Open Reduction and Internal Fixation of a Calcaneal Anterior Process Fracture Using a Locking Plate.

Fractures involving the anterior process of the calcaneus (APC) are rare, underdiagnosed, and carry a significant increase in morbidity if not identified acutely. Identifying patients with intra-articular fracture extension is crucial as they may benefit from surgical fixation to reduce the risk of morbidity and post-traumatic osteoarthritis. There are no specific guidelines in the United Kingdom regarding the management of these fractures, and there is little evidence regarding optimal management, mainly limited to case reports and small sample observational trials. Previous reports of surgical intervention have described excision of fragments or fixation using single cancellous screws. A 55-year-old man fell from a height of 2 metres, sustaining an APC fracture extending into the calcaneocuboid joint. This was identified on plain radiographs following a virtual fracture clinic referral from the emergency department and further investigated with computed tomography scanning. He underwent open reduction and internal fixation with a locking T-plate and screws three weeks post-injury to restore congruence of his articular surface. Following a period of non-weight-bearing and progressive physiotherapy, he reported an excellent functional outcome six months post-operatively, measured by the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Ankle-Hindfoot Score of 90%. In the absence of specific guidelines for these fractures, this case provides an example of good initial functional outcomes following surgical fixation using a locking plate and screws, the first such fixation of an APC fracture described in the literature. This case can also be seen as a useful reminder of the need for an index of clinical suspicion for these injuries, given that up to 40% may be missed in the emergency department. While now fairly widespread, not all hospitals will have a virtual fracture clinic system in place, meaning emergency department practitioners must be wary of these injuries before discharging patients with suspicious histories and examination findings with no follow-up. Examination techniques that may help differentiate APC fractures from ankle sprains are discussed to provide clinicians with evidence to support a suspicion of these injuries in the emergency department.

Tightrope fixation of syndesmotic injuries in Weber C ankle fractures: a multicentre case series.

BACKGROUND: No general consensus has yet been established for the gold standard treatment of ankle syndesmotic complex injuries. Recent literature has documented the success of ankle tightrope fixation for heterogeneous ankle fracture patterns, resulting in syndesmotic complex injuries. We present a multicentre case series assessing the clinical, radiological and functional outcomes of patients with Weber C ankle fractures treated with the Arthrex TightRope® fixation system. METHOD: We performed a retrospective analysis of all adult patients with Weber C ankle fractures who were treated with the Arthrex TightRope® fixation system at four centres over a 3-year period. All patients were followed up for a mean of 14 months (range 12-26). Outcomes measures were assessed subjectively using functional scores (AOFAS and Olerud and Molander) and objectively using radiological measurements, complication rates and revision surgery rates. RESULTS: Thirty-six patients met our eligibility criteria. The mean age at operation was 31 years (range 18-65). There were 20 males and 16 females. No patients were lost to follow-up. The ankle tightrope maintained satisfactory reduction in the ankle mortise in 97% of cases. Of these 35 successfully treated cases, no evidence of re-displacement on follow-up radiographs of the syndesmotic complex was observed at an average of 10.8 months (range 6-12). Post-operative mean medial clear space was 3.1 mm, and mean tibio-fibular overlap was 10.1 mm. The mean American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score was 88.8 (range 67-98) at a mean follow-up of 14 months (range 12-26). The overall complication rate was 6% (one failure requiring revision surgery and one medial sided skin irritation requiring removal of suture button). No infections or wound complications occurred. CONCLUSION: Tightrope fixation is a safe alternative to screw fixation for syndesmotic complex injuries in Weber C ankle fractures. We have shown that it has low complication rates and a high patient satisfaction.

Intraosseous talar pseudotumour: an unusual presentation of gout.

We report a rare case of an intraosseous talar pseudotumour associated with hyperuricaemia in a previously asymptomatic patient, treated with curettage and bone autograft. Satisfactory function and pain relief was obtained at 6 months follow up with no evidence of recurrent disease.