Steinmann pin retractor: An auxiliary reduction equipment for the minimally invasive treatment of calcaneal fractures.

A minimally invasive approach has been widely used for the treatment of calcaneal fractures, however, its downside in exposing the calcaneal body, affects fracture reduction. We used a Steinmann pin retractor mentioned in our previous case series study to solve this issue. To further evaluate the efficacy of this reduction technique, and elucidate its mechanism, we compared it with the control groups in this study. Between March 2017 and November 2020, 52 patients were included in this retrospective comparative study. 20 patients were included in the S-S group (Steinmann pin retractor with internal fixation via the sinus tarsi approach), 17 patients were included in the S group (internal fixation via sinus tarsi approach), and 15 patients were included in the L group (internal fixation via L-shaped approach). Patients in each group were operated on by a distinctly skilled surgeon who is specialized in one of the specified surgeries mentioned above. All patients received positive postoperative radiological and clinical evaluations. The patients were followed up for at least 6 months postoperatively. At the last S-S group follow-up, the VAS value (0.29 ±â€…0.46) improved compared to the L group. The AOFAS (American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society) Ankle-Hindfoot score (94.38 ±â€…5.05) also improved significantly compared to the S and L groups. The Böhler angle (32.34 ±â€…3.56°), width (36.48 ±â€…3.91 mm), and height (88.87 ±â€…4.12 mm) of the calcaneal improved (34.38 ±â€…18.50°, -10.13 ±â€…6.98 mm, 8.75 ±â€…4.82 mm) compared to the preoperative state, the S and L groups. These parameters (the Böhler angle: 31.76 ±â€…3.37°, width: 36.47 ±â€…3.72 mm, height: 87.23 ±â€…3.83 mm) were maintained at the last follow-up. Steinmann pin retractor effected a sound reduction. It also manifested radiological and clinical advantages over the S and L protocols. By reason of the aforementioned, it could be recommended as useful reduction equipment for the minimally invasive treatment of calcaneal fractures.

Conoid tubercle angle: attention should be paid to supraclavicular plate fixation.

BACKGROUND: The surgical protocol of ORIF for the treatment of mid-shaft clavicle fractures is common. However, poor plate fit or overhang usually occurs when the straight plate is selected for superior fixation. This is because the upper edge of the clavicle is not flat but has an angulation near the conoid tubercle. We termed that angulation, conoid tubercle angle (CTA). Supposed the straight plate is forcibly attached to the surface of the clavicle, it will potentially cause misalignment of the fracture end and with that comes a change of CTA. In this case, choosing the contoured plate, such as a commercial pre-contoured anatomic plate or manual-contoured plate, for superior fixation seems to meet the requirements for both plate fit and fracture alignment. Hence, we retrospectively compared the radiological parameters, including the plate overhang, and the alignment of the fractures reflected by the CTA, between the contoured plate (CP) and straight plate (SP) groups, to draw attention to the CTA and its effects to supraclavicular plate fixation. METHODS: From March 2018 to April 2021, 217 patients with clavicle fractures that met the inclusion criteria but not the exclusion criteria were included in our study. 112 patients were enrolled into the straight plate group (SP) and 105 patients into the contoured plate group (CP). Besides that, 154 healthy adults were recruited into the health group (HA). RESULTS: Patients were followed up for 6 to 40 months postoperative. A normal CTA (164.54 ± 4.78°) was obtained from the HA group. There were 50 cases with plate overhang in the SP group, which presented a statistical difference in comparison with the CP group. The value of CTA (169.65 ± 5.84°) in the SP group also indicated a statistical difference in comparison with the normal CTA. Subgroup analysis showed that the CTA (165.88 ± 5.42°) in the overhang subgroup (O) had no statistical difference in comparison with the normal CTA, but the CTA (172.68 ± 4.18°) in the non-overhang subgroup (N-O) had. 3 cases experienced non-traumatic re-fracture (within 3 months after the removal of the fixation) in the O subgroup; 10 cases experienced a poor reduction in the N-O subgroup. In the CP group, the CTA was 166.79 ± 5.68°, which indicated a statistical difference with the SP group. Subgroup analysis was performed, including the manual-contoured plate subgroup (M-C) and commercial pre-contoured anatomic plate subgroup (P-C). The value of CTA (M-C, 166.97 ± 6.33°; P-C, 166.44 ± 6.33°) manifested a statistical difference in comparison with the N-O subgroup. 2 and 8 cases, respectively, had screw loosening and poor reduction in the M-C subgroup. No postoperative complication occurred in the P-C subgroup. CONCLUSION: CTA is a useful reference in the evaluation of the reduction obtained on radiographic examination, and a reference guiding the plate contouring. The commercial pre-contoured anatomic plate provides a normal CTA and well fits the biomechanical characteristics of the clavicle, which can be recommended for superior fixation.

