Primary Treatment of Acute Ankle Sprain: Retrospective Comparison of Cast Immobilization and Functional Ankle Brace / 대한족부족관절학회지

PURPOSE: To compare the efficacy between cast immobilization and functional treatment using an ankle brace as a treatment for acute lateral ankle sprain. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study reviewed the medical records of 157 acute ankle sprain patients who were treated between 2009 and 2014. A total of 101 cases were included in this study except for cases with a combined injury, and could not be followed up for eight weeks after the first visit. The patients were divided according to the treatment modality: a cast immobilization group (64 cases) and functional treatment group (37 cases). The clinical outcomes were assessed retrospectively based on the medical records of each group. The residual symptoms, such as pain, swelling, and instability, at three weeks after the primary treatment and at the last visit were compared. RESULTS: The residual pain and instability were significantly common in the functional treatment group at three weeks. Five cases (7.8%) of pain and one case (1.6%) of instability were in the cast group whereas nine cases (24.3%) of pain and six cases (16.2%) of instability in functional treatment group (p=0.021, p=0.014). On the other hand, there was no meaningful difference at the last follow-up. Residual pain, swelling, and instability at the last visit were noted in three (4.7%), six (9.4%), and four cases (6.3%) in the cast group, and three (8.1%), three (8.1%), and three (8.1%) were observed in the functional treatment group. Six patients refused cast immobilization. CONCLUSION: Although there was no significant difference at the last follow-up, cast immobilization appears to be more effective than a functional brace in terms of early pain relief and early restoration of ankle stability as a treatment for acute ankle lateral sprain in this study.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Occult Lisfranc Injury / 대한족부족관절학회지

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effectiveness of intraoperative stress test for diagnosis of occult Lisfranc injury. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between April 2009 and October 2012, 21 patients with occult Lisfranc injuries underwent intraoperative stress test and internal fixation. There were 11 males and 10 females with an average age of 45.3 years (range, 23~79 years). Injuries were caused by traffic accident in 10 cases, indirect force (twisting injury) in 8 cases, and crush in 2 cases, falling from a height in 1 case. Unstable injuries on stress radiograph in occult injury of Lisfranc joint were treated by open reduction or closed reduction and fixation with cannulated screw or K-wire. Radiological evaluation was assessed according to preoperative and postoperative diastasis between 1st and 2nd metatarsal base. RESULTS: Assoicated injuries were 9 cases of metatarsal fractures, 6 cases of cuneiform fractures and 6 cases of both metatarsal and cuneiform fractures. Medial and middle column fixation was in 13 cases, and three columns fixation was in 8 cases. Initial diastasis between 1st and 2nd metatarsal base was 2.8 mm (1.3~4.7 mm) on AP radiograph and postoperative diastasis between 1st and 2nd metatarsal base was 1.2 mm (0.5~2.4 mm) on AP radiograph. CONCLUSION: Even there is no sign of clear Lisfranc injury, it is necessary to pay attention and give evaluation on circumstances of occult Lisfranc injuries with metatarsal or cuneiform fractures. Intraoperative stress test is helpful to diagnose an occult Lisfranc injury. For unstable injuries on stress radiographs of occult Lisfranc joint injury, operative treatment with open or closed reduction and internal fixation is useful method.

Comprehensive Analysis for Risk Factors of Lower Extremity Amputation as a Treatment of Complicated Diabetic Foot / 대한족부족관절학회지

PURPOSE: The diabetic foot lesions are intractable, and aggravation often leads to amputation. None or minor amputation group was treated debridement or toe amputation and major amputation group was treated Ray, Lisfranc, Chopart, Below Knee and Above Knee amputation. We investigate the risk factors for major limb amputations among patients with diabetic foot lesion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The subjects were 73 diabetic foot lesion patients (83 diabetic foot lesions) treated at our department from January 2006 to December 2010. Non or Minor amputation group of 44 cases were treated with debridement or toe amputation. Major amputation group of 39 cases were treated with Ray, Lisfranc, Chopart, below or above Knee amputation. We investigated socioeconomic factors, diabetes mellitus related factors and wound related factors and laboratory factors. Statistical analysis was done by Students t-test, Chi-square test, Mann-Whitney's U test. RESULTS: In our analysis, wound size, wound classification (Wagner classification, Brodsky classification), white blood cell counts, polymorphoneuclear neutrophil percentage, hemoglobin, C-reactive protein and albumin were risk factors for major amputation (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Low education level, nutritional condition, premorbid activity level and progressed wound condition were observed in major amputation group compared with non or minor amputation group. In the major amputation group, higher white blood cell count, C-reactive protein level and lower albumin level were observed. Together with maintenance of adequate nutritional condition, early detection of lesions and foot care for early treatment is important. Therefore, active investigation with full risk evaluation of vascular complication is also important.