Stéphane Leduc

Is ulnar nerve transposition beneficial during open reduction internal fixation of distal humerus fractures

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to compare the incidence of ulnar neuritis with and without ulnar nerve transposition during open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) of distal humerus fractures. Design: Multicenter retrospective cohort series. Setting: Two Level I trauma centers. Patients: Two cohorts were identified: 89 patients (mean age, 48.6 years) who had not undergone an ulnar nerve transposition and 48 patients (mean age, 43.2 years) who had undergone a transposition during ORIF of a distal humerus fracture (Orthopaedic Trauma Association 13A or 13C). Intervention: All patients underwent ORIF of a distal humerus fracture with or without anterior subcutaneous ulnar nerve transposition based on surgeon preference. Main Outcome Measure: Presence or absence of ulnar neuritis (ulnar-sided paresthesias, numbness, or intrinsic weakness) or reoperation related to ulnar nerve symptoms. Results: Average follow up was 9.6 months in the transposition group and 16.0 months in the nontransposition group. Transposition of the ulnar nerve was found to be an independent variable associated with ulnar neuritis (P < 0.001). The incidence of ulnar neuritis was 33% (16 of 48) with transposition and 9% (eight of 89) without transposition (P = 0.0003). Of the patients with ulnar neuritis, one patient in the nontransposition group (1%) and two patients in the transposition group (4%) required additional surgery specifically related to the ulnar nerve. One patient who had undergone transposition developed chronic motor and sensory denervation. Conclusion: Patients who underwent ulnar nerve transposition at the time of ORIF of distal humerus fractures had almost four times the incidence of ulnar neuritis than those without transposition. We do not recommend routine transposition of the ulnar nerve at the time of ORIF of distal humerus fractures.

CT scan assessment of the syndesmosis: a new reproducible method.

Objectives: Anatomic reduction of the fibula with regard to the tibia is the goal when treating syndesmotic injuries. No objective method exists to describe the distal tibiofibular relationship. The primary and secondary objectives of this study was to describe and validate radiologic measurements of the syndesmosis and to establish a set of normal values, respectively. Methods: A set of 6 measurements and 2 angles were defined on axial computed tomography scans. These measures describe distal tibiofibular anatomy in rotation, lateral translation, and anteroposterior position. A series of 100 ankle computed tomography scans were measured by 2 evaluators. Interobserver reliability was assessed on a subset of 30 scans by 3 different evaluators. Measurements were repeated 6 weeks later by 2 evaluators for intraobserver reliability. All correlations were evaluated with intraclass correlation coefficients. Results: Good correlations for nearly all measurements were found, with intraclass correlation coefficients over 0.5. The lateral translation was the most reliable measure with a mean value of 2.8 mm. The mean ratio of anterior tibiofibular distance to posterior tibiofibular distance was 0.54. Proximal to tibial plafond, the fibula is internally rotated 8.7 degrees and at the talar dome level it is in 6.9 degrees of external rotation. Conclusions: Several studies have shown that the reduction of the syndesmosis is essential to restore normal ankle mechanics and prevent secondary degenerative changes. The evaluation criteria developed in this study can give the surgeon a guideline for evaluating syndesmosis anatomy with reliable parameters. Concerning the normal range of motion, our radiologic measurements of 100 normal ankles showed that a significant amount of variability exists in the uninjured distal tibiofibular relationship.

APTF: anteroposterior tibiofibular ratio, a new reliable measure to assess syndesmotic reduction.

Objectives: To assess the accuracy of a new radiographic measurement of the distal tibia and fibula on the lateral view of the ankle in normal adults: the anteroposterior tibiofibular (APTF) ratio. Method: Thirty adults without history of trauma or disease of the ankle were included. Bilateral ankles were x-rayed with a true lateral view of the ankle. A line from the anterior tibial physis scar to the posterior tibial cortex, passing by the intersection of the physis and the fibula anterior cortex, was drawn. The APTF ratio was calculated as the ratio of the anterior segment to the posterior segment. The measurements were done by 3 independent evaluators. Intra- and interobserver reliability was obtained using intraclass correlation. Results: The APTF ratio was 0.94 ± 0.13 with a range of 0.63–1.31. Sex and age had no effect on the results. Inter- and intraobserver reliability was good to very good with an intraclass correlation between 0.6 and 0.8. A strong correlation between the left and the right APTF ratio was observed (r = 0.501 and P = 0.001). Conclusion: The distal tibiofibular joint anatomy in the sagittal plane can be accurately assessed with a new reliable radiographic measurement, the APTF ratio. The reduction of this joint during surgery can be confirmed with a true lateral view of the ankle. The anterior fibula cortex crosses the tibial physeal scar at the center of the line crossing this point and the anterior cortex of the tibia at the level of the physeal scar in the normal ankle.

The Timed Up and Go test is an early predictor of functional outcome after hemiarthroplasty for femoral neck fracture.

