OBJECTIVE: To investigate the treatment results of fracture involved articular surface with absorbable screws and rods. METHODS: From October 1995 to May 2002, 32 patients with fracture involved articular surface were treated with absorbable screws and rods with the materials of SR-PGA and SR-PLLA. Bone traction or plaster external fixation were carried out postoperatively. RESULTS: The followed-up period varied from 3 months to 78 months, with an average of 18.5 months. According to the articular function evaluation criteria, the results were excellent in 24 patients, good in 6 patients and fair in 2 patients. The excellent and good rate was 93.7%. The fractures healed, without dislocation, infection and local effusion. CONCLUSION: Internal fixation of absorbable screws and rods is a perfect procedure for treating fracture involved articular surface, which avoided the pain of taking out internal fixation materials of the second operation.
Objective To assess the treatment effect of intra-articular fracture with absorbable screws and rods.Methods From June 1998 to August 2004， 35 patients with intra-articular fracture were treated by absorbable screws and rods made of self-reinforcedpolyglycolicacid (SR-PGA) and self-reinforcedpoly-L-Lacticacid (SR-PLLA). Of 35 patients, 30 were males and 5 were females (aged from 4 to 62 years). All cases had intra-articular or periarticular fracture. The interval between injury and operation was 3 hours to 29 days. Fracture were fixed with full thread screws of SR-PGA in 9 cases, with tensile screws of SR-PLLA in 26 cases, with rods of SR-PLLA in 15 cases. Bone traction orplaster external fixation were carried out postoperatively. Results The patients were followed from 3 months to 60 months with an average of 28 months．The wounds healed by first intention, and the healing time of bone was 1－3 months. No dislocation, infection and local effusion occurred. Functional recovery was satisfactory．According to AASO articular function standard, the results were excellentin 26 cases, good in 7 cases, fair in 1 case, and poor in 1 case; the total excellent and good rate was 94.3%. Conclusion Internal fixationof absorbable screws and rods are a perfect procedure in treating intraarticular and periarticularfracture, which can avoid the pain of taking out internal fixation materials because of second operation．
Objective To investigate the treatment and therapeutic efficacy of intra-articular meniscal cysts by arthroscopy. Methods From January 2005 to December 2009, 9 cases of intra-articular meniscal cysts were treated by arthroscopy, including 5 males and 4 females, with an average age of 33.8 years (range, 24-46 years). Six patients suffered in left knees, 3 in right ones. Just 1 case had trauma history, the others had no obvious predisposing causes. The average course of the disease was 24.2 months (range, 4-36 months). The Lysholm score was (74.2 ± 11.6) points. Arthroscopy showed that the locations of cysts were the anterior horn of lateral meniscus in 8 cases and the anterior horn of medial meniscus in 1 case; all being single cyst (of them, 3 being multilocular cyst). Results All incisions healed primarily with no compl ications of infection and joint effusion. All 9 patients were followed up from 3 to 48 months with an average of 12.7 months. Preoperative symptoms disappeared or reduced and the range of motion of the knee returned to normal. TheLysholm score was (95.1 ± 3.4) points after 3 months of operation, showing significant difference (P lt; 0.01) when compared with the socre before operation. According to assessment standard described by Choy, the treatment outcome was excellent in 6 cases, good in 2 cases, and general in 1 case; the excellent and good rate was 88.9%. No recurrence was found during follow-up. Conclusion Arthroscopic surgery shows the advantages to maintain good function of knee for the treatment of meniscal cyst, it is the best choice for intra-articular meniscal cysts because of its mini-trauma, rapid recovery, thorough treatment and less recurrence. Simultaneously, partial or tatol meniscectomy or menicus repairing under arthroscopy is performed.
Objective To compare the effects of operative versus nonoperative treatment for displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures. Methods All randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of operative versus nonoperative treatment for displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures were identified. Quality assessment and data extraction were performed by two reviewers independently. Results Four published trials involving 530 patients were included. All studies compared operative with nonoperative treatment. It was clear that operative treatment was superior to nonoperative treatment in terms of helping patients back to work, reducing problems wearing shoes, expanding the range of motion of subtalar joint, and improving the recovery of Bohler’s angle. As for foot pain, there was no difference between the two methods. Because the outcome measures varied across the trials, a meta-analysis could not be performed. Conclusions Both operative and nonoperative treatments produce comparable long-term outcomes in the treatment of displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures. Because of the poor reporting of outcomes, it is not possible to determine if there is any significant difference in outcome measures apart from those listed above. More trials with high methodological quality are needed.
