Journal of Musculoskeletal Trauma

Original Articles

Postoperative sagittal alignment and reoperation predict late outcomes after plate fixation of AO/OTA 33C distal femur fractures: a retrospective cohort study: Hee Gon Park; J Musculoskelet Trauma 2026;39(3):216-226. Published online July 24, 2026; DOI: https://doi.org/10.12671/jmt.2026.00073

Abstract PDF: Background
Intra-articular distal femoral fractures are associated with high complication rates and variable late outcomes. Although the AO Foundation/Orthopaedic Trauma Association (AO/OTA) classification system is useful for describing injury severity and anticipating complications, whether fracture subtype alone determines clinically relevant late outcomes remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate postoperative complications and late outcomes following plate fixation of intra-articular distal femoral fractures and to identify factors independently associated with final clinical outcomes.
Methods
This retrospective cohort study was conducted at a regional Level I trauma center. Patients with AO/OTA 33C intra-articular distal femoral fractures who underwent plate fixation and were followed for at least 12 months were included. Radiographic parameters reflecting coronal and sagittal alignment were assessed using standardized measurement methods. Postoperative complications and reoperation were recorded as intermediate events. Clinically relevant late outcomes included final knee range of motion (ROM), leg length discrepancy, and radiographic osteoarthritis severity, assessed as the difference in Kellgren-Lawrence grade. Multivariable linear regression analyses were performed to identify factors independently associated with late outcomes.
Results
The 33C3 group (n=33) had significantly higher rates of open fracture (54.5%), nonunion (39.4%), and reoperation (45.5%) than the 33C1–2 group (n=49). At the final follow-up, 33C3 fractures were associated with lower mean ROM (P<0.001) and greater osteoarthritis progression (P<0.001). However, multivariable analysis showed that sagittal malalignment (Δ anatomical posterior distal femoral angle: β=−2.35, P=0.001) and reoperation (β=−17.5, P=0.001), rather than AO/OTA subtype itself, were independent predictors of final ROM.
Conclusions
Although fracture subtype according to the AO/OTA classification was associated with predictable complication patterns, clinically relevant late outcomes following intra-articular distal femoral fractures were more closely associated with postoperative alignment quality and the treatment course than with fracture classification alone. These findings highlight the importance of optimizing radiographic alignment and preventing complications that lead to reoperation to improve long-term outcomes after plate fixation. Level of evidence: III.

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Clinical and radiographic outcomes after surgical treatment of supination-adduction type ankle fractures in older (≥65 years) and younger (<65 years) patients: a retrospective single-center comparative study in Korea: JungHo Lee, Bawoo Ko, Hongik Choi, Jun-young Lee; J Musculoskelet Trauma 2026;39(3):236-244. Published online July 24, 2026; DOI: https://doi.org/10.12671/jmt.2025.00374

Abstract PDF: Background
Supination-adduction (SAD) ankle fractures involve a vertical medial malleolar fracture and potential tibial plafond impaction, but pattern-specific evidence in older patients remains limited. We compared postoperative complications and clinical/radiographic outcomes between older and younger patients and explored complication-associated factors within the older group.
Methods
We retrospectively reviewed 51 patients who underwent surgery for SAD-type ankle fractures (2010–2020): 30 younger (<65 years) and 21 older (≥65 years). The primary outcome was a composite of surgical site infection, loss of reduction, or delayed union. Functional recovery was assessed using Olerud-Molander Ankle Score (OMAS) and American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) scores through 12 months. Union and posttraumatic osteoarthritis were assessed radiographically at ≥18 months. Preoperative dual- energy X-ray absorptiometry was performed in older patients for exploratory analyses.
Results
Postoperative complications were higher in the older group (38.1% vs. 10.0%, P=0.035). In older patients, diabetes mellitus was associated with complications (odds ratio [OR], 9.17; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.15–73.24; P=0.037); smoking was not (OR, 5.50; 95% CI, 0.71–42.60; P=0.103). At 12 months, OMAS and AOFAS scores did not differ significantly. One older patient developed nonunion, and posttraumatic osteoarthritis occurred in one patient per group. Lower T-scores (mean, −2.3±0.5) correlated with greater tibial plafond impaction depth (3.1±1.2 mm; ρ=−0.46, P=0.036) and showed a borderline significant correlation with articular step-off (2.0±0.8 mm; ρ=−0.43, P=0.052).
Conclusions
Older patients had higher postoperative complication rates than younger patients, although 12-month functional and late radiographic outcomes were comparable. Diabetes was associated with complications, though the small sample warrants cautious interpretation. Findings support careful perioperative optimization and individualized fixation based on fracture morphology and bone quality in older patients, especially those with diabetes. Level of evidence: III.

