ObjectiveTo assess the feasibility and clinical value of lumbar elastic fixation through the clinical research of elastic fixation for lumbar intervertebral fusion. MethodsAccording to the criteria, we selected 12 patients with lumbar degenerative disease diagnosed between September 2011 and March 2013 as our study subjects. Among them, 8 were females, and 4 were males, aged between 40 and 62 years old, averaging 52.9 years. Elastic fixation was adopted in the lumbar fusion. Evaluation indicators included visual analogue scale (VAS) scores, Oswestry disability index (ODI) score and its rate of improvement, intervertebral height changes, the rate of intervertebral fusion, intervertebral bone callus formation, patient satisfaction and clinical success rate. ResultsAll patients were followed up. During various postoperative follow-up points, VAS score and ODI score improved significantly (P<0.05). A large amount of callus formation was shown in lumbar CT. No fracture, loosened or shifted internal fixation occurred. ConclusionElastic fixation for lumbar intervertebral fusion provides another choice for the treatment of lumbar degenerative disease.
ObjectiveTo investigate the mid-term effect of lateral placement of bone graft on shoulder joint degeneration after modified arthroscopic Latarjet surgery with elastic fixation for recurrent anterior shoulder dislocation with an anterior glenoid bone defect.MethodsAccording to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 18 patients with recurrent anterior shoulder dislocation and anterior glenoid bone defect who received the modified arthroscopic Latarjet surgery with elastic fixation between January 2015 and November 2016 were enrolled in this study. There were 12 males and 6 females with an average age of 26.2 years (range, 19-37 years). The number of shoulder dislocation ranged from 4 to 30 times (mean, 8.8 times). The disease duration was 8-49 months (mean, 23.8 months). The mean anterior glenoid bone defect was 25.2% of the glenoid surface (range, 20%-29%). The mean preoperative Instability Severity Index Score (ISIS) was 7.6 (range, 7-10). According to Samilson-Prieto classification, the shoulder joint degeneration was rated as grade 0 in 13 cases, grade Ⅰ in 3 cases, and grade Ⅱ in 2 cases. Before and after operation, the visual analogue scale (VAS) score, American Society of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery (ASES) score, Walch-Duplay score, Rowe score, and shoulder mobility were used to evaluate the effectiveness. Imaging examination was performed to observe the shoulder joint degeneration, the position of the bone graft, and the postoperative shaping of the scapular glenoid.ResultsAll patients were followed up 55-62 months, with an average of 59.6 months. There was no neurovascular injuries, infections, fixation-related and bone graft-related complications. No re-dislocation and revision occurred. All patients returned to normal life, 17 of whom returned to sport. The VAS score was significantly decreased and ASES, Walch-Duplay, and Rowe scores were significantly improved at last follow-up (P<0.05). No significant difference was found in range of motion of forward flexion, abduction, lateral rotation at 90° abduction, internal rotation at 90° abduction, or lateral rotation at 0° between pre- and post-operation (P>0.05). Three-dimensional CT showed that the centers of all bone grafts were between 3∶30 and 4∶30 (right shoulder) or between 7∶40 and 8∶20 (left shoulder) and no bone grafts were positioned superiorly or inferiorly in the glenoid En-face view. All bone grafts were positioned lateral to the scapular glenoid with an average distance of 3.5 mm (range, 2.3-4.6 mm) in cross-sectional imaging by CT. Compared with the preoperative Samilson-Prieto classification results, all cases showed no progression of shoulder joint degeneration at 36, 48 months and last follow-up. All bone grafts remodeled to a steady state within 24 months after operation. The bone graft and glenoid finally remodeled analogous to the shape of the intact glenoid in the En-face view and became flush with the glenoid rim, remodeling to a curved shape congruent to the humeral head in cross-sectional imaging by CT. The shape of the remodeled glenoid at last follow-up was not significantly different from that at 24 months after operation.ConclusionThe lateral placement of the bone graft during modified arthroscopic Latarjet surgery with elastic fixation do not accelerate the imaging changes of shoulder joint degeneration.
ObjectiveTo investigate the morphological characteristics of the glenohumeral joint (including the glenoid and coracoid) in the Chinese population and determine the feasibility of designing coracoid osteotomy based on the preoperative glenoid defect arc length by constructing glenoid defect models and simulating suture button fixation Latarjet procedure. MethodsTwelve shoulder joint specimens from 6 adult cadavers donated voluntarily were harvested. First, whether the coracoacromial ligament and conjoint tendon connected was anatomically observed and their intersection point was identified. The vertical distance from the intersection point to the coracoid, the maximum allowable osteotomy length starting from the intersection point, and the maximum osteotomy angle were measured. Next, the anteroinferior glenoid defect models of different degrees were randomly constructed. The arc length and area of the glenoid defect were measured. Based on the arc length of the glenoid defect of the model, the size of coracoid oblique osteotomy was designed and the actual length and angle of the coracoid osteotomy were measured. A limited osteotomy suture button fixation Latarjet procedure with the coracoacromial ligament and pectoralis minor preservation was performed and the position of coracoid block was observed. ResultsAll shoulder joint specimens exhibited crossing fibers between the coracoacromial ligament and the conjoint tendon. The vertical distance from the tip of the coracoid to the coracoid return point was 24.8-32.2 mm (mean, 28.5 mm). The maximum allowable osteotomy length starting from the intersection point was 26.7-36.9 mm (mean, 32.0 mm). The maximum osteotomy angle was 58.8°-71.9° (mean, 63.5°). Based on the anteroinferior glenoid defect model, the arc length of the glenoid defect was 22.6-29.4 mm (mean, 26.0 mm); the ratio of glenoid defect was 20.8%-26.2% (mean, 23.7%). Based on the coracoid block, the length of the coracoid osteotomy was 23.5-31.4 mm (mean, 26.4 mm); the osteotomy angle was 51.3°-69.2° (mean, 57.1°). There was no significant difference between the arc length of the glenoid defect and the length of the coracoid osteotomy (P>0.05). After simulating the suture button fixation Latarjet procedure, the highest points of the coracoid block (suture loop fixation position) in all models located below the optimal center point, with the bone block concentrated in the anteroinferior glenoid defect position. ConclusionThe size of the coracoid is generally sufficient to meet the needs of repairing larger glenoid defects. The oblique osteotomy with preserving the coracoacromial ligament may potentially replace the traditional Latarjet osteotomy method.
Objective To evaluate the short-term effectiveness of Kirschner wire (K-wire) elastic fixation in the treatment of Doyle type Ⅰ and Ⅱ mallet finger. Methods Between July 2016 and March 2017, 18 patients with Doyle type Ⅰ and Ⅱ mallet finger were treated. There were 12 males and 6 males, with an average age of 45 years (range, 16-61 years). The index finger was involved in 2 cases, the middle finger in 3 cases, the ring finger in 10 cases, and the little finger in 3 cases. The interval from injury to operation ranged from 2 hours to 45 days (median, 5.5 hours). There were 8 patients of closed wound and 10 patients of open wound. Fourteen patients were simply extensor tendon rupture and 4 were extensor tendon rupture complicated with avulsion fracture. The distal interphalangeal joints (DIPJ) of injured fingers were elastically fixed with the K-wire at mild dorsal extend position. The K-wire was removed after 6 weeks, and the functional training started. Results The operation time was 34-53 minutes (mean, 38.9 minutes). Patients were followed up 3-8 months (mean, 5 months). All incisions healed primarily and no K-wire loosening or infection happened during the period of fixation. All mallet fingers were corrected. The range of motion (ROM) in terms of active flexion of injured DIPJ was (75.83±11.15)° at 6 weeks after operation, showing significant difference when compared with the normal DIPJ of contralateral finger [(85.28±6.06)°] (t=3.158, P=0.003). The ROM in terms of active flexion was (82.67±6.78)° in 15 patients who were followed up at 8 months after operation, showing no significant difference when compared with the normal DIPJ of contralateral finger [(86.00±5.73)°] (t=1.454, P=0.157). After the removal of K-wire at 6 weeks, visual analogue scale (VAS) score of active flexion and of passive flexion to maximum angle were 1.78±0.88 and 3.06±1.06, respectively. According to the total active motion criteria, the effectiveness was rated as excellent in 10 cases, good in 5 cases, moderate in 2 cases, and poor in 1 case, and the excellent and good rate was 83.33%. The patients’ satisfaction were accessed by Likert scale, which were 3-5 (mean, 4.2). Conclusion K-wire elastic fixation in the treatment of Doyle typeⅠand Ⅱ mallet finger can repair the extensor effectively, correct the mallet finger deformity, and also be benefit for the flexion-extension function restoration of DIPJ.
ObjectiveTo compare the effectiveness of flexible fixation and rigid fixation in the treatment of ankle pronation-external rotation fractures with distal tibiofibular syndesmosis.MethodsA retrospective analysis was made on the clinical data of 50 patients with ankle pronation-external rotation fractures and distal tibiofibular syndesmosis treated between January 2013 and December 2015. Suture-button fixation was used in 23 patients (flexible fixation group) and cortical screw fixation in 27 patients (rigid fixation group). There was no significant difference in age, gender, weight, side, fracture type, and time from trauma to surgery between 2 groups (P>0.05). The operation time, medial clear space (MCS), tibiofibular clear space (TFCS), tibiofibular overlap (TFO), American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score, and Foot and Ankle Disability Index (FADI) score were compared between 2 groups.ResultsThe operation time was (83.0±9.1) minutes in the flexible fixation group and was (79.6±13.1) minutes in the rigid fixation group, showing no significant difference (t=1.052, P=0.265). All patients achieved healing of incision by first intention. The patients were followed up 12-20 months (mean, 14 months). The X-ray films showed good healing of fracture in 2 groups. There was no screw fracture, delayed union or nounion. The fracture healing time was (12.1±2.5) months in the flexible fixation group and was (11.3±3.2) months in the rigid fixation group, showing no significant difference between 2 groups (t=1.024, P=0.192). Reduction loss occurred after removal of screw in 2 cases of the rigid fixation group. At last follow-up, there was no significant difference in MCS, TFCS, TFO, AOFAS score and FADI score between 2 groups (P>0.05).ConclusionSuture-button fixation has similar effectiveness to screw fixation in ankle function and imaging findings, and flexible fixation has lower risk of reduction loss of distal tibiofibular syndesmosis than rigid fixation.
ObjectiveTo summarize the surgical accidents and postoperative complications of the treatment of recurrent shoulder dislocation by suture button fixation and bone occlusion, and to provide clinical reference.MethodsThe clinical data of 16 patients with recurrent shoulder dislocation treated with modified arthroscopic Latarjet suture button fixation and bone occlusion between July 2017 and April 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 15 were male and 1 was female. The age ranged from 16 to 45 years, with an average of 26 years. Admission examination showed the range of motion of shoulder joint was normal; the shoulder joint fear test was positive; En-face CT scan measured 10%-20% of the glenoid defects, averaging 13.4%; and MRI examination revealed bone Bankart injury. The disease duration ranged from 2 to 20 years, with an average of 7.1 years. The shoulder joint was dislocated 8- 45 times, with an average of 17.4 times, and the shoulder joint was unstable. The occurrence of surgical accidents and postoperative complications as well as corresponding measures and outcomes were recorded. Results All the incisions healed by first intention without any complications such as incision infection or vascular injury. All 16 cases were followed up for an average of 3.6 years (range, 1-7 years), and no shoulder redislocation occurred. Four types of intraoperative surgical accidents and two types of postoperative complications occurred in the early stage of implementation of the technique. Intraoperative surgical accidents included 1 case of difficulty in passing subscapular muscle through coracotomy with large size, which was treated with exchange rod or finger through subscapular muscle split; 2 cases of coracoidal process fracture, of which 1 case was treated conservatively, and the other case was sutured to the base of tendon and fixed through tunnel; 1 case of glenoid fracture occurred in the glenoid tunnel, which was fixed with knot-free anchors; the posterior loop plate fixation was abnormal in 2 cases, of which 1 case was re-fixed and the other case was renovated. Postoperative complications included coracoid bone mass displacement in 1 case, conservative biceps rehabilitation was given to avoid premature external rotation; 1 case of radial nerve injury of healthy upper limb and musculocutaneous nerve injury of affected side was given oral medication and physiotherapy. The above conditions recovered well after corresponding treatment. ConclusionSuture button fixation with bone occlusion is a safe method for the treatment of recurrent shoulder dislocation. Careful operation should be performed during coracoid interception and glenoid tunnel drilling, especially in the fixation process.
This study was aimed to compare the mechanical characteristics under different physiological load conditions with three-dimensional finite element model of rigid fixation and elastic fixation in the lumbar. We observed the stress distribution characteristics of a sample of healthy male volunteer modeling under vertical, flexion and extension torque situation. The outcomes showed that there existed 4-6 times pressure on the connecting rod of rigid fixation compared with the elastic fixations under different loads, and the stress peak and area of force on elastic fixation were much higher than that of the rigid fixations. The elastic fixation has more biomechanical advantages than rigid fixation in promoting interbody lumbar fusion after surgery.
Objective To study the effectiveness of TightRope elastic fixation combined with functional total repair of the inferior tibiofibular ligament in the treatment of distal tibiofibular syndesmosis injury. Methods The clinical data of 34 patients with distal tibiofibular syndesmosis injury who met the selection criteria between January 2020 and January 2022 were retrospectively analyzed, and they were divided into improved group (TightRope elastic fixation combined with functional total repair of inferior tibiofibular ligament) and control group (distal tibiofibular screw fixation) according to the surgical methods, with 17 cases in each group. There was no significant difference in age, gender, body mass index, fracture type, and other baseline data between the two groups (P>0.05). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, and complications were recorded in the two groups. The American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score, ankle metatarsal flexion and dorsal extension range of motion were used to evaluate the ankle function. The patient satisfaction survey was conducted at last follow-up. Results All 34 patients were followed up 8-20 months, with a median of 13 months. The operation time and intraoperative blood loss in the improved group were significantly longer than that in the control group (P<0.05). In the improved group, no infection or poor reduction occurred, and only 1 patient had TightRope knot reaction at 6 months after operation. In the control group, there were 2 cases of poor reduction, 1 case of lower tibiofibular screw rupture, and 1 case of subcutaneous infection (cured after anti-infection treatment). There was no significant difference in the incidence of complications between the two groups (P>0.05). At last follow-up, the AOFAS score and ankle metatarsal flexion and dorsal extension range of motion of the improved group were significantly better than those of the control group (P<0.05). The satisfaction rates of patients in the improved group and the control group were 94.1% and 82.4%, respectively, showing significant difference (P<0.05). Conclusion TightRope elastic fixation combined with functional total repair of inferior tibiofibular ligament in the treatment of distal tibiofibular syndesmosis injury has sufficient fixation strength, and can achieve better effectiveness and joint function compared with traditional screw fixation.
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.