BACKGROUNDIntramedullary nails had been widely used in the treatment of long-bone fractures because of less interference of fractures and center bearing biomechanical advantage. However, it had been also found many shortcomings such as broken nails, delayed healing and was modified in order to achieve better efficacy and reduce complications. The aim of the present study is to compare the efficacy of rotary self-locking intramedullary nails (RSIN) with that of interlocking intramedullary nails (IIN) in the treatment of long-bone fractures.

METHODSA retrospective study investigated 129 cases with long-bone fractures (36 with femoral fracture, 81 with tibial fracture, and 12 with humeral fracture). The fractures were fixed using either an RSIN or IIN. All patients underwent followup for 12-30 months.

RESULTSAll patients in both groups achieved a clinical fracture healing standard and the postoperative affected limb muscle strength and joint function were well restored. The RSIN group required a shorter operative time and the fracture healed faster. There was no significant difference in the hospital stay, intraoperative blood loss or postoperative complications between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONSRSIN is used to treat long-bone fractures. Its healing efficacy is equivalent to the IIN. Moreover, the RSIN method is simpler and causes less tissue damage than the IIN, therefore having the advantage of accelerated healing.

Bone Nails ; Female ; Femoral Fractures ; surgery ; Fracture Healing ; physiology ; Humans ; Humeral Fractures ; surgery ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Tibial Fractures ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of autocontrol micromotion locking nail (AMLN) on experimental fracture healing and its mechanism.

METHODS16 goats undergoing both sides of transverse osteotomy of the femoral shafts were fixed intramedullary with AMLN and Gross-Kempf (GK) nail, respectively. The follow-up time was 7, 14, 28 and 56 days. Roentgenographic, biomechanical, histological, scanning electromicroscopic and biochemical analyses were done.

RESULTS(1) The strength of anticompression, antiflexion and antitorsion in the fractural end in the AMLN-fixed group was higher than that of GK nail-fixed group; whereas, the rate of stress shelter in the fractured end decreased significantly (P<0.01). (2) The content of the total collagen, insoluble collagen, calcium and phosphate in the AMLN-fixed group was higher than that in the GK nail-fixed group (P<0.05). (3) Histological observation and quantitative analysis of calluses revealed that AMLN could promote the growth of bridge calluses and periosteum calluses. Hence the fracture healing and remolding process achieved early, which was much better than traditional GK nail fixation. (P<0.05). (4) 7-14 days postoperation, the calluses of AMLN-fixed group was flourish and camellarly arranged and the collagen fibril formed constantly in the absorption lacuna of bone trabecula. 28-56 days postoperation, the collagen fibril was flourish around the absorption lacuna and was parallel to the bone's longitudinal axis. Active bony absorption and formation were seen, so was remolding and rebuilding. Haversian system was intact and the bony structural net was very tenacious because of the deposition of calcium salt. None of the above findings was observed in the GK nail-fixed group.

CONCLUSIONSThe design of AMLN accords well with the plastic fixation theory. As the geometry ametabolic system constituted by the intramedullary fixation instruments and the proximal and distal end of the fracture is very firm and stable, the disturbance to the physical stress distributed in the fractural end is light. The generation and conduct of the intermittent physical stress between the fractural parts could reach the balance between stress conduct and stress protection. The feature that the healing and remolding take place at the same time speeds up the fractural healing process.

Animals ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Bone Nails ; Femoral Fractures ; surgery ; Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary ; instrumentation ; Fracture Healing ; physiology ; Goats ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Stress, Mechanical

