Long-Term Results of Minimally Invasive Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion in Elderly Patients: A 5-Year Follow-Up Study.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective review of prospective data. OBJECTIVES: Minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF) may be beneficial for elderly patients due to decreased surgical morbidity and faster postoperative recovery. This study compared the clinical and radiological outcomes of MIS-TLIF in elderly patients and younger controls at minimum 5-year follow-up. METHODS: There were 120 patients who underwent single-level MIS-TLIF for degenerative spondylolisthesis. Elderly patients (≥70 years; n = 30) and controls (<70 years; n = 90) were matched 1:3 for demographics, comorbidities and preoperative patient-reported outcomes (PROs). The Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), 36-Item Short-Form Physical (SF-36 PCS) and Mental Component Summary (SF-36 MCS), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) back pain, and VAS leg pain were compared at 6 months, 2 years and 5 years. Radiographic fusion, adjacent segment degeneration (ASD) and revision rates were assessed at mean 7.2 ± 2.0 years. RESULTS: Elderly patients had longer length of stay (4.7 ± 5.8 vs 3.3 ± 1.4 days, P = .035) and more readmissions (10% vs 1%, P = .019), but there was no difference in operative time, transfusions, complications or discharge disposition. All PROs were comparable at 5 years and satisfaction rates were similar (93% elderly vs 91% controls, P = .703). The rates of radiographic fusion in the control group and elderly group were similar (94% vs 97%, P = .605), as were the rates of ASD (40% vs 33%, P = .503). There were 3 revisions (3.3%) in the control group (2 for ASD, 1 for screw loosening) but none in the elderly group (P = .311). CONCLUSIONS: Elderly patients undergoing MIS-TLIF achieved similar improvements in pain, disability and quality of life that were sustained at 5 years.Level of Evidence: Level III, retrospective cohort study.

Two-Year Clinical and Radiologic Outcomes Following Surgical Treatment of Insertional Achilles Tendinopathy Using a Central Tendon-Splitting Approach.

BACKGROUND: If conservative treatment of insertional Achilles tendinopathy (IAT) fails, surgery is often considered. Various surgical approaches have been used including the central Achilles tendon splitting approach. This study aimed to report the 2-year clinical and radiologic outcomes after surgical treatment of IAT with a central tendon-splitting approach. METHODS: Seventy-five cases of IAT treated surgically via the open central tendon-splitting approach were analyzed. Clinical outcomes included the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) hindfoot score, visual analog scale (VAS), 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) physical (PCS) and mental (MCS) component summary scores, all measured at baseline and 6 and 24 months postoperatively. Radiologic parameters measured included the Fowler-Philip angle (FPA) and parallel pitch lines (PPL). RESULTS: Three patients had clinically significant wound issues but healed completely by 3 weeks. Mean AOFAS score improved from 45.63 preoperatively to 94.71 at 24 months. Mean VAS score improved from 6.73 preoperatively to 0.55, mean SF-36 PCS from 35.98 to 48.74, and mean SF-36 MCS from 53.04 to 55.43 at 24 months. Satisfaction at 2 years was 94.3%. Mean FPA decreased from 62.0 degrees preoperatively to 34.0 degrees postoperatively. PPL was positive in 82.7% (62 of 75) of cases preoperatively, decreasing to 1.3% (1 of 75) postoperatively. Increasing age and higher preoperative VAS and SF-36 MCS scores were significantly associated with improvements in postoperative AOFAS, SF-36 PCS, and MCS scores. CONCLUSION: Surgical treatment of IAT via the central tendon-splitting approach achieved substantial improvements in all patient-reported outcome measures measured. These excellent clinical outcomes continued to show improvement 2 years postoperatively. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, retrospective cohort study.

