OBJECTIVE: To investigate the biomechanical characteristics of Schatzker type Ⅱ tibial plateau fracture fixed by different bone grafting methods and internal fixations. METHODS: Twenty-four embalmed specimens of adult knee joint were selected to make Schatzker type Ⅱ tibial plateau fracture models, which were randomly divided into 8 groups (groups A1-D1 and groups A2-D2, n=3). After all the fracture models were restored, non-structural iliac crest bone grafts were implanted in group A1-D1, and structural iliac crest bone grafts in groups A2-D2. Following bone grafting, group A was fixed with a lateral golf locking plate, group B was fixed with lateral golf locking plate combined compression bolt, group C was fixed with lateral tibial "L"-shaped locking plate, and group D was fixed with lateral tibial "L"-shaped locking plate combined compression bolt. Compression and cyclic loading tests were performed on a biomechanical testing machine. A distal femur specimen or a 4-cm-diameter homemade bone cement ball were used as a pressure application mould for each group of models. The specimens were loaded with local compression at a rate of 10 N/s and the mechanical loads were recorded when the vertical displacement of the split bone block reached 2 mm. Then, compressive and cyclic loading tests were conducted on the fixed models of each group. The specimens were compression loaded to 100, 400, 700, and 1 000 N at a speed of 10 N/s to record the vertical displacement of the split bone block. The specimens were also subjected to cyclic loading at 5 Hz and 10 N/s within the ranges 100-300, 100-500, 100-700, and 100-1 000 N to record the vertical displacement of the split bone block at the end of the entire cyclic loading test. The specimens were subjected to cyclic loading tests and the vertical displacement of the split bone block was recorded at the end of the test. RESULTS: When the vertical displacement of the collapsed bone block reached 2 mm, the mechanical load of groups A2-D2 was significantly greater than that of groups A1-D1 ( P<0.05). The mechanical load of groups B and D was significantly greater than that of group A under the two bone grafting methods ( P<0.05); the local mechanical load of group D was significantly greater than that of groups B and C under the structural iliac crest bone grafts ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference ( P>0.05) in the vertical displacement of the split bone blocks between the two bone graft methods when the compressive load was 100, 400, 700 N and the cyclic load was 100-300, 100-500, 100-700 N in groups A-D. However, the vertical displacement of bone block in groups A1-D1 was significantly greater than that in groups A2-D2 ( P<0.05) when the compressive loading was 1 000 N and the cyclic load was 100-1 000 N. The vertical displacement of bone block in group B was significantly smaller than that in group A, and that in group D was significantly smaller than that in group C under the same way of bone graft ( P<0.05). CONCLUSION Compared with non-structural iliac crest bone grafts implantation, structural iliac crest bone grafts is more effective in preventing secondary collapse of Schatzker type Ⅱ tibial plateau fracture, and locking plate combined with compression bolt fixation can provide better articular surface support and resistance to axial compression, and the lateral tibial "L"-shaped locking plate can better highlight its advantages of "raft" fixation and show better mechanical stability.
Humans ; Bone Transplantation/methods* ; Tibial Fractures/physiopathology* ; Fracture Fixation, Internal/instrumentation* ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Bone Plates ; Ilium/transplantation* ; Adult ; Tibia/surgery* ; Bone Cements ; Knee Joint/surgery* ; Male ; Tibial Plateau Fractures

