ObjectiveTo summarize the short-term effectiveness of TightRope system for the treatment of syndesmotic tibiofibular diastasis. MethodsBetween June 2013 and June 2015, 23 patients with syndesmotic tibiofibular diastasis were treated by TightRope system, including 15 males and 8 females with an average age of 32.3 years (range, 16-63 years). Injury was caused by sports in 13 cases, by traffic accident in 6 cases, and by falling from height in 4 cases. The locations were the left side in 13 cases and the right side in 10 cases. The time from injury to operation was 6 hours to 12 days (mean, 3.8 days). According to Lauge-Hansen classification, 13 cases were rated as supination-external rotation type, 7 cases as pronation-abduction type, and 3 cases as pronation-external rotation type; according to Weber classification, 5 cases were rated as type A, 11 cases as type B, and 7 cases as type C. ResultsThe mean operative time was 68.1 minutes (range, 48-93 minutes); the mean intraoperative blood loss was 70.3 mL (range, 20-150 mL); and the mean hospitalization days were 7 days (range, 5-13 days). Superficial local skin necrosis occurred in 6 cases, and primary healing of incision was obtained in the others. All patients were followed up 8-30 months (mean, 16.4 months). X-ray films showed bone union was achieved within 6-12 weeks (mean, 9.4 weeks). No related complications of reduction failure and re-fracture occurred. The internal fixators were removed at 10-18 months postoperatively (mean, 13.3 months). According to American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score for ankle function evaluation, the results were excellent in 19 cases and good in 4 cases at last follow-up. ConclusionTightRope system is a good method to treat syndesmotic tibiofibular diastasis, because of safety, convenient operation, and satisfactory short-term effectiveness.
Objective To summarize the short-term effectiveness of the surgical treatment for grade III pronation-external rotation ankle fractures. Methods Between October 2011 and May 2015, 36 patients with pronation-external rotation ankle fractures (grade III) were treated with internal fixation and repair of the anterior lower tibiofibular ligament, including 21 males and 15 females with an average age of 45.2 years (range, 21-72 years). Injury was caused by sprain in 19 cases, by traffic accident in 6 cases, and by falling from height in 11 cases. All patients had closed fractures, with no blood vessel and nerve injury. The locations were the left ankle in 13 cases and the right ankle in 23 cases. The time from injury to operation was 3 to 10 days (mean, 6.5 days). At last follow-up, ankle function was evaluated by American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-foot score, and the improvement of pain was evaluated by visual analogue scale (VAS). Results Primary healing of incision was obtained in all patients, no incision infection and skin necrosis occurred. Twenty-eight patients were followed up 12-36 months (mean, 17.5 months). X-ray films showed bone union was achieved within 2.6-5 months (mean, 3.2 months). No fracture of internal fixation and disruption of tibiofibular diastasis occurred. At last follow-up, according to AOFAS score for ankle function evaluation, the pain score was 36.3±2.9, the function score was 44.3±3.2, the ligament condition score was 9.2±0.5, and the total score was 89.8±6.6; the results were excellent in 11 cases, good in 15 cases, and fair in 2 cases. VAS score was 1.6±0.5. The range of motion of the ankle was (13±5)° in dorsiflexion and (38±9)° in planteroflexion. Conclusion Repair of anterior tibial ligament is an effective method to treat tibiofibular diastasis injury in the surgical treatment of grade III pronation-external rotation ankle fractures, with convenient operation, and satisfactory short-term effectiveness.