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*

BACKGROUND:There were certain differences in the anatomical structure of knee joint between man and woman. Gender knee solution is a new type of artificial knee joint prosthesis, which is specialy designed for women. Theoreticaly, the outcome of unisex total knee arthroplasty prosthesis should be related to gender, but we did not find very obvious differences in practical clinical work.
OBJECTIVE:To analyze the differences in curative effects of the unisex knee arthroplasty prosthesis between male and female patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty so as to find out if it is necessary to apply female knee prosthesis among appropriate crowd.
METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty from May 2001 to June 2011. Among 312 patients (350 knees receiving total knee arthroplasty), patients who died within 3 years after surgery, lost to folow-up and underwent revision were excluded. Changes in knee functions and imaging were observed between males and females.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The women and men had similar mean pre-operative knee scores, flexion function, pain score among 285 patients (300 knees). However, the women had significantly lower mean extension function and function scores than the men. There were no significant differences in improvement in the knee scores, flexion, the pain and knee function between women and men before and after surgery. Nevertheless, men had better extension than women. No significant difference in radiolucencies and complications was seen between females and males. Therefore, there was little difference in outcomes between women and men who used the unisex total knee arthroplasty prosthesis.

BACKGROUND: The biomechanical studies about calcium sulfate cement vertebroplasty are only limited to the single fracture vertebra, not performed in spinal compression fracture unit with posterior transpedicular screw fixation. Furthermore, performing experimental study in the whole function spine unit (FSU) conforms to actual clinical situation. OBJECTIVE: To assess the biomechanical properties of calcium sulfate vertebroplasty combined with posterior transpedicular screw fixation in treatment of thoracolumbar compression fractures. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: A controlled experiment was performed at the Biomechanical Laboratory of Shanghai University in March 2009. MATERIALS: Fifteen fresh thoracolumbar spines were harvested from male calves and made into T_(11)-L_1 FSU, then divided into 3 groups randomly: normal control group, posterior transpedicular screw fixation group and transpedicular screw fixation plus vertebroplasty group. METHODS: T_(12) flexion-compression fracture models were made in all specimens of posterior transpedicular screw fixation group and transpedicular screw fixation plus vertebroplasty group, undergoing reduction and posterior transpedicular screw fixation, and calcium sulfate vertebroplasty combined with posterior transpedicular screw fixation respectively. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: All specimens were placed on the WE-10A universal testing machine for mechanical test. Load-straining, load-displacing, rigidity, strength and torsion of the FSU were performed in axial compression, flexion, extension and lateral bending states. The experimental outcomes were collected and compared by statistic analysis. RESULTS: The load-strain and loed-displacement showed a linear relationship. Straining values in vertebral body and intervertebral disc of calcium sulfate vertebroplasty plus posterior transpedicular screw fixation group were 14% and 12% less than that of posterior transpedicular screw fixation group, 21% and 13% less than that of normal control group. The thoracolumbar displacement in calcium sulfate vertebroplasty Plus posterior transpedicular screw fixation group decreased 25% and 37% as compared with other 2 groups respectively. Compared with normal control and posterior transpedicular screw fixation group, the thoracolumbar stiffness in calcium sulfate vertebroplasty plus posterior transpedicular screw fixation group increased 53% and 44% respectively. The strength in vertebral body and intervertebral disc of calcium sulfate vertebroplasty plus posterior transpedicular screw fixation group were 14% and 24% higher than that of posterior transpedicular screw fixation group, 13% and 20% higher than that of normal control group. The maximal twisting strength of FSU in calcium sulfate vertebroplasty plus posterior transpedicular screw fixation group were 18% and 30% higher than that of other 2 groups, the twisting stiffness were 30% and 40% higher than that of other 2 groups. The data above were significant differences statistically (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Posterior transpedicular screw fixation combined with calcium sulfate vertebroplasty show superior biomechanical properties for treatment of thoracolumbar compression fractures, which exhibits not only strong strength and stiffness, but also stable FSU, thus could decrease the stress loading of the internal fixation, the incidences of screw breakage and avoid the altitude loss of vertebral body.

[Objective]To study the effect and complications of percutaneous vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty in treating osteoporotic spinal compression fractures.[Method]Eighteen patients with twenty-seven vertebras in group,PVP(percutaneous vertebroplasty)were performed in fourteen patients(twenty-three vertebras),PKP(percutaneous kyphoplasty)were performed in four patients(four vertebras),VAS(Visual analogue scale) and mobility were evaluated 3 days before and after operation.Relief of back pain、recovery of living ability and complications were observed in the follow-up.[Result]All patients were operated on successfully and their back pain relieved immediately after operation,VAS was distinctly decreased from(7.5?0.7)pre-operation to(2.5?0.6)at 3 day after operation with a significant difference(P

[Objective]To evaluate the clinical value in treatment of subtrochanteric fracture of the femur by dynamic condylar screw(DCS).[Method]This study retrospectively reviewed 29 patients who suffered from subtrochanteric fracture of the femur.There were 18 males,11 females,with an average age of 52.2 years.Seven cases were caused by traffic accident,8 cases caused by falling from hight,14 cases caused by pedestrian injury.According to Seinsheimer classification,there were 5 cases of typeⅡ(2 of typeⅡB,3 of typeⅡC),12 cases of typeⅢ(7 of type ⅢA,5 of type ⅢB),5 cases of type Ⅳ,7 cases of type Ⅴ.All patients accepted the treatment with traction reduction and dynamic condylar screw fixation and were fellowed up for 9～24 months(average 16 months).Outcoms were assessed by Sanders traumatic hip rating scale and postoperative complications were analyzed.[Result]All patients obtained bone union in average 3.5 months(3～5 months),Only one case who had obtained bone union suffered subtrochanteric refracture 16 months after operation because of plate breakage.All patients were encouraged to early exercise and walk by nonweight-bearing.There was no postoperative infection,deep venous thrombosis,internal fixation loosening,limb shortening and varus deformity.According to sanders traumatic hip rating scale,18 cases were excellent,10 cases were good,1case was fair.The excellent and good rate was 96.5%.[Conclusion]In treatment of subtrochanteric fracture of the femur,DCS not only maintain satisfying reduction with reliable fixation,but also prevent femoral shortening,rotation and varus deformity,thus get good curative effect,fast recovery,satisfying function and so on.So it is one of the best choices to heal subtrochanteric fracture.