• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.75-79
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• 2000

The foot plays a vital role in standing and gait. This function results from harmonious interaction of bones, joints, and soft tissue. An imbalance or a defect in such structures can lead to impaired function of the foot. The mid foot, composed of cunieforms, navicular and cuboid bone, plays a vital role in maintaining longitudinal and transverse arches and injury or defects to this region can cause instability of the foot. This paper reports a case of complex foot injury; soft tissue defect of dorsum of foot, and medial and intermediate cuneiform bone defect, reconstructed in a single stage using vascularized osteocutaneous fibular free flap. Segmented to fit the defects of medial and intermediate cuneiform bones and a skin paddle providing adequate coverage, restored the stability to the arches and function of the midfoot. The fibula osteocutaneous free flap has appealing characteristics for reconstruction of the foot and the complex mid foot injuries can be considered to the long list of indications.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.120-126
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• 2018

Chopart joint fracture and dislocation are rare injuries compared with other joint injuries with various clinical manifestations. Moreover, there is a lack of knowledge of the radiological findings of the joints, and thus, the extent of joint ligament damage may be underestimated, leading to improper treatment. This paper reports three cases of Chopart joint injury and seeks to reconsider the importance of Chopart joint evaluation and treatment.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.48 no.6
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• pp.678-684
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• 2021

Background A car-tire friction injury on the dorsum of a child's foot often results in hypertrophic scarring of the wound margins. This study describes the clinical appearance of the injured areas and surgical complications that occurred during the follow-up period in a series of children with car-tire friction injuries who were treated with split-thickness skin grafts (STSGs). We describe the clinical features that we believe need to be highlighted when initially treating car-tire injuries in children. Methods From May 2003 to June 2016, our retrospective study included 15 patients with car-tire injuries on the dorsum of the foot who were treated with surgical excision and STSG to cover the wound. Results A total of 15 patients with car-tire injuries were treated. The average age was 6.26 years old. The average injury grade was 3.26. Two patients were treated using delayed repair, and 13 patients received STSG for initial management. Four patients experienced no complications, while 11 patients had hypertrophic scars and/or scar contracture after surgery. Conclusions A car-tire friction injury on the dorsum of a child's foot often results in hypertrophic scar formation or scar contracture even if proper management is undertaken. Since the occurrence of these complications in childhood can lead to a secondary deformity, it is important to properly treat car-tire friction wounds, inform patients and caregivers about potential complications, and ensure regular follow-up evaluations over a 12-month period following the initial surgery.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.46-49
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• 2021

Acute compartment syndrome occurs when pressure increases within closed compartments due to injuries causing soft tissue damage. Delayed treatment can lead to undesirable consequences. This paper reports a three-year-old patient in whom a fasciotomy was performed successfully despite the potential side effects. Fasciotomy may be considered when the diagnosis and clinical symptoms of delayed compartment syndrome are clear. This study determined that the three-year-old patient would undergo a relatively smooth recovery compared to elderly patients of advanced age. Because the dorsalis pedis artery pulse was palpable, an emergency surgical treatment was performed to restore the damaged tissues and prevent further necrosis. The patient has shown a satisfactory recovery.

• Journal of Korean Orthopaedic Sports Medicine
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.99-104
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• 2007

Purpose: To research match injuries related to Taekwondo in adolescent athletes and find out preventing injuries. Materials and Methods: We analyzed 162 match injuries of middle and high school athletes, who were surveyed in 2005 and 2006 national tournament. Results: Among 162 match injuries, injuries in foot and hand were the most common and there were 35 cases in serious injuries such as fracture, open dislocation, open fracture of epiphyseal plate and so on. The very fast speed and destructive power of Takwondo athlete can cause open dislocation of great toe and can cause fracture of foot and upper extremity when kicking. Conclusion: We consider that injured athletes need proper treatments and sufficient rest not to accumulate training injuries and match injuries and need to improve mats of stadium, braces for feet and hands and put on braces for elbows to prevent match injuries.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.87-92
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• 2023

Purpose: Concomitant ankle injuries associated with tibial shaft fractures can affect postoperative ankle joint pain and various postoperative ankle complications. This study compared the clinical outcomes between surgical treatment and conservative treatment of concomitant ankle injuries associated with tibial shaft fractures. Materials and Methods: From January 2015 to June 2020, a retrospective study was conducted on 118 tibia shaft fractures at the orthopedics department of the hospital. Associated ankle injuries were analyzed using plain radiographs, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and intraoperative stress exams. The clinical outcomes were compared using the pain visual analog scale (pain VAS), American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society Ankle-Hindfoot score (AOFAS score), and Karlsson-Peterson ankle score (KP score). Results: Seventy-two (61.02%) of the 118 cases were diagnosed with associated ankle injuries. Fifty-six cases underwent surgery for the ankle injury, and 16 cases underwent conservative treatment. The clinical results (according to the pain VAS score, AOFAS score, the KP score) were 1.79±1.26, 94.48±4.03, and 94.57±3.60, respectively, in the surgical treatment group, and 3.00±1.03, 91.06±3.02, and 91.25±3.31, respectively, in the conservative treatment group. Conclusion: Surgical treatment showed better clinical outcomes than conservative treatment in concomitant ankle injury in tibia fractures. Therefore, surgical treatment produces better clinical outcomes than conservative treatment in concomitant ankle injuries in tibia fractures. Hence to improve the clinical outcomes, more attention is needed on ankle joint injury in tibial shaft fractures for selecting suitable surgical treatments for those patients.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.145-150
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• 2018

