OBJECTIVETo explore the clinical efficacy of double-plate fixation for the treatment of old tibial plateau fractures with Schatzker type IV through anterior midline and posteromedial approaches.

METHODSFrom July 2013 to July 2015, 15 patients with old tibial plateau fractures were treated with internal fixation using locking reconstructive plate for the posteromedial fragment and anatomical locking plate for anteromedial fragment through antero midline and posteromedial approaches. There were 9 males and 6 females, with an average age of 49.2 years old (ranged, 21 to 61 years old). Eight patients had injured in the left side and 7 in the right side. According to Schatzker classification, all patients were type IV. The mean interval from injury to operation was 26.5 days (ranged, 21 to 65 days). The main clinical symptoms before operation were knee joint swelling, pain, deformity and limitation of motion. The X-ray and CT confirmed the fracture type. The indexes such as tibial plateau tibial shaft angle (TPA), femoral tibial angle (FTA) and posterior slope angle (PSA) were compared between immediate postoperation and final follow-up using postoperative X-ray film. The knee functions were evaluated using the HSS (Hospital for Special Surgery) knee score system.

RESULTSTwo patients had incision complications which healed by correct treatment, 1 patient had traumatic arthritis. All patients were followed up for mean 16.6 months (ranged, 13 to 24 months). No infections, deep venous thrombosis, implant loosening and breakage, fragment displacement, plateau surface collapse and bone nonunion found. The bone union time ranged from 3 to 8 months (mean 6.07 months) after operation. The average immediate postoperative value of TPA, FTA and PSA were(86.81±1.67)°, (168.00±3.29)° and(10.20±1.47)° respectively; and(86.47±1.67)°, (168.53±3.03)° and (10.54±1.21)° respectively at the final follow-up evaluation, showing no statistical differences(>0.05). According to the HSS score system, 26.33±3.86 in pain, 20.00±1.79 in function, 16.00±1.55 in range of motion, 8.67±0.94 in muscle strength, 8.53±1.67 in flexion deformity, 9.33±0.94 in joint stability, and the total mean score was 88.86±8.92. The outcomes were excellent in 10 cases, good in 4, and fair in 1.

CONCLUSIONSDouble-plate fixation via combined anterior midline and posteromedial approaches is an ideal surgical method for old tibial plateau fractures with Schatzker IV type, showing satisfactory exposure, reliable reduction and fixation, and benefiting for early functional exercise. The short-term clinical results was satisfactory.

OBJECTIVETo explore clinical effect of arthroscopic cyst removal and wire-guided suture for the treatment of lateral meniscal cyst of knee joint.

METHODSFrom July 2014 to December 2017, 33 patients with lateral meniscal cyst of knee joint were treated by arthroscopic cysts removal and wire-guided suture, including 13 males and 20 females, aged from 20 to 55 years old with an average age of(36.23 ±2.30) years old, the courses of disease ranged from 3 to 14 months with an average of(4.60±0.83) months; Preoperative MRI examination was clear diagnosed. There were 14 cysts on anterior horn, 18 cysts on meniscal body and 1 cyst on posterior horn;all cysts were solitary, and 3 of them were multilocular. Lysholm score and GLASOW score of knee joint function and clinical efficacy were observed before and after operation at 6 months.

RESULTSAll patients were followed up form 6 to 24 months with an average of (7.5±1.2) months. Preoperative symptoms disappeared or significantly alleviated, and all incisions were healed by intention without complication and neurovascular injury. MRI showed meniscal tear areas and cystic defective areas healed, cyst was not recurrenced, healing time ranged form 8 to 12 weeks with an average of (9.6±1.6) weeks, and patients recovered their daily life and exercise. There was significant difference in Lysholm score before operation (61.12±4.35) and after operation at 6 momths(91.32±3.36)(=46.11, <0.01);according to GLASOW assessment, 31 patients with excellent recovery, and 2 good.

CONCLUSIONSArthroscopic cyst removal and wire-guided suture for the treatment of lateral meniscal cyst of knee joint could reserve meniscus, repair injury of meniscus, recover knee joint function after operation, and is worth popularizing.

OBJECTIVE: To explore clinical effect of attaching locking plate with bone grafting based on retaining the original intramedullary nail in treating non-union after intramedullary nail fixation of long shaft fractures of lower limbs. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted on 20 patients treated with non-union fractures after intramedullary nailing of long shaft fractures of lower limbs from June 2015 to June 2020. All patients were treated with the original intramedullary nailing and bone grafting from the iliac bone, and were underwent open reduction plate internal fixation and bone grafting for old fractures. Among them, 14 were males and 6 were females, aged from 35 to 56 years old with an average of (42.2±9.6) years old. Nine patients were femoral shaft fracture and 11 patients were tibial shaft fracture. According to characteristics of fracture end nonunion, 6 patients were stable/atrophic, 9 patients were unstable/large, and 5 patients were unstable/atrophic. The nonunion time ranged from 8 to 12 months with an average of(9.8±2.0) months after the initial surgery. Visual analogue scale (VAS), knee range of motion, bone healing time, complications and fracture-end healing were recorded before and at the latest follow-up. RESULTS: All patients were followed up for 18 to 48 months with an average of (36.3±10.5) months. The incision of all patients were healed at stageⅠwithout complications such as infection or internal fixation ruptur. Healing time of femur and tibia was (8.5±2.6) months and (9.5±2.2) months. Knee joint motion increased from preoperative (101.05±8.98) ° to postoperative (139.35±8.78) ° at the latest follow-up (t=-12.845, P<0.001). VAS decreased from preoperative (5.15±1.72) to postoperative (0.75±0.96) at the latest follow-up (t=11.186, P<0.001). CONCLUSION On the basis of retaining the original intramedullary nail, the addition of locking plate internal fixation and autogenous iliac bone grafting have advantages of simple operation, less trauma, fewer complications and high fracture healing rate. It is one of the effective surgical schemes for the treatment of nonunion after intramedullary nail fixation of long bone fracture of lower extremity.
Male ; Female ; Humans ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Bone Transplantation ; Retrospective Studies ; Bone Plates ; Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary/adverse effects* ; Femoral Fractures/complications* ; Lower Extremity ; Fractures, Ununited/surgery* ; Fracture Healing ; Tibial Fractures/complications* ; Bone Nails ; Treatment Outcome