Distal tibiofibular syndesmosis fibular notch typing and its clinical significance based on CT / 解剖学报

Objective To investigate the morphological typing and clinical significance of the distal tibiofibular syndesmosis fibular notch based on CT images. Methods According to the inclusion and exclusion ceiteria‚ the imaging data of patients undergoing ankle joint CT examination were analyzed‚ and the inferior tibiofibular joint fibula notch was classified according to the morphological characteristics. The measurements included 8 distances. There were 123 males and 102 females‚ all of whom were Han nationality‚ aged 18-60 years old. Results Retrospectively analyzed the result of 225 patients from December 2013 to December 2022. The distal tibiofibular syndesmosis fibular notch was divided into four types according to morphological characteristics‚ C-shaped (50. 67%)‚ V-shaped (26. 67%)‚ flat-shaped (15. 11%) and L-shaped (7. 56%). The angle between the anterior and posterior facets of the flat shape (145. 56 ± 9. 25)° was the largest and the angle between the anterior and posterior facets of the L shape (125. 07 ± 13. 54)° was the smallest(P< 0. 05); the depth of the notch in the flat shape (3. 11 ± 0. 83) mm was the smallest and in the L shape (4. 47±1. 11) mm was the largest(P<0. 05);The posterior facet length (13. 06 ± 3. 56) mm and anterior tibiofibular gap (3. 83±1. 49) mm on left were larger than on the right side (P<0. 05); The posterior facet length (13. 36 ± 3. 46) mm‚ fibular notch depth (3. 93 ± 1. 10) mm and vertical distance of tibiofibular overlap (9. 10 ± 2. 55) mm larger in men than in women (P<0. 05). Conclusion In this study‚ the data related to the inferior tibiofibular syndesmosis notch were measured and divided into four types according to the shape. The flat inferior tibiofibular syndesmosis notch is more likely to have chronic ankle instability‚ and the fibula is more likely to move forward during anatomical reduction. The inferior tibiofibular syndesmosis of L-shaped and C-shaped notches is more prone to posterior displacement of fibula or poor rotation reduction during anatomical reduction.

Current research on injury to the distal tibiofibular syndesmosis and prospects of its treatment / 中华创伤骨科杂志

Among ankle injuries, the injury to the distal tibiofibular syndesmosis is common and likely neglected. The stability of the distal tibiofibular syndesmosis is related to the depth of the fibular notch. In imaging diagnosis, X-ray examination cannot be used for a definite diagnosis of the injury to the distal tibiofibular syndesmosis. For diagnosis of the distal tibiofibular separation>3 mm, CT scan can be accurate but is not sensitive enough for a separation<1 mm while MRI is more sensitive in diagnosis of the injury. Arthroscopy has gradually been used as the "gold standard" in diagnosis of the injury to the distal tibiofibular syndesmosis due to its advantage of direct vision. The distal tibiofibular separation occurs in the injuries of pronation external rotation Ⅳ°, supination external rotation Ⅲ° and Ⅳ°, and pronation abduction Ⅱ° and Ⅲ° by the Lange-Hansen classification. Most patients with simple stable injury to the distal tibiofibular syndesmosis may have a good prognosis after nonoperative treatment. Surgical anatomic reduction and maintenance of stability of the distal tibiofibular syndesmosis are the basic management principles for unstable distal tibiofibular syndesmosis or the injury to the distal tibiofibular syndesmosis combined with ankle fracture. Screw fixation is the most commonly used in the surgical treatment of the injury. Elastic fixation has the advantages of maintaining the biological characteristics of the distal tibiofibular syndesmosis fretting joint, better reduction fault tolerance, and lower rates of complications and long-term reduction loss. The angle of nail placement is the key to maintaining good reduction of the distal tibiofibular syndesmosis, but there has been little description of the specific methods to ensure the theoretical angle of nail placement in practice. This article also reviews the prospects of the future treatment of the injury to the distal tibiofibular syndesmosis.

