ABSTRACT

Nonunion after a proximal tibia fracture is often associated with poor bone stock, (previous) infection, and compromised soft tissues. These conditions make revision internal fixation with double plating difficult. Combining a plate and contralateral 2-pin external fixator, coined composite fixation, can provide an alternative means of obtaining stability without further compromising soft tissues.

Three patients with a proximal tibia nonunion precluding standard internal fixation with double plating were treated with composite fixation. All 3 patients achieved union with deformity correction at a mean of 5.2 months (range, 5-5.5 months). The average range of motion (ROM) arc was 100° (range, 100°-115°) and postoperative ROM returned to pre-injury levels.

Composite fixation can be a helpful adjunct in the treatment of this challenging problem.

Continue to: Operative management of a proximal tibial nonunion...

Operative management of a proximal tibial nonunion is challenging, compromised by limited bone stock, pre-existing hardware, stiffness, poor soft tissue conditions, and infection. The goals of treatment include bone union, re-establishment of both joint stability and lower extremity alignment, restoration of an anatomic articular surface, and recovery of function.¹ Currently, various treatment options such as plate fixation, bone grafting, intramedullary nailing, external fixation, functional bracing, or a combination of these are available.^1-8 Rigid internal fixation is the gold standard for most nonunions. However, sometimes local soft tissues or bone quality preclude standard internal fixation. Bolhofner⁹ described the combination of a single plate and an external fixator on the contralateral side for the management of extra-articular proximal tibial fractures with compromised soft tissues, and the technique known as composite fixation was coined. The external fixator on 1 side and the plate on the other, generate a balanced, stable environment while limiting the use of foreign hardware, thereby avoiding both additional soft-tissue damage and periosteal stripping.^9-11 In this technical article, we describe the indication, technique, and outcomes of 3 patients with proximal tibial nonunions, who were successfully treated with composite fixation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

PATIENTS

Between January 2014 and July 2016, 3 patients each with a proximal tibial nonunion that developed after a bicondylar tibial plateau fracture (Schatzker type VI) were treated with composite fixation (Table). The 3 patients were female with an average age of 61 years (range, 60-62 years), and a body mass index of 23.7 kg/m² (range, 19.0-31.9 kg/m²). All 3 patients had sustained a tibial plateau fracture that was primarily treated with open reduction and internal fixation. Two of them had a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis and were being treated with methotrexate and Humira (adalimumab) (case 1), and with methotrexate, prednisolone, and etanercept (case 3). The etanercept was discontinued after discussion with the treating rheumatologist when a deep infection developed. Two patients (cases 1 and 2) were referred to us because of their nonunions. All 3 patients developed extra-articular nonunions with compromised bone stock. Two patients had developed deep infections during treatment of their plateau fractures; 1 of these patients underwent a medial gastrocnemius flap for wound coverage (case 1). The second patient (case 3) with a deep infection underwent partial hardware removal, a Masquelet salvage procedure, and revision plate fixation. However, the infection recurred. The hardware was removed, and 2 débridements with conversion to a hybrid external fixator with thin wire fixation were done. Due to her longstanding rheumatoid arthritis, the patient had bilateral valgus knee malalignment causing the ring fixator to strike her contralateral knee when she walked. The period from the initial tibial plateau fracture to our composite fixation averaged 11.3 months (range, 11-12 months). Indications for the use of the composite fixation comprised previously infected soft tissue on the lateral side and inability to walk with a hybrid thin wire fixator because of valgus knees (case 3), a medial gastrocnemius flap (case 2), and poor bone quality (case 1). Follow-up consisted of clinical examination, Timed Up and Go (TUG) test that is a standardized test for mobility, and radiographic evaluation at routine appointments up to 1 year or until healed.¹² At the last follow-up visit, patients filled out the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) subjective knee form.¹³

