Journal of Foot & Ankle Surgery最新文献

Ankle sprains are common musculoskeletal injuries which can develop into residual chronic lateral ankle instability. When non-surgical treatments fail, surgical intervention is often indicated. We performed a systematic review of the literature comparing outcome measures of modified Broström repair to suture tape augmentation for lateral ankle stabilization. All studies available in PubMed up to July 2023 were screened. Three randomized controlled trials involving 235 patients met inclusion criteria. All the studies reported on Foot and Ankle Ability Measure, two of the three studies found higher postoperative Sports Activity scores in the suture tape group. Two of the studies reported Foot and Ankle Outcome Score, neither were found to be significantly different. The third study analyzed return to pre-injury level of activity between the two surgical techniques and found a faster return to activity for suture tape compared to modified Broström procedure. Overall, outcome measures show no significant difference between modified Broström and suture tape augmentation.

The Lisfranc complex is a unique combination of ligamentous and osseous relationships between the medial cuneiform and second metatarsal base that is often injured by high energy mechanisms. Fixation for these injuries is often operative; however, the optimal timing of surgical treatment has been debated. All patients who underwent operative fixation of a Lisfranc injury at a single urban tertiary care center were reviewed. Patient were split into two groups based on timing to fixation with one group being less than 24 h from presentation and a second group being greater than 24 h. There were 58 patients who underwent what was planned as final operative stabilization of their Lisfranc injury in less than 24 h and 41 patients who underwent fixation after more than 24 h. The early treatment of Lisfranc injuries did not lead to significant increases in follow up time, infections, time to weight bearing, union rates, or time to union compared patients treated with delayed fixation. There was a higher rate of superficial infection in the early intervention group, but it did not reach statistical significance. We believe our findings demonstrate that delayed fixation is not superior to early treatment of Lisfranc injuries. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 3 Therapeutic retrospective comparative study.

Fewer than 5 % of soft tissue sarcomas arise in the foot and ankle. It can be difficult to distinguish between benign and malignant lesions which leads to a delay in diagnosis. Initial inappropriate procedures limit options for limb salvage and increasing rates of local recurrence. Our aim is to improve understanding of the presentation and management of these rare tumors to reduce delays in diagnosis and decrease the occurrence of inappropriate or unwarranted procedures. A prospectively maintained database of 376 new referrals to the West of Scotland regional musculoskeletal oncology service for soft tissue lesions of the foot, ankle, and lower leg over a 10-year period was analysed retrospectively. An assessment was made of patient demographics, presentation, anatomical location, diagnosis, classification, management, and outcomes for all patients. Of all new referrals, 53.5 % were diagnosed with primary benign soft tissue tumors and 16 % with primary malignant soft tissue tumors. The most common primary benign tumor in our population was schwannoma (15.9 %) and primary malignant tumor was undifferentiated sarcoma (26.7 %). In the foot alone, soft tissue sarcomas most commonly occurred in the forefoot (44.4 %). The most common presenting complaints were rest pain and focal swelling. Symptoms were present for on average 7 months prior to referral. Death from disease in sarcomas was 41.7 % over a 10 year follow up period, higher than other body areas. Soft tissue sarcomas in the foot and ankle remain a diagnostic challenge. Local biopsies should only be performed following discussion with an oncology surgeon. We have provided a management protocol in order to reduce the number of inappropriate procedures performed in this group and expedite referral to specialist centres, optimising clinical outcomes and reducing the cost of litigation to healthcare services. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III - cross-sectional obsevational study.

Hallux rigidus is a common degenerative condition of first metatarso-phalangeal joint most commonly affecting patients above 50 years of age. The aim of our study is to evaluate the five-year results of synthetic cartilage implant (Cartiva) arthroplasty for hallux rigidus. A retrospective study of 70 patients who underwent synthetic cartilage implant interpositional arthroplasty were collected and analysed. Patients with Grade 3 to 4 hallux rigidus and who had failed conservative management were included. Patients who had previous forefoot surgery, hallux varus or valgus deformity of more than 25⁰ and neuromuscular disease were excluded. Mean age at the time of operation was 63.4 years (range 42-84 years). The mean follow-up was 62.6 months. The functional evaluation was done using Manchester-Oxford Foot Questionnaire (MOxFQ). EQ-5D and EQVAS. 86 patients were matriculated in the study with 70 patients being assessed at five years. The average preoperative MOxFQ score improved from 35.74 (31.44-40.04) to 19.11 (11.31- 26.91) at one year after surgery. The EQ-5D scores improved from preoperative average of 9.40 (8.14-10.66) to 4.26 (2.09-6.43) at one year. The preoperative EQVAS was 61.66 (51.25-72.07) to 71.45 (60.87-82.03 at one year. At five years follow up the average MOxFQ score was 17.6 (9.92-24.38), EQ-5D - 4.8 (2.26- 6.45) and EQVAS - 72.48 (62.40-82.56). Three patients had revision to first MTP fusion due to ongoing pain. Synthetic cartilage implant has demonstrated clinical efficacy and good functional outcomes at the end of five years for the treatment of Hallux rigidus. Level of Clinical Evidence: 4.

