1.Role of Arthroscopy in Ankle Fracture Surgeries
Gab-Lae KIM ; Seung Hwan HAN ; Kwang Hwan PARK ; Dae-Yoo KIM ; Gyeong Hoon LIM ; Sung Hyun LEE
Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society 2025;29(1):1-8
The fundamental principles for treating ankle fractures, as with other intra-articular fractures, are anatomical reduction and stable internal fixation. Despite successful reduction, between 14% and 40% of patients continue to experience persistent pain or unsatisfactory functional outcomes. Furthermore, approximately 1% of patients progress to post-traumatic arthritis, necessitating further surgical intervention. Ankle fractures are frequently accompanied by intra-articular injuries, including osteochondral lesions, ligament tears, and syndesmosis injuries. Arthroscopy is becoming increasingly prevalent in managing acute ankle fractures by assessing intra-articular damage and facilitating accurate reduction. This review examined the role and indications for arthroscopy in ankle fractures, particularly emphasizing its benefits in diagnosing and managing associated injuries, including osteochondral lesions, syndesmosis, and deltoid ligament injuries. Furthermore, arthroscopy facilitates fracture reduction, offering a minimally invasive approach with a shorter recovery period and enhanced visualization. Its use extends to pediatric fractures and complex cases such as Maisonneuve and calcaneal fractures, potentially improving outcomes while minimizing complications. Understanding the evolving indications and benefits of arthroscopy for ankle fractures can lead to improved clinical outcomes and reduced complications.
2.Role of Arthroscopy in Ankle Fracture Surgeries
Gab-Lae KIM ; Seung Hwan HAN ; Kwang Hwan PARK ; Dae-Yoo KIM ; Gyeong Hoon LIM ; Sung Hyun LEE
Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society 2025;29(1):1-8
The fundamental principles for treating ankle fractures, as with other intra-articular fractures, are anatomical reduction and stable internal fixation. Despite successful reduction, between 14% and 40% of patients continue to experience persistent pain or unsatisfactory functional outcomes. Furthermore, approximately 1% of patients progress to post-traumatic arthritis, necessitating further surgical intervention. Ankle fractures are frequently accompanied by intra-articular injuries, including osteochondral lesions, ligament tears, and syndesmosis injuries. Arthroscopy is becoming increasingly prevalent in managing acute ankle fractures by assessing intra-articular damage and facilitating accurate reduction. This review examined the role and indications for arthroscopy in ankle fractures, particularly emphasizing its benefits in diagnosing and managing associated injuries, including osteochondral lesions, syndesmosis, and deltoid ligament injuries. Furthermore, arthroscopy facilitates fracture reduction, offering a minimally invasive approach with a shorter recovery period and enhanced visualization. Its use extends to pediatric fractures and complex cases such as Maisonneuve and calcaneal fractures, potentially improving outcomes while minimizing complications. Understanding the evolving indications and benefits of arthroscopy for ankle fractures can lead to improved clinical outcomes and reduced complications.
3.Role of Arthroscopy in Ankle Fracture Surgeries
Gab-Lae KIM ; Seung Hwan HAN ; Kwang Hwan PARK ; Dae-Yoo KIM ; Gyeong Hoon LIM ; Sung Hyun LEE
Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society 2025;29(1):1-8
The fundamental principles for treating ankle fractures, as with other intra-articular fractures, are anatomical reduction and stable internal fixation. Despite successful reduction, between 14% and 40% of patients continue to experience persistent pain or unsatisfactory functional outcomes. Furthermore, approximately 1% of patients progress to post-traumatic arthritis, necessitating further surgical intervention. Ankle fractures are frequently accompanied by intra-articular injuries, including osteochondral lesions, ligament tears, and syndesmosis injuries. Arthroscopy is becoming increasingly prevalent in managing acute ankle fractures by assessing intra-articular damage and facilitating accurate reduction. This review examined the role and indications for arthroscopy in ankle fractures, particularly emphasizing its benefits in diagnosing and managing associated injuries, including osteochondral lesions, syndesmosis, and deltoid ligament injuries. Furthermore, arthroscopy facilitates fracture reduction, offering a minimally invasive approach with a shorter recovery period and enhanced visualization. Its use extends to pediatric fractures and complex cases such as Maisonneuve and calcaneal fractures, potentially improving outcomes while minimizing complications. Understanding the evolving indications and benefits of arthroscopy for ankle fractures can lead to improved clinical outcomes and reduced complications.
