Objective:To evaluate the outcomes of reconstruction with half of peroneous longus tendon autograft for the treatment of chronic Achilles tendon rupture combined with tendon defects.Methods:A retrospective case series study was conducted on the clinical data of 14 patients with chronic tendon rupture combined with defects admitted to Orthopedic Sports Medicine Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University from November 2017 to August 2020, including 11 males and 3 females, aged 26-62 years [(42.8±10.7)years]. All the patients underwent Achilles tendon reconstruction with half of peroneus longus tendon autograft. American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score, Achilles tendon total rupture score (ATRS) and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) were compared before surgery, at 12 months after surgery and at the last follow-up. At the last follow-up, MRI of the injured ankle was prescribed to evaluate tendon healing; Thomspon test was performed and the patients were asked to do single-leg heel raise; the patients were asked about their conditions in returning to daily life activities and sports. Postoperative complications were observed.Results:All the patients were followed up for 24-47 months [(35±9)months]. AOFAS score, ATRS and VAS at 12 months after surgery were (87.9±6.6)points, (80.9±2.4)points and (2.0±0.3)points respectively, superior to those before surgery [(52.7±16.9)points, (42.0±4.4)points and (4.1±0.4)points respectively] ( P<0.05). The afore-mentioned results at the last follow-up were (95.2±7.2)points, (85.9±2.5)points and (0.8±0.3)points respectively, superior to those at 12 months after surgery ( P<0.05). MRI images of the affected ankle joints showed satisfactory healing of the reconstructed Achilles tendon at the last follow-up. All the patients, being negative in Thompson test at the last follow-up, were able to complete the heel lift on the affected side. All the patients resumed activities of daily living at the last follow-up, among whom 5 resumed to moderate- to high-intensity sports activities, such as basketball sport, and moderate-to high-intensity physical training, 5 resumed light-intensity sports activities such as jogging and swimming, and the other 4 did not resume sports due to fear of re-injury or aging. One patient had delayed wound healing, which was considered gout-related. One patient complained about mild pain at the Achilles tendon in cold weather or after long walks. No re-rupture of the Achilles tendon occurred. No patient complained about discomfort at the graft harvest site, calcaneal valgus or restricted ankle plantar flexion. Conclusions:For patients with chronic Achilles tendon rupture combined with tendon defects, reconstruction with half of peroneous longus tendon autograft facilitates postoperative spinal function recovery and pain alleviation, achieves satisfaction with the returning to daily activity and sports, and has few complications.

Structural maintenance of chromosomes (SMC), including cohesin, condensin and the SMC5/6 complex, are protein complexes which maintain the higher structure and dynamic stability of chromatin. Such circular complexes, with similar structures, play pivotal roles in chromatid cohesion, chromosomal condensation, DNA replication and repair, as well as gene transcription. Despite extensive research on the functions of the SMCs, our understanding of the SMC5/6 complex has remained limited compared with the other two complexes. This article has reviewed the architecture and crucial physiological roles of the SMCs, and explored the associated phenotypes resulting from mutations of the SMC components such as Cornelia de Lange syndrome (CdLS) and microcephaly, with an aim to provide insights into their functions in eukaryotic cells and implications for human diseases.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness between lower tibial tunnel placement combined with internal tension relieving suture and simple lower tibial tunnel placement for posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) reconstruction. METHODS: The clinical data of 83 patients with simple PCL injury who met the selection criteria between January 2014 and February 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 44 patients underwent PCL reconstruction through lower tibial tunnel placement combined with internal tension relieving suture (tension relieving suture group), and 39 patients underwent PCL reconstruction through simple lower tibial tunnel placement (control group). Baseline characteristics, including gender, age, body mass index, side of injury, cause of injury, preoperative side-to-side difference (SSD) in posterior tibial translation, visual analogue scale (VAS) score, knee range of motion (ROM), Tegner score, Lysholm score, and International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) scores (including symptom, daily activities, and knee function scores) were compared between the two groups, showing no significant difference ( P>0.05). The operation time and intraoperative blood loss were recorded and compared between the two groups. The effectiveness was evaluated by Lysholm score, IKDC scores, Tegner score, VAS score, knee ROM, SSD in posterior tibial translation before operation and at last follow-up, the patient satisfaction at last follow-up, and the postoperative graft recovery was evaluated by MRI. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in operation time and intraoperative blood loss between the two groups ( P>0.05). All patients were followed up 12-60 months, and there was no significant difference between the two groups ( P>0.05). Postoperative MRI showed that the graft was in good condition, and the reconstructed PCL graft had good signal, continuity, and tension. During the follow-up, there was no complication such as re-rupture or donor site discomfort in both groups. At last follow-up, the Lysholm score, IKDC scores, Tegner score, VAS score, knee ROM, and SSD in posterior tibial translation significantly improved in both groups when compared with those before operation ( P<0.05). The changes of Lysholm score, Tegner score, IKDC knee symptom score, and SSD in posterior tibial translation between pre- and post-operation were significantly superior in the tension relieving suture group compared to the control group ( P<0.05). However, no significant difference was found between the two groups in the changes of VAS score, knee ROM, IKDC daily activities score or knee function score between pre- and post-operation, and the satisfaction score ( P>0.05). CONCLUSION Lower tibial tunnel placement combined with internal tension relieving suture PCL reconstruction represents a more effective surgical approach for improving postoperative laxity of PCL and knee function recovery comparing to simple lower tibial tunnel placement PCL reconstruction.
Humans ; Posterior Cruciate Ligament/injuries* ; Tibia/surgery* ; Posterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction/methods* ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Treatment Outcome ; Knee Joint/surgery* ; Sutures ; Retrospective Studies ; Suture Techniques ; Female ; Male ; Adult ; Knee Injuries/surgery*