Dislocations of the interphalangeal joint of the great toe that are irreducible are very rare. Invagination of the plantar plate or the sesamoid bone into the IP joint, which prevents reduction. To our knowledge, however, dislocations of the IP joint of the great toe that were irreducible because of lateral collateral ligament entrapment, not invagination of the plantar plate or the sesamoid bone, have not been reported by any English literature. We report a 29-year-old ballet dancer who sustained an irreducible dislocation of the interphalangeal joint of the great toe owing to lateral collateral ligament entrapment.
Adult ; Collateral Ligaments ; Dislocations ; Humans ; Joints ; Sesamoid Bones ; Toes

PURPOSE: To report the clinical results of the vascularized fibular graft in the treatment of intractable infected nonunion of femur. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed 3 patients who were performed vascularized fibular graft in treated for intractable infected nonunion of femur. They had received an average of 5.6 times(4~8 times) surgical treatment at different hospitals. 1 case was of a infected nonunion in a fracture treated with internal fixation, the fracture having occurred after resection of a malignant tumor and transplantation of pasteurized autologous bone. 2 cases occurred after internal fixation in closed fractures. Surgical treatment was performed an average of 4 times(3~5 times) at our hospital and in all of the cases debridement of necrotic tissue and sequestrectomy. And vascularized fibular graft was performed. In all cases unilateral external fixation devices were used, of these, 1 case was changed into internal fixation. The final conclusion was made by assessment of functional outcomes and complications according to the standards of Paley. RESULTS: As a result, in all of the cases bone union was achieved, and in the last follow up the functional results were excellent in 2 cases and good in 1 case. There were not presented leg length discrepancy of more than 2 cm, and further loss of knee joint motion. After previous treatment, average 23.3 months(16~30 months) was taken to eliminate infection and achieve complete bone union via vascularized fibular graft in our hospital. CONCLUSION: In treatment of intractable infected nonunion of femur, fairly good results can be expected after firm fixation, through debridement and vascularized fibular graft.
Debridement ; External Fixators ; Femur* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fractures, Closed ; Humans ; Knee Joint ; Leg ; Transplants*

Total extrusion of the talus is a very rare injury. If the talus is found in a short time, it can be restored to its original position. If the talus is missing or found too late, however, surgeons may attempt tibiocalcaneal arthrodesis or use a pseudoarthrosis without repositioning the talus. As direct tibiocalcaneal arthrodesis may shorten the lower extremity, tibiocalcaneal arthrodesis using a sandwich block can be performed. We performed tibiocalcaneonavicular arthrodesis using a sandwich block to treat a patient with open talus extrusion caused by a motorcycle accident and obtained good clinical results.
Arthrodesis ; Humans ; Lower Extremity ; Motorcycles ; Pseudarthrosis ; Talus

STUDY DESIGN: Prospective study of 87 patients OBJECTIVES: To identify the natural course of the prevertebral soft tissue swelling after a one- or two-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) and to help prevent potentially lethal airway complications after an ACDF. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: Airway complication after anterior cervical surgery is rare but potentially lethal. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty-seven patients who underwent a one- or two-level ACDF with a plate and screws were examined. Cervical spine lateral radiography was taken preoperatively, on the immediate postoperative day, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th day after surgery. Prevertebral soft tissue was measured from C2 to C6 on the cervical spine lateral radiography. RESULTS: Prevertebral soft tissue swelling occurred postoperatively and increased markedly on the second day after surgery. The peak prevertebral soft tissue swelling was observed on the second and third day after surgery. The prevertebral soft tissue swelling was decreased gradually from the 4th day after surgery. Prominent swelling of the prevertebral soft tissue was found at the 2nd, 3rd and 4th cervical spine. There were no significant differences in the prevertebral soft tissue swelling between the one-level and two-level ACDF group. Only one patient required reintubation (1.1%) CONCLUSIONS: The peak prevertebral soft tissue swelling was observed on the second and third day after surgery. Therefore, maintaining intubation for 3 or 4 days after surgery would be helpful in high-risk patients.
Diskectomy* ; Humans ; Intubation ; Prospective Studies ; Radiography ; Spine

