ObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness of correction of posttraumatic flexion contracture of knee(FCK) using Ilizarov technique.MethodsSix male patients with posttraumatic FCK,aging from 9 to 43 years(mean,24.5 years),treated by using Ilizarov technique from January 2006 to December 2010,were retrospectively analyzed.The preoperative flexion deformity of knee ranged from 35° to 85° (mean,47.6°),and the range of motion ranged from 0° to 70° (mean,15.8°).Among them,five patients had old fracture of knee joint combined with equinus foot deformity (deformity ranging from 25° to 37°,with an average of 31.8°); one patient had femoral supracondylar fracture.We used circular external fixator to correct the FCK and equinus foot deformity gradually,the knee arthrodesis operation was performed in 4 patients because of the damaged hone structure and poor soft tissue condition.ResultsAll patients were followed up for 12-22 months(mean,18 months).The flexion of knee joint was recoverd from preoperative 47.67°±18.63° to postoperative 9.33°±3.50°.Plantar flexion of ankle joint in five equinus foot deformity was recovered from preoperative 31.80°±4.65° to postoperative 3.00°±4.47°.The kuee joint was arthrodesised successfully in 4 patients and the other 2 patients got 30° and 75° ROM.All the patients can walk with a cane,and satisfied with the result of treatment.Pin-site infection was found in 4 patients and was controlled within two weeks.ConclusionIlizarov technique is an effective treatment method for posttraumatic FCK.Knee arthrodesis should be performed when patients had damaged bone structure and poor soft tissue condition.

Objective:To discuss the result of treating valgus or varus knee deformity with fixator assist nailing (FAN)technique and distal femur osteotomy(DFO).Methods:In this retrospective study,14 patients with 17 limbs,12 valgus and 5 varus knee deformity were treated with DFO and FAN.The aver-age age of the patients was 23 (17-44)years .The unilateral external fixator was mounted on the lateral side of femur,the minimal invasive distal femoral osteotomy was performed.After the deformity was cor-rected,the intramedully nail was inserted to fix the femur.None of the patients need bone autograft.The preoperation and postoperation lateral distal femur angle (LDFA ),mechanical axis deviation (MAD ) and range of motion (ROM)were measured and analyzed.Results:All the 14 patients were followed-up for 12 -72 months (average 34 months).The osteotomy site united in 3 -5 months (average 3.5 months)post-operatively.According to Paley’s functional scores,12 patients were excellent,2 patients were good.We achieved desired postoperative MAD (from medial 15 mm to lateral 10 mm)in 15 limbs of 12 patients.The LDFA in 1 1 limbs was corrected to normal (84°-90°).The ROM was not signifi-cantly changed before and after operation in the both groups.No infection or neuro-vascular injury oc-curred.Conclusion:The FAN technique is an effective method to treat valgus knee or varus knee de-formity in young patients with DFO.

Objective To evaluate the effect of a bone transport method using unilateral external fixator in treatment of partial bone defect.Methods Three patients with partial bone defect were reviewed,including 2 males and 1 female,and whose ages were 50,50,and 24 years,respectively.The defects were at medial part of the left proximal tibia in 2 cases.In the first case,the defect was 5 cm in length,1/3-2/3 of transverse diameter in width,with a 5 cm×3 cm skin loss.In the second case,the defect was 6 cm in length and 3 cm in width.For the remaining patient,the bone defect was located in lateral part of the right femur,which was 13 cm in length,1/3-2/3 of transverse diameter in width,with a 15 cm×7 cm scar on it.After debridement of the wound,the Orthofix's limb reconstruction external fixation system was mounted medially,initially with 2-3 HA coated screws in the middle clamp to anchor the near cortex of the segment to be transferred.A partial corticotomy was performed with multiple drill hole technique.The gradual segment transport was started 2 weeks after the operation at a rate of 1 mm/d,4 times/d.Results The follow-up time was 14,28 and 24 months,respectively.The external fixator was removed 8 and 6 months after the osteotomy in 2 patients,when radiographs demonstrated bony union of the docking site as well as mature consolidation of the generated callus.The range of motion of hip,knee,ankle on the injured side was similar to the uninjured side.The segment was unable to be transported successfully in the femur,because the compressiondistraction device was misused.Two months after the first operation,the osteotomy was performed at the same site for the second time.The frame was removed at 10 months after the second osteotomy when the new bone formed well and the fracture healed at the docking site.The patient was able to stand independently and walk with a stick at 17 months after the osteotomy.At the latest follow-up,there was no sign of osteomyelitis.Conclusion Bone transport method using unilateral external fixator is a practical option to treat partial bone defect.In addition to shorten the period with fixator,it can avoid malunion and donor injury.