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effectiveness of additional anti-rotation steel plate assisted intramedullary nail technology in treatment of aseptic femoral non-union patients. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 21 patients with aseptic femoral non-union who admitted between September 2020 and October 2024 and treated with additional anti-rotation steel plate assisted intramedullary nail technology. There were 17 males and 4 females, aged 25-67 years (mean, 44 years). There were 19 cases of femoral anterograde intramedullary nail fixation, 1 case of femoral retrograde intramedullary nail fixation, and 1 case of steel plate fixation with fatigue fracture. There were 9 cases of hypertrophic non-union and 12 cases of atrophic non-union. All patients had varying degrees of fracture end atrophy/sclerosis. Among them, 20 patients who were fixed with intramedullary nails underwent removal of soft tissue and hardened bone at the fracture end, and cortical treatment resulted in the appearance of "chili sign" at the fracture end. Iliac bone grafting and anti-rotation steel plate fixation were performed. One patient with steel plate fixation was removed the steel palte and fixed with a retrograde intramedullary nail, while the hardened bone at the fracture end was removed, iliac bone grafting and anti-rotation steel plate fixation were performed. Postoperative follow-up observation included the incision healing, maximum knee flexion range of motion, bone healing, length of lower limbs, and subjective satisfaction. The lower extremity functional scale (LEFS) score was used to evaluate the lower limb function. RESULTS: All incisions healed by first intention. All patients were followed up 7-26 months (mean, 15.5 months). At last follow-up, the femoral fracture healed with the obvious callus formation at the fracture end; the maximum knee flexion range of motion was 95°-127° (mean, 112.67°). The LEFS score increased from 29.9±6.7 before operation to 75.9±3.0 at last follow-up, and the difference was significant (t=-29.622, P<0.001). Except for 1 patient who underwent intramedullary nail dynamic treatment before operation and had a lower limb shortening of about 0.9 cm, the other patients had bilateral lower limbs of equal length. All patients had no postoperative infections, mal-union of fractures, deep vein thrombosis, joint stiffness, or other complications. CONCLUSION The use of additional anti-rotation steel plate assisted intramedullary nail technology in the treatment of aseptic femoral non-union not only overcomes the drawbacks of insufficient stability at the fracture end of intramedullary nails, but also overcomes the shortcomings of biased fixation with steel plates. It has the advantages of minimal trauma, effective maintenance of fracture stability, and ideal postoperative functional recovery, making it an effective treatment for aseptic femoral non-union.
Humans ; Male ; Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary/instrumentation* ; Female ; Bone Plates ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Femoral Fractures/surgery* ; Retrospective Studies ; Bone Nails ; Aged ; Fractures, Ununited/surgery* ; Treatment Outcome ; Bone Transplantation/methods* ; Steel ; Fracture Healing

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness of percutaneous short-segment injured vertebra pedicle screw fixation combined with bone grafting versus percutaneous short-segment injured vertebra pedicle screw fixation alone for the treatment of thoracolumbar fractures. METHODS: The clinical data of 54 patients with single-level thoracolumbar fractures who met the selection criteria between January 2023 and February 2024 were retrospectively analysed. Based on whether bone grafting was performed on the injured vertebra, the patients were divided into a control group (28 cases, percutaneous short-segment injured vertebra pedicle screw fixation alone) and a study group (26 cases, percutaneous short-segment injured vertebra pedicle screw fixation combined with bone grafting using a self-made minimally invasive bone grafting funnel). No significant difference was observed between the two groups ( P>0.05) in baseline data, including age, gender, surgical segment, cause of injury, AO classification, and preoperative anterior-vertebral height compression ratio, mid-vertebral height compression ratio, Cobb angle, visual analogue scale (VAS) score, and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, fracture healing status, removal time of internal fixator, and complications were recorded and compared between the two groups. Effectiveness was assessed using anterior-vertebral height compression ratio, mid-vertebral height compression ratio, Cobb angle, VAS scores, and ODI taken preoperatively, at 1 week postoperatively, and at last follow-up. RESULTS: All patients in both groups successfully underwent surgery. The operation time and intraoperative blood loss in the control group were significantly less than those in the study group ( P<0.05). No significant difference was observed in the follow-up time between the study group [(14.46±2.00) months] and control group [(14.36±1.83) months] ( P>0.05). The fracture healing time of the study group was significantly shorter than that of the control group ( P<0.05). One patient in the study group was found to have bilateral titanium rod breakage by X-ray reexamination at 8 months after operation, and there was no subsequent vertebral height collapse occurred, and the internal fixator was removed following complete fracture healing. The other patients had no complication such as spinal cord injury, internal fixator loosening and breakage. There was no significant difference in the removal time of internal fixator between the two groups ( P<0.05). The anterior-vertebral height compression ratio, mid-vertebral height compression ratio, Cobb angle, VAS score, and ODI significantly improved in both groups at 1 week after operation and at last follow-up ( P<0.05). Among them, the VAS score, and ODI further improved at last follow-up when compared with at 1 week after operation, Cobb angle lost a little at 1 week after operation, while anterior-vertebral height compression ratio and mid-vertebral height compression ratio slightly increased when compared with 1 week after operation, and the differences were significant ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference between the two groups in Cobb angle at last follow-up, VAS score and ODI at 1 week after operation ( P>0.05), while the other indicators in the study group were significantly better than those in the control group at all time points ( P<0.05). CONCLUSION Compared to percutaneous short-segment injured vertebra pedicle screw fixation alone, the technique combined with intravertebral bone grafting can shorten fracture healing time, effectively restore and maintain vertebral body height, correct kyphotic deformity, and improve clinical outcomes for patients with thoracolumbar fractures.
Humans ; Thoracic Vertebrae/surgery* ; Pedicle Screws ; Lumbar Vertebrae/surgery* ; Spinal Fractures/surgery* ; Bone Transplantation/methods* ; Fracture Fixation, Internal/instrumentation* ; Male ; Female ; Retrospective Studies ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome ; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures/methods* ; Operative Time ; Aged

