Objective To review the diagnosis and treatment of ankle fractures combined with acute deltoid ligament injury. Methods Recent literature concerning the diagnosis and treatment of ankle fractures combined with acute deltoid ligament injury was reviewed. Results Misdiagnosis is common for ankle fractures combined with acute deltoid ligament injury. A diagnosis is given based on patients’ complaints, symptoms, and imaging examination, even surgical exploration is necessary. Whether to repair the deltoid ligament remains controversial. Conclusion Deltoid ligament is an important structure to stabilize the medial ankle joint. However, treatment of different kinds of ankle fractures combined with acute deltoid ligament injury should be standardized; whether or not repair deltoid ligament is determined by the intraoperative ankle stability.
ObjectiveTo review the research progress of interphalangeal arthrodesis in the treatment of interphalangeal joint deformity.MethodsThe literature about interphalangeal arthrodesis at home and abroad was extensively consulted, and the indications, fusion methods, fixation methods, complications, and so on were summarized and analysed.ResultsThe indications of interphalangeal arthrodesis are hammer toe, claw toe, and mallet toe. From the different forms of fusion surface, fusion methods include end-to-end, peg-in-hole, conical reamer type, and V-shape arthrodesis. There are three kinds of fixation methods: Kirschner wire fixation, stainless-steel wire suture fixation, and intramedullary fixation, and there are many kinds of intramedullary fixation. The complications of interphalangeal arthrodesis include vascular injury, fixation related complications, and postoperative complications.ConclusionInterphalangeal arthrodesis is a good way to correct some deformities of toes, but the incidence of various complications can not be ignored, and there is still a lack of clinical research on interphalangeal arthrodesis.
ObjectiveTo review the research progress in the diagnosis and treatment of distal tibiofibular syndesmosis injury.MethodsThe recent literature about distal tibiofibular syndesmosis injury was reviewed and analyzed.ResultsDistal tibiofibular syndesmosis injury is commonly seen in ankle joint injury, the anatomical complexities make diagnosis and treatment difficult. Preoperative physical examination, radiologic evaluation, and intraoperative stress-testing are important for the diagnosis. Aggressive treatment is also recommended for these injuries to prevent long-term chronic instability. Internal fixation is the main treatment, including metal screw, degradable screw, elastic fixation, and hybrid techniques. Metal screw fixation is still the current mainstream, but elastic fixation represented by Suture-button is more in line with the physiological characteristics of ankle joint, and the rate of secondary operation is low while the clinical outcome is satisfactory. The application prospect of elastic fixation is worthy of expectation.ConclusionIt’s crucial for patient with ankle fracture to repair the distal tibiofibular syndesmosis injury. How to diagnose the injury more accurately and simply, how to increase the success rate of reduction, and how to reduce the complications of surgery are still worthy for further exploration.
Objective To review the application progress of minimally invasive technique in the treatment of calcaneus fractures and to analyze the advantages and disadvantages of each method as well as to predict the trend of development in the field. Methods Domestic and abroad literature concerning the minimally invasive technique applied in calcaneus fractures in recent years was reviewed extensively and analyzed thoroughly. Results There are both advantages and limitations of each minimally invasive technique including percutaneous reduction and fixation, limited incision, external fixator, arthroscopic assisted reduction, and balloon expansion reduction. But every technique is developing rapidly and becoming more and more effective. Conclusion A variety of minimally invasive technique can not only be used independently but also can be applied jointly to complement one another. It needs further study how to improve the effectiveness and expand the indications. And the theoretical basis of evidence-based medicine needs to be provided more.
