Category Archives: Orthopedic Trauma

PUBLISHED: Left Hip Hemiarthroplasty for Femoral Neck Fracture

Left Hip Hemiarthroplasty for Femoral Neck Fracture
Michael Akodu, MBBSElyse J. Berlinberg, MDMiles Batty, MDMichael McTague, MPHKiran J. Agarwal-Harding, MD, MPH
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

Hip fractures are a major cause of morbidity and mortality, especially among older patients. They also account for a significant portion of healthcare spending and other non-medical costs. These fractures can be classified into various types based on the parts of the femoral head and neck affected, and fixation options are dependent on both patient and injury characteristics. In this video, Dr. Agarwal-Harding takes us through a hip hemiarthroplasty for a left femoral neck fracture, highlighting various guiding principles and surgical considerations.

PUBLISHED: Closed Cephalomedullary Nailing of a Diaphyseal Femur Fracture on a Fracture Table

Closed Cephalomedullary Nailing of a Diaphyseal Femur Fracture on a Fracture Table
Sarita Jamil1Michael J. Weaver, MD2
1University of Central Florida College of Medicine
2Brigham and Women’s Hospital

Femoral fractures typically occur in two major settings: high-energy mechanisms related to trauma and low-energy mechanisms in insufficiency fractures observed in elderly patients with osteopenia. Patients present with pain, swelling, and limited range of motion.

Intramedullary nailing is the definitive surgical treatment for femoral fractures to allow secondary healing of bone. Such a repair is performed here on a patient with a diaphyseal femoral fracture. Surgeon preference was to perform a closed cephalomedullary nailing with the patient supine on a radiolucent fracture table for traction.

PUBLISHED: Bimalleolar Ankle Fracture Open Reduction and Internal Fixation

Bimalleolar Ankle Fracture Open Reduction and Internal Fixation
Kiran J. Agarwal-Harding, MD, MPHMichael Akodu, MBBSMiles Batty, MDElyse J. Berlinberg, MDMichael McTague, MPH
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

Ankle injuries are common, occurring most often among young males and older females. The ankle joint is crucial for stability and gait, making these injuries a significant source of disability.

Ankle injuries are usually treated operatively when there is loss of joint congruity and stability, and in this video, Dr. Agarwal-Harding takes us through the operative fixation of a bimalleolar ankle fracture. He talks about understanding why operative intervention is recommended, techniques involved, and other considerations.

Right Distal Tibial Oblique Fracture Open Reduction and Internal Fixation (ORIF) with Medial Neutralization Non-locking Plate

Right Distal Tibial Oblique Fracture Open Reduction and Internal Fixation (ORIF) with Medial Neutralization Non-locking Plate
Andrew M. Hresko, MDEdward Kenneth Rodriguez, MD, PhD
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

Diaphyseal tibial fractures are common injuries that are most often treated with intramedullary nailing. However, certain patient factors may necessitate alternative treatment strategies such as open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) with plates and screws. Presence of a total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in the injured extremity is one such factor. TKA is a common operation that is only increasing in popularity, and management of tibia fractures distal to TKA may be a frequently encountered clinical scenario.

This video presents a technique for ORIF of a distal diaphyseal tibia fracture distal to a TKA that precludes intramedullary nail fixation. The fracture is fixed with lag screws and secured with an anatomically-contoured distal tibia locking-compression plate (LCP) in neutralization mode.

PUBLISHED: Carbon Fiber Implant for Fixation of a Pathologic Subtrochanteric Fracture

Carbon Fiber Implant for Fixation of a Pathologic Subtrochanteric Fracture
Paul A. Rizk, MD; Joseph O. Werenski; Santiago A. Lozano-Calderon, MD, PhD
Massachusetts General Hospital

This case presents a patient with a pathologic subtrochanteric femur fracture secondary to an undiagnosed primary lung adenocarcinoma. The fracture, occurring in the context of persistent atraumatic thigh and knee pain, prompted swift identification of its pathological nature in the Emergency Department. The treatment plan involved open reduction and internal fixation utilizing a carbon fiber nail, considering the immediate need for stabilization and underlying oncologic factors.

This article highlights the strategic use of carbon fiber implants in managing pathologic fractures, offering advantages in postoperative imaging, disease monitoring, and precision in radiation therapy planning. The multidisciplinary approach underscores the importance of considering implant selection nuances, especially in metastatic bone disease, to optimize outcomes.

PUBLISHED: Open Reduction and Internal Fixation of Mandibular Body and Parasymphyseal Fractures with Maxillomandibular Fixation and Broken Tooth Extraction

Open Reduction and Internal Fixation of Mandibular Body and Parasymphyseal Fractures with Maxillomandibular Fixation and Broken Tooth Extraction
Derek Sheen, MD1Cheryl Yu, MD2Sarah Debs, MD2Peter Kwak, MD2Nima Vahidi, MD3Daniel Hawkins, DDS2Thomas Lee, MD, FACS2
1University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
2Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center
3Upstate Medical Center

This is a case discussing a 21-year-old male who suffered from both non-comminuted mandibular parasymphyseal and body fractures as a result of a motor vehicle accident, requiring open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) without postoperative maxillomandibular fixation (MMF). The fracture was complicated by a broken tooth root, which required extraction.

