Osteotomies of the second phalanx of the great toe: A clinical experience.

BACKGROUND: At the time of the first report on the feasibility of corrective osteotomies of the distal phalanx (DP) of the great toe there were no published studies addressing this type of surgery. Along this line, and throughout our clinical experience, this paper tries to show the clinical benefits of hallux DP osteotomies when correcting interphalangeal valgus deformities (IHV) of the great toe, either with open or percutaneous procedure. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This is a review of 18 cases in which a DP osteotomy was performed in 2 different institutions, 8 cases were performed using open technique and 10 cases percutaneously. The correction obtained was analyzed by measuring the distal articular set angle (DASA), obliquity angle (AP1), asymmetry angle (AP2), and global distal phalanx deviation (GDPD) angle before and after the surgery on dorso-plantar weight-bearing radiographs in all cases. Clinical results were also recorded. RESULTS: Excellent clinical and radiological results were achieved with both techniques in all patients with no complications. The average DP angular deformity correction in terms of AP1, AP2 and GDPD angles were 4.58º ± 5.55º, 8.95º ± 4.77º and 16.53º ± 7.26 respectively. In 10 cases an Akin osteotomy was associated. CONCLUSION: In cases with valgus deviation in the hallux DP, a corrective osteotomy of the DP alone or associated to osteotomy of the PP should be considered as a useful tool. The technique is feasible and has no technical difficulties for an orthopedic surgeon with experience on feet surgery.

Osteotomía percutánea de la falange distal del hallux. Indicaciones y técnica / Percutaneous osteotomy of the distal phalanx of the hallux. Indications and technique

Introducción: Las técnicas para corregir las deformidades del hallux incluyen osteotomías metatarsianas y falángicas. Las osteo-tomías sobre la falange proximal corrigen el DASA y el ángulo interfalángico. Sin embargo, no se han publicado las indicaciones para la osteotomía de la falange distal. El objetivo de este artículo es comunicar la técnica y las indicaciones de la osteotomía percutánea de la falange distal del hallux, y evaluar los resultados de una serie de casos. materiales y métodos: Se analizaron 14 pies en los que se realizó una osteotomía de la falange distal del hallux para corregir una deformidad. Se midieron el DASA, la oblicuidad interfalángica y el ángulo falange distal-interfalángico en las radiografías. La técnica quirúrgica fue percutánea con control fluoroscópico. Los resultados se evaluaron mediante las escalas analógica visual de dolor y AOFAS. Seguimiento medio: 52 meses. Resultados: 13 pies de mujeres y un pie de hombre. Edad promedio: 58 años. Los resultados clínico y estético fueron excelentes, con alivio del dolor. Mejoría de la escala AOFAS: promedio 37 puntos. Análisis comparativo de ángulos preoperatorios y posoperatorios: DASA (p = 0,01), excepto cuando se aisló de la muestra a los pacientes con osteotomía tipo Akin (p = 0,33); ángulos F2-IF y F2-MTF (p <0,00001). Se registraron las complicaciones. Conclusiones: En la deformidad en valgo de la falange distal del hallux sintomática, se debe considerar una osteotomía correctora sola o asociada a osteotomía de la falange proximal. La osteotomía percutánea de la falange distal es un método eficaz, seguro y rápido. Nivel de Evidencia: IV

Introduction. There are many techniques to correct the hallux deformity. Most of them include metatarsal and/or phalanx osteotomies. The Akin osteotomy of the proximal phalanx is used to correct the distal articular set angle (DASA), or the interphalangeal angle. However, indications for the distal phalanx osteotomy remain unpublished. The aim of this study is to communicate the technique of performing and the indications for percutaneous osteotomy of the distal phalanx of the hallux, and evaluate the results of a cases series. Materials and methods. We report 14 cases in which distal phalangeal osteotomy was performed. Radiographic measurements were performed on dorsal-plantar view foot, to analyze distal articular set angle (DASA), interphalangeal obliquity, and F2-IP angle. Surgical technique was performed by minimally incision surgery. The clinical and functional results were evaluate by the visual analogue scale pain, and the AOFAS score. Mean follow-up was 52 months. Results. The clinical result for all the patients was excellent, pain was relieved and deformities corrected. Pre- and post-operative comparative angles: DASA (p: 0.01), except when isolated from the sample for Akin-type osteotomy (p: 0.33). Angle F2-IF and angle F2-MTF (p: <0.00001). The patients where highly satisfied with both the aesthetic and functional results. Complications were registered. Conclusion. In the symptomatic hallux´s distal phalanx deformity a corrective distal phalanx osteotomy should be considered alone, or associated with the osteotomy of the proximal phalanx. Percutaneous distal phalanx osteotomy is an effective, safe, and fast procedure. Level of Evidence: IV

Stress Fracture of the Fifth Metatarsal in Foot Deformity Secondary to Neuromuscular Disease: Experiences of Deformity Correction Treatment-A Report of 3 Cases and Review of the Literature.

