External fixation devices are essential tools in the field of foot and ankle reconstruction. Mastering the fundamental knowledge and skills of external fixation is crucial for the effective application of this technique. Currently, domestically produced external fixation systems for the foot and ankle can meet the needs of treating various foot and ankle traumas, deformities, and functional reconstruction. Through this special issue on "External fixation and foot and ankle reconstruction", we provide a detailed introduction to the essential knowledge and skills that physicians must acquire to proficiently manage external fixation and foot and ankle reconstruction.
Humans ; External Fixators ; Ankle Injuries/surgery* ; Plastic Surgery Procedures/methods* ; Foot Injuries/surgery* ; Fracture Fixation/instrumentation* ; Foot/surgery*

OBJECTIVE: To summarize the clinical application value and progress of Ilizarov technique in the treatment of foot and ankle trauma. METHODS: The related literature of Ilizarov technique in the treatment of foot and ankle trauma was extensively reviewed, and the fundamental principles of Ilizarov technique and its clinical application in the treatment of complex foot and ankle trauma such as Pilon fractures, lateral malleolus defects, calcaneal fractures, and talus fractures were reviewed, and its efficacy and complications were analyzed. RESULTS: The Ilizarov technique demonstrates significant advantages in treating open fractures, bone defects, and cases with poor soft tissue conditions, achieving high rates of bone defect repair, effective infection control, and improved functional scores. However, complications such as pin tract infections remain notable. CONCLUSION The Ilizarov technique is an effective approach for managing complex foot and ankle trauma, particularly in high-risk cases. Its dynamic fixation mechanism combines mechanical stability with biological repair. Future advancements should focus on integrating three-dimensional printing and smart sensor technologies to enhance precision.
Humans ; Ilizarov Technique/instrumentation* ; Ankle Injuries/surgery* ; Foot Injuries/surgery* ; Fracture Fixation, Internal/instrumentation* ; Fractures, Bone/surgery* ; Printing, Three-Dimensional ; Ankle Fractures/surgery*

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the management strategies of external fixation combined with microsurgical techniques for repairing complex foot and ankle wounds in children. METHODS: The clinical data of 9 children with complex foot and ankle wounds who met the selection criteria between June 2017 and December 2021 was retrospectively analyzed. There were 6 boys and 3 girls, aged 3-13 years, with an average of 7.4 years. The causes of injury included crush injury in 5 cases and traffic accident injury in 4 cases. The wound size ranged from 6 cm×5 cm to 25 cm×18 cm. The time from injury to surgery ranged from 3 to 8 hours, with an average of 5 hours. All cases underwent staged surgical treatment. Among the 3 cases requiring deformity correction, 2 cases initially underwent free anterolateral thigh flap transplantation for wound coverage and limb salvage, followed by circular external fixation combined with osteotomy to address postoperative limb deformity, while 1 case received osteotomy for tibial fracture realignment prior to local pedicled flap reconstruction. All the 6 cases with non-deformity correction underwent initial external fixation followed by secondary flap reconstruction for wound management. The American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot score was used to evaluate the foot and ankle function of children. RESULTS: All children successfully achieved limb salvage postoperatively. Among the 6 non-deformity correction cases, all flaps survived with satisfactory wound healing and no infection was observed; fractures healed within 2.5-4.5 months, after which external fixators were removed for functional rehabilitation with favorable recovery. One case treated with circular external fixation combined with osteotomy achieved bone union at 4 months postoperatively, followed by fixator removal. One case undergoing osteotomy for tibial fracture realignment showed bone healing at 2.5 months post-correction, with subsequent fixator removal. One patient receiving bone lengthening developed infection at 1 week postoperatively, which was managed with multiple debridements, ultimately achieving bone union at 16 months postoperatively and followed by fixator removal. At last follow-up, all patients demonstrated satisfactory ankle-hindfoot functional recovery, with AOFAS ankle-hindfoot scores ranging from 80 to 90 (mean, 84.2). CONCLUSION The combination of external fixation and microsurgical techniques demonstrates significant advantages in reconstructing complex foot and ankle wounds in children. The synergistic interaction provides both mechanical stability and biological repair, enabling early functional rehabilitation while reducing infection risks.
Humans ; Child ; Male ; Female ; Adolescent ; Child, Preschool ; Foot Injuries/surgery* ; Ankle Injuries/surgery* ; Retrospective Studies ; External Fixators ; Microsurgery/methods* ; Plastic Surgery Procedures/methods* ; Surgical Flaps ; Fracture Fixation/methods* ; Osteotomy/methods* ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of the innervated medial plantar flap for reconstructing soft tissue defects, particularly in the weight-bearing zone, after resection of foot tumors. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 12 patients with malignant skin and soft tissue tumors of the foot treated between October 2023 and December 2024. The cohort included 8 males and 4 females, aged 42-67 years (mean, 57.5 years). Tumor types comprised malignant melanoma (5 cases), squamous cell carcinoma (4 cases), arsenical keratosis (2 cases), and tumor-induced osteomalacia (1 case). Soft tissue defects located in the heel weight-bearing region in 10 cases and non-weight-bearing ankle region in 2 cases, with defect sizes ranging from 4.0 cm×3.0 cm to 6.0 cm×4.0 cm. Preoperative photon-counting CT angiography (PC-CTA) was performed to assess the medial plantar artery and its perforators. All patients underwent radical tumor resection with confirmed negative margins. The resulting defects were reconstructed using a innervated medial plantar flap incorporating sensory branches of the medial plantar nerve. The flap donor site was covered with a split-thickness skin graft harvested from the ipsilateral inguinal region. RESULTS: The operation was successfully completed in all 12 patients. All flaps survived completely without vascular compromise, partial necrosis, or total loss. Incisions healed primarily without dehiscence or infection. Minor skin graft necrosis occurred at the donor site in 3 patients, which healed within 2-3 weeks with routine dressing changes. No donor site complication (e.g., tendon or nerve injury) occurred. Patients were followed up 2-16 months (mean, 10.3 months). At last follow-up, there was no tumor recurrence. Flaps exhibited good color and texture match with surrounding tissue, restored sensation, and all feet achieved normal weight-bearing activity. CONCLUSION The innervated medial plantar flap, precisely designed based on PC-CTA localization, provides reliable blood supply and effective sensory restoration. It is an ideal method for reconstructing soft tissue defects after foot tumor resection, especially in the heel weight-bearing region.
Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Female ; Plastic Surgery Procedures/methods* ; Adult ; Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Soft Tissue Neoplasms/surgery* ; Surgical Flaps/blood supply* ; Foot/surgery* ; Skin Neoplasms/surgery* ; Soft Tissue Injuries/surgery* ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/surgery* ; Treatment Outcome ; Skin Transplantation/methods* ; Melanoma/surgery*

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of functional perforator flaps utilizing the superficial circumflex iliac artery as a vascular pedicle, as well as chimeric iliac bone flaps, in the reconstruction of composite tissue defects in the hand and foot. METHODS: A retrospective review of the clinical data from 13 patients suffering from severe hand or foot injuries, treated between May 2019 and January 2025, was conducted. The cohort comprised 8 males and 5 females, with ages ranging from 31 to 67 years (mean, 48.5 years). The injuries caused by mechanical crush incidents (n=9) and traffic accidents (n=4). The distribution of injury sites included 8 cases involving the hand and 5 cases involving the foot. Preoperatively, all patients exhibited bone defects ranging from 2.0 to 6.5 cm and soft tissue defects ranging from 10 to 210 cm². Reconstruction was performed using functional perforator flaps based on the superficial circumflex iliac artery and chimeric iliac bone flaps. The size of iliac bone flaps ranged from 2.5 cm×1.0 cm×1.0 cm to 7.0 cm×2.0 cm×1.5 cm, while the size of the soft tissue flaps ranged from 4 cm×3 cm to 15 cm×8 cm. In 1 case with a significant hand defect, a posterior interosseous artery perforator flap measuring 10.0 cm×4.5 cm was utilized as an adjunct. Likewise, an anterolateral thigh perforator flap measuring 25 cm×7 cm was combined in 1 case involving a foot defect. All donor sites were primarily closed. Postoperative flap survival was monitored, and bone healing was evaluated through imaging examination. Functional outcomes were assessed based on the location of the defects: for hand injuries, grip strength, pinch strength, and flap two-point discrimination were measured; for foot injuries, the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) score, visual analogue scale (VAS) score, Maryland Foot Score, plantar pressure distribution and gait symmetry index (GSI) were evaluated. RESULTS: All flaps survived completely, with primary healing observed at both donor and recipient sites. All patients were followed up 6-18 months (mean, 12.2 months). No significant flap swelling or deformity was observed. Imaging examination showed a bone callus crossing rate of 92.3% (12/13) at 3 months after operation, and bone density recovered to more than 80% of the healthy side at 6 months. The time required for bone flap integration ranged from 2 to 6 months (mean, 3.2 months). One patient with a foot injury exhibited hypertrophic scarring at the donor site; however, no major complication, such as infection or bone nonunion, was noted. At 6 months after operation, grip strength in 8 patients involving the hand recovered to 75%-90% of the healthy side (mean, 83.2%), while pinch strength recovered to 70%-85% (mean, 80%). Flap two-point discrimination ranged from 8 to 12 mm, approaching the sensory capacity of the healthy side (5-8 mm). Among the 5 patients involving the foot, the AOFAS score at 8 months was 80.5±7.3, VAS score was 5.2±1.6. According to the Maryland Foot Score, 2 cases were rated as excellent and 3 as good. Gait analysis at 6 months after operation showed GSI above 90%, with plantar pressure distribution closely resembling that of the contralateral foot. CONCLUSION The use of functional perforator flaps based on the superficial circumflex iliac artery, combined with chimeric iliac bone flaps, provides a reliable vascular supply and effective functional restoration for the simultaneous repair of composite bone and soft tissue defects in the hand or foot. This technique represents a viable and effective reconstructive option for composite tissue defects in these anatomical regions.
Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Female ; Perforator Flap/transplantation* ; Adult ; Plastic Surgery Procedures/methods* ; Hand Injuries/surgery* ; Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Foot Injuries/surgery* ; Ilium/transplantation* ; Iliac Artery/surgery* ; Soft Tissue Injuries/surgery* ; Bone Transplantation/methods* ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of free medial femoral condyle (MFC) functional chimeric perforator flap (FCPF) transplantation in reconstructing joint function by repairing concomitant osteochondral defects and soft tissue defect in hand and foot joints. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on 6 patients (5 males, 1 female; mean age of 33.4 years, range 21-56 years) with traumatic osteochondral joint defects and associated tendon, nerve, and soft tissue defects treated between January 2019 and November 2024. Defect locations included metacarpal heads (n=2), metacarpophalangeal joint (n=1), first metatarsal head (n=1), base of first proximal phalanx (n=1), and talar head (n=1), with soft tissue defects in all cases. Osteochondral defect sizes ranged from 1.5 cm×1.2 cm×0.7 cm to 4.0 cm×0.6 cm×0.6 cm, and skin defects ranged from 4 cm×3 cm to 13 cm×4 cm. The stage Ⅰ treatment included debridement, antibiotic-loaded bone cement filling of bone-cartilage defects, fracture internal fixation, and coverage with vacuum sealing drainage. Stage Ⅱ involved harvesting a free MFC- FCPF included an osteochondral flap (range of 1.5 cm×1.2 cm×0.7 cm to 4.0 cm×0.6 cm×0.6 cm), gracilis and/or semitendinosus tendon grafts (length of 4-13 cm), saphenous nerve graft (length of 3.5-4.0 cm), and a perforator skin flap (range of 6 cm×4 cm to 14 cm×6 cm), each with independent vascular supply. The flap was transplanted to reconstruct joint function. Donor sites were closed primarily or with skin grafting. Flap survival was monitored postoperatively. Radiographic assessment was used to evaluate bone/joint healing. At last follow-up, the joint function recovery was assessed. RESULTS: All 6 MFC-FCPF survived completely, with primary healing of wounds and donor sites. All patients were followed up 6-44 months (mean, 23.5 months). The flaps at metacarpophalangeal joint in 1 case and at ankle joint in 1 case were treated with degreasing repair because of their bulky appearance, while the other flaps had good appearance and texture. At 3 months after operation, the visual analogue scale (VAS) score for pain during joint movement of recipient site was 0-2, with an average of 0.7; at last follow-up, the VAS score of the donor site was 0-1, with an average of 0.3. According to the Paley fracture healing scoring system, the osteochondral healing of all the 6 patients was excellent. The range of motion of the metacarpophalangeal joint in 3 cases was 75%, 90%, and 100% of contralateral side respectively, the range of motion of the metatarsophalangeal joint in 2 cases was 65% and 95% of contralateral side respectively, and the range of motion of the ankle joint in 1 case was 90% of contralateral side. The hand function was evaluated as excellent in 2 cases and good in 1 case according to the upper limb function evaluation standard of the Chinese Medical Association Hand Surgery Society, and the foot function was evaluated as excellent in 2 cases and fair in 1 case according to the Maryland foot function score of 93, 91, and 69, respectively. The International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score of 6 knees was 91-99, with an average of 95.2. CONCLUSION The free MFC-FCPF enables precise anatomical joint reconstruction with three-dimensional restoration of tendon, nerve, capsule, and soft tissue defects, effectively restoring joint function and improving quality of life.
Humans ; Male ; Adult ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Plastic Surgery Procedures/methods* ; Soft Tissue Injuries/surgery* ; Perforator Flap/blood supply* ; Femur/surgery* ; Young Adult ; Foot Joints/injuries* ; Treatment Outcome

PURPOSE: To comprehensively analyze the geographic and temporal trends of foot fracture, understand its health burden by age, sex, and sociodemographic index (SDI), and explore its leading causes from 1990 to 2019. METHODS: The datasets in the present study were generated from the Global Burden of Diseases Study 2019, which included foot fracture data from 1990 to 2019. We extracted estimates along with the 95% uncertainty interval (UI) for the incidence and years lived with disability (YLDs) of foot fracture by location, age, gender, and cause. The epidemiology and burden of foot fracture at the global, regional, and national level was exhibited. Next, we presented the age and sex patterns of foot fracture. The leading cause of foot fracture was another focus of this study from the viewpoint of age, sex, and location. Then, Pearson's correlations between age-standardized rate (ASR), SDI, and estimated annual percentage change were calculated. RESULTS: The age-standardized incidence rate was 138.68 (95% UI: 104.88 - 182.53) per 100,000 persons for both sexes, 174.24 (95% UI: 134.35 - 222.49) per 100,000 persons for males, and 102.19 (95% UI: 73.28 - 138.00) per 100,000 persons for females in 2019. The age-standardized YLDs rate was 5.91 (95% UI: 3.58 - 9.25) per 100,000 persons for both genders, 7.35 (95% UI: 4.45 - 11.50) per 100,000 persons for males, and 4.51 (95% UI: 2.75 - 7.03) per 100,000 persons for females in 2019. The global incidence and YLDs of foot fracture increased in number and decreased in ASR from 1990 to 2019. The global geographical distribution of foot fracture is uneven. The incidence rate for males peaked at the age group of 20 - 24 years, while that for females increased with advancing age. The incidence rate of older people was rising, as younger age incidence rate declined from 1990 to 2019. Falls, exposure to mechanical forces, and road traffic injuries were the 3 leading causes of foot fracture. Correlations were observed between ASR, estimated annual percentage change, and SDI. CONCLUSIONS The burden of foot fracture remains high globally, and it poses an enormous public health challenge, with population aging. It is necessary to allocate more resources to the high-risk populations. Targeted realistic intervention policies and strategies are warranted.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Incidence ; Fractures, Bone/epidemiology* ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Global Health ; Aged ; Global Burden of Disease ; Adolescent ; Child ; Young Adult ; Foot Injuries/epidemiology* ; Cost of Illness ; Child, Preschool ; Aged, 80 and over ; Infant

PURPOSE: Different arch structures may cause different foot function injuries. In the past, the arch structure and flexibility of the foot were often defined by the height of the arch, and there was no three-dimensional (3D) structure classification method. In order to form a more complete 3D description, we propose a new classification system of arch volume flexibility (AVF), and then use this new classification system to investigate the relationship between the AVF and arch index (AI), and the arch height flexibility (AHF) and AI, respectively. METHODS: It is proposed to recruit 180 young male adults for the test. We obtained arch volume and AI through 3D scanning and obtained the navicular height through manual measurement. Based on these data, we calculated the AHF and the