Objective To introduce a clinical treatment for the reconstructionof calcaneal thalamus by bone autograft and subtalar arthrodesis for antiquatedintraarticular calcaneal fractures. Methods From July 2000 to October 2003, 11 cases with antiquated intraarticular calcaneal fractures were treated. Of the 11 cases, 9 were males and 2 females,whose ages ranged from21 to 48 years. All unilateral calcanei were involved in the 11 cases. The modified extended Lshaped approach lateral to calcaneus was adopted. The primary treatment was manipulation and immobilization with the reconstruction of calcaneal thalamus by bone autograft and subtalar arthrodesis. The average volume of the ilium for the autograft was 3.0 cm×2.5 cm×1.8 cm. Protruded osteophyte from the lateral wall of calcaneus were ablated in all 11 cases. Results All the 11 cases were followed up for 3 to 18 months, 11.5 monthson average. The reconstructed calcaneal thalamus was healed 10 to 12 weeks after the operation. Some of the patients could walk with load 8 weeks after the operation, and the average time for all the patients to walk with load was 13.2 weeks. There were 4 cases of excellent result, 5 cases of good result, and 2 cases of fair result, according to ZHANG Tieliang’s foot score system. Plain radiograph showed that Bohler angle, width of calcaneus and height of calcaneal thalamus were nearlyrestored to normal. Conclusion With the improvement of calcaneal abnormality and restoration of the shape and function of hind foot, reconstruction of calcaneal thalamus by bone autograft combined with subtalar arthrodesis is effective in treating antiquated intra-articular calcaneal fractures.
ObjectiveTo discuss the effectiveness of limited open reduction via sinus tarsi approach using medial distraction technique in the treatment of intra-articular calcaneus fractures by comparing with open reduction and internal fixation via extensile L-shaped incision. MethodsA retrospective analysis was made on the clinical data of 21 patients with intra-articular calcaneus fractures treated by sinus tarsi approach combined with medial distraction technique between April 2013 and November 2014 (minimally invasive group), and 32 patients treated by extensile L-shaped incision approach between June 2012 and September 2014 (extensile incision group). No significant difference was found in gender, age, injury pattern, fracture classification, time from injury to operation, preoperative Böhler angle, Gissane angle, calcaneal varus angle, the ankle and hind-foot score of American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS), and visual analogue scale (VAS) score between 2 groups (P>0.05), which was comparable. The operation time, wound complications, and bone healing time were recorded. The postoperative function was also evaluated by AOFAS score and VAS score. The pre-and post-operative Böhler angle, Gissane angle, and calcaneal varus angle were measured on the X-ray films, and the corrective angle was calculated. ResultsSixteen patients were followed up 6-18 months (mean, 11.5 months) in the minimally invasive group, and 23 patients for 6-24 months (mean, 13.5 months) in the extensile incision group. Difference was not significant in operation time between 2 groups (t=0.929, P=0.796). No complication occurred in the minimally invasive group; partial skin flap necrosis occurred in 3 cases of the extensile incision group, was cured after dressing change. There was no loosening of implants or reduction loss in 2 groups at last follow-up. Subtalar joint stiffness occurred in 1 case of the minimally invasive group and 4 cases of the extensile incision group, and 1 patient had discomfort for the implants in the extensile incision group. The bone healing time was (9.9±0.8) weeks in the minimally invasive group, and was (10.1±0.7) weeks in the extensile incision group, showing no significant difference (t=0.613, P=0.845). Böhler angle, Gissane angle, calcaneal varus angle, AOFAS score, and VAS score were significantly improved at last follow-up when compared with preoperative values in 2 groups (P < 0.05), but there was no significant difference between 2 groups (P>0.05), and the corrective value of angle showed no significant difference between 2 groups (P>0.05). ConclusionLimited open reduction via sinus tarsi approach for intra-articular calcaneus fractures could reduce the incidence of wound complications effectively. Meanwhile, the medial distraction technique is helpful to correct the heel varus deformity.
ObjectiveTo compare extra-articular and intra-articular olecranon osteotomy in treating intercondylar fractures of the distal humerus managed with open reduction and internal fixation regarding the functional outcomes and complications. MethodsBetween September 2008 and December 2010, 36 patients with intercondylar fractures of the distal humerus were treated by open reduction and internal fixation using the trans-olecranon approach. Among the, 21 underwent extra-articular olecranon osteotomy and 15 accepted intra-articular olecranon osteotomy. The mean follow-up time was three years. We compared the elbow function, the rate of no non-union or delayed union and the rate of postoperative complications between the two groups. ResultsThe elbow function and Mayo elbow performance scores were good at the latest follow-up. There was no non-union in all osteotomies. We found significant difference in delayed union (P=0.01) and traumatic arthritis rate (P=0.02) between the two groups. ConclusionExtra-articular olecranon osteotomy is better for bone union and the decrease of traumatic arthritis rate.
