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Fixators dynamization for delayed union and non-union of femur and tibial fractures: a review of techniques, timing and influence factors.

ABSTRACT: The optimal balance between mechanical environment and biological factors is crucial for successful bone healing, as they synergistically affect bone development. Any imbalance between these factors can lead to impaired bone healing, resulting in delayed union or non-union. To address this bone healing disorder, clinicians have adopted a technique known as "dynamization" which involves modifying the stiffness properties of the fixator. This technique facilitates the establishment of a favorable mechanical and biological environment by changing a rigid fixator to a more flexible one that promotes bone healing. However, the dynamization of fixators is selective for certain types of non-union and can result in complications or failure to heal if applied to inappropriate non-unions. This review aims to summarize the indications for dynamization, as well as introduce a novel dynamic locking plate and various techniques for dynamization of fixators (intramedullary nails, steel plates, external fixators) in femur and tibial fractures. Additionally, Factors associated with the effectiveness of dynamization are explored in response to the variation in dynamization success rates seen in clinical studies.

SUBMITTER: Hu M

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10405409 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Fixators dynamization for delayed union and non-union of femur and tibial fractures: a review of techniques, timing and influence factors.

Hu Minhua M Zeng Wenxing W Zhang Jingtao J Feng Yuanlan Y Ma Luyao L Huang Feng F Cai Qunbin Q

Journal of orthopaedic surgery and research 20230807 1

The optimal balance between mechanical environment and biological factors is crucial for successful bone healing, as they synergistically affect bone development. Any imbalance between these factors can lead to impaired bone healing, resulting in delayed union or non-union. To address this bone healing disorder, clinicians have adopted a technique known as "dynamization" which involves modifying the stiffness properties of the fixator. This technique facilitates the establishment of a favorable ...[more]

PMID: 37550732

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Project description:BackgroundAlthough relatively rare, non-unions and mal-unions of tibial plateau fractures present significant challenges for the orthopedic surgeon. With careful pre-operative planning, tibial plateau mal-union or non-union revision surgery with intra-articular and varus opening osteotomies can provides good functional results when performed early (within 1 year) after primary surgical procedure.Questions/purposesWe present our treatment algorithm for approaching and treating non-union or mal-union of tibial plateau fractures. Our aim is to give surgeons treating these difficult injuries an overview of the pertinent literature as well as describe the challenges and pitfalls we have experienced when treating non-union or mal-union of tibial plateau fractures.MethodsUsing two case examples from our institution, one for mal-union and one for mal-reduction, we describe our treatment algorithm and surgical technique for managing these difficult injuries. We also provide a brief literature review outlining relevant studies and summarizing outcomes for similar injuries. A systematic literature review was conducted with the aim of determining the methods and outcomes commonly reported in the literature regarding revision surgery following tibial plateau non-union or mal-union. Due to the nature of revision surgery, there are no long-term randomized trials dealing with outcomes, but rather several smaller case series exist from which larger conclusions have to be drawn.ResultsTo date, we have successfully treated approximately 35 patients with this technique, and clinical follow-up continues to show good functional outcomes with reduced pain and little radiographic evidence of arthritic changes. Restoring long leg alignment, anatomic reduction of the articular surface, and achieving stable internal fixation are paramount in achieving the best long-term outcome. Due to the shallow soft tissue envelope around the proximal tibia, and the tendency for these fractures to fall into progressive valgus collapse, these problems can seem intimidating and complex. However, with well-planned surgery and meticulous surgical technique, reliable healing can be achieved.ConclusionBy outlining our method, we hope to provide other surgeons with an algorithm to guide clinical and operative decision making. These difficult injuries can be daunting to treat, but if performed before the onset of severe degenerative arthritis, early revision surgery, as we describe, can be a viable alternative to total knee arthroplasty, particularly in younger, more active patients.