Dynamic Fixation versus Static Screw Fixation for Syndesmosis Injuries in Pronation External Rotation Ankle Fractures: A Retrospective Case Control Study

@#Introduction: The current standard treatment for ankle syndesmosis injury is static screw fixation. Dynamic fixation was developed to restore the dynamic function of the syndesmosis. The purpose of this study was to determine that which of static screw fixation and dynamic fixation is better for treatment of ankle syndesmosis injury in pronationexternal rotation fractures. Materials and methods: Thirty patients were treated with dynamic fixation (DF group) and 28 patients with static screw fixation (SF group). The primary outcome was Olerud–Molander Ankle Outcome Score. The secondary outcome were Visual Analogue Scale score and American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society score, radiographic outcomes, complications and cost effectiveness. To evaluate the radiographic outcome, the tibiofibular clear space, tibiofibular overlap, and medial clear space were compared using the pre-operative and last follow-up plain radiographs. To evaluate the cost effectiveness, the total hospital cost was compared between the two groups Results: There was no significant difference in primary outcome. Moreover, there were no significant difference in secondary outcome including Visual Analogue Scale score and American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society score and radiographic outcome. Two cases of reduction loss and four cases of screw breakage were observed in the SF group. No complication in the DF group was observed. Dynamic fixation was more cost effective than static screw fixation with respect to the total hospital cost. Conclusion: Although dynamic fixation provided similar clinical and radiologic outcome, dynamic fixation is more cost effective with fewer complications than static screw fixation in ankle syndesmosis injury of pronation-external rotation fractures.

Sindesmosis tibioperonea: diagnóstico, métodos de fijación y artroscopia

Introducción: Las lesiones de la sindesmosis tibioperonea son frecuentes tanto de forma aislada o asociadas a fracturas del maléolo posterior. El diagnóstico clínico es corroborado mediante estudios imagenológicos. Los métodos de fijación pueden ser rígidos o dinámicos. Objetivo: Actualizar aspectos sobre las lesiones de la sindesmosis tibioperonea en cuanto al diagnóstico, métodos de fijación y el empleo de la vía artroscópica. Método: La búsqueda y análisis de la información se realizó en un periodo de 61 días (1 de octubre al 30 de noviembre de 2022) y se emplearon las siguientes palabras: syndesmosis injury, ankle syndesmosis instability, syndesmosis instability AND tight rope ankle instability, posterior maleolar fracture. A partir de la información obtenida se realizó una revisión bibliográfica de un total de 258 artículos publicados en las bases de datos PubMed, Hinari, SciELO y Medline mediante el gestor de búsqueda y administrador de referencias EndNote. Desarrollo: Se hizo referencia a las maniobras clínicas para el diagnóstico y las clasificaciones tomográficas en caso de fractura asociada del maléolo posterior. Se mencionaron los métodos de fijación rígidos y dinámicos, donde se describieron las características de cada uno basado en varios factores. Se expusieron las ventajas de la vía artroscópica tanto para el diagnóstico como para el tratamiento. Conclusiones: Las lesiones de la sindesmosis tibioperonea distal son frecuentes. Los estudios tomográficos ofrecen ventajas al determinar la extensión de la fractura del maléolo posterior. La vía artroscópica ofrece múltiples ventajas diagnósticas y terapéuticas.

Introduction: Tibioperoneal syndesmosis injuries are frequent both in isolation or associated with posterior malleolus fractures. Clinical diagnosis is confirmed on imaging studies. Fixation methods might be rigid or dynamic as well. Objective: Provide new aspects related to tibioperoneal syndesmosis injuries in terms of diagnosis, fixation methods and the use of arthroscopic procedure. Method: Search and analysis of information needed were carried out in a period of 61 days (from October 1 to November 30, 2022) and the following words were used: syndesmosis injury, ankle syndesmosis instability, syndesmosis instability AND tight rope ankle instability, posterior maleolar fracture. Based on the information obtained, a bibliographic review of the total of 258 articles published in the PubMed, Hinari, SciELO and Medline databases was carried out using the search engine and reference manager EndNote. Development: It was expressed in the study aspects related to clinical management used in diagnostic and classification on the types of CT scan for fracture associated with posterior malleolar fracture. The rigid and dynamic fixation methods and its characteristics were mentioned as well. The arthroscopic approaches and its advantages for both diagnosis and treatment were presented. Conclusions: Distal tibioperoneal syndesmosis injuries are frequent ankle injury. Tomographic studies offer some advantages for determining how large the posterior malleolus fracture is. The arthroscopic approach offers multiple diagnostic and therapeutic advantages too.

