[Effectiveness of mini locking plate combined with Kirschner wire in treatment of comminuted Jones fracture].

Objective: To summarize the effectiveness of mini locking plate combined with Kirschner wire in treatment of comminuted Jones fracture. Methods: Between January 2011 and October 2016, 25 cases with comminuted Jones fracture were treated with mini locking plate combined with Kirschner wire. There were 9 males and 16 females with an average age of 31.4 years (range, 16-66 years). The fractures located on the left side in 11 cases and on the right side in 14 cases. The causes of injury included spraining in 21 cases, falling down in 3 cases, and bruise in 1 case. The bone fragment of all cases was more than 3 pieces. The fracture line was mostly Y-shape or T-shape. Twelve of them were combined with other fractures. The time from injury to operation was 1-9 days (mean, 5 days). The mini locking plate and Kirschner wire were removed at 9-12 months postoperatively. At 12 months postoperatively, the pain was evaluated by the visual analogue scale (VAS) score, and the function by the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) score. Results: All incisions healed by first intention. All cases were followed up 12-36 months with an average of 21.7 months. Fracture union was observed in all patients without complications such as nonunion, delayed union, and malunion. The fracture union time was 8-12 weeks (mean, 9.4 weeks). At 12 months postoperatively, the VAS score was 1.15±0.87; the AOFAS score was 89.45±6.24, and the results were excellent in 14 cases, good in 9 cases, fair in 1 case, and poor in 1 case, with an excellent and good rate of 92%. Conclusion: The procedure of mini locking plate combined with Kirschner wire for comminuted Jones fracture has such advantages as convenient operation, more rigid fixation, high rate of fracture healing, and good functional recovery in foot.

Free dermatoplasty combined with vacuum sealing drainage for the treatment of large-area soft tissue defects accompanied by bone exposure in the lower leg.

The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical efficacy of free dermatoplasty combined with vacuum sealing drainage (VSD) for the treatment of large-area soft tissue defects accompanied by bone exposure in the lower leg (crus). Free dermatoplasty combined with VSD was used to treat 36 patients with large-area soft tissue defects accompanied by bone exposure in the lower leg. The areas of the soft tissue defects ranged from 25×12 to 35×30 cm and the areas of exposed bone ranged from 6×4 to 10×6 cm. When evaluated by the open fracture Gustilo classification, 14 cases were of Gustilo type IIIA and 22 cases were of type IIIB. During surgery, adjacent available muscle flaps were transferred to cover the outer areas of the exposed bone and reduce the bone exposure range. Following VSD treatment, granulation tissues grew well and free dermatoplasty combined with VSD was used to treat and repair the wound surfaces. The patients were followed up for 1-5 years (mean duration, 2.5 years). All 36 cases with skin flap grafts survived, the free skin graft texture on the wound surface was good, the recovery of lower limb function was satisfactory and the success rate was 80.56%. Free dermatoplasty combined with VSD used for the treatment of large-area soft tissue defects accompanied by bone exposure in the lower leg may eliminate the need for amputation and complex surgery, and is a simple, fast and effective treatment method.

[Surgical treatment of calcaneal fracture involving talocalcaneal and calcaneocuboid joints].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the method and effectiveness of lateral calcaneal U-shaped incision approach to treat calcaneal fractures involving the talocalcaneal and calcaneocuboid joints. METHODS: Between January 2009 and March 2011, 36 cases of calcaneal fractures involving the talocalcaneal and calcaneocuboid joints were treated by the lateral calcaneal U-shaped incision approach and calcaneal anatomical plate fixation. There were 27 males and 9 females with an average age of 38.7 years (range, 19-58 years). According to the Sanders classification criteria, there were 12 cases of type II, 20 cases of type III, and 4 cases of type IV. The Böhler and Gissane angles were (6.21 +/- 10.48) degrees and (89.85 +/- 12.34) degrees, respectively. The average time from injury to surgery was 4.2 days (range, 2-14 days). RESULTS: Superficial skin flap necrosis and wound exudate occurred in 1 case respectively, which were cured after dressing change; primary healing was obtained in the other cases. All the cases were followed up 12-26 months (mean, 15.2 months). The X-ray films showed that all fractures healed with an average healing time of 10.6 weeks (range, 8-12 weeks). The reduction of articular surface was satisfactory, and the heel height returned to normal. No complication of breakage of internal fixation or traumatic arthritis occurred. The Böhler and Gissane angles were (29.64 +/- 5.33) degrees and (121.75 +/- 6.65) degrees, respectively at 3 months after operation, showing significant differences when compared with the preoperative values (t=43.800, P=0.000; t=33.200, P=0.000). The average time of plate removal was 11.2 months (range, 9-20 months). According to Maryland foot score, the results were excellent in 17 cases, good in 15 cases, and fair in 4 cases; the excellent and good rate was 88.9%. CONCLUSION: The lateral calcaneal U-shaped incision approach is an effective method to treat calcaneal fractures involving the talocalcaneal and calcaneocuboid joints, which can expose the fracture fully, restore the anatomy of the calcaneal bone, and do early exercise under the condition of rigid internal fixation.

