Fixation with Bioabsorbable Polylactide Plate and Screws for the Treatment of the Ankle Fractures / 대한족부족관절학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this article is to assess the efficacy of a bioabsorbable polylactide (PLA) plate and screw for treating injuries of ankle fractures. MATERIALS AND METHODS:24 patients who underwent an open reduction and internal fixation operation for ankle fractures from July 2005 to March 2007 were enrolled into the study. There were 15 men and 9 women. The average age of the patients was 44 years and the average follow-up period was 16 years and two months (16.2 months). All cases were divided into low grade fracture patient (11) who belongs in type A and B of Danis-Weber classification and high grade fracture patient (13) who belongs in type C1, C2 of Danis-Weber classification, and each groups were analyzed by clinical (Meyer score) and radiological finding at the time of their last follow-up evaluation. RESULTS:The clinical results according to Meyer scoring system, showed that all patient with low grade fracture had good to excellent result, but only 54% of patient with high grade fracture had good to excellent result. According to Cedell's radiologic finding, there were 91% cases above fair in low grade fracture. But there were 62% of patient above fair result in high grade fracture, the reduction losses were seen in 38% of patient with high grade fracture. CONCLUSION: Bioabsorbable PLA plate and screw is good internal fixation device which doesn't have additional operation for removal of implant because of slow absorption within the human body. It showed sufficient strength for acquisition and maintenance of reduction in low grade fracture, but need attention to use because of many cases of reduction loss in high grade fracture. So, it seems to be safe and effective when used in heeling of low grade fracture under considering about type of fracture sufficiently.

Pseudoaneurysm of the Medial Superior Genicular Artery after Arthroscopic Partial Meniscectomy

We describe a case of 43-year-old man who had a pseudoaneurysm of the medial superior genicular artery after arthroscopic partial meniscectomy with standard anterolateral and anteromedial portals. Pseudoaneurysm of the medial superior genicular artery has been reported at the previous superomedial portal site after arthroscopy. Described herein is a unique case that involved the medial superior genicular artery at the previous anteromedial portal site after arthroscopy. The pseudoaneurysm was successfully treated with transcatheter embolization.

Results of the Ludloff Osteotomy for Moderate to Severe Hallux Valgus Deformity / 대한족부족관절학회지

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical and radiologic results of the Ludloff osteotomy for moderate to severe hallux valgus deformity retrospectively. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 2003 and October 2006, 33 patients (42 feet) who had undergone with Ludloff osteotomy combined with distal soft tissue procedure were followed up for more than one year. The average follow-up period was 14.6 months and the average age at the time of surgery was 47.7 years (26-70 years). The American Othopeaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score was used for clinical outcome assessments. We analyzed the hallux valgus angle (HVA), the first-second intermetatarsal angle (IMA) and the degrees of the tibial sesamoid subluxation in preoperative and the last follow-up radiographs. RESULTS: The AOFAS score improved from a preoperative average of 45.6 points to an average 84.3 points at the last follow-up. HVA and IMA were 34.8 and 14.5 degrees preoperatively, 17.2 and 5.9 degrees at the last follow-up. The tibial sesamoid position improved from a preoperative average of grade 2.5 to the last follow-up average of grade 1.2. CONCLUSION: Ludloff osteotomy produced satisfactory results for moderate to severe hallux valgus deformity.