Introdução: As lesões da sindesmose tibiofibular são frequentes isoladamente ou associadas a fraturas do maléolo posterior. O diagnóstico clínico é confirmado por exames de imagem. Os métodos de fixação podem ser rígidos ou dinâmicos. Objetivo: Atualizar aspectos das lesões da sindesmose tibiofibular quanto ao diagnóstico, métodos de fixação e uso da abordagem artroscópica. Método: A busca e análise das informações foi realizada em um período de 61 dias (1º de outubro a 30 de novembro de 2022) e foram utilizadas as seguintes palavras: syndesmosis injury, ankle syndesmosis instability, syndesmosis instability AND tight rope ankle instability, posterior maleolar fracture. Com base nas informações obtidas, foi realizada uma revisão bibliográfica de um total de 258 artigos publicados nas bases de dados PubMed, Hinari, SciELO e Medline, utilizando o gerenciador de busca e Gerenciador de referências do EndNote. Desenvolvimento: Foi feita referência a manobras clínicas para diagnóstico e classificações tomográficas em caso de fractura associada do maléolo posterior. Foram citados métodos de fixação rígidos e dinâmicos, onde foram descritas as características de cada um com base em vários fatores. As vantagens da abordagem artroscópica tanto para o diagnóstico quanto para o tratamento foram discutidas. Conclusões: As lesões da sindesmose tibiofibular distal são frequentes. Os estudos tomográficos oferecem vantagens na determinação da extensão da fratura do maléolo posterior. A abordagem artroscópica oferece múltiplas vantagens diagnósticas e terapêuticas.

Treatment of lateral ankle joint ligament sprain by shaking and poking manipulation based on finite element method / 中国骨伤

OBJECTIVE@#To conduct a preliminary study on joint injuries of anterior and calcaneal fibular ligaments of the lateral ankle joint, and to analyze mechanism of action of shaking and poking in treating ankle joint and biomechanical properties of ankle during the recovery of joint injuries.@*METHODS@#CT scan was performed on a male volunteer with right ankle sprain. Mimics 10.0, Solidworks 2016, Hypermesh 12.0 and Abaqus 6.13 software were used to establish 3D nonlinear finite element analysis model of foot and ankle, and the validity of model was verified. Combined with clinical study, the finite element simulation analysis was carried out on the toe flexion, dorsiflexion, varus and valgus of ankle joint under different treatment periods by adjusting elastic modulus of ligament to simulate ligament injury.@*RESULTS@#With the treatment of shake and prick and recovery of ligament injury, the maximum stress and area with large stress on tibial pitch and fibular joint surface gradually increased under the four working conditions, and the stress value of the maximum stress ligament gradually increased, and the stress of the anterior and calcaneal fibular ligament dispersed and transferred, and the axial force gradually decreased.@*CONCLUSION@#The finite element method was used to simulate the mechanical condition of the shaking and stamping technique, and the changes of the forces of the ligament and articular surface before and after treatment of anterior and calcaneal ligament combined injury of ankle talus were intuitively observed. The treatment effect was quantified, and could provid objective and scientific basis for clinical promotion and application of this technique.

TightRope elastic fixation combined with functional total repair of inferior tibiofibular ligament in treatment of distal tibiofibular syndesmosis injury / 中国修复重建外科杂志

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.

El peroné flotante: resultado de una luxación tibioastragalina pura con lesión de la articulación tibioperonea proximal: reporte de caso / The floating fibula: outcome of pure tibiotalar dislocation with lesion to the proximal tibiofibular joint: case report

ANTECEDENTES El peroné flotante tras un traumatismo de alta energía es una entidad muy poco frecuente. Este es el primer reporte de caso asociado a luxación del tendón bicipital. OBJETIVO Presentar un caso de peroné flotante tras luxación divergente de tobillo asociado a luxación peronea proximal. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS Mujer de 17 añ que, tras accidente de tráfico, sufrió caída y presentó dolor y deformidad del tobillo izquierdo, junto con dolor e impotencia funcional de la rodilla ipsilateral. En las radiografías, se apreció una luxación pura divergente del tobillo izquierdo de tipo IV. Se realizó reducción cerrada en urgencias. El estudio se complementó con una resonancia magnética que mostró una rotura completa de la sindesmosis y del ligamento deltoideo, así como una fractura no desplazada de la meseta tibial externa, junto con un desgarro de la cápsula tibioperonea proximal y desprendimiento completo del ligamento lateral externo y del tendón bicipital desde su inserción en la cabeza del peroné. Se realizó reanclaje de la sindesmosis y del ligamento deltoideo, así como del ligamento lateral externo y del tendón bicipital mediante anclajes óseos metálicos y reducción de peroné tanto proximal como distalmente, mediante sistema de sutura tipo botón. Se inmovilizó con férula cruropédica por cuatro semanas. RESULTADOS La paciente presentó recuperación completa de la fuerza a los cinco meses de seguimiento, con movilidad completa del tobillo y de la rodilla. CONCLUSIÓN El peroné flotante es muy poco frecuente; sólo se ha descrito un caso en la literatura. Implica la disrupción de la articulación tibioperonea proximal y distal, lo que puede provocar inestabilidad en la rodilla y en el tobillo. Por tanto, ante un traumatismo de alta energía en el tobillo, es necesaria la exploración minuciosa de la rodilla ipsilateral.

