We describe a technique of lengthening osteotomy of the fibula for the late treatment of symptomatic malaligned or malunited fractures of the ankle. Good results at two to three years were achieved in five of six cases despite delays of up to four years from the original injury. The method can prevent progressive instability and degenerative arthritis

Failure of union of the tibia with a large defect is difficult to treat, especially in the presence of sepsis and adherent scars. Conventional methods of fixation and bone grafting are not easily applicable. Experiments on Macaca monkeys showed that a vascularised pedicle graft of the shaft of the ipsilateral fibula could be fixed across a defect in the tibia and remain viable, even if it was isolated from surrounding soft tissues. Transfer of part of the shaft of the ipsilateral fibula on a vascular and muscle pedicle was carried out in 11 patients with large tibial defects and sepsis. There was one failure because of severe infection, but the other 10 patients gained sound union in about four months. The tibia was then protected by a caliper for the 18 months of full reconstitution. The bone infection healed and there was no evidence of avascular necrosis. Although the salvaged limbs were scarred, stiff and ugly, none of the patients suffered from pain, recurrent oedema or persistent infection

1. In congenital absence of the fibula, the fibrous strip that replaces the bone, abnormal insertions of fibular muscles, and disturbances in the formation and growth of the tarsal bones all go to cause the valgus deformity of the foot and the complete or partial dislocation of the talo-tibial joint. 2. Conservative treatment is justified only for children less than a year old and then only as preparation for operation. 3. Between the second and seventh year of life operations upon the soft tissues are indicated, to eliminate the contractures occurring on the posterior and lateral sides, to restore the proper position of the foot in line with the axis of the tibia, and to restore the normal shape of the foot and muscular equilibrium. At the same time favourable conditions are created for operative reconstruction of the lateral malleolus. 4. Arthrodesis of the talo-tibial joint or reconstruction of the lateral malleolus by a bone graft with the aim of stabilising the foot in the axis of tibia is not advisable in the growing limb. 5. The results obtained in three cases described support the conclusion that the bifurcation operation recommended by Gruca produces a new lateral malleolus with an epiphysis that grows at the same rate as the remainder of the lower epiphysis of the tibia, does not affect the rate of growth of the tibial epiphysis, prevents the recurrence of the deformity, and preserves the mobility of the talo-tibial joint. 6. In early cases this reconstructive operation may be done at the same time as soft-tissue deformities are corrected and subluxation reduced. 7. It is probable that the bifurcation operation should be done on children aged between two and seven years in order to give the limb the best chance to develop normally

1. A case is described of fatigue fractures occurring in the lowest thirds of the right tibia and fibula simultaneously. 2. The fibular fracture was a runner's fracture. 3. The tibial fracture was ascribed to the application of a below-knee walking plaster to treat the fibular lesion. 4. Both fractures were slow in uniting. 5. The fractures occurred in a rapidly growing youth but no clinical evidence of an endocrine dysfunction was found

We report the results of a three-year study of bifocal fractures of the tibia and fibula, excluding segmental shaft fractures. In our whole series, these formed 4.7% of all tibial diaphyseal fractures. We describe three groups: bifocal fractures of both the proximal and the distal joint surfaces, fractures of the shaft and tibial plateau, and fractures of the shaft and ankle. These groups of fractures had different characteristics and prognoses. We discuss treatment protocols for each of these three groups

Forty-three patients with unilateral congenital short tibia with partial or complete absence of the fibula are reviewed. The factors influencing the degree of leg shortening at maturity are considered. Serial radiographic measurements of leg length in fourteen patients covering an average observation period of 9-3 years support the hypothesis that the relative difference in growth between the two limbs remains remarkably constant. By estimating the percentage difference between the normal and abnormal leg lengths on the first measurable radiograph it is therefore possible to predict the likely shortening at maturity. This method of prediction allows the surgeon to make the decision to proceed to Syme's amputation or to the use of an extension prosthesis at about one year of age when the child starts to walk

Congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia (CPT) is a rare but well recognised condition. Obtaining union of the pseudarthrosis in these children is often difficult and may require several surgical procedures. The treatment has changed significantly since the review by Hardinge in 1972, but controversies continue as to the best form of surgical treatment. This paper reviews these controversies.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2013;95-B:1027–34.

