Objective To investigate the feasibility and effectiveness of absorbable screws for the treatment of tibiofibular syndesmotic disruptions by comparing with metallic screws. Methods Between July 2007 and May 2012, 69 patients with tibiofibular syndesmotic disruptions associated with ankle fractures were treated; absorbable screw fixation was used in 38 cases (group A) and metallic screw fixation was used in 31 cases (group B). There was no significant difference in gender, age, injury causes, the type of fracture, the side of fracture, and disease duration between 2 groups (P gt; 0.05). The fracture healing time, weight bearing time, and complications were recorded and compared between 2 groups. According to Baird-Jackson scoring system, the function of the ankle was assessed after 6 months. Results Infection of incision occurred in 3 cases (7.9%) of group A and 2 cases (6.5%) of group B, and skin necrosis of incision in 1 case (2.6%) of group A and 5 cases (16.1%) of group B, showing no significant difference in the incidences of infection and necrosis of incisions between 2 groups (P gt; 0.05); primary healing of incision was obtained in the other patients. The 69 cases were followed up 12-26 months (mean, 18.6 months). The weight bearing time was (2.97 ± 0.59) months in group A and was (3.16 ± 0.74 ) months in group B, showing no significant difference (t=1.175, P=0.244). X-ray films showed that fractures and tibiofibular syndesmotic disruptions healed in 2 groups; the healing time was (5.71 ± 1.01) months in group A and was (5.81 ± 1.08) months in group B, showing no significant difference (t=0.381, P=0.705). No fixation failure, breakage, or loosening occurred in 2 groups. According to Baird-Jackson scoring system, the results were excellent in 29 cases, good in 5 cases, and fair in 4 cases with an excellent and good rate of 89.5% in group A at 6 months after operation; the results were excellent in 20 cases, good in 7 cases, and fair in 4 cases with an excellent and good rate of 87.1% in group B; no significant difference was found in the excellent and good rate between 2 groups (Z= — 0.991, P=0.321). Conclusion Treatment of tibiofibular syndesmotic disruptions with absorbable screws can get good effectiveness and replace metallic screws because of avoiding additional operation for removing the screw.
Objective To study the operative procedure and the effectiveness of arthroscopic therapy for ankle joint impingement syndrome after operation of ankle joint fracture dislocation. Methods Between March 2008 and April 2010, 38 patients with ankle joint impingement syndrome after operation of ankle joint fracture dislocation were treated. Among them, therewere 28 males and 10 females with an average age of 28 years (range, 18 to 42 years). The time from internal fixation to admission was 12-16 months (mean, 13.8 months). There were pressing pain in anterolateral and anterior ankle. The dorsal extension ranged from — 20 to — 5° (mean, —10.6°), and the palmar flexion was 30-40° (mean, 35.5°). The total score was 48.32 ± 9.24 and the pain score was 7.26 ± 1.22 before operation according to American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle and hindfoot score system. The X-ray films showed osteophyte formation in anterior tibia and talus; MRI showed cartilage injury in 22 cases. Arthroscopic intervention included removing osteophytes, debriding fabric scars and synovial membrane tissues, and removing osteochondral fragments. Arthroscopic microfracture technique was used in 22 patients with cartilage injury. Results All incisions healed primarily. Thirty-eight cases were followed up 10-26 months (mean, 16 months). At last follow-up, 26 patients had normal range of motion (ROM); the dorsal extension was 15-25° (mean, 19.6°) and the palmar flexion was 35-45° (mean, 40.7°). Eight patients had mild l imited ROM; the dorsal extension was 5-15° (mean, 7.2°) and the palmar flexion was 35-45° (mean, 39.5°). Four patients had mild l imited ROM and pain in posterior portion of the ankle after a long walking (3-4 hours); the dorsal extension was 0-5° (mean, 2.6°) and the palmar flexion was 35-40° (mean, 37.5°). The total score was 89.45 ± 9.55 and the pain score was 1.42 ± 1.26 after operation according to AOFAS ankle and hindfoot score system, showing significant differences when compared with preoperative ones (t=21.962, P=0.000; t=16.762, P=0.000). Conclusion Arthroscopic treatment of ankle joint impingement syndrome after operation of ankle joint fracture dislocation is an effective, simple, and safe method.
Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of posterior malleolus fixation on the function of ankle in patients with ankle fracture. Methods Between June 2007 and June 2009, 110 patients with ankle fracture were treated with posteriormalleolus fixation in 59 patients (fixation group) or without fixation in 51 patients (non-fixation group). In fixation group, there were 31 males and 28 females with an average age of 62.6 years (range, 19-75 years); the causes of injury included traffic accident (20 cases), falling (18 cases), and sprain (21 cases) with a disease duration of 1-3 days (2.2 days on average); and the locations were left ankle in 32 cases and right ankle in 27 cases, including 6 cases of type I, 23 of type II, 19 of type III, and 11 of type IV according to the ankle fracture clssification. In non-fixation group, there were 38 males and 13 females with an average age of 64.5 years (range, 16-70 years); the causes of injury included traffic accident (15 cases), falling (12 cases), and sprain (24 cases) with a disease duration of 1-3 days (2.5 days on average); and the locations were left ankle in 22 cases and right ankle in 29 cases, including 8 cases of type I, 16 of type II, 19 of type III, and 8 of type IV according to the ankle fracture clssification. There was no significant difference in general data between 2 groups (P gt; 0.05). Results All patients of 2 groups achieved wound heal ing by first intention. The patients were followed up 12-18 months (16 months on average). X-ray films showed that fractures healed at 8-12 weeks (10 weeks on average) in fixation group and at 10-14 weeks (12 weeks on average) in non-fixation group. There were significant differences in the cl inical score (89.28 ± 8.62 vs. 86.88 ± 9.47, P lt; 0.05), postoperative reposition score (33.34 ± 2.15 vs. 31.24 ± 2.89, P lt; 0.05), and osteoarthritis score (13.22 ± 1.66 vs. 12.46 ± 2.03, P lt; 0.05) according to Phill i ps ankle scoring system between 2 groups at last follow-up. There was no significant difference in cl inical score of type I and II patients between 2 groups (P gt; 0.05), but significant differences were found in cl inical score and osteoarthritis score of type III and IV patients between 2 groups (P lt; 0.05). There were significant differences in the postoperative reposition score between 2 groups in all types of fractures (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion The posterior malleolus fixation may provide satisfactory cl inical functional outcomes for ankle fracture. Proper fracture classification and correct method of internal fixation are important for achieving good reduction and improving the long-term results.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the biomechanical characteristics and effectiveness of repairing anteroinferior tibiofibular ligament and fixing the posterior malleolar fracture in reconstructing syndesmotic stability after ankle fracture of pronation-external rotation type (PER) stage IV. MethodsTwenty-four normal lower extremity cadaver specimens were collected and made into intact ankle specimens. A MTS Bionix 858 test system was used to measure the maximum rotation of the foot under a static axial load of 150 N, internal rotation torque to the tibia at a rate of 1°/second and 4 N·m torque. Then a fracture of PER stage IV model was established in each specimen. Internal fixation of lower tibiofibular ligament union was performed by screws in group A, fixation of posterior malleolar fractures in group B, fixing posterior malleolar fracture combined with repairing anteroinferior tibiofibular ligament in group C (8 specimens each group). Then the maximum rotation of the foot was measured under the same condition, and the syndesmotic stability was calculated. Between July 2009 and September 2012, 32 patients with ankle fracture of PER stage IV were treated. There were 19 males and 13 females with an average age of 35 years (range, 20-63 years). The locations were the left ankle in 14 cases and the right ankle in 18 cases. The time from injury to admission was 3.5 hours on average (range, 1-72 hours). Open reduction and plate compression internal fixation were performed in fibula, and medial malleolus was fixed by conpression screws, then anteroinferior tibiofibular ligament was mended and posterior malleolar fracture was fixed by screws. ResultsThe preservation rates of syndesmotic stability after repair were 46.2%±12.3%, 62.6%±10.7%,and 66.5%±12.6% in groups A, B,and C, respectively; groups B and C were significantly superior to group A (P<0.05),but no significant difference was found between groups B and C (P>0.05). All patients achieved wound healing by first intention, and were followed up 12-24 months (mean,15 months). All fractures healed,with an average healing time of 11.2 weeks (range, 10-14 weeks) on the X-ray films. No seperation of inferior tibiofibular syndesmosis was observed during the follow-up period. American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot score was 88.4 on average (range, 61-98) at last follow-up; the results were excellent in 13 cases,good in 15 cases, and fair in 4 cases, with an excellent and good rate of 87.5%. ConclusionIn patients with ankle fracture of PER stage IV, a combination of fixing the posterior malleolar fracture and repairing anteroinferior tibiofibular ligament can reconstruct syndesmotic stability effectively.
ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical features of ankle fractures involving Tillaux-Chaput in adults, and to observe the surgical effectiveness. MethodsBetween May 2009 and May 2013, 15 adult patients with ankle fractures involving Tillaux-Chaput were treated by open reduction and internal fixation. There were 12 males and 3 females, with an average age of 32 years (range, 19-45 years). The causes included sport injury (8 cases), traffic accident injury (5 cases), and falling injury from height (2 cases). The left ankle was involved in 5 cases and the right side in 10 cases. There were 2 open fractures (Gustilo type I) and 13 close fractures. Five patients had single Tillaux-Chaput fractures. The mean time between injury and surgery was 8.5 days (range, 3 hours to 15 days). According to the Lauge-Hansen classification, there were 9 cases of supination-external rotation, 5 cases of pronation-external rotation, and 1 case of pronation-abduction. ResultsPrimary healing of incisions was obtained in 13 patients without infection and neurovascular injury; 2 patients had superficial infection which was cured after oral antibiotics and dressing change. All cases were followed up for 23 months on average (range, 13-36 months). X-ray films showed complete fracture healing at 10-16 weeks postoperatively (mean, 13 weeks) in all cases. The mean American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score was 87 (range, 78-99), with an excellent and good rate of 80% (excellent in 9 cases, good in 3 cases, and fair in 3 cases). ConclusionOpen reduction and internal fixation for ankle fractures involving Tillaux-Chaput in adults can achieve excellent effectiveness.
ObjectiveTo explore the clinical value of computer-assisted surgical planning in the treatment of ankle fractures. MethodsBetween January 2012 and January 2014, open reduction and internal fixation were performed on 42 patients with ankle fractures. There were 22 males and 20 females with an average age of 52 years (range, 19-72 years). The causes were spraining injury (20 cases), traffic accident injury (14 cases), and falling from height injury (8 cases). The time from injury to operation was 5 hours to 12 days (mean, 2.5 days). All fractures were closed trimalleolar fractures. According to Lauge-Hansen classification, 25 cases were rated as supination extorsion type IV, 13 as pronation extorsion type IV, and 4 as pronation abduction type Ⅲ. The preoperative planning was made by virtual reduction and internal fixation using Superimage software. ResultsThe mean operation time was 93.7 minutes (range, 76-120 minutes). Delayed wound healing occurred in 1 case, and secondary healing was obtained after treatment; primary healing of incision was achieved in the other patients. Postoperative X-ray films and CT images showed anatomic reduction of fracture and good position of internal fixation. All patients were followed up 14.6 months on average (range, 9-27 months). The range of motion of the affected ankle was close to the normal side at 6-8 weeks. The mean fracture healing time was 13.1 weeks (range, 11-17 weeks). Degenerative change of the ankle joint was observed in 3 cases (7.1%) with manifestation of mild narrowing of joint space on the X-ray films at last follow-up. According to Baird-Jackson score system, the results were excellent in 24 cases, good in 13 cases, and fair in 5 cases, with an excellent and good rate of 88%. ConclusionComputer-assisted surgical planning for ankle fractures can help surgeons identify type of ankle fractures and improve surgical scheme for guiding fracture reduction and selecting and placing implants, so good effectiveness can be obtained.