Introduction

This is a report of the outcome of management of congenital pseudoarthrosis of the tibia (CPT) at skeletal maturity.

The authors present their experience using osteogenic protein 1 (OP-1; “Osigraft”) in the treatment of recalcitrant atrophic pseudoarthrosis (PA) of the limbs in patients in whom osteosynthesis surgery failed at least two to four, and more, times. All patients with PA who were treated showed a preoperative radiographic pattern of severe bone atrophy surrounding the peri-fracture zone, without evident signs of reparative activity. All osteosynthesis hardware showed clear evidence of mechanical failure (rupture or mobilisation) so they were changed in all patients during the surgery. From January 2003 to February 2004 we used Osigraft to treat 10 patients with an atrophic PA at the following level: two femurs, three humera, one forearm, three tibiae (1/4 distal) and one tibia (1/3 medium). Osigraft was associated in seven patients with an autograft and in three patients with an allograft plus platelet growth factors (one distal femur, one distal tibia and one humerus). Mean age of patients was 38 years (range: 22–54) and mean duration of disease from the initial trauma was 36 months (range 26–40).

The radiological aspect of the newly formed bone, both endostal and periostal, was very similar to that observed in primary healing, with an inter-fragmentary callus as observed in similar cases treated since the beginning with the most appropriate therapy and that healed after the first operation. In all cases we observed healing of the PA focus in a time period of 6–11 months (mean 8.5) with a satisfactory functional recovery in eight cases; in two cases residual articular stiffness, one knee and one ankle, will require arthroscopic surgery.

Because of the limited number of patients treated with this new method, we can only draw preliminary conclusions. However, compared with our previous experience, we can confirm that Osigraft (OP-1) significantly contributes to bone healing whenever biological reparative potential is strongly compromised because of the type of original trauma, the long time elapsed since then and the many preceding surgeries. Healing times, even if they appear to be quite long, are actually short considering the severity of our cases, usually requiring further surgery for PA not healing after the third intervention (more than 30 %) and cured, if reached, in 12–18 months.

Introduction: Congenital pseudoarthrosis is one of the greatest challenges of pediatric orthopedic practice. Treatment measures and literature addressing this condition are numerous reflecting the difficulty in management. The aim of successful treatment is to achieve length, union and normal axis of the involved leg.

A method of treatment is described whereby the affected tibia is united and lengthened.

Material and methods: Ten patients between six and thirty years of age were treated.

All patients suffered from Boyd 1 or 2 Psuedoarthrosis of the Tibia. All patients had had previous surgery (three to thirteen operations) and three to ten centimeter of shortening. All patients were treated by lengthening of the tibia and open debridement and compression of the pseudoarthrosis till union using Ilizarov techniques.

Results: All patients had eventual successful outcome.

Eight patients achieved union length and normalization of the tibial axis with the first operation and two patients had recurrence of the pseudoarthrosis and had re-operation with success.

Conclusion: Successful surgical treatment of pseudoarthrosis of the tibia is possible.

To achieve this success a number of basic principles need to be followed.

These principles are:

Correction of the axis of the limb.

This treatment regime has shown success in the failed management of the pseudoarthrosis and if these principles are adhered to this regime will have success in the management of this pathology and prevent re-operation.

Introduction

Proximal humeral fracture occurs most frequently in elderly and usually unite within 12 weeks. Malunion is more common than nonunion. And even if nonunion occurs, we usually treat it by the blade plate. Norris et al. reported hemiarthroplasty is indicated for severe degenerative changes of the articular surface, osteonecrosis of the humeral head, or osteopenia severe enough to jeopardize fixation in order patients. Therefore, it is not common that hemiarthroplasty is used for primary treatment of the proximal humeral pseudoarthrosis. We report a case of proximal humerus pseudoarthrosis which was treated by hemiarthroplasty.

Aims

Congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia (CPT) has traditionally been a difficult condition to treat, with high complication rates, including nonunion, refractures, malalignment, and leg length discrepancy. Surgical approaches to treatment of CPT include intramedullary rodding, external fixation, combined intramedullary rodding and external fixation, vascularized fibular graft, and most recently cross-union. The current study aims to compare the outcomes and complication rates of cross-union versus other surgical approaches as an index surgery for the management of CPT. Our hypothesis was that a good index surgery for CPT achieves union and minimizes complications such as refractures and limb length discrepancy.

