In previous small series, some authors have suggested a difference between re-fractures through immature callus and remodelled bone. We aimed to determine whether different fracture patterns occur in early and late re-fractures of paediatric forearm bones. Notes and radiographs of 77 forearm re-fractures from children aged 2–14 years were retrieved from our institution's radiographic database. Children treated surgically at initial presentation and re-fractures beyond one year were excluded. A control group of 100 forearm fractures without complication was used for comparison. Statistical analysis used chi-square and unpaired t-tests and statistically significant results were based on a two-tailed p-value <0.05Aim
Methods
A novel, validated three dimensional finite element model of the femur was used to characterize the stress concentration in the bone at the proximal end of a fracture fixation plate. A supracondylar fracture of the distal femur fixed with a plate was modeled utilizing physiologic load patterns simulating several phases of a cycle of gait. The relative maginitude and length of the zone of increased stress was characterized. The effects of varying plate geometry and material in the attempt to decrease stress concentration at the end of the plated were investigated. The exact nature and distribution of stresses around femoral fracture fixation plates remains unclear making it difficult to determine how close to existing hardware a distal femoral plate can be implanted. Our objective was to use a novel, validated finite element (FE) model to examine the stress distribution at the proximal end of the plate. The von Mises element stresses in the bone without the implant were compared to those with the implant. Additionally, we determined the effect of metal (titanium versus stainless steel), and plate taper (ten, thirty and forty-five degrees) on stresses at the proximal end of the plate. The peak von Mises stress in the plated bone occurred below the corners of the plate, and was approximately four times that in the un-plated case (thirty-eight MPa versus nine MPa). We identified a distance of 34 mm (approximately one bone diameter) beyond the edge of the plate before stresses returned to within 1% of the un-plated control. The choice of metal did not affect the state of stress distribution in the bone beyond the proximal edge of the plate. In addition, the stress concentrations decreased proportionally as the taper angle decreased from forty-five to ten. Utilizing this FE model we report the following:
Stresses are concentrated at the end of plates and return to within normal limits approximately one bone diameter beyond the edge of the plate. The stress concentrations decrease proportionally as the taper angle decreases. Titanium plates offer no added advantage in stress reduction at the end of the plate.
Aims. The timing of when to remove a circular frame is crucial; early removal results in
Aims. There is ambiguity surrounding the degree of scaphoid union required to safely allow mobilization following scaphoid waist fracture. Premature mobilization could lead to
Our study seeks to determine whether characteristics of radiographs taken post-reduction of a forearm fracture can indicate future risk of
This study was conducted to investigate the characteristics, complications, radiologic features and clinical course of patients undergoing reduction of forearm fractures in order to better inform patient prognosis and postoperative management. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 1079 pediatric patients treated for forearm fractures between January 2014 and September 2021 in a 327 bed regional medical center. A preoperative radiological assessment and chart review was performed. Percent fracture displacement, location, orientation, comonution, fracture line visibility and angle of angulation were determined by AP and lateral radiographs. Percent fracture displacement was derived by: (Displacement of Bone Shafts / Diameter) x 100% = %Fracture Displacement. Angle of angulation and percent fracture displacement were calculated by averaging AP and lateral radiograph measurements. 80 cases, averaging 13.5±8.3 years, were identified as having a complete fracture of the radius and/or ulna with 69 receiving closed reduction and 11 receiving fixation via an intramedullary device or percutaneous pinning. Eight patients (10%) experienced complications with four resulting in a
Introduction. This is a report of the outcome of management of congenital pseudoarthrosis of the tibia (CPT) at skeletal maturity. Materials and Methods. Retrospective study. Inclusion criteria:. CPT Crawford IV. Skeletally maturity. Availability of radiographs and medical records. Outcome: union rate, healing time, residual deformities, ablation and
The aim of this study was to define the long-term outcome following adolescent clavicle fracture. We retrospectively reviewed all adolescent fractures presenting to our region (13–17years) over a 10-year period. Patient reported outcomes were undertaken at a minimum of 4 years post-injury (QuickDASH and EQ-5D) in completely displaced midshaft fractures (Edinburgh 2B, >2cm displacement, n=50) and angulated midshaft fractures (Edinburgh 2A2, >30 degrees angulation, n=32). 677 clavicle fractures were analysed. The median age was 14.8 (IQR 14.0–15.7) and 89% were male. The majority were midshaft (n=606, 89.5%) with either angulation (39.8%) or simple fully displaced (39.1%). Only 3% of midshaft fractures underwent acute fixation (n=18/606), all of which were fully displaced. The incidence of
