Gait biomechanics in patients with intra-articular tibial plateau fractures – gait analysis at three months compared with age- and gender-matched healthy subjects

Introduction Tibial plateau fractures involve the knee joint, one of the most weight-bearing joints in the body. Studies have shown that gait asymmetries exist several years after injury. Instrumental gait analysis, generating both kinematic and kinetic data from patients with tibial plateau fractures, is uncommon. Aim To examine walking ability and knee range of motion in patients suffering intra-articular tibial plateau fractures. Method Twenty participants, eight males and 12 females, aged 44 years (range 26–60), with unilateral isolated tibial plateau fractures, were examined 12 weeks (range 7–20) after injury. The investigation consisted of passive range of motion (ROM) using a goniometer, six-minute walking test (6 MW), pain estimation using the visual analogue scale (VAS), the “Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score” (KOOS) self-assessment questionnaire and instrumental 3-dimensional gait analysis (3DGA). 3DGA included spatiotemporal variables (speed, relative stance time, step length), kinematic variables (knee flexion, knee extension, ankle dorsiflexion) and kinetic variables (generating knee power (extension) and ankle power (plantarflexion)). A skin marker model with twenty reflective markers was used. Non-parametric tests were used for comparisons of the injured leg, the uninjured leg and a reference group. Result The participants walked more slowly compared with healthy references (p < 0.001). Stance time and step length was shorter for the injured side compared with the uninjured side (p < 0.014). Step length was shorter compared with the reference group (p = 0.001). The maximum knee extension in the single stance phase was worse in the injured side compared with the uninjured side and the reference group (p < 0.001) respectively. The maximum ankle dorsiflexion during stance phase was higher in the injured leg compared with the uninjured side and the reference group (p < 0.012). Maximum generated power in the knee was lower in the injured side compared with the uninjured side and the reference group (p < 0.001 respectively). The same was true of maximum power generated in the ankle (p < 0.023). The median KOOS value was lower in the study group (p < 0.001). ROM showed decreased flexion and extension in the knee joint and decreased dorsiflexion in the ankle joint compared with the uninjured side (p < 0.006). The average distance in the six-minute walking test was shorter in the study group (p < 0.001). Conclusion Patients who have sustained tibial plateau fractures generally display a limitation in their walking pattern 3 months after injury. These limitations are mainly related to the inability to extend the knee.

Clinical efficacy of treating the first metacarpal base fracture by closed reduction and percutaneous parallel K-wire interlocking fixation

Objective: To explore the clinical efficacy of treating a first metacarpal base fracture by closed reduction and percutaneous parallel K-wire interlocking fixation between the first and second metacarpals.Methods: Twenty patients treated by the above technique from October 2015 to December 2018 at our institution were retrospectively reviewed. The patients’ average age was 36 years (range, 16–61 years). Eleven patients were extra-articular fractures and nine were intra-articular fractures. The mean follow-up period was 12 months (range, 10–18 months). At the final follow-up, the functional recovery of the injured hand was assessed and compared with that of the uninjured hand.Results: All patients recovered well with no complications. In the extra-articular fracture group, the mean hand grip strength, pinch strength, and Kapandji score were 43.4 ± 7.0 kg, 9.1 ± 1.4 kg, and 9.5 ± 0.7 on the injured side and 41.7 ±6.8 kg, 8.7 ± 0.8 kg, and 9.7 ± 0.5 on the uninjured side, respectively, with no significant differences. In the intra-articular fracture group, the above indexes were 43.0 ± 6.5 kg, 9.0 ± 1.1 kg, and 9.3 ± 0.7 on the injured side and 42.1 ± 6.6 kg, 8.6 ± 1.1 kg, and 9.7 ± 0.5 on the uninjured side, respectively, also with no significant differences. The abduction and flexion-extension arc of the thumb on the injured hand were lower than those on the uninjured hand in both the extra-articular and intra-articular fracture groups, but the patients felt clinically well with respect to daily activities and strength.Conclusion: The percutaneous parallel K-wire and the interlocking fixation technique is simple, effective, and economic for first metacarpal base fractures.

A novel plating technique for Ideberg type 1 A glenoid fractures: a report of five patients

Background Glenoid rim fractures are uncommon and generally associated with high complication rates. The most common treatment techniques include screw or anchor fixation. Here, we introduce a new fixation method to treat Ideberg type 1 A fractures. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on patients treated with open reduction and plate fixation for Ideberg type 1 A fractures. The active range of motion capacity of both shoulders was recorded postoperatively. Constant-Murley score and Oxford disability index scores were used as outcome tools. Results Five patients (three men and two women) were evaluated; their mean age was 56 years (standard deviation (SD), 10 years). The mean follow-up period was 25 months (range, 6–69 months); all fractures healed radiologically during the follow-up period. The mean Constant-Murley score was 80.36 (SD 11.01); the mean Oxford disability index was 37 (SD 9). The subsequent flexion and external rotation of the injured shoulders were similar to those of the uninjured side (injured vs. uninjured side: flexion, 176 ± 5.4 vs. 178 ± 4.4; external rotation, 48 ± 10.9 vs. 60 ± 0). No patient showed signs of osteoarthritis, stiffness, instability, or chronic pain at the last follow-up. Discussion Open reduction and internal fixation with a plate is suitable for Ideberg type 1A glenoid fractures.

