There is debate whether a home run screw (medial cuneiform to 2nd metatarsal base) combined with k-wire fixation of 4th & 5th rays is sufficient to stabilise Lisfrance injuries or if fixation of the 3rd ray is also required. Unlike the 2nd, 4th and 5th TMTJ, stabilisation of the 3rd requires either intra-articular screw or a cross joint plate which both risk causing chondrolysis and/or OA. Using 8 Theil embalmed specimens, measurements of TMTJ dorsal displacement at each ray (1st to 5th) and 1st – 2nd metatarsal gaping were made during simulated weight bearing with sequential ligamentous injury and stabilisation to determine the contribution of anatomical structures and fixation to stability. At baseline mean dorsal TMTJ displacement of the intact specimens during simulated weight bearing (mm) was: 1st: 0.14, 2nd: 0.1, 3rd:0, 4th: 0, 5th: 0.14. The 1st-2nd IM Gap was 0mm. After transection of the Lisfranc ligament only, there was 1st-2nd intermetatarsal gaping (mean 4.5mm), but no increased dorsal displacement. After additional transection of all the TMTJ ligaments dorsal displacement increased at all joints (1st: 4.5, 2nd: 5.1, 3rd: 3.6, 4th: 2, 5th: 1.3). Stabilisation with the home run screw and 4th and 5th ray k-wires virtually eliminated all displacement. Further transection of the 3rd/4th inter-metatarsal ligaments increased mean dorsal displacement of the 3rd ray to 2.5mm. K-wire fixation of the 3rd ray completely eliminated dorsal displacement. The results suggest that stabilising the 2nd and 4/5th TMTJs will stabilise the 3rd if the inter-metatarsal ligaments are intact. Thus 3rd TMTJ stability should be checked after stabilising the 2nd and 4/5th. Provided the intermetatarsal ligaments (3rd-4th) are intact the 3rd ray does not need to be stabilised routinely

The risk of articular penetration during tibial nailing is well known, but the incidence of unrecognised damage to joint cartilage has not been described. We have identified this complication in the treatment of tibial fractures, described the anatomical structures at risk and examined the most appropriate site of entry for tibial nailing in relation to the shape of the bone, the design of the nail and the surgical approach. We studied the relationship between the intra-articular structures of the knee and the entry point used for nailing in 54 tibiae from cadavers. The results showed that the safe zone in some bones is smaller than the size of standard reamers and the proximal part of some nails. The structures at risk are the anterior horns of the medial and lateral menisci, the anterior part of the medial and lateral plateaux and the ligamentum transversum. This was confirmed by observations made after nailing 12 pairs of cadaver knees. A retrospective radiological analysis of 30 patients who had undergone tibial nailing identified eight at risk according to the entry point and the size of the nail. Unrecognised articular penetration and damage during surgery were confirmed in four. Although intramedullary nailing has been shown to be a successful method for treating fractures of the tibia, one of the most common problems after bony union is pain in the knee. Unrecognised intra-articular injury of the knee may be one cause of this

Although the importance of lateral femoral wall integrity is increasingly being recognised in the treatment of intertrochanteric fracture, little attention has been put on the development of a secondary post-operative fracture of the lateral wall. Patients with post-operative fractures of the lateral wall were reported to have high rates of re-operation and complication. To date, no predictors of post-operative lateral wall fracture have been reported. In this study, we investigated the reliability of lateral wall thickness as a predictor of lateral wall fracture after dynamic hip screw (DHS) implantation.

A total of 208 patients with AO/OTA 31-A1 and -A2 classified intertrochanteric fractures who received internal fixation with a DHS between January 2003 and May 2012 were reviewed. There were 103 men and 150 women with a mean age at operation of 78 years (33 to 94). The mean follow-up was 23 months (6 to 83). The right side was affected in 97 patients and the left side in 111. Clinical information including age, gender, side, fracture classification, tip–apex distance, follow-up time, lateral wall thickness and outcome were recorded and used in the statistical analysis.

Fracture classification and lateral wall thickness significantly contributed to post-operative lateral wall fracture (both p < 0.001). The lateral wall thickness threshold value for risk of developing a secondary lateral wall fracture was found to be 20.5 mm.

To our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate the risk factors of post-operative lateral wall fracture in intertrochanteric fracture. We found that lateral wall thickness was a reliable predictor of post-operative lateral wall fracture and conclude that intertrochanteric fractures with a lateral wall thickness < 20.5 mm should not be treated with DHS alone.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2013;95-B:1134–8.

Percutaneous stabilisation of tibial fractures by locking plates has become an accepted form of osteosynthesis. A potential disadvantage of this technique is the risk of damage to the neurovascular bundles in the anterior and peroneal compartments. Our aim in this anatomical study was to examine the relationship of the deep peroneal nerve to a percutaneously-inserted Less Invasive Stabilisation System tibial plate in the lower limbs of 18 cadavers. Screws were inserted through stab incisions. The neurovascular bundle was dissected to reveal its relationship to the plate and screws.

In all cases, the deep peroneal nerve was in direct contact with the plate between the 11th and the 13th holes. In ten specimens the nerve crossed superficial to the plate, in six it was interposed between the plate and the bone and in the remaining two specimens it coursed at the edge of the plate.

Percutaneous insertion of plates with more than ten holes is not recommended because of the risk of injury to the neurovascular structures. When longer plates are required we suggest distal exposure so that the neurovascular bundle may be displayed and protected.