BACKGROUND: Proximal phalangeal fractures are common fractures of the hand. The fractures are difficult to treat because of vicinity of two important joints and crossing long tendons. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of nail traction technique in the management of proximal phalangeal fractures of the hand. METHODS: Patients (n=43) with proximal phalangeal fractures were treated by nail traction and evaluated prospectively. We assessed all the patients at the time of presentation and then followed a standard protocol for recruiting patients. After application of nail traction, the patients were initially assessed at 12th day. The outcome measures included post reduction radiographic evaluation and total active motion (TAM) in finger at the final follow-up appointment. All the patients were followed for one year. RESULTS: The post-reduction X-ray evaluation showed good reduction in 33 cases, fair reduction in 8 and poor reduction in 2 cases. At final assessment, 35 patients had good TAM score, six had fair and two had poor TAM score. Complications were noted in two patients and these included pressure necrosis in palm and stiffness in proximal interphalangeal joint. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this prospective study show that with careful selection of patients, nail traction seems to be simple, safe and effective technique for managing proximal phalangeal fractures.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Finger Phalanges/*injuries/radiography/*surgery ; Fractures, Bone/radiography/*surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nails/*surgery ; Prospective Studies ; Range of Motion, Articular/physiology ; Splints ; Traction/*methods ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUND: Although closed reduction and percutaneous pinning is accepted as the treatment of choice for displaced supracondylar fracture of the humerus, there are some debates on the pinning techniques, period of immobilization, elbow range of motion (ROM) exercise, and perceptions on the restoration of elbow ROM. This study was to investigate the consensus and different perspectives on the treatment of supracondylar fractures of the humerus in children. METHODS: A questionnaire was designed for this study, which included the choice of pinning technique, methods of elbow motion, and perception on the restoration of elbow ROM. Seventy-six orthopedic surgeons agreed to participate in the study and survey was performed by a direct interview manner in the annual meetings of Korean Pediatric Orthopedic Association and Korean Society for Surgery of the Hand. There were 17 pediatric orthopedic surgeons, 48 hand surgeons, and 11 general orthopedic surgeons. RESULTS: Ninety-six percent of the orthopedic surgeons agreed that closed reduction and percutaneous pinning was the treatment of choice for the displaced supracondylar fracture of the humerus in children. They showed significant difference in the choice of pin entry (lateral vs. crossed pinning, p = 0.017) between the three groups of orthopedic surgeons, but no significant difference was found in the number of pins, all favoring 2 pins over 3 pins. Most of the orthopedic surgeons used a removable splint during the ROM exercise period. Hand surgeons and general orthopedic surgeons tended to be more concerned about elbow stiffness after supracondylar fracture than pediatric orthopedic surgeons, and favored gentle passive ROM exercise as elbow motion. Pediatric orthopedic surgeons most frequently adopted active ROM exercise as the elbow motion method. Pediatric orthopedic surgeons and general orthopedic surgeons acknowledged that the patient's age was the most contributing factor to the restoration of elbow motion, whereas hand surgeons acknowledged the amount of injury to be the most contributing factor. CONCLUSIONS: More investigation and communication will be needed to reach a consensus in treating pediatric supracondylar fractures of the humerus between the different subspecialties of orthopedic surgeons, which can minimize malpractice and avoid medicolegal issues.
Age Factors ; Attitude of Health Personnel ; Bone Nails ; Chi-Square Distribution ; Child ; Consensus ; Elbow Joint/physiology ; Exercise Therapy/*methods ; Fracture Fixation, Internal/*methods ; Humans ; Humeral Fractures/rehabilitation/*surgery ; Orthopedics ; Questionnaires ; *Range of Motion, Articular ; Splints ; Statistics, Nonparametric ; Time Factors

BACKGROUND: Although closed reduction and percutaneous pinning is accepted as the treatment of choice for displaced supracondylar fracture of the humerus, there are some debates on the pinning techniques, period of immobilization, elbow range of motion (ROM) exercise, and perceptions on the restoration of elbow ROM. This study was to investigate the consensus and different perspectives on the treatment of supracondylar fractures of the humerus in children. METHODS: A questionnaire was designed for this study, which included the choice of pinning technique, methods of elbow motion, and perception on the restoration of elbow ROM. Seventy-six orthopedic surgeons agreed to participate in the study and survey was performed by a direct interview manner in the annual meetings of Korean Pediatric Orthopedic Association and Korean Society for Surgery of the Hand. There were 17 pediatric orthopedic surgeons, 48 hand surgeons, and 11 general orthopedic surgeons. RESULTS: Ninety-six percent of the orthopedic surgeons agreed that closed reduction and percutaneous pinning was the treatment of choice for the displaced supracondylar fracture of the humerus in children. They showed significant difference in the choice of pin entry (lateral vs. crossed pinning, p = 0.017) between the three groups of orthopedic surgeons, but no significant difference was found in the number of pins, all favoring 2 pins over 3 pins. Most of the orthopedic surgeons used a removable splint during the ROM exercise period. Hand surgeons and general orthopedic surgeons tended to be more concerned about elbow stiffness after supracondylar fracture than pediatric orthopedic surgeons, and favored gentle passive ROM exercise as elbow motion. Pediatric orthopedic surgeons most frequently adopted active ROM exercise as the elbow motion method. Pediatric orthopedic surgeons and general orthopedic surgeons acknowledged that the patient's age was the most contributing factor to the restoration of elbow motion, whereas hand surgeons acknowledged the amount of injury to be the most contributing factor. CONCLUSIONS: More investigation and communication will be needed to reach a consensus in treating pediatric supracondylar fractures of the humerus between the different subspecialties of orthopedic surgeons, which can minimize malpractice and avoid medicolegal issues.
Age Factors ; Attitude of Health Personnel ; Bone Nails ; Chi-Square Distribution ; Child ; Consensus ; Elbow Joint/physiology ; Exercise Therapy/*methods ; Fracture Fixation, Internal/*methods ; Humans ; Humeral Fractures/rehabilitation/*surgery ; Orthopedics ; Questionnaires ; *Range of Motion, Articular ; Splints ; Statistics, Nonparametric ; Time Factors

