Objective To give a review and commentary on the treatment of acute foot and ankle injuries. Methods Based on the treatment experience and recent l iterature, a commentary on acute foot and ankle injuries were given, included the basic and cl inical research results, evaluation before operation, and treatment methods of the soft tissue and bone injuries. Results The treatment of acute foot and ankle injuries is still a hot point in orthopaedic surgery. Operative and non-operative treatment of fresh Achilles tendon rupture can achieve satisfactory results, and early weight-bearing do not increase the re-rupture rate. The time delay between first debridement and injury within 24 hours does not increase the infection rate. For the treatment of severe ankle fractures, attentions should be paid to the cartilage injury, and anatomic reduction, good real ignment, and the congruity recovery are very important. The treatment determination of calcaneal fractures depends on the fully understanding injury mechanisms, classifications, and treatment method. Talus fractures should try to be treated by experienced surgeons. Operation and fixation methods of Lisfranc injury depends on different injury types. Conclusion Acute foot and ankle injuries are common in cl inical, to achieve a satisfactory result in evaluation and treatment, it is important to have a fully evaluation of the injury type, and choose the best operation time and suitable treatment methods, as well as to fully understand the biomechanical characteristics of different regions.
Objective To review the progress in the diagnosis and treatment of chronic disorders of achilles tendon. Methods Recent l iterature concerning the diagnosis and treatment of chronic disorders of achilles tendon was revi ewed. Results Ultrasonography and MRI were commonly used for diagnoses, and MRI could provide extensive informationfor the choice of therapy protocol. Nonsurgical therapy was the mainstay of treatment for most patients with overuse syndromes, surgical techniques for patients due to no effect in the conservative treatment and with chronic rupture, the cl inical treatment project should be determined based on the cl inical evaluation. Conclusion The surgical indication of chronic disorders of achilles tendon remains controversial, the long-term results of each treatment method are unknown, the randomized prospective studies are still required.
ObjectiveTo explore the classification, diagnosis, and clinical treatment of Achilles tendinopathy.MethodsThe literature about Achilles tendinopathy at home and abroad was reviewed. The research results of classification and terms, imaging diagnosis, and clinical treatment of Achilles tendinopathy were summarized.ResultsThe classification and name of Achilles tendinopathy are not completely unified, and the concept is vague, the cause of disease is not clear. There are many treatment plans, but there is no effective evidence-based medicine research.ConclusionThe diagnosis and treatment of Achilles tendinopathy is complicated. According to the characteristics of Achilles tendon anatomy and etiology, the classification and definition of Achilles tendinopathy need to be further studied in order to guide clinical treatment more effectively and facilitate experience exchange and learning.
Objective To summarize the diagnosis and treatment of fibular fracture in ankle fracture. MethodsRelevant literature at home and abroad in recent years was widely consulted, and various types of fractures were discussed and summarized according to Danis-Weber classification. ResultsConservative treatment is not an ideal treatment for type A avulsion fracture. The operation method should be determined according to the position and size of bone mass. For simple type B fracture, both conservative treatment and surgical treatment can achieve good results. When the position of type C fracture is high and does not affect the stability of ankle joint, it can be treated conservatively, while when the position is low and affects the stability of ankle joint, it needs surgical treatment. ConclusionFirst of all, whether the fibular fracture in the ankle fracture is stable or not should be determined. Whether it is treated surgically or not, the purpose is to restore the tibiofibular syndesmosis and restore the motor function of the ankle.
