Objective To introduce the method of arthroscopically assisted closed reduction and percutaneous screw fixation for intra-articular calcaneal fractures and to discuss its clinical indications, advantages and disadvantages. Methods From February 2003 to December 2004, 12 unilateral intra-articular calcaneal fractures were treated with the method of arthroscopically assisted closed reduction and percutaneous screw fixation. 7 cases were males and 5 cases were females. The average age was 36.8 years (range, 23-61 years). 8 feet were on right side and 4 feet were on left side. The mechanism of injury was fall from a height in 11 cases and vehicle accident in 1 case. According to Sanders classification, 8 cases were type Ⅱ fractures(1 type ⅡA, 5 type ⅡB, 2 type ⅡC) and 4 cases were type Ⅲ fractures(2 type ⅢAB,1 type ⅢAC,1 type ⅢBC). Results Arthroscopy in the operation showed the fracture space and step were less than 1 mm. The preoperative X-ray film showed that B?觟hler angle was 18.4??5.8?, Gissane angle was 109.1??10.2?, calcaneal width was (35.9?2.2) mm. The postoperative X-ray film demonstrated that B?觟hler angle was 25.4??3.5?, Gissane angle was 118.1??6.4?, calcaneal width was (32.3?1.1) mm. The average follow-up of nine patients was 17.4 months (range, 10-25 months). According to Maryland foot score, all patients had satisfactory results with the mean score of 92.5 score (range, 82-100 score), 6 were excellent and 3 were good. None of the patients had re-displacement of fracture, significant lame or other late complications. They regained normal shape of foot and wore normal footwear. Conclusion Arthroscopically assisted closed reduction and percutaneous screw fixation is an effective and applicable minimal-invasive treatment for Sanders type Ⅱ and selected type Ⅲ intra-articular calcaneus fractures. It can significantly reduce the risk of soft tissue injury and other complications while ensuring satisfactory reduction of the posterior calcaneal facet of the subtalar joint and reliable fixation.

Objective To explore the operative methods of open reduction and fixation for the cuboid fractures. Methods The study involved 12 patients with cuboid fractures treated from October 2006 to October 2008. There were seven males and five females, at average age of 38.5 years (range 18-70 years). All patients had closed fractures, including 10 with compression fracture and two with sagittal fractures. The surgical treatments included open reduction, internal fixation by plate, screw or K-wire.Results Ten patients were followed up for 15 months on average ( range 12-24 months), which showed one stage wound healing, with mean time of bone union for 10 weeks ( range 8-15 weeks). No infection was found in any patient. The weight load walk began at 12 weeks ( range 8-18 weeks), with no obvious pain. According to American orthopaedic foot and ankle society (AOFAS) midfoot scale, the mean score was 88.6 (range 73-100). Conclusion Anatomic reduction and stable internal fixation of the cuboid fractures is the key point for recovery of foot form, stabilization and function of the feet.

Objective To discuss the operative methods and cnrative effect of calcaneal tuberosity fracture.Methods The data of 15 patients with calcaneal tuberosity fracture was retrospectively analyzed who received treatment between January 2008 and June 2011.There were 9 males and 6 female,with the age ranging from 31 to 68 years (average,51.4 years).All the patients had unilateral acute injury,with the left foot in 7 cases and the right foot in 8 cases.According to the Beavis classification,there were 3 cases in type Ⅰ and 12 cases in type Ⅱ.All the cases in type Ⅰ and 10 cases in type Ⅱ were treated with open reduction and screw fixation.The other 2 cases in type Ⅱ with larger fragment involving a portion of the subtalar joint were treated with plate and screw fixation.The effect of the treatment was assessed according to the ankle and hindfoot score system of American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) after the operation.Results Ten patients were followed up for 12 to 36 months (average,20 months).The healing time in these patients ranged from 8 to 25 weeks (average,12 weeks).The postoperative score ranged from 47 to 100 points (average,91.1 points).There were 7 cases which received excellent effect,2 cases,good,and 1 case,poor.The rate of excellent and good was 90％.Necrosis of skin and soft tissue and exposure of the plate happened to one patient,who eventually healed after 3 weeks by debridement with plate preserved and peroneal artery perforator flap transplantation.Loss of reduction happened to another patient,who was treated with the revision surgery by open reduction and screw fixation again.Conclusion To patients with obvious Fracture displacement whose soft tissues are irritated severely.Emergency open reduction and internal fixation operation should be offered to prevent the necrosis of the flaps as far as possible.To patients with small fractures,it is advisable to choose open reduction and large diameter screw fixation,while plate and screw fixation may be better for patients with larger tuberosity fragment,especially when the fracture line extends to the facet of the subtalar joint.

