ABSTRACT
The effectiveness of subtalar arthrodesis has been well documented in treating degenerative subtalar joint disease. The arthroscopic subtalar approach for arthrodesis has also been proved to give excellent results in terms of bone fusion rates and reduction of wound-related pain and complications. To date, the main concerns about arthroscopy have regarded incision-related neurologic complications such as lesions of the tibial, fibular, and sural nerves. In this context, we present a 2-portal lateral (anterior and middle) approach to arthroscopic subtalar arthrodesis, recently documented in the literature, that provides similar excellent access to the joint with a lower risk of nerve damage.
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To investigate the safety and efficiency of a 2-portal lateral (anterior and middle) approach to arthroscopic subtalar arthrodesis. METHODS: A cadaveric study was performed on 30 feet of 15 fresh cadaveric bodies (15 right and 15 left; 21 female specimens and 9 male specimens). The mean age at death was 78 ± 6.7 years. The procedure was performed with the specimen in the supine position through 2 lateral (anterior and middle) sinus tarsi portals by use of a 4.0-mm arthroscope. A 3.5-mm synovial shaver was used for debridement, and a 4.5-mm shielded bur was used to resect posterior subtalar facets. The feet were then dissected. The primary outcomes were the percentage of resected joint surface and the distances between portals and both sural and superficial peroneal nerves. The secondary outcomes were injury of sinus tarsi ligaments and lateral arterial network, calcaneofibular ligament, peroneal tendons, flexor hallucis longus tendon, and posterior tibial neurovascular bundle. RESULTS: The mean percentages of resected talar and calcaneal posterior subtalar facets were 94% ± 7.2% and 91% ± 6.8%, respectively. The minimum distance of either subtalar portal to the nerves was 4 mm. No nerve injury was observed. In 28 of 30 cases, the lateral sinus tarsi arterial network was found intact. In all cases the inferior retinaculum extensor was transfixed by the portals. In all cases both cervical and interosseous talocalcaneal ligaments were found intact. In 3 cases a shaving lesion was observed on the peroneus brevis tendon. CONCLUSIONS: According to this cadaveric study, more than 90% freshening of the posterior subtalar articular facets can be achieved through a 2-portal lateral (anterior and middle) approach. This technique is reproducible and safe with regard to the surrounding nerves. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The 2 lateral portals may offer a safe and effective alternative approach for arthroscopic arthrodesis of the posterior subtalar joint.
Subject(s)
Arthrodesis/methods , Arthroscopy/methods , Subtalar Joint/surgery , Aged , Ankle/surgery , Ankle Joint/surgery , Arthrodesis/adverse effects , Arthrodesis/instrumentation , Arthroscopy/adverse effects , Cadaver , Calcaneus/surgery , Female , Humans , Ligaments, Articular/injuries , Male , Peroneal Nerve/anatomy & histology , Supine Position , Sural Nerve/anatomy & histology , Tendon Injuries/etiology , Tendons/surgeryABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Graft pretensioning is used in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction to prevent secondary slackening. Its effects on collagen fibrillar ultrastructure are not known. In this study, we hypothesized that graft pretensioning in ACL reconstruction creates ultrastructural changes detectable in scanning electron microscopy (SEM). METHODS: A prospective comparative study was carried out on 38 ACL reconstructions using a 4-strand semitendinosus graft. Samples were harvested intra-operatively before and after pretensioning for 30 s, 2 or 5 min. The images produced in SEM were analyzed using an original semi-quantitative «CIP¼ score taking into account collagen cohesion, integrity, and parallelism. Intra- and inter-tester reliability for the CIP score were tested. RESULTS: The CIP scores decreased by 3.5 (1.6) points after pretensioning (P < 0.05). Significant differences were found in the 5, 2 min and 30 s subgroups for the global CIP score. Relative decrease (Delta CIP) was significantly higher in the 2 and 5 min subgroups after pretensioning in comparison with the 30 s subgroups. Intra- and inter-tester reliability for the CIP score were 0.85 and 0.92 (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Pretensioning ACL grafts resulted in alteration of the collagen fibrillar ultrastructure, detectable using SEM. These results confirm the existence of collagen ultrastructural changes after pretensioning that may be related to its duration. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prospective comparative study, Level II.
