scholarly journals Intramedullary fibular fixation is a versatile tool in the operative management of fractures of the distal tibia and fibula

2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 2473011417S0003
Author(s):  
Anjani Singh ◽  
Michael Smith ◽  
Zuned Hakim

Category: Ankle, Trauma Introduction/Purpose: Intramedullary fixation of the fibula has been proposed as a minimally invasive alternative to traditional plate fixation in fractures of around the ankle. Previous studies have demonstrated a low complication rate, particularly when both distal locking and trans-syndesmotic screws are used. More recently, they have been used to act as a lateral buttress to prevent valgus malunion in fractures of the distal tibia and fibula. After four years of using fibular intramedullary devices in our unit we set out to audit our practice. Methods: We retrospectively searched our electronic operation database for operations in which fibular nails were used, from their first use in our unit in 2012 through to the end of 2016. Electronic operative and clinic notes were reviewed. We gathered basic demographic information and classified fractures according to the AO/OTA system, and studied pre- and post-operative radiographs for evidence of malunion. Results: Eighteen cases were identified. Median age at surgery was 66 (Range 23 to 83 years). Seven patients smoked, one was diabetic. Fibular nails were used in six in AO type 44 and twelve in AO type 42 and 43 fractures. Five were open. Fibular nails were used alongside tibial IM nails, tibial bridging plates, percutaneous tibial fixation and a tibial circular frame and were chosen because of concerns about poor soft tissues or wounds over the lateral side. Twelve cases had syndesmotic fixation. Median follow-up was five months (range 0-48 months). One nail was removed to compress a tibial fracture. All fractures united with no progressive malunion. One prominent distal locking screw was removed and one superficial wound infection required oral antibiotics. Conclusion: We have expanded the use of this device beyond the technique originally described. It’s use has been demonstrated across a range of fractures about the distal tibia and fibula in a variety of different operations with excellent results. Minimally invasive fibular nailing is particularly useful in patients with poor soft tissues or where there is high risk of post-operative infection.

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 2473011418S0046
Author(s):  
Michael Strauss ◽  
Isabella van Dalen

Category: Other Introduction/Purpose: Early management of the club foot using the Ponsetti technique has almost eliminated severe residual deformities from this problem. Unfortunately, in remote regions of the world patients may not have been afforded the benefits of this technique. The consequences are severely deformed, long-neglected foot deformities. Interventions to mitigate this problem have included talectomies, osteotomies, tendon transfers, gradual corrections using Ilizarov principles and as a last resort, transtibial amputations. All have undesirable features such as inadequate corrections with residual deformities, need for additional surgeries, intensive post-operative management and/or need for custom orthotics or prostheses. We propose a one-stage, single setting approach to this problem that fully realigns the foot and requires minimum of post-operative management. Methods: During a 2017 humanitarian mission to Vietnam, six patients with severely deformed, long-neglected club feet were managed at a remote orthopaedic rehabilitation facility using our one-stage, single surgery approach. The six-step procedure included: 1) Percutaneous tri-hemisections (Hoke) of the Achilles tendon, 2) Excision of lateral ulcers/bursas, 3) Minimally invasive releases of all constricting soft tissues structures, 4) Closing wedge osteotomy at apex of deformity, 5) Manual reduction to achieve plantigrade foot, and 6) Maintenance of correction with temporary spanning external fixation in five patients and percutaneous Steinmann pins in a four-year old patient. No tendon transfers were done. No tourniquets or perioperative antibiotics were used with these minimally invasive and percutaneous interventions. At six weeks, the external fixation was removed, walking casts were applied with minimal manipulations to optimally position the feet. At 12 weeks the casts were removed, patients allowed to use footwear of their choosing. Results: Follow-ups initially obtained weekly, then monthly through e-mails by a co-author fluent in Vietnamese were supplemented with photographs. Near-plantigrade feet axially aligned with the leg were obtained with all the initial corrections. By 48 hours pain was reported as minimal even though marked tension occurred across intact joint capsules in order to achieve the corrections. One skin, pin tract infection was reported that resolved once the pin was removed. Follow-up information at six months report that the corrections have been maintained with high satisfaction in all patients. Conclusion: Our innovative approach to deformed, neglected club feet is supported by appreciating the biomechanics of the problems. Dynamic deforming forces (tendons and muscles) must be released. Tendon transfers are inadequate to correct contractures. Bony deformities must be osteotomized. Viscoelasticity of ligaments and joint capsules deform with time and need not be released; corrections initially obtained using the fixators become permanent with time. Our experiences support the use of our approach for the patient population with which we dealt and suggest that earlier soft tissue releases of dynamic deforming forces be done in conjunction with the Ponsetti technique.


