ObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness of arthroscopically assisted treatment of posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) tibial eminence avulsion fractures associated with meniscus posterior horn tear. MethodsBetween January 2012 and December 2014, 21 patients with PCL avulsion fracture and meniscus posterior horn tear were arthroscopically treated with polyester suture and hollow screw fixation. There were 10 males (10 knees) and 11 females (11 knees), aged 14-53 years (mean, 35.7 years). The causes included sport injury in 11 cases, traffic accident injury in 9 cases, and daily life injury in 1 case. Based on the anteroposterior and lateral X-ray films, CT, and MRI, PCL avulsion fractures were diagnosed, and 2 cases had anterior cruciate ligament avulsion fractures. The results of posterior drawer test were positive in all patients, with no end point in 14 cases and with soft end point in 7 cases; all patients showed tibial sink. The preoperative International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score and Lysholm score were 46.5±5.5 and 43.3±4.5 respectively. The time from injury to operation was 6-22 days (mean, 10 days). ResultsThe operation time was 60-100 minutes (mean, 75 minutes). Primary healing of incision was obtained in all patients, without no complication of infection. The mean follow-up time was 27.4 months (range, 12-46 months). The results of posterior drawer test were negative in 19 cases, and positive in 2 cases (having hard end point). Tibial sink disappeared. At last follow-up, X-ray film showed good healing of fracture, and no displacement. The patients had no locking knee, snapping or tenderness of joint space, and the Mcmurray sign was negative; the IKDC score and Lysholm score were significantly improved to 92.0±2.5 and 92.7±2.6 respectively (t=-39.903, P=0.000; t=-43.242, P=0.000). The range of motion was normal in 20 patients (0-130°) except 1 patient having limited flexion (0-80°), whose range of motion returned to 0-120° after release. ConclusionThe arthroscopic fixation technique has satisfactory results for the reduction and fixation of PCL avulsion fracture associated with meniscus posterior horn tear because of easy operation, firm fixation, and economic price.
Objective To analyze the effectiveness of minimally invasive safe approach of the knee joint in the treatment of avulsion fractures of the tibial insertion of the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL). Methods The clinical data of 26 patients with avulsion fractures of tibial insertion of PCL treated with open reduction and internal fixation via minimally invasive safe approach of the knee joint between February 2019 and March 2022 were analyzed retrospectively. There were 18 males and 8 females with an average age of 45.5 years (range, 33-58 years). The causes of injury were traffic accident in 14 cases, falling from height in 7 cases, and sports injury in 5 cases. There were 15 cases of left knee and 11 cases of right knee. The preoperative Lysholm score of knee joint was 34.4±7.3 and the flexion range of motion of knee joint was (69±12)°. According to Meyers classification, there were 8 cases of type Ⅱ and 18 cases of type Ⅲ. The time from injury to operation ranged from 1 to 5 days, with an average of 2 days. ResultsThe operation time was 40-70 minutes, with an average of 55 minutes; the intraoperative blood loss was 10-30 mL, with an average of 15 mL. Delayed incision healing occurred in 1 case after operation, and the incision healed after conservative treatment, and the incisions of the other patients all healed by first intention. Postoperative X-ray films showed satisfactory fracture reduction. All 26 patients were followed up 3-30 months, with an average of 22 months. No complication such as neurovascular injury, infection, and knee extension disorder occurred after operation. X-ray films at 3 months after operation showed that all fractures healed without displacement of the fracture ends; the posterior drawer test was negative. At last follow-up, the flexion range of motion of knee joint was (120±9)°, the Lysholm score was 90.7±3.8, which were significantly improved when compared with those before operation (t=16.376, P<0.001; t=47.665, P<0.001). Conclusion The minimally invasive safe approach of the knee joint for the treatment of PCL tibial insertion avulsion fractures is easy to operate, with minimal surgical trauma, safe and reliable approach, and satisfactory recovery of knee joint function after operation.