[Treatment of fresh closed fracture-dislocation of midtarsal joint].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the treatment method and effectiveness of fresh closed fracture-dislocation of the midtarsal joint. METHODS: Between April 2004 and April 2011, 73 patients (75 feet) with fresh closed fracture-dislocation of the midtarsal joint were treated with closed reduction combined with open reduction and internal fixation. There were 56 males (58 feet) and 17 females (17 feet), aged from 19 to 62 years (mean, 35.8 years). Injuries were caused by falling from height in 35 cases, by sprain in 4 cases, by machine twist in 5 cases, by heavy pound in 9 cases, and by traffic accident in 20 cases. The time from injury to admission ranged from 1 hour and 30 minutes to 48 hours (mean, 4.5 hours). According to Main's classification standard, 6 feet were rated as vertical compression injury, 33 feet as medial displacement injury, 17 feet as lateral displacement injury, 9 feet as flexion injury, and 10 feet as crush injury. Concomitant injuries included midfoot fracture-dislocation (34 feet), scaphoid fracture (6 feet), cuboid bone fracture (18 feet), calcaneal fracture (8 feet), talus fracture (7 feet), tibiotalar joint dislocation (2 feet), subtalar joint dislocation (2 feet), medial malleolus fracture (1 foot), and acute compartment syndrome (3 feet). RESULTS: Healing of incision by first intention was achieved in 65 cases (67 feet), by second intention in 8 cases (8 feet). Sixty-two cases (62 feet) were followed up from 11 months to 7 years and 11 months (mean, 3 years and 6 months). After operation, feet pain occurred in 26 cases, and stiffness or discomfort of the affected foot in 36 feet when walking. The X-ray examination showed good reduction of fracture-dislocation of the midtarsal joint and concomitant injuries with no re-dislocation or bone nonunion in 59 feet; 3 feet had flatfoot secondary to navicular necrosis, and underwent arthrodesis. The American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score was 77-90 (mean, 88.6) at last follow-up. CONCLUSION: According to the preoperative evaluation of the damage, using the manual reduction combined with internal fixation (mini-plate or hollow screw with Kirschner wire) methods can obtain good effectiveness in the treatment of fracture-dislocation of the midtarsal joint.

[Analysis of diagnosis and treatment of talus lateral process fracture].

OBJECTIVE: To analyse and summarize the diagnosis, treatment, and clinical effects of talus lateral process fracture. METHODS: Between February 2001 and March 2009, 21 male patients with an average age of 33.6 years (range, 18-46 years) with talus lateral process fractures were treated. Fracture was caused by falling from height in 18 cases, by tumbling in 2 cases, and by sprain in 1 case. According to Hawkins classification, there were 4 cases of type I, 15 cases of type II, and 2 cases of type III, all being closed fractures. The disease course was from 2 hours to 26 days. In 17 patients whose fracture fragments were more than 1 cm x 1 cm x 1 cm or whose fracture fragments shifting was more than 1 mm, open reduction and internal fixation with AO hollow titanium nails were performed in 14 patients, open reduction and internal fixation with door-shape self-made nail in 1 patient, and open reduction and internal fixation with absorbable screws in 2 patients. In 4 patients whose fracture fragments were less than 0.6 cm x 0.5 cm x 0.5 cm or whose fracture fragments shifting was less than 1 mm, fragments removal was performed in 2 patients, Kirschner pins in 1 patient, and plaster conservative therapy in 1 patient. In patients with ligaments injury, the ligaments was reconstructed during the operation. RESULTS: All the incisions achieved primary healing. Twenty-one patients were followed up 9.5 months to 8 years. No ankle pain occurred and the range of joint motion was normal after operation. The X-ray films showed that all cases achieved fracture union. And the healing time was from 8 weeks to 14 weeks (10 weeks on average). According to American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) for foot, the results were excellent in 17 cases, good in 3 cases, and moderate in 1 case; the excellent and good rate was 95.24%. CONCLUSION: The size and displacement of fracture fragment should be considered first in the treatment of lateral process fracture of talus; in patients who are complicated by lateral malleolus ligament injury, the ligament should be reconstructed to avoid the chronic non-stability of lateral ankle.