Fractures of the Humeral Ulnar Condyle in Children – a Rare but Complicated Injury

Background Ulnar humeral condyle fractures are rare paediatric elbow fractures, classified as Salter-Harris IV paediatric elbow injuries. Due to constant radiological changes in the elbow with varying manifestation of ossification centres as well as late ossification of the trochlea, diagnosis of these injuries is challenging. To avoid long-term complications, the treating surgeon should be familiar with the rare injury picture, diagnostics and adequate therapeutic measures. Material and Methods The present retrospective study includes data on all paediatric cases from 2002 to 2019 with primary or secondary treatment at a paediatric traumatology centre for ulnar condyle fracture with a minimum follow-up of 12 months. Range of motion, joint stability under valgus and varus stress as well as axial ratios of the injured and uninjured side were evaluated in a clinical follow-up examination. The Mayo Elbow Performance Score was used to objectify functional results. Results 20 children, average age 8.6 years (4 – 13) and average follow-up time 25 months, were included. Radiological evaluation based on Jakob and Fowles classification revealed a type I fracture in three cases, a type II fracture in one case and a type III fracture in 16 cases. Three cases were treated nonoperatively with an upper arm cast. 17 children were treated with open reduction and internal fixation. Diagnosis of three fractures was delayed. No postoperative complications such as infections, nerve damage or nonunions. 15 children showed free elbow function. Three children showed slightly restricted elbow extension by less than 10° and two by 10°–20°. All children showed free pro/supination. 18 children showed a physiological and bilaterally identical arm axis compared to the uninjured side. Two children showed a slightly increased cubitus valgus with a 5 – 10° difference between sides. Radiologically, two children with delayed fracture treatment showed partial necrosis of the trochlea. The Mayo Elbow Score showed good (2) to excellent results in all children (18). Conclusion Very good clinical and functional results can be expected if the injury is diagnosed without delay followed by adequate therapy. Misdiagnosis of ulnar condyle fractures can be associated with the development of nonunions and functional restrictions as well as, after operative therapy, trochlear necrosis. Children up to the age of 6 in particular are at risk of misdiagnosis due to faulty assessment of the cartilaginous trochlea.

Using 3D Volume Measurements on Weightbearing Computed Tomography Scan to Diagnose Syndesmotic Instability

Category: Ankle Introduction/Purpose: Diagnosing syndesmotic instability, especially when subtle, remains challenging. Weight bearing computed tomography (WBCT) offers a unique opportunity to evaluate the distal syndesmosis under physiologic load while simultaneously comparing the injured and uninjured side. We hypothesized that WBCT volumetric measurements of the distal syndesmosis were increased on the injured side as compared to the contralateral uninjured side among patients with syndesmotic instability. Our secondary hypothesis was that these 3-dimensional calculations were an even more sensitive determinant of instability as compared to 2-dimensional methodology. Methods: Twelve patients with unilateral syndesmotic instability requiring operative fixation who underwent preoperative bilateral foot and ankle WBCT were included in the study group. The control group comprised of 24 patients without ankle injury who underwent similar imaging. For each WBCT scan, 2-dimensional measurements of the interspace between the distal fibula and tibia were measured 1cm above the joint line in the axial plane, namely the syndesmosis area and the direct anterior, middle and posterior difference. Furthermore, three volumetric measurements of the interspace between the distal fibula and tibia were evaluated: 1) from the tibial plafond extending until 3cm proximally, 2) 5cm proximally, and 3) 10cm proximally from the joint line. Results: In patients with unilateral syndesmotic instability, all weightbearing volumetric measurements were significantly larger on the injured side as compared to the contralateral, uninjured side (p<0.001). In the control group, there was no difference between syndesmotic volumes at any level. Of the three anatomic reference points, the volumetric measurement spanning from the tibial plafond to a level 5cm proximally had the highest relative volumetric ratio between the injured and uninjured side, suggesting it is more sensitive in distinguishing stable and unstable syndesmotic injuries (median ratios (IQR) 1.3(1.2-1.4), 1.8(1.6-2.1), 1.4(1.3-1.5), respectively; p<0.001). Additionally, this relative volumetric ratio was also more sensitive than 2-dimensional measurements (p=0.001). Conclusion: Volumetric measurement of the distal tibiofibular interspace using WBCT appears to be the most effective way to diagnose syndesmotic instability. The measurement from the tibial plafond extending until 5cm proximally is more sensitive to detect syndesmotic instability than using either more traditional 2D WBCT syndesmosis measurements or using more distal (3cm) or proximal (10cm) 3D volumetric measurements. This does not seem surprising given the overall spectrum and 3D nature of the syndesmotic injury across the injured population. Tables [Table: see text][Table: see text]

