A morphological review of medial malleolar fractures - A large single centre series.

BACKGROUND: Many approaches to management of medial malleolar fractures are described in the literature however, their morphology is under investigated. The aim of this study was to analyse the morphology of medial malleolar fractures to identify any association with medial malleolar fracture non-union or malunion. METHODS: Patients who had undergone surgical fixation of their MMF were identified from 2012 to 2022, using electronic patient records. Retrospective analysis of their preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative radiographs was performed to determine their morphology and prevalence of non-union and malunion. Lauge-Hansen classification was used to characterise ankle fracture morphology and Herscovici classification to characterise MMF morphology. RESULTS: A total of 650 patients were identified across a 10-year period which could be included in the study. The overall non-union rate for our cohort was 18.77% (122/650). The overall malunion rate was 6.92% (45/650). Herscovici type A fractures were significantly more frequently mal-reduced at time of surgery as compared to other fracture types (p = .003). Medial wall blowout combined with Hercovici type B fractures showed a significant increase in malunion rate. There is a higher rate of bone union in patients who had been anatomically reduced. CONCLUSION: The morphology of medial malleolar fractures does have an impact of the radiological outcome following surgical management. Medial wall blowout fractures were most prevalent in adduction-type injuries; however, it should not be ruled out in rotational injuries with medial wall blowouts combined with and Herscovici type B fractures showing a significant increase in malunions. Herscovici type A fractures had significantly higher malreductions. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 3 - Retrospective Cohort Study.

Risk factors for pubic ramus fracture nonunion after conservative treatment of pelvic ring injuries: a retrospective cohort multicenter study.

PURPOSE: To determine the incidence of nonunion, clinical and radiological outcomes, and risk factors for nonunion in conservatively treated pubic ramus fractures among patients diagnosed with pelvic ring injury. METHODS: A total of 546 patients (192 men, 354 women) diagnosed with pubic ramus fracture, treated conservatively, and who had completed > 1 year follow-up at three level 1 trauma centers between January 2014 and December 2020, were enrolled. Clinical and radiological evaluations were compared between union and nonunion groups. Logistic regression and Kaplan-Meier analyses were used. RESULT: At the final follow-up, 527 (96.5%) and 19 (3.5%) patients had union and nonunion of fractures, respectively. The union and nonunion groups exhibited statistically significant differences in posterior injury (p = 0.040), bilateral ramus fracture (p < 0.001), initial displacement (p < 0.001), and clinical result (p < 0.001). In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, initial displacement (odds ratio, 4.727; p = 0.005) was analyzed as a risk factor for nonunion. According to the Kaplan-Meier analysis, the median initial displacement of nonunion occurrence was 17.9 mm (standard error, 1.211; 95% confidence interval 15.526-20.274), and nonunion patients were included if the displacement was > 15.9 mm (standard error, 1.305) on the 75th percentile. CONCLUSION: Conservative treatment is ineffective in some ramus fracture cases with pelvic ring injury. As ramus nonunion causes functional deterioration, active treatment is required if the displacement is ≥ 16 mm.

Nonunion of conservatively treated humeral shaft fractures is not associated with anatomic location and fracture pattern.

INTRODUCTION: Humeral shaft fractures make up 1-3% of all fractures and are most often treated nonoperatively; rates of union have been suggested to be greater than 85%. It has been postulated that proximal third fractures are more susceptible to nonunion development; however, current evidence is conflicting and presented in small cohorts. It is our hypothesis that anatomic site of fracture and fracture pattern are not associated with development of nonunion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a retrospective cohort study, 147 consecutive patients treated nonoperatively for a humeral shaft fracture were assessed for development of nonunion during their treatment course. Their charts were reviewed for demographic and radiographic parameters such as age, sex, current tobacco use, diabetic comorbidity, fracture location, fracture pattern, AO/OTA classification, and need for intervention for nonunion. RESULTS: One hundred and forty-seven patients with 147 nonoperatively treated humeral shaft fractures were eligible for this study and included: 39 distal, 65 middle, and 43 proximal third fractures. One hundred and twenty-six patients healed their fractures by a mean 16 ± 6.4 weeks. Of the 21 patients who developed a nonunion, two were of the distal third, 10 of the middle third, and nine were of the proximal third. In a binomial logistic regression analysis, there were no differences in age, sex, tobacco use, diabetic comorbidity, fracture pattern, anatomic location, and OTA fracture classification between patients in the union and nonunion cohorts. CONCLUSIONS: Fracture pattern and anatomic location of nonoperatively treated humeral shaft fractures were not related to development of fracture nonunion.

