Objective To evaluate the internal fixation effect, degradation, and biocompatibility of polylactic-co-glycolic acid/hydroxyapatite (PLGA/HA) absorbable cannulated screws in treatment of lateral femoral condyle fracture of canine so as to provide the theory basis for their further improvement and clinical application. Methods Sixteen adult male Beagles (weighing, 9-12 kg) were selected to prepare the models of bilateral lateral femoral condyle fracture; left fracture was fixed with PLGA/HA absorbable cannulated screws as experimental group and right fracture with metal screws as control group. At 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks after operation, general observation was done and X-ray films were taken for observing fracture healing; bone mineral density was measured; the histological examination was performed; and the degradation property of absorbable cannulated screws was detected. Results All animals survived to the end of the experiment. General observations showed that no fracture displacement occurred and fracture healed at 12 weeks in 2 groups; no breakage, displacement, or loosening of screws was observed in experimental group. X-ray films results showed that the absorbable cannulated screws could not be found out by X-ray in experimental group, but metal screws could be found out in control group; fracture healed with time in 2 groups. The bone mineral density reached the peak at 8 weeks in 2 groups, and no significant difference was found between 2 groups and among different time points in the same group (P gt; 0.05). Histological examination showed that 2 groups had similar fracture healing process at different time points; no obvious inflammatory reaction was found around absorbable cannulated screws in experimental group. The degradation results of absorbable cannulated screws showed that the intrinsic viscosity and molecular weight distribution obviously decreased at 2 weeks; the number average molecular weight and the weight average molecular weight markedly decreased at 4 weeks; and the maximum shear force did not decrease obviously at 8 weeks, and then decreased significantly. Significant differences were found in all indexes among different time points in the same group (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion PLGA/HA absorbable cannulated screws and metal screws show similar fracture healing process for fixing lateral femoral condyle fracture of canine, and the absorbable canulated screws have good biocompatibility. The maximum shear force of PLGA/HA absorbable cannulated screw has no obvious decrease during 8 weeks after operation, so it can ensure full healing of fracture.
Objective To explore the technique and clinicaleffects of internal fixation of complicated distal femoral fractures using the supporting steel of AO femoral condyles.Methods From October 2001 to February 2004, 23 cases of complicated distal femoral fractures were treated with open reduction and internal fixation using the supporting steel of AO femoral condyles. Of 23 cases, there were 19 males and 4 females, aged 27-55 years. The locations were the right side in 10 cases and the left side in 13 cases. Fracture caused by traffic accident in 16 and by fall in 7, including 14 closed fracture and 9 open fracture, 21 fresh fracture and 2 old fracture. Accordingto AO classification, 6 cases were classified as type A extra-articular fracture and 17 cases as type C intra-articular fracture. The X-ay films before operation showed comminuted fracture of femoral intercondyles and femoral supracondyles. All cases received scientific and rational rehabilitative treatment postoperatively. Results The postoperative follow-up ranged from 6months to 20 months, 23 cases achieved fracture healing with an average healing period of 10.3 months (from 7 months to 16 months). According to the criteria of Kolmert and Wulff, the results were excellent in 16 cases, good in 4 cases, fair in 2 case andpoor in 1 case. The excellenct and good rate was 86.9%.Conclusion Internal fixation with the supporting steel of AO femoral condyles for treatment of complicated distal femoral fractures has advantages of reasonable design, convenient operation, firm fixation and reliable clinical outcome .
