PURPOSE. Osteochondral talar defects (OCDs) are sometimes located so far posteriorly that they may not be accessible by anterior arthroscopy, even with the ankle joint in full plantar flexion, because the talar dome is covered by the tibial plafond. It was hypothesized that computed tomography (CT) of the ankle in full plantar flexion could be useful for preoperative planning. The dual purpose of this study was, firstly, to test whether CT of the ankle joint in full plantar flexion is a reliable tool for the preoperative planning of anterior ankle arthroscopy for OCDs, and, secondly, to determine the area of the talar dome that can be reached by anterior ankle arthroscopy. METHODS. In this prospective study, CT-scans with sagittal reconstructions were made of 46 consecutive patients with their affected ankle in full plantar flexion. In the first 20, the distance between the anterior border of the OCD and the anterior tibial plafond was measured both on the scans and during anterior ankle arthroscopy as the gold standard. Intra- and interobserver reliability of CT as well as agreement between CT and arthroscopy were assessed by intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and a Bland and Altman graph. Next, the anterior and posterior borders of the talar dome as well as the anterior tibial plafond were marked on all 46 scans. Using a specially written computer routine, the anterior proportion of the talar dome not covered by the tibial plafond was calculated, both lateral and medial, indicating the accessible area. RESULTS. The distance between the anterior border of the OCD and the anterior tibial plafond ranged from −3.1 to 9.1 mm on CT and from −3.0 to 8.5 on arthroscopy. The intra- and interobserver reliability of the measurements made on CT-scans were excellent (ICC > 0.99, p < 0.001). Likewise, agreement between CT and arthroscopy was excellent (ICC=0.97; p < 0.001); only one patient showed a difference of more than 2.0 mm. The anterior 47.3 ± 6.8% (95%CI, 45.2–49.3) of the lateral talar dome, and 47.7 ± 7.0% (95%CI, 45.7–49.8) of the medial talar dome was not covered by the tibial plafond. CONCLUSIONS.
Introduction. Malrotation following total knee replacement is directly related to poor outcome. The knowledge of proximal and distal rotational axes and angles of the femur is therefore of high importance. The aim of the study was to determine whether the most used proximal and distal femoral angles; femoral anteversion angle (FAA) and posterior condylar angle (PCA) were different within individuals, between right, left and gender. As well, we studied whether the “inferior condylar angle” is correlated to the PCA and therefore useful in determining the rotation of the distal femur. Material and Methods. From 36 cadavers the femora were obtained and after removing the soft tissue a
The treatment of trochanteric femoral fractures with the use of short femoral nails has become an established method. The fixation is required that lag screw be centered to prevent complications. But correct positioning of the device may difficult because of anatomical feature. This study evaluated the femoral morphology three-dimensionally using computed tomography (CT) images. Seventy eight patients (mean age 75)who underwent total knee arthroplasty were included. After three-dimensional reconstruction of the CT images, the anterior deviation from the femoral neck axis to proximal shaft axis was measured. The proximal shaft axis was defined as a line between center of the cross-section underneath the lesser trochanter and the center of diaphysis. The connection of center in narrow section of the neck and femoral head center was defined as neck axis.Introduction
Methods
The primary aim of this study was to address the hypothesis that fracture morphology might be more important than posterior malleolar fragment size in rotational type posterior malleolar ankle fractures (PMAFs). The secondary aim was to identify clinically important predictors of outcome for each respective PMAF-type, to challenge the current dogma that surgical decision-making should be based on fragment size. This observational prospective cohort study included 70 patients with operatively treated rotational type PMAFs, respectively: 23 Haraguchi Type I (large posterolateral-oblique), 22 Type II (two-part posterolateral and posteromedial), and 25 (avulsion-) Type III. There was no standardized protocol on how to address the PMAFs and CT-imaging was used to classify fracture morphology and quality of postoperative syndesmotic reduction. Quantitative 3D-CT (Q3DCT) was used to assess the quality of fracture reduction, respectively: the proportion of articular involvement; residual intra-articular: gap, step-off, and 3D-displacement; and residual gap and step-off at the fibular notch. These predictors were correlated with the Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS) at two-years follow-up.Aims
Methods
To evaluate whether an ultra-low-dose CT protocol can diagnose
selected limb fractures as well as conventional CT (C-CT). We prospectively studied 40 consecutive patients with a limb
fracture in whom a CT scan was indicated. These were scanned using
an ultra-low-dose CT Reduced Effective Dose Using Computed Tomography
In Orthopaedic Injury (REDUCTION) protocol. Studies from 16 selected
cases were compared with 16 C-CT scans matched for age, gender and
type of fracture. Studies were assessed for diagnosis and image
quality. Descriptive and reliability statistics were calculated.
