Comparative efficacy of proximal femoral nail vs dynamic condylar screw in treating unstable intertrochanteric fractures

BACKGROUND Among the most frequent hip fractures are trochanteric fractures,which usually occur from low-energy trauma like minor falls,especially in older people with osteoporotic bones.AIM To evaluate the treatment efficacy of dynamic condylar screws(DCS)and proximal femoral nails(PFN)for unstable intertrochanteric fractures.METHODS To find pertinent randomized controlled trials and retrospective observational studies comparing PFN with DCS for the management of unstable femoral intertrochanteric fractures,a thorough search was carried out.For research studies published between January 1996 and April 2024,PubMed,EMBASE,Scopus,Web of Science,Cochrane Library,and Google Scholar were all searched.The complete texts of the papers were retrieved,vetted,and independently examined by two investigators.Disputes were settled by consensus,and any disagreements that persisted were arbitrated by a third author.RESULTS This study included six articles,comprising a total of 173 patients.Compared to the DCS,the PFN had a shorter operation time[mean difference(MD):-41.7 min,95%confidence interval(95%CI):-63.04 to-20.35,P=0.0001],higher success rates with closed reduction techniques[risk ratio(RR):34.05,95%CI:11.12-104.31,P<0.00001],and required less intraoperative blood transfusion(MD:-1.4 units,95%CI:-1.80 to-1.00,P<0.00001).Additionally,the PFN showed shorter fracture union time(MD:-6.92 wk,95%CI:-10.27 to-3.57,P<0.0001)and a lower incidence of reoperation(RR:0.37,95%CI:0.17-0.82,P=0.01).However,there was no discernible variation regarding hospital stay,implant-related complications,and infections.CONCLUSION Compared to DCS,PFN offers shorter operative times,reduces the blood transfusions requirements,achieves higher closed reduction success,enables faster fracture healing,and lowers reoperation incidence.

Photoacoustic/ultrasound dual-modal imaging of human nails: A pilot study

Traditional diagnostic techniques including visual examination,ultrasound(US),and magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)have limitations of in-depth information for the detection of nail disorders,resolution,and practicality.This pilot study,for thefirst time,evaluates a dualmodality imaging system that combines photoacoustic tomography(PAT)with the US for the multiparametric quantitative assessment of human nail.The study involved a small cohort offive healthy volunteers who underwent PAT/US imaging for acquiring the nail unit data.The PAT/US dual-modality imaging successfully revealed thefine anatomical structures and microvascular distribution within the nail and nail bed.Moreover,this system utilized multispectral PAT to analyze functional tissue parameters,including oxygenated hemoglobin,deoxyhemoglobin,oxygen saturation,and collagen under tourniquet and cold stimulus tests to evaluate changes in the microcirculation of the nail bed.The quantitative analysis of multispectral PAT reconstructed images demonstrated heightened sensitivity in detecting alterations in blood oxygenation levels and collagen content within the nail bed,under simulated different physiological conditions.This pilot study highlights the potential of PAT/US dual-modality imaging as a real-time,noninvasive diagnostic modality for evaluating human nail health and for early detection of nail bed pathologies.

Functional Outcomes of Adult Tibia Shaft Fractures Treated with Solid Intramedullary Nails versus Hollow Nails: A Systematic Review

Introduction: The management of fractures of the tibia shaft is an important aspect of orthopaedic care, and the selection of the surgical method for fixation can substantially impact patient outcomes. The current review aims to compare the outcomes of adult tibia fractures treated with solid nails to those treated with hollow nails. Methods: A search on Scopus, PubMed, and Cochrane Library, using three keywords (Outcome, Tibia shaft fractures, Nail) was conducted in April 2023. Results were compiled and two independent reviewers screened and selected eligible articles After removing duplicates, titles and abstracts were read to exclude ineligible studies. Full-text articles of the remaining papers were read to select eligible studies which were further critically appraised to ascertain their methodological quality. The data extracted from the selected papers were synthesized using a combination of pooling of results, tests of statistical difference (t-test and chi-square) and narrative synthesis methods. Results: A total of 2295 articles were obtained from the databases and citation searching. A total of 9 papers were identified as eligible and included in the review. Findings revealed that there is no statistical difference in the outcomes of tibia fractures treated with either solid or hollow nail groups such as duration of surgery (p = 0.541), rate of delayed and non-union (p = 0.342), and rate of surgical site infections (p = 0.395). Conclusion: Intramedullary nailing of tibia shaft fractures with either solid or hollow nails have similar functional outcomes.