ObjectiveTo investigate the reliability of the "ripple sign" on the upper surface of the medial femoral condyle in the diagnosis of medial longitudinal meniscal tears under arthroscope. MethodsBetween June 2013 and June 2014, 56 patients with knee injuries were included. There were 35 males and 21 females with an average age of 22.2 years (range, 12-38 years). The causes of injury were sports in 40 cases, falling in 10 cases, and traffic accident in 6 cases. The injury was located at the left knee in 22 cases and at the right knee in 34 cases. The disease duration was 10-40 days (mean, 20.2 days). Of 56 patients, 15 cases had simple medial meniscal injury; 41 cases had combined injuries, including anterior cruciate ligament injury in 38 cases, posterior cruciate ligament injury in 2 cases, and patellar dislocation in 1 case. The "ripple sign" was observed under arthroscope before operation. Repair of medial meniscal injury and reconstruction of cruciate ligament were performed. ResultsThe positive "ripple sign" was seen under arthroscope in all patients, who were diagnosed to have longitudinal meniscal tears, including 23 cases of mild "ripple sign", 28 cases of moderate "ripple sign", and 5 cases of severe "ripple sign". ConclusionThe "ripple sign" on the upper surface of the medial femoral condyle is a reliable diagnostic evidence of medial longitudinal meniscal tears.
ObjectiveTo summarize the effectiveness of anatomical plate combined with cortical bone plate allografts in the treatment of comminuted fractures of the femoral condyles. MethodsBetween January 2008 and December 2012, 18 patients with comminuted fractures of the femoral condyles were treated, including 13 males and 5 females with an average age of 45 years (range, 23-65 years). Fractures were caused by traffic accident in 11 cases, by falling from height in 4 cases, and by the other in 3 cases. The locations were the left side in 7 cases and the right side in 11 cases. Of 18 fractures, 12 were open fractures and 6 were closed fractures. The mean time from injury to operation was 6 days (range, 4-15 days). The fixation was performed by anatomical plate combined with cortical bone plate allografts, and autograft bone or allogeneic bone grafting were used. ResultsSuperficial local skin necrosis occurred in 1 case, and was cured after skin graft, and other incisions achieved primary healing. All patients were followed up 12-36 months (mean, 23 months). X-ray films showed that bone union was achieved within 3-12 months (5.6 months on average). No related complication occurred, such as fixation loosening, refracture, infection, or immunological rejection. According to Merchan et al. criteria for knee joint function evaluation, the results were excellent in 7 cases, good in 9 cases, fair in 1 case, and poor in 1 case at last follow-up; the excellent and good rate was 88.9%. ConclusionAnatomical plate combined with cortical bone plate allograft fixation is a good method to treat comminuted fractures of the femoral condyles. This method can effectively achieve complete cortical bone on the inside of the femur as well as provide rigid fixation.
ObjectiveTo explore the effectiveness of arthroscopic microfracture combined with osteochondral autologous transplantation (OAT) in treatment of large area (4-6 cm2) cartilage injury of the femoral condyle of knee.MethodsBetween March 2016 and June 2017, 22 patients of large area cartilage injury of the femoral condyle of knee were treated with arthroscopic microfracture combined with OAT. There were 16 males and 6 females with an average age of 22-60 years (mean, 38.6 years). The cause of injury was traffic accident in 8 cases and sports injuries in 14 cases. The disease duration was 1-6 months (mean, 3.4 months). There were 15 cases of medial femoral condyle injuries and 7 cases of lateral condyle injuries. The area of cartilage defect was 4-6 cm2 (mean, 4.98 cm2). According to the International Cartilage Repair Society (ICRS) classification, 9 cases were rated as grade Ⅲ and 13 cases as grade Ⅳ. Eighteen cases were combined with meniscus injuries. Preoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) score was 6.36±1.25 and Lysholm score was 36.00±7.77.ResultsAll incisions healed by first intention. All patients were followed up 2-3 years with an average of 2.3 years. At 2 years after operation, the VAS score was 1.27±0.94 and the Lysholm score was 77.82±6.21, which were significantly improved when compared with those before operation (t=16.595, P=0.000; t=21.895, P=0.000). At 2 years after operation, MRI showed that the cartilage defect was repaired well.ConclusionArthroscopic microfracture combined with OAT can be used to treat large area cartilage injury of the femoral condyle of knee, and the good early effectiveness can be obtained.