4.Role of Arthroscopy in Ankle Fracture Surgeries
Gab-Lae KIM ; Seung Hwan HAN ; Kwang Hwan PARK ; Dae-Yoo KIM ; Gyeong Hoon LIM ; Sung Hyun LEE
Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society 2025;29(1):1-8
The fundamental principles for treating ankle fractures, as with other intra-articular fractures, are anatomical reduction and stable internal fixation. Despite successful reduction, between 14% and 40% of patients continue to experience persistent pain or unsatisfactory functional outcomes. Furthermore, approximately 1% of patients progress to post-traumatic arthritis, necessitating further surgical intervention. Ankle fractures are frequently accompanied by intra-articular injuries, including osteochondral lesions, ligament tears, and syndesmosis injuries. Arthroscopy is becoming increasingly prevalent in managing acute ankle fractures by assessing intra-articular damage and facilitating accurate reduction. This review examined the role and indications for arthroscopy in ankle fractures, particularly emphasizing its benefits in diagnosing and managing associated injuries, including osteochondral lesions, syndesmosis, and deltoid ligament injuries. Furthermore, arthroscopy facilitates fracture reduction, offering a minimally invasive approach with a shorter recovery period and enhanced visualization. Its use extends to pediatric fractures and complex cases such as Maisonneuve and calcaneal fractures, potentially improving outcomes while minimizing complications. Understanding the evolving indications and benefits of arthroscopy for ankle fractures can lead to improved clinical outcomes and reduced complications.
5.Surgical Outcome of Achilles Reconstruction Using Allotendon and a Calcaneal Tunneling Technique in Patients with Chronic Achilles Rupture
Gab-Lae KIM ; Sung-Yup HONG ; Jung Hyun CHO ; Tong Young YOON
Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society 2024;28(1):15-20
Purpose:
Achilles tendon rupture is a frequently encountered ankle pathology associated with a substantial burden of intense pain and functional deficits. Chronic Achilles tendon ruptures with considerable defects pose intricate repair challenges that are often marred by complications such as re-rupture and persistent pain. Various treatment methods, including allograft transplantation, have been proposed, but the literature on this technique is limited. In this study, we propose a surgical approach utilizing allotendon transplantation and a calcaneal tunneling technique and provide clinical evaluation details.
Materials and Methods:
Fifteen patients with chronic Achilles tendon ruptures treated with allotendon between 2020 and 2022 were included in the study. Patients were evaluated at 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively using Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores and Achilles Tendon Total Rupture Scores (ATRSs). Complications were assessed postoperatively.
Results:
The average VAS score was 7 before surgery, 7.3 immediately after surgery, and 4.3 at 1 month, 2.5 at 3 months, and 1.3 at 6 months after surgery. Because the sample was limited to 15 individuals and distributions were non-normal, the analysis was conducted using the non-parametric Wilcoxon’s signed-rank test, and statistical significance was accepted for p-values<0.05. Results showed a significant improvement in ATRS and VAS scores versus preoperative and immediate postoperative values. VAS scores showed a decreasing trend after surgery, whereas average ATRS scores increased from 14 before surgery, 33.8 at 1 month, 82.7 at 3 months, and 93.9 at 6 months.
Conclusion
This study suggests that allograft transplantation using the described calcaneal tunnel technique provides an effective treatment for chronic Achilles tendon ruptures. However, extensive research and long-term clinical trials are required to validate and better understand the technique’s efficacy.
6.Surgical Treatment of Maisonneuve Fracture Accompanied by Tillaux-Like Fracture: A Case Report
Gab-Lae KIM ; Seung-Jin LEE ; Jung Hyun CHO
Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society 2024;28(3):111-113
Tillaux fractures, a rare type corresponding to Salter–Harris type 3, are observed in approximately 3% of pediatric ankle fractures. They are known to occur primarily via a supination–external rotation mechanism. Maisonneuve fractures, on the other hand, are proximal fibula fractures involving injury on syndesmosis, deltoid ligament, or medial malleolus fracture, occurring via a pronation-external rotation mechanism. These two types of fractures occur through different mechanisms of injury. In this study, a nine-year-old female pediatric patient presented to the outpatient department with ankle pain following a fall from a trampoline and was diagnosed with concurrent Tillaux-like fracture and Maisonneuve fractures. Surgical treatment was performed, resulting in successful recovery.