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the clinical outcome of stellated plate fixation of olecranal avulsion fracture. MethodsA retrospective analysis was made on the clinical data from 24 cases of olecranal avulsion fracture treated with stellated plate between April 2007 and April 2012. There were 13 males and 11 females, with an average age of 32 years (range, 18-65 years). The causes of injury included falling injury (14 cases), sports injury (7 cases), and machine injury (3 cases). The left elbow was involved in 4 cases and the right side in 20 cases. The average disease duration was 11 hours (range, 3 hours-2 days). According to Colton's classification criteria, all cases were classified as type Ⅱ A (avulsion fracture). One case had supracondylar humeral avulsion fracture, and 15 cases had triceps tendon tears. ResultsAll the cases obtained healing of incision by first intention, without infection and ulnar nerve injury. The average follow-up period was 24 months (range, 18-48 months). All fractures healed after 6-10 weeks (mean, 7 weeks). According to Morrey's elbow performance score, the results were excellent in 17 cases, good in 4 cases, and fair in 3 cases, with an excellent and good rate of 87.5%. There was no significant difference in the elbow range of motion (ROM) between the injured side (136.0±16.2)° and normal side (143.1±2.9)° (t=2.007, P=0.052). The ROM of normal elbow was significantly larger than that of the injured side in 3 patients who achieved fair results (t=2.820, P=0.048), but no significant difference was found in patients who achieved excellent and good results (P>0.05). ConclusionThe stellated plate has good clinical outcome in treatment of olecranal avulsion fracture, which has advantages of simple operation, firm fixation, and early functional exercise.
Objective To investigate the effectiveness of Kirschner wire combined with silk tension band in the treatment of ulnar collateral ligament avulsion fracture of the thumb metacarpophalangeal joint. Methods Between September 2008 and October 2011, 14 patients with ulnar collateral ligament avulsion fracture of the thumb metacarpophalangeal joint were treated using a combination of Kirschner wire and silk tension band. There were 8 males and 6 females, aged 23-55 years (mean, 40.8 years). The causes of injury were machinery twist injury in 5 cases, manual twist injury in 4 cases, falling in 4 cases, sports injury in 1 case. The time from injury to operation was 2 hours-14 days. All the patients presented pain over the ulnar aspect of the metacarpophalangeal joint of the thumb, limitation of motion, and joint instability with pinch and grip. The lateral stress testing of the metacarpophalangeal joint was positive. Function training was given at 2 weeks after operation. Results All incisions healed by first intention. The lateral stress testing of the metacarpophalangeal joint was negative. All the patients were followed up 6-18 months (mean, 13.1 months). The X-ray films showed good fracture reduction and healing with an average time of 7 weeks (range, 4-10 weeks). At last follow-up, the thumbs had stable flexion and extension of the metacarpophalangeal joint, normal opposition function and grip and pinch strengths. According to Saetta et al. criteria for functional assessment, the results were excellent in 11 cases and good in 3 cases; the excellent and good rate was 100%. Conclusion It is an easy and simple method to treat ulnar collateral ligament avulsion fracture of the thumb metacarpophalangeal joint using Kirschner wire combined with silk tension band, which can meet the good finger function.
