We report the use of a free vascularised iliac bone graft in the treatment of 21 patients (19 men and 2 women) with an avascular nonunion of the scaphoid in which conventional bone grafting had previously failed. The mean age of the patients was 32 years (23 to 46) and the dominant wrist was affected in 14. The mean interval from fracture to the vascularised bone grafting was 39 months (9 to 62). Pre-operative MRI showed no contrast enhancement in the proximal fragment in any patient. Fracture union was assessed radiologically or with CT scans if the radiological appearances were inconclusive. At a mean follow-up of 5.6 years (2 to 11) union was obtained in 16 patients. The remaining five patients with a persistent nonunion continued to experience pain, reduced grip strength and limited range of wrist movement. In the successfully treated patients the grip strength and range of movement did not recover to match the uninjured side. Prevention of progressive carpal collapse, the absence of donor site morbidity, good subjective results and pain relief, justifies this procedure in the treatment of recalcitrant nonunion of the scaphoid

Ununited fractures of the scaphoid with extensive bone resorption are usually treated by bone grafting and internal fixation, using either an open or a minimally invasive technique. We studied the feasibility of percutaneous fixation without bone grafting in a consecutive series of 27 patients with established nonunion of an undisplaced fracture of the scaphoid and extensive local resorption of bone. They were treated by a single surgeon with rigid fixation alone, using a headless cannulated screw inserted through a volar percutaneous technique. Clinical examination, standard radiographs and CT confirmed that the fracture had united in all patients at a mean of 11.6 weeks (8 to 16), and that their functional scores had improved. We concluded that extensive resorption at the fracture site is not an absolute indication for bone grafting, and that percutaneous fixation alone will eventually produce healing of ununited undisplaced fractures of the scaphoid regardless of the size of the gap

Malunion is the most common complication of the distal radius with many modalities of treatment available for such a problem. The use of bone grafting after an osteotomy is still recommended by most authors. We hypothesised that bone grafting is not required; fixing the corrected construct with a volar locked plate helps maintain the alignment, while metaphyseal defect fills by itself. Prospectively, we performed the procedure on 30 malunited dorsally-angulated radii using fixed angle volar locked plates without bone grafting. At the final follow-up, 22 wrists were available. Radiological evidence of union, correction of the deformity, clinical and functional improvement was achieved in all cases. Without the use of bone grafting, corrective open wedge osteotomy fixed by a volar locked plate provides a high rate of union and satisfactory functional outcomes

We describe our experience with vascularised bone grafting for the treatment of fibrous dysplasia of the upper limb in eight patients, five men and three women, aged between 17 and 36 years. The site was in the humerus in six and the radius in two. Persistent pain, progression of the lesion and pathological fracture with delayed union were the indications for surgical intervention. We used a vascularised fibular graft after curettage of the lesion. Function and radiological progress were serially monitored. Early radiological union of the graft occurred at periods ranging from 8 to 14 weeks. The mean period for reconstitution of the diameter of the bone was 14 months (12 to 18) predominantly through inductive formation of bone around the vascularised graft, which was a prominent feature in all patients. There were no recurrences and none of the grafts sustained a fracture or failed to unite. After operation function was excellent in three patients and good in five. Vascularised bone grafts provide a safe and reliable means of ensuring good continuity of bone with little risk of recurrence and failure

This study identified variables which influence the outcome of surgical management on 126 ununited scaphoid fractures managed by internal fixation and non-vascular bone grafting. The site of fracture was defined by a new method: the ratio of the length of the proximal fragment to the sum of the lengths of both fragments, calculated using specific views in the plain radiographs. Bone healing occurred in 71% (89) of cases. Only the site of nonunion (p = 1 × 10. −6. ) and the delay to surgery (p = 0.001) remained significant on multivariate analysis. The effect of surgical delay on the probability of union increased as the fracture site moved proximally. A prediction model was produced by stepwise logistic regression analysis, enabling the surgeon to predict the success of surgery where the site of the nonunion and delay to surgery is known