2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (5) ◽  
pp. 630-634
Author(s):  
Ilir Hasani ◽  
Igor Kaftandziev ◽  
Slavco Stojmenski ◽  
Simon Trpeski ◽  
Hristijan Kostov ◽  
...  

INTRODUCTION: In the past distal tibia fractures, including intraarticular fractures, frequently led to poor functional outcomes. The Ruedi-Allgower four steps open method, and later the Patterson and Sirkin recommendations for delayed operative treatment has made a drastic advancement in the treatment of these fractures. The two-stage minimally-invasive protocol using locking plate fixation proved a historical turning point, improving functional results to the highest levels compared to all other methods.AIM: To present the superior results of the two-stage minimally-invasive method using locking plate fixation, making this a historic step forward in treating distal tibia fractures.MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective longitudinal study, collecting data from Traumatology-Clinic in the 2014-2016 periods, available for nine-month follow-up. Twenty-three patients were finally included in the study.RESULTS: In analysing the data collected, we focused our attention on the final functional outcomes as indicated by dorsiflexion nine months after injury and also according to the AOFAS Ankle-Hindfoot Scale. Results were excellent with no or minimal consequences. Where complications were present, these were benign and did not require further surgery.CONCLUSION: We believe this modern method for the treatment of distal tibia fractures should be applied routinely and considered as the gold standard in this domain.


2017 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 12-19
Author(s):  
Ranjib Kumar Jha ◽  
Yogendra Gupta ◽  
Navin Karn

Background :Treatment of fracture distal tibia is challenging. Classic open reduction and internal plate fixation requires extensive soft tissue dissection and causes periosteal injury. The locking screw-plate interface allows fracture fixation without plate–bone adherence, thus preserving the fracture hematoma, and reduces the risk of nonunion by maintaining microvascular circulation within the cortex and its investing tissues.Material & Methods: This study included 33 patients of age between 18 to 62 years with extra-articular and simple intra-articular fracture of distal tibia. All fractures were fixed by minimally invasive technique with pre-countered distal tibia locking plate under image intensifier control. The American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) scale was used for functional assessment.Results: Out of 33 there were twelve 43-A1, five A2, five A3, five B1, three B2, two C, one C2 fractures. There were 29 closed fracture and four open fracture (three type I and one type II). The overall mean time of union was 16.3 weeks. The mean AOFAS score was 93 points. In all 30 cases there were no wound problems, whereas three cases had superficial wound infection. No any cases needed secondary procedure for healing of bone.Conclusion: The short-term results shows that minimally invasive locked plating is good solution for the challenging distal tibia fracture. This technique minimizes soft tissue complication and provides good union and functional outcome.Journal of Nobel Medical CollegeVolume 6, Number 1, Issue 10 (January-June, 2017), page: 12-19 


Author(s):  
Manjunath Daragad ◽  
Shrihari L Kulkarni ◽  
Sunil Mannual ◽  
Sachin Kumar