ObjectiveTo develop a new type of internal fixation device which can be used to treat the minor avulsion fracture of the medial malleolus, lateral malleolus, the base of the fifth metatarsal, and the ulnar styloid process, and investigate the reliability and effectiveness of the device through biomechanical test.MethodsEighty human’s bone specimens with complete medial malleolus, lateral malleolus, the base of the fifth metatarsal, and the ulnar styloid process were selected and measured the anatomic indexes (the height, width, and thickness of medial malleolus, lateral malleolus, the base of the fifth metatarsal, and the ulnar styloid process). The CT three-dimensional reconstruction data of 200 healthy adults which including medial malleolus, lateral malleolus, the base of the fifth metatarsal, and the ulnar styloid process was also selected and measured the anatomic indexes by Mimics software. The plastic rod-hook plate was designed according to the measured results and prepared. Forty fresh porcine lower limb specimens were randomly divided into groups A and B (20 in each group), and 8 adult lower limb specimens including 4 left and 4 right were also randomly divided into groups A and B (4 in each group). All specimens were prepared for avulsion fracture of medial malleolus. Then, the fractures were fixed with plastic rod-hook plate in group A and wire anchor in group B. The load and axial torsion test of ankle joint were carried out by universal biomechanical testing machine.ResultsAccording to the anatomical characteristics, a plastic rod-hook plate was designed successfully. The biomechanical test results between animal and human specimens were consistent. There was a linear relationship between load and displacement in the ankle distal load test. The displacement when loaded to the maximum load was significantly lower in group A than in group B (P<0.05). The torsion angle and torque were significantly higher in group A than in group B when the internal fixation failed in the axial torsion test of the ankle joint (P<0.05), and the torsion angle was significantly smaller in group A than in group B when the torque was 1 N·m (P<0.05), and the maximum torque was also significantly higher in group A than in group B (P<0.05). However, there was no significant difference in torsion angle between the two groups in the maximum torque (P>0.05).ConclusionThe biomechanical properties of plastic rod-hook plate is obviously better than wire anchor, and the fixation of avulsion fracture with plastic rod-hook plate is easy to operate, which is expected to be used in the clinical treatment of minor avulsion fractures such as medial malleolus, lateral malleolus, base of the fifth metatarsal, and ulna styloid process.
Objective To compare the effectiveness of arthroscopic screw and suture fixations in treatment of anterior cruciate ligament tibial eminence avulsion fractures. Methods Between January 2002 and January 2009, 43 patients with freshanterior cruciate ligament tibial eminence avulsion fracture were treated, which were rated as types II and III according to Meyers- McKeever-Zaricznyj classification. Fractures were fixed with either screw (screw group, n=21) or nonabsorbable suture (suture group, n=22). There was no significant difference in sex, age, disease duration, and fracture type between 2 groups (P gt; 0.05). The range of motion (ROM) and Lysholm score were compared between 2 groups, and the knee stabil ity was evaluated based on the Lachman test and KT-2000 measurement. Results The operation time was 48-60 minutes (mean, 51.6 minutes) in the screw group, and 55-68 minutes (mean, 63.2 minutes) in the suture group, showing significant difference (t=4.645, P=0.032). Incisions healed by first intention and no compl ication occurred in 2 groups. All patients were followed up (5.7 ± 0.6) years in the screw group and (5.3 ± 0.5) years in the suture group. The fracture healed completely in both groups; the heal ing time was (3.3 ± 0.6) months in the screw group and (3.2 ± 0.4) months in the suture group, showing significant difference (t=3.723, P=0.019). Between the screw group and the suture group, no significant difference was found in ROM [(128.6 ± 10.1)° vs. (130.2 ± 14.1)°, P gt; 0.05] and Lysholm score (94.6 ± 14.5 vs. 95.1 ± 17.2, P gt; 0.05). The stabil ities based on KT-2000 measurement were also similar between 2 groups at last follow-up [(0.9 ± 0.3) mm vs. (1.0 ± 0.4) mm, P gt; 0.05]. Lachman test of 2 groups were negative. Conclusion Boththe screw and nonabsorbable suture fixation techniques for anterior cruciate l igament tibial eminence avulsion fracture (type II or III) have good results in terms of functional outcome and stabil ity. However, some patients show flexion contractures of 5° or 10°.
