Radiographic Outcomes of Ring External Fixation for Malunion and Nonunion

2013 ◽  
Vol 22 (04) ◽  
pp. 316-320 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert K. Lark ◽  
John S. Lewis Jr. ◽  
Tyler Steven Watters ◽  
Robert D. Fitch
2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 2473011419S0028
Author(s):  
David Macknet ◽  
Andrew Wohler ◽  
Carroll P. Jones ◽  
J. Kent Ellington ◽  
Bruce E. Cohen ◽  
...  

Category: Ankle Arthritis, Diabetes, Hindfoot Introduction/Purpose: Charcot neuropathy of the ankle and hindfoot is a progressive and destructive process that can lead to instability and ulceration resulting in significant morbidity which can end with amputation. The foot and ankle surgeon’s aim is to reconstruct the high risk foot with the creation of a stable plantigrade foot, while reducing the risk of ulceration and allowing the patient to mobilize in commercially available footwear. There are numerous techniques for the reconstruction of the neuropathic hindfoot, but the most utilized of these include multiplanar external fixation or internal fixation with a plate or intramedullary nail. It is our goal to further elucidate outcomes of Charcot patients undergoing corrective ankle and hindfoot fusion comparing internal versus external fixation. Methods: We retrospectively collected 377 patients undergoing hindfoot and ankle arthrodesis at our institution from 2006- 2017. 77 patients were identified that underwent arthrodesis for Charcot arthropathy, 56 of which met our inclusion and exclusion criteria. This included 47 who had internal fixation as their primary procedure and 9 patients who underwent external fixation with a multi-planar external fixator. Our median follow up time was 3.4 years (IQR .5 to 12.9). Preoperatively we collected basic demographic variables, reasons for neuropathy, and ulcer status. Postoperatively we collected complications including infection, hardware failure, ulceration, recurrent deformity, and radiographic outcomes including union and hardware backout. Reoperation numbers and indications were also collected. Our primary outcome was limb salvage at final follow up. Secondarily, we collected final ambulatory and footwear status. Results: The limb salvage rate was 82% with 10 patients undergoing amputation, which did not vary between groups (p=.99). The primary reasons for amputation were persistent infection (4 of 10) and nonunion (4 of 10). Thirteen (24%) patients developed an infection. The median number of reoperations per patient was 1 (IQR 0-2) with the patients who underwent amputation undergoing a median of 2 (IQR 2-4) reoperations. The rate of union was 54%, occurring at a median of 26.5 (IQR 12-47) months. 44% (4/9) of patients in the external fixation group had a preoperative ulceration versus 19% (9/47) of the patients in the internal fixation group (p=.19). Preoperative ulceration was not a risk factor for amputation. Forty-two (75%) patients were ambulatory at final follow up. Conclusion: We report on the single largest series of Charcot patients undergoing hindfoot and ankle arthrodesis. The surgical management of this population has a high rate of complications with infection and reoperation being common. Despite a high nonunion rate most patients are able to ambulate in a brace or orthotic. Limb salvage can be expected with either internal or external fixation techniques.


2021 ◽  
pp. 155633162199633
Author(s):  
Sherif Galal ◽  
Jonggu Shin ◽  
Peter Principe ◽  
Rena Mehta ◽  
Nathan Khabyeh-Hasbani ◽  
...  

Introduction: Magnetic internal lengthening nails (MILNs) have been used for humeral lengthening to avoid complications associated with external fixation. Purpose/Questions: We compared the 1-year Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) score, adjacent joint range of motion (ROM), bone healing index (BHI), length achieved, distraction rate, and complications when lengthening the humerus using MILN vs using external fixation. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 18 patients (22 humeri) from January 2001 to March 2020 divided into 2 groups, the MILN group (7 patients, 7 humeri) and the mono-lateral fixator group (11 patients, 15 humeri). Results: The MILN group showed larger improvement of DASH scores (average 26.8 and 8 for MILN and fixator groups, respectively), less loss of elbow ROM (average 5° and 7° for MILN and fixator groups, respectively), and shorter time to full recovery of elbow ROM (average 39 days and 122 days for MILN and fixator groups, respectively). In the MILN group, there was slower distraction rate (average 0.66 mm/day and 0.86 mm/day for MILN and fixator groups, respectively), less lengthening achieved (average 5.2 cm and 7 cm for MILN and fixator group, respectively), and a lower lengthening percentage (average 19% and 41% for MILN and fixator group, respectively). Bone healing index (BHI) of 0.94 and 0.99 months/cm for the MILN and the fixator groups were similar. Conclusion: Humeral lengthening using the MILN allowed for early full recovery of joint ROM with comparable functional and radiographic outcomes compared with using external fixators.


Hand ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 346-349 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric G. Huish ◽  
John G. Coury ◽  
Mohamed A. Ibrahim ◽  
Marc A. Trzeciak

Background: The purpose of this study is to compare radiographic outcomes of patients treated with dorsal spanning plates with previously reported normal values of radiographic distal radius anatomy and compare the results with prior publications for both external fixation and internal fixation with volar locked plates. Methods: Patients with complex distal radius fractures including dorsal marginal impaction pattern necessitating dorsal distraction plating at the discretion of the senior authors (M.A.T. and M.A.I.) from May 30, 2013, to December 29, 2015, were identified and included in the study. Retrospective chart and radiograph review was performed on 19 patients, 11 male and 8 female, with mean age of 47.83 years (22-82). No patients were excluded from the study. Results: All fractures united prior to plate removal. The average time the plate was in place was 80.5 days (49-129). Follow-up radiographs showed average radial inclination of 20.5° (13.2°-25.5°), radial height of 10.7 mm (7.5-14 mm), ulnar variance of −0.3 mm (−2.1 to 3.1 mm), and volar tilt of 7.9° (−3° to 15°). One patient had intra-articular step-off greater than 2 mm. Conclusions: Dorsal distraction plating of complex distal radius fractures yields good radiographic results with minimal complications. In cases of complex distal radius fractures including dorsal marginal impaction where volar plating is not considered adequate, a dorsal distraction plate should be considered as an alternative to external fixation due to reduced risk for infection and better control of volar tilt.


2020 ◽  
Vol 99 (8) ◽  

Introduction: The study compares the results of open reduction using volar locking plates with ligamentotaxis by external fixation in fractures of distal radius type 2R3C according to AO classification. Methods: A retrospective study evaluating the results of osteosynthesis in patients with distal radius fractures type 2R3C according to AO classification, operated until December 2018. The ORIF method with volar locking plates (LCP) was used in 54 patients, and closed reduction with ligamentotaxis using external fixation (EF) was used in 33 patients. The mean age of the patients was 46.7 years in the LCP group and 59.6 years in the EF group. All were evaluated for their X-ray and functional outcomes and according to the Green and O’Brien score at 6 and 12 months after surgery. Results: According to X-rays at 12 months in the LCP group, the mean sagittal tilt was 10.13°, the mean radial inclination was 23.89°, and the mean radial length was 11.84 mm. In the EF group, the mean sagittal tilt was 6.32°, the mean radial inclination was 24.78°, and the mean radial length was 9.89 mm. According to the Green and O’Brien score, we recorded a mean score of 84.44 points in the LCP group at 12 month; we achieved good and excellent results in 83.33% of the patients and no poor result was observed. In the EF group the final mean score was 77.27; good and excellent results were achieved in 45.46% of the patients and a poor result in one patient. Conclusion: Based on the results in our group of patients, the internal type osteosynthesis using LCP implants can be recommended as a first-choice technique in the treatment of 2R3C fractures according to AO classification.


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