PURPOSE: To analyze the clinical results and functional assessments after debridement arthroplasty for a stiff elbow. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 30 elbows from 30 patients, who underwent debridement arthroplasty for a stiff elbow caused by primary osteoarthritis and secondary causes such as post-traumatic osteoarthritis and synovial chondromatosis from December 1995 to April 2003, were analyzed. The mean follow-up period was 52 months (range: 24 months-8 years 5 months). Among the stiff elbows, primary osteoarthritis was the cause in 11 cases, secondary osteoarthritis due to an old trauma was the cause in 18 cases, and synovial chondromatosis was the cause in 1 case. There were 20 males and 10 females with a mean age of 36 years (range: 14-61 years) at operation. They all had pain during elbow motion. Debridement arthroplasty was performed using the posterior approach. The clinical results were evaluated according to differences in the preoperative and postoperative ROM of the elbow and Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS). RESULTS: Postoperatively, the elbow ROM improved to an average 122 degrees(range: 90-130 degrees) in flexion, 11 degrees(range: 0-30 degrees) in extension, 68 degrees(range: 20-90 degrees) in internal rotation and 74 degrees(range: 20-90 degrees) in external rotation. The improvement in flexion and extension was statistically significant (p<0.05). On the final follow-up, only moderate pain was reported in one case and none or mild pain was reported in 29 cases. MEPS improved from an average of 57.3 points (range: 33-75) to 88.9 points (range: 67-100). And there were 17 excellent cases (56.7%), 10 good cases (33.3%), 3 fair cases (10%) and no poor case. CONCLUSION: The stiff elbows were successfully treated with debridement arthroplasty. Therefore, debridement arthroplasty can preserve a good clinical outcomes using skillful surgical procedures and postoperative rehabilitation.
Arthroplasty* ; Chondromatosis, Synovial ; Debridement* ; Elbow* ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Osteoarthritis ; Rehabilitation

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical and radiologic results of open arthrodesis with using variable pitch tapered screws (Acutrak(R) screw) for treating ankle arthritis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The subjects were 14 patients with 16 cases of performing ankle arthrodesis with using variable pitch tapered screws. Clinical evaluation was performed with using the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society ankle-hindfoot functional scale and the visual analogue scale pain score, and we assessed the postoperative complications and the patient's satisfaction. Radiological evaluation was performed by the assessing the time to union, the position of union, and the degenerative changes of the adjacent joints of the foot. RESULTS: The average follow-up period was 15 months. The ankle-hindfoot functional scale was improved from an average of 38.9 points (range: 27-57 points) preoperatively to an average of 77.3 points (range: 66-89 points) at the last follow up. The visual analogue scale pain score was decreased from an average of 7.9 (range: 3-10) to 2.9 (range: 0-5), and 13 cases (81%) were satisfied with the outcome of surgery. For all the cases, radiological union was obtained at an average of 11.2 weeks (range: 6-16 weeks). CONCLUSION: We performed arthrodesis with using variable pitch tapered screws for treating ankle arthritis, and satisfactory short term results were obtained both clinically and radiologically.
Animals ; Ankle ; Ankle Joint ; Arthritis ; Arthrodesis ; Follow-Up Studies ; Foot ; Humans ; Joints ; Postoperative Complications

PURPOSE: To analyze the treatment of clinical results of the percutaneous Kirschner wire fixation of acute mallet fractures percutaneousely reduced by towel clip. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From August 2005 to April 2009, we evaluated nine fingers in eight patients, more than three months follow up. The type of injury was a axial loading in seven cases and direct blow in two. The average follow-up period was 10.1 months (range: 3~41 months). The indication of operative treatment was the presence of large bony fragment or the palmar subluxation of the distal phalnx. RESULTS: The range of motion was 3.7degrees (0~10degrees) in extension lag and 76.7degrees (60~90degrees) of flexion of the distal interphalangeal joint. CONCLUSION: The percutaneous Kirschner wire fixation of acute mallet fractures percutaneousely reduced by towel clip is one of the easy and simple method to stabilizing of bony mallet fracture.
Fingers ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Joints ; Range of Motion, Articular

