Nail or plate in the management of distal extra-articular tibial fracture, what is better? Valutation of outcomes

Nonunion of the distal one-fourth of the tibia treated by retrograde tibial intramedullary nail

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effectiveness of retrograde tibial intramedullary nail (RTN) in addressing nonunion in the distal one-fourth of the tibia.

METHODS

This retrospective study included consecutive patients who were treated with RTN for nonunion in the distal one-fourth of the tibia between December 2020 and August 2023. Data regarding age, sex, injury mechanism, fracture type, initial fixation method, nonunion duration and type, risk factors, surgical duration, hospital stay, time to bone union, ankle function at final follow-up, and any complications were extracted from hospital records and analysed.

RESULTS

Five patients in total were included, with previous treatments comprising locking plates and/or external fixation. The mean duration of RTN surgery was 94.0 ± 13.7 min, and mean duration of hospital stay was 9.8 ± 1.9 days. Patients were monitored for 10-18 months post RTN, achieving complete bone healing within a mean of 4.8 months. At the latest follow-up, the mean American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score was 84.4 ± 6.8 (range, 77-95). No complications, such as infection, reoperation, implant issues, rotational deformity, or shortening were reported.

CONCLUSION

RTN emerges as a dependable, minimally invasive, and safe treatment modality for managing nonunion in the distal one-fourth of the tibia.

Feasibility Study of Experimental Protocol for the Time-Dependent Mechanical Response of Synthetic Tibia

In this research, an experimental biomechanics construct was developed to reveal the mechanics of distal tibial fracture by submitting synthetic tibiae to cyclic loading, resulting in a combined stress state due to axial compression and bending loads. The synthetic tibia was fixed at the knee but allowed to rotate in the coronal and sagittal planes at the ankle. The first three loading regimes lasted for 4000 cycles/each, and the final until ultimate failure. After 12k±80 cycles, the observed failure patterns closely resembled distal tibial fractures. The collected data during cyclic loading were fitted into a phenomenological model to deduce the time-dependent response of the synthetic tibiae. Images were also collected and analyzed using digital image correlation to deduce the full-field state of strain. The latter revealed that longitudinal strain contours extended in the proximal-distal direction. The transverse strain contours exemplified a medial-to-lateral distribution, attributed to the combined contributions of the Poisson's effect and the flexural deformation from axial and bending components of the applied load, respectively. The experimental construct, full-field characterization, and data analysis approaches can be extended to elucidate the effect of different fixation devices on the overall mechanical behavior of the bone and validate computational models in future research.

Are extra locking bolts or fibular plating more important in extreme nailing of distal tibia fractures? A cadaveric biomechanical analysis

OBJECTIVES

In far-distal extra-articular tibia fracture "extreme" nailing, debate surrounds the relative biomechanical performance of plating the fibula compared with extra distal interlocks. This study aimed to evaluate several constructs for extreme nailing including one interlock (one medial-lateral interlock), one interlock + plate (one medial-lateral interlock with lateral fibula compression plating), and two interlocks (one medial-lateral interlock and one anterior-posterior interlock).

METHODS

Fifteen pairs of fresh cadaver legs were instrumented with a tibial nail to the physeal scar. A 1 cm segment of bone was resected from the distal tibia 3.5 cm from the joint and an oblique osteotomy was made in the distal fibula. We loaded specimens with three different distal fixation constructs (one interlock, one interlock + plate, and two interlocks) through 10,000 cycles form 100N-700 N of axial loading. Load to failure (Newtons), angulation and displacement were also measured.

RESULTS

Mean load to failure was 2092 N (one interlock), 1917 N (one interlock + plate), and 2545 N (two interlocks). Linear mixed effects modeling demonstrated that two interlocks had a load to failure 578 N higher than one interlock alone (95 % CI, 74N-1082 N; P = 0.02), but demonstrated no significant difference between one interlock and one interlock + plate. No statistically significant difference in rates or timing of displacement >2 mm or angulation >10° were demonstrated.

CONCLUSIONS

When nailing far-distal extra-articular tibia and fibula fractures, adding a second interlock provides more stability than adding a fibular plate. Distal fibula plating may have minimal biomechanical effect in extreme nailing.

