Objective To review the injury mechanism and the treatment progress of terrible triad of the elbow, and to analyze the direction of further research. Methods Related literature concerning terrible triad of the elbow was extensively reviewed and comprehensively analyzed. Results The main treatment of terrible triad of the elbow is operation. The ultimate goal of treatment is to reconstruct sufficient stability of the elbow. The treatment includes fixation of the coronoid by suture, screw or plate; fixation of radial head by screw and plate, partial or complete replacement of the radial head; fixation of lateral collateral ligament and the medial collateral ligament by bone suture or anchors and the application of the external fixator. These surgical treatments have their own indications and advantages, most get satisfactory results. Conclusion Generally, surgery is needed to maintain the stability of the elbow for patients of terrible triad elbow. However, medial ligament repair or not, the choice of approach, and mechanism of injury still need further study.
Objective To investigate the effectiveness of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) reconstruction combined with l imited open repair of medial collateral ligament (MCL) in recovering the stabil ity and the function of the knee. Methods Between April 2003 and October 2010, 14 patients (14 knees) with multi ple injuries of ACL, PCL, and MCL were treated. There were 10 males and 4 females with an average age of 41 years (range, 21- 71 years). Injury was caused by traffic accident in 11 cases and fall ing in 3 cases. The average time from injury to admissionwas 2 days (range, 1-4 days). Lysholm score was 17.00 ± 8.29, and the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score was 20.93 ± 8.28. The complicated injuries included dislocation of the knee joint in 9 cases and meniscus injury in 5 cases. Allogeneic tendons (2 cases) and autologous harmstring tendon (12 cases) were used to reconstruct ACL and PCL under arthroscopy, and all cases underwent limited open repair of MCL. Results All incisions healed by first intention. Numbness of the lower limb occurred in 3 cases and alleviated spontaneously. All patients were followed up 14 months on average (range, 12-18 months). The knee flexion was 120° and extension was 0° at 3 months of follow-up. After 1 year of follow-up, IKDC score and Lysholm score were 89.93 ± 6.26 and 88.93 ± 4.82, respectively, showing significant differences when compared with preoperative scores (P lt; 0.01). Conclusion For multi ple injuries of the knee ligaments, an arthroscope with limited open repair and reconstruction of the knee ligament can avoid open joint chamber, reduce postoperative articular adhesion, and encourage the joint function recovery.
Objective To discuss the effectiveness of operation technique for antero-medial rotatory instability (AMRI) of the knee joint caused by motorcycle. Methods Between June 2007 and December 2009, 32 cases of AMRI caused by motorcycle were treated. There were 28 males and 4 females with an average age of 35.5 years (range, 20-50 years). The interval between injury and surgery was 5-10 days (mean, 7 days). The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) was injured at the attachment point of the condyles crest; the medial collateral ligament (MCL) was injured at central site in 19 cases, at medial condyles of femur in 10 cases, and at medial condyles of tibia in 3 cases, which were all closed injuries. The bone avulsion of condyles crest was fixed by steel wire and MCL was repaired. Results Red swelling and a little effusion occurred at the incision in 1 case, and the other incisions healed by first intention. Traumatic arthritis of the knee occured in 5 cases. Thirty-two cases were followed up 16-22 months (mean, 18.5 months). The X-ray examination showed that the fracture union time was 5-8 weeks (mean, 6 weeks) after operation. At last follow-up, the extension of knee joint was 0° and the flexion of the knee joint was 110-170° (mean, 155°). According to the synthetic evaluating standard of International Knee Documentation Committee, 24 cases were rated as A level, 6 cases as B, 1 case as C, and 1 case as D at last follow-up. Lysholm knee score was 85.93 ± 3.76 at last follow-up, which was significantly higher (t=53.785, P=0.000) than preoperative score 37.54 ± 3.43. Conclusion In patients with AMRI caused by motorcycle, steel wire is used to fix the bone avulsion of condyles crest and MCL should be repaired simultaneously as far as possible. And associating with the early postoperative functional exercise, the short-term effectiveness is satisfactory, but long-term effectiveness still need further follow-up observation.
