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Intramedullary screw fixation of Jones fractures. Analysis of failure.

Treatment failures after screw fixation of Jones fractures are reported to be infrequent. Between 1993 and 1999, 15 patients (mean age, 21.7 years) underwent cannulated screw fixation of a Jones fracture at our institution. There were six treatment failures: four refractures and two symptomatic nonunions. The mean time to full activity was 6.8 weeks for the patients with failure compared with 9 weeks for patients who did not have complications. Although all patients were asymptomatic and radiographically progressing to union before return to full activity, only one of six patients with failures had complete radiographic union, compared with six of seven patients with no complications. There was a higher proportion of elite athletes (division I or professional level) among the failure group (83%) compared with those without complications (11%). There were no significant differences in age, sex, screw diameter, use of bone graft, or age of fracture between patients with failures and those without complications. Return to full activity, especially among elite athletes, before complete radiographic union was predictive of failure. Even though intramedullary screw fixation offers advantages over nonoperative treatment, a significant risk of postoperative complications exists.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

[Intramedullary fixation of humerus shaft fractures. An analysis of complications of 2 implants with special reference to outcome after management with the unreamed humerus interlocking nail].

INTRODUCTION: Operative treatment of humeral shaft fractures has gained a new impetus with the development of intramedullary interlocking systems for the humerus. Because of the anatomical structure of the humeral marrow cavity, a regular jamming of nail into bone is not to be expected, so that the stability of these systems needs to be achieved through an interlocking mechanism. Among the commercially available interlocking nailing systems the unreamed humeral nail (UHN) and the Seidel-nail (SHN) can be regarded as the standard implants. DESIGN: In a retrospective study comparing two groups of patients, each treated with one of the two systems, problems and advantages, as well as disadvantages were analyzed, and the complications inherent in the systems examined. PATIENTS: Between 1988-1992, 47 patients with humeral shaft fractures were treated with a Seidel interlocking nail: 25 acute and 18 pathological fractures as well as 4 non-unions (Group 1). Between 1997-1999, 34 patients with humeral shaft fractures were treated with the unreamed humeral nail (UHN). A total of thirty-five (n = 35) nailings (30 acute and 4 pathological fractures, as well as one re-osteosynthesis after emergence of a non-union) were carried out. Three primary palsies of the radial nerve ensued: two with loss of sensitivity, and one complete paralysis (Group 2). METHODS: Based on pre- and postoperative X-rays and follow-up examinations, the healing process and complications inherent in each of the systems were evaluated. RESULTS: Intra-operative complications of Seidel-nailing (Group 1) were seen in 5 cases: failure of the proximal target device in 2 (4.2%) cases; the breaking of the long screwdriver during the distal locking in 1 (2.1%) case; blockade of nail-insertion due to the spreading distal lamellas in 1 (2.1%) case; in 1 (2.1%) case it was impossible to find the imbus of the distal locking screw with the screwdriver. Incorrect surgical technique resulting in further fragmentation of the shaft required revisions in 2 (4.2%) cases. In 3 cases (6.4%), the insertion of the nail was insufficient, so that an impingement resulted. In 12 cases, postoperative complications after Seidel-nailing resulted: 3 (6.4%) radial nerve palsies, of which 2 (4.2%) were transitory; 3 (6.4%) infections; in 3 (6.4%) cases, loosening of the locking bolt inserted in the frontal plane; in 1 (2.1%) case, loosening of the distal spreading screw. The system failed in treating 2 (of 4) non-unions, whereas successful ossification and repair occurred in all acute fractures. In Group 2 (UHN) the acute fractures of 33 cases healed without complications. Intra-operative complications of the unreamed nail: in 2 cases (5.6%), failure of the target devices resulted in malpositoning of interlocking screws. The following intra-operative complications of the retrograde technique were observed: burst of a fragment at the insertion site in 1 case (2.8%); intra-articular positioning of the most proximal interlocking screw in another case (2.8%). Postoperative complications of the unreamed nail: breaking of a proximal and a distal interlocking screw in 1 case (2.8%), which had no influence on the healing progress. In 1 case (2.8%) both proximal interlocking screws came loose and a non-union ensued. After re-osteosynthesis with the same technique, bony repair was achieved. CONCLUSION: The possibilities of operative methods in treatment of humeral shaft fractures are enhanced by intramedullary interlocking systems. Comparing with the Seidel nail, the unreamed humeral nail (UHN) has two advantages: it can be inserted anterogradely as well as retrogradely, and it provides the possibility of compressing the fracture, resulting in a high rotational stability. Due to these results, the application of the UHN is recommended.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Antegrade intramedullary fixation of displaced fifth metacarpal fractures.

