Can the Length of the Tibia Nail Be Predicted Correctly Before the Operation According to the Patient's Height and Shoe Size?

OBJECTIVE: Although various methods have been identified for the appropriate tibial nail length, there are disadvantages such as extra time, radiation exposure, and additional cost. We aimed to predict the ideal length of the nail according to the patient's height and shoe size in the preoperative period to eliminate these disadvantages. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 2018 and August 2023, the height and shoe size data of 71 patients who were diagnosed with tibial shaft fracture and had tibia intramedullary nail fixation were determined. A linear regression model was applied to the normally distributed data. The correlation coefficient between the variables was evaluated according to the Pearson correlation coefficient. RESULTS: While 1 1-centimeter (cm) increase in patient height causes an increase of 3.2 millimeters (mm) in nail length, it was found that it alone contributed by 89% to predicting the ideal nail length (p<0.001). An increase of 1 unit in shoe size (EU) causes an increase of 9 mm in nail length; its contribution to predicting the ideal nail length alone is 84% (p<0.001). In the evaluation of the patient's height and shoe size together, it was observed that they jointly contributed 91% to the accurate estimation of the nail length (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: It may be risky to determine the tibial nail length only by shoe size or the patient's height. However, the correlation between them is strong. Therefore, by estimating nail lengths before the operation, the ideal nail length can be found by making fewer fluoroscopy checks during the operation.

HOW USEFUL IS ELASTOGRAPHY IN THE FOLLOW-UP OF ACHILLES TENDON REPAIR?

Introduction: In addition to conservative modalities in the treatment of Achilles tendon injuries, open, percutaneous and minimally invasive semi-open techniques, as well as biological open surgical repair methods are used as surgical options. Compression elastography is one of the methods used for the follow-up of treatment in Achilles tendon injuries. Methods: 23 patients were included in our study between July 2013 and June 2014, as long as they had at least 4 years of follow-up. In the final control, the intact side and the operated side were both examined and compared. The variables were the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Score (AOFAS) which is measured as a functional score considering plantar flexion and dorsiflexion; calf circumference; Achilles tendon anteroposterior (AP) diameter; and elastographic examination. Results: The strain ratio value and AP diameter of the patients was significantly higher on the operated side than on the non-operated side (p <0.001). There was no significant difference between the plantar flexion and dorsiflexion degrees on the operated side of the patients(p> 0.05). No correlation was observed between strain ratio and AOFAS (p: 0,995). Conclusion: Elastography is not a useful technique to evaluate functional results on long-term tendon healing. Level of Evidence III; Retrospective comparative study.

Introdução: Além de métodos mais conservadores de terapia, utilizam-se, como opções cirúrgicas para o tratamento das lesões do tendão do calcâneo, técnicas abertas, percutâneas e semiabertas minimamente invasivas, bem como métodos cirúrgicos de reparo aberto. A elastografia por compressão é um dos métodos utilizados para o acompanhamento do tratamento das lesões do tendão do calcâneo. Métodos: Entre julho de 2013 e junho de 2014, 23 pacientes com pelo menos 4 anos de seguimento foram incluídos em nosso estudo. No controle final, o lado intacto e o lado operado foram examinados e comparados. As variáveis foram o American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Score, que foi medido como pontuação funcional por meio da flexão plantar e dorsiflexão; a circunferência da panturrilha; o diâmetro anteroposterior (AP) do tendão do calcâneo; e exame elastográfico. Resultados: O índice de tensão e o diâmetro AP dos pacientes foram significativamente maiores no lado operado do paciente que no lado não operado. Não houve diferença significativa entre os graus de flexão plantar e dorsiflexão dos pacientes no lado operado (p> 0,05). Não foi observada correlação entre strain ratio e AOFAS(p: 0,995). Conclusão: Acreditamos que a elastografia não seja uma técnica útil para avaliar os resultados funcionais na cicatrização do tendão em longo prazo. Nível de evidência III; Estudo comparativo retrospectivo.

How useful is elastography in the follow-up of achilles tendon repair? / Quão útil é a elastografia no acompanhamento do reparo do tendão do calcâneo?

ABSTRACT Introduction: In addition to conservative modalities in the treatment of Achilles tendon injuries, open, percutaneous and minimally invasive semi-open techniques, as well as biological open surgical repair methods are used as surgical options. Compression elastography is one of the methods used for the follow-up of treatment in Achilles tendon injuries. Methods: 23 patients were included in our study between July 2013 and June 2014, as long as they had at least 4 years of follow-up. In the final control, the intact side and the operated side were both examined and compared. The variables were the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Score (AOFAS) which is measured as a functional score considering plantar flexion and dorsiflexion; calf circumference; Achilles tendon anteroposterior (AP) diameter; and elastographic examination. Results: The strain ratio value and AP diameter of the patients was significantly higher on the operated side than on the non-operated side (p <0.001). There was no significant difference between the plantar flexion and dorsiflexion degrees on the operated side of the patients(p> 0.05). No correlation was observed between strain ratio and AOFAS (p: 0,995). Conclusion: Elastography is not a useful technique to evaluate functional results on long-term tendon healing. Level of Evidence III; Retrospective comparative study.