The treatment of relapsing pseudoarthrosis of ulna presents quite a lot of perplexities as regards the surgical strategy to follow which means of synthesis to solve the biomechanical problems (lack of favourable loading stimuli and, on the contrary, presence of unfavourable torsional strengths due to the movement of pronosupination of the forearm),and how to interact in order to favour the restoration of osteogenesis (homologous or autologous bone graft, vascularized or not, bone substitutes, employment of autologous growth factors, of morphogenetic proteins (BMP),and of autologous staminal cells).

The authors report about 4 particular cases of relapsing pseudoarthrosis of the ulna previously treated with autologous bone grafts but with no recovery.

In order to activate osteogenesis, the authors have employed a graft of autologous bone enriched with platelet derived growth factors + adult mesenchymal stem cells from drawing from the iliac wing. The osteosyntesis has been carried out in 3 cases with endomidollar locked nail and, in one case, with external fixation.

All the four cases have reached prompt lasting clinical recovery (following up from 8 to 28 month) and Rx precocious evidence of osteointegration of the grafts independently from the synthesis means.

The limited casuistry does not enable us to report any comparable statistical data.

The authors think that association of AGF + adult mesenchymal stem cells can be determinant and encouraging and, thanks to the results, they suggest its spreading.

Purpose: We set four objectives: compare compression plate with locking screw, assess bone graft usefulness, assess utility of resection and compression of fracture site, and determine prognostic factors.

Materials and methods: A multicentre study was carried out including Sant Pau, Valle de Hebròn and IMAS hospitals in Barcelona. 54 surgical cases treated from 1994 to 2003 were included for retrospective study. Three groups of factors were analysed: familial, factors associated with the initial trauma and those associated with the surgical procedure. We studied the statistical relation to consolidation, consolidation time and postoperative complications.

Results: The following factors significantly enhanced consolidation (p< 0.05): treatment with nail in atrophic pseudoarthrosis and plate in hypertrophic. Consolidation time was significantly shortened (p< 0.05) if fractures were initially simple (type A) and for those initially treated conservatively. Postoperative complications were reduced (p< 0.05) in fractures that were initially simple (type A).

Conclusions: There were no differences between the two implants studied in terms of consolidation, consolidation time and complications. However, cases of atrophic pseudoarthrosis had a better outcome with nails and the hypertrophic cases with plates. Bone grafts did not improve results. Compression of the fracture site was a determining factor in achieving consolidation; therefore, open intramedullary nailing should be performed to this end. Simple fractures and fractures initially receiving conservative treatment were good prognostic factors following pseudoarthrosis surgery.

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to identify those characteristics of congenital tibial dysplasia (CTD) that portend the worst prognosis, including the probable failure of all surgical attempts to achieve union. Clear identification/ classification of this select population of cases could add earlier consideration of relevant treatment options.

Method: While several classification systems for CTD exist, the Crawford classification was used to review the literature and our hospital cases (6) to examine the relationship between case characteristics, treatment, and outcome.

Results: An atypical variation of Crawford’s type IIC was identified, herein referred to as type IID, that was characterized by early onset, frank pseudoarthrosis, and deformity of the distal-one third of the tibia and fibula. As well, these patients underwent failed multiple surgeries and numerous type treatments over time without good functional outcome and with prolonged physical difficulties.

Conclusion: The cases that fall into this newly defined category (IID) of the Crawford classification for CTD are best treated with early amputation rather than repeated attempts to gain union.

Significance: Amputation for patients with congenital tibial dysplasia (congenital pseudoarthrosis of the tibia) that are identified as type IID cases and carry the characteristics for a bad prognosis, provides better functional results than repeated surgeries, even when union is achieved. The family should be warned from the beginning that a stable union is unlikely in these cases. Amputation should be offered as a primary or an early option to the family with full disclosure of the long-term advantages and disadvantages of all therapeutic paths.

Purpose: We carried out a biomechanical study by finite element analysis to compare treatment with a plate and treatment with a nail in pseudoarthrosis of the humeral shaft.

Materials and methods: We used a cadaver humerus and the two fixation devices to generate the geometry with design software (CATIA® v4.2). We then modelled the shapes with finite element analysis software (MSC.Patran®) and created three experimental models: healthy humerus, humerus with shaft pseudoarthrosis stabilised with AO plate and humerus with shaft pseudoarthrosis stabilised with locking nail. Both implants were titanium. The three models were subjected to nine different load conditions and the results compared.

