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.

OBJECTIVETo design a kind of internal fixation device to treat the syndesmosis injury.

METHODSThe elastic syndesmosis hook plate is made of medical stainless steel alloy, which is consisted of locking or common screw fixing hole of the tibial side for the head, tridentate fork like arc anatomical fibula side plate for the tail and serpentine elastic connecting body. By reduction of the joint of the lower tibia and fibula, the steel plate tail is fixed at the side of the fibula and the head is fixed at the side of the tibia for fixing the symphysis.

RESULTSThe design of elastic syndesmosis hook plate is reasonable, and the operation is convenient. There is no need to penetrate the substantia ossea and the plate has elastic micro-movement feature, the problem of internal fixation breakage and loosening is avoid in huge degree, so it is safe and reliable.

CONCLUSIONThe elastic syndesmosis hook plate is a new type medical apparatus of internal fixation of the symphysis, which is worthy of clinical popularization and application.

Ankle Injuries ; Bone Plates ; Bone Screws ; Fibula ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; instrumentation ; Humans ; Stainless Steel ; Tibia

A new injury pattern of comminuted fractures of ipsilateral radial head and distal radius of forearm in an adult was described. To the best of our knowledge, this type of injury pattern had not been previously reported in the English literature. The possible mechanisms of injury were that the rebound forces were volar to the distal radius as the fracture was dorsally angulated, with a continuation of the radial head fracture due to the longitudinal impaction of the radius against the capitellum. Open reduction and internal fixation can obtain excellent results within 7-12 days after injury. We hope that our experience will increase the awareness of the occurrence of a double injury of the forearm.
Adult ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; methods ; Fractures, Comminuted ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Radius Fractures ; surgery

A new production method of spraying dextran-based polyurethane external splints is introduced in this paper. The main raw material components are polymethylene polyisocyanate (PAPI), mixed with surfactants, acetone, soluble starch, catalyst, and so on. The splint is used for temporary fixing after fracture, with small size, light weight, easy portability, fine air perviousness, completely transparent to the X-ray. It also needs a shorter fixed operating time. It can not only fix quickly and effectively the vertebral column and limbs, but also significantly shorten the time of pre-hospital care.
Dextrans ; Equipment Design ; External Fixators ; First Aid ; instrumentation ; Fracture Fixation ; instrumentation ; Fractures, Bone ; surgery ; Polyurethanes ; Splints