Search Results (7)

Background: Syndesmotic instability presents a significant challenge in orthopedic surgery, with no universally accepted treatment approach. Traditional methods, such as trans-syndesmotic screw fixation, remain widely used but are associated with complications, including malreduction, hardware-related issues, and restricted physiological motion. Recent advancements in flexible dynamic fixation, particularly suture tape augmentation, offer promising alternatives by preserving native biomechanics and enabling early rehabilitation. Methods: This technical note details an anterior-to-posterior syndesmotic augmentation technique using suture tape to address unstable syndesmotic injuries involving both the anterior inferior tibiofibular ligament and posterior inferior tibiofibular ligament. The proposed technique aims to restore stability, reduce complications, and improve functional outcomes. Results: The technique eliminates the need for hardware removal, supports early weight-bearing, and minimizes postoperative limitations. Conclusions: Anterior-to-posterior syndesmotic augmentation with suture tape represents a viable alternative for syndesmotic instability. Further clinical and biomechanical studies are warranted to validate its long-term efficacy and applicability across diverse patient populations. Full article

Background/Objectives: As a representative anatomic ankle ligament repair technique, the Broström procedure continues to be modified to reach better clinical outcomes, superior mechanical stability, early rehabilitation, and minimal risk of recurrent instability. This study aimed to evaluate the intermediate-term clinical outcomes after the modified Broström procedure (MBP) with suture-tape augmentation for chronic lateral ankle instability. Methods: Ninety-four patients with chronic lateral ankle instability were followed for ≥3 years after MBP augmented with suture tape. The patient-reported clinical outcomes were evaluated with the Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS) and the Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM). The changes in mechanical ankle stability were evaluated with physical examination and periodic stress radiography. The changes in static and dynamic postural control ability were assessed with the single-leg stance test and Biodex posturography. Results: FAOS and FAAM scores significantly improved from preoperative means of 52.6 and 54.2 points to 91.8 and 90.5 points at final follow-up, respectively (p < 0.001). Talar tilt angle and anterior talar translation significantly improved from preoperative means of 15.4° and 14.3 mm to 2.7° and 4.5 mm at final follow-up, respectively (p < 0.001). Two patients (2.1%) complained of a recurrence of mechanical and functional instability. One patient (1.1%) showed non-specific inflammation related to a suture tape. Balance retention time significantly improved from a preoperative mean of 3.7 to 6.4 s at final follow-up (p < 0.001), with a non-significant side-to-side difference. The overall stability index significantly improved from a preoperative mean of 3.7 to 1.9 at final follow-up (p < 0.001), with a significant side-to-side difference. Conclusions: The MBP augmented with suture tape appears to be an effective surgical technique for chronic lateral ankle instability. Through anatomic repair of attenuated ankle ligaments and suture-tape augmentation, this modified procedure can provide reliable stability and minimal risk of recurrent instability. In addition, static and dynamic postural control ability may be improved through continuous proprioceptive-oriented rehabilitation following surgery. Full article

While several studies have reported short-term clinical outcomes after medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) repair with suture tape augmentation, there is still a dearth of knowledge regarding midterm clinical outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate the midterm clinical outcomes of MPFL repair with suture tape augmentation in patients with patellar dislocation. We retrospectively reviewed the clinical records of patients who underwent MPFL repair with suture tape augmentation for at least one episode of patellar dislocation between 2015 and 2020. Patient-reported clinical outcomes (PROs) were evaluated via the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score and the knee injury osteoarthritis outcome score (KOOS). In total, 17 knees (4 males and 13 females) who underwent MPFL repair with suture tape augmentation with a mean follow-up of 54.6 ± 19.5 months were included in this study. PROs significantly improved from preoperatively to the final follow-up (IKDC score: 50.7 ± 26.6 vs. 88.8 ± 13.0, p < 0.001; KOOS: 68.8 ± 23.3 vs. 91.2 ± 8.4, p = 0.011) without reducing the patient’s activity level at the final follow-up (UCLA AS score: 7.9 ± 2.4 at preinjury vs. 7.9 ± 2.2 at the final follow-up, p = 0.655). Subgroup analysis revealed good postoperative outcomes, regardless of the patient’s skeletal maturity or the presence or absence of generalized laxity. In conclusion, MPFL repair with suture tape augmentation is a safe and effective treatment for midterm follow-up. Full article