7.Comparative Study of Surgical Treatment for Concomitant Ankle Joint Injury in Tibia Shaft Fracture
Jinho PARK ; Seungjin LEE ; Hyobeom LEE ; Gab-Lae KIM ; Jiwoo CHANG ; Heebum HAHM
Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society 2023;27(3):87-92
Purpose:
Concomitant ankle injuries associated with tibial shaft fractures can affect postoperative ankle joint pain and various postoperative ankle complications. This study compared the clinical outcomes between surgical treatment and conservative treatment of concomitant ankle injuries associated with tibial shaft fractures.
Materials and Methods:
From January 2015 to June 2020, a retrospective study was conducted on 118 tibia shaft fractures at the orthopedics department of the hospital. Associated ankle injuries were analyzed using plain radiographs, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and intraoperative stress exams. The clinical outcomes were compared using the pain visual analog scale (pain VAS), American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society Ankle-Hindfoot score (AOFAS score), and Karlsson–Peterson ankle score (KP score).
Results:
Seventy-two (61.02%) of the 118 cases were diagnosed with associated ankle injuries. Fifty-six cases underwent surgery for the ankle injury, and 16 cases underwent conservative treatment. The clinical results (according to the pain VAS score, AOFAS score, the KP score) were 1.79±1.26, 94.48±4.03, and 94.57±3.60, respectively, in the surgical treatment group, and 3.00±1.03, 91.06±3.02, and 91.25±3.31, respectively, in the conservative treatment group.
Conclusion
Surgical treatment showed better clinical outcomes than conservative treatment in concomitant ankle injury in tibia fractures. Therefore, surgical treatment produces better clinical outcomes than conservative treatment in concomitant ankle injuries in tibia fractures. Hence to improve the clinical outcomes, more attention is needed on ankle joint injury in tibial shaft fractures for selecting suitable surgical treatments for those patients.
8.Multiple Abscesses Following COVID-19 Vaccination: A Case Report
Hyobeom LEE ; Gab-Lae KIM ; Taeho KIM
Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society 2023;27(2):67-70
Vaccines can cause adverse reactions, such as soreness, swelling, or redness at the injection site. Some reactions are associated with fever and rash, which are usually mild and transient, and serious side effects are rare. In particular, there are no reports of systemic infection following a COVID-19 vaccination. The authors present a case report of a patient who developed multiple abscesses caused by Staphylococcus aureus after a COVID-19 vaccination. The patient had no previous symptoms or signs of infection. The patient was controlled successfully after surgical and antibiotics treatment.
9.Osteoporotic Ankle Fracture
Hyobeom LEE ; Cheolhyun KIM ; Gab-Lae KIM
Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society 2023;27(2):43-48
The incidence of osteoporotic ankle fractures is increasing as the population ages. These fractures are becoming more common in clinical practice and require careful management because of the higher likelihood of developing complications than typical ankle fractures.The introduction of a method for measuring the ankle joint bone mineral density is a valuable tool for assessing the bone quality of the ankle joint. By evaluating the bone mineral density, healthcare professionals can better understand the extent of osteoporosis and the overall strength of the ankle joint. This information is crucial for determining the appropriate treatment for individual fractures. Several factors must be considered when deciding on the treatment for osteoporotic ankle fractures. These include the ankle joint bone mineral density, skin condition, any comorbidities the patient may have, and the patient's functional demands. Taking these factors into consideration allows healthcare providers to tailor the treatment plan to the specific needs and the circumstances of each patient. By applying the appropriate treatment, it is expected that the complications associated with osteoporotic ankle fractures can be minimized, and the prognosis for patients can be improved.
10.Spontaneous Degenerative Rupture of Extensor Hallucis Longus Treated with a Split Tibialis Anterior Tendon Autograft: A Case Report
Jiyoun KIM ; Gab-Lae K KIM ; Taeho KIM
Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society 2022;26(4):192-195
Chronic extensor hallucis longus (EHL) tendon rupture is relatively rare, but in such cases, surgical repair is necessary to prevent hallux dysfunction. To the best of our knowledge, reconstruction of chronic EHL rupture using a split tibialis anterior tendon autograft has not been previously reported. Here we present a case of spontaneous EHL tendon rupture with a 5 cm gap in a healthy 57-year-old woman. At the 1-year follow-up evaluation, hallux function was restored, and the patient was well satisfied with results.

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