The total effective radiation dose for each scanned site was compared.Aims
Patients and Methods
In this randomized study, we aimed to compare quality of regenerate in monolateral Both groups were comparable in demographic and injury characteristics. A phantom (aluminium step wedge of increasing thickness) was designed to compare the density of regenerate on radiographs. A CT scan was performed at three and six months postoperatively to assess regenerate density. A total of 30 patients (29 male, one female; mean age 32.54 years (18 to 60)) with an infected nonunion of a tibial fracture presenting to our tertiary institute between June 2011 and April 2016 were included in the study.Aims
Patients and Methods
Introduction. This is the first study to illustrate spinal fracture distribution and the impact of different injury mechanisms on the spinal column during contemporary warfare. Methods Retrospective analysis of
INTRODUCTION. Surgical correction of spinal deformities in the growing child can be applied with or without fusion. Sublaminar wiring, first described by Luque, allows continuation of growth of the non-fused spine after correction of the deformity. Neurological complications and wire breakage are the main clinical problems during the introduction and removal of currently used sublaminar wires. In this pilot study a posterior hybrid construction with the use of a medical-grade UHMWPE (Dyneema Purity®) sublaminar wire was assessed in an ovine model. We hypothesized that such a hybrid construction can safely replace current titanium laminar wires, while providing sufficient stability of the non-fused spinal column with preservation of growth. MATERIALS AND METHODS. This study included 6 Tesselaar sheep, age 7±2months. Two pedicle screws (Legacy system, Medtronic) were placed at lumbar level. Four consecutive laminae were attached to two titanium bars (4.5 mm) using 3 mm diameter UHMWPE (Dyneema Purity®) on the left side and 5 mm diameter on the right side. The sublaminar wires were fixed with a double loop sliding knot and tightened with a tensioning device. As a control, in one animal titanium sublaminar wires (Atlas cable, Medtronic) were applied. After sacrifice the spine of the animals was harvested. Radiographs were taken and CT scans were performed. The vertebrae were dissected and placed in formaldehyde for macroscopic and histological evaluation. RESULTS. The animals were sacrificed after a (minimal) postoperative period of 15 weeks. One animal developed a wire fistula and one animal died the first postoperative day due to complications of the anesthesia. None of the 3 or 5 mm knots loosened and no neurological complications occurred. An average of 8.7 mm growth was seen over the segment operated on.
Demineralised bone matrix (DBM) is rarely used for the local
delivery of prophylactic antibiotics. Our aim, in this study, was
to show that a graft with a bioactive glass and DBM combination,
which is currently available for clinical use, can be loaded with
tobramycin and release levels of antibiotic greater than the minimum
inhibitory concentration for Antibiotic was loaded into a graft and subsequently evaluated
for drug elution kinetics and the inhibition of bacterial growth.
A rat femoral condylar plug model was used to determine the effect
of the graft, loaded with antibiotic, on bone healing.Aims
Materials and Methods
This paper investigates whether cortical comminution
and intra-articular involvement can predict displacement in distal
radius fractures by using a classification that includes volar comminution
as a separate parameter. A prospective multicentre study involving non-operative treatment
of distal radius fractures in 387 patients aged between 15 and 74
years (398 fractures) was conducted. The presence of cortical comminution
and intra-articular involvement according to the Buttazzoni classification
is described. Minimally displaced fractures were treated with immobilisation
in a cast while displaced fractures underwent closed reduction with
subsequent immobilisation. Radiographs were obtained after reduction,
at 10 to 14 days and after union. The outcome measure was re-displacement
or union. In fractures with volar comminution (Buttazzoni type 4), 96%
(53 of 55) displaced. In intra-articular fractures without volar
comminution (Buttazzoni 3), 72% (84 of 117) displaced. In extra-articular
fractures with isolated dorsal comminution (Buttazzoni 2), 73% (106
of 145) displaced while in non-comminuted fractures (Buttazzoni
1), 16 % (13 of 81 ) displaced. A total of 32% (53 of 165) of initially minimally displaced fractures
later displaced. All of the initially displaced volarly comminuted
fractures re-displaced. Displacement occurred in 31% (63 of 205)
of fractures that were still in good alignment after 10 to 14 days. Regression analysis showed that volar and dorsal comminution
predicted later displacement, while intra-articular involvement
did not predict displacement. Volar comminution was the strongest
predictor of displacement. Cite this article:
We describe the results of 287 intra-articular fractures of the calcaneum in 247 patients treated by minimally-invasive reduction and K-wire fixation between 1994 and 2003. There were 210 men (85%) and 37 women (15%). The most common cause of injury was a fall from a height in 237 patients (96%). Fracture classification was based on the method described by Sanders and Essex-Lopresti. All patients were operated on within 21 days of injury and 89% (220) within 48 hours. The reduction was graded as nearly anatomical (less than 2 mm residual articular displacement and satisfactory overall alignment) in 212 (73.9%) fractures. There were 20 cases (7%) of superficial pin-track infection and five (1.7%) of deep infection. All healed at a mean of 6 weeks (3 to 19). Loss of reduction was observed in 13 fractures (4.5%) and a musculocutaneous flap was needed in three (1%). The results were evaluated in 176 patients (205 fractures) with a mean age of 44.3 years (13 to 67), available for follow-up at a mean of 43.4 months (25 to 87) using the Creighton-Nebraska Health Foundation Assessment score. The mean score was 83.9 points (63 to 100). There were 29 (16.5%) excellent, 98 (55.7%) good, 26 (14.8%) fair and 23 (13%) poor results. A total of 130 patients (73.9%) were able to return to their original occupation at a mean of 5.6 months (3.2 to 12.5) after the injury. Semi-open reduction and percutaneous fixation is an effective treatment for displaced intra-articular fractures of the calcaneum.