OBJECTIVE: To explore the methods, fixation points, and effectiveness of staged therapy using external fixation frame in treatment of infectious nonunion near knee joint. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 60 patients with infectious nonunion near knee joint, who underwent staged therapy using external fixation frame between June 2021 and June 2024 and were followed up. There were 48 males and 12 females with an average age of 47.9 years (range, 16-70 years). The disease duration ranged from 9 months to 20 years, with a median of 14 months. Among them, 21 cases of infectious nonunion located in the distal femur, 36 cases in the proximal tibia, and 3 cases in the patella; 12 cases exhibited segmental bone defects (≥4 cm), while 48 cases presented with localized bone defects (<4 cm). Osteomyelitis was classified using the Cierny-Mader system, with 3 cases classified as type Ⅰ, 6 cases as type Ⅱ, 35 cases as type Ⅲ, and 16 cases as type Ⅳ. Preoperative C-reactive protein levels ranged from 15.1 to 55.8 mg/L (mean, 36.4 mg/L). The erythrocyte sedimentation rate was 35-80 mm/1 h (mean, 56.9 mm/1 h). The Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) score for knee joint was 69.3±17.7 and the range of motion was (70.61±40.60)°. After debridement and placement of antibiotic carriers at the first-stage operation, unilateral orbital frames ( n=14), combined frames ( n=27), or Ilizarov frames ( n=19) were used for cross joint fixation ( n=9) or joint preservation fixation ( n=51). After 6-8 weeks of infection control, the bone grafting or bone transport was performed at the second-stage operation based on the type of bone defect, with internal fixation employed as an adjunct if necessary. After operation, the infection control and fracture healing were observed and the bone healing time was recorded. The knee joint function was assessed using the HSS score, and the knee joint range of motion was measured as well as the angle of motion loss. Patients were grouped according to the site of nonunion, type of external fixation frame, and fixation method. The bone healing time, change value of HSS score, and knee joint range of motion loss (difference between pre- and post-operation) were compared between groups. RESULTS: All infection markers returned to the normal range within 6 weeks after the first-stage operation. All patients were followed up 12-48 months (mean, 22.0 months) after the second-stage operation. There were 5 cases of needle tract infection during the external fixation period, and 3 cases of infection recurrence after the second-stage operation, all of which were cured after symptomatic treatment. The bone healing time was 6-18 months (mean, 11.0 months). At last follow-up, the HSS score was 88.5±7.9 and the range of motion was (61.84±40.59)°, with significant differences compared to preoperative values ( P<0.05); the knee joint range of motion loss was (8.77±11.07)°. The bone healing time was significantly longer in the distal femur group than in the proximal tibia group ( P<0.05), and in the unilateral orbital frames group than in the Ilizarov frames group and the combined frames group ( P<0.05). The angle of motion loss was significantly larger in the Ilizarov frames group than in the unilateral orbital frames group and the combined frames group ( P<0.05). The change value of HSS score was significantly higher in the cross joint fixation group than in the joint preservation fixation group ( P<0.05). CONCLUSION During the first-stage operation, debridement is performed and antibiotic carriers are placed to control infection. External fixation frames are then precisely positioned based on the distance between the lesion and the joint surface, avoiding the infected wound while ensuring mechanical balance. During the second-stage operation, bone grafting options are selected according to the extent of bone defects to enhance the bone union. Postoperative early functional exercises of the knee joint are permitted to improve joint function.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Fractures, Ununited/surgery* ; Retrospective Studies ; External Fixators ; Aged ; Knee Joint/surgery* ; Adolescent ; Young Adult ; Treatment Outcome ; Osteomyelitis/surgery* ; Fracture Fixation/instrumentation* ; Bone Transplantation ; Tibial Fractures/surgery*

