Surgical treatment of sagittal band injuries and classification according to operative findings

PurposeThe indications for surgery in patients with acute closed sagittal band injuries are still undetermined. The purpose of this study was to classify the types of injuries based on intraoperative findings of patients who underwent surgery for sagittal injuries, and to present the treatment plans and surgical methods.MethodsTwenty-five patients who had undergone surgical exploration for closed sagittal band injuries between January 2011 and December 2020 were included in the study, comprising 17 patients with acute injuries (within 3 weeks), four patients with chronic injuries, and four patients who underwent surgery because symptoms did not improve in response to conservative treatment. Patients with laceration, fracture, and rheumatoid arthritis were excluded.ResultsSagittal band injuries were classified into two groups: superficial sagittal band (SSB) and proper sagittal band (PSB) injuries. SSB injuries were observed in 75.0% of spontaneous rupture cases and PSB injuries were observed in 66.7% of traumatic rupture cases. SSB injuries were observed in 83.3% of Rayan and Murray classification type II cases and PSB injuries were observed in 61.5% of type III cases (p=0.041). PSB injuries were present in all four patients who underwent surgery because conservative treatment failed.ConclusionWe successfully corrected sagittal band injuries with extensor digitorum communis tendon instability through surgical treatment. Sagittal band injuries can be classified into two types depending on the anatomical injury pattern; SSB and PSB injuries. The surgical method and treatment plan can be chosen based on this classification.