Third-Generation Minimally Invasive Chevron-Akin Osteotomy for Hallux Valgus Produces Similar Clinical and Radiological Outcomes as Scarf-Akin Osteotomy at 2 Years: A Matched Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: The minimally invasive chevron-Akin (MICA) osteotomy is an increasingly popular technique for the correction of hallux valgus. However, there is a paucity of literature comparing it with traditional open techniques. The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical and radiological outcomes of the MICA osteotomy using a new-generation MICA screw and scarf-Akin osteotomy for hallux valgus correction. METHODS: Thirty cases of MICA osteotomy were propensity score matched 1:1 with a control group of 30 scarf-Akin osteotomy cases. The groups were matched for age, sex, body mass index, preoperative visual analog scale (VAS) score, American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) metatarsophalangeal-interphalangeal (MTP-IP) score, 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) physical component score (PCS) and mental component score (MCS), preoperative hallux valgus angle (HVA) and intermetatarsal angle (IMA), and concomitant procedures. Outcomes were compared at 6 and 24 months postoperatively. Early postoperative VAS scores were also compared. RESULTS: Both groups demonstrated significant improvements in VAS score, AOFAS score, and SF-36 PCS and MCS at 6 and 24 months postoperatively. For the MICA group, HVA improved from 23.5 to 7.7 degrees, and IMA improved from 13.5 to 7.5 degrees. For the scarf-Akin osteotomy group, HVA improved from 23.7 to 9.3 degrees, and IMA improved from 13.6 to 7.8 degrees. The first 24-hour postoperative VAS score was significantly lower in the MICA group compared with the scarf-Akin group (2.0 ± 2.0 vs 3.4 ± 2.6, P = .029). However, there was no significant difference in clinical or radiological outcomes between the groups at 6 and 24 months. CONCLUSION: The MICA procedure with the new-generation MICA screw is an attractive option for the correction of hallux valgus, yielding similar midterm radiological and clinical outcomes compared with the well-established scarf-Akin osteotomy. The first 24-hour postoperative VAS score in the MICA group was also statistically lower, although its clinical significance remains to be determined. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, retrospective comparative study.

Impact of pes planus on clinical outcomes of hallux valgus surgery.

BACKGROUND: Pes planus is associated with hallux valgus development. This study evaluated the impact of pes planus on clinical outcomes following hallux valgus surgery. METHODS: 191 patients underwent Scarf osteotomy for hallux valgus. Pes planus angles including talonavicular coverage angle, lateral talus-first metatarsal angle (Meary's angle) and lateral talocalcaneal angle were measured. The cohort was stratified into control (0°-4.0°), mild (4.1°-14.9°), moderate (15.0°-30.0°) and severe (> 30.0°) pes planus groups according to Meary's angle. Clinical outcomes were compared at baseline, 6 months and 24 months. RESULTS: There were 78 controls, 95 mild and 18 moderate cases of pes planus. Meary's angle was independently associated with preoperative hallux valgus angle. Pes planus angles were not associated with pain, AOFAS, SF-36 physical or mental scores. All three groups had similar clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction. CONCLUSION: Compared to patients with neutral foot arches, those with pes planus presented with more severe hallux valgus deformity but had similar clinical outcomes following surgical correction.

Effect of Age on Clinical and Radiological Outcomes of Hallux Valgus Surgery.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of hallux valgus increases with age. However, no studies have compared the effectiveness of surgical correction among different age groups. This study investigated the influence of age on clinical and radiological outcomes following hallux valgus surgery. METHODS: Patients who underwent correction for hallux valgus at an academic hospital were stratified into 3 age groups: younger (<50 years), middle-aged (50-59 years), and older (≥60 years). Functional outcomes and satisfaction questionnaires were collected preoperatively and at 6 months and 2 years postoperatively. Radiological recurrence and reoperations were recorded at follow-up. There were 193 patients (93% female): 34 younger, 74 middle-aged, and 85 older. RESULTS: The preoperative hallux valgus angle was significantly greater in older patients (P < .001). The older group had 3 perioperative complications (P = .144) and showed a trend toward a longer hospital stay (P = .083). There was no difference in visual analog scale, American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society score, or SF-36 among the groups at 6 months or 2 years. Using multiple regression, age was not associated with any outcome score. The satisfaction rates were 82%, 78%, and 83% in the young, middle-aged, and older groups, respectively (P = .698). There was no difference in the number of reoperations at a mean follow-up of 9.2 ± 2.2 years (P = .778), and no patients underwent reoperation for recurrent hallux valgus. The risk of recurrence was 5 times higher in older patients compared with younger patients (OR, 5.15; 95% CI, 1.10-24.03; P = .037). CONCLUSION: Age did not influence the perioperative, functional, or subjective outcomes following hallux valgus surgery. However, older patients should be counseled on the higher risk of recurrence following surgical correction. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, level III, retrospective comparative series.