Objective To evaluate the effect of fixator-assisted nailing (FAN) technique for the treatment of femoral deformity,nonunion of femoral shaft fracture with deformity and malunion.Methods The data of 8 patients with nonunion of femoral shaft fracture with deformity,3 patients with femoral deformity caused by Rickets disease and 2 patients with femoral fracture malunion who received treatment FAN technique was retrospectively analyzed.There were 11 males and 2 females,with an average age of 33 years (range,16-50 years).One-stage operation was used in 10 patients:after the fracture was distracted and reduced with external fixator,an intramedullary nail was used for final fixation.Two-stage strategy was used in 3 patients.Unilateral external fixator was used in 12 patients,ring fixator was used in 1 patient.Femoral intramedullary nailing was used in 8 patients,retro-femoral intramedullary nailing was used in 5 patients; autograft from callus of fracture site was used in 1 patient.Results The 12 patients were followed up for 12-48months with an average of 21 months.The fractures of 7 patients united 3-6 months (average,3.9 months)later after the operation.The osteotomy site of 5 patients united 3-5 months (average,3.5 months) later after the operation.The results were evaluated according to the Paley classification of functional results.There were 9 cases rated as excellent,2 as good and 1 as fair.The lower leg discrepancy (LLD) before and after operation was (48.2±23.0) mm and (27.3±24.6) mm,individually; the length of limb increased 4.6-41.0 mm (average,23.3 mm).The pre-and post-operative MAD was (27.5±24.4) mm and (6.3±8.3) mm.There was no neurovascular injury or infection occurred in any of the patients.All the patients were satisfied with the result of treatment.Conclusion FAN technique combines the accuracy,minimal invasiveness and safety of external fixation together with patient compliance of IM nail.It is an effective method to manage nonunion of femoral shaft fracture with deformity,malunion of femur,and femoral deformity cause by rickets.

This study examined the effect of subcellular localization of P21 on the proliferation and apoptosis of HepG2 cells. The coding genes of the wild and the mutant P21 were amplified by mega primer PCR from the plasmid pCEP-WAF1 which contains human P21 cDNA in the nuclear localizational signal (NLS) sequence, and then inserted into the eukaryotic expression vector pDsRed1-C1. The recombinants were transfected into HepG2 cells. The transcription and expression of P21 were determined by RT-PCR and fluorescence microscopy. The cell proliferation was measured by MTT, and the cell cycle and apoptosis of HepG2 cells by flow cytometry. The results of restriction analysis, DNA sequencing and fluorescence microscopy confirmed the construction of the wild and the mutant P21 in the eukaryotic expression plasmid. The plasmid containing the mutant P21 was found to accelerate cell proliferation and the wild P21 plasmid to inhibit cell proliferation. Cell cycle analysis showed that the cell ratio of G(0)/G(1) in the wild type group was significantly increased as compared with that in the mutant type group, and cell apoptosis analysis revealed that the apoptosis rate in the wild type group was much higher than that in the mutant type group. It was concluded that the subcellular localization of P21 may contribute to the development of hepatic cancer.

