Objective To summarize the function of fibula in stability of ankle joints.Methods Recent original articles were extensively reviewed, which were related to the physiological function and biomechanical properties of fibula, the influence of fibular fracture on stability of ankle joints and mechanism of osteoarthritis of ankle joints. Results The fibula had the function of weightbearing; and it was generally agreed that discontinued fibula could lead to intra articular disorder of ankle joint in children; but there were various viewpoints regarding the influence of fibular fracture on the ankle joint in adults. Conclusion Fibula may play an important role in stability of ankle joint.
ObjectiveTo summarize the current status and progress of the treatment of chronic lateral ankle instability (CLAI). MethodsThe literature about the anatomical repair of CLAI at home and abroad was reviewed and summarized. ResultsBroström and its modified operations are the most common surgical treatment of CLAI. The operations showed satisfactory clinical outcomes in the short-, medium-, and long-term follow-up and low complication rate. Suture anchor technique and arthroscopic techniques are gradually used in Broström and its modified operations with satisfactory short-term effectiveness, but long-term effectiveness needs further observation because of the limitation of the short clinical application time. ConclusionBroström and its modified operations are effective, convenient, and safe to treat CLAI. Based on the researches of biomechanics and dynamic anatomy, the more personalized design of the rehabilitation program is the further research direction.
Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of Ilizarov external fixation and ankle arthrodesis in the treatment of late traumatic ankle arthritis. Methods Between June 2013 and June 2015, 27 patients with late traumatic ankle arthritis were treated with Ilizarov external fixation technique. There were 16 males and 11 females with an age of 27-69 years (mean, 45.7 years). Sixteen cases were on the left side, 11 on the right side. All the patients suffered from traumatic ankle fractures or ligament damages caused by initial traumas. After 6 months of standard conservative treatment, the results was invalid and all patients had ankle joint pain and movement disorders. The disease duration was 3-39 years (mean, 11.5 years). According to Takakura ankle arthritis staging, there were 16 cases in stage 3 and 11 cases in stage 4. The tibial-talar angle before operation was (102.55±4.02) ° measured on conventional double-feet loading anteroposterior and lateral X-ray films. The American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle and foot joint score was 45.72±6.45, and the visual analogue scale (VAS) score was 8.61±1.96. Results All the patients were followed up 15-42 months (mean, 28.1 months). All ankles achieved bony fusion, the clinical healing time was 12.9 weeks on average (range, 11-18 weeks). No persistent bleeding in the incisions and needle tract occurred during the follow-up. There were 4 cases of mild needle infection, 2 cases of anterior dislocation of talus, and 3 cases with different degree of limited activity. No traumatic bone defect, bone disconnection, and false joint formation was observed. At 12 months after operation, the AOFAS ankle and foot joint score, VAS score, and tibial-talar angle were 80.53±9.14, 2.77±0.82, and (94.36±2.48)°, respectively, which were significantly improved when compared with preoperative ones (t=16.17, P=0.00; t=14.28, P=0.00; t=9.01, P=0.00). The effectivenss was excellent in 9 cases, good in 13 cases, and fair in 5 cases, with an excellent and good rate of 81.5%. Conclusion Satisfactory effectiveness can be obtained through Ilizarov external fixation and ankle arthrodesis in the treatment of traumatic ankle arthritis, showing certain application prospect, while long-term effectiveness should be comfirmed by large sample randomized controlled trials.
【Abstract】 Objective To summarize the technique and effect of the therapy for severe fracture and dislocation ofankle joint by operation. Methods From March 2003 to February 2006, 76 cases were treated with primary open restorationand internal fixation for dislocated ankle joint fracture, with 47 males and 29 females, with the average age of 36.4 years (ranging from 18 years to 65 years). According to AO criterion, these fresh fractures were classified into 13 cases for type C3-1, 45 cases for type C3-2 and 18 cases for type C3-3. Based on the Gustilo-Anderson standard, 23 open fractures were classified into 17 cases for type II and 6 cases for type Ⅲ A. The operation was delayed from 1 hours to 24 hours after the injury. Results All incisions healed at the first stage except 4 cases which delayed union because of simple infection by revision with ointment. A total of 72 cases were followed up, with the average time of 18.5 months (from 12 months to 35 months). The time of bone union was from 12 weeks to 24 weeks. The screws of fixation for lower tibia-fibula joint were found to be ruptured in 2 cases when further consultation was performed in the 16th and 20th week after the operation, respectively, and were broken within 1 year after the operation. These screws were taken out 12 weeks postoperative in 28 cases, while the whole internal fixations of the rest caseswere taken out 1 year after the operation. The postoperative function of malleolus extended from 21.7º to 26.8º and flection from 38.5º to 44.7º. Assessed by the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society Cl inical Rating Scales, 23 cases were excellent, 36 good, 13 fair, and the choiceness rate reached 81.94%. Conclusion These procedures, together with reduction by twist after hospital, open and internal fixation in time, and parenchyma managed with internal fixation, are important to attain satisfactory effect for the treatment of severe fracture and dislocation of ankle joint.