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness of repairing the deltoid ligament with ankle fracture. MethodsBetween January 2010 and January 2013, 11 patients with ankle fractures associated with deltoid ligament injury were treated. There were 7 males and 4 females, with an average age of 38.2 years (range, 18-72 years). The interval between injury and operation was 6 hours to 7 days (mean, 4 days). According to Lauge-Hansen classification, ankle fracture was rated as pronation-external rotation type in 5 cases, as supination-external rotation type in 4 cases, and as pronation-abduction type in 2 cases. The MRI and color Doppler ultrasound showed deltoid ligament rupture. The results of valgus stress test, talus valgus tilt test, and anterior drawer test after anesthesia were all positive. Fracture was treated by open reduction and internal fixation, and deltoid injury was repaired. ResultsAll incisions healed primarily. All patients were followed up 12-18 months (mean, 13.3 months). The X-ray films showed anatomical reduction, good position of internal fixation and stable distal tibiofibular syndesmosis. The mean fracture union time was 7.6 weeks (range, 6-8 weeks). MRI at 3 months after operation showed normal shape of the deltoid ligament. According to American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score, the results were excellent in 6 cases, good in 3 cases, fair in 1 case, and poor in 1 case, with an excellent and good rate of 81.8%. ConclusionIt is an effective method to treat ankle fracture with deltoid ligament injury by open reduction and internal fixation of ankle fracture and repair of the deltoid ligament injury, which can effectively rebuild medial instability and has satisfactory effectiveness.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the difference between using and not using syndesmotic screw to treat pronation external rotation (PER) ankle fracture combined with separation of distal tibiofibular syndesmosis. MethodsBetween April 2011 and October 2014, 46 cases of PER ankle fracture combined with separation of distal tibiofibular syndesmosis were treated, and syndesmotic screw was used in 24 cases (fixation group) and syndesmotic screw was not used in 22 cases (non-fixation group). There was no significant difference in gender, age, weight, cause of injury, side, injury to operation time, and fracture type between 2 groups (P > 0.05). The time for full weight-bearing, fracture healing time, and complications were recorded after operation. Anteroposterior and lateral X-ray films were taken to measure the tibiofibular overlap (TBOL) and tibiofibular clear space (TBCS). Baird-Jackson score was used to evaluate functional recovery of the ankle. ResultsAll incision healed by first intention without complications. The cases were followed up 13-18 months (mean, 15.2 months) in 2 groups. The time for full weight-bearing was 8-12 weeks (median, 11 weeks) in fixation group, which was significantly later than that in non-fixation group (range, 6-10 weeks; median, 8 weeks) (Z=-5.049, P=0.000). X-ray examination showed reduction of separation of distal tibiofibular syndesmosis. All fractures healed. The fracture healing time was (13.83±1.37) weeks in fixation group, and was (13.91±1.31) weeks in non-fixation group, showing no significant difference (t=-0.191, P=0.945). No separation of distal tibiofibular syndesmosis, delayed union, nonunion, loosening, or breakage of fixation devices was observed in 2 groups. There was no significant difference in TBOL, TBCS, Baird-Jackson score and the excellent and good rate between 2 groups (P > 0.05). ConclusionIf the medial, lateral, and posterior structures of the ankle could be repaired according to injury, no significant influence on functional outcome of ankle or radiologic findings could be detected whether syndesmotic fixation is given or not in treating PER ankle fracture (exclude Maisonneuve fracture) combined with separation of distal tibiofibular syndesmosis.