OBJECTIVEDebate continues regarding the management of calcaneal fractures, between open reduction and internal fixation and closed treatment. Hence we aim at evaluating the radiological and functional outcomes of open reduction and internal fixation in displaced joint depression type of calcaneal fractures fixed with locking calcaneal plate.

METHODSIn this series, 28 patients (26 unilateral and 2 bilateral) with joint depression type of calcaneal fractures as per Essex-Lopresti classification system were operated on with locking calcaneal plate within 3 weeks of injury. Patients were evaluated in terms of associated injuries and X-rays of anteroposterior, lateral and axial views of the calcaneum. CT scan was done to assess the amount of comminution and articular depression. Patients were followed up clinically and radiologically at least for 1 year. Radiological assessment was done by Bohler's angle and Gissane's angle along with measurement of calcaneal height and width. Functional outcome was assessed using the American Orthopaedics Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) scale.

RESULTSAt average follow-up of 14.5 months, average AOFAS score was 86.3 (range 66 to 97), with 86% having excellent to good results and 2 (7.7%) and 1 (3.7%) having fair and poor results respectively. All patients had stable ankle joint with all having dorsiflexion and plantar flexion more than 30 degrees. Average subtalar range of motion was 17 degrees The mean Bohler's angle, mean Gissane's angle, calcaneal height and width were 25.47 degrees 121.3 degrees 4.32 cm and 3.81 cm respectively at final follow-up. Three patients had flap necrosis at incision site and one had superficial and deep infection. Subtalar arthritis was seen in 5 patients, whereas sural nerve hypoaesthesia in 1 patient. None of the patients had compartment syndrome, heel pad problems, peroneal tendinitis, reflex sympathetic dystropy or implant failure.

CONCLUSIONOpen reduction and internal fixation with locking calcaneal plate gives sound functional outcome, i.e. restoring anatomically reconstruction of height, width, Bohler's and Gissiane's angles of the calcaneum, and allowing early mobilization.

Ascorbic Acid ; administration & dosage ; Child ; Child Nutrition Disorders ; complications ; diet therapy ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Femoral Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; Femur ; diagnostic imaging ; Humans ; Male ; Protein-Energy Malnutrition ; complications ; diet therapy ; Radiography ; Scurvy ; diagnosis ; diet therapy ; etiology ; physiopathology ; Treatment Outcome

A 45 year old woman was diagnosed as having anteromedial radial head dislocation and distal radius fracture five months after her injury on right forearm. The radial head dislocation led to ulnar nerve compression. She had severe restriction of her elbow movements. She was treated with arthrolysis, decompression of the ulnar nerve and radial head resection. The reverse Essex Lopresti injury and radial head dislocation compressing the ulnar nerve has not been reported in English language literature to the best of our knowledge. A mechanism is proposed for the injury. In acute presentations, restoration of both the radioulnar joints should be done and neglected nature of such injury leads to suboptimal outcomes.
Female ; Humans ; Joint Dislocations ; complications ; Middle Aged ; Radius ; injuries ; Radius Fractures ; complications ; Ulna ; injuries ; Ulnar Nerve Compression Syndromes ; etiology

Elbow dislocation with concomitant diaphyseal fractures of radius and ulna has been reported rarely. This injury could be included in Monteggia equivalent lesions based on the mechanism of injury, radiographic pattern and method of treatment as described by Bado. We report a rare case of Monteggia equivalent lesion in an adult with unclear mechanism of injury. The possible mechanism of injury, its management and the follow-up results were described. An attempt to solve the controversy regarding whether labeling it as type 1 or type 2 was made.
Adult ; Elbow ; Humans ; Joint Dislocations ; Monteggia's Fracture ; Radius ; injuries ; Radius Fractures ; therapy ; Ulna

OBJECTIVEFractures of the capitellum and trochlea constitute less than 1% of all elbow fractures and a shear fracture involving the capitellum and extending medially into most of the trochlea is rarely reported. Type IV capitellum fracture is still controversial in regard to its radiographic appearance, surgical approach and osteosynthesis. We report 10 cases of type IV capitellum fracture with a view to elucidating its clinical features and treatment outcome.

METHODSWe treated 10 patients of type IV capitellum fracture with a mean age of 32 years. A uniform surgical approach and postoperative rehabilitation were followed.

RESULTSNine patients presented to us after a mean of 4 days of injury and one patient was nonunion after 6 months of injury who had been treated conservatively by a bone setter. Double arc sign was absent in 6 cases. Intraoperatively 6 capitellotrochlear fragments were devoid of soft tissue attachments. By Mayo Elbow Performance Score evaluation, 7 patients got excellent, 2 good and 1 fair results. One patient with associated elbow dislocation developed heterotopic ossification. There was no case of avascular necrosis, osteoarthrosis or fixation failures.