BACKGROUND The ability to predict the long-term physical function and prognosis of hip fracture patients during the early postoperative period is essential for surgeons and physical therapists as well as for patients and their families. The purpose of this study was to determine whether early functional assessment correlated with and/or predicted long-term function after surgery to treat a displaced femoral neck fracture. METHODS Sixty-two patients undergoing hemiarthroplasty for a displaced femoral neck fracture were evaluated prospectively; a minimum follow-up of two years was required. Validated functional assessments, including the Lower Extremity Measure and the Timed Up and Go test, were utilized, and scores were analyzed with respect to patient baseline data. RESULTS The functional level of patients decreased significantly after the injury, with the mean Lower Extremity Measure score decreasing from 87.7 to 62.4 and the need for a walking aid increasing from 36% to 54% at two years postoperatively (p < 0.05 for both). The Timed Up and Go test scores at four days and three weeks postoperatively were significantly higher in patients who needed a walking aid at two years compared with independently walking patients (p < 0.05). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis of the Timed Up and Go test scores revealed that the optimal threshold for predicting the need for a walking aid at two years was fifty-eight seconds at four days postoperatively and twenty-six seconds at three weeks. Also, the need for a walking aid at two years was ninetyfold higher when the Timed Up and Go test score at three weeks postoperatively exceeded the twenty-six seconds threshold. CONCLUSIONS The Timed Up and Go test was an early clinical indicator of future physical function in patients with a hip fracture treated with hemiarthroplasty. Innovative clinical approaches to anticipate future function will contribute to increasing the efficiency of overall management of this growing set of patients.

A randomised clinical trial comparing minimally invasive surgery to conventional approach for endoprosthesis in elderly patients with hip fractures.

BACKGROUND In recent years, the concept of minimally invasive surgery has invaded the orthopaedic field and literature on the subject is spawning. Mini-incision surgery for total hip arthroplasty has been studied without a clear consensus on the efficacy, safety and advantage of that technique. To our knowledge, the efficacy and safety of mini-incisions in hip fracture surgery has not been studied in a randomised fashion. METHODS This study is a prospective clinically randomised trial whose primary objective was to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of a single posterior mini-incision approach compared to a standard posterior approach for endoprosthesis in acute femoral neck fractures. The mini-incision was defined as less than 8 cm. 25 patients in the mini-incision surgery (MIS) group and 31 patients in the standard incision group (STD) were available for analysis. The following validated disease-specific outcome instruments were used: the Lower Extremity Measurement (LEM) and the Time Up and Go (TUG). Secondary endpoints of pain, function, and quality of life were assessed by the components of the Harris Hip Score (HHS) and SF-36. Radiographic outcomes were also evaluated as well as the rates of all reported complications and adverse events during the 2 years follow-up. RESULTS There was no significant difference for operative time, blood losses, 72 h postoperative haemoglobin as well as the need for transfusion therapy between the two groups. Also, there was no difference between the groups for postoperative morphine use and pain evaluation with the Visual Analog Scale. The functional assessment using LEM and TUG did not demonstrate any statistically significant difference between mini- and standard incision. However, the HHS and the physical function component of the SF-36 were statistically better at 2 years in favour of the standard incision group. CONCLUSION Based on the results of the present study, we cannot recommend the use of a minimally invasive approach over a standard approach in the implantation of a cemented endoprosthesis.

Posttraumatic avascular necrosis of the talus.

Avascular necrosis of the talus is one the most challenging problems encountered in posttraumatic reconstruction of the hindfoot. Since the first description of the talus injury in 1608 by Fabricius of Hilden, our knowledge of the talar anatomy, injuries, sequelae, and management has increased significantly. Adequate knowledge of the etiology, the extent of the disease, and the degree of patient symptoms are required to determine optimal treatment.

Incidence rate of mild traumatic brain injury among patients who have suffered from an isolated limb fracture: Upper limb fracture patients are more at risk.

OBJECTIVES This study compares the incidence rate of mild traumatic brain injury (mild TBI) detected at follow-up visits (retrospective diagnosis) in patients suffering from an isolated limb trauma, with the incidence rate held by the hospital records (prospective diagnosis) of the sampled cohort. This study also seeks to determine which types of fractures present with the highest incidence of mild TBI. PATIENTS AND METHODS Retrospective assessment of mild TBI among orthopaedic monotrauma patients, randomly selected for participation in an Orthopaedic clinic of a Level I Trauma Hospital. Patients in the remission phase of a limb fracture were recruited between August 2014 and May 2015. No intervention was done (observational study). MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS Standardized semi-structured interviews were conducted with all patients to retrospectively assess for mild TBI at the time of the fracture. Emergency room related medical records of all patients were carefully analyzed to determine whether a prospective mild TBI diagnosis was made following the accident. RESULTS A total of 251 patients were recruited (54% females, Mean age=49). Study interview revealed a 23.5% incidence rate of mild TBI compared to an incidence rate of 8.8% for prospective diagnosis (χ(2)=78.47; p<0.0001). Patients suffering from an upper limb monotrauma (29.6%; n=42/142) are significantly more at risk of sustaining a mild TBI compared to lower limb fractures (15.6%; n=17/109) (χ(2)=6.70; p=0.010). More specifically, patients with a proximal upper limb injury were significantly more at risk of sustaining concomitant mild TBI (40.6%; 26/64) compared to distal upper limb fractures (20.25%; 16/79) (χ(2)=7.07; p=0.008). CONCLUSIONS Results suggest an important concomitance of mild TBI among orthopaedic trauma patients, the majority of which go undetected during acute care. Patients treated for an upper limb fracture are particularly at risk of sustaining concomitant mild TBI.