Finger gangrene due to arterial occulussive disease is a rare condition in the upper extremity. Moreover, finger gangrene occurring in patients undergoing hemodialysis due to end-stage renal disease has been reported very rarely. We present a case of bilateral ring finger necrosis undergoing hemodialysis due to an end-stage renal disease.
Fingers ; Gangrene ; Humans ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; Necrosis ; Renal Dialysis ; Upper Extremity

PURPOSE: To analyze the clinical and radiologic results of the shoulder arthrodesis in brachial plexus injury patients with flail upper extremity. MATERIAL AND METHOD: From Aug 1978 to April 2008, 29 shoulders in 29 patients with brachial plexus injury with shoulder fusion, we evaluated 20 shoulders in 20 patients, more than 1 year follow up. The average follow-up period was 6.45years (range: 1year~24years). There were 13 men and 7 women, and the mean age at the time of trauma was 32.0years(2~65 years). The type of injury was a motorcycle accident in 11 patients, in car accident in 5, pedestrian accident in 3, and fall from a height in 1. The lesion of injury was root and trunk in 1 patient, trunk and cord in 1, trunk in 18. Surgery was performed on the whole arm type paralysis in 12 patients, lower arm type paralysis in 8 patients. The preoperative visual analog scale score was 8.7(7~10). When the trapezius and serratus anterior muscle were in function, operation was performed. 18 patients were processed to the additional operation. Gracilis free flap in 6 patients, neurotization in 3, Steindler flexor plasty in 6, and tendon transfer in 3 were performed. Fixation was conducted with cancellous screws in 13 patients, Knoles pins in 5, and cancellous screws and Knoles pins in 2. The position of the arthrodesis at operation was 28.5degrees(20~45degrees) in abduction, 30.3degrees(20~45degrees) in flexion, and 30.8degrees(20~40degrees) in internal rotation. RESULT: The follow up visual analog scale score was 3.4(0~7). Postoperatively, shoulder spica cast was applied for 15.3weeks(8-20weeks). The median time to bony union was 17.7weeks(9~28weeks). Average range of motion was 32.0degrees(15~40degrees) of abduction, 24.0degrees(10~40degrees) of flexion, and 18.5degrees(10~30degrees)of internal rotation. CONCLUSION: The shoulder fusion in brachial plexus injury patients is one of the good methods to relieve pain, improve the function and stabilize the flail shoulder joint.
Arm ; Arthrodesis ; Brachial Plexus ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Free Tissue Flaps ; Humans ; Male ; Motorcycles ; Muscles ; Nerve Transfer ; Paralysis ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Shoulder ; Shoulder Joint ; Tendon Transfer

Purpose: This study was based on the Korean Foot and Ankle Society (KFAS) member survey and aimed to report the current trends in the management of syndesmotic injuries over the last few decades. Materials and Methods: A web-based questionnaire containing 36 questions was sent to all KFAS members in September 2021. The questions were mainly related to the preferred techniques and clinical experiences in the treatment of patients with syndesmotic injuries. Answers with a prevalence ≥50% of respondents were considered a tendency. Results: Seventy-six (13.8%) of the 550 members responded to the survey. The results showed that the most preferred method to diagnose a syndesmotic injury was magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Intraoperatively, the external rotation stress test and the Cotton test were most frequently used to confirm syndesmotic diastasis. The reduction was usually done by a reduction clamp. One 3.5-mm screw was used most frequently over three cortices at 2~4 cm above the ankle joint. The preferred ankle position during fixation was 0° dorsiflexion. Removal of the syndesmotic screw was routinely done by most surgeons, mainly because of the limitation of movement and risk of screw breakage. Factors that affect suture button selection included non-rigid fixation which enables adequate fixation, early weight-bearing, and an infrequent need to remove the hardware. Inadequate reduction was considered the main factor that affects poor prognosis. Conclusion This study proposes updated information about the current trends in the management of syndesmotic injuries in Korea. Consensuses in both the diagnostic and therapeutic approach to patients with syndesmotic injury were identified in this survey study. This study may raise the awareness of the various possible approaches toward the injury and should be used to further establish a standard protocol for the management of syndesmotic injuries.