The diagnosis and treatment of Morton neuroma is reviewed in this paper.Intermetatarsal neuroma,often called Morton neuroma,is a commonly occurring disorder associated with symptoms of forefoot pain and paresthesias.It is a chronic compresive neuropathy believed to be caused by fibrosis of the epineural tissue.Current treatment of Morton neuromas includes nonoperative treatment,ultrasound-guided neuroma drug injections,endoscopic decompression of intermetatarsal nerve,excision of the neuroma,each way has merits and demerits,it is still controversial which is the best one.

Current classifications of tibial plateau fractures include three-pillar classification, four-quadrant classification, eight-segment classification, ten-segment classification, and four-column & nine-segment classification. This article reviews the various CT classifications of tibial plateau fractures, their advantages and disadvantages and surgical approaches as well. The essence of the CT classifications is to pay more attention to the coronary fracture line, especially the posterior coronal fracture fragments. A classification which combines the four-quadrant idea of the articular surface of the tibial plateau with the four-column idea of the peripheral cortex of the tibial plateau, and is supplemented by descriptions of non-articular surface structures (intercondylar spine, tibial tubercle and fibula head), may provide a more comprehensive understanding of a specific tibial plateau fracture, but may therefore be too complicated and difficult to use clinically due to too many combinations that need matching.

Objective To compare the biomechanical stabilities among different combinations of anterior and medial cortical supports after intramedullary nailing for unstable intertrochanteric fractures.Methods Twenty-seven synthesized femur specimens were used to create models of unstable intertrochanteric fracture of type 31A2.1 according to AO/ASIF classification.They were divided into 9 groups (n =3) according to 9 combinations of anterior and medial cortical supports on the anteroposterior and lateral X-ray films:positive-positive,positive-neutral,positive-negative,neutral-positive,neutral-neutral,neutral-negative,negative-positive,negative-neutral,negative-negative groups.After all the fractures were fixated with the newly adapted femoral intertrochanteric nails (FITN),static loadings were applied for tests of fatigue and destruction to investigate the relative displacements and yield loads of the head-neck fragments.Results For the positive-positive,positive-neutral,positive-negative,neutral-positive,neutral-neutral,neutral-negative,negative-positive,negative-neutral,negative-negative groups,the vertical displacements of the head-neck fragments under fatigue loading were respectively 5.33 ±0.58 mm,7.83 ±0.29mm,7.73 ±0.15 mm,8.17 ± 0.29 mm,8.33±1.15 mm,8.83±0.29 mm,9.33±0.58 mm,9.67±1.15 mm and 12.0±1.0 mm,showing significant differences (P ＜ 0.05).The smallest displacement was observed in the positive-positive group,significantly smaller than that in any other groups (P ＜ 0.05).For the above 9 groups,the yield loads were respectively 4,967 ± 153 N,4,467 ± 58 N,3,717 ± 76 N,2,767 ± 58 N,2,533 ± 58 N,2,267 ± 58 N,1,833 ± 58 N,1,667 ± 58 N and 1,333 ± 58 N,showing significant differences between any 2 groups (P ＜ 0.05).In the destruction test,bone interface loosening in the femoral head happened in 2 cases,bone interface loosening in the intertrochanteric zone in 15 cases,split fracture at the zone of distal locking nail in 2 cases,and loosening and breakage of the internal fixator in the distal femur in 8 cases.Conclusions The medial cortical support plays a major role and the anterior cortical support plays a secondary role in the stability of unstable intertrochanteric fracture.In the surgical procedure,surgeons should avoid the medial cortical negative support as much as possible.

Objective To compare the impact of immobilization base plates composed of 7 types of materials on the MR-simulation imaging quality used for radiotherapy,aiming to provide reference data for clinical applications.Methods Using identical T1 and T2 sequences of Siemens MR-simulator,the MR images of ACR Large Phantom were acquired on the Orfit carbon fiber laminate,polycarbonate (PC),high precision base plate (HP),Jinan Huayuxin BR,WR,KP and SP materials,respectively.The imaging quality without any plate was used as the baseline data.The following metrics were compared:1.High-contrast spatial resolution:the sharpness of 3 pairs of hole arrays was observed,which represented resolutions of 1.1 mm,1.0 mm and 0.9 mm on the LR and AP directions;2.Image intensity uniformity in terms of percent integral uniformity (PIU):PIU =100× [1-((high-low)/(high +low)];3.Low-contrast resolution:distinguishable spokes representing resolutions of 5.1％,3.6％,2.5％ and 1.4％ were recorded.According to ACR recommendations,high-contrast resolution of 1.0 mm,PIU of T1WI and T2＞82％and low-contrast spoke difference＜3 were considered as clinically acceptable.Results High-contrast T1WI and T2WI resolutions of no plate,PC plate,HP plate and KP material were all 0.9 mm,and those of the remaining materials were =worse than 0.9 mm.The T1WI and T2WI PIU of no plate was＞87％,and the PIU of carbon fiber plate was reduced by＞ 25％.The PIU decrease of remaining materials was within ±4％.Except the carbon fiber plate,the low-contrast spokes of the remaining materials were within ±3 compared with the reference.Conclusions In clinical settings,carbon fiber plate exerts the most significant effect upon the MR-simulation imaging quality,which is unsuitable for MR simulation.Imaging quality of PC and HP plates are consistent with that of no plate.BR and KP materials exert slight effect upon MR signal.The remaining materials are of potential values for the manufacture of immobilization devices and accessories.

OBJECTIVE: To review the advancement made in the understanding of valgus impacted proximal humeral fracture (PHF). METHODS: The domestic and foreign literature about the valgus impacted PHF was extensively reviewed and the definition, classification, pathological features, and treatment of valgus impacted PHFs were summarized. RESULTS: PHF with a neck shaft angle ≥160° is recognized as a valgus impacted PHF characterized by the preservation of the medial epiphyseal region of the humeral head, which contributes to maintenance of the medial periosteum's integrity after fracture and reduces the occurrence of avascular necrosis. Therefore, the valgus impacted PHF has a better prognosis when compared to other complex PHFs. The Neer classification designates it as a three- or four-part fracture, while the AO/Association for the Study of Internal Fixation (AO/ASIF) categorizes it as type C (C1.1). In the management of the valgus impacted PHF, the selection between conservative and surgical approaches is contingent upon the patient's age and the extent of fracture displacement. While conservative treatment offers the advantage of being non-invasive, it is accompanied by limitations such as the inability to achieve anatomical reduction and the potential for multiple complications. Surgical treatment includes open reduction combined with steel wire or locking plate and/or non-absorbable suture, transosseous suture technology, and shoulder replacement. Surgeons must adopt personalized treatment strategies for each patient with a valgus impacted PHF. Minimally invasive surgery helps to preserve blood supply to the humeral head, mitigate the likelihood of avascular necrosis, and reduce postoperative complications of bone and soft tissue. For elderly patients with severe comminuted and displaced fractures, osteoporosis, and unsuitable internal fixation, shoulder joint replacement is the best treatment option. CONCLUSION Currently, there has been some advancement in the classification, vascular supply, and management of valgus impacted PHF. Nevertheless, further research is imperative to assess the clinical safety, biomechanical stability, and indication of minimally invasive technology.
Aged ; Humans ; Bone Plates ; Bone Wires ; Fracture Fixation, Internal/adverse effects* ; Fractures, Comminuted/surgery* ; Humeral Fractures ; Osteonecrosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Shoulder Fractures/surgery* ; Treatment Outcome