Research based learning (RBL) is a brand new teaching mode implicated by Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine specifically designed for clinical undergraduates.The nature of RBL is about exploring unknown knowledge and designing and executing comprehensive experiments.RBL aims at creating an open,active student participation,and close student-mentor interaction teaching mode.IBL includes literature study,research aim selection,experiment design and implementation,statistical analysis,results and conclusions,final report writing and defense of the report.Our experience indicates that RBL can substantially improve students' scientific logic and critical thinking and experimental skills,and develop the spirit of a team-player.This scientific training enables students to receive more comprehensive scientific training,facilitate their subsequent clinical research and practice,and assist them to participate in more international scientific exchanges.We propose that the RBL mode should be adopted for clinical student education in other universities.

Objective:To compare our self-designed elastic syndesmosis hook plate (ESHP) and suture-button technique in treatment of injury to the distal tibiofibular syndesmosis.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted of the 53 patients who had been treated at Military Orthopaedic Center, 909 Hospital of Joint Service Support Force of PLA for ankle fractures complicated with syndesmosis injury by ESHP or suture-button technique from March 2013 to March 2017. Of them, 28 were treated by ESHP (ESHP group: 15 males and 13 females aged from 26 to 60 years) and 25 by suture-button technique (suture-button group: 14 males and 11 females aged from 24 to 59 years). The 2 groups were compared in terms of syndesmosis fixation time, postoperative incision bleeding, hospital stay, and ankle dorsiflexion and plantarflexion and ankle function by Baird-Jackson scoring at 3, 6, 12 months after surgery. Postoperative complications were observed.Results:The 2 groups were comparable because there was no statistically significant deference in general data between the 2 groups ( P>0.05). Surgery went on uneventfully in all the patients. The syndesmosis fixation time [(9.7±2.2) min] and postoperative incision bleeding [(49.3±10.4) mL] in the ESHP group were significantly less than in the suture-button group [(16.2±1.4) min and (62.4±6.3) mL] ( P<0.05); the maximum plantar flexion (29.9°±1.3°) and Baird-Jackson scores (87.2±2.9) at 3 months after surgery in the ESHP group were significantly greater than in the suture-button group (22.8°±1.3° and 78.7±4.1) ( P<0.05). There were no significant differences between the 2 groups in hospital stay, maximum plantar flexion at postoperative 6 or 12 months, maximum dorsiflexion at postoperative 3, 6 or 12 months, or Baird-Jackson scores at postoperative 6 or 12 months (all P>0.05). This cohort was followed up for 12 to 14 months (average, 12.5 months). All fractures united during follow-up and all the implants were removed around postoperative 12 months. Follow-up within 12 months observed internal fixation failure caused by metal fatigue in one case in the ESHP group, and internal fixation irritation in one case, internal fixation failure in 2 cases and internal fixation sinking and osteolysis in one case in the suture-button group. Conclusion:Compared with the suture-button technique, treatment of injury to the distal tibiofibular syndesmosis with ESHP may lead to shorter fixation time, less postoperative bleeding and complications, and faster functional recovery of the ankle.