Serology and Comorbidities in Patients With Fracture Nonunion: A Multicenter Evaluation of 640 Patients.

INTRODUCTION: This multicenter cohort study investigated the association of serology and comorbid conditions with septic and aseptic nonunion. METHODS: From January 1, 2011, to December 31, 2017, consecutive individuals surgically treated for nonunion were identified from seven centers. Nonunion-type, comorbid conditions and serology were assessed. RESULTS: A total of 640 individuals were included. 57% were male with a mean age of 49 years. Nonunion sites included tibia (35.2%), femur (25.6%), humerus (20.3%), and other less frequent bones (18.9%). The type of nonunion included septic (17.7%) and aseptic (82.3%). Within aseptic, nonvascular (86.5%) and vascular (13.5%) nonunion were seen. Rates of smoking, alcohol abuse, and diabetes mellitus were higher in our nonunion cohort compared with population norms. Coronary artery disease and tobacco use were associated with septic nonunion (P < 0.05). Diphosphonates were associated with vascular nonunion (P < 0.05). Serologically, increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, parathyroid hormone, red cell distribution width, mean platelet volume (MPV), and platelets and decreased absolute lymphocyte count, hemoglobin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, and albumin were associated with septic nonunion while lower calcium was associated with nonvascular nonunion (P < 0.05). The presence of four or more of increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, or red cell distribution width; decreased albumin; and age younger than 65 years carried an 89% positive predictive value for infection. Hypovitaminosis D was seen less frequently than reported in the general population, whereas anemia was more common. However, aside from hematologic and inflammatory indices, no other serology was abnormal more than 25% of the time. DISCUSSION: Abnormal serology and comorbid conditions, including smoking, alcohol abuse, and diabetes mellitus, are seen in nonunion; however, serologic abnormalities may be less common than previously thought. Septic nonunion is associated with inflammation, younger age, and malnourishment. Based on the observed frequency of abnormality, routine laboratory work is not recommended for nonunion assessment; however, specific focused serology may help determine the presence of septic nonunion.

Clinical and Epidemiological Features of Scaphoid Fracture Nonunion: A Hospital-Based Study in Beijing, China.

OBJECTIVE: Studies exploring the epidemiological characteristics of scaphoid fracture nonunion are important to understand the causes and lead to effective prevention strategy. However, such knowledge is limited especially in China. This study aims to reveal the clinical and epidemiological features of scaphoid fracture nonunion in Chinese patients. METHODS: This was a retrospective study, which was based on patients with scaphoid fracture nonunion treated in a Chinese national orthopedic referral center from 1 August 2009 to 1 August 2020. The basic demographic and clinical characteristics, including gender, age at diagnosis of scaphoid fracture nonunion, dominant hand, the location of fracture, the side, the causes of the injury, age of the injury, age of the treatment for scaphoid fracture nonunion, and the delay period, were retrieved from the medical records. The patients were divided into a non-delay group and a delay group based on whether they had visited the doctor within 1 month after the injury. Scaphoid fracture was classified into the proximal, waist, and distal fractures according to the location. The t-test or Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare the difference between groups when the dependent variable is continuous, while a chi-square test was used when the dependent variable is categorical. RESULTS: A total of 363 patients were included in this study. The mean age at the diagnosis of scaphoid fracture nonunion was 32 (ranging from 14 to 78). Waist fracture nonunion (76.5%) was most common. Among the 169 patients who sought medical care within 1 month after the injury (non-delay group), more than half (90 cases) were misdiagnosed. 23 cases could not recall the injury, so the time of delay could not be determined. Among the 171 patients who did not seek medical care for acute injury (delay group), the average time was 52 months between the initial injury and the treatment. The proportion of waist nonunions was higher among patients in the delay group than that in the non-delay group. CONCLUSIONS: Nonunion of scaphoid fracture is caused mainly by delayed treatment and misdiagnosis in China, suggesting that timely treatment and improved diagnosis could lower the prevalence. The fracture location may be a factor contributing to the delaying of seeking medical care.

