A study on vitamin D status among orthopaedic patients

Background: There is an alarmingly high prevalence of hypovitaminosis D in orthopaedic patients, regardless of whether or not, they require surgical intervention. Vitamin D plays an essential role in bone formation, maintenance, and remodelling, as well as muscle function and deficiency could affect adversely in multiple ways. Many reports recently demonstrated high rates of vitamin D deficiency, in numerous segments of Indian population, but there is no study reported so far from India, which focuses specifically on vitamin D status in orthopaedic patients.Methods: It is a descriptive study to estimate vitamin D levels in patients scheduled to undergo orthopaedic surgery. Vitamin D, calcium, phosphorus and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels in 310 patients, who were admitted at our institution, from December 2015 to August 2017 were measured.Results: Out of 310 patients included in our study, 189 (61%) were males and 121 (39%) females. Vitamin D deficiency (<20 ng/ml) was present in 232 patients, insufficiency (<30 ng/ml) was present in 63 patients and only 15 patients had desirable levels (>30 ng/ml). Patients younger than 60 years and males had more prevalence of Vitamin D abnormality. 168 (72.4%) of the patients, with deficiency presented in winter, compared to 64 (27.6%) in summer.Conclusions: Statistically significant vitamin D deficiency was seen during winter months, in patients undergoing hip hemiarthroplasty, and in patients admitted for degenerative disease of the spine, hip and knee. Screening and treating hypovitaminosis D appears to be important in orthopaedic patients as vitamin D deficiency is prevalent across all age groups in the population studied

Reconstruction of complex distal femur open fracture with distal femoral locking plate and primary autologous free fibular graft

Background: Distal femur fractures are high velocity injuries which accounts for 7-10% of all femoral fractures. These injuries are complex injuries which are difficult to manage. Despite advances in techniques and implants, treatment remains a challenge, in many situations.Methods: We present a retrospective review of 8 cases, involved in high velocity road traffic accident who presented to emergency department at St. John’s Medical College, Bangalore, Karnataka, India between September 2011 to December 2015, with complex open fracture of the distal femur with bone loss. All were managed with initial wound debridement and skeletal traction. Subsequently fractured femur was reconstructed with distal femoral locking plate stabilization, along with autogenous non vascularised fibular graft and cortical-cancellous graft bridging the bone defect. Radiological union, functional outcome measured with Tegner and Lyslom scores, KOOS score and complications were assessed.Results: At average 5 years follow up, all the fractures have united well, with good functional outcome. X-ray showing united fracture with incorporation of the fibular graft. According to Tegner and Lyslom scoring, 6 patients had good rating, 2 had satisfactory rating. Average KOOS score was 82.15. Shortening of 2 cm and 4 cm in couple of patients was the major complication. Conclusions: Delayed primary surgery, using autologous non vascularised free fibular graft in conjunction with a locking compression plate, with autogenous cortico-cancellous graft is an effective, less technically demanding and cost effective means of reconstruction option to manage bone defects in complex open fractures of the distal femur. An overall acceptable results in terms of fracture union, fibular incorporation, adequate restoration of knee motion and early rehabilitation can be expected

Functional outcome of antegrade interlocking intramedullary nailing for humeral shaft fractures

Background: Humeral shaft fractures which account for approximately 1-3% of all fractures and 20% of humeral fractures have potential to cause significant disability in the young which is often temporary and in the old often permanent disability. The use of locked intramedullary nailing for the treatment of humeral shaft fractures is gaining popularity because of its biomechanical and biological advantages.Methods: We present a descriptive retrospective review of 20 consecutive patients with acute humeral shaft fractures treated using an antegrade interlocking nail. Fracture union, functional outcome measured with Constant–Murley shoulder score and American shoulder and elbow surgeons (ASES) shoulder score and complications were assessed.Results: Patient age ranged from 20 to 74 years (average, 36 years) and average follow-up was 30.7 months (range, 12–48 months). There were 13 male patients and 7 female patients. Fracture of the middle third was most common accounting to 80% (16/20) of the fractures. Fracture union was achieved in 90% (18/20) of our cases. 2 patients had nonunion for which secondary surgeries were needed. According to Constant–Murley score, shoulder function was excellent in 70% (14/20) and good in 25% (5/20). Average ASES score was 93.3%. None of the patients had radial nerve palsy postoperatively. Conclusions: Gentle progressive reaming, correct entry point, minimal damage to rotator cuff, properly embedding the tip of the nail, good apposition of fracture fragments, static locking will help make antegrade intramedullary nailing, a dependable solution for the treatment of humeral shaft fractures and in achieving successful union with preserved/good shoulder and elbow function