Risk factors for malunion of distal tibia fractures treated by intramedullary nailing

BACKGROUND

The treatment of distal tibia fractures (DTF) has historically been a difficult challenge for orthopedic surgeons because of the particular characteristics of this anatomical region. Intra medullary nailing (IMN) remains the best treatment option. However, achieving and maintaining perfect reduction and stable fixation with IMN can be technically challenging due to the large medullary cavity within a short distal fragment. The aim of our study is to determine the risk factors for malunion in DTF treated with IMN.

METHODS

It is a retrospective study including DTF treated surgically by IMN in the Orthopedics and Trauma Department at a tertiary hospital over a period of 7 years. The quality of reduction was evaluated by radiological assessment of the antero-posterior (AP) and lateral views of the tibia and ankle at the last follow-up.

RESULTS

Our series included 90 patients with an average age of 44.8 years. Sex-ratio was 2.6. Tobacco use was reported in 35.6% of the patients. Diabetes was present in 11.1% of the patients, and 12.2% of them had open fractures. According to the OTA/AO classification, the majority of injuries were classified as type A1 (76.7%). Fibula fractures were present in 86.7% of cases. The mean follow-up was 48 months. Malunion occurred in 13 cases. Based on the univariate analysis, smoking and dynamic fixation were significantly associated with malunion. In the multiple logistic regression analysis, dynamic fixation was found to be a significant factor that increased the risk of malunion by 7.5 times.

CONCLUSION

Neither patient demographics nor fracture characteristics were risk factors for malunion. Nevertheless, it should be noted that dynamic nailing must be avoided as it is associated with a higher risk of malunion. Furthermore, one to two medial to lateral distal locking screws provide sufficient stability without the need for additional fibular fixation.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Not applicable.

No Difference in Short-Term Complications following Treatment of Closed Tibial Shaft Fractures with Intramedullary Nailing versus Plate Fixation

Objectives

Tibial shaft fractures are treated with both intramedullary nailing (IMN) and plate fixation (ORIF). Using a large national database, we aimed to explore the differences in thirty-day complication rates between IMN and ORIF.

Methods

Patients in the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP) database who had undergone either tibial IMN or ORIF for closed fractures from 2010 to 2018 were identified using current procedural terminology (CPT) codes. After excluding all patients with open fractures, the propensity score was matching. Univariate and multivariate logistic regressions were used to identify risk factors associated with the thirty-day incidence of complications in the two cohorts.

Results

A total of 5,400 patients were identified with 3,902 (72.3%) undergoing IMN and 1,498 (27.7%) ORIF. After excluding any ICD-10 diagnosis codes not pertaining to closed, traumatic tibial shaft fractures, 2,136 IMN and 621 ORIF cases remained. After matching, the baseline demographics were not significantly different between the cohorts. Following matching, the rate of any adverse event (aae) did not differ significantly between the IMN (7.08% (n = 44)) and ORIF (8.86% (n = 55)) cohorts (p=0.13). There was also no significant difference in operative time (IMN = 98.5 min, ORIF = 100 min; p=0.3) or length of stay (IMN = 3.7 days, ORIF = 3.3 days; p=0.08) between the cohorts.

Conclusion

There were no significant differences in short-term complications between cohorts. These are important data for the surgeon when considering surgical management of closed tibial shaft fractures.

Effect of fracture level on the residual fracture gap during tibial intramedullary nailing for tibial shaft fractures

INTRODUCTION

The development of fracture gap during intramedullary nailing in tibial fractures is associated with poor fracture fragment contact and increased time to union and complications. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the fracture level in the development of the fracture gap and the effect of the fracture gap on pain, radiologic and functional outcomes, and complication rate.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

A total of 45 patients who underwent reamed intramedullary nailing due to closed transverse or short oblique tibial shaft fractures were divided into the proximal fracture group and the distal fracture group. The correlations between the visual analog scale (VAS) score, modified radiograph union score for tibias (RUST), and postoperative 1-year lower extremity functional scale scores, residual fracture gap, and time to union were evaluated.

RESULTS

The mean fracture gap amounts in the immediate postoperative anteroposterior and lateral radiographs were 5.6 ± 1.7 and 6.0 ± 1.7 mm in proximal fractures and 0.3 ± 2.4 mm and 0.4 ± 2.3 mm in distal fractures, respectively (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively). The mean time to union was 21.9 ± 2.9 weeks in the proximal fracture group and 16.7 ± 2.4 weeks in the distal fracture group (p < 0.000). The residual fracture gap amount significantly correlated with the level of fracture (r = 0.811, p < 0.001).

