Management of Midfoot Charcot: Minimally Invasive Techniques and Improved Fixation.

The objective of this article is to review the etiology and pathophysiology of Charcot neuroarthropathy as it contributes to the breakdown of the midfoot. The article will also discuss the emerging techniques in minimally invasive surgery and how this is applied to Charcot reconstructive surgery as well as reflect on a newer thought processes to surgical intervention.

An Evaluation of Patient Characteristics Associated With Medical Disposition in the Surgical Treatment of Ankle Fractures.

The objective of this investigation was to evaluate patient characteristics associated with medical disposition in treatment of ankle fractures. The 2018 American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database was interrogated with data extracted related to the 6 current procedural terminology (CPT) codes available pertaining to ankle fractures: 27766, 27769, 27792, 27814, 27822, and 27823. The primary outcome analysis involved a comparison of patient characteristics and short-term adverse outcomes between those fractures repaired on an inpatient basis versus outpatient basis. A secondary analysis was then performed on patient characteristics and adverse short-term outcomes between those fractures treated on an inpatient basis who were discharged home versus elsewhere. Age (p < .001), race (p < .001), ethnicity (p < .001), body mass index (BMI) (p < .001), estimated probability of mortality (p < .001), estimated probability of morbidity (p < .001), CPT code of fracture designation (p < .001), functional status (p < .001), elective surgery designation (p < .001), American Society of Anesthesiologists class (p < .001), diabetes (p < .001), smoking status (p < .001), dyspnea (p < .001), COPD (p < .001), congestive heart failure (p < .001), hypertension (p < .001), dialysis (p < .001), cancer (p < .001), steroid use (p < .001), blood transfusion history (p < .001), and sepsis/systemic inflammatory response syndrome history (p < .001) were all independently associated with the ankle fracture repair being performed on an inpatient basis on regression analysis. Age (p < .001), race (p = .025), ethnicity (p < .001), BMI (p = .001), CPT code of fracture designation (p < .001), preoperative functional status (p < .001), and American Society of Anesthesiologists class (p < .001) were all independently associated with inpatient ankle fracture repairs being discharged to home following the procedure on regression analysis. The results of this investigation demonstrate that differences in patient demographic characteristics might contribute to medical decision-making as it relates to patient management and discharge disposition in the treatment of ankle fractures.

Diagnosis, imaging, and potential morbidities of the hallux interphalangeal joint os interphalangeus.

Hallux pain is a common entity with a differential diagnoses including hallux valgus, hallux limitus/rigidus, and gout and specifically at the interphalangeal joint (IPJ), flexor hallucis longus (FHL) tenosynovitis, and joint arthrosis. An under-recognized source of pain is the os interphalangeus, an ossicle typically located at the plantar aspect of the hallucal interphalangeal joint. This ossicle is radiographically visible in its ossified form in 2-13% of individuals, but can also be present as an ossified or non-ossified nodule in patients. The os interphalangeus may be centrally or eccentrically located, and although originally believed to be a sesamoid bone in the FHL tendon, it is an ossicle located in the joint capsule of the IPJ and separated from the tendon by a bursa. When the ossicle is absent, the bursa is also absent and the tendon is attached to the joint capsule. Infrequently, the os may be located eccentrically under the first IPJ and reflect persistence of one of the distal phalanx. Rarely, the os interphalangeus may be dorsal to the IPJ. The os interphalangeus is best evaluated on radiographs, ultrasound, and MRI. Pain is a result of altered mechanics with arthrosis or frictional effects with bursitis, tenosynovitis, or intractable plantar keratosis (IPK). The ossicle may also displace into a dislocated IPJ, preventing reduction. The os interphalangeus may be centrally or eccentrically located, and although originally believed to be a sesamoid bone. This has been found within the plantar joint capsule of the distal hallucal interphalangeal joint and separated from the tendon by a bursa. Uncommonly, the location may be plantar eccentric and reflect persistence of one of the ossification centers of the distal phalanx. Although the ossicle can be imaged with standard AP and lateral radiographs in many cases, in those cases of unexplained pain with no radiographically visible ossicle, and the presence of friction blisters, intractable plantar keratosis (IPK), hyper-extension of the IPJ, hallux limitus/rigidus, or metatarsophalangeal joint (MTPJ) arthrodesis, an MRI or CT should be considered to identify a non-ossified fibrocartilaginous node. This is of particular concern in a patient with a history of underling diabetes mellitus or other metabolic disorders associated with diminished pedal sensation where neurotrophic changes place them most at risk for complications associated with excessive plantar pressure. Pain is a result of altered biomechanics with arthrosis, or frictional effects causing bursitis, tenosynovitis, or IPK. The ossicle may also displace into a dislocated IPJ, preventing reduction. In this article, we will describe the anatomy and imaging appearance of the common os interphalangeus variants and associated complications including frictional effects, arthrosis, and IPK and discuss conservative and surgical management of a symptomatic ossicle.

