Clinical Outcomes of Customized Staple Fixation Using K-wire in Metacarpal Base or Neck Fractures

Purpose@#This study was designed to evaluate the radiological and clinical outcomes of a new surgical technique—customized staple fixation using K-wire—in displaced metacarpal neck or base fractures. @*Materials and Methods@#From November 2016 to May 2017, 13 unstable metacarpal neck and base fractures (10 patients) were treated with II-shaped customized K-wire staples fixation, after performing open reductions through minimal dorsal incisions. The radiological and clinical outcomes were retrospectively evaluated. @*Results@#A mean of 2.6 staples were used for each fracture fixation. Preoperative angulation of 36.3°was reduced to 3.1° postoperatively. A week after surgery, the volar short arm splint was replaced with a dorsal splint to initiate active range of motion exercise, and the splint was subsequently removed after 3 weeks. The radiologic union was achieved at a mean of 5.1 weeks, and total active motion was recovered at a mean of 7.4 weeks. On a mean, K-wire staples were removed at 16.5 weeks after the surgery, and the mean treatment took 18.6 weeks. At the final follow-up (at mean 27.3 weeks), no significant difference was observed for total active motion of the digits and grip strength, when compared to the contralateral hand. Complete union was achieved in all fractures without deformity, or complications such as infection or nerve injury. All patients were satisfied with the cosmetic and functional outcomes. @*Conclusion@#K-wire stapling is an effective alternative modality in treating unstable displaced metacarpal neck or base fractures. It requires minimal incision to enable open reduction. In addition, early mobilization is ensured through the rigid fixations. Moreover, it prevents postoperative joint stiffness and reduces the time needed for treatment.

Surgical Treatment of Calcaneal Fractures of Sanders Type II and III by A Minimally Invasive Technique with 6.5 mm Cancellous Screw / 대한족부족관절학회지

PURPOSE: This study evaluated the clinical and radiological results of 6.5 mm full threaded cancellous bone screw fixation of calcaneal fractures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty seven patients diagnosed with Sanders type II or III calcaneal fractures, who underwent open reduction and internal fixation with a 6.5 mm full threaded cancellous bone screw between August 2014 and August 2017, were analyzed. Both the preoperative and postoperative Böhler angle and Gissane angle were measured radiographically. American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot scale on the final follow-up were also assessed. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 52.7 years and the mean follow-up period was 29.5 months. In the Sanders classification, type II and III were 16 and 24 cases, respectively. The Böhler and Gissane angles improved from 21.2° and 122.6° preoperatively to 21.6° and 120.3°, respectively, in the postoperative radiographs. All cases achieved bony union, and the AOFAS ankle-hindfoot scale was 90.7 and 91.3 in Sanders type II and III, respectively, at the final follow-up. CONCLUSION: The treatment of calcaneal fractures using a 6.5 mm full threaded cancellous bone screw can reduce the complications with minimally invasive surgery and achieve firm fixation.

Synovial Osteochondromatosis of the Subtalar Joint in an Adolescent Baseball Player / 대한스포츠의학회지

Synovial chondromatosis is an uncommon disorder characterized by cartilaginous proliferation within the synovial membrane of the articular joint. Smaller joints are rarely affected and it may be progressed to osteochondromatosis after ossification or calcification of metaplastic cartilage. It is commonly presented in the third to fourth decade of life, but rarely presented in adolescence. We report a unique case of synovial osteochondromatosis of the subtalar joint in 14-year-old baseball player. Arthroscopic removal of loose body and complete excision of the osteochondral mass with concomitant synovectomy resulted in satisfactory outcome without recurrence at final follow-up.

Long Term Results of Vertebroplasty in the Treatment of Osteoporotic Compression Fracture

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to assess the clinical efficacy and long term results of patients undergoing percutaneous vertebroplasty, with bone cement, for osteoporotic compression fractures. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: Percutaneous vertebroplasty is an effective surgical method for the treatment of osteoporotic compression fracture. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Among 82 patients who underwent percutaneous vertebroplasty, with bone cement, between February 2005 and February 2008, 54 patients who were followed-up for more than 4 years were selected. We compared the postoperative clinical and radiological findings immediately and at 1, 2, and 4 year follow-up. Clinical findings were evaluated using the Visual analogue scale (VAS) score. Radiologically, height of the vertebral body and adjacent vertebral body fracture were also assessed. RESULTS: Clinical outcome by mean VAS score revealed a change from 5.9 to 3.8 points preoperatively. The mean VAS scores were 3.4, 3.5 and 3.7 at 1, 2, 4 year follow-up, retrospectively. The compression rate of the vertebral body on plain radiographs was 30.8% preoperatively, 22.4% immediately after the operation, 23.2% at 1 year follow-up, 26.9% at 2 year follow-up, and 29.7% at 4 year follow-up. A new adjacent vertebral body fracture was noted in 7 patients at 1 year follow-up and 3 patients at 2 and 4 year follow-up, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous vertebroplasty is a valuable method for the treatment of osteoporotic compression fractures, providing immediate pain relief as well as long term pain relief. However, percutaneous vertebroplasty gave unsatisfactory report about height of the vertebral body and adjacent vertebral body fracture.

Clinical Value of Nerve Root Sedimentation Sign in Lumbar Spinal Stenosis

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study. OBJECTIVES: To assess the diagnostic value of the sedimentation sign seen on MRI with lumbar spinal stenosis and to compare postoperative clinical results. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: Nerve root sedimentation sign is an additional tool to diagnose lumbar spinal stenosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: There were 302 patients enrolled that had been diagnosed with lumbar spinal stenosis by MRI, which were reviewed to identify a sedimentation sign and all underwent the operative treatment. There were 142 patients who could not have their spinal stenosis diagnosis confirmed by MRI, and thus were selected as the control group to estimate the diagnostic value of nerve root sedimentation sign. Correlation with the duration of preoperative symptoms and the number of involved segments were compared and analyzed between sedimentation sign positive (Group I) and negative (Group II). We estimated Million Visual Analogue Score (MVAS) and Korean Oswestry Disability Index (KODI) for the assessment of the pain and the functional disability. RESULTS: A positive sedimentation sign was found in 265 patients (87.7%) and diagnostic value was statistically significant (P<0.001). The involvement of 2 or more segments was significantly correlated with the sedimentation sign in the positive group (P<0.001). MVAS presented the improvement of 64.5+/-4.6%, KODI, 62.9+/-3.9% after surgical treatment in Group I. In Group II, each score showed improvement of 34.6+/-2.3% (MVAS), 37.1+/-1.8% (KODI). The improvement of these scores in Group I was better than in Group II. CONCLUSIONS: The nerve root sedimentation sign is an additional tool to diagnose lumbar spinal stenosis and the considerable factor to decide the operation.