The Impact of Treatment Delay on Malunion and Nonunion After Open Reduction of Mandible Fractures.

Importance: Time to surgical intervention is an oft-investigated potentially modifiable risk factor for complications after mandible fracture. Objective: To identify novel risk factors for malunion/nonunion after mandible fracture and determine the impact of treatment delay on malunion and nonunion after open reduction of mandible fractures. Design: Retrospective cohort. Setting and Participants: Encounter billing records from the New York State Inpatient Databases, State Emergency Department Databases, and State Ambulatory Surgery Databases. Patients aged 18 years and older with isolated mandible fracture in the emergency department or inpatient setting from January 1, 2006 to September 30, 2015. Main Outcomes and Measures: Mandibular Malunion/Nonunion. Results: A total of 19,152 adults were diagnosed with isolated mandible fracture. After fracture, 247 patients (1.3%) developed mandibular malunion or nonunion. In multivariable analysis, patients with open fractures (odds ratio [OR] 1.93, confidence interval [95% CI] 1.40-2.65), body fractures (OR 2.00, 1.50-2.65), alcohol abuse (OR 1.61, 1.22-2.11), diabetes mellitus (OR 1.57, 1.02-2.42), and Medicaid insurance (OR 1.46, 1.03-2.07) had increased risk, whereas patients with subcondylar fractures had reduced risk (OR 0.45, 0.28-0.72) of mandibular malunion/nonunion. The risk of mandibular malunion/nonunion after open reduction increased with treatment delay until 6-7 days after presentation (OR 1.84, 1.11-3.06). Conclusion and Relevance: Although treatment delay is often unavoidable, these findings suggest that physicians should consider early intervention in patients requiring open reduction of mandible fractures when able.

Do Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory or COX-2 Inhibitor Drugs Increase the Nonunion or Delayed Union Rates After Fracture Surgery?: A Propensity-Score-Matched Study.

