BackgroundChronic lateral ankle instability often accompanies intra-articular lesions, and arthroscopy is often useful in diagnosis and treatment of intra-articular lesions.MethodsPreoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations and arthroscopic findings were reviewed retrospectively and compared in 65 patients who underwent surgery for chronic lateral ankle instability from January 2006 to January 2010. MR images obtained were assessed by two radiologists, and the inter- and intra-observer reliability was calculated. American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) and visual analogue scale (VAS) scores were evaluated.ResultsAbnormalities of the anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) were found in all 65 (100%) cases. In arthroscopy examinations, 33 (51%) cases had talar cartilage lesions, and 3 (5%) cases had 'tram-track' cartilage lesion. Additionally, 39 (60%) cases of synovitis, 9 (14%) cases of anterior impingement syndrome caused by osteophyte, 14 (22%) cases of impingement syndrome caused by fibrotic band and tissue were found. Sensitivity of MRI examination for each abnormality was: ATFL, 60%; osteochondral lesion of talus (OLT), 46%; syndesmosis injury, 21%; synovitis, 21%; anterior impingement syndrome caused by osteophyte, 22%. Paired intra-observer reliability was measured by a kappa statistic of 0.787 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.641 to 0.864) for ATFL injury, 0.818 (95% CI, 0.743 to 0.908) for OLT, 0.713 (95% CI, 0.605 to 0.821) for synovitis, and 0.739 (95% CI, 0.642 to 0.817) for impingement. Paired inter-observer reliability was measured by a kappa statistic of 0.381 (95% CI, 0.241 to 0.463) for ATFL injury, 0.613 (95% CI, 0.541 to 0.721) for OLT, 0.324 (95% CI, 0.217 to 0.441) for synovitis, and 0.394 (95% CI, 0.249 to 0.471) for impingement. Mean AOFAS score increased from 64.5 to 87.92 (p < 0.001) when there was no intra-articular lesion, from 61.07 to 89.04 (p < 0.001) in patients who had one intra-articular lesion, and from 61.12 to 87.6 (p < 0.001) in patients who had more than two intra-articular lesions.ConclusionsAlthough intra-articular lesion in patients with chronic lateral ankle instability is usually diagnosed with MRI, its sensitivity and inter-observer reliability are low. Therefore, arthroscopic examination is strongly recommended because it improved patients' residual symptoms and significantly increased patient satisfaction.

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The clinical outcome is favorable for the treatment of unstable femoral intertrochanteric fractures using both dynamic hip screw (DHS) and trochanter stabilizing plate (TSP) in elderly patients. However, there are sometimes complications related to excessive sliding. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the value of additional fixation of greater trochanter using wires and screw in the unstable femoral intertrochanteric fractures with a greater trochanter fracture. Materials and Methods: From March 2004 through December 2005, thirty-seven patients, who were more than sixty-five years of age and were diagnosed with osteoporosis, were treated with DHS and TSP in unstable femoral intertrochanteric fractures with a follow-up of more than 6 months (mean duration, 13.5 months). The patients were divided into two groups. One group (group A: 20 patients) was treated with DHS and TSP only, whereas the other (group B: 17 patients) was treated with DHS and TSP augmented by a wire and screw. The average age was 80.9 (range 68 to 89) and 83.2 years (range 72 to 91) in groups A and B, respectively. All the patients in both groups were assessed radiographically immediately after surgery and at the last follow-up. The level of sliding of the lag screw and displacement of the greater trochanter were evaluated statistically. Results: Bony union was achieved in all cases except for two cases in group A. At the last follow-up, the average of lag screw sliding in groups A and B was 8.96±5.98mm and 4.80±3.68, respectively, showing a statistical difference (P value<0.05). The average greater trochnateric displacement in groups A and B was 2.06±2.86mm and 0.99±1.41mm, respectively, showing no statistical significance (P value > 0.05). Conclusion: Unstable femoral intertrochanteric fractures can be treated successfully using a hip screw and TSP alone. However, the addition of wires and screws in the greater trochanter can prevent excessive sliding that occurs after displacing the greater trochanteric fragments out of the plate in the presence of a greater trochanteric fracture line or severe bone defect in the lateral aspect.

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