Persistent Pain After Hindfoot Fusion.

One of the most challenging problems facing orthopedic surgeons is persistent pain after surgery and certainly is just as frustrating following hindfoot fusion. The hindfoot joints consist of the subtalar, talonavicular, and calcaneocuboid (CC) joints. These joints are commonly fused for degenerative changes, deformity correction, inflammatory or neuropathic arthropathy, tarsal coalition, or primarily after trauma. Goals of hindfoot fusion are a painless plantigrade foot capable of fitting in shoes without orthotics or a brace. Many believe that deformity correction is achievable without inclusion of the CC joint. Managing patient expectations is important when counseling a patient especially regarding potential complications.

Open Ankle Arthrodesis for Deformity Correction.

Open ankle arthrodesis remains a reliable solution for ankle arthritis, especially in the setting of deformity. Careful preoperative evaluation needs to be performed, both clinically and radiographically. The specific deformity present helps determine the approach used and the fixation choices. Deformity is most commonly seen intraarticularly, though deformity can also be present anywhere along the lower extremity, including compensatory deformity in the foot. Multiple different techniques can be used to address both the deformity and achieve a successful ankle arthrodesis. Patient outcomes reported in the literature are generally good, with high union rates and improved functional outcomes.

Long-term Functional Results of Total Ankle Arthroplasty in Stiff Ankles.

BACKGROUND: Total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) is advocated over ankle arthrodesis to preserve ankle motion (ROM). Clinical and gait analysis studies have shown significant improvement after TAA. The role and outcomes of TAA in stiff ankles, which have little motion to be preserved, has been the subject of limited investigation. This investigation evaluated the mid- to long-term functional outcomes of TAA in stiff ankles. METHODS: A retrospective study of prospectively collected functional gait data in 33 TAA patients at a mean of 7.6 (5-13) years postoperatively used 1-way analysis of variance and multivariate regression analysis to compare among preoperative and postoperative demographic data (age, gender, body mass index, years postsurgery, and diagnosis) and gait parameters according to quartiles of preoperative sagittal ROM. RESULTS: The stiffest ankles had a mean ROM of 7.8 degrees, compared to 14.3 degrees for the middle 2 quartiles, and 21.0 degrees for the most flexible ankles. Patients in the lowest quartile (Q1) also had statistically significantly lower step length, speed, max plantarflexion, and power preoperatively. Postoperatively, they increased step length, speed, max plantarflexion, and ankle power to levels comparable to patients with more flexible ankles preoperatively (Q2, Q3, and Q4). They had the greatest absolute and relative increases in these parameters of any group, but the final total ROM was still statistically significantly the lowest. CONCLUSION: Preoperative ROM was predictive of overall postoperative gait function at an average of 7.6 (range 5-13) years. Although greater preoperative sagittal ROM predicted greater postoperative ROM, the stiffest ankles showed the greatest percentage increase in ROM. Patients with the stiffest ankles had the greatest absolute and relative improvements in objective function after TAA, as measured by multiple gait parameters. At intermediate- to long-term follow-up, patients with stiff ankles maintained significant functional improvements after TAA. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, comparative study.

Relation of length of stay and other hospital variables to posttraumatic stress disorder and depression after orthopedic trauma.

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression are common following orthopedic trauma. This study examined the relationship between injury- and hospital-related variables and PTSD and depression at baseline and 12 months after orthopedic trauma. This longitudinal, prospective cohort study examined adult orthopedic trauma patients admitted ≥24 hours to a level I trauma center. Non-English/Spanish-speaking and cognitively impaired patients were excluded. The Primary Care PTSD screen and PTSD Checklist-Civilian version assessed PTSD, and the Patient Health Questionnaire 8-Item assessed depression. Demographic and hospital-related variables were examined (e.g., hospital length of stay, Injury Severity Score, Glasgow Coma Scale). For 160 participants, PTSD prevalence was 23% at baseline and 21% at 12 months. Depression prevalence was 28% at baseline and 29% at 12 months. Ventilation (P = 0.023, P = 0.006) and prolonged length of stay (P = 0.008, P = 0.003) were correlated with baseline PTSD and depression. Injury etiology (P = 0.008) and Injury Severity Score (P = 0.013) were associated with baseline PTSD. Intensive care unit admission (P = 0.016, P = 0.043) was also correlated with PTSD at baseline and 12 months. Ventilation (P = 0.002, P = 0.040) and prolonged length of stay (P < 0.001, P = 0.001) were correlated with 12-month PTSD and depression. Early and continued screenings with potential interventions could benefit patients' physical and mental rehabilitation after orthopedic injury.