BACKGROUND: The effects of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)/cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 inhibitors on postoperative fracture-healing are controversial. Thus, we investigated the association between NSAID/COX-2 inhibitor administration and postoperative nonunion or delayed union of fractures. We aimed to determine the effects of NSAID/COX-2 inhibitor administration on postoperative fracture-healing with use of a common data model. METHODS: Patients who underwent operative treatment of a fracture between 1998 and 2018 were included. To determine the effects of NSAID/COX-2 inhibitor administration on fracture-healing, postoperative NSAID/COX-2 inhibitor users were compared and 1:1 matched to nonusers, with 3,264 patients matched. The effect of each agent on bone-healing was determined on the basis of the primary outcome (nonunion/delayed union), defined as having a diagnosis code for nonunion or delayed union ≥6 months after surgery. The secondary outcome was reoperation for nonunion/delayed union. To examine the effect of NSAIDs/COX-2 inhibitors on bone union according to medication duration, a Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was performed. RESULTS: Of the 8,693 patients who were included in the analysis, 208 had nonunion (178 patients; 2.05%) or delayed union (30 patients; 0.35%). Sixty-four (30.8%) of those 208 patients had a reoperation for nonunion or delayed union. NSAID users showed a significantly lower hazard of nonunion compared with the matched cohort of nonusers (hazard ratio, 0.69 [95% confidence interval, 0.48 to 0.98]; p = 0.040) but did not show a significant difference in the other matched comparison for any other outcomes. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis revealed significantly lower and higher nonunion/delayed union rates when the medication durations were ≤3 and >3 weeks, respectively (p = 0.001). For COX-2 inhibitors, the survival curve according to the medication duration showed no significant difference among the groups (p = 0.9). CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrated no short-term impact of NSAIDs/COX-2 inhibitors on long-bone fracture-healing. However, continued use of these medications for a period of >3 weeks may be associated with higher rates of nonunion or delayed union. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Prediction of Nonunion After Nonoperative Treatment of a Proximal Humeral Fracture.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of nonunion after a proximal humeral fracture (PHF) and the risk factors for its occurrence are poorly defined. We aimed to estimate the rate of nonunion in nonoperatively treated patients and to produce a clinical model for its prediction. METHODS: Two thousand two hundred and thirty adult patients (median age, 72 years [range, 18 to 103 years]; 75.5% were female) with a PHF underwent assessment of fracture union using standard clinical evaluation and conventional radiographs. We assessed the prevalence of nonunion and measured the effect of 19 parameters on healing. Best statistical practices were used to construct a multivariate logistic regression model. The PHF assessment of risk of nonunion model (PHARON) was externally validated in a subsequent prospectively collected population of 735 patients, treated by the same protocol in our institution. RESULTS: Overall, 231 (10.4%) of 2,230 patients developed nonunion. Only 3 (0.8%) of 395 patients with a head-shaft angle (HSA) of >140° developed nonunion; in this cohort, none of the measured candidate variables were independently predictive of nonunion on multivariate logistic regression analysis. In the larger cohort of 1,835 patients with an HSA of ≤140°, 228 (12.4%) developed nonunion. Decreasing HSA, increasing head-shaft translation (HST), and smoking were independently predictive of nonunion on multivariate analysis. The prevalence of nonunion was very low (1%) in the majority with both an HSA of >90° and HST of <50%, whereas the risk was much higher (83.7%) in the 8.3% with an HSA of ≤90° and HST of ≥50%. In both groups, the prevalence of nonunion was much higher in smokers. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of nonunion after PHF is higher than previously reported. Most patients have favorable risk-factor estimates and a very low risk of this complication, but a smaller subgroup is at much higher risk. The risk can be accurately estimated with PHARON, using standard clinical assessment tools. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Risk Analysis of Nonunion After First Metatarsophalangeal Joint Arthrodesis.

Objective: The standard therapy for a symptomatic hallux rigidus is still the arthrodesis of the first metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint. A nonunion of the arthrodesis is a possible postoperative complication. This study aimed to evaluate the incidence of nonunion associated with first MTP joint arthrodesis and identify risk factors influencing this. Methods: This retrospective study included 197 patients who were treated with an isolated first MTP joint arthrodesis. The severity of MTP-related osteoarthritis was assessed clinically and radiologically prior to surgery according to the Waizy classification. Patient characteristics and radiological parameters were evaluated postoperatively. Results: A full clinical and radiological data set was collected from 153 out of 197 patients. We identified 14 cases of nonunion and found that nonunion was associated with higher incidence of male gender (P = .29), comorbidity (P = .035), higher grade of osteoarthritis (P = .01), and increased postoperative great toe dorsiflexion (P = .022). Conclusions: Arthrodesis of the first MTP joint is a safe operative treatment, as demonstrated by a nonunion rate of 9.2%. Negative influencing factors were the presence of preexisting diseases, higher grades of osteoarthritis, and a relative increased dorsiflexion position of the great toe after surgery. These factors should be considered during pre-, intra-, and postoperative planning.Levels of Evidence: Therapeutic, Level IV: Retrospective.