Early Treatment Outcome of Humeral Shaft Fracture Non-Union in Adults: Comparative Study of Plating versus Interlocking Nailing

Background: Fractures of humeral shaft in adults are common injuries. Humeral shafts non-union either from late presentation after initial treatment by traditional bone setters or failed non-operative orthodox care is a major problem in this part of the world. This non-union is a major treatment challenge with increased cost of care and morbidity in this part of the world. Humeral shaft non-union can be treated with locked intra-medullary nailing (LIMN) or dynamic compression plating (DCP). Study on comparison of these methods of fixation in this part of the world is scarce in literature search, hence the reason for this study. Objective: The objectives of this study are: (1) to compare early clinical outcome following fixation of humeral shaft fracture nonunion with DCP versus LIMN;(2) to compare the time of radiologic fracture union of DCP with LIMN;(3) to compare complications following fixation of humeral shaft fracture nonunion with DCP versus LIMN. Patients and Methods: This was a randomized control study done for 2 years in which fifty adult patients with humeral shaft non-union were recruited. The patients were grouped into 2 (P = DCP & N = LIMN). Forty five of the patients completed the follow up periods of the study and then analyzed. The P group had ORIF with DCP while the N group had ORIF with LIMN. Both groups had grafting with cancellous bones. Each patient was followed up for a period of 6 months at the time which radiographic union is expected. Any patient without clinical and/or radiographic evidence of union after six months of surgery was diagnosed as having recurrent non-union. The data generated was analyzed using SPSS Version 23. The results were presented in charts and tables. The paired t-test was used while considering p value Result: Forty five patients completed follow up. There was a male preponderance (4:1), right humerus predominated (3:2). Motor vehicular accidents were the commonest cause of the fractures (62%). Most non-union fractures occurred at the level of the middle 3rd of the humeral shaft (60%). Failed TBS treatment was the commonest indication for the osteosynthesis (71%). More patients had plating (53%) compared to 47% who had LIMN. Most patients (93.4%) had union between 3 to 6 months irrespective of fixation type with no significant statistical difference between the union rate of DCP and LIMN (p value 0.06) with similar functional outcome and complication rates irrespective of the type of fixation. Conclusion: This study showed that the success rates in term of fracture union, outcome functional grades and complication rates were not directly dependent on the types of the fixation: plating or locked intra-medullary nailing.

Proximal Femur Bionic Nail (PFBN): A Panacea for Unstable Intertrochanteric Femur Fracture

With the aging population,intertrochanteric femur fracture in the elderly has become one of the most serious public health issues and a hot topic of research in trauma orthopedics.Due to the limitations of internal fixation techniques and the insufficient mechanical design of nails,the occurrence of complications delays patient recovery after surgical treatment.Design of a proximal femur bionic nail(PFBN)based on Zhang’s N triangle theory provides triangular supporting fixation,which dramatically decreases the occurrence of complications and has been widely used for clinical treatment of unstable intertrochanteric femur fracture worldwide.In this work,we developed an equivalent biomechanical model to analyze improvement in bone remodeling of unstable intertrochanteric femur fracture through PFBN use.The results show that compared with proximal femoral nail antirotation(PFNA)and InterTan,PFBN can dramatically decrease the maximum strain in the proximal femur.Based on Frost’s mechanostat theory,the local mechanical environment in the proximal femur can be regulated into the medium overload region by using a PFBN,which may render the proximal femur in a state of physiological overload,favoring post-operative recovery of intertrochanteric femur fracture in the elderly.This work shows that PFBN may constitute a panacea for unstable intertrochanteric femur fracture and provides insights into improving methods of internal fixation.