Eight patients with femoral osteomyelitis were admitted in Lanzhou General Hospital of PLA between July 2012 and July 2015. During the operation the femur was fixed with non-contact locking plate after thorough debridement. Iliac morselized cancellous bones without cortical bone were filled in the bone defect after debridement. The locking plates were placed in the lateral subcutaneous interface superficial to the vastus lateralis muscle. Drainage tubes were routinely placed postoperatively. The surgery was completed successfully in all patients, and the average operation time was (130±10) min (120-150 min). Intravenous antibiotics were administrated for 2 weeks and followed by 4 week-oral antibiotics after the operation in all 8 cases. Drainage tubes remained in situ about 8 days. All patients were followed up for 12-48 months, with an average of (19±7) months. Postoperative X-ray examination showed bone union in 7 cases with an average healing time of (16±5) weeks. One patient failed with relapsed infection, and was later treated with Ilizarov apparatus after secondary debridement. No plate and screw fracture, loose and fixation failure were observed in all 8 cases.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Bone Plates ; classification ; Bone Transplantation ; instrumentation ; methods ; Drainage ; methods ; Femur ; transplantation ; Fracture Healing ; Fractures, Bone ; drug therapy ; surgery ; Humans ; Ilium ; transplantation ; Osteomyelitis ; drug therapy ; surgery ; Quadriceps Muscle ; surgery ; Treatment Failure ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUND: Vertebroplasty is not free from cement related complications. If an allograft is used as a filler, most of them can be averted. METHODS: Forty consecutive cases of osteoporotic vertebral fracture were divided into two groups by self-selection. The study and the control groups underwent vertebroplasty with fresh frozen allogeneic bone chips and bone cement, respectively. Clinical results were assessed at preoperation, postoperative day 1 and months 3, 6, and 12 by 10-grade visual analog scale (VAS), and radiological results were assessed at the same time by vertebral kyphotic angle (VKA) and local kyphotic angle (LKA). The results were compared within and between the groups. Survival function was analyzed. The criteria of an event were clinical or radiological deterioration versus pre-index surgery state. RESULTS: VAS was improved in the study group from 8.4 +/- 0.8 to 5.2 +/- 1.4, 6.4 +/- 1.2, 5.5 +/- 2.7, and 3.7 +/- 1.4 at postoperative day 1 and months 3, 6, and 12, respectively, and in the control group from 8.4 +/- 1.2 to 3.2 +/- 1.1, 3.2 +/- 1.7, 3.2 +/- 2.7, and 2.5 +/- 1.7, respectively (within group, p < 0.001; between groups, p < 0.001). VKA was improved in the study group from 18.9degrees +/- 8.0degrees to 15.2degrees +/- 6.1degrees (p = 0.046) and in the control group from 14.7degrees +/- 5.2degrees to 10.3degrees +/- 4.7degrees (p < 0.001) at postoperative day 1. LKA was not improved in the study group but was improved in the control group from 16.8degrees +/- 11.7degrees to 14.3degrees +/- 9.6degrees (p = 0.015). Correction angle was 2.7degrees +/- 4.6degrees, -7.9degrees +/- 5.3degrees, -7.2degrees +/- 5.2degrees, and -7.4degrees +/- 6.3degrees at postoperative day 1 and months 3, 6, and 12, respectively, in the study group and 4.3degrees +/- 3.7degrees, 0.7degrees +/- 3.6degrees, 0.7degrees +/- 4.2degrees, and 0.1degrees +/- 4.4degrees, respectively, in the control group. Correction loss was significant in both groups (p < 0.001) and more serious in the study group (p < 0.001). The 6-month survival rate was 16.7% in the study group and 64.3% in the control group (p = 0.003; odds ratio, 5.250). CONCLUSIONS: In treatment of osteoporotic vertebral fracture, fresh frozen allogeneic bone chips are not recommendable as a filler for its worse results than bone cement.
Aged ; Bone Cements/adverse effects ; Bone Substitutes/adverse effects ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Osteoporotic Fractures/epidemiology/*surgery ; Pain Measurement ; Transplantation, Homologous/adverse effects/instrumentation/*methods ; Vertebroplasty/adverse effects/instrumentation/*methods

