The Development of a Neuropathic Ankle following Successful Correction of Non-Plantigrade Charcot Foot Deformity

2012 ◽  
Vol 33 (8) ◽  
pp. 644-646 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael S. Pinzur

Background: The treatment of Charcot foot arthropathy has traditionally involved immobilization during the acute phase followed by longitudinal management with accommodative bracing. In response to the perceived poor outcomes associated with nonoperative accommodative treatment, many experts now advise surgical correction of the deformity, especially when the affected foot is not clinically plantigrade. The significant rate of surgical and medical-associated morbidity accompanying this form of treatment has led surgeons to look for improved methods of surgical stabilization, including the use of the circular ring external fixation. Methods: Over a 7-year period, a single surgeon performed surgical correction of non-plantigrade Charcot foot deformity on 171 feet in 164 patients with a statically applied circular external fixator. Following successful correction, five patients developed a neuropathic deformity of the ipsilateral ankle after removal of the external fixator and subsequent weight bearing total contact cast. Results: Three of the five patients progressed to successful healing of the neuropathic (Charcot) ankle arthropathy following treatment with a series of weightbearing total contact casts. Two underwent successful ankle fusion with retrograde locked intramedullary nailing. Discussion: This unusual clinical scenario likely represents either a progression of the disease process in the foot or a complication associated with surgical correction of the original neuropathic foot deformity. A better understanding of this observation will likely become apparent as we acquire more experience with this disorder. Level of Evidence: IV, Retrospective Case Series

2009 ◽  
Vol 30 (9) ◽  
pp. 873-876 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Thaddeus Leaseburg ◽  
James K. DeOrio ◽  
Shane A. Shapiro

Background: This study assessed the variability of plate bend in regard to final metatarsophalangeal (MP) fusion angles and toe-to-floor distance. We hypothesized that the final MP angle, the angle of the proximal phalanx to the floor, and the weightbearing toe-to-floor distance would be dictated solely by the magnitude of the bend in the plate. Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective analysis of 35 sequential patients who underwent MP fusion with a low-contour titanium plate. Postoperative weightbearing radiographs were analyzed for plate angle, MP fusion angle, the angle of the proximal phalanx to the floor, and the weightbearing toe-to-floor distance. Results: We found statistical correlation between plate angle and MP angle and between plate angle and the angle of the proximal phalanx to the floor. However, there was low correlation between plate angle and with toe-to-floor distance. In addition, we noted many outliers, which resulted in higher or lower correlation of the MP angle to the expected plate angle and, thus, a relationship between angles that was far from linear. Conclusion: Care needs to be taken when relying solely on the bend in the plate to determine the final position of the toe in MP fusions. Although the association between plate bend and MP angle and proximal phalanx to floor angle was strong, the association between the bend in the plate and weight bearing toe-to-floor distance was variable. This could result in the toe hitting the shoe or the need to vault over the toe. Therefore, the surgeon must match the plate to each patient's anatomy to ensure proper weight bearing toe-to-floor distance and not rely on plate angle exclusively. Level of Evidence: IV, Retrospective Case Series


2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 397-403 ◽  
Author(s):  
Derek Stenquist ◽  
Brian T. Velasco ◽  
Patrick K. Cronin ◽  
Jorge Briceño ◽  
Christopher P. Miller ◽  
...  

Background. Syndesmotic disruption occurs in 20% of ankle fractures and requires anatomical reduction and stabilization to maximize outcomes. Although screw breakage is often asymptomatic, the breakage location can be unpredictable and result in painful bony erosion. The purpose of this investigation is to report early clinical and radiographic outcomes of patients who underwent syndesmotic fixation using a novel metal screw designed with a controlled break point. Methods. We performed a retrospective review of all patients who underwent syndesmotic fixation utilizing the R3lease Tissue Stabilization System (Paragon 28, Denver, CO) over a 12-month period. Demographic and screw-specific data were obtained. Postoperative radiographs were reviewed, and radiographic parameters were measured. Screw loosening or breakage was documented. Results. 18 patients (24 screws) met inclusion criteria. The mean follow-up was 11.7 months (range = 6.0-14.7 months). 5/24 screws (21%) fractured at the break point. No screw fractured at another location, nor did any fracture prior to resumption of weight bearing; 19 screws did not fracture, with 8/19 intact screws (42.1%) demonstrating loosening. There was no evidence of syndesmotic diastasis or mortise malalignment on final follow-up. No screws required removal during the study period. Conclusion. This study provides the first clinical data on a novel screw introduced specifically for syndesmotic fixation. At short-term follow up, there were no complications and the R3lease screw provided adequate fixation to allow healing and prevent diastasis. Although initial results are favorable, longer-term follow-up with data on cost comparisons and rates of hardware removal are needed to determine cost-effectiveness relative to similar implants. Level of Evidence: Level IV: Retrospective case series


2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (8) ◽  
pp. 942-948 ◽  
Author(s):  
Víctor Manuel Peña-Martínez ◽  
Dionisio Palacios-Barajas ◽  
Juan Carlos Blanco-Rivera ◽  
Ángel Arnaud-Franco ◽  
Jorge Alberto Elizondo-Rodríguez ◽  
...  

