Ankle fractures in the elderly: Do we have new concepts?

The relevance of geriatric ankle fractures is continuously increasing. Treatment of these patients remains challenging and requires adapted diagnostic and therapeutic strategies, as compliance to partial weight bearing is difficult to maintain compared to younger patients. In addition, in the elderly even low impact injuries may lead to severe soft tissue trauma, influencing timing and operative strategies. Recently, the direct posterolateral approach and plate fixation techniques, angular stable implants as well as intramedullary nailing of the distal fibula have been found to improve stategical concepts. This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the diagnostic and recent aspects with respect to how this difficult entity of injuries should be approached.

Leave it or fix it? How fixation of a small posterior malleolar fragment neutralizes rotational forces in trimalleolar fractures.

INTRODUCTION: This study investigated the effects of a small posterior malleolar fragment (PMF), containing less than 25% articular surface area, on ankle joint stability via computed tomography (CT) scanning under full weight bearing in a human cadaveric ankle fracture model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A trimalleolar fracture with a PMF of less than 25% articular surface area was created in 6 pairs of fresh-frozen human cadaveric lower legs. The specimens were randomized into 2 groups stabilized by internal fixation including a positioning screw for syndesmotic reconstruction. In Group I the PMF was addressed by direct screw osteosynthesis, whereas in Group II the fragment was not fixed. Six predefined distances within the ankle were measured under axial loading. CT scans of each specimen were performed in intact and fixated states in neutral position, dorsiflexion and plantar-flexion of the ankle. RESULTS: In plantar-flexion, significant differences were detected between the groups with regard to rotational instability. Group II demonstrated a significantly increased inward rotation of the fibula compared with Group I. No significant differences were detected between the groups for each one of the measured distances in any of the three foot positions. CONCLUSIONS: Additional reduction and fixation of a small PMF seems to neutralize rotational forces in the ankle more effectively than a sole syndesmotic screw. Clinically, this becomes relevant in certain phases of the gait cycle. Direct screw osteosynthesis of a small PMF stabilizes the ankle more effectively than a positioning screw.

Trends of incidence and treatment strategies for operatively treated distal fibula fractures from 2005 to 2019: a nationwide register analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Valid epidemiological data about distal fibular fractures and their treatment strategies are missing. Innovative osteosynthesis techniques were introduced and improved during the past 15 years. The aim of this study was to investigate the epidemiologic development and the implementation of new treatment strategies in a nationwide register in Germany over a period of 15 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data of the German Federal Statistical Office from 2005 until 2019 were screened. Adults with a fracture of the distal fibula were included. Data were separated for gender, age and treatment strategy. RESULTS: During the past 15 years, there was a steady annual incidence of distal fibula fractures of 74 ± 32 per 100,000 people without any significant changes (p = 0.436). 60.1% ± 0.6% of all fractures occurred in females. The annual incidence for male was nearly constant over the different age groups, whereas for female, there was a clear increase in incidence above the age of 40. Whereas 66% of fractures in between 20 and 30 years of age occurred in male, approximately 70% of fractures above the age of 60 occurred in females. The relative quantity of locking plates increased from 2% in 2005 to 34% in 2019. In 2019, only 1.02% of the patients were operated with an intramedullary nail. CONCLUSIONS: Operatively treated distal fibular fractures revealed an age dependent increase in incidence in postmenopausal women compared to younger females. Regarding the treatment strategy, there was an increase in application of locking plates. The data implicate a typical fragility fracture related age and gender distribution for distal fibula fractures.

Antibiofilm efficacy of focused high-energy extracorporeal shockwaves and antibiotics in vitro.

