Objective To explore the effectiveness of modified percutaneous mini-incision Achilles tendon lengthening for the treatment of Achilles contracture syndrome by comparing with traditional open Achilles tendon lengthening. Methods Between May 2008 and May 2012, 42 patients with Achilles contracture syndrome were treated and the clinical data were retrospectively analyzed according to the inclusion criteria. The modified percutaneous mini-incision Achilles tendon lengthening was used in 19 cases (19 feet, trial group); 0.5 cm incisions were designed at medial and lateral Achilles tendon according to the degree of Achilles contracture syndrome; and percutaneous double hemi-section was done according to the deformity range of varus and valgus foot. The traditional open Achilles tendon lengthening was used in 23 cases (24 feet, control group). There was no significant difference in age, gender, disease duration, motion of ankle dorsiflexion, and Hannover Achilles tendon score (P gt; 0.05). Results The operation time, postoperative hospitalization days, and intraoperative blood loss in the trial group were less than those in the control group, showing significant differences (P lt; 0.05). After operation, incision healing by first intention was obtained in the other cases except 1 case which had infection in the control group. The patients were followed up 6-35 months in the trial group and 8-34 months in the control group. Correction of varus deformity foot was not obvious in 1 case of the trial group, correction of varus and valgus deformity feet were satisfactory in the other cases. There was no significant difference in motion of ankle dorsiflexion and Hannover Achilles tendon score between 2 groups at last follow-up (P gt; 0.05), but significant differences were found between preoperation and last follow-up in 2 groups (P lt; 0.05). There were significant differences in motion of ankle dorsiflexion and Hannover Achilles tendon score between normal and affected sides in 2 groups at last follow-up (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion Modified percutaneous mini-incision Achilles tendon lengthening has similar effectiveness to the traditional open Achilles tendon lengthening for Achilles tendon contracture syndrome. And it can effectively correct varus and valgus deformities of the foot with less trauma and fast recovery.
Objective To investigate the method and effectiveness of coracoplasty with mini-incision for subcoracoid impingement syndrome. Methods Between May 2006 and September 2011, 4 patients with subcoracoid impingement syndrome were treated, including 3 cases of congenital dysplasia of the coracoid process and 1 case of anterior glenohumeral instability. There were 3 males and 1 female with an average age of 36 years (range, 20-56 years). The disease duration was 6-22 months (mean, 11.2 months). The patients had a history of chronic pain and click of the anterior should, which was aggravated in adduction, internal rotation, and flexion. The results of the coracoid impingement test were positive by Neer and Hawkins-Kennedy impingement sign. The axial CT in adduction position showed that the coracohumeral interval decreased and coracoid index increased. The 2 cm lateral coracoid incision was made and the 0.5-1.5 cm coracoid neck was revealed and cut by osteotomy. The coracoplasty was performed by amputating the conjoined tendon insertion of the short head of the biceps and the coracobrachialis muscle and suturing to proximal coracoid osteotomy surface. Shoulder was fixed with the external braces for 6 weeks. Results Healing of incision by first intention was observed in all cases without any complication. All the 4 patients were followed up from 8 months to 5 years. At last follow-up, pain and click disappeared. The mean visual analogue scale (VAS), University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA), Constant, and simple shoulder test (SST) scores were significantly improved from 7.75, 10.25, 65.50, and 9.75 at preoperation to 0.25, 34.25, 91.25, and 0.25 at last follow-up respectively. The axial CT in adduction position and MRI showed that long coracoid process was removed; the coracohumeral interval was increased to 13.38 mm from 4.16 mm at preoperation; and the coracoid index was decreased to 0.28 mm from 13.08 mm at preoperation. Conclusion Coracoplasty with mini-incision is an effective method to relieve clinical symptoms of subcoracoid impingement, which has less complications and faster recovery.