Quantitative Evaluation of Functional Instability Due to Anterior Cruciate Ligament Deficiency

Background: A safe and simple procedure to evaluate functional instability due to anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) deficiency (ACLD) has not been established. The angle of trunk backward tilting, which is known as a posture at risk for ACL injuries, could be used as a parameter to evaluate functional instability due to ACLD. Purpose: To measure the backward tilt angle of the trunk with participants standing upright on 1 leg and to investigate its usefulness to quantitatively evaluate functional instability due to ACLD. Study Design: Cohort study (diagnosis); Level of evidence, 3. Methods: Our cohort included 50 participants with unilateral ACLD and 40 participants with bilateral healthy knees. The trunk backward tilt (TBT) test was conducted as follows: the participant was asked to maximally tilt the trunk backward in a single-leg standing position, while forward tilt of the index leg was blocked with a custom-made device. The TBT angle was measured using a side-view photograph. Subjective knee instability during the test was recorded using a visual analog scale (VAS). The relative and absolute reliability of the TBT test were verified in a sample of healthy participants and those with ACLD, and comparisons between indicators were performed. Multiple regression analysis was performed with the injured/uninjured side ratio (I/U ratio) of the TBT angle as the dependent variable and the following independent variables: (1) I/U ratio of knee extension muscle strength, (2) I/U ratio of knee flexion muscle strength, (3) side-to-side difference (SSD) of the KT-1000 arthrometer measurement, (4) sex, and (5) SSD of the VAS score. Results: The TBT test had high reliability among healthy participants and those with ACLD. The TBT angle was significantly smaller and the VAS score was significantly higher on the injured side compared with the uninjured side and with healthy knees ( P < .001 for all). Among the independent variables, the SSD of the VAS score had a negative influence on the I/U ratio of the TBT angle ( R 2 = 0.59; P < .001). Conclusion: The TBT test is a simple, safe, and reliable method for quantitatively evaluating functional instability due to ACLD under weightbearing conditions that reflect subjective knee instability. The test will provide an index of treatment outcomes and return to sports through additional objective measurements before and after ACL reconstruction.

Dynamic Wrist Radiographs in Patients with and without a Ganglion Cyst

Objectives The purpose of this study was to find out if carpal instability played a role in the etiology of ganglion cysts. Materials and Methods Dynamic wrist radiographs of 33 patients with and without a ganglion cyst of the wrist were compared. The control group consisted of patients who had dynamic radiographs of both wrists after a traumatic event in one wrist. Measurements were performed on the contralateral uninjured side. Radiological parameters that may indicate carpal instability included: width of the scapholunate gap, scapholunate, radiolunate, and lunocapitate angles, and ulnar translocation. Results No statistically significant difference was found between the two groups except for lunocapitate angle which was higher in wrists with ganglion cysts. However, mean lunocapitate angle was still within the normal range. Conclusions It could be concluded that in this study we did not see a difference between scapholunate gap and radiocarpal angles with the presence or absence of a ganglion cyst.

Utility of Volumetric Measurement via Weight-Bearing Computed Tomography Scan to Diagnose Syndesmotic Instability

Background: Weight-bearing computed tomography (WBCT) allows evaluation of the distal syndesmosis under physiologic load. We hypothesized that WBCT volumetric measurement of the distal syndesmosis would be increased on the injured as compared to the contralateral uninjured side and that these 3-dimensional (3D) calculations would be a more sensitive determinant than 2-dimensional (2D) methodology among patients with syndesmotic instability. Methods: Twelve patients with unilateral syndesmotic instability requiring operative fixation who underwent preoperative bilateral foot and ankle WBCT were included in the study group. The control group consisted of 24 patients without ankle injury who underwent similar imaging. On WBCT scan, 2D measurements of the syndesmosis joint were first measured 1 cm above the joint line in the axial plane via syndesmotic area and distances between the anterior, middle, and posterior quadrants. Thereafter, comparative 3D volumetric measurements of the syndesmotic joint were also calculated: (1) from the tibial plafond extending until 3 cm proximally, (2) 5 cm proximally, and (3) 10 cm proximally. Results: In patients with unilateral syndesmotic instability, all 3 weight-bearing volumetric measurements were significantly larger on the injured side as compared to the contralateral, uninjured side ( P < .001). In the control group, there was no difference between syndesmotic volumes at any level. Of these 3 anatomic reference points, the 3D measurement spanning from the tibial plafond to a level 5 cm proximally had the highest relative volumetric ratio between the injured and uninjured side, suggesting it is the most sensitive in distinguishing between stable and unstable syndesmotic injury ( P < .001). Notably, this 3D volumetric measurement was also more sensitive than 2D measurements ( P = .001). Conclusion: 3D volumetric measurement of the syndesmosis joint appears to be the most effective way to diagnose syndesmotic instability, compared with more traditional 2D syndesmosis measurement. Level of Evidence: Level III, retrospective comparative study.