Objective To review the appl ication progress of subtalar arthroereisis for the correction of pediatric flatfoot in children and to analyze the problems at present as well as to predict the trend of development in the field. Methods Domestic and abroad l iterature concerning the methods of subtalar arthroereisis applied in pediatric flatfoot in recent years was reviewed extensively and thoroughly analyzed. Results Subtalar arthroereisis has proved to yield good results for correction of the flatfoot in children. In addition to the advantages of subtalar arthroereisis for pediatric flatfoot treatment(simple procedure, mature technology, and less compl ications), it allows further surgery if needed. Conclusion Subtalararthroereisis is a simple and effective way to treat flatfoot in children, however, its biomechanics mechanism and managements to complication need to explore further.
ObjectiveTo summarize the research progress of surgical procedures in osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLT).MethodsBy consulting the related literature of OLT in recent years, the advantages and disadvantages of various surgical treatment schemes were analyzed and summarized.ResultsThere are many surgical treatments for OLT, including bone marrow stimulation, osteochondral transplantation, autologous chondrocyte transplantation, and biologically assisted therapy. Various schemes have different indications and limitations. With the continuous development of various technologies, the effectiveness of OLT treatment will gradually improve.ConclusionThere are still many difficulties and controversies in the treatment of OLT, and there is no unified treatment plan. It is suggested that individualized operation plan should be formulated according to the specific conditions of patients.
Objective To investigate the effectiveness of Allgöwer-Donati suture in open reduction and internal fixation of Schatzker type Ⅴ and Ⅵ tibial plateau closed fractures. Methods A clinical data of 60 patients with Schatzker type type Ⅴ and Ⅵ tibial plateau closed fractures, who met the selection criteria and admitted between May 2022 and May 2023, was retrospectively analyzed. After open reduction and internal fixation via double incisions, the incisions were closed with conventional mattress suture in 30 cases (control group) and Allgöwer-Donati suture in 30 cases (observation group). There was no significant difference in gender, age, fracture side and type, time from injury to operation, body mass index, and other baseline data between the two groups (P>0.05). The incidence of incision-related complications after operation, visual analogue scale (VAS) score of incision at 3 days and 1 and 2 weeks after operation, and the short-form 36 health survey scale (SF-36) [physical functioning (PF), role physical (RP), bodily pain (BP), and general health (GH)] at 12 weeks after operation were compared between the two groups. Results All operations of the two groups successfully completed. All patients were followed up 6-14 months (mean, 12 months). Incision fluid leakage occurred in 1 case of observation group and 7 cases of control group within 1 week after operation, and the incisions healed after symptomatic treatment. The incisions of other patients healed by first intention. The incidence of early incision complications in observation group was significantly lower than that in control group (P<0.05). No late incision complications was found in the two groups. There was no significant difference in VAS scores at each time point between the two groups (P>0.05). The VAS score significantly decreased with the increase of time in the two groups, showing significant differences between the different time points (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in SF-36 scores (PF, RP, BP, and GH) between the two groups at 12 weeks after operation (P>0.05). Conclusion Compared with conventional mattress suture, Allgöwer-Donati suture is effective in open reduction and internal fixation via double incisions for Schatzker type Ⅴand Ⅵ tibial plateau closed fractures, which can reduce the incidence of early incision complications.
Objective To explore the operative methods and the short-term effectiveness to repair chronic tears of the 2nd plantar plate. Methods Between June 2012 and June 2013, 14 patients with chronic tears of the 2nd plantar plate were treated. There were 4 males and 10 females with an average age of 65.9 years (range, 51-82 years) and with an average disease duration of 6.2 years (range, 5-9 years). The left side was involved in 5 cases and the right side in 9 cases. One patient had simple hammer toe; 2 patients had hallux valgus and claw toe; and 11 patients had hallux valgus and hammer toes. All of them had unstable the 2nd metatarsophalangeal joints. The results of modified Lachman test and drawer test were positive. The surgical treatment included a Weil osteotomy and plantar plate repair operation for rupture via dorsal incision after correcting hallux valgus. Results Primary healing of incision was obtained in all patients. Twelve patients were followed up 6-12 months (mean, 8.2 months). Hallux valgus, claw toe, and hammer toe were all corrected. The results of modified Lachman test and drawer test were negative at 3 months after operation. Mild pain of the 2nd metatarsophalangeal joint occurred, but no stiff was observed in 2 cases at 6 months after operation. The midfoot and forefoot score of American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) was 90.50 ± 3.73 at last follow-up, which was significantly higher (t=21.724, P=0.000) than preoperative score (57.33 ± 4.99). Conclusion The plantar plate is the key to maintain the stability of the metatarsophalangeal joints, and surgical repair can achieve good short-term effectiveness in treating chronic tears of the 2nd plantar plate.
