• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.169-174
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• 2009

Purpose: To evaluate the clinical results between interlocking intramedullary nail with fibular fixation and nail only for treating distal tibiofibular diaphyseal fractures. Materials and Methods: From March 2003 to September 2006, 19 distal tibiofibular fractures were antegrade nailed after anatomical reduction and fixation of fibular fractures, and another 37 fractures fixed with nails only. Average age of patients was 48.6 years. These two groups were compared by VAS (visual analogue scale) & ankle ROM according to degree of comminution and fracture configuration. The statistical analysis was evaluated by t-test. Results: There was no statistical difference between fibular fixation group and non-fixation group in VAS score according to fracture comminution and configuration (p>0.05). However, compared according to fracture configuration, mean ankle eversion of fibular fixation group in oblique fractures was 18.3 degrees, and that of non-fixation group was 12.5 degrees (p<0.05). In addition, mean ankle plantar flexion, dorsiflexion, inversion and total ankle ROM of fibular fixation group in spiral fractures was 40.0, 20.0, 30.0 and 108.3 degrees of each and that of non-fixation group was 38.3, 18.5, 27.0 and 101.7 degrees (p<0.05). Conclusions: In oblique and spiral fractures of distal tibiofibular diaphysis, interlocking intramedullary nail with fibular fixation had the advantage in postoperative ankle ROM. So, it can be a worthy method for the treatment of distal tibiofibular diaphyseal fractures.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.88-91
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• 2006

Purpose: To evaluate the effect on clinical course of heterotopic ossification of distal tibiofibular syndesmosis after ankle fractures. Materials and Methods: From June 2001 to May 2004, we found nine cases of heterotopic ossification of distal tibiofibular syndesmosis after ankle fractures. There were 8 male patients and 1 female patient; their mean age was 42 years old. There were 6 Weber type B and 2 Weber type C fractures, and there is 1 case with posterior malleolus fracture only. Among them, 8 ankle fractures were operated. Follow up period was averaged for 14 months. We were able to review radiographs at initial injury and to review clinical menifestation and radiographs at last follow up. We used an ankle-hindfoot scoring system of AOFAS which combined symptom, function and alignment with maximum score of 100 point. Results: In all cases ankle dorsiflexion and plantarflexion were not significantly different from that of the contralateral side. The patients who had developed heterotopic ossification in distal tibiofibular syndesmosis had a similar functional score. The mean ankle-hind foot score was 94 points. Conclusion: We concluded that the heterotopic ossification of distal tibiafibular syndesmosis after ankle fractures had little effect on clinical course and range of motion of ankle joint.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.105-107
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• 2010

The scanty literature on distal tibiofibular synostosis includes descriptions of relatively few specific complaints. Here we report a case of a 24-year-old young soldier who sustained a left ankle lateral malleolar fracture about 6 months ago and was initially treated by the open reduction and internal fixation with plate & screw. But 6 months later, he suffered from an vague ankle pain, each time the symptoms occurred right after an active ambulation, ankle dorsiflexion, especially when he had exercised aggressively. The radiographs revealed that there was a mature distal tibiofibular synostosis. We treated the patient with surgical excision of synostosis. Post-operative condition was satisfied to all concern and the result was found to be excellent during one-year follow-up.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.161-165
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• 2018

Purpose: A distal tibiofibular syndesmosis injury with an ankle fracture is usually fixed with syndesmotic screws. Knotless Tightrope$^{(R)}$ has been used as an alternative procedure because of the fewer reported complications. Therefore, this study compared the two surgeries. Materials and Methods: Forty-two patients, who underwent syndesmotic screw fixation, and 34 patients, who underwent Knotless Tightrope$^{(R)}$ fixation for distal tibiofibular syndesmosis injury from February 2014 to February 2016, were analyzed retrospectively. The visual analogue scale (VAS) score, American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score, range of motion of ankle at 1 year after surgery, tibiofibular clear space, and tibiofibular interval at preoperative, postoperative and 1 year after surgery were investigated. Results: The VAS score, AOFAS score and radiographs were similar in the two groups. Knotless Tightrope$^{(R)}$ showed better results in complications and plantarflexion. Conclusion: Knotless Tightrope$^{(R)}$ fixation is a useful treatment that does not show a difference in fixation strength and clinical outcome. Knotless Tightrope$^{(R)}$ fixation also has an advantage in the range of motion and complications.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.9-15
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• 2022

Syndesmotic injuries are found frequently in clinical practice, and they remain controversial because of the variety of diagnostic techniques and management options. Bony avulsions or malleolar fractures are commonly associated with syndesmotic disruptions. Even unstable isolated syndesmosis injuries are associated with a latent or frank tibiofibular diastasis and should not be ignored in the early phase. A relevant instability of the syndesmosis with diastasis results from collateral ligaments tears and requires operative stabilization. The treatment involves an anatomic reduction of the distal tibiofibular articulations followed by stable fixation. Syndesmotic transfixation screws or suture button implants are being proposed as a means of fixation. Recently, suture button fixation has shown more favorable outcomes, but the outcomes can still be controversial. Syndesmotic malreduction can lead to hardware failure, adhesions, heterotopic ossification, tibiofibular synostosis, chronic instability, and posttraumatic arthritis. In particular, the correct diagnosis and evidence-based treatment options for unstable syndesmotic injury should be considered.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.50 no.5
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• pp.523-528
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• 2023