BACKGROUND Floating fibula after high-energy trauma is a very uncommon entity. The present is the first report of a case associated with avulsion of the bicipital tendon. PURPOSE To present a case of floating fibula after divergent ankle dislocation associated with proximal peroneal dislocation. MATERIALS AND METHODOS A 17-year-old woman who fell after a traffic accident and presented pain and deformity of the left ankle with pain and functional impotence in the ipsilateral knee. The radiographs showed a pure divergent type-IV left-ankle dislocation. Closed reduction was performed in the emergency room. The study was complemented with a magnetic resonance imaging scan which showed complete rupture of the syndesmosis and the deltoid ligament, as well as a non-displaced fracture of the external tibial plateau together with a tear of the proximal tibiofibular capsule and complete detachment of the external lateral ligament and bicipital tendon from its insertion in the peroneal head. The syndesmosis and deltoid ligament were reanchored, as well as the external lateral ligament and the bicipital tendon, using metallic bone anchors and fibula reduction both proximally and distally, using a suture-button system. The patient was immobilized with a long-leg splint for four weeks. RESULTS The patient presented complete recovery of strength at five months of follow-up. CONCLUSSION Floating fibula is a rare entity, with only one case described in the literature. It involves a disruption of the proximal and distal tibiofibular joint, which can lead to knee and ankle instability. Therefore, in cases of high-energy trauma to the ankle, a careful examination of the ipsilateral knee is necessary.

Chronic syndesmosis injury: What can we do? / 国际外科学杂志

Chronic syndesmosis injury is of great difficulty in foot and ankle trauma with a high post-traumtaic arthritis morbidity, deformity and disability rate, which is always caused by a delayed management or improper initial surgical treatment, and need an active intervention. Currently, various of treatment technique for chronic syndesmosis injury has been described, however, the optimal strategy should be determined by patient′s classification, symptoms, activity demands and severity of arthritis to maximally relieve the symptoms, preserve functions and improve the life quality. This article will overview the diagnosis and management of chronic syndesmosis injury in this article.

Anatomical characteristics and clinical significance of the syndesmosis based on MRI / 解剖学报

Objective To discuss the anatomical characteristics of the syndesmotic ligament based on MRI images, and to provide anatomical basis for clinical syndesmotic ligament injury and ligament reconstruction. Methods Totally 228 cases of MRI data from diseased person enrolled in the Orthopedics and Traumatology Department of the Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Southwest Medical University from January 2010 to May 2021 were retrospectively studied. Measurement of corresponding geometrical data of the ligaments in syndesmosis were analysed. Results The average length of the syndesmosis anterior ligament was (9. 75±3. 54) mm, the average width (7. 27±3. 09) mm, and the average thickness (2. 50± 0. 93 ) mm. The angle with the horizontal plane was ( 47. 49 ± 14. 60) ° ; The average length of the posterior syndesmosis ligament of the lower tibia and fibula was (8. 94±2. 43) mm, the average width was (6. 70±2. 80) mm, the average thickness was (2. 32±1. 10) mm, and the angle with the horizontal plane was (40. 84±13. 13)°; the average length of the inferior transverse ligament was (9. 81±3. 21) mm, the average width was (2. 28±1. 51) mm, and the angle with the horizontal plane was 14. 59° ± 8. 02°; the average length of the inferior tibiofibular syndesmosis interosseous ligament was (12. 92±4. 77) mm, and the average width was (3. 28±1.99) mm. The anatomical data of the anterior, posterior, inferior transverse, and interosseous ligaments of the lower tibiofibular syndesmosis, male and female, were compared, and the differences were not statistically significant. Conclusion Studying the anatomical structures and characteristics of the syndesmotic ligament and analyzing the effect of the syndesmotic ligament on the stability of the ankle joint can offer effective diagnostic means or suggestions of syndesmosis injuries in the clinically diagnose and treat.

Mechanics Analysis on Novel Micro-Movement Elastic Implant of Distal Tibiofibular Syndesmosis in Dorsiflexion Position / 医用生物力学

Objective To study mechanical properties of the novel micro-movement elastic implant of distal tibiofibular syndesmosis in dorsiflexion position.Methods A combination of simulation and experiment was used. The normal ankle dorsiflexion model, the bone nail repaired model and the micro-movement elastic implant repaired model were established by using Mimics and CT data. Besides, ANSYS Workbench was used for finite element analysis. Mechanical experiments on lower limb specimens were conducted on Instron E10000 mechanical test instrument, and five sets of experimental data were measured and analyzed.Results Mechanical properties of the micro-movement elastic implant repaired model were closer to those of the normal ankle dorsiflexion model, but stress of the micro-movement elastic implant repaired mode was greater than that of the bone nail repaired model. The results of two-sample heteroscedasticity t test indicated that there was no significant difference in resistance torque between the micro-movement elastic implant repaired model and the normal ankle dorsiflexion model.Conclusions For dorsiflexion position, repairing mechanical properties of the novel micro-movement elastic implant are much better than those of the bone nail, and there is still room for optimizing the micro-movement elastic implant.

Medial malleolus malunion with secondary tibiotalar and syndesmotic incongruence - two case reports and «box resection¼ for its treatment / Mal unión del maléolo medial con incongruencia tibiotalar y sindesmótica: «resección en caja¼ para su tratamiento

Abstract: Introduction: Ankle fractures are among the most common injuries treated by orthopaedic surgeons. Malunion is one of the possible complications, and corrective surgery is often used to avoid long-term disability. However, few studies address medial malleolus malunion and the best revision surgery technique is controversial. We describe a new surgical technique, the «box resection¼. Material and methods: We present two cases of medial malleolus malunion with secondary talus lateral translation and syndesmotic incongruence. In order to restore a congruent tibiotalar joint, we performed the described technique. Results: We record significant improvement of AOFAS Score and range of motion in both cases, with resolution of pain symptoms. Postoperative radiographs show a congruent mortise with syndesmosis reduction. Conclusion: The box resection allowed immediate talus medial translation to its original position. It is a simple and effective solution, with a good functional outcome.

Resumen: Introducción: La consolidación viciosa del maléolo interno es una posible complicación en las fracturas maleolares. Su tratamiento es difícil y controvertido, por el momento no hay una solución estándar. Proponemos una nueva técnica quirúrgica para el tratamiento de estos casos que denominamos «resección en caja¼. Material y métodos: Presentamos dos casos de consolidación viciosa del maléolo interno, asociados con traslación lateral del astrágalo y incongruencia de la sindesmosis, donde aplicamos la técnica quirúrgica descrita. Resultados: En ambos casos, obtuvimos una mejora significativa en el puntaje AOFAS y en el rango de movilidad, así como en la resolución de las molestias por dolor. Las radiografías muestran mortajas congruentes y anatómicas, con una reducción satisfactoria de la sindesmosis. Conclusión: La técnica de «resección en caja¼ es simple y eficaz produciendo un buen resultado clínico y funcional.

Anatomy and clinical significance of the tibiofibular syndesmosis on anticorrosive specimens / 解剖学报

Objective To research the clinical significance of the tibiofibular syndesmosis based on the anatomical characteristics of the tibiofibular syndesmosis. Methods A total of 51 tibiofibular syndesmosis collected from Southwest Medical University were measured based on the anatomical characteristics of the lower tibia and fibula of anticorrosive specimens. Results The geometrical data of the anterior tibiofibular ligament, posterior tibiofibular ligament and transverse tibiofibular ligament were measured respectively, and mean ± standard deviation was described. Include: the length, width, thickness of the anterior tibiofibular ligament (8. 53±0. 69, 19. 06±1. 34, 15. 99±1. 44) mm, the length, width, thickness of the posterior tibiofibular ligament (9. 34±0. 63, 16. 92±1. 76, 14. 36±0. 89) mm, the length, width, thickness of the transverse tibiofibular ligament (18. 42±2. 48, 21. 93±2. 59, 4. 56±0. 17) mm. The angel between the anterior tibiofibular ligament and the coronal surface and the angle of the horizontal plane were (20. 49±4. 86, 42. 20± 3. 42)°. The angel between the posterior tibiofibular ligament and the coronal surface and the angle of the horizontal plane were (13. 2±2. 06, 40. 92±3. 13) °. The angel between the transverse tibiofibular ligament and the coronal surface and the angle of the horizontal plane were (13. 45±1. 57, 32. 73±3. 70)°. According to the data analysis, the anterior, posterior and transverse tibiofibular ligaments have statistical difference between men and women, but there is no statistical difference between left and right feet. Conclusion The tibiofibular syndesmosis is of great significance to the stability of the ankle joint and the anatomical structure has important guiding significance for clinical treatment.