AIMS: Biofilm formation is one of the primary reasons for the difficulty in treating implant-related infections (IRIs). Focused high-energy extracorporeal shockwave therapy (fhESWT), which is a treatment modality for fracture nonunions, has been shown to have a direct antibacterial effect on planktonic bacteria. The goal of the present study was to investigate the effect of fhESWT on Staphylococcus aureus biofilms in vitro in the presence and absence of antibiotic agents. METHODS: S. aureus biofilms were grown on titanium discs (13 mm × 4 mm) in a bioreactor for 48 hours. Shockwaves were applied with either 250, 500, or 1,000 impulses onto the discs surrounded by either phosphate-buffered saline or antibiotic (rifampin alone or in combination with nafcillin). The number of viable bacteria was determined by quantitative culture after sonication. Representative samples were taken for scanning electron microscopy. RESULTS: The application of fhESWT led to a ten-fold reduction in bacterial counts on the metal discs for all impulse numbers compared to the control (p < 0.001). Increasing the number of impulses did not further reduce bacterial counts in the absence of antibiotics (all p > 0.289). Antibiotics alone reduced the number of bacteria on the discs; however, the combined application of the fhESWT and antibiotic administration further reduced the bacterial count compared to the antibiotic treatment only (p = 0.032). CONCLUSION: The use of fhESWT significantly reduced the colony-forming unit (CFU) count of a S. aureus biofilm in our model independently, and in combination with antibiotics. Therefore, the supplementary application of fhESWT could be a helpful tool in the treatment of IFIs in certain cases, including infected nonunions. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2021;10(1):77-84.

[Competence, creativity and communication: basics for quality improvement in traumatology : Reality and future challenges]. / Kompetenz, Kreativität und Kommunikation: Grundlagen zur Qualitätsverbesserung in der Traumatologie : Realität und Herausforderung der Zukunft.

Interdisciplinary collaboration is one of the key factors for successful treatment of patients with complex injuries and diseases. Hence, several innovative concepts have been initiated to improve the treatment quality within the field of trauma surgery. The implementation of a ward pharmacist with the daily discussion of prescribed medications shows a reduction of side effects, costs for medicaments and the use of antibiotics. An interdisciplinary and multimodal delirium team was introduced and every patient over the age of 65 years was screened for the risk of perioperative and postoperative delirium, the medication was adjusted and expert advice was available in the case of acute delirium. Corresponding to the well-established tumor boards, an interdisciplinary musculoskeletal conference to decide on the treatment of complex interdisciplinary injuries of the musculoskeletal system should be established. The future challenges will include the digital connection of hospitals within the already existing trauma networks in order to provide rapid access to this interdisciplinary expertise also outside maximum care hospitals.

Trends in arthrodeses and total joint replacements in Foot and Ankle surgery in Germany during the past decade-Back to the fusion?

BACKGROUND: The goal of this study was to analyze trends in Foot and Ankle surgery in Germany during the past ten years. METHODS: Data of the German Federal Statistical Office from 2008 until 2018 were screened. We focused on the analysis of fusions and total joint replacements. RESULTS: The total amount of the surgeries increased (+39.5%). Especially fusions like arthrodesis of the ankle (+31%) and of the MTP-1 joint (+77%) were on the rise. In 2017 60% of ankle arthrodesis were conducted in men, while 69% of MTP-1 arthrodesis were performed in women. The amount of joint replacements showed a decline during the last decade, in TAR (-39%) and in the MTP-1 (-48%). Regarding the patients age while undergoing a TAR, we observed a shift of the peak age group from 65 to 70 years in 2008 towards 55-60 years in 2017. CONCLUSION: Our study represents actual health care reality in Germany and shows a constant increase of ankle arthritis surgeries in the last decade, while there was a massive shift regarding the ratio of TAR in favour of fusion procedures.

Comparison of clinically used bilayer collagen membrane and trilayer collagen prototype fixation stability in chondral defects at the talus - An experimental human specimen study.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this human specimen experimental study was to compare the fixation stability of clinically used bilayer collagen membrane with fibrin glue with trilayer collagen prototype without fibrin glue in chondral defects at the medial or lateral talar shoulder (both matrices from Geistlich Pharma AG, Wollhusen, Switzerland). METHODS: Eleven human specimens were used. The membranes were implanted in standardized chondral defects at the medial and lateral talar shoulder randomized. All tests were performed in load-control 15 kg. Range of motion ROM of each ankle was examined individually before testing. The average ROM was 10° dorsiflexion range 0°-20° and 30° plantarflexion range 20°-45°. 1,000 testing cycles with the defined ROM were performed. Two independent investigators, blinded to membrane and fixation type, visually assessed the membrane fixation integrity for peripheral detachment, area of defect uncovered, membrane constitution and delamination. RESULTS: The clinically used bilayer collagen membrane plus fibrin glue showed higher fixation stability than the trilayer prototype (all p < 0.05). No significant differences occurred between medial and lateral talar shoulder location (all p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The fixation stability of the trilayer collagen prototype without fibrin glue is lower than of the clinically used bilayer membrane with fibrin glue in chondral defects at the medial and lateral talar shoulder in an experimental human specimen test. Clinical use of trilayer collagen prototype without fibrin glue has to be validated by clinical testing to evaluate if the lower stability of fixation is still sufficient.

