Sling and Forget It? A Systematic Review of Operative versus Non-Operative Outcomes for Scapula Fractures.

BACKGROUND: The majority of scapula fractures have historically been treated non-operatively. The current literature describing patient outcomes following scapula fractures is limited. Our objective was to determine differences in outcomes between operatively and non-operatively treated scapular fractures. The goal of our study was to provide an updated and comprehensive systematic review for scapula body, neck, and glenoid fractures focusing on several outcomes including union rate, return to work, pain, shoulder active range of motion, strength, functional scores, and any recorded complications. METHODS: The PRISMA methodology was followed for this systematic review. Articles were obtained from the PubMed/Medline database using the following search terms: scapula body OR scapula neck OR intra-articular glenoid AND fracture. Additional articles were obtained by searching the bibliographies of included references. Studies were included if they contained clinical data on one or more of our study objectives and contained participants with a scapular body, neck, and/or glenoid fracture who were at least 16 years old. A total of 35 papers, with 822 total cases were included. Studies chosen were assessed for level of evidence and reviewed for data pertaining to the current study objectives. All cases of scapula fractures found throughout the literature were analyzed for outcome data. Outcomes studied included union rate, return to work, pain, shoulder active range of motion, strength, functional scores, and recorded complications. RESULTS: The overwhelming majority of scapula fractures go on to union. The majority of patients will eventually return to work. Persistent post-injury pain is unfortunately common. Shoulder range of motion and strength are decreased when compared to the contralateral shoulder. Non-operative glenoid fractures have the lowest reported functional scores. Malunion, need for additional surgeries, and post-traumatic arthritis were the most common complications. CONCLUSION: When treating scapula fractures, orthopedic surgeons must consider the specific fracture pattern, as well as patient specific goals. Risks and benefits of both operative and non-operative management should be discussed with the patient including the exceptionally low non-union rate regardless of treatment option and that persistent pain following injury is unfortunately common.

Complications of Hip Hemiarthroplasty.

Hip hemiarthroplasty is a commonly performed orthopedic surgery, used to treat proximal femur fractures in the elderly population. Although hip hemiarthroplasty is frequently successful in addressing these injuries, complications can occur. Commonly seen complications include dislocation, periprosthetic fracture, acetabular erosion, and leg-length inequality. Less frequently seen complications include neurovascular injury and capsular interposition. This article presents a comprehensive review of the complications associated with the management of hip hemiarthroplasty. [Orthopedics. 2023;46(4):e199-e209.].

Open and contaminated pediatric pelvic ring injury case report: Fixation without metal.

INTRODUCTION: Pelvic fractures are relatively uncommon in children, accounting for 0.3-7.5% of all pediatric injuries (Gänsslen et al., 2013; Ismail et al., 1996; Peltier, 1965; Galano et al., 2005; Spiguel et al., 2006). This case report describes a pediatric open pelvic injury caused by a crush mechanism between a car and guardrail. CASE: A 13year old male presented with an open APC 3 pelvic injury after being pinned between a car and guardrail. His definitive treatment included bilateral SI screw placement, as well as a less invasive method for anterior pelvic ring disruption (Internal Brace suture anchor dynamic fixation). DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: A less invasive method for the anterior pelvic ring was used to avoid additional dissection due to extensive soft tissue loss, and to decrease hardware burden, which lessens the chance of complications such as infection. Suture fixation of the pubic symphysis provided stable fixation to allow healing in the current case of open pelvic fracture.

Fractures Due to Gunshot Wounds: Do Retained Bullet Fragments Affect Union?