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Review Article

Nonoperative management of distal radius fractures: when and how?: Shin Woo Choi, Jae Kwang Kim; J Musculoskelet Trauma 2026;39(2):93-102. Published online March 10, 2026; DOI: https://doi.org/10.12671/jmt.2026.00024

Abstract PDF: Distal radius fractures are among the most common injuries of the upper extremity, particularly in the elderly population. Although the use of volar locking plate fixation has increased in recent years, evidence from randomized and prospective studies demonstrates that, while operative treatment may achieve superior radiographic alignment and enable more rapid early recovery, these advantages tend to diminish over time and do not result in superior long-term patient-reported functional outcomes in elderly patients. In addition, radiographic parameters show only a limited correlation with functional recovery. Consequently, nonoperative treatment remains a valid and important treatment option for distal radius fractures. The decision to pursue nonoperative management should be based on a comprehensive assessment of radiographic parameters—including dorsal tilt, radial shortening, and intraarticular displacement—together with patient-specific factors such as age, activity level, comorbidities, and functional expectations. For stable or minimally displaced fractures, an immobilization period of 3‒4 weeks is generally recommended, whereas displaced fractures typically require immobilization for 5‒6 weeks. In cases requiring manual reduction, traditional treatment protocols recommend weekly radiographic follow-up during the first 2‒3 weeks to monitor for secondary displacement. Successful nonoperative management should also emphasize effective swelling control through limb elevation, as well as the initiation of early finger exercises to prevent hand stiffness. After removal of the cast or splint, active wrist mobilization is essential for restoring optimal range of motion and achieving functional recovery.

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Original Articles

Clinical and radiographic outcomes of elastic stable intramedullary nailing for pediatric humeral shaft fractures: a retrospective case series: Kang-San Lee, Dongju Shin, Sang Hee Kim, Il Seo, Tae-Hoon Kim, Sung Jung Kim; J Musculoskelet Trauma 2026;39(2):156-161. Published online March 10, 2026; DOI: https://doi.org/10.12671/jmt.2025.00381

Abstract PDF: Background
Pediatric humeral shaft fractures are uncommon and are generally treated conservatively, with satisfactory clinical outcomes reported in most cases. However, conservative management often necessitates prolonged immobilization and frequent outpatient follow-up visits, and it carries an inherent risk of residual angular or translational deformity. Elastic stable intramedullary nailing (ESIN) provides a simple and minimally invasive method of fracture fixation that offers adequate stability without disrupting the periosteal blood supply, thereby permitting early mobilization and promoting rapid bone union. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical and radiological outcomes of ESIN fixation in pediatric patients with humeral shaft fractures.
Methods
The medical records of pediatric patients with humeral shaft fractures who underwent ESIN fixation between January 2015 and November 2025 were retrospectively reviewed. Data collected included patient demographics, mechanism of injury, fracture location, number of elastic nails used, time to union, degree of residual angulation, range of motion (ROM), and postoperative complications.
Results
The mean age of the patients was 10.0 years (range, 7 to 15 years). The mean time to radiographic union was 5.4 weeks (range, 2.4 to 10.4 weeks). The mean coronal angulation was 0.2° (range, −9.1° to 5.8°), while the mean sagittal angulation was −1.3° (range, −6.9° to 5.3°). No cases of infection, nerve injury, or nail migration were observed during the follow-up period. At the final follow-up assessment, all patients demonstrated full shoulder and elbow ROM, with no residual deformity or pain reported.
Conclusions
In this small retrospective case series, ESIN fixation resulted in favorable union rates and excellent functional outcomes in pediatric humeral shaft fractures. Level of evidence: IV.

