Decreasing Complications of Quadricepsplasty for Knee Contracture after Femoral Fracture Treatment with an External Fixator: Report of Four Cases
Introduction: In performing quadricepsplasty for contracture that develops after application of an external fixator for femoral fractures, surgeons must be aware of the potential risk for re-fracture and pin-related problems. The purpose of this report is to highlight these not well-detailed compli...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Indian Orthopaedic Research Group
2013-01-01
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| Series: | Journal of Orthopaedic Case Reports |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.jocr.co.in/wp/2013/01/19/decreasing-complications-of-quadricepsplasty-for-knee-contracture-after-femoral-fracture-treatment-with-an-external-fixator-report-of-four-cases-2/ |
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| author | Naoya Kashiwagi Masayasu Takahashi Yasuhiro Saegusa Mitsuaki Noda Yoichi Seto |
| author_facet | Naoya Kashiwagi Masayasu Takahashi Yasuhiro Saegusa Mitsuaki Noda Yoichi Seto |
| author_sort | Naoya Kashiwagi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Introduction: In performing quadricepsplasty for contracture that develops after application of an external fixator for femoral fractures, surgeons must be aware of the potential risk for re-fracture and pin-related problems. The purpose of this report is to highlight these not well-detailed complications and to discuss specific findings and treatment suggestions.Case Report: 4 men (mean age, 40 years) presenting with secondary to contracture that developed after application of an external fixator for femoral fractures were included in this study. The radiographs showed union across the fracture site however two of these patients couldn't stand on one leg raising suspicion about the union status. A computed tomographic image indeed demonstrated limited continuity of the cortex. Bone grafting was performed prior to quadricepsplasty. The mean extension and flexion before the quadricepsplasty were 0o and 570 , respectively. At the final follow-up examination, the mean active flexion of the knee had increased to 98o.Results: The incidence of re-fracture during and after quadricepsplasty has been reported to be between 10 and 25%. There are 2 preoperative features that may mislead surgeons into believing that complete union of the fractures has been attained: one is the patient's ability to stand on a single leg, and the other is the fact that plain radiographs may lend themselves to different interpretations. In such cases, computed tomography will provide evidence of the continuity of the cortical bone. Bone grafting in 2 of our patients is thought to have prevented the postoperative complications of re-fracture. Complications at pin sites induce contracture at surrounding structures. When extreme tightness of the skin is noted, a tension-releasing procedure such as a skin graft should be performed.Conclusion: In conclusion, re-fracture or pin-site contracture should be carefully managed before quadricepsplasty, because the patients who need a lengthy application of an external fixator experience greater difficulty in bone healing and have more soft tissue damage |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-12T19:17:47Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-16ee1bd883504da88e2ef4271874e8ba |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2250-0685 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-12T19:17:47Z |
| publishDate | 2013-01-01 |
| publisher | Indian Orthopaedic Research Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Orthopaedic Case Reports |
| spelling | doaj.art-16ee1bd883504da88e2ef4271874e8ba2022-12-22T03:19:40ZengIndian Orthopaedic Research GroupJournal of Orthopaedic Case Reports2250-06852013-01-013136Decreasing Complications of Quadricepsplasty for Knee Contracture after Femoral Fracture Treatment with an External Fixator: Report of Four CasesNaoya KashiwagiMasayasu TakahashiYasuhiro SaegusaMitsuaki NodaYoichi SetoIntroduction: In performing quadricepsplasty for contracture that develops after application of an external fixator for femoral fractures, surgeons must be aware of the potential risk for re-fracture and pin-related problems. The purpose of this report is to highlight these not well-detailed complications and to discuss specific findings and treatment suggestions.Case Report: 4 men (mean age, 40 years) presenting with secondary to contracture that developed after application of an external fixator for femoral fractures were included in this study. The radiographs showed union across the fracture site however two of these patients couldn't stand on one leg raising suspicion about the union status. A computed tomographic image indeed demonstrated limited continuity of the cortex. Bone grafting was performed prior to quadricepsplasty. The mean extension and flexion before the quadricepsplasty were 0o and 570 , respectively. At the final follow-up examination, the mean active flexion of the knee had increased to 98o.Results: The incidence of re-fracture during and after quadricepsplasty has been reported to be between 10 and 25%. There are 2 preoperative features that may mislead surgeons into believing that complete union of the fractures has been attained: one is the patient's ability to stand on a single leg, and the other is the fact that plain radiographs may lend themselves to different interpretations. In such cases, computed tomography will provide evidence of the continuity of the cortical bone. Bone grafting in 2 of our patients is thought to have prevented the postoperative complications of re-fracture. Complications at pin sites induce contracture at surrounding structures. When extreme tightness of the skin is noted, a tension-releasing procedure such as a skin graft should be performed.Conclusion: In conclusion, re-fracture or pin-site contracture should be carefully managed before quadricepsplasty, because the patients who need a lengthy application of an external fixator experience greater difficulty in bone healing and have more soft tissue damagehttp://www.jocr.co.in/wp/2013/01/19/decreasing-complications-of-quadricepsplasty-for-knee-contracture-after-femoral-fracture-treatment-with-an-external-fixator-report-of-four-cases-2/Quadricepsplastyfemoral external fixator |
| spellingShingle | Naoya Kashiwagi Masayasu Takahashi Yasuhiro Saegusa Mitsuaki Noda Yoichi Seto Decreasing Complications of Quadricepsplasty for Knee Contracture after Femoral Fracture Treatment with an External Fixator: Report of Four Cases Journal of Orthopaedic Case Reports Quadricepsplasty femoral external fixator |
| title | Decreasing Complications of Quadricepsplasty for Knee Contracture after Femoral Fracture Treatment with an External Fixator: Report of Four Cases |
| title_full | Decreasing Complications of Quadricepsplasty for Knee Contracture after Femoral Fracture Treatment with an External Fixator: Report of Four Cases |
| title_fullStr | Decreasing Complications of Quadricepsplasty for Knee Contracture after Femoral Fracture Treatment with an External Fixator: Report of Four Cases |
| title_full_unstemmed | Decreasing Complications of Quadricepsplasty for Knee Contracture after Femoral Fracture Treatment with an External Fixator: Report of Four Cases |
| title_short | Decreasing Complications of Quadricepsplasty for Knee Contracture after Femoral Fracture Treatment with an External Fixator: Report of Four Cases |
| title_sort | decreasing complications of quadricepsplasty for knee contracture after femoral fracture treatment with an external fixator report of four cases |
| topic | Quadricepsplasty femoral external fixator |
| url | http://www.jocr.co.in/wp/2013/01/19/decreasing-complications-of-quadricepsplasty-for-knee-contracture-after-femoral-fracture-treatment-with-an-external-fixator-report-of-four-cases-2/ |
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