Fractures at the proximal metaphyso-diaphyseal junction of the fifth metatarsal are associated with high rates of delayed union. When these fractures are the result of repeated stress in patients with equinovarus hindfoot, which in turn is caused by neurological disorders, delayed union is the rule. Therefore, in neurological patients with stress fractures, optimal treatment would be to achieve a plantigrade foot enabling them to relieve the fifth metatarsal overload, which prevents the consolidation. We report 3 cases of fifth metatarsal stress fracture resulting from an equinovarus hindfoot deformity caused by a neuromuscular disease. Our surgical indication was to correct the foot deformity with no direct action on the fracture. Once a good alignment (plantigrade foot) was obtained, stress causing the fracture disappeared, and union was achieved with optimal biomechanical function in all 3 fractures. When stress fracture of the fifth metatarsal is caused by a secondary foot deformity, treating the deformity can lead to healing the fracture efficiently and should be considered prior to indicating surgical stabilization of the fracture itself. Primary treatment of the fracture with no correction of the deformity leads to therapeutic failure. LEVELS OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, Level IV.

Model of induced leakage of polymethylmethacrilate inside epidural space and prevertebral muscles during vertebroplasty in pigs: clinical, macroscopical, and histological study.

STUDY DESIGN: Experimental study in animals. PURPOSE: Study the clinical behavior of animals after an induced leakage of cement during vertebroplasty in pigs. Study the distribution of polymethylmetacrilate inside the epidural space and prevertebral muscle. Study the histological findings of the spinal cord and muscles, which contact with cement. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: Although vertebroplasty has a low rate of complication, leakage of cement is highly frequent. There is paucity, in how cement is distributed inside the spinal canal and what occurs when soft tissue comes into contact with polymethylmetacrilate. METHODS: We performed vertebroplasty on six pigs. We performed a leakage of cement into the epidural space and into prevertebral muscles. Two weeks later we performed an anatomic evaluation regarding the spreading of polymethylmetacrilate and a histological analysis of soft tissues that came into contact with it. RESULTS: No clinical alterations were observed. We observed a laminar distribution of the cement surrounding dura mater, and creating a fusiform cavity inside muscles. Spinal cord was normal in all the animals. In dura mater, we observed: synovialmetaplasia, inflammatory reaction, crystal deposits, and giant-cell-reaction. In muscles, we observed: inflammatory reaction, crystal deposits, giant-cell-reaction, muscular atrophy, fibrosis, and synovial metaplasia. CONCLUSIONS: The spinal cord was normal; it is likely that dura mater and cerebrospinal fluid are responsible to isolate neural structures from cement. Dura mater and muscle showed similar histological changes than other publications. Synovial metaplasia was observed in dura mater and muscles that came into contact with cement. The pulsatile rubbing between the tissue and cement could be responsible of this phenomenon.

Infected vertebroplasty due to uncommon bacteria solved surgically: a rare and threatening life complication of a common procedure: report of a case and a review of the literature.

STUDY DESIGN: Case report. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this work is to describe a case of infected vertebroplasty due to uncommon bacteria solved surgically with 2 years of follow-up and to discuss 6 other cases found in literature. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Vertebroplasty is a well-known and useful technique for the treatment of painful osteoporotic vertebral fractures. Complications, such as cord or root compression or pulmonary embolisms, are infrequent and are mainly related with the frequent escape of cement throughout the vertebral veins. Infection is even more rare, but when it occurs is difficult to manage and can be a life-threatening complication. METHODS: A 63-year-old-man had a spondylitis of L2 after vertebroplasty. The patient was initially managed with antibiotics without clinical improvement. Surgical treatment by anterior debridement and anterior and posterior stabilization was done. The bacteria isolated from the intraoperative cultures were Serratia marcescens, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, and Burkholderia cepacia. After surgery, the patient was treated with antibiotics for 3 month. RESULTS: After 2 years of follow-up, the patient was free of pain, without signs of infection, and a correct fusion was achieved. CONCLUSION: When facing an infected vertebroplasty, initial conservative treatment with needle biopsy culture and antibiotic administration are a rational option to start. If this treatment fails, surgical debridement is then indicated in order to remove the infected tissue and the acrylic cement and to stabilize the spine. Although this can be an effective treatment, it could be a difficult and hazardous surgical procedure.