Objective To retrospectively assess clinical outcomes of buttress plating in fixation of posterior pilon fractures.Methods The study involved 16 cases of posterior pilon fractures that had undergone buttress plate fixation between January 2005 and December 2009.There were 11 males and 5 females,at mean age of 37.6 years (range,23-62 years).All cases received radiography,CT scan and three-dimensional reconstruction preoperatively.Posterior malleolar fragments were reduced and fixed through posterolateral approach or combined approach (posteromedial plus posterolateral approaches) based on effect area of fracture line on CT films.Clinical and radiographic examinations were performed in postoperative follow-up.Clinical outcomes were evaluated by American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot score and visual analogue scale (VAS).Results Posterior pilon fractures were classified into 3 types according to CT scans.Fourteen cases were followed up for average 37.6 months (range,16-52 months).Mean AOFAS score was 86.4 points (range,70-98 points) and mean VAS score was 1.4 points (range,0-3 points).All cases received favorable functional outcomes without hardware failure,except that one patient still suffered from peri-ankle swelling and long term walking discomfort two years after operation.Conclusion Buttress plating is effective in treatment of posterior pilon fractures and can facilitate early weight-bearing functional exercise.

Objective To evaluate the effect of open reduction and internal fixation in treatment of calcaneal fractures in aged patients. Methods Between January 1997 and June 2007,37 patients (41 fractures)at a mean age of68.3 years(60-78 years)with calcaneal fractures underwent surgical operations.According to Sanders classification based on CT scanning.14 fractures were rated as typeⅡ,18 as type Ⅲ and 9 as type Ⅳ.Of all,5 fractures were treated with reconstruction plate,18 with shapeable titanic plate,4 with Y-shaped plate,12 Depuy titanic plate and 2 with AO locking titanic plate plus open reduction and internal fixation.The foot function was evaluated by X-ray,American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society(AOFAS)Score and Maryland Foot Score. Results A total of 27 patients (60.9%)with 31 fractures were followed up for 12-48 months(average 27.6 months),which showed that all fractures were healed,with morphous improvement of the calcanus determined by 8 parameters measured in X-ray films.The average active range of motion was 36°of plantar flexion,12°of dorsiflexion,15°of inversion,and 10°of eversion.According to Maryland Foot Score,functional foot score was excellent(90-100 points)in 16 fractures,good(75-89 points)in 13 and fair(50-74 points)in 2,with excellence rate of 94%(29/31). Conclusion Open reduction and intemal fixation can gain good clinical result in severe calcaneal fractures in aged patients with obvious dislocation of posterior articular facet.

Objective To measure stress distribution of the main bone architecture of the normal adult cadaveric foot and discuss the effect of plantar ligament injury on stress distribution. Methods Seven fresh adult cadaveric feet were used and 10 strain gauges attached to the bones of the longitudinal foot arch,including the calcaneus,navicular,medial cuneiform,1-5 metatarsal trunk,the distal part of the tibia and fibular,respectively.After the loading Was added to 700 N by almighty test machine,resistance strainmeter was used to measure surface strain of these bones.The results were processed statistically. Results The strain was varied based on different bone segments attached and increased with loading.Tensile force was always found at the medial part of the navicular,the distal part of the tibia and fibular,while the others showed compression all the time.Peak strain was found at calcaneus.followed by the second and third metatarsal.Strain on the surface of the bone segments changed greatly with different ligament injury(P＜0.05).Conclusion The bone surface stress of the longitudinal foot arch changes significantly when the plantar ligament is injured.

Objective To explore the treatment strategies for grade Ⅱ supination adduction ankle fracture. Methods From March 2003 to September 2008, 32 patients with grade Ⅱ supination adduction ankle fractures were treated surgically. There were 21 males and 11 females, at a mean age of 44.5 years (range, 21-76 years). Three patients had open ankle fractures. Anteromedial approach to the medial malleolus was taken to expose the vertical medial malleolus fractures and tibial plafond for exploring damage to distal articular surface of the tibia and that to cartilage of the talus. Open reduction and internal fixation with impaction of the articular fragment and possible bone grafting were applied to restore the height of the collapsed tibia. Medial mallcolus fractures were anatomically reduced and the intra-articular cartilage debris removed under direct vision. Repair of the lateral ligament injuries was decided acoording to the stability of the ligament. Different internal fixation was chosen according to fracture displacement of the block size and degree of lateral malleolus fractures. Fracture union, internal fixation and osteoarthritis were detected by X-ray examination. The range of ankle motion was measured. Maryland foot score was taken to assess the ankle function.Results Twenty-three patients were followed up postoperatively for a mean period of 27.9 months ( range, 6-47 months). Two prominent screws were removed from one patient five months after operation because of loosening. Bony fusion was achieved in all patients after an average period of 2.9 months ( range, 2.3-5.1 months). X-ray examination revealed no other internal fixation loosening or osteoarthritis. The average range of motion was 13 degrees of dorsiflexion (range, 6-17 degrees) and 36 degrees of plantarflexion (range, 27-46 degrees). According to Maryland foot score, ankle function was excellent in 19 patients and good in four, with excellence rate of 100%.Conclusions Understanding injury mechanism of supination adduction ankle fracture, strengthening the diagnosis and treatment of damage of tibial plafond articular surface height, cartilage and talar articular surface cartilage can effectively reduce the incidence of complications such as osteoarthritis. Anteromedial incision allows excellent exposure of the medial tibial plafond for clearance of intra-articular cartilage pieces, recovery of distal tibial articular surface height and placement of internal fixation.