Defining the patient acceptable symptom state for the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society score following hallux valgus surgery.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to define the patient acceptable symptom state (PASS) for the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society score (AOFAS) following hallux valgus surgery. METHODS: 548 patients underwent hallux valgus surgery and had AOFAS assessed preoperatively, 6 months and 2 years postoperatively. Responses to an anchor question were used as external criterion in receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analyses to define PASS thresholds. RESULTS: In total, 429 patients (78.3%) reported their current state as acceptable. Areas under the curve (AUC) for ROCs were 0.71-0.81 for all analyses. PASS threshold was 88.5 at 2 years (sensitivity 64%, specificity 85%). Sensitivity analyses revealed that the threshold was robust. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with an AOFAS of 88.5 consider their postoperative symptom state to be acceptable. This knowledge will enable clinicians to identify patients who have attained a satisfactory functional status after hallux valgus surgery.

Routine Preoperative Group Crossmatching and Postoperative Check Hemoglobin Is not Necessary in Patients Undergoing Total Knee Arthroplasty.

This study aims to find out if routine preoperative group crossmatch and postoperative check hemoglobin for total knee arthroplasty (TKA) patients is necessary. A retrospective analysis was performed on patients who underwent unilateral TKAs for osteoarthritis from January 1, 2004 to December 31, 2014. The main outcome measures were postoperative hemoglobin levels and transfusion requirements. Patients' demographics, comorbidities, laboratory results, and surgical details were analyzed. A total of 955 TKAs were included in this study (males = 207, females = 748; mean age = 66.1 years, standard deviation [SD] = 7.7). A total of 79 (8.27%) cases required postoperative blood transfusion, and the crossmatch-transfusion ratio was 17.5. Significant predictors for postoperative transfusion included lower preoperative hemoglobin levels (p < 0.001) and advanced age (p < 0.001). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and Youden's Index analyses identified the preoperative hemoglobin cut-off value for females to be 12.1 g/dL (relative risk (RR): 5.65, p < 0.001) in predicting postoperative blood transfusion requirement, and 12.4 g/dL (RR: 11.71, p < 0.001) for males. For age, the identified cut-off value was 68 years (RR: 3.18, p < 0.001). The largest decline in hemoglobin levels was noted on postoperative day (POD) 3 (31.8%), and smallest on POD 1 (18.8%). The postoperative transfusion requirements in TKA are low and do not justify routine perioperative blood investigations. However, these investigations should be reserved for patients with the identified risk factors, in particular advancing age (68 years and above) and lower preoperative hemoglobin (below or equal to 12.1 and 12.4 g/dL for females and males, respectively). In the event that postoperative hemoglobin level needs to be checked, it should be performed beyond the first POD.

Can patients with psychological distress achieve comparable functional outcomes and satisfaction after hallux valgus surgery? A 2-year follow-up study.

BACKGROUND: This study assessed the influence of preoperative mental health on functional outcomes and satisfaction, and the change in mental health after hallux valgus surgery. METHODS: 383 patients who underwent scarf osteotomy were analyzed. Visual analogue scale (VAS), American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society score (AOFAS) and SF-36 were assessed at 6 months and 2 years. The cohort was stratified into patients with and without psychological distress (i.e. SF-36 Mental Component Summary [MCS] <50 vs ≥50). RESULTS: After adjusting for demographics and baseline scores, VAS and AOFAS were poorer in the distressed group at 6 months. However, there was no difference in scores at 2 years and a similar proportion of patients were satisfied. SF-36 MCS in distressed patients significantly improved, but remained lower compared to non-distressed patients at follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with psychological distress undergoing hallux valgus surgery had poorer short-term outcomes, but these differences resolved at 2 years.

