ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Tibiotalocalcaneal arthrodesis with a retrograde intramedullary nail is a widely used surgical technique for the treatment of concomitant tibiotalar and subtalar arthritis and correction of accompanying deformity. This study was undertaken to evaluate the union rate, deformity correction, and clinical outcomes achieved using a compressing retrograde intramedullary nail. METHODS: Thirty tibiotalocalcaneal arthrodeses with an osseous compressing arthrodesis nail system were studied with a mean follow-up of 26 months. Radiographic data were collected on deformity correction and union rate, and clinical outcomes were evaluated using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pain, the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) Ankle/Hindfoot Score, and the Short Form-36 (SF-36) health survey. Records were reviewed for complications and concomitant procedures. RESULTS: Thirteen of 30 operated limbs had a preoperative coronal plane deformity exceeding 15 degrees. Mean magnitude of correction was 13.2 degrees (range, 0-32 degrees, standard deviation ±9.6). In total, 76% of limbs (23/30) had postoperative coronal deformity of less than 5 degrees. Union was achieved in 96.6% of patients. There were 3 cases of tibial stress reaction, 3 cases of transient plantar nerve irritation, and 3 cases of wound infection. Clinical outcomes demonstrated a reduction in mean VAS score from 6.5 to 1.3 (P < .01), an increase in mean AOFAS Ankle/Hindfoot Scores from 29.7 to 74.3 (P < .01), and an increase in mean total SF-36 scores from 85.6 to 98.8 (P < .01). CONCLUSION: A compressing retrograde intramedullary nail was effective in achieving deformity correction, a high union rate, and improvement in clinical outcomes. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, retrospective case series.
Subject(s)
Ankle Joint/surgery , Arthrodesis/instrumentation , Bone Nails , Foot Deformities/surgery , Osteoarthritis/surgery , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Pain Measurement , Postoperative Complications , Retrospective Studies , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
Proximal metatarsal osteotomies are inherently unstable and difficult to fix. The purpose of this study was to compare the mechanical stiffness in sawbone models of medially versus dorsally placed plates and then to compare semilocked versus nonlocked plates in different osteotomy configurations. Thirty sawbone models were constructed, fixed either with titanium self-locking or steel mini-fragment plates. They were divided in groups and their stiffness was measured. The stiffness of any model fixed with medial titanium or steel plates was on average 158% and 228% greater, respectively, compared to dorsal plates. Adding a dorsal shelf of bone to a proximal closing wedge osteotomy increases its stiffness. Using locked plates increased the mechanical stiffness in only one configuration. The article suggests that models fixed with medial plates have greater resistance to failure than models fixed with dorsal plates. Using locked plates does not increase the mechanical stiffness of the construct.
Subject(s)
Bone Plates , Metatarsal Bones/surgery , Models, Anatomic , Osteotomy/instrumentation , Titanium , Biomechanical Phenomena , Equipment Design , Humans , Materials TestingABSTRACT
Arterial embolization with cyanoacrylate is commonly used for the treatment of arteriovenous malformations. We report the case of a 40 years old man who four days after an embolization with cyanoacrylate, begins with cough, bloody sputum, and right hemithorax pleuritic pain. Pulmonary embolism was confirmed with chest X ray, CT scan and scyntigraphy. The patient received anticoagulation, with adequate response. The most common complications of cerebral embolization are related to central nervous system and pulmonary embolism is exceptional. Considering the high number of embolization procedures done nowadays, this complication must be borne in mind.
Subject(s)
Cyanoacrylates/adverse effects , Embolization, Therapeutic/adverse effects , Intracranial Arteriovenous Malformations/therapy , Pulmonary Embolism/etiology , Adult , Chest Pain/etiology , Humans , Male , Radiography, Thoracic , Tomography, X-Ray ComputedABSTRACT
Arterial embolization with cyanoacrylate is commonly used for the treatment of arteriovenous malformations. We report the case of a 40 years old man who four days after an embolization with cyanoacrylate, begins with cough, bloody sputum, and right hemithorax pleuritic pain. Pulmonary embolism was confirmed with chest X ray, CT scan and scyntigraphy. The patient received anticoagulation, with adequate response. The most common complications of cerebral embolization are related to central nervous system and pulmonary embolism is exceptional. Considering the high number of embolization procedures done nowadays, this complication must be borne in mind.
