Functional results of posterior tibial tendon reconstruction, calcaneal osteotomy, and gastrocnemius recession.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to assess and provide prospective outcome data following reconstruction of Stage II posterior tibial tendon insufficiency, as well as evaluate the effect of reconstruction with gastrocnemius recession on plantarflexion strength. METHODS: A prospective evaluation of 24 patients undergoing reconstruction for Stage II posterior tibial tendon insufficiency was granted IRB approval. The reconstructive procedures consisted of a flexor digitorum longus transfer, medial displacement calcaneal osteotomy, lateral column lengthening, and gastrocnemius recession. Patients were asked to complete multiple outcome measures preoperatively, 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years postoperatively. A dynamometer was utilized to evaluate peak torque plantarflexion preoperatively, 6 months, and 1 year postoperatively. RESULTS: In the study, 14 patients completed preoperative surveys, and 23 patients had 2-year followup. Patients were highly satisfied with the results of their surgery. All outcome measures showed statistically significant improvement. Improvement was seen at 6 months, but results continued to improve at the 1-year mark. By the second year, improvement largely reached a plateau. Biodex testing showed no loss of plantarflexion strength after reconstruction and gastrocnemius recession. CONCLUSION: Reconstruction of the flexible adult acquired flatfoot with FDL transfer, double calcaneal osteotomy, and gastrocnemius recession yielded excellent functional results for the treatment of Stage II posterior tibial tendon insufficiency. Plantarflexion weakness was not found to be a concern. A good functional outcome can be anticipated after the early postoperative period. However, it should be expected to take at least 1 year for maximal benefit.

Commonly missed peritalar injuries.

Because of the effect on hindfoot kinematics, missed or delayed diagnosis of peritalar injuries often results in impairment. The seemingly innocuous nature of these injuries, subtle radiographic findings, and low incidence limit familiarity, thereby increasing the likelihood of misdiagnosis. Because of delay in diagnosis, salvage arthrodesis may be necessary to restore function to the extremity. Talar head fracture, talar process fracture, subtalar fracture-dislocation, transverse tarsal joint fracture, and transverse tarsal ligamentous disruption with instability are recurrently misdiagnosed. The keys to proper diagnosis of these potentially devastating injuries are the recognition of their existence, their injury patterns, and their radiographic appearance. The threshold for additional imaging studies should be lowered when a patient has pain and physical examination findings are out of proportion to a provisional diagnosis, or when symptoms fail to improve.

Effects of zone-specific superior labral detachment on biceps anchor stability.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to elucidate the degree of biceps anchor displacement that occurs when specific zones of the superior labrum are detached from the glenoid. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive laboratory study. METHODS: Twelve cadaveric scapulae with intact labrums were prepared by removing the surrounding musculature with the labrum, biceps anchor, and biceps tendon carefully preserved. Pulleys were used to apply traction in 3 different directions- superior, lateral, and combined posterior/superior/lateral, to simulate the "peel-back" mechanism-while a continuous 1.13 kg of traction was applied to the biceps tendon. Labral tears were created by sharp incisions in isolation and in combinations of 3 zones defined relative to the glenoid fossa: anterior, posterior, or superior. The displacement of the biceps anchor (position of the marker after the simulated lesion relative to the marker position with the labrum intact) was measured relative to a rigid reference frame. RESULTS: The greatest degree of displacement occurred with the sectioning of all 3 zones, followed by the sectioning of 2 adjacent zones. Superior traction created the least displacement in all combinations, while lateral traction created maximal displacement, with one exception: in the setting of anterosuperior/superior lesions, maximal displacement was observed using the peel-back mechanism. CONCLUSION: Biceps anchor displacement, particularly the degree and direction of displacement, is affected by the labral detachment pattern. All 3 labral zones assessed in this study have important biomechanical contributions to biceps anchor displacement. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: These findings have important implications relating to the clinician's arthroscopic assessment of superior labrum anterior and posterior (SLAP) tears, as well as the determination of need for stabilization. This information is particularly useful when treating SLAP tears in certain laborers and athletes, whose activities may cause specific biceps anchor displacement patterns.

Classification and treatment of severe ankle articular segment deficits: osteochondral allograft reconstruction.

Severe ankle degeneration can be a devastating problem for young adults. Although ankle fusion continues to be the gold standard, inherent long-term problems are related to this treatment option. Further advances in total ankle prosthetic arthroplasty are needed before this treatment option can be considered suitable in a younger population. The use of fresh osteochondral allograft transplantation can provide an alternative treatment option without precluding future salvage procedures. Future studies may further define the role immunosuppression can play in improving fresh osteochondral allograft viability.