A new method of computing patient-specific abduction and anteversion angles from a CT study of the anterior pelvic plane and the left and right acetabular rim planes was reliable and accurate. We found that the acetabular rim plane can be reliably and accurately computed from identified points on the rim. The novelty of this work is that angular measurements are performed between planes on a 3-D model rather than lines on 2-D projections, as was done in the past.
Background:
Our goal was to analyze the movement of acute scaphoid waist fracture fragments and adjacent bones in a common coordinate system. Our hypothesis was that the distal scaphoid fragment flexes and pronates and the proximal fragment extends.
Methods:
Computed tomography (CT) scans of patients diagnosed with an acute scaphoid waist fracture were evaluated using a 3-dimensional (3D) model. The scans of 57 nondisplaced and 23 displaced fractures were compared with a control group of 27 scans showing no pathological involvement of the wrist. Three anatomical landmarks were labeled on the distal and proximal fragments of the scaphoid, the lunate, and the trapezium. Each set of labels formed a triangle representing the bone or fragment. Four landmarks were labeled on the distal radial articular surface and used to create a common coordinate system. The position of each bone or fragment was calculated in reference to these coordinates.
Results:
The displaced fracture group showed significant extension, supination, and volar translation of the proximal scaphoid fragment when compared with the other groups. The lunate tended toward a supinated position, which was not statistically significant. The distal scaphoid fragment and the trapezium showed no movement.
Conclusions:
In acute displaced scaphoid fractures, it is the proximal fragment that displaces and should be reduced.
Clinical Relevance:
The typical “humpback” deformity is actually a “proximal extension” deformity, the consequence of displacement of the proximal fragment of the scaphoid (with the lunate). Manipulating only the proximal fragment (with the lunate) may be technically easier and more effective than manipulating both fragments.
Background Closed reduction and percutaneous fixation with Kirschner wires (KWs) is the standard of care of pediatric supra-condylar humerus fractures (SCHFs). Failure modes leading to loss of reduction are not clear and have not been quantified. Multiple factors may weaken the KW-bone interface bonding conditions. To the best of our knowledge, the possible effect of this decrease on different KW configurations and fracture stability has never been studied. Purpose To investigate the effect of bone-KW friction conditions on SCHF post-operative mechanical stability and to formulate clinical guidelines for KW configuration under different conditions. Methods Finite element-based model of a fixated SCHF was used to simulate structure stability for two lateral divergent versus crossed lateral and medial KW configurations under varying KW-bone friction conditions. Results Finite element simulations demonstrated that crossed KWs provide superior stability compared with the divergent configuration when KW-bone bonding is compromised. When KW-bone bonding conditions are adequate, crossed and divergent KW configurations provide similar, sufficient fracture stability. Conclusions Under normal bone-implant interface conditions, the two diverging lateral KW configuration offers satisfactory mechanical stability and may be the preferred choice of SCHF fixation. When KW-bone bonding is suboptimal, as when one or more of the lateral KWs are redrilled, addition of a medial KW should be considered in order to improve stability despite risk to ulnar nerve.
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