Reoperation following open reduction and plate fixation of displaced mid-shaft clavicle fractures.

BACKGROUND: Operative fixation of displaced, mid-shaft clavicle fractures has become an increasingly common practice. With this emerging trend, data describing patient outcomes with longer follow-up are necessary. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of subjects treated with plate fixation for displaced mid-shaft clavicle fractures from 2003 to 2009 at a Level I trauma hospital. All subjects were greater than 12 months post-index surgery. Treatment involved ORIF with either a low-contact dynamic compression plate (LCDC) or a contoured plate (pre-contoured or pelvic reconstruction plate). Our primary outcome was reoperation for any indication. RESULTS: 143 subjects were included. The mean age was 36 ± 14 years and the mean time to reoperation or chart review was 33 months. Contoured plates were used in 64% of cases and LCDC plates were used in the remaining subjects. Twenty-nine subjects (20%) underwent reoperation: 23.5% of subjects treated with LCDC plates and 18.5% of subjects treated with contoured plates (p=0.52). Indications for reoperation included implant irritation (n=25), implant failure (n=2), and non-union (n=2). There was near statistically significant association with reoperation and female gender (p=0.05) but no association between reoperation and age (p=0.14), fracture class (p=0.53), plate type (p=0.49), or plate location (p=0.93). The mean QuickDASH score for the population surveyed was 8.8 (5.5-12.1; 95% CI) with near statistically significant and clinically relevant difference between those considering reoperation and those not 22.3 (8.6-36.0; 95% CI) versus 6.7 (3.6-9.8; 95% CI). CONCLUSIONS: This study represents a large series of displaced clavicle fractures treated with open reduction and plate fixation. Reoperation following plate fixation is relatively common, but primarily due to implant irritation. No difference in reoperation rates between plate types or location could be detected in our current sample size. Also, excellent functional outcomes continue to be observed several years after clavicle fracture fixation.

Technique of reduction and fixation of unicondylar medial Hoffa fracture.

Coronal fractures of the medial femoral condyle (Hoffa fractures) are rare. Articular surface communication is common, and reduction can be difficult. For this injury, an extensile medial subvastus approach can be used to obtain adequate visualization, accurate reduction, and fixation. A case series of these injuries and this treatment method supports this management strategy.

Bone bruises associated with ACL rupture: correlation with injury mechanism.

BACKGROUND: Different patterns of bone bruising are seen on magnetic resonance imaging in acute anterior cruciate ligament ruptures. These patterns may relate to the mechanism of injury. HYPOTHESIS: There is a correlation between the mechanism of anterior cruciate ligament injury and bone bruise patterns on magnetic resonance imaging. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. METHODS: Data regarding the mechanism of anterior cruciate ligament rupture were collected prospectively on patients who had anterior cruciate ligament reconstructions. Inclusion criteria included a clear history of mechanism, magnetic resonance imaging within 6 weeks of injury, and no previous knee injury. Patients were divided into noncontact and contact mechanism groups. Bone bruise frequency, location, depth, and intensity were analyzed using magnetic resonance imaging and correlated with the mechanism of injury. RESULTS: Two hundred fifty-six patients were identified; 100 met the inclusion criteria, 86 were in the noncontact mechanism group, and 14 were in the contact mechanism group. The proportion of bone bruises in the lateral compartment in both groups was higher (P < .001) than in the medial compartment. Bone bruising was more frequent, deeper, and more intense in the noncontact group, with frequency (P = .019) and intensity (P < .001) scores reaching significance at the lateral tibial plateau. Medial compartment bone bruising was seen more frequently than previously reported, particularly in the noncontact group. CONCLUSION: The noncontact mechanism appears to cause more severe bone bruising in both the medial and lateral compartments.

Osteotomy for the early varus arthritic knee.

High tibial osteotomy is a well-established procedure for the management of medial compartment arthritis that is currently experiencing a resurgence in popularity. A number of techniques have been described, with the ultimate goal of obtaining appropriate alignment to provide pain relief and functional improvement over a long-term period. Appropriate patient selection and careful surgical technique is necessary to achieve these goals with a minimal risk of complication. Newer technology such as computer navigation promises to improve the overall accuracy of the procedure. The need for alignment correction in combination with ligament reconstruction and chondral resurfacing surgery will increase the indications for this procedure. This article discusses the techniques available for high tibial osteotomy, the results and relative advantages of each, and the appropriate surgical technique to achieve optimal results while minimizing complications.

Computer-assisted gap equalization in total knee arthroplasty.

This in vitro biomechanical study compared a conventional balancing technique in knee arthroplasty to a technique using computer assistance. The experimental technique used a soft tissue tensioner instrumented with computer-monitored load cells to quantify soft tissue tension. To assess outcome, a tibial load transducer measured medial and lateral compartment forces and tibial rotation. An electromagnetic tracking system quantified knee position under simulated muscle loading. The computer-assisted technique improved knee balance before insertion of components. However, once components were implanted, there was no difference in knee load balance between the 2 techniques. No correlation was shown between compartmental load balance and tibial rotation or mechanical axis misalignment. Although computer-assisted surgery may improve technical accuracy, further work is necessary to achieve an optimal final knee load balance.

High tibial osteotomy with use of the Taylor Spatial Frame external fixator for osteoarthritis of the knee.

BACKGROUND: High tibial osteotomy (HTO) is used to treat medial compartment osteoarthritis of the knee in active patients with varus alignment. In this study we review the clinical and radiographic outcomes associated with the Taylor Spatial Frame (Smith & Nephew), and its use in HTOs, and we include an illustrative case report. METHODS: In 7 patients with medial compartment osteoarthritis of the knee and varus alignment, the Taylor Spatial Frame was applied to the tibia in the operating room and a proximal tibial osteotomy was performed. Patients followed a computer-generated turning schedule until the desired correction was achieved. The frame was removed when the osteotomy site had healed. The lower extremity measure (LEM) was used to assess physical function. Clinical outcome measures relating to the Taylor Spatial Frame included latency, time to correction, time in the frame, number of residual corrections and complications. Radiographic outcomes included preoperative Resnick grades of osteoarthritis, pre- and post-correction limb alignment and tibial slope measurements. RESULTS: Average (and standard deviation) LEM grade at a mean 41 (14) months follow-up after correction was 94% (5%). Average latency was 8 days, time to correction was 15 days, time in the frame was 23 weeks and number of residual corrections was 1.3. Complications were similar to those for external fixators. Radiographic correction goals were met in all patients. CONCLUSION: The Taylor Spatial Frame is a valuable asset when using HTO to treat medial compartment osteoarthritis of the knee.

Reliability and comparison of acromion assessment techniques on X-ray and magnetic resonance imaging (reliability of acromion assessment techniques).

OBJECTIVE: To determine the reliability and correlation of plain radiography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the assessment of acromion morphology. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Acromion morphology was assessed using the lateral acromion angle (LAA) and the acromion-humeral interval (AHI). Thirty patients who had X-rays and MRI for impingement syndrome were included. Six blinded observers assessed the acromion morphology subjectively and objectively. RESULTS: Neither acromion assessment technique demonstrated a positive correlation (kappa and intraclass coefficient < 0.55) between X-ray and MRI. Both techniques were reliable (kappa and intraclass coefficient > 0.55) when measured objectively by experienced observers. CONCLUSION: The LAA and the AHI are both reliable acromion assessment techniques on X-ray and MRI when measured objectively and by experienced observers.