Major technologic advances in fiberoptic light transmission, video cameras, and instrumentation have allowed great advances in small-joint arthroscopy. Arthroscopy in particular is now well established procedure for accurate diagnosis and operative management of certain ankle disorders. The small size of the ankle and significant periarticular soft tissue structures make placement and advancement of the arthroscope and instrumentation more difficult than in larger joints. Successful arthroscopy of the ankle requires knowledge of the regional anatomy and a familiarity with the available arthroscopic portals. This review article is going to describe the gross and arthroscopic anatomy of the ankle as it relates to current arthroscopic techniques. Particular emphasis is placed on the anatomic relations of the important osseous and soft tissue structures for a safe, reproducible approach to arthroscopic treatment of ankle pathology. Also, current arthroscopic equipment and instruments are included.
Anatomy, Regional ; Animals ; Ankle ; Arthroscopes ; Arthroscopy ; Joints ; Light ; Recognition (Psychology)

PURPOSE: We evaluated the results of arthroscopic intra-articular reduction and internal fixation of tibial plateau fractures without cortical window along with any additional bone grafts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From March 2006 to March 2009, twelve patients with arthroscopic intra-articular reduction and internal fixation of tibial plateau fractures over 5 mm in depression and displacement on the articular surface in computed tomography (CT) were enrolled in this study. We reduced or removed the depressed fracture fragment using freer without making a cortical window. Then, we accomplished internal fixation by a cannulated screw. All cases have not received bone graft. Both the postoperative clinical and radiological results were evaluated by the Rasmussen system. RESULTS: The fractures were healed completely in an average of 9 (range from 7 to 12) weeks. According to Rasmussen classification, we obtained satisfactory clinical results as excellent in 8 cases, good in 3 cases, and fair in 1 case; and radiological results were excellent in 7 cases and good in 5 cases. CONCLUSION: We consider that arthroscopic intra-articular reduction and internal fixation of tibial plateau fractures without cortical window and any additional bone grafts is are a useful methods for attaining satisfactory results.
Arthroscopy ; Depression ; Displacement (Psychology) ; Humans ; Knee Joint ; Tibia ; Tibial Fractures ; Transplants

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of the arthroscopic exploration combined with modified Brostrom operation (MBO) for the treatment of chronic lateral ankle instability (CAI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty patients who diagnosed a CAI were performed MBO. We divided to 2 groups, whether simultaneously inspected by arthroscopy (group B) or not (group A). The both group's results were compared according to American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society Ankle-hindfoot score (AOFAS), functional ankle score and visual analog scale (VAS) at preoperative and final follow-up period. RESULTS: There were no significant differences of AOFAS, functional ankle score and VAS between both groups at final follow-up. However, in group A, 2 cases associated with medial ankle instability and syndesmotic injuries were did not diagnosed preoperatively, showed poor prognosis. In group B, one case had a permanent peroneal nerve symptom. The match rate of intra-articular lesions between preoperative diagnosis and postoperative arthroscopic diagnosis was 30% in group B. CONCLUSION: Combination of arthroscopic exploration and MBO is effective strategy for intra-operatively discrimination of intra-articular associated lesions for CAI.
Animals ; Ankle ; Ankle Joint ; Arthroscopy ; Discrimination (Psychology) ; Follow-Up Studies ; Foot ; Humans ; Orthopedics ; Peroneal Nerve ; Prognosis

PURPOSE: We wanted to evaluate the status and changes of the reconstructed anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) graft by performing second-look arthroscopy after arthroscopic reconstruction of the ACL with a hamstring autograft or a tibialis allograft. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From June 2003 to February 2007, second look arthroscopy was performed on 58 cases and a hamstring autograft was used in 36 cases and a tibialis allograft was used in 22 cases. Second-look arthroscopy was conducted at an average of 19.1 (12~42) months after reconstruction. We measured the graft tension using displacement by probing and the synovial coverage by visual analysis at the time of second-look arthroscopy. The Lysholm score, the Lachman test and a KT-2000 arthrometer were used to evaluate the status of the reconstructed ACL. RESULTS: The hamstring tendon autograft group showed normal tension in 25 cases, lax tension in 7 cases and partial tear in 4 cases. The tibialis anterior allograft group showed normal tension in 12 cases, lax tension in 5 cases and partial tear in 5 cases. In the hamstring tendon autograft group, the synovial coverage was good in 23 cases, there was half coverage in 8 cases and it was pale in 5 cases. In the tibialis anterior allograft group, the synovial coverage was good in 10 cases, there was half in 7 cases and it was pale in 5 cases. There were no significant differences between the two groups on the clinical examination, but on second look arthroscopy, the synovial coverage was better in the hamstring tendon autograft group than that for the tibialis anterior allograft group. CONCLUSION: The hamstring autograft group had superior synovial coverage compared to that of the other group on second look arthroscopy. But there were no significant difference of the clinical outcomes between the groups.
Anterior Cruciate Ligament ; Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction ; Arthroscopy ; Displacement (Psychology) ; Tendons ; Transplantation, Homologous ; Transplants