The postoperative weight-bearing policy following internal fixation of unstable ankle fractures varies greatly and is largely surgeon-dependent. While early weight-bearing is favoured for its superior functional and economic outcomes, late weight-bearing may be safer initially. However, consensus on the preferred treatment protocol is lacking. We audited practices at University Hospitals Leuven, Belgium, comparing them to existing literature to establish an updated protocol. In a retrospective study of 236 patients with unstable ankle fractures, we compared outcomes between early (EWB) and late weight-bearing (LWB) strategies, with or without braces and/or vacuum casts. Most patients followed a LWB protocol, while EWB was reserved for younger, lower BMI individuals. The difference in brace or vacuum cast usage was insignificant. All open fractures followed a LWB protocol. No disparities in union rates, complications, or length of stay were found between EWB and LWB. Surgical management cost €6,419 (6,921 US $) on average, with length of stay being the main cost driver. Total healthcare costs did not differ significantly between EWB and LWB. FRI was revealed in 6 cases, (1 [4%] vs. 5 [2.5%], EWB vs. LWB respectively, P=0.922) In conclusion, while no significant differences in outcomes were observed between EWB and LWB rehabilitation, differences in group characteristics may have influenced these findings. Despite limited EWB cases, it appears safe for younger patients with low BMI. Vacuum casts and braces aid in EWB. Reducing length of stay, rather than restricting orthotic use, may help control healthcare costs.

The study aimed to provide a comprehensive analysis of radiological and anatomical measurements in patients with medial osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLT), particularly those without a history of trauma. The retrospective cross sectional study evaluated 23 medial OLT individuals aged 18-45 with no history of trauma who were identified by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) between 2016 and 2020. The control group consisted of 27 individuals between the ages of 18 and 45 who did not have OLT and applied for other reasons. Measurements were performed with 16 parameters from anteroposterior (AP) and lateral weight-bearing ankle conventional radiographs (CR). All individuals' demographic data were assessed. A total of 50 patients aged 18-45 years, including 26 males and 24 females with a mean age of 30.28±4.46 years, were evaluated in the study. No significant differences in age or gender were found between the groups (P>0.05). Analysis of both the OLT and control groups revealed a significant association of decreased talar declination angle (P<0.001) and Meary-Tomeno's angle (P = 0.003) with medial OLT. There was no relationship between other radiological parameters and medial OLT development. In conclusion, a decreased talar declination angle and a decreased Meary-Tomeno's angle appear to have significant relationship with development of medial OLT in individuals without a history of trauma. These findings also indicate that a possible cause of medial OLT is a lower-angled positioning of the talus relative to the ground and the first metatarsus in the sagittal plane. Level of Clinical Evidence: Level 3 cross sectional study.

Treatment of Charcot neuroarthropathy (CN) of the foot and ankle remains challenging for both patients and surgeons. Nonoperative treatment with cast/orthosis immobilization has long been the main treatment, but surgical intervention has gained interest to improve poor long-term outcomes. Few long-term outcome studies exist on operative management of CN. A retrospective chart review was performed to analyze demographics, comorbidities, complications, and outcomes of operative management of CN. Patients were divided into two cohorts for analysis: limited surgical intervention (LSI) and reconstructive surgery (RS). Fifty-eight patients with CN treated surgically over 11 years were identified. Average follow-up was 46 months (range, 1 to 173 months). The mean age was 60.2 (range, 29 to 81) years, and the average body mass index was 34.3. Diabetes caused CN in 72.4 % (42/58) of patients. The LSI cohort (n = 32) had significantly higher rates of presenting infection (59.4 %; 19/32) and ulceration (87.5 %; 28/32) compared with the RS cohort (n = 26; 23.1 % [6/26] and 50 % [13/26], respectively). Rates of postoperative infection and ulceration were lower in the LSI group (25 % [8/32] and 34.4 % [11/32], respectively) than the RS group (42.3 % [11/26] and 42.3 % [11/26], respectively). The amputation rate for the LSI cohort was 21.9 % (7/32) compared with 23.1 % (6/26) for RS. This large, single-center study of operatively treated CN patients showed no significant difference between LSI and RS. This study provides data to help surgeons counsel patients on expected outcomes.