SURGICAL TECHNIQUE

A fellowship-trained orthopedic trauma surgeon treated all patients. Patients were placed on a radiolucent operating table after general or regional anesthesia. Previous incisions were used. Two patients had a midline incision; the third had both a posteromedial and an anterolateral incision. Five deep tissue cultures were taken after which antibiotics were given intravenously. All unstable or failed hardware was removed. Aggressive débridement of the nonunion was performed. After débridement, multiple holes were drilled with a 2.0 mm drill bit until blood was seen to egress from both sides of the medullary canal. Malalignment of the proximal tibia was corrected and checked fluoroscopically. Fixation was done with an anatomic locking plate (LCP Proximal Tibia Plate 3.5; DePuy Synthes) with a mixture of locking and non-locking screws. In 2 patients, a tricortical graft from the posterior iliac crest was positioned in the defect. Additional autologous bone graft and demineralized bone matrix was added around the nonunion. Although locking screws were used, the fixation did not appear to be strong enough to resist the varus (cases 1 and 2), or the valgus (case 3) deforming forces. Additional fixation was thus needed. However, the contralateral soft tissues were compromised in case 2 (medial gastrocnemius flap), and case 3 (a previously infected area with very tenuous skin laterally), whereas the bone was considered to be of insufficient quality in case 1. The opposite side of the nonunion was stabilized using composite fixation with a 2-pin external fixator to circumvent the need for additional plate fixation. In 2 patients, the plate was placed laterally, and the external fixator medially. In the third patient, the plate was positioned medially, and the external fixator laterally. The plate was always placed first. The external fixator was placed last. Using fluoroscopy, we ensured that the fixator pins would not interfere with the screws. The pins were predrilled and positioned perpendicular to the tibia through small stab incisions. We prefer hydroxyapatite-coated pins (6-mm diameter, XCaliber Bone Screws; Pro-Motion Medical) to increase their holding power in the often osteopenic bone. Postoperative management consisted of toe-touch weight-bearing for 6 weeks and progressed to full weight-bearing at 3 months. Radiographs were taken on postoperative day 1, at 6 weeks, and at 12 weeks until healed. No continuous passive motion was used postoperatively. Antibiotics were continued until cultures were negative. No specific pin care was used. We advised patients to shower daily with the external fixator in place, once the wounds have healed.

Continue to: RESULTS...

RESULTS

On average, patients were hospitalized for 5 days (range, 3-7 days). There were no postoperative complications. None of the patients developed a clinically significant pin site infection. There were no re-operations during follow-up. All patients achieved union at a mean of 5.2 months (range, 5-5.5 months) (Figure 1).

Deformity correction was achieved in all 3 patients. The average range of motion (ROM) arc was 100° (range, 100°-115°). None of the patients had an extension deficit. TUG test was <8 seconds in all patients. The IKDC knee score averaged 52 (range, 41-66). Of note is that 2 patients already had compromised knee function before the fracture because of rheumatoid arthritis. The Ahlbäck classification of osteoarthritis showed grade 1 in cases 1 and 3, and grade 2 in case 2.¹⁴ Postoperative ROM of the knee returned to pre-injury levels in all patients (Figure 2). The 2-pin external fixator was removed at 9 weeks on average (range, 6-12 weeks) postoperatively in the outpatient clinic. At the last follow-up appointment at an average of 10.3 months (range, 9-12 months), all wounds had healed without infection. All patients had a normal neurovascular examination.

DISCUSSION

Nonunion after a proximal tibial fracture is rare.⁴ In cases when nonunions do develop, they most often pertain to the extra-articular component with the plateau component healed. Surgical exposure for débridements, hardware removal, bone grafting, and revision of fixation carries the risk of wound breakdown, necrosis, and infection. The alternative strategy of composite fixation (a plate combined with a contralateral 2-pin external fixator) to limit additional soft tissue compromise was already described in proximal tibial fractures by Bolhofner.⁹ He treated 41 extra-articular proximal tibial fractures using this composite fixation technique and attained successful results with an average time to union of 12.1 weeks. There was only 1 malunion, 2 wound infections, and 3 delayed unions.

In our practice, we have extrapolated this idea to an extra-articular nonunion that developed after a tibial plateau fracture. With the use of an external fixator, we provided sufficient mechanical stability of the nonunion without unnecessarily compromising previously infected or tenuous soft tissues, a muscle flap, or further devascularizing poor bone. Limitations of this study include the retrospective data and small sample size prone to bias. However, all patients received the same treatment protocol from 1 orthopedic trauma surgeon, follow-up intervals were similar, and data were acquired consistently.

Meanwhile, we have used this technique in a fourth patient with a septic nonunion of a tibial plateau fracture. All 4 patients in whom we have used this method so far have healed successfully.

