Treatment of Acute Achilles Tendon Rupture

There is no clear consensus on the optimal treatment of acute Achilles tendon rupture. Recently, studies have demonstrated the critical role of functional rehabilitation in the treatment of ruptured Achilles tendons. Hence, conservative treatment is preferred by a growing number of surgeons seeking to treat the condition without the risk of complications from surgery. However, operative treatment is still considered as a more reliable treatment option for acute Achilles tendon rupture. In this review article, we provide an overview of recent treatment strategies for acute rupture of the Achilles tendon.

Correlation between Chronic Ankle Instability and Center of Pressure Using Pedobrarograph / 대한족부족관절학회지

Purpose@#Chronic ankle instability is a very common abnormality of the ankle, but there is still controversy regarding its evaluation criteria. The stress view has difficulties in reflecting the patient’s symptoms and treatment progress. Therefore, this study examined the relationship between the center of pressure (COP) measured by a pedobarograph and the symptoms of the patient. @*Materials and Methods@#Thirty patients with chronic ankle instability from February to August 2018 were included. Each patient was surveyed with the foot and ankle outcome score (FAOS). The COP was measured with a foot pressure scanner, and the travel distance and ellipse area of the COP were calculated. Each patient was measured on one foot and on two feet with his or her eyes closed and open. The relationship between the COP measurement and FAOS score was analyzed using the Pearson correlation coefficient. @*Results@#The participants were consisted of 21 male and nine female, with a mean age of 30 years, mean weight of 72 kg, and mean foot size of 259 mm. With the eyes open, the correlation coefficient between the FAOS and travel distance of the affected side was –0.394 (p<0.05) and that between the FAOS and the ellipse area of the affected side was –0.425 (p<0.05). On the other hand