Objective To compare the short-term effectiveness of repairing distal tibiofibular syndesmosis with metal screws and absorbable screws. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical data of 63 patients with ankle fracture combined with injury of the distal tibiofibular syndesmosis admitted between January 2017 and January 2020. Among them, 31 patients were treated with absorbable screw fixation of the distal tibiofibular syndesmosis (research group) and 32 patients were treated with metal screw fixation of the distal tibiofibular syndesmosis (control group). There was no significant difference in gender, age, cause of injury, surgical side, time from injury to operation, fracture type, preoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) score, and American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) score between the two groups (P>0.05). The operation time and fracture healing time were recorded and compared between the two groups. X-ray film was taken to evaluate the effect of ankle joint reduction and fixation. Olerud-Molander ankle fracture efficacy score (short for OM score), AOFAS score, and VAS score were used to evaluate the effectiveness. Results There was no significant difference in operation time between the two groups (t=−0.683, P=0.497). In the control group, 1 case of delayed healing and 1 case of poor healing occurred in the lateral incision after operation, which healed after dressing change; the rest of the patients had primary healing of the incision. Patients in both groups were followed up 12-24 months, with an average of 13.8 months. In the control group, 1 patient with fracture of pronation and external rotation walked with full weight bearing after removing the metal screw of the distal tibiofibular syndesmosis at 8 weeks after operation, the anatomical plate of the lateral malleolus was broken, and the lateral malleolus was fixed again and recovered after 5 months; 1 patient had mild ankle pain after operation, and the pain disappeared after removing the metal screw of the distal tibiofibular syndesmosis at 8 weeks. No complication such as nerve and blood vessel injury occurred in all patients. There was no significant difference in fracture healing time between the two groups (t=−1.128, P=0.264). The AOFAS and VAS scores significantly improved in both groups at 12 months after operation (P<0.05). There was no significant difference between the two groups in the OM scores, and the difference of AOFAS and VAS scores between before and after operation (P>0.05). Conclusion Using absorbable screws to repair the distal tibiofibular syndesmosis can effectively restore the ankle acupoint structure, prevent ankle instability, and restore good ankle function. There is no significant difference in effectiveness between absorbable screws and metal screws, and there is no need for secondary operation to remove screws.
Objective To investigate the radiographic and clinical outcomes of dorsal intercarpal ligament capsulodesis (DILC) procedure for chronic static scapholunate dissociation. Methods Between January 2008 and January 2011, 12 patients with chronic static scapholunate dissociation were treated with DILC. Of 12 cases, 10 were male and 2 were female with an average age of 42 years (range, 20-66 years). All injuries were caused by falling. The interval from injury to surgery was 3-19 months (mean, 8 months). Physical examination at admission showed wrist tenderness and limited range of motion (ROM). Radiological examination showed that scapholunate gap was greater than 3 mm on posteroanterior view, and scapholunate angle more than 60° on the lateral view. Before operation, the grip strength was (25.4±8.2) kg; the wrist ROM was (56.7±11.5)° in flexion and (52.0±15.2)° in extension; visual analogue scale (VAS) score was 6.3±1.4; and disabilities of arm, shoulder & hand (DASH) score was 39.5±7.4. According to Garcia-Elias staging criteria, all cases were rated as stage 4, indicating that the scapholunate interosseous ligament was completely injured and reduction could easily be obtained. Eight patients had wrist instability. Results Primary healing of incision was achieved, no complication was found. All patients were followed up 13-34 months (mean, 15.9 months). During surgery, all deformities were corrected completely, but 7 patients (58%) recurred at 1 month after Kirschner wire removal. Compared with preoperative ones, the scapholunate gap, scapholunate angle, radiolunate angle, lunocapitate angle, and wrist height ratio at 1 month after Kirschner wire removal and last follow-up showed no significant difference (P > 0.05); the wrist flexion and extension ROM were significantly decreaed to (46.8±7.2)° and (42.0±9.0)° at last follow-up (P < 0.05); the grip strength was significantly increased to (32.7±9.6) kg at last follow-up (P < 0.05); VAS score and DASH score were improved to 1.7±1.0 and 8.1±8.7 (P < 0.05). Conclusion Carpal collapse will recur in short time after DILC. DILC is not the best way to treat chronic static scapholunate dissociation.