Iatrogenic femoral nerve palsy after a routine knee ligament surgery

Peripheral nerve injuries following surgery can have a significant impact on the rehabilitation process. We report a case of a 25-year-old male who was unable to actively raise his leg and extend his knee following knee surgery (Arthroscopic Posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction and Posterolateral corner reconstruction). Following the surgery, it was noticed that the patient's knee range of movements and power was 0/5 as per the Medical Research Council (MRC) scale. On subsequent evaluation, it was found to be due to femoral nerve axonal neuropathy. We report such a case of femoral nerve axonal neuropathy following arthroscopic posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) reconstruction and posterolateral corner (PLC) reconstruction

Trans-osseous intraoperative limb length measurement in hip replacement surgery

Background: Discrepancy of the limb length following total hip replacement is one of common complication. To reduce the occurrence, various modalities are used like pre-operative templating, navigation assisted measurements and intraoperative methods. This study was done using trans-osseous method of measurement using hip gauge which provides a faster, simpler assessment of limb length.Methods: A prospective study of 25 patients who underwent uncemented hip arthroplasty was taken in the study and the LLD was measured before and after the surgical procedure. Patient were re-assessed for limb length discrepancy after 6 months with functional Harris hip score and radiological analysis on weight bearing standard X-ray antero-posterior view of the pelvis with bilateral hip joint.Results: The results showed significant improvement in limb length discrepancy, and analysis of postoperative radiographs found the mean length difference of 2.44 mm and average Harris hip score was 95.5. No device related complications were reported, and none of them complained of the discomfort related to limb-length discrepancy after surgery. Conclusions: Trans-osseous fixed method using hip gauge provides a faster, reproducible and simpler method for the assessment of Limb length and aids with offset placement, acetabular anteversion for precise cup placement. This is a reliable method as it can be used both in the primary and revision hip surgery and most importantly doesn’t require any additional intraoperative imaging

Arthroscopic management of neglected complex knee injury

Meyers and mckeevers type IV comminuted pattern of avulsion fracture of the anterior tibial eminence is not an uncommon injury, however its association with root avulsions of lateral and medial meniscus is very rare combination of injury and the management of the neglected case of this complex knee injury is challenging. A 43-year-old gentleman who came with a history of pain, recurrent instability, locking of his right knee for 2 weeks with restricted activity of daily living. He also had a road traffic accident 5 years ago. He was evaluated clinically, radiologically by X Rays and MRI Scan which revealed complete tear of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) with loose fragments, root tear anterior horn lateral meniscus and posterior horn tear with posterior root avulsion of the medial meniscus. He was managed with arthroscopic removal of large loose body with other loose bony fragments, ACL Reconstruction with hamstring autograft, anterior root repair of lateral meniscus with pull out sutures, with all inside repair of posterior horn tear of medial meniscus using fast-fix 360 device (Smith and Nephew, Andover, MA). At 4 years follow-up the patient was analysed clinically, and the functional outcome was measured with international knee documentation committee (IKDC) and knee injury and osteoarthritis outcome score (KOOS) Scoring system which showed good outcome. Patient has returned to his pre-injury activity level with no limitation of his activity of daily living. There is no set protocol of managing these kinds of neglected complex knee injury. Sometimes you need to think out of the box. A thorough knowledge of anatomy and pathomechanics of knee combined with appropriate technique of repair to save the meniscus and reconstruction of ACL and rehabilitation can yield good result

Functional outcome following conservative management of acetabular fractures

Background: Acetabular fractures are complex injuries caused due to high velocity injury and constitutes about 18 % of Pelvic fractures. To obtain articular congruency and anatomical reduction is the gold standard in treating these fractures. In this study we have studied about the functional outcome in acetabular fractures managed conservatively with the long-term follow.Methods: A retrospective study with prospective analysis done between 2011-2020 involved 39 patients with acetabular fractures who were treated conservatively at St John’s Medical college Hospital. Patients were followed up at 6 months, 1 year, 2 years and at the end of 5 years for functional evaluation and assessment with the clinical outcome scores with Merle d’Aubigne and Postel score & Harris Hip Score.Results: Study included 39 patients with the average age of 41.3 years with 31 male and 8 female patients. Functional outcome score showed good to excellent results in 80%, fair to satisfactory results in 18%, 0.5 to 2% had poor result in the patient analyzed with both Merle d’Aubigne and Postel score and Harris Hip Score. 80 % of the patients were able to sit cross legged, 90% had returned to regular work and 10% of the patients changed their occupation to desk jobs.Conclusions: Conservative management of acetabular fractures gives a good long-term result following congruent reduction of the fracture, good early rehabilitation and gradual weight bearing. Return to activity of daily living was good even in congruently reduced acetabular dome fractures with good to excellent functional outcome scores

