• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
• /
• v.24 no.1
• /
• pp.19-24
• /
• 2020

Purpose: Anterolateral minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO) was performed to treat patients with distal tibial fractures associated with open fractures or extensive soft tissue injuries, which is limited medial MIPO. The treatment results of the anterolateral MIPO technique were evaluated and analyzed. Materials and Methods: Seventeen patients with distal tibial fractures associated with an open fracture or large bullae formation on the distal tibia medial side were treated with anterolateral MIPO using anterolateral locking plates. Within 24 hours of visiting the emergency room, external fixation was applied, and the medial side wound was managed. After damage control, the anterolateral locking plate was applied using an anterolateral MIPO technique. The union time, nonunion, or malunion were evaluated with regular postoperative radiographs. The ankle range of motion, operative time, blood loss, Iowa score, and wound complications were investigated. Results: Radiological evidence of bony union was obtained in all cases. The mean time to union was 16.7 weeks (12~25 weeks). The mean operation time was 44.0 minutes. Regarding the ankle range of motion, the mean dorsiflexion was 15°, and the mean plantarflexion was 35°. Satisfactory results were obtained in 15 out of 17 cases; five results were classified as excellent, four were good, and six were fair. The mean blood loss was 125.2 mL. Two complications were recorded. Conclusion: In distal tibial fractures with severe medial soft tissue damage caused by high-energy trauma, the staged anterolateral MIPO technique using anterolateral locking plates is a useful alternative treatment to achieving optimal wound care, rapid union with biological fixation, and intra-articular reduction.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
• /
• v.23 no.3
• /
• pp.110-115
• /
• 2019

Purpose: This study analyzed the clinical and radiological results of Reudi-Allgower type II and III open tibia pilon fracture patients who underwent plate fixation after the recovery of a soft tissue injury after external fixation. Materials and Methods: From 2010 to 2015, this study analyzed 14 patients who were treated for open tibial pilon fractures and could be followed up at least one year. The mean age was 49 years and the average follow-up period was 19 months. An emergency operation was performed for external fixation and open wounds, and secondary surgery was performed for definitive fixation using a plate. The radiological and clinical evaluations were analyzed retrospectively. Complications, such as post-traumatic osteoarthritis and wound infections were also analyzed. Results: The mean duration between two-staged surgery was 21 days and the mean bone union time was 9.2 months. Three cases of delayed union and one case of nonunion were reported. The malunion did not occur in all cases. The average American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score was 68 points. A limitation of the ankle motion occurred in all cases. In four cases, wound infections due to initial open wounds occurred; one patient underwent a below the knee amputation due to chronic osteomyelitis. Post-traumatic arthritis occurred in 10 cases. Conclusion: Severe comminuted tibial plateau open fractures of Reudi-Allgower type II and III, which are high-energy injuries that result in extensive soft tissue damage, have a higher incidence of complications, such as ulcer problems and osteomyelitis, than closed tibia plateau fractures. Post-traumatic arthritis is the most common complication of tibia plateau open fractures, and staged surgery is recommended because of the relatively satisfactory clinical results.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
• /
• v.6 no.2
• /
• pp.201-207
• /
• 2002

