Chinese Journal Of Clinical Anatomy ›› 2015, Vol. 33 ›› Issue (4): 461-463.doi: 10.13418/j.issn.1001-165x.2015.04.019

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The experimental research on effectiveness of different internal fixation for tibiofibular connection

GAN Yu-dong1,DING Jing1,HOU Chun-lin2,  HUANG Zhi-wei1, XU Yong-qing1   

  1. 1.The Affliated Orthopedics Hospital of Kunming General Hospital of Chengdu Military Region, Kunming 650032, China;  2.Department of Orthopedics, Changzhen Hospital, The Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200003, China
  • Received:2014-09-22 Online:2015-07-25 Published:2015-08-14

Abstract:

Objective  To investigate activity range after the tibiofibular connection and the influence of different internal fixation on tibiofibular connection. Methods 8 fresh frozen adult leg specimens underwent room temperature thawing, amputation at the ankle and removal of skin, muscle and other soft tissue with the upper and lower tibiofibular joints and the interosseous membrane being kept intact. The processed specimens were then mounted on to a SWD10 universal material experiment machine to measure the physiological activity of tibiofibular activity. In the second step, the fibiotibial connection were completely severed and reestablished with ordinary screws, lag screws, "U" -shaped nail, after which the activity was measured. Results The normal physiological activity of tibiofibular connection is (1.83±0.38) mm in the anterior-to-posterior direction, (1.89±0.38) mm in a posterior-to-anterior direction, (1.42±0.34) mm in a lateral-to-medial direction, and (1.36±0.65) mm in a medial-to-lateral direction. After fixation with ordinary screws and lag screws, the activities of the external ankle was significantly limited. Though the lag screws are firmer in fixation, there was no significant difference in terms of activity when compared to that of normal screws fixation. With "U" -shaped nail fixation, no significant compromise in activity was noticed when compared with that of physiological connection. Conclusions  Tibiofibular connection if is an elastic structure of a certain activity and activity will decrease significantly after internal fixation with screws. Using the tibiofibular link hook or "U" -shaped nail for elastic fixation may retain the physiological activities.

Key words: Tibial phil link, Activity, Internal fixation, Biomechanics