Objective To investigate the effectiveness of tunnel osteogenesis technique combined with locking plate in the treatment of aseptic non-hypertrophic nonunion of femoral shaft. MethodsThe clinical data of 23 cases of aseptic non-hypertrophic nonunion of femoral shaft treated with tunnel osteogenesis technique combined with locking plate between January 2017 and December 2020 were retrospectively analysed. There were 17 males and 6 females with an average age of 41.4 years (range, 22-72 years). There were 22 cases of closed fracture and 1 case of open fracture. The types of internal fixation at admission included intramedullary nail in 14 cases and steel plate in 9 cases. The number of nonunion operations received in the past was 0 to 1; the duration of nonunion was 6-60 months, with an average of 20.1 months. Among them, there were 17 cases of aseptic atrophic nonunion of the femoral shaft and 6 cases of dystrophic nonunion. Twenty-two cases were fixed with 90° double plates and 1 case with lateral single plate. The operation time, theoretical blood loss, hospitalization stay, nonunion healing, and postoperative complications were recorded. Harris hip function score, Lysholm knee function score, lower extremity function scale (LEFS), and short-form 36 health survey scale (SF-36) were used at last follow-up to evaluate hip and knee functions. Visual analogue scale (VAS) score was used to evaluate the relief of pain at 1 day after operation and at last follow-up. ResultsThe average operation time was 190.4 minutes, the average theoretical blood loss was 1 458.4 mL, and the average hospitalization stay was 8.2 days. All the 23 patients were followed up 9-26 months, with an average of 18.2 months. The healing time of nonunion in 22 patients was 3-12 months, with an average of 5.6 months. There were 8 cases of limb pain, 8 cases of claudication, 6 cases of limitation of knee joint movement, and 2 cases of limitation of hip joint movement. At last follow-up, the imaging of 1 patient showed that the nonunion did not heal, accompanied by pain of the affected limb, lameness, and limitation of knee joint movement. At 1 day after operation, the VAS score of 23 patients was 6.5±1.8, the pain degree was good in 7 cases, moderate in 12 cases, and poor in 4 cases; at last follow-up, the VAS score was 0.9±1.3, the pain degree was excellent in 21 cases and good in 2 cases, which were significantly better than those at 1 day after operation (t=12.234, P<0.001; Z=–5.802, P<0.001). At last follow-up, the average Harris hip function score of 22 patients with nonunion healing was 94.8, and the good rate was 100%; Lysholm knee function score averaged 94.0, and the excellent and good rate was 90.9%; LEFS score averaged 74.6; SF-36 physical functioning score averaged 85.0 and the mental health score averaged 83.6. ConclusionTunnel osteogenesis technique combined with locking plate in the treatment of aseptic non-hypertrophic nonunion of femoral shaft has a high healing rate and fewer complications, which can effectively relieve pain and improve lower limb function and quality of patients’ life.
ObjectiveTo investigate the effectiveness of the treatment under the guidance of “diamond concept” for femoral shaft fractures nonunion after intramedullary fixation.MethodsBetween January 2014 and December 2016, 21 cases of femoral shaft fractures nonunion after intramedullary fixation were treated with auxiliary plate fixation combined with autogenous iliac graft, and autologous bone marrow concentrate and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) gel under the guidance of the “diamond concept”. There were 13 males and 8 females, with an average age of 32.5 years (range, 17-48 years). All fractures were closed femoral shaft fractures. Four patients underwent internal fixation with plate and resulted in nonunion, then they were fixed with intramedullary nails, but did not heal either. The rest 17 patients were fixed with intramedullary nailing. Fracture nonunion classification: 4 cases of hypertrophic nonunion, 17 cases of atrophic nonunion; the length of bone defect was 1-3 mm; the duration from the last treatment to the current treatment was 10-23 months (mean, 14.3 months). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, the time between operation and full loading, fracture healing time, and complications were recorded. The visual analogue scale (VAS) score and the imaging system of fracture healing of the extremities (RUST) of patients before operation and at last follow-up were recorded to evaluate the fracture healing; the function of the affected limb was evaluated according to the Schatzker-Lambert efficacy score standard at last follow-up.ResultsThe operation time was 105-160 minutes, with an average of 125.6 minutes; the intraoperative blood loss was 160-580 mL, with an average of 370.5 mL. All incisions healed by first intention, without vascular or nerve injury. All patients were followed up 22-46 months (mean, 26.5 months). All the fractures healed, with a fracture healing time of 3-7 months (mean, 4.8 months). During the follow-up, there was no infection, loosening, implant breakage, re-fracture, and other complications. The VAS score at last follow-up was 0.8±0.3, showing significant difference (t=7.235, P=0.000) when compared with preoperative score (5.2±3.7); the RUST score was 3.4±0.3, which was significantly higher than the preoperative score (1.5±0.7) (t=8.336, P=0.000). According to the Schatzker-Lambert effectiveness evaluation standard, the limb function was excellent in 16 cases, good in 4 cases, fair in 1 case, and the excellent and good rate was 95.42%.ConclusionNonunion after intramedullary fixation of femoral fracture treated with auxiliary plate combined with autogenous iliac graft, autogenous bone marrow concentration and PRP gel in accordance with the “diamond concept” can not only restore the stability of the fracture ends, but also improves the biological environment of the fracture site, and can improve the rate of fracture healing.
