Short-Term Results of Surgical Treatment Using TightRope™ for Acute Ankle Syndesmosis Injury / 대한족부족관절학회지

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical and radiologic outcome of syndesmosis fixation using TightRope™ (Arthrex, Naples, FL, USA) in acute syndesmosis injuries. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-five consecutive patients with acute syndesmosis injuries, treated using TightRope™, were reviewed. Patients were evaluated preoperatively and at the last follow-up (at least 12 months postoperatively). Clinical outcomes were assessed using American Orthopaedics Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot score and self-subjective satisfaction survey. Three radiologic parameters were evaluated two times at the preoperative and final follow up from the nonweightbearing ankle anteroposterior radiographs. RESULTS: The mean AOFAS ankle-hindfoot score was 95.5 at the final follow-up. According to the satisfaction survey, 21 patients chose excellent, and four patients chose good. All radiologic parameters, including the mean tibiofibular clear space, mean tibiofibular overlap, and mean medial clear space on nonweightbearing ankle anteroposterior view, significantly improved after surgery. Complications occurred in only one patient who experienced knot irritation with infection. CONCLUSION: The short-term surgical results of syndesmosis fixation using TightRope™ were good to excellent, both clinically and radiographically. These results suggest that the fixation using TightRope™ is a valid option for acute syndesmosis injury.