Suture-button fixation and screw fixation for the treatment of distal tibiofibular syndesmosis injury: A meta-analysis / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND: In the clinical treatment of distal tibiofibular syndesmosis injury, Suture-Button fixation technique can achieve similar results to, even better results than, those of screws, but it cannot fully recover the anatomical reduction and activity to those before injury. However, the optimal treatment of distal tibiofibular syndesmosis injury is still controversial. OBJECTIVE: To systematically evaluate Suture-Button fixation and screw fixation for the treatment of distal tibiofibular syndesmosis injury. METHODS: EMBASE, Cochrane database, PubMed database, Wanfang database, and CNKI were searched to retrieve randomized or non-randomized controlled trials regarding Suture-Button fixation and screw fixation for the treatment of distal tibiofibular syndesmosis injury published from January 2005 to January 2019. The quality of the included studies was strictly evaluated. Relevant data were extracted. A meta-analysis of all outcome measures was performed using RevMan 5. 3 software. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) Twelve studies were included, including 4 randomized controlled trials and 8 cohort studies, involving 564 patients. (2) Meta-analysis results showed that Suture-Button fixation had shorter full weight-bearing time [WMD=-1. 50, 95%CI(-2. 08, -0. 92), P 0. 05). (3) These findings suggest that compared with screw fixation, Suture-Button fixation for the treatment of distal tibiofibular syndesmosis injury leads to better recovery of ankle joint function and an earlier time point for full weight bearing and does not need to consider the risk of screw fracture during the surgery. In addition to screw fixation, Suture-Button fixation is an effective way to treat distal tibiofibular syndesmosis injury.

Research progress in diagnosis and treatment of distal tibiofibular syndesmosis injury / 中国修复重建外科杂志

Objective: To review the research progress in the diagnosis and treatment of distal tibiofibular syndesmosis injury. Methods: The recent literature about distal tibiofibular syndesmosis injury was reviewed and analyzed. Results: Distal tibiofibular syndesmosis injury is commonly seen in ankle joint injury, the anatomical complexities make diagnosis and treatment difficult. Preoperative physical examination, radiologic evaluation, and intraoperative stress-testing are important for the diagnosis. Aggressive treatment is also recommended for these injuries to prevent long-term chronic instability. Internal fixation is the main treatment, including metal screw, degradable screw, elastic fixation, and hybrid techniques. Metal screw fixation is still the current mainstream, but elastic fixation represented by Suture-button is more in line with the physiological characteristics of ankle joint, and the rate of secondary operation is low while the clinical outcome is satisfactory. The application prospect of elastic fixation is worthy of expectation. Conclusion: It's crucial for patient with ankle fracture to repair the distal tibiofibular syndesmosis injury. How to diagnose the injury more accurately and simply, how to increase the success rate of reduction, and how to reduce the complications of surgery are still worthy for further exploration.

Surgical effectiveness of ankle "Logsplitter" injury plus avulsion fractures without tibiofibular joint screwing / 中华创伤骨科杂志

Objective To explore the surgical efficacy of trans-syndesmotic ankle fracture dislocation (the "Logsplitter" injury) plus the Tillaux-Chaput fracture / the Wagstaffe-Lefort fracture and the Volkmann fracture without tibiofibular joint screwing.Methods Between January 2015 and December 2018,16 adult patients with the "Logsplitter" injury plus avulsion fractures were treated by open reduction and internal fixation at Department of Orthopaedics,The Sixth Affiliated Hospital,Xinjiang Medical University.They were 11 males and 5 females with an average age of 36.4 years (range,from 27 to 56 years).There were 2 open fractures (one type Ⅱ and one type ⅢA by the Anderson-Gustilo classification) and 14 closed ones;all fractures were type 44-C by the AO/OTA classification;according to the Lauge-Hansen classification,there were 9 cases of pronation-abduction rotation,3 cases of pronation-external rotation and 4 cases of supination-external rotation.The fibular fractures were treated through a single lateral approach followed by plate fixation.The Volkmann fractures were fixed with screws and the Tillaux-Chaput fractures / the Wagstaffe-Lefort fractures with screws or Kirschner wires.The ankle functions were assessed postoperatively using the ankle-hindfoot rating system of the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS),and the dysfunction index and bother index of Short Musculoskeletal Function Assessment (SMFA).Results All the patients were followed up for 8 to 27 months (average,21.3 months).X-ray films showed complete fracture healing in all cases after 12 to 18 weeks postoperatively (mean,14.8 weeks).At the last follow up,13 patients walked normally and 2 with mild discomfort.Their AOFAS scores averaged 96.3 (range,from 86 to 100),giving 12 excellent,3 good and one poor cases;their SMFA dysfunction index was 15.9 (range,from 8 to 17)and SMFA bother index 6.5 (range,from 3 to 9)at the last follow-up.Conclusions In the treatment of trans-syndesmotic ankle fracture dislocation — the "Logsplitter" injury,open reduction and internal fixation of the Tillaux-Chaput fracture / the Wagstaffe-Lefort fracture and the Volkmann fracture to reconstruct the lower tibiofibular horizontal stable "ring",without tibiofibular joint screwing,can obtain satisfactory clinical results.