An epidemiological review of 623 foot and ankle soft tissue tumours and pseudo-tumours.

BACKGROUND: In evaluating foot and ankle soft tissue masses, comprehensive epidemiological data, especially clinical predictors of malignancy, is essential knowledge. Our aim was to assess these data in a cohort of patients that have undergone surgical excision of foot and ankle soft tissue tumours and pseudo-tumours over a 10-year period. METHODS: A retrospective review of foot and ankle soft tissue tumours and pseudo-tumours excised in a tertiary hospital from 1 Jan 2006 to 31 Dec 2016 was performed. Uni- and multivariable analyses via logistic regression were conducted for all independent variables to identify their relationship with malignancy. Applying receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and Youden's Index to significant variables, we attempted to identify optimal threshold values to predict malignancy of the soft tissue mass. RESULTS: A total of 623 tumours and pseudo-tumours were analysed, and majority were benign (n = 605, 97.1%). The most common pseudo-tumour, benign, and malignant tumours were ganglion cysts (n = 289, 90.3%), plantar fibromas (n = 54, 18.9%) and pleomorphic undifferentiated sarcomas (n = 4, 22.2%), respectively. Increasing age (P = 0.036), larger size of mass (P < 0.001) and male gender (P = 0.017) were significant predictors of malignancy. ROC and Youden's Index analyses identified optimal threshold values of 4.0 cm (area under curve [AUC] = 87.6%) for size of mass and 66 years (AUC = 60.7%) for age. CONCLUSION: Majority of foot and ankle soft tissue masses are benign. Increasing age, larger size of mass and male gender are significant predictors of malignancy. The threshold value in predicting malignancy is 4.0 cm for size of mass and 66 years for age.

Bipolar Hemiarthroplasty and Parathyroidectomy at the Same Setting for Fragility Fractures Secondary to Renal Bone Disease.

BACKGROUND: From 1980s to the new millennium, the number of patients surviving with end stage renal disease (ESRD) has increased by 3 fold. This is driven by early detection of primordial and primary risk factors, state of the art renal replacement therapy and ease of public access to healthcare. Renal osteodystrophy (RO) is a metabolic bone disease causing significant morbidity in patients with ESRD, in particular fragility fractures. In this case series, we present the surgical management of 3 ESRD patients with pathological fractures of the neck of femur (NOF) and surgical treatment (parathyroidectomy) of tertiary hyperparathyroidism of ESRD patients in the same surgical setting. Up to date there has been no reports on bipolar hemiarthroplasty and total parathyroidectomy implemented in the same operative setting. METHODS: We present 3 cases, 2 males and a female with an average age of 48 years. All patients presented with no trauma or minimal trauma. With high index of suspicion and after confirming the diagnosis with advanced imaging, the patients underwent cemented modular hemiarthroplasty with posterior approach. Parathyroidectomy was sequentially performed to address the tertiary hyperparathyroidism at the same setting. We followed them for 48 months. RESULTS: At 48-month follow up, all the patients were at their pre-morbid ambulatory status and there were no major complications. They did not need any revision surgery or re-operation either for the hemiarthroplasty surgery or the parathyroidectomy during the follow up period. CONCLUSION: To avoid diagnostic pitfalls in this group of patients we recommend MRIs of both hips in patients complaining of unilateral hip pain even when the roentgenograms are clear of fractures. Total parathyroidectomy at the same setting with the bipolar hemi-arthroplasty is a safe combination. This reduces the anaesthesia risk, the recovery time as well as the equilibrium time for calcium homeostasis.