A novel retractor-assisted closed reduction combined with percutaneous pinning fixation for the treatment of elderly distal radius fractures: a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous pinning fixation (PCP) has been used for the treatment of distal radius fractures for decades, especially in the elderly with fragile soft tissue. However, achieving and maintaining a sound anatomic reduction before PCP is difficult if we use the manipulative reduction method alone. Our study innovatively applied the Steinmann pin retractor for closed reduction combined with PCP, to provide a new protocol for the treatment of distal radius fractures. METHODS: From March 2017 to July 2018, 49 patients out of 57 that met the inclusion criteria but not the exclusion criteria were included in our retrospective cohort study. Sixteen patients were treated with Steinmann pin retractor-assisted closed reduction combined with PCP (S-PCP), and 19 patients were treated with the manipulative reduction combined with PCP (M-PCP), and 14 patients were treated with the manipulative reduction combined with cast splint (M-C). All these patients received a positive postoperative radiological and clinical evaluation. RESULTS: All the patients were followed up for a minimum of 2 years. The radiological parameters in each group improved significantly postoperative (posttreatment). In the S-PCP group, the values of radial height (postoperative, 13.33±1.74 mm; the first follow-up, 13.27±1.81mm; last follow-up, 13.16±1.76mm) and ulnar variance (postoperative, -0.10±1.29mm; the first follow-up, -0.05±1.27mm; last follow-up, -0.12±1.09mm) significantly improved as compared to the M-PCP and M-C groups. While the patients in the M-C group experienced significant re-displacement at the first and last follow-ups, in the S-PCP group, the range of wrist motion including extension (89.94±5.21%), radial deviation (90.69±6.01%), and supination (90.25±5.87%); ulnar deviation (89.81±5.82%) and QuickDASH score (2.70±3.64); and grip strength (92.50±5.59%), pronation (90.50±6.04%), and modified Mayo wrist score (90.94±4.17, the excellent rate reached up to 75%) also improved as compared to the M-PCP group, M-C group, or both groups at the last follow-up. CONCLUSION: S-PCP improves fracture reduction and wrist function and can serve as an effective method for A2(AO/OTA) and A3 type of distal radius fractures in the elderly with limited dorsal comminution, including intra-articular fractures with displacement less than 2mm.

Subtalar joint pigmented villonodular synovitis misdiagnosed at the first visit: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS) is an uncommon disease that usually occurs in large joints, and involvement of the subtalar joint is rare. The lack of comprehensive knowledge of subtalar joint PVNS could lead to misdiagnosis. CASE SUMMARY: We present a 64-year-old woman who, at her first visit, complained of discomfort in the right ankle when she walked. Based on the physical signs and X-ray report, the physician failed to make the suspected diagnosis of PVNS. Eighteen months later, the patient returned with a complaint of a mass in her right lateral malleolus with intermittent blunt pain. The X-ray presented an osteophyte formation and soft tissue calcification at the margin of the subtalar joint. The laboratory tests were normal, whereas magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a low-intensity area on both T1- and T2-weighted images. A suspected diagnosis of PVNS was made and later confirmed by postoperative pathology. Subsequently, the patient received radiotherapy with 32 Gy in 16 fractions. At 6 mo postoperatively, the patient only complained of discomfort after walking three blocks. The American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society Ankle-Hindfoot score was 97. CONCLUSION: MRI is necessary for the diagnosis of PVNS. Early soft tissue calcification and painless joint swelling should be of concern.

Steinmann pin retractor-assisted reduction with circle plate fixation via sinus tarsi approach for intra-articular calcaneal fractures: a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Sinus tarsi approach and mini-calc plate have been used for intra-articular calcaneal fractures. However, the sinus tarsi approach has limited exposure to the lateral wall, which makes it challenging to obtain an excellent anatomic reduction of the calcaneal body. What is more! To restore the width of the calcaneal body entirely and prevent the heel varus simultaneously with mini-calc plate was tough as well. Aimed to solve the aforementioned problems, our study focused on using the Steinmann pin retractor for reduction and the circle plate for fixation via the sinus tarsi approach. METHODS: From March 2017 to January 2019, 15 patients with closed calcaneal fractures were treated with the method of Steinmann pin retractor-assisted reduction and circle plate fixation via the sinus tarsi approach. All these patients received a positive postoperative clinical and radiological evaluation. RESULTS: A postoperative follow-up was done for each of the 15 patients, and the following scores and parameters were observed: value of visual analogue scale (VAS) was 1.44 ± 0.63, and The American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Score (AOFAS) Ankle-Hindfoot score was 84.31 ± 5.03 at the last follow-up. The Böhler angle (30.81 ± 3.56°), width (37.83 ± 4.87 mm), length (87.4 ± 3.33 mm), and height (86.23 ± 5.36 mm) of the calcaneus were improved significantly in comparison with preoperative values (- 0.94 ± 10.06°, 45.67 ± 5.68 mm, 82.72 ± 5.54 mm, 76.32 ± 7.98 mm), and these parameters were maintained excellently after 6-19 months' follow-up. CONCLUSION: Our present study suggested that Steinmann pin retractor-assisted reduction with circle plate fixation via the sinus tarsi approach may serve as a safe and effective method for Sanders type II and type III calcaneus fractures. The Böhler angle, height, length, and body of the calcaneus were excellently restored postoperatively and maintained at last follow-up and rare postoperative complications. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study has been registered. The unique identifying number is research registry 5092.