Between June 1991 and May 1996 we carried out arthrodesis on 15 patients with flail or partially flail wrists using an AO/ASIF dynamic compression plate (DCP) without a bone graft. The wrist was approached through the second extensor compartment. The minimum follow-up was for 24 months with a mean of 34.2 months. All 15 wrists fused without major complications at a mean of 11.9 weeks. Stabilisation improved the function of the hand affected with paralysis and the appearance of the extensively paralysed upper limb with a flail hand. In the absence of bony abnormality fusion can be obtained with a DCP alone without the need for bone grafting

A vascularised bone-graft procedure from the base of the second metacarpal was performed in 14 patients with nonunion of the scaphoid. There were 11 men and three women with a mean age of 22 years. In eight patients, who had dorsiflexed intercalated segment instability (DISI), an open wedge was formed at the site of nonunion, and the vascular pedicle was grafted from the volar side. In the six patients without DISI, transplantation was carried out through the same dorsal skin incision.

Complete bony union was obtained in all patients after a mean post-operative period of 10.2 weeks, and DISI was corrected in all affected patients. According to Cooney’s clinical scoring system, the results were excellent in five, good in six, and fair in three patients. Because of its technical simplicity and the limited dissection needed, the procedure should be considered for the primary surgical treatment of patients with nonunion of the scaphoid.

This study was performed to determine whether pure cancellous bone graft and Kirschner (K-) wire fixation were sufficient to achieve bony union and restore alignment in scaphoid nonunion. A total of 65 patients who underwent cancellous bone graft and K-wire fixation were included in this study. The series included 61 men and four women with a mean age of 34 years (15 to 72) and mean delay to surgery of 28.7 months (3 to 240). The patients were divided into an unstable group (A) and stable group (B) depending on the pre-operative radiographs. Unstable nonunion was defined as a lateral intrascaphoid angle > 45°, or a radiolunate angle > 10°. There were 34 cases in group A and 31 cases in group B. Bony union was achieved in 30 patients (88.2%) in group A, and in 26 (83.9%) in group B (p = 0.439). Comparison of the post-operative radiographs between the two groups showed no significant differences in lateral intrascaphoid angle (p = 0.657) and scaphoid length (p = 0.670) and height (p = 0.193). The radiolunate angle was significantly different (p = 0.020) but the mean value in both groups was < 10°. Comparison of the dorsiflexion and palmar flexion of movement of the wrist and the mean Mayo wrist score at the final clinical visit in each group showed no significant difference (p = 0.190, p = 0.587 and p = 0.265, respectively). Cancellous bone graft and K-wire fixation were effective in the treatment of stable and unstable scaphoid nonunion. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2013;95-B:809–14

Methods. Between 2005 and 2012, 50 patients (23 female, 27 male) with nonunion of the humeral shaft were included in this retrospective study. The mean age was 51.3 years (14 to 88). The patients had a mean of 1.5 prior operations (. sd. 1.2;1 to 8). All patients were assessed according to a specific risk score in order to devise an optimal and individual therapy plan consistent with the Diamond Concept. In 32 cases (64%), a change in the osteosynthesis to an angular stable locking compression plate was performed. According to the individual risk an additional bone graft and/or bone morphogenetic protein-7 (BMP-7) were applied. Results. A successful consolidation of the nonunion was observed in 37 cases (80.4%) with a median healing time of six months (IQR 6). Younger patients showed significantly better consolidation. Four patients were lost to follow-up. Revision was necessary in a total of eight (16%) cases. In the initial treatment, intramedullary nailing was most common. . Discussion. The use of locking compression plates in combination with autologous cancellous bone graft has been shown to be a safe and effective treatment. In more complex cases, the use of the Masquelet technique and BMP-7 may be indicated at the first revision operation. Take home message: Our results suggest the Diamond Concept is a successful treatment strategy for nonunions of the humeral shaft. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2016;98-B:81–7

We describe the use of a vascularised periosteal patch onlay graft based on the 1,2 intercompartmental supraretinacular artery in the management of 11 patients (ten men, one woman) with chronic nonunion involving the proximal third of the scaphoid. The mean age of the patients was 31 years (21 to 45) with the dominant hand affected in eight. Six of the patients were smokers and three had undergone previous surgery to the scaphoid. All of the proximal fragments were avascular. The presence of union was assessed using longitudinal axis CT. Only three patients progressed to union of the scaphoid and four required a salvage operation for a symptomatic nonunion. The remaining four patients with a persistent nonunion are asymptomatic with low pain scores, good grip strength and a functional range of wrist movement. Although this technique has potential technical advantages over vascularised pedicled bone grafting, the rate of union has been disappointing and we do not recommend it as a method of treatment

