Osteosynthesis or non-operative treatment of the fibula for distal lower-leg fractures with tibial nailing: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Approach to Tibial Shaft Nonunions: Diagnosis and Management

The tibia is the most common long bone at risk for nonunion with an annual incidence ranging from 12% to 19%. This topic continues to be an area of research as management techniques constantly evolve. A foundational knowledge of the fundamental concepts, etiology, and risk factors for nonunions is crucial for success. Treatment of tibial shaft nonunions often requires a multidisciplinary effort. This article provides guidance based on the most recent literature that can be used to aid the treating provider in the diagnosis, workup, and management of tibial shaft nonunions.

Non-unions and wound infections do not differ following intramedullary nailing and plate osteosynthesis for distal third femur fractures: a meta-analysis

Purpose

The fixation method of distal, extra-articular femur fractures is a controversially discussed. To ensure better stability itself, earlier mobilization and to prevent blood loss - all these are justifications for addressing the femur via reamed intramedullary nailing (RIMN). Anatomical reposition of multifragmentary fractures followed by increased risks of non-union are compelling reasons against it. The purpose of this study was to systematically review the literature for rates of non-union and wound infection, as well as blood loss and time of surgery.

Methods

According to the PRISMA guidelines we conducted this systematic review by searching the Cochrane, PubMed, Ovid, MedLine, and Embase databases. Inclusion criteria were the modified Coleman methodology score (mCMS) >60, age >18 years, and extra-articular fractures of the distal femur. Biomechanical and animal studies were excluded. By referring to title and abstract relevant articles were reviewed independently. In the consecutive meta-analysis, we compared 9 studies and 639 patients.

Results

There is no statistically significant difference comparing superficial wound infections when RIMN was performed (OR = 0.50; 95% CI: 0.18 - 1.42; P = 0.19) as well as in deep wound infections (OR = 0.74; 95% CI: 0.19-2.81; P = 0.62). However, these results were not significant. We also calculated for potential differences in the rate of non-unions depending on the surgical treatment applied. Data of 556 patients revealed an overall number of 43 non-unions. There was no significant difference in rate of non-unions between both groups (OR = 0.97; 95% CI: 0.51-1.85; P = 0.92).

Conclusion

No statistical difference was found in our study among RIMN and plate fixation in the treatment of distal femoral fractures with regard to the incidence of non-union and wound infections. Therefore, the indication for RIMN or plating should be made individually and based on the surgeon's experience.

Lower Limb Malrotation following Minimally Invasive Plating in Distal Tibia Fractures

Introduction

Minimally invasive percutaneousosteosynthesis (MIPO) plating techniques havedemonstrated good outcomes in the treatment of distal tibia fractures. Early arthritis and functional impairment mayoccur if length and rotation are not restored. This study aims to determine the incidence and severity of tibia malrotation following MIPO plating of isolated unilateral distal tibia fractures, defined as torsional difference of greater than 10° as compared to the contralateral limb and whether the degree of malrotation affects functional outcomes scores.

Materials and methods

This was a level 2 prospective cohort study. All patients with fractures of the distal tibia who underwent surgical fixation with the exclusion ofpatients with polytrauma, neurovascular injuries or pre-existing disabilities were recruited. Patients underwent MIPO plating followed by a post-operative ComputedTomography (CT) scan of bilateral lower limbs. AOFAS ankle-hindfoot score was recorded at six months and one year follow-up.

Results

A total of 24 patients (28 to 83 years old) were recruited. Nineteen patients obtained CT scans. Nine of the 19 patients (47.3%) had tibia malrotation. The mean tibia malrotation angle was 10.3° (0° - 45°). The average AOFAS scores was 82.4 and 84.3 at 6 months and 1 year follow-up. Degree of CT malrotation was not significantly associated with AOFAS scores at 6 month (spearman rho -0.386) and 1 year (spearman rho -0.343).

Conclusions

Tibia malrotation following MIPO plating of distal tibia fractures is common, with an incidence of 47.3% and an average malrotation angle of 10.3°. The degree of malrotation does not appear to have significant mid-term functional impact on the patient.

The role of fibula fixation in combined distal-third tibia and fibula fractures: a systematic literature review

OBJECTIVE

The role of concomitant fibula fracture fixation in distal-third tibia fractures regarding alignment, union, and functional outcome is still a topic of debate. In this review, we summarize the available comparative literature regarding fibula fixation in distal third lower leg fractures.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A systematic literature review of articles published between January 2000 and January 2022 in the PubMed, Cochrane, and EMBASE databases about this topic was performed.

RESULTS

746 unique studies were identified of which four randomized-controlled trials and six retrospective studies were included. Nine studies compared alignment after tibia fixation with or without fibula fixation, six studies reported on tibial union, and three studies reported on functional outcome between groups. Pooling of data was not possible due to varying outcome measures and inclusion criteria. Fibula fixation was associated with less rotational malalignment, while there does not seem to be consensus regarding the effect on sagittal and coronal alignment. Six studies reported on the effect of fibula fixation on tibial union. None of these studies found a significant difference between treatment modalities. Furthermore, one out of three studies reporting functional outcome described a marginal beneficial functional outcome after fibula fixation. Ultimately, no differences in complication rates between treatment modalities were described.

CONCLUSION

Fixation of the fibula in distal-third lower leg fractures does not seem to have a significant effect on coronal and sagittal tibial alignment. Furthermore, fibula fixation is associated with significantly less rotational malalignment, although the clinical importance of this finding is questionable as true differences in rotational alignment between treatment modalities are small. Finally, fibula fixation does not affect union, functional outcome, or complication rate as adjuvant to tibia fixation.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

II.

The Effectiveness of Rehabilitation Program After Hybrid Osteosynthesis in Ankle Joint Unstable Injuries

Aim: To develop a rehabilitation protocol for patients with the unstable ankle joint injuries by doing comparative analysis between HSEF functional results and the traditional method. Materials and Methods: The study was performed on 61 patients with the unstable ankle trans- or supra-syndesmotic fractures. Patients were divided into two equal groups where I = main and II = control due to the age, distribution and disorders. 10 patients from the group I were operated using HSEF, the other 51 were selected for the traditional osteosynthesis (plate and positioning screw). For the monitoring of osteosynthesis quality was used The Foot and Ankle Disability Index (FADI) scale. Nonparametric statistical analysis was completed using Statistica 13.0 computer software. Results: After application of HSEF method authors of this paper created original rehabilitation protocol. Limitations in the rehabilitation process (e.g., not weightbearing) on 42}3 day in the control group II caused a significant gap in the results of ankle joint functional recovery. On day56}3, the main group I overreached the control group II by 1.5 (p3<0.001). With each FU 1-3 of the main group I, the total sum of points according to FADI (subscale of sports activity) steadily increased by 5, and with FU 3 on the 56}3 day, reached 16 points. Positive quantitative dynamics in scores were the characteristic of patients from both groups (advantage of the group I was insignificant (by 2 points) (p4<0.001)), although none of them reached the normal (32 points) at the final term (FU 4). Conclusion:Provided results proved the effectiveness of the developed rehabilitation protocol. It enhanced patients recovery up to 1-2 weeks.