Foot & Ankle Orthopaedics最新文献

Background: Ankle arthrodesis (AA), or ankle fusion, is a surgical procedure used to treat severe ankle pathologies, particularly in patients with chronic pain and reduced mobility due to conditions like osteoarthritis, posttraumatic arthritis, and Charcot arthropathy. Diabetic patients undergoing AA often face higher risks of complications due to comorbidities such as dyslipidemia and hypertension. This study aims to compare the outcomes of AA in diabetic vs nondiabetic patients, using data from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) from 2016 to 2019.

Methods: Using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample database, 12 325 patients who underwent ankle arthrodesis were identified from 2016 to 2019 based on ICD-10 procedure codes. χ² tests and t tests were used for univariate analysis, followed by multivariate logistic regression to assess complications between diabetic and nondiabetic patients. Temporal trends in surgical volume were analyzed using linear regression models, and risk ratios were calculated for perioperative complications during the index hospital stay.

Results: Primary osteoarthritis was the most common cause, accounting for 55.4% of AA procedures. Multivariate logistic regression revealed that diabetes mellitus (DM) was significantly associated with increased risks of blood loss (odds ratio [OR] 1.59, 95% CI 1.23-2.05, P = .004), infection (OR 3.12, 95% CI 2.55-3.82, P < .001), heart failure (OR 1.35, 95% CI 1.06-1.73, P = .01), and acute kidney injury (OR 2.42, 95% CI 1.57-3.75, P = .001). No significant association was observed between DM and pneumonia (OR 2.27, 95% CI 1.645-4.605, P = .20).

Conclusion: Diabetic patients undergoing AA have higher rates of comorbidities and postoperative complications, leading to longer hospital stays. These findings highlight the need for comprehensive preoperative and postoperative care to improve outcomes in this population.

Level of evidence: Level III, retrospective study.

Background: The use of a nonremovable patellar tendon bearing (PTB) cast in Charcot neuroarthropathy (CA) has not been well studied. We describe the offloading devices, including PTB cast used in our setting for the treatment of CA.

Methods: We performed a retrospective observational study on patients with CA and diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) presenting to the multidisciplinary foot clinic at Royal Darwin Hospital, between January 2003 and June 2015. Various immobilization and offloading methods used in CA treatment and their outcomes were analyzed.

Results: Ninety-three cases of CA were included. PTB cast (n = 76) and a variety of custom-made removable devices (n = 17) were used for initial offloading. Patients treated with PTB casts were allowed to fully weightbear on the affected limb, as tolerated. Initial offloading was continued until the joint stabilized and ulcer healed (6.5±1.9 months), and then patients were transitioned to various orthotic devices and then to accommodative footwear. At the end of the whole offloading treatment (median duration 13.1 months; range 10-24), patients treated with PTB initially had better outcomes compared with patients treated with removable devices.

Conclusion: Immobilization using PTB casting was an effective offloading method for CA with DFU. With our offloading regimen, Indigenous and non-Indigenous patients had similar outcomes.

Level of evidence: Level III, retrospective cohort study.

Background: The tibiotalocalcaneal (TTC) arthrodesis using an intramedullary nail (IMN) is a common method used to treat advanced diabetic ankle/hindfoot Charcot deformity. The talus is usually resected when severe loss of its body is present and the medial malleolar cartilage excised. We report our initial results with talar retention and absence of medial ankle gutter cartilage debridement.

Methods: Four patients with type 2/3A Brodsky classification and stage 2/3 as Eichenholtz classification, presenting with a hindfoot varus deformity were treated with TTC using IMN. The talus was retained after excision of its proximal and distal cartilages while the medial malleolus cartilage was not touched. Bone union was the primary outcome. The minimum follow-up period was 12 months.

Results: Bone union was achieved radiologically in all 4 cases within 6 months. No signs of postoperative infection was noted. The mean limb length difference between the pre- and postoperative values was 0.5 ± 0.2 cm. At the final follow-up, all patients were able to walk pain-free with full weightbearing. All 4 patients were very satisfied at 12 months with a mean American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot score of 87 ± 3.1.

Conclusion: When performing TTC arthrodesis for diabetic Charcot, preserving the talus even when the body is severely damaged could add to the stability of the construct resulting in bone healing and some leg length preservation. Including the medial malleolus in the fusion surgery might not be necessary.

Level of evidence: Level IV, case series.

Background: The outcome of a secondary subtalar arthrodesis after prior calcaneal fracture has been widely described. However, the surgical treatment has evolved significantly over the past decade, paralleling the shifts observed in primary repair strategies. Therefore, we describe the outcome following a secondary arthrodesis after an intra-articular calcaneal fracture, comparing the in situ (ISA) and bone block distraction arthrodesis (BBDA) techniques.

Methods: In total, 339 patients who underwent a subtalar arthrodesis between January 1998 and November 2022 were screened for eligibility. Inclusion criteria were age ≥16 years, having undergone a subtalar arthrodesis following a calcaneal fracture, and a minimal follow-up of 1 year. Exclusion criteria were subtalar arthrodesis before January 2010 and a subtalar arthrodesis within 6 weeks of injury. A total of 259 patients did not meet the inclusion criteria, resulting in the inclusion of 80 patients with 82 fractured calcanei.