Objective To introduce the technique we invented to treat hypertrophic and oligotrophic nonunion of femoral shaft fracture after dynamization of intramedullary nail (IMN) and to report its preliminary results.Methods The data of 2 cases with hypertrophic nonunions of femoral shaft fracture and 1 case with oligotrophic nonunion following IMN dynamization who had been treated by the technique from March 2006 to July 2017 in Beijing Jishuitan hospital were retrospectively studied.There were 2 females and 1 male,aged 50,66 and 24 years old.2 parallel half pins were inserted from anterior to posterior at the trochanteric and condylar zones of the femur for antegrade intramedullary nailing patients,and from lateral to medial sides for retrograde intramedullary nailing patient respectively,then the pins were connected with monolateral limb reconstruction fixator.The fracture nonunion site was compressed by the fixator up to 10-15 mm.The holes at the end of intramedullary nail where their screws were removed for dynamization were locked again with 2 locking screws,and then the frame was removed.The patients are allowed to start their rehabilitation and fully bear their body weight 1 day after the operation.Results The three patients were followed up for 25,22,and 7 months after the surgery,respectively.The X-ray films showed the fracture healed at 7 months in two case,and at 12 months in one.One patient got her nail removed 25 months after the operation,feeling good 37 months after the removal.Conclusion This technique is an option to manage the hypertrophic and oligotrophic fracture nonunion of the femur after dynamization of IMN.It is mini-invasive to the nonunion site,easy to practice and allows early rehabilitation.

Objective To evaluate the medial submuscular plating of the femur after limb lengthening and correction with frame in patients with limb length discrepancy and/or angular deformity.Methods A retrospective study was conducted involving 12 patients who had been referred to Department of Orthopaedic Trauma,Beijing Jishuitan Hospital from December 2009 to November 2016 for limb length discrepancy and/or angular deformity.They were 3 males and 9 females,with an average age of 23 years (from 14 to 32 years).Altogether 4 left and 8 right sides were involved.Of them,11 got their length discrepancy and/or angular deformity secondary to injury to distal femoral epiphyseal plate caused by trauma in their childhood and one had length discrepancy and angular deformity following unsuccessful conservative treatment of superior condylar fracture of the femur.The femoral shortening ranged from 3 to 11 cm (average,6.7 cm),and the varus or valgus deformity of the knee ranged from 8° to 18° (average,12°).First,a monolateral fixator was installed on the lateral femur.The limb was lengthened from 7 to 14 days after diaphysis osteotomy.Femoral supracondylar osteotomy was conducted again in patients with knee angular deformity after the lengthening reached the expected length and the deformity was corrected with the aid of external fixator.After medial submuscular plating via the femoral lateral approach using minimally invasive techniques,the external frames were removed.The time for plate removal,limb lengthening and correction of the varus or valgus deformity were documented.Results The mean follow-up was 31 months (from 23 to 43 months) for the 9 patients who had their plates still in situ,and 6.5 months (from 2 to 14 months) for the 3 patients who had subsequently their plates removed.None had blood transfusion.All underwent distraction osteogenesis of the femur to their preoperatively expected length,ranging from 3 to 9 cm (mean,6.2 cm).Both varus and valgus deformities were corrected.None developed a deep infection.The range of motion of the knee joint was similar to that before operation in all but one patient who had a range of motion 40° less than the pre-operative one.The time for external fixation averaged 91 days (from 46 to 113 days),with an external index of 22 d/cm.All patients were satisfied with their outcomes.Conclusion Medial femoral submuscular plating after limb lengthening and angular deformity correction with the external fixator on the lateral side is a useful technique for patients with femoral limb length discrepancy and/or angular deformity,significantly shortening the time for external fixation.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the results of managing the infected nonunions of distal tibial fractures combined with talar fracture and calcaneal fracture with tibial bone transport, tibiotalar or tibiocalcaneal arthrodesis using the hybrid external fixator.

METHODSA retrospective review of 26 patients who underwent either tibiotalar arthodesis or tibiocalcaneal arthodesis using an hybrid external fixator for infected nonunions of distal tibial fractures, talar and calcaneal fractures after tibial bone distraction was made. Each patient had a debridement of all infected and nonviable bones, the wound area were 2 cm×4 cm-4 cm×8 cm. The bony surfaces of distal tibia and talus were prepared for the fusion followed by application of an Orthofix's hybrid external fixator.

RESULTSThe remaining 18 patients undertook debridement at the docking sites, and 14 of them had autogenous bone grafting. There was a mean follow-up of 32 months (22-38 months). All the patients had successful fusions. There were no recurrent deep infections or amputations. Two patients had 6° of varus deformity at the docking site.

CONCLUSIONTibiotalar or tibiocalcaneal arthrodesis using the Ilizarov technique is viable alternative to amputation in patients with infected nonunions,especially if there is a large bone loss of the tibias, talus and calcaneus.

