Objective:To study the performance of the elastic fixation with our self-designed Tightrope system for inferior tibiofibular syndesmosis (ITFS) diastasis.Methods:In this self-control study, 6 specimens of normal cadaveric ankle were used as a normal ITFS group while the models of the ITFS diastasis were constructed as a group of ITFS diastasis. On the models of ITFS diastasis, elastic fixation with transverse Tightrope system (transverse fixation group) or binding Tightrope system (binding fixation group) was applied. The reduction and stability of ITFS were compared between transverse fixation and binding fixation for ITFS diastasis in terms of ITFS parameters on X-Ray[tibiofibular clear space (TFCS) and medial clear space (MCS)] and on CT[inferior tibiofibular anterior clear space (ITFACS), inferior tibiofibular middle clear space (ITFMCS), inferior tibiofibular posterior clear space (ITFPCS), anterior inferior tibiofibular interval (AITFI) and fibular rotation (θfib)].Results:The transverse fixation with Tightrope system for ITFS diastasis on the models led to iatrogenic injury to the fibular and the ITFS interosseous ligaments and to the perforating peroneal artery, and malreduction as well while the binding fixation with Tightrope system caused no injury to the anterior or the posterior ITFS ligament or the superior peroneal retinaculum but fine reduction as well. In comparisons of TFCS, ankle MCS, ITFACS, ITFMCS and AITFI between the 4 groups, normal ITFS group

Objective:To investigate the risk factors of achilles tendon rupture in male patients and to verify them.Methods:Retrospective analysis was made on the medical records of male inpatients with achilles tendon rupture (242 cases in achilles tendon rupture group) and simple ankle joint injury (825 cases in control group) admitted to Qilu Hospital of Shandong University from May 2013 to June 2020. The tendency score matching method was used to balance the confounding factors at a ratio of 1∶1. After matching, 147 cases were in achilles tendon rupture group and 147 cases in control group. The baseline data and related indicators were compared before and after matching, and the risk factors of achilles tendon rupture were analyzed by constructing a multivariate logistic regression model.Results:The age, smoking rate, drinking rate, family history of hypertension and diabetes, previous history of hypertension, diabetes and coronary heart disease, and BMI of the achilles tendon rupture group before matching were significantly lower than those of the control group (all P<0.05). After matching, there was no significant difference in age, smoking proportion, drinking proportion, family history of hypertension, diabetes and coronary heart disease, previous history of hypertension, diabetes and coronary heart disease, and BMI between the two groups (all P>0.05). After matching, the levels of fasting uric acid (UA), cholesterol (TG) and triglyceride (TC) in achilles tendon rupture group were significantly higher than those in control group, and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). Multivariate binary logistic regression analysis showed UA ( OR=1.006, 95% CI: 1.003-1.010, P<0.001), TC ( OR=2.462, 95% CI: 1.194-5.076, P=0.015) was an independent risk factor for achilles tendon rupture in male. Conclusions:Dyslipidemia and UA may be an independent risk factor for achilles tendon rupture in male.

Objective:To compare minimally invasive percutaneous plate osteosynthesis (MIPPO) and open reduction and internal fixation via traditional lateral L-type approach (ORIF-LA) in the therapeutic effects concerning reduction and calcaneal alignment for Sanders Ⅲ/Ⅳ calcaneal fractures.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted of the 105 patients with calcaneal fracture who had been treated at Department of Foot and Ankle Surgery, Qilu Hospital from 2014.1 to 2018.2. Of them, 50 were treated with MIPPO (group A) and the other 55 with ORIF-LA (group B). The X-ray lateral and axial films, three-dimensional computed tomography (CT) of the calcaneal were taken pre-operatively and post-operatively to evaluate the reduction and calcaneal alignment. The American Orthopedic Foot Ankle (AOFAS) Ankle-Hind Foot Scale and Foot Function Index-Verbal Rating Scales (FFI-5pt) were adopted to assess the therapeutic effects. The postoperative complications of the two groups were compared.Results:All patients were followed up for 20-36 months (mean 24 months). The length of hospital stay and incision in group A was shorter than that in group B ( t=-11.276, -25.965, P<0.001). In group A and group B, the correction degrees of B?hler angle and Gissane angle were (34.49±3.81)°, (35.12±3.77)° and (-20.62±9.86)°, (-20.94±8.38)°, respectively ( P>0.05). Posterior calcaneal articular surface defects or steps in group A and group B were 1.55(1.12, 2.00)mm and 1.20(1.03, 1.60)mm, indicating that there was no significant difference in the reconstruction ability between the two groups ( P>0.05). There was no significant difference in VAS pain score between the two groups at 3 months after operation ( P>0.05), but group A was significantly lower than group B at 3 days after operation ( P<0.001). There was no significant difference in AOFAS and FFI-5pt scores between the two groups at 18 months after operation ( P>0.05). The complications of group A (6.0% incision infection, 2.0% incision area sensory disturbance, 2.0% foot stiffness) were lower than those of group B (16.36% incision infection, 14.55% incision area sensory disturbance, 10.9% foot stiffness) ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Compared with ORIF-LA, the MIPPO shows promising results in terms of reduction capacity and safety. Use of the MIPPO technique minimized the risk of postoperative wound complications and achieved superior functional outcomes compared with standard locking plate fixation via the extended lateral approach. MIPPO can be used as a choice for the treatment of calcaneal fracture.