Junichi Miyake

Computer-Assisted Corrective Osteotomy for Malunited Diaphyseal Forearm Fractures

BACKGROUND Corrective osteotomy for malunited diaphyseal forearm fractures remains a challenging procedure. We developed a computer-assisted system for corrective surgery, including a three-dimensional simulation program and a custom-made osteotomy template, and investigated the results of corrective surgery for malunited diaphyseal forearm fractures with use of this technology. METHODS Twenty patients (fifteen male patients and five female patients) with malunited diaphyseal forearm fractures were managed with three-dimensional corrective osteotomy with a custom-made osteotomy template based on computer simulation. We performed osteotomy of both radius and ulna in fourteen patients and osteotomy of the radius alone in six patients. The median age at the time of surgery was eighteen years (range, eleven to forty-three years). The median duration between the time of injury and the time of surgery was thirty-three months (range, five to 384 months). The minimum duration of follow-up was twenty-four months (median, twenty-nine months; range, twenty-four to forty-eight months). To evaluate the results, we compared preoperative and postoperative data from radiographs, forearm motion, grip strength, and pain. RESULTS The average radiographic deformity angle preoperatively was 21° (range, 12° to 35°) compared with the normal arm; the radiographic deformity angle was improved to 1° (range, 0° to 4°) postoperatively. The distal radioulnar joints of both sides were symmetric on postoperative radiographs regarding the relative lengths of the radius and ulna. In eighteen patients who had a restricted range of forearm motion preoperatively, the mean arc of forearm motion improved from 76° (range, 25° to 160°) preoperatively to 152° (range, 80° to 180°) postoperatively (p < 0.01). However, forearm supination was still restricted by ≥ 70° in three patients who had been younger than ten years old at the time of the initial injury and who had long-standing malunion for ninety-six months or longer. Painful recurrent dislocation of the distal ulna or radial head resolved or decreased in five patients. Average grip strength improved from 82% to 94% compared with that of the contralateral, normal side. CONCLUSIONS Computer-assisted osteotomy can provide excellent radiographic and clinical outcome for the treatment of malunited diaphyseal forearm fractures. Satisfactory restoration of forearm motion can be achieved even in relatively long-standing cases in adults.

Cylindrical Costal Osteochondral Autograft for Reconstruction of Large Defects of the Capitellum Due to Osteochondritis Dissecans

BACKGROUND There is a need to clarify the usefulness of and problems associated with cylindrical costal osteochondral autograft for reconstruction of large defects of the capitellum due to osteochondritis dissecans. METHODS Twenty-six patients with advanced osteochondritis dissecans of the humeral capitellum were treated with use of cylindrical costal osteochondral autograft. All were males with elbow pain and full-thickness articular cartilage lesions of ≥15 mm in diameter. Clinical, radiographic, and magnetic resonance imaging outcomes were evaluated at a mean follow-up of thirty-six months (range, twenty-four to fifty-one months). RESULTS All patients had rapid functional improvement after treatment with costal osteochondral autograft and returned to their former activities, including sports. Five patients needed additional minor surgical procedures, including screw removal, loose body removal, and shaving of protruded articular cartilage. Mean elbow function, assessed with use of the clinical rating system of Timmerman and Andrews, was 111 points preoperatively and improved to 180 points at the time of follow-up and to 190 points after the five patients underwent the additional operations. Mean elbow motion was 126° of flexion with 16° of extension loss preoperatively and improved to 133° of flexion with 3° of extension loss at the time of follow-up. Osseous union of the graft on radiographs was obtained within three months in all patients. Revascularization of the graft depicted on T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging and congruity of the reconstructed articular surface depicted on T2-weighted or short tau inversion recovery imaging were assessed at twelve and twenty-four months postoperatively. Functional recovery was good, and all patients were satisfied with the final outcomes. CONCLUSIONS Cylindrical costal osteochondral autograft was useful for the treatment of advanced osteochondritis dissecans of the humeral capitellum. Functional recovery was rapid after surgery. Additional operations were performed for five of the twenty-six patients, whereas the remaining patients showed essentially full recovery within a year. All patients were satisfied with the results at the time of short-term follow-up.