Amputation ; Ankle Injuries ; Ankle Joint ; Arthrodesis ; Bone Transplantation ; Calcaneus ; External Fixators ; Follow-Up Studies ; Foot Injuries ; Fractures, Bone ; Humans ; Ilizarov Technique ; Joint Dislocations ; Retrospective Studies ; Talus ; Tibia ; Tibial Fractures

This study examined the effect of subcellular localization of P21 on the proliferation and apoptosis of HepG2 cells.The coding genes of the wild and the mutant P21 were amplified by mega primer PCR from the plasmid pCEP-WAF1 which contains human P21 cDNA in the nuclear localizational signal (NLS) sequence,and then inserted into the eukaryotic expression vector pDsRed1-C1.The recombinants were transfected into HepG2 cells.The transcription and expression of P21 were determined by RT-PCR and fluorescence microscopy.The cell proliferation was measured by MTT,and the cell cycle and apoptosis of HepG2 cells by flow cytometry.The results of restriction analysis,DNA sequencing and fluorescence microscopy confirmed the construction of the wild and the mutant P21 in the eukaryotic expression plasmid.The plasmid containing the mutant P21 was found to accelerate cell proliferation and the wild P21 plasmid to inhibit cell proliferation.Cell cycle analysis showed that the cell ratio of G0/G1 in the wild type group was significantly increased as compared with that in the mutant type group,and cell apoptosis analysis revealed that the apoptosis rate in the wild type group was much higher than that in the mutant type group.It was concluded that the subcellular localization of P21 may contribute to the development of hepatic cancer.

Objective:To report our experience in using the Ilizarov technique to treat bone defects secondary to Gustilo Ⅲb open tibial fractures with negative clinical signs and serological inflammatory markers.Methods:A retrospective study was performed to analyze the 19 patients with bone defects secondary to Gustilo Ⅲb open tibial fracture who had been treated at Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Beijing Jishuitan Hospital between January of 2010 and June of 2021. They were 15 males and 4 females with an age of (41±11) years. Their inclusion criteria: undergoing treatment with Ilizarov technique (consecutive compression-distraction or bone transport), soft tissue coverage procedures resulting in wound closure and negative clinical infection signs for at least 3 months and normal serological inflammatory markers, and follow-up for more than 3 months after frame removal. Three-phase bone scan was performed for the patients before the present surgery. Debridement, sampling of deep tissues for bacterial culture, and external stabilization with a fixator were performed in the present surgery. Osteotomy for compression-distraction or bone transport technique was carried out at 1 stage or 2 stages. Systemic antibiotic therapy for 6 weeks was continued for those with positive microbiological analysis guided by antibiogram. Recorded were results of intra-operative pus detection around defects, microbiological findings, length of bone defect reconstructed, rate and time of infection recurrence during treatment, fracture union rate, bone healing index, bony and functional results.Results:The interval between primary injury to the present surgery was (10±8) months. The preoperative three-phase bone scan showed infection free in 8 cases, chronic osteomyelitis in 7 cases, and suspicious infection in 4 cases. No pus was found during intra-operative debridement in all. The intra-operative microbiological detection was positive in 1 sample in 1 patient (infection free indicated by bone scan), and in ≥2 samples in 3 patients (bone scan indicating non-infection, infection not excluded and osteomyelitis in 1 case each). The length of bone defect reconstructed was (8±3) cm. The follow-up after the present surgery was (37±15) months. Fracture union was achieved in all cases, with a bone healing index of (1.7±0.5) months/cm. Clinical infection signs were observed 1 (1, 1) month after the present surgery in 6 patients whose microbiological results were all negative. All the 6 patients ended up with no clinical recurrence after empirical use of systemic antibiotics in 5 and radical debridement in one. The bony results showed 16 excellent and 3 good cases while the functional results showed 10 excellent and 9 good cases.Conclusions:In treatment of bone defects secondary to Gustilo Ⅲb open tibial fractures with negative clinical signs and serological inflammatory markers, constant vigilance is needed against low-grade infection. Intra-operative multiple sampling of deep tissues with a standardized protocol and microbiological testing are extremely valuable for diagnosis of fracture-related infections.