• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.102-111
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• 1997

The tibial Pilon fracture, which is defined as a comminuted intraarticular fracture of the distal tibia, is difficult to manage because high axial compression and rotational forces to the ankle joint result in impaction, severe comminution, metaphyseal disruption and soft tissue damage. There are variable methods of treatment such as manipulation and cast, calcaneal traction and cast, external fixation, pin and plaster, limited open reduction and external fixation, and open reduction and rigid internal fixation. Though most of authors reported better result after a surgical treatment. than that of conservative treatment, many complications such as posttraumatic arthritis and soft tissue problem still remain troublesome. We have reviewed 19 cases of the tibial Pilon fractures in 18 patients which were treated with limited open reduction and internal fixation from September 1993 to May 1996. The results were as follows: 1. The fractures were classified into five types according to the system of Ovadia and Beals, and the most frequent type was type 3 (53%). The most common cause of injury was traffic accident (47%). 2. All of the cases of type 1 and 2, in which the injury of the ankle joint was less severe, revealed good or excellent clinical results. But in type 4 and 5, because the injury is much severe and accurate reduction is difficult, the clinical results were unsatisfaetory. 3. The most frequent complication was posttraumatic osteoarthritis, and which developed in second frequent complication, was developed m the three cases of type 3 in which the radiographic results were less than fair, but there were no correlation with the clinical results. 4. We could markedly reduce the complications related to the soft tissue problem of Pilon fracture by treatment with limited open reduction and internal fixation, and consider that this is a good method of treatment of Pilon fracture when the injury is less severe and accurate reduction is possible.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.302-311
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• 1992

Talus is a important structure of the ankle joint and its function is critical for ambulation and weight bearing. The talus fracture is rare, but the complications of fracture and dislocation are serious and resulting in avascular necrosis, osteoarthritis. So its treatment is carefully considered at initial status. Authors reviewed 11 cases of fracture and dislocation of the talus treated at Yeungnam university hospital from 1984 to 1991. The longest follow up was 8 years and shortest, 1 year. The results were as follows. 1. There were all males, the average age was 30 years old. 2. The most common cause was fall down(8 cases), and next traffic accident(2cases), sports injury(1 case). 3. According to Marti-Weber classification, 1 cases was type I, 1 in type II, 4 in type III and 5 in type IV. 4. The method of treatment were open reduction and internal fixation in 6 cases, the others were closed reduction in 5 cases. 5. Final results(by Hawkins grading system) were as follows, 3 cases were excellent, 4 cases were good, 1 case was fair and 3 cases were poor. 6. Complications were AVN in 2 cases, degenerative arthritis in 8 cases, malunion in 1 case. 7. The range of motion of the ankle joint was relatively preserved(74%), but in the subtalar joint it was decreased(43%).

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.238-249
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• 2003

Purpose: To report the clinical result of the intraarticular calcaneus fracture after open reduction and internal fixation with plate by lateral approach. Materials and Methods: Thirty-six calcaneal fractures of 33 patients(29 men and 4 women) were treated by open reduction and internal fixation using an lateral approach from March, 1997 to May, 2002 and were followed more than one year. The autogenous iliac bone graft was done in 2 cases but the others didn't. Radiographically B?hler angle and Gissane angle on simple lateral radiograph were measured and in the 15 cases, the step-off(gap) of posterior facet joint on post-operative CT images were followed. The Salama method was used for evaluation of clinical results. Results: According to Sanders classification, 19 cases of the 36 cases were classified as type II. Type III fracture were found in 12 cases and type IV in 5 cases. The following results were obtained: twenty-two cases(61.1%) out of 36 cases were estimated as good or excellent. The good results or more were obtained in 15 cases(78.9%) in type II and 7 cases(58.3%) in type ill, but no case in type IV. B?hler angles were improved from preoperative average 1.6?to postoperative average 23.4?, Gissane angle was improved from preoperative 107.2?to postoperative 122.8?, respectively. Among 36 cases, Computed tomography was carried out in 15 cases. The postoperative step-off (gap) of posterior facet joint on computed tomography was filled with cancellous bone. Satifactory results was obtained in 7 cases with 2mm gap or less and in 6 cases of 2-5mm. There were no satifactory results in 2 cases with 5mm gap or more. Conclusion: Open reduction and internal fixation for intra-articular fracture of calcaneus was thought to be a good treatment modality. It is thought that the lateral approach is one of the good one for surgical treatment, and that accurate reduction of the posterior facet, acceptable recovery of B?hler angle are more important to obtain best results.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.51-57
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• 2011

