Objective To evaluate the effectiveness and feasibility of a transverse small incision intrathecal “loop” minimally invasive suture for acute Achilles tendon rupture. Methods The clinical data of 30 patients with acute Achilles tendon rupture treated with transverse small incision intrathecal “loop” minimally invasive suture between January 2022 and October 2023 was retrospectively analyzed. The patients were all male, aged from 29 to 51 years, with an average of 39.8 years. The cause of injury was acute sports injury, and the time from injury to operation was 1-14 days, with an average of 3.4 days. The operation time, incision length, intraoperative blood loss, intraoperative complications, wound healing, and hospital stay were recorded. Postoperative appearance and function of ankle were evaluated by American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot score, Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS) score, and Arner-Lindholm score. Results The operation time ranged from 30 to 90 minutes, with an average of 54.2 minutes; the incision length ranged from 1.3 to 3.5 cm, with an average of 2.2 cm; the intraoperative blood loss ranged from 5 to 70 mL, with an average of 22.3 mL; and the hospital stay ranged from 2 to 6 days, with an average of 3.7 days. All incisions healed by first intention, and there was no incision infection, poor healing, and deep venous thrombosis. All patients were followed up 5.3-22.0 months (mean, 14.7 months). During the follow-up, all the 30 patients had returned to exercise, and there was no complication such as Achilles tendon re-rupture, postoperative infection, and gastrocnemius muscle injury. At last follow-up, the AOFAS ankle-hindfoot score was 82-100, with an average of 95.1; the VSS score was 1-4, with an average of 2.1; according to the Arner-Lindholm score, 24 cases were rated as excellent and 6 cases as good. Conclusion Transverse small incision intrathecal “loop” minimally invasive suture for the treatment of acute Achilles tendon rupture has the advantages of simple instrument, convenient operation, small trauma, quick recovery, and satisfactory effectiveness.
ObjectiveTo investigate the feasibility and effectiveness of “tail compression fixation+suture bridge” technology under shoulder arthroscopy for treating primary tear in medial enthesis of rotator cuff. Methods The clinical data of 11 patients with primary tear in medial enthesis of rotator cuff who met the selection criteria between October 2020 and October 2022 were retrospectively analyzed, including 3 males and 8 females, aged 39-79 years, with an average of 61.0 years. Rotator cuff injury was caused by traumatic fall in 8 cases, and the time from injury to admission was 1-4 months, with an average of 2.0 months; the remaining 3 cases had no obvious inducement. The active range of motion of the affected shoulder was limited, with an active forward flexion range of motion of (64.1±10.9)°, abduction of (78.1±6.4)°, internal rotation of (48.2±6.6)°, and external rotation of (41.8±10.5)°; 5 cases had shoulder stiffness. The preoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) score was 7.8±0.8 and the American Society of Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score was 23.9±6.4. The patients were treated with “tail compression fixation+suture bridge” technology under shoulder arthroscopy, and the pain and functional recovery were evaluated by VAS score, ASES score, and active range of motion of shoulder joint at last follow-up; MRI was performed after operation, and the integrity of rotator cuff was evaluated by Sugaya classification system. Results All the 11 patients were followed up 2-22 months, with an average of 13.5 months. All incisions healed by first intention, and there was no complication such as infection, rotator cuff re-tear, and anchor falling off. At last follow-up, the VAS score was 0.8±0.7 and the ASES score was 93.5±4.2, which significantly improved when compared with those before operation (P<0.05). All 11 patients had no significant swelling in the shoulders, and the active range of motion was (165.1±8.8)° in flexion, (75.3±8.4)° in abduction, (56.6±5.5)° in internal rotation, and (51.8±4.0)° in external rotation, which significantly improved when compared with those before operation (P<0.05). Shoulder MRI showed adequate tendon thickness and good continuity in 9 cases, including 4 cases with partial high signal area; and 2 cases with inadequate tendon thickness but high continuity and partial high signal area. According to Sugaya classification system, there were 4 cases of type 1 (36.4%), 5 cases of type 2 (45.5%), and 2 cases of type 3 (18.1%).Conclusion For the patients with primary tear in medial enthesis of rotator cuff, the “tail compression fixation+suture bridge” technology under shoulder arthroscopy is simple and effective.