• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
• /
• v.27 no.2
• /
• pp.58-66
• /
• 2023

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of deltoid ligament repair on syndesmotic stabilization in patients with acute ankle fractures with ruptured deltoid and syndesmotic ligaments. Materials and Methods: The medical records of 41 patients (41 ankles) who underwent surgery for Weber type B ankle fracture with ruptured deltoid and syndesmotic ligaments were retrospectively analyzed. The mean follow-up duration was 36 months (range 18~65 months). Patients were divided into two groups: those that underwent deltoid ligament repair (the deltoid group) and those who did not (the non-deltoid group). Both groups were also divided into two subgroups, namely, the D1/S1 group, which underwent syndesmotic screw fixation, or the D2/S2 group, which did not. Medial clear space (MCS), tibiofibular clear space (TFCS), anterior fibular line (AFL) ratio, and posterior fibular line (PFL) distance were measured, and visual analog scale (VAS), American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS), and Foot Function Index (FFI) scores were evaluated. Results: TFCS changed significantly after surgery in the D2 and S1 groups (p=0.01, p=0.03, respectively). Subgroup MCSs, TFCSs, and AFL ratios were not significantly altered by surgery in the four subgroups (p=0.82, p=0.45, p=0.25, respectively). However, postoperative PFL distances were significantly different in the D2 and S1 groups and the S1 and S2 groups (p=0.02, p=0.02, respectively). Mean TFCS decreased significantly after surgery in the D2 and S1 groups. The postoperative VAS, AOFAS scores, and FFI were not significantly different between the subgroups (p=0.44, p=0.40, and p=0.46, respectively). Conclusion: Deltoid ligament repair seemed to restore ankle stability without addressing syndesmosis in Weber type B ankle fractures with rupture of deltoid and syndesmotic ligaments.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
• /
• v.25 no.3
• /
• pp.117-125
• /
• 2021

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate biological ligament healing quantitatively after suture-tape augmentation for chronic lateral ankle instability. Materials and Methods: Thirty-two patients underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at a minimum of 2 years after lateral ligament augmentation using suture-tape. Signal/noise ratios (SNRs) and widths of anterior talofibular ligaments (ATFLs) were measured on preoperative and postoperative MRI by three researchers. ATFL biological healing degrees were analyzed using changes in SNRs and widths of ATFLs and by comparing these metrics with those of normal contralateral ankles. Clinical evaluations were performed using foot and ankle outcome scores (FAOSs), Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM) scores, and ankle stress radiographs. Results: Mean FAOS and FAAM scores improved significantly from 62.4 to 93.6 and 58.3 to 92.3, respectively, at final follow-up (p<0.001). Mean SNRs and ATFL widths improved insignificantly from 8.49 to 8.21 and 2.07 to 2.15 mm, respectively, at final follow-up (p=0.424, p=0.718). Significant differences in mean SNRs and ATFL widths were found between ipsilateral and contralateral sides (p<0.001, p=0.002). Spearman's correlation analysis revealed no significant association between clinical outcomes and degrees of biological healing of ATFLs based on MRI findings. Conclusion: Despite improvements in clinical outcome measures, the effects of suture-tape augmentation for chronic lateral ankle instability on biological ligament healing were insignificant. In addition, no significant correlation was found between clinical outcomes and degrees of biological healing of ATFLs.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
• /
• v.25 no.2
• /
• pp.55-60
• /
• 2021

This review article attempts to describe several pathological conditions that can arise from the shortening of the Achilles tendon. The tension and tightening of the gastrocnemius-soleus-Achilles tendon complex (GSAC) can cause disharmony in the movement of the entire foot as well as the ankle joint when subjected to weight-bearing or walking. In addition, since these phenomena are observed in various lesions of the ankle joint, the dynamic shortening caused by the tension of GSAC may not be the primary cause of various ankle joint lesions, but is still considered to be a significant contributing factor.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
• /
• v.19 no.1
• /
• pp.1-6
• /
• 2015

Total ankle replacement has been performed for treatment of end stage arthritis of the ankle, hopefully being an alternative to ankle arthrodesis. However, due to its high failure rates, earlier versions of ankle replacements were not regarded as successful procedures. The latest design has shown increasingly positive results. Total joint replacement of the ankle itself is still regarded as a demanding procedure and much more challenging than that of the hip and knee in many aspects. Several studies, however, have pointed out that it is becoming the viable, accepted alternative for arthrodesis with advanced implants, appropriate patient selection, and proper training experience of procedures. Compared with arthrodesis, it shows equal or better outcomes in pain relief, range of motion, and patient's satisfaction. We are attempting to review its biomechanical characteristics, implant design, indications, complications, clinical outcomes, and survival rate.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
• /
• v.28 no.1
• /
• pp.1-7
• /
• 2024

Despite the advances in total ankle replacement (TAR), TAR has emerged as a promising alternative to ankle arthrodesis, particularly in severe ankle arthritis. Restoring ankle stability and alignment is the most important technical consideration and the goal of TAR. Hence, additional procedures, such as soft tissue balancing and osteotomies, are often critical parts of surgical planning. This article reviews the basics of joint balancing, offering suggestions on procedure selection for ligamentous balancing and varus and valgus malalignment in TARs.

• PNF and Movement
• /
• v.4 no.1
• /
• pp.45-50
• /
• 2006

Purpose : This study shows the movements of the ankle and the foot in walking stages, and helps to diagnose and treat the problems of the ankle and the foot. The foot in human is a mean of the transportation, body support, and shock absorber. However, the slightest changes in the anatomical position can cause a significant increase of the stress and force in the ankle and the foot. The regular compressive force in the ankle of the normal person is generated by the contraction of the gastrocnemius and popliteus muscles, and transmitted to the achilles tendon. The plantar flexion about 10 degrees occurs immediately after the heel strike, getting ready for the weight acceptance. The shear force about 80 % of the body weight is generated immediately after the heel off of the mid stance phase. In those who have a problem in the ankle, the compression force at the ankle decreased to 1/3 of the body weight, and the shear force decreased, and the compressive force was reached at their maximum level earlier than the normal people. Conclusion : Analysis of the movements at the ankle and the foot in walking phase can make the effort to diagnose and treat the ankle and foot with the problems. However, the further study is necessary.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
• /
• v.26 no.2
• /
• pp.153-159
• /
• 2016

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of joint mobilization on foot pressure, ankle moment, and vertical ground reaction force in subjects with ankle instability. Method: Twenty male subjects (age, $25.38{\pm}3.62yr$; height, $170.92{\pm}5.41cm$; weight, $60.74{\pm}9.63kg$; body mass index (BMI), $19.20{\pm}1.67kg/m^2$) participated and underwent ankle joint mobilization. Weight-bearing distribution, ankle dorsi/plantar flexion moment, and vertical ground reaction force were measured using a GPS 400 and a VICON Motion System (Oxford, UK), and subsequently analyzed. SPSS 20.0 for Windows was used for data processing and paired t-tests were used to compare pre- and post-mobilization measurements. The significance level was set at ${\alpha}$ = .05. Results: The results indicated changes in weight-bearing, ankle dorsi/plantar flexion moment, and vertical ground reaction force. The findings showed changes in weight-bearing distribution on the left (pre $29.51{\pm}6.31kg$, post $29.57{\pm}5.02kg$) and right foot (pre $32.40{\pm}6.30kg$, post $31.18{\pm}5.47kg$). There were significant differences in dorsi/plantar flexion moment (p < .01), and there were significant increases in vertical ground reaction forces at initial stance (Fz1) and terminal stance (Fz2, p < .05). Additionally, there was a significant reduction in vertical ground reaction force at midstance (Fz2, p < .001). Conclusion: Joint mobilization appears to alter weight-bearing distribution in subjects with ankle instability, with resultant improvements in stability.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
• /
• v.23 no.3
• /
• pp.100-104
• /
• 2019

Purpose: This study examined the clinical outcomes and assessed the average time to return to play following a peroneal tendon repair in Korean athletes. Materials and Methods: Between March 2004 and February 2017, a total of 30 athletes underwent peroneal tendon repair for a peroneal tendon tear. The indications of surgical treatment were chronic pain or intractable symptoms after a previous ankle sprain affecting sports activity refractory to conservative treatment for at least six months. The patient underwent tubulization for a longitudinal tendon rupture. Peroneus longus to peroneus brevis tenodesis was performed when tendon repair was impossible due to total rupture or multiple longitudinal rupture. Results: Twenty patients not included in this study were as follows: insufficient follow-up, previous surgery, and additional bone surgery. All 10 patients had a previous ankle sprain history, tenderness and swelling on the retromalleolar area. In the 10 patient population, there were five peroneus brevis tendon tears, three peroneus longus tendon tears, one peroneus longus and brevis tendon tear, and one peroneus brevis and superior peroneal retinaculum tear. In the 10 patients, six cases of peroneal brevis tendon repair and four cases of peroneal longus to brevis tenodesis were performed. The preoperative American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society score was improved from a mean of 60.6 (standard deviation [SD], 8.64) to a mean of 90.2, postoperatively (SD, 4.4; p<0.012). The preoperative visual analogue scale was improved from a mean of 5.43 (SD, 1.2) to 0.5 (SD, 0.16), postoperatively (p<0.023). The mean length of time to return to play was 12.2 weeks (range, 8~16 weeks). Conclusion: Peroneal tendon tear can occur due to sports injuries. If there is tenderness at the retromalleolar area, the surgeon should consider a peroneal tendon lesion. Surgical repair of the peroneal tendon can be an effective treatment to help athletes to return to play.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
• /
• v.24 no.1
• /
• pp.1-8
• /
• 2020

Acute ankle sprain is the most common injury in the lower extremities, and approximately 10% to 40% of acute lateral ankle ligament injury causes chronic pain or instability. For chronic symptoms lasting after an acute sprain, the possibility of joint damage, such as bony structures, ligaments, cartilage, and nerves around the ankle joint, should be considered. Patients with chronic lateral ankle instability usually complain of repeated sprains or giving way sensations. There has been steady progress in the treatment options until recently, however new treatments are still being attempted. This paper describes the causes, diagnosis, and recent trends in the conservative and operative treatment of chronic lateral ankle instability.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
• /
• v.15 no.4
• /
• pp.195-200
• /
• 2011

Impingement syndrome of the ankle is defined as painful mechanical limitation of full ankle movement secondary to osseous and/or soft tissue abnormality. These conditions occur more commonly in active people and athletes probably because recurrent subclinical injury is an important factor in development of the syndrome. Impingement syndromes of the ankle are categorized according to their anatomical site around the ankle joint. Anterolateral, anterior and posterior impingement has been extensively described in the orthopaedic literature. The purpose of this article is to review the clinical feature and management of anterior impingement syndrome of the ankle.