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.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the difference between using and not using syndesmotic screw to treat pronation external rotation (PER) ankle fracture combined with separation of distal tibiofibular syndesmosis. MethodsBetween April 2011 and October 2014, 46 cases of PER ankle fracture combined with separation of distal tibiofibular syndesmosis were treated, and syndesmotic screw was used in 24 cases (fixation group) and syndesmotic screw was not used in 22 cases (non-fixation group). There was no significant difference in gender, age, weight, cause of injury, side, injury to operation time, and fracture type between 2 groups (P > 0.05). The time for full weight-bearing, fracture healing time, and complications were recorded after operation. Anteroposterior and lateral X-ray films were taken to measure the tibiofibular overlap (TBOL) and tibiofibular clear space (TBCS). Baird-Jackson score was used to evaluate functional recovery of the ankle. ResultsAll incision healed by first intention without complications. The cases were followed up 13-18 months (mean, 15.2 months) in 2 groups. The time for full weight-bearing was 8-12 weeks (median, 11 weeks) in fixation group, which was significantly later than that in non-fixation group (range, 6-10 weeks; median, 8 weeks) (Z=-5.049, P=0.000). X-ray examination showed reduction of separation of distal tibiofibular syndesmosis. All fractures healed. The fracture healing time was (13.83±1.37) weeks in fixation group, and was (13.91±1.31) weeks in non-fixation group, showing no significant difference (t=-0.191, P=0.945). No separation of distal tibiofibular syndesmosis, delayed union, nonunion, loosening, or breakage of fixation devices was observed in 2 groups. There was no significant difference in TBOL, TBCS, Baird-Jackson score and the excellent and good rate between 2 groups (P > 0.05). ConclusionIf the medial, lateral, and posterior structures of the ankle could be repaired according to injury, no significant influence on functional outcome of ankle or radiologic findings could be detected whether syndesmotic fixation is given or not in treating PER ankle fracture (exclude Maisonneuve fracture) combined with separation of distal tibiofibular syndesmosis.
ObjectiveTo investigate the effectiveness of distraction therapy assisted by arthroscope in the treatment of ankle traumatic osteoarthritis. MethodsBetween October 2013 and October 2014, 13 patients with ankle traumatic osteoarthritis were treated, including 8 males and 5 females with an age range of 44-63 years (mean, 55.2 years). The left ankle and the right ankle were involved in 4 and 9 cases respectively. The disease duration was 1.5-10.0 years (median, 5 years). The American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hind foot scale score was 51.00±7.09; the short-form 36 health survey scale (SF-36) score was 40.82±4.62. According to Scranton grade system, 9 cases were rated as grade II and 4 cases as grade III. First, ankle hyperplasia osteophytes was removed under arthroscope, then Ilizarov apparatus was used to maintain distraction of 5-10 mm ankle space for 3 months. ResultsOne case had postoperative pin tract infection after removing the external fixation, and infection was controlled by dressing treatment; no related complications occurred in the other patients. All patients got follow-up of 12-18 months (mean, 14.7 months). Patients achieved disappearance of ankle swelling, pain relief, and were able to walk after rehabilitation. The ankle activity was obviously improved. At last follow-up, AOFAS ankel-hind foot scale score and SF-36 score were significantly increased to 85.23±6.41 and 56.29±6.20 respectively (t=20.756, P=0.025; t=11.647, P=0.018). According to AOFAS scores, the results were excellent in 4 cases, good in 8 cases, and fair in 1 case; the excellent and good rate was 92.3%. Postoperative X-ray film showed normal ankle position and alignment, osteophytes at the edges of the tibia and talus, articular surface sclerosis, normal joint space, and no joint swelling. ConclusionDistraction therapy assisted by arthroscope is an effective method for treating ankle traumatic osteoarthritis.