Meta-analysis of the clinical efficacy of the Gamma3 nail vs Gamma3U-blade system in the treatment of intertrochanteric fractures

BACKGROUND The traditional Gamma3 nail is a mainstream treatment for femoral intertrochanteric fractures.Literature reports that the Gamma3U-blade system can increase the stability of the Gamma3 nail and reduce complication incidence.However,comparative studies between the Gamma3U-blade and Gamma3 systems are limited;hence,this meta-analysis was performed to explore the clinical efficacy of these two surgical methods.AIM To investigate the clinical efficacy of Gamma3 and Gamma3 U-blade for intertrochanteric fractures.METHODS A computerized search for Chinese and English literature published from 2010 to 2022 was conducted in PubMed,Cochrane,CNKI,Wanfang,and VIP databases.The search keywords were gamma 3,gamma 3 U blade,and intertrochanteric fracture.Additionally,literature tracking was performed on the references of published literature.The data were analyzed using Revman 5.3 software.Two individuals checked the inputs for accuracy.Continuous variables were described using mean difference and standard deviation,and outcome effect sizes were expressed using ratio OR and 95%confidence interval(CI).High heterogeneity was considered at(P<0.05,I2>50%),moderate heterogeneity at I2 from 25%to 50%,and low heterogeneity at(P≥0.05,I2<50%).RESULTS Following a comprehensive literature search,review,and analysis,six articles were selected for inclusion in this study.This selection comprised five articles in English and one in Chinese,with publication years spanning from 2016 to 2022.The study with the largest sample size,conducted by Seungbae in 2021,included a total of 304 cases.Statistical analysis:A total of 1063 patients were included in this meta-analysis.The main outcome indicators were:Surgical time:The Gamma3U blade system had a longer surgical time compared to Gamma3 nails(P=0.006,I2=76%).Tip-apex distance:No statistical significance or heterogeneity was observed(P=0.65,I2=0%).Harris Hip score:No statistical significance was found,and low heterogeneity was detected(P=0.26,I2=22%).Union time:No statistical significance was found,and high heterogeneity was detected(P=0.05,I2=75%).CONCLUSION Our study indicated that the Gamma3 system reduces operative time compared to the Gamma3 U-blade system in treating intertrochanteric fractures.Both surgical methods proved to be safe and effective for this patient group.These findings may offer valuable insights and guidance for future surgical protocols in hip fracture patients.

Conversion hip arthroplasty for failed nailing of intertrochanteric fracture: Reflections on some important aspects

In this editorial,I present my comments on the article by Solarino et al.Conversion hip arthroplasty,which is an optional salvage procedure performed following unsuccessful fixation of intertrochanteric femur fractures in elderly pati-ents,entails more complex processes and higher rates of operative complications than primary arthroplasty.Hence,it is important to consider the appropriateness of the primary treatment choice,as well as the adequacy of nailing fixation for intertrochanteric fractures.This article briefly analyzes the possible factors contributing to the nailing failure of intertrochanteric fractures and attempts to find corresponding countermeasures to prevent fixation failures.It also analyzes the choice of treatment between nailing fixation and primary arthroplasty for intertrochanteric fractures.