DISCUSSION

Tibial shaft fractures proximal to the isthmus level tend to develop significantly larger fracture gaps than distal fractures. It is associated with increased time to union and radiographic union scores as well as slightly higher complication and reoperation rates.

Cerclage Wiring Improves Biomechanical Stability in Distal Tibia Spiral Fractures Treated by Intramedullary Nailing

BACKGROUND

Partial weight-bearing after operatively treated fractures has been the standard of care over the past decades. Recent studies report on better rehabilitation and faster return to daily life in case of immediate weight-bearing as tolerated. To allow early weight-bearing, osteosynthesis needs to provide sufficient mechanical stability. The purpose of this study was to investigate the stabilizing benefits of additive cerclage wiring in combination with intramedullary nailing of distal tibia fractures.

METHODS

In 14 synthetic tibiae, a reproducible distal spiral fracture was treated by intramedullary nailing. In half of the samples, the fracture was further stabilized by additional cerclage wiring. Under clinically relevant partial and full weight-bearing loads the samples were biomechanically tested and axial construct stiffness as well as interfragmentary movements were assessed. Subsequently, a 5 mm fracture gap was created to simulate insufficient reduction, and tests were repeated.

RESULTS

Intramedullary nails offer already high axial stability. Thus, axial construct stiffness cannot be significantly enhanced by an additive cerclage (2858 ± 958 N/mm NailOnly vs. 3727 ± 793 N/mm Nail + Cable; p = 0.089). Under full weight-bearing loads, additive cerclage wiring in well-reduced fractures significantly reduced shear (p = 0.002) and torsional movements (p = 0.013) and showed similar low movements as under partial weight-bearing (shear 0.3 mm, p = 0.073; torsion 1.1°, p = 0.085). In contrast, additional cerclage had no stabilizing effect in large fracture gaps.

CONCLUSIONS

In well-reduced spiral fractures of the distal tibia, the construct stability of intramedullary nailing can be further increased by additional cerclage wiring. From a biomechanical point of view, augmentation of the primary implant reduced shear movement sufficiently to allow immediate weight-bearing as tolerated. Especially, elderly patients would benefit from early post-operative mobilization, which allows for accelerated rehabilitation and a faster return to daily activities.

Tips and Tricks in surgical reduction of the posterior column of AO/OTA C3 pilon fractures

BACKGROUND

Accurate posterior column reduction remains a challenging and controversial topic in the management of complex pilon fractures (AO/OTA C3). We aim to report the outcomes of surgical treatment for 22 AO/OTA C3 pilon fracture cases between January 2015 and May 2017 and highlight some traps and tips.

METHODS

Three patients underwent two-stage early plating on the posterior column through a posterolateral approach. The remaining 19 patients were treated with two-stage delayed plating on the posterior column: 11 patients were treated with a posterolateral approach, five patients with a modified posteromedial approach, and three patients with a single anterior approach. The reduction of the posterior column was evaluated according to the Burwell-Charnley's radiographic criteria, and functional outcomes were assessed using the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) scores.

RESULTS

Posterior column malreduction occurred in five cases, including in one case that was re-adjusted immediately and in another case that was re-adjusted during a two-staged delayed operation. According to Burwell-Charnley's criteria, the satisfactory rate of fracture reduction was 81.8%. After 1 year, the mean AOFAS score was 81.9 (81.9 ± 9.9); the outcome was excellent in three (20.0%), good in nine (60.0%), and fair in three (20.0%). Excellent or good outcomes were noted in 12 patients (80.0%).

CONCLUSIONS

The combined anterior and posterior approach is suggested in the second stage of plating so that the posterior column fragments can be re-adjusted intraoperatively, if necessary. Following these procedures, satisfactory reduction and recovery of good ankle function can be anticipated.

Comparison Between the Modified External Fixation and Calcaneal Traction in Ruedi-Allgower Type II/III Pilon Fractures

Background

To compare the effect of modified external fixation and calcaneal traction in a staged management of Ruedi-Allgower type II/III tibial pilon fractures.

Material/Methods

The data of 62 patients with Ruedi-Allgower type II/III tibial pilon fractures who were treated in Liuzhou People’s hospital from January 2017 to December 2018 were extracted in this retrospective analysis. There were 32 patients in the temporary external fixation (TEF) group and 30 patients in calcaneal traction (CT) group. Outcomes, including the duration of the surgical procedure, pin track infection, degree of limb swelling, time to second-stage operation, postoperative comfort score, and visual analog scale (VAS) score, were compared.