Normal Variation and Instability Values of the Tibiofibular Joint on Weightbearing CT

Category: Ankle Introduction/Purpose: Prompt management of syndesmotic instability is critical for optimizing clinical outcome, but subtle injuries may be difficult to diagnose. Application of modern imaging modalities such as weight bearing CT (WBCT) may better identify such injuries by virtue of assessing the distal tibiofibular articulation under physiologic load. The aim of this study was to evaluate the distal tibiofibular articulation using WBCT among patients with known syndesmotic instability and compare these findings with their uninjured contralateral sides, and thereafter corroborate such measurement differences with patients devoid of any syndesmotic injury. Methods: Patients with unilateral syndesmotic instability requiring surgical fixation (n=12) underwent bilateral ankle WBCT that incorporated the entire foot. A separate cohort of patients without ankle injury also underwent bilateral ankle WBCT for assessment of either a Lisfranc injury or forefoot condition (n=24). All WBCT imaging was performed preoperatively. A set of five axial plane tibiofibular joint measurements including one angular measurement were standardly assessed one cm above the tibial plafond. Values were recorded by two independent observers to assess for interobserver reliability scores. Interpretation of the intraclass correlation coefficients was carried out according to the guidelines proposed by Shrout: 0.00-0.10 virtually none, 0.11-0.40 slight, 0.41-0.60 fair, 0.61-0.80 moderate, 0.81 -1.00 substantial. Results: Among the control population without ankle injury, no differences were found between bilateral measurements (p-value range 0.172 - 0.961). Among those with known unilateral syndesmotic instability, values differed between the injured and uninjured side in five of six measurements— including syndesmotic area, direct anterior-, middle-, and posterior- difference, and sagittal translation (p <0.001, <0.001, <0.001, <0.001, 0.039, respectively). Those same measurements also differed when comparing the left-right delta values between uninjured and injured patients (p <0.001, 0.002, <0.001, <0.001, and 0.042, respectively). Fibular rotation differed neither in direct nor delta comparisons (p=0.460 and 0.271 respectively). Substantial agreement was found for all measurements except for sagittal translation, which had only slight agreement. Conclusion: This study highlights the ability of WBCT to effectively differentiate syndesmotic diastasis and fibular translation among patients with surgically-confirmed syndesmotic instability as compared to those without syndesmotic instability. It also underscores the importance of using the contralateral, uninjured side as a valid internal control. Additional studies are necessary to better understand the role of WBCT in prospectively diagnosing more subtle cases of syndesmotic instability among patients for whom the diagnosis remains in question.

Combined Volar T-Plate and Dorsal Pi-Plate for Distal Radius Fractures: A Consecutive Series of 80 AO type C2 and C3 Cases

Background The distal radius fracture (DRF) is the most common fracture among adults. In recent years, there has been a shift toward volar locking plates in the treatment of DRFs, and this shift has taken place with a low degree of evidence. Question/purposes Can combined volar T-plating and dorsal pi-plating of AO type C fractures yield a good functional and radiographic outcome 1 year postoperatively? Patients and Methods In a retrospective cohort study, we evaluated 102 consecutive patients operated with combined dorsal and volar plating, of whom 80 completed the 1-year follow-up. The DRFs were operated between 2012 and 2013. All cases were AO type C2 and C3 fractures. The primary outcome was functional scoring including radiographic examination. Secondary outcome measures included range of motion, visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores, and hand grip strength. Results The median Batra radiographic score was 84.5. Wrist extension was 74% of the uninjured side, flexion was 70%, pronation was 94%, and supination was 90%. The Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation score was 21 points, and the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand score was 19.4 points. VAS pain scores were 0 at rest and 3 during activity. Hand grip strength was 80% of the uninjured side. Radiographic outcome did not correspond to a patient-reported outcome. Hardware removal was performed in 15/80 cases. Conclusions We conclude that a good outcome can be expected after combined dorsal and volar plating of DRFs. Radiographic outcome is not necessarily associated with functional outcome 1 year postoperatively. The rate of hardware removal was acceptable. Level of Evidence III