Trajectories of Diabetes-Related Sequelae for Identifying Transition Probabilities, and Optimal Timepoints for Prevention of Ulceration, Infection, and Amputation.

To reduce diabetes-related complications and to avoid futile procedures, foot and ankle surgeons need to understand the relative timings of catastrophic events, their incidence, and probabilities of transitions between disease states in diabetes in different patient populations. For this study, we tracked medical events (including an initial diagnosis of diabetes, ulcer, wound care, osteomyelitis, amputation, and reamputation, in order of severity) and the time between each such event in patients with diabetes, stratifying by sex, race, and ethnicity. We found that the longest average duration between the different lower extremity states was a diagnosis of diabetes to the occurrence of ulcer at 1137 days (38 months). The average durations of amputation to reamputation, osteomyelitis, wound care, and ulcer were 18, 49, 23, and 18 days, respectively. The length of each disease transition for females was greater, while those of the Hispanic population were shorter than in the total cohort. This knowledge may permit surgeons to time and tailor treatments to their patients, and help patients to address, delay, or avoid complications.

Venous Thromboembolism in Foot and Ankle Trauma.

Every surgeon may have experienced a tragic event associated with death or debilitation secondary to deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism (PE) after foot and ankle trauma and surgery. Nevertheless, the prevention of such a tragic event needs to be carefully evaluated rationally with currently available epidemiologic data. With great postoperative protocols and access to care, most PE events can be prevented. There are modifiable risk factors, such as length/type of immobilization and operative trauma/time that can lower the incidence of DVT/PE. In addition, chemical prophylaxis may be warranted in certain people within the foot and ankle trauma population.

Bioengineered Skin for Diabetic Foot Ulcers: A Scoping Review.

Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) pose a significant threat to individuals with diabetes mellitus (DM), such as lower limb amputation and severe morbidity. Bioengineered skin substitutes (BSS) are alternatives to traditional interventions for treating DFUs, but their efficacy compared to standard wound care (SWC) or other treatment types, such as allografts, remains unknown. A scoping review of human studies was conducted to identify current approaches in the treatment of DFUs using BSS as compared with other treatment options. Systematic searches in PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science were conducted to identify comparative studies that enrolled 10 or more patients and evaluated wound healing outcomes (closure, time-to-healing, and area reduction). Database searches isolated articles published from 1 December 2012 to 1 December 2022 and were conducted in accordance with PRISMA-ScR guidelines. The literature search yielded 1312 articles, 24 of which were included for the qualitative analysis. Findings in these studies demonstrated that BSS outperformed SWC in all measured outcomes, suggesting that BSS may be a superior treatment for DFUs. Of the 24 articles, 8 articles compared human amniotic membrane allografts (hAMA) to BSS. Conflicting evidence was observed when comparing BSS and hAMA treatments, highlighting the need for future research.

Effectiveness of Concurrent Ankle Arthroscopy During Open Reduction and Internal Fixation of Malleolar Fractures in Prevention of Common Short-Term Complications.

Rotational malleolar fractures result in a high prevalence of intra-articular pathologies; therefore, routine arthroscopic assessment may be beneficial in the surgical treatment of ankle fractures. However, the clinical studies regarding the effectiveness of arthroscopy thus far have mixed results. We investigated the efficacy of concurrent arthroscopy during the treatment of malleolar fractures using a large U.S. healthcare data set. Those who had arthroscopy were compared with those who did not, during the surgical treatment of malleolar fractures, while adjusting for covariates of clinical relevance. The analysis showed that concurrent arthroscopy is protective against postoperative repeat surgery (OR = 0.13, 95CI = 0.02-0.41) and wound dehiscence (OR = 0.18, 95CI = 0.03-0.56). The number of added arthroscopy cases needed to avoid one repeat surgery was 74, while that of wound dehiscence was 52. Further studies are needed to determine if routine use of arthroscopy is justifiable in the surgical treatment of malleolar fractures, given the additional costs and time to the healthcare system.

A New Paradigm in Foot and Ankle Outcomes?: Away From Radiographs and Toward Patient-Centered Outcomes.

