Postoperative infection of internal fixation of closed fractures the lower limbs in adults represents a devastating complication, characterized by diagnostic challenges, prolonged treatment duration and high disability rates. Current management of these infections faces multiple challenges, such as difficulties in early accurate diagnosis, and various controversies about the treatment plan, leading to poor overall diagnosis and treatment results. To address these issues, based on evidence-based medicine and principles with emphasis on scientific rigor, clinical applicability and innovation, the Trauma Branch of the Chinese Medical Association, Orthopedic Branch of the Chinese Medical Doctor Association, Orthopedics Branch of the Chinese Medical Association, and Trauma Orthopedics and Polytrauma Group of the Resuscitation and Emergency Committee of the Chinese Medical Doctor Association have collaboratively organized a panel of relevant experts to develop the Guideline for diagnosis and treatment of infection after internal fixation of closed lower limb fractures in adults ( version 2025). The guideline proposed 10 recommendations, aiming to provide a foundation for standardized diagnosis and treatment of postoperative infection in adults with closed lower limb fractures.

Open reduction and internal fixation are the preferred methods for treating intra-articular fractures of the distal humerus. However, in cases of comminuted fractures, open reduction and internal fixation may result in loss of reduction. Although total elbow arthroplasty can be used as an alternative treatment option, total elbow arthroplasty has several limitations, including excessive bone removal, strict weight-bearing restrictions, polyethylene liner wear, and alterations in biomechanical properties. Elbow hemiarthroplasty is emerging as a novel surgical technique, only the distal end of the humerus is replaced while the proximal end of the ulna and radius is retained. Particularly for patients with high functional demands, elbow hemiarthroplasty may be a viable treatment option. This technique is particularly suitable for young patients with severely comminuted and non-reconstructive intra-articular fractures. Postoperative complications of elbow hemiarthroplasty include elbow stiffness, proximal wear of the ulna and radius, and prosthesis loosening, etc. In some cases, total elbow prosthesis revision is required. Existing research has initially confirmed that elbow hemiarthroplasty has certain advantages in terms of safety and elbow joint function recovery. Additionally, to better accommodate the anatomical characteristics of the Chinese population, customized 3D-printed prostheses based on the contralateral distal humerus and the ipsilateral proximal ulna and radius can be utilized. Further research and development of elbow hemiarthroplasty and novel technologies tailored to the Chinese population should be encouraged to enhance the precise treatment of complex elbow injuries in China.

Elbow Triad refers to an elbow dislocation combined with fractures of the radial head and the coronoid process, representing a complex elbow injury. Management of the elbow triad is challenging and often yields poor outcomes, frequently leading to complications such as elbow instability, ulnar nerve injury, and elbow stiffness. The injury mechanism of the elbow triad typically involves a fall on an outstretched arm, subjecting the forearm to supination, axial loading, and valgus stress. This force sequence results in progressive disruption of the elbow's anatomical structures from lateral to medial. Diagnosis requires particular attention to imaging assessment, and special attention should be paid to differentiating coronoid process fractures from elbow dislocation. Currently, there is no independent classification system, and diagnosis often relies on the modified Mason classification for radial head fractures and the Regan-Morrey and O'Driscoll classifications for coronoid process fractures. Non-surgical indications must be strictly defined and include: congruent joint reduction, absence of bony block to motion, a small or non-displaced coronoid fracture fragment, and inherent elbow stability. For the majority of cases requiring surgical treatment, a lateral approach is recommended, with a combined over-the-top approach when necessary. During surgery, the coronoid process fracture, radial head fracture, and lateral soft tissues should be addressed sequentially, with restoration of stability being crucial. Postoperative care should include early functional exercises and pay attention to preventing complications such as elbow instability, traumatic elbow stiffness, and ulnar nerve injury.

Complex elbow instability, also known as elbow fracture and dislocation, is one of the most challenging conditions in the field of orthopaedic trauma. Different ways of external force action can lead to various structural injuries of the elbow joint. Common types include posterolateral rotatory instability, posteromedial rotatory instability, posterior Monteggia injuries, and anterior trans-olecranon fracture-dislocation. The complexity of these injury mechanisms imposes significant demands on clinical assessment and treatment strategies. In recent years, with the continuous advancement of three-dimensional (3D) digital technologies and artificial intelligence (AI), the strategies for precise treatment of elbow disorders have been gradually improved. 3D reconstruction and 3D printing technologies have been increasingly integrated into preoperative planning and personalized prosthesis design in elbow surgery, enhancing both the visualization and accuracy of surgical interventions. AI technology has been initially applied in the auxiliary diagnosis of elbow fractures and joint effusion, and has also provided diversified technical means for elbow surgery medical education. The emergence of 3D digital and AI technologies presents new opportunities for achieving precision medicine in the management of complex elbow instability.

Giant cell tumor of bone (GCTB) is a common locally aggressive junctional primary bone tumor, whose clinical treatment becomes more difficult once combined with pathological fracture. Extended curettage and en-bloc resection are common surgical procedures for treating GCTB, and drugs such as receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand(RANKL) inhibitors and bisphosphonates have been successfully used. Curettage is recommended for patients with Campanaccigrade Ⅱor Campanaccigrade Ⅲ with localized soft tissue invasion only and simple fractures with intact bone structure. Resection may be considered for Campanaccigrade Ⅲ with extensive soft tissue invasion or complex fractures with incomplete bone structure. RANKL inhibitors such as denosumab may be recommended if surgery is not possible or before performing resection. This article summarizes the common treatment modalities of pathological fractures combined with giant cell tumors of extremities, including the current status of surgical and pharmacological treatments, analyzing the choice of surgical modalities in different clinical situations, in order to provide clinical inspirations for diagnosis and treatment.