The Gustilo IIIB tibiofibular fractures often result in long bone loss and extensive soft tissue defects. Reconstruction of these complex wounds is very challenging, especially when it includes long bone grafts, because the donor site is limited. We describe our experience using a set of chimeric ipsilateral vascularized fibula grafts with a thoracodorsal artery perforator free flap to reconstruct the traumatic tibia defects. A 66-year-old male suffered a severe comminuted tibia fracture and segmented fibula fracture with large soft tissue defects as a result of a traffic accident. He also had an open calcaneal fracture with soft tissue defects on the ipsilateral side. All the main vessels of the lower extremity were intact, and the cortical bone defect of the tibia was almost as large as the fractured fibula segment. We used an ipsilateral vascularized fibula graft to reconstruct the tibia and a thoracodorsal artery perforator flap to resurface the soft tissue, using the distal ends of peroneal vessels as named into sequential chimeric flaps. After 3 weeks, the calcaneal defect was reconstructed with second thoracodorsal artery perforator free flap. Reconstruction was successful and allowed rapid rehabilitation because of reduced donor site morbidity.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.187-194
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• 2011

Ankle injuries may involve the distal tibiofibular syndesmosis and can be associated with a variable degree of trauma to the soft tissue and osseous structures that play an important role in ankle joint stability. Ankle syndesmotic injury may occur solely as a soft tissue injury or in association with variable ankle fractures. Ankle syndesmotic injury does not necessarily lead to ankle instability; however, the coexistence of deltoid ligament injury critically destabilizes the ankle joint. The prevalence of these injuries may be higher than previously reported. The diagnosis of syndesmotic injury as not always easy because isolated ankle sprains may be missed in the absence of a frank diastasis and syndesmotic instability may be unnoticed in the presence of bimalleolar ankle fractures. Controversies arise at almost every phase of treatment includings : type of fixation(screw size, type of implant), number of cortices required for fixation and of need for hardware removal. Regardless of controversies, the most important goal should be restore and maintain the normal tibiofibular relationship to allow for healing of the ligamentous structures of the syndesmosis.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.22-26
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• 2011

Purpose: To report the effectiveness of adding distal fibular external rotation stress test on the traditional lateral stress Cotton test in evaluating distal tibiofibular syndesmotic injuries. Materials and Methods: We evaluated syndesmotic injuries with intraoperative stress test during treating ankle fractures from March 2009 to September 2010. External rotation of distal fibula using small elevator was added on traditional stress test in case of suspicious syndesmotic injury. We retrospectively reviewed and compared the results of each test in 44 cases for which we tried both tests. Results: In 9 cases of positive traditional lateral stress tests, positive results were obtained in all cases by additional external rotation tests. In 21 cases of negative traditional stress tests, additional stress tests results were also negative. But there were 10 cases of positive additional tests and 4 of negative additional tests in equivocal results cases by the traditional stress tests. Conclusion: Using additional external rotation stress test in case of equivocal test result by the traditional lateral stress Cotton test for evaluation of syndesmotic injury during operation for ankle fracture can be a supplemental method to clarify syndesmotic injury needs fixation.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.145-148
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• 2021

A checkrein deformity can occur after a distal tibiofibular fracture. Usually, a checkrein deformity due to a dysfunction of the extensor hallucis longus muscle is rarer than that of the flexor hallucis longus. Only a few related studies have been reported. The authors encountered an extensor hallucis longus checkrein deformity due to extensor retinaculum syndrome while managing a triplane fracture. In magnetic resonance imaging, an increase in the heterogeneous signal was observed on the T2-weighted images suggesting muscle necrosis or ischemic changes in a part of the extensor hallucis muscle. Postoperative great toe motor weakness, unintentional movement, sensory changes, and weakness improved spontaneously during the follow-up.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.151-155
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• 2015

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to analyze the frequency and patterns of intra-articular lesions detected during ankle fracture surgery using ankle arthroscopy. Materials and Methods: Thirty patients (31 ankles) who underwent open reduction and internal fixation combined with ankle arthroscopy for acute ankle fracture at Inje University Busan Paik Hospital from June 2011 to September 2013 were evaluated. The ankle fractures were classified according to the AO/OTA (AO Foundation and Orthopaedic Trauma Association) classification and the intraarticular injuries were identified by ankle arthroscopy. Osteochondral lesions of the talus were divided into nine subtypes based on their locations, and the ligament injuries were classified according to avulsion fracture and rupture. Results: Using arthroscopy, abnormality in the distal tibiofibular ligament was found in 21 cases and osteochondral lesions and defects of the talus larger than 5 mm were detected in 26 cases. Among ligament injuries, anterior inferior tibio-fibular ligament injury was found in 14 cases, posterior inferior tibio-fibular ligament injury was found in two cases, deep deltoid ligament injury was found in three cases, and deep transverse tibio-fibular ligament injury was found in five cases. The locations of the osteochondral lesions were on the antero-lateral, antero-medial, centro-medial, centro-central, centro-lateral, and postero-lateral talus in 11, one, two, one, two, and nine cases, respectively. Conclusion: With early diagnosis and treatment arthroscopy performed at the time of intra-articular fracture surgery is expected to result in a good outcome.