Results: No significant differences between ISA and BBDA in surgical outcome were seen. Subtalar fusion was achieved in 78 of the patients (95.1%). Additionally, a deep surgical site infection occurred in 6 patients (7.8%). The American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society ankle-hindfoot scale (AOFAS) and Foot Function Index (FFI) scores and the EuroQol-5 dimensions (EQ5D) index were similar between the 2 groups. However, a significantly higher EQ5D-VAS was reported by the subjects who received a BBDA (median [interquartile range], 70.0 [52.0-82.0] vs 81.0 [70.0-90.3], P = .021). Multiple regression revealed that a higher Böhler angle before the initial fracture reconstruction significantly improved the AOFAS score, whereas the FFI significantly improved by an initial conservative treatment and implant removal after arthrodesis. Finally, increasing age significantly improved the EQ5D index.

Conclusion: Our study presents comparable surgical outcomes between ISA and BBDA for secondary subtalar arthrodesis following calcaneal fractures. Functional outcomes, as measured by the AOFAS and FFI scores, were also similar between the 2 techniques, although patients undergoing BBDA reported higher EQ5D visual analog scale scores.

Level of evidence: Level III, retrospective cohort study.

Background: Syndesmotic instability is a significant concern in the management of unstable ankle fractures, occurring in approximately 10% to 13% of these cases. Early recognition and stabilization of syndesmotic injuries are essential to ensure optimal long-term outcomes. Several techniques are currently in use, often involving complex procedure and/or costly devices. Our study presents a syndesmosis fixation technique using K-wires that is both simple and cost-effective.

Methods: This is a retrospective single-center case series. Three hundred seventy-seven ankle fractures with intraoperative syndesmosis instability and subsequent syndesmosis fixation with a K-wire were treated between 2002 and 2012. Of the 377 patients, 51 died and we were able to obtain long-term questionnaire completions from 94 patients (29% of presumed living patients), with a mean follow-up of 10.6 ± 3.0 years.

Results: The mean age was 46.6 ± 18.5 years; 42% were Danis-Weber type B and 58% type C fractures. Syndesmosis fixation failure was observed in 9 (2%) patients, and 5 (1%) patients had K-wire displacement without loss of syndesmosis reduction. The Manchester-Oxford Foot Questionnaire (MOXFQ) was obtained 10±3 years after surgery. The mean MOXFQ pain score was 25.9 ± 25.4, the mean functional score was 18 ± 24.8, and the mean social score was 13.7 ± 22.2.

Conclusion: We report long-term (10.6 ± 3 years) functional outcomes using a validated patient-reported questionnaire in patients who underwent syndesmosis fixation with 2 K-wires for unstable ankle fractures. In the subset of patients we were able to find in follow-up, we found low rates of syndesmosis fixation failure, low pain scores, and excellent functional outcomes. The availability and low cost of these implants make this technique an accessible and cost-effective solution to consider for syndesmosis fixation.

Level of evidence: Level IV, retrospective case series.

Background: Geriatric ankle fractures are increasingly common. Previous work has suggested that early weightbearing following ankle fracture fixation is safe in nongeriatric patients. However, limited data is available regarding the safety of immediate weightbearing following fixation of geriatric ankle fractures using standard open reduction internal fixation techniques.

Methods: Forty-four patients aged 65 years or older treated for rotational ankle fractures were propensity matched, with 22 patients following a nonweightbearing (NWB) protocol and 22 were allowed to weightbear immediately (WBAT) in a controlled ankle motion boot at all times. Primary outcomes included hardware failure and postoperative complications. Group differences in continuous variables were analyzed via Student t test whereas Fisher exact tests were used to analyze the differences in categorical variables. Complication-free survival and hardware failure-free survival were compared using the log-rank (Mantel-Cox) test.

Results: There were no hardware failures in the WBAT group and 1 hardware failure in the NWB group; the difference was not statistically significant. There was no difference in incidence of postoperative complications, rate of hardware failure, or PROM scores.

Conclusion: In this preliminary study group, we found that immediate weightbearing following fixation of geriatric ankle fractures was not associated with increased hardware failure or postoperative complications.

Level of evidence: Level IV, retrospective cohort.

Background: Hindfoot endoscopy is an effective treatment for posterior ankle impingement syndrome (PAIS) and flexor hallucis longus (FHL) tendon disorders. However, FHL tendoscopy, especially from the posteromedial portal, carries a risk of tibial nerve damage. A needle-arthroscopic system with a 1.9-mm-diameter arthroscope, a semirigid frame, and a 0-degree direction of view has been introduced. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of this system in visualizing and reaching significant structures in hindfoot endoscopy and FHL tendoscopy through the posteromedial and posterolateral portals using a cadaveric model.

Methods: The 1.9-mm-diameter arthroscopic system (NanoScope, Arthrex) was used to perform hindfoot endoscopy in 6 human donor ankles (3 pairs). The arthroscope tube is 9.5 cm long, semirigid, and has an outer diameter of 1.9 mm, a 0-degree direction of view, and a 120-degree field of view. Posteromedial and posterolateral portals were established. Visualization and operative reach were recorded, including the posterolateral talar process, posterior talofibular ligament, intermalleolar ligament, subtalar joint, and FHL tendon. The neurovascular bundle and FHL tendon were examined for kinks or damage.

Results: All significant structures were successfully visualized in all specimens. The wide 120-degree field of view facilitated adequate visualization of all structures. In all specimens, the FHL tendon was visualized from the ankle joint to the knot of Henry (zones 1 and 2), and the flexor digitorum longus tendon was observed via both portals. There were no signs of neurovascular damage from either the posterolateral or posteromedial portals.

Conclusion: In this cadaver experiment without known pathology, use of a 1.9-mm-diameter needle-arthroscopy with a 0-degree direction of view provided effective visualization of all significant structures in treating PAIS and FHL tendon disorders. It appears that FHL tendoscopy can be performed from the level of the ankle joint to the knot of Henry via both the posterolateral and posteromedial portals.