To compare the efficacy between fixation with tightrope and screw in the treatment of syndesmotic injuries: A meta-analysis

Background

To compare the efficacy between fixation with suture-button and screw in the treatment of syndesmotic injuries: a meta-analysis.

Early radiographic outcomes following deltoid ligament repair in bimalleolar equivalent ankle fractures

BackgroundIndications for deltoid ligament repair in bimalleolar equivalent ankle fractures are unclear. This study compared radiographic outcomes in bimalleolar equivalent ankle fractures undergoing open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) +/? deltoid ligament repair.MethodsA retrospective review of 1024 ankle fractures was performed. Bimalleolar equivalent injuries treated with ORIF +/? deltoid ligament repair were included. Radiographic assessment was performed preoperatively, and at three months postoperatively.ResultsOne hundred and forty-seven ankle fractures met inclusion criteria with 46 undergoing deltoid ligament repairs. There was a significant decrease in medial clear space (1.93 ± 0.65 mm vs. 2.26 ± 0.64 mm, p = 0.01), and tibiofibular clear space (3.89 ± 1.20 mm vs. 4.87 ± 1.37 mm, p = 0.0001) at 3 months postoperative in the deltoid repair group compared to the no repair group. When syndesmotic fixation was performed, there were no differences between groups.ConclusionDeltoid ligament repair in bimalleolar equivalent ankle fractures resulted in reduced medial clear space, and tibiofibular clear space in the early postoperative period. These differences were small and remained within established normal limits.Level of clinical evidenceLevel III, retrospective cohort study.     

A new assessment for syndesmosis injury – The ‘Chertsey test’

IntroductionIf a syndesmosis injury is not detected, or not treated appropriately, it can lead to pain and arthritis. Various techniques have been described to look for the presence of a syndemosis injury. If concern is raised regarding malreduction, the most recognised way of checking accuracy of the reduction (of the fibula into the incisura) is bilateral postoperative ankle CT scans. This not only exposes the patient to further radiation, but can normally only be done once the surgery is completed and so if adjustment is needed, this requires a further operation, encompassing further surgical risks.We developed a simple assessment, which both gives accurate intra-operative demonstration of an injury to the syndesmosis and also can check how well the fibula has been reduced (if required), without the need for further radiological investigation or surgical intervention.The objectives were to test how easy it was to perform the test and apply it to a number of different ankle fractures.MethodsPeri-operatively, 2–4 ml of contrast medium was injected into the ankle joint in cases where there was concern about injury to the syndesmosis. If there was a ‘positive’ test, and a ‘blush’ of dye leaked into the surrounding soft tissues, then fixation of the syndesmosis was performed (as per the surgeon's preferred technique). After fixation was completed, a further injection of contrast medium was injected to see if the fibular had been anatomically reduced into its incisura. The test was performed on 15 ankles.ResultsThere were no difficulties in performing the test and no complications reported. The test clearly demonstrated where there had been an injury to the syndesmosis and also confirmed the accurate reduction of the fibula when there had been stabilisation of the syndesmosis.ConclusionsIt has proved to be an easy and reliable adjunct to ankle fixation surgery and may have further indications.     

Ankle syndesmosis biomechanical evaluation by shear-waves elastography in healthy young adults: Assessment of the reliability and accuracy of the measurements and definition of a corridor of normality

BackgroundAims of this study were: 1/ to evaluate the shear wave speed (SWS) properties of the anteroinferior tibiofibular ligament (AITFL) and the distal interosseous membrane (DIOM) in neutral, dorsal flexion and plantar flexion positions in a cohort of healthy adult volunteers; 2/ to assess the reliability and reproducibility of these measurements.MethodsBoth ankles were analyzed by shear wave elastography (SWE) in 20 healthy patients (10 females/10 males) standing on a hinge support with their ankles in neutral, 20° dorsal flexion and 30° plantar flexion positions. Stiffness of AITFL and DIOM was evaluated by SWS measurement.ResultsThe SWS of AITFL and DIOM were minimal in the plantar flexion position (4.28 m/s [2.65–5.11] and 3.35 m/s [1.69–4.55], respectively). It increased significantly for both ligaments in neutral position (4.69 m/s [3.53–5.71] and 3.81 m/s [1.91–4.74], respectively; p < 0.0001), and reached their maximum values in dorsal flexion (6.58 m/s [5.23–8.34] and 4.79 m/s [3.07–6.19], respectively; p < 0.0001). There was no correlation between each ligament regardless the positions. SWS of AITFL was independent of demographic characteristics analyzed. SWS of DIOM was negatively correlated with height in dorsal flexion (ρ = ?0.35; p = 0.03) and in plantar flexion (ρ = ?0.37; p = 0.02). Female gender was associated with increased DIOM SWS in neutral (p = 0.005), dorsal flexion (p = 0.003), and plantar flexion (p = 0.001) positions. Moreover, foot morphology (foot arch, hind foot frontal deviation) did not impact AITFL nor DIOM SWS. Inter- and intra-observer measurements were all good or excellent.ConclusionThe AITFL and DIOM, stabilizers of the distal tibiofibular syndesmosis, increase in stiffness while dorsal flexion increases. This study describes a reliable and reproducible protocol to assess their stiffness by SWE, and defines a corridor of normality.     

