Effect of fracture level on the residual fracture gap during tibial intramedullary nailing for tibial shaft fractures.

INTRODUCTION: The development of fracture gap during intramedullary nailing in tibial fractures is associated with poor fracture fragment contact and increased time to union and complications. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the fracture level in the development of the fracture gap and the effect of the fracture gap on pain, radiologic and functional outcomes, and complication rate. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A total of 45 patients who underwent reamed intramedullary nailing due to closed transverse or short oblique tibial shaft fractures were divided into the proximal fracture group and the distal fracture group. The correlations between the visual analog scale (VAS) score, modified radiograph union score for tibias (RUST), and postoperative 1-year lower extremity functional scale scores, residual fracture gap, and time to union were evaluated. RESULTS: The mean fracture gap amounts in the immediate postoperative anteroposterior and lateral radiographs were 5.6 ± 1.7 and 6.0 ± 1.7 mm in proximal fractures and 0.3 ± 2.4 mm and 0.4 ± 2.3 mm in distal fractures, respectively (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively). The mean time to union was 21.9 ± 2.9 weeks in the proximal fracture group and 16.7 ± 2.4 weeks in the distal fracture group (p < 0.000). The residual fracture gap amount significantly correlated with the level of fracture (r = 0.811, p < 0.001). DISCUSSION: Tibial shaft fractures proximal to the isthmus level tend to develop significantly larger fracture gaps than distal fractures. It is associated with increased time to union and radiographic union scores as well as slightly higher complication and reoperation rates.

Tibiofemoral subluxation in the coronal plane does not affect WOMAC and KOOS after total knee arthroplasty.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of preoperative coronal tibiofemoral subluxation (CTFS) on functional outcome, prosthesis type, insert thickness and revision rates in patients who underwent total knee arthroplasty (TKA). METHODS: A total of 224 knees of 186 patients were included. Patients were divided into two groups as either with (Group 1, 114 knees of 86 patients) or without (Group 2, 124 knees of 100 patients) coronal lateral tibiofemoral subluxation. The mean follow-up period was 71.3 ± 7.3 (range 60-84) months in group 1 and 69.4 ± 6.6 (range 61-79) months in group 2 (n.s.). Coronal tibiofemoral subluxation degree was measured in degrees on standing anteroposterior knee radiographs. Group 1 was divided into three subgroups according to amount of subluxation (< 5 mm, 6-10 mm and > 10 mm). Functional outcome was evaluated using the Western Ontario and McMaster Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) score and Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) preoperatively and at the last follow-up visit. Prosthesis type, insert thickness and revision rates were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the two groups regarding patient demographics, prosthesis type, and revision rates (n.s.). The insert thickness was found significantly higher in group 1 (p < 0.001). The preoperative and postoperative WOMAC and KOOS scores were found no significantly different between the two groups (n.s.). Among subluxation (+) subgroups, there was no significant difference in functional outcome scores and revision rates (n.s.). However, prosthesis type and insert thickness were significantly associated with the amount of subluxation (p = 0.009 and p = 0.001, respectively). There was no significant correlation between the degree of lower extremity deformity and coronal tibiofemoral amount of subluxation (n.s.). CONCLUSION: Preoperative CTFS does not adversely affect the WOMAC score, KOOS and revision rates after TKA. In the clinical practice, surgeons should be aware of the need for a posterior cruciate stabilizing prosthesis and a thicker insert in the presence of CTFS, especially with subluxation greater than 10 mm and to consider a spared bony resection on the tibia in patients suffering from CTFS. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

The fate of femoral head autograft in acetabular reconstruction in dysplastic hips at midterm.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the acetabular cup and graft survival in patients who underwent total hip arthroplasty (THA) with the diagnosis of dysplastic hip osteoarthritis and received a femoral head autograft due to acetabular coverage deficiency. METHODS: Between January 2005 and December 2016, 83 hip prostheses of 80 patients who underwent THA using femoral head autografts and were followed up for at least 2 years were retrospectively evaluated. Seventy-four hips of the remaining 71 patients (57 female (80%)) were included. Mean patient age at surgery was 51 ± 16 (range 18-76) years. The mean follow-up duration was 76 ± 25 (range 25-161) months. Acetabular inclination and graft thickness, contact length, percentage of coverage, and graft resorption were examined on postoperative and final follow-up radiographs. The presence of a radiolucent area around the acetabular and femoral components indicating loosening was also evaluated. RESULTS: The mean postoperative acetabular component inclination was 44 ± 5.1° (range 30-48°) with mean graft coverage of 34 ± 4.8% (range 24-46%). In all patients, autograft union with the pelvis was seen and the lateral overflow was remodeled. Fifteen patients (20%) underwent revision surgery due to aseptic acetabular component loosening in four, nontraumatic recurrent dislocations in eight, periprosthetic infection in one, acetabular component protrusion in one, and traumatic hip dislocation in one. CONCLUSION: In patients with osteoarthritis secondary to developmental hip dysplasia, the use of femoral head autografts to eliminate acetabular coverage deficiency during THA achieves acceptable midterm postoperative radiological outcomes. Increased acetabular bone stock may be beneficial in possible future revision surgeries.