Results

The effective rate of swelling reduction after treatment was 85% in the TEF group and 60% in the CT group; the average time to the second-stage operation was 8.34±1.29 days in the TEF group and 10.60±2.27 days in the CT group; the postoperative comfort scores were 70.1±3.2 and 61.3±3.5 in the TEF group and CT group, respectively; the postoperative VAS scores at 24 h, 48 h, and 7 days were 7.90±1.06, 4.88±0.83, 2.72±1.14 in TEF group, and 8.50±0.86, 6.27±1.36, 3.57±1.19 in CT group, respectively. There were 1 case of pin tract infection identified in the TEF group and 4 in the CT group. All differences were statistically significant (P<0.05).

Conclusions

The modified external fixation is more effective than calcaneal traction in treatment of Ruedi-Allgower type II/III tibial pilon fractures in the first-stage of combined management.

Plate vs. nail for extra-articular distal tibia fractures: How should we personalize surgical treatment? A meta-analysis of 1332 patients

BACKGROUND

Treatment for distal diaphyseal or metaphyseal tibia fractures is challenging and the optimal surgical strategy remains a matter of debate. The purpose of this study was to compare plate fixation with nailing in terms of operation time, non-union, time-to-union, mal-union, infection, subsequent re-interventions and functional outcomes (quality of life scores, knee- and ankle scores).

METHODS

A search was performed in PubMed/Embase/CINAHL/CENTRAL for all study designs comparing plate fixation with intramedullary nailing (IMN). Data were pooled using RevMan and presented as odds ratios (OR), risk difference (RD), weighted mean difference (WMD) or weighted standardized mean difference (WSMD) with a 95% confidence interval (95%CI). All analyzes were stratified for study design.

RESULTS

A total of 15 studies with 1332 patients were analyzed, including ten RCTs (n = 873) and five observational studies (n = 459). IMN leads to a shorter time-to-union (WMD: 0.4 months, 95%CI 0.1 - 0.7), shorter time-to-full-weightbearing (WMD: 0.6 months, 95%CI 0.4 - 0.8) and shorter operation duration (WMD: 15.5 min, 95%CI 9.3 - 21.7). Plating leads to a lower risk for mal-union (RD: -10%, OR: 0.4, 95%CI 0.3 - 0.6), but higher risk for infection (RD: 8%, OR: 2.4, 95%CI 1.5 - 3.8). No differences were detected with regard to non-union (RD: 1%, OR: 0.7, 95%CI 0.3 - 1.7), subsequent re-interventions (RD: 4%, OR: 1.3, 95%CI 0.8 - 1.9) and functional outcomes (WSMD: -0.4, 95%CI -0.9 - 0.1). The effect estimates of RCTs and observational studies were equal for all outcomes except for time to union and mal-union.

CONCLUSION

Satisfactory results can be obtained with both plate fixation and nailing for distal extra-articular tibia fractures. However, nailing is associated with higher rates of mal-union and anterior knee pain while plate fixation results in an increased risk of infection. This study provides a guideline towards a personalized approach and facilitates shared decision-making in surgical treatment of distal extra-articular tibia fractures. The definitive treatment should be case-based and aligned to patient-specific needs in order to minimize the risk of complications.

Anterior knee pain and functional outcome following different surgical techniques for tibial nailing: a systematic review

Purpose

The aim of this systematic review was to compare knee pain and function after tibial nail insertion through an infrapatellar, semi-extended and suprapatellar technique.

Methods

A search was carried out to identify articles with an exact description of the method used for insertion of the tibial nail and description of the outcome parameters (knee pain or function). Data on study design, population, rate and severity of anterior knee pain and function scores were extracted. Pooled rates and scores were calculated.

Results

67 studies with 3,499 patients were included. The pooled rate of patients with anterior knee pain was 38% (95% CI 32–44) after nail insertion through an infrapatellar approach and 10% (95% CI 1–26) after insertion through a suprapatellar approach. Pooled analysis was not possible for the semi-extended technique. Knee pain scores as measured by visual analogue score (0–10) ranged from 0.2 (95% CI − 0.1–0.5) for general knee pain to 3.7 (95% CI 1.3–6.1) for pain during kneeling. Pooled estimates for the Lysholm score were 87 points (range 77–97) for the infrapatellar technique and 85 points (range 82–85) for the suprapatellar technique. Iowa Knee scores were 94 (range 86–96) and Anterior Knee Pain Scale scores were 76 (range 75–80) after infrapatellar nail insertion.

