Efficacy of Ilizarov External Fixation and Autologous Bone Grafting for Performing Arthrodesis on the Ankle Arthropathy with Risk Factors / 대한족부족관절학회지

PURPOSE@#The aim of this study is to evaluate if the Ilizarov external fixation procedure with axial compression can help to obtain fusion across the ankle joint in patients with a high risk of nonunion.@*MATERIALS AND METHODS@#From January 2006 to December 2015, the study reviewed 17 patients who underwent ankle arthropathy with a high risk of nonunion and who underwent ankle fusion using the Ilizarov external fixator with axial compression and auto bone grafting. After the lateral surface of the ankle joint was exposed through a lateral trans-fibular approach, massive removal of the articular cartilage and excision of any loose or avascular bone were done. With the cortical bone harvested from the pelvis as corticocancellous bone blocks, we inserted the two cortical blocks longitudinally into the anterior and posterior part of the free ankle space from lateral to medial to make the rectangular chamber to fill the cancellous bones. After the Ilizarov external fixator was equipped, we tightened the frame by 5 mm to compress the bone graft space. We accessed the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Ankle-Hindfoot score both preoperatively and postoperatively.@*RESULTS@#The average age at the time of operation was 63.4 years (range, 47~78 years). The mean frame time was 17.4 weeks (range, 15~23 weeks). The average follow-up period was 3.7 years (range, 2~6 years). Osseous fusion was obtained in 15 patients (88.2%). There were two stable pseudarthroses among the rheumatoid arthritis patients, and we continued their follow-up. The mean AOFAS Ankle-Hindfoot score improved from 48.5 to 73.7 points.@*CONCLUSION@#Ankle arthrodesis using the Ilizarov external fixation with axial compression and auto bone grafting on the ankle arthropathy that had difficult conditions to achieve union is considered one of the useful methods with a correspondingly low incidence of complications.

Factors Affecting the Extent of Graft Tendon Synovialization after Double-Bundle Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: Based on Second-Look Arthroscopic Findings

BACKGROUND: We aimed to examine the factors that influence synovialization of the grafted tendon after double-bundle anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction based on second-look arthroscopic findings. METHODS: Out of 205 knees that were treated between August 2008 and May 2016 with double-bundle ACL reconstruction using bio-absorbable cross-pins and Endobuttons for femoral tunnel fixation, we enrolled 65 knees (64 patients) that underwent second-look arthroscopy with hardware removal at 1 year postoperatively. Measured clinical outcomes included the Lysholm score and Tegner activity score that were evaluated preoperatively and during the final follow-up. We analyzed the relationship between synovial coverage and patient age, length of the preserved remnant tissue on the tibial side, type of bundle (anteromedial or posterolateral), type of graft (autograft or allograft), and time from injury to surgery. RESULTS: The area of synovial coverage showed a significant statistical correlation with patient age and the length of the preserved remnant tissue on the tibial side. The average synovial coverage was significantly better for the anteromedial bundle than for the posterolateral bundle, better for the autograft than for the allograft reconstruction, and better when treated in the acute stage than in the chronic stage. However, synovialization of grafted tendon did not correlate to clinical outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: While we were able to identify several factors influencing synovialization of the grafted tendon after double-bundle ACL reconstruction, including patient age, length of preserved remnant tissue of the torn ACL, type of bundle, type of graft, and time from injury to surgery, we found no evidence that increased synovialization improves clinical outcomes at 1 year postoperatively.

Surgical Treatment of Chronic Tophaceous Gout in the 1st Metatarso-Phalangeal Joint / 대한족부족관절학회지

PURPOSE: Chronic tophaceous gout is a painful and disabling inflammatory disease. Surgical treatment for chronic tophaceous gout is very difficult with many complications. This study evaluated the efficacy of shortening scarf osteotomy on the treatment of chronic tophaceous gout in the 1st metatarso-phalangeal (MTP) joint. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 2006 to December 2015, 14 patients (19 cases) who underwent axial shortening scarf osteotomy for chronic tophaceous gout were reviewed. All patients were male. The average age at the time of surgery was 59.6 years (42~66 years). The minimum follow-up was 24 months. Total removal of the tophi mass with the adhered medial capsule of the 1st MTP joint was attempted. Axial shortening scarf osteotomy was done on the 1st metatarsal shaft. The visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain and the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) forefoot score was assessed preoperatively and postoperatively. The range of motion (ROM) of the 1st MTP joint was also compared pre- and postoperatively. RESULTS: The average size of the extracted tophaceous mass was 32 mm. The mean amount of the length of metatarsal shortening was 4.9 mm. The mean ROM of the 1st MTP joint was improved from 30.4° to 62.3°. The mean AOFAS forefoot score improved from 51.4 to 86.6 points. The mean VAS for pain improved from 4.6 to 0.3 points. CONCLUSION: The axial shortening scarf osteotomy used on chronic tophaceous gout could reconstruct the 1st MTP joint with an improved ROM and was free of pain. Axial shortening scarf osteotomy is suggested as a useful and effective method for the treatment of chronic tophaceous gout.

Rotational Long Scarf Osteotomy on Hallux Valgus in Elderly Patients with Osteoporosis / 대한정형외과학회잡지

PURPOSE: This paper reports an experience of rotational long scarf osteotomy for elderly patients with a hallux valgus deformity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 2005 to July 2014, 37 cases in 24 patients over 70 years of age, who received rotational long scarf osteotomy for hallux valgus and were followed-up for at least 3 years, were evaluated. The bone mineral density (BMD) was checked in all cases preoperatively. The mean age at surgery was 73.9 years old. The mean follow-up period was 5.1 years. The plantar head fragment was rotated medially to correct the distal metatarsal articular angle (DMAA) and to cross the two cortices to form an “X” shape to prevent troughing. In the operating room, the DMAA was measured before and after rotation of the plantar head fragment. The hallux valgus angle, 1st intermetatarsal angle, range of motion of the first metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint and American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score were measured both preoperatively and in the final follow-up. In addition, stress fractures were checked in the routine follow-ups. RESULTS: The average T-score of the preoperative BMD was −3.54. The mean DMAA measured in the operation room was corrected from 24.8° to 6.7°. The 1st intermetatarsal angle was corrected from 17.6° to 6.2° and hallux valgus angle was corrected 36.7° to 6.5°. The average range of motion of the first MTP joint was improved from 37.4° preoperatively to 64.3° in the final follow-up, and the average AOFAS scores were improved from 56.4 preoperatively to 89.2 at the final follow-up. No troughing was observed in any of the patients. In 3 cases, screw fixation failure made an additional screw necessary to obtain stability between the two fragments. No stress fractures were observed at the follow-up. CONCLUSION: The rotational long scarf osteotomy produced the effect of a DMAA correction. The rotational long scarf osteotomy might correct the DMAA and improve the clinical score in elderly hallux valgus patients.