Results: The nail model is stiffer than the plate in compression (3002.80 vs 789.68 N/mm), traction (6576.73 vs 1559.90 N/mm) and torsion (4.67 vs 2.73 N/mm). However, the plate model is biomechanically superior to the nail under other load conditions (mediolateral flexion, anteroposterior flexion, anteroposterior shear and mediolateral shear).

Conclusions: Although we can understand and compare the stability of the plate model with the nail, joint clinical and biomechanical studies are needed to determine the minimum stiffness required so that it will not interfere with the process of union under different load conditions.

Introduction: Treatment of defected pseudoarthrosis tibia remains controversial due to bone loss with/without infection arises from previous interventions. In the present study we evaluated the results of acute shortening and distraction osteogenesis in the treatment of tibia pseudoarthrosis with bone loss.

Material and Methods: Eleven patients were treated with acute shortening and distraction osteogenesis. Mean age and bone loss was 27.5 years (range 10–44) and 8.9 cm (range 3.5–12) respectively. 7 of eleven patients is infected pseudoarthrosis. Enfected patients were type 4A according to Chierny-Mader classification. The 4 of infected patients were treated with two staged procedure. In the first stage antibiotic (teicoplanin) impregnated polymethylmetacrilate beads were placed to the space occurred as a result of excision of sclerotic bone segment and fixation was performed by external fixator or braces. Second stage composed of acute compression (shortening) and distraction osteogenesis. Other 3 infected and noninfected patients were treated with resection, acute shortening and distraction osteogenesis in one stage. In six cases docking site were grafted with autografts. Defects greater than 4 cm were gradually shortened 2mm/day in addition to acute shortening. Limb length inequality was solved with lengthening from proximal tibial corticotomy and achieving union of both sites about the same time.

Results: Mean follow up, external fixator time and external fixator index was 48.3 months (21–80), 8.9 months (6–13) and 1,3 month/cm respectively. results were evaluated according to Paley’s bone and functional evaluation scoring. Eleven patient revealed excellent results with regard to bone evaluation and 10 patient revealed excellent and 1 patient revealed good results in terms of functional evaluation. In one patient fracture at the pseudoartrosis site occurred due to new trauma after removal of the fixator which was treated with circular external fixator. In the another patient, the lengthening regenerate side was low quality bone which need intra-medullary fixation and grafted with autograft.

Conclusion: Acute shortening and distraction osteogenesis is a safe and successful procedure in the treatment of defected tibia pseudoarthrosis and is alternative to other treatments. Acute shortening and distraction osteogenesis was found to be successful and safe with regard to functional results in the treatment of defected tibia pseudoarthrosis. Besides we suggest it as an alternative due to lower rate of complications and less external fix-ator time compared to other Methods:

Introduction:

Several reports showed superior fusion rates, as high as 100%, using rhBMP-2 with ALIF cages. This has led to the widespread off-label use of rhBMP-2 in several other lumbar fusion procedures. There is paucity of reports analysing the clinic-radiological outcome of using rhBMP-2 to promote bone union in cases of symptomatic pseudoarthosis following lumbar spine fusion.

Thirteen consecutive patients with scoliosis, treated with anterior spinal fusion with a single rigid rod, were followed up clinically and radiographically for 19 months.

The mean major curve, 52° preoperatively, improved to 10° at follow-up.

The results of anterior single-rod spinal fusion in patients with idiopathic scoliosis are excellent. No development of kyphosis or incidence of hardware failure was seen.

CPT is a rare disorder often leading to multiple surgical procedures in an attempt to achieve union but frequently ending in amputation.

The author presents a personal series of four cases (ages 3 + 4, 3 + 4, 4 + 3, 7 + 9 years) three of which had had a total of ten previous procedures. All patients underwent removal of previous fixation, excision of the abnormal periosteal tissue, freshening of the bone ends and “ram rodding” together under compression with the application of an lIizarov frame. A separate proximal osteotomy was performed for lengthening. The non-union was grafted primarily at the time of fixator application. Following frame removal a custom made telescopic nail was inserted in the three most recent cases. Average frame time was 263 days (184–301). All four cases have healed primarily and remain healed (19, 28, 31 and 70 months) post frame removal. The case not treated with a nail underwent bending of the proximal regenerate bone and required a second osteotomy to correct the deformity. Other than pin infections managed by antibiotics and local cares, the only other complication was the backing out of a cross-locking wire from the IM nail which required reinsertion.

