Aim

Aim of this study was to establish the first clinical results after implantation of ultrathin silver-polysiloxane-coated₁ plates in the treatment of infected non-union of the femoral shaft.

Introduction

The management of a significant bone defect following excision of a diaphyseal atrophic femoral non-union remains a challenge. Traditional bone transport techniques require prolonged use of an external fixator with associated complications. We present our clinical outcomes using a combined technique of acute femoral shortening, stabilised with a deliberately long retrograde intramedullary nail, accompanied by bifocal osteotomy compression and distraction osteogenesis to restore segment length utilising a temporary monolateral fixator.

The paper present our results in application of new method for nonunion treatment of the femoral diaphysis.

The internal fixator has been applied with 36 patients. Bone graft substitution is used with 11 (30,5%) patients. The method of placement and results of the work according to the modified system of the Karlstrom-Olerud method have been presented. Excellent condition was found with 25 (69,4%) patients, satisfactory with 8 (22,2%) and poor with 3 (8,3%) patients. Average healing time is 57 weeks.

The method in which the internal fixator is applied provides complete stability of the nonunion and makes possible spontaneous-biological dinamization of the nonunion. It doesn’t damage the periosteal and medullary bone vascularization which favors healing process.

Periprosthetic femoral shaft fractures are a significant complication of total hip arthroplasty. Plate osteosynthesis with or without onlay strut allograft has been the mainstay of treatment around well-fixed stems. Nonunions are a rare, challenging complication of this fixation method. The number of published treatment strategies for periprosthetic femoral nonunions are limited. In this series, we report the outcomes of a novel orthogonal plating surgical technique for addressing nonunions in the setting of Vancouver B1 and C-type periprosthetic fractures that previously failed open reduction internal fixation (ORIF). A retrospective chart review of all patients from 2010 to 2014 with Vancouver B1/C total hip arthroplasty periprosthetic femoral nonunions was performed. All patients were treated primarily with ORIF. Nonunion was defined as no radiographic signs of fracture healing nine months post-operatively, with or without hardware failure. Exclusion criteria included open fractures and periprosthetic infections. The technique utilised a mechanobiologic strategy of atraumatic exposure, resection of necrotic tissue, bone grafting with adjuvant recombinant growth factor and revision open reduction internal fixation. Initially, compression was achieved using an articulated tensioning device and application of an anterior plate. This was followed by locked lateral plating. Patients remained non-weight bearing for eight weeks. Six Vancouver B1/C periprosthetic femoral nonunions were treated. Five patients were female with an average age of 80.3 years (range 72–91). The fractures occurred at a mean of 5.8 years (range 1–10) from their initial arthroplasty procedure. No patients underwent further revision surgery; there were no wound dehiscence, hardware failures, infections, or surgical complications. All patients had a minimum of nine months follow up (mean 16.6, range 9–36). All fractures achieved osseous union, defined as solid bridging callus over at least two cortices and pain free, independent ambulation, at an average of 24.4 weeks (range 6.1–39.7 weeks). To our knowledge, this is the first case series describing 90–90 locked compression plating using modern implants for periprosthetic femoral nonunions. This is a rare but challenging complication of total hip arthroplasty and we present a novel solution with satisfactory preliminary outcomes. Orthogonal locked compression plating utilising an articulated tensioning device and autograft with adjuvant osteoinductive allograft should be considered in periprosthetic femur fractures around a well-fixed stem. Further biomechanical and clinical research is needed to improve our treatment strategies in this population

Introduction: The treatment of femoral nonunions remains challenging despite modern surgical techniques and adjuncts to fracture healing. We present a series of 14 patients in whom a bifocal treatment technique has been used in order to achieve bony union and correct limb length. Methods: Patients were identified from theatre records and their hospital notes and x-rays were retrospectively reviewed. All patients underwent bifocal treatment for femoral nonunions – debridement and internal fixation (single or double plating) of the nonunion and lengthening at the opposite end of the bone to correct limb length discrepancy. Initially the procedures were staged, with treatment of the non-union then subsequent lengthening. However, our technique has evolved to perform all procedures in a single stage. All lengthening procedures were done with a monolateral (Orthofix LRS) fixator. Results: 11 patients had distal and 3 proximal femoral nonunions. 13 patients were male and 1 female. The non-union united with the index procedure in 13 patients, 1 is still undergoing treatment. Limb length discrepancy range 2–5 cm was fully corrected in all patients with no axial deviation of the regenerate. There were no pin site problems. Discussion: Femoral nonunions are challenging due to multiple previous procedures, insecure grip on the smaller fragment and bone loss. Successful union can be achieved by ORIF with bone grafting, but this does not restore length. Treatment by the Ilizarov method alone is associated with significant morbidity, particularly knee stiffness. A bifocal strategy provides stable internal fixation of the non-union to allow bone healing, and any consequent loss of length is safely restored. We believe this to be a safe and effective technique to treat femoral nonunions

Aims

This observational cross-sectional study aimed to answer the following questions: 1) how has nonunion incidence developed from 2009 to 2019 in a nationwide cohort; 2) what is the age and sex distribution of nonunions for distinct anatomical nonunion localizations; and 3) how high were the costs for surgical nonunion treatment in a level 1 trauma centre in Germany?

Aims

Endoprosthetic reconstruction with a distal femoral arthroplasty (DFA) can be used to treat distal femoral bone loss from oncological and non-oncological causes. This study reports the short-term implant survivorship, complications, and risk factors for patients who underwent DFA for non-neoplastic indications.

