Effectiveness comparison of supramalleolar osteotomy and ankle arthrodesis in treatment of inverted ankle osteoarthritis in Takakura 3A stage with talus tilt / 中国修复重建外科杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To compare the effectiveness of supramalleolar osteotomy (SMOT) and ankle arthrodesis (AA) in the treatment of inverted ankle osteoarthritis (OA) in Takakura 3A stage with talus tilt.@*METHODS@#The clinical data of 41 patients with inverted ankle OA in Takakura 3A stage with talus tilt admitted between January 2016 to January 2020 and met the selection criteria were retrospectively analyzed, and they were divided into SMOT group (21 cases) and AA group (20 cases) according to the surgical method. There was no significant difference in baseline data such as gender, age, affected side, cause of injury, and preoperative talar tilt angle (TT), American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot score, visual analogue scale (VAS) score, short-form 36 health survey scale (SF-36) score, and sagittal range of motion (ROM) between the two groups ( P>0.05). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, partial weight-bearing time, and complications were recorded in the two groups. AOFAS ankle-hindfoot score, VAS score, SF-36 score, and sagittal ROM were used to evaluate the effectiveness. Bone healing was observed and the time of bony healing was recorded. In the SMOT group, the tibial lateral surface angle (TLS), TT, and the tibial articular surface angle (TAS) were measured on ankle joint weight-bearing anteroposterior and lateral X-ray films and compared with those before operation. And Takakura staging assessment was also performed.@*RESULTS@#The operation time and intraoperative blood loss in AA group were significantly less than those in SMOT group ( P<0.05). Patients in both groups were followed up 24-36 months, with an average of 28.9 months. Incision infection occurred in 2 patients in SMOT group and 1 patient in AA group, respectively, and no vascular or nerve injury occurred in both groups. The partial weight-bearing time of SMOT group was significantly less than that of AA group ( P<0.05), but there was no significant difference in bony healing time between the two groups ( P>0.05). At last follow-up, the difference of VAS score and SF-36 score before and after operation of AA group were less than those of SMOT group, and the difference of sagittal ROM before and after operation in SMOT group was less than that of AA group, with significant differences ( P<0.05). The difference of AOFAS ankle-hindfoot score before and after operation in AA group was slightly greater than that in SMOT group, but the difference was not significant ( P>0.05). The above scores in both groups significantly improved when compared with those before operation ( P<0.05). Sagittal ROM in AA group was significantly less than that before operation ( P<0.05), while there was no significant difference in SMOT group ( P>0.05). In the SMOT group, 17 patients (81.0%) showed improvement in imaging staging, 2 patients (9.5%) showed no improvement in staging, and 2 patients (9.5%) showed stage aggravation. TLS, TAS, and TT significantly improved when compared with those before operation ( P<0.05). At last follow-up, 2 patients in SMOT group received AA due to pain and stage aggravation, and 1 patient with bone nonunion underwent bone graft. Subtalar joint fusion was performed in 1 case of subtalar arthritis in AA group.@*CONCLUSION@#For inverted ankle OA in Takakura 3A stage with talus tilt, both SMOT and AA can significantly releave pain, improve foot function and quality of life, but AA has more definite effectiveness and better patient satisfaction.

Clinical research of ankle fusion with vascularised semi-split fibular flap via lateral approach / 中华显微外科杂志

Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy of the vascularised semi-split fibular flap with lateral approach in ankle fusion.Methods:A total of 54 patients who underwent ankle fusion through the lateral menstrual approach by the Department of Trauma and Micro Orthopaedics, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University from June 2015 to December 2020 was retrospectively analysed. Of the 54 patients, 27 patients who underwent ankle fusion with a semi-split fibular flap carrying blood supply were assigned to the fibular flap group, while other 27 patients who had ankle fusion with lateral plate were assigned to the plate group. The ankle fusions for both groups were performed by the same surgical team. The clinical efficacy of the 2 groups was evaluated by the success rate of bone fusion, the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Surgery(AOFAS) Ankle-Hindfoot Score System, and the Visual analog score(VAS). All the patients entered the postoperative follow-up at outpatient clinic.Results:The follow-up lasted for 12-24 months, with an average of 15 months. At 6 months after surgery, 24 patients in the fibular flap group achieved osseous union with 88.9% in the success rate of bone fusion. While 17 patients in the plate group achieved osseous union, with the success rate of bone fusion at 63.0%. There was a statistically significant difference between the groups( P<0.05). At 1 year after surgery, all 27 patients in the fibular flap group achieved bony union, with a 100% of the success rate of bone fusion, while 23 patients in the plate group achieved bony union at a 85.2% success rate of bone fusion, with 4 patients failed to heal. The difference was statistically significant( P<0.05). The AOFAS scores of the fibular flap group were 41.3±12.0, 65.6±5.6, and 79.1±7.0 before operation, at 6 months after operation and 1 year after operation, respectively, while the scores for the plate group at the same time were 40.8±11.3, 64.5±4.1 and 69.3±7.2. There was no significant difference in the scores between the groups before surgery and at 6 months after the operation ( P>0.05). The scores at 1 year after surgery in the fibular flap group was significantly higher than the plate group, and there was a statistically significant difference( P<0.05). The preoperative VAS score in the fibular flap group was 7.6±1.3, while it was 7.5±1.1 in the plate group. There was no significant difference between the groups in VAS score( P>0.05). However, the VAS score at 1 year after surgery was found at 1.8±0.9 in the plate group, and 1.9±0.8 in the fibular flap group and the difference between groups was statistically significant( P<0.05). Conclusion:The surgical procedure of semi-split fibular flap through the lateral approach has lower complications and higher success rate in ankle fusion in comparison with those of the fusion with lateral plate. Thus, further clinical investigations can be considered.

Ankle Arthrodesis using Ilizarov Ring Fixator: A Primary or Salvage Procedure? An Analysis of Twenty Cases

@#Introduction: Ankle arthrodesis using the Ilizarov technique provides high union rate with the added benefits of early weight-bearing, and the unique advantage of its ability to promote regeneration of soft tissue around the bone, including skin, muscle and neuro-vascular structures, and its versatility to allow correction of the position of the foot by adjusting the frame post-operatively as needed. We describe our experience with this technique and the functional outcomes in our patients. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study was conducted in 20 ankle fusion cases using the Ilizarov method between the years 2007 and 2017. We defined success in treatment by loss of preoperative symptoms and radiological union on plain radiographs of the ankle. Results: Fusion was achieved in all patients (100%). Immediate post-operative ambulation was with full weight bearing (FWB) in 16 (83%) of the participants and non-weight bearing (NWB) in 3 patients (17%). Postprocedure 11 patients (67%) of the participants who were full weight bearing required some form of support for walking for 2-3 weeks. Post-operatively three patients had pin tract infection requiring intravenous antibiotics. Radiological union took range of 6-12 weeks, mean union time was 8 weeks. Only one patient required bone grafting due to bone loss. Average follow-up period was 10-45 months. Conclusion: The Ilizarov technique has a high union rate and leads to general favourable clinical outcome and may be considered for any ankle arthrodesis but is especially useful in complex cases such as for revisions, soft-tissue compromise, infection and in patients with risk for non-union. Early weight bearing is an extra benefit.

Surgical treatments of the ankle arthritis

Trauma, such as ankle fractures, has been the major etiology of ankle arthritis. It has been reported that 70-80% of ankle arthritis cases are due to lateral ankle instability and post-traumatic ankle arthritis. Ankle arthrodesis is the gold standard for end-stage ankle arthritis treatment, but it restricts ankle motion and leads to adjacent joint arthritis in the long term. Low tibial osteotomy is indicated for unicompartmental ankle osteoarthritis (OA) with varus/valgus deformity to realign the malalignment and redistribute the localized tibial plafond and malleolar pressure upon the talus and relieve ankle pain. Ankle distraction arthroplasty is another option for young patients with early ankle OA to widen the ankle joint space and decrease pain. Total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) is a viable surgical alternative for end-stage ankle OA to relieve ankle pain while preserving ankle motion. Recently, a 3-component total ankle system has been predominant, and the outcomes and survival of TAA have improved somewhat. Prospective comparative studies on ankle arthrodesis and TAA should be performed in the future, especially with critical evaluation of complications. Ankle arthrodesis and TAA are 2 major surgical options for end-stage ankle arthritis, but research on other possible alternatives for early stage OA should be performed in the future.