Inestabilidad residual de tobillo en pacientes con lesión de la sindesmosis sin fractura tratados con tornillos situacionales / Residual ankle instability in patients with syndesmosis lesions without fracture treated with situational screws

Resumen: Introducción: La lesión de la sindesmosis tibioperonea se presenta por lo regular acompañada de la fractura de los maléolos ya sea medial o lateral, muy rara vez la sindesmosis puede lesionarse sin que exista una fractura de alguna de las estructuras óseas que conforman el tobillo, representa alrededor de 1% de todas las lesiones. Al ser muy raras, no se diagnostican en el evento agudo y suelen tratarse como un simple esguince de tobillo. Material y métodos: Serie de casos con lesión de la sindesmosis sin fractura de tobillo, tratadas con colocación de doble tornillo situacional, apoyo diferido y retiro de los implantes a los dos meses. Posteriormente, a los seis meses de la cirugía inicial se aplica el test de inestabilidad de tobillo de Cumberland (CAIT), el cual cuenta con nueve reactivos donde se mide el grado de inestabilidad del tobillo. Resultados: Durante un año se detectaron cuatro casos de lesión de la sindesmosis sin fractura de un total de 349 casos quirúrgicos tratados en el hospital, exclusivamente en pacientes masculinos, todos ellos menores de 40 años. Seis meses después de la cirugía se aplicó el CAIT encontrando una inestabilidad residual en 100% de los casos tratados, algunos en mayor medida que los demás. Discusión: Este resultado es poco alentador y nos hace reconsiderar el tratamiento establecido para mejorar la estabilidad final del tobillo.

Abstract: Introduction: The lesion of the distal tibiofibular syndesmosis is commonly accompanied by the fracture of the maleollus either medial or lateral, rarely, the syndesmosis can be injured without there being a fracture of any of the bone structures that make up the ankle, accounting for about 1% of all injuries. Being very rare, they are not diagnosed at the acute event, and are usually treated as a simple sprained ankle. Material and methods: Series of cases with ankle fractureless syndesmosis lesion, treated with situational double screw placement, deferred support and implant removal at two months. After six months of initial surgery, the Cumberland ankle instability (CAIT) test is applied which measures the degree of ankle instability. Results: For one year, 4 cases of fractureless synosmosis lesions were found out of a total of 349 surgical cases treated in the hospital, exclusively in male patients, all under the age of 40. Six months after surgery, CAIT was applied, encountering residual instability in 100% of treated cases. Discussion: This result is unencouraging and makes us reconsider the treatment established to improve the final stability of the ankle.

Progress in the Treatment of Logsplitter Injury: An Illustrated Review

Logsplitter injury is an ankle joint injury caused by high-energyaxial violence with significant separation of inferior tibiofibularsyndesmosis. Surgery is the mainstay treatment. The fractureshould be treated in stages depending on the condition of thesoft tissue. The integrity and smoothness of the ankle jointsurface should be restored as much as possible during thesurgery. This article discusses the treatment strategies oflogsplitter injuries. Thorough research of the availableliteratures was done aiming to provide a standard treatmentprotocol. When combined with posterior malleolus fracture,anatomical reduction of posterior malleolus is necessary toreconstruct posterior tibial notch and then lateral malleolus.This reduction sequence is very important. Anatomical lockingplates have been widely used in the fixation of fibular fractures.Anatomical reduction and fixation of the inferior tibiofibularsyndesmosis is the key factor to achieve good functionalresults. There are still some controversies on how to accuratelyjudge the stability of the inferior tibiofibular syndesmosis.Screws are the main method of fixing the inferior tibiofibularsyndesmosis at present. Ankle arthroplasty or anklearthrodesis may be necessary if the cartilage of the ankle jointis extensively damaged or if the ankle joint is severelycomminuted. At present, the therapeutic and prognostic effectsof these injuries are poor. The main influencing factors includethe degree of injury, anatomical reduction of the fracture anddislocation, recovery of ankle stability and the reconstruction ofankle joint surface.