Giant cell tumor of bone (GCTB) is a common locally aggressive junctional primary bone tumor, whose clinical treatment becomes more difficult once combined with pathological fracture. Extended curettage and en-bloc resection are common surgical procedures for treating GCTB, and drugs such as receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand(RANKL) inhibitors and bisphosphonates have been successfully used. Curettage is recommended for patients with Campanaccigrade Ⅱor Campanaccigrade Ⅲ with localized soft tissue invasion only and simple fractures with intact bone structure. Resection may be considered for Campanaccigrade Ⅲ with extensive soft tissue invasion or complex fractures with incomplete bone structure. RANKL inhibitors such as denosumab may be recommended if surgery is not possible or before performing resection. This article summarizes the common treatment modalities of pathological fractures combined with giant cell tumors of extremities, including the current status of surgical and pharmacological treatments, analyzing the choice of surgical modalities in different clinical situations, in order to provide clinical inspirations for diagnosis and treatment.

Open reduction and internal fixation are the preferred methods for treating intra-articular fractures of the distal humerus. However, in cases of comminuted fractures, open reduction and internal fixation may result in loss of reduction. Although total elbow arthroplasty can be used as an alternative treatment option, total elbow arthroplasty has several limitations, including excessive bone removal, strict weight-bearing restrictions, polyethylene liner wear, and alterations in biomechanical properties. Elbow hemiarthroplasty is emerging as a novel surgical technique, only the distal end of the humerus is replaced while the proximal end of the ulna and radius is retained. Particularly for patients with high functional demands, elbow hemiarthroplasty may be a viable treatment option. This technique is particularly suitable for young patients with severely comminuted and non-reconstructive intra-articular fractures. Postoperative complications of elbow hemiarthroplasty include elbow stiffness, proximal wear of the ulna and radius, and prosthesis loosening, etc. In some cases, total elbow prosthesis revision is required. Existing research has initially confirmed that elbow hemiarthroplasty has certain advantages in terms of safety and elbow joint function recovery. Additionally, to better accommodate the anatomical characteristics of the Chinese population, customized 3D-printed prostheses based on the contralateral distal humerus and the ipsilateral proximal ulna and radius can be utilized. Further research and development of elbow hemiarthroplasty and novel technologies tailored to the Chinese population should be encouraged to enhance the precise treatment of complex elbow injuries in China.

Elbow Triad refers to an elbow dislocation combined with fractures of the radial head and the coronoid process, representing a complex elbow injury. Management of the elbow triad is challenging and often yields poor outcomes, frequently leading to complications such as elbow instability, ulnar nerve injury, and elbow stiffness. The injury mechanism of the elbow triad typically involves a fall on an outstretched arm, subjecting the forearm to supination, axial loading, and valgus stress. This force sequence results in progressive disruption of the elbow's anatomical structures from lateral to medial. Diagnosis requires particular attention to imaging assessment, and special attention should be paid to differentiating coronoid process fractures from elbow dislocation. Currently, there is no independent classification system, and diagnosis often relies on the modified Mason classification for radial head fractures and the Regan-Morrey and O'Driscoll classifications for coronoid process fractures. Non-surgical indications must be strictly defined and include: congruent joint reduction, absence of bony block to motion, a small or non-displaced coronoid fracture fragment, and inherent elbow stability. For the majority of cases requiring surgical treatment, a lateral approach is recommended, with a combined over-the-top approach when necessary. During surgery, the coronoid process fracture, radial head fracture, and lateral soft tissues should be addressed sequentially, with restoration of stability being crucial. Postoperative care should include early functional exercises and pay attention to preventing complications such as elbow instability, traumatic elbow stiffness, and ulnar nerve injury.

Complex elbow instability, also known as elbow fracture and dislocation, is one of the most challenging conditions in the field of orthopaedic trauma. Different ways of external force action can lead to various structural injuries of the elbow joint. Common types include posterolateral rotatory instability, posteromedial rotatory instability, posterior Monteggia injuries, and anterior trans-olecranon fracture-dislocation. The complexity of these injury mechanisms imposes significant demands on clinical assessment and treatment strategies. In recent years, with the continuous advancement of three-dimensional (3D) digital technologies and artificial intelligence (AI), the strategies for precise treatment of elbow disorders have been gradually improved. 3D reconstruction and 3D printing technologies have been increasingly integrated into preoperative planning and personalized prosthesis design in elbow surgery, enhancing both the visualization and accuracy of surgical interventions. AI technology has been initially applied in the auxiliary diagnosis of elbow fractures and joint effusion, and has also provided diversified technical means for elbow surgery medical education. The emergence of 3D digital and AI technologies presents new opportunities for achieving precision medicine in the management of complex elbow instability.

Postoperative infection of internal fixation of closed fractures the lower limbs in adults represents a devastating complication, characterized by diagnostic challenges, prolonged treatment duration and high disability rates. Current management of these infections faces multiple challenges, such as difficulties in early accurate diagnosis, and various controversies about the treatment plan, leading to poor overall diagnosis and treatment results. To address these issues, based on evidence-based medicine and principles with emphasis on scientific rigor, clinical applicability and innovation, the Trauma Branch of the Chinese Medical Association, Orthopedic Branch of the Chinese Medical Doctor Association, Orthopedics Branch of the Chinese Medical Association, and Trauma Orthopedics and Polytrauma Group of the Resuscitation and Emergency Committee of the Chinese Medical Doctor Association have collaboratively organized a panel of relevant experts to develop the Guideline for diagnosis and treatment of infection after internal fixation of closed lower limb fractures in adults ( version 2025). The guideline proposed 10 recommendations, aiming to provide a foundation for standardized diagnosis and treatment of postoperative infection in adults with closed lower limb fractures.