Search

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to assess the results of treatment of unstable scaphoid nonunion using a wedge iliac crest bone graft and a volar locking plate and screw system. Methods: Seventeen patients are included in the study and the average age was 30.4 years. The mean duration of nonunion was 44.8 months. All patients underwent open reduction, wedge-bone grafting from the iliac crest, and internal fixation using a 1.5 mm volar locking plate and screw. The nonunion sites were scaphoid waist in 12 patients and proximal pole in 5 patients. The mean follow up periods after the operation was 10.2 months. The mean union time was determined with plain radiographs and computed tomography scan. At final follow-up, range of motion (ROM) of the wrist, scapholunate and radiolunate angles, and height-to-length ratio were measured. Results: All 17 scaphoids united in a mean time of 7.9 weeks after operation. Both scapholunate angle and radiolunate angles are recovered within the normal range. The average extension-flexion arc of the injured wrists was 127.9 degrees, which was improved over 34% of preoperative ROM. Pro- and supination were normal. There was no hardware related problems and no plate removal was necessary during the follow-up period. Conclusion: The use of an anatomical 1.5 mm volar locking plate with an anterior wedge iliac bone graft provides optimal stability for the unstable scaphoid nonunion. The rapid union after the plate fixation allowed earlier rehabilitation without cast immobilization which is usually performed with other fixation methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This retrospective study was aimed to analyze the differences in stability and extensor impairment after two different volar plating procedures to manage unstable distal radius fracture, which were the penetration of only near-cortex followed by screw fixation (Group 1) and perforation of dorsal cortex by drill-bit followed by fixation with the screws downsized after gauging (Group 2). Materials and Methods: We reviewed the medical records of 491 patients with distal radius fracture treated with standard-sized, targeted distal radius plate in two institutions between April 2009 and May 2014. Finally, 341 patients with complete demographic data, records of AO classification of fractures, data on the lengths of inserted distal screws, radiologic parameters immediately and at 3 months after operation, as well as extensor impairments, were included in this study. There were 112 patients (98 women and 14 men) in Group 1, and 229 patients (171 women and 58 men) in Group 2. The mean age was 59.8 years for all the patients; 60.3 years in Group 1 and 59.5 years in Group 2. Results: The mean length of the longest screws used in Group 2 was longer than that in Group 1; however, the mean length of the shortest screws used in Group 2 was shorter than that in Group 1. While the differences in changes for radial inclination measured immediately and at 3 months after the operation were statistically significant (p=0.019), the change of radial inclination in Group 2, which showed a greater change, was only 0.5 mm. There were two cases with extensor pollicis longus rupture in Group 1 and 2 respectively, and the difference in frequency according to each Group was not statistically significant (p=0.6). Conclusion: The superiority of one surgical procedure in terms of fracture stability on measured radiological parameters was not fully proven compared with the other one in this study. Therefore, it would be better to selectively use the surgical method of dorsal cortex perforation viadrill-bit followed by fixation only in limited circumstances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical and radiologic results of medial open wedge high tibial osteotomy (HTO) using either TomoFix® plate (group A) or Aescula® plate (group B) in patients with medial compartment osteoarthritis. Materials and Methods: Sixty-four consecutive patients who underwent HTO for medial compartmental osteoarthritis from 2008 were included. Mean follow-up duration was 37.1 months. Twenty men and 44 women with a mean age of 50 years (range, 41 to 62 years) were divided into group A (locking plate, n=20) and group B (spacer plate, n=44). Clinical results were evaluated using knee society rating system (KSS) and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC). Radiological results were obtained by measuring the mechanical axis, posterior tibial slope, and medial joint space width preoperatively, 3 months postoperatively, and at the final follow-up. Results: In overall patients, the mechanical axis was corrected from 7.8°±2.4° of varus preoperatively to 1.9°±2.2° of valgus 3 months after HTO. At the final follow-up, the mechanical axis was to 2.1°±3.1° of valgus which showed no statistical difference in group A. However, loss of correction was observed at the final follow-up, at 0.1°±3.1° of valgus angulation in group B. The increase of the posterior tibial slope was significantly greater in group A than group B. The joint space width in both groups was improved at last follow-up. All clinical results showed improvement after HTO, with significantly improved KSS and WOMAC scores (p<0.001). Conclusion: The overall clinical results after HTO for medial compartment osteoarthritis were satisfactory. A group of spacer plates needed for prolonged protective weight bearing and locking plate was effective in maintenance of correction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]