The use of the llizarov frame enables a radical excision of pathological tissue and rigid compression of the non-union with concurrent restoration of limb length. The telescoping rod that is locked in the epiphyses proximally and distally enables normal rehabilitation of the joints without the need for prolonged bracing. The ongoing success of this treatment has encouraged the author to recommend it as the primary management for established congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia.

The Masquelet technique, also known as the ‘induced membrane technique’ has been utilised in adult reconstruction with varied success. However, there is limited literature on its use in children and this study aims to share our experience. Materials & Methods. Between 2014 and 2022, 7 children underwent bone defect/infection reconstruction using Masquelet technique, four for complications of Congenital Pseudoarthrosis of Tibia (CPT) treatment, two with chronic osteomyelitis and one for Osteogenesis imperfecta with infected nonunion. The length of the defect relative to the length of the bone (index of reconstruction expressed as a percentage), time to union and complications were evaluated with standard radiographs and from electronic medical records. Results. The mean age was 11 years and the procedure was done in five tibiae, one femur and a metatarsal. The mean time interval was 7.1 weeks between the first and second stage surgery. The mean index of reconstruction was 25.8% and the mean follow up period was 17 months. Though six patients achieved union with a mean time to union of 6.5 months (range 4.5 to 10), two patients with multiple previous surgeries for CPT decided to have ablation despite union. The interosseous Masquelet technique of cross synostosis between the tibia and fibula is being highlighted. Conclusions. The Masquelet technique is a reliable method in complex aetiologies and complications that require methodical planning to achieve good results especially in rescue situations of the tibia

Pseudoarthrosis after spinal fusion is an important complication leading to revision spine surgeries. Iliac Crest Bone Graft is considered the gold standard, but with limited availability and associated co-morbidities, spine surgeons often utilize alternative bone grafts. Determine the non-inferiority of a novel submicron-sized needle-shaped surface biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP<µm) as compared to autograft in instrumented posterolateral spinal fusion. Adult patients indicated for instrumented posterolateral spinal fusion of one to six levels from T10-S2 were enrolled at five participating centers. After instrumentation and preparation of the bone bed, the randomized allocation side of the graft type was disclosed. One side was grafted with 10cc of autograft per level containing a minimum of 50% iliac crest bone. The other side was grafted with 10cc of BCP<µm granules standalone (without autograft or bone marrow aspirate). In total, 71 levels were treated. Prospective follow-up included adverse events, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and a fine-cut Computerized Tomography (CT) at one year. Fusion was systematically scored as fused or not fused per level per side by two spine surgeons blinded for the procedure. The first fifty patients enrolled are included in this analysis (mean age: 57 years; 60% female and 40% male). The diagnoses included deformity (56%), structural instability (28%), and instability from decompression (20%). The fusion rate determined by CT for BCP<μm was 76.1%, which compared favorably to the autograft fusion rate of 43.7%. Statistical analysis through binomial modeling showed that the odds of fusion of BCP<μm was 2.54 times higher than that of autograft. 14% of patients experienced a procedure or possible device-related severe adverse event and there were four reoperations. Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) score decreased from a mean of 46.0 (±15.0) to a mean of 31.7 (±16.9), and 52.4% of patients improved with at least 15-point decrease. This data, aiming to determine non-inferiority of standalone BCP<μm as compared to autograft for posterior spinal fusions, is promising. Ongoing studies to increase the power of the statistics with more patients are forthcoming

Purpose: A retrospective review of 180 consecutive luque unit rod instrumentations for neuromuscular scoliosis revealed a low rate (7%) of reoperation for hardware related issues. The results of this cost effective instrumentation are good, and we question whether moving to more expensive systems (eg pedicle screws) will provide benefit to patients. Method: A retrospective clinical and radiographic review of 180 consecutive patients, treated with the unit rod and sublaminar wires for progressive neuromuscular scoliosis and cerebral palsy, between 1994 and 2004 was done. Preoperative, intraoperative, and outcome data were obtained from hospital and clinic records with 2 to 12 years of followup. Results: Mean age at surgery was 13 years. Of 180 patients, 158 were full time wheelchair users. 112 patients underwent isolated posterior surgery, 68 underwent anterior & posterior surgeries. Allograft was used in 96%. Mean surgical time was 5 hours 45 minutes, blood loss was 1325 cc. Mean cobb angles improved from 72° to 32°, pelvic obliquity improved from 20° to 9°. Overall postoperative complications were 222, with 36 (20%) of 180 patients experiencing no complication. Only 13 patients of 180 required revision surgery for hardware related problems. Pseudoarthrosis was seen in 7 patients. 18 patients had prominence of the rod. Of 22 ambulatory patients, 3 became wheelchair dependent. 8 showed coronal decompensation. Medical complications included respiratory in 52 patients, deep or superficial infection in 29, ileus in 23, UTI in 19, SMA syndrome in 5, and other in 18. Conclusion: Although overall complications were high in this patient group, hardware related complications of the unit rod were low. Respiratory and other medical problems were most of the complications and would not be minimized with different hardware. The unit rod achieved and maintained spinal balance and fusion with only 13 hardware related revisions in 180 patients (7%)

