Pure Ankle Dislocation: A Case Report and a Narrative Literature Review.

Pure dislocation of the ankle is an extremely rare injury accounting for only 0.065% of all ankle injuries and 0.46% of all ankle dislocations. The mechanism of the injury generally consists of high-energy trauma which is associated with a combination of plantar flexion and inversion or eversion of the foot. We present a case of a 22-year-old male patient who sustained a closed pure ankle dislocation after a fall from a small height. He was treated conservatively with closed reduction and circumferential cast immobilization for six weeks, followed by a functional rehabilitation program. The patient presented to the emergency department with an acutely painful and deformed right ankle after falling from a height of 1 m (stairs). Radiographs showed a posteromedial ankle dislocation without fracture. Urgent closed reduction of the dislocation was performed and a posterior below-knee back slab was applied to immobilize the ankle. Dorsalis pedis and posterior tibial arteries were intact. Check X-rays confirmed proper reduction of the ankle joint. Post reduction computed tomography (CT) scan did not show any associated fractures. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a multiligamentous ankle injury and a small osteochondral lesion of the anteromedial talar dome. The back slab was changed to a below-knee circular cast two weeks later, as soon as the soft tissue swelling subsided. The cast was removed at the six-week follow-up and physiotherapy was initiated in order to gain functional rehabilitation and improve the range of motion. At the final follow-up (12 months), the ankle range of motion (ROM) was the same as the pre-injury status and the patient was able to return to his work. Pure ankle dislocation is a rare injury. A satisfactory outcome can be expected, provided that the appropriate conservative treatment followed by a strict rehabilitation protocol is applied.

Percutaneous fixation of displaced intraarticular fractures of the calcaneus. A retrospective case series study and a review of the literature.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the outcome of displaced intraarticular calcaneal fractures (DIACFs) of a case series of patients who were treated with a percutaneous fixation technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eight patients were operated for DIACFs and they were evaluated for the outcome and complications in a mean follow up of 9 months (range: 6 - 12 months). At the last follow up the AOFAS score, the Boehlers' angle and the presence of any complication were noted. The time from injury to surgery was also reported. The correlation of the AOFAS score and the development of post traumatic subtalar arthritis to the type of fracture, to the post operative Boehler's angle and to the time from injury to surgery were investigated. RESULTS: The overall mean AOFAS (Americal Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society) score was 84,625 (Range: 73 - 96). The mean AOFAS score of type II and type III fractures was 87,667 and 75,500 respectively. The mean AOFAS score for fractures with a postoperative Boehler's angle of less than 10° and more or equal to 10° was 76,750 and 92,500 respectively. This difference was found to be statistically significant. The mean AOFAS score for fractures who were treated less or equal to six days and more than six days post injury was 91,250 and 78 respectively. Two out of four patients with a post operative Boehler's angle less than 10° developed post traumatic subtalar arthritis. No patient out of four for whom a Boehler's angle of more than 10° has been achieved, developed subtalar arthritis. No infection occurred in any of the patients. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous fixation is a safe and effective way of treating DIACFs. The outcome is directly related to the quality of reduction, which is significantly dependent to the timing of surgery. The earlier the fracture is operated the better the reduction by closed means is.

Well leg compartment syndrome due to the lithotomy position in orthopedic surgery: a report of two cases and a review of the literature.

The well leg compartment syndrome (WLCS) is a complication that can occur because of the lithotomy surgical position. Although it is a very rare entity, it can lead to a permanent disability if not properly treated. Very few cases have been described in the literature as a result of orthopedic surgery. We present two cases of WLCS that developed because of the lithotomy position. The first case concerns a patient who sustained a left floating knee and developed a compartment syndrome of the right uninjured calf during surgery. A good outcome has been achieved after early fasciotomies. The second case is about a patient who developed a compartment syndrome of the right buttock after a left unicompartmental knee replacement. This patient was treated conservatively because of delayed diagnosis. A brief literature review regarding the WLCS in orthopedic surgery is also conducted.