An avulsion fracture occurs when a muscle-tendon unit attached to a bone produces sufficient force to tear a fragment of the bone. If not treated properly, this injury can lead to deformity, nonunion, malunion, pain, and disability. Although avulsion fractures around the foot and ankle can occur anywhere there are tendon and ligament attachments, they are common in the anterior talofibular ligament, anterior-inferior tibiotalar ligament, calcaneal tuberosity, the base of the fifth metatarsal, and navicular bone. The optimal treatment for each fracture depends on the location and severity of the fracture.Conservative treatment involves limiting weight bearing for a period, splint immobilization, and using various orthoses. Surgical treatment is usually reserved for cases of severe displacement or when nonsurgical treatment has failed. The goals of surgery include reduction of the fracture fragment, prevention of nonunion or malunion and soft tissue injury, and early return to function. The decision for each treatment modality may depend on the patient demographics or preferences and the surgeon experience. This review summarizes previous and current views on the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of common avulsion fractures to guide the treatment and diagnosis.

Avulsion fractures are common in athletes and result from high-impact or sudden, forceful movements involving the separation of a bone fragment at the ligament or tendon attachment site. The key focus areas include the anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments, medial collateral ligament, anterolateral complex, arcuate complex, medial patellofemoral ligament, patellar tendon, and quadriceps tendon. Diagnostic approaches combine radiography with advanced imaging techniques, such as computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, to elucidate the extent of injury and guide treatment decisions. Treatment ranges from conservative management for non-displaced fractures to surgical intervention for displaced fractures, with strategies customized based on the specific ligament involved and the nature of the fracture.

Purpose: This study devised triple tension band wirings (TTBW) fixation in patients with comminuted patella fractures to compare the clinical result of TTBW with that of tension band wiring (TBW). Materials and Methods: This study was conducted on 91 patients who had undergone surgery diagnosed with acute patella fracture from January 2011 to December 2016. The study included 51 double TBW patients (Group 1) and 40 patients with TTBW (Group 2). Results: Five out of 51 cases had a loss of reduction and fixation failure in Group 1, and no failure of fracture formation healing occurred in Group 2. Nonunion was noted in one case in Group 1 and no case in Group 2. Eight K-wire migration cases were observed in Group 1, which was not observed in Group 2. Six patients in Group 1 underwent revisional surgery. No patients in Group 2 had a reoperation. As a result of a one-year follow-up after the operation, the mean range of motion of the knee joint in groups 1 and 2 was 128.3°±11.3° and 127.9°±10.8°, respectively. The Lysholm’s scores for groups 1 and 2 were 90.8±4.2 and 90.3±3.8 points, respectively, which was not statistically significant. Conclusion TTBW is a helpful technique for the surgical treatment of comminuted patella fractures. The TTBW method has less reoperation due to nonunion and fixation failure. After a one-year followup, the clinical results were similar to the conventional TBW method.

Purpose: This study examined the structural and mechanical stability as well as the clinical significance of various fixation constructs for distal tibial fractures using finite element analysis. Materials and Methods: Fracture models with 20 mm and 120 mm defects were produced, and implants of an intramedullary nail and anatomical plate model were applied. An axial load of 800 N with 60% distribution in the medial compartment and 40% in the lateral compartment was applied and analyzed using Ansys ® software. Results: In the intramedullary nail model, the maximum von Mises stress occurred at the primary lag screw hole and adjacent medial cortex, while in the plate model, it occurred at the locking holes around the fracture. The maximum shear stress on the bone and metal implant in the fracture model with a 20 mm defect was highest in the plate assembly model, and in the fracture model with a 120 mm defect, it was highest in the two-lag screw assembly model. Conclusion Based on an analysis of the maximum shear stress distribution, securing the fixation strength of the primary lag screw hole is crucial, and the assembly model of the intramedullary nail with two lag screws and a blocking screw applied was the model that best withstood the optimal load. Securing the locking hole directly above the fracture is believed to provide the maximum fixation strength because the maximum pressure in the plate model is concentrated in the proximal locking hole and the surrounding cortex.

Purpose: This study compared the outcomes of minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis and antegrade intramedullary nailing for low-energy fracture of the distal femoral shaft. Materials and Methods: A study was conducted on 30 patients who underwent surgery for low-energy fractures of the distal femoral shaft between January 2016 and April 2022. The study compared 15patients who underwent minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (Group P) with 15 patients who underwent recon-type antegrade intramedullary nailing (Group N). We evaluated intraoperative blood loss, operative time, C-arm exposure time, bone density, final union status, anatomical reduction, and clinical evaluation. The complications were also examined, and statistical analysis was conducted to compare the two groups. Results: The blood loss, surgery time, and C-arm time were similar in the two groups. The radiographic assessments and clinical evaluations were also similar in the two groups. The clinical results showed no difference between the groups. Group N had one case of nonunion and one case of delayed union, while Group P had one case of nonunion and one case of peri-prosthetic fracture. Conclusion Antegrade intramedullary nailing of the recon-type demonstrated comparable results to minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis. Hence, antegrade intramedullary nailing of the recon-type, which enhances stability by fixing the entire femur and providing additional fixation in the distal portion, is deemed appropriate for treating distal femoral shaft fractures.