Introduction: Fractures of distal tibia are difficult to treat as they are high energy fractures, associated with extremely damaged soft tissues, poor vascularity, high incidence of compound injuries, skin complications following surgery and comminution of the metaphysis and articular surface makes anatomical reduction difficult. A mechanically stable osteosynthesis can be obtained with minimum dissection and surgical trauma by Minimally Invasive Percutaneous Plate Osteosynthesis (MIPPO). In this technique fracture is reduced indirectly, and is fixed with Locking Compression Plate (LCP). Aim: To assess functional and radiological outcomes of distal tibial fractures managed by MIPPO using LCP. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 25 patients with distal tibia fractures were operated by LCP using MIPPO technique. Patients were followed-up at regular intervals for about one year. They were assessed clinically, functionally and with radiologically for fracture union. Functional assessment was done using American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society Score (AOFAS) scoring system. Radiological outcome was evaluated using the Radiological Union Scale in Tibia Fracture (RUST) to assess union. Data was analysed using paired t-test. The chosen level of significance was p-value <0.05. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21 was used for analysis. Results: Males were more commonly affected with Road Traffic Accident (RTA) being the most common mode of injury. All fractures healed with good functional outcome. Mean union time was 20 weeks. Mean AOFAS score at the end of one year was 88.83 (SD 5.65) and mean RUST score was 11.58 (SD 0.72) at the end of one-year follow-up, indicating good outcome. There was one case of superficial infection which was managed with antibiotics, one patient had implant failure. Conclusion: LCP using MIPPO offers biological advantage by preserving periosteal blood supply, which is particularly critical with distal tibia or pilon injury. Thus, fractures heal rapidly with very few complications.


2014 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 38-44
Author(s):  
Anil K Mishra ◽  
PK Chalise ◽  
SB Shah ◽  
V Adhikari ◽  
RP Singh

Background: The limited soft tissue, subcutaneous location and poor vascularity render the dista tibial fractures very challenging. Treatment of distal tibial fractures using minimally invasive percutaneous plate osteosynthesis technique may minimise damage to soft tissues and vascular integrity of bony fragments, leaving comminuted fragments out of the mechanical construct, preserving soft tissues with limited operative exposure. Objective: To assess the outcome of patients treated with minimally invasive percutaneous plate osteosynthesis technique for closed distal tibial fractures. Methods: The study included total of 30 patients (24males and 6females) with close distal tibia fracture, which were treated with distal tibia locking plate using minimally invasive percutaneous plate osteosynthesis technique. Results: The mean ages of the patient were 44.23 years (30 to58 years). Patients were followed up at 2 weeks, 6weeks, 12weeks, 24weeks and 1 year after the operation and evaluated clinically and radiologically. Among 30 pateints, all fractures went to union. The mean American orthopaedic foot and ankle score was 89.23% (SD-3.92). There was 2case of superficial infection and 3 case of plate impingement with no intraoperative complication and mortality rates. Conclusion: Minimally invasive percutaneous plate osteosynthesis is an effective technique for the management of distal tibial fractures. It is minimally invasive, though technically demanding, but preserves the biological environment by preserving the soft tissue with better outcome in terms of radiological union and functional outcome. Journal of College of Medical Sciences-Nepal, 2013, Vol-9, No-2, 38-44 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jcmsn.v9i2.9686


2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fu Wang ◽  
Yan Wang ◽  
Jinye Dong ◽  
Yu He ◽  
Lianxin Li ◽  
...  

Abstract Background and hypothesis The typical anterolateral approach is widely used to treat proximal humerus fractures with lateral locking fixation. However, lateral fixation cannot completely avoid medial reduction loss and varus deformity especially in the cases of an unstable medial column. We present a novel medial surgical approach and technique together with a minimally invasive lateral locking plate to fix proximal humerus fractures with an unstable medial column. Materials and methods We performed an anatomical study and reported 8 cases of proximal humerus fractures with unstable medial columns treated with plate fixation through a minimally invasive anterolateral approach and medial approach. All surgeries were performed by the same single surgeon. Patients were followed clinically and radiographically at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. Results There was a safe region located at the medial part of the proximal humerus just beneath the articular surface. An anatomical medial locking proximal humerus plate could be placed in the medial column and did not affect the axillary nerve, blood supply of the humeral head, or stability of the shoulder joint. Successful fracture healing was achieved in all 8 cases. The function and range of motion of the shoulder joint were satisfactory 24 months postoperatively, with an average Constant score (CS) of 82.8. No reduction loss (≥ 10° in any direction), screw cutout, nonunion, or deep infection occurred. Conclusions The combined application of medial anatomical locking plate fixation and minimally invasive lateral locking plate fixation is effective in maintaining operative reduction and preventing varus collapse and implant failure in proximal humerus fractures with an unstable medial column.


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