Objective To review the progress of treatments for old calcaneal fractures. Methods The related literature of treatments for old calcaneal fractures were reviewed and analyzed from the aspects such as the pathoanatomy, classifications, and surgical treatments. Results Old calcaneal fractures are common in clinical, the anatomical changes are very complicated. In addition to classical open reduction and internal fixation, arthrodesis, and osteotomy, techniques of minimally invasive operation, external fixator, and three-dimensional printing are more and more widely applied, treatments for old calcaneal fractures nonunion have also received increasing attention. Conclusion Although the perfect strategy for treating old calcaneal fractures has not yet been developed, great progress has been achieved recently, the personalized therapy need to be further studied, and therapies for the early stage old calcaneal fractures and old calcaneal fractures nonunion need to be further explored.
OBJECTIVE: To explore the anatomic feature and clinical application of the bone (periosteum) flap pedicled with upper muscular branches of lateral femoral muscle. METHODS: The anatomic features and distribution of upper muscular branches of lateral femoral muscle were observed in the lower extremities of 40 adult cadavers. From February 1989 to February 1999, 7 cases with bone defect or nonunion of upper part of femur were treated with transfer of bone (periosteum) flap pedicled with upper muscular branches of lateral femoral muscle. RESULTS: The upper muscular branches of lateral femoral muscle originated from the transversal branch of lateral circumflex femoral artery. The musculoperiosteal branch and periosteal branch were originated at 16.8 +/- 3.0 cm below the greater trochanter. The diameter and length of musculoperiosteal branch were 1.4 to 1.7 mm and 2.7 to 5.6 cm, those of the periosteal branch were 0.4 to 0.6 mm and 1.2 to 1.5 cm respectively. Bone union achieved in 10 to 18 weeks after operation in all 7 cases after 18 to 42 months follow-up. The motion of hip joint reached 180 degrees in 4 cases, 120 degrees in 2 cases and 65 degrees in 1 case. The donor area recovered well. CONCLUSION: The bone (periosteum) flap pedicled with upper muscular branches of lateral femoral muscle is an effective alternative for repairing the bone defect or nonunion of the upper or middle part of femur.
Objective To investigate the surgical treatment method and the curative effect of tibial nonunion with superficial peroneal vascular fascia pedicel tibiofibular periosteal flap. Methods From January 1996 to December 2008, 18 cases of tibial nonunion were treated with superficial peroneal vascular fascia pedicel tibiofibular periosteal flap, interlockingintramedullary nail ing and cancellous bone graft of distal tibial. There were 14 males and 4 females, with an average age of 32.5 years old (range, 24-67 years old). Fracture site was middle in 10 cases and distal in 8 cases. Primary injury cause included 12 cases of traffic accident and 6 cases of bruise. The tibial nonunion reasons were manual reduction and plaster immobil ization in 8 cases, small spl int immobil ization in 4 cases, intramedullary nail fixation in 2 cases (no bone graft), plate fixation in 4 cases (including 3 cases of plate fixation and free il iac bone graft). Nonunion occurred after the first surgery. The time from nonunion to operation was 8 to 16 months, with an average of 10.5 months. The size of periosteal flap was 7 cm × 5 cm and distal tibial cancellous bone graft volume was 5-10 g. Results All incision achieved heal ing by first intention after operation without flap necrosis and infection. All patients were followed up 6-36 months with an average of 20.8 months. All tibial nonunion healed 5-7 months after operation. According to Johner-Wruh scoring, the results were excellent in 14 cases, good in 3 cases, and fair in 1 case; the excellent and good rate was 94.4%. Conclusion Superficial peroneal vascular tibiofibularfascia pedicel tibiofibular periosteal flap and interlocking intramedullary nail ing can attain good results in treating nonunion of tibia and fibula because of being stable internal fixation and promoting the heal ing of nonunion.