High ankle sprain (distal tibiofibular syndesmosis injury) occurs from rotational injuries, specifically external rotation, and may be associated with ankle fractures. The prevalence of these injuries may be higher than previously reported because they may be missed in an initial examination. Syndesmosis injury can lead to significant complications in injured ankle joints, so a precise physical examination and radiological evaluation is necessary. The most important treatment goal is to have the tibia and fibula located in the correct position with respect to each other and to heal in that position. The methods to fix these injuries is controversial.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.54-58
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• 2022

Superficial peroneal nerve (SPN) injuries happen occasionally during surgical treatment of fibular fracture, lateral ankle ligament repair, etc. These injuries are caused because of the variable location of the SPN. It is the injuries are usually treated by steroid injections or anticonvulsants. However, neural symptoms may not respond to treatment and may persist and progress to a painful neuroma. Intractable pain may need surgical treatment. We examined two cases of iatrogenic postoperative SPN injury, and we treated them with transection of the SPN and the intraosseous transposition of the proximal nerve stump using the thrombin-fibrinogen complex with satisfactory outcomes. We report these two cases with a review of the relevant literature.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.95-102
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• 2022

Purpose: This study was based on the Korean Foot and Ankle Society (KFAS) member survey and aimed to report the current trends in the management of syndesmotic injuries over the last few decades. Materials and Methods: A web-based questionnaire containing 36 questions was sent to all KFAS members in September 2021. The questions were mainly related to the preferred techniques and clinical experiences in the treatment of patients with syndesmotic injuries. Answers with a prevalence ≥50% of respondents were considered a tendency. Results: Seventy-six (13.8%) of the 550 members responded to the survey. The results showed that the most preferred method to diagnose a syndesmotic injury was magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Intraoperatively, the external rotation stress test and the Cotton test were most frequently used to confirm syndesmotic diastasis. The reduction was usually done by a reduction clamp. One 3.5-mm screw was used most frequently over three cortices at 2~4 cm above the ankle joint. The preferred ankle position during fixation was 0° dorsiflexion. Removal of the syndesmotic screw was routinely done by most surgeons, mainly because of the limitation of movement and risk of screw breakage. Factors that affect suture button selection included non-rigid fixation which enables adequate fixation, early weight-bearing, and an infrequent need to remove the hardware. Inadequate reduction was considered the main factor that affects poor prognosis. Conclusion: This study proposes updated information about the current trends in the management of syndesmotic injuries in Korea. Consensuses in both the diagnostic and therapeutic approach to patients with syndesmotic injury were identified in this survey study. This study may raise the awareness of the various possible approaches toward the injury and should be used to further establish a standard protocol for the management of syndesmotic injuries.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.22-29
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• 2022

Purpose: Despite continuous updates of standard treatment guidelines for acute ankle sprain and chronic ankle instability (CAI), in practice preferred treatment protocols vary widely. Based on a Korean Foot and Ankle Society (KFAS) member survey, this study reports current trends in the management of ankle ligament injuries. Materials and Methods: A web-based questionnaire containing 34 questions was sent to all KFAS members in September 2021. Questions mainly addressed clinical experience and preferences for the diagnosis and treatment of ankle ligament injuries. Answers with a prevalence of ≥50% among respondents were considered to reflect tendencies. Results: Eighty-four of the 550 members (15.3%) responded. Answers that showed a tendency were as follows: commonest additional image study (ultrasound), conservative treatment modality (immobilization, oral medication), frequency of surgical treatment (<5 cases per annum), most important factor when deciding on surgical treatment (activity level, e.g., occupation or sport), and commonest surgical procedure (open ligament repair). Answers that showed a tendency for CAI were as follows: most important symptom (repeated sprain, giving way), radiological factors (talar tilt, osteochondral lesion, anterior talar translation), and patient factors (occupation, sports activities, recurrent instability after surgery, etc.). For decision making regarding surgical treatment and method, the most preferred surgical procedure was the modified Broström procedure, and the most common repair technique was suture anchor technique. The following were considered poor prognostic factors; generalized laxity, failed previous surgery, cavovarus, severe mechanical instability, heavy work, obesity, and dissatisfaction after surgery because of residual pain. Conclusion: This study updates information regarding current trends in the management of ankle ligament injuries in Korea, and reveals consensus opinions and variations in approaches to patients with an acute or chronic injury. The divergence of approaches identified indicates the need for further studies to determine standard guidelines and long-term results.