INTRODUCTIONThe Singapore General Hospital Bone Bank, which exclusively stores femoral head allografts, relies on flash sterilisation to prevent allograft-related disease transmission and wound infection. However, intraosseous temperatures during autoclaving may be lower than required to eliminate human immunodeficiency virus, and hepatitis B and C viruses. The aim of this study is to determine the intraosseous temperatures of femoral head allografts during autoclaving and to assess the adequacy of autoclaving in preventing disease transmission.

METHODSSix femoral heads were acquired from patients who underwent hip arthroplasty. The specimens were divided into two groups. The first group underwent flash sterilisation with a sterilisation time of 4 min, while a longer sterilisation time of 22 min was used for the second group.

RESULTSThe highest core temperature in the first group was 130°C, while the core temperatures in the second group plateaued at 133°C for all allografts. In the first group, only smaller allografts maintained temperatures sufficient for the inactivation of the clinically relevant viral pathogens. In contrast, all allografts in the second group were terminally sterilised.

CONCLUSIONThere is an inverse correlation between the size of allografts and intraosseous temperatures achieved during autoclaving. Therefore, we recommend dividing large allografts into smaller pieces, in order to achieve intraosseous temperatures adequate for the elimination of transmissible pathogens during flash sterilisation. Allografts should not be terminally sterilised, as the resulting allografts will become unusable. Despite modern processing techniques, stringent donor selection remains vital in the effort to prevent allograft-related infections. Autoclaving is an economical and efficacious method of preventing allograft-related disease transmission.

Allografts ; Blood-Borne Pathogens ; Bone Transplantation ; instrumentation ; Disease Transmission, Infectious ; prevention & control ; Disinfection ; methods ; standards ; Equipment Contamination ; prevention & control ; Femur Head ; microbiology ; transplantation ; Humans ; Sterilization ; methods ; Temperature

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effectiveness of anterior debridement,bone graft, and posterior pedicle screw-rod internal fixation in the treatment of lumbosacral tuberculosis.

