Introduction: Foot and ankle pathology can often require complex surgical reconstruction. Until recently, circular external fixators such as the Ilizarov frame have proven to be useful, yet they fall short when progressive, precise corrections are required. Computer-assisted hexapod external fixators seek to address many of the shortfalls of traditional circular fixators. However, evidence for their use is scarce. The objective of this work was to evaluate the functional and quality of life outcomes and post-operative complications of patients treated with computer-assisted hexapod external fixation.
Methods: A retrospective, observational study was conducted. All cases were treated with either a TrueLok hex (TL-HEX) or a Taylor Spatial Frame (TSF) fixator. Primary outcomes were post-operative improvement in 12-Item Short Form Survey (SF12) and American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Score (AOFAS) scores, and complications following Paley's classification.
Results: A total of 59 patients with complex foot and ankle conditions using 64 external fixation frames were included. The median sum of both SF12 score domains improved from a preoperative score of 63.6 to 91.3 at last follow-up (p < 0.001). Median AOFAS improved from a preoperative score of 35 to 75.5 at last follow up (p < 0.001). Functional improvement was not affected by the choice of external fixator. Complications occurred in 49 cases (77 %). The most common post-operative complications included pin tract complications in 37 (58 %) cases, joint rigidity in 24 (38 %) and axial deviation in 9 (14 %).
Conclusions: Computer-assisted hexapod external fixation is an effective technique to correct complex foot and ankle deformities and leads to a marked improvement in post-operative functional and quality-of-life outcomes with a high minor complication rate.
Background: The typical cavovarus deformity seen in patients with Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) involves plantarflexion of the first ray. The exact apex of the deformity has never been proven, although it is presumed to be within the medial cuneiform. The aim of this study was to utilize weight-bearing computed tomography (WBCT) to localize and quantify first ray plantarflexion deformity in CMT patients.
Methods: WBCTs of 16 CMT patients with lateral Méary's angle > 20 degrees were compared to controls utilizing semi-automated analysis software. A local coordinate system based on the first metatarsal was used to avoid bias of proximal deformity. The tarsometatarsal angle was subdivided into components (cuneiform-cuneiform joint normal, tarsometatarsal joint and metatarsal-metatarsal joint normal) and compared between CMT and controls. CMT patient's first, second and third rays were also compared. Means were compared with a 2-sample t test (p < .05).
Results: CMT patients had significantly more plantarflexion of the first ray than controls (16.4 versus 8.8 degrees respectively(p < 0.001)). The largest difference of was found at the medial cuneiform with 20.6 degrees of plantarflexion in CMT patients versus 14.8 degrees in controls (p < .0001). There was also approximately 2 degrees of plantarflexion at the TMT joint (p < .001).
Conclusions: Plantarflexion deformity in CMT patients is primarily an osseous deformity at the level of the medial cuneiform with a lesser contribution from the tarsometatarsal joint.
Level of evidence: III Retrospective comparative study.
Background: Various fixation methods have been described for Akin osteotomy, based on using metal implants or transosseous sutures. The aim of this study was to evaluate radiological outcomes and complications of closing wedge Akin osteotomy based on a crossed suture configuration of the joint capsule rather than using implants. The null hypothesis is that a crossed suture has comparable radiological results to other techniques, with no additional complications.
Methods: It's a retrospective study. Patients who underwent Akin osteotomy fixed either with implant or joint capsule suture between 2015 and 2018 were included. Distal articular set angle corrections in pre- and postoperative anteroposterior foot x-rays were calculated by 2 observers. Complications, such as pain, infection, non-union and need of surgery revision, was compared at 1 year follow-up.
Results: 89 patients, 30 in the implant group and 59 in the suture group. Mean distal articular set angle corrections were 6.43 (SD 5.54) and 7.36 (SD 5.48) degrees in the implant and suture groups, respectively, without statistically significant differences (p 0454). Complications were 2 local pain and 1 wound infection cases in the suture and implant groups, respectively (p 0138, p 0197).
Conclusion: Akin osteotomy with suture fixation yields comparable radiological results to metal implant fixation methods without increasing the associated complications.
Level of evidence: 3:
Background: This study evaluates the accuracy and readability of Google, ChatGPT-3.5, and 4.0 (two versions of an artificial intelligence model) responses to common questions regarding bunion surgery.
Methods: A Google search of "bunionectomy" was performed, and the first ten questions under "People Also Ask" were recorded. ChatGPT-3.5 and 4.0 were asked these ten questions individually, and their answers were analyzed using the Flesch-Kincaid Reading Ease and Gunning-Fog Level algorithms.
Results: When compared to Google, ChatGPT-3.5 and 4.0 had a larger word count with 315 ± 39 words (p < .0001) and 294 ± 39 words (p < .0001), respectively. A significant difference was found between ChatGPT-3.5 and 4.0 compared to Google using Flesch-Kincaid Reading Ease (p < .0001).
Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate that ChatGPT provided significantly lengthier responses than Google and there was a significant difference in reading ease. Both platforms exceeded the seventh to eighth-grade reading level of the U.S.
Population:
Level of evidence: N/A.
Background: Achilles tendon (AT) disorders significantly impact patient life, necessitating accurate assessment tools. Current methods are often complex and time-consuming. This study aims to validate the Simple Ankle Value (SAV) for AT disorders.
Methods: A multicenter study was conducted involving 101 participants, including a surgical, a conservative, and a control group. Participants completed the SAV, VISA-A, and EFAS scores. The study assessed correlations among scores, reliability, responsiveness to change, threshold and ceiling effect and discriminative ability of the SAV.
Results: There was a significant strong correlation with the EFAS and a significant moderate to strong correlation with the VISA-A. The score showed excellent reliability (ρ = 0.95, 95 %CI: [0.913; 0.976], p < 0.001). Responsiveness to change was significant between preoperative and postoperative SAV (37.99 ± 25.73 vs 70.86 ± 21.26). The SAV discriminated between patient and controls with no threshold or ceiling effect.
Conclusion: The SAV provides a valid, reliable, and responsive method for assessing AT disorders. It offers a simplified and effective alternative to more complex scores.
Study design: Cohort study (Diagnosis); Level of evidence, 2.