BACKGROUND: Many types of projectiles, including modern hollow point bullets, fragment into smaller pieces upon impact, particularly when striking bone. This study was performed to examine the effect on time to union with retained bullet material near a fracture site in cases of gunshot injury. METHODS: All gunshot injuries operatively treated with internal fixation at a Level 1 Trauma Center between March 2008 and August 2011 were retrospectively reviewed. Retained bullet load near the fracture site was calculated based on percentage of material retained compared to the cortical diameter of the involved bone. Analyses were performed to assess the effect of the lead-cortical ratio and amount of comminution on time to fracture union. RESULTS: Thirty-two patients (34 fractures) met the inclusion criteria, with an equal number of comminuted (17) and non-comminuted fractures (17). Seventeen of 34 fractures (50%) united within 4 months, 16/34 (47%) developed a delayed union, and 1/34 (3%) developed a nonunion requiring revision surgery. Sixteen of 17 fractures (94%) that united by 4 months had a cumulative amount of bullet fragmentation retained near the fracture site of less than 20% of the cortical diameter. Nine out of 10 fractures (90%) with retained fragments near the fracture site was equal to or exceeding 20% of the cortical diameter had delayed or nonunion. Fracture comminution had no effect on time to union. CONCLUSIONS: The quantity of retained bullet material near the fracture site was more predictive of the rate of fracture union than was comminution. Fractures with bullet fragmentation equal to or exceeding 20% of the cortical width demonstrated a significantly higher rate of delayed union/nonunion compared to those fractures with less retained bullet material, which may indicate a local cytotoxic effect from lead on bone healing. These findings may influence decisions on timing of secondary surgeries. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

Medial malleolus screws: out in one view and out.

Cartilage damage or mechanical blocking from screw penetration into intra-articular cartilage can reduce the chances of successful outcomes during medial malleolus fixation. There have been diverging opinions among surgeons concerning the reliability of radiographic assessment of fracture fixation and malleolus screw positioning. Therefore, this radiographic study examines the location of medial malleolus lag screws relative to the ankle mortise articular surface. In three Sawbones models, Kirschner wires were overdrilled with a 4.0-mm cannulated cortical screw simulating screws that would be intra- and extra-articular when performing open reduction and internal fixation of a medial malleolar fracture. Under fluoroscopy, images were evaluated to determine whether known intra-articular screws appeared extra-articular in any radiographic view. No image from models with known intra-articular penetration appeared extra-articular in any view or under "live" fluoroscopy. At 20° internal rotation, a screw with a known extra-articular position appeared to be within the cartilage. Intra-operative fluoroscopy is necessary to ensure proper extra-articular placement of screws. If a screw is pictured extra-articular in any radiograph, then it can be assumed that the screw is indeed out of the joint.

Intramedullary nailing of subtrochanteric fractures--does malreduction matter?

INTRODUCTION: Subtrochanteric femur fractures remain challenging injuries to treat. Historically, varus malreduction has been linked to the development of nonunion; however, there is a paucity of literature evaluating the impact of sagittal plane malreduction. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of coronal and sagittal plane malreductions on time to union of subtrochanteric femur fractures treated with an intramedullary device. METHODS: A retrospective study was performed of all sub-trochanteric fractures (AO/OTA type 32) treated at a single institution. Inclusion criteria consisted of: 1. 18 or more years of age, and 2. fracture stabilization using an intramedullary device. All patients included were followed to union or revision surgery. Radiographic evidence of healing was defined as bridging callus on three of four cortices on AP and lateral views. Delayed union was defined as lack of radiographic healing by 4 months postoperatively and nonunion as lack of healing by 6 months. The definition of malreduction was coronal or sagittal plane deformity greater than 10° at the fracture site. RESULTS: Thirty-five patients met inclusion criteria; 20 men and 15 women with an average age of 55 years (range 19 to 100 years). Mean clinical follow up was 7 months (range 3 to 18 months). Thirty-four of 35 fractures (97%) healed without need for additional surgery. Twenty-one of the 35 fractures (60%) healed within 4 months of surgery. Thirteen fractures (37%) had delayed union, and 1 (2.9%) developed nonunion requiring reoperation. Seven of 35 fractures (20.0%) had a malreduction of greater than 10°, defined as varus (2 fractures), flexion (4 fractures), or both (1 fracture). Of the seven fractures with a malreduction, all (100%) developed a delayed (6) or nonunion (1). Of the 28 fractures without malreduction, 21 (75%) healed within 4 months, 7 (25%) had a delayed union, and none had a nonunion. The presence of a malreduction greater than 10° in any plane resulted in a significantly higher rate of delayed or nonunion (p = 0.0005). CONCLUSION: For patients with subtrochanteric fractures treated with an intramedullary device, malreduction in any plane of greater than 10° resulted in a significantly increased rate of delayed or nonunion or both.

Minimally displaced clavicle fracture after high-energy injury: are they likely to displace?