Aims

The use of frozen tumour-bearing autograft combined with a vascularized fibular graft (VFG) represents a new technique for biological reconstruction of massive bone defect. We have compared the clinical outcomes between this technique and Capanna reconstruction.

Between 1989 and 1994 we used a vascularised ipsilateral fibular graft in 24 patients with segmental tibial defects. We report 12 patients with a minimum follow-up of two years. The graft was either transposed medially or inverted on its vascular pedicle. Full weight-bearing was achieved at between four and seven months. We had few complications and consider that the use of this method is a valuable option in reconstruction of the tibia.

A 14-year-old girl with a congenitally deformed and shortened right leg and foot is described. The patient could not bear weight on the deformed limb and had to hop on the left leg. The deformed foot faced backwards and had nine toes. The right leg was shorter than the left by 26 centimetres. Radiologically, the lower end of the right femur was ill-developed and there was no knee joint. There were two fibulae and the tibia and the patella were absent. A through-knee disarticulation was done and a prosthesis fitted later. The amputated leg and foot were dissected. Many of the muscles in the leg and foot were duplicated. There were two calcanei, one talus, one navicular, two cuboids and four cuneiforms. Ther were nine metatarsals, and all the toes had three phalanges except for one which had two.

The June 2024 Trauma Roundup. 360. looks at: Skin antisepsis before surgical fixation of limb fractures; Comparative analysis of intramedullary nail versus plate fixation for fibula fracture in supination external rotation type IV ankle injury; Early weightbearing versus late weightbearing after intramedullary nailing for distal femoral fracture (AO/OTA 33) in elderly patients: a multicentre propensity-matched study; Long-term outcomes with spinal versus general anaesthesia for hip fracture surgery; Operative versus nonoperative management of unstable medial malleolus fractures: a randomized clinical trial; Impact of smoking status on fracture-related infection characteristics and outcomes; Reassessing empirical antimicrobial choices in fracture-related infections; Development and validation of the Nottingham Trauma Frailty Index (NTFI) for older trauma patients

The December 2023 Oncology Roundup. 360. looks at: A single osteotomy technique for frozen autograft; Complications, function, and survival of tumour-devitalized autografts used in patients with limb-sparing surgery; Is liquid nitrogen recycled bone and vascular fibula the biological reconstruction of choice?; Solitary pulmonary metastases at first recurrence of osteosarcoma; Is a radiological score able to predict resection-grade chondrosarcoma in primary intraosseous lesions of the long bones?; Open versus core needle biopsy in lower-limb sarcoma – current practice patterns and patient outcomes; Natural history of intraosseous low-grade chondroid lesions of the proximal humerus; Local treatment modalities and event-free survival in patients with localized Ewing’s sarcoma; Awaiting biopsy results in solitary pathological proximal femoral fractures

The August 2024 Oncology Roundup. 360. looks at: What factors are associated with osteoarthritis after cementation for benign aggressive bone tumour of the knee joint: a systematic review and meta-analysis; Recycled bone grafts treated with extracorporeal irradiation or liquid nitrogen freezing after malignant tumour resection; Intercalary resection of the tibia for primary bone tumours: are vascularized fibula autografts with or without allografts a durable reconstruction?; 3D-printed modular prostheses for the reconstruction of intercalary bone defects after joint-sparing limb salvage surgery for femoral diaphyseal tumours; Factors influencing the outcome of patients with primary Ewing’s sarcoma of the sacrum; The significance of surveillance imaging in children with Ewing’s sarcoma and osteosarcoma; Resection margin and soft-tissue sarcomas of the extremities treated with limb-sparing surgery and postoperative radiotherapy