Preoperative, Computer Simulation-based, Three-dimensional Corrective Osteotomy for Cubitus Varus Deformity with Use of a Custom-designed Surgical Device

BACKGROUND Cubitus varus deformity after a supracondylar fracture classically includes varus, extension, and internal rotation components. However, to our knowledge, no reliable surgical method for three-dimensional corrective osteotomy has been established. We developed an intraoperative guide system involving a custom-made surgical template designed on the basis of a three-dimensional computer simulation incorporating computed tomography (CT) data. We aimed to investigate the feasibility of this novel technique for correcting cubitus varus deformity. METHODS Thirty consecutive patients (twenty-three males and seven females) with a cubitus varus deformity resulting from the malunion of a distal humeral supracondylar fracture were included in this study. Between October 2003 and May 2011, the patients underwent a three-dimensional corrective osteotomy with use of a custom-made surgical template. The patients were then followed for a minimum of twelve months. We evaluated radiographic parameters, including the humerus-elbow-wrist angle and tilting angle, as well as the ranges of motion of the elbow and shoulder at the time of the most recent follow-up. An overall clinical evaluation was performed. RESULTS Bone union was achieved at a mean of four months after surgery. The mean humerus-elbow-wrist angle and tilting angle on the affected side improved significantly from 18.2° (varus) and 25.0°, respectively, before surgery, to 5.8° (valgus) and 38.0°, respectively, after surgery. Hyperextension of the elbow and internal rotation of the shoulder were normalized in all patients. Early plate breakage was observed in one patient. One patient had mild recurrence of varus deformity. Twenty-seven patients had an excellent result, three had a good result, and none had a poor result. CONCLUSIONS Three-dimensional corrective osteotomy with the use of a custom-made surgical template that is designed and produced on the basis of computer simulation is a feasible and useful treatment option for cubitus varus deformity.

Open Repair of Foveal Avulsion of the Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex and Comparison by Types of Injury Mechanism

PURPOSE Little attention has been paid to injury mechanisms of foveal avulsion of the triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC). The purpose of this study was to determine whether the mechanism of injury is associated with different anatomic disruptions as well as different preoperative clinical symptoms. We also evaluated the clinical results of an open repair method for foveal avulsion according to the mechanism of injury. METHODS Fifteen patients with a traumatic foveal TFCC avulsion were treated with an open repair technique. The injury mechanism was forced wrist extension in 10 patients (group E) and forced forearm rotation in 5 patients (group R). All patients in group E and 3 in group R showed positive fovea signs. Surgical and clinical findings were compared according to the 2 types of injury mechanism. RESULTS Foveal insertions of TFCC were found in surgery to be disrupted in all 15 patients. In addition, disruption of the dorsal styloid insertions of the radioulnar ligament showed a significantly greater association with group R than with group E. Clinical results showed significant postoperative improvement but were marginally different between the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS The most common mechanism of foveal TFCC avulsions is forced wrist extension, an injury that commonly shows positive fovea signs and leaves the dorsal styloid insertion of the radioulnar ligament intact. Forced forearm rotation is the second most common injury mechanism that is more frequently associated with disruption of the dorsal styloid insertion. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Prognostic IV.

Arthroscopic debridement of the humeral capitellum for osteochondritis dissecans: radiographic and clinical outcomes.

PURPOSE Although arthroscopic debridement of the humeral capitellum is an accepted procedure for osteochondritis dissecans, some patients develop radial head enlargement or osteoarthritic lesions after the procedure. The aim of this study was to investigate the radiographic and clinical outcomes of arthroscopic debridement and consider its indications. METHODS We retrospectively evaluated 106 patients who had arthroscopic debridement between 1997 and 2007. Surgery was performed after closure of the capitellar physis. We categorized the patients into 4 groups by lesion size and by whether the proximal radial physis was open or closed. The average patient age at surgery was 15 years (range, 12-18 y), and the average follow-up period was 13 months (range, 8-46 mo). RESULTS In patients with large lesions and open proximal radial physes, radiographic and clinical outcomes were poor. Three of 4 patients developed early osteoarthritic lesions of the radiohumeral joint, secondary to radial head enlargement. Radial head resection was required in 2 of 3 patients. Conversely, osteoarthritic lesions did not occur, and we observed noteworthy improvement in elbow pain routinely after the procedure in the other 3 groups. For range of motion, clinically important changes were not observed. Overall, postoperative elbow pain was absent in 89 patients. Mild pain was present in 15 patients and moderate or severe pain in 2 patients. A total of 90 patients returned to sports at pre-injury levels. Time of return to sports varied from 1 month to 5 months (mean, 2.4 mo). CONCLUSIONS Arthroscopic debridement of the capitellum can provide excellent short-term results for the treatment of osteochondritis dissecans. However, it is contraindicated in cases with large lesions when the proximal radial physis remains open.