We studied 11 patients (14 elbows) with gross rheumatoid deformity of the elbow, treated by total arthroplasty using the Kudo type-5 unlinked prosthesis, and who were evaluated between five and 11 years after operation. Massive bone defects were augmented by autogenous bone grafts. There were no major complications such as infection, subluxation or loosening. In most elbows relief from pain and stability were achieved. The results, according to the Mayo Elbow Performance Score, were excellent in eight, good in five and fair in one. In most elbows there was minimal or no resorption of the grafted bone. There were no radiolucent lines around the stems of the cementless components. This study shows that even highly unstable rheumatoid elbows can be replaced successfully using an unlinked prosthesis, with augmentation by grafting for major defects of bone

Sixteen patients who underwent a revision operation for nonunion of fractures of the distal humerus following previous internal fixation were reviewed at a mean follow-up of 39 months (8 to 69). The Mayo elbow performance score was excellent in 11, good in two, fair in two and poor in one. In 15 patients union was achieved and in one with an infected nonunion a subsequent bone graft was necessary in order to obtain union. Age, gender, a history of smoking, mechanism of the injury and the AO classification of the initial fracture did not correlate with the development of nonunion. In 12 patients (75%), the initial fixation was assessed as being suboptimal. The primary surgery was regarded as adequate in only three patients. Our findings suggest that the most important determinant of nonunion of a distal humeral fracture after surgery is the adequacy of fixation

Between 1976 and 2004, 38 revision arthroplasties (35 patients) were performed for aseptic loosening of the humeral component. The mean interval from primary arthroplasty to revision was 7.1 years (0.4 to 16.6). A total of 35 shoulders (32 patients) were available for review at a mean follow-up of seven years (2 to 19.3). Pre-operatively, 34 patients (97%) had moderate or severe pain; at final follow-up, 29 (83%) had no or only mild pain (p < 0.0001). The mean active abduction improved from 88° to 107° (p < 0.01); and the mean external rotation from 37° to 46° (p = 0.27). Excellent or satisfactory results were achieved in 25 patients (71%) according to the modified Neer rating system. Humeral components were cemented in 29, with ingrowth implants used in nine cases. There were 19 of standard length and 17 were longer (two were custom replacements and are not included). Bone grafting was required for defects in 11 humeri. Only two glenoid components were left unrevised. Intra-operative complications included cement extrusion in eight cases, fracture of the shaft of the humerus is two and of the tuberosity in four. There were four re-operations, one for recurrent humeral loosening, with 89% survival free of re-operations at ten years. Revision surgery for aseptic loosening of the humeral component provides reliable pain relief and modest improvement of movement, although there is a substantial risk of intra-operative complications. Revision to a total shoulder replacement gives better results than to a hemiarthroplasty

We present three cases of recurrent instability of the elbow in association with the Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. The pattern of instability has not previously been reported. We describe our procedure for achieving stability using a bone graft to the olecranon fossa which gave a functional range of movement

We have examined 167 patients who had a hemiarthroplasty for three- and four-part fractures and fracture-dislocations of the head of the humerus in a multicentre study involving 12 Austrian hospitals. All patients were followed for more than a year. Anatomical healing of the tuberosity significantly influenced the outcome as measured by the Constant score and subjective patient satisfaction. With regard to pain, the outcome was generally satisfactory but only 41.9% of patients were able to flex the shoulder above 90°. The age of the patient and the type of prosthesis significantly influenced the healing of the tuberosity, but bone grafting did not. Achievement of healing of the tuberosity was inferior in institutions at which less than 15 hemiarthroplasties had been performed (Mann-Witney U test, p = 0.0001)

Arthrodesis of the wrist is a standard operation which is indicated for severe rheumatoid arthritis in which destruction is too advanced for more conservative procedures, or after failure of previous surgery. We have developed an L-shaped plate designed for this purpose. It provides rigid internal fixation with the wrist in the neutral position and utilises bone grafts obtained from the distal ulna and the carpal bones. We have carried out 29 successful fusions between 1992 and 1995. In all 29 patients synovectomy and resection of the head of the ulna were performed; 11 also had reconstruction of ruptured extensor tendons. All the patients obtained bony union, pain relief and improved function