CONCLUSIONSType IV capitellum fractures are rare and belong to complex articular injuries. A good functional outcome can only be achieved with open reduction and stable internal fixation followed by early mobilization. Preoperative radiographic assessment and computed tomography help surgeons in choosing the right surgical approach and implants. Good surgical technique and stable internal fixation are the keys to early mobilization and good functional outcome.

The outward angulation of elbow with supinated forearm is cubitus varus deformity. This deformity is often seen as sequelae of malunited supracondylar fracture of humerus in paediatric age group of 5e8 years. The deformity is usually non-progressive, but in cases of physeal injury or congenital bony bar formation in the medial condyle of humerus, the deformity is progressive and can be grotesque in appearance. Various types of osteotomies are defined for standard non-progressive cubitus varus deformity, while multiple surgeries are required for progressive deformity until skeletal maturity. In this study we described a novel surgical approach and osteotomy of distal humerus in a 5 years old boy having grotesque progressive cubitus varus deformity, achieving good surgical outcome.
Child, Preschool ; Elbow Joint ; injuries ; Fractures, Malunited ; complications ; Humans ; Humeral Fractures ; complications ; Humerus ; surgery ; Joint Deformities, Acquired ; surgery ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Osteotomy ; methods

A 15 years old girl was found to have isolated trochlea fracture 10 weeks after an injury caused by a fall on her left elbow. Movement of the elbow was severely restricted. Radiographs showed a half moon-shaped and anterosuperiorly displaced osteochondral fragment. Medial approach capsulotomy of the elbow and excision of the intraarticular adhesions were done to expose the isolated trochlea fracture. Headless screws were used for fixation, combined with bone grafting. The follow-up showed union and excellent functional recovery of the elbow. Isolated trochlea fracture in adults is rare and usually associated with capitellar fractures and/or elbow dislocations. A neglected trochlea fracture is rarely reported in the English language literature to the best of our knowledge. Recognition of isolated trochlea fracture is vital to apprehend the pathomechanics of the injury and to devise a suitable treatment approach.
Adolescent ; Elbow Joint ; diagnostic imaging ; injuries ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; Fracture Healing ; Humans ; Humeral Fractures ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Radiography

OBJECTIVEMonteggia fracture dislocation equivalent, though already described by Bado, is still an unclassified entity. We aimed to retrospectively analyze 18 cases of Monteggia variants and discuss the injury mechanisms, management, and outcome along with a review of the literature.

METHODSA retrospective record of Monteggia fracture dislocation (2003-2008) was reviewed from medical record department of our institute. Classic Monteggia fracture dislocation, children below 12 years or adults over 50 years, as well as open grade II and III cases were excluded from this study. Monteggia variant inclusion criteria included fracture of the proximal ulna together with a fracture of the radial head or neck and skeletal maturity. Totally 26 patients were identified with Monteggia variants and 18 were available for follow-up, including 11 males and 7 females with the mean age of 35 years. The ulna fracture was treated by compression plating along with tension band wiring. Radial head/neck was reconstructed in 12 patients while excised in 6 patients.

RESULTSFollow-up ranged from 1-4 years, mean 2.6 years. Patients were assessed clinicoradiologically. Mayo Elbow Performance Score was employed to assess the outcomes. At final follow-up, the results were excellent in 10 patients, good in 4, fair in 2 and poor in 2. Mean range of motion of the elbow was 20 degree 116 degree, 50 degree and 55 degree for extension, flexion, pronation and supination, respectively. Two patients had complications in the form of heterotopic ossification and stiffness of the elbow. One nonunion ulna, primarily treated by tension band wiring, was managed by refixation with locking reconstruction plate and bone grafting. Bone grafting was only required in this patient for nonunion. Another patient had implants removed on his request. The results in our series closely correlated with extent of intraarticular damage, coronoid fracture and comminuted fractures.

CONCLUSIONSMonteggia fracture dislocation equivalents are rare injuries and pre-surgery recognition by radiographs and 3-D CT helps make optimal plan. The poor results usually relate to intraarticular damage, coronoid fractures and comminution of the ulna and radial head fractures.

Isolated coronal fractures of femoral condyle are rare in adults and nonunion of Hoffa fracture is reported only a few times in the literature. We analyzed six cases of nonunion of Hoffa fractures over a period of three years. Three patients were treated conservatively and three patients had fixation failures. Delay of presentation was 2 months to one year. Treatment protocol consisted of open reduction, excision of pseudoarthrosis, bone grafting and internal fixation along with knee arthrolysis. Union was achieved in all patients at mean 16 weeks. The treatment of nonunion of Hoffa fractures requires careful preoperative planning and meticulous surgical technique. The literature regarding the controversies in fracture management and surgical technique are reviewed.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Femoral Fractures ; surgery ; Fractures, Ununited ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies