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

OBJECTIVE: To explore clinical effect of intermittent flap opening technique in L-shaped incision of calcaneal fracture. METHODS: From January 2017 to January 2019, 48 patients with Sanders typeⅡ to Ⅳ calcaneal fractures were treated by open reduction and internal fixation. According to different flap opening techniques, the patients were divided into control group and observation group, 24 patients in each group. In observation group, there were 17 males and 7 females, aged from 20 to 60 years old with an average of(45.12±9.56) years old;7 patients were typeⅡ, 10 patients were type Ⅲ and 7 patients were type Ⅳ according to Sanders classification;3 patients were C0, 16 patients were C1 and 5 patients were C2 according to Tscherne-Gotzen soft-tissue assessment;treated with intermittent flap technique. In control group, there were 19 males and 5 females aged from 20 to 60 years old with an average of (47.32±10.67) years old;7 patients were typeⅡ, 11 patients were type Ⅲ and 6 patients were type Ⅳ according to Sanders classification;2 patients were C0, 18 patients were C1 and 4 patients were C2 according to Tschemc-Gotzen soft-tissue assessment;treated with static flap opening technique. Operation time, flap retraction time, changes of Böhler angle and Gissane angle before and after operation at 3 days, and occurrence of incision complications were observed and compared between two groups. RESULTS: All patients were followed up from 3 to 6 months with an average of(4.52±1.01) months. There were no significant differences in operation time, changes of Böhler angle and Gissane angle before and after operation at 3 days between the two groups(P>0.05);there was statistical difference in flap retraction time between two groups(P<0.05). Occurrence of incision complications in observation group was significantly lower than that in control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Intermittent flap opening technique is superior to static opening technique in reducing incision complications of lateral "L" approach of calcaneus. Single Kirschner wire opening does not affect the exposure, reduction and fixation of fracture during operation.
Male ; Female ; Humans ; Young Adult ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Surgical Wound ; Treatment Outcome ; Fractures, Bone/surgery* ; Fracture Fixation, Internal/methods* ; Calcaneus/surgery* ; Ankle Injuries ; Foot Injuries ; Knee Injuries

OBJECTIVE: To study the effectiveness of TightRope elastic fixation combined with functional total repair of the inferior tibiofibular ligament in the treatment of distal tibiofibular syndesmosis injury. METHODS: The clinical data of 34 patients with distal tibiofibular syndesmosis injury who met the selection criteria between January 2020 and January 2022 were retrospectively analyzed, and they were divided into improved group (TightRope elastic fixation combined with functional total repair of inferior tibiofibular ligament) and control group (distal tibiofibular screw fixation) according to the surgical methods, with 17 cases in each group. There was no significant difference in age, gender, body mass index, fracture type, and other baseline data between the two groups (P>0.05). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, and complications were recorded in the two groups. The American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score, ankle metatarsal flexion and dorsal extension range of motion were used to evaluate the ankle function. The patient satisfaction survey was conducted at last follow-up. RESULTS: All 34 patients were followed up 8-20 months, with a median of 13 months. The operation time and intraoperative blood loss in the improved group were significantly longer than that in the control group (P<0.05). In the improved group, no infection or poor reduction occurred, and only 1 patient had TightRope knot reaction at 6 months after operation. In the control group, there were 2 cases of poor reduction, 1 case of lower tibiofibular screw rupture, and 1 case of subcutaneous infection (cured after anti-infection treatment). There was no significant difference in the incidence of complications between the two groups (P>0.05). At last follow-up, the AOFAS score and ankle metatarsal flexion and dorsal extension range of motion of the improved group were significantly better than those of the control group (P<0.05). The satisfaction rates of patients in the improved group and the control group were 94.1% and 82.4%, respectively, showing significant difference (P<0.05). CONCLUSION TightRope elastic fixation combined with functional total repair of inferior tibiofibular ligament in the treatment of distal tibiofibular syndesmosis injury has sufficient fixation strength, and can achieve better effectiveness and joint function compared with traditional screw fixation.
Humans ; Ankle Joint/surgery* ; Blood Loss, Surgical ; Ligaments/surgery* ; Plastic Surgery Procedures ; Retrospective Studies ; Ankle Injuries/surgery*