[Arthrodesis of the Upper Ankle and Subtalar Joint - Indication and Technique]. / Die Arthrodese des oberen Sprunggelenks und Rückfußes.

Arthrodesis of the upper ankle and subtalar joint are still frequently used and at the moment the gold standard in the therapy of severe arthritis and deformity of the ankle joint and hindfoot. The spectrum of indications is wide, beginning from posttraumatic or degenerative changes to postinfectious, rheumatoid and diabetic causes of arthritis and as a salvage procedure after failed ankle arthroplasty. The types of arthrodesis have to be differentiated from each other: tibiotalar, subtalar and tibiotalcalcaneal fusion. Soft tissue conditions have to be taken into account; these and individual factors like comorbidities and osseous conditions require an individual planning of the approaches and types of fixation.

Focused high-energy extracorporeal shockwaves as supplemental treatment in a rabbit model of fracture-related infection.

Focused high-energy extracorporeal shockwave therapy (fhESWT) is used to improve fracture healing in cases of nonunion. In addition, it has been shown to have direct antibacterial effects. We evaluated fhESWT as an adjunct to conventional treatment in a clinically relevant rabbit model of fracture-related infection (FRI). A humeral osteotomy in 31 rabbits was fixed with a seven-hole locking compression plate. FRI was established with a clinical Staphylococcus aureus isolate. After 2 weeks, a revision surgery was performed with debridement, irrigation, and implant retention. Rabbits then received: no further treatment (controls); shockwaves (4000 impulses with 23 kV at days 2 and 6 after revision); systemic antibiotics (rifampin and nafcillin); or the combination of antibiotics and shockwaves. Treatments were applied over 1 week. Blood cultures were taken before and after shockwave sessions. After another week without treatment, rabbits were euthanized and quantitative bacteriology was performed on implants and tissues to determine infection burden. Indicator organs (brain, heart, liver, lungs, kidneys, and spleen) were cultured to assess possible bacteremia. All the rabbits were infected at revision surgery as determined by the bacteriological culture of debrided materials. fhESWT in combination with antibiotic treatment lowered the bacterial burden 100-fold compared with antibiotic treatment alone in all samples (P = .38). This effect was most prevalent for the implant sample (P = .08). No significant effect was seen for fhESWT alone compared with untreated controls. No signs of bacteremia occurred in blood cultures and organs. fhESWT appears safe and could be a helpful adjunct to conventional treatment in certain difficult-to-treat FRIs.

Dose-dependent effect of parathyroid hormone on fracture healing and bone formation in mice.

BACKGROUND: Parathyroid hormone (PTH) is the only clinically approved osteoanabolic drug for osteoporosis treatment. However, PTH is not established for the treatment of fracture healing, and doses of PTH diverge significantly between different studies. We hypothesized that the effect of PTH on promoting fracture healing and bone formation is dose dependent. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In vivo, mice were treated with PTH (10, 40, and 200 µg/kg) in a closed femoral fracture model. Fracture healing was analyzed after 4 weeks. The fourth lumbar vertebra was analyzed to assess systemic effects. In addition, osteoblasts from calvaria of mice were treated in vitro with PTH doses of 10-5-50 nM, and their differentiation was analyzed after 26 days. RESULTS: In vivo, PTH dose-dependently stimulated bone formation in the fracture callus and the vertebral body. However, PTH treatment did not increase biomechanical stiffness of the fractured femora in a dose-dependent manner. The increased bone formation in the 200 µg/kg group was associated with a depletion of osteoclasts, indicating diminished bone remodeling. Of interest, in vitro, we observed diminished mineralization with the highest doses of PTH in osteoblast cultures. CONCLUSIONS: PTH dose-dependently stimulates bone formation in vivo. However, during fracture healing, this did not result in a dose-dependent increase of the mechanical stiffness of the fracture callus. Taken together, our in vivo and in vitro data indicate that the dose-dependent effects of PTH during fracture healing are based on the actions on multiple cell types, thereby influencing not only bone formation but also osteoclastic callus remodeling.