Pilon fractures involving distal tibia remain one of the most difficult therapeutic challenges that confront the orthopedic surgeons because of associated soft tissue injury is common. To introduce and describe the diagnosis, current treatment, results and complications of the pilon fractures. In initial assessment, the correct evaluation of the fracture type through radiographic checkup and examination of the soft tissue envelope is needed to decide appropriate treatment planning of pilon fractures. Even though Ruedi and Allgower reported 74% good and excellent results with primary open reduction and internal fixation, recently the second staged treatment of pilon fractures is preferred to orthopedic traumatologist because of the soft tissue problem is common after primary open reduction and internal fixation. The components of the first stage are focused primarily on stabilization of the soft tissue envelope. If fibula is fractured, fibular open reduction and internal fixation is integral part of initial management for reducing the majority of tibial deformities. Ankle-spanning temporary external fixator is used to restore limb alignment and displaced intraarticular fragments through ligamentotaxis and distraction. And the second stage, definitive open reduction and internal fixation of the tibial component, is undertaken when the soft tissue injury has resolved and no infection sign is seen on pin site of external fixator. The goals of definitive internal fixation should include absolute stability and interfragmentary compression of reduced articular segments, stable fixation of the articular segment to the tibial diaphysis, and restoration of coronal, transverse, and sagittal plane alignments. The location, rigidity, and kinds of the implants are based on each individual fractures. The conventional plate fixation has more advantages in anatomical reduction of intraarticular fractures than locking compression plate. But it has more complications as infection, delayed union and nonunion. The locking compression plate fixation provides greater stability and lesser wound problem than conventional implants. But the locking compression plate remains poorly defined for intraarticular fractures of the distal tibia. Active, active assisted, passive range of motion of the ankle is recommended when postoperative rehabilitation is started. Splinting with the foot in neutral is continued until suture is removed at the 2~3 weeks and weight bearing is delayed for approximately 12 weeks. The recognition of the soft tissue injury has evolved as a critical component of the management of pilon fractures. At this point, the second staged treatment of pilon fractures is good treatment option because of it is designed to promote recovery of the soft tissue envelope in first stage operation and get a good result in definitive reduction and stabilization of the articular surface and axial alignment in second stage operation.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.187-191
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• 2007

Purpose: The authors intended to analyze the operative results of tarsal tunnel syndrome. Materials and Methods: Twenty-one patients with tarsal tunnel syndrome were followed for more than 1 year after operation. The mean age was 44 years, and the mean follow up period was 2 years and 9 months. Clinically preoperative and postoperative AOFAS ankle-hindfoot score and visual analogue scale for pain were analyzed. Radiologically the cause of disease was investigated, and the size of mass was measured, if possible. The duration of symptom, the presence of space occupying lesion (SOL), the effect of epineurolysis were statistically analyzed to see the relation with the operative results. Results: Operative release of tarsal tunnel was done in all cases, and epineurolysis was done in 11 cases. The causes of the disease were 10 soft tissue masses, 7 talocalcaneal coalitions, 1 nonunion of medial talar process fracture, and 1 pes planovalgus, and 3 idiopathic cases. The masses were subdivided into 7 ganglions, 2 neurilemmomas, and 1 lipoma. There was 1 case of combined talocalcaneal coalition and ganglion. Clinically AOFAS ankle-hindfoot score was increased from 62.7 points preoperatively to 84.3 points postoperatively. Visual analogue scale was improved from 6.5 preoperatively to 2.2 postoperatively. Two cases were graded as unsatisfactory. One was severe pes planovalgus, and the other was idiopathic case. The duration of symptom and the epineurolysis were not related with the results. However the presence of space occupying lesion was significantly related with the good results. Conclusion: Early operative release of tarsal tunnel appears to be important for the improvement of symptom. However the prognosis is limited in case that there is no SOL.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.52-58
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• 2005

Purpose: To analyze the overall clinical outcome, overall assessment, and patient's satisfaction rate of subtalar arthrodesis using the cannulated compression screw. Materials and Methods: This study is based on 17 patients, 17 feet who underwent subtalar arthrodesis using the cannulated compression screw from March, 1997 to March, 2004 with at least 1 year follow-up. The average follow-up period was 33.0 months (12 to 72 months). Functional results were assessed using the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society Ankle-Hindfoot (AOFAS) score, and Visual Analysis Scale (VAS) pain score, patients' returning to previous occupation and patients' satisfaction rate were also evaluated. Results: The mean AOFAS scores at final follow-up were 80.4 points (range $66{\sim}92$). The satisfactory rates were as follow. Thirteen patients (76.4%) were at least satisfied with surgical result at final follow-up. Patients' VAS pain score was average 2.8 points ($1{\sim}6$). Fourteen (82.3%) patients returned to previous job at mean postoperative period of 11.3 months (range 3-18 months). Patients' work efficiency after returning to previous occupation was 68.7% (range $33{\sim}100%$). There were 9 complications which were 3 cases of sural nerve injury, 1 case of valgus malunion, and 5 cases of the hindfoot residual pain. Conclusion: We obtained the satisfactory functional results with relatively high patient satisfaction rate of 76%. So we conclude that subtalar arthrodesis using the cannulated compression screw is a reliable method for addressing the painful end-stage subtalar osteoarthritis and unreconstructible comminuted calcaneal fractures. However we also found out that average 11 months were necessary for patients to return to their job.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.60-67
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• 2009

