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 compare the effectiveness of arthroscopic and open ankle arthrodeses. Methods The clinical data were retrospectively analyzed from 30 patients undergoing unilateral ankle arthrodesis between January 2008 and January 2011. Of 30 patients, 14 underwent arthroscopic ankle arthrodesis (arthroscopic group), and 16 underwent open ankle arthrodesis (open group). There was no significant difference in gender, age, lesion type, disease duration, and preoperative American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score between 2 groups (P gt; 0.05). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative hospitalization days, postoperative AOFAS score, and bony union rate were observed to evaluate the effectiveness. Results The operation time of arthroscopic group was significantly longer than that of open group (P lt; 0.05); the intraoperative blood loss and postoperative hospitalization days of arthroscopic group were significantly less than those of open group (P lt; 0.05). Superficial infection of incision occurred in 1 case of open group, and healing of incision by first intention was obtained in the other patients. All patients were followed up 12 months. No screw breakage was observed. The X-ray films showed bony fusion in 13 cases (92.86%) of arthroscopic group and in 10 cases (62.50%) of open group at 3 months after operation, showing significant difference (χ2=3.850, P=0.049); but no significant difference was found (χ2=0.910, P=0.341) in bony fusion rate between the arthroscopic group (14/14, 100%) and open group (15/16, 93.75%) at 12 months after operation. The AOFAS scores at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after operation were significantly higher than preoperative score in 2 groups (P lt; 0.05). There was no significant difference in AOFAS score between 2 groups at 1 and 3 months (P gt; 0.05), but significant differences were found at 6 and 12 months (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion The overall effectiveness of arthroscopic ankle arthrodesis is better than that of open ankle arthrodesis, which can decrease intraoperative blood loss, shorten hospitalization days, get higher bony fusion rate, and obtain good ankle function recovery.
Objective To explore the effectiveness of anterolateral thigh fasciocutaneous flap for repair of skin and soft tissue defect and simultaneous Achilles tendon reconstruction with modified methods of ilio-tibial bundle suture. Methods Between October 2009 and June 2011, 10 cases of Achilles tendon and soft tissue defects were treated. There were 7 males and 3 females, aged from 5 to 60 years (median, 40 years). Injury was caused by spoke in 5 cases, by heavy pound in 3 cases, and by traffic accident in 2 cases. The time between injury and admission was 2-24 hours (mean, 8 hours). The size of wound ranged from 11 cm × 7 cm to 18 cm × 10 cm; the length of Achilles tendon defect was 4-10 cm (mean, 7 cm). Three cases complicated by calcaneal tuberosity defect. After admission, emergency debridement and vacuum sealing drainage were performed for 5-7 days, anterolateral thigh fasciocutaneous flap transplantation of 11 cm × 7 cm to 20 cm × 12 cm was used to repair skin and soft tissue defects, and improved method of ilio-tibial bundle suture was used to reconstruct Achilles tendon. The flap donor site was closed directly or repaired with skin grafting to repair. Results All flaps and the graft skin at donor site survived, healing of wounds by first intention was obtained. All patients were followed up 6-18 months (mean, 10 months). The flap was soft and flexible; the flap had slight encumbrance in 3 cases, and the others had good appearance. At last follow-up, two-point discrimination was 2-4 cm (mean, 3 cm). The patients were able to walk normally. The range of motion (ROM) of affected side was (24.40 ± 2.17)° extension and (44.00 ± 1.94)° flexion, showing no significant difference when compared with ROM of normal side [(25.90 ± 2.33)° and (45.60 ± 1.84)° ] (t=1.591, P=0.129; t=1.735, P=0.100). According to Arner-Lindhoim assessment method for ankle joint function, all the patients obtained excellent results. Conclusion A combination of anterolateral thigh fasciocutaneous flap for repair of skin and soft tissue defects and simultaneous Achilles tendon reconstruction with modified methods of ilio-tibial bundle suture is beneficial to function recovery of the ankle joint because early function exercises can be done.
Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of arthroscopic treatment and nonsurgical treatment on ankle degenerative osteoarthropathy. Methods Between July 2009 and June 2011, 58 patients (58 ankles) suffering from ankle degenerative osteoarthropathy underwent arthroscopic treatment (arthroscopic group, n=28) and routine treatment (control group, n=30). There was no significant difference in gender, age, body mass index, disease duration, and degree of ankle degenerative osteoarthropathy between 2 groups (P gt; 0.05). Mazur score, visual analogue scale (VAS), and Tegner activity scale were used to evaluate the effectiveness. Results Incision healed primarily in arthroscopic group. The patients of 2 groups were followed up 1-2 years, averaged 1.5 years in arthroscopic group and 1.6 years in control group. At last follow-up, Mazur, VAS, and Tegner scores were significantly improved when compared with the preoperative scores in 2 groups (P lt; 0.05), but no significant difference was found at last follow-up between 2 groups (P gt; 0.05). According to Mazur scoring, the results were excellent in 8 cases, good in 14 cases, fair in 5 cases, and poor in 1 case, with an excellent and good rate of 79% in arthroscopic group; the results were excellent in 6 cases, good in 15 cases, fair in 6 cases, and poor in 3 cases, with an excellent and good rate of 70% in control group; and no significant difference was observed between 2 groups (u=0.98, P=0.77). Moreover, there was no correlation between Outerbridge classification and Mazur score in patients undergoing arthroscopic treatment (r=0.18, P=0.34). Conclusion Arthroscopic and nonsurgical treatments of ankle degenerative osteoarthropathy can both achieve good effectiveness.