Plate fixation versus intramedullary nail or Knowles pin fixation for displaced midshaft clavicle fractures: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: Plate fixation and intramedullary nail/Knowles pin fixation methods are commonly used to treat displaced midshaft clavicle fractures. However, the differences between these 2 methods are unclear. OBJECTIVE: This meta-analysis aimed to compare plate fixation and intramedullary nail/Knowles pin fixation for displaced midshaft clavicle fractures. METHODS: We searched PubMed, EBM reviews, and Ovid Medline online for studies related to comparison of plate fixation versus intramedullary nail/Knowles pin fixation for displaced midshaft clavicle fracture from inception to June 30, 2019. Relevant literature search, data extraction, and quality assessment will be performed by 2 researchers independently. The methodological quality of all included studies was appraised using the Cochrane system for randomized trials. The RevMan 5.2 software was used for heterogeneity assessment, generating funnel-plots, data synthesis, sensitivity analysis, and determining publication bias. The fixed-effects or random-effects model was used to calculate mean difference (MD)/relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: This meta-analysis included 839 patients from 12 randomized controlled trials. We found that compared to plate fixation, intramedullary nail/Knowles pin fixation yielded a higher shoulder constant score [MD = -2.43, 95% CI (-3.46 to -1.41), P < .00001] and lower disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand (DASH) score [MD = 2.98, 95% CI (0.16-5.81), P = .04], and lower infection rates [RR = 2.05, 95% CI (1.36-3.09), P = .003], operation time [MD = 20.20, 95% CI (10.80-29.60), P < .0001], incision size [MD = 6.09, 95% CI (4.54-7.65), P < .00001], and hospital stay [MD = 1.10, 95% CI (0.56-1.64), P < .00001] but with a higher removal rate [RR = 0.52, 95% CI (0.41-0.65), P < .00001] compared to plate fixation. There were no significant differences in nonunion, reintervention, or revision and refracture between these two methods. The limitation is that many studies did not demonstrate the random generated details, and only English articles were enrolled in this meta-analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Intramedullary nail/Knowles pin fixation might be an optimum choice for treating displaced midshaft clavicle fractures, with similar performance in terms of the nonunion, reintervention, or revision and refracture, and better shoulder constant and DASH scores, infection rates, and operative parameters.

Prevalence and influencing factors of nonunion in patients with tibial fracture: systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to assess the prevalence of nonunion in patients with tibia fracture and the association between influencing factors and tibia fracture nonunion. METHOD: A database searches of PubMed, the Cochrane Library, EMBASE, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Weipu database, and Wanfang database from inception until June 2019 was conducted. The pooled prevalence, odds ratio (OR), and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated with Stata software. RESULTS: In this study, 111 studies involving 41,429 subjects were included. In the study of the relationship between influencing factors and tibia fracture nonunion, 15 factors significantly influenced the fracture union, including > 60 years old, male, tobacco smoker, body mass index > 40, diabetes, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) user, opioids user, fracture of middle and distal tibia, high-energy fracture, open fracture, Gustilo-Anderson grade IIIB or IIIC, Müller AO Classification of Fractures C, open reduction, fixation model, and infection. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of nonunion in patients with tibia fracture was 0.068 and 15 potential factors were associated with the prevalence. Closed reduction and minimally invasive percutaneous plate osteosynthesis (MIPPO) have the low risks of nonunion for the treatment of tibial fractures.

Predicting Functional Outcomes Following Fracture Nonunion Repair-Development and Validation of a Risk Profiling Tool.