Having reasonable outcome measures is essential to unbiased research. For years, provider-measured outcomes have been valued as they are more objective and convenient for investigators. However, with the popularity of patient-centered medical care delivery, patient-reported outcome measures are appropriately becoming more popular in foot and ankle research.

The Effect of Limb Salvage Efforts in Different Age Groups: Relationships Between Major and Minor Amputations.

"Limb salvage" efforts, such as performing minor amputations before infections spread proximally from the foot to decrease major lower extremity amputation, are an important part of healthcare today. It is unclear whether these efforts are preventing the number of major amputations and improving patients' quality of life and the cost-effectiveness of the U.S. healthcare system. Rates of non-traumatic lower extremity amputation (NLEA) among patients with diabetes decreased in the early 2000s but rebounded in the 2010s. We analyzed the proportion of major amputations and differences in amputation rates between age groups in Texas. Patient data was extracted from the Texas Hospital Discharge Data Public Use Data File. Population estimates were obtained from the Texas Population Estimates Program from 2011 to 2015 and from intercensal estimates provided by the U.S. Census Bureau from 2006 to 2010. Raw numbers of minor, major, and all NLEA surgeries and the ratio of major amputations to total amputations per year were reported for each age group. Poisson regression and Joinpoint analyses were performed to capture these changes in trends. Rates of amputations increased, with significant decreasing relative prevalence of major amputations. Patients aged 45 to 64 with diabetes are likely driving these increases. Rates of lower extremity amputation in patients with diabetes increased from 2009 to 2015. This holds for all and minor amputations. In contrast, the ratio of major to all amputations decreased from 2010. Utilization of major and minor amputation differs between age groups, remaining stable in the youngest subjects, with minor amputation rates increasing in those aged 45 to 64.

Preoperative Serum Albumin and Other Risk Factors Related to 30-Day Postoperative Complications in Total Ankle Arthroplasty.

This study investigates effects of preoperative albumin on 30-day total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) outcomes. Additionally, other preoperative risk factors are addressed, including American Anesthesia Society (ASA) class, functional status, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), diabetes, smoking status, time of operation, and age. Outcomes assessed were readmission, return to operating room, surgical site infection, wound dehiscence, and total length of stay (TLOS). Data were extracted from the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database. Bivariate comparisons were analyzed using correlation coefficients, t tests, or chi-squared tests; multivariate comparisons used linear or logistic regression. Our data showed no significant correlation between serum albumin and patients with readmission (odds ratio -0.14, P = 0.06), return to operating room (-0.07, P = 0.61), or surgical site infection (-0.08, P = 0.56). With bivariate analysis, functional status and COPD were significant for readmission (12.67, P < 0.001 and 7.83, P < 0.001, respectively) and dehiscence (30.52, P < 0.001 and 6.74, P = 0.05, respectively), while high ASA class (0.4, P = 0.01), increased age (0.1, P < 0.001), and longer time of operation (0.19, P < 0.001) were associated with longer TLOS. With multivariate analysis, functional status showed higher odds of readmission (7.42, P = 0.02) and dehiscence (20.47, P = 0.01), while COPD showed higher odds for readmission (6.65, P < 0.001) and longer TLOS (0.31, P = 0.05). High ASA class (0.42, P < 0.001) and female sex (0.32, P < 0.001) also had higher odds for longer TLOS. In summary, low albumin was not significant for readmission, return to operating room, or surgical site infection in TAA. COPD, functional status, high ASA class, longer time of operation, increased age, and female sex were all correlated with adverse outcomes in TAA.

Posterior Arthroscopic Subtalar Joint Arthrodesis (Pasta).

The arthroscopic approach provides a manageable postoperative course in terms of wound healing, pain control, and bone healing when compared with an open procedure. In particular, posterior arthroscopic subtalar joint arthrodesis (PASTA) allows a reproducible and viable alternative to standard lateral-portal subtalar joint (STJ) arthrodesis without violating sinus or canalis tarsi neurovascular structures. Additionally, those patients who have undergone previous total ankle arthroplasty, arthrodesis, or talonavicular joint arthrodesis may be better served with PASTA over open arthrodesis if STJ fusion becomes necessary. This article describes the unique PASTA surgical procedure and its helpful tips and pearls.

