ArticleStrategies in trauma and limb reconstruction
Application of the Modified RUST Score in Tibial Bone Transport and Factors Associated with Docking Site Complications.
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2 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.
- Tibial bone transport using external fixation in adults: a systematic review.Archives of orthopaedic and trauma surgery · 2026Pooled it
- CGRP-dependent molecular signaling drives bone marrow stem cell osteogenesis in distraction osteogenesis.Frontiers in bioengineering and biotechnology · 2025Article
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Abstract
Aim: Reconstruction of segmental bone defects with bone transport is a well-established treatment. Mechanical complications at the docking site after frame removal are common. These complications include malunion, non-union, axial deviation and refracture. A simple tool to assess the healing of the docking site is currently lacking. The aim of this study is to evaluate the use of the modified RUST (mRUST) score in the setting of bone transport and to identify factors associated with an increased risk of docking site complications. Methods: This retrospective study was conducted at a single tertiary centre in South Africa, included 24 patients with a tibial bone defect treated with bone transport and a circular frame between 2014 and 2023. Demographic data, clinical and bone transport characteristics were recorded. Mechanical complications, such as fracture, non-union, any angulation >5°, shortening >5 mm, or any other complication requiring reoperation, were recorded. The mRUST was adapted as a ratio for the purpose of this study to overcome the common occurrence of cortices being obscured by the frame. The mRUST ratio was applied before and after frame removal for each patient by three appraisers. Comparison between the groups with and without complications was performed regarding bone transport characteristics, docking site configuration and mRUST ratio. The correlation of the score between radiographs before and after frame removal was assessed. The inter-rater reliability of the mRUST was analysed using Fleiss Kappa statistics for each cortex individually and the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) for the mRUST ratio. Results: In this study, 20 men and 4 women with a median age of 26 years were included. The overall rate of mechanical complications after frame removal was 21.7%. Complications were all related to the docking site, with two angulations, two fractures and one non-union. Demographics, bone transport characteristics and mRUST ratio before and after frame removal were similar between the two groups. Regarding the configuration of the docking site, an angle of 45° or more between the bone surfaces was associated with the occurrence of mechanical complications ( Conclusion: This study did not find the mRUST or mRUST ratio useful in assessing the healing of the docking site to decide on the best time to remove the frame. However, a notable finding was that the shape and orientation of the bone ends meeting at the docking site might well be relevant to decrease complication rates. If the angle between the bony surfaces is 45° or more, it may be associated with an increased risk of complications. It may be worthwhile considering reshaping these bone ends at the time of debridement or formal docking procedure to be more collinear, in order to reduce the potential for mechanical complications such as non-union, axial deviation or refracture at the docking site. How to cite this article: Kummer A, Nieuwoudt L, Marais LC. Application of the Modified RUST Score in Tibial Bone Transport and Factors Associated with Docking Site Complications. Strategies Trauma Limb Reconstr 2024;19(2):73-81.
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