Objective: This study aimed to report the short-term results of retrograde tibiotalocalcaneal (TTC) nailing in a selected series of patients with fragility ankle fractures. Methods: This study included 17 patients who underwent primary retrograde TTC nailing from January 2016 to April 2019. The Olerud-Molander ankle score (OMAS) was recorded preoperatively and at the final follow-up. Results: Mean patient age was 81.5 years (range, 67-91 years), and mean follow-up duration was 20.9 months (range, 8-50 months). No patient was lost to follow-up. Eleven patients had diabetes. Thirteen patients were able to walk with an assistive device, and 4 with help from another person. Two patients died at 8 and 9 months after treatment. Radiographic healing was observed in 100% of the fractures. No deep infection or scarring problems were recorded. Two patients were wheelchair bound after treatment, whereas 15 recovered their previous autonomy. The mean OMAS score changed from 64.1 (range, 55-75) preoperatively to 55.3 (range, 45-65) postoperatively. Conclusion: Our results suggest that primary retrograde TTC nailing is a valid option in selected patients with fragility ankle fractures, multiple comorbidities, poor soft tissue condition, and difficulty in walking before the fracture. Level of Evidence IV; Therapeutic Studies, Case Series.
Osteoporotic ankle fractures result from mechanical forces that would not ordinarily result in fracture, known as ‘low-energy’ trauma, such as those equivalent to a fall from a standing height or less.
Osteoporotic ankle fractures in frail patients are becoming more and more frequent in daily practice and represent a therapeutic challenge for orthopaedic surgeons.
The main problems with frail patients are the poor condition of the soft tissues around the ankle, dependence for activities of daily living and high comorbidity.
The decision to operate on these patients is complex because conservative treatment is poorly tolerated in unstable fractures and conventional open reduction and internal fixation is associated with a high rate of complications.
The authors conducted a narrative review of the literature on primary tibiotalocalcaneal nailing of ankle fractures in frail patients and categorized the different factors to consider when treatment is indicated for this conditon. Difficulty of ambulation, age over 65 years old, deteriorated baseline state and instability of the fracture were the most frequently considered factors.
Finally, the authors propose an easy and quick clinical scoring system to help in the decision-making process, although further comparative studies are required to explore its validity.
Introduction
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to the confinement of approximately one third of the world population, causing a drastic change in the activities of daily life with many repercussions at the health, economic and social levels.
Objectives
The objective of the present work is to present the epidemiological variations in the production of fractures in the period of mandatory confinement in our reference population.
Methods
Analytical retrospective comparative study of two groups of patients: Group A: patients admitted before the state of alarm that forced confinement in the period from January 13 to March 13 compared to Group B: patients admitted in the two months of confinement, until the de-escalation period began, March 13-May 13. Epidemiological variables including age, personal history, type of fracture, mechanism of injury, outpatient rate, and hospital stay were recorded.
Results
A total of 190 patients were included. 112 in the pre-confinement period and 78 in the confinement (30% decrease). The mean age (p = 0.007) and falls at home (p < 0.001) were higher in the confinement group. The postoperative (p = 0.006) and overall (p < 0.001) hospital stay were significantly less in the confinement group. No differences were found in the anatomical location of the lesion, sex, comorbidities, mechanism of injury, outpatient rate, or death.
Conclusions
Based on the results of our study, the period of forced confinement due to the COVID-19 pandemic has produced a drastic decrease in the total number of fractures admitted to the traumatology service of a third level hospital. On the other hand, osteoporotic hip fractures have not varied in their incidence and a decrease in the average postoperative and overall stay has been observed.
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