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effectiveness of a novel minimally invasive Achilles tendon suture instrument in the treatment of fresh closed Achilles tendon rupture. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted on 150 patients who underwent surgical intervention for fresh closed Achilles tendon rupture. Eighty patients were treated with the novel minimally invasive Achilles tendon suture instrument (minimally invasive group) and 70 patients with traditional open surgery (traditional group). The two groups were comparable in terms of gender, age, injured side, cause of injury, the interval between injury and operation, and the distance from the fracture end to the calcaneal tuberosity ( P>0.05). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, incision length, hospital stays, hospitalization expenses, and complications were recorded and compared. At 1 year after operation, the ankle joint function was evaluated by the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot score. RESULTS: The minimally invasive group demonstrated significantly shorter operation time, smaller incision length, and lower intraoperative blood loss when compared with the traditional group ( P<0.05). However, there was no significant difference in terms of hospital stays and hospitalization expenses between the two groups ( P>0.05). All patients were followed up 12-24 months after operation (mean, 15.5 months). In the traditional group, 6 cases of incision necrosis and 7 cases of Achilles tendon adhesion occurred, while in the minimally invasive group, all incisions healed at first intention and no Achilles tendon adhesion occurred. The differences in the incidences of the two complications between the two groups were significant ( P<0.05). At 1 year after operation, the AOFAS ankle-hindfoot score in the minimally invasive group was superior to that of the traditional group ( P<0.05). CONCLUSION In comparison with traditional open surgery, the use of self-designed novel minimally invasive Achilles tendon suture instrument proves to be an ideal technique for treating fresh closed Achilles tendon ruptures. This approach offers the benefits of smaller incisions, fewer complications, and better postoperative functional recovery, without increasing hospital costs.
Humans ; Blood Loss, Surgical ; Retrospective Studies ; Neurosurgical Procedures ; Achilles Tendon/surgery* ; Tendon Injuries/surgery* ; Ankle Injuries ; Surgical Wound ; Sutures

OBJECTIVE: To explore clinical efficacy of Locking loop stitch with suture-bridge technique in repair of acute closed distal Achilles tendon rupture by using suture anchors. METHODS: From July 2019 to March 2021, 20 patients with acute closed distal Achilles tendon rupture were treated by minimally invasive suture anchor locking suture bridging repair technique. Among them, including 18 males and 2 females, aged from 19 to 52 years old with an average of(40.0±9.0) years old. Complications were observed, and recovery of ankle function was evaluated by American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society(AOFAS) ankle and hindfoot function scoring system before operation and 1 year after operation. RESULTS: All patients followed up from 6 to 18 months with an average of (12.0±3.2) months. The incisions were healed at stageⅠwithout infection and skin necrosis occurred;no gastrocnemius nerve injury and deep vein thrombosis of the lower extremities occurred;and no heel pain and Achilles tendon re-rupture occurred. AOFAS scores of ankle and hindfoot increased from(59.0±4.3) before opertaion to(95.1±2.6) at 1 year after operation (t=-32.1, P<0.05). CONCLUSION The effect of locking suture bridging with suture anchor nails to repair acute distal Achilles tendon rupture is definite, and it could reduce incidence of complications such as Achilles tendon re-rupture, nerve injury, and skin necrosis, which has advantages of small surgical trauma, reliable anastomosis method and good functional recovery, and is an ideal method for treating acute closed distal Achilles tendon rupture.
Female ; Male ; Humans ; Young Adult ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Suture Anchors ; Achilles Tendon/surgery* ; Ankle Injuries ; Tendon Injuries/surgery* ; Necrosis