Introduction and Aims: To review the existing classifications in characterising the pathologic morphology of congenital lower limb deficiencies (CLLLD) and their usefulness in planning limb reconstruction. Method: Ninety-five patients undergoing limb reconstruction were classified using existing classifications. Predominantly femoral deficiencies were classified using Aitken, Amstutz, Hamanishi, Gillespie and Torode, Fixsen and Lloyd-Roberts, Kalamchi, and Pappas systems and fibular deficiencies were classified using Coventry and Johnston, Achterman and Kalamchi, and Birch systems. Results: All patients with predominant deficiency of one segment (femoral or fibular) also had associated shortening of the other segment in the same limb. Acetabular dysplasia, knee instability due to cruciate insufficiency and lateral femoral condylar hypoplasia were found in both femoral and fibular deficiencies. None of the existing classification systems were able to represent the complete pathologic morphology in any given patient. Due consideration of alignment, joint stability and length discrepancy of affected limb as a whole at the planning stage of reconstruction could not be ascertained using these classification systems. Instead, it was useful to characterise the morphology of the involved limb using the following method:. Acetabulum: Dysplastic/Non-dysplastic. Ball (Head of femur): Present/Absent. Cervix (Neck of femur): Pseudoarthrosis and neck-shaft angle. Diaphysis of femur: Length/deformity. Knee: Cruciates. Fibula and Tibia: Length/deformity. Ankle: Normal/Ball and socket/valgus. Heel: Tarsal coalition/deformity. Ray: Number of rays in the foot. Conclusion: Existing classifications do not represent the complete morphology of the entire involved lower limb in CLLLD and therefore a systematic method of characterising the morphology of the lower limb is more useful in planning limb reconstruction

Introduction: Pseudoarthrosis in Ankylosing spondylitis is often misdiagnosed as infection. It is a slow progressing lesion resulting in a kyphosis and slow onset weakness of the lower limbs. We are presenting our strategy and experience in treating 9 patients with such a lesion. Method: 9 patients age range from 40–55 years who presented with pseudoarthrosis of the ankylosed spine underwent back-front surgery during 2001–204. 6 patients had dorsal spine lesion, 2 had dorso-lumbar junctional lesion and 1 had cervico-dorsal junctional lesion. 8/9 patients had insidious onset with progressive weakness of both lower limb. 1 patient had an acute onset with deformity. 7/9 patients had neurodeficit (Frankel C) 1/9 had complete paraplegia. All patients underwent posterior kyphosis correction and decompression of the spinal cord. During posterior decompression 8/9 patients had an incidental dural tear due to adherence fractured lamina. The dura was repaired primarily or patch graft. 5/9 patients had single stage back and front surgery. The rest of the patients had staged surgery. The front surgery was excision of the tough fibrotic psuedoarthosis and reconstruction using strut graft/cage. Results: Average duration of surgery was 4 ½ hours (3 ½ to 6 hours). Blood loss was 800 ml (600–1300 ml). All patients required blood transfusion. Primary dural repair was done in 7/8 cases, patch graft in 3/8 cases, ceiling with fusion glue and fat graft in 1 patient. 5 patients who had less that 1000 ml blood loss during posterior surgery had same stage anterior reconstruction. Rest of the patient had 2 staged surgery. 4/9 patients had previous THR B/L. All patients showed rapid improvement in the neurological status and at 3 months follow up all were Frankel E. Conclusion: The surgical outcome of the ankylosing spondylitis patients with Andersson lesion with neurological deficit is encouraging. Excision of the pseudoarthroses anteriorly and posterior spinal stabilization resulted in full recovery of the deficit. However there were difficulties encountered during the posterior decompression due to adhesions of the posterior elements to the dura