Objective To review the latest research progress of fixation techniques of ankle arthrodesis.Methods The l iterature concerning the research of fixation techniques of ankle arthrodesis in recent years was reviewed. Then the characteristics and new research progress of different internal and external fixation techniques were analysed and compared. Results There are plenty of different types of internal and external fixation devices, each with distinct characteristics. Now it is widely considered that internal fixation is the first choice for end-stage ankle arthropathy. However, under the circumstances that patients with serious bone defect, chronic active infection, or extensive soft tissue damage are not suitable for internal fixation, ankle arthrodesis with external fixation is still a safe and effective method. Conclusion For severe or end-stage ankle arthropathy, ankle arthrodesis is a mature therapeutic way with exact effect. Researches on these two aspects, expansion of indications of internal fixation and comparison and combination of internal and external fixation techniques, need to be deepened, which is of great significance for choosing a better fixation method and acquiring a better therapeutic effect.
Objective To analyse the cl inical outcomes of the Z-osteotomy of the distal fibula to correct widened mortice of the ankle after fracture. Methods Between September 2009 and February 2011, 5 patients (5 feet) with widened ankle mortice after fracture underwent Z-osteotomy. There were 4 males and 1 female, aged from 23 to 58 years (mean, 38 years). At 3 months after operation of internal fixation when function exercises were done, patients got pains. The interval between trauma and operation ranged from 5 to 36 months (mean, 13.2 months). Lateral pressure test showed positive in2 cases and negative in 3 cases. American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot score was 50.2 ±17.3. Results Primary healing of incision was achieved in all cases. Five patients were followed up 9 to 24 months (mean, 15.6 months). Mild to moderate swelling of the affected limb and anterolateral skin numbness of the i psilateral dorsal foot occurred, and gradually improved. The cl inical exam and radiology showed bone union at 12-15 weeks (mean, 13.5 weeks). Postoperative range of motion of ankle had no significant improvement. AOFAS ankle-hindfoot scores were 76.8 ± 11.2 at 6 months after operation, and 85.4 ± 3.2 at last follow-up, showing significant differences when compared with preoperative score (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion Shortened fibula is the main cause of widened ankle mortice after fracture; Z-osteotomy can effectively reduce the width of the ankle mortice, increase the stabil ity of ankle joint, and decrease the complication rate.
Objective To evaluate the operative procedure and the cl inical effectiveness of open reduction and internal fixation in the treatment of posterior malleolus fractures. Methods Between June 2005 and December 2008, 46 patients with posterior malleolus fractures were treated with open reduction and internal fixation and followed up. There were 29 males and 17 females with an average age of 47.7 years (range, 19-76 years). Fractures were caused by sprain in 17 cases, by fallingin 15 cases, by traffic accident in 12 cases, and by other reasons in 2 cases. The locations were left ankle in 25 cases and right ankle in 21 cases. There were 6 simple posterior malleolus fractures, 13 lateral and posterior malleolus fractures, and 22 trimalleolar fractures, and 5 lateral and posterior malleolus fractures accompanying by injury of deltoid l igament of ankle. According to Lauge- Hansen classification system, 13 cases and 9 cases were rated as supination-external rotation type III and type IV respectively, and 18 cases as pronation-external rotation type IV. According to Naoki’s classification of posterior malleolus fractures, there were 29 cases of posterolateral-obl ique type, 11 cases of medial-extension type, and 6 cases of small-shell type. Seven patients underwent emergency operation and 39 patients underwent selective operation. Results Two patients developed superficial infection, which was cured after dressing change, and the other incisions healed by first intention. Forty-six patients were followed up 37 months on average (range, 18-63 months). All fractures healed after 3 to 6 months (mean, 4.3 months). One patient developed lateral suralcutaneous nerve injury, and 9 patients had mild weight-bearing pain or discomfort. The results of American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle and hindfoot score were excellent in 17 cases, good in 21 cases, and fair in 8 cases with an excellent and good rate of 83%. The mean visual analogue scale (VAS) score was 1.9 (range, 0-5). Conclusion The anatomic reduction and internal fixation can achieve the satisfactory results in the treatment of posterior malleolus fractures. The best treatment and fixation methods should be chosen based on different types of posterior malleolus fractures.
Objective To summarize the surgical technique of ankle arthrodesis using lateral malleolus osteotomy and locking proximal humeral plate internal fixation, and to evaluate the cl inical effectiveness. Methods Between March 2009 and June 2010, 18 patients with ankle joint disease were treated, including 8 cases of post-traumatic arthritis, 3 casesof rheumatoid arthritis, 5 cases of osteoarthritis, and 2 cases of post-traumatic necrosis of talus. There were 10 males and 8 females with an average age of 48 years (range, 36-67 years). The average disease duration was 3 years (range, 1-6 years). The main symptoms included swell ing, pain, and a l imited range of motion of the ankle. Four patients accompanied with ankle varus deformity and 2 patients with valgus deformity. According to American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle and hindfoot score system, the preoperative score was 43.5 ± 10.2. An ankle arthrodesis using lateral malleolus osteotomy and locking proximal humeral plate internal fixation was performed in all patients. Results Superficial wound infection and partial skin necrosis occurred in 1 case respectively, and were cured after symptomatic treatment; the other incisions healed by first intention without compl ications. Sixteen patients were followed up 16 months on average (range, 1-2 years). The X-ray films showed that bone fusion was obtained at 8-16 weeks (mean, 12 weeks) after operation. The symptom was rel ieved completely in all patients at last follow-up without compl ication of implant failure, nonunion, and malunion. The postoperative AOFAS ankle and hindfoot score was 83.0 ± 6.3, showing significant difference when compared with the preoperative score (t=26.20, P=0.00). Conclusion Ankle arthrodesis using lateral malleolus osteotomy and locking proximal humeral plate internal fixation has the advantages of feasible technique, the rigid fixation, and high fusion rate, soit may obtain a good cl inical effectiveness.
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.