Objective To compare effects of intra-articular injection of corticosteroid or viscoelastic agent alone or a combination of the two drugs for treatment of temporomandibular joint disorders. Methods A prospective quasirandomized controlled trial was conducted to compare 3 treatment protocols of intra-articular injections in the upper compartment of the joint immediately following arthrocentesis repeatedly every 10 days: ① triamcinolone 8 mg alone for 3 times, ② 1% hyaluronate 1 ml alone for 4 times, and ③ triamcinolone 8 mg for 2 times then 1% hyaluronate 1 ml for 2 times. Clinical examinations were done at baseline, 1, 12, and 24 months after end of the treatments. According to improvement of the symptoms and clinical signs, the effectiveness was graded in 3 classes: excellent, better, no change, or worse. The first two were classified as effective. Effective rates of the treatments and subgroups were compared statistically. Results Five hundred and sixty four patients with temporomandibular disorders were included and randomly allocated to 3 groups with 188 patients in each group. The rate of lost follow up at 24 months was 6.9% to 10.1%. At one month after treatment, the triamcinolone group had a better effective rate at 92.0%. At 12 and 24 months of follow up, effective rates of the hyaluronate group were better than those in the triamcinolone alone group (84.6% vs. 54.1% and 83.4% vs. 40.4%). Effective rates of combining triamcinolone and hyaluronate group at 12 and 24 months were 90.4% and 66.3% respectively. Conclusion Intra-articular injection of corticosteroid has better results in a short term and hyaluronate has better results in a long term in the treatment of temporomandibular joint disorders.
ObjectiveTo investigate the safety and efficacy of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) by intra-articular injection for degenerative knee osteoarthritis. MethodsBetween January 2015 and January 2016, 36 patients with moderate or severe degenerative knee osteoarthritis were randomly devided into 2 groups (n=18). Intra-articular injection of 2.5-3.0 mL human umbilical cord MSCs suspension containing (2-3)×107 cells was performed once a month for 2 times as a course of treatment in the cell treatment group; sodium hyaluronate by intra-articular injection was used once a week for 5 times as a course of treatment in the control group. There was no significant difference in gender, age, body mass index, side, stage of osteoarthritis, course of disease, and preoperative Lysholm score of the knee joint, the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities osteoarthritis index (WOMAC), and SF-36 scale score between 2 groups (P > 0.05). The clinical efficacy was evaluated by SF-36 scale score, Lysholm score, and WOMAC score. ResultsAll patients of 2 groups received a course of treatment. The patients were followed up for 6 months. After injection, the incidences of pain and swelling in the cell treatment group were significantly higher than those in the control group (χ2=16.200, P=0.000; χ2=11.688, P=0.000), but no significant difference was found in the incidence of effusion (χ2=2.118, P=0.146). In the cell treatment group, Lysholm score at 1-6 months after treatment, WOMAC score and SF-36 scale score at 2-6 months after treatment were significantly better when compared with scores before treatment (P < 0.05), and no recurrence of knee pain was observed during follow-up. In the control group, there was no significant difference in Lysholm score and SF-36 scale score between pre-and post-treatment (P > 0.05); there were significant differences in WOMAC score between pre-treatment and at 1, 2, 3 months after treatment (P < 0.05); at 3 months after treatment, 11 patients had joint pain symptoms again. No significant difference was found in the knee joint function score and SF-36 scale score at 1 and 2 months after treatment between 2 groups (P > 0.05), but the scores of the cell treatment group were significantly better than those of the control group at 3 and 6 months (P < 0.05). ConclusionIt can significantly improve the joint function and quality of life to use intra-articular injection of human umbilical cord MSCs for treating degenerative knee osteoarthritis. It takes effect after 1 month and the treatment effect can be sustained for 6 months.
Objective To evaluate the analgesic effect of intra-articular ropivacaine with lidocaine. Methods A double-blind randomized controlled trial was conducted. Ninety patients receiving selective knee arthroscopy were randomized into three groups of 30 patients. At the end of the operation, before the release of the tourniquet, an intra-articular injection was administered to each patient through arthroscope, in accordance with their random allocation: 0.9% normal saline (normal saline group); 100 mg ropivacaine (ropivacaine alone group) and 100 mg ropivacaine and 100 mg 2% lidocaine (ropivacaine with lidocaine group). Pain intensity was assessed after the operation using the 100-mm visual-analog scale (VAS), and the amount of supplemental analgesics used within the following 24 hours were recorded. Results The VAS scores of 2 hours postoperatively at rest, and 1, 2, 4, and 8 hours postoperatively at motion, were significantly higher in the normal saline group than in ropivacaine alone group (Plt;0.05). The VAS scores 0.5, 1 and 2 hours postoperatively at rest, and at the awaking moment, 0.5, 1, 4, 8, and 24 hours postoperatively at motion, were significantly higher in the normal saline group than in ropivacaine with lidocaine group (Plt;0.05). Conclusion Intra-articular ropivacaine can reduce a patient’s pain after operation. The combination of lidocaine with intra-articular ropivacaine can reduce the patient’s pain severity immediately after the operation and achieve an early analgesic effect.