Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons最新文献

Background: Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) for hallux valgus (HV) has gained popularity. However, adopting this technique faces the challenges of a pronounced learning curve. This study aimed to address these challenges by developing and validating an innovative simulation model and training program, targeting enhanced proficiency in HV MIS.

Methods: A training program and a high-fidelity simulation model for HV MIS were designed based on experts' recommendations. Four foot and ankle surgeons without experience in MIS formed the novice group and took the program that encompassed six-session instructional lessons, hands-on practice on simulated models, and immediate feedback. The program concluded with a cadaveric surgery. Four foot and ankle experienced MIS surgeons formed the expert group and underwent the same procedure with one simulated model. Participants underwent blind assessment, including Objective Structured Assessment of Technical Skills (OSATS), surgical time, and radiograph usage.

Results: Expert evaluation of the simulation model indicated high satisfaction with anatomical representation, handling properties, and utility as a training tool. The expert group consistently outperformed novices at the initial assessment across all outcomes, demonstrating OSATS scores of 24 points (range, 23 to 25) versus 15.5 (range, 12 to 17), median surgical time of 22.75 minutes (range, 12 to 27) versus 48.75 minutes (range, 38 to 60), and median radiograph usage of 70 (range, 53 to 102) versus 232.5 (range, 112 to 280).

Discussion: Novices exhibited a significant improvement in OSATS scores from the fifth session onward (P = 0.01), reaching the desired performance of 20 points. Performance at the final training with the simulated model did not differ from cadaveric surgery outcomes for all parameters.

Conclusion: This study validated a simulation model and training program, allowing nonexperienced HV MIS foot and ankle surgeons to enhance their surgical proficiency and effectively complete a substantial portion of the learning curve at the fifth session, and this performance was successfully transferred to a cadaver model.

Level of evidence: III.

Introduction: Interdigital neuroma (IN) is a benign enlargement of tissue surrounding the common plantar digital nerve. Although the standard surgical treatment of IN remains debated, recent attention has been given to less-invasive surgical decompression by intermetatarsal ligament (IML) release with neurolysis. This study aimed to compare the outcomes of IML release with neurolysis with standard interdigital neurectomy.

Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted on 350 consecutive patients who underwent surgical treatment of IN. Patients who satisfied our inclusion and exclusion criteria were categorized into two groups based on the surgical treatment received: IML release with neurolysis or interdigital neurectomy. Outcomes assessed included recurrence of symptoms, rate of revision surgery, and postoperative wound infection.

Results: Of the total sample, 40 patients (31.5%) reported recurrence of symptoms within a 12-month follow-up period. Patients who underwent IML release with neurolysis had a markedly higher recurrence rate (47.50%) than those who underwent interdigital neurectomy (24.14%). The rate of postoperative wound infection was similar between the two groups. Binary logistic regression revealed that only the surgical technique was associated with the recurrence of symptoms. Despite the higher rate of symptom recurrence in the IML release with neurolysis patient group, the rate of revision surgery in those with symptom recurrence was similar between both groups.

Discussion: IML release with neurolysis seems to have a higher risk of symptom recurrence than interdigital neurectomy. No patient-specific factors were identified as being associated with symptom recurrence. However, patients who did experience symptom recurrence in either surgical group had similar rates of revision surgery, which may be due to mild recurrent symptom severity in the IML release group that does not warrant revision surgery in these patients. Future studies should consider objective symptom recurrence severity and patient satisfaction.

Level of evidence: Level III.

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to report the incidence of iatrogenic sural nerve injury in a large, consecutive sample of surgically managed ankle fractures and to identify factors associated with sural nerve injury and subsequent recovery. We hypothesize that a direct posterior approach may be associated with higher risk of iatrogenic sural nerve injury.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study of 265 skeletally mature patients who sustained ankle fractures over a 2-year period was done. All were treated with open reduction and internal fixation of fractured malleoli. Patient, injury, and treatment features were documented. The presence (n = 26, 9.8%) of sural nerve injury and recovery of sural nerve function were noted.

