Lower-Extremity Skeletal Traction Following Orthopaedic Trauma

Evaluating the role of fluoroscopy in calcaneal pin placement

Although fluoroscopy-assisted calcaneal pin placement for ankle-spanning external fixation or skeletal traction was advocated in the literature, evidence for necessity of fluoroscopy for this application is lacking. This study aimed to compare the calcaneal pin locations and complications of patients who underwent pin placement with and without fluoroscopy guidance. In this retrospective cohort study, adult patients that underwent external fixation for ankle fractures between October 2022 and May 2024 were included. The primary outcome was the rate of the pins that were inside the safe zone. Secondary outcomes were the distance of pins to the tip of medial malleolus and the posteriormost point of calcaneus and complications such as neurovascular deficit and calcaneal fracture. Eighty-two patients (mean age 47±16.4 - min. 18 - max. 89, 54.9 % male) were involved in the study. Forty-five patients (group 1) had their pins placed without fluoroscopy assistance and thirty-seven patients (group 2) with fluoroscopy assistance. Five patients (11.1 %) in group 1 and seven patients (18.9 %) in group 2 had their pins placed outside the safe zone (P = 0.320). Distance of the hole from medial malleolus was mean 38.8 ± 7.9 mm for group 1 and 51.3 ± 8.32 mm for group 2 (P < 0.001), and distance from posteriormost point of calcaneus was mean 25.2 ± 6.3 mm for group 1 and 21.4 ± 7.9 mm for group 2 (P = 0.019). No neurovascular complications or calcaneal fracture were seen during follow-up. In conclusion, fluoroscopy guidance does not provide any additional benefit for placing calcaneal pins.

Fracture dislocation of the ankle joint in low energy trauma: Choosing between invasive damage control procedures and closed reduction in plaster

INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this study is to identify significant differences in the clinical outcomes of patients who sustained a low energy trauma resulting into an ankle fracture-dislocation, treated with invasive (external fixation or skeletal traction) and conservative damage control procedures (closed reduction in plaster).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This is a retrospective comparative study including 52 patients with low energy ankle fracture-dislocation, surgically treated between January 2015 and January 2017. Patients included in this study had a minimum 24 months follow-up (range 24-36 months). Patients were divided in 2 groups, group A (n = 21) initially treated with invasive damage control procedures to maintain reduction and group B (n = 31) treated with non-invasive damage control procedures. Patients were evaluated clinically and radiographically. Clinical assessment was performed by evaluating ankle range-of-motion and the Olerud - Molander ankle score at 6, 12 and 24 months as endpoints for both groups.

RESULTS

Groups were assessed for homogeneity with a chi-squared test, and no statistical differences were found regarding Weber classification, type of dislocation, and Tscherne classification. A significant improvement in the Olerud-Molander score was noted between the 6- and 12-month follow-ups (p 0.01), but not between the 12- and 24-month follow-ups. This improvement was not observed between the 12 and 24 months follow-up. No statistically significant differences in the Olerud-Molander score were found between the two groups at both the 6- and 24-month follow-ups.

CONCLUSIONS

Closed reduction in plaster for fracture-dislocations of the ankle joint following low-energy trauma appears capable of maintaining reduction with outcomes comparable to more invasive damage control procedures.

Rate of skin and nerve complications as a result of cutaneous traction with modern foam boots

INTRODUCTION

Cutaneous traction is used to temporize lower extremity fractures and relies on friction between the skin and surrounding material to apply a longitudinal force. This circumferential compressive force can lead to pressure sores, skin sloughing, or compressive neuropathies. These complications have been reported in up to 11% of patients when the cutaneous traction relies on adhesive tapes, plaster, and rubber bandages being in immediate contact with the skin. The rates of these complications are not well documented when using modern foam boots.

METHODS

A retrospective chart review was performed on all orthopedic trauma patients who suffered pelvic or lower extremity injuries between March 1st, 2020 and April 30th, 2021 at a single Level-1 trauma center. We included all patients with femoral fractures, axially unstable pelvic ring and/or acetabular fractures, and unstable hip dislocations temporized with the use of cutaneous traction. All patients had intact skin and lower extremity nerve function prior to application.

RESULTS

There were 138 patients identified with 141 lower extremities. The average patient age was 50.7 (6-100) years. Mean traction weight of 9.8 (5-20) pounds. Average traction duration was 20.9 (2.3-243.5) hours. At the time of traction removal, there was 1 (0.7%) new skin wound and 0 nerve palsies. The new skin wound was a stage one heel pressure sore and did not require further treatment.

CONCLUSION

Cutaneous traction with a modern foam boot was found to have a skin complication rate of 0.7% and a nerve palsy complication rate of 0% for an overall complication rate of 0.7%, which has not been previously established and is lower than historically reported complication rates of 11% when utilizing adhesive and plaster directly on skin. Foam boot Cutaneous traction may be considered a safe option for traction placement.