METHODSFrom January 2005 to June 2012,18 patients with lumbosacral tuberculosis undergoing the surgical treatment by anterior debridement, bone graft, and posterior pedicle screw-rod internal fixation were reviewed retrospectively. There were 12 males and 6 females with an average age of 44 years old ranging from 35 to 67. Among them, 2 cases were simple low back pain,3 cases were low back pain combined with radiating pain of lower extremity and 13 cases were muscle strength hypesthesia. According to Fankle grading,the nerve function was grade C in 3 cases,grade D in 10 cases,grade E in 5 cases. Of these cases,L4.5 was involved in 8 cases,L5 in 4 cases and L5S1 in 6 cases. The lumbosacral angle was 150 to 270 and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) was 45 to 93 mm/h before treatment. The clinical indexes including the lumbosacral incidence, Frankel grade and ESR were reviewed at follow-up.

RESULTSAll 18 cases were followed up for 14 to 22 months. The mean operation time was 180 min. The amount of bleeding was 400 to 800 ml. Except 1 case with iliac vein injuried and 4 cases with abdominal distension,no spinal injuries and severe relative complication occurred, and neurologic function improved in various degrees. Pain in lumbosacral area and radicular pain in lower extremities disappeared. The X-ray and CT films demonstrated that bony fusion was obtained in all patients during 9 to 13 months postoperatively. The lumbosacral angle and ESR were improved significantly.

CONCLUSIONAnterior debridement, bone graft, and posterior pedicle screw-rod internal fixation is an effective method in dealing with lumbosacral spine tuberculosis.

Adult ; Aged ; Blood Loss, Surgical ; Bone Transplantation ; Debridement ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; instrumentation ; Humans ; Lumbosacral Region ; injuries ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pedicle Screws ; Retrospective Studies ; Tuberculosis, Spinal ; surgery

Following a post-traumatic incident, orthopaedic surgeons often struggle to look for an abundant source of alternative bone graft because the bone defect is too big or when nonunion is refractory to treatment. We present two cases where the patients' bone grafts were harvested from the healthy femur. This process involved the use of a new intramedullary reamer, which allowed the bone graft to be harvested simultaneously during the reaming process.
Adult ; Bone Transplantation ; instrumentation ; methods ; Equipment Design ; Femur ; pathology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Therapeutic Irrigation ; Tissue and Organ Harvesting ; instrumentation ; methods

OBJECTIVETo explore the effective methods for the treatment of complex tibial plateau fractures.

METHODSFrom May 2008 to April 2011, 28 patients with complex tibial plateau fractures were treated indirect reduction techniques, bilateral locking plate fixation combined with autologous bone grafts. There were 21 males and 7 females, with an average age of 43 years ranging from 21 to 65. There were 11 cases in Schatzker type V, 17 in VI. The effect was evaluated by Rasmussen standard on clinical and radiological.

RESULTSAll patients were followed-up for 7 to 36 months (averaged of 21.5 months). Healing time of fracture was from 3 to 8 months (averaged 5.5 months). The results of Rasmussen scores in clinical was 4.50 +/- 1.32 in pain, 4.32 +/- 1.63 in walking ability, 4.07 +/- 1.34 in knee activity, 4.78 +/- 1.27 in stability of the knee, 4.85 +/- 1.12 in stretch knee; the results in radiation was 5.07 +/- 0.92 in articular surface collapse, 5.00 +/- 0.98 in platform widened, 5.14 +/- 0.85 in knee external varus. The effect result was excellent in 8 cases, good in 15, fair in 3 and poor in 2.

CONCLUSIONThe key for the treatment of complex tibial plateau fractures was to fully assess the damage as much as possible to protect the soft tissue, select the appropriate timing of surgery and surgical incision, application of indirect reduction techniques, limited incision and effective internal fixation to restore joint surface smooth and good limb alignment, early exercise, in order to achieve maximum recovery of joint function.

Adult ; Aged ; Bone Plates ; Bone Transplantation ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; instrumentation ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Recovery of Function ; Retrospective Studies ; Tibial Fractures ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult