Periprosthetic Tibial Fracture with Nonunion and Ascending Prosthetic Joint Infection: A Case Report of an Individual Treatment Strategy

Introduction:

Periprosthetic fractures are severe injuries that demand the surgeon’s full expertise and special diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. A major complication is the occurrence of an infectious nonunion, including an ascending infection from the fracture site to the arthroplasty.

Case Report:

This case report presents on a patient with a well-functioning revision total knee arthroplasty (TKA) who suffered a periprosthetic tibia fracture. Initial treatment with plating failed and the fracture had to be revised due to an infectious non-union with a multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis, and its eradication was complicated by septic loosening of the patient’s knee arthroplasty. After multiple revisions of the nonunion, a two-stage exchange arthroplasty with a partial replacement of the distal femur due to a bone defect was necessary to obtain an acceptable result.

Conclusion:

The objective of this case report is to present an individual surgical strategy in a complex case of periprosthetic fracture and TKA with major complications. It is shown that the infection of the bone and implants is a challenging situation for surgical treatment. There is still no optimal management strategy due to missing standards as well as controversies in treatment.

[The infected diabetic foot]

Infections in the diabetic foot are regularly the consequence of neuropathic, ischemic, or combined neuropathic-ischemic ulcerations which cause substantial morbidity including a high rate of major amputations. Diabetic foot infections are responsible for substantially high costs of diabetic treatment and induce an increased rate of mortality. An early diagnosis on the basis of clinical presentation, laboratory results, and radiologic imaging together with an adequate classification of the severity of infection represents the key for a successful intervention strategy. Severe infections in diabetic feet have a poorer prognosis than mild or moderate infections. A guideline which includes a multifaceted approach to infection control by débridement, antibiotic therapy, and revascularization before definitive reconstruction of the defect may aid in reducing the risk of amputation and improving the quality of life and mobility of the patient. This can be realized by multidisciplinary cooperation. Additional preventive measures such as osseous and soft tissue reconstructions during the infection-free period to establish a plantigrade and ulcer-free foot together with education and routine follow-up controls provide the basis for a long-term reduction of ulcer and infection recurrence with progressive deterioration of the prognosis.

Reconstruction After Malunited Lisfranc Injuries

Symptomatic secondary osteoarthritis of the Lisfranc joints due to malunion following Lisfranc joint fracture dislocations or ligamentous lesions at the Lisfranc and innominate joint level generally lead to a painful functional loss and a substantial disturbance of the walking performance. Initially missed or inadequately addressed primary lesions still represent the major source of Lisfranc joint malunions. Neuro-osteoarthropathic disorders may also become manifest in the Lisfranc joint region and may be mistaken for truly posttraumatic consequences. Secondary osteoarthritis may be combined with typical multiplanar deformities. The concept of a corrective arthrodesis includes restoration of stable physiologic axes and length proportions of the foot columns. A standardized approach to analyze the clinical picture and corresponding pathomorphology and the transfer into a comprehensive surgical concept which respects the realignment of any component of deformity is a prerequisite for a good functional outcome and a high degree of patient satisfaction. A fusion limited to the medial three rays combined with a soft tissue release may be sufficient for a favorable outcome in the majority of cases and preserve the mobility of the two lateral rays.

Should one consider primary surgical reconstruction in charcot arthropathy of the feet?

Charcot neuroosteoarthropathy of the feet can induce severe instability and deformity with subsequent plantar ulceration leading to substantial disability or even amputation. Traditionally, nonoperative treatment is regarded as the primary option of treatment while surgery is restricted to treating complications or failure of nonoperative treatment. Failed nonoperative treatment essentially prolongs treatment period. We retrospectively reviewed 22 patients (26 feet) with midfoot (n = 9) or hindfoot (n = 17) neuropathy who underwent primary surgical reconstruction and reorientation arthrodesis due to manifest instability, nonplantigrade foot position, and deformity with overt (n = 8) or what we judged was impending ulceration (n = 9). The minimum followup was 0.5 years (mean, 2.7 years; range 0.5-7 years). All eight ulcers healed without recurrence of ulceration or manifestation of new ulcers during the followup period. We observed complications leading to further surgery in nine patients: five with perioperative hematoma and four with instability. AOFAS scores rose from a preoperative mean of 39 to 70 points (hindfoot cases) and from 51 points to 84 (midfoot cases). Early surgical reconstruction in high-risk patients can provide timely restoration of a plantigrade and stable foot and improved quality of life of the patient at complication rates comparable to those after secondary surgery following failed nonoperative treatment; however we emphasize we had no control group in this small case series for which we could compare nonoperative treatment.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV, therapeutic study (case series). See Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Sesamoid and toe fractures

Injuries of the toes and sesamoids of the first metatarsophalangeal joint comprise a wide spectrum of traumatic entities. Despite the fact that a majority of lesions may well respond to nonsurgical treatment and exhibit an excellent prognosis, appropriate clinical and imaging analysis is mandatory to select those injuries that require specific therapeutic and surgical measures to avoid long-term sequelae of functional disability.