Hindfoot Fusion Nail with Adjuvant Hybrid External Fixation used as Limb-Salvage Procedure after Failed Open Reduction Internal Fixation of Ankle Fracture in a Charcot Joint: A Case Report.

The failure of the internal fixation of an ankle fracture due to Charcot joint/ neuroarthropathy is rare; such occurred in the case of a 52-year-old woman with uncontrolled diabetes who sustained a right ankle fracture after falling from standing height. The patient was treated with the internal fixation of both malleoli, which procedure failed as the patient progressed, until she eventually was diagnosed with Charcot arthropathy. The post operative images were reviewed and showed a catastrophic fixation failure with a diagnosis of Charcot neuroarthropathy. At that point, we decided to treat the problem presented with salvage arthrodesis, combining hindfoot fusion nail with adjuvant external fixation. This treatment was selected to augment stability and achieve stable fixation. The post-operative visits showed wound healing without complications and painless weight bearing. The follow-up radiographs showed tibiotalar fusion with painless union of the subtalar joint at 48 weeks.

Acute Shortening and re-lengthening in the management of open tibia fractures with severe bone of 14 CMS or more and extensive soft tissue loss.

INTRODUCTION: A traumatic event to the tibia with more than 14 cm of bone and soft tissue loss represents a challenge to most orthopedic surgeons and is considered a limb-threatening condition. Few solutions are available in such clinical situations and among them is the acute shortening and re-lengthening of bone and soft tissue. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Our study presents the management of 7 patients with grade III B open fractures (according to the Gustillo-Anderson classification) of the tibia who underwent resection of all the devitalized tissues, acute limb shortening to close the defect, application of an external fixator, and metaphyseal osteotomy for re-lengthening. The patient outcomes were based on different parameters using the evaluation system established by Paley et al. RESULTS: Results acquired during the study show an average bone loss of 19cm (with a minimum of 14 cm and a maximum of 31.50cm). The average time to full recovery of all patients was 19 months with a minimum of 14 months and a max of 34 months. Patient presented with excellent bony union and none existent or small refractory leg length discrepancy and did not require bone grafts or free flaps. Complications that the patients had were contractures, which required secondary procedures such as Achilles tendon re-lengthening and recurrent infections. DISCUSSION: Overall patients had excellent bone union and were able to perform activities of their daily living. The Ilizarov technique of compression-dis- traction osteogenesis is an elegant treatment option that should be considered in patients suffering such traumatic events providing excellent bony union and good functional outcomes for the patient.

THE USE OF A FIBULAR STRUT ALLOGRAFT WITH DBM, CANCELLOUS CHIPS AND BMP FOR A 10 CM HUMERAL SHAFT INFECTED NON-UNION: A CASE REPORT.

Humeral shaft non-unions occur in 2-10% of all fracture cases. Increased incidence of these non-unions can be associated with ORIF, comminution, high impact injuries, bone loss or fracture gaping. Treatment guidelines for fracture non-union state that fractures with gaps greater than 4 cm should be treated with vascularized fibular autografts or transportation with an external fixator. Unfortunately these modalities carry considerable donor site morbidity and patient will experience considerable discomfort, especially when dealing with an external fixator. This report demonstrates how the use of a nonvascularized fibular strut can be effectively utilized as an alternate treatment modality for large humeral shaft non-union gaps. Further studies should be conducted to support this method as a viable treatment option for non-union gaps greater than 4 cm.

Effect of Nonsurgical Versus Surgical Management on Geriatric Hip Fracture Mortality of Hispanic-American Male Veterans.

INTRODUCTION: The effect of surgical vs nonsurgical management on hip fracture mortality of Hispanic-American male veterans has not been rigorously studied. Hence, we examined the mortality and life expectancy effect of nonsurgical vs surgical management after hip fracture in a geriatric Hispanic-American male veterans' population. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study of Hispanic-American male veterans who were 65 years of age or older and suffered a femoral neck or intertrochanteric fracture from January 2008 to December 2015. Analysis between a surgical cohort (cannulated screw fixation, hemiarthroplasty, total hip arthroplasty, or cephalomedullary nail) and a non-surgical cohort was performed. In-hospital, 30-day, one-year, and two-year mortality were compared between both groups. RESULTS: Out of 268 patients with hip fracture, 159 (59.2%) were treated surgically and 109 (40.8%) non-surgically. The overall in-hospital (9.2% vs 1.9%, P = .009), 30-day (17.4% vs 5.0%, P = .002), one-year (48.6% vs 23.3%, P < .001), and two-year (63.3% vs 36.5%, P < .001) mortality rate was found to be higher for the nonoperative group. The average life expectancy of the nonoperative cohort was significantly shorter than those who were managed surgically (216 days vs 260 days, P < .001). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: This study shows a higher mortality rate and lower life expectancy in geriatric male patients who were treated nonsurgically in a Veterans Health Affair hospital facility that mostly serves Hispanic-American veterans. Our results provide an expansion to the findings of other geriatric studies on hip fracture with focus in a Hispanic-American veteran male population.