Proximal tibia fracture dislocations: Management and outcomes of a severe and under-recognized injury.

INTRODUCTION: Proximal tibia fracture dislocations (PTFDs) are a subset of plateau fractures with little in the literature since description by Hohl (1967) and classification by Moore (1981). We sought to evaluate reliability in diagnosis of fracture-dislocations by traumatologists and to compare their outcomes with bicondylar tibial plateau fractures (BTPFs). METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study at 14 level 1 trauma centers throughout North America. In all, 4771 proximal tibia fractures were reviewed by all sites and 278 possible PTFDs were identified using the Moore classification. These were reviewed by an adjudication board of three traumatologists to obtain consensus. Outcomes included inter-rater reliability of PTFD diagnosis, wound complications, malunion, range of motion (ROM), and knee pain limiting function. These were compared to BTPF data from a previous study. RESULTS: Of 278 submitted cases, 187 were deemed PTFDs representing 4% of all proximal tibia fractures reviewed and 67% of those submitted. Inter-rater agreement by the adjudication board was good (83%). Sixty-one PTFDs (33%) were unicondylar. Eleven (6%) had ligamentous repair and 72 (39%) had meniscal repair. Two required vascular repair. Infection was more common among PTFDs than BTPFs (14% vs 9%, p = 0.038). Malunion occurred in 25% of PTFDs. ROM was worse among PTFDs, although likely not clinically significant. Knee pain limited function at final follow-up in 24% of both cohorts. CONCLUSIONS: PTFDs represent 4% of proximal tibia fractures. They are often unicondylar and may go unrecognized. Malunion is common, and PTFD outcomes may be worse than bicondylar fractures.

Smith-Petersen Versus Watson-Jones Approach Does Not Affect Quality of Open Reduction of Femoral Neck Fracture.

OBJECTIVE: To compare immediate quality of open reduction of femoral neck fractures by alternative surgical approaches. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Twelve Level 1 North American trauma centers. PATIENTS: Eighty adults 18-65 years of age with isolated, displaced, OTA/AO type 31-B2 or -B3 femoral neck fractures treated with internal fixation. INTERVENTION: Thirty-two modified Smith-Petersen anterior approaches versus 48 Watson-Jones anterolateral approaches for open reduction performed by fellowship-trained orthopaedic trauma surgeons. MAIN OUTCOME: Reduction quality as assessed by 3 senior orthopaedic traumatologists as "acceptable" or "unacceptable" on AP and lateral postoperative radiographs. RESULTS: No difference was observed in the rate of acceptable reduction by modified Smith-Petersen (81%) versus Watson-Jones (81%) approach (risk difference null, 95% confidence interval -17.4% to 17.4%, P = 1.00) with 90.4% panel agreement (Fleiss' weighted κ = 0.63, P < 0.01). Stratified analyses did not identify a significant difference in the rate of acceptable reduction between approaches when stratified by Pauwels angle, basicervical or transcervical fracture location, or posterior comminution. The Smith-Petersen approach afforded a better reduction when preoperative skeletal traction was not applied (RR = 1.67 [95% CI 1.10-2.52] vs. RR = 0.87 [95% CI 0.70-1.08], P = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS: No difference was observed in the quality of open reduction of displaced femoral neck fractures in young adults when a Watson-Jones anterolateral approach versus a modified Smith-Petersen anterior approach was performed by orthopaedic trauma surgeons. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Open Reduction Is Associated With Greater Hazard of Early Reoperation After Internal Fixation of Displaced Femoral Neck Fractures in Adults 18-65 Years.