Project description:PurposeTo examine the condition and triggers of stress fractures of the lateral tibial plateau (LTP) similar to type III lateral hinge fractures (LHFs) after open wedge high tibial osteotomy (OWHTO).MethodsOWHTO was performed in 118 knees. They were examined for LHFs by computed tomography (CT). Patients were divided into the stress fracture group (Group SF) if they showed fracture lines on CT performed after starting weight-bearing walking and the normal group (Group N) for others.ResultsThe mean age was significantly older in Group SF (P = 0.022). Preoperatively, Group SF showed a significantly higher tibio-femoral angle (TFA, P = 0.014). No significant differences were observed in TFA and weight-bearing line ratio after surgery. Correction angle was significantly higher in the SF group. And all of the SF were more than 13 degrees. There was no significant difference in LHF incidence between groups, whereas stress fracture incidence differed significantly for each type of LHF (chi-squared test, P = 0.0001): 14.6% of type I cases, 100% of type II cases, 0% of type III cases, and 6.1% of those without LHF.DiscussionThe load on the LTP is assumed to act as a shearing force in type II fractures, which may contribute greatly to stress fractures. In type III, stress fractures may not occur because of the load dispersed at the fracture part. The stress fracture site is similar to type III LHF, and this kind of fracture is thought to be a delayed type III because it occurs after patients start weight-bearing walking. Moreover, they are observed in type I cases with a stable hinge and in 6% of cases without LHF. This study showed that high varus knees corrected with a large correction angle may develop stress fractures. OWHTO requires attention to stress fractures of the LTP, which can be regarded as delayed type III, in those developing LHFs postoperatively or having a high varus knee preoperatively.ConclusionThese results indicated the possibility of stress fracture in LTP during weight-bearing exercise after OWHTO, which was regarded as a delayed type III fracture. The results showed that Correction angle was more than 13 degrees, and lateral hinge fracture type II of the Takeuchi classification was an inducement of this stress fracture.Level of evidenceLevel IV.

Project description:PurposeThe treatment of distal femur fractures with extensive metaphyseal comminution is frequently complicated by high rates of nonunion and varus collapse. Dual plating with lateral and medial locking plates for these types of fractures has shown promising results in the recent literature. We hypothesize that dual plating of comminuted distal femur fractures leads to higher union rates and lower revision rates compared to an isolated lateral locking plate.MethodsA retrospective medical chart review between January 2015 and December 2017 was conducted. Inclusion criteria included patients 18 years of age and older who sustained a complex distal femur fracture (AO/OTA 33-C2/33-C3 or periprosthetic fracture with significant metaphyseal comminution) and at least 6 months of follow up. Patients with simple fracture patterns, alternative fixation methods, and inadequate follow up were excluded. All patients in the single plating group were treated with a lateral distal femoral locking plate using a lateral approach. In the patients treated with dual plating, an extensile parapatellar approach was utilized for fracture reduction and placement of an adjunctive medial plate. Demographic information, fracture types, injury severity score (ISS), medical comorbidities, type of surgical fixation, union rates, complications, knee range of motion, time to follow up, and need for revision surgery were extrapolated from the medical charts for analysis.ResultsTwenty-one patients were included in the study. Thirteen patients underwent single plate fixation and 8 underwent dual plate fixation. There were no significant differences in demographics, number of co-morbidities, fracture classification, or ISS between single and dual plate groups (p > 0.05 for all). There was a statistically significant difference in union rates between the single plate group (6 nonunions, 4 unions, and 3 delayed unions) and the dual plate group, with no nonunions or delayed unions (p = 0.0049). Although not statistically significant, 4 patients treated with single plating underwent revision ORIF, compared to none in the dual plating group (p = 0.13). There were no significant differences in time to follow up, time to full weight bearing, or infection rates (p > 0.1 for all).ConclusionBased on these results, the medial and lateral locked plating technique demonstrates a higher union rate, with possible lower rates of revision surgery, compared to a single lateral plate in highly comminuted distal femur fractures.Level of evidenceLevel 3. Retrospective Cohort Study.

Dataset Information

Fixators dynamization for delayed union and non-union of femur and tibial fractures: a review of techniques, timing and influence factors.

Publications

Fixators dynamization for delayed union and non-union of femur and tibial fractures: a review of techniques, timing and influence factors.

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