Objective To review the recent advances in treatment of aseptic femoral shaft nonunion. Methods The clinical studies about the treatments of aseptic femoral shaft nonunion in recent years were widely reviewed and analyzed. Results There are several surgical methods for aseptic femoral shaft nonunion. Due to uncertain clinical outcome, dynamization of nail should be carefully selected. The exchange nailing is suitable for the hypertrophic nonunion of the isthmal femoral shaft fracture. The exchange lateral plating is suitable for nonunion with obvious malformation. However, wave plate or dual plate should be chosen when the bone nonuinon is combined with the medial defect. The augmentation plating improves the success rate of nailing for femoral shaft nonunion, but it should be carefully selected for patients with obvious deformity or bone defect. Ilizarov technique is suitable for various bone nonunion, especially with complicated or large segmental bone defects. Induced membrane technique is also an important method for the treatment of bone nonunion with large bone defects. The clinical efficacy of the blocking screw remains to be supported by further evidence. Biological stimulants are mainly used for atrophic nonunion, and the clinical efficacy of them alone are still controversial. Conclusion Due to lack of comparative studies between different surgical methods, the orthopedist should choose the appropriate treatment according to the individual situations of the patient and the types of bone nonunion.
OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect of percutaneous bone marrow graft for the management of nonunion of tibia. METHODS From March 1996 to June 2000, 56 cases with nonunion of tibia were treated by autogenous bone marrow graft. Among them, there were 38 males and 18 females, aged from 19 to 72 years. A marrow needle was inserted into the site of the nonunion under the X-ray, the autogenous bone marrow was injected into the site of nonunion. Compression bandage and appropriate immobilization material were applied after operation. This procedure was repeated every month, 2 or 3 times was needed. RESULTS 56 patients were followed-up for 4 months to 4 years and 2 months, averaged 2.8 years. Fracture healed in 53 cases and X-ray displayed fracture line disappeared and a great deal of continuous callus formed, and nonunion in 3 cases. CONCLUSION Percutaneous autogenous bone marrow graft can play a role in osteogenesis at the site of nonunion. It is easy to aspirate bone marrow and the operation is simple. It has clinical application value for the satisfactory effect.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness of locking compress plate (LCP) for the treatment of aseptic diaphyseal humeral nonunions. MethodsBetween January 2006 and January 2012, 23 patients with aseptic diaphyseal humeral nonuninons were treated with LCP and autologous iliac crest bone graft, and the clinical data were retrospectively analyzed. There were 15 males and 8 females with the average age of 42.5 years (range, 28-60 years). The fracture located at left side in 11 cases and right side in 12 cases. The mechanism of the injury was traffic accident in 15 patients, and falling from height in 8 patients. Fracture was treated by internal fixation in 20 cases and external fixation in 3 cases. And 6 patients had open fractures and other 17 had close fractures. Based on the Weber-Cech classification, 6 cases were rated as atrophic nonunions, and 17 cases as hypertrophic nonuninons. Shoulder function was evaluated by Constant-Murley score and elbow function was evaluated by Mayo score. ResultsAfter operation, 2 patients had transient radial nerve symptoms of numbness and 1 patient had superficial infection. Primary healing of incision was obtained in the other patients. All patients were followed up 22.22 months on average (range, 16-30 months). Normal range of motion of the shoulder was found in 11 cases; and limited movements of abduction, elevation, and posterior extension were observed in 12 cases. And osseous union was observed clinically and radiographically in all patients. The average union time was 16.95 weeks (range, 12-24 weeks). The average Constant-Murley score was 81.87 (range, 50-98); and shoulder function was excellent in 14 cases, good in 6, and fair in 3. And the average Mayo score was 87.78 (range, 70-96); and the result was excellent in 14 cases, good in 7, and fair in 2. ConclusionAseptic diaphyseal humeral nonunions can be successfully treated with LCP, coupled with the use of autologous iliac crest bone graft.