Late wound infection is a recognised complication of instrumented spinal deformity surgery. In most cases it is a benign complication which usually resolves after implant removal. However, some of our patients with late infection developed a pseudoarthrosis. To investigate this further we undertook a retrospective review of all patients undergoing implant removal for deep infection between 1991 and 2000. Twenty-one patients were identified, representing a late infection rate of at least 6%. They showed no specific pre- or intra-operative risk factors. Nine had some problems with early post-operative wound healing, which settled with minimal treatment. Late infection presented as localised swelling or a discharging sinus between 4 and 84 months (average 31 months) post-surgery. Blood parameters were abnormal in 15 cases, frank infection demonstrated in 19 cases, loosening of the implant in four cases and positive bacteriology culture in 14 cases. Wounds healed within 2 to 17 weeks (average 5 weeks) following implant removal, wound debridement and antibiotic therapy lasting 2 to 20 weeks (average 6 weeks). This was delayed until one year post-surgery in the three cases presenting early. Follow-up of between 6 and 92 months (average 38 months) revealed no persistent infection. Pseudoarthrosis developed in seven patients (33%). Four of these patients had progressive deformity warranting refusion and three produced minimal symptoms. Patients developing a pseudoarthrosis had an excess of post-operative wound problems, presented much earlier and had more severe infections compared to those without sequelae. Late infection is confirmed as a relatively common complication of scoliosis surgery. Implant removal, aggressive debridement and primary closure is confirmed as effective treatment to eradicate the infection. A high rate of pseudoarthrosis is the only sequelae. The excess of early infections in these cases may indicate interference with a critical stage of the fusion process. Preservation of the implants until one year post surgery was unsuccessful at preventing a pseudoarthrosis

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY. Occipitocervical fixation and spondylodesis is indicated in various cases of occipitocervical instability. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the results of occipitocervical fixation at our institutions. MATERIAL + METHODS. Between 1997 and 2007, a total of 57 patients underwent occipitocervical fixation (OC) there were 25 men and 32 women, from 4 to 77 years of age. 2 groups, group one - tying wires or cables and group two - screw-rod or screw-plate systems. Indications included trauma in 15, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in 28, destruction due to psoriasis in one, tumour in eight, and congenital anomalies in five patients. The patients were evaluated at a final follow-up ranging between 12 and 132 months after the primary surgery (average, 42.7 months). Indications for surgery and the method and extent of instrumentation were recorded. The evaluation included pain and neurological deficit assessment, radiographic evidence of the stability of fixation and bone union and intra-operative and early and late post-operative complications. RESULTS. Of the 57 patients, bone fusion was the aim of surgery in 52. Five patients died of associated injuries or serious medical complications shortly after the operation. Of the remaining 47, bone union was achieved in 44 patients (93.6%). Pseudoarthrosis developed in three patients who. In terms of bone union, there was no difference between a short (C0–C2) and a long (C0-CX or C-T) fixation. No differences among fixation materials were found. The differences in percent bone union after spondylodesis between the tying-wire and screw-rod fixation systems were not statistically significant (p>0.05). In the patients treated for RA, psoriasis or congenital anomaly, the Nurick scale score significantly improved at 2 years after surgery (p<0.05). In comparison with the others, the RA patients had a significantly higher number of complications (p<0.05). The patients treated for tumour showed a significant difference between the pre- and post-operative VAS values (p<0.05). DISCUSSION. Of the patients with RA, psoriasis or congenital anomaly, 57.6% showed post-operative improvement in the Nurick scale score by 1–2 but never more than by 2. A decrease in pain intensity and neurological findings was recorded in 88.2% of the patients. This is in agreement with the results published in the international literature. In the patients treated for trauma, a high proportion (53.3%) had neurological deficit, which is unusually high for craniocervical injuries. This can be explained by the fact that OC fixation is used only in the most serious injuries. Of five patients with neurological deficit of Frankel grade A or B, three died and two required mechanical ventilation. Less serious neurological findings of Frankel grade C or D in three patients improved to a normal condition. CONCLUSIONS. Rigid OC fixation is a very effective method for the treatment of craniocervical junction instability. The currently used implants allow us to achieve high stability and efficiency of bone union. Regardless of the instrumentation used, fusion is achieved in more than 90%, and clinical improvement in more than 80% of the patients