RESUMO Introdução: Além de métodos mais conservadores de terapia, utilizam-se, como opções cirúrgicas para o tratamento das lesões do tendão do calcâneo, técnicas abertas, percutâneas e semiabertas minimamente invasivas, bem como métodos cirúrgicos de reparo aberto. A elastografia por compressão é um dos métodos utilizados para o acompanhamento do tratamento das lesões do tendão do calcâneo. Métodos: Entre julho de 2013 e junho de 2014, 23 pacientes com pelo menos 4 anos de seguimento foram incluídos em nosso estudo. No controle final, o lado intacto e o lado operado foram examinados e comparados. As variáveis foram o American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Score, que foi medido como pontuação funcional por meio da flexão plantar e dorsiflexão; a circunferência da panturrilha; o diâmetro anteroposterior (AP) do tendão do calcâneo; e exame elastográfico. Resultados: O índice de tensão e o diâmetro AP dos pacientes foram significativamente maiores no lado operado do paciente que no lado não operado. Não houve diferença significativa entre os graus de flexão plantar e dorsiflexão dos pacientes no lado operado (p> 0,05). Não foi observada correlação entre strain ratio e AOFAS(p: 0,995). Conclusão: Acreditamos que a elastografia não seja uma técnica útil para avaliar os resultados funcionais na cicatrização do tendão em longo prazo. Nível de evidência III; Estudo comparativo retrospectivo.

Fixation of Posterior Malleolar Fractures with Posterior Plating Through a Posterolateral Approach.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to evaluate radiologic and clinical outcomes of ankle fractures involving posterior fragments that were fixed with a posterior plate by the posterolateral approach. METHODS: Sixty-five patients who were followed for at least 12 months and were older than 18 years were included. The posterior malleolus fractures were classified according to the Haraguchi classification system with computed tomography (CT). The posterior malleolus fragments were fixed with a plate through a posterolateral approach. Intra-articular step-off, reduction of the posterior malleolar fragment, and fibular position in the incisura were evaluated by early postoperative CT. American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score and visual analog scale pain score were used for clinical assessment. RESULTS: The posterior malleolus fractures were classified as Haraguchi type 1 in 45 patients (69.2%), Haraguchi type 2 in 12 patients (18.5%), and Haraguchi type 3 in eight patients (12.3%). No patients showed signs of instability or loss of reduction on direct radiographs during follow-up. Postoperative CT showed no loss of reduction in the posterior malleolus and tibiofibular alignment. On evaluation, there was no intra-articular step-off (<1) in any of the patients. The mean AOFAS score was calculated to be 91.6. The mean visual analog scale score was 1.2. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that direct posterior fixation with the posterolateral approach can be a good option for ankle fractures involving posterior malleolar fragments.

Cementless rectangular stems yield satisfactory results in osteoporotic bones.

BACKGROUND: The present study aims to investigate the effects sof osteoporosis on prosthesis survival by comparing the femoral stem survival rates of patients with poor and relatively good bone quality. METHODS: We retrospectively investigated 61 patients with collum femoris fractures who were treated with cementless rectangular stems between 2011 and 2015 in the Orthopaedics and Traumatology Clinic of Taksim Training and Research Hospital. The preoperative pelvic anterior-posterior radiographs of the patients were evaluated. The patients were evaluated according to the Dorr classification, and no case with a type A femur was found. The patients were divided into two groups as advanced osteoporotic type C and moderate osteoporotic type B. Thirty patients were type B according to the Dorr classification and 31 were osteoporotic type C. RESULTS: The femoral component survival was evaluated using the Engh and ARA criteria. The relationship of the ARA score with type B and type C groups was evaluated. The median ARA score was five (min 3-max 6) for both types. These two groups were also statistically compared concerning the ARA scores using the Mann-Whitney U test, which revealed no statistically significant difference (p=0.24 >0.05). The Engh values, another criterion for the survival of femoral components, were also compared. The median Engh values were 16.5 (min 9-max 24) for the Dorr type B group and 14 (min 9-max 24) for the type C group. According to the Mann-Whitney U test, there was no significant difference between the Engh values of the two groups (p=0.061 >0.05). Lastly, no statistically significant difference was found in the ARA or Engh loosening scores between the type C advanced osteoporotic group and the type B moderate osteoporotic group. CONCLUSION: Our study supports the conclusion that cementless hip arthroplasty can be applied even in advanced elderly and osteoporotic patients without additional intraoperative or postoperative risks.

Behaviour and knowledge skill levels of orthopedic surgeons about radiation safety and fluoroscopy use: A survey analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the behaviour and knowledge skill levels of Turkish orthopedic surgeons about fluoroscopy usage and radiation safety. METHODS: The questionnaire, consisting of nineteen questions, was sent to orthopaedic surgeons and requested by a total of 323 surgeons online. The questions were about personal information, training and behaviours related to radiation and fluoroscopy usage, and the use of protective equipment. RESULTS: A total of 277 individuals completed the questionnaire. The answers of 180 surgeons whose working duration was more than 1 year and also who participated in at least one fluoroscopy requiring operation per week, were analysed. 22 (12%) participants answered that they were trained on fluoroscopy usage. Sixty people (33.3%) reported that they did not use any protective equipment regularly. The most commonly used protection methods were lead aprons 123 (68.3%). Thyroid protectors were used by 92 participants (52.1%). There was no significant difference between the groups when comparing the use of protective equipment according to the academic title. Only 19 (10.6%) of the surgeons noted that they used dosimeter regularly, and 15 (83.3%) of them reported that they controlled their dosimeters. CONCLUSION: In this study, Orthopedic surgeons were found not to be adequately trained about use and risks of fluoroscopy and also not to be equipped about methods for preventing radiation damage.