Effect of surgical approaches on deltoid innervation and clinical outcomes in the treatment of proximal humeral fractures.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to investigate the effects of deltopectoral and anterolateral acromial approaches commonly used in open reduction-internal fixation of proximal humeral fractures on the clinical outcomes, and axillary nerve damage through electrophysiological assessment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty-eight patients (22 males, 26 females; mean age 47.9±13.2 years; range, 22 to 73 years) diagnosed with Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Osteosynthesefragen (AO)/Orthopaedic Trauma Association (OTA) type 11 proximal humeral fractures who underwent osteosynthesis with anatomical locking plates in our hospital between January 2015 and June 2016 were prospectively examined. The patients were divided into two groups according to either the deltopectoral or anterolateral deltoid-split surgical approach used. Clinical outcomes were evaluated using the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) scores and Constant-Murley scores (CMS) obtained at three- and 12-month follow-up visits. Needle electromyography (EMG) was performed for the electrophysiological assessment of the deltoid muscle. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the groups in terms of demographic data, follow-up times, and complications. DASH scores and CMS obtained postoperatively at three months (p=0.327 and p=0.531, respectively) and 12 months (p=0.324 and p=0.648, respectively) revealed no significant differences. In addition, the two groups did not significantly differ with respect to the presence of EMG abnormalities (p=0.792). Avascular necrosis of the humeral head was detected in only two patients from the deltopectoral group. CONCLUSION: Deltopectoral and anterolateral approaches do not differ regarding the presence of postoperative EMG abnormalities and functional outcomes. Surgeons can thus adopt either approach. However, dissection without damaging the soft tissue should be performed in both approaches.

The interposition of soft tissue between the cortical button and femoral lateral cortex significantly increases button migration but does not negatively affect knee stability and clinical outcome.

BACKGROUND: In clinical practice, soft tissue interposition may occur during femoral graft fixation. Soft tissue interposition between the lateral femoral cortex and the cortical button may affect graft tension and related longitudinal graft motion in the tunnel. We aimed to investigate the effect of soft tissue interposition on button migration and clinical outcomes in anatomical single-bundle anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. METHODS: Eighty-four patients aged 18-40 years, who underwent anatomical single-bundle anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with quadruple hamstring autograft were included. Patients were divided into two groups as Group 1 (n = 32) with soft tissue interposition between the cortical button and cortex, and Group 2 (n = 52) without soft tissue interposition. At the one-year follow-up visit, the anteroposterior knee stability of the patients was evaluated using the Lachman test and KT-2000 arthrometer, and rotational stability was assessed with the pivot shift test. The Lysholm knee score was used to evaluate the functional outcome of the patients. Relationship between tissue interposition and clinical outcome, and button migration was examined. RESULTS: Button migration was observed in 12 patients in Group 1 (37.5%) and two patients (3.84%) in Group 2 (p < 0.001). However, no significant difference was observed between patients with and without tissue interposition or those with and without button migration regarding knee stability parameters and clinical outcome (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative tissue interposition is found to be associated with cortical button migration during the follow-up. However, it does not affect the clinical outcome.

The incidence and distribution of primary fibula tumors and tumor-like lesions: A 35-year experience.

