joanna menda (asker) Sep 5, 2023:

Hi everyone, thanks for all your suggestions! Phil you got it right! I finally got an answer from the author: this is a new technique invented by one of the other authors and the English translation should be "lacing."

Althea Draper Jul 15, 2023:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22041573/
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S18770...

These are the English and (original) French versions of a paper on knee osteochondral fractures in skeletally immature patients. The French version mentions "une suture par laçage" where the English one says "pull-out suture".

These two references relate to plantar plate repair using the pull out technique -
https://clinicadope.net/_files/view.php/load/pasta/16/60a3fe... (with diagrams)
https://www.arthrex.com/foot-ankle/complete-plantar-plate-re... (see video)

'Pull through sutures' are also used in hallux valgus repair - https://www.arthrex.com/resources/LB0004/comprehensive-solut...

Althea Draper Jul 14, 2023:

I'm finding it difficult to find articles referring to 'laçage' and metatarsals as I keep finding pieces about tying shoes too tight! However, there seems to be more for other bones and joints such as this one on page 76 where there is a definition - https://cdim.fmp-usmba.ac.ma/mediatheque/e_theses/265-17.pdf . On page 79 it states that when used on children's knees, it is an alternative to pinning with Kirschner wires or screws.

This one translates 'laçage' as 'wire twists' which are used in conjunction with Kirschner wires.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/6761081_Tension-ban...

It's also used to repair collar bones - http://www.amiform.com/web/dpc-en-ligne/la-petite-traumatolo...

joanna menda (asker) Jul 14, 2023:

@Phil. Yes, these are the first and second metatarsal joints.

philgoddard Jul 14, 2023:

Lacing? And the first Google hit suggests that M could be metatarsal. Could this be it?