Objective To evaluate the short-term effectiveness of talonavicular arthrodesis for Müller-Weiss disease. Methods Between May 2013 and February 2015, 13 patients with Müller-Weiss disease were treated with talonavicular arthrodesis. There were 11 females and 2 males with an average age of 59 years (range, 42-67 years). The disease duration was 8-20 years (mean, 13 years). According to Maceira stage, there were 7 cases of stage Ⅲ, 6 cases of stage Ⅳ. The foot longitudinal arch height measured on weight-bearing X-ray films was (43.1±1.8) mm; the Meary angle and talocalcaneal angle measured on lateral X-ray films were (–2.8±2.3)° and (5.8±2.4)°, respectively; the calcaneal valgus angle measured on Saltzman position X-ray films was (–2.0±0.7)°. The American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score was 43.5±12.4, and visual analogue scale (VAS) score was 7.3±1.5. Results All the patients were followed up 14-39 months (mean, 20 months). The symptoms of foot pain and intermittent claudication disappeared in all patients. All cases achieved bony union, the fusion time was 12-16 weeks (mean, 13 weeks). There was no complications such as wound infection, skin necrosis, or internal fixator broken. At last follow-up, the foot longitudinal arch height, Meary angle, talocalcaneal angle, and calcaneal valgus angle were (52.5±2.2) mm, (1.3±2.2)°, (16.5±3.7)°, and (0.4±0.7)°, respectively; the AOFAS score and VAS score were 83.8±9.1 and 1.0±0.4, respectively; all were significantly improved when compared with preoperative ones (P<0.05). Conclusion If the subtalar and calcaneocuboid joints are relatively healthy, talonavicular arthrodesis may be a reliable and effective surgical option for Müller-Weiss disease that is resistant to conservative treatment.
ObjectiveTo explore the effectiveness of modified internal fixation and fusion in treatment of type Ⅱ painful accessory navicular (PAN) in adults.MethodsBetween January 2016 and December 2017, 29 patients (37 feet) with type Ⅱ PAN were treated with modified internal fixation and fusion. There were 12 males and 17 females with an average age of 41.4 years (range, 18-50 years). The injury caused by sprain in 24 cases and no obvious inducement occurred in 5 cases. All patients received conservative treatment for more than 6 months with no significant improvement. The effectiveness was evaluated by American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score before operation and at last follow-up. The inclination angle of calcaneus, the first metatarsal angle of talus, the inclusion angle of talonavicular joint, and the second metatarsal angle of talus were measured on X-ray films.ResultsSuperficial infection of incision occurred in 1 case after operation, and the incision healed after enhanced dressing change. The incisons of the other patients healed by first intention. There was no deep infection or osteomyelitis. All patients were followed up 12-33 months (mean, 25.1 months). X-ray films showed that the articular surfaces healed at 2-5 months after operation, with an average of 3.4 months. No loosening or rupture of internal fixator was found during the follow-up. At last follow-up, the pain, function, alignment scores, and total score of AOFAS were significantly improved when compared with those before operation (P<0.05). The inclusion angle of talonavicular joint, the first metatarsal angle of talus, and the second metatarsal angle of talus were also significantly improved when compared with those before operation (P<0.05). But there was no significant difference in the inclination angle of calcaneus between pre- and post-operation (t=1.097, P=0.276).ConclusionModified internal fixation and fusion in treatment of type Ⅱ PAN can effectively relieve the symptoms and obtain good recovery of feet function with less complications.
