac joints in 6 fresh-frozen torsos. Visual and palpable access to relevant surgical landmarks was recorded. Calibrated digital photographs were taken of each approach and analyzed using Image J. RESULTS: The average surface areas of exposed bone were 44 and 33 cm for the anterior and posterior approaches, respectively. The anterior iliolumbar ligament footprint could be visualized in all anterior approaches, whereas the posterior aspect could be visualized in all but one posterior approach. The anterior approach provided visual and palpable access to the anterior superior edge of the sacroiliac joint in all specimens, the posterior superior edge in 75% of specimens, and the inferior margin in 25% and 50% of specimens, respectively. The inferior sacroiliac joint was easily visualized and palpated in all posterior approaches, although access to the anterior and posterior superior edges was more limited. The anterior S1 neuroforamen was not visualized with either approach and was more consistently palpated when going posterior (33% vs. 92%). CONCLUSIONS: Both anterior and posterior approaches can be used for open reduction of pure sacroiliac dislocations, each with specific areas for assessing reduction. In light of current plate dimensions, fractures more than 2.5 cm lateral to the anterior iliolumbar ligament footprint are amenable to anterior plate fixation, whereas those more medial may be better addressed through a posterior approach.

Midcarpal Instability: A Comprehensive Review and Update.

Midcarpal instability has been well described as a clinical entity but the pathokinematics and pathologic anatomy continue to be poorly understood. This article presents a comprehensive review of the existing knowledge and literature-based evidence for the diagnosis and management of the various entities comprising midcarpal instability. It discusses the limitations of the current understanding of midcarpal instability and proposes new directions for furthering knowledge of the causes and treatment of midcarpal instability and wrist pathomechanics in general.

Subsequent Vertebral Fractures Post Cement Augmentation of the Thoracolumbar Spine: Does it Correlate With Level-specific Bone Mineral Density Scores?

STUDY DESIGN: A case-control study. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we investigated the correlation between level-specific preoperative bone mineral density and subsequent vertebral fractures. We also identified factors associated with subsequent vertebral fractures. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Complications of cement augmentation of the spine include subsequent vertebral fractures, leading to unnecessary morbidity and more treatment. Ability to predict at-risk vertebra will help guide management. METHODS: We studied all patients with osteoporotic compression fractures who underwent cement augmentation in a single institution from November 2001 to December 2010 by a single surgeon. Association between level-specific bone mineral density T-scores and subsequent fractures was assessed. Multivariable analysis was performed to identify significant factors associated with subsequent vertebral fractures. RESULTS: 93 patients followed up for a mean duration of 25.1 months (12-96) had a mean age of 76.8 years (47-99). Vertebroplasty was performed in 58 patients (62.4%) on 68 levels and kyphoplasty in 35 patients (37.6%) on 44 levels. Refracture was seen in 16 patients (17.2%). The time to subsequent fracture post cement augmentation was 20.5 months (2-90). For refracture cases, 43.8% (7/16) fractured in the adjacent vertebrae. Subsequently fractured vertebra had a mean T-score of -2.860 (95% confidence interval -3.268 to -2.452) and nonfractured vertebra had a mean T-score of -2.180 (95% confidence interval -2.373 to -1.986). A T-score of -2.2 or lower is predictive of refracture at that vertebra (P = 0.047). Odds ratio increases with decreasing T-scores from -2.2 or lower to -2.6 or lower. A T-score of -2.6 or lower gives no additional predictive advantage. After multivariable analysis, age (P = 0.049) and loss of preoperative anterior vertebral height (P = 0.017) are associated with refracture. CONCLUSION: Level-specific T-scores are predictive of subsequent fractures and the odds ratio increases with lower T-scores from -2.2 or less to -2.6 or less. They have a low positive predictive value, but a high negative predictive value for subsequent fractures. Other significant associations with subsequent refractures include age and anterior vertebral height. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.

Surgical Techniques for the Management of Midcarpal Instability.

Palmar midcarpal instability (PMCI) is an uncommon and poorly understood disorder. Its etiology is believed to be due to traumatic or congenital laxity of the ligaments (volar and dorsal) that stabilize the proximal row. This laxity results in hypermobility of the proximal carpal row and unphysiologic coupling of the midcarpal joint. Clinically, the condition is manifested by a painful clunk with ulnar and radial wrist deviation. The purpose of this article is to chronicle our personal experience with this condition and to review our current treatment recommendations and outcomes.