MRI diagnosis in multiligamentous injuries of knee with associated dislocations and neurovasacular sequelae: a retrospective analysis of injury patterns

Background Simultaneous injury of two or more knee ligaments with concurrent tears involving the anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments is considered to be associated with femorotibial knee dislocations (KD). The purpose of this study is to characterize multiligamentous knee injury patterns associated with dislocations on MRI and to describe the incidence of their sequelae such as tibial plateau fractures, peroneal nerve injuries, and posterolateral corner (PLC) injuries. Participants and methods After obtaining institutional ethical committee approval, we retrospectively identified 108 multiligamentous knee injuries in 100 patients who met with trauma and were treated at our tertiary care center between April 2014 and December 2018. Descriptive statistics were reported using numbers and percentages for categorical variables in cases of multiligamentous injuries, ipsilateral tibial plateau fractures, ipsilateral femoral fractures, peroneal nerve injury, arterial injury, compartment syndrome, and PLC injuries. Results The most common (39.8%) injury pattern was a combined disruption of the anterior cruciate ligament, posterior cruciate ligament, and PLC. Schenck KD III-M was the most common injury type in KD, constituting 16.7%. Medial-sided injuries were the most common injury patterns seen with KD. There was a significant risk of peroneal nerve injury with lateral-sided injuries. Conclusion KD, though rare, may have devastating clinical sequelae such as compartment syndrome if not recognized and treated. Therefore, it is necessary to recognize imaging findings of femorotibial joint dislocations and associated injuries to the adjacent neurovascular bundles

Prevalence of concomitant injuries with Hill–Sachs lesion in traumatic shoulder dislocations

INTRODUCTION: The shoulder joint (comprising the glenohumeral and scapulothoracic joints) displays the greatest range of motion of all joints in the human body, and preservation of its stability is essential to its function. The Hill–Sachs defect is a compression fracture of the humeral head associated with instability. The Hill–Sachs lesion may be limited to the articular cartilage or may extend to the subchondral bone. PURPOSE: To identify and characterize the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in patients with Hill–Sachs lesion and to look for concomitant injuries. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective case series included 35 patients identified by search through the senior authors' databases, with cross-reference to our institutional radiologic communication system for MRI review. Baseline patient demographic data were collected, including age and sex. We retrospectively assessed all patients who were diagnosed with shoulder dislocation at our institution between 2012 and 2016. RESULTS: We identified 35 patients with a posterior Hill–Sachs lesion. The average age was 33.6 years (range, 22–70 years) and 31 patients were male (89%). There were 18 right shoulders and 17 left shoulders. Eleven patients (31.4%) had evidence of engaging Hill–Sachs lesion and 24 did not. Posterior humeral avulsion of the glenohumeral ligament (HAGL) injuries were found to be partial tears (30%) and complete tears (70%). Additional shoulder injury with the lesion occurred in 96% of identified cases. The most common concomitant injuries were recurrent shoulder joint dislocations (85.7%), posterior HAGL (71%), anterior Bankart lesions (74%), glenoid bone loss (11%), and anterior glenohumeral ligament injuries (5%). CONCLUSION: Engaging Hill–Sachs lesion on physical examination shows a trend toward more medially oriented lesion measured using modified biceps angle on MRI, and the size of engaging Hill–Sachs lesion appears significantly larger than that of nonengaging lesions on both axial and coronal images

Periosteum-Augmented Soft-Tissue Graft for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

Soft-tissue grafts are an option for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. One of the major drawbacks of soft-tissue grafts is the delay in the osteointegration and ligamentization of the implanted graft. Enveloping the ends of the graft with periosteum sleeves can hasten the osteointegration process and help in quicker rehabilitation of the patient. This article describes a simple and unique way to augment the soft-tissue graft with periosteum for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction