Objective To compare the effectiveness of Achillon combined with circuit suture under the perineural channel and Krachow suture with posterolateral incision of Achilles tendon in the treatment of Kuwada type Ⅱ acute closed Achilles tendon rupture. Methods The clinical data of 38 patients with acute closed Kuwada type Ⅱ Achilles tendon rupture who met the selection criteria between January 2020 and December 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. Krachow suture with posterolateral incision was used in 24 cases (traditional group), and Achillon combined with circuit suture under perineural channel was used in 14 cases (minimally invasive group). There was no significant difference in baseline data such as age, gender, body mass index, cause of injury, time from injury to operation, characteristics of Achilles tendon injury (broken end distance, stump length), and preoperative Achilles tendon total rupture score (ATRS), American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle and hindfoot function score between the two groups (P>0.05). The operation time, incision length, hospital stay, and complications (re-tear, incision infection, sural nerve irritation, deep venous thrombosis) were recorded. ATRS score and AOFAS ankle and hindfoot function score were used to evaluate the effectiveness before operation and at 3 and 6 months after operation. Results All patients successfully completed the operation. The operation time, incision length, and hospital stay in the minimally invasive group were significantly shorter than those in the traditional group (P<0.05). Patients in both groups were followed up 8-16 months, with an average of 12.7 months. There was no sural nerve injury and secondary rupture of Achilles tendon in both groups. In the traditional group, 1 case had incision infection, 1 case had suture rejection, and 1 case had intermuscular venous thrombosis; in the minimally invasive group, no incision healing, suture knot discomfort, and thrombosis occurred. The postoperative ATRS score and AOFAS ankle and hindfoot function score of the two groups significantly improved when compared with those before operation, and further improved with time (P<0.05). Except that there was no significant difference in AOFAS ankle and hindfoot function scores between the two groups at 3 months after operation (P>0.05), the ATRS scores and AOFAS ankle and hindfoot function scores in the minimally invasive group were significantly better than those in the traditional group at other time points (P<0.05). Conclusion The treatment of Kuwada type Ⅱ acute closed Achilles tendon rupture with Achillon combined with circuit suture under the perineural channel has end-stage ankle function comparable to traditional operation, but the incision is smaller and the infection rate is lower, which is beneficial for patients to recover early ankle function.
Objective To investigate the effectiveness of arthroscopic suspension fixation with Endobutton in the treatment of tibial insertion avulsion fractures of posterior cruciate ligament (PCL). Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 52 patients (52 knees) with tibial insertion avulsion fractures of PCL, who were treated by arthroscopic suspension fixation with Endobutton between June 2017 and October 2022. There were 29 males and 23 females, with an average age of 40.6 years (range, 19-66 years). There were 24 cases of traffic accident injuries, 17 cases of sports injuries, and 11 cases of fall injuries. The time from injury to operation ranged from 6 to 19 days (mean, 13.3 days). According to the Meyers-McKeever classification, there were 30 cases of type Ⅱ and 22 cases of type Ⅲ fractures. All patients exhibited positive posterior drawer test results. Preoperative knee joint function was assessed with Lysholm score (21.3±6.7), International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score (20.7±5.8), and visual analogue scale (VAS) score (5.3±0.7); and knee joint range of motion was (41.73±3.17)°. Based on preoperative CT three-dimensional reconstruction measurements, the longitudinal diameter of the avulsed bone fragment ranged from 13 to 25 mm (mean, 18.1 mm). Operation time and occurrence of complications were recorded, and postoperative imaging was used to assess fracture healing. Knee joint function and pain severity were evaluated using knee joint range of motion, Lysholm score, IKDC score, and VAS score. Results The operation time ranged from 46 to 81 minutes (mean, 56.2 minutes). All patients were followed up 12-28 months (mean, 20.1 months). The iatrogenic fractures of bone fragments occurred during operation in 4 cases; and knee effusion occurred in 2 cases and anterior knee pain in 1 case after operation. All incisions healed by first intention. Imaging evaluations at 3 months after operation showed the fracture healing and no internal fixation failure. All patients demonstrated good knee function and had returned to normal activities at 12 months after operation. At last follow-up, the knee joint range of motion was (133.44±4.17)°, Lysholm score 93.6±3.1, IKDC score 93.4±2.5, and VAS score 1.0±0.6, with significant differences compared to preoperative scores (P<0.05). Conclusion Arthroscopic suspension fixation with Endobutton in the treatment of tibial insertion avulsion fractures of PCL is simple to operate, and the knee joint function recovers well.