构建股骨转子间骨折股骨近端防旋髓内钉内固定失效的风险预测模型

背景:股骨转子间骨折是主要的老年脆性骨折类型,股骨近端防旋髓内钉是首选手术方案,但术后内固定失效的相关因素尚存在争议。目的:通过术前评估患者影像学资料提出一种新的股骨转子间骨折“三柱”分类法,并分析其与术后内固定失效的交互关系,利用数字技术运算开发和验证风险预测模型,便于临床医生术前甄别并干预高风险患者。方法:选择2012年6月和2022年6月佛山市中医院三水医院收治的股骨转子间骨折患者,按照术后是否出现内固定失效结局,分为内固定失效组和内固定维持组。根据患者术前X射线片将股骨近端分为“三柱”:内侧柱、外侧柱及中柱,每柱均有不同的亚组分型。分析“三柱”的形态特征与股骨近端防旋髓内钉内固定术后复位失效的关系,通过先单因素后多因素logistics回归分析,筛选出引起内固定失效的独立风险因素,根据独立风险因素利用R语言软件构建风险预测模型。采用自助法重抽样1000次,使用受试者工作特征曲线下的面积、校准曲线、临床决策曲线评价模型的区分度、校准能力及临床应用价值。通过Youden指数确定预测模型的最佳风险分界值,据此将患者分为高、低风险组,根据模型风险预测能力的准确度来评价其稳定性和外延性。结果与结论:①利用“三柱”分型系统预测骨折术后内固定失效的4个独立风险因素,分别为内侧柱(小转子及股骨距粉碎性骨折)[优势比=5.385,95%CI(1.961,14.782),P=0.001]、中间柱(烟囱型)[优势比=2.893,95%CI(1.167,7.173),P=0.022]、外侧柱(外侧壁厚度<20.5 mm)[优势比=2.804,95%CI(1.078,7.297),P=0.035]及外侧柱(外侧壁骨折)[优势比=4.278,95%CI(1.670,10.959),P=0.012];②构建的风险预测模型表现出良好的区分度和准确度[受试者工作特征曲线下面积=0.852,95%CI(0.837,0.922)],校准曲线显示模型预测风险和实际发生风险有较好的一致性;③临床决策曲线提示风险阈值概率在0.2-0.82范围内时,模型具有较好的临床适用性;风险概率为28%是模型风险分层的最佳阈值,模型在不同风险组别患者的预测性能较好;④此次研究通过“三柱”分型系统构建预测模型计算股骨转子间骨折患者术后内固定失效的风险概率,此方法准确、简便,易于临床应用,可作为一种数字化工具指导临床个性化治疗。

三种内固定方式治疗AO/OTA A3型股骨远端骨折的有限元分析

背景:股骨远端骨折的患者年龄呈双峰分布,多见于高能量损伤的青壮年和低能量损伤的老年人。对于复杂的股骨远端骨折,单一的股骨远端外侧微创内固定系统或股骨逆行髓内钉的固定方式可能无法实现骨折愈合的稳定环境,因此常常需要联合固定。目的:设计了一款针对股骨远端A3型骨折的新型联合内固定方式(微创内固定系统+胫骨逆行髓内钉),使用有限元方法与2种常用联合固定方式——双钢板(微创内固定系统+锁定加压钢板)和钉板联合(微创内固定系统+股骨逆行髓内钉)固定的生物力学性能进行对比分析,为股骨远端型骨折临床内固定的选择提供理论依据。方法:选择一名23岁健康男性志愿者的股骨CT图像,基于Mimics与Geomagic Studio软件重建股骨三维模型,并与其他文献所做体外有限元分析数据比较,验证此次制作股骨三维模型的有效性。使用Creo 5.0软件建立股骨远端A3型骨折模型与内固定三维模型,对股骨骨折模型与3种联合内固定方式(微创内固定系统+胫骨逆行髓内钉、微创内固定系统+锁定加压钢板、微创内固定系统+股骨逆行髓内钉)进行装配并行布尔运算,建立3组有限元模型。随后导入Abaqus有限元分析软件中赋予材料属性,施加相同的边界条件与3种载荷(正常站立、缓慢行走、下楼梯)提交计算,分析3组模型受力后内固定应力分布、股骨整体与局部变形情况,评估新型联合内固定方式(微创内固定系统+胫骨逆行髓内钉)的失效风险与抗变形能力。结果与结论:①微创内固定系统+胫骨逆行髓内钉抗变形能力虽然低于微创内固定系统+锁定加压钢板10%左右,但与微创内固定系统+股骨逆行髓内钉相当,具备良好的抗变形能力;②3种联合内固定方式的股骨刚度基本不随步态发生变化;随着载荷的增加,股骨位移量基本呈线性增加,稳定性较高;③微创内固定系统+胫骨逆行髓内钉内固定的失效风险低于其他两种方案,相比微创内固定系统+锁定加压钢板失效风险降低2.94%;④新型联合固定方式在抗变形能力与安全有效性方面均具备一定的优势,为进一步的临床推广应用奠定了理论基础。