3-Dimensional Prebent Plate Fixation in Corrective Osteotomy of Malunited Upper Extremity Fractures Using a Real-Sized Plastic Bone Model Prepared by Preoperative Computer Simulation

PURPOSE To assess the clinical outcome and accuracy of prebent plate fixation in corrective osteotomy for malunited upper extremity fractures using a plastic bone model manufactured by preoperative computer simulation. METHODS Nine consecutive patients underwent computed tomography (CT)-based 3-dimensional corrective osteotomy for malunited upper extremity fractures. There were 4 cubitus varus deformities, 1 cubitus valgus deformity, and 4 forearm diaphyseal malunions. We constructed a computer model of the affected bones using the CT data and simulated the 3-dimensional deformity correction on a computer. A real-sized plastic model of the corrected bone was manufactured by rapid prototyping. We used a metal plate, prebent to fit the plastic bone model, in the actual surgery. Patients were evaluated after an average follow-up of 22 months (range, 14-36 mo). We retrospectively collected radiographic and clinical data at the most recent follow-up and compared them with preoperative data. We also performed CT after surgery and evaluated the error in corrective osteotomy as the difference between preoperative simulation and postoperative bone model. RESULTS The range of forearm rotation and grip strength in patients with forearm malunions improved after corrective osteotomies of the radius and ulna. Wrist pain, which 2 patients with forearm malunion had experienced before surgery, disappeared or decreased substantially after surgery. Radiographic examination indicated that preoperative angular deformities were nearly nonexistent after all corrective osteotomies. Three-dimensional errors in the corrective osteotomy using a prebent plate, as evaluated by CT data, were less than 3 mm and 2°. CONCLUSIONS Prebent plate fixation in corrective osteotomy for malunited upper extremity fractures using a 3-dimensionally corrected, real-sized plastic bone model prepared by preoperative computer simulation is a precise and relatively easily performed technique that results in satisfactory clinical outcome. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Therapeutic IV.

Three-dimensional deformity analysis of malunited distal radius fractures and their influence on wrist and forearm motion

Little information exists about three-dimensional (3-D) deformity patterns of malunited distal radius fractures including axial deformity. The current study aimed to clarify the 3-D deformity pattern of malunited distal radius fractures and reveal the influence of osseous deformities, including axial rotation deformity, on wrist and forearm motion. The deformity of 20 dorsally tilted malunions were evaluated using 3-D computer models created from CT data, and correlations between deformity components and range of motion were assessed. The 3-D deformity analysis showed that axial malalignment in pronation, which showed a correlation with the degree of radial tilt deformity, was very common. A radial tilt deformity of > 5° was observed in only 45% of cases. Although the range of wrist flexion and extension showed a correlation with dorsal tilt deformity, the range of forearm pronation and supination did not correlate with distal radius deformities.

Comparison of three dimensional and radiographic measurements in the analysis of distal radius malunion

To estimate the accuracy of radiographic deformity evaluation for distal radius malunion, we compared the results obtained from radiographic measurements (palmar tilt, radial angle, and ulnar variance) with those from the three-dimensional (3D) method using computer bone models in 20 dorsally tilted malunions. Dorsal tilt deformity, radial tilt deformity, and shortening deformity were calculated using the unaffected side as a reference. The 3D method showed a slightly lower value for dorsal tilt deformity than the radiographic evaluation, but the difference was < 10° in all cases. In patients with dorsal tilt ≥ 40°, notable differences in radial tilt evaluation were observed between the two methods compared with patients with less dorsal tilt. The 3D shortening showed positive correlations with radiographic evaluation, but a discrepancy of ≥ 2 mm was observed in eight cases. Palmar tilt is reliable for surgical planning, but radial angle and ulnar variance may be less accurate than previously thought.

Three-dimensional corrective osteotomy using a patient-specific osteotomy guide and bone plate based on a computer simulation system: accuracy analysis in a cadaver study

The accuracy of three‐dimensional (3‐D) corrective osteotomy using a patient‐specific osteotomy guide and bone plate based on computer simulation was investigated.

Does cubitus varus cause morphologic and alignment changes in the elbow joint

BACKGROUND In cubitus varus after pediatric supracondylar fracture, late development of trochlear deformity causing additional varus angulation and joint misalignment relating to late complications of the tardy ulnar nerve palsy or posterolateral rotatory instability have been suggested. However, it is unclear whether these morphologic and alignment changes of the elbow joint occur in cubitus varus. The object of this study was to investigate morphologic changes of the bones and alignment changes of the elbow joint in longstanding cubitus varus using 3-dimensional computer bone models created from computed tomography data. MATERIALS AND METHODS We studied 14 patients with longstanding cubitus varus after pediatric supracondylar fractures. Three-dimensional bone models of the bilateral humerus, radius, and ulna were created from computed tomography data. We compared the morphology and alignment of the elbow joint between the affected side and contralateral unaffected side. RESULTS The posterior trochlea, distal part of the lateral capitellum, diameters of the radial head, and articular surface of the ulna in cubitus varus were larger than those of the contralateral elbow. In the ulna, the convex portion of the trochlear notch shifted laterally in cubitus varus. Joint alignment in cubitus varus was affected by a shift of the ulna to a more distal and medial position with external rotation and flexion. CONCLUSIONS In longstanding cubitus varus, the morphology and alignment of the elbow joint are observed to differ from those of the normal side.