Objective To investigate the cl inical outcome of treating dorsal wrist gangl ion with an improved surgical strategy by excising the gangl ion completely along their stalk and repairing the dorsal carpal l igaments under brachial anesthesia. Methods From March 2005 to January 2007, 34 patients with dorsal wrist gangl ion were treated and studied retrospectively. There were 14 males and 20 females, aged 25-65 years (43 years on average). The left sides were involved in 22 cases and right sides in 12 cases. Thirteen cases of relapse received excision for 1 to 4 times under local anesthesia, with amean period of 17 months (14 days to 7 years) from excision to recurrence. Twenty-one patients were first attack cases with a mean period of 11 months (15 days to 8 years) from diagnosis to excision. The size of the gangl ion ranged from 1.5 cm × 1.2 cm to 4.5 cm × 4.0 cm. Now, each surgical process was performed under brachial anesthesia, and a pneumathode tourniquet was used. In 6 patients, the stalks of gangl ion did not invade the carpal l igaments, and gangl ion was removed completely without immobil ization after operation. In 28 patients, the stalks of gangl ion invaded the carpal l igaments, gangl ion was excised completely along its stalk to the dorsal carpal structure; the l igaments were sutured directly in 16 cases and were repaired with adjacent tissue such as the wall of sheathing canal of extensor tendon in 12 cases. The wrists were immobil ised for 3 weeks. Results Primary wound heal ing was achieved in all incisions. All patients were followed up for 26-36 months with an average of 31.5 months. Only 2 cases (5.9%) recurred. The range of motion of the wrist remained normal and the symptom of the dorsal wrist was rel ieved sl ightly. Patients’ satisfaction score ranged from 60 to 100, with an average of 83.8. Conclusion The gangl ion should be excised completely together with defect repair of dorsal carpal l igament under brachial anesthesia and the wrist immobil ised for 3 weeks, the recurrence rate will be reduced greatly.
ObjectiveTo investigate the operative method and short-term effectiveness in the surgical treatment of Maisonneuve fracture. MethodsBetween January 2010 and February 2013, 23 patients with Maisonneuve fracture were treated. There were 14 males and 9 females with an average age of 40.3 years (range, 30-68 years). The causes of injuries were falling injury in 11 patients, sports related injury in 5 patients, traffic accident injury in 4 patients, and falling injury from height in 3 patients. The interval between injury and operation was 7-10 days (mean, 8.5 days). All of fractures were closed. Three patients had combined injury of deltoid ligament. The surgical procedures included surgical reduction and fixation of medial malleolus fracture and posterior malleolus fracture, repair of the deltoid ligament with ground anchor suture, and fixation of the disrupted distal tibiofibular syndesmosis. ResultsAll incisions achieved primary healing, no postoperative complications such as infection occurred. Twenty-one patients were followed up 24-36 months (mean, 26.5 months). No patients complained of pain, tenderness, and obvious swelling of the ankle. At 3-6 months (mean, 4.6 months) after operation, X-ray films showed bony union of fractures and normal mortises in 21 patients. And no traumatic arthritis was observed with reliable fixation. The range of motion of ankle dorsi flexion and plantar flexion was 30-40° (mean, 34.5°). Baird-Jackson ankle functional score was 85-100 (mean, 94); 16 cases were rated as excellent, 4 as good, and 1 as fair with an excellent and good rate of 95.2%. ConclusionSurgical treatments of Maisonneuve fracture include surgical reduction and fixation of the medial malleolus and posterior malleolus, repair of the deltoid ligament and fixation of the disrupted distal tibiofibular syndesmosis, and good effectiveness can be achieved.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness of repairing the deltoid ligament with ankle fracture. MethodsBetween January 2010 and January 2013, 11 patients with ankle fractures associated with deltoid ligament injury were treated. There were 7 males and 4 females, with an average age of 38.2 years (range, 18-72 years). The interval between injury and operation was 6 hours to 7 days (mean, 4 days). According to Lauge-Hansen classification, ankle fracture was rated as pronation-external rotation type in 5 cases, as supination-external rotation type in 4 cases, and as pronation-abduction type in 2 cases. The MRI and color Doppler ultrasound showed deltoid ligament rupture. The results of valgus stress test, talus valgus tilt test, and anterior drawer test after anesthesia were all positive. Fracture was treated by open reduction and internal fixation, and deltoid injury was repaired. ResultsAll incisions healed primarily. All patients were followed up 12-18 months (mean, 13.3 months). The X-ray films showed anatomical reduction, good position of internal fixation and stable distal tibiofibular syndesmosis. The mean fracture union time was 7.6 weeks (range, 6-8 weeks). MRI at 3 months after operation showed normal shape of the deltoid ligament. According to American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score, the results were excellent in 6 cases, good in 3 cases, fair in 1 case, and poor in 1 case, with an excellent and good rate of 81.8%. ConclusionIt is an effective method to treat ankle fracture with deltoid ligament injury by open reduction and internal fixation of ankle fracture and repair of the deltoid ligament injury, which can effectively rebuild medial instability and has satisfactory effectiveness.