OBJECTIVES: To develop a tool that can be used preoperatively to identify patients at risk of poor functional outcome following operative repair of fracture nonunion. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data. SETTING: Academic medical center. PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS: Three hundred twenty-eight patients who underwent operative repair of a fracture nonunion were prospectively followed for a minimum of 12 months post-operatively. INTERVENTION: After randomization, 223 (68%) patients comprised an experimental cohort and 105 (32%) patients comprised a separate validation cohort. Within the experimental cohort, forward stepwise multivariate logistic regression was applied to 17 independent variables to generate a predictive model identifying patients at risk of having a poor functional outcome [Predicting Risk of Function in Trauma-Nonunion (PRoFiT-NU) Score]. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Functional outcomes were assessed using the Short Musculoskeletal Function Assessment (SMFA). Poor outcome was defined as an SMFA function index greater than 10 points above the mean at 12 months post-operatively. RESULTS: Significant predictors of poor outcome were lower extremity nonunion [odds ratio (OR) = 3.082; P = 0.021], tobacco use (OR = 2.994; P = 0.009), worker's compensation insurance (OR = 3.986; P = 0.005), radiographic bone loss (OR = 2.397; P = 0.040), and preoperative SMFA function index (OR = 1.027; P = 0.001). The PRoFiT-NU model was significant and a good predictor of poor functional outcome (χ(5) = 51.98, P < 0.0005; area under the receiver operating curve = 0.79). Within the separate validation cohort, 16% of patients had a poor outcome at a PRoFiT-NU score below 25% (low risk), 39% of patients had a poor outcome at a PRoFiT-NU score between 25% and 50% (intermediate risk), and 63% of patients had a poor outcome at a PRoFiT-NU score above 50% (high risk). CONCLUSIONS: The PRoFiT-NU score is an accurate predictor of poor functional outcome following fracture nonunion repair. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic Level II. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence description of levels of evidence.

The Effect of Opiates on Bone Formation and Bone Healing.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Opioids have been shown to be associated with an increased risk of fracture. The purpose of this paper is to review recent research into the effects of opioids on bone formation and bone healing in animal models and in human studies. RECENT FINDINGS: Most opioids, such as morphine and fentanyl, negatively affected bone remodeling and bone healing in animal models. Conversely, remifentanil has been recently shown to promote in vitro osteoblast differentiation and to inhibit differentiation and maturation of osteoclasts, therefore reducing bone resorption. According to the possible negative role of opioids in bone healing, opioid antagonists have been shown to enhance bone mineralization, suggesting a possible therapeutic role in the future for osteoporosis. Other neuropeptides, such as the vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and the neuropeptide Y (NPY), have been proved to promote osteogenesis. The increased risk of fractures among opioid users may be related to their central nervous system side effects or to the reduced bone density, partly due to their endocrine effects, and partly to their direct activity on bone cells. Clinical data strongly suggested a potential negative effect of opioids in bone healing. The risk of nonunion fracture is significantly increased in opioid users, and bone mass density was reduced in patients under long-term opioid treatment. The direct effects of opioids on bone remodeling appears evident from these reports. Not all opioids have the same potential for negatively impacting bone healing. Opioid antagonists may increase bone density and could represent a possible future treatment for low bone mass density pathologies. However, further trials are warranted to clarify the clinical relevance of these emerging findings from animal studies.

A detaching, V-shaped tibial tubercle osteotomy is a safe procedure with a low complication rate.

INTRODUCTION: In patients with recurrent patellar dislocations, a tibial tubercle osteotomy (TTO) can be indicated to correct patella alta or an increased trochlear groove-tibial tubercle distance. Several surgical techniques are described. Previous studies emphasize that detaching osteotomies results in devascularisation, which can lead to non-union and tibial shaft fractures. The aim of this study was to report the complication rates directly related to the surgical technique of a V-shaped TTO, where the tubercle is completely released from its periosteum using a step-cut osteotomy. METHODS: The retrospective case series comprised a large cohort of 263 knees with patella alta in 203 patients who underwent a V-shaped TTO, with or without additional realignment procedures, between March 2004 and October 2017. Data were obtained from available patient files. Complications were defined as minor or major. RESULTS: Thirteen major complications were registered (4.9%) including two tibial fractures (0.75%) and one non-union (0.37%). Five complications (1.9%) were defined as minor. Removal of the screws because of irritation or pain was seen in 22 cases (8.2%). CONCLUSION: A V-shaped TTO is a safe procedure. The presumed higher risk for tibial fractures or pseudo-arthrosis could not be confirmed.

Time to debridement in open high-grade lower limb fractures and its effect on union and infections: A prospective study in a tropical setting.