Purpose: To present the clinical analysis of the results obtained in 38 cases of displaced intraarticular calcaneal fractures undergone combined percutaneous axial pin fixation of calcaneal body and minimal internal fixation using extensile lateral approach. Materials and Methods: From March 2000 to February 2002, thirty-eight displaced intraarticular fractures of the calcaneus in 35 patients were fixed with 3.5mm cannulated screws and percutaneous 2.5mm K-wires. The extensile lateral approach was used in all cases. The average follow-up period was 16 months. Clinical evaluation was assessed according to the Ankle-Hind Foot Scale of American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society. Results: The clinical results were graded as excellent in 8 cases(21%), good in 22 cases(58%), fair in 6 cases(16%), and poor in 2 cases(5%). Two cases of poor result were type IV of Sanders classification. The postoperative reduction status of the articular surface was analyzed by computed tomography in all cases and was found to be less 2mm of step off in 30 cases and between 2 and 4mm in 8 cases. Unsatisfactory results were correlated with severity of articular comminution and failure to obtain accurate reduction of the articular surface. Using early functional postoperative care, all fractures healed without secondary displacement except 1 case on an average of ten weeks. Two cases had superficial necrosis of the wound margins, however, secondary wound healing was uneventful and skin grafting was not needed. Conclusion: Combined minimal internal fixation and percutaneous pin fixation using extensile lateral approach is useful operative method of intraarticular calcaneal fractures because providing enough stability to permit functional aftercare and allowing excellent anatomical reduction. In addition, this method diminishes the risk of lateral soft tissue problems.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
• /
• v.34 no.1
• /
• pp.50-56
• /
• 2021

Purpose: Fractures are common in the military population, but limited studies have investigated the incidence of fractures among Korean military personnel. Hence, this study aimed to clarify this issue. Methods: Eligible subjects were patients who had sustained a fracture and were registered in the N-DEMIS (the medical records system of participating hospitals) from June 2017 to May 2019. Fractures were categorized according to the fracture site, patients' age, sex, and type of duty. Results: In total, 23,687 patients with 23,981 fractures were included. There were 216 patients with multiple fractures, of whom 156 had fractures at two sites, 42 had fractures at three sites, and 18 had fractures at four sites. Of the 23,687 patients, 23,340 were men and 347 were women. The incidence of fractures in men and women was 12.96 per 1,000 person-years and 0.19 per 1,000 person-years, respectively. In terms of the broad location of fractures, the percentage of fractures was the highest in the hand, followed by the foot and lower leg. When the location of fractures was analyzed more specifically, the percentage of fractures was the highest in the phalanx (thumb and fingers), followed by the ankle and metacarpal bones. Conclusions: Hand, foot, ankle, and wrist fractures were the most commonly encountered fractures in the Korean military population. To prevent the loss of combat power due to non-battle-related injuries, thorough preparation is necessary, including protective equipment and preliminary training for areas with a high frequency of fracture occurrence.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
• /
• v.9 no.2
• /
• pp.167-172
• /
• 2005

Purpose: We report our results of arthroscopic treatment of symptomatic avulsion fracture of the malleolus in chronic ankle pain, and also analyzed the clinical and radiological features for evaluating the good candidate for arthroscopic treatment. Materials and Methods: Fourteen patients who were diagnosed with intra-articular avulsion fractures of the malleolus received arthroscopic surgery and were followed up for at least a year. The clinical and radiological characters including MRI and arthroscopic findings were reviewed. Clinical assessments were done according to the AOFAS score system. Results: There was a history of inversion type of the injury in most cases and local tenderness of lesion site was a unique. MRI study showed thickened anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) in 8 cases (57%) and discontinued ATFL in 3 cases (21%). Enhanced signal surrounding soft tissue corresponding to synovial inflammation and impingement was found in 12 cases (86%). Preoperative score of all patients were $74.0{\pm}5.5$, which improved to $89.3{\pm}6.7$ at the follow-up after the treatment (P<0.001). Conclusion: Most patients had history of injury and localized tenderness in the area coinciding with radiological findings. Thickened ATFL and contrast enhancement around the ossicle were frequently found. Symptomatic avulsion fractures of the malleolus associated with the clinical and radiological findings above could be a good candidate for arthroscopic treatment.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
• /
• v.14 no.2
• /
• pp.146-150
• /
• 2010