Utility of 2.0 mm diameter Kirschner wires assembled with Wu's Tension Traction Bows in calcaneal skeletal traction

The 3.5 mm diameter or thicker Steinmann pins were commonly used in skeletal traction, which are so highly invasive that may result in severe complications such as pin tract infection and iatrogenic calcaneus fractures. Accordingly, Xirui Wu designed a new type of tension traction bow that can be assembled with 2.0 mm diameter Kirschner wires, but its effectiveness is unclear. We aim to evaluate the effectiveness of 2.0 mm diameter Kirschner wires assembled with Wu's Tension Traction Bows in calcaneal skeletal traction. Data of 65 patients who were admitted to our department with tibia fractures from January 2021 to June 2022 and underwent preoperative calcaneal skeletal traction were collected retrospectively. 36 patients treated with 2.0 mm diameter Kirschner wires assembled with Wu's Tension Traction Bows were assigned into Group 1, and 29 patients treated with 3.5 mm diameter Steinmann pins assembled with Bohler's traction bows were assigned into Group 2. Pins loosening, breakage, and calcaneus fractures occurred in neither group. No statistical differences were observed in traction weight, swelling reduction efficacy, and traction duration (P > 0.05). Statistically significant differences were found between the two groups in term of post-traction bleeding incidence, average bleeding duration, and mean size and healing time of traction wounds (P < 0.05). Though VAS pain score before traction and on the first two days after traction in Group 1 didn't differ from Group 2 (P > 0.05), it was significantly lower in Group 1 compared to Group 2 on the third day after traction (P = 0.030). This study demonstrates that 2.0 mm diameter Kirschner wires assembled with Wu's Tension Traction Bows produce satisfied traction outcomes with less invasion and are recommended in calcaneal skeletal traction.

Audio Distraction for Traction Pin Insertion: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Study

BACKGROUND

Insertion of a skeletal traction pin in the distal femur or proximal tibia can be a painful and unpleasant experience for patients with a lower-extremity fracture. The purpose of this study was to determine whether providing patients with audio distraction (AD) during traction pin insertion can help to improve the patient-reported and the physician-reported experience and decrease pain and/or anxiety during the procedure.

METHODS

A prospective randomized controlled trial was conducted at 2 level-I trauma centers. Patients ≥18 years of age who were conscious and oriented and had a medical need for skeletal traction were included. Patients were randomized to receive AD or not receive AD during the procedure. All other procedure protocols were standardized and were the same for both groups. Surveys were completed by the patient and the physician immediately following the procedure. Patients rated their overall experience, pain, and anxiety during the procedure, and physicians rated the difficulty of the procedure, both on a 1-to-10 Likert scale.

RESULTS

A total of 54 patients met the inclusion criteria. Twenty-eight received AD and 26 did not. Femoral fractures were the most common injury (33 of 55, 60.0%). Baseline demographic characteristics did not differ between the 2 groups. The overall patient-reported procedure experience was similar between the AD and no-AD groups (3.9 ± 2.9 [95% confidence interval (CI), 3.1 to 4.7] versus 3.5 ± 2.2 [95% CI, 2.9 to 4.1], respectively; p = 0.55), as was pain (5.3 ± 3.2 [95% CI, 4.4 to 6.2] versus 6.1 ± 2.4 [95% CI, 5.4 to 6.8]; p = 0.28). However, anxiety levels were lower in the AD group (4.8 ± 3.3 [95% CI, 3.9 to 5.7] versus 7.1 ± 2.8 [95% CI, 6.3 to 7.9]; p = 0.007). Physician-reported procedure difficulty was similar between the groups (2.6 ± 2.0 [95% CI, 2.1 to 3.1] versus 2.8 ± 1.7 [95% CI, 2.3 to 3.3]; p = 0.69).

CONCLUSIONS

AD is a practical, low-cost intervention that may reduce patient anxiety during lower-extremity skeletal traction pin insertion.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic Level I . See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Proximal Tibia Skeletal Traction: Technique and Indications

Skeletal traction is a fundamental tool for the orthopaedic surgeon caring for patients with traumatic pelvic and lower-extremity orthopaedic injuries. Skeletal traction has proven to be an effective initial means of stabilization in patients with these injuries. Traction may be used for both temporary and definitive treatment in a variety of orthopaedic injuries. With the appropriate knowledge of regional anatomy, skeletal traction pins can be placed safely and with a low rate of complications. Several methods for placing skeletal traction have been described, and it is critical for orthopaedic surgeons to be proficient not only in their application but also understanding of the appropriate indications for use. Here we present a case example of a patient with a right femur fracture and discuss the technique and indications for placement of proximal tibia skeletal traction.