Prevalencia de las complicaciones relacionadas con el retiro del tornillo de situación / Prevalence of complications related to the removal of the syndesmotic screw

Resumen: Antecedentes: El retiro del tornillo de situación es un procedimiento actualmente cuestionado. La mayoría de las publicaciones que exhortan a evitar este procedimiento consideran que la tasa de complicaciones es elevada. El objetivo de este trabajo fue conocer la tasa de complicaciones relacionadas con el retiro del tornillo de situación para comprobar la seguridad del procedimiento y comparar los resultados con la literatura internacional. Material y métodos: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo, observacional, retrospectivo y transversal en el cual se tomó una muestra de todos los casos operados de retiro de tornillo de situación en nuestro hospital de Febrero de 2015 a Enero de 2016 para obtener la prevalencia de las complicaciones relacionadas con este procedimiento. El análisis estadístico fue descriptivo. Resultados: Se estudió un total de 207 pacientes. Se observaron cinco pacientes con complicaciones (2.41%). Dos casos con dehiscencia de la herida, dos casos con infección superficial (1.92%) y un caso con diástasis subsecuente de la sindesmosis con dolor asociado a inestabilidad (0.48%), el cual requirió de cirugía de revisión. Conclusiones: En la muestra estudiada de nuestro hospital, la prevalencia de complicaciones relacionadas con el retiro del tornillo situacional fue menor que la reportada en la literatura hasta el momento; por ende, podríamos afirmar que es un procedimiento seguro, con una baja tasa de infección e inestabilidad postraumática del tobillo.

Abstract: Background: Removal of the syndesmotic screw is a currently-disputed procedure. Most of the publications that promote avoid this procedure considered that the rate of complications is high. The aim of this work was to determine the rate of complications related to the removal of the syndesmotic screw to learn about the safety and compare the results with the international literature. Material and methods: A descriptive, observational, retrospective and cross-sectional study in which took a sample of all cases operated of removal of the syndesmotic screw at our hospital from February 2015 January 2016 for the prevalence of the complications associated with this procedure. The statistical analysis was descriptive. Results: A total of 207 patients were studied. Five patients with complications were observed (2.41%). Two cases with wound dehiscence, two cases with superficial infection (1.92%), and a case with subsequent diastasis of the syndesmosis, with pain associated to instability (0.48%) which required revision surgery. Conclusions: In the sample of our hospital, the prevalence of complications related to the syndesmotic screw removal was less than that reported in the literature so far; Thus we could say that is a safe procedure, with low risk for infection and post-traumatic instability of the ankle.

Management of High Ankle Sprain / 대한족부족관절학회지

High ankle sprain (distal tibiofibular syndesmosis injury) occurs from rotational injuries, specifically external rotation, and may be associated with ankle fractures. The prevalence of these injuries may be higher than previously reported because they may be missed in an initial examination. Syndesmosis injury can lead to significant complications in injured ankle joints, so a precise physical examination and radiological evaluation is necessary. The most important treatment goal is to have the tibia and fibula located in the correct position with respect to each other and to heal in that position. The methods to fix these injuries is controversial.

Effectiveness comparison of open reduction and internal fixation for open and closed ankle Logsplitter fractures / 中国修复重建外科杂志

Objective: To investigate the effectiveness of open reduction and internal fixation on high-energy ankle Logsplitter injuries (a kind of transsyndesmotic ankle fracture dislocation), and compare the prognosis between open and closed Logsplitter fracture. Methods: The clinical data of 36 Logsplitter fractures treated with open reduction and internal fixation between April 2011 and May 2016 were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 15 cases were open fracture and dislocation (open group) and 21 cases were closed fracture and dislocation (closed group). There was no significant difference between the two groups in gender, age, combined injury, injury to hospital admission time, and other general data ( P>0.05), with comparability. The wound healing, ankle mobility recovery, complications, and fracture healing were observed after operation. The ankle function was evaluated by the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score. Results: Both groups were followed up 12-29 months (mean, 19 months). There was no significant difference in the follow-up time between the open group and the closed group ( t=1.169, P=0.251). In the open group, there were 3 cases of postoperative infection, 3 cases of nonunion, and 5 cases of post-traumatic osteoarthritis; the above complications occurred in 1 case in the closed group; there was no significant difference in complications between the two groups ( P=0.41) except post-traumatic osteoarthritis ( P=0.02). At last follow-up, there was no significant difference in AOFAS score between the two groups ( t=1.981, P=0.056). According to AOFAS score criterion, the results were good in 10 cases and general in 5 cases in the open group, and good in 13 cases and general in 8 cases in the closed group, showing no significant difference ( P=0.45). There was no significant difference in the fracture healing time and ankle flexion, dorsal extension, varus, and valgus motion between the two groups ( P>0.05). Conclusion: Open reduction and internal fixation for open or closed Logsplitter fractures can achieve satisfactory results, improve fracture healing rate, effectively reduce the incidence of complications, and improve ankle function.