Results: All 26 sural nerve injuries were iatrogenic, occurring postoperatively after open reduction and internal fixation. Patients who sustained sural nerve injuries had more ankle fractures secondary to motor vehicle collisions (23.1% versus 9.2%), more associated trimalleolar fractures (69.2% versus 33.9%), and more Orthopaedic Trauma Association/AO 44B3 fractures (57.7% versus 25.1%), all P < 0.05. A posterior approach to the posterior malleolus through the prone position was used in 20.4% of patients. All 26 of the sural nerve injuries (100%) occurred when the patient was placed prone for a posterior approach, P < 0.001. Therefore, 26 of the 54 patients (48%) treated with a posterior approach sustained an iatrogenic sural nerve injury. 62% of patients had full recovery of sural nerve function with no residual numbness, and patients with nerve recovery had fewer associated fracture-dislocations (23.1% versus 100%, P = 0.003).

Conclusions: A posterior approach for posterior malleolus fixation was associated with a 48% iatrogenic sural nerve injury rate, with 62% recovering full function within 6 months of injury. Morbidity of this approach should be considered, and surgeons should be cautious with nerve handling.

Level of evidence: Level III, Therapeutic.

Ankle osteoarthritis (OA) is less common than knee and hip OA, and 75% to 80% of all presentations are posttraumatic in nature, resulting from either ligamentous or bony injury to the ankle. While the ankle joint cartilage demonstrates capacity for self-restoration, the ankle joint is sensitive to aberrancies in biomechanics and the inflammatory milieu after an injury is thought to contribute to the onset of posttraumatic ankle OA. Conservative care for ankle OA is currently centered on pain reduction, and derivatives that may delay the progression of ankle OA are the subject of ongoing investigation. Surgical management for end-stage ankle OA currently focuses on ankle arthrodesis and total ankle arthroplasty. Specific indication for one procedure over the other is the topic of much debate. While total ankle arthroplasty has become more frequently used with the advent of newer generation systems, ankle arthrodesis may still be favored in younger patients with high-demand occupations.

Background: Over the past decade, overlapping procedures in orthopaedic surgery have come under increased public scrutiny. Central to this discussion is what should constitute a "critical portion" of any surgical procedure-a definition which may differ between patients and surgeons. This study therefore aimed to assess which components of three common foot and ankle procedures are considered "critical" from both the patient and surgeon perspectives.

Methods: For this survey-based study, questionnaires were administered to patients who presented to an orthopaedic foot and ankle clinic and separately administered to foot and ankle surgeons through e-mail. The questionnaires broached all steps involved in three common foot and ankle procedures: open reduction and internal fixation of ankle fracture, Achilles tendon repair, and ankle arthroscopy. Respondents were asked to characterize each step as "always critical," "often critical," sometimes critical," rarely critical," or "never critical." A combined "always critical" and "often critical" response rate of greater than 50% was used to define a step as genuinely critical. Patient and surgeon responses were thereafter compared using Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests ( P -value <0.05 was considered significant).

Results: Notably, both patients and surgeons considered informed consent, preoperative marking of the surgical site, preoperative time-out, surgical soft-tissue dissection, and certain procedure-specific steps (critical portions) of these procedures. By contrast, only patients considered skin incision and wound closure to be critical steps.

Conclusion: Patients and surgeons were largely in agreement as to what should comprise the critical portions of several common foot and ankle procedures. Certain discrepancies did exist, however, such as skin incision and closure, and both groups were also in general agreement regarding what was not considered a critical component of these operations. Such findings highlight a potential opportunity for improved preoperative patient education and patient-physician communication.

Level of evidence: Level IV: Evidence from well-designed case-control or cohort studies.

Introduction: The perfect knee lateral radiograph visualizes anatomic landmarks on the distal femur for clinical and scientific purposes. However, radiographic imaging is a two-dimensional (2D) representation of a three-dimensional (3D) physis. The aim of this study was to characterize the perceived radiographic projection of the femoral physis using perfect lateral digitally reconstructed radiographs (DRRs) and to evaluate discrepancies from this projection to the physis at the lateral and medial cortices.

Methods: Pediatric patients from a cohort of CT scans were analyzed. Inclusion criteria were an open physis; exclusion criteria were any implant or pathology affecting the physis. CT scans were imported into 3D imaging software and transformed into lateral DRRs and 3D renderings of the femur. The physis was divided into four equal segments, with fiducial markers placed at the "anterior," "midpoint," and "posterior" points. Lines extended from these points in the lateral and medial direction. The vertical distance from these lines, representing the radiographic projection of the physis, was measured relative to the physis at the lateral and medial cortex of the femur on coronal CT slices.