ObjectiveTo investigate the surgical procedures and results of nonunion of lateral humeral condyle fracture combined with cubitus valgus. MethodsBetween January 2006 and September 2011, 19 cases of nonunion of lateral humeral condyle fracture combined with cubitus valgus were treated with supracondylar closing wedge osteotomy, open reduction, autogenous bone grafting, and internal fixation. There were 11 males and 8 females, aged 14-28 years (mean, 21.6 years). The left side was involved in 7 cases, and the right side in 12 cases. The disease duration was 3-22 years (mean, 9 years). The osseous protuberance and enlargement were seen in the lateral condyle of all the cases, with cubitus valgus. Compared with the contralateral side, the angle of cubitus valgus deformity increased (34.00±7.68)° at the affected side. The elbow range of motion of flexion and extension was (117.35±19.77)° in the other 17 patients except 2 patients with joint stiff. Among them, 10 patients had limited mobility. Three patients had ulnar neuritis. ResultsAll the patients obtained primary healing of incision, and no surgery-related complication occurred. Nineteen patients were followed up 2-6 years (mean, 3.2 years). Bony union at lateral condylar fracture site and the supracondylar osteotomy site was achieved in all cases within 6 months postoperatively. In 3 patients with ulnar neuritis, the symptoms of nerve injury disappeared within 6 months. At last follow-up, the angle of cubitus valgus deformity increased (3.21±4.09)° at the affected side when compared with the contralateral side, showing significant difference when compared with preoperative angle (t=30.472, P=0.000). The range of motion of the elbow was 20° and 30° in 2 patients with joint stiff before operation; the elbow range of motion of flexion and extension was (117.64±15.72)° in the other 17 patients, showing no significant difference when compared with preoperative value (t=-0.180, P=0.859). According to the appearance of the elbow, range of motion, and complications, the overall results were classified as excellent in 9 patients, good in 8 patients, and poor in 2 patients; the excellent and good rate was 89.5%. ConclusionSupracondylar closing wedge osteotomy can correct the cubitus valgus deformity and improve the symptoms of ulnar neuritis. Open reduction, autogenous bone grafting, and internal fixation for nonunion of the lateral condyle can effectively stabilize the lateral condylar fracture and promote fracture healing.
Objective To explore the cl inical effects of different operative procedures in treatment of upper humerus fracture nonunion. Methods From May 2001 to September 2007, 43 cases of upper humerus fractures nonunion were treated, including 31 males and 12 females with an average age of 37 years (range, 20-57 years). The causes were trafficaccident injury in 14 cases, fall ing injury from height in 11 cases, tumbl ing injury in 7 cases, heavy pound injury in 6 cases, machine injury in 4 cases, and pathological injury in 1 case. The time from fracture to hospital ization was 10-52 months (23 months on average). After open reduction, patients were treated respectively by bone-graft plus locking compression plate fixation (9 cases), scapula flap rotation displacement plus locking compression plate fixation (15 cases), and scapula flap rotation displacement plus locking compression plate plus tibia bone lamella fixation (19 cases). Results All incisions healed by first intention. The X-ray films showed good fracture reduction. No symptoms of infection and nerve injury occurred. Forty-three patients were followed up 12 to 25 months with an average of 18 months. All of them achieved radiographic union within 3.0 to 7.5 months (4.9 months on average). According to comprehensive assessing standard of X-ray film and functions of shoulder and elbow, the results were excellent in 21 cases, good in 15 cases, fair in 4 cases, and poor in 3 cases; the excellent and good rate was 83.7%. Conclusion In the treatment of upper humerus fractures nonunion, locking compression plate can provide stable fixation. It can achieve satisfactory results so long as the right method of bone graft is chosen according to fracture site situation. But for patients undergoing repeated surgery or having nonunion for long times and poor fracture site situation, after open reduction, scapula flap rotation displacement plus locking compression plate plus tibia bone lamella fixation has good outcome.