PURPOSE: To prospectively evaluate whether time to debridement has any correlation with union, infection, and quality of life in high-grade lower limb fractures in a tropical setting. METHODS: A prospective cohort study was conducted at a tertiary care center in South India. Two hundred fifty-four adult skeletally mature patients with 301 grade 3 fractures involving the femur, tibia, or fibula were recruited. The cohort was empirically divided into two groups (early and late) based on the time to debridement (less than or more than 12 h from injury). OUTCOME: The primary outcome was nonunion. Secondary outcomes were deep infection rates and patients' quality of life. Short form-36 (SF-36) and short musculoskeletal functional assessment (SMFA) questionnaires were also used. Patients were followed up for 9 months. RESULTS: The follow-up rate was 93%. The late group had a significantly higher risk of nonunion (odds ratio(OR): 6.5, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.82-14.95) and infections (OR: 6.05, 95% CI: 2.85-12.82). There was a 4% increase in the infection risk for each hour of delay for the initial 50 h (p < 0.0001). SF-36 and SMFA scores were superior in the early group (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: The study contradicts findings reported in the literature from the West. Our study was in agreement with our hypothesis and proved that debridement within 12 h resulted in significantly lower rates of nonunion and infections and an overall improved quality of life in high-grade open lower limb fractures in a developing country. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II. TRIAL REGISTRATION: German Clinical Trials Register DRKS00015186.

Displaced Midshaft Clavicle Fracture Union Can Be Accurately Predicted with a Delayed Assessment at 6 Weeks Following Injury: A Prospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: It is unclear if clinical recovery following a midshaft clavicle fracture can accurately predict fracture-healing. The additional information that can be assessed at 6 weeks after injury may have superior predictive value compared with information available at the time of the injury. METHODS: A prospective study of all patients (≥16 years of age) who sustained a fully displaced midshaft clavicle fracture was performed. We assessed patient demographic characteristics, injury factors, functional scores, and radiographic predictors with a standardized protocol at 6 weeks. Conditional stepwise regression modeling was used to assess which factors independently predicted nonunion at 6 months after the injury as determined by computed tomography (CT). The nonunion predictor 6-week model was compared with a previously validated model based on factors available at the time of the injury, which included smoking, comminution, and fracture displacement. RESULTS: At 6 months, 200 patients completed follow-up. The CT-defined nonunion rate was 14% (27 of 200). Of the functional scores, the QuickDASH (the abbreviated version of the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire) had the highest accuracy on receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve analysis with a 39.8-point threshold, above which was associated with nonunion (area under curve [AUC], 76.8%; p < 0.001). Sixty-nine percent of the cohort had a QuickDASH score of <40 points at 6 weeks, and 95% (131 of 138) of these patients had fracture union. On regression modeling, a QuickDASH score of ≥40 points (p = 0.001), no callus on radiographs (p = 0.004), and fracture movement on examination (p = 0.001) were significant predictors of nonunion. If none were present, the predicted nonunion risk was 3%, found in 40% (80 of 200) of the cohort. Conversely, if ≥2 of the predictors were present, found in 23.5% of the cohort, the predicted nonunion risk was 60%. The nonunion predictor model at 6 weeks appeared to have superior accuracy (AUC, 87.3%) when compared with the nonunion predictor model at the time of injury (AUC, 64.8%) for fracture-healing on ROC curve analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Delayed assessment at 6 weeks following displaced midshaft clavicle fracture enables an accurate prediction of patients who are likely to have union with nonoperative management. One in 4 patients are at an increased risk of nonunion and may benefit from operative intervention. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic Level I. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Incidence and treatment of femur fractures in adults with osteogenesis imperfecta: an analysis of an expert clinic of 216 patients.

PURPOSE: Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is characterized by increased bone fragility and susceptibility for fractures. A few studies described and compared treatment modalities for femur fractures in children with OI. However, no cohort studies on adults with OI have been published. This study on adult OI patients aims to give insight into the incidence of femur fractures and non-unions and its best treatment options to avert non-union. METHODS: In this retrospective, descriptive study of the OI expert clinic in The Netherlands, all medical charts of patients 16 years or older were analyzed for femur fracture incidence, non-union rate and treatment modality. RESULTS: Of 216 OI patients, 34 patients suffered a femur fracture with 12 patients having more than 1 femur fracture. For all types of femur fractures, the incidence was 651 fractures per 100,000 person-years annually. In 49 total fractures, 10 fractures resulted in a non-union, mostly shaft fractures of type 4 OI patients. Surgically treated shaft fractures had the best outcomes for non-union. CONCLUSIONS: OI adults were prone to developing femur fractures and non-unions. Especially type 4 OI adults, with conservatively treated shaft fractures, were at high risk for non-unions.