ObjectiveTo analyze the possible injury mechanisms in patients with dorsal avulsion fracture of the capitellum combined with medial or posterior medial dislocation of the elbow joint, and to discuss their treatment and prognosis. Methods Retrospective analysis was made on the clinical data of 4 patients with dorsal avulsion fracture of the capitellum combined with medial or posterior medial dislocation of the elbow joint admitted between September 2014 and September 2020, including 3 males and 1 female with an average age of 20.7 years (range, 13-32 years). There were 2 cases of dorsal avulsion fracture of the capitellum combined with medial dislocation of the elbow joint and 2 cases of dorsal avulsion fracture of the capitellum and anterior medial fracture of the coronoid process combined with posterior medial subluxation of the elbow joint. Closed reduction was performed in 3 patients with fresh fracture combined with dislocation, then 2 cases were fixed with tension band and 1 case was fixed with tension band combined with Acumed coronoid anatomic plate. And in patient with old fracture nonunion, the coronoid process was fixed with 1 screw, then the humeral sclerotic bone mass was removed, and finally the lateral collateral ligament was repaired and a hinged external fixator was added. Results All the incisions healed by first intention without early complications such as infection or peripheral nerve injury. The 4 patients were followed up 13-30 months (mean, 20.8 months). The fractures all healed with a healing time of 70-90 days (mean, 79.5 days). At 6 months after operation, heterotopic ossification was seen in the posterior aspect of the right elbow joint in 1 case, and the alkaline phosphatase level was normal (67 U/L); the tension band was removed to clear the heterotopic ossification and the elbow joint was released. The rest of the patients had no heterotopic ossification. At last follow-up, all patients had good functional recovery of the elbow joint, with a Mayo score of 85-100 (mean, 92.5), and the excellent and good rate was 100%. The elbow flexion range of motion was 120°-135°, the extension range of motion was 10°-20°, and the pronation and supination range of motion were all 75°-85°. Conclusion Dorsal avulsion fractures of the capitellum combined with medial or posterior medial dislocation of the elbow may be due to simple varus stress. If an anteromedial coronoid facet fracture also occurs, it may be for the varus posteromedial rotatory instability, which is the opposite mechanism to that of an Osborne-Cotterill lesion. For fresh dorsal avulsion fractures of the capitellum, tension band fixation can be used with good results.
ObjectiveTo compare the effectiveness of open reduction of posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) avulsion fracture at tibial insertion of knee joint with absorbable screws fixation and absorbable screw combined with suture anchor fixation. Methods The clinical data of 26 patients with PCL avulsion fracture at tibial insertion who met the selection criteria between March 2015 and October 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 14 patients were fixed with simple absorbable screw (group A), and 12 patients were fixed with absorbable screw combined with suture anchors (group B). All patients were confirmed by X-ray film, CT, or MRI preoperatively, and got positive results in preoperative posterior drawer tests. There was no significant difference in gender, age, side of affected limb, time from injury to operation, comorbidities, and preoperative Meyers & McKeever classification, Lysholm score, and International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score between the two groups (P>0.05). The operation time and postoperative complications were recorded and compared between the two groups. At last follow-up, Lysholm score and IKDC score were used to evaluate the improvement of knee function. ResultsThere was no significant difference in operation time between the two groups (P>0.05). All incisions healed by first intention, and no complication such as vascular and nerve injury or venous thrombosis occurred. All 26 patients were followed up 9-89 months, with an average of 55.3 months. The follow-up time of group A and group B was (55.7±23.2) and (56.8±29.3) months, respectively, with no significant difference (t=−0.106, P=0.916). Radiographs showed bone healing in both groups at 3 months after operation, and no complication such as infection and traumatic arthritis occurred. At last follow-up, the posterior drawer test was negative in both groups, and the Lysholm score and IKDC score significantly improved when compared with the pre-operative values (P<0.05). However, there was no significant difference in the improvement value between the two groups (P>0.05). ConclusionFor PCL avulsion fracture at tibial insertion of the knee joint, the open reduction and absorbable screw combined with suture anchor fixation can achieve reliable fracture reduction and fixation, which is conducive to the early rehabilitation and functional exercise, and the postoperative functional recovery of the knee joint is satisfactory.