Ankle syndesmosis is crucial to the integrity of the ankle joint and weight-bearing; an injury to this structure can lead to significant disability. The treatment methods for distal syndesmosis injuries are controversial. The representative treatment methods include transsyndesmotic screw fixation and suture-button fixation, and good results with suture tape augmentation have recently been reported. However, an augmentation using suture tape is only possible when the posterior inferior tibiofibular ligament (PITFL) is intact. This study describes the case of an unstable syndesmosis injury, accompanied by anterior inferior tibiofibular ligament (AITFL) and PITFL injuries, which were treated successfully using suture tape. A 39-year-old male patient sustained right ankle damage while skateboarding. His leg and ankle radiographs revealed a widening of the medial clear space, a posterior malleolus fracture, a reduced “syndesmosis overlap” compared with the contralateral side, and a proximal fibula fracture. The magnetic resonance imaging revealed ruptured deltoid ligaments, accompanied by AITFL, PITFL, and interosseous ligament injuries. A diagnosis of a Maisonneuve fracture with an unstable syndesmotic injury was made. The patient underwent an open syndesmotic joint reduction, along with an AITFL and PITFL augmentation. This anatomical reduction was confirmed using intraoperative arthroscopy and postoperative computed tomography (CT). An axial CT that was performed at the 6-month follow-up exam revealed a similar alignment of the syndesmosis between the injured and uninjured sides. There were no surgical complications and the patient did not complain of discomfort in his daily life. At the 12-month follow-up exam, a good clinical outcome was confirmed. As a treatment for unstable syndesmosis injury, ligament augmentation using suture tape shows satisfactory clinical outcomes and can be considered as a useful and reliable method for anatomical restoration and rapid rehabilitation. Full article

Knee ligament injuries are most common in sports injuries. In general, ligament repair or reconstruction is necessary to restore the stability of the knee joint and prevent secondary injuries. Despite advances in ligament repair and reconstruction techniques, a number of patients still experience re-rupture of the graft and suboptimal recovery of motor function. Since Dr. Mackay’s introduction of the internal brace technique, there has been continuous research in recent years using the internal brace ligament augmentation technique for knee ligament repair or reconstruction, particularly in the repair or reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament. This technique focuses on increasing the strength of autologous or allograft tendon grafts through the use of braided ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene suture tapes to facilitate postoperative rehabilitation and avoid re-rupture or failure. The purpose of this review is to present detailed research progress in the internal brace ligament enhancement technique of knee ligament injury repair as well as the reconstruction from biomechanical and histological research and clinical studies and to comprehensively assess the value of the application of this technique. Full article

Three-dimensional Surface Imaging (3DSI) has become a valuable tool for planning and documenting surgical procedures. Although surface scanners have allowed for a better understanding of breast shape, size, and asymmetry during patient consultation, its use has not been included in intraoperative assessment so far. Validation of the reliability of the intraoperative use of a portable handheld 3DSI equipment as a tool to evaluate morphological changes during breast augmentation surgery. The patients who underwent bilateral subpectoral breast augmentation through an inframammary incision were included in this study. Intraoperative 3DSI was performed with the Artec Eva device, allowing for visualization of the surgical area before incision, after use of breast sizers and implant, and after wound closure. Intraoperatively manual measurements of breast distances and volume changes due to known sizer and implant volumes were in comparison with digital measurements calculated from 3DSI of the surgical area. Bilateral breasts of 40 patients were 3D photographed before incision and after suture successfully. A further 108 implant sizer uses were digitally documented. There was no significant difference between manual tape measurement and digital breast distance measurement. Pre- to postoperative 3D volume change showed no significant difference to the known sizer and implant volume. Full article

Until the past decade the common thought was that the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) was not able to heal and restore knee stability. In this manuscript a brief review of studies of the developers and the early adaptors of four different modern ACL repair techniques are presented. The present status and considerations for the future of ACL repair and its research are shared. After promising short- to midterm ACL healing results by the developers, the results of the early adaptors show more variety in terms of rerupture and reintervention for other reasons. Risk factors for failure are a young age, high preinjury sports activity level, midsubstance ruptures and impaired integrity of the ACL bundles and the synovial sheath. There is a call for more clinical data and randomized clinical trials. Conclusion: an important finding of the past decade is that the ACL is able to heal and subsequently restabilize the knee. Patient selection is emphasized: the ideal patient is a non-high athlete older than 25 and has an acute proximal one bundle ACL rupture. Further research will have to show if ACL repair could be a game changer or if history will repeat itself. Full article