Retrospective chart review of perioperative pain management of patients having surgery for closed ankle fractures using peripheral nerve blocks at a level one trauma center.

Chronic opioid use is unfortunately perceived among these postoperative patients, specifically within orthopedic surgery. Patients having orthopedic surgeries are at risk for becoming addicted to opioids, and one benefit of peripheral nerves blocks could be to provide an alternative mode of pain control. This study takes a retrospective look at the use of peripheral nerve blocks for pain control following surgery for isolated traumatic ankle injuries. We hypothesize that when peripheral nerve blocks are administered preoperatively to patients with closed ankle fractures, they will have overall better control of postoperative pain compared to patients who did not receive a peripheral nerve block. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this investigation was to evaluate the effect of preoperative peripheral nerve blockade on pain outcomes after ankle fracture surgery. METHODS: After approval from our institutional review board, a Current Procedural Terminology code search was performed of all patients within our institution over a 3-year data collection period (August 2016-June 2019). This resulted in 177 subjects who underwent isolated closed ankle fracture open reduction internal fixation (ORIF), of which 71 subjects met inclusion criteria. RESULTS: Results of the primary outcome measures found no difference in the mean postoperative care unit (PACU) pain scores between the groups (2.39 ± 2.91 vs 3.52 ± 3.09; P = 0.1724) nor the frequency of those who reported only mild pain (63.0% vs 47.10%; P = 0.2704). Subjects who received a peripheral nerve block spent more time in the PACU before discharge (2.06 ± 1.05 vs 0.94 ± 1.21 hours; P = 0.0004). Subjects receiving a peripheral nerve block were more likely to be given no analgesics in the PACU (38.9% vs 11.8%; P = 0.042) and less likely to receive a narcotic analgesic in the PACU (53.7% vs 82.4%; P = 0.047). CONCLUSION: Although the results of this investigation demonstrate no significant difference in the mean PACU pain scores, they do demonstrate a significant difference in the amount of pain medication given in the PACU setting. This information will be used for future investigations of this discrepancy between pain perception and need for immediate postoperative pain medications as it relates to multimodal pain control in the setting of ankle fracture surgery.

Charcot Reconstruction: Understanding and Treating the Deformed Charcot Neuropathic Arthropathic Foot.

With worsening diet and increasing prevalence of diabetes, patient encounters with Charcot neuropathic arthropathy (CNA) are expected to increase. Without intervention, the pathology progresses with further subluxation/dislocation and fracture, placing soft tissues at risk of preulceration or formal ulceration, infection, and potentially major amputation. The need to avoid amputation is of paramount importance. Although a formal single eradicating tool for CNA is lacking, there is capacity to intervene in ways that may curtail the pace of destruction. This article reviews understanding of the disease process and provides guidance to surgical reconstruction of the deformity.

Management of Talar Fractures.

Fractures of the talus are significant injuries with associated significant complications where the recovery zenith is less frequently good to excellent, and more commonly fair to satisfactory. These outcomes are a consequence of combinations of the inherent intrinsic and surrounding anatomy, technical and logistic difficulties in adequate fracture access, and the high-energy mechanisms typically associated with these injuries that further traumatize the surrounding tissues. This article reviews and provides current management recommendations for these devastating injuries.