Background: Brachymetatarsia is a rare foot deformity caused by the premature closure of the metatarsal physis. It may result in functional as well as cosmetic alterations, which may require operative management. Methods: A prospective study examining outcomes of 48 cases of brachymetatarsia with gradual bone lengthening at a rate of 1 mm/d using an external fixator and metatarsophalangeal joint fixation was performed. The difference between the length before treatment and after external fixator removal was measured. The patients were assessed at 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks postoperatively; at the end of the period of distraction; and 1 year after surgery. The total number of patients was 26, and surgery was performed in 48 metatarsals. The mean age was 17.0 ± 4.1 (range, 11-24) years, and all were female. Results: The fourth metatarsal was the most frequently affected, representing 98% of the cases; the third metatarsal represented the other 2%. The average length gained was 18.6 ± 6.7 mm, and the average length gained as a proportion of the original metatarsal length was 38.2% ± 3.1% (range, 13%-24%). The mean healing time was 71.0 (range, 64-104) days, and the mean healing index (healing time divided by centimeters of length gained [d/cm]) was 38.4 (range, 38.2-50.1) d/cm. Conclusion: Gradual bone lengthening at a rate of 1 mm/d using an external fixator and intramedullary nailing was a safe and efficient method, representing a minimally invasive procedure with a low incidence of complications and satisfactory results for the patient. Level of Evidence: Level IV, retrospective case series.


2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-48
Author(s):  
Alexandre Budin ◽  
Helencar Ignacio ◽  
Marcio Gomes Figueiredo

Objective: To evaluate whether the initial degree of metatarsal rotation interferes with the surgical correction of severe hallux valgus. Methods: A retrospective study was performed using weight-bearing AP radiographs to measure first metatarsal rotation based on the shape of the lateral edge of the metatarsal head and the hallux valgus (HVA) and intermetatarsal (IMA) angles. Participants were then classified into two groups. Those with less rotational deformity were placed in the negative pronation group, while those with greater rotational deformity were placed in the positive pronation group. Mean HVA and IMA correction were calculated and compared between groups. Participants underwent the modified Lapidus procedure with correction of pronation. Results: Data were collected for 26 feet with hallux valgus. The negative and positive pronation groups contained 14 and 12 feet, respectively. Successful surgical correction of pronation was observed in 11 of the 12 feet, which were ultimately classified in the negative pronation group based on postoperative radiographs. The negative pronation group showed a mean difference of 15.05o in the HVA and 4.20o in the IMA. The positive pronation group showed a mean difference of 14.22o in the HVA and 3.2o in the IMA. These values did not significantly differ between groups. Conclusion: The initial degree of pronation does not affect the degree of angular correction as long as metatarsal rotation is also addressed. Level of Evidence IV; Diagnostic Studies; Case Series.


2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (11) ◽  
pp. 1290-1300 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wahid Abdul ◽  
Ben Hickey ◽  
Anthony Perera

Background: Conservative treatment or debridement is generally sufficient for Freiberg’s disease grades I and II but operative intervention for the late stages of the disease process (III-V) is more challenging. Debridement alone is not sufficient and various forms of arthroplasty have been put forward. We have evaluated the outcomes of patients treated with an interpositional arthroplasty technique using a pedicle graft of periosteum and fat made into a “Rollmop” spacer for severe Freiberg’s disease. No results have previously been reported for this technique. Methods: Twenty-five consecutive cases (23 patients) were performed from February 2009 to September 2016 (20 females, 5 males). Mean age at surgery was 52.6 years (range 19-70.5 years) with 92% affecting the second metatarsal. Twenty-three were primary cases and 2 were revision cases. Five cases were stage III, 12 were stage IV, and 8 were stage V. All patients underwent interpositional arthroplasty using a periosteum and fat pedicle graft from the affected metatarsal shaft as described by Myerson. Patients were evaluated using Manchester-Oxford Foot Questionnaire (MOXFQ) and American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society Questionnaire (AOFAS). Mean follow-up was 3.5 years (0.6-7.6 years). Paired 2-tailed Student t tests were used to assess clinical significance. Results: Surgery allowed 8 patients to return to normal footwear, 10 patients returned to fashion footwear/heels, and 5 returned to sports. Nineteen cases (17 patients) were assessed with patient-reported outcome measures and all showed a clinically and statistically significant improvement in their scores. Mean pre- and postoperative VAS pain scores were 6.2 (range 4-9) and 1.8 (range 0-6) ( P < .05). Mean perioperative AOFAS scores were 45.6 (range 15-73) and 82.7 (range 57-100) ( P < .05). Mean perioperative MOXFQ scores were 60.0 (range 23-89) and 18.1 (range 0-80) ( P < .05). Conclusion: This novel interpositional arthroplasty technique using a “rollmop” of periosteum and fat for severe Freiberg’s disease produced significant improvements in pain, functional outcome, and patient satisfaction without donor site morbidity. Furthermore, it allowed patients to return to desired footwear and sporting activities. The functional outcome and joint range of motion was superior after a K-wire was no longer placed across the joint, and we believe it is essential to avoid this to permit early range-of-motion exercises. Level of Evidence: Level IV, retrospective case series.