Acute metatarsal fractures are a common extremity injury. While surgery may be recommended to reduce the risk of nonunion or symptomatic malunion, most fractures are treated with nonoperative management. However, there is significant variability between practitioners with no consensus among clinicians on the most effective nonoperative protocol, despite how common the form of treatment. This systematic review identified published conservative treatment modalities for acute metatarsal fractures and compares their non-union rate, chronic pain, and length of recovery, with the objective of identifying a best-practices algorithm. Searches of CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE, and CENTRAL identified clinical studies, level IV or greater in LOE, addressing non-operative management strategies for metatarsal fractures. Two reviewers independently screened the titles, abstracts, and full texts, extracting data from eligible studies. Reported outcome measures and complications were descriptively analyzed. Studies were excluded if a rehabilitation program outlining length of immobilization, weight-bearing and/or strengthening approaches was not reported. A total of 12 studies (8 RCTs and 4 PCs), from the 2411 studies that were eligible for title screening, satisfied inclusion criteria. They comprised a total of 610 patients with acute metatarsal fractures, with a mean age of 40.2 years (range, 15 – 82). There were 6 studies that investigated avulsion fractures, 2 studies on true Jones fractures, and 4 studies with mixed fracture types. Studies assessed a variety of treatment modalities including: WB and NWB casts, elasticated support bandages, hard-sole shoes, plaster slippers, metatarsal shoe casts, and air cast boots. Most studies investigated the outcomes of NWB casts and elasticated support bandages. The NWB short leg cast had no reported non-unions, delayed-unions, or
Introduction. Traditionally, radiological union of fractures treated with an Ilizarov frame is confirmed by a period of dynamization - destabilisation of the frame for a period prior to removal. Reduced clinic availability during the COVID-19 pandemic caused a shift to selective dynamisation in our department, whereby lower risk patients had their frames removed on the same day as destabilisation. This study investigates the effects of this change in practice on outcomes and complication rates. Materials & Methods. Adult patients treated with circular frames between April 2020 and February 2022 were identified from our Ilizarov database. Patients were divided into 2 groups: - “dynamised” if their frame was destabilised for a period to confirm union prior to removal; or “not dynamised” if the decision was taken to remove the frame without a period of dynamisation, other than a short period in the clinic. A retrospective review of clinical notes was conducted to determine outcome. Results. 175 patients were included in the final analysis, 70 in the dynamised and 103 in the not dynamised groups, median follow-up was 33 months. 3 patients in the dynamised group failed dynamisation and had their period of fixation extended, subsequently having their frames removed without complication. Two patients suffered a
The Femoral Neck System (FNS) was introduced as an alternative device for the fixation of neck of femur fractures (NOFFs). The purported advantages include superior angular and rotatory stability compared to multiple cancellous screws, via a minimally invasive instrumentation that is simpler than conventional fixed angle devices. There were limited clinical studies regarding the utility of this device. We aimed to study the outcomes of NOFFs fixed with the FNS. This was a single-institution, retrospective review of all undisplaced elderly (≥60 years old) undisplaced young, and displaced young NOFFs fixed with the FNS. Demographics, surgical parameters, radiographic parameters, and clinical outcomes including complications were reviewed. Thirty-six subjects with a median age of 75 [44,89] years old, had NOFF fixation using the FNS. Thirty-one (86.1%) had undisplaced fractures. There were 6 (16.7%), 26 (72.2%), and 4 (11.1%) subjects with Pauwels types 1, 2, and 3 respectively. Thirty-two (88.9%) had posterior tilt of <20º. The mean duration of surgery was 71±18 minutes. Excluding 4 patients whom required revision surgery, 2 patients whom demised, and 10 patients whom defaulted reviews, the mean follow-up duration was 55±13 weeks. Four complications were recorded, namely implant cut out at the femoral head at week 8, breaking of the locking screw at the run-off region at week 22, avascular necrosis at week 25, and a
Recurrent fracture risk after kyphoplasty is inferior to vertebroplasty, but the risk is still eminent. The reduction of kyphosis is strongly related to the age of the fracture, therefore the reduction and the correction of the kyphosis varies. We investigated the indication of a prophylactic kyphoplasty of adjacent levels to the fracture site in order to decrease the postoperative
Purpose: After vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty the recurrent fracture risk after kyphoplasty is inferior to vertebroplasty, but the risk is still eminent. The reduction of kyphosis is strongly related to the age of the fracture, therefore the reduction and the correction of the kyphosis varies. We investigated the indication of a prophylactic kyphoplasty of adjacent levels to the fracture site in order to decrease the postoperative