Osteochondral lesions of the talus are isolated cartilage and/or bone lesions that are known cause of chronic ankle pain. They can occur as the result of a single acute ankle injury or from repetitive loading of the talus. Technical development in radiologic imaging and ankle arthroscopy have improved diagnostic capabilities for detecting osteochondral lesions. Characteristics which are important in assessing an osteochondral lesions include: the size, the type (chondral, subchondral, cystic), the stability, the displacement, the location, and the containment of lesion. Nonoperative treatment involving period of casting and non-weight-bearing is recommended for acute, non-displaced osteochondral lesions in select pediatric and adolescent patients. Operative treatment is recommended for unstable lesions or failed conservative management. Marrow stimulation techniques (abrasion chondroplasty, multiple drilling, microfracture), osteochondral autograft or allograft, autologous chondrocyte implantation, are frequently employed. The purpose of this article is to review the historical background, etiology, classification systems, diagnostic strategies, and to describe a systematic approach to management of osteochondral lesions of the talus.
Adolescent ; Animals ; Ankle ; Ankle Injuries ; Arthroscopy ; Bone Marrow ; Cartilage ; Chondrocytes ; Containment of Biohazards ; Displacement (Psychology) ; Humans ; Mandrillus ; Talus ; Transplantation, Homologous

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the Immobilization Comfort Questionnaire (ICQ). METHODS: The sample used in this methodological study consisted of 121 patients undergoing lower extremity arthroscopy in a training and research hospital. The validity study of the questionnaire assessed language validity, structural validity and criterion validity. Structural validity was evaluated via exploratory factor analysis. Criterion validity was evaluated by assessing the correlation between the visual analog scale (VAS) scores (i.e., the comfort and pain VAS scores) and the ICQ scores using Spearman's correlation test. The Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin coefficient and Bartlett's test of sphericity were used to determine the suitability of the data for factor analysis. Internal consistency was evaluated to determine reliability. The data were analyzed with SPSS version 15.00 for Windows. Descriptive statistics were presented as frequencies, percentages, means and standard deviations. A p value < or =.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: A moderate positive correlation was found between the ICQ scores and the VAS comfort scores; a moderate negative correlation was found between the ICQ and the VAS pain measures in the criterion validity analysis. Cronbach alpha values of .75 and .82 were found for the first and second measurements, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study reveal that the ICQ is a valid and reliable tool for assessing the comfort of patients in Turkey who are immobilized because of lower extremity orthopedic problems.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; *Arthroscopy ; Female ; Humans ; Lower Extremity/*surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pain Measurement/*methods ; Quality of Life/*psychology ; Reproducibility of Results ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Translations ; Turkey ; Young Adult

BACKGROUND: To specify what patients want and worry preoperatively is important in orthopedic practice. The aim of the current study was to analyze the patient characteristics of rotator cuff disease in Korean population who were willing to undergo arthroscopic surgery, and to evaluate the differences in expectations and concerns by age and gender. METHODS: We prospectively enrolled 303 patients who underwent rotator cuff surgery between April 2004 and August 2008. Three questionnaires were completed before surgery: the first one addressing preoperative patient's expectation, the second one focusing on concerns by covering 64 items using a visual analogue scale, and the third one evaluating patient's demographic characteristics. The characteristics of preoperative expectation, concern, and demographic data were evaluated according to gender and age group. RESULTS: Female patients had lower level of sports activity (p = 0.007) and lower levels of information (p = 0.028). Gender specific worries are about a caregiver during hospital stay, operating on the working side, fear about ugly scars, postoperative pain, applying makeup or combing hair. The older group responded that they can't be willing to change activities of daily living (p = 0.001), are not living with a spouse (p = 0.002), had previous shoulder operation history (p = 0.008), and had a lower level of information (p = 0.007). They especially worried about medical bills, worried about the physician being too young and inexperienced, postoperative pain, loss of arm function, and hospital food. CONCLUSIONS: Our data showed what Korean patients wanted and were concerned about prior to rotator cuff surgery. This can empower patients to formulate realistic expectations and make informed decisions. We feel that we can achieve higher levels of postoperative satisfaction by analyzing expectations and concerns in depth and addressing these proactively.
Activities of Daily Living/psychology ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Arthroscopy/*psychology ; Female ; Humans ; Joint Diseases/surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; *Patient Satisfaction ; Perioperative Period/*psychology ; Prospective Studies ; Questionnaires ; Republic of Korea ; Rotator Cuff/*surgery ; Shoulder/surgery ; Shoulder Pain/etiology/psychology ; Stress, Psychological/etiology/psychology