【Abstract】 Objective Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production increases in human tendon fibroblasts after the tendon injuries and repetitive mechanical loading in vitro. To analyze the relations between PGE2 and tendinopathy by observing the changes of collagen content and proportion after the Achilles tendon of rabbits is repeatedly exposed to PGE2. Methods Twenty-four Japanese rabbits (aged 3-4 months, weighing 2.0-2.5 kg, and male or female) were equally randomized into 2 groups according to injection dose of PGE2: low dose group (50 ng) and high dose group (500 ng). Corresponding PGE2 (0.2 mL) was injected into the middle segment of the Achilles tendon of hindlimb, the same dose saline into the same site of the other side as controls once a week for 4 weeks or 8 weeks. The Achilles tendons were harvested at 4 and 8 weeks after injection. HE staining was used to observe the cell structure and matrix, and picric acid-sirius red staining to observe the distribution and types of collagen fibers, and transmission electron microscopy was used to measure the density of the unit area and diameter of collagen fibers. Results HE staining showed that collagen structural damage was observed in low dose and high dose groups. Picric acid-sirius red staining showed that the content of type I collagen significantly decreased while the content of type III collagen significantly increased in experimental side of 2 groups at 4 and 8 weeks after injection when compared with control sides (P lt; 0.05). The content of type I collagen was significantly lower and the content of type III collagen and ratio of type III to type I were significantly higher in high dose group than in low dose group (P lt; 0.05). Transmission electron microscopy showed that the collagen fibers density of unit area was significantly lower and the diameter was significantly smaller in high dose and low dose groups than in the controls (P lt; 0.05), and in high dose group than in low dose group (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion Repeat exposure of the Achilles tendon of rabbit to PGE2 can cause the decrease of type I collagen, the increase of type III collagen, the reverse ratio of type I to type III, reduced unit density of collagen fibers, and thinner collagen fibers diameter, which is related with tendinopathy.
ObjectiveTo investigate the effectiveness of tibio-talo-calcaneal arthrodesis with full thread headless compression screws via combined minimal incisions.MethodsBetween January 2012 and December 2016, 36 patients (36 feet) with ankle diseases underwent tibio-talo-calcaneal arthrodesis with parallel double thread headless compression screws via minimal anterior and lateral oblique incisions. There were 14 males and 22 females with an average age of 53.8 years (range, 18-76 years). There were 19 cases of left feet and 17 cases of right feet. There were 21 cases of talar necrosis, 7 cases of post-traumatic arthritis, 3 cases of rheumatoid arthritis, 2 cases of tuberculosis infection (inactive), 1 case of talar absence, 1 case of Charcot’s disease, and 1 case of pigmented villonodular synovitis of ankle and subtalar joints. Preoperative American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score and visual analogue scale (VAS) score were 53.7±2.5 and 5.9±0.2, respectively. The operation time was recorded and the wound healing and complications were observed. The bone healing was assessed by X-ray film and CT scanning. The function and pain of joint were evaluated by AOFAS and VAS scores.ResultsThe mean operation time was 49.8 minutes (range, 33-82 minutes). Incision infection occurred in 1 patient (2.8%) at 3 weeks after operation, and recovered after debridement. The other incisions healed by first intention without complications. Thirty-five patients were followed up with an average of 18.5 months (range, 12-29 months). Imaging examination showed fusion of the ankle and subtalar joints with an average fusion time of 10.9 weeks (range, 8-15 weeks). After 1 year, the AOFAS score (84.7±0.6) and VAS score (0.3±0.1) were significantly higher than preoperative scores (t=12.596, P=0.000; t=30.393, P=0.000).ConclusionIt is an effective surgical method of tibio-talo-calcaneal arthrodesis with full thread headless compression screws via combined minimal incisions for end-stage ankle disease because of the less complications incidence and the higher postoperative fusion rate.
