OBJECTIVE: To explore the early clinical efficacy of a three-stage external treatment with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in the treatment of talar bone contusion caused by acute ankle sprain. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on 360 patients with primary lateral ankle sprain admitted from September 2021 to July 2024. Patients with talar bone contusion were selected based on MRI examination, and 73 cases were finally included. According to different treatment methods, they were divided into the observation group and the control group. The observation group consisted of 35 cases, including 16 males and 19 females, aged 24 to 37 years old with an average of (30.34±2.68) years old, and received the three-stage external TCM treatment combined with the "POLICE" protocol. The control group included 38 cases, including 18 males and 20 females, aged 24 to 35 years old with an average of (29.87±2.57) years old, and was treated with the "POLICE" protocol alone. The volume of bone marrow edema (BME) area shown by MRI before treatment and 6 weeks after treatment was measured using 3D Slicer software, and the BME improvement rate was calculated. The "Figure of 8" measurement method was used to assess ankle swelling before treatment and at 1 and 3 weeks after treatment. The visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to evaluate ankle pain before treatment and at 1 and 6 weeks after treatment. At 6 weeks after treatment, the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot score and Karlsson ankle function score system were used to evaluate the improvement of ankle function. RESULTS: A total of 73 patients with talar bone contusion caused by ankle sprain completed the 6-week follow-up. At 6 weeks after treatment, the BME improvement rate in the observation group was (39.18±0.06)%, which was higher than (26.75±0.03)% in the control group, with a statistically significant difference (P<0.05). After 1 week of treatment, the VAS score in the observation group was (2.89±0.72) points, lower than (3.37±0.79) points in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). The ankle swelling degree in the observation group was (50.20±3.19) cm, lower than (52.00±3.60) cm in the control group, with a statistically significant difference (P<0.05). After 3 weeks of treatment, there was no statistically significant difference in ankle swelling between the two groups. At 6 weeks after treatment, there was no statistically significant difference in VAS scores between the two groups. At 6 weeks after treatment, the AOFAS ankle-hindfoot score and Karlsson score in the observation group were (87.43±4.18) and (82.77±5.93) points, respectively, which were higher than (82.92±4.87) and (76.45±6.85) points in the control group, with statistically significant differences (P<0.05). According to the AOFAS ankle-hindfoot score, 8 cases were excellent and 27 cases were good in the observation group;2 cases were excellent, 33 cases were good, and 3 cases were fair in the control group. The difference between the two groups was statistically significant (χ²=7.089, P=0.029). CONCLUSION The three-stage external TCM treatment combined with the "POLICE" protocol has a significant early clinical efficacy. It can significantly reduce ankle pain and swelling in patients with bone contusion caused by acute lateral ankle sprain, promote the absorption of bone marrow edema, and accelerate the recovery of ankle function.
Ankle Injuries/drug therapy* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Talus/injuries* ; Retrospective Studies ; Administration, Cutaneous ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Humans ; Male ; Female ; Young Adult ; Adult ; Contusions/etiology* ; Visual Analog Scale ; Musculoskeletal Pain/etiology* ; Recovery of Function/drug effects* ; Treatment Outcome ; Follow-Up Studies

OBJECTIVE: To explore clinical efficacy of platelet rich plasma (PRP) injection combined with extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) in treating osteochondral lesion of talus (OLT) with typeⅡa. METHODS: From January 2022 to June 2022, 45 patients with typeⅡa OLT were treated with PRP arthroscopic injection combined with ESWT, including 29 males and 16 females; aged from 18 to 63 years old with an average of(37.7±10.3) years old;the courses of disease ranged from 6 to 20 with an average of (13.3±4.8) months. American Foot and Ankle Association ankle and foot (AOFAS) score, visual analogue scale (VAS), cartilage injury volume and bone marrow edema volume were evaluated for ankle joint function and osteochondral recovery of talus before treatment, 3 and 6 months after treatment. RESULTS: All patients were followed for at least 6 months. No related complications occurred in all patients. AOFAS score were increased from(68.3±3.6) before treatment to (83.7±3.2) and (90.8±2.2) at 3 and 6 months after treatment, respectively (P<0.05). VAS decreased from (5.2±1.2) before treatment to (3.2±0.8) and (1.9±1.2) at 3 and 6 months after treatment (P<0.05). The injury volume of cartilage and subchondral bone decreased from (71.0±42.5) mm³ before treatment to (50.6±31.5) mm³ and (36.5±27.3) mm³ at 3 and 6 months after treatment (P<0.05). The bone marrow edema volume decreased from (1 182.7±675.1) mm³ before treatment to (656.1±455.1) mm³ and (382.1±485.6) mm³ at 3 and 6 months after treatment (P<0.05). CONCLUSION PRP intraarticular injection combined with ESWT for the treatment of typeⅡa OLT could alleviate clinical symptoms, effectively improve joint function, and promote cartilage repair and bone marrow edema absorption.
Humans ; Male ; Adult ; Female ; Talus/injuries* ; Platelet-Rich Plasma ; Middle Aged ; Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy/methods* ; Adolescent ; Young Adult ; Injections, Intra-Articular

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

Ankle Fractures/surgery* ; Ankle Injuries ; Ankle Joint ; Bone Cysts/surgery* ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; Fractures, Bone ; Humans ; Talus/surgery*

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to compare the clinical results between two different methods of hindfoot endoscopy to treat posterior ankle impingement syndrome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 2008 and January 2014, 52 patients who underwent hindfoot endoscopy were retrospectively reviewed. Two methods of hindfoot endoscopy were used; Group A was treated according to van Dijk and colleagues' standard two-portal method, and group B was treated via the modified version of the above, using a protection cannula. For clinical comparison, the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) hindfoot score, time required to return to activity, and the presence of complications were used. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference in the AOFAS scores at the final follow-up, and there was also no statistically significant difference in the times for the scores to return to the preoperative level. There were no permanent neurovascular injuries and wound problems in either group. CONCLUSION: Use of protection cannula may provide additional safety during hindfoot endoscopy. We could not prove whether protection cannula can provide superior safety for possible neurovascular injury. Considering the possible safety and risk of using additional instrument, the use of this method may be optional.
Ankle* ; Catheters ; Endoscopy* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Foot ; Humans ; Methods* ; Retrospective Studies ; Talus ; Wounds and Injuries

Ankle injury is one of the most common injuries, and osteochondral lesions of the talus occur in up to 70% of acute ankle sprains or fractures. The number of sports injuries have increased due to the increase in leisure activities, and the development of diagnostic techniques to evaluate the cartilage status leads to a higher prevalence of osteochondral lesions of the talus. Although osteochondral lesions of the talus with no symptoms can be treated conservatively, adult patients are usually treated by surgery because they are more likely to fail after non-surgical management. Recovery to normal cartilage is important, but there has been no surgical treatment established for effective cartilage regeneration. Bone marrow stimulation, such as arthroscopic microfracture, is a commonly used surgical procedure and an effective treatment for lesions that are small or failed after non-operative treatment. In addition, there are treatments, such as osteochondral autograft transplantation, osteochondral allograft transplantation and autologous chondrocyte implantation. The selection of the methods depends on the size and location of the lesion, the presence of subchondral cysts, and the results of previous surgery. Many surgical procedures have shown good results in short and mid-term follow-up studies but the results of long-term follow-up have been unclear. Various treatment methods, such as hyaluronan, platelet-rich plasma, mesenchymal stem cells, and bone marrow aspirate concentrate, have been available recently due to the development of various biological agents.
Adult ; Allografts ; Ankle Injuries ; Athletic Injuries ; Autografts ; Biological Factors ; Bone Cysts ; Bone Marrow ; Cartilage ; Chondrocytes ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hyaluronic Acid ; Leisure Activities ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; Platelet-Rich Plasma ; Prevalence ; Regeneration ; Talus*

Ankle sprains are among the most common injuries sustained during athletic activities and daily life. Acute ankle sprain is usually managed conservatively with functional rehabilitation but the failure of conservative treatment leads to the development of chronic ankle instability. The development of repetitive ankle sprains and persistent symptoms after injury has been termed chronic ankle instability. Acute ankle sprains and chronic ankle instability require a careful evaluation to detect other comorbidities, such as subtalar instability, osteochondral defect, peroneal tendinopathy, tarsal coalition, os trigonum, flexor hallucis longus tendinitis, calcaneus anterior process fracture, and neural injuries. For the successful treatment of acute ankle sprains and chronic ankle instability, the treatment of comorbidity lesions should be performed first.
Ankle Injuries ; Ankle* ; Calcaneus ; Comorbidity* ; Diagnosis* ; Rehabilitation ; Sports ; Talus ; Tendinopathy

The definition of osteochondral lesion of the talus (OLT) is any defect involving both the articular surface and the subchondral bone of the talus. Many of these lesions are associated with acute ankle injury. Although many classification schemes for OLT have been proposed, Berndt and Harty's 4-staging classification is most commonly used. Stage 4 lesions and symptomatic lesions under grade 3 are usually recommended to surgical treatment. The treatment approach for athletes should be more elaborate due to the need for an early return to play. Several different types of treatment are described for OLTs in athletes, including bone marrow stimulation, osteochondral autograft transfer system, and autogenous chondrocyte implantation. Osteochondral autograft transfer system shows good clinical outcome and has the advantages that could be applied to large defect and recurred lesions, however, it has some disadvantages in terms of the complications related with the donor site and the difficult approach to the medial lesions. Although autogenous chondrocyte implantation has been extensively applied for treating OLTs with successful clinical outcomes, it has some limitations that apply to athletes in terms of the 2-stage and complicated procedure and the insurance issues. Bone marrow stimulation being a simple and cost-effective procedure associated with a low complication rate and low postoperative pain has faster return to play and is recommended the first-line treatment for the OLTs of athletes.
Ankle Injuries ; Athletes* ; Autografts ; Bone Marrow ; Chondrocytes ; Classification ; Humans ; Insurance ; Pain, Postoperative ; Return to Sport ; Talus* ; Tissue Donors

Fractures of the lateral process of the talus (LPT) are considered rare, accounting for less than 1% of all ankle injuries in the general population. These fractures are nearly 15 times more likely to occur in snowboarders. Recently, the number of population who started enjoying cable-wakeboard is increasing and this sport may cause fracture of the LPT by axial loading occur on the LPT while boarding or trick. We report on a case of involving LPT fracture during cable-wakeboard trick with successful screw osteosynthesis.
Ankle Injuries ; Skiing ; Sports ; Talus

Antegrade transmalleolar drilling method is one of the options for the treatment of osteochondral lesion of talus (OLT). We present five patients who underwent tibial drilling for treatment of OLT and later developed distal tibial cystic formation induced by cartilage opening or heat necrosis during drilling. Antegrade transmalleolar drilling can be a possible option for the treatment of OLT if the lesion is not easily reachable; however, other viable treatment should be considered due to its possibility of distal tibial pathologic change.
Adult ; Ankle Joint/surgery ; Cartilage, Articular/*surgery ; Female ; Humans ; *Iatrogenic Disease ; Male ; *Musculoskeletal Diseases/etiology/surgery ; *Orthopedic Procedures/adverse effects/methods ; Talus/*surgery ; *Tibia/injuries/surgery ; Young Adult