Operative Treatment of the Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome Caused by Tarsal Coalition / 대한족부족관절학회지

PURPOSE: Study was to evaluate the operative results for tarsal coalition with tarsal tunnel syndrome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From Jan. 2005 to Mar. 2006, among a number of patients who were diagnosed with tarsal tunnel syndrome caused by tarsal coalition and treated surgically, 5 patients were closely observed for more than 12 months. All cases were talocalcaneal coalition and there were two male and three female patients with a mean age of 36 years (22-50 years). We used the Takakura rating scale as clinical evaluation. RESULTS: All five patients had a burning pain in the sole or extended to toes and showed positive Tinel's sign. Sensory disturbances were observed in the distribution of the medial plantar nerves in four patients and in the area of the medial and lateral plantar nerves in one. Atrophy and weakness of the plantar muscles were seen in two patients. The mean Takakura scale in preoperative and postoperative was 3.4 points (1 to 5 points), 8.6 point (6 to 10 points). The mean follow up was 14.4 months (12 to 16 months). The postoperative results were excellent in two patients, good in two and fair in one. As postoperative complications, there were persistent swelling in one patient and a flexion disturbance of Hallux in one. CONCLUSION: The coalition resection performed on tarsal tunnel syndrome caused by tarsal coalition could improve a level of pains and neurological symptoms significantly. However, since there were some undesirable complications, a detailed explanation to patients is required prior to surgical treatment and study of such complications may be required.

Medial Plantar Nerve Injury after Screw Fixation of the Calcaneus Fracture

We present a case of medial plantar nerve injury by screw tip after open reduction and internal fixation of intraarticular calcaneus fracture. We reviewed the risk and prevention technique of medial plantar nerve injury in fixing the calcaneus fracture.

Comparison of Arthroscopy and Routine MRI About Cartilage Lesion in Knee Joint

PURPOSE: The cartilage lesions of routine MRI (no cartilage-specific image sequences) compared with those of arthroscopy for detecting how much we can predict. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We made a retrospective study of 53 patients with cartilage lesions of medial femoral condyle in the knee arthroscopy from Nov. 2003 to Jan. 2006. We analyzed the extent of agreement in cartilage lesions between arthroscopy and routine MRI using modified Outerbridge classification. RESULTS: All patients were categorized by modified Outerbridge Grade I~IV. In arthroscopy, 3, 4, 24, 22 cases were reported in each category: on routine MRI, 3, 10, 12, 23 cases were reported in each category and there were 5 normal cases. The sensitivity of cartilage lesions on MRI was high (90.6%), however, the agreement of those was low (K=0.24). We found 24 cases (45.2%) that MRI levels and arthroscopy levels were matched. We found 29 cases (54.7%) that those two levels were not matched. CONCLUSION: It is important to make a close inspection of chondral surfaces even in routine MRI. And cartilage lesions in routine MRI should be considered as those of higher grade in arthroscopy.

Multiple Spine Fractures of Young Adult (Over 3 Vertebrae) / 대한척추외과학회지

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study. OBJECTIVES: To analyze the mode of injury, associated lesions, time of injury, and the checking times of MRI/CT and Bone scans in multiple spine fractures SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: CT was predominantly used to discover and identify the fracture levels of the spine. However, fracture level identification in the entire spine was limited. CT, MRI and Bone scans were used for diagnosing multiple spine fractures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 1999 and 2004, 12 patients who had more than level 3 spine fractures were studied. The mode of injury, associated lesions, time of injury, and checking times of MRI/CT and Bone scans were analyzed. RESULTS: The causes of the spinal injuries were from a fall from height, from traffic accidents and from multi-complex forced trauma in 7, 4 and 1 cases, respectively. Most cases had no severe associated lesions. The accuracy of the plain roentgenograms was 26% and that of CT was 35.3%, and the average checking time was 1.5 days. The accuracy of MRI was 100% and the average checking time was 4.3 days. The accuracy of the bone scans was 100%, and the average checking time was 11.7 days. The fracture patterns consisted of 37, 7, 3 and 3 non-compression (74%), compression (14%), burst (6%) and fracture-dislocation types (6%), respectively. The major treatment methods used with these patients were conservative. The treatment methods in 4 cases were with the use posterior instrumentation. CONCLUSIONS: MRI produced more accurate and faster results than the other methods of detection. The accuracy of the plain roentgenograms was 26%, which was relatively inaccurate. Therefore, if the patient complains of multiple back pains, the surgeon must check other diagnostic tools.

