Purpose of the study: Recurrent dislocations of the superior tibiofibular joint are rare. We report three cases of Weinert and Giachino ligament reconstruction.
Materials: From 1989 to 1994, two soccer players and one young girl (10 years old) presented recurrent dislocation of the superior TFJ. The mechanism was a direct trauma, and the type of dislocation was antero-lateral. These patients were free of tibial fracture, major ligament lesion of the knee, and neurologic symptoms (peroneal nerve injury). Pain was over the fibular head, mechanical and increased by jumping. A lateral "cracking" was present. Examination showed an antero-posterior mobility of the fibular head. X-ray showed horizontal proximal tibiofibular joint. M.R.I. eliminated a lateral meniscal pathology and collateral ligament injury.
Methods: The biceps tendon was split longitudinally for approximately seven centimeters. The posterior one half was transected proximally and mobilized. Secondly, the free end of the graft was passed posterior to anterior through a tibial tunnel. Thirdly, the tendon was sutured to the anterior tibial periosteum under tension with the fibular head reduced.
Results: Follow up at one year revealed that all the patients were active, free of dysfunction and laxity, with no further episodes of instability and no loss of ankle mobility.
Discussion: The diversity of treatments reported for this rare dislocation led us to believe that none proved its superiority. Resection of the proximal end of the fibula involves extensive dissection and creates a risk for the peroneal nerve vacuum and a lateral laxity. Arthrodesis of the superior tibiofibular joint without fibular osteotomy leads ankle pain, instability and a loss of ankle mobility. This procedure may also be complicated by screw loosening or breakage or by stress fracture of the fibula at the screw site. Arthrodesis of the superior tibiofibular joint with fibular osteotomy avoids these risks, but is possible for pain in the diaphyseal resection during the first 6 post operative months. Weinert and Giachino procedure, using a portion of the biceps tendon to reconstruct the superior tibiofibular ligament successfully stabilizes the superior tibiofibular joint, preserves all physiological function of the fibula and avoids resection or arthrodesis complications.
Conclusion: Based on our experience with these three patients and on literature review, ligament reconstruction for recurrent dislocation of the superior tibiofibular joint gives stability and indolence, and avoids complications of resection and arthrodesis.