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness of semitendinous and gracilis transfer for the treatment of medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury caused by total knee arthroplasty (TKA). MethodsBetween March 2009 and May 2014, 11 patients (11 knees) with MCL injuries caused by primary TKA were treated by semitendinous and gracilis transfer in primary TKA (injury group). Another 18 patients (21 knees) without MCL injury were included as the control group. There was no significant difference in gender, age, injury sides, disease duration, body mass index, knee varus deformity, and preoperative Knee Society Score (KSS) between 2 groups (P>0.05), with comparability. KSS score was used to evaluate the function after operation. ResultsPrimary healing of incision was obtained in all patients, and no complications of joint instability and pain occurred. The follow-up time was 6-29 months in injury group and was 7-34 months in control group. At last follow-up, the KSS clinical score and functional score were significantly increased to 89.82±3.76 and 89.54±3.50 in the injury group (P<0.05) and were significantly increased to 90.19±3.39 and 90.00±3.53 in the control group (P<0.05) respectively, but no significant difference was shown between 2 groups (t=0.158, P=0.877; t=0.820, P=0.432). X-ray films showed no prosthetic loosening or subsidence during follow-up. ConclusionThe semitendinous and gracilis transfer is reliable for the treatment of MCL injury caused by TKA. The insertions of semitendinous tendon and gracilis are close to that of the knee MCL, which can effectively improve knee function.
Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of anterior talofibular ligament repair in the treatment of lateral ankle stability and the effect of combined tarsal sinus syndrome on results. Methods Between December 2013 and October 2014, 47 cases of lateral ankle instability underwent anatomical repair of anterior talofibular ligament, and the clinical data were retrospectively analyzed. Of 47 cases, 32 had no tarsal sinus syndrome (group A); 15 had tarsal sinus syndrome (group B), arthroscopic debridement of tarsal sinus was performed at the same time. There was no significant difference in gender, age, disease duration, side, American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS), Karlsson score, and Tegner movement function score between 2 groups (P>0.05). Results No early surgical complication of infection occurred, and primary healing of incision was obtained in 2 groups. The patients were followed up 20-31 months (mean, 26.0 months) in group A, and 20-31 months (mean, 24.7 months) in group B. Disappearance of ankle swelling, good joints movement, and recovery of normal walking were observed in all patients. At last follow-up, AOFAS score, Karlsson score, and Tegner movement function score were significantly improved when compared with preoperative ones in 2 groups (P<0.05), but no significant difference was found between 2 groups (P>0.05). No ankle instability recurrence was found during follow-up period. Conclusion The effectiveness of anatomical repair of anterior talofibular ligament in lateral ankle instability is satisfactory for patients with or without tarsal sinus syndrome.
Objective To study the short-term effectiveness of absorbable anchor in repairing of partial anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture. Methods Between December 2013 and February 2015, 22 patients with partial ACL rupture were repaired with absorbable anchor under arthroscopy. There were 12 males and 10 females with an average age of 27.5 years (range, 20-44 years). The injury located at left knee in 8 cases and at right knee in 14 cases. The time from injury to admission ranged from 2 to 13 days (mean, 9.8 days). Sixteen partial ACL ruptures combined with meniscus injury. The effectiveness was assessed by Tegner score, Lysholm score, International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score, visual analogue scale (VAS) score, and MRI, as well as knee laxity was evaluated by KT-1000. Results All incisions healed at stage Ⅰ without any complication. All patients were followed up 12 months. ACL rerupture did not occurred during follow-up. There was no significant difference in Tegner score, Lysholm score, and IKDC score between before injury and at 12 months after operation (P>0.05). And the median satisfaction VAS score was 9.5 (range, 9-10). The tibial anterior translation difference was 0.5 mm (range, 0-6 mm). MRI showed that the scarring and continuity of the ligament were rated as grade 1 in all patients. Conclusion Arthroscopic repairing by absorbable anchor is a feasible method for partial ACL rupture, with ideal knee function, good satisfaction, and satisfactory short-term effectiveness.