Retrospective data over an eight-year period was collected on twenty-four young patients with non-union of a femoral neck fracture who were followed to union. The cause of each nonunion was identified and a classification of the nonunions was established in order clarify treatment options. Patients were treated by a single surgeon. The treatment protocol was based on the classification of the femoral neck nonunion. There were no nonunions in the treated patients; however two patients who showed signs of avascular necrosis prior to treatment ultimately developed AVN. Femoral neck nonunion occurs in 20–30% of displaced femoral neck fractures. If the femoral head is viable, the treatment goal is femoral neck union to maintain it. Treatment options depend on the cause of nonunion. To clarify treatment options, a classification of nonunions was developed. The treatment regime developed was based on the type of nonunion. We believe that subclassification of the femoral nonunion improves the selection of treatment options. This classification-based treatment does not reduce the incidence of avascular necrosis, but does seem to guarantee union while permitting excellent function of the hip joint. A classification system based on the cause of the non-union clarifies treatment options to maintain the femoral head and produce union of the femoral neck. Based on the analysis a classification proposal relating to treatment was developed. In the original treatment group there were no nonunions but two cases of ultimate avascular necrosis— both showed signs of AVN on bone scan prior to treatment. Classifications:. Type I – Inadequate fixation or non-anatomic reduction (eight patients). Type II – Loss of fixation with displacement (fourteen patients). Type III (Rare) – Fibrous nonunion with no displacement and intact fixation (two patients). Twenty-four patients were treated by one surgeon and followed to union over eight years. The results were examined retrospectively to categorize cause of non-union and treatment protocol. A classification system that describes classes of nonunions and treatment for each type was developed

Aims

We aimed to evaluate the long-term impact of fracture-related infection (FRI) on patients’ physical health and psychological wellbeing. For this purpose, quality of life after successful surgical treatment of FRIs of long bones was assessed.

Introduction: The bone defects in the long bones are traumatic as a consequence of open fractures or resections due to infection or necrotic nonunion. A devitalised bone with no nutrition or vascularity is liable to an infection, with extension proportional to the size of the necrotic bone. To be sure to eliminate the infection and the nonunion it is necessary to perform open surgery and remove the necrotic and infected segments thoroughly, and then proceed to osteosynthesis and internal transport after osteotomy. Material and Methods: From 1981 to 2002 203 cases were treated with the Ilizarov Method. The previous treatment given before the patients came to our center was as follows: 1) in tibial nonunion intramedullary nail 17%; 2) in femoral nonunion plates 46%, monoaxial external fixator 42%, intramedullary nail 10%, circular external fixator 4%; 3) humerus nonunion Ender 3%, plates 81%, intramedullary nail 16%; 4) forearm nonunion plates 80%, wires and cast 20%. Our treatment was resection of the infected bone segment and then bifocal internal transport in 162 patients, threefocal convergent transport in 41, or threefocal tandem transport. If the resection does not exceed 4–5 cm. it is possible to perform immediate shortening, first by placing the resection stumps in contact and compression, and then by performing bifocal transport. The bifocal method consists of resection and proximal or distal metaphyseal osteotomy and then internal transport of the free bone segment bringing it into contact with the stump where the resection was performed. In the threefocal convergent method, after resection, two osteotomies are performed, one proximal and the other one distal, and the two bone segments are made to converge on the resection site. In the threefocal tandem method, after resection on a clear-cut proximal or distal infection, the osteotomies are performed on the same bone segment with double level transport. The good result is conditioned by satisfying regeneration in the site of the osteotomies. The rhythm of transport is purely individual and proportional to the patient’s age, and ranges from 1 to ¼ mm a day. In case of hypotrophy of the regenerated bone, concertina manoeuvring becomes necessary, that is shortening and subsequent distraction of the transport segments. Results: According to these techniques we attained both consolidation and elimination of the infection in 181 cases, that is 89%. Conclusions: In infectious nonunion healing cannot be possibly achieved through antibiotic therapy, so the only resolving action is the eradication of the necrotic-septic site and then its resection. The consequent limb shortening is compensated, in the Ilizarov Method, by internal transport of the healthy bone segment. Our results are good for cases, and the infection is eliminated in any case

Introduction

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a rapidly implemented restructuring of UK healthcare services. The The Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Stanmore, became a central hub for the provision of trauma services for North Central/East London (NCEL) while providing a musculoskeletal tumour service for the south of England, the Midlands, and Wales and an urgent spinal service for London. This study reviews our paediatric practice over this period in order to share our experience and lessons learned. Our hospital admission pathways are described and the safety of surgical and interventional radiological procedures performed under general anaesthesia (GA) with regards to COVID-19 in a paediatric population are evaluated.

Objectives

The objective of this study was to investigate the therapeutic effect of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNCs) treated with quality and quantity control culture (QQ-culture) to expand and fortify angiogenic cells on the acceleration of fracture healing.

Objectives

The monitoring of fracture healing is a complex process. Typically, successive radiographs are performed and an emerging calcification of the fracture area is evaluated. The aim of this study was to investigate whether different bone healing patterns can be distinguished using a telemetric instrumented femoral internal plate fixator.

Richard Carey Smith is an orthopaedic oncology surgeon with fellowship training in the UK, USA, Australia and Canada, and has worked in Zambia, Zimbabwe and Papa New Guinea. David Wood is head of the University Department of Orthopaedics in Perth, Western Australia. He did his masters in Africa, and first experienced Papa New Guinea on his medical elective, starting a lifelong commitment to medical aid work there.

The December 2012 Trauma Roundup³⁶⁰ looks at: whether tranexamic acid stops bleeding in trauma across the board; antibiotic beads and VAC; whether anaesthetic determines the outcome in surgery for distal radial fractures; high complications in surgery on bisphosphonate-hardened bone; better outcomes but more dislocations in femoral neck fractures; the mythical hip fracture; plate augmentation in nonunion surgery; and SIGN intramedullary nailing and infections.