Objective To explore the diagnosis and surgical treatment of tarsometatarsal joint complex injuries. Methods Between January 2000 and October 2009, 24 cases of tarsometatarsal joint complex injuries were treated. There were 14 males and 10 females with an average age of 38 years (range, 21-65 years). Injury was caused by a machine in 8 cases,by traffic accident in 12 cases, and by fall ing from height in 4 cases. All fractures were closed. The time from injury tohospital ization was 2-17 hours (5 hours on average). Open reduction and internal fixation with screw were performed. Results Incision healed by first intention in other patients except 1 patient who had effusion at incision. Twenty-three cases were followed up 12-47 months with an average of 23 months. X-ray films showed that all fractures healed after 9-15 weeks of operation (13 weeks on average). No compl ication was found, such as osteofacial compartment sydrome, nonunion infection, loosening or breakage of the internal fixator. According to Maryland scoring, the results were excellent in 7 cases, good in 8 cases, fair in 5 cases, and poor in 3 cases with an excellent and good rate of 65.2%. Conclusion Anatomical reduction and stable fixation are important for satisfying results in treating tarsometatarsal joint complex injuries.
Objective To review the diagnosis, treatment method, and surgical technique of tarsometatarsal joint injury. Methods Recent l iterature concerning tarsometatarsal joint injury was reviewed and analyzed in terms of anatomy,injury mechanism, classification, diagnosis, management principle and methods, and surgical techniques. Results It could be difficult to diagnose tarsometatarsal joint injury, and subtle injury was more difficult to diagnose with a high rate of missed diagnosis. Fairly accurate diagnosis of tarsometatarsal joint injury could be made based on medical history, symptoms and signs, and necessary imaging examinations. For the patient of partial l igament rupture caused by subtle or non-displacement injury, a cast for immobil ization could be adopted; the patients of instable injury should be treated with open reduction and internal fixation. For the patients of complete dislocation and severe comminuted fractures, arthrodesis should be suggested. Conclusion The diagnosis and management of tarsometatarsal joint injury is compl icated. The treatment method of tarsometatarsal joint injury has evoked controversy. Surgeons should choose the optimal treatment method and surgical technique according to the injury type, radiological manifestation, and classification so as to obtain the best cl inical outcome.
ObjectiveTo observe the efficacy of and influencing factors for kirschner wire limited internal fixation plus external fixation for patients with tarsometatarsal fracture dislocation. MethodsThe efficacy of kirschner wire limited internal fixation plus external fixation treatment for patients with tarsometatarsal fracture dislocation treated between January 2004 and June 2009 was retrospectively analyzed,and we also investigated the impact of surgery time and ligament damage on its long-term prognosis. ResultsTwenty patients were included,consisting of 16 male and 4 female patients,ranging from 15 to 57 years old.The mean time of follow-up was 24.5 months,ranging from 11 to 41 months.At the time of follow-up,there were 5%(1/20),10%(2/20),50%(10/20) and 35%(7/20) patients with AOFAS ankle-hindfoot score at 0~69,70~79,80~89 and 90-100,respectively;and the excellent rate was 85% in total.In this cohort,the acceptance rate of the results of treatment was 95% at discharging and 85% at the final follow-up,and the difference between the above two time-points was not statistically significant.In addition,patients with earlier surgery treatment and lower degree of ligament injury had better long-term prognosis. ConclusionFor patients with tarsometatarsal fracture dislocation,treatment with kirschner wire limited internal fixation plus external fixation can not only effectively restore joint function,but also has minimum surgical trauma,and it is an effective method for the treatment of tarsometatarsal joint injuries.