Author(s):  
Gabriele Colo’ ◽  
Mattia Alessio Mazzola ◽  
Giulio Pilone ◽  
Giacomo Dagnino ◽  
Lamberto Felli

Abstract The aim of this study is to evaluate the results of patients underwent lateral open wedge calcaneus osteotomy with bony allograft augmentation combined with tibialis posterior and tibialis anterior tenodesis. Twenty-two patients underwent adult-acquired flatfoot deformity were retrospectively evaluated with a minimum 2-year follow-up. Radiographic preoperative and final comparison of tibio-calcaneal angle, talo–first metatarsal and calcaneal pitch angles have been performed. The Visual Analog Scale, American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Score, the Foot and Ankle Disability Index and the Foot and Ankle Ability Measure were used for subjective and functional assessment. The instrumental range of motion has been also assessed at latest follow-up evaluation and compared with preoperative value. There was a significant improvement of final mean values of clinical scores (p < 0.001). Nineteen out of 22 (86.4%) patients resulted very satisfied or satisfied for the clinical result. There was a significant improvement of the radiographic parameters (p < 0.001). There were no differences between preoperative and final values of range of motion. One failure occurred 7 years after surgery. Adult-acquired flatfoot deformity correction demonstrated good mid-term results and low recurrence and complications rate. Level of evidence Level 4, retrospective case series.


2021 ◽  
pp. 107110072110060
Author(s):  
Michael F. Githens ◽  
Malcolm R. DeBaun ◽  
Kimberly A Jacobsen ◽  
Hunter Ross ◽  
Reza Firoozabadi ◽  
...  

Background: Supination-adduction (SAD) type II ankle fractures can have medial tibial plafond and talar body impaction. Factors associated with the development of posttraumatic arthritis can be intrinsic to the injury pattern or mitigated by the surgeon. We hypothesize that plafond malreducton and talar body impaction is associated with early posttraumatic arthrosis. Methods: A retrospective cohort of skeletally mature patients with SAD ankle fractures at 2 level 1 academic trauma centers who underwent operative fixation were identified. Patients with a minimum of 1-year follow-up were included. The presence of articular impaction identified on CT scan was recorded and the quality of reduction on final intraoperative radiographs was assessed. The primary outcome was radiographic ankle arthrosis (Kellgren-Lawrence 3 or 4), and postoperative complications were documented. Results: A total of 175 SAD ankle fractures were identified during a 10-year period; 79 patients with 1-year follow-up met inclusion criteria. The majority of injuries resulted from a high-energy mechanism. Articular impaction was present in 73% of injuries, and 23% of all patients had radiographic arthrosis (Kellgren-Lawrence 3 or 4) at final follow-up. Articular malreduction, defined by either a gap or step >2 mm, was significantly associated with development of arthrosis. Early treatment failure, infection, and nonunion was rare in this series. Conclusion: Malreduction of articular impaction in SAD ankle fractures is associated with early posttraumatic arthrosis. Recognition and anatomic restoration with stable fixation of articular impaction appears to mitigate risk of posttraumatic arthrosis. Investigations correlating postoperative and long-term radiographic findings to patient-reported outcomes after operative treatment of SAD ankle fractures are warranted. Level of Evidence: Level IV, retrospective case series.


2019 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 187-192
Author(s):  
Ricardo E. Colberg ◽  
Monte Ketchum ◽  
Avani Javer ◽  
Monika Drogosz ◽  
Melissa Gomez ◽  
...  