Patella fractures treated with cannulated lag screws and fiberwire® have a high union rate and low rate of implant removal.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to report the results of open reduction internal fixation of patella fractures (OTA 34 A-C) using cannulated lag screws and FiberWire® (Arthrex, Naples, FL, USA) with regard to union and symptomatic implant removal. DESIGN: Retrospective review of prospectively collected database. SETTING: Urban Level 1 trauma center and Level 2 trauma center METHODS: All displaced intra-articular patella fractures (OTA 34 A-C) treated with ORIF by cannulated lag screws and FiberWire® tension band/cerclage between January 1, 2009 and August 1, 2018. Three hundred and eighty seven consecutive patients were identified. Fifty fractures were included in the final analysis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENT: All patients were followed to clinical and radiographic union. Nonunion was defined as lack of clinical and radiographic union, fracture displacement, and/or return to OR for revision surgery. Rate of symptomatic implant removal was recorded. RESULTS: Average age was 57.7 years (range 21-86). Average follow up was 20.6 months (range 6-98 months). Average time to clinical and radiographic union was 3.1 months (range 3-7 months). Four fractures were open. There was a 96% (48/50) rate of primary union, with one patients requiring revision surgery to achieve union, and one developing an asymptomatic radiographic nonunion. The rate of symptomatic implant removal was 8% (4/50). Only 1 of the 4 was operated for a prominent suture knot, and the remaining 3 were for prominent screw removal. Knee range of motion averaged 0.37° extension to 119° flexion (range, 0-150°). CONCLUSION: Patella fractures can be treated with cannulated lag screws and FiberWire® with a high rate of primary union (96%) and a low rate of symptomatic implant removal (8%). The implant removal rate compares favorably with alternative constructs, with an equivalent rate of fracture union.

Risk factor analysis for delayed union after subtrochanteric femur fracture: quality of reduction and valgization are the key to success.

BACKGROUND: Subtrochanteric femur fractures (SFF) are uncommon, but have a high complication rate concerning non-union and mechanical complications. There is ongoing discussion about risk factors for delayed fracture healing after SFF. The purpose of this study was to evaluate potential risk factors for delayed fracture healing after SFF. METHODS: This retrospective radio-morphometric case control study compares 61 patients after SFF in two groups (uncomplicated healing within 6 months postoperatively vs. delayed union) concerning radiographical properties. The patients were analyzed concerning the following parameter: Quality of the reduction according to Baumgaertner, CCD-angle, Tip-Apex Distance, leg-length shortening and fracture healing according to the RUSH Score. RESULTS: The mean RUSH-Score at 6 months postoperatively was 21.32(±4.57). At that point of time, only 29/61 fractures were radiographically fully consolidated (timely fracture healing) and 32 patients were rated as delayed union. The total revision rate was 9/61 (14.7%), whereof four patients required revision for symptomatic non-union of the SFF. The results of the radio-morphometric measurement showed a significant difference between both groups concerning the degree of reduction measured according to Baumgaertner (p = 0.022). The postoperative ipsilateral CCD-angle was different between the two groups (p = 0.019). After 12 months postoperatively, 48/61 (78.6%) of fractures were rated healed without any further intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Delayed union after SFF occurs frequently. In our patient population, the quality of reduction and the postoperative CCD-angle were the key factors to avoid delayed union. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, Therapeutic study. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical Trial Registry University of Regensburg Z-2018-1074-1. Registered 04. Aug 2018. https://studienanmeldung.zks-regensburg.de.