CONCLUSION

This technique respects both the demand for minimal soft tissue damage and a maximal stable environment without notable perioperative and postoperative complications. It also offers an alternative option for the treatment of a proximal tibial nonunion that is not amenable to invasive revision dual plate fixation. As such, it can be a useful addition to the existing armamentarium of the treating surgeon.

References

1. Wu CC. Salvage of proximal tibial malunion or nonunion with the use of angled blade plate. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg. 2006;126(2):82-87. doi:10.1007/s00402-006-0106-9.

2. Carpenter CA, Jupiter JB. Blade plate reconstruction of metaphyseal nonunion of the tibia. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1996;332:23-28.

3. Gardner MJ, Toro-Arbelaez JB, Hansen M, Boraiah S, Lorich DG, Helfet DL. Surgical treatment and outcomes of extraarticular proximal tibial nonunions. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg. 2008;128(8):833-839. doi:10.1007/s00402-007-0383-y.

4. Toro-Arbelaez JB, Gardner MJ, Shindle MK, Cabas JM, Lorich DG, Helfet DL. Open reduction and internal fixation of intraarticular tibial plateau nonunions. Injury. 2007;38(3):378-383. doi:10.1016/j.injury.2006.11.003.

5. Mechrefe AP, Koh EY, Trafton PG, DiGiovanni CW. Tibial nonunion. Foot Ankle Clin. 2006;11(1):1-18, vii. doi:10.1016/j.fcl.2005.12.003.

6. Chin KR, Nagarkatti DG, Miranda MA, Santoro VM, Baumgaertner MR, Jupiter JB. Salvage of distal tibia metaphyseal nonunions with the 90 degrees cannulated blade plate. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2003;(409):241-249.

7. Devgan A, Kamboj P, Gupta V, Magu NK, Rohilla R. Pseudoarthrosis of medial tibial plateau fracture-role of alignment procedure. Chin J Traumatol. 2013;16(2):118-121. doi:10.3760/cma.j.issn.1008-1275.2013.02.011.

8. Helfet DL, Jupiter JB, Gasser S. Indirect reduction and tension-band plating of tibial non-union with deformity. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1992;74(9):1286-1297.

9. Bolhofner BR. Indirect reduction and composite fixation of extraarticular proximal tibial fractures. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1995;(315):75-83. doi:10.1097/00003086-199506000-00009.

10. Ries MD, Meinhard BP. Medial external fixation with lateral plate internal fixation in metaphyseal tibia fractures. A report of eight cases associated with severe soft-tissue injury. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1988;(256):215-223.

11. Weiner LS, Kelley M, Yang E, et al. The use of combination internal fixation and hybrid external fixation in severe proximal tibia fractures. J Orthop Trauma. 1995;9(3):244-250.

12. Alghadir A, Anwer S, Brismee JM. The reliability and minimal detectable change of Timed Up and Go test in individuals with grade 1-3 knee osteoarthritis. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2015;16:174. doi:10.1186/s12891-015-0637-8.

13. Haverkamp D, Sierevelt IN, Breugem SJ, Lohuis K, Blankevoort L, van Dijk CN. Translation and validation of the Dutch version of the International Knee Documentation Committee Subjective Knee Form. Am J Sports Med. 2006;34(10):1680-1684. doi:10.1177/0363546506288854.

14. Ahlbäck S. Osteoartrosis of the knee. A radiographic investigation. Acta Radiol Diagn (Stockh). 1968;Suppl 277:7-72.

Author and Disclosure Information

Authors’ Disclosure Statement: The authors report no actual or potential conflict of interest in relation to this article.

Dr. Prins is PhD candidate, Department of Surgery, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Dr. Kloen is an Orthopedic Surgeon, and Dr. Donders is PhD candidate, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Address correspondence to: Peter Kloen, MD, PhD, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Academic Medical Center, Meibergdreef 9, 1100 DD, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. (tel, 31-205669111; fax, 31-205669117; email, [email protected]).

Jonne Prins, MD Johanna C.E. Donders, MD and Peter Kloen, MD, PhD . Composite Fixation of Proximal Tibial Nonunions: A Technical Trick. Am J Orthop.

September 27, 2018

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Johanna C.E. Donders, MD

and Peter Kloen, MD, PhD