Background: Plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of heel pain in adults. Multiple conservative treatment plans exist; however, some cases do not obtain significant clinical improvement with conservative treatment and require further intervention. This retrospective case study evaluated the success rate of percutaneous plantar fasciotomy and confounding comorbidities that negatively affect outcomes. Methods: A series of 41 patients treated with percutaneous plantar fasciotomy using the Topaz EZ microdebrider coblation wand were invited to participate in this retrospective follow-up study, and 88% ( N = 36) participated. A limited chart review was completed and the patients answered a survey with the visual analog scale (VAS) for pain and the Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM) questionnaire. Average outcomes were calculated and 45 variables were analyzed to determine if they were statistically significant confounders. Patients had symptoms for an average of 3 years before the procedure and were contacted for follow-up at an average of 14 months after the procedure. Results: The average VAS for pain score was 1.3 ± 1.8 and the average FAAM score was 92 ± 15. Eighty-nine percent of patients had a successful outcome, defined as FAAM greater than 75. In addition, patients at 18 months postprocedure reported complete or near-complete resolution of symptoms with an FAAM score greater than 97. Concurrent foot pathologies (eg, tarsal tunnel syndrome), oral steroid treatment prior to the procedure, and immobilization with a boot prior to the procedure were statistically significant negative confounders ( P < .05). Being an athlete was a positive confounder ( P = .02). Conclusion: Percutaneous plantar fasciotomy using a microdebrider coblation was an effective treatment for plantar fasciitis, particularly without concurrent foot pathology, with a low risk of complications. Level of Evidence: Level IV, retrospective case series.


2018 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 98-104 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johanna Marie Richey ◽  
Miranda Lucia Ritterman Weintraub ◽  
John M. Schuberth

Background: The incidence rate of venous thrombotic events (VTEs) following foot and ankle surgery is low. Currently, there is no consensus regarding postoperative prophylaxis or evidence to support risk stratification. Methods: A 2-part study assessing the incidence and factors for the development of VTE was conducted: (1) a retrospective observational cohort study of 22 486 adults to calculate the overall incidence following foot and/or ankle surgery from January 2008 to May 2011 and (2) a retrospective matched case-control study to identify risk factors for development of VTE postsurgery. One control per VTE case matched on age and sex was randomly selected from the remaining patients. Results: The overall incidence of VTE was 0.9%. Predictive risk factors in bivariate analyses included obesity, history of VTE, history of trauma, use of hormonal replacement or oral contraception therapy, anatomic location of surgery, procedure duration 60 minutes or more, general anesthesia, postoperative nonweightbearing immobilization greater than 2 weeks, and use of anticoagulation. When significant variables from bivariate analyses were placed into the multivariable regression model, 4 remained statistically significant: adjusted odds ratio (aOR) for obesity, 6.1; history of VTE, 15.7; use of hormone replacement therapy, 8.9; and postoperative nonweightbearing immobilization greater than 2 weeks, 9.0. The risk of VTE increased significantly with 3 or more risk factors ( P = .001). Conclusion: The overall low incidence of VTE following foot and ankle surgery does not support routine prophylaxis for all patients. Among patients with 3 or more risk factors, the use of chemoprophylaxis may be warranted. Level of Evidence: Level III, retrospective case series.


2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 247301142110085
Author(s):  
Christopher Traynor ◽  
James Jastifer

Background: Instability of the first-tarsometatarsal (TMT) joint has been proposed as a cause of hallux valgus. Although there is literature demonstrating how first-TMT arthrodesis affects hallux valgus, there is little published on how correction of hallux valgus affects the first-TMT joint alignment. The purpose of this study was to determine if correction of hallux valgus impacts the first-TMT alignment and congruency. Improvement in alignment would provide evidence that hallux valgus contributes to first-TMT instability. Our hypothesis was that correcting hallux valgus angle (HVA) would have no effect on the first-TMT alignment and congruency. Methods: Radiographs of patients who underwent first-MTP joint arthrodesis for hallux valgus were retrospectively reviewed. The HVA, 1-2 intermetatarsal angle (IMA), first metatarsal–medial cuneiform angle (1MCA), medial cuneiform–first metatarsal angle (MC1A), relative cuneiform slope (RCS), and distal medial cuneiform angle (DMCA) were measured and recorded for all patients preoperatively and postoperatively. Results: Of the 76 feet that met inclusion criteria, radiographic improvements were noted in HVA (23.6 degrees, P < .0001), 1-2 IMA (6.2 degrees, P < .0001), 1MCA (6.4 degrees, P < .0001), MC1A (6.5 degrees, P < .0001), and RCS (3.3 degrees, P = .001) comparing preoperative and postoperative radiographs. There was no difference noted with DMCA measurements (0.5 degrees, P = .53). Conclusion: Our findings indicate that the radiographic alignment and subluxation of the first-TMT joint will reduce with isolated treatment of the first-MTP joint. Evidence suggests that change in the HVA can affect radiographic alignment and subluxation of the first-TMT joint. Level of Evidence: Level IV, retrospective case series.


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