Ankle fractures are a common intra-articular trauma. The gold standard treatment for unstable ankle fractures has been Open Reduction Internal Fixation with plating and lag screw(s). Advocates for intramedullary nailing of the fibula note decreased wound complications and greater biomechanical strength. We hypothesized that time to union and time to weight bearing would be decreased with a fibular intramedullary nail compared to prior ankle ORIF literature. A retrospective cohort study was conducted of 65 consecutive ankle fracture patients treated with a fibular nail. The median follow-up time was 18.3 months (IQR: 55.4 - 97.6 days). All patients (100%) achieved clinical and radiographic union at a median of 9.6 (IQR: 54 - 78 days) and 10.8 weeks (IQR: 58 - 95 days), respectively. Post-operatively patients bore weight in walking boot and athletic shoe at a median 6.1 and 9.4 weeks, respectively. Fifteen patients suffered complications (23.1%). Patients with history of prior or active smoking were significantly correlated to longer time to union (p=0.016). Time to union also took 0.43 days longer for each additional year of age (t-value 2.13, p-value = 0.038). Nineteen out of 65 patients (29.2%) participated in the Olerud-Molander Ankle Scoring and the median functional outcome score was 71 (IQR: 56 - 93). While fibular nailing has advanced passive range of motion and weight bearing in our institution, time to weight bearing is clouded by surgeon comfort. Further study comparing fibular fracture healing and weight bearing status in regards to intramedullary and plate fixation in needed. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

The management of acute distal tibiofibular syndesmotic injuries has evolved over time and therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the use of different methods and the changes regarding management of distal tibiofibular syndesmotic injury among Dutch trauma- and orthopedic surgeons. A digital survey based on a previous survey conducted in 2012 was sent to (orthopedic) trauma surgeons from all different hospitals in the Netherlands. Sixty out of the 68 invited hospitals completed at least one survey (88.2 %). For Weber B or low Weber C fractures, there was a preference for the use of a single syndesmotic screw (SS)(73.6 %), while two screws were mainly used in Maisonneuve fractures (89.3 %). Furthermore, there was a clear preference for 3.5-mm screws, engaging three cortices, 2 to 4-cm above the tibiotalar joint. There is a significant decrease in routine removal of SSs (23.2 % compared to 87.0 % in 2012, p < 0.01). The percentage of hospitals in this survey that used the suture button (SB) was relatively low: 8.3 % for low fibular fractures and 5.0 % in high fibular fractures. In conclusion, the most striking difference compared to 2012 is the large decline in routine removal of the SS, which is in line with current literature. The SS is mainly implanted engaging three cortices, placed 2-4 cm above the tibiotalar joint and 3.5 mm in size and for the treatment of Maisonneuve fractures, two screws are preferred over a single SS. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

Treatment of end-stage ankle conditions is a complex challenge in foot and ankle surgery. The talus is prone to issues such as osteoarthritis (OA) and avascular necrosis (AVN). Patient-specific total ankle and total talus replacement (TATTR) procedures have emerged as potential solutions, but the decision to include subtalar arthrodesis in these surgeries is multifaceted. In this study, we aimed to understand the relationship between past surgeon decisions for fusion with TATTR and three-dimensional joint health assessments using preoperative CT data. Twenty-seven TATTR with subtalar fusion and 19 TATTR without subtalar fusion were analyzed. Each patient underwent a bilateral computed tomography scan, which was segmented prior to surgery. Distance mapping of various subtalar regions was performed, and average distance was reported. For better analysis, the sinus tarsi was divided into four sectors and the calcaneus posterior facet into nine sectors. Statistical analysis involved calculating the difference in means between the fused and unfused cases. The fusion group exhibited significant joint space narrowing in the posterolateral aspect of the sinus tarsi (p = 0.021). Conversely, on the posterior facet of the subtalar joint, the fusion group showed significant joint space widening in both the anteromedial (p = 0.025) and middle/medial (p = 0.032) sections. Surgeons' decision to perform subtalar arthrodesis in TATTR procedures often aligns with clinical signs of sinus tarsi impingement, as evidenced by significant changes in joint space measurements. While joint health assessments play a pivotal role, other factors, such as surgeon preference and patient-specific considerations, also influence decision-making.