After intraoperative MMF, ORIF was performed. The parasymphyseal fracture was plated using two locking four-hole 2-mm thick miniplates utilizing two locking screws on either side of the fracture with one plate along the alveolar surface (monocortical screw) and one along the basal surface (bicortical screw). For the right body fracture, a three-dimensional locking ladder plate was used via a transbuccal trocar approach for additional exposure needed for proper screw placement. Once the hardware was secured, the patient was taken out of MMF and restoration of premorbid occlusion was confirmed. Lastly, watertight mucosal closure was performed using absorbable sutures and Dermabond (cyanoacrylate adhesive).

PUBLISHED: Open Reduction and Internal Fixation of a Diaphyseal Periprosthetic Humeral Fracture

Open Reduction and Internal Fixation of a Diaphyseal Periprosthetic Humeral Fracture
Ikechukwu C. Amakiri1Michael J. Weaver, MD2
1Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College
2Brigham and Women’s Hospital

Periprosthetic humeral shaft fractures are increasing in incidence as shoulder replacements become more common. Surgical management of humeral shaft fractures can only be deemed appropriate when the degree of pain, the extent of disability, and the number of comorbid conditions are taken into consideration.

Among trauma surgeons there exists no preferred surgical approach to fractures of different segments of the humerus; however, the anterolateral approach to midshaft fractures is the most common although viable alternative approaches exist. In this case, we perform an open reduction and internal fixation of a diaphyseal periprosthetic humeral fracture with a posterior triceps sparing approach.

PUBLISHED: Retrograde Femoral Intramedullary Nail for a Midshaft Femoral Fracture with an Ipsilateral Subtrochanteric Fracture

Retrograde Femoral Intramedullary Nail for a Midshaft Femoral Fracture with an Ipsilateral Subtrochanteric Fracture
Jason P. Den Haese Jr.1Michael J. Weaver, MD2
1Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
2Brigham and Women’s Hospital

This case illustrates a midshaft femoral fracture with an ipsilateral subtrochanteric fracture that is repaired with a retrograde femoral intramedullary nail technique. The annual incidence of midshaft femur fractures is approximately 10 per 100,000 person-years (most commonly low-energy falls in elderly females). Generally, these patients will present with pain, inflammation, and shortening of the leg.

Retrograde femoral intramedullary nail placement is one of the most prevalent methods for treatment. It was initially discovered in 1970 and refined in 1995 to have improved surgery time, bleeding, and postoperative adverse outcomes. This procedure has proven to be particularly beneficial in obese and non-ambulatory patients, and those with multisystem injuries; it also has shown some benefit in pregnant women due to decreased pelvic radiation exposure.

This case presents a woman with a femoral shaft fracture and an ipsilateral subtrochanteric fracture. Given this patient’s multiple ipsilateral femur fractures, it was favorable to intervene with a retrograde femoral intramedullary nail. The procedure was done in a supine position due to favorable imaging throughout the operation.

PUBLISHED: Closed Cephalomedullary Nail Fixation of a Reverse Oblique Subtrochanteric Femoral Fracture in the Lateral Position

Closed Cephalomedullary Nail Fixation of a Reverse Oblique Subtrochanteric Femoral Fracture in the Lateral Position
Robert W. Burk IV, MS1Michael J. Weaver, MD2
1Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
2Brigham and Women’s Hospital

Subtrochanteric femoral fractures commonly present in two different populations under very different circumstances. The elderly are commonly affected by low-energy events, such as a simple fall to the floor, while younger populations are more likely to be involved in high-energy events such as motor vehicle accidents. The majority of elderly injuries can be attributed to fragility fractures due to loss of bone density, but it is important to note an atypical fracture pattern that is present in those who have been taking bisphosphonates.

This video demonstrates an intramedullary fixation of a reverse oblique subtrochanteric femoral fracture in the lateral position. There is a classic deformity seen in subtrochanteric fractures due to strong muscular attachments in the region. In this video, we show that while the lateral position may be more difficult for obtaining x-rays, it provides natural external forces that make reduction and fixation easier.

PUBLISHED: Thumb Extensor Tendon Laceration Repair

Thumb Extensor Tendon Laceration Repair
Evan Bloom1Amir R. Kachooei, MD, PhD2Asif M. Ilyas, MD, MBA, FACS1,2
1 Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University
2 Rothman Institute at Thomas Jefferson University

This case consists of repairing an extensor tendon laceration of a thumb. Extensor tendon lacerations are one of the most common soft tissue injuries of the hand. Surgical repair of the tendon was offered, and the operation was performed using wide-awake local anesthesia no tourniquet (WALANT) technique.

Intraoperatively, a complete laceration of the extensor tendon was confirmed repaired using a modified Kessler technique and reinforced with an epitendinous repair. Before closure, the patient tested competency of the repair with confirmation of restoration with the active extension to ensure proper function. The patient was placed in a reverse thumb spica splint following wound closure.

Postoperatively, the patient was immobilized in full thumb extension for approximately two weeks and then converted to a removable splint and prescribed supervised hand therapy for a total recovery of 8–12 weeks.