Accuracy of cone-beam computed tomography for syndesmosis injury diagnosis compared to conventional computed tomography

BackgroundSyndesmosis injury can lead to ankle mortise instability and early osteoarthritis. Several multiple detector computed tomography (MDCT) methods for measurement have been developed. Weight-bearing cone beam CT (WB CBCT) is an emerging technique that offers the possibility of upright-position scanning and lower doses. This study sought to assess the diagnostic accuracy of WB CBCT in syndesmose injury compared to MDCT, with instability confirmed via manual testing upon arthroscopic examination.MethodsThree musculoskeletal radiologists with different levels of expertise prospectively analyzed 11 MDCT and eight WB CBCT scans of the same trauma-afflicted ankles with clinical suspicion of syndesmosis lesion over a period of 5 months. They evaluated 10 methods of measurement in both sides. Syndesmosis was considered pathological on arthroscopic examination in four patients. Correlation between readers was evaluated with intra-class correlation testing (p < 0.05 was considered significant). Capacity of discrimination was assessed by area under the curve (AUC) for all methods.ResultsInter-observer agreement was near excellent for both WB CBCT and MDCT for the anterior tibio-fibular (TF) distance (ICC = 0.781 and 0.831, respectively), posterior TF distance (ICC = 0.841 and 0.826), minimal TF distance (ICC = 0.899 and 0.875), and TF surface (ICC = 0.93 and 0.84). AUC were better for MDCT than WB CBCT in assessing syndesmosis instability for: anterior TF distance (ROC = 0.869 vs. 0.555, p = 0.01), minimal TF distance (ROC = 0.883 vs. 0.608, p = 0.02) and antero-posterior fibular translation (ROC = 0.894 vs. 0.467, p = 0.006).ConclusionsMDCT demonstrated better ability to distinguish pathological syndesmosis than WB CBCT, with the antero-posterior fibular translation the best discriminating measurement. The physiological widening of the contralateral syndesmosis occurring with the WB CBCT upright position may explain these results.     

下胫腓联合相对运动生物力学研究

目的探讨下胫腓联合相对运动,认识下胫腓联合运动特点。方法选用6例新鲜尸体标本,膝上10～15 cm截肢,去除皮肤、肌肉,制作骨-韧带标本,保留上、下胫腓关节周围韧带及踝关节韧带。将标本分别固定于踝关节背屈10°位、中立位、跖屈15°位,用电子万能实验机对标本进行600 N轴向加载,并在踝关节中立位时施加600 N轴向加载联合5 Nm外旋扭转加载,测量下胫腓联合远端腓骨相对远端胫骨内外位移、前后位移及远端腓骨绕轴旋转角度。结果600 N轴向加载情况下,踝关节由中立位变为跖屈15°位时远端腓骨相对远端胫骨有向内、向前位移,同时绕轴内旋;当踝关节由中立位变为背屈10°位时,远端腓骨相对远端胫骨有向外、向后位移,同时绕轴外旋。与单一轴向加载相比,联合加载下远端腓骨有向内、向后移位和外旋的运动趋势。结论下胫腓联合为微动关节,远端腓骨相对运动与踝关节体位及受力方式有关。     

Screw versus suture button in treatment of syndesmosis instability: Comparison using weightbearing CT scan

BackgroundThe superiority of screw or suture button fixation for syndesmotic instability remains debatable. Our aim is to compare radiographic outcomes of screw and suture button fixation of syndesmotic instability using weight bearing CT scan (WBCT).MethodsTwenty patients with fixation of unilateral syndesmotic instability were recruited and divided among two groups (screw = 10, suture button = 10). All patients had WBCT of both ankles ≥12 months postoperatively.ResultsIn suture button group, injured side measurements were significantly different from normal side for syndesmotic area (P = 0.003), fibular rotation (P = 0.004), anterior difference (P = 0.025) and direct anterior difference (P = 0.035). In screw group, syndesmotic area was the only significantly different measurement (P = 0.006).ConclusionWhile both screw and suture button didn’t completely restore the syndesmotic area as compared to the contralateral uninjured ankle, external malrotation of the fibula was uniquely associated with suture button fixation.Level of EvidenceIII Retrospective Cohort Study