OBJECITVE: To investigate the effectiveness of three-dimensional (3D) printing-assisted vascularized fibular graft for repairing metatarsal defects. METHODS: Between November 2021 and February 2024, 11 patients with varying degrees of metatarsal defects caused by trauma were treated. There were 10 males and 1 female, aged 22-67 years, with a mean age of 51.2 years. The defect locations were as follows: the first metatarsal in 4 cases, the fifth metatarsal in 2 cases, the first and the second metatarsals in 1 case, the first to third metatarsals in 1 case, the third and the fourth metatarsals in 1 case, the third to fifth metatarsals in 1 case, and the first to fifth metatarsals in 1 case. The preoperative American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) score was 67.0 (48.5, 72.5). Based on 3D-printed bilateral feet models and mirrored healthy-side foot arch angles for preoperative planning and design, the vascularized fibular graft was performed to repair the metatarsal defects. At last follow-up, the medial and lateral longitudinal arches of bilateral feet were measured on weight-bearing X-ray films, and functional assessment was conducted using the AOFAS score. RESULTS: All operations were successfully completed, with an operation time ranging from 180 to 465 minutes (mean, 246.8 minutes). All incisions healed by first intention, with no occurrence of osteomyelitis. All patients were followed up 6-22 months (mean, 10 months). X-ray film reviews showed bone graft healing in all cases, with a healing time of 3-6 months (mean, 5 months). All patients underwent internal fixator removal at 6-12 months after operation. At last follow-up, no significant difference was observed in the medial and lateral longitudinal arches between the healthy and affected feet ( P>0.05). The AOFAS score of the affected foot was 78.0 (73.5, 84.0), showing a significant improvement compared to the preoperative score ( P<0.05). The effectiveness was rated as excellent in 1 case, good in 7 cases, fair in 2 cases, and poor in 1 case. Linear scarring remained at the donor site, with no functional impairment in adjacent joint movement. CONCLUSION 3D printing-assisted vascularized fibular graft for repairing metatarsal defects can effectively restore the physiological angle of the foot arch, facilitate the recovery of weight-bearing alignment, promote good bone healing, and yield satisfactory clinical outcomes.
Humans ; Printing, Three-Dimensional ; Middle Aged ; Male ; Fibula/blood supply* ; Female ; Metatarsal Bones/injuries* ; Adult ; Bone Transplantation/methods* ; Aged ; Plastic Surgery Procedures/methods* ; Young Adult ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVE: To investigate ideal screw implant angle in reconstruction of tibiofibular syndesmosis injury by using a biomechanical test. METHODS: A total of 24 ankle specimens from adult cadavers were used as the tibiofibular syndesmosis injury model. According to the angle of screw placement, the tibiofibular syndesmosis injury models were randomly divided into groups A (0°), B (10°-15°), C (20°-25°), and D (30°-35°), and the screws were placed at a level 2 cm proximal to the ankle joint. The displacement of fibula was measured by biomechanical testing machine at neutral, dorsiflexion (10°), plantar flexion (15°), varus (10°), and valgus (15°) positions, with axial load of 0-700 N (pressure separation test). The displacement of fibula was also measured at neutral position by applying 0-5 N·m torque load during internal and external rotation (torsional separation test). RESULTS: In the pressure separation test, group C exhibited the smallest displacement under different positions and load conditions. At neutral position, significant differences were observed ( P<0.05) between group A and group C under load of 300-700 N, as well as between group B and group C under all load conditions. At dorsiflexion position, significant differences were observed ( P<0.05) between group A and group C under load of 500-700 N, as well as between groups B, D and group C under all load conditions, and the displacements under all load conditions were significantly smaller in group A than in group B ( P<0.05). At plantar flexion position, significant differences were observed ( P<0.05) between group D and group C under all load conditions. At valgus position, significant differences were observed ( P<0.05) between group A and group C under load of 400-700 N, as well as between groups B, D and group C under all load conditions. In the torsional separation test, group C exhibited the smallest displacement and group B had the largest displacement under different load conditions. During internal rotation, significant differences were observed ( P<0.05) between group B and group C under all load conditions, as well as between group D and group C at load of 3-5 N·m. During external rotation, significant differences were observed between groups B, D and group C under all load conditions ( P<0.05). No significant difference was detected between groups at the remaining load conditions ( P>0.05). CONCLUSION The ideal screw implant angle in reconstruction of tibiofibular syndesmosis injury was 20°-25°, which has a small displacement of fibula.
Humans ; Bone Screws ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Fibula/injuries* ; Fracture Fixation, Internal/methods* ; Adult ; Ankle Joint/surgery* ; Ankle Injuries/surgery* ; Tibia/surgery* ; Male ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Weight-Bearing ; Female ; Cadaver ; Plastic Surgery Procedures/methods*

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical effect of arthroscopic excision of the os subfibulare in anterior-lateral ankle pain.

METHODSFrom December 2005 to Augest 2014, 16 patients suffering from pain associated with an os subfibulare in the anterior-lateral side of their ankles were reviewed. Among the patients,11 patients were male and 5 were female, with a mean age of (33.5 ± 15.6) years old. The mean maximum diameter of os subfibulare was (0.70 ± 0.26) cm. All the patients underwent excision of the osseous fragments, and had anatomic reconstruction of the anterior talofibular ligament if the anterior-lateral ankle was instable. The average follow-up period was (18.0 ± 4.5) months. To analyze the surgical outcome, American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot pain and function scales,visual analogue scale (VAS) and Tegner activity scale were assessed preoperatively and postoperatively.

RESULTSAOFAS scales were preoperative 60.15 ± 14.52 and postoperative 92.35 ± 5.73. There was a significant difference between them (t = -8.251, P = 0.000). The mean VAS score were preoperative 7.35 ± 0.46 and postoperative 2.45 ± 0.98. Statistical significance was also notable (t = 18.105, P = 0.000). Tegner score was significantly increased from preoperative 2.87 ± 1.12 to postoperative 5.78 ± 1.06 (t= -7.548, P = 0.000).

CONCLUSIONIrrespective of the size of os subfibulare, in patients with pain or instability associated with the os subfibulare, arthroscopic excision combined with reconstruction of ther anterior talofibular ligament or not was effective in restoring ankle function and eliminating pain.

Adult ; Ankle Injuries ; surgery ; Ankle Joint ; surgery ; Arthroscopy ; methods ; Female ; Fibula ; surgery ; Humans ; Lateral Ligament, Ankle ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVETo analyze the related factors of the infection after operation of open tibiofibula fractures.

METHODSThe clinical data of 141 patients with open tibiofibula fractures underwent surgical treatment from June 2009 to December 2012 were retrospectively analyzed. All the patients were male and aged from 18 to 61 years old with an average of 39.2 years; all the fractures were unilateral. According to Gustilo typing of fracure, 5 cases were type I, 44 cases were type II, 27 cases were type III a, 56 cases were type III b and 9 cases were type III c. These clinical data included patients' age, gender, body mass index (BMI), underlying diseases, time of operation, fracture site, fracture type, fixation method, postoperative drainage, debridement condition and so on. The postoperative infection conditions were recorded, and the correlation between above factors and infections were analyzed. Finally, the significant related variables were introduced into a Logistic regression model to evaluated their risk.

RESULTSAmong the 141 patients, 22 cases developed with infection (15.6%). The significant relative factors with infection contained fixation method, debridement condition, underlying diseases and postoperative drainage (P < 0.05). The correlativities were stepped up in order, their odds ratios value was 2.451, 3.164, 3.414, 5.117, respectively.

CONCLUSIONActive treatment for underlying diseases before operation, thorough debridement for open wound, suitable fixation method for fracture and thorough draining are effective measures in preventing postoperative infection.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Debridement ; Fibula ; injuries ; Fractures, Open ; surgery ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications ; etiology ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Surgical Wound Infection ; etiology ; Tibial Fractures ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical results of external fixation and AO titanium elastic intramedullary nailing for treatment of tibia-fibula comminuted closed fractures.

METHODSFrom June 2010 to June 2012,58 patients with tibia-fibula comminuted closed fractures were treated with external fixation and AO titanium elastic intramedullary nailing, including 31 males and 27 females with an average age of 38.5 years old ranging from 21 to 57 years old. According to the system of AO Classification, the fractures were classified as type B1 in 9 cases,type B2 in 7 cases, type B3 in 10 cases, type Cl in 14 cases, type C2 in 12 cases,and type C3 in 6 cases. According to the system of Winquist-Hanson,the fractures' comminuted were classified as grade 1 in 23 cases, grade 2 in 17 cases, grade 3 in 12 cases, and grade 4 in 6 cases. According to the system of Johner-Wruhs, clinical results were compared between different type and grade groups by the time of last followed-up.

RESULTSAll 58 patients were followed up with an average time of 6.8 months (ranged from 18 to 36 weeks). All fractures had clinical healing with an average time of 28 weeks (ranged from 24 to 32 weeks). The total rate of good to excellent results was 91.4%. The rate of good to excellent in the group of grade 1 was higher than that of other grades. The complication rates and fracture healing time would increase respectively with higher Winquist-Hanson's grade. The complication rates in the group of type C3 was higher than that of other types, but the rate of good to excellent was lower than that of other types. The complication rates in the group of type B1 was lower than that of other types,but the rate of good to excellent was higher than that of other types.