Purpose: This study was designed to investigate the usefulness of extensile lateral approach for accurate reduction and rigid internal fixation in comminuted intraarticular fractures of calcaneus. Materials and Methods: From October 2002 to May 2007, we managed 55 patients (62 cases) with open reduction and internal fixation using extensile lateral approach. Among these, 38 patients (43 cases) who underwent preoperative and postoperative CT scan were enrolled. All patients were evaluated over 24 months after surgery. Bohler angle and Gissane angle on plain X-ray, displacement and step-off of articular surface of calcaneus on CT scan were measured and we compared the difference between preoperative and postoperative value of them. Clinical results were assessed by using AOFAS Ankle-Hindfoot Scale. Results: The average Bohler angle was restored from $6.8^{\circ}$ to $23.5^{\circ}$ and Gissane angle was improved from $116.4^{\circ}$ to $113.5^{\circ}$ after operation. The average distance of displacement was restored from 4.2 mm to 1.4 mm and step-off of articular surface was recovered from 5.1 mm to 1.3 mm. Clinical results were excellent in 17 cases, good in 18 cases, fair in 3 cases, and poor in 5 cases. 10 cases developed postoperative complications such as skin necrosis, heel pain, limitation of motion of ankle and subtalar arthritis. Conclusion: The extensile lateral approach is valuable for the comminuted intraarticular fractures of calcaneus that enables accurate anatomical reduction and rigid internal fixation by providing direct exposure of subtalar joint.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.201-207
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• 2002

Purpose: To present the clinical analysis of the results obtained in 38 cases of displaced intraarticular calcaneal fractures undergone combined percutaneous axial pin fixation of calcaneal body and minimal internal fixation using extensile lateral approach. Materials and Methods: From March 2000 to February 2002, thirty-eight displaced intraarticular fractures of the calcaneus in 35 patients were fixed with 3.5mm cannulated screws and percutaneous 2.5mm K-wires. The extensile lateral approach was used in all cases. The average follow-up period was 16 months. Clinical evaluation was assessed according to the Ankle-Hind Foot Scale of American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society. Results: The clinical results were graded as excellent in 8 cases(21%), good in 22 cases(58%), fair in 6 cases(16%), and poor in 2 cases(5%). Two cases of poor result were type IV of Sanders classification. The postoperative reduction status of the articular surface was analyzed by computed tomography in all cases and was found to be less 2mm of step off in 30 cases and between 2 and 4mm in 8 cases. Unsatisfactory results were correlated with severity of articular comminution and failure to obtain accurate reduction of the articular surface. Using early functional postoperative care, all fractures healed without secondary displacement except 1 case on an average of ten weeks. Two cases had superficial necrosis of the wound margins, however, secondary wound healing was uneventful and skin grafting was not needed. Conclusion: Combined minimal internal fixation and percutaneous pin fixation using extensile lateral approach is useful operative method of intraarticular calcaneal fractures because providing enough stability to permit functional aftercare and allowing excellent anatomical reduction. In addition, this method diminishes the risk of lateral soft tissue problems.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.177-181
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• 2007

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to compare the two prosthesis that used for total ankle arthroplasty. Materials and Methods: From Sept. 2003 to Jun 2006, 13 patients and 14 ankles that could be follow up more than 1 months. Semiconstrained type (Group I, 7 cases) and Unconstrained type (Group II, 7 cases) were used for total ankle arthroplasty. Mean age was 63.2 year-old, 12 ankles are men and 2 ankles were women. Mean follow up periods were 29 months. The criteria to compare the clinical result were postoperative range of motion, AOFAS score and residual bone stock of medial malleolus. Results: Postoperative range of motion of group I was $43.6{\pm}9.4$ degrees and of group II was $50.7{\pm}7.3$ degrees (p=0.115). Postoperative AOFAS score of group I was $77.1{\pm}13.0$ points and of group II was $86.0{\pm}5.7$ points (p=0.094). Resected bone stock in medial malleolus of group I was $10.7{\pm}2.5\;mm$ and of group II was $5.1{\pm}1.2\;mm$ (p=0.003). Total number of complication in our study was 9 cases. 3 cases were a malleolar fracture, two occurred at intra-operation, the other at follow-up period. Re-operation was done in 6 cases, 3 cases were calcaneal corrective osteotomy, 2 cases were resection of a heterotopic bone and one case was pedicular flap operation for skin problem. Conclusion: In our hospital, mobile bearing type prosthesis shows good result than a semiconstrained type in respect of residual bone stock in medial malleolus. Postoperative range of motion and AOFAS score between two groups shows no significant difference. But small number of patients and short term follow up period is a defect in our study, afterward more population and long term follow up period are needed.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.243-252
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• 2005

Objective : This study was performed to investigate the effect of blood-letting cupping treatment for acute ankle sprain because there are few studies with evidence-based approach. Method : Twenty-nine patients, who had no fracture and had injured by external force and had less than 1 week passed since onset and had not been treated, were randomly divided into control or treatment group by tossing a coin. The treatment group received blood-letting cupping. After 3rd treatment, the outcomes were assessed using Ankle-Hindfoot Scale (AHS) and Numeric Rating Scale (NRS). Result : Nineteen out of 29 patients were finally assessed. The treatment group (n=11) was significantly different from the control group (n=8) in AHS and NRS (p=0.041, 0.026, respectively). Conclusion : The blood-letting cupping has an objective effect on reduing pain for acute ankle sprain.