PURPOSE: Primary bone tumors of the fibula are rare. There are only a few studies reporting the incidence, histologic, and anatomic distribution of primary fibula tumors. This study aimed to comprehensively report the incidence, presenting symptoms, and histologic tumor types with the anatomic and histologic distribution of primary bone tumors of the fibula. METHODS: Between January 1983 and December 2017, 6457 primary bone tumors and tumor-like lesions were diagnosed and treated in our musculoskeletal oncology surgery clinic. Of these, 264 (4.08%) were primary bone tumors and tumor-like lesions of the fibula. We retrospectively reviewed patients' records, histopathology records, and radiologic images regarding age, gender, anatomic localization, histopathologic diagnosis, and treatment methods. RESULTS: There were 209 (79.2%) benign and 55 (20.8%) malignant lesions. The most common benign and malignant tumors were osteochondroma (51 of 209; 24.4%) and chondrosarcoma (16 of 55; 29.1%). The proximal fibula was the most common location for both benign and malignant tumors (141 of 209; 67.5% and 45 of 55; 81.8%, respectively), followed by the distal fibula (52 of 209; 24.9% and 8 of 55; 14.5%, respectively) and the diaphysis (17 of 209; 8.14% and 2 of 55; 3.64%, respectively). CONCLUSION: The incidence of primary bone tumors is higher than that reported in previous studies. Benign lesions constitute the majority of cases. One-fifth of all cases are malignant. The most common anatomic site involving the primary fibula tumors is the proximal fibula. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Tönnis triple pelvic osteotomy for Legg-Calve-Perthes disease.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of Tönnis triple pelvic osteotomy in patients with LCP disease. METHODS: Between 2007 and 2011, Tönnis triple pelvic osteotomy was performed for 43 patients with LCP, in our institute. During the follow-ups of patients with LCP the indications for the surgery were lateralization of the femoral head, insufficient femoral head coverage and subluxation of the femoral head. The mean age of patients at the time of surgery was 9.4 years. RESULTS: Before surgical intervention, according to Waldenstrom classification, three patients were in the necrosis stage (7 %), six patients in the fragmentation stage (13.9 %), 16 patients in the re-ossification stage (37.2 %) and 18 patients in the remodeling stage (41.9 %). According to Herring classification, four patients were in group B (9.3 %), one patient in group B/C (2.3 %) and 38 patients in group C (88.4 %). After the operation, patients were evaluated with Stulberg classification, and good outcome (Stulberg I/II) was achieved in 23 patients (53, 5 %), fair outcome (Stulberg III) in 16 patients (37, 2 %) and poor outcome (Stulberg IV/V) was seen in only four patients (9.3 %). The mean value of CEA was 0.37° pre-operatively and in the last follow-ups the mean value of CEA was 23.7°. CONCLUSIONS: We recommend triple pelvic osteotomy for patients with LCP when conservative methods are not successful. According to our results we believe that Waldenstrom classification is a better option than Herring classification to determine the prognosis of disease after containment surgery.

Is proximal tibia the major problem in varus gonarthrosis? Evaluation of femur and ankle.

OBJECTIVES: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the components of knee varus in the adjacent joints and to investigate the possible correlations between them. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between January 2005 and December 2010, 315 lower limbs of 164 patients who underwent high tibial osteotomy (HTO) due to varus gonarthrosis were analyzed. Alignment and orientation angles of these limbs using preoperative orthoroentgenography were measured. The results were compared with normal values and evaluated statistically for possible correlations. RESULTS: Statistical analysis of the data showed that the mean value of mechanical lateral distal femoral angle (mLDFA) increases in varus knees and thus distal femoral joint orientation showed less valgus. The effect of mLDFA on mechanical tibiofemoral angle (mTFA) was almost the same as medial proximal tibial angle (MPTA). Both together; they explain 52.2% of variance in mTFA. mLDFA has a negative and MPTA has a positive and significant influence on mTFA (b= -0.765, p<0.001) and (b= 0.798, p<0.001) respectively. A moderate correlation was found between the mTFA and lateral distal tibial angle (LDTA) in the lower limbs grounding at the same angle (r=0.634, R=0.40, p<0.001). A slight, but significant correlation between mTFA and medial neck shaft angle (MNSA) was found (r=0.15, R=0.02, p<0.01). CONCLUSION: Distal femoral joint showing less valgus significantly contributes to the deformity in varus gonarthrosis, also a very important contributor to the deformity. Abnormal forces applied to ankle may cause collapse in distal lateral tibial metaphysis and decrease LDTA in varus knees. Medial neck shaft angle may decrease due to possible abnormal loading angles to the femoral neck in some individuals with varus gonarthrosis.

[Is open surgery effective in early-term in patients with femoroacetabular impingement syndrome?]. / Femoroasetabuler sikisma sendromlu hastalarda açik cerrahi tedavi erken dönemde etkili midir?

OBJECTIVES: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy of open surgical treatment including safe femoral head dislocation, femoral neck osteochondroplasty and labral repair in early-term following surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between April 2006 and January 2010, 22 hips of 22 patients (13 males, 9 females; mean age 33.3 years; range 17 to 52 years) who underwent open surgical treatment due to femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (FAIS) were retrospectively analyzed. Thirteen of the patients had bilateral and nine patients had unilateral FAIS. The mean follow-up was 27.5 months (range, 6-51 months). The functional evaluation of the patients was performed using Harris hip score both pre- and postoperatively after union was achieved in the trochanteric osteotomy site. RESULTS: The mean preoperative Harris score was 54.3, increasing to 70.6 postoperatively. The mean internal rotation of hip, which was 10.5 degrees preoperatively, increased to 15.2 degrees postoperatively. With regard to the patient satisfaction, 18 of 22 patients reported that they were satisfied with the surgical treatment. CONCLUSION: Our study results showed that we concluded that safe hip dislocation and open osteochondroplasty of femoral head is an effective method in the treatment of FAIS, originating from different etiological factors.