Objective:To observe the clinical effect of retrograde distal tibial intramedullary nail fixation in the treatment of proximal ankle fracture of the distal tibia.Methods:A three-dimensional CT examination of 40 adult tibias was performed to measure anatomical indicators such as the posterior medial posterior torsion angle of the distal tibia, the height of torsion, and the height of the safety zone for nail placement. Based on the anatomy database of the human skeleton model, a retrograde distal tibial nail and its supporting instruments were developed in accordance with the anatomical characteristics of the distal tibia and the proximal ankle of Chinese people. From June 2019 to June 2023, a total of 25 patients with distal tibial proximal ankle fractures treated with retrograde intramedullary nail internal fixation in the 909th Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. There were 18 males and 7 females, aged 41.3±10.8 years (range, 22-65 years). The sample size was 1∶1 matched according to gender and age. Twenty-five patients with distal tibial proximal ankle fractures who underwent antegrade intramedullary nail fixation during the same period were matched, including 20 males and 5 females, aged 41.2±9.4 years (range 19-60 years). The reduction quality, postoperative Baird-Jackson score, American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle and hindfoot score, ankle range of motion and complications were observed.Results:All patients were successfully operated and followed up for 14.4±3.5 months (range, 12-24 months). The intraoperative blood loss and hospitalization time in retrograde intramedullary nail group were 33.12±7.38 ml and 10.32±1.75 d, less than 49.04±10.22 ml and 13.16±2.69 d in antegrade intramedullary nail group, and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05). The reduction quality was excellent in 23 cases and good in 2 cases in the retrograde intramedullary nail group, and was excellent in 17 cases and good in 8 cases in the anterograde intramedullary nail group. The proportion of excellent reduction quality in the retrograde intramedullary nail group was higher than that in the anterograde intramedullary nail group, and the difference was statistically significant (χ 2=4.500, P=0.034). The Baird-Jackson score and AOFAS ankle and hindfoot score in the retrograde intramedullary nail group were 85.6±2.5 and 85.8±3.3 at 3 months after operation, lower than those at 1 year after operation 95.3±3.1 and 95.8±3.6, and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05). The Baird-Jackson score and AOFAS ankle and hindfoot score of the antegrade intramedullary nail group were 85.1±3.3 and 86.1±2.5 at 3 months after operation, lower than 95.2±2.7 and 94.9±3.5 at 1 year after operation, and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference in Baird-Jackson score and AOFAS ankle and hindfoot score between the two groups at 3 months and 1 year after operation ( P>0.05). At the last follow-up, there was no ankle stiffness, neurovascular injury, deep vein thrombosis, infection or breakage of internal fixation in the two groups. Conclusion:The treatment of distal tibial proximal ankle fractures with retrograde intramedullary nail fixation has satisfactory reduction quality, good postoperative function recovery, and is helpful for early postoperative rehabilitation.

Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy of distal tibiofibular screw fixation combined with ligament repair for the treatment of ankle fracture accompanied with distal tibiofibular syndesmosis injuries.Methods:A retrospective cohort analysis was made on clinical data of 72 patients with ankle fracture accompanied with distal tibiofibular syndesmosis injuries admitted to 909th Hospital of Joint Service Support Force of PLA from September 2017 to September 2020, including 38 males and 34 females, aged 19-65 years [(42.5±12.2)years]. The fracture was type B in 30 patients, type C 1 in 29 and type C2 in 13 according to Danis-Weber classification. A total of 36 patients were treated by distal tibiofibular screw fixation combined with ligament repair (fixation+repair group) and 24 patients by distal tibiofibular screw fixation (fixation group). Operation time, intraoperative blood loss and hospital stay were recorded. Visual analogue scale (VAS), American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle hindfoot score and ankle range of motion (ROM) were determined at 1, 3 months postoperatively and at the final follow-up. Complications were documented. Results:All patients were followed up for 12-22 months [(15.9±2.2)months]. There were no significant differences in operation time, intraoperative blood loss and hospital stay between the two groups (all P>0.05). VAS in fixation+repair group was (3.1±1.0)points and (2.1±0.6)points at 1, 3 months postoperatively, significantly lower than (3.9±0.8)points and (2.6±0.8)points in fixation group (all P<0.05), but the score showed no significant difference between the two groups at the final follow-up ( P>0.05). AOFAS score in fixation+repair group was (64.7±4.0)points, (73.2±3.4)points and (87.2±3.4)points at 1, 3 months postoperatively and at the final follow-up, significantly higher than (60.1±4.9)points, (70.2±1.9)points and (84.1±2.6)points in fixation group (all P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the ROM between the two groups at 1 month postoperatively ( P>0.05), but the ROM at 3 months postoperatively and at the final follow-up in fixation+repair group [(44.4±2.9)° and (52.3±2.5)°, respectively] was significantly higher than that in fixation group [(41.4±2.7)° and (50.1±2.7)°, respectively] (all P<0.05). There was 1 patient with internal fixation loosening in fixation+repair group, with the incidence of complications of 3% (1/36). While the incidence of complications was significantly lhigher in fixation group [17%(6/36)], including 2 patients with re-separation of distal tibiofibular syndesmosis, 2 with internal fixation loosening and 2 with internal fixation breakage ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Compared with distal tibiofibular screw fixation, distal tibiofibular screw fixation combined with ligament repair for the treatment of ankle fracture accompanied with distal tibiofibular syndesmosis injuries is effective to early relieve ankle pain, improve ankle function and ROM, and reduce occurrence of complications.