We report a new and simple modification for antegrade insertion of intramedullary K-wires used in the treatment of displaced fifth metacarpal fractures. This method of fixation was performed on six patients all of whom had excellent results when reviewed clinically and radiologically with a mean follow-up of 9 months.

Bone Wires↗
PubMed2001

Extending fixation beyond the working length of an intramedullary nail with a linked intramedullary and extramedullary fixation in complex femoral fractures; a brief series.

We report the use of a fixed-angle side-plate device linked to an intramedullary nail in the femur with the interlocking screws applied through the plate. The 95 degrees device extends the effective length of the nail and increases the stability of the fixation. This technique is one of various adaptations that can be recommended to stabilise a complex combination of femoral fractures. This is a report of four such patients.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Results of indirect reduction and plating of femoral shaft nonunions after intramedullary nailing.

OBJECTIVE: To observe and report the clinical results of indirect plating techniques in the treatment of femoral shaft nonunions originally treated with intramedullary nailing. DESIGN: Prospective consecutive. SETTING: Regional trauma center. PATIENTS: A consecutive series of twenty-three patients with nonunion of femoral shaft fractures previously treated with intramedullary nailing. INTERVENTION: Surgical treatment with indirect plating techniques using the AO 95-degree condylar blade plate in nonunions of the distal and proximal one thirds and broad large-fragment dynamic compression plating in nonunions of the middle one third, with selective autologous cancellous bone grafting. Emphasis was placed on preoperative planning, intraoperative attention to soft tissue sparing and selection of the appropriately applied implant to correct deformity and obtain union. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Healing rate and time, operative blood loss and time, and incidence of complications, including hardware failure, loss of fixation, infection, and postoperative malalignment. RESULTS: Twenty-one of the twenty-three nonunions healed without further intervention at an average of twelve weeks (range 10 to 16 weeks) postoperatively. The two remaining patients (9 percent) had early breakage of their hardware, requiring repeat plating. Union in both of these cases occurred within sixteen weeks of the revision (12 and 16 weeks). Including the two patients requiring reoperation, all twenty-three nonunions healed at an average of seventeen weeks (range 10 to 24 weeks) from the initial plating procedure. There were no intraoperative complications. Average operative time was 164 minutes (range 120 to 240 minutes), and blood loss was 340 milliliters (range 200 to 700 milliliters). There were no cases of significant postoperative axial or rotational malalignment (more than 5 degrees), limb length discrepancy (more than 1 centimeter), or deep infections. CONCLUSIONS: Modern plating techniques are effective in the treatment of femoral shaft nonunions after intramedullary fracture fixation. The authors consider this method particularly valuable in the presence of deformity. Union occurred reliably with few complications.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Percutaneous intramedullary fixation of trochanteric fractures of the femur. Clinical trial of a new hip nail.

Since 1992, we have developed an implant which can be inserted percutaneously without reaming the femoral shaft. In the final design, the intramedullary nail is 13 mm diameter proximally and 11 mm distally. The femoral head is fixed with two screws of 6.5 mm diameter, and there is a single 4.5 mm distal screw. The nail and screws are constructed from coldworked ISO 5832-9 stainless steel. From July 1994 to June 1997, 159 patients aged over 60 years with acute trochanteric femoral fractures were treated with these implants. Results were assessed on a functional basis of walking mobility and level of dependency. After three months, 89 patients (56%) had regained their previous level of mobility and 22 patients (16%) had died from unrelated causes. Average operating time for the first 50 patients was 38 min. Complications include screw cutout in two patients, prominent screws in four, one non-union and two persistent low grade infections. The complication rate is comparable with that of other methods of treatment.

Aged↗
PubMed2005

Risk factors for deep infection in secondary intramedullary nailing after external fixation for open tibial fractures.

