STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. OBJECTIVES: To conduct an analysis of the union rate and union patterns of local autogenous bone grafts using metal cages, allogenic bone, and local autogenous bone around the cages in posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF). SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: Local autologous bone grafting using metal cages is regarded as an effective method for union during PLIF without iliac bone harvesting. There are few studies about the additional bone grafting except using metal cages. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-nine patients (68 segments) with postoperative computed tomography (CT) results from 6 to 18 months after PLIF were included. We used 2 metal cages filled with local autogenous bone intraoperatively (region C). We also grafted allogenic bone between 2 cages (region A) and local autogenous bone at the side of the cages (region B). Retrospective analyses of the coronal CT sections were performed using the modified Bridwell criteria for assessing the presence of union. A quantitative evaluation was performed using a scoring system that assessed the proportion of radiopaque parts of the union mass. RESULTS: Among the 68 segments, union was observed in 64 segments, resulting in a union rate of 95.6%. The union rates in regions A, B, and C were 86.8%, 89.7%, and 94.1%, respectively. Trabeculation and the quantitative evaluation of union bone showed a statistically significant trend for improvement from regions A to C (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, the complementary effect of additional bone grafting other than local bone grafting was not proven, but it was effective in increasing the fusion area at around 90%. Keeping the height of disc space with the cages, additional bone grafting using local autogenous and allogenous bone may be used as an effective method for stable union.
Bone Transplantation ; Evaluation Studies as Topic ; Humans ; Methods ; Retrospective Studies* ; Transplants*

Traumatic triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) injuries require multidisciplinary approach and plan. Trauma to TFCC can lead to instability of the distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ). Injury to TFCC is classified as a stable type that does not cause unstable lesions for DRUJ or unstable type that can cause instability of DRUJ. According to the location and severity of the injury, arthroscopic debridement or arthroscopic repair may be considered. In the ulnar side avulsion of TFCC, which could cause DRUJ instability, arthroscopic examination should be performed to identify an accurate location of the damaged structures, followed by arthroscopic debridement and repair. In the event of TFCC and DRUJ injuries with ulnar positive variance, arthroscopic TFCC repair or ulnar shortening osteotomy after arthroscopic debridement could be considered to solve the instability and ulnar side pain. However, if peripheral TFCC tear with ulnar impaction syndrome and DRUJ instability, it combined operation of ulnar shortening osteotomy and TFCC foveal fixation could be considered. An accurate classification of TFCC and DRUJ injuries is necessary. It is important to resolve and prevent recurrence of ulnar wrist pain caused by instability.
Arthroscopy ; Classification ; Debridement ; Joint Instability ; Joints* ; Osteotomy ; Recurrence ; Tears ; Triangular Fibrocartilage* ; Wrist