BACKGROUND: Nondisplaced or minimally displaced clavicle fractures are often considered to be benign injuries. These fractures in the trauma patient population, however, may deserve closer follow-up than their low-energy counterparts. We sought to determine the initial assessment performed on these patients and the rate of subsequent fracture displacement in patients sustaining high-energy trauma when a supine chest radiograph on initial trauma survey revealed a well-aligned clavicle fracture. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the cases of trauma alert patients who sustained a midshaft clavicle fracture (AO/OTA type 15-B) with less than 100% displacement treated at a single level 1 trauma centre between 2005 and 2010. We compared fracture displacement on initial supine chest radiographs and follow-up radiographs. Orthopedic consultation and the type of imaging studies obtained were also recorded. RESULTS: Ninety-five patients with clavicle fractures met the inclusion criteria. On follow-up, 57 (60.0%) had displacement of 100% or more of the shaft width. Most patients (63.2%) in our study had an orthopedic consultation during their hospital admission, and 27.4% had clavicle radiographs taken on the day of admission. CONCLUSION: Clavicle fractures in patients with a high-energy mechanism of injury are prone to fracture displacement, even when initial supine chest radiographs show nondisplacement. We recommend clavicle films as part of the initial evaluation for all patients with clavicle fractures and early follow-up within the first 2 weeks of injury.

CONTEXTE: Les fractures de la clavicule accompagnées d'un déplacement minime voire nul sont souvent considérées comme des blessures mineures. Toutefois, ces fractures méritent probablement un suivi plus étroit chez le patient polytraumatisé que chez le patient dont la blessure résulte d'un impact à faible énergie. Nous avons voulu analyser l'évaluation initiale de ces patients et le degré de déplacement subséquent des fractures chez les victimes d'un traumatisme à forte énergie dont la première radiographie du thorax en position couchée a initialement révélé une fracture de la clavicule présentant un bon alignement. MÉTHODES: Nous avons passé en revue de façon rétrospective les dossiers de patients polytraumatisés ayant fait l'objet d'une alerte, atteints d'une fracture de la clavicule (type 15-B selon la classification AO/OTA) accompagnée d'un déplacement inférieur à 100 % et traités dans un seul centre de traumatologie de niveau 1 entre 2005 et 2010. Nous avons comparé le déplacement des fractures entre les radiographies thoraciques initiales en position couchée et les radiographies de suivi. Les consultations en orthopédie et les types d'épreuves d'imagerie ont aussi été consignés. RÉSULTATS: Quatre-vingt-quinze patients atteints d'une fracture de la clavicule répondaient aux critères d'inclusion. Au moment du suivi, 57 (60 %) présentaient un déplacement de 100 % ou plus du corps de la clavicule. La plupart des patients (63 %) de notre étude ont eu une consultation en orthopédie au cours de leur hospitalisation et 27 % avaient subi une radiographie de la clavicule le jour de leur admission. CONCLUSION: Les fractures de la clavicule chez des patients victimes d'un traumatisme à forte énergie sont sujettes au déplacement, et ce, même si les radiographies thoraciques initiales en position couchée ne montrent aucun déplacement. Nous recommandons la prise de clichés de la clavicule dans le cadre de l'évaluation initiale de tous les patients victimes d'une fracture de la clavicule et un suivi rapproché dans les 2 premières semaines suivant la fracture.

Risk factors for failed closed reduction of pediatric supracondylar humerus fractures.

The purpose of this retrospective study was to examine pediatric supracondylar humerus fractures at a Level I trauma center. Data were analyzed to identify risk factors associated with closed reduction failure. Closed pediatric supracondylar humerus fractures that were treated at the authors' trauma center between October 1997 and January 2009 were reviewed. The main outcome variable was necessity of open reduction. To determine which factors were independently associated with a failed closed reduction, a multivariate logistic model was fit predicting open reduction status.A total of 174 patients required operative treatment. Of these, 23 underwent open reduction and 151 underwent with closed reduction and percutaneous pinning. For patients who required open reduction, 39.1% had an associated injury compared with 14.6% of patients treated with closed reduction (P=.008). Average time from presentation to surgery was 4.1 hours in the open reduction and 6.3 hours in the closed reduction group (P=.049). Risk factors that significantly predicted failure of closed reduction were the presence of an associated injury, initial fracture displacement, and Gartland type III fracture (P=.008, .03, and .023, respectively).Associated injury, large initial fracture displacement, and Gartland type III factures were statistically significant independent risk factors for closed reduction failure. Increased time from injury to presentation demonstrated a trend toward open reduction. Consideration should be given to the expedient transfer of patients with type III supracondylar humerus fractures with associated injuries when definitive care will be provided at another institution.

Anomalous tendon to the middle finger for sagittal band reconstruction: report of 2 cases.

Multiple techniques with good outcomes have been described for sagittal band reconstruction. We describe 2 cases of sagittal band reconstruction using an anomalous slip of the extensor tendon to the middle finger. This anomalous slip can be a resource for surgical reconstruction that can add stability to primary sagittal band repair.

Anomalous extensor tendons to the long finger: a cadaveric study of incidence.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the incidence and anatomic insertion sites of extensor medii proprius and extensor indicis medii communis tendons to the long finger in cadaveric dissection and to describe the insertion of the extensor medii proprius. METHODS: Thirty randomly selected adult cadavers, 44 upper extremities, were examined for the presence or absence of an anomalous extensor tendon to the long finger. If present, tendon origin and insertion sites were documented, and the width of the tendon was evaluated. RESULTS: The extensor medii proprius was observed in 4 of 44 extremities, an incidence of 9%. The extensor indicis medii communis was observed in 7 of 44 extremities, an incidence of 16%. Tendon widths for both the extensor medii proprius and extensor indicis medii communis specimens ranged from 1.5 to 3.0 mm. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of an anomalous slip of tendon to the long finger might be higher than previously reported, with a combined incidence of 25% in this cadaveric study. This anomalous slip can be a resource for surgical reconstruction. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The presence of anomalous tendinous slips to the long finger can be easily overlooked. Understanding the anatomical relationships, incidence, and donor tendon availability of these anomalous tendons might aid with surgical planning.

Severe postpartum disruption of the pelvic ring: report of two cases and review of the literature.

Pelvic dislocations are rare during labor, and the treatment is controversial. We report two cases of young women who sustained postpartum disruption of the pelvic ring: one case is an 8.8 cm wide separation of the pubic symphysis with sacroiliac joint disruption underwent surgical stabilization and the second case with 4.0 cm disruption being treated non-operatively. These cases illustrated of importance of accurate diagnosis, careful physical exam, fully informed consent and specific treatment for this condition.

Incidence of scapholunate ligament dissociation in patients with aspiration-confirmed gout.

PURPOSE: To determine the incidence of scapholunate (SL) dissociation in patients with aspiration-confirmed gout of the wrist and aspiration-confirmed gout in any joint excluding the wrist. METHODS: Geisinger Medical Center uses the EPIC electronic medical record system, which maintains International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification and Current Procedural Terminology coding information for every patient encounter in our hospital system. We queried this electronic medical record system from 1998 to 2008 using the International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification codes for gout as well as Current Procedural Terminology codes for aspiration of a minor, intermediate, or major joint. We then evaluated medical records of patients meeting criteria for the presence of wrist x-rays. We examined x-rays for SL interval, SL angle, and capitolunate angle and determined the incidence of SL dissociation in all patients with a diagnosis of gout confirmed by joint aspiration. RESULTS: We reviewed a total of 1,105 cases; 159 patients met inclusion criteria. Of 159 patients, 20 had aspiration-confirmed gout in the wrist. We determined incidence using 2 definitions: (1) one or more positive radiographic criteria for SL dissociation, and (2) two or more positive radiographic criteria. The incidence of SL dissociation in wrists with aspiration-confirmed gout was 60% by definition 1 and 25% by definition 2. The average SL interval was 2.95 mm. The remaining 139 patients had aspiration-confirmed gout in joints other than the wrist. A total of 69 patients had 1 or more positive criteria for SL dissociation, whereas 18 had 2 or more positive criteria, making the incidence of SL dissociation 49.6% and 12.9%, respectively. The average scapholunate interval was 2.28 mm. The incidence of SL dissociation in patients with aspiration-confirmed gout in any joint was 50.9% and 14.5%, based on the above definitions. CONCLUSIONS: This study establishes the incidence of SL dissociation in patients with gouty arthropathy of the wrist as 60% and 25%, respectively, based on the above definitions. In addition, our study suggests that, as a result of the systemic nature of gout, a patient with aspiration-confirmed gout at a joint remote from the wrist might have subclinical effects in the wrist, leading to SL dissociation over time. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic IV.