ObjectiveTo explore the method and effectiveness of multidirectionally three-dimensional steel wire ring sleeve fixation in the treatment of inferior patellar pole avulsion fractures.MethodsBetweern January 2015 and January 2019, 22 patients with inferior patellar pole avulsion fractures were admitted and treated. There were 12 males and 10 females. The age ranged from 20 to 69 years, with an average age of 39.4 years. The causes of injury included 9 cases of traffic accident and 13 cases of falling. All of them were unilateral closed injury of knee joint, including 7 cases of skin contusion around patella. Preoperative range of motion of the affected knee was (20.82±7.16)° (range, 10°-35°). The time from injury to operation ranged from 3 to 12 days, with an average of 5.9 days. During the operation, the inferior patellar avulsion fracture was reduced with forceps; the patella was circumferentially ligated through the distal bone surface of the fracture with 0.8 mm diameter steel wire; then 3 longitudinal bone tunnels were made in the upper patella, respectively. The 0.8 mm diameter steel wire passed through the bone tunnel, and the longitudinal ring was attached to the ring to fix the upper and inferior patellar fracture. Tighten the transverse and longitudinal rings with No.2 tendon suture line, then longitudinally ringed and sutured to strengthen the patella. The knee range of motion, fracture healing time, and complications were recorded. The functional recovery of the knee joint was evaluated by Böstman score.ResultsAll incisions healed by first intention, and no incision related complications occurred. All the 22 patients were followed up 13 months to 5 years with an average of 26.7 months. The fracture healing time was 9-12 weeks (mean, 10.9 weeks). At last follow-up, the knee range of motion was (129.77±2.35)° (range, 126°-135°), showing significant difference when compared with preoperative one (t=−67.022, P=0.000). The Böstman score ranged from 31 to 36, with an average of 34.3. No reduction loss, fracture of steel wire, failure of internal fixation, and other complications occurred during follow-up.ConclusionMultidirectionally three-dimensional steel wire ring sleeve fixation in the treatment of inferior patellar pole avulsion fractures has the advantages of reliable fixation, early functional recovery, and fewer complications, so the effectiveness is satisfactory.
Objective To analyze the short-term effectiveness of repairing musculus extensor carpi radialis brevis (ECRB) and extensor digitorum communis (EDC) tendon using suture anchor after debridement of extensor tendon insertion for recalcitrant lateral epicondylitis. Methods Between March 2009 and May 2011, 10 patients (10 elbows) with recalcitrant lateral epicondylitis received repair of the ECRB and EDC tendon to the lateral epicondyle using a single suture anchor after debridement of extensor tendon insertion. There were 6 males and 4 females with an average age of 45.4 years (range, 36-57 years). The dominant elbow was involved in 8 patients and nondominant elbow in 2 patients; there were 4 manual workers and 6 ordinary workers. The disease duration ranged from 8 to 24 months (mean, 12.3 months). All patients had epicondylus lateralis humeri pain, local swelling and tenderness, and positive Mill sign. The average elbow range of motion (ROM) was 11.3°(range, 0-30°) in extension and was 132.5°(range, 120-145°) in flexion. Preoperative MRI showed external humeral epicondylitis in all patients. ResultsPrimary wound healing was obtained in all patients without complications of infection, leakage of joint fluid, and stiffness of elbow. Ten patients were followed up 4 to 23 months with an average of 12 months (more than 12 months in 7 cases). The time to return to work was (3.75 ± 0.95) months for manual workers and was (2.91 ± 0.20) months for ordinary workers, showing no significant difference (t=1.715, P=0.180). Compared with preoperation, the mean visual analogue scale (VAS) score significantly decreased (P lt; 0.05), and Mayo score and the grip strength of dominant and nondominant significantly increased (P lt; 0.05), but no significant difference was found when compared with non-surgical side at last follow-up (P gt; 0.05). At last follow-up, the average ROM was —1.5° (range, 0-—10°) in extension and was 150.5°(range, 140-160°) in flexion. ConclusionTo suture anchor for repairing the ECRB and EDC after debridement is a satisfactory procedure to treat recalcitrant lateral epicondylitis. It can effectively prevent loss of the forearm extensor strength, relieve the pain, recover the grip strength, and obtain good results.