• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.88-94
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• 2003

Purpose: Bioabsorbable screws are used to fix the syndesmotic injury of ankle because of no need for additional operation to remove it. The purpose of this study is to assess the efficacy of polylevolactic acid (PLLA) screws of in the treatment of the syndesmotic injury of ankle. Materials and Methods: Eight patients of the syndesmotic injury of ankle with malleolar fracture were evaluated in this study. They were managed with plate and screw fixation for malleolar fracture and polylevolactic acid screw fixation for syndesmotic injury, followed by plaster splinting for 6 weeks. Clinical and radiographic evaluation were done and functional scores were assessed. Results: In all cases, malleolar fractures were healed without problematic widening of syndesmosis. There were no sinus tract formation and no wound complication. Of eight patients, five had excellent results and three had good results. Conclusion: We conclude that polylevolactic acid screw is good material for fixation of the syndesmotic injury of ankle.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.100-105
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• 2016

Syndesmotic injury can either be isolated or associated with bony or ligamentous ankle injury. When it is not associated with an ankle fracture, it may not be easy to diagnose, especially when there is no franck diastasis on a plain radiograph. Without proper treatment, syndesmotic injury can lead to chronic pain due to impingement of scar tissues and instability. It may further lead to ankle arthritis. Early diagnosis with appropriate management is a prerequisite to avoid these problems. Herein, we review and discuss the mechanism of injury, classification, diagnosis, and treatment of isolated syndesmotic injury.

• 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.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.18 no.1
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• pp.29-35
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• 2014

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to compare the radiologic and clinical results of syndesmotic screw fixation and posterior malleolar fixation for syndesmotic injury in Lauge-Hansen classification pronation-external rotation (PER) stage IV ankle fractures with posterior malleolus fracture. Materials and Methods: We designed a retrospective study that included patients with Lauge-Hansen classification PER stage IV ankle fracture with posterior malleolus fracture. Of 723 patients who underwent ankle fracture surgery from March 2005 to November 2012, 29 were included in this study. In this study, syndesmotic injury was treated with syndesmotic screw fixation or posterior malleolus fixation. There were 15 cases of syndesmotic screw fixation and 14 cases of posterior malleolar fixation. We compared the radiologic and clinical results at one year postoperatively. Posterior malleolus fragment size on a pre-operative computed tomographic image, and tibiofibular overlap, medial clear space, articular step-off, Kellgren-Lawrence grade, and Takakura classification on a postoperative one year followup radiograph were used for comparison of the radiologic results. The clinical results were assessed using the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society score, visual analogue scale score, and patient subjective satisfaction score. Results: Posterior malleolar fragment size was $12.62%{\pm}3.01%$ of the joint space in the syndesmotic screw fixation group and $27.04%{\pm}4.34%$ in the posterior malleolar fixation group. A statistical difference was observed between the two groups. However, other results, including tibiofibular overlap, medial clear space, articular step-off, Kellgren-Lawrence grade, Takakura classification, and clinical scores showed no statistical difference. Conclusion: In the Lauge-Hansen classification PER stage IV ankle fracture with posterior malleolus fracture, if the posterior malleolus fracture can be reduced anatomically and fixated rigidly, syndesmotic screw fixation, which can cause several complications, is usually not required for achievement of a satisfactory syndesmotic stability; this would be a recommendable option for treatment of syndesmotic injury.

• 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.

• 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 Trauma and Injury
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.265-268
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• 2023

Ankle fractures with syndesmotic injuries often require fixation, where metal screw fixation is a popular method. However, as the patient begins weight-bearing, most syndesmotic screws tend to loosen or break, and removal of such screws has been challenging for the surgeons, as the available techniques require predrilling or trephination and are associated with risks of bone damage. This study presents a case with technical tip for the removal of broken tricortical-fixed non-cannulated syndesmotic screws. It implements the generation of a small cortical window in the medial distal tibia and the use of pliers to engage the screw tip and remove through the medial side. The technique presented in the current study overcomes these limitations and facilitates minimal bone damage and reduced exposure to radiation.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.264-271
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• 2013

Purpose: We aimed to analyze the effect of fixation tightness of the syndesmotic screw and its indwelling period on the recurrence of the syndesmosis widening after screw removal and the clinical outcomes. Materials and Methods: Forty consecutive patients with acute syndesmotic injury were retrospectively reviewed. The tibiofibular clear space is measured by digitalized measurement tool on serial radiographs. We analyzed the effect of time from trauma to fixation, syndesmotic screw indwelling duration, and fixation methods. Residual symptoms at the last follow up were evaluated. The student t-test, correlation test, and chi-square test were used for statistical analysis. Results: Eighteen ankles (45%) had recurrent syndesmosis widening (greater than 5% compared to the contralateral side). Seven patients had pain and five had limitation of motion in the ankle joint. Fixation tightness had significant effect on reducing the recurrence while the severity of the initial widening, time to fixation, and duration of fixation did not affect the outcome. Conclusion: Tight fixation of syndesmotic screw is essential for achieving final syndesmotic stability and reducing recurrence.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.150-155
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• 2008

Purpose: This study was performed to compare the anatomic differences of the fibular incisura of the tibia between ankle fractures with and without syndesmotic injuries. Materials and Methods: 42 patients were involved in this study: Group I was composed with 14 cases of ankle fractures with syndesmotic injuries; Group II was composed with 14 cases of ankle fractures without syndesmotic injuries; Group III was composed with 14 cases of volunteers. The height averaged 170.1 cm (range, $159{\sim}181$ cm) in group I, 168.9 cm (range, $156{\sim}184$ cm) in group II, and 170.4 cm (range, $161{\sim}77$ cm) in group III. The mean height did not show a statistically significant difference between groups (p>0.05). All patients were taken axial computed tomography. The length of anterior and posterior facets, angle between anterior and posterior facet, and depth of the fibular incisura of the tibia were measured. Results: The mean length of the anterior facet was 11.5 mm (range, $9.2{\sim}15.7$ mm) in group I, 12.2 mm (range, $7.3{\sim}17.0$ mm) in group II, and 10.3 mm (range, $8.7{\sim}14.0$ mm) in group III (p>0.05). The mean length of the posterior facet was 12.3 mm (range, $9.0{\sim}14.5$ mm) in group I, 11.0 mm (range, $7.3{\sim}16.2$ mm) in group II, and 13.0 mm (range, $9.2{\sim}15.9$ mm) in group III (p>0.05). The mean angle between anterior and posterior facet was 139.1 degrees (range, $125.5{\sim}154.0$ degrees) in group I, 144.2 degrees (range, $134.7{\sim}152.6$ degrees) in group II, and 131.5 degrees (range, $117.6{\sim}144.4$ degrees) in group III (p<0.05). The mean depth of the fibular incisura of the tibia was 4.1 mm (range, $3.2{\sim}15.8$ mm) in group I, 4.6 mm (range, $3.1{\sim}7.1$ mm) in group II, and 3.1 mm (range, $1.5{\sim}4.0$ mm) in group III (p<0.05). Conclusion: There are some statistical differences of angle between anterior and posterior facet and depth of the fibular incisura of the tibia between ankle fractures with and without syndesmotic injuries.