OBJECTIVES: To determine (1) which factors are associated with the choice to perform an open reduction and (2) by adjusting for these factors, if the choice of reduction method is associated with reoperation. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study with radiograph and chart review. SETTING: Twelve Level 1 North American trauma centers. PATIENTS: Two hundred thirty-four adults 18-65 years of age with an isolated, displaced, OTA/AO type 31-B2 or type 31-B3 femoral neck fracture treated with internal fixation with minimum of 6-month follow-up or reoperation. Exclusion criteria were pathologic fractures, associated femoral head or shaft fractures, and primary arthroplasty. INTERVENTION: Open or closed reduction technique during internal fixation. MAIN OUTCOME: Cox proportional hazard of reoperation adjusting for propensity score for open reduction based on injury, demographic, and medical factors. Reduction quality was assessed by 3 senior orthopaedic traumatologists as "acceptable" or "unacceptable" on AP and lateral postoperative radiographs. RESULTS: Median follow-up was 1.5 years. One hundred six (45%) patients underwent open reduction. Reduction quality was not significantly affected by open versus closed approach (71% vs. 69% acceptable, P = 0.378). The propensity to receive an open reduction was associated with study center; younger age; male sex; no history of injection drug use, osteoporosis, or cerebrovascular disease; transcervical fracture location; posterior fracture comminution; and surgery within 12 hours. A total of 35 (33%) versus 28 (22%) reoperations occurred after open versus closed reduction (P = 0.056). Open reduction was associated with a 2.4-fold greater propensity-adjusted hazard of reoperation (95% confidence interval 1.3-4.4, P = 0.004). A total of 35 (15%) patients underwent subsequent total hip arthroplasty or hemiarthroplasty. CONCLUSIONS: Open reduction of displaced femoral neck fractures in nonelderly adults is associated with a greater hazard of reoperation without significantly improving reduction. Prospective randomized trials are indicated to confirm a causative effect of open versus closed reduction on outcomes after femoral neck fracture. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Nonunions of Bisphosphonate Fractures of the Femur: Presentation, Etiopathogenesis, Diagnosis, and Operative Treatment.

Patients presenting with femoral fractures and long-term use of bisphosphonate treatment are at risk of developing a delayed union and/or nonunion as a result of the atypical metabolic activity prevailing at the fracture edges of the affected extremity. The treatment of these nonunions poses a serious challenge to orthopaedic surgeons worldwide and necessitates specialized techniques and materials to design a construct that will last a long period (greater than 6 months), while still allowing weight-bearing in this elderly population. Treatment options, timing of intervention, selection of implant, and the option of bone grafting are discussed to assist the clinician to make the right decisions in these complex clinical cases.

Osteosynthesis Technique for Periprosthetic Femoral Fractures: A Case of Interprosthetic Fracture Between a Total Knee Arthroplasty and a Dynamic Hip Screw.

Periprosthetic fractures remain a challenging component of every trauma practice. Total joints have become common in very elderly patients, creating a variety of implanted stress risers that make subsequent fractures unique challenges to address. This creates the need to build a construct that will allow for early weight bearing while trying to reduce the potential for further fractures in the same bone. A minimally invasive submuscular approach with long periprosthetic locking plates can be used for a periprosthetic femoral fracture.

Trauma systems in North America.

North American trauma systems are well developed yet vary widely in form across the continent. Comparatively, the Canadian trauma system is more unified, and approximately 80% of Canadians live within 1 hour of a level I or II center. In the United States, trauma centers are specifically verified by the individual states and thus there tends to be more variability across the country. Although many states use the criteria developed by the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma, the individual agencies are free to utilize their own verification standards. Both Canada and the United States utilize efficient prehospital care, and both countries recognize that postdischarge care is a financial challenge to the system. Population dense areas offer rapid admission to well-developed trauma centers, but injured patients in remote areas may have challenges regarding access. Trauma centers are classified according to their capabilities from level I (highest ability) to level IV. Although each trauma system has opportunities for improvement, they both provide effective access and quality care to the vast majority of injured patients.

Periprosthetic Atypical Femoral Fractures in Patients on Long-term Bisphosphonates: A Multicenter Retrospective Review.

OBJECTIVES: To define the characteristics of periprosthetic atypical femoral fractures (PAFFs) in patients on long-term bisphosphonate treatment and to provide a guide to the diagnosis and long-term treatment of these patients based on the literature. DESIGN: Multicenter retrospective review. SETTING: Fifteen orthopaedic centers in the United States and Canada, including members of the Canadian Orthopaedic Trauma Society. PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS: Patients on long-term bisphosphonates who presented with either periprosthetic fractures or femoral fractures, over a 10-year period. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Time to union and complications. RESULTS: Clinically significant differences were identified in time to union, mortality, and complications. There was a statistically significant difference in complications. Imaging review demonstrated identical features in both atypical femoral fractures (AFFs) and PAFFs. CONCLUSIONS: This is the largest comparative case series reported on PAFFS and AFFs and provides compelling evidence that PAFFs in patients on long-term bisphosphonates are indeed a subset of periprosthetic fractures that exhibit atypical femoral fracture (AFF) characteristics. As such, these fractures pose serious diagnostic and management challenges to trauma and arthroplasty surgeons. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Does Syndesmotic Injury Have a Negative Effect on Functional Outcome? A Multicenter Prospective Evaluation.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of syndesmotic disruption on the functional outcomes of Weber B, SE4 ankle fractures treated operatively. SETTING: Multicenter trauma hospitals. PATIENTS: Data were prospectively gathered during a previous, multicenter randomized trial including 242 patients (136 women, 106 men) from 9 trauma centers with operatively treated Weber B SE4 ankle fractures. There were 81 patients (35%) with syndesmotic instability confirmed intraoperatively after fibula fixation. INTERVENTION: Functional evaluations were performed postoperatively at 6, 12, 26, and 52 weeks. The presence of symptomatic hardware and peroneal tendon discomfort was evaluated with 9-12 months of follow-up. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Functional outcomes evaluated included Short Musculoskeletal Function Assessment (SMFA), Bother index, and American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) scores. The recovery curve of the 2 groups was analyzed using a mixed linear regression analysis for repeated measures and included gender and race in the model. Symptomatic hardware and peroneal tendon discomfort were compared between the 2 groups with a χ analysis. RESULTS: The adjusted mean linear regression analyses demonstrated that patients without a syndesmotic injury had better functional outcomes for some outcome measures. SMFA scores at 12 weeks were statistically lower in patients without syndesmotic injury (P = 0.02), but not at other visits. AOFAS scores were significantly higher (P = 0.0006), and Bother index trended toward lower results (P = 0.07) in patients without syndesmotic injury at all time points. Isolated analyses (T-tests) at 1 year demonstrated a difference in the SMFA (P = 0.04) and Bother index (P = 0.05), but not the AOFAS (P = 0.21). Men consistently demonstrated better recovery than women for all outcomes, whereas race was not significant for any measure. Symptomatic hardware and peroneal tendon irritation was not statistically different between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: The recovery curves after ankle fractures were different based on syndesmotic injury. However, the difference was at the limit of clinical significance. Syndesmotic injury has a slightly detrimental effect on outcomes of operatively treated Weber B SE4 fractures. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic Level II. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

A prospective randomized controlled trial of a bioresorbable calcium phosphate paste (alpha-BSM) in treatment of displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures.

BACKGROUND: Displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures are devastating injuries and pose a therapeutic challenge. The purpose of this study was to determine whether open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) plus an injectable bioresorbable calcium phosphate paste (alpha-BSM [bone substitute material]) is superior to ORIF alone in the treatment of calcaneal bone voids encountered after operative treatment of displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures. METHODS: We prospectively randomized 47 patients with 52 closed displaced intra-articular fractures necessitating operative fixation to receive ORIF alone (n = 28) or ORIF plus alpha-BSM (n = 24). The maintenance of Böhler's angle was evaluated at follow-up visits for more than 1 year. Secondary outcome measures included the SF-36 and lower extremity measure every 6 months, and the Oral Analog Scale (OAS) score at 2 years. RESULTS: There was no difference between the groups in the degree of collapse of Böhler's angle at 6 weeks and 3 months when compared with initial postoperative values. However, at 6 months, the mean collapse of the alpha-BSM and ORIF group was 5.6 degree (SD, 4.5 degree) and ORIF alone was 9.1 degree (SD, 5.8 degree), which was statistically significant (p = 0.03). Final radiographic evaluation after 1 year revealed a Böhler's angle loss of 6.2 degree (SD 5.9 degree) and 10.4 degree (SD 7.1 degree) in alpha-BSM and ORIF and ORIF alone groups, respectively, (p = 0.05). There was no difference between the two groups in regards to secondary outcome measures of general health, limb specific function, and pain past 2 years. CONCLUSION: These results support the use of an injectable, in situ hardening calcium phosphate paste to fill the bone void after a displaced intra-articular calcaneal fracture. There was no impact on general health, limb specific function, and pain past 2 years and no associated complications with alpha-BSM use, supporting it safety as an augment to ORIF.

The Canadian Orthopaedic Trauma Society: a model for success in orthopaedic research.

The Canadian Orthopaedic Trauma Society has been a promoter of multicentre research studies for more than a decade. From its modest beginnings, the group has grown to over 50 members who meet twice a year. The following article is a review of how the group developed to become a leader in level-one orthopaedic research. The success of the group stems from the respect and collaboration amongst the surgeons and research coordinators. This is most evident in the design of new studies. Surgeons and coordinators both have input into new protocols and this has been essential in designing protocols that are followed to completion. The group has completed a number of prospective randomised trials over the years and has received numerous awards. These awards are highlighted along with recent publications by the group. These accomplishments have led to recognition as a leader in successful randomised orthopaedic trials and have helped us to obtain funding for our ongoing and future research.

Comparison of autogenous bone graft and endothermic calcium phosphate cement for defect augmentation in tibial plateau fractures. A multicenter, prospective, randomized study.

BACKGROUND: Bone graft augmentation is often selected to treat defects associated with unstable tibial plateau fractures. This prospective, randomized, multicenter study was undertaken to determine the efficacy of bioresorbable calcium phosphate cement compared with standard autogenous iliac bone graft in the treatment of these osseous defects. METHODS: One hundred and twenty acute, closed, unstable tibial plateau fractures (Schatzker types I through VI) in 119 adult patients were prospectively enrolled in twelve study sites in North America between 1999 and 2002. Randomization for the type of grafting of the subarticular defect was done at the time of surgery, with use of a 2:1 ratio, to treatment with calcium phosphate cement (eighty-two fractures) or autogenous iliac bone graft (thirty-eight fractures). After open reduction, standard plate-and-screw or screw-only fixation was used and then either the cement or the bone graft was placed in the defect cavity for subarticular support. Follow-up included standard radiographs, evaluated by multiple reviewers to avoid bias, and knee range-of-motion assessment at six months to one year or later. RESULTS: The age, weight, height, and sex of the patients and the fracture patterns were comparable in the two groups, as were union rates and time to union. There was a significantly (p = 0.009) higher rate of articular subsidence during the three to twelve-month follow-up period in the bone graft group. CONCLUSIONS: The bioresorbable calcium phosphate cement used in this study appears to be a better choice, at least in terms of the prevention of subsidence, than autogenous iliac bone graft for the treatment of subarticular defects associated with unstable tibial plateau fractures. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level I. See Instructions to Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Advances in the treatment of intracapsular hip fractures in the elderly.

A review of recent advances in the treatment of intracapsular hip fractures in the elderly patient is offered to provide some guidelines on choosing the appropriate treatment for a given patient. Alternatives discussed include open reduction and internal fixation versus arthroplasty; unipolar versus bipolar hemiarthroplasty versus total hip arthroplasty; cemented versus cementlless prostheses; and a surgical approach. These recommendations are based upon a review of the substantial literature on the subject and the author's own experience. It is recommended that patients more than 60-years-old with a femoral neck fracture be treated in the following manner: Patients with undisplaced, stable fractures perform an ORIF, patients with displaced fractures, replace the head of the femur, the use of a Moore or Thompson prostheses should be relegated to the medically infirm, minimally ambulatory patient, modular unipolar or bipolar (cemented stem) hemiarthroplasty has the most reliable and predictable outcome in most patients, an uncemented modular hemiarthroplasty should be considered in patients with significant cardiovascular risk factors, THA perhaps recommended for the "active elderly patient". The use of large heads and meticulous capsular repair techniques will reduce the early dislocation rate while still allowing excellent long-term functional outcomes.

Results of femoral intramedullary nailing in patients who are obese versus those who are not obese: a prospective multicenter comparison study.