Objective To explore the operative methods for the first metatarsal fractures. Methods From January 2003 to January 2006, surgical operation was done on 17 patients with the first metatarsal fractures including 15 males and two females at average age of 40.5 years (11-65 years). There were four patients with the first metatarsal base fractures, seven with the first metatarsal shift frac-tures and six with the first metatarsal neck or head fractures, of whom four were with open fractures. The surgical treatment included open reduction, plate internal fixation and screw or K-wire fixation. Results Of all, 14 patients were followed up for average 14 months ( 12-24 months), which showed wound healing at one stage, without any complications. The bone union time was 8-16 weeks (mean 10.5 weeks). All patients could walk with weight loading after mean 13 weeks (9-18 weeks), without obvious pain or com-plaints. According to the midfoot and forefoot scale of American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS), the mean score was 86.3 points (78-100 points). Conclusion Anatomic reduction and stable internal fixation is the best solution for the first metatarsal fracture and plays important role in recovery of foot form and foot arch function.

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to analyze the outcomes of surgical treatment of displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures (ICFs) in children and its characteristics.MethodsBetween January 2004 and October 2008,we review the results of 9 displaced,intra-articular fractures in 8 skeletally immature patients,who were treated with open reduction and internal fixation in our hospital.There were 7 males and 1 female,with the mean age of 13.1 years(range:10 to 15 years).Preoperative radiographs and computed tomographic scans were used to classify fractures.Clinical and radiographic evaluation were performed in postoperative follow-up visits.The functional outcomes were assessed with use of the modified American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society(AOFAS) ankle and hindfoot score.The published literatures of child ICFs treated with ORIF were reviewed.ResultsIn the series,there were 4 tongue-type and 5 joint depression-type fractures according to Essex-Lopresti classification,and according to Sanders classification,we found 5 type-Ⅱ fractures,3 type-Ⅲ and 1 type-Ⅳ fractures.The mean follow-up time was 47.4 months (range:21 to 72 months).All fractures healed within 2 to 4 months.The average preoperative and postoperative Bohler angles were 5.7 and 33.1 degrees respectively,and the mean Gissane angles were 106.5 and 128.0 degrees respectively.The mean modified-AOFAS score was 65.2 points(range:53 to 68 points).Skin necrosis was found in one foot.After the review of literatures,78.6％ (48/61) of displaced ICFs were male in children.Based on the Sanders classification,36 of 67 (53.7％) were type-Ⅱ fractures,25 of 67 (37.3％) were type-Ⅲ and 6 of 67 (9.0％) were type-Ⅳ; And 15 of 37 (40.5％) were tongue-type,22 of 37 (59.5％) were joint depression-type fractures according to Essex-Lopresti classification.ConclusionMost children with displaced ICFs treated with ORIF had a good clinical outcome with few complications.The children and adolescents that were exposed to high-energy trauma suffer calcaneal fractures that were similar to adult fracture patterns.

Objective:To study the coronal bone structure matching of distal radius in normal population and some patients with postoperative distal radius fracture, and to explore the clinical significance of coronal bone structure reduction of distal radius fracture.Methods:CT scans of 80 asymptomatic wrists were performed. Mimics 20.0 and 3-Matic research software were used to measure the matching data of coronal bone structure of the distal radius. Total of 44 patients with distal radius fractures treated with open reduction and volar plate fixation were collected. According to the data coronal bone structure of the distal radius, the matching group was in the normal range, and the mismatching group was less than the normal range. X-ray films were used to evaluate fracture healing, humeral height, ulnar angle and palm tilt angle at 3 months and 12 months after operation. The clinical indexes of wrist pain, wrist function, grip strength and activity were recorded in 2 groups. The DASH score was used for evaluation, and statistical comparisons was made between the two groups of related indicators.Results:The coronal bone structure matching value of the distal radius in 80 normal adults was 45.0%±16.2%. All the 44 patients with distal radius fracture were followed up for an average of 16 months. The postoperative wound healing was good, and the bone healing standard was reached 3 months after the operation. 3 months after surgery, radius height, ulnar deviation angle and palmar inclination angle of the mismatched group were all smaller than those of the matched group, but the differences had no statistical significance. The pronation angle in the mismatched group (68.82°±11.62°) was lower than that in the matched group (76.91°±9.14°), and the difference was statistically significant ( t=2.567, P=0.014). The DASH score in the mismatched group (15.53±2.36) was higher than that in the matched group (13.62±2.52), and the difference was statistically significant ( t=2.591, P=0.013). 12 months after surgery, the VAS score of the matched group (2.08±2.95) was less than that of the mismatched group (2.95±1.24), and the difference was statistically significant ( t=2.348, P=0.024). There was no significant difference in wrist range of motion, grip strength and DASH score between the two groups. Conclusion:The coronal bone structure matching of distal radius is about 45.0% in normal population. Early wrist dysfunction, limited pronation, and wrist pain may occur when the postoperative matching degree of the distal radius fracture is not within the normal range.