BACKGROUND: Risk factors for deep infection in secondary intramedullary nailing (IMN) after external fixation (EF) for open tibial fractures were investigated by multivariate analysis following univariate analyses. METHODS: Forty-two open tibial fractures were treated with secondary IMN after EF. The open tibial fractures were classified according to the criteria proposed by Gustilo et al.: type II, 11; type IIIA, 8; type IIIB, 22 and type IIIC, 1. Locked IMNs with limited reaming were performed in 27 patients, and locked IMNs without reaming in 15 patients. The following factors contributing to deep infection were selected for analysis: age, gender, Gustilo type (II or III), fracture grade by AO type (A or B+C), fracture site, existence of multiple trauma (Injury Severity Score, ISS<18 or ISS> or = 18), existence of floating knee injury, debridement time (< or = 6 h or > 6 h), reamed (R) versus unreamed (UR) nailing, duration of external fixation (< or = 3 weeks or >3 weeks), interval between removal of EF and IMN (< or = 2 weeks or >2 weeks), skin closure time (< or = 1 week or >1 week), existence of superficial infection (+ or -) and existence of pin tract infection (+ or -). The relationship between deep infection and the above factors was evaluated by univariate analyses. RESULTS: Seven (16.7%) of the 42 open tibia fractures developed deep infections. All deep infections occurred in Gustilo type III (22.6%, 7/31). Only the skin closure time was a significant factor affecting the occurrence of deep infection on the present analysis (p = 0.006). CONCLUSION: The present evaluation showed that early skin closure within 1 week is the most important factor in preventing deep infections when treating open tibial fractures with secondary IMN after EF.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

[Intramedullary Kirschner wire osteosynthesis in treatment of distal metacarpal fractures].

The intramedullary Kirschner wire fixation of distal metacarpal fractures reported by Foucher et al. combines the known advantages of intramedullary implants with a reduction of iatrogenic soft tissue trauma. We applied this minimal invasive internal fixation technique in 38 patients with fractures dislocated by more than 20 degrees and/or with rotatory deformity. After opening the intramedullary cavity from the base of the respective metacarpal bone and after fracture reduction, two pre-bent Kirschner wires were intramedullary inserted in an orthograde fashion. The pre-bent distal end of the wire in the form of a hockey club allows an additional closed reduction of the displaced distal fracture fragment. Intraoperative complications did not occur. A fixation in a plaster splint followed for one week only. The elastic fixation of the wires working as springs is stable enough to allow physiotherapeutic exercises. After the third postoperative week, the intensity of physical exercise was increased. 36 of the 38 patients were followed. With one exception, all fractures were healed in a proper position. The wires were removed under local anaesthesia on an outpatient basis after six to eight weeks and full mobility of the fingers was achieved in 34 patients at that time. Complications included one redislocation and one distal wire perforation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Intramedullary wire fixation for unstable forearm fractures in children.

Displaced fractures of the diaphyseal forearm in children are often treated conservatively, but there is relatively high incidence of redisplacement, malunion and consequent limitation of function. This retrospective study was performed to determine means for minimalising the complications of intramedullary Kirschner (K)-wire fixation used in the treatment of unstable, diaphyseal forearm fractures by pointing out those which most frequently occur with this treatment choice. This treatment method was applied in 48 children with a mean age of 10.3 (range, 5-14) years. A limited open reduction to one or both bones was necessary for insertion of the intramedullary wire in 20 (40%) patients. Although 24 complications, such as pin site infection, loss of forearm rotation, superficial branch of radial nerve palsy, delayed union, nonunion, hardware migration, and K-wire penetration to the opposite cortex, were recorded in 18 patients, 46 patients (96%) had excellent or good, 1 patient (2%) had fair and 1 patient (2%) had poor outcome using the grading scheme adapted by Price. Except for the patient in whom the fracture was not united, the average union time was 6.3 weeks in children less than 10 years and 7.8 weeks in those above 10 years of age. Despite these minor complications, percutaneous intramedullary fixation with K-wires and proper technique is an appropriate, effective and safe operation for unstable diaphyseal fractures of the forearm in children who cannot be treated by closed manipulation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Transmetacarpal intramedullary K-wire fixation of proximal phalangeal fractures.

The management of unstable phalangeal fractures has been associated with significant morbidity. Percutaneous transmetacarpal intramedullary Kirschner wire fixation of proximal phalangeal fractures has been described as a useful technique. We present a retrospective review of 35 digits in 24 patients with unstable fractures of the proximal phalanx treated using this technique between 1985 and 1995. Outcome measures, including radiological adequacy of reduction, total active range of motion, development of joint contracture, grip strength, and digital grip strength, were assessed. Good or excellent results were obtained in 76% of fractures (19 of 25) that were treated and followed. Thirty-two percent of digits (8 of 25) treated developed a proximal interphalangeal joint flexion contracture. Flexion contracture averaged 18.1 deg at the involved joints. Seven secondary procedures were required in 6 patients. Major complications noted during the study included loss of reduction with rotational deformity in four digits, and one nonunion. The use of skeletal traction devices was associated with three of the major complications observed. These devices should not be used concurrently on or adjacent to any digit treated by intramedullary pinning. We conclude that transmetacarpal axial Kirschner wire fixation is a technically simple method of treating unstable proximal phalangeal fractures, and good or excellent results can be obtained in the majority of appropriately selected patients.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

A biomechanical evaluation of an intramedullary fixation device for intertrochanteric fractures.