磁力导航META-NAIL锁定型胫骨髓内钉髌上入路治疗胫骨干骨折的优势

背景:磁力导航META髓内钉结合髌上入路是治疗胫骨干骨折的一种新颖手术方式,较传统手术方式有明显的优势。目的:回顾性分析磁导航META髓内钉结合髌上入路治疗胫骨干骨折的特点。方法:收集58例胫骨干骨折患者的病历资料进行回顾性分析,患者均为单侧闭合骨折,均应用磁力导航META-NAIL锁定型胫骨髓内钉髌上入路内固定治疗。术后预防性使用抗生素,术后3d开始进行无负重功能锻炼,平均12周后进行完全负重功能锻炼。结果与结论:①内固定后24周Lysholm评分为83-95分,平均90分;②Johner-Wruh标准评价临床优良率约为95%;③手术时间平均为65 min,出血量平均为30 mL;④内固定后随访中无患者出现患肢膝关节疼痛;(5)所有患者未出现伤口不愈合、感染、骨不连、骨髓炎、畸形愈合等并发症;(6)回顾性分析结果表明,应用磁力导航META-NAIL锁定型胫骨髓内钉髌上入路内固定治疗胫骨干骨折,手术时间短、复位满意、固定可靠;可避免切开髌腱等组织,减少膝前疼痛率;术后能够早期功能锻炼,临床效果满意。

髓内与髓外固定股骨颈基底部骨折的有限元分析:PFNA与FNS

背景:股骨颈基底部骨折生物力学稳定性差,治疗方案与传统股骨颈骨折有所差别,目前临床上治疗青年股骨颈基底部骨折的手术方案仍未达成统一。目的:通过有限元分析比较股骨近端防旋髓内钉与股骨颈动力交叉钉治疗股骨颈基底部骨折的生物力学特征。方法:首先使用Mimics Medical 21.0软件提取健康青年女性志愿者右侧股骨CT数据建立初步模型;然后将该模型导入Geomagic Wrap 2021软件进一步光滑处理;利用SOLIDWORKS 2021软件建立股骨颈基底部骨折模型、股骨近端防旋髓内钉模型、股骨颈动力交叉钉模型并进行装配;最后将装配后的模型导入Workbench 2021 R1软件进行生物力学分析。结果与结论:(1)应力分布:股骨近端防旋髓内钉组股骨模型应力分布主要在骨折线附近及股骨内侧,应力峰值为151.90 MPa;股骨颈动力交叉钉组股骨模型应力分布主要在骨折线附近,应力峰值为290.74 MPa;股骨近端防旋髓内钉内固定应力主要分布在螺旋刀片及主钉近端,应力峰值为102.95 MPa;股骨颈动力交叉钉内固定应力分布主要由支撑棒向两边延伸,应力峰值为184.69 MPa;(2)总位移:股骨近端防旋髓内钉组股骨模型最大位移为4.032 3 mm,股骨颈动力交叉钉组股骨模型最大位移为4.648 9 mm,最大位移均位于股骨头;股骨近端防旋髓内钉组内固定与股骨颈动力交叉钉组内固定位移峰值分别为2.709 4 mm与3.130 3 mm,两组内固定位移均主要集中在内固定近端,逐渐向远端递减;(3)提示在股骨颈基底部骨折的模型中,无论是股骨模型还是内固定模型,股骨近端防旋髓内钉相较于股骨颈动力交叉钉应力分布更分散、应力峰值更低、股骨头位移更小,生物力学稳定性更优。