[Flexor digitorum (hallucis) longus muscle tendon transfer in the repair of old rupture of the Achilles tendon].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the operative technique of repair and its curative effect of old rupture of the Achilles tendon with flexor digitorum (hallucis)longus tendon transfer. METHODS: From Nov 2001 to May 2005, 13 patients who had old rupture of the Achilles tendon were treated with this operative technique. Five of them were treated with flexor digitorum longus tendon transfer and 8 with flexor hallucis longus tendon. All patients had the history of closed injury of Achilles tendon(9 male and 4 female, 8 left feet and 5 right feet). The age ranged from 32 to 69 years(mean 41 years). OPERATIVE TECHNIQUE: flexor digitorum (hallucis)longus tendon was cut down alternatively. The distal end of flexor digitorum longus tendon should be sutured to flexor hallucis longus tendon if the flexor digitorum longus tendon was cut. The distal end of flexor hallucis longus tendon should be sutured to flexor digitorum longus tendon if the flexor hallucis longus tendon was cut. The proximal end of tendon to be cut down was sew up a suture line and pulled out from the incision to reveal the Achilles tendon. A transverse hole was drilled through the anterior aspect of the insertion of the tendon of the calcareous, and then drilled upward perpendicularly. The two holes were cross-connected by towel clamp. The flexor digitorum (hallucis)longus tendon to be transferred was pulled through the first hole from wall outward and upward, and then pulled through superior extremity of the second hole. The end of tendon was sutured firmly with the Achilles tendon. RESULTS: All patients have no infection or re-rupture during follow-up (average 24 months;range 11 to 54 months). There was no subsequent hammer-toe deformity. Dorsiflexion at least to neutral and normal plantar flexion were obtained in all patients. According to Arner-Lindholm standard,the final results were excellent in 9 patients(6 cases were used flexor hallucis langus tendon, and 3 cases were used flexor digitorum longus tendon),good in 3 patients(2 cases were used flexor hallucis longus tendon and 1 case was used flexor digitorum longus tendon) and poor in 1 patient used with flexor digitorum longus tendon. CONCLUSION: The repair of old rupture of the Achilles tendon with flexor digitorum (hallucis) longus tendon transfer is an ideal and effective method. Furthermore, the use of flexor hallucis longus muscle tendon tends to be more reasonable.

[The effect of micro-trauma technic with small incision on treating hallux valgus].

OBJECTIVE: To explore an effective micro-trauma technic with small incision for hallux valgus. METHODS: From August 2002 to June 2004, 136 cases (263 feet) with hallux valgus were treated with micro-trauma technic with small incision and postoperative external elastic fixation. Of all the cases, 7 were males and 129 were females. Their ages ranged from 19 to 84 years. According to Coughlin classification, there were 24 gentle cases, 63 medium cases, and 49 severe cases. All the feet were with some degree of pain and flatfoot. Symptom, sign and the results of X-ray were evaluated. RESULTS: Wound healed at stage I. All cases were followed up for 8 to 26 months, 19 months on average. Hallux valgus of the 263 feet were completely healed, feet pain disappeared, and no nonunion or osteonecrosis was observed. X-ray examination indicated that 105 feet's hallux valgus angle was less than 12 degrees, inter metatarsal angle less than 9 degrees, and remedy subluxation of the tibial sesamoid less than 50%. Evaluation on the result indicated that there were 84 cases of excellent result, 48 cases of good result, 3 cases of fair result, and 1 case of poor result. The rate of excellent and good was 97%. CONCLUSION: With less injury, less pain, complete restoration, and fewer possibility of relapse, micro-trauma technic with small incision is effective in treating hallux valgus.