Unique stability of femoral neck fractures treated with the novel biplane double-supported screw fixation method: A biomechanical cadaver study

AbstractOsteosynthesis of femoral neck fractures is related to 20–46% complication rate. Filipov's novel method for biplane double-supported screw fixation (BDSF), using three cannulated screws, has demonstrated excellent clinical results since 2007. Its two calcar-buttressed screws are oriented in different coronal inclinations with steeper angles to the diaphyseal axis and intended to provide constant fixation strength under different loading situations.The aim of this study was to biomechanically evaluate BDSF fixation strength and compare it with the conventional fixation (CFIX) using three parallel cannulated screws.MethodsEight fresh-frozen and six embalmed human femoral pairs with simulated AO/OTA31–B2.2 fracture were fixed applying either CFIX or BDSF. Quasistatic tests were performed in anteroposterior (AP) bending, followed by axial quasistatic, cyclic and destructive quasistatic tests run in 10° flexion with 7° or 16° varus specimen inclination.ResultsInitial axial stiffness was significantly higher for BDSF in comparison with CFIX at 7° inclination (p=0.02) and not significantly different between BDSF and CFIX at 16° inclination. Compared with the intact state, it decreased significantly at 7° inclination only for CFIX (p=0.01), but not for BDSF. Interfragmentary displacement during cyclic testing was significantly smaller for BDSF than CFIX at 7° inclination (p≤0.04) and not significantly different between BDSF and CFIX at 16° inclination. Failure load did not differ significantly between BDSF and CFIX at both inclinations.ConclusionsFemoral neck fracture stability can be substantially increased applying BDSF due to better cortical screw support and screw orientation. Having two calcar-buttressed screws oriented in different inclinations, BDSF can enhance constant stability during various patient activities. The more unstable the situation, the better BDSF stability is in comparison to CFIX

Semi-occlusive dressing therapy versus surgical treatment in fingertip amputation injuries: a clinical study.

OBJECTIVES Treatment of fingertip amputations is subject of controversial debates. Recently, semi-occlusive dressings have increased in popularity in these injuries. AIMS To compare clinical outcomes of conservative semi-occlusive dressing therapy versus surgical treatment of fingertip amputations. METHODS Eighty-four patients with fingertip amputations were re-examined clinically after a mean follow-up of 28.1 months (range 9.6-46.2). Sixty-six patients (79%) were treated with semi-occlusive dressings (group 1) and 18 (21%) underwent surgery (group 2). Range of motion, grip strength, and two-point discrimination were measured at the final follow-up. Furthermore, VAS score, Quick-DASH score, subjective aesthetic outcome and loss of working days were obtained. RESULTS Group 1 demonstrated healing in all 66 patients (100%) while in Group 2 5 out of 18 patients (28%) failed to achieve healing after a mean of 17 days (range 2-38) due to graft necrosis. Group 1 showed significantly lower VAS scores and significantly lower loss of two-point discrimination compared to Group 2. Work absence was significantly shorter in Group 1 versus Group 2. Trophic changes in finger (46%) and nail (30%) were significantly lower in Group 1 compared to Group 2 (44% and 70%, respectively). Disturbance during daily business activities (14%) and cold sensitivity (23%) were significantly lower in Group 1 compared to Group 2 (86% and 77%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS Semi-occlusive dressing therapy for fingertip amputations demonstrated excellent healing rates. Compared to surgical treatment, it resulted in significantly better clinical outcomes, lower complication rates and significantly higher reported satisfaction rates. Therefore, semi-occlusive dressing for fingertip injuries is a very successful procedure and shall be preferred over surgical treatment in most cases. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE III therapeutic