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Comparison of outcomes of reinforced tension band wiring and precontoured plate and screw fixation in the management of Mayo type IIIB olecranon fractures: Hyun Goo Kang, Tong Joo Lee, Samuel Jaeyoon Won; J Musculoskelet Trauma 2025;38(2):96-101. Published online February 28, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.12671/jmt.2025.00059; Correction in: J Musculoskelet Trauma 2025;38(3):168

Abstract PDF

Background
Mayo type IIIB olecranon fractures are characterized by significant displacement and comminution, presenting a challenge in selecting the appropriate fixation technique. This study compared the clinical and radiographic outcomes, complications, and reoperation rates of reinforced tension band wiring (TBW) and precontoured plate and screw fixation (PF) in the surgical treatment of Mayo type IIIB olecranon fractures.
Methods
This retrospective review analyzed 24 patients diagnosed with Mayo type IIIB olecranon fractures, who were treated between 2005 and 2023. Of these, 11 patients underwent reinforced TBW, and 13 received precontoured PF. Clinical outcomes were assessed using Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) scores and the Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS). Radiographic outcomes focused on fracture union. Operative times, complication rates, and reoperation rates were compared between the groups.
Results
Both the reinforced TBW and PF groups achieved satisfactory clinical outcomes, with no significant between-group differences in DASH and MEPS scores (P>0.05). Radiographic union was achieved in all patients. The reinforced TBW group demonstrated a significantly shorter operative time than the PF group (93.6±7.4 min vs. 132.3±13.7 min; P<0.001). Complication rates were similar between the two groups (reinforced TBW, 38.4%; PF, 36.3%), but hardware-related irritation occurred more frequently in the reinforced TBW group. Reoperations were required in 15.8% of the reinforced TBW group due to hardware irritation, whereas no reoperations were necessary in the PF group.
Conclusions
Reinforced TBW and PF are both effective surgical options for managing Mayo type IIIB olecranon fractures, yielding comparable clinical and radiographic outcomes. While reinforced TBW offers shorter operative times and lower costs, PF is associated with fewer hardware-related complications. Further prospective studies are needed to optimize treatment strategies for these complex fractures. Level of Evidence: Level III.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Suture tension band fixation of olecranon fractures: description and early outcomes of a novel technique
Joseph G. Monir, Frank L. Vazquez, Musab Gulzar, Kevin Cuneo, Thomas McQuillan, Michael B. Gottschalk, Eric R. Wagner
JSES Reviews, Reports, and Techniques.2026; 6(2): 100707. CrossRef
Comparative Efficacy and Safety of Tension Band Wiring versus Plate Fixation for Olecranon Fractures: A Meta-Analysis and Trial Sequential Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials
Malik A. Alshayban, Amr Khaleel Ibraheem, Abdulrahman Ali Aloudah, Turki S. Alqahtani, Mohamed Nabawy Elseaidy, Mohammed Abdelmalek, Mohamed Abdelhady Mourad
JSES Reviews, Reports, and Techniques.2026; : 100817. CrossRef
Are posterior olecranon locking plates a problem for patients after fracture healing because of prominence?
Reva Qiu, Mallika Makkar, Richard Buckley
Injury.2025; 56(11): 112769. CrossRef

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Treatment of Proximal Femur Fracture with a Newly Designed Nail: Trochanteric Fixation Nail-Advanced (TFNA): Jae Youn Yoon, Ji Wan Kim; J Korean Fract Soc 2020;33(4):189-195. Published online October 31, 2020; DOI: https://doi.org/10.12671/jkfs.2020.33.4.189