Discussion

Depending on the technique used, the proportion of patients with knee pain after tibial nailing varied between 10 and 38%. The actual measured knee pain scores were, however, surprisingly low. Knee function was good for both the infra- and suprapatellar technique.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1007/s00068-020-01458-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Influence of reduction quality on functional outcome and quality of life in treatment of tibial plafond fractures: a retrospective cohort study

Background

The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of reduction quality, using intraoperative 3D imaging, on quality of life and functional outcome in the operative treatment of tibial plafond fractures.

Methods

A group of patients with tibial plafond fractures was re-examined. The operative treatment was performed between September 2001 and October 2011. The follow-up examination was at least 2 years after the final surgical procedure. Final reduction result was assessed intraoperatively using a mobile 3D C-arm. A categorization with regard to descriptive parameters as well as type and size of joint surface irregularities was performed. Follow-up results were evaluated using: Olerud and Molander (O & M) score, Short-Form-36 (SF-36) score, movement deficit, Kellgren and Lawrence grade of osteoarthritis, and pain intensity.

Results

34 patients with operatively treated tibial plafond fracture could be re-examined. Reduction quality had the greatest influence on functional result measured by the O & M score (p = 0.001) and the PCS domain of the SF-36 score (p = 0.018).

Significant differences with regard to O & M score (p = 0.000), SF-36 score (p = 0.001 to p = 0.02; without MCS domain), movement deficit (p = 0.001), grade of osteoarthritis (p = 0.005) and pain (p = 0.001) could be verified under consideration of the reduction quality. The group with the anatomically more accurate reduction also showed a better result for clinical follow-up and quality of life. Furthermore, it is not the type of joint surface irregularity that is always decisive, but rather the size.

Conclusions

Despite other relevant factors, it appears that reduction quality –which can be analyzed with intraoperative 3D imaging– plays the most important role in postoperative quality of life and functional outcome. Corrections should therefore be performed on joint surface irregularities with a size above 2 mm.

Does intramedullary nailing improve the union rate or decrease mechanical complications for patients with extremity sarcoma after biological reconstruction?

INTRODUCTION

This is a retrospective study that evaluate the outcome of patients with extremity sarcoma between extramedullary plate and intramedullary nailing for the biological reconstruction after tumor resection.

METHODS

58 patients (40 treated with plate fixation and 18 with intramedullary nailing, IM group) with sarcomas of the lower and upper extremity who received biological reconstruction at our bone tumor center from November 2003 to November 2015 were reviewed for the study. There were 29 male and 29 female patients with a mean age of 20.8 years (range, 5-72 years). The mean follow-up duration was 90.8 months (range, 12.2-244.4 months). All data were obtained from the clinical, radiograph records and follow-up information. The analysis of outcome, survival, local recurrence, function and complications of patients in the plate group and IM group was performed.

RESULTS

28 cases in the plate group lived at the last follow-up, of which 26 had no evidence of disease, 2 lived with the pulmonary metastasis, whereas 15 in the IM group lived at the last follow-up, of which all had no evidence of disease and no lived with the pulmonary metastasis. There was no significant difference between the two groups for the prognosis. Meanwhile, there was no significant difference of incidence of nonunion, graft fracture and fixation breakage between the two groups, whereas the time to diaphysis union in the plate group (11.6 ± 2.7 months) was shorter than that in IM group (14.7 ± 4.8 months, P = 0.015). It had the tendency that the time to mechanical complications in the intramedullary nailing group (38.1 ± 39.6 months) was longer than that in the plate group (15.7 ± 13.4 months, P = 0.058,95% CI,-45.6-0.8). Furthermore, the infection occurred in 12 cases and five grafts of them developed the deep infection and the mean time to deep infection was 14.8 ± 20.5 months. Furthermore, the incidence of local recurrence for the patients who had plate fixation was similar to the incidence of patients who had nailing fixation. At the last follow-up, the functional evaluation was performed for 39 patients. There was no significant difference in MSTS and VAS functional score for patients between in the plate group (n = 32) and IM group (n = 7).

CONCLUSIONS

The findings of the present study showed that intramedullary nailing does not improve the union rate or decrease the incidence of mechanical complications for patients with extremity sarcoma after biological reconstruction. However, intramedullary nailing may have potential advantages on the service life for the biological reconstruction after extremity sarcoma resection.