Objective To compare the efficacy of the fourth-generation minimally invasive technique—minimally invasive extra-articular metaphyseal distal transverse osteotomy (META) and Chevron osteotomy (minimally invasive Chevron and Akin osteotomy, MICA) in treatment of hallux valgus. Methods A total of 80 patients with hallux valgus who underwent single-foot surgery between July 2023 and January 2025and met the inclusion criteria, were included in the study. Among them, 40 patients were treated with META and 40 with MICA. There was no significant difference in baseline data between the two groups (P>0.05), including gender, age, height, weight, body mass index, disease duration, lesion site, hallux valgus deformity degree, as well as preoperative scores of each item in the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society Hallux Metatarsophalangeal-Interphalangeal Joint Scale (AOFAS-Hallux-MTP-IP), scores of each item in the Manchester-Oxford Foot Questionnaire (MOXFQ), hallux valgus angle (HVA), the intermetatarsal angle (IMA), distal metatarsal articular angle (DMAA), sesamoid position, and the 1st metatarsal head morphology. The postoperative AOFAS-Hallux-MTP-IP scores (pain, function, alignment, total score), MOXFQ scores (pain, walking/standing, social interaction, total score), as well as HVA, IMA, DMAA, the 1st metatarsal head morphology, and sesamoid position measured based on weight-bearing foot X-ray films were compared between the two groups; the occurrence of postoperative complications was recorded. Results All patients in both groups were followed up 6-18 months, and there was no significant difference in the follow-up time between the two groups (P>0.05). At last follow-up, the scores of all items in AOFAS-Hallux-MTP-IP in both groups were higher than those before operation, and the scores of all items in MOXFQ were lower than those before operation, with significant differences (P<0.05); there was no significant difference in the change values of all item scores in MOXFQ between the two groups (P>0.05). The change value in AOFAS function score in the META group was significantly higher than that in the MICA group (P<0.05), while there was no significant difference in the change value of AOFAS pain score, alignment score, and total score between the two groups (P>0.05). After operation, 1 case (2.5%) of superficial incision infection and 2 cases (5.0%) of numbness around the incision occurred in the MICA group, while only 2 cases (5.0%) of numbness around the incision occurred in the META group. Imaging reexamination showed that HVA, IMA, and DMAA in both groups were signifncatly smaller than those before operation (P<0.05), and there was no significant difference in the change values of the above angles between the two groups (P>0.05). The 1 st metatarsal head morphology and sesamoid position in the META group were better than those in the MICA group after operation, with significant differences (P<0.05). Conclusion Both META and MICA can correct hallux valgus deformity, improve foot function, and relieve pain, but META has more advantages in correcting metatarsal rotation and reducing dislocated sesamoids.
Objective To explore the effectiveness of the percutaneous parallel screw fixation via the posterolateral “safe zone” for Hawkins type Ⅰ-Ⅲ talar neck fractures. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data from 35 patients who met the selection criteria of talar neck fractures between January 2019 and June 2021. According to the surgical method, they were divided into a study group (14 cases, using percutaneous posterolateral “safe zone” parallel screw fixation) and a control group (21 cases, using traditional open reduction and anterior cross screw internal fixation). There was no significant difference in gender, age, affected side, Hawkins classification, and time from injury to operation between the two groups (P>0.05). The operation time, bone healing time, complications, and Hawkins sign were recorded, and the improvement of pain and ankle-foot function were evaluated by visual analogue scale (VAS) score and American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle and hindfoot score at last follow-up. The overall quality of life was assessed by the short form of 12-item health survey (SF-12), which was divided into physical and psychological scores; and the satisfaction of patients was evaluated by the 5-point Likert scale. Results The operation time in the study group was significantly shorter than that in the control group (P<0.05). All patients werefollowed up 13-35 months, with an average of 20.6 months; there was no significant difference in the follow-up time between the two groups (P>0.05). The time of bone healing in the study group was shorter than that in the control group, and the positive rate of Hawkins sign (83.33%) was higher than that in the control group (33.33%), and the differences were significant (P<0.05). In the control group, there were 2 cases of incision delayed healing, 7 cases of avascular necrosis of bone, 3 cases of joint degeneration, 1 case of bone nonunion, and 3 cases of internal fixation irritation; while in the study group, there were only 2 cases of joint degeneration, and there was a significant difference in the incidence of complications between the two groups (P<0.05). At last follow-up, there was no significant difference in VAS score between the two groups (P>0.05), but the SF-12 physical and psychological scores, AOFAS ankle and hindfoot scores, and patients’ satisfaction in the study group were significantly better than those in the control group (P<0.05). ConclusionThe treatment of Hawkins type Ⅰ-Ⅲ talar neck fractures with percutaneous parallel screw fixation via the posterolateral “safe zone” can achieve better effectiveness than traditional open surgery, with the advantages of less trauma, fewer complications, faster recovery, and higher patient satisfaction.