不同内植物固定耻骨上下支骨折生物力学特征的比较

背景:经皮逆向空心螺钉、微创经皮钢板广泛应用于单侧耻骨支骨折中,但存在误穿髋关节和损伤骨盆内侧滋养动脉等缺点。一种新型逆行耻骨上支髓内钉治疗骨盆前环骨折拥有透射次数少和手术时间短等优点,但目前缺乏上述3种内植物生物力学特征的验证。目的:通过有限元分析方法,比较在不同工况下经皮逆向空心螺钉、微创经皮钢板和逆行耻骨上支髓内钉治疗耻骨上下支骨折的生物力学差异。方法:收集1名志愿者的骨盆CT数据,将数据导入mimics 20、Geomagic Wrap 2021、Soildworks 2019中,建成3种内固定治疗单侧耻骨支骨折的几何模型,分别为空心螺钉组、钢板组、髓内钉组。分别将上述模型导入Ansys 2022软件设置垂直工况、开书样工况、剪切工况进行前处理和计算,比较分析内植物的力学稳定性。结果与结论:①在垂直工况下,空心螺钉治疗单侧耻骨骨折的生物力学稳定性较钢板和髓内钉更为优秀,其内植物应力峰值最小,其余两组对比空心螺钉组峰值增加4倍以上;②在开书样工况下,钢板治疗单侧耻骨骨折有更好的生物力学稳定性,钢板组降低耻骨上支断端应力有较好表现,其他两组的应力较钢板组增加5倍以上;③在剪切工况下,髓内钉治疗单侧耻骨骨折表现出良好的生物力学稳定性,其维持骨盆位移效果最佳,其他两组骨盆位移比髓内钉组增加了25%以上;④提示不同内植物在生物力学上存在差异性:逆行经皮空心螺钉在垂直工况下内植物应力峰值最小,微创经皮钢板在开书样工况下减小耻骨上支断端应力最优,逆行耻骨上支髓内钉在剪切工况下骨盆位移最小,可以将内植物生物力学差异性与患者临床实际情况相结合,选择最优内植物治疗方式。

Nail—patella综合症1例报道并文献复习

目的探讨指甲-髌骨综合症(nail-patella syndrome NPS)影像学表现。方法分析临床诊断NPS一例影像学表现并结合已报道病例文献进行复习。结果 NPS典型临床表现为:指甲发育障碍、髂骨角、膝和肘部发育不良四联征;髂骨角、髌骨发育不良并半脱位及肘关节发育不良是典型的X线表现。结论 NPS具有典型X线表现,结合临床症状及体征能明确诊断。

Titanium elastic nailing in diaphyseal femoral fractures of children below six years of age

AIM To report the clinical and radiographic results of titanium elastic nail(TEN) in diaphyseal femoral fractures of children below age of six years.METHODS A retrospective analysis of 27 diaphyseal femoral fractures in children younger than six years treated with TEN between 2005 and 2015 was conducted. Patients were immobilized in a cast for 5 wk and the nails were removed from 6 to 12 wk after surgery. Twenty-four cases were clinically and radiographically re-evaluated using the Flynn's scoring criteria, focusing on: Limb length discrepancy, rotational deformity, angulation, hip and knee range of motion(ROM), functional status, complications, and parent's satisfaction.RESULTS Sixteen males and eight females with a mean age of 3.2 years at the time of treatment were re-evaluated at an average follow-up of 58.9 mo. No cases of delayed union were observed. The mean limb lengthening was 0.3 cm. Four cases experienced limb lengthening greater than 1 cm and always minor than 2 cm. Twelve point five percent of the cases showed an angulation < 10°. Complete functional recovery(hip and knee ROM, ability to run and jump on the operated limb) occurred in 95.7% of cases. Complications included two cases of superficial infection of the TEN entry point, one case of refracture following a new trauma, and one TEN mobilization. According to the Flynn's scoring criteria, excellent results were obtained in 79.2% of patients and satisfactory results in the remaining 20.8%, with an average parent's satisfaction level of 9.1/10.CONCLUSION TEN is as a safe, mini-invasive and surgeon-friendly technique and, considering specific inclusion criteria, it represents a useful and efficacy option for the treatment of diaphyseal femoral fractures even in patients younger than six years of age.