Cystic adventitial disease of the popliteal artery: a case report

Cystic adventitial disease of the popliteal artery (CADPA) is a rare but a well-known cause of intermittent claudication, especially in young patients. The etiology of the disease is still controversial. Diagnosis starts with thorough history taking, physical examination, and radiography. A 44-year-old man presented with intermittent left calf claudication that had begun 9 months earlier (; the symptom-free interval was about 500 m). 3D-CT and CT-angiography revealed an oval cystic mass that compressed the popliteal artery, causing severe stenosis. Surgery was performed; the affected segment of the artery was successfully excised and replaced with an autogenous saphenous vein graft. Follow-up is on going. No cyst recurrence has so far been detected either clinically or by duplex-sonography during the 6-month postoperative period. The graft was patent and the patient was completely symptom free. Severe claudication in young patients, possibly without significant vascular risk factors, should prompt the clinical suspicion of CADPA.

Shockwave Therapy for Tennis Elbow / 대한정형외과학회잡지

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) an lateral epicondylitis of the elbow. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-four patients with refractory lateral epicondylitis were treated with shock waves. The patients were evaluated by assessing of pain using visual analog scale (VAS) and a simple elbow test (SET). Overall clinical outcomes were evaluated using Roles and Maudsley scores at 12 months after ESWT. RESULTS: Significant symptom improvement were observed in 20 (83%) patients at the 12 months follow up according to the Roles and Maudesley scores. Average SET and VAS scores were also significantly improved after ESWT (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: This study suggests that shock waves therapy could be considered as an effective and noninvasive treatment modality for refractory lateral epicondylitis of the elbow.

Origins of Dorsal Root Ganglion Cells Innervating Medial, Lateral Collateral Ligaments and Patellar Tendon of the Rat Knee Joint / 대한정형외과학회잡지

PURPOSE: The present study was designed to examine the distribution and type of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) cells innervating the medial and lateral collateral ligaments and patellar tendons of the rat knee joint. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We selectively injected neural tracers (FG and HRP) into both collateral ligaments and patellar tendons and then charaterized the distribution and type of DRG cells in section. RESULTS: FG-labelled DRG cells, innervating the medial and lateral collateral ligaments, were located in L1-S3 (former) and L1-L5 (later). The HRP-labelled DRG cells innervating the medial and lateral collateral ligaments were smaller than 600 m2. FG-labelled DRG cells innervating the patellar tendons were found in L1 to S1. The HRP-labelled cells innervating the patellar tendons were variable in size (100 m2 to 3000 m2). CONCLUSION: This study indicates that the DRG origins of sensory nerves in the collateral ligaments and the patellar tendon of the rat knee joint are different. The majority of DRG cells innervating the patellar tendons are proprioceptive and mechanoceptive sensory cells. This finding suggests that the patellar ligaments have more neurological functions than the collateral ligaments.

Prospective Comparison between the Anterior Interbody Fusion and the Posterolateral Fusion / 대한척추외과학회지

OBJECTIVES: To campare the differences of clinical and radiological results between the posterolateral fusion and the anterior interbody fusion. MATERIALS AND METHOD: For prospective study, the anterior interbody fusion was performed in 20 patients(Group I) and the pos-terolateral fusion was performed in 20 patients(Group II). The operation time, pre- & post-operative hemodynamic changes, functional recovery and fusion rate were compared. RESULTS: The average operation time was 180 min in group I and 100 min in group II. The average estimated blood loss and transfusion amount were assessed 1225cc, 926cc in group I and 1034cc, 880cc in group II. Clinical results were as follows: excellent 25%, good 65%, fair 10% in group I and excellent 15%, good 50%, fair 30%, poor 5% in group II. The fusion rate was 100% in group I and 75% in group II. CONCLUSION: The anterior interbody fusion with posterior instrumentation is considered encouraging operative methods.