Objective To explore the effect of short-term low-frequency electrical stimulation (SLES) during operation on nerve regeneration in delayed peripheral nerve injury with long gap. Methods Thirty female adult Sprague Dawley rats, weighing 160-180 g, were used to prepare 13-mm defect model by trimming the nerve stumps. Then all rats were randomly divided into 2 groups, 15 rats in each group. After nerve defect was bridged by the contralateral normal sciatic nerve, SLES was applied in the experimental group, but was not in the control group. The spinal cords and dorsal root ganglions (DRGs) were harvested to carry out immunofluorescence histochemistry double staining for growth-associated proteins 43 (GAP-43) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) at 1, 2, and 7 days after repair. Fluorogold (FG) retrograde tracing was performed at 3 months after repair. The mid-portion regenerated segments were harvested to perform Meyer’s trichrome staining, immunofluorescence double staining for neurofilament (NF) and soluble protein 100 (S-100) on the transversely or longitudinal sections at 3 months after repair. The segment of the distal sciatic nerve trunk was harvested for electron microscopy and morphometric analyses to measure the diameter of the myelinated axons, thickness of myelin sheaths, the G ratio, and the density of the myelinated nerve fibers. The gastrocnemius muscles of the operated sides were harvested to measure the relative wet weight ratios. Karnovsky-Root cholinesterase staining of the motor endplate was carried out. Results In the experimental group, the expressions of GAP-43 and BDNF were higher than those in the control group at 1 and 2 days after repair. The number of labeled neurons in the anterior horn of gray matter in the spinal cord and DRGs at the operated side from the experimental group was more than that from the control group. Meyer’s trichrome staining, immunofluorescence double staining, and the electron microscopy observation showed that the regenerated nerves were observed to develop better in the experimental group than the control group. The relative wet weight ratio of experimental group was significantly higher than that of the control group (t=4.633,P=0.000). The size and the shape of the motor endplates in the experimental group were better than those in the control group. Conclusion SLES can promote the regeneration ability of the short-term (1 month) delayed nerve injury with long gap to a certain extent.
Objective To investigate the effectiveness of individual surgery for chronic Achilles tendon rupture. Methods A retrospective analysis was made on the clinical data of 25 patients (26 Achilles tendons) with chronic Achilles tendon rupture between September 2009 and March 2016, including 22 males and 3 females with a mean age of 38 years (range,18-59 years). The median disease duration was 12 weeks (range, 4 weeks to 12 years). The repairing method depended on the defect size, injury site, and tissue condition of the involved Achilles tendon: 9 Achilles tendons were repaired by end-to-end anastomosis, 8 by a gastrocnemius turndown flap, and 9 by auto free tendon (4 ipsilateral hamstring tendon and 5 ipsilateral 2/3 peroneus longus tendon). The American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hind foot score, heel lifting of the affected leg, active ankle range of motion (plantar flexion and dorsiflexion), maximum calf circumference, and complications were applied to assess the effectiveness. Results Hypersensitivity occurred in 1 incision, and stage I healing was obtained in the other incisions. No complication of re-rupture, infection, nerve injury, or deep venous thrombosis occurred. All the patients were followed up 8-85 months (mean, 34 months). The AOFAS ankle-hind foot score was significantly improved to 95.81±5.34 at last follow-up from preoperative 50.54±5.52 (t=–34.844,P=0.000); the excellent and good rate was 100% (excellent in 21 cases and good in 4 cases). The active dorsiflexion of the operated side [(13.9±2.4)°] was significantly lower than that of normal side [(16.7±2.0)°] (t=–9.099,P=0.000), but the active plantar flexion showed no significant difference between affected side [(39.8± 3.2)°] and normal side [(40.6±2.6°)] (t=–1.917,P=0.068). The maximum calf circumference of the operated side [(379.4±18.8) mm] was significantly lower than that of normal side [(387.1±16.6) cm] (t=–5.053,P=0.000). The other patients could finish heel lifting of the affected leg without limitation except for 1 patient. All patients returned to normal work and activity, and 12 patients returned to normal sports. Conclusion Individual surgery depending on the defect, injury site, and tissue condition of the involved Achilles tendon can repair all kinds of chronic Achilles tendon rupture with a low rate of complications.
Objective To investigate the feasibility and effectiveness of high tibial osteotomy (HTO) in treatment of chronic multi-ligament knee injury (MLKI) associated with lower extremity malalignment. Methods A clinical data of 14 patients (14 knees) of chronic MLKI associated with lower extremity malalignment, who were treated with HTO between January 2016 and September 2020, was retrospectively analyzed. There were 10 males and 4 females, with an average age of 30.5 years (range, 22-48 years). The causes of injury included traffic accident in 8 cases, bruising by a heavy object in 3 cases, falling from height in 2 cases, and twisting in 1 case. According to Schenck classification of knee dislocation (KD), there were 4 cases of KD-Ⅰ [2 cases of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and posterolateral complex (PLC) injuries and 2 cases of posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) and PLC injuries], 7 cases of KD-Ⅲ (all of ACL, PCL, and PLC injuries), and 3 cases of KD-Ⅳ. The preoperative hip-knee-ankle angle (HKA) was (167.1±4.7)°, and the posterior tibial slope angle (PTSA) was (16.3±2.7)°. The knee joint was severely unstable and the patients could not stand and walk normally. Among them, 5 cases of medial compartment cartilage were severely worn out (3 cases of Kellgren-Lawrence grading Ⅱ, 2 cases of grading Ⅲ) causing pain. After admission, 2 cases of KD-Ⅰ underwent HTO and ligament reconstruction in the first stage, 1 case of KD-Ⅲ and 1 case of KD-Ⅳ underwent HTO in the first stage and ligament reconstruction in the second stage; the remaining 10 patients only underwent HTO. Results All patients were followed up 12-50 months, with an average of 30 months. The incisions healed by first intention after operation, and no complications such as infection and deep vein thrombosis of the lower extremities occurred. At 12 months after operation, knee range of extension was –5°-0° (mean, –1.2°) and range of flexion was 110°-140° (mean, 125.5°). The Lachman test was negative in 11 cases and positive in 3 cases. The posterior drawer test was negative in 9 cases and positive in 5 cases. The 0/30° varus stress test was negative in 10 cases and positive in 4 cases. The 0/30° valgus stress test was negative in 13 cases and positive in 1 case. The visual analogue scale (VAS) score was significantly lower than that before operation (P<0.05), and the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score, Lysholm score, and Tegner score were all significantly higher than those before operation (P<0.05). The X-ray film reexamination at 12 months after operation showed that the HKA was (178.2±3.8)° and the PTSA was (8.6±2.4)°, which were significantly different from those before operation (P<0.05). All osteotomies achieved bone union, and the healing time was 3-11 months, with an average of 6.8 months. Conclusion For chronic MLKI associated with lower extremity malalignment, HTO can restore normal lower extremity alignment and improve knee joint function, which is a feasible salvage operation.