Case Report: Prophylactic Plate Fixation for Incomplete Atypical Ulnar Fractures Resulting From the Use of Denosumab for Bone Metastases

Patients with bone metastases are treated with long-term bone resorption inhibitors such as bisphosphonates and denosumab. However, resorption inhibitors have been known to cause fractures, such as atypical femoral fractures (AFFs). In recent years, there have been an increasing number of reports of atypical ulna fractures (AUFs) caused by bone resorption inhibitor usage. Treatment of AUFs is complicated, especially when they occur in patients with bone metastases, because it is difficult to discontinue bone resorption inhibitor treatment without the risk of aggravating metastatic lesions. Prophylactic surgery is recommended in AFFs when fractures are predicted, but there are few reports of prophylactic surgery for AUFs. Here, we report a case of incomplete AUF in a 74-year-old woman which was surgically treated with prophylactic plate fixation. The patient had been using denosumab for 6 years to treat bone metastases due to thyroid cancer. After surgery, no fractures were observed for 2 years without discontinuing denosumab, and her forearm function was adequate. AUFs are rare and difficult to treat, so oncologists who treat bone metastases need to pay special attention to diagnose this incomplete AUF before the fracture worsens. We believe that detection of a possible fracture and prophylactic surgery can improve prognosis.

Treatment of fractures and other orthopedic problems in cats and dogs using versatile external fixator

Many complicated bone fractures can be healed by different techniques including linear external fixation. New generation linear external fixators enhanced the scope of application for bone fractures by mechanical progress. Difficulties include implementing enough pins through fixation clamps to the comminuted fragments or clamp addition and fixing it properly to the rod with the correct pin insertion angle. Effective configurations may not always result. This study sought to reveal the clinical efficiency of modified clamps of a versatile external fixator (VEF) to fix different types of fractures and orthopedic problems according to the radiographic and clinical results. We used this fixator on 17 cats and 17 dogs of different ages and sizes, having different types of antebrachium, humerus, tibia, ulna fractures, and bone-muscle deformities. Clamps had different features to connect fixator pins. Many fixator configurations were created according to the fracture type and body weight of the animals. The most used ones were unilateral and bilateral configurations. The callus formation and visual gait analysis were observed after the operations, until the removal of the fixator. After fixator removal, the visual gait status of the limbs was excellent in 67% of the cases, good in 15%, fair in 12%, and poor in 6%. We found that rods and fixator pins were connected easily by semi-locked clamps. Also, the double pin holding clamps saved space on the fixation rod by the application of two pins through one clamp. We think that clamps of versatile external fixators can easily be constructed to limb fractures and save time during surgery.

Osteotomia da ulna para correção cirúrgica de fratura de Monteggia negligenciada em criança com deformidade plástica da ulna. Relato de caso / Ulna osteotomy for surgical correction of neglected Monteggia fracture in a child with ulna bowing. Case report