Results: Thirty-one patients were included. On the perfect lateral radiograph DRR, the physis on the medial cortex was located proximal to the visualized physis by 6.64 ± 1.74 mm, 11.95 ± 1.67 mm, and 14.30 ± 1.75 mm at the anterior (25%), midpoint (50%), and posterior (75%) locations, respectively. On the lateral side, the physis on the lateral cortex was proximal to the visualized physis by 2.19 ± 1.13 mm, 3.71 ± 1.19 mm, and 6.74 ± 1.25 mm at the anterior, midpoint, and posterior locations, respectively.

Discussion: In this cohort of pediatric patients, the location of the cortical physis was, in all areas measured, proximal to the projection of the visualized physis as seen on the perfect knee lateral DRR. The distance from radiographic physis to cortical physis was greater at the medial cortex compared with the lateral cortex.

Study design: Descriptive laboratory study.

Level of evidence: III, observational radiographic anatomic study.

Millions of Americans wear ankle-foot orthotic devices for protection, pain relief, and deformity correction. Inquiries about off-the-shelf and custom devices are a common reason for evaluation with a foot and ankle surgeon or general orthopaedic surgeon. Despite limited high-quality evidence for their use, these devices can have a notable clinical impact on physical function. An up-to-date understanding of orthotic device options and their appropriate use in managing musculoskeletal pathologies applies to all orthopaedic providers. This review aims to categorize orthosis types and provide specific device recommendations for common adult conditions such as flatfoot, cavovarus foot, and ankle instability. Collaboration with a certified orthotist can help patients achieve functional and recreational goals with the use of appropriately designed and applied orthoses.

The "terrible triad" of the elbow, encompassing elbow dislocation, radial head fracture, and coronoid process fracture, remains a formidable challenge in orthopaedic practice. Typically, stabilizing structures in the elbow fail from lateral to medial through a posterolateral rotatory force after a fall onto an outstretched upper extremity. Surgery is often needed to repair the lateral ligamentous complex, replace or fix the radial head, possibly repair the anterior capsule or fix the coronoid, and consider medial repair or application of an internal versus external fixator. However, in some challenging cases persistent instability, complications, and loss of function may occur. Rehabilitation focuses on achieving early range of motion to prevent stiffness which can be common after these injuries. By integrating emerging approaches with established practices, this article aims to guide orthopaedic surgeons toward a fundamental understanding of terrible triad injuries and assist with informed management principles of these complex injuries.

Since the advent of Neer's total shoulder arthroplasty in 1974, glenoid implant design has evolved to optimize patient function and increase implant longevity. Glenoid loosening continues to be a major cause of total shoulder arthroplasty failure due to both patient and implant factors. The more recent development of posterior augmented glenoids, peg fixation with ingrowth potential, inlay implants, zoned conformity implants, and convertible glenoids have all shown promising results in improving glenoid fixation and survival in different clinical circumstances. The increased utilization of 3D CT scans, preoperative planning, and patient-specific instrumentation has paralleled innovation in glenoid implants with the aim of improving the accuracy of glenoid implant placement to further optimize patient function and implant longevity. Specific indications for the variety of glenoid implants available today are still being studied. The shoulder arthroplasty surgeon should consider patient and implant factors and patient goals when determining the appropriate implant for each individual.

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons has developed Appropriate Use Criteria (AUC) for the Return to Play to Pre-Injury Level Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Injury. Evidence-based information, in conjunction with the clinical expertise of physicians, was used to develop the criteria to determine the appropriateness of return to play to pre-injury level after an ACL injury. The AUC for the Return to Play to Pre-Injury Level Following ACL Injury were derived by identifying clinical indications typical of patients wishing to return to play after an ACL injury. These indications were most often clinically significant parameters, including symptoms and diagnostic findings. In addition, "patient-level variables" (eg, activity level or demographics) can be considered. A total of 576 patient scenarios and 3 procedure recommendations were developed by the writing panel, a group of clinicians who are specialists in this AUC topic. Next, a separate multidisciplinary rating panel (made up of specialists and nonspecialists) rated the appropriateness of treatment of each patient scenario using a 9-point scale to designate a treatment as "appropriate" (median rating, 7 to 9), "may be appropriate" (median rating, 4 to 6), or "rarely appropriate" (median rating, 1 to 3).