Comorbid mild traumatic brain injury increases pain symptoms in patients suffering from an isolated limb fracture

OBJECTIVES This study seeks to evaluate the effects of a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) on pain in patients with an isolated limb fracture (ILF) when compared to a matched cohort group with no mTBI (control group). PATIENTS AND METHODS All subjects included in this observational study suffered from an ILF. Groups were matched according to the type of injury, sex, age, and time since the accident. Main outcome measurements were: Standardized semi-structured interviews at follow-up of a Level I Trauma Center, and a questionnaire on fracture-related pain symptoms. Factors susceptible to influence the perception of pain, such as age, sex, severity of post-concussive symptoms, and worker compensation were also assessed. RESULTS A total of 68 subjects (36 females; 45 years old) with an ILF were selected, 34 with a comorbid mTBI and 34 without (24/34 with an upper limb fracture per group, 71% of total sample). Patients with mTBI and an ILF reported significantly higher pain scores at the time of assessment (mean: 49days, SD: 34.9), compared to the control group (p<0.0001; mean difference 2.8, 95% confidence interval 1.8-4.0). Correlational analyses show no significant association between the level of pain and factors such as age, sex, severity of post-concussive symptoms, and worker compensation. CONCLUSIONS Results suggest that mTBI exacerbate perception of pain in the acute phase when occurring with an ILF, and were not explained by age, sex, post-concussive symptoms, or worker compensation. Rather, it appears possible that neurological sequelae induced by mTBI may interfere with the normal recovery of pain following trauma.

Modification of Distal Tibiofibular Relationship After a Mild Syndesmotic Injury.

Background. The hypothesis of this study is that a sprain or tear of 1 or more of the 3 syndesmotic ligaments will result in a significant change in the osseous anatomy relationship when comparing injured to uninjured syndesmosis. Our secondary objective was to determine whether injuries to the syndesmosis as diagnosed on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) could be found using static imaging. Methods. This is a descriptive radiological study of ankle MRI reports over a 12-year period, from 2 different institutions, and divided in two groups: normal and injured syndesmotic ligaments. A series of 6 lengths and 2 angles were measured on MRI axial views that describe the rotation, lateral, and anteroposterior translational relation between the distal tibia and fibula. Parameters from injured and uninjured ankles were compared using Student’s t-test. Results. Fifty uninjured syndesmosis were compared to 64 injured syndesmoses. The majority of syndesmosis injuries concerned either an anterior inferior tibiofibular ligament sprain or tear. There was a significant difference in the anatomic position of the tibia and the fibula between injured and uninjured syndesmosis. Conclusions. The anterior inferior tibiofibular ligament is the most commonly injured ligament in the syndesmosis in sports injury and results in subtle variations in the syndesmotic anatomy, which plain radiographs cannot assess. Because of the previously validated computed tomography scan measurement, this study demonstrates a potential to identify syndesmotic injury on other more accessible imaging modalities, such as computed tomography scan, by using a well-defined measurement system. Levels of Evidence: Diagnostic, Level III : Retrospective, Radiologic Study

MRI Quantification of the Impact of Ankle Position on Syndesmosis Anatomy.

Background: Despite the common occurrence of syndesmotic injuries in ankle trauma, the distal tibiofibular relationship remains poorly understood. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anatomical impact of ankle sagittal positioning on the tibiofibular relationship in intact ankles by using a validated magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)–based measurement system. Methods: In this radiologic study, 34 healthy volunteers underwent a series of ankle MRIs with the ankle stabilized in 3 positions: neutral position (NP), dorsiflexion (DF), and plantarflexion (PF). Using a previously validated measurement system, 6 fixed translational measurements and 2 fixed angles were recorded on each MRI and compared using paired t tests. Results: When comparing PF to DF, the anterior distance between the tibial incisura and the fibula varied from 2.5 mm to 3.9 mm (P < .001), respectively. The middle distance between the tibial incisura and the fibula varied from 1.5 mm to 2.6 mm (P < .001). Fibular angle varied from 8.7 degrees to 7.8 degrees of internal rotation (P = .046), respectively. When comparing NP to DF, only the anterior distance was found to be significantly different, varying 0.4 mm (P < .002). Conclusions: Ankle dorsiflexion leads to an increase in external rotation and lateral translation of the fibula. These changes could be measured on MRI using a validated measurement system. Ankle motion did have an impact on the distal tibiofibular relationship and should be considered in studies pertaining to syndesmosis imaging. Clinical Relevance: This is the first in vivo study demonstrating the impact of sagittal ankle position on the distal tibiofibular relationship in an uninjured ankle. Our findings also support the practice of placing the ankle in dorsiflexion when fixing a disrupted syndesmosis. Level of Evidence: Level III, comparative study.