ObjectiveTo assess the feasibility and clinical value of lumbar elastic fixation through the clinical research of elastic fixation for lumbar intervertebral fusion. MethodsAccording to the criteria, we selected 12 patients with lumbar degenerative disease diagnosed between September 2011 and March 2013 as our study subjects. Among them, 8 were females, and 4 were males, aged between 40 and 62 years old, averaging 52.9 years. Elastic fixation was adopted in the lumbar fusion. Evaluation indicators included visual analogue scale (VAS) scores, Oswestry disability index (ODI) score and its rate of improvement, intervertebral height changes, the rate of intervertebral fusion, intervertebral bone callus formation, patient satisfaction and clinical success rate. ResultsAll patients were followed up. During various postoperative follow-up points, VAS score and ODI score improved significantly (P<0.05). A large amount of callus formation was shown in lumbar CT. No fracture, loosened or shifted internal fixation occurred. ConclusionElastic fixation for lumbar intervertebral fusion provides another choice for the treatment of lumbar degenerative disease.
Objective To study the effectiveness of TightRope elastic fixation combined with functional total repair of the inferior tibiofibular ligament in the treatment of distal tibiofibular syndesmosis injury. Methods The clinical data of 34 patients with distal tibiofibular syndesmosis injury who met the selection criteria between January 2020 and January 2022 were retrospectively analyzed, and they were divided into improved group (TightRope elastic fixation combined with functional total repair of inferior tibiofibular ligament) and control group (distal tibiofibular screw fixation) according to the surgical methods, with 17 cases in each group. There was no significant difference in age, gender, body mass index, fracture type, and other baseline data between the two groups (P>0.05). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, and complications were recorded in the two groups. The American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score, ankle metatarsal flexion and dorsal extension range of motion were used to evaluate the ankle function. The patient satisfaction survey was conducted at last follow-up. Results All 34 patients were followed up 8-20 months, with a median of 13 months. The operation time and intraoperative blood loss in the improved group were significantly longer than that in the control group (P<0.05). In the improved group, no infection or poor reduction occurred, and only 1 patient had TightRope knot reaction at 6 months after operation. In the control group, there were 2 cases of poor reduction, 1 case of lower tibiofibular screw rupture, and 1 case of subcutaneous infection (cured after anti-infection treatment). There was no significant difference in the incidence of complications between the two groups (P>0.05). At last follow-up, the AOFAS score and ankle metatarsal flexion and dorsal extension range of motion of the improved group were significantly better than those of the control group (P<0.05). The satisfaction rates of patients in the improved group and the control group were 94.1% and 82.4%, respectively, showing significant difference (P<0.05). Conclusion TightRope elastic fixation combined with functional total repair of inferior tibiofibular ligament in the treatment of distal tibiofibular syndesmosis injury has sufficient fixation strength, and can achieve better effectiveness and joint function compared with traditional screw fixation.