ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of meniscectomy and transplantation repair of the knee on the stress area and average pressure of the tibiofemoral articular surface so as to provide a reference for the relevant basic and clinical researches. MethodsSeven qualified right knee joints from adult men cadavers were selected. Required structure was retained after careful dissection. The pressure-sensitive paper was clipped to the proper size in accordance with the measured size of the tibial platform to reserve. The experiment was divided into 4 groups: normal knee group (group A), knee meniscus injury group (group B), knee meniscectomy group (group C), and knee meniscus transplantation group (group D). A horizontal incision above the meniscus was made in the position of knee joint capsule, and the pressure-sensitive paper was placed into the medial and lateral space of the knee joint, then the proximal tibia and distal femur were fixed stably and finally a universal mechanical machine was used for testing in appropriate environmental conditions (the knee joints were given longitudinal 700 N pressure at 0° extension and 30, 60, 90, and 120° flexion for continuous 120 seconds) until the full color reaction. The knee models were prepared, and then the universal mechanical machine was used to perform a test according to the method stated above respectively. The pressure-sensitive paper was removed, and the color negative films were separated and marked. Colorful image analysis system was used to calculate and analyze the stress area and average pressure after the scanner being used to collect image information. ResultsThe stress area was gradually reduced and the average pressure was gradually increased with increasing flexion angle of the knee. There was significant difference in the stress area and the average pressure between various flexion angles in 4 groups (P<0.05). Group C had significantly lower stress area and significantly higher average pressure than the other 3 groups (P<0.05), but no significant difference was found among groups A, B, and D (P>0.05). ConclusionThe stress of the tibiofemoral articular surface significantly increases after knee meniscus injury or resection, and the average pressure significantly increases. The stress of the tibiofemoral articular surface can be restored to almost normal after meniscus transplantation. Therefore, the injured meniscus should also be retained or repaired in the static state.
ObjectiveTo study the surgical treatment method and effectiveness of Rüedi-Allgöwer Ⅲ type Pilon fractures. MethodsBetween May 2011 and April 2013,25 cases of Rüedi-Allgöwer Ⅲ type Pilon fracture (5 cases of open fractures and 20 cases of closed fractures) were treated.Of 25 cases,16 were male,and 9 were female,aged 24-45 years (mean,31 years).The left side was involved in 8 cases,and the right side in 17 cases.The disease causes were falling from height in 11 cases,traffic accident injury in 9 cases,and crash injury in 5 cases.The interval of injury and admission was 10-36 hours (mean,23.5 hours).The open reduction and internal fixation by posterolateral fibular incision and exposure of distal tibia and tibiotalar articular surface by anterior ankle incision were performed;the tibiotalar articular surface was reset and the tibia fracture end was fixed. ResultsHealing of incision by first intention was obtained in 15 cases,and healing by second intention in 6 cases undergoing skin grafting.Tension blister occurred in 4 patients,who achieved healing by second intention after treatment.All 25 patients were followed up 6-12 months (mean,8 months).During follow-up,no complication of ankle joint instability,traumatic arthritis,or loosening and breakage of internal fixation occurred.The X-ray films showed stable ankle joint,anatomic or near anatomic reduction of the tibiotalar articular surface,normal alignment of distal tibia,and good bony healing.At 6 to 12 months after operation,the flexion and extension of the ankle were normal,without pain of the ankle joint after removal of internal fixation.According to Mazur et al.rating system for ankle symptoms and function,the results were excellent in 5 cases,good in 12 cases,fair in 5 cases,and poor in 3 cases;the excellent and good rate was 68%. ConclusionThe procedure by anterior ankle lateral approach and posterolateral fibular approach can completely expose the tibiotalar articular surface,which is advantageous to displaced fracture reduction and fixation,and can achieve good effectiveness in treating Rüedi-Allgöwer Ⅲ type Pilon fractures.
Objective To introduce a new fluoroscopic method for assessing the quality of medial and lateral joint surface reduction during internal fixation of patellar fractures and to summarize the clinical outcomes of patients treated using this method. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 52 patients with patellar fractures treated between January 2018 and January 2022 who met the inclusion criteria. There were 27 male and 25 female patients, aged 21-75 years, with an average age of 62 years. The types of patellar fractures included 9 transverse fractures, 37 comminuted fractures, and 6 longitudinal fractures. According to the AO/Orthopaedic Trauma Association (AO-OTA)-2018 fracture classification, there were 21 cases of type 34A, 6 cases of type 34B, and 25 cases of type 34C. The time from injury to operation ranged from 1 to 5 days, with an average of 2.3 days. Treatments included internal fixation with hollow screws or hollow screw tension bands, with or without anchor repair. During operation, the medial and lateral joint surfaces of the patella were observed using the tangential fluoroscopic method to assess the smoothness of reduction of the median ridge, lateral joint surface, medial joint surface, and lateral joint edge. Patients were followed up regularly, and X-ray films were taken to observe fracture healing. Knee joint range of motion, Böstman score, and Lysholm score were used to evaluate functional recovery. Results The tangential fluoroscopic method for the medial and lateral joint surfaces of the patella during operation showed satisfactory reduction of the joint surfaces and good positioning of the implants. All patients were followed up 12-16 months, with an average of 13.4 months. During the follow-up, fracture displacement occurred in 1 case and titanium cable breakage in 1 case. All patella fractures healed successfully, with a healing time of 8-16 weeks (mean, 11.4 weeks). At last follow-up, knee joint range of motion ranged from 120° to 140°, with an average of 136°. The Böstman score ranged from 20 to 30, with an average of 28, yielding excellent results in 45 cases and good results in 7 cases. The Lysholm score ranged from 88 to 100, with an average of 93, yielding excellent results in 40 cases and good results in 12 cases. Conclusion The intraoperative application of the tangential fluoroscopic method for the medial and lateral joint surfaces of the patella can quickly determine the fluoroscopic plane of the patella, accurately assess the quality of fracture reduction and the position of internal fixator, thereby improving effectiveness.