Purpose: Pilon fracture has several serious complications such as joint stiffness, arthrosis and delayed angular deformity. We report short-term results of new treatment modality using distracted dynamic external fixators and early controlled ankle motion. Materials and Methods: Eight cases of severe pilon fractures for which we tried small plate fixation and additional distracted dynamic external fixators from July 2007 to June 2009 were included. Half passive continuous ankle joint motion was allowed under free hinged ring fixators after the operation. The external fixators were removed after two or three months from the surgery. We investigated joint space by radiograph, joint pain, range of motion, patient's satisfaction of treatment protocol. Results: Joints were distracted when external fixators were applied and mean 28% of space loss developed after removal of external fixators. In most of cases, satisfactory alignments were maintained. Regarding range of joint motion, mean dorsiflexion angle was 15 degrees and mean plantarflexion angle was 32 degree in the condition of wearing external fixators. There was mean 8% reduction of range of motion but no further progression of ankle stiffness after removal of external fixators. Dorsiflexion was not improved after that, but plantarflexion angle was improved 10% even after removal of external fixators. Patients were generally in compliance with the treatment protocols with high level of satisfaction. Conclusion: We got good results with distracted dynamic external fixators and early continuous half-passive joint motion for pilon fractures in terms of joint pain and range of motion. Therefore we suggest this new protocol as an alternative modality for severe pilon fractures.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
• /
• v.17 no.1
• /
• pp.34-39
• /
• 2013

Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of intraoperative stress test for diagnosis of occult Lisfranc injury. Materials and Methods: Between April 2009 and October 2012, 21 patients with occult Lisfranc injuries underwent intraoperative stress test and internal fixation. There were 11 males and 10 females with an average age of 45.3 years (range, 23~79 years). Injuries were caused by traffic accident in 10 cases, indirect force (twisting injury) in 8 cases, and crush in 2 cases, falling from a height in 1 case. Unstable injuries on stress radiograph in occult injury of Lisfranc joint were treated by open reduction or closed reduction and fixation with cannulated screw or K-wire. Radiological evaluation was assessed according to preoperative and postoperative diastasis between $1^{st}$ and $2^{nd}$ metatarsal base. Results: Assoicated injuries were 9 cases of metatarsal fractures, 6 cases of cuneiform fractures and 6 cases of both metatarsal and cuneiform fractures. Medial and middle column fixation was in 13 cases, and three columns fixation was in 8 cases. Initial diastasis between $1^{st}$ and $2^{nd}$ metatarsal base was 2.8 mm (1.3~4.7 mm) on AP radiograph and postoperative diastasis between $1^{st}$ and $2^{nd}$ metatarsal base was 1.2 mm (0.5~2.4 mm) on AP radiograph. Conclusion: Even there is no sign of clear Lisfranc injury, it is necessary to pay attention and give evaluation on circumstances of occult Lisfranc injuries with metatarsal or cuneiform fractures. Intraoperative stress test is helpful to diagnose an occult Lisfranc injury. For unstable injuries on stress radiographs of occult Lisfranc joint injury, operative treatment with open or closed reduction and internal fixation is useful method.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
• /
• v.23 no.3
• /
• pp.116-120
• /
• 2019

Purpose: This study evaluated the clinical and radiological results of 6.5 mm full threaded cancellous bone screw fixation of calcaneal fractures. Materials and Methods: Thirty seven patients diagnosed with Sanders type II or III calcaneal fractures, who underwent open reduction and internal fixation with a 6.5 mm full threaded cancellous bone screw between August 2014 and August 2017, were analyzed. Both the preoperative and postoperative Böhler angle and Gissane angle were measured radiographically. American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot scale on the final follow-up were also assessed. Results: The mean age of the patients was 52.7 years and the mean follow-up period was 29.5 months. In the Sanders classification, type II and III were 16 and 24 cases, respectively. The Böhler and Gissane angles improved from 21.2° and 122.6° preoperatively to 21.6° and 120.3°, respectively, in the postoperative radiographs. All cases achieved bony union, and the AOFAS ankle-hindfoot scale was 90.7 and 91.3 in Sanders type II and III, respectively, at the final follow-up. Conclusion: The treatment of calcaneal fractures using a 6.5 mm full threaded cancellous bone screw can reduce the complications with minimally invasive surgery and achieve firm fixation.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
• /
• v.6 no.2
• /
• pp.156-160
• /
• 2002

Purpose: To analyze the clinical outcome of triple arthrodesis for the posttraumatic arthritis after calcaneal fractures. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 22 posttraumatic arthritis patients who underwent a triple arthrodesis from March 1991 to May 1998. The mean duration of follow up was 74 months(range, 36-123 months). The pain, function and alignment were evaluated by the modified ankle-hindfoot scale of the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society(AOFAS) clinically and the union rate, the duration of union and the degenerative change of adjacent joints radiographically were evaluated. Results: The mean duration from injury to arthrodesis was 33 months (range, 12-132 months). The AOFAS score improved from 36.4 points(range, 14-64) preoperatively to 67.6(range, 25-90) postoperatively. The union rate was 90.1% radiographically, the mean duration of union was 14.3 weeks(range, 12-21 weeks) and the degenerative change in the adjacent joint was showed in 12 patients(54.5%). There were 2 cases of talonavicular nonunion, one superficial wound infection and one partial skin necrosis. Conclusion: Triple arthrodesis for posttraumatic arthritis after calcaneal fractures is a useful method for relief of pain and correction of posttraumatic hindfoot deformity, as an evidenced by the satisfactory clinical outcome. Although a high prevalence of subsequent arthritis of the ankle and midtarsal joint was noted radiographically, we found that it was not clinically relevant.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
• /
• v.15 no.2
• /
• pp.51-57
• /
• 2011

Pilon fractures involving distal tibia remain one of the most difficult therapeutic challenges that confront the orthopedic surgeons because of associated soft tissue injury is common. To introduce and describe the diagnosis, current treatment, results and complications of the pilon fractures. In initial assessment, the correct evaluation of the fracture type through radiographic checkup and examination of the soft tissue envelope is needed to decide appropriate treatment planning of pilon fractures. Even though Ruedi and Allgower reported 74% good and excellent results with primary open reduction and internal fixation, recently the second staged treatment of pilon fractures is preferred to orthopedic traumatologist because of the soft tissue problem is common after primary open reduction and internal fixation. The components of the first stage are focused primarily on stabilization of the soft tissue envelope. If fibula is fractured, fibular open reduction and internal fixation is integral part of initial management for reducing the majority of tibial deformities. Ankle-spanning temporary external fixator is used to restore limb alignment and displaced intraarticular fragments through ligamentotaxis and distraction. And the second stage, definitive open reduction and internal fixation of the tibial component, is undertaken when the soft tissue injury has resolved and no infection sign is seen on pin site of external fixator. The goals of definitive internal fixation should include absolute stability and interfragmentary compression of reduced articular segments, stable fixation of the articular segment to the tibial diaphysis, and restoration of coronal, transverse, and sagittal plane alignments. The location, rigidity, and kinds of the implants are based on each individual fractures. The conventional plate fixation has more advantages in anatomical reduction of intraarticular fractures than locking compression plate. But it has more complications as infection, delayed union and nonunion. The locking compression plate fixation provides greater stability and lesser wound problem than conventional implants. But the locking compression plate remains poorly defined for intraarticular fractures of the distal tibia. Active, active assisted, passive range of motion of the ankle is recommended when postoperative rehabilitation is started. Splinting with the foot in neutral is continued until suture is removed at the 2~3 weeks and weight bearing is delayed for approximately 12 weeks. The recognition of the soft tissue injury has evolved as a critical component of the management of pilon fractures. At this point, the second staged treatment of pilon fractures is good treatment option because of it is designed to promote recovery of the soft tissue envelope in first stage operation and get a good result in definitive reduction and stabilization of the articular surface and axial alignment in second stage operation.