Intracapsular Femoral Neck Fractures—A Surgical Management Algorithm

Background and Objectives: Femoral neck fractures are common and constitute one of the largest healthcare burdens of the modern age. Fractures within the joint capsule (intracapsular) provide a specific surgical challenge due to the difficulty in predicting rates of bony union and whether the blood supply to the femoral head has been disrupted in a way that would lead to avascular necrosis. Most femoral neck fractures are treated surgically, aiming to maintain mobility, whilst reducing pain and complications associated with prolonged bedrest. Materials and Methods: We performed a narrative review of intracapsular hip fracture management, highlighting the latest advancements in fixation techniques, generating an evidence-based algorithm for their management. Results: Multiple different fracture configurations are encountered within the category of intracapsular hip fractures, with each pattern having different optimal surgical strategies. Additionally, these injuries typically occur in patients where further procedures due to operative complications are associated with a considerable increase in mortality, highlighting the need for choosing the correct index operation. Conclusions: Factors such as pathological causes for the fracture, pre-existing symptomatic osteoarthritis, patient’s physiological age and fracture displacement all need to be considered when choosing optimal management

Tips and tricks to avoid implant failure in proximal femur fractures treated with cephalomedullary nails: a review of the literature

Objective: To describe the surgical aspects potentially contributing to hardware failure of cephalomedullary nails. Data Sources: A search of the Embase, PubMed (MEDLINE), Web of Science, and the Cochrane library for reports of hardware failures after intramedullary fixation of proximal femur fractures. Issues of cut out and cut through phenomena related to technique were excluded. Expert opinion of 3 surgeons, each trained on several fixation systems at Level | trauma centers is reported. Data Extraction: Three authors extracted data using a predesigned form. Implant type, reported failure mechanism, and associated factors with implant failure were recorded as well as potential bias. Results: Of 2182 search results screened, 64 articles were deemed relevant for our research question and were included. The authors identified factors associated with implant failure: preoperative patient and fracture characteristics, intraoperative reduction, implant handling, and postoperative nonunion. Issues were identified as independent modifiable intraoperative risk factors: inadequate fracture reduction, varus position of femoral neck, direct damage of the cephalomedullary nail aperture by eccentric drilling related to guide sleeve handling, and implant design mechanism failures. Conclusions: Multiple factors associated with intraoperative handling can influence the healing of proximal femur fractures. Although many of these have been well described and are taught in fracture courses, surgeons should be aware of subtle intraoperative complications reported in the literature that can weaken implants and add to the likelihood of early failure

The Possibilities of Personalized 3D Printed Implants—A Case Series Study

Background and Objectives: Following the most recent software and 3D printing developments, the use of personalized 3D printed orthopedic implants for treatment of complicated surgical cases has gained more popularity. Today, orthopedic problems that cannot be solved with standard implants may be effectively addressed using personalized prostheses. The aim of this study is to present the designing, modeling and production stages of four different personalized 3D printed prostheses and their application in clinical cases of patients who underwent treatment in various anatomical locations with a precisely specified indication for implantation. Materials and Methods: Based on computed tomography scanning, personalized 3D printed prostheses were designed, produced and used in four patients within a period of three to five days after injury or admission. Results: Early term follow-ups demonstrated good to excellent results. Conclusions: Personalized 3D printed prostheses offer an opportunity for a treatment of choice and provide good anatomical and functional results, shortened surgical time, less complications, and high satisfaction in patients with appropriate indications. The method should be considered primarily for patients with large bone defects, or such indicated for resection. Personalized 3D printed prostheses have the potential to become more common and beneficial in the future

A Life Dedicated to Climbing and Its Sequelae in the Fingers-A Review of the Literature

Fingers of sport climbers are exposed to high mechanical loads. This work focuses on the fingers of a 52-year-old active elite climber who was the first in mankind to master 8B (V13), 8B+ (V14) and 8C (V15) graded boulders, bringing lifelong high-intensity loads to his hands. It is therefore hypothesized that he belongs to a small group of people with the highest accumulative loads to their fingers in the climbing scene. Fingers were analyzed by means of ultrasonography, X-rays and physical examination. Soft tissue and bone adaptations, as well as the onset of osteoarthritis and finger stiffness, were found, especially in digit III, the longest and therefore most loaded digit. Finally, this article aims to provide an overview of the current literature in this field. In conclusion, elite sport climbing results in soft tissue and bone adaptations in the fingers, and the literature provides evidence that these adaptations increase over one's career. However, at later stages, radiographic and clinical signs of osteoarthritis, especially in the middle finger, seem to occur, although they may not be symptomatic