AVF. Using the quintile method, these arches are divided into very stiff, stiff, neutral, flexible, and very flexible. According to AI value, all arches were divided into cavus, rectus, and planus. The distribution of AVF was compared using χ² goodness of fit test. The spearman correlation test was used to compare the AHF and AVF. A p < 0.05 indicates that the difference is statistically significant. RESULTS: All participants' plantar data was obtained through 3D scanning, but only 159 of them were complete, so only 318 feet had valid data. The left AHF is (21.23 ± 12.91) mm/kN, and the right AHF is (21.71 ± 12.69) mm/kN. The AVF of the left foot arch is (207.35 ± 118.28) mm³/kg, while the right one is (203.00 ± 117.92) mm³/kg, and the total AVF of the arch was (205.17 ± 117.94) mm³/kg. There was no statistical difference in the AVF between the left and right feet for the same participant (n = 159, p = 0.654). In cavus, the percentage of arch with AVF is 21.4% (very stiff), 21.4% (stiff), 14.3% (neutral), 7.1% (flexible), and 35.7% (very flexible). In rectus, the percentage of arch with AVF is 23.9% (very stiff), 19.6% (stiff), 14.7% (neutral), 24.5% (flexible), and 17.2% (very flexible). In planus, the percentage of arch with AVF is 14.9% (very stiff), 20.6% (stiff), 27.0% (neutral), 16.3% (flexible), and 21.3% (very flexible). Moreover, the correlation between AHF and AVF is not significant (p = 0.060). CONCLUSION In cavus, rectus, and planus, different AVF accounts different percentage, but the difference is not statistically significant. AVF is evenly distributed in the arches of the feet at different heights. We further found the relationship between AHF and AVF is not significant. As a 3D index, AVF may be able to describe the flexibility of the arch more comprehensively than AHF.
Adult ; Humans ; Male ; Foot ; Foot Injuries ; Biomechanical Phenomena

OBJECTIVE: To compare clinical efficacy of No-touch technique and traditional retractor in treating calcaneal fracture. METHODS: Clinical data of 74 calcaneal fracture patients with closed Sanders typeⅡ to Ⅳ were retrospectively analyzed from July 2019 to June 2021. According to different treatment methods, the patients were divided into No-touch group and conventional group, 37 patinets in each group. In No-touch group, there were 25 males and 12 females, aged from 19 to 70 years old with an average of (42.64±14.16) years old;17 patients were typeⅡ, 14 patinets with type Ⅲ, 6 patients with type Ⅳ according to Sanders fracture classification;three 2.0 mm Kirschner wires were implanted into the talus body, talus neck, and cuboid bone, and the flap was turned upward to expose the operation area. In conventional group, there were 30 males and 7 females, aged from 19 to 67 years old with an average of (41.56±11.38) years old;17 patients with typeⅡ, 12 patients with type Ⅲ, 8 patients with type Ⅳ according to Sanders fracture classification;the operation was completed by exposing the operation area with traditional retractor. Operation time, postoperative incision complications, postoperaive American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle hind foot score at 6 months between two groups were compared. RESULTS: Seventy-four patients were followed up, and follow-up time in No-touch group ranged from 6 to 17 months with an average of(9.57±2.72) months, while in conventional group ranged from 6 to 16 months with an averge of(9.14±2.71) months, and no difference in follow-up between two groups (P>0.05). Operation time in No-touch group (55.67±7.94) min was shorter than that in conventional group (70.16±9.41) min (P<0.05);four patients in No-touch group occurred incision complications, while 8 patients in normal group, and had statistically difference(P<0.05). Daily activities and support, maximum walking distance (block), ground walking, limited degree of flexion, extension and valgus, foot alignment and total score of AOFAS scores in No-touch group was significantly higher than that of conventional group (P<0.05). There were no significant difference in pain degree, abnormal gait and ankle hind foot stability between two groups(P>0.05). According to AOFAS score, 19 patients got excellent result, 16 good and 2 poor in No-touch group;while 9 excellent, 24 good, and 4 poor in conventional group, and no difference between two groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSION Compared with traditional retractor in treating calcaneal fracture, No-touch technology could significantly shorten operation time, reduce incidence of postopertive complications, while two methods could improve excellent and good rate of ankle joint function recovery after operation.
Male ; Female ; Humans ; Young Adult ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; Retrospective Studies ; Calcaneus/surgery* ; Fractures, Bone/surgery* ; Ankle Injuries ; Treatment Outcome ; Ankle Joint ; Foot Injuries ; Knee Injuries ; Postoperative Complications ; Talus

OBJECTIVE: To investigate clinical effect of percutaneous reduction combined with internal fixation of calcaneal nail in treating Sanders typeⅡto Ⅲ calcaneal fractures. METHODS: From July 2017 to August 2019, clinical data of 98 patients with Sanders typeⅡto Ⅲ calcaneal fractures treated were retrospectively analyzed, and divided into observation group and control group according to different surgical methods. In observation group, there were 35 males and 21 females, aged from 23 to 58 years old with an average of (34.50±7.81) years old;29 patients with Sanders typeⅡand 27 patients with Sanders type Ⅲ;30 patients on the left side and 26 patients on the right side;the time from fracture to operation ranged from 1 to 4 days with an average of (3.45±0.54) days;and treated with percutaneous reduction combined with internal fixation of calcaneal nail system. In control group, there were 25 males and 17 females, aged from 25 to 60 years old with an average of (35.27±7.64) years old;23 patients with Sanders type Ⅱ and 19 patients with Sanders type Ⅲ;24 patients on the left side and 18 patients on the right side;the time from fracture to operation ranged from 2 to 5 days with an average of (3.42±0.62) days;and treated with open reduction and internal fixation. Operation time, blood loss, hospital stay, fracture healing time, and postoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) at 1 day, preoperative and postoperative American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot score, Böhler angle, Gissane angle and calcaneus width, and postoperative complications were compared between two groups. RESULTS: All patients were followed up from 13 to 18 months with an average of (15.6±2.2) months. There were significant differences in operation time, blood loss, hospital stay, fracture healing time and postoperative VAS at 1 day between two groups (P<0.05). There was statistical difference in postoperative AOFAS score at 12 months between two groups (P<0.05), and AOFAS score at 12 months after operation was higher than that before operation (P<0.05). According to AOFAS score, 21 patients got excellent result, 30 good and 5 moderate in observation group, and 10 excellent, 22 good, 7 moderate and 3 poor in control group, which had statistical difference between two groups (P<0.05). Postoperative Böhler angle, Gissane angle and calcaneus width at 6 months were better than that before operation between two groups(P<0.05). One patient in observation and 20 patients in control group occurred skin numbness after operation, and 14 patients occurred skin necrosis in control group, there were obvious difference between two groups(P<0.01). CONCLUSION Compared with open reduction and internal fixation, percutaneous reduction combined with internal fixation system in treating Sanders typeⅡto Ⅲ calcaneal fractures is feasible for fracture repair without waiting for foot deswelling, which could accurately restore normal shape and position of the fractured heel bone, completely eliminate fracture malunion, and reduce postoperative complications. Therefore, it could shorten operation time, hospital stay, fracture healing time, reduce amount of blood loss, promote postoperative recovery, and less complications, high safety, which could be used as a choice of orthopedic surgery for foot and ankle trauma.
Male ; Female ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Calcaneus/injuries* ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; Fractures, Bone/surgery* ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; Ankle Injuries ; Bone Screws ; Foot Injuries ; Knee Injuries ; Ankle Joint ; Postoperative Complications