ObjectiveTo investigate the effectiveness of arthroscopic multi-point fixation with anchor and suture in the treatment of tibial insertion avulsion fracture of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) involving the anterior root of lateral meniscus (LM). Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 28 patients with tibial insertion avulsion fracture of ACL involving the anterior root of LM who were treated with arthroscopic multi-point fixation with anchor and suture between October 2017 and January 2023. There were 12 males and 16 females with the mean age of 26 years (range, 13-57 years). There were 20 cases of sports injury and 8 cases of traffic accident injury. In 2 cases of old fracture, the time from injury to operation was 45 days and 90 days, respectively; in 26 cases of fresh fracture, the time from injury to operation was 3-20 days (mean, 6.7 days). According to the Meyers-McKeever classification, there were 4 cases of type Ⅱ, 11 cases of type Ⅲ, and 13 cases of type Ⅳ. The preoperative Lysholm knee function score was 42.1±9.0, the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score was 40.0±7.3, and the Tegner score was 0.7±0.7. ResultsAll operations were successfully completed, and the incisions healed by first intention. All the 28 patients were followed up 5-60 months (mean, 20.4 months). During the follow-up, there was nocomplication such as infection, vascular or nerve injury, loosening or breakage of internal fixator, or stiffness of knee joint. Postoperative X-ray films showed satisfactory fracture reduction and firm fixation. All fractures healed clinically, and the healing time was 8-16 weeks (mean, 10.3 weeks). At last follow-up, Lachman test and anterior drawer test were negative. At last follow-up, Lysholm knee function score was 92.4±5.5, IKDC score was 91.6±4.4, and Tegner score was 5.2±1.1, which significantly improved when compared with preoperative scores (t=−22.899, P<0.001; t=−29.870, P<0.001; t=−19.979, P<0.001). ConclusionMulti-point fixation with anchor and suture in the treatment of tibial insertion avulsion fracture of ACL involving the anterior root of LM can not only fix the LM, but also effectively reduce and fix the avulsion fracture, which can obtain good effectiveness.
Objective To investigate the effectiveness of arthroscopic suspension fixation with Endobutton in the treatment of tibial insertion avulsion fractures of posterior cruciate ligament (PCL). Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 52 patients (52 knees) with tibial insertion avulsion fractures of PCL, who were treated by arthroscopic suspension fixation with Endobutton between June 2017 and October 2022. There were 29 males and 23 females, with an average age of 40.6 years (range, 19-66 years). There were 24 cases of traffic accident injuries, 17 cases of sports injuries, and 11 cases of fall injuries. The time from injury to operation ranged from 6 to 19 days (mean, 13.3 days). According to the Meyers-McKeever classification, there were 30 cases of type Ⅱ and 22 cases of type Ⅲ fractures. All patients exhibited positive posterior drawer test results. Preoperative knee joint function was assessed with Lysholm score (21.3±6.7), International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score (20.7±5.8), and visual analogue scale (VAS) score (5.3±0.7); and knee joint range of motion was (41.73±3.17)°. Based on preoperative CT three-dimensional reconstruction measurements, the longitudinal diameter of the avulsed bone fragment ranged from 13 to 25 mm (mean, 18.1 mm). Operation time and occurrence of complications were recorded, and postoperative imaging was used to assess fracture healing. Knee joint function and pain severity were evaluated using knee joint range of motion, Lysholm score, IKDC score, and VAS score. Results The operation time ranged from 46 to 81 minutes (mean, 56.2 minutes). All patients were followed up 12-28 months (mean, 20.1 months). The iatrogenic fractures of bone fragments occurred during operation in 4 cases; and knee effusion occurred in 2 cases and anterior knee pain in 1 case after operation. All incisions healed by first intention. Imaging evaluations at 3 months after operation showed the fracture healing and no internal fixation failure. All patients demonstrated good knee function and had returned to normal activities at 12 months after operation. At last follow-up, the knee joint range of motion was (133.44±4.17)°, Lysholm score 93.6±3.1, IKDC score 93.4±2.5, and VAS score 1.0±0.6, with significant differences compared to preoperative scores (P<0.05). Conclusion Arthroscopic suspension fixation with Endobutton in the treatment of tibial insertion avulsion fractures of PCL is simple to operate, and the knee joint function recovers well.