CONCLUSIONMinimal invasiveusing AO titanium elastic intramedullary nailing combined with external fixation for treatment of tibia-fibula fractures especially for the multiple-segment,long spiral mild-to-moderate comminuted with hidden fracture can get satisfactory reduction and reliable fixation,it conformes to the principle of BO completely, protects the fracture end blood supply,reduces the external fixation time, has less skin soft tissue complications, postoperative function recovered satisfactorily.

Adult ; Bone Nails ; Bone Plates ; External Fixators ; Female ; Fibula ; injuries ; surgery ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary ; instrumentation ; methods ; Fractures, Closed ; surgery ; Fractures, Comminuted ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Tibia ; injuries ; surgery ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo compare the clinical effects of interlocking intramedullary nail and micro-invasive internal fixation with plate for the treatment of multiple segmental tibiofibular fractures.

METHODSThe clinical data of 39 patients with multiple segmental tibiofibular fractures received treatment from January 2010 to June 2013 were retrospectively analyzed. In the 39 patients, 18 cases were treated by the interlocking intramedullary nail (intramedullary nail group), there were 12 males and 6 females with the mean age of (40.6 ± 9.7) years old (ranged, 24 to 60 years);7 cases were type C2.1, 11 were type C2.2 according to the AO classification. The other 21 cases were treated by micro-invasive internal fixation with plate(plate group), there were 13 males and 8 females with the mean age of (41.7 ± 8.1) years old (ranged, 22 to 52 years), 7 cases were type C2.1, 13 were type C2.2, 1 was type C2.3. Preoperative preparation time, operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative complications, fracture healing time were compared between two groups. Johner-Wruhs evaluation criteria was used to evaluate the clinical effect at last follow-up.

RESULTSAll the patients were followed up from 10 to 28 months with an average of 15.2 months. Operative time, intraoperative blood loss in intramedullary nail group were (62.1 ± 5.8) min, (70.9 ± 7.1) ml, respectively; in plate group were (64.3 ± 7.7) min, (74.1 ± 8.5) ml,respectively. There was no significant difference in operation time and intraoperative blood loss between two groups (P > 0.05). However, preoperative preparation time, fracture healing time in intramedullary nail group were (5.3 ± 0.7) days, (11.1 ± 1.9) months, in plate group were (7.1 ± 0.8) days, (14.1 ± 2.2) months, respectively. No postoperative complications were found in intramedullary nail group, and five cases developed with complications in plate group. There was significant difference in preoperative preparation time, postoperative complications and fracture healing time between two groups (P < 0.05). According to Johner-Wruhs criteria at last follow-up, 11 cases got excellent results, 4 good, 3 fair in intramedullary nail group; 11 excellent, 5 good, 2 poor in plate group.

CONCLUSIONInterlocking intramedullary nail has advantages of shorter preoperative preparation time, less postoperative complications and faster fracture healing time in treating multiple segmental tibiofibular fractures. But the application scope of interlocking intramedullary nail was inferior to micro-invasive internal fixation with plate , and its indications should be strictly controlled.

Adult ; Bone Plates ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Fibula ; injuries ; surgery ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; instrumentation ; Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary ; methods ; Fracture Healing ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Operative Time ; Retrospective Studies ; Tibial Fractures ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo evaluate biomechanical properties in different methods of internal fixation combined with distal tibiofibular syndesmosis injury, in order to provide a theoretical basis for clinical choice.

METHODSSix lower limbs specimens were collected and divided into 5 groups, including normal group, distal tibiofibular syndesmosis injury (injury group), 3 cortexes group, 4 cortexes group and hook-plate fixation group. Neutral position, plantar flexion position (30°), dorsiflexion (20°) supination external rotation position of foot movement were simulated on universal materials tester. Strength, stiffness and stability of ankle joint in 4 kinds of motion conditions were measured.

RESULTSThere was significant differences in strength and stiffness of ankle joint between injury group and normal group in 4 different kinds of motion conditions (P<0.05). Strength and stiffness of ankle joint in 3 cortexes group, 4 cortexes group and hook-plate fixation group were improved obviously in 4 different kinds of motion conditions, and biomechanical indexes were recovered normally or better than normal group. Stiffness of the three fixation groups were better than normal group,but there was no significant differences among three groups (P > 0.05), while stiffness of hook-plate fixation group was closed to normal group.

CONCLUSIONFor distal tibiofibular syndesmosis injury, 1 screw with 3 cortexes, 4 cortexes and hook-plate had a positive impact on strength, stiffness and stability of distal tibiofibular syndesmosis injury stress,and could restore the normal stabllity of ankle joint after reconstruction. While fixing by screw fixation would limit the rototary motion of ankle joint,ankle mortise could not adapt to changes of talus bone, thus induces screw breakage and traumatic arthritis. Hook-plate fixation is more suitable than 3 cortexes or 4 cortexes fixation for bilmechanical properties,and its' stress is more balance and can reduce postoperative complcations.

Ankle Injuries ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Fibula ; injuries ; surgery ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; methods ; Humans ; Joint Instability ; physiopathology ; prevention & control ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Tibia ; injuries ; surgery

A 30-year-old male was involved in a car accident. Radiographs revealed a depressed marginal fracture of the medial tibial plateau and an avulsion fracture of the fibular head. Magnetic resonance imaging showed avulsion fracture of Gerdy's tubercle, injury to the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), posterior horn of the medial meniscus, and the attachments of the lateral collateral ligament and the biceps femoris tendon. The depressed fracture of the medial tibial plateau was elevated and stabilized using a cannulated screw and washer. The injured lateral and posterolateral corner (PLC) structures were repaired and augmented by PLC reconstruction. However, the avulsion fracture of Gerdy's tubercle was not fixed because it was minimally displaced and the torn PCL was also not repaired or reconstructed. We present a unique case of pure varus injury to the knee joint. This case contributes to our understanding of the mechanism of knee injury and provides insight regarding appropriate treatment plans for this type of injury.
Adult ; Fibula/*injuries/surgery ; Humans ; *Knee Injuries/complications/surgery ; Male ; *Multiple Trauma/complications/surgery ; *Tibial Fractures/complications/surgery

OBJECTIVETo explore effective approaches of treating elderly patients with distal tibiofibular fractures.

METHODSFrom August 2008 to October 2012,175 elderly patients with distal tibiofibular fractures were treated with locking compression plate (LCP) through anterior tibial. There were 112 males and 63 females with an average of 71.3 (ranged 60 to 83) years old. Of them,89 cases were treated by anterior tibial tension reduced incision with LCP,including 62 males and 27 females with a mean age of (71.8 +/- 6.4) years old. Eighty-six patients were treated by distal tibial incision with LCP,including 58 males and 28 females with a mean age of (70.3 +/- 6.7) years old. Swelling time, operation time, intraoperative blood loss, hospital stay, healing time, complications and AOFAS scores were compared between two groups after operation.

RESULTSSwelling time in anterior tension reduced incision with LCP and distal tibial incision with LCP was (5.6 +/- 1.3) and (9.7 +/- 2.1) days, healing time was (4.2 +/- 1.4) and (5.4 +/- 1.9) months,and complications were found 3 in tension reduced incision and 10 in distak tibial incision respectively;and all data shown statistically significant differences between two groups (P < 0.05). At 12 months after operation,AOFAS score was 89.0 +/- 9.7, 87.9 +/- 9.4; and there was no statistically significant difference between two groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONTension reduced incision through anterior tibial combined with locking compression plate fixation in treating elderly patients with distal tibiofibular fractures can provide good clinical effects with quick fracture healing and low complications.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Bone Plates ; Female ; Fibula ; injuries ; surgery ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; instrumentation ; methods ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures ; Tibia ; injuries ; surgery ; Tibial Fractures ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo explore therapeutic effects of modified anterolateral approach and traditional approach in treating distal tibiofibula fractures.

METHODSFrom September 2009 to December 2012,45 patients with distal tibiofibula fractures were performed reduction and interal fixation with modified anterolateral and traditional approaches. According to Ruedi-All-gower classification, 12 cases were type I ,26 cases were type II, 7 cases were type III. Among 45 patients,there were 16 males and 7 females with an average age of (36.3 +/- 7.2) years old (ranged from 23 to 47) years old in advanced group; while there were 14 males and 8 females with an average of (33.8 +/- 6.4) years old (ranged from 25 to 45) in tradtional group. Operation time, blood loss, complications of incision were compared, and AOFAS scores were evaluated.

RESULTSAll patients were followed up from 6 to 36 months with an average of 21.7 months. In traditional group, operation time was (74.7 +/- 9.9) min, blood loss was (94.4 +/- 10.4) ml, and (73.7 +/- 10.0) min, (100.8 +/- 12.1) ml in advanced group,there was no significant meaning between two groups (P > 0.05); complications of insicion of advanced group was better than that of traditional group (chi2 = 4.078, P < 0.05); AOFAS score in advanced group (86.1 +/- 9.4) was better than that of traditional group, and had significant meaning (t = 3.787, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONModified anterolateral group,which has advantages of rapid recovery, less complications, is a good choice for closed distal tibiofibula fractures.

Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Fibula ; injuries ; surgery ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; methods ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tibial Fractures ; surgery ; Young Adult