Systematic review of dynamization vs exchange nailing for delayed/non-union femoral fractures

AIM To analyze the literature on efficacy of dynamamization vs exchange nailing in treatment of delayed and nonunion femur fractures.METHODS Ultimately, 31 peer-reviewed articles with 644 exchanged nailing patients and 131 dynamization patients were identified and analyzed. The following key words were inputted in different combinations in order to search the field of publications in its entirety: "nonunion", "delayed union", "ununited", "femur fracture", "femoral fracture", "exchange nailing", "dynaiz(s)ation", "secondary nailing", "dynamic", "static", and "nail revision". The initial search yielded over 150 results, and was refined based on the inclusion criteria: Only studies reporting on humans, non-unions and delayed unions, and the usage of exchange nailing and/or dynamization as a secondary treatment after failed IM nailing. The resulting 66 articles were obtained through online journal access. The results were filtered further based on the exclusion criteria: No articles that failed to report overall union rates, differentiate between success rates of their reported techniques, or articles that analyzed less than 5 patients. RESULTS Exchange nailing lead to fracture union in 84.785% of patients compared to the 66.412% of dynamization with statistically comparable durations until union(5.193 ± 2.310 mo and 4.769 ± 1.986 mo respectively). Dynamically locking exchange nails resulted in an average union time of 5.208 ± 2.475 mo compared to 5.149 ± 2.366 mo(P = 0.8682) in statically locked exchange nails. The overall union rate of the two procedures, statically and dynamically locked exchange nailing yielded union rates of 84.259% and 82.381% respectively. Therefore, there was no significant difference between the different locking methods of exchange nailing for union rate or time to union at a significance value of P < 0.05. The analysis showed exchange nailing to be the more successful choice in the treatment of femoral non-unions in respect to its higher success rate(491/567 EN, 24/57 dynam, P < 0.0001). However, there was no significant difference between the success rates of the two procedures for delayed union fractures(25/27 EN, 45/55 dynam, P = 0.3299). Nevertheless, dynamization was more efficient in the treatment of delayed unions(at rates comparable to exchange nailing) than in the treatment of non-unions.CONCLUSION In conclusion, after examination of factors, dynamization is recommended treatment of delayed femur fractures, while exchange nailing is the treatment of choice for non-unions.

Stress Relaxation of Grouted Entirely Large Diameter B-GFRP Soil Nail

One of the potential solutions to steel-corrosion-related problems is the usage of fiber reinforced polymer （FRP） as a replacement of steel bars. In the past few decades, researchers have conducted a large number of experimental and theoretical studies on the behavior of small size glass fiber reinforce polymer （GFRP） bars （diameter smaller than 20 ram）. However, the behavior of large size GFRP bar is still not well understood. Particularly, few studies were conducted on the stress relaxation of grouted entirely large diameter GFRP soil nail. This paper investigates the effect of stress levels on the relaxation behavior of GFRP soil nail under sustained deformation ranging from 30% to 60% of its ultimate strain. In order to study the behavior of stress relaxation, two B-GFRP soil nail element specimens were developed and instrumented with fiber Bragg grating （FBG） strain sensors which were used to measure strains along the B-GFRP bars. The test results reveal that the behavior of stress relaxation of B-GFRP soil nail element subjected to pre-stress is significantly related to the elapsed time and the initial stress of relaxation procedure. The newly proposed model for evaluating stress relaxation ratio can substantially reflect the influences of the nature of B-GFRP bar and the property of grip body. The strain on the nail body can be redistributed automatically. Modulus reduction is not the single reason for the stress degradation.

Limit equilibrium analysis for stability of soil nailed slope and optimum design of soil nailing parameters

Reinforcement of slopes using soil nailing can effectively improve slope stability, and it has been widely used in upgrading cut slopes. Based on the assumptions of stresses on the slip surface, a new method for analyzing the stability of a slope reinforced with soil nails was established in the limit equilibrium theory framework, by considering that slope sliding occurs owing to shear failure of the slip surface, which subjects to Mohr–Coulomb(M–C) strength criterion. Meanwhile, in order to easily analyze the stability of a soil nailed slope in actual engineering and facilitate optimum design of parameters for soil nailing, factor of safety(FOS) contour curve charts were drawn on the basis of the established linear proportional relationship between the spacing of soil nails and slope height, and the length of soil nails and slope height. Then, by analyzing and verifying the results obtained from classic examples, some conclusions can be got as follows: 1) The results obtained from the current method are close to those obtained from the traditional limit equilibrium methods, and the current method can provide a strict solution for the slope FOS as it satisfies all the static equilibrium conditions of a sliding body, thus confirming the feasibility of the current method; 2) The slope FOS contour curve charts can be used not only to reliably analyze the stability of a soil nailed slope, but also to design optimally the parameters of soil nailing for the slope with a certain safety requirement.