Aims. To investigate a treatment algorithm of various Ilizarov methods in managing infected tibial non-union. Patients and Methods. A consecutive series of 76 patients with infected tibial non-union were treated with one of four Ilizarov protocols, consisting of; monofocal distraction (25 cases), monofocal compression (18), bifocal compression/distraction (16) and bone transport (17). Median duration of non-union was 10.5 months (range 2–546 months). All patients underwent at least one previous operation, 36 had associated limb deformity and 49 had non-viable non-unions. Twenty-six cases had a new muscle flap at the time of Ilizarov surgery and 24 others had pre-existing flaps. Results. Infection was eradicated in 74 cases (96.1%) at a mean follow-up of 42 months (range 8–131). Both infection recurrences were in the monofocal compression group. Union was achieved in 66 cases (86.8%) with the initial Ilizarov method alone. Union was highest amongst the monofocal distraction and bifocal compression/distraction groups, 96% and 93.8% respectively. Monofocal compression was successful in only 77.8% of mobile non-unions. Bone transport secured initial union in 76.5% with a 47% unplanned reoperation rate. However, following further treatment union was 100% in the bone transport group compared to 88.9% in the monofocal compression group. Six cases sustained a
Introduction. Correction of multiplanar bone deformities in children is indicated for prevention of secondary orthopaedic complications. Different problems related to surgical intervention were reported: non-union, delayed union, recurrent deformity,
The December 2015 Children’s orthopaedics Roundup. 360 . looks at: Paediatric femoral fractures: a single incision nailing?; Lateral condylar fractures: open or percutaneous?; . Forearm
Introduction: Aim of this study is to evaluate the results of the treatment using the technique of dual cortical graft. Material and Methods: Twenty-one patients (13 boys, 8 girls, age 3–8 years) were treated in period 1996–2008 in our institution. In seventeen patients, dual cortical graft harvested from tibia of parents was used for reconstruction of pseudarthrosis. NF type I was the cause of pseudarthrosis in 13 patients. After resection of the hamartomatous fibrous tissue, sclerotic bone ends and periosteum and reduction of angulations, the cortical grafts are placed on lateral and medial side of the tibia and are fixed thru the tibia proximally and distally with conventional screws. Cast immobilization follows for 9–12 weeks. In concomitant fibular pseudarthrosis, intra-medullary fixation and cancelous bone grafting treat the pseudarthrosis. In 11 patients, this technique represented the 1st surgical procedure, whereas in 6 cases (including 2 failed vascularised fibular transfers), 1–15 previous surgical procedures were used in treatment. Further surgical procedures followed for correction of the leg length discrepancy and deformity of the ankle. Results: The fusion of non-union was achieved in 16 patients. 12 patients reached skeletal maturity (59%) whereas 4 patients (24%) did not finished the growth and are still in treatment. 10 patients use the protection brace and intramedullar nail was used in 2 patients to prevent
Ten RCTs published between 2000 and 2013 support treating distal radius buckle fractures and other low-risk distal radius fractures with a removable splint and with no orthopaedic follow-up. Application of this evidence has been shown to be variable and suboptimal resulting in unnecessary costs to a strained healthcare system. The Canadian evidence on this topic has been generated by subspecialist physicians working in paediatric hospitals. It is unclear what factors affect the dissemination of this information. We investigated the association of hospital type and physician type with the application of best-evidence treatment for low-risk distal radius fractures in children with the goal of improving our understanding of evidence diffusion in Ontario for this common injury. We performed a retrospective population-based cohort study using linked health care administrative data. We identified all children aged 2–14 treated in Ontario emergency departments from 2003–2015 with distal radius fractures with no reduction and no operation within a six week period. We excluded
Bone transport/limb lengthening with circular external fixation has been associated with a prolonged period of time in the frame and a significant major complication rate following frame removal. We examined the results of bone transport in fifty-one limbs using the “monorail” technique and found a dramatically improved lengthening index (24.5 days/cm. – time in frame /cm. of length gained) and an absence of
The purpose of this study was to compare reoperation and revision rates of double plating (DP), single plating using a lateral locking plate (SP), or distal femoral arthroplasty (DFA) for the treatment of periprosthetic distal femur fractures (PDFFs). All patients with PDFF primarily treated with DP, SP, or DFA between 2008 and 2022 at a university teaching hospital were included in this retrospective cohort study. The primary outcome was revision surgery for failure following DP, SP, or DFA. Secondary outcome measures included any reoperation, length of hospital stay, and mortality. All basic demographic and relevant implant and injury details were collected. Radiological analysis included fracture classification and evaluation of metaphyseal and medial comminution.Aims
Methods