Surgical Fixation with Biodegradable Plate for the Treatment of Ankle Fractures

PURPOSE: The purpose of this article is to show the efficacy of a biodegradable plate for treating lateral malleolar fractures in the ankle joint. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The 20 patients who underwent an open reduction and internal fixation for lateral malleolar fractures in the ankle joint from February, 2006 to February, 2007 in our hospital were enrolled into the study. The average age of the patients was 49.7 years and the average follow-up period was 5.6 months. The cases were analyzed by radiological bone union time and clinical results according to the criteria of Meyer et al. RESULTS: Average radiological bone union time was 10.5 weeks. The clinical result was excellent in 19 cases (95%), good in 1 case (5%). There was one case of minimal displacement less than 1 mm, associated with anterior distal tibio-fibular ligament avulsion fracture. CONCLUSION: For proper patients, a biodegradable plate is an effecttive alternative implant for stabilizing lateral malleolar fractures in the ankle joint, because there is no requirement for subsequent removal and slow resorption in vivo.

Surgical Reconstruction of Lateral Capsule-ligament Complex with Reinforcement by Periosteal Flap of Distal Fibula and Inferior Extensor Retinaculum for Chronic Lateral Ankle Instability / 대한족부족관절학회지

PURPOSE: To evaluate the results of surgical reconstruction of lateral capsule-ligament complex with reinforcement by periosteal flap of distal fibula and inferior extensor retinaculum for chronic lateral ankle instability. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From April 2003 to August 2006, 62 patients with chronic lateral ankle instability were operated. There were 38 males and 24 females with a mean age of 39.6 years (range, 18~61 years). Mean follow-up period was 32 months (range, 10~48 months). All patients were checked with preoperative ankle anteroposterior and lateral view, stress anterior drawer and varus test using Telos device. The clinical results were graded according to the VAS and AOFAS scale. RESULTS: VAS score improved from preoperative 8.2 points to 3.1 points. There were 38 patients who were excellent (above 90 points), 18 who were good (between 76 and 90 points), 5 who were fair (between 60 and 75 points), and 1 who was poor (below 60 points) according to the AOFAS ankle and hindfoot scale. The excellent and good results amounted to 90.3%. CONCLUSION: Surgical reconstruction of lateral capsule-ligament complex with reinforcement by periosteal flap of distal fibula and inferior extensor retinaculum is believed to be a effective method for chronic lateral ankle instability.

Flexibility and Graf / 대한척추외과학회지

STUDY DESIGN: The lumbar segmental motions were analysed in asymptomatic volunteers. OBJECTIVES: To obtain normative data on flexibility and Graf's instability degree in sagittal plan of the normal lumbar spine. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: Although several clinical and radiological measurement tech niques are available, little is known about the normal range of lumbar spine motion. As a consequence, the diagnostic evaluation of radiographs are frequently based on subject opinions rather than object reality. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The authors have checked lumbar flexion-extension Yiews of 95asymptomatic volunteers who were divided into 5 groups by the age, and then their flexibility and Graf's instability degree were calculated by Graf's method with using Graf/Bar Mark II(digitalizing table) and personal computer program(RachisR). Evaluation of the sexual difference and comparison of the difference of each age group in spine level were done RESULTS: 1. There were significant differences in flexibility among age groups(p0.05). 3. Graf's instability degree was not different among 5 age groups(p>0.05), and between male and female(p>0.05). 4. The mean Craf's instability degree was below 8o in L2-3, L3-4, and L4-5 segment, but above 8 in L5-S1 segment(male: 11.62+/-9.27 , female. 11.11+/-8.70). CONCLUSIONS: Although we observed small subjects, these results are the basic steps toward more objective and careful interpretation of flexibilty and Graf's instability degree.