ObjectiveTo assess the effectiveness of lateral ligament reconstruction with autogenous partial peroneus longus tendon for chronic lateral ankle instability.MethodsBetween September 2014 and November 2018, 32 patients (32 sides) with chronic lateral ankle instability were treated with lateral ankle ligament reconstruction by using autogenous anterior half of the peroneus longus tendon. There were 25 males and 7 females, with an average age of 28.5 years (range, 20-51 years). The disease duration was 6-41 months (mean, 8.9 months). The preoperative Karlsson-Peterson ankle score was 53.7±9.7. The talar tilt angle was (14.9±3.7)°, and the anterior talar translation was (8.2±2.8) mm. Six patients combined with osteochondral lesion of talus and 4 patients combined with bony impingement.ResultsAll incisions healed by first intention postoperatively. All patients were followed up 12-53 months (mean, 22.7 months). At last follow-up, the Karlsson-Peterson ankle score was 85.2±9.6; the talar tilt angle was (4.3±1.4)°; the anterior talar translation was (3.5±1.1) mm. There were significant differences in all indexes between pre- and post-operation (P<0.05). Seventeen patients were very satisfied with the results, 10 patients were satisfied, 4 patients were normal, and 1 patient was unsatisfied. After operation, the ankle sprain occurred in 7 cases, the tenderness around the compression screws at calcaneus in 5 cases, the anterolateral pain of ankle joint over 6 months in 4 cases. No patient had discomfort around the reciepient sites. At last follow-up, the ultrasonography examination showed that there was no significant difference in the density and diameter between bilateral peroneus longus tendons in 12 cases.ConclusionFor chronic lateral ankle instability, the lateral ankle ligament reconstruction with the autogenous partial peroneus longus tendon is a safe and effective surgical option.
Objective To evaluate the clinical results of bioabsorbable interference screw in knee ligament reconstruction. Methods From April 2002 to August 2004, 39 patients with knee ligament injury were treated, including 33 males and6 females with a median age of 25 years (15 to 65 years). The involved ligament included 29 anterior cruciate ligament of knee(ACL), 6 posterior cruciate ligament of knee(PCL)，4 combined ACL and PCL, 3 medial collateral or lateral collateral ligaments of knee point and 1 posterolateral complex injury of knee. All of patients underwent anatomic ligament reconstructions under arthroscopy or open surgery by autografts and fixation with bioabsorbable interference screw. Results All 34 patients were followed up 6 to 28 months (mean 13.7months). The patients were evaluated by Lysholm knee functional scales, the knee scores were 43.6±13.4 before operation and 85.4±16.3 after operation, showing significant difference (Plt;0.05). There was no limitation of rangeof motion and loosening of the screw. However, one case suffered from infection, and 3 cases suffered from effusion and synovitis after surgery and recovered after management. Conclusion Bioabsorbable interference screw fixation is a reliable method in knee ligament reconstruction and is effective to restore knee joint stability.
ObjectiveTo introduce the method of prior-localization femoral tunnel by using a special positioning tool under the C-arm radiographic machine before surgery, and to study the effect on the knee function recovery after medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction.MethodsBetween January 2014 and January 2016, 32 patients with recurrent unilateral knee patellar dislocation were treated by arthroscopic patellofemoral lateral retinaculum release and MPFL reconstruction. The femoral tunnel position during MPFL reconstruction was prior-localizated under C-arm radiographic machine before operation. There were 8 males and 24 females, aged from 15 to 37 years, with an average of 23.8 years. The time from injury to admission ranged from 1 to 24 months, with an average of 9.7 months. Isometric point distance was measured on CT three-dimensional reconstruction image after operation to evaluate whether the position of femoral tunnel was isometric, and knee joint function was evaluated by Lysholm score. Spearman correlation analysis was performed between isometric point distance and Lysholm score.ResultsAll the 32 patients were followed up 12-18 months (mean, 14.2 months). No symptoms of patellar subluxation or dislocation was found during follow-up. Patellar extrapolation test and patellar extrapolation fear test were negative. The isometric point distance was 1.5-5.9 mm (mean, 3.44 mm) at 3 days after operation. All femoral tunnels were located in equidistant tunnels. At last follow-up, the Lysholm score of the patients was 92.8±2.1, which was significantly improved when compared with preoperative score (54.4±2.8) (t=61.911, P=0.000). Isometric point distance was negatively correlated with Lysholm score (r=–0.454, P=0.009).ConclusionC-arm radiographic machine can locate the femoral tunnel position of MPFL easily and accurately before operation. The short-term and medium-term effectiveness are satisfactory, and the ionizing radiation injury caused by multiple fluoroscopy during operation is avoided.
Objective To introduce a new theory of shoulder stability mechanism, rebalancing theory, and clinical application of this new theory for the shoulder instability and dysfunction of motion. Methods Through extensive review of the literature related to shoulder instability and dysfunction of the motion in recent years, combined with our clinical practice experience, the internal relation between passive stability mechanism and dynamic stability mechanism were summarized. Results Rebalancing theory of shoulder stability mechanism is addressed, namely, when the shoulder stability mechanism is destructive, the stability of the shoulder can be restored by the rebalance between dynamic stability mechanism and passive stability mechanism. When dynamic stability is out of balance, dynamic stability can be restored by rebalancing the different parts of dynamic stability mechanism or to strengthen the passive stability mechanism. When passive stability mechanism is out of balance, passive stability can be restored by rebalancing the soft tissue and bone of the shoulder. ConclusionRebalancing theory of shoulder stability mechanism could make a understanding the occurrence, development, and prognosis of shoulder instability and dysfunction from a comprehensive and dynamic view and guide the treatment effectively.
ObjectiveTo study the effect of the femoral tunnel position on the knee function recovery after medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction. MethodsA retrospective analysis was made on the clinical date of 43 cases (43 knees) of recurrent patellar dislocation undergoing MPFL reconstruction and patellofemoral lateral retinaculum lysis between August 2013 and March 2014. There were 12 males and 31 females, aged 19.4 years on average (range, 9-35 years). All patients had trauma history and recurrent dislocations. The results of apprehesion test and J syndrom were positive. The patellar tilt test showed patellofemoral lateral retinaculum was tension. The effectiveness was evaluated using Lysholm knee functional score after operation. The distance from the center of the femoral tunnel to the femoral isometric point was measured on CT three dimensional reconstruction image. Whether the femoral tunnel position was isometric was evaluated. The correlation was analyzed between the distance from the center of the femoral tunnel to the femoral isometric point and Lysholm score. ResultsPrimary healing of incision was obtained in all patients. The patients were followed up 13-18 months (mean, 15 months). No patellar dislocation or subluxation occurred. The result of apprehensive test was negative. At last follow-up, the average Lysholm score was 93.8 (range, 83-100). The average distance from the center of the femoral tunnel to the femoral isometric point was 5.61 mm (range, 2-16 mm). The femoral tunnel position was isometric in 30 cases (69.8%) and non-isometric in 13 cases (30.2%). The distance from the center of the femoral tunnel to the femoral isometric point was negatively correlated with postoperative Lysholm score (r=-0.851, P=0.000). The postoperative Lysholm score was 95.7±2.3 in patients with isometric tunnel and was 89.4±3.5 in patients with non-isometric tunnel, showing significant difference (t=6.951, P=0.000). ConclusionFor patellofemoral joint instability, preparing the femoral isometric tunnel can establish a good foundation for the recovery of the knee function in MPFL reconstruction.
Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of anterior talofibular ligament repair in the treatment of lateral ankle stability and the effect of combined tarsal sinus syndrome on results. Methods Between December 2013 and October 2014, 47 cases of lateral ankle instability underwent anatomical repair of anterior talofibular ligament, and the clinical data were retrospectively analyzed. Of 47 cases, 32 had no tarsal sinus syndrome (group A); 15 had tarsal sinus syndrome (group B), arthroscopic debridement of tarsal sinus was performed at the same time. There was no significant difference in gender, age, disease duration, side, American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS), Karlsson score, and Tegner movement function score between 2 groups (P>0.05). Results No early surgical complication of infection occurred, and primary healing of incision was obtained in 2 groups. The patients were followed up 20-31 months (mean, 26.0 months) in group A, and 20-31 months (mean, 24.7 months) in group B. Disappearance of ankle swelling, good joints movement, and recovery of normal walking were observed in all patients. At last follow-up, AOFAS score, Karlsson score, and Tegner movement function score were significantly improved when compared with preoperative ones in 2 groups (P<0.05), but no significant difference was found between 2 groups (P>0.05). No ankle instability recurrence was found during follow-up period. Conclusion The effectiveness of anatomical repair of anterior talofibular ligament in lateral ankle instability is satisfactory for patients with or without tarsal sinus syndrome.