Objective To investigate the impact of tibial tunnel position on postoperative knee function and stability in patients undergoing artificial posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) reconstruction. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on patients who underwent single knee artificial PCL reconstruction between January 2018 and September 2024 and met the inclusion criteria. Based on postoperative three-dimensional (3D)-CT measurements of the tibial tunnel position, the patients were allocated into a low tunnel group (n=35) and a high tunnel group (n=30). Except for gender, there was no significant difference between groups (P>0.05) in age, body mass index, injury side, time from injury to operation, preoperative posterior drawer test grade, knee range of motion (ROM), Tegner score, Lysholm score, International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score, or the composition ratio of combined meniscus and cartilage injuries. The tibial tunnel positions were compared. Postoperative recovery of knee function was evaluated using the IKDC score, Lysholm score, Tegner score, and knee ROM. The differences between pre- and post-operative values (change values) for these indicators were calculated and compared between groups. Posterior knee stability was assessed using the posterior drawer test and the side-to-side difference (SSD) in tibial posterior translation measured on stress radiographs. Patient satisfaction was evaluated using the visual analogue scale (VAS) score. Postoperative complications such as graft failure were recorded. Results The relative proximal-distal position of the tibial tunnel was significantly lower in the low tunnel group than in the high tunnel group (P<0.05), while no significant difference was found in the relative medial-lateral position between groups (P>0.05). All operations were successfully completed, and incisions healed by first intention. All patients were followed up 12-86 months, with a median follow-up of 23.0 months. The low tunnel group demonstrated superior posterior stability compared to the high tunnel group, showing a significantly lower SSD and lower posterior drawer test grade at last follow-up (P<0.05). At last follow-up, the change value in the Tegner score and the VAS score for patient satisfaction were significantly higher in the low tunnel group than in the high tunnel group (P<0.05). No significant difference was found between groups in the change values for IKDC score, Lysholm score, or knee ROM (P>0.05). Two patients in the high tunnel group underwent revision surgery due to graft failure, whereas no such adverse events occurred in the low tunnel group. The difference in the incidence of complications between groups was not significant (P>0.05). Conclusion Compared with a high tibial tunnel, the low tibial tunnel technique can effectively reduce the graft’s turning angle at the proximal tibia and lower the risk of graft failure, thereby significantly improving posterior knee stability and function recovery after artificial PCL reconstruction.
ObjectiveTo investigate the effectiveness of suspensory external fixation technique in treatment of proximal humeral fractures.MethodsBetween August 2013 and October 2018, 14 patients with proximal humeral fractures were treated with suspensory external fixation technique. There were 10 males and 4 females with an average age of 55.9 years (range, 43-76 years). There were 10 cases of falling injury and 4 cases of traffic accident injury. Among them, there were 9 cases of Neer type Ⅲ and 5 cases of Neer type Ⅳ. The time from injury to operation was 3-7 days (mean, 4.6 days). Nine cases were complicated with osteoporosis. The preoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) score was 6.1±1.2. The effectiveness was comprehensively evaluated by hospital stay, fracture healing time, removal time of external fixator, postoperative complications, VAS score, and Neer score of shoulder joint function.ResultsAll operations were successfully completed, and the hospital stay was 6-14 days, with an average of 9.4 days. All the incisions healed by first intention, and no infection or other complications occurred. All patients were followed up 16-60 months (mean, 35.4 months). X-ray films examination showed that all fractures healed, the healing time was 4-7 months (mean, 4.9 months). The removal time of external fixator was 5-8 months (mean, 6.3 months). VAS scores were 1.5±0.8 at 1 month after operation and 1.0±0.9 at last follow-up, both of which were significantly improved when compared with preoperative score, the differences were significant between different time points (P<0.05). Neer score of shoulder joint function was 75-100 (mean, 91.1); 9 cases were excellent, 4 cases were good, and 1 case was fair. The excellent and good rate was 92.9%. During follow-up, there was no adverse events such as acromion impingement, nonunion, or pseudoarthrosis.ConclusionFor proximal humeral fractures, the suspensory external fixation technique is a simple and reliable treatment method that can significantly improve joint function.
ObjectiveTo investigate the effectiveness of the nose ring drain (NRD) technique combined with Ilizarov circular external fixation in treatment of Gustilo ⅢA Pilon fracture.MethodsBetween March 2017 and December 2019, 17 patients with Gustilo ⅢA Pilon fractures were admitted and treated with NRD technique combined with Ilizarov circular external fixation. Among them, there were 11 males and 6 females; the age ranged from 24 to 63 years, with an average of 38.2 years. There were 3 cases of traffic accident injury, 13 cases of falling injury, and 1 case of penetrating injury. There were 13 cases of emergency admittance and 4 cases of wound infection after surgical treatment. Furthermore, there were 2 cases of fibula fractures and 3 cases of lateral malleolus fractures. ResultsAll patients were followed up 8-12 months, with an average of 9.9 months. All wounds healed by first intention, and 4 patients with preoperative infection had no recurrence during the follow-up. The external fixator was removed after fracture healing in 17 patients at 3-7 months after operation (mean, 4.5 months). At last follow-up, the pain score of the ankle joint Kofoe score was 40-50, with an average of 44; the functional score was 17-27, with an average of 25; the mobility score was 8-18, with an average of 14; and the effectiveness was rated as excellent in 8 cases, good in 7 cases, and poor in 1 case.ConclusionFor Gustilo ⅢA Pilon fractures, the NRD technique combined with Ilizarov circular external fixation has advantages of good fracture fixation and drainage effects, which greatly reduces the complications of traditional treatment options and the number of operations.