PURPOSE: To investigate the clinical effects of arthroscopically artificial ligament reconstruction with tensional remnant-repair in patients who are obese, and/or with demand for highly intensive sports, and/or with poor-quality ligament remnants. METHODS: A retrospective case series study was performed on patients treated by arthroscopically anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) reconstruction with tensional remnant repair technique from January 2019 to August 2021. General data, including demographics, surgical time, and postoperative adverse events, were recorded. The American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society score (AOFAS), foot and ankle ability measure (FAAM), visual analog scale (VAS), and anterior talar translation were measured preoperatively and at 6 weeks, 3 months, and 2 years postoperatively. Ultrasonography examination was performed preoperatively and 2 years postoperatively to evaluate the ATFL. Data were analyzed using SPSS 19.0. F test was used to analyze the pre- and postoperative VAS, FAAM, and AOFAS scores. The significance was set at p < 0.05. RESULTS: There were 20 males and 10 females among the patients with a mean age of (30.71 ± 5.81) years. The average surgical time was (40.21 ± 8.59) min. No adverse events were observed after surgery. At 2 years postoperatively, the anterior talar translation test showed grade 0 laxity in all patients. VAS score significantly decreased from preoperatively to 6 weeks, 3 months, and 2 years postoperatively (p < 0.001). Improvement of FAAM score and the AOFAS score from preoperatively to 6 weeks, 3 months, and 2 years postoperatively was statistically significant (p < 0.001). At 3 months postoperatively, most patients (23/30) could return to their pre-injured activities of daily living status. At 2 years postoperatively, all patients were able to return to their pre-injured activities of daily living status, and almost every patient (18/19) who expected highly intensive sports returned to sports with only 1 obese patient failing to achieve the goal. The ultrasonography examination at 2 years postoperatively showed that there was a linear band structure of soft tissue on the tension-rich fiber tape image from the fibular to the talar attachment sits of ATFL. CONCLUSION The novel arthroscopically artificial ligament reconstruction with tensional remnant-repair technique for ATFL achieved satisfactory clinical outcomes in the short and medium term after operation, and allowed early return to pre-injured activities, which could be a reliable option for patients with chronic lateral ankle instability.
Male ; Female ; Humans ; Young Adult ; Adult ; Ankle Joint/surgery* ; Retrospective Studies ; Activities of Daily Living ; Ankle Injuries/surgery* ; Lateral Ligament, Ankle/surgery* ; Joint Instability/surgery* ; Ligaments ; Obesity ; Arthroscopy/methods*

OBJECTIVE: To explore clinical efficacy of staged surgery in treating complex closed Pilon fracture. METHODS: From June 2019 to January 2021, 29 patients with complex closed Pilon fracture were treated by staging surgery, including 18 males and 11 females, aged ranged from 31 to 68 years old with an average of (43.50±6.62) years old;7 cases were typeⅡand 22 cases were type Ⅲ according to Ruedi-Allgower classification. All patients had fresh closed fractures without talus and calcaneal fractures. The time from injury to closed reduction and external fixation, the interval between two stages of surgery, fracture healing time and complications were recorded. American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society(AOFAS) was used to assess clinical effects. Burwell-Charnley system was used to evaluate radiological reduction. RESULTS: All 29 patients were followed up from 13 to 30 months with an aver age of (15.43±5.31) months. All fractures healed well from 2 to 6 months with an average of (3.77±1.22) months. No internal fixation fracture, screw loosening, infection, internal fixation irritation, ankle stiffness occurred. The time from injury to closed reduction and cross-ankle fixation ranged from 1.22 to 7.34 h with an average of(2.31±3.52) h, the interval between two stages ranged from 5 to 9 days with an average of (5.98±2.11) days. AOFAS score was improved from 34.11±6.89 before operation to 90.10±10.11 after oepration at 12 months(P<0.05). According to AOFAS grading, 16 patients got excellent result, 9 good and 4 moderate. Fifteen patients got anatomic reduction, 12 patients were good reduction, and 2 cases were poor reduction according to Burwell-Charnley system. CONCLUSION Staged surgery for complex closed Pilon fracture has advantages of less complications, statisfied reduction, stable fixation, which could obtain good recovery of ankle joint.
Adult ; Aged ; Ankle Fractures/surgery* ; Ankle Injuries/surgery* ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; Fracture Healing ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tibial Fractures/surgery*

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical effect of the tarsal sinus approach combined with Herbert screw and minimally invasive calcaneal locking plate compared with traditional lateral L-shaped incision approach combined with plate internal fixation in the treatment of SandersⅡ and Ⅲ calcaneal fractures. METHODS: Total of 110 patients with SandersⅡ and Ⅲ calcaneal fractures admitted from March 2018 to March 2020 were selected. There were 66 males and 44 females, ranging in age from 20 to 72 years old, with an average of (48.82±8.03) years old. There were 48 SandersⅡ patients and 62 Sanders Ⅲ patients, including 41 left calcaneal fractures and 69 right calcaneal fractures. According to the surgical approach, the patients were divided into the tarsal sinus approach group and the L-shaped incision approach group, 55 cases in each group. The L-shaped incision approach group was treated with traditional lateral L-shaped incision approach combined with internal fixation plate, while the sinus tarsal approach group was treated with tarsal sinus approach combined with Herbert screw and minimally invasive calcaneal locking plate. The operative time, intraoperative blood loss, length of hospital stay and time of fracture healing were recorded to evaluate the surgical effect. The B?hler angle, Gissane angle, calcaneal length and width of the patients before and after surgery were examined by X-ray and the surgical reduction was highly evaluated. Foot function recovery was evaluated by American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Maryland Scale, and postoperative complications were recorded. RESULTS: All patients were followed up to 12 months after surgery, the operation time and hospitalization time of patients in the sinus tarsal approach group were shorter than those in the L-shaped incision approach group (P<0.05), and the amount of intraoperative blood loss was lower than that in the L-shaped incision approach group(P<0.05). One year after surgery, B?hler angle, Gissane angle, calcaneus length and height were increased(P<0.05), calcaneus width was decreased (P<0.05). One year after the operation, the Maryland scores of the two groups were increased(P<0.05). During the follow-up period, the incidence of postoperative complications (incision infection, joint pain, soft tissue injury) in the sinus tarsalapproach group was lower than that in the L-shaped incision approach group(P<0.05). CONCLUSION The traditional lateral L-shaped incision approach and the tarsal sinus approach are both good for the treatment of SandersⅡand Ⅲ calcaneal fractures, but the latter can shorten the surgical treatment time and reduce the incidence of complications.
Male ; Female ; Humans ; Young Adult ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Calcaneus/injuries* ; Blood Loss, Surgical ; Treatment Outcome ; Bone Plates ; Fractures, Bone/surgery* ; Ankle Injuries ; Foot Injuries ; Bone Screws ; Knee Injuries

OBJECTIVES: To summarize our experience with the sural neurofasciocutaneous flap for reconstructing the soft tissue defects over the forefoot distal to the connecting line of midpoints in the metatarsal bones, and to compare the outcomes between the flap for resurfacing the defects distal and proximal to the connecting line. METHODS: The clinical data of 425 sural neurofasciocutaneous flaps for repairing the soft tissue defects in the middle and lower leg, ankle, and foot between Apr. 2002 and Apr. 2020 were reviewed. Based on the connecting line of midpoints of the metatarsals, the sural neurofasciocutaneous flaps were divided into a forefoot group (flaps with furthest edges distal to the connecting line) and a peri-ankle group (flaps with the furthest edges proximal to the connecting line). RESULTS: The partial necrosis rate in the forefoot group (14.5%, 10/69) was significantly higher than that in the peri-ankle group (7.0%, 25/356), with significant difference (P<0.05). Using the flap alone or in combination with a simple salvage treatment, the ratio of successful coverages of the defects was 98.6% (68/69) in the forefoot group, and 97.8% (348/356) in the peri-ankle group, respectively, with no statistical difference (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS The sural neurofasciocutaneous flap is a better choice for covering the soft tissue defects over the forefoot distal to the connecting line of midpoints of the metatarsal bones. The survival reliability of the sural neurofasciocutaneous flap reconstructing the soft tissue defect proximal to the connecting line is superior to that of the flap reconstructing the defect distal to the connecting line.
Ankle/surgery* ; Humans ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; Reproducibility of Results ; Soft Tissue Injuries/surgery* ; Surgical Flaps