We analysed the long-term results of arthrodesis of the shoulder after infection in 15 patients. At the time of operation, 14 cultures were positive for Staphylococcus aureus. The mean follow-up was 8.3 years (3 to 14) and 90% of the patients were satisfied with the outcome. There were complications in five patients (33%); in three there was nonunion with loosening of the implant. One patient had a sound bony union but with a persistent sinus six years after arthrodesis and another had a sinus which healed after the metal was removed. Four of these five patients (80%) were heavy smokers (> 20 cigarettes/day). Cancellous bone grafting did not affect the incidence of complications. The mean age of the patients with complications was 58.6 v 48.6 years for those without (p = 0.2808 ; not significant). Those with complications had had more previous operations (6.4 v 2.5, p < 0.05). Antibiotics, as determined by the bacteriological cultures, were administered for six weeks. The complication rate was higher in patients with active sepsis but the younger the patient and the fewer number of previous operations (< 50 years, < four previous operations), the better was the outcome. Considering the rate of complications, we recommend early surgery in these patients

Bone loss involving articular surface is a challenging problem faced by the orthopaedic surgeon. In the hand and wrist, there are articular defects that are amenable to autograft reconstruction when primary fixation is not possible. In this article, the surgical techniques and clinical outcomes of articular reconstructions in the hand and wrist using non-vascularised osteochondral autografts are reviewed.

We examined the effects of previous resection of the radial head and synovectomy on the outcome of subsequent total elbow arthroplasty in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Fifteen elbows with a history of resection and synovectomy were compared with a control group of patients who had elbow arthroplasty with an implant of the same design. The mean age in both groups was 63 years. In the study group, resection of the radial head and synovectomy had been undertaken at a mean of 8.9 years before arthroplasty. The mean radiological follow-up for the 13 available patients in the study group was 5.89 years (0.3 to 11.0) and in the control group was 6.6 years (2.2 to 12.6). There were no revisions in either group. The mean Mayo elbow performance score improved from 29 to 96 in the study group, with similar improvement in the control group (28 to 87). The study group had excellent results in 13 elbows and good results in two. The control group had excellent results in seven and good results in six.

Our experience indicates that previous resection of the radial head and synovectomy are not associated with an increased rate of revision following subsequent arthroplasty of the elbow. However, there was a higher rate of complication in the study group compared with the control group.

There is little information about the management of peri-prosthetic fracture of the humerus after total shoulder replacement (TSR). This is a retrospective review of 22 patients who underwent a revision of their original shoulder replacement for peri-prosthetic fracture of the humerus with bone loss and/or loose components. There were 20 women and two men with a mean age of 75 years (61 to 90) and a mean follow-up 42 months (12 to 91): 16 of these had undergone a previous revision TSR. Of the 22 patients, 12 were treated with a long-stemmed humeral component that bypassed the fracture. All their fractures united after a mean of 27 weeks (13 to 94). Eight patients underwent resection of the proximal humerus with endoprosthetic replacement to the level of the fracture. Two patients were managed with a clam-shell prosthesis that retained the original components. The mean Oxford shoulder score (OSS) of the original TSRs before peri-prosthetic fracture was 33 (14 to 48). The mean OSS after revision for fracture was 25 (9 to 31). Kaplan-Meier survival using re-intervention for any reason as the endpoint was 91% (95% confidence interval (CI) 68 to 98) and 60% (95% CI 30 to 80) at one and five years, respectively.

There were two revisions for dislocation of the humeral head, one open reduction for modular humeral component dissociation, one internal fixation for nonunion, one trimming of a prominent screw and one re-cementation for aseptic loosening complicated by infection, ultimately requiring excision arthroplasty. Two patients sustained nerve palsies.

Revision TSR after a peri-prosthetic humeral fracture associated with bone loss and/or loose components is a salvage procedure that can provide a stable platform for elbow and hand function. Good rates of union can be achieved using a stem that bypasses the fracture. There is a high rate of complications and function is not as good as with the original replacement.