Objective To explore the operative method and effectiveness of talocalcaneal coal ition.Methods Between July 2008 and October 2010, 10 patients with talocalcaneal coal ition were treated, including 2 cases ofcongenital talocalcaneal coal ition and 8 cases of secondary talocalcaneal coal ition. There were 4 males and 6 females, aged53.5 years on average (range, 16-70 years). Three patients had middle-facet talocalcaneal coal ition and 7 had posterior-facettalocalcaneal coal ition. The preoperative visual analogue score (VAS) was 9.0 ± 0.4. According to American OrthopedicFoot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) hindfoot scale, the score was 42.4 ± 1.4. Two cases compl icated by subtalar degeneration.Resection of the bone bar and fat packing were performed in 8 cases of simple talocalcaneal coal ition, and resection and subtalararthrodesis in 2 cases of talocalcaneal coal ition combined with subtalar degeneration. Results Primary healing of incisionswas obtained in all patients. Eight patients were followed up 18 months on average (range, 12-36 months). At last follow-up,VAS was 2.0 ± 0.7, showing siginificant difference when compared with preoperative score (t=6.425, P=0.000). AOFAS score was86.9 ± 2.3, showing significant difference when compared with preoperative score (t=7.634, P=0.000). The X-ray films showedthat no recurrence of talocalcaneal coal ition was observed in patients underdoing simple removal of bone bar, and bone fusionwas observed in patients undergoing arthrodesis. Conclusion To achieve satisfactory outcomes for talocalcaneal coal ition, areasonable surgical procedure should be chosen according to the specific facet and complication.
Objective To evaluate the cl inical effectiveness of open reduction and internal fixation in the treatment of occult Lisfranc injury. Methods Between July 2002 and July 2009, 47 patients with occult Lisfranc injuries underwent open reduction and internal fixation. There were 31 males and 16 females with an average age of 35.6 years (range, 19-66 years). Injuries were casused by traffic accident in 27 cases, fall ing from height in 11 cases, sport in 16 cases, and crush in 3 cases. Thelocations were left foot in 18 cases and right foot in 29 cases. Simple medial column was involved in 6 cases, medial and middle columns in 24 cases, middle and lateral columns in 13 cases, and three columns in 4 cases. Base fractures of metatarsal bone were identified in all cases. The time from injury to operation was 4-21 days (mean, 8.6 days). The unstable Lisfranc joints were reduced and fixed by plates, screws, staples, and Kirschner wire through 1 or 2 longitudinal dorsal incisions. Results One case had infection and wound was repaired with flap at 2 weeks after operation; the other wounds healed primarily. Thirty-two patients were followed up 28.3 months on average (range, 12-75 months). The mean time of fracture heal ing was 12.3 weeks (range, 9-15 weeks). Osteoarthritis at midfoot was found in 15 cases at last follow-up and arthrodesis was not needed. The results were excellent in 9 cases, good in 16 cases, fair in 4 case, and poor in 3 cases according to American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) midfoot score system; the excellent and good rate was 78.1%. No re-dislocation occurred during the followup. Conclusion More attention should be paid to base fractures of metatarsal bone, operative exploration is conducive to diagnosis of occult Lisfranc injury. Suitable internal fixation should be selected according to injury type and concomitant injury. Anatomical reduction and stable fixation are the keys to reconstruct the joint stabil ity in the initial treatment of occult Lisfranc injury