Abstract PDF

Purpose
This study evaluated the clinical results and implant safety of a newly developed implant, Trochanteric Fixation Nail-Advanced (TFNA; DePuy Synthes), in the treatment of proximal femur fractures.
Materials and Methods
This was a retrospective cohort study of 26 patients diagnosed with proximal femur fracture and treated surgically with TFNA. The patients’ demographic data, surgical data, radiologic findings, and functional outcomes, including complications, were evaluated.
Results
The mean age of the patients was 71.2 years (95% confidence interval [CI], 68.2-74.2); 65.4% were female. The mean Carlson comorbidity index score was 5.4, and the mean Koval grade before fracture was 2.1. Fracture classification included four cases of AO/OTA 31.A1, nine cases of A2, six cases of A3, and seven cases of 32A including six cases of atypical femoral fractures. The mean operating time was 53.3 minutes (95% CI, 43.6-63.1). There were no early postoperative complications, such as postoperative infection, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, or in-hospital death, except one case of pneumonia. The mean Koval score at the postoperative six-month follow-up was 2.9. EuroQol-5 Dimension (EQ-5D) increased from 0.05 to 0.54 after three months and 0.72 at six months postoperatively. Bone union was observed in all cases with a mean union time of 12.9 weeks. No implant failure occurred, and no cases required secondary revision surgery.
Conclusion
A new intramedullary nail system, TFNA, showed excellent outcomes and safety in the surgical treatment of proximal femur fractures.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Intermediate Length Cephalomedullary Nails in Proximal Femoral Fractures: Review of Indications and Outcomes
Daniel Scott Horwitz, Ahmed Nageeb Mahmoud, Michael Suk
Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.2025; 33(19): 1071. CrossRef
Outcomes of Intertrochanteric Fracture Fixation Using the Trochanteric Fixation Nail Advanced (TFNA): A Retrospective Analysis
Ramprasad Jasti, Prithvi Mohandas, Mahesh K Ragavan, Sunil D Magadam, Umesh Kannadasan
Cureus.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
Clinical and Radiological Outcomes of Unstable Intertrochanteric Fractures Treated with Trochanteric Fixation Nail-Advanced and Proximal Femoral Nail Antirotation-II: Correlation between Lateral Sliding of the Helical Blade and Lateral Trochanteric Pain
Sung Yoon Jung, Myoung Jin Lee, Lih Wang, Hyeon Jun Kim, Dong Hoon Sung, Jun Ha Park
Journal of the Korean Orthopaedic Association.2024; 59(3): 208. CrossRef
Prospective randomized multicenter noninferiority clinical trial evaluating the use of TFN-advancedTM proximal femoral nailing system (TFNA) for the treatment of proximal femur fracture in a Chinese population
Lidan Zhang, Zhijun Pan, Xiaohui Zheng, Qiugen Wang, Peifu Tang, Fang Zhou, Fan Liu, Bin Yu, Frankie K. L. Leung, Alex Wu, Suzanne Hughson, Zhuo Chen, Michael Blauth, Anthony Rosner, Charisse Sparks, Manyi Wang
European Journal of Trauma and Emergency Surgery.2023; 49(3): 1561. CrossRef
Risk of shortening in operatively treated proximal femur fractures with cephalomedullary nails with dynamically versus statically locked helical blades
Nathan Cherian, Lasun Oladeji, Cole Ohnoutka, Dan Touhey, Madeline Sauer, Kyle A. Schweser, Mauricio Kfuri, James L. Cook, Gregory J. Della Rocca, Brett D. Crist
Injury.2023; 54(2): 669. CrossRef
GS Hip Nail versus Affixus Hip Fracture Nail for the Intramedullary Nailing of Intertrochanteric Fractures
Seungcheol Kwon, Minjae Lee, Heeyeon Lee, Jihyo Hwang
Journal of Clinical Medicine.2023; 12(21): 6720. CrossRef
Comparison of the Clinical and Radiological Outcomes of TFNA (Trochanteric Fixation Nail-Advanced) and PFNA-II (Proximal Femoral Nail Antirotation-II) Treatment in Elderly Patients with Intertrochanteric Fractures
Min Sung Kwon, Young Bok Kim, Gyu Min Kong
Journal of the Korean Fracture Society.2022; 35(4): 162. CrossRef
Analysis of Clinical and Functional Outcomes according to the Blood Sugar Control Status at the Time of Ankle Fractures Resulting from Rotational Injuries
Jun Young Lee, Dong Seop Lim, Seung Hyun Lee, Seo Jin Park
Journal of the Korean Fracture Society.2022; 35(4): 135. CrossRef
Conventional versus helical blade screw insertion following the removal of the femoral head screw: a biomechanical evaluation using trochanteric gamma 3 locking nail versus PFN antirotation
Hong Man Cho, Kwang Min Park, Tae Gon Jung, Ji Yeon Park, Young Lee
BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders.2021;[Epub] CrossRef
Clinical and Radiologic Outcome of Intertrochanteric Fracture Treatment Using TFNA (Trochanteric Fixation Nail-Advanced)
Hyeon Joon Lee, Hyun Bai Choi, Ba Rom Kim, Seung Hwan Jo, Sang Hong Lee
Journal of the Korean Fracture Society.2021; 34(3): 105. CrossRef

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