In forensic toxicology analysis, various types of biological samples have their own special characteristics and scope of applications. In this article, the physiological structure of nails, methods for collecting and pre-processing samples, and for analyzing some poisons and drugs in the nails are reviewed with details. This paper introduces the influence factors of drug abuse of the nails. The prospects of its further applications are concluded based on the research results. Nails, as an unconventional bio-sample without general application, show great potential and advantages in forensic toxicology.
Alprazolam/analysis* ; Azabicyclo Compounds/analysis* ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid/methods* ; Cocaine/analysis* ; Diazepam/analysis* ; Eszopiclone ; Forensic Toxicology/methods* ; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry/methods* ; Hair/chemistry* ; Humans ; Illicit Drugs/analysis* ; Nails/physiology* ; Piperazines/analysis* ; Specimen Handling/methods* ; Substance Abuse Detection/methods*

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Bone Nails ; Bone Screws ; Equipment Design ; Female ; Femoral Neck Fractures ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; instrumentation ; methods ; Humans ; Injury Severity Score ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Probability ; Radiography ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; Wound Healing ; physiology

BACKGROUND: Plate fixation is the most commonly used technique for the treatment of shaft fractures of both forearm bones (SFBFBs). However, all fractures are difficult to treat with plate fixation because of soft tissue injuries, fracture patterns, or the patient's condition. The purpose of this study is to compare the functional results of plate fixation only and combined plate and intramedullary (IM) nail fixation in SFBFBs. METHODS: Fifty-nine cases of SFBFBs that were surgically treated from June 2007 to July 2012 were retrospectively reviewed. In this study, 47 cases that were followed up for more than 12 months were included. All SFBFBs were divided into two groups according to the methods used for internal fixation: plate fixation only (group A) and combined plate and IM nail fixation (group B). The fixation methods were determined intraoperatively. Plate fixation was considered as the first option in all cases, but combined plate and IM nail fixation was selected as the second option if it was difficult to be fixed with plate only. Groups A and B comprised of 31 and 16 cases, respectively. The functional results were evaluated by the Grace and Eversmann rating system and the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire. RESULTS: In groups A and B, a radiologic union was achieved in 30/31 and 14/16 cases and average union time was 11.1 and 17.8 weeks, respectively. According to the Grace and Eversmann rating system, group A had excellent results in 15 cases, good in 14, acceptable in one, and unacceptable in one. Group B had excellent results in three cases, good in nine, acceptable in two, and unacceptable in two. The average DASH score was 7.1 points (range, 0 to 19.2 points) in group A and 15.1 points (range, 0 to 29.6 points) in group B. Three cases of nonunion with unacceptable results achieved a bony union by additional procedures and the functional results of these cases improved to good or excellent. CONCLUSIONS: The functional results and the average union time were superior in group A than in group B. However, we think that combined fixation is a useful method for SFBFBs that cannot be treated with plate fixation only.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Bone Nails/*statistics & numerical data ; Bone Plates/*statistics & numerical data ; Female ; Forearm/surgery ; Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary/adverse effects/*methods/*statistics & numerical data ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Radius Fractures/epidemiology/*surgery ; Range of Motion, Articular/*physiology ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; Ulna Fractures/epidemiology/*surgery ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the results of reconstructive intramedullary interlocking nail in the treatment of ipsilateral hip and femoral shaft fractures.

METHODSFrom August 1997 to November 2001, 13 patients were treated with the reconstructive intramedullary interlocking nail. Nine patients were associated with ipsilateral femoral neck fractures, three with ipsilateral intertrochanteric fractures, and one with subtrochanteric fracture.

RESULTSThe follow-up time was from 6 to 38 months with an average of 14 months. All the femoral shaft and hip fractures healed up well. There was no nonunion of the femoral neck, and only one varus malunion. No patient had avascular necrosis of the femoral head. The average healing time for femoral neck fracture was 4.6 months and for shaft fracture 5.8 months. The joint movement and other functions were fairly resumed.

CONCLUSIONSThe reconstructive intramedullary interlocking nail, with less trauma, reliable fixation, and high rate of fracture healing, is an ideal method of choice in the treatment of ipsilateral hip and femoral shaft fractures.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Bone Nails ; Female ; Femoral Fractures ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary ; instrumentation ; methods ; Fracture Healing ; physiology ; Hip Fractures ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Humans ; Injury Severity Score ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multiple Trauma ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Prognosis ; Radiography ; Recovery of Function ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Assessment ; Sampling Studies ; Treatment Outcome