Introdução: A luxação da cabeça do rádio com deformidade plástica da ulna, quando combinadas, configuram uma condição rara, e frequentemente não diagnosticada na urgência. Objetivo: Relatar um caso de fratura de Monteggia negligenciada em criança com defomidade plástica da ulna, tratada cirurgicamente com redução e fixação da cabeça dorádio, sem reconstrução do ligamento anular, e osteotomia da ulna. Relato do Caso: Paciente de 6 anos de idade, sexo masculino, vítima de queda ao solo com a mão espalmada, deu entrada em Unidade de Pronto Atendimento com queixa de dor no cotovelo direito. Paciente foi submetido à exames de imagem radiográficos do cotovelo interpretados peloexaminador como sem alterações. Duas semanas após, o paciente retornou mantendo dor, e foram solicitados exames de radiografia do antebraço, que evidenciaram presença de deformidade plástica da ulna associada à luxação da cabeça do rádio. Como tratamento, optou-se pela redução aberta e fixação da cabeça do rádio com fios metálicos, associado aosteotomia de flexão da ulna fixada com fio de Kirschnner. Evoluiu no pós operatório com consolidação da osteotomia, manutenção da redução da cabeça do rádio, e recuperação do arco de movimento total do cotovelo e antebraço. Conclusão: Pacientes pediátricos que se apresentam com dor no cotovelo, em decorrência de queda com a mão espalmada, devem ser minuciosamente avaliados quanto à possibilidade de deformidade plástica da ulna associada à luxação da cabeça do rádio. A osteotomia na ulna com fixação da cabeça do rádio, sem reconstrução do ligamento anular, trouxe bom resultado no tratamento de fratura de Monteggia negligenciada em criança com defomidade plástica da ulna. Palavras chave: Fratura de Monteggia, Ulna/deformidades, Fraturas da ulna, Osteotomia, Trauma, Criança, Pediatria Abstract Introduction: Dislocation of the radial head with ulna bowing, when combined, constitutes a rare condition, and often missed diagnosed. Objective: Report a case of neglected Monteggia fracture in a child with ulna bowing, treated surgically with reduction and fixation of the radial head, without reconstruction of the annular ligament, and osteotomy of the ulna. Case Report: A 6-year-old male patient, victim of falling to the ground, was admitted to the Emergency Department with complaints of pain in his right elbow. The patient was submitted to radiographic exams of the elbow, interpreted by the physician as normal. Two weeks later, the patient returned with pain, and radiographic exams of the forearm showed the presence of ulna bowing associated with dislocation of the radial head. As a treatment, we opted for open reduction and fixation of the radial head with metallic wires, associated with flexion osteotomy of the ulna. It evolved in the postoperative period with consolidation of the osteotomy, maintenance of the reduction of the radial head, and recovery of the total range of motion of the elbow and forearm. Conclusion: Pediatric patients who present with pain in the elbow, due to a fall, should be thoroughly evaluated for the possibility of ulna bowing associated with dislocation of the radial head. Ulna osteotomy with fixation of the radial head, without reconstruction of the annular ligament, brought good results in the treatment of neglected Monteggia fracture in a child with ulna bowing. Keywords: Monteggia fracture, Ulna/deformities, Ulna fractures, Osteotomy, Trauma, Child, Pediatrics

Titanium Elastic Nails for Distal Radius-ulna Fractures in Young Dogs

Background: Radius-ulna is the most frequently fractured bone of the pectoral limb in dogs with high predisposition to distal fractures. The smaller size of the distal fragment and open physis restrict the use of rigid fracture fixation techniques in distal fractures of growing dogs. Titanium elastic nails (TENs) are recommended in medical practice to stabilize long bone fractures in children. There is paucity of literature on TENs for the repair of radius-ulna fractures in dogs. Methods: This clinical study enrolled 10 dogs (7 grey hound and one each of Crossbred, Pomerenarian and Siberian Husky) suffering from distal radius-ulna (6 transverse and 4 short oblique) fractures since a mean ± SD duration of 3.40±4.5 days. The mean ± SD age and body weight of the dogs was 12.60±6.45 months and 14.09±6.41 Kg, respectively. All except one fracture was stabilized with two TENs inserted into the medullary canal of radial bone in a normograde manner from distal to proximal end using open cranio-lateral surgical approach. Result: Majority fractures achieved satisfactory reduction (n=8), radiographically. Weight bearing scores on walking increased gradually from day 12 (1.62 ± 1.51) to 45th (2.57±1.51), day 60th (3.75±0.5) and day 90 (4.0±0). Five dogs had uneventful recovery whereas remaining had major (n=2) or minor (n=3) complications. The length of the operated bone was non-significantly lesser as compared to contralateral healthy bone on day 60. Goniometric assessment of carpal joint of operated limb showed restricted range of motion on day 12 that improved to the near normal as contralateral healthy limb on day 60. Long-term results showed full (9) and acceptable (1) functional outcome. In conclusions, the TENs technique is simple and less invasive alternative fixation technique for distal radius-ulna fractures in young and light weighing dogs. As per authors, this is the first report on the use of TENs for the management of radius-ulna fracture in dogs.