Stability of ankle joint in the repair of deltoid ligament with suture anchors / 中国组织工程研究

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Ankle fracture combined with deltoid ligament rupture and distal tibiofibular syndesmosis injury occurs occasionally. Its treatment with distal tibiofibular syndesmosis screw fixation or deltoid ligament repair remains controversial. The former appears with poor reduction, broken nails, secondary surgery and other problems.OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical effectiveness of suture anchor repair for ankle fracture combined with deltoid ligament injury.METHODS: Twelve patients with ankle fracture combined with deltoid ligament injury were selected from the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine between January 2013 and December 2015. All patients were treated with open reduction, internal fixation, and anchor repair, but without distal tibiofibular syndesmosis screw fixation. The curative efficacy and joint stability were observed.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) All patients were followed-up for more than 12 months. (2) The modified Baird-Jackson scoring system showed excellent in nine cases, good in two cases, average in one case, poor in none case, and the excellent and good rate was 92%. (3) At 1 year after internal fixation, the X-ray examination showed the malleolus gap and talus slope angle of the affect side were (3.47±0.12) mm and (0.45±0.18)°, and the malleolus gap and talus slope angle of the healthy side were (3.44±0.05) mm and (0.43±0.14)°, and there was no significant difference between two sides (P > 0.05). (4) These results indicate that the suture anchor can repair the anatomy and biomechanics of deltoid ligament with stable ankle joint, and secondary surgery is unnecessary.