OBJECTIVES: Antegrade femoral nailing through a piriformis fossa starting point in patients who are obese has been demonstrated to be problematic. Retrograde femoral nailing therefore has been advocated in this patient population, but little data exist to support such a recommendation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare antegrade and retrograde femoral nailing technique in both patients who are and are not obese. DESIGN: Prospective, multicenter, nonrandomized, internal review board (IRB)-approved study. SETTING: Four Level 1 trauma centers. PATIENTS: Patients (151) with a femoral shaft fracture (OTA 32) treated with intramedullary nailing were studied. Thirty-two with a body mass index (BMI) of >or=30 comprised the obese group (OG), and 119 with a BMI of <30 comprised the nonobese group (NOG). Antegrade nailing was performed in 15 patients from the OG and 84 from the NOG. Retrograde nailing was performed in 17 patients from the OG and 35 from the NOG. INTERVENTION: Reamed intramedullary nailing of a femoral shaft fracture. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Patient and fracture characteristics, operative time, fluoroscopy time, healing, complications, and functional outcome based on the lower extremity measure (LEM) were evaluated. RESULTS: Antegrade technique in the OG was associated with a 52% greater average operative time (94 minutes) compared with antegrade nailing in the NOG (62 minutes; P < 0.003). For retrograde nailing technique, there was no difference in the average operative time between the OG (67 minutes) and NOG (62 minutes; P = 0.51). Antegrade technique in the OG was associated with a 79% greater average radiation exposure time (247 seconds) compared with antegrade nailing in the NOG (135 seconds; P < 0.03). For retrograde nailing technique, average fluoroscopy time was similar between the OG (76 seconds) and the NOG (63 seconds; P = 0.44). Within the OG, antegrade nailing required 40% greater average operative time (94 minutes versus 67 minutes, P < 0.02) and more than 3 times more average fluoroscopy time (242 seconds versus 76 seconds, P < 0.002) than retrograde nailing. Thirty-eight patients from the original cohort were not available for follow-up. Of the 113 patients followed (average 9 months, range: 4 to 25 months), healing complications occurred similarly between the 2 groups, with 1 nonunion and 2 delayed unions in the OG (12%), and 3 nonunions and 9 delayed unions in the NOG (14%). CONCLUSIONS: This study provides evidence, in the form of decreased operative and radiation exposure times, to support the use of retrograde nailing technique for the treatment of femoral shaft fractures in patients who are obese. Also, antegrade nailing was found to require significantly more operative and radiation exposure time in the patient who is obese as opposed to the patients who is not obese. Although having similar baseline functional scores, patients who are obese recovered at a slower rate and more incompletely than patients who are not obese.

Comparative fixation of tibial plateau fractures using alpha-BSM, a calcium phosphate cement, versus cancellous bone graft.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the compressive strength of a bone substitute material (alpha-BSM) to cancellous bone when used to fill a defect void in a cadaver model of a Schatzker II split depression fracture of the lateral tibial plateau. DESIGN: Randomized, paired design. SETTING: Biomedical engineering laboratory. PATIENTS: Twenty-six human tibias were harvested from 13 cadavers. Three pairs of tibia fractured during preparation and were excluded. The remaining 10 matched pairs were randomized to fixation by using the bone substitute material or cancellous bone. INTERVENTION: A split depression fracture of the lateral tibial plateau was created in each tibia by using reproducible methods. This fracture was stabilized with a stainless steel L-plate and screws and either alpha-BSM or cancellous bone to fill the defect void. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Stiffness of the elevated fragment in compression, total depression of the joint at 1000 N. RESULTS: The alpha-BSM bone substitute displayed significantly greater stiffness than cancellous bone constructs in Schatzker II split depression fractures of the lateral tibial plateau (P < 0.0001). Plateau defects displaced significantly less at 1000 N when using alpha-BSM in comparison to cancellous bone (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: In this cadaveric study, alpha-BSM is an effective bone substitute compared with cancellous bone graft for stabilizing split depression fractures of the lateral tibial plateau.

Reducing complications in the surgical treatment of intertrochanteric fractures.

The increasing number of hip fractures in the elderly constitutes a health care burden. The subset of unstable intertrochanteric hip fractures is important because the treatment of these fractures continues to be hampered by a moderate complication rate. Osteoporosis, fracture geometry, and the success of surgical treatment are strong predictors of outcome. The surgeon is in control of fracture reduction, implant selection, and implant placement, all of which must be optimized to ensure the success of surgical intervention.

Treatment of acute Achilles tendon ruptures: a systematic overview and metaanalysis.

A quantitative systematic review of randomized and quasirandomized trials was conducted to determine the effect of surgical versus conservative treatment of acute Achilles tendon ruptures on rates of rerupture. Secondary outcomes included deep infection rates, return to normal function, and minor complaints. A search of computerized databases was conducted to locate clinical studies published from 1969 to 2000. Additional studies were located through hand searches of major orthopaedic journals, bibliographies of major orthopaedic texts, and personal files. Of the 273 citations initially identified, 11 proved potentially eligible, and six met all eligibility criteria. Three investigators independently graded study quality and abstracted relevant data. Among the studies, surgical repair revealed a significant reduction in the risk of rerupture when compared with conservative treatment. Alternatively, the risk of infection with surgical repair was significantly increased. Pooled analysis of studies did not reveal any difference in the risk of minor complaints or return to normal function between surgical repair and conservatively treated groups. Surgical treatment significantly reduces the risk of Achilles tendon rerupture, but increases the risk of infection, when compared with conservative therapy. Wide confidence intervals around the estimates of risk reduction suggest a large trial is needed to establish risks and benefits.