An Updated Epidemiology of Foot and Ankle Fractures in the United States: Complications, Mechanisms, and Risk Factors.

Foot and ankle fractures are prevalent emergent injuries, about which there remains a lack of in-depth epidemiological information. This analysis of the epidemiology of foot and ankle injuries in the United States updates a previously conducted study. Data from the National Trauma Data Bank (2012-2017) were used for analysis. Demographic variables, mechanism of injuries, and comorbidities were analyzed to determine risk factors for complications after foot and ankle injuries. Young adults aged 21 to 30 years had the highest injury rates; however, in general, older individuals were more at risk for complications. Black individuals were more at risk for certain complications, while Asians were at lower risk, when compared to White individuals. The comorbidities of bleeding disorders, diabetes, smoking, hypertension, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease all increased risk of at least 1 complication. In terms of mechanism, traffic incidents were found to be the most strongly associated with complications.

Association Between Opioid Use and Diabetes in Patients With Ankle Fracture Repair.

BACKGROUND: Ankle fractures in patients with diabetes mellitus have long been recognized as a challenge to practicing clinicians. Ankle fracture patients with diabetes may experience prolonged healing, higher risk of hardware failure, an increased risk of wound dehiscence and infection, and higher pain scores pre- and postoperatively, compared to patients without diabetes. However, the duration of opioid use among this patient cohort has not been previously evaluated. The purpose of this study is to retrospectively compare the time span of opioid utilization between ankle fracture patients with and without diabetes mellitus. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study using our institution's TriNetX database. A total of 640 ankle fracture patients were included in the analysis, of whom 73 had diabetes. All dates of opioid use for each patient were extracted from the data set, including the first and last date of opioid prescription. Descriptive analysis and logistic regression models were employed to explore the differences in opioid use between patients with and without diabetes after ankle fracture repair. A 2-tailed P value of .05 was set as the threshold for statistical significance. RESULTS: Logistic regression models revealed that patients with diabetes are less likely to stop using opioids within 90 days, or within 180 days, after repair compared to patients without diabetes. Female sex, neuropathy, and prefracture opioid use are also associated with prolonged opioid use after ankle fracture repair. CONCLUSION: In our study cohort, ankle fracture patients with diabetes were more likely to require prolonged opioid use after fracture repair. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, prognostic.

Thromboprophylaxis and Bleeding Complications in Orthopedic and Trauma Patients: A Systematic Review.

This systematic review was conducted to investigate the effects of currently used chemoprophylactic modalities to assess concerns regarding their usage. Preventive benefits of thromboprophylaxis were weighed against potential complications in orthopedic and trauma patients. The Ovid MEDLINE® database was used to identify relevant studies. The authors independently screened the initial study articles by title and abstract, eliminating articles not dealing with venous thromboembolism (VTE) chemoprophylaxis in orthopedic or trauma populations. The remaining articles were assessed for eligibility through full-text analysis. The analyzed studies within this review suggested that Factor Xa inhibitors and direct oral anticoagulants hold promise as safe and potentially more effective thromboprophylactic entities when compared to low molecular weight heparin in trauma and orthopedic patients. Thromboprophylaxis had little to no effect on major bleeding incidence, although we could not definitively conclude there was no effect on overall bleeding. Early thromboprophylaxis, especially when identifiable risk factors are present, can improve VTE prevention without changing major bleeding rates. Additionally, we could not conclude whether extended prophylaxis affects VTE incidence, although it seemed to have no effect on major bleeding. Finally, we determined that thromboprophylaxis in the lower extremity trauma population is questionable without the presence of underlying risk factors.

Minor vs. major leg amputation in adults with diabetes: Six-month readmissions, reamputations, and complications.