Objective To investigate the functional outcomes of buttress plate fixation and simple screws fixation for the treatment of supination-adduction type-II medial malleolar fractures so as to provide reference for selection of internal fixation. Methods Between March 2009 and December 2012, 53 patients with supination-adduction type-II medial malleolar fractures were treated with open reduction and internal fixation. Of them, buttress plate fixation was used in 30 cases (buttress plate fixation group), and screws fixation was used in 23 cases (screw fixation group). There was no significant difference in age, gender, injury cause, injury side, disease duration, and combined injuries between 2 groups (P>0.05). Complications and full weight-bearing time were recorded; the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot score and the visual analogue scale (VAS) were used to evaluate the functional outcomes. Post-operative anteroposterior and lateral X-ray films were taken to evaluate fracture reduction and union condition. And the treatment failures were recorded. Results There was no significant difference in incision related complication rate and infection rate between 2 groups (P>0.05). The patients were followed up 46-91 months (mean, 64.5 months) in buttress plate fixation group and 44-86 months (mean, 59.5 months) in screw fixation group. The full weight-bearing time of the buttress plate fixation group was significantly shorter than that of screw fixation group (t=2.05,P=0.04). During follow-up time, malunion and nonunion occurred in 2 cases and 1 case of screw fixation group; anatomic reduction and bony union were observed in the other patients of 2 groups. The union time showed no significant difference between 2 groups (t=1.06,P=0.30). No significant difference was found in AOFAS score and good and excellent rate, VAS score, operation failure rate, and traumatic osteoarthritis rate between groups (P>0.05). Conclusion For patients with supination-adduction type-II medial malleolar fracture, the angle between fracture line and tibial axial line is too small to be fixed firmly with simple screws fixation, with a relatively higher failure rate. And buttress plate fixation can reach rigid fixation, and has better functional outcomes.
Objective To investigate the effectiveness of calcaneal V-shaped osteotomy combined with subtalar arthrodesis in the treatment of Stephens Ⅱand Ⅲ calcaneal fracture malunion. MethodsThe clinical data of 24 patients with severe calcaneal fracture malunion treated by calcaneal V-shaped osteotomy combined with subtalar arthrodesis between January 2017 and December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 20 males and 4 females with an average age of 42.8 years (range, 33-60 years). Conservative treatment of calcaneal fracture failed in 19 cases and operation failed in 5 cases. Stephens classification of calcaneal fracture malunion was type Ⅱ in 14 cases, and type Ⅲ in 10 cases. Preoperative Böhler angle of calcaneus was 4.0°-13.5° (mean, 8.6°), Gissane angle was 100°-152° (mean, 119.3°). The time from injury to operation was 6-14 months (mean, 9.7 months). American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle and hindfoot score and visual analogue scale (VAS) score were used to evaluate the effectiveness before operation and at last follow-up. Bone healing was observed and the healing time was recorded. The talocalcaneal height, talus inclination angle, Pitch angle, calcaneal width, and hindfoot alignment angle were measured. Results Necrosis of the cuticle edge of the incision occurred in 3 cases, which were cured by dressing change and oral administration of antibiotic therapy. The other incisions healed by first intention. All the 24 patients were followed up 12-23 months, with an average of 17.1 months. The foot shape of the patients recovered well, the shoes were restored to the size before injury, and there was no anterior ankle impingement. Bone union was achieved in all patients, and the healing time ranged from 12 to 18 weeks, with an average of 14.1 weeks. At last follow-up, no adjacent joint degeneration occurred in all patients; 5 patients had mild foot pain during walking, which had no significant impact on daily life and work; no patient needed revision surgery. The AOFAS ankle and hindfoot score was significantly higher than that before operation (P<0.001), the results were excellent in 16 cases, good in 4 cases, and poor in 4 cases, and the excellent and good rate was 83.3%. The VAS score, talocalcaneal height, talus inclination angle, Pitch angle, calcaneal width, and hindfoot alignment angle were significantly improved after operation (P<0.001). ConclusionCalcaneal V-shaped osteotomy combined with subtalar arthrodesis can effectively relieve hindfoot pain, correct talocalcaneal height, restore talus inclination angle, and reduce the risk of nonunion after subtalar arthrodesis.