Radiographic assessment of the subtalar joint: An evaluation of the Kellgren-Lawrence scale and proposal of a novel scale.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the reliability of grading subtalar (ST) arthrosis on lateral weightbearing radiographs in a heterogenous patient population using the Kellgren-Lawrence (KL) scale, correlate these findings to advanced imaging (CT and/or MRI), and to validate a novel scale. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A random collection of 40 lateral weightbearing radiographs presenting to a foot and ankle clinic were reviewed by nine multi-disciplinary independent reviewers. Interobserver reliability was assessed for KL scores. A musculoskeletal radiologist graded available advanced imaging on all 40 radiographs and the advanced imaging scores were correlated to the radiographic scores. A novel scoring system was created and tested for interobserver reliability. RESULTS: There was overall fair reliability amongst reviewers with the traditional KL score, kappa = 0.26. The best agreement was seen amongst those deemed to have a grade 0, with only moderate agreement (k = 0.50). There was only fair interobserver reliability with severe, Grade 4 scores (k = 0.28). Radiographic scores did have moderate correlation with advanced imaging (r = 0.56). A new, simple grading system was proposed and its interobserver reliability was improved substantially (kappa =0.68). CONCLUSIONS: The KL scoring system is not applicable to the subtalar joint. The new NSS grading system has improved reliability. Radiographs only had moderate correlation to advanced imaging. Further studies are warranted to correlate clinically.

Unipolar allograft reconstruction for post-traumatic avascular necrosis of the distal tibia: A review of the literature, technique, and case series.

BACKGROUND: Avascular necrosis of the distal tibial plafond following ankle trauma is an underreported and potentially devastating phenomenon. Beyond conservative treatment options, surgical intervention has been limited to ankle arthrodesis, which sacrifices motion and may have longterm sequellae for adjacent hindfoot joints. Total ankle replacement has been historically contraindicated. Unipolar allograft reconstruction provides an option for joint salvage. We present a literature overview, implantation technique, and two cases utilizing matched unipolar distal tibial allograft. METHODS: Two younger patients underwent distal tibia allograft reconstruction for tibial plafond collapse due to post-traumatic avascular necrosis. They were followed to assess for clinical improvement and radiographic graft subsidence. RESULTS: Both patients returned to work and activity. One patient had no graft subsidence at four years, but the other patient became symptomatic with graft subsidence at one year. CONCLUSIONS: Distal tibia allograft reconstruction can be utilized as a joint salvage surgery for post-traumatic avascular necrosis with collapse of the tibial plafond in younger patients that prefer an alternative to arthrodesis. Results may be mixed and necessitate an engaged, activated patient. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

Rate of Neurologic Injury Following Lateralizing Calcaneal Osteotomy Performed Through a Medial Approach.

BACKGROUND: Calcaneal osteotomies are commonly used to correct varus hindfoot alignment in patients with symptomatic cavovarus deformity. Translational, closing wedge, and Malerba-type osteotomies have been implicated in the development of tarsal tunnel syndrome and neurologic injury to branches of the tibial nerve. The authors hypothesized that there would be minimal clinically important injury to the tibial nerve by performing a translational calcaneal osteotomy from a medial approach. METHODS: All patients undergoing a cavovarus reconstruction by a single surgeon were identified. Patients were included if they underwent a lateralizing calcaneal osteotomy via medial approach. Demographics, operative reports, and clinic notes were reviewed to identify concomitant procedures performed, incidence of postoperative tarsal tunnel syndrome, complications, and preoperative and postoperative nerve examinations. Postoperative radiographs were reviewed for location of the osteotomy relative to the posterior tubercle. RESULTS: Twenty-four patients underwent lateralizing calcaneal osteotomy via a medial approach. Of the osteotomies, 83.3% (20/24) were in the middle third of the calcaneus, with a mean of 11.6-mm translation. No patients developed postoperative tarsal tunnel syndrome or tibial nerve palsy. CONCLUSION: Lateralizing calcaneal osteotomy performed via a medial approach had a clinically negligible incidence of neurologic injury. Adequate translation was achieved to obtain correction of varus hindfoot deformity. The authors believe that there is less direct and less percussive injury to branches of the tibial nerve when performing the osteotomy from medial to lateral. This technique may represent an operative strategy to minimize risk to the tibial nerve and reduce neurologic deficit following cavovarus reconstruction. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, case series.