AIMS: The objective of this study was comparing medium-term outcomes between comparable minor and major amputations in adults with diabetes. METHODS: We used data from the 2016-2017 National Readmissions Database to construct a representative cohort of 15,581 adults with diabetes with lower extremity amputations. Patients were categorized by level of index amputation (major/minor), and propensity score matched to compare outcomes in candidates for either level of amputation. Readmission and reamputations were assessed at 1, 3, and 6 months following index amputation. RESULTS: In the 6 months following index amputation, large proportions of patients were readmitted (n = 7597, 48.8%) or had reamputations (n = 1990, 12.8%). Patients with minor amputations had greater odds of readmission (OR = 1.25; 95% CI 1.18-1.31), reamputation (OR = 3.71; 95% CI 3.34-4.12), and more proximal reamputation (OR = 2.61; 95% 2.33-2.93) (all P < 0.001). Further, minor amputation patients had higher and lower odds of readmission for postoperative infection (OR = 4.45; 95% CI 3.27-6.05), or sepsis (OR = 0.79; 95% CI 0.68-0.93), respectively. CONCLUSION: Patients desire to save as much limb as possible and should be counseled on higher risk for reamputation, readmission, and infection with minor amputations.

Transmetatarsal and Minor Amputation Versus Major Leg Amputation: 30-Day Readmissions, Reamputations, and Complications.

AIMS: The optimal level of lower-extremity amputation, particularly in diabetic patients with ulceration, is debated. Proximal amputations more greatly decrease function versus distal amputations, but healing and complication rates may differ between the 2 types. This study compares early postoperative outcomes after transmetatarsal and other partial foot amputations and major leg amputations. METHODS: Data were derived from National Surgical Quality Improvement Program datasets covering 2012 to 2014. Outcomes studied include 30-day rates of readmission to hospital for wound complications. We matched the 2 types of amputation patients by propensity score to fairly compare between levels of amputation when either type of amputation might be indicated. The same analysis was then performed with emphasis on diabetic patients. RESULTS: Major amputation patients were more likely to have dependent functional status, although their surgeries tended to be more complicated. Minor amputation patients had 2.5 times the odds of irrigation and debridement compared with major amputation patients, but only 0.49 and 0.47 times the odds of urinary tract infection or transfusion, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Although short-term complications, readmissions, and reoperations were more common in distal amputation, UTI and the need for transfusion were higher in major amputation.

Risk Factors for Short-Term Complication After Open Reduction and Internal Fixation of Ankle Fractures: Analysis of a Large Insurance Claims Database.

Although fractures of the ankle are common injuries treated by surgical podiatrists and orthopaedic surgeons specializing in foot and ankle surgery, postoperative complications can occur, often imposing an economic burden on the patient. As health care in the United States moves toward value-based care, cost reduction has primarily focused on reducing complications and unplanned episodes of care. We used a large modern database of insurance claims to examine patterns of complications after open reduction internal fixation of ankle fractures, identifying diabetes mellitus and history of myocardial infarction as risk factors for postoperative infection within 30 days of surgery. Lateral malleolar repair was less likely to lead to infection, or need for repeated surgery, than was medial malleolar fracture repair. Diabetes mellitus, neuropathy, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were associated with development of postoperative cellulitis. Patients with a history of cerebrovascular accident were more likely to return to the emergency department or to have a pulmonary embolism. Male sex, presence of lupus, and increased age were associated with repeat surgery.

Acute Deep Venous Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism in Foot and Ankle Trauma in the National Trauma Data Bank: An Update and Reanalysis.

The data regarding rates of deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism after foot and ankle trauma remain sparse. In this study of the National Trauma Data Bank Data set (2007-2009 and 2010-2016), these rates were reexamined and risk factors associated with these complications were assessed. Data quality is improved in the later data set; the incidence of deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism was 0.28% and 0.21%, respectively, in the 2010-2016 data. Prophylaxis, male gender, treatment in a university hospital, open reduction, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and hypertension were notable significant risk factors for pulmonary embolism. For deep venous thrombosis, male gender, bleeding disorder, angina, and prophylaxis were risk factors. Careful, individualized assessment of the risk factors associated with deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism is important, and the merits of routine prophylaxis remain in question.