Arthrodesis of Neuropathic Ankle Joint by Ilizarov Fixator in Diabetic Patients

Background: Fusion of the neuropathic ankle joint is extremely difficult and associated with many complications. The use of the Ilizarov fixator in ankle fusion for patients with neuropathic arthropathy is not clear. We aimed to evaluate the results of the Ilizarov method for ankle arthrodesis in diabetic patients with neuropathic arthropathy. Methods: We report the results of neuropathic ankle joint arthrodesis performed with the Ilizarov apparatus in 11 patients. The mean age of the patients was 51 years (range, 35–67 years), all patients were diabetic, and they all had a history of ankle trauma unresponsive to conservative treatment. Deformity and instability of the ankle resulting in a nonplantigrade foot was the operative indication. Results: Solid fusion was obtained in all patients except one, at an average of 16.1 weeks (range, 12–20 weeks). At final follow-up, excellent results were obtained in three patients, good in six, fair in one, and poor in one. No major complication occured. Conclusions: The Ilizarov fixator may be an alternative and effective means for neuropathic ankle arthrodesis, especially when the usage of internal fixation methods have some limitations. (J Am Podiatr Med Assoc 99(1): 42–48, 2009)</jats:p

Bilateral Stress Fractures of the Distal Fibula in a Woman with Osteoporosis

Bilateral stress fractures of the fibula are very rare. We present an unusual case report of a 54-year-old osteoporotic woman with bilateral stress fractures involving the distal fibula. After conservative treatment, she made a good recovery with full motion and was free of pain. (J Am Podiatr Med Assoc 99(1): 61–64, 2009)</jats:p

Is pin configuration the only factor causing loss of reduction in the management of pediatric type III supracondylar fractures?

Closed reduction with percutaneous pinning is the treatment of choice for displaced supracondylar humerus fractures in children. In addition to configuration of pin fixation, many factors have been attributed to loss of reduction (LOR). The aim of the present study was to review potential factors that contribute to loss of reduction in the closed management of type III pediatric supracondylar fractures. Treatment of 87 patients with type III supracondylar fractures was reviewed to determine factors associated with loss of reduction, 48 patients were treated with lateral pinning and 39 with crossed-pinning after closed reduction. Outcome parameters included radiographic maintenance of postoperative reduction. Lateral or crossed-pin configuration, pin spread at fracture site, pin-spread ratio (PSR), and direction of coronal displacement of the fracture were not associated with LOR. A significant difference (p = 0.01) was found between LOR rates of patients with medial wall communication and LOR. Medial wall communication is a contributing factor to LOR in the management of type III supracondylar fractures. Cross-pinning should be preferred when medial wall communication is present, to provide more stable fixation. Level IV, Therapeutic study

Unusual Cause of Lateral Elbow Pain: A Case Report of Anconeus Muscle Contusion

The anconeus muscle is a small and minor functioning muscle located at the posterolateral elbow region. It helps forearm extension and tightening of the joint capsule. Despite its limited functions, pathologies of the anconeus muscle can mimic other abnormalities of the elbow joint. Here, we report a rare case of a traumatic anconeus muscle contusion in a 15-year-old boy due to falling during dance. MRI showed contusion in the anconeus muscle, as well as strain in the ulnar collateral ligament and edema in the coronoid process of the ulna. To our knowledge, this is the first described case of traumatic anconeus muscle contusion in the literature. The presence of long-lasting lateral elbow pain in trauma cases without fracture should alert clinicians to consider anconeus muscle abnormalities. MRI is the best modality for diagnosis in these cases.</jats:p

Medial percutaneous hemi-epiphysiodesis improves the valgus tilt of the femoral head in developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) type-II avascular necrosis

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Avascular necrosis (AVN) is a major cause of disability after treatment of developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH), leading to femoral head deformity, acetabular dysplasia, and osteoarthritis in adult life. Type-II AVN is characterized by retarded growth in the lateral aspect of the physis or by premature lateral fusion, which produces a valgus deformity of the head on the neck of the femur. We investigated the effect of medial percutaneous hemi-epiphysiodesis as a novel technique in the treatment of late-diagnosed type-II AVN. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 9 patients (11 hips) with a diagnosis of type-II AVN who underwent medial percutaneous hemi-epiphysiodesis after the surgical treatment for DDH were included in the study. 10 patients (12 hips) with the same diagnosis but who did not undergo hemi-epiphysodesis were chosen as a control group. Preoperative and postoperative articulotrochanteric distances, head-shaft angles, CE (center-edge) angles, and physeal inclination angles were measured. The treatment group underwent medial hemi-epiphysodesis at a mean age of 8 years. The mean ages of the treatment group and the control group at final follow-up were 14 and 12 years respectively. The mean duration of follow-up was 5.7 years in the treatment group and 8.3 years in the control group. RESULTS: Preoperative articulotrochanteric distance, head-shaft angle, and functional outcome at the final follow-up assessment were similar in the 2 groups. However, preoperative and postoperative CE angles and physeal inclination angles differed significantly in the treatment group (p < 0.05). The final epiphyseal valgus angles were better in the treatment group than in the control group (p = 0.05). The treatment group improved after the operation. INTERPRETATION: Medial percutaneous epiphysiodesis performed through a mini-incision under fluoroscopic control is a worthwhile modality in terms of changing the valgus tilt of the femoral head