1.Factors Associated with Functional Outcomes Following Combined Pelvic Ring and Acetabular Fractures: A 2-Year Retrospective Analysis
Yong-Cheol YOON ; Chang-Wug OH ; Sang-Roc HAN ; Hee-June KIM ; Joon-Woo KIM
Clinics in Orthopedic Surgery 2026;18(1):19-29
Background:
Combined pelvic ring and acetabular fractures are complex injuries associated with high morbidity. Despite advancements in surgical techniques, limited data are available on the long-term functional outcomes and associated factors. This study aimed to identify the factors associated with functional outcomes in surgically treated patients with combined pelvic ring and acetabular fractures.
Methods:
This retrospective study included 25 adult patients who underwent definitive surgical fixation for radiologically confirmed combined pelvic ring and acetabular fractures at a Level I trauma center between 2005 and 2021, with a minimum clinical and radiological follow-up of 24 months. Surgical approaches included the Kocher–Langenbeck or modified Stoppa methods, tailored to fracture morphology. Matta–Saucedo and Matta criteria assessed the pelvic ring and acetabular reduction quality, respectively. Functional outcomes at 2 years were evaluated using the Rommens–Hessmann criteria. Neurological recovery was assessed clinically and by electromyography where indicated. The association between the injury characteristics and functional recovery was evaluated using t-tests and Fisher’s exact test.
Results:
The mean patient age was 40.4 years, and 72% were male. Transverse acetabular fractures (58.6%) and anteroposterior compression pelvic ring injuries (64%) were the most common injuries. Anatomic or congruent acetabular reduction (within 2–3 mm) was achieved in 89.6% of fractures and was significantly associated with superior functional outcomes (p = 0.002). Conversely, the pelvic ring reduction quality did not significantly correlate with functional outcomes (p = 0.314). Transverse acetabular fractures (p = 0.046) and initial neurological deficits (p = 0.032) were associated with poorer recovery. Among the patients with neurological injury, 60% achieved partial or full recovery. Overall, bony union occurred in 96% of cases, with a mean time to union of 14.3 weeks. Reported complications included neurological deficits (40%) and infections (8%).
Conclusions
Functional outcomes following the surgical fixation of combined pelvic and acetabular fractures are primarily influenced by the acetabular reduction quality and neurological status at presentation. Transverse fracture patterns are complex and associated with nerve injuries, posing additional challenges. These findings emphasize the importance of precise joint reduction and early neuroassessment. Further multicenter, prospective studies are warranted to optimize the management of these complex injuries.
2.Prognosis of Nonconcurrent Bilateral Achilles Tendon Rupture Is Worse Than Unilateral Achilles Tendon Rupture: Patient-Reported Outcomes at Minimum 2-Year Follow-up
Young Hwan PARK ; Young Bin LEE ; Sang Roc HAN ; Hak Jun KIM
Clinics in Orthopedic Surgery 2024;16(5):800-806
Background:
Approximately 5%–7% of patients who have had Achilles tendon rupture (ATR) suffer from contralateral ATR. However, no studies have evaluated the clinical outcomes of contralateral ATR in patients with an existing ATR. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to investigate patient-reported ankle function and activity levels in patients with nonconcurrent bilateral ATR.
Methods:
We retrospectively reviewed the data of 222 patients with an acute ATR who presented at our 2 institutions between 2005 and 2017. All patients had a minimum 2-year follow-up period, with no other major injuries to the ankle joint. Of these patients, 17 patients had nonconcurrent bilateral ATR. Patient-reported outcomes were assessed by telephone interview, using the Achilles tendon Total Rupture Score (ATRS), the ankle activity score, and a patient satisfaction questionnaire. Telephonic interviews were conducted by 2 authors, using a prepared script to minimize bias owing to individual interviewers.
Results:
The mean age of the patients was 45.1 ± 9.8 years, and 89% were men. Patients with nonconcurrent bilateral ATR had significantly lower values in terms of ATRS, ankle activity score, and satisfaction with current activity level, compared to patients who had unilateral ATR (p < 0.001, p = 0.027, and p = 0.012, respectively).
Conclusions
Patients with nonconcurrent bilateral ATR had poorer ankle function, activity levels, and satisfaction than those with unilateral ATR in terms of patient-reported outcome measures with an intermediate-term result and a 2-year minimum follow-up period. These results emphasize the importance of the impact of contralateral injury on the prognosis of patients with ATR and the need for efforts to prevent contralateral rupture.
3.Arthroscopic Treatment of Anterior Ankle Impingement
Sang Roc HAN ; Young Bin LEE ; Hak Jun KIM
The Journal of the Korean Orthopaedic Association 2024;59(3):192-200
Anterior ankle impingement is a frequent cause of chronic ankle pain and swelling. A pathological examination has been reclassified as “anterior ankle impingement syndrome.” Soft tissue impingement is prevalent in the anterolateral compartment of the ankle, while a bony spur often causes impingement in the anteromedial compartment. Although open surgery has yielded good outcomes historically, it is associated with several complications. On the other hand, the development of ankle arthroscopy has reduced these risks significantly and has been used effectively in numerous studies to treat impingements caused by anterior bony spurs or soft tissue. An accurate preoperative clinical diagnosis and diagnostic imaging are critical for surgical planning, particularly for identifying bony spurs in front of the ankle. Narrowing joint space, large bone fragments, and other factors can influence the surgical outcomes. Computed tomography scans precisely evaluate the bony spur size, while magnetic resonance imaging scans help assess soft tissue lesions. Therefore, understanding diagnosis and treatment is important, and an accurate understanding of patient prognostic factors, such as osteoarthritis and degenerative osteoarthritis, eventually affects patient outcomes. This paper discusses the clinical symptoms, causes, diagnosis, surgical method, and postoperative rehabilitation of anteromedial and anterolateral ankle impingement syndrome and reports the results of arthroscopic surgery.
4.Arthroscopic Iliopsoas Tenotomy of Iliopsoas Impingement after Total Hip Arthroplasty
Soon Ho HUH ; Byeong Yeol CHOI ; Sang Roc HAN ; Woo Chull CHUNG
The Journal of the Korean Orthopaedic Association 2021;56(2):125-133
Purpose:
The clinical outcomes were investigated to determine if arthroscopic management is a useful method for 19 hips with iliopsoas tendon impingement (IPI) after total hip arthroplasty (THA).
Materials and Methods:
Eighteen patients (19 hips), who complained of groin pain and flexion pain that persisted after THA from September 2013 to December 2019, were the subjects of this investigation. The mean time to manifestation after THA was four months (range, 1–9 months) in patients of an average age of 60 years (range, 50–69 years). Thirteen out of 18 patients underwent THA using the direct anterior approach and five by the lateral approach. IPI was diagnosed by the medical history, physical examination, blood test, radiographic examination using X-ray and computed tomography, and topical injection therapy. All patients underwent arthroscopic treatment and a dynamic arthroscopic physical examination after exposure to the iliopsoas tendon revealed impingement. Tenotomy was then performed on the muscle portion through the total tendon portion. Symptoms and pain levels of preoperative, postoperative and follow-up period were investigated and compared.
Results:
The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index score decreased from an average of 58.4 (range, 40–88) before surgery to an average of 35.0 (range, 15–76) after surgery. Similarly, the visual analogue scale decreased from an average of 4.0 (range, 2–6) before surgery to an average of 1.4 (range, 0–4) after surgery. Sixteen patients (88.9%) showed pain relief and improvement in the straight leg raise test, and two patients showed postoperative muscle weakness and sustained pain. In the follow-up period, muscle weakness improved. One patient underwent arthroscopic iliopsoas tenotomy at the lesser trochanteric level but the symptoms persisted.The clinical symptoms were improved after one more tenotomy at the joint level.
Conclusion
Arthroscopic iliopsoas tenotomy performed in patients with IPI after THA showed good clinical results.

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