Seismic analysis of nailed vertical excavation using pseudo-dynamic approach

An attempt has been made to study the behavior of nailed vertical excavations in medium dense to dense cohesionless soil under seismic conditions using a pseudo-dynamic approach. The effect of several parameters such as angle of internal friction of soil （φ）, horizontal （kh） and vertical （kv） earthquake acceleration coefficients, amplification factor （fa）, length of nails （L）, angle of nail inclination （a） and vertical spacing of nails （S） on the stability of nailed vertical excavations has been explored. The limit equilibrium method along with a planar failure surface is used to derive the formulation involved with the pseudo-dynamic approach, considering axial pullout of the installed nails. A comparison of the pseudo-static and pseudo-dynamic approaches has been established in order to explore the effectiveness of the pseudo-dynamic approach over pseudo-static analysis, since most of the seismic stability studies on nailed vertical excavations are based on the latter. The results are expressed in terms of the global factor of safety （FOS）. Seismic stability, i.e., the FOS of nailed vertical excavations is found to decrease with increase in the horizontal and vertical earthquake forces. The present values of FOS are compared with those available in the literature.

Comparitive Study between Proximal Femoral Nailing and Dynamic Hip Screw in Intertrochanteric Fracture of Femur

Background: Internal fixation is appropriate for most intertrochanteric fractures. Optimal fixation is based on the stability of fracture. The mainstay of treatment of intertrochanteric fracture is fixation with a screw slide plate device or intramedullary device. So it is a matter of debate that which one is the best treatment, dynamic hip screw or proximal femoral nailing. Method: A prospective randomized and comparative study of 2 years duration was conducted on 60 patients admitted in the Department of Orthopedics in our hospital with intertrochanteric femur fracture. They were treated by a dynamic hip screw and proximal femoral nail. Patients were operated under image intensifier control. The parameters studied were functional outcome of Harris hip score, total duration of operation, rate of union, amount of collapse. These values were statistically evaluated and two tailed p-values were calculated and both groups were statistically compared. Result: The average age of our patient is 67.8 years. Among the fracture, 31% were stable, 58% were unstable, 11% were reverse oblique fracture. The average blood loss was 100 and 250 ml in PFN and DHS group, respectively. In PFN there was more no. of radiation exposure intraoperatively. The average operating time for the patients treated with PFN was 45 min as compared to 70 min in patients treated with DHS. The patients treated with PFN started early ambulation as they had better Harris Hip Score in the early period (at 1 and 3 months). In the long term both the implants had almost similar functional outcomes. Conclusion: In our study we have found that the unstable pattern was more common in old aged patients with higher grade of osteoporosis and PFN group has a better outcome in this unstable and osteoporotic fracture. PFN group has less blood loss and less operating time compared to DHS group. In PFN group patients have started early ambulation compared to DHS group.

Pull-out tests and slope stability analyses of nailing systems comprising single and multi rebars with grouted cement

The pull-out capacities for soil nailing systems comprising of one single 29 mm diameter(type A) and four 16 mm diameter(type B) rebars with grouted cement were examined.A field test and numerical analysis for the type A and type B systems were carried out to investigate the pull-out capacities and the slope stability reinforcement efficiency in soil and rock slopes.The results of the pull-out tests show the mobilized shear force and load transfer characteristics with respect to soil depth.The load-displacement relationship was examined for both type A and type B systems.Slope stability analyses were carried out to study the relationships between soil and nail reinforcement and bending stiffness as well as combined axial tension and shear forces.Factors of safety were calculated in relation to the number of nails and their outside diameters.Both soil and rock slopes were included in this evaluation.