Ankle Arthrodesis Using Auto Fibula Bone Graft: Two Cases Report / 대한족부족관절학회지

Recently, development and improvement in joint replacement therapy, the need for arthrodesis has been decreasing. However, result of joint replacement is not always satisfactory, and most cases are rather indicative to ankle arthrodesis than ankle replacement. Often, ankle arthrodesis can be more beneficial salvage method to treat cases with failure in joint replacement therapy, talar avascular necrosis with massive bone defect, talus fracture with severe comminution and bone defect and ankle dislocation. In cases with large bone defect that need to be treated with ankle arthrodesis using internal fixation, it is difficult to fill the defect with conventional auto-iliac bone or all-bone graft. Thus, we make a report on our experience in treating 2 cases with ankle arthrodesis using auto-fibular bone graft and plate fixation.

Ankle Arthrodesis in Very Unstable Charcot Arthropathy using Autogenous Fibular Strut Bone Graft (A Case Report) / 대한족부족관절학회지

Charcot arthropathy of the foot and ankle is characterized by a combination of sensory, motor and autonomic peripheral neuropathy leading to gross swelling, bony destruction and finally severe bony deformity with joint instability. We report a case of very unstable Charcot arthropathy in ankle joint managed with ankle arthrodesis using fibular strut bone grafting technique.

Ankle Arthrodesis Using the Transfibular Approach / 대한정형외과학회잡지

PURPOSE: We analyzed the clinical and radiological results of transfibular ankle arthrodesis for posttraumatic arthritis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighteen cases of transfibular ankle arthrodesis were followed for more than 12 months postoperatively. Mean age was 55 years, and the mean follow-up period was 2.9 years. Preoperative and postoperative AOFAS ankle-hindfoot scores, operative times, postoperative complications and patients satisfaction level were checked. Radiologically preoperative ankle deformity, time to union, position of fusion, residual tarsal motion arc and degenerative changes of adjacent foot joints were evaluated. RESULTS: At the last follow-up, the mean AOFAS ankle-hindfoot score had increased from a preoperative 41 points to 79 points. Sixteen patients (89%) were satisfied with the result. The mean operative time was 108 minutes. Three cases of chronic tear of the peroneus brevis tendon were treated. Mean time to radiological union was 13.1 weeks. No degenerative changes in adjacent foot joints were observed at the last follow up. Two cases (11%) of nonunion and one case (5.5%) of delayed union were observed. Revision of arthrodesis was performed in one case of nonunion. CONCLUSION: Satisfactory results were obtained after transfibular ankle arthrodesis for posttraumatic arthritis. Long-term follow up is needed to evaluate the effects of ankle arthrodesis upon adjacent foot joints.

Ankle Arthrodesis by Chevron Osteotomy: Report of 16 cases / 대한정형외과학회잡지

The Marcus ankle arthrodesis was carried out in 16 patients at department of orthopaedic surgery of Korea Veterans Hospital from January 1989 to December 1993. All of patients were reviewed and evaluated with subjective and functional rating scales according to the Mazur scoring system. The average follow up was 23 months, ranging from 12 months to 60 months. The Marcus ankle arthrodesis involves a chevron osteotomy, tibial onlay graft medially, internal fixation with staples and screws. According to the Mazur score, the results were 6 cases of Excellent, 7 cases of Good. The average Mazur score was 75.1. There were 4 cases of complication, a non-union, a superficial wound infection, a bursitis, and a tendon injury. In summary the Marcus ankle arthrodesis by chevron osteotomy seems to be a good procedure, which gives solid bony union with short duration, relief of pain, normal looking ankle configuration without leg length discrepancy and good function with few complications.

Ankle Arthrodesis: A Clinical Review / 대한정형외과학회잡지

Injuries to the ankle or various disease in ankle are one of the most common musculoskeletal problem. The ankle is amazingly tolerant to at least minor anatomic disruption. But in situation of severed ankle it is the anxious problem to solve the pain, disability and so on. Since past time, ankle fusion can solve the pain problem, and there is little disabiiity from walking on standard surfaces, comparing the ankle arthroplasty. So we analyse 48 cases of the ankle fusion at Wonju Christian Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine for ten years. The results are summerized as follows: l. Applying method for fusion are distraction-compression bone graft arthrodesis, Charnley compression method, extraarticular arthrodesis, anterior sliding graft-21, 16, 2 and 9 cases respectively. 2. Post-operative complications are wound infection, loss of position of grafted bone, skin necrosis, fracture of the grafted bone and phlebitis