Purpose The aim of this prospective study is the analysis of the clinical and radiological outcomes of active thoracolumbar spinal tuberculosis treated with isolated posterior instrumentation without any posterior bone grafting or anterior inter-body bone grafting or anterior instrumentation. Methods The study was a prospective follow-up of 25 patients with active thoraco-lumbar spinal tuberculosis who underwent posterior spinal instrumentation with pedicle screws and rods. These patients had posterior stabilization of the involved segment of the spine without anterior or posterior bone grafting. The mean duration of follow-up was 3.3 years and the minimum duration of follow-up was 2 years. Results The mean kyphotic angle improved from 32.4°p re-operatively to 7.2°in the early follow-up period. Following a minor loss of correction during follow-up, the mean kyphotic angle settled at 11.5°at the time of final follow-up. Inter-body bony fusion was noticed at the final follow-up in all patients despite the absence of anterior bone grafting or cages. Conclusion Posterior instrumented stabilization followed by chemotherapy seems to be adequate for obtaining satisfactory healing of the lesions. Anterior inter-body bony arthrodesis occurs despite the absence of anterior bone grafts or cages. Careful patient selection is critical for successful outcome with this technique.

BackgroundEarlier literature on fixation of distal third humeral fractures describes the use of elaborate modification of existing implants, custom-made implants and dual plating. These modifications have the disadvantages of limitations of hardware availability and cost as well as longer surgical exposure to accommodate the plates. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of osteosynthesis of extra-articular diaphyseal fractures of the distal third of the humerus using a single 4.5-mm locking compression plate (LCP) with two-screw purchase in the distal fragment.Materials and methodsWe performed internal fixation of distal third extra-articular humeral fractures in 22 adult patients using 2–3 lag screws neutralized with a single 4.5-mm locking compression plate with only two screws in the distal fragment. The mean follow-up period was approximately 1.6 years.ResultsFractures united in all 22 patients with minimal complications. The mean time to union of fracture was 13 weeks. The Mayo elbow score and the DASH scores were in the excellent and good category in all patients at final follow-up.ConclusionsOur study showed that it is possible to obtain excellent outcomes in distal third fractures using only a single 4.5-mm LCP with two-screw (4-cortices) purchase in the distal fragment. The disadvantages inherent in the previous methods can be avoided with the use of the present technique. This technique obviates the need for the use of customized distal humeral implants and modified implants in most patients.Level of evidenceLevel IV.