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Purpose: This study aimed at evaluating the additional stability that is provided by anterior external and internal fixators in an unstable pelvic fracture model (OTA 61-C). Methods: An unstable pelvic fracture (OTA 61-C) was created in 27 synthetic pelves by making a 5-mm gap through the sacral foramina (posterior injury) and an ipsilateral pubic rami fracture (anterior injury). The posterior injury was fixed with either a single iliosacral (IS) screw, a single trans-iliac, trans-sacral (TS) screw, or two iliosacral screws (S1S2). Two anterior fixation techniques were utilized: external fixation (Ex-Fix) and supra-acetabular external fixation and internal fixation (In-Fix); supra-acetabular pedicle screws connected with a single subcutaneous spinal rod. The specimens were tested using a nondestructive single-leg stance model. Peak-to-peak (P2P) displacement and rotation and conditioning displacement (CD) were calculated. Results: The Ex-Fix group failed in 83.3 % of specimens with concomitant single-level posterior fixation (Total: 15/18-7 of 9 IS fixation, 8 of 9 TS fixation), and 0 % (0/9) of specimens with concomitant two-level (S1S2) posterior fixation. All specimens with the In-Fix survived testing except for two specimens treated with In-Fix combined with IS fixation. Trans-sacral fixation had higher pubic rotation and greater sacral and pubic displacement than S1S2 ( p < 0.05). Rotation of the pubis and sacrum was not different between In-Fix constructs combined with single-level IS and TS fixation. Conclusion: In this model of an unstable pelvic fracture (OTA 61-C), anterior fixation with an In-Fix was biomechanically superior to an anterior Ex-Fix in the setting of single-level posterior fixation. There was no biomechanical difference between the In-Fix and Ex-Fix when each was combined with two levels of posterior sacral fixation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

. End-stage haemophiliac arthropathy can be successfully treated with total knee arthroplasty. However, the functional results may not be as good as anticipated and certain pre-op knee characteristics may alter the functional results. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the functional outcome of TKA in haemophilic patients with specific attention to final range of motion and residual flexion contracture of the joint. Twenty-one consecutive patients were retrospectively reviewed. The average age was 34 years with an average follow-up of 5.7 years. Functional status was evaluated with Hospital for Special Surgery Knee Score. Receiving Operating Characteristics analysis was used to determine the threshold of pre-operative flexion contracture degree to avoid residual knee contracture. The range of motion was increased in 16 joints and unchanged in three joints and decreased in the remaining two. Preoperative average range of motion was 37.6°, improved to 57.1° post-operatively. The average knee score increased from 27.85 (15-30) points pre-operatively to 79.42 (12-94) points at the last follow-up. The degree of pre-operative flexion contracture was found to be a good predictor for residual flexion contracture. (Specificity: 85.7%, sensitivity: 100%, cut-off: 27.5°). Total knee replacement improves the quality of life in patients with advanced haemophilic arthropathy. Statistical analysis revealed that pre-op flexion contracture of 27.5° is an important threshold. Patients should be operated before that stage to gain maximum benefit with minimal gait abnormalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]