The strength and stability of an intramedullary device when used to fix intertrochanteric fractures were determined and compared with the dynamic hip screw (DHS). A standard four-part osteotomy was created in eight paired fresh frozen human cadaver femurs. The intramedullary fixation device and a DHS were implanted in each pair member, and mechanical testing was performed. Micromotion was measured during cyclic loading to determine implant stability, and then the specimens were loaded to failure. The intramedullary fixation device had significantly greater stability in cyclic loading than the DHS and required more than twice the force for failure. For patients with osteoporosis, this device may be a useful alternative to standard sliding nail systems.

Biomechanical Phenomena↗
PubMed2002

Effects of intramedullary femoral fracture fixation: what is the impact of experimental studies in regards to the clinical knowledge?

This review manuscript summarizes the available literature on animal studies dealing with the local and systemic effects of intramedullary (IM) reamed and unreamed nailing. It focuses on the question of whether the large numbers of studies have contributed to our clinical knowledge about its impact on perfusion, fracture healing, and about the clinical relevance of systemic side effects. The effects of IM contents that are squeezed out of the medullary canal into the venous and the systemic circulation due to reaming and nailing has been a major issue. In addition, the impact of the surgical procedure and the timing of such a major operation as femoral fractures surgery has been a major source of debate within the last decade. The compilation of relevant studies investigating the degree of impact of a surgical procedure and the influence of concomitant injuries depends on the design and the type of the animal model. If this fact is considered and if a model is selected that reflects the systemic impact comparable with the clinical situation, animal studies represent a valuable source of information. In this respect, fat embolization represents an additive surgical impact and can cause clinically relevant side effects if cofactors (e.g., thoracic trauma, severe shock, and polytrauma) are present that set the individual up for postoperative complications.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

[Study on experimental suppurative osteomyelitis--influence of an intramedullary nail on infection in open fractures].

Studies were conducted on temporary intramedullary fixation of open fractures containing pathogens to determine the degree of involvement of metal splints in the "establishment of infection" and whether or not there is a so-called "golden hour" for antibiotic administration. An open fracture was experimentally produced in the tibia of mice and inoculated with 10(2) or 10(3) cells of staphylococcus aureus. Two separate groups of intramedullary fixation and plaster cast fixation were compared. In the intramedullary fixation group, infection was established in 77.8% of the mice inoculated with 10(2) bacteria and in 100% of those inoculated with 10(3) cells, compared with 35.0% and 70.0% in the plaster cast fixation group. When antibiotic administration was started 12 hours after the inoculation, 4 of 5 mice of the intramedullary fixation group inoculated with 10(3) cells showed abundant bacterial cells after 2 weeks. Antibiotic administration started 6 hours after the inoculation achieved bacterial elimination in all mice.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Skill dependence of radiation exposure for the orthopaedic surgeon during interlocking nailing of long-bone shaft fractures: a clinical study.

INTRODUCTION: The objective of this clinical trial was to determine whether there is a skill dependence for the total amount of radiation exposure to orthopaedic surgeons caused by fluoroscopy during intramedullary fracture fixation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Surgical teams were assigned to either the 'Senior group' or the 'Junior group' according to their professional qualification and clinical appointment. Twenty-two long-bone shaft fractures were stabilized with intramedullary nails. The radiation exposure was measured at different body locations including fingers, trunk and head by means of thermoluminescent LiF:Mg,Cu,P detectors. The total time of fluoroscopy was registered for each operation. RESULTS: Mean time of fluoroscopy per operation was 4.43 min for the 'Senior group' and 6.95 min for the 'Junior group'. The surgeons' hands were exposed to markedly higher doses (range 0-2.88 mSv 'Senior group'; 0-11.94 mSv 'Junior group') than their trunk and head (range 0-0.27 mSv 'Senior group'; 0-0.38 mSv 'Junior group'). After analysis of variance, differences between both groups proved to be statistically significant for all fingers measured (p</=0.02) and for the total time of fluoroscopy (p=0.019). CONCLUSIONS: Generally, the hands are at higher risk than are the trunk and the head, and this finding is independent of surgical skills. However, an additional hazard is created for the less experienced surgeon by a highly varying and poorly predictable exposure of the hands and time needed for fluoroscopy. Thus, the use of radiation is more consistent and standardized with a skilled surgeon.

Clinical Competence↗