Purpose: This study compared the radiological outcomes of fixation using an anatomical quadrilateral surface plate with those using a traditional pelvic reconstruction plate for fractures involving the quadrilateral surface or superomedial wall of the acetabulum. Materials and Methods: From 2015 to 2022, 47 patients who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were analyzed retrospectively. Internal fixation of an acetabular fracture was achieved with a pelvic reconstruction plate (n=28) or an anatomical quadrilateral surface plate (n=19). The ability to achieve immediate postoperative anatomical reduction and the long-term outcomes were assessed by confirming the arthritic changes. Immediate postoperative reduction quality and long-term radiological outcomes for post-traumatic arthritis were assessed using the Matta scoring system on standard radiographs. Results: The assessment of immediate postoperative reduction in the pelvic reconstruction plate group was satisfactory in 16 patients (57.1%) and unsatisfactory in 12 patients (42.9%). In the anatomical quadrilateral surface plate group, the results were satisfactory in 16 patients (84.2%) and unsatisfactory in 3 patients (15.8%). When evaluating over an extended follow-up period in the pelvic reconstruction plate group, 19 patients (67.9%) demonstrated satisfactory, while 9 patients (32.1%) had unsatisfactory outcomes. In the anatomical quadrilateral surface plate group, 12 patients (63.2%) achieved satisfactory, and 7 patients (36.8%) had unsatisfactory outcomes. The immediate postoperative reduction quality was superior in the anatomical quadrilateral surface plate group (p=0.03). Comparing longterm results, the anatomical quadrilateral surface plate group did not have statistically more favorable outcomes (p=0.49). Conclusion In this study, the anatomical quadrilateral surface plate achieved sufficiently good radiological results without significant difference from the existing pelvic reconstruction plate. It was concluded that it is a useful option that can replace the existing metal plate in the selection of surgery for acetabular fractures.

The prevalence of osteoporosis and incidence of osteoporotic fractures is increasing gradually as life expectancy is prolonged and the aged population increases. Osteoporotic hip fractures (femoral neck fractures and femoral intertrochanteric fractures) have high mortality because the patients with these fractures are elderly and have several comorbidities. Thorough preparation and a multidisciplinary approach in the preoperative period are critical, and early surgery is recommended. There are also several principles to treat osteoporotic hip fractures and prevent fixation failures. Many studies have suggested various treatment methods for femoral neck fractures and femoral intertrochanteric fractures. Functional recovery treatment is essential based on the patient’s health and activity levels. Finally, aggressive management of osteoporosis and the prevention of falling is needed to treat osteoporotic hip fractures successfully.

Complications of hand fractures occur regardless of the methods used for their treatment. The treatment is also challenging. The most common and troublesome complications of hand fractures are malunion, finger stiffness, and consequent functional impairment. Early recognition and meticulous treatment of these complications is essential for improvement in hand function and satisfaction. Most of all, surgeons should clearly understand that prevention of complications is the easiest way to ensure a satisfactory outcome in hand fractures.

Purpose: This study examined whether preoperative radiological evaluations can predict syndesmotic instability according to the lateral malleolus fracture pattern in supination-external rotation-type ankle fractures. Materials and Methods: This study enrolled 132 patients (132 ankles) with supination-external rotation stage 3 and 4 ankle fractures. Three-dimensional computed tomography was used for the morphological classification of the lateral malleolus fractures. A long oblique fracture was defined when the posterior cortical bone height of the fracture was 4.5 cm or more from the plafond of the distal tibial articular surface. A short oblique fracture was defined when the height was less than 4.5 cm. The demographic characteristics and syndesmotic instability of the two groups were evaluated. Results: Short oblique fractures were confirmed in 102 cases, and long oblique fractures were confirmed in 30 cases. Long oblique fractures occurred at a statistically significantly higher incidence in younger ages and among males compared to short oblique fractures. Syndesmotic instability was more common in long oblique fractures. Conclusion In supination-external rotation-type ankle fractures, syndesmotic instability was observed in approximately 13%. Specifically, when the fracture pattern of the lateral malleolus is long oblique, the incidence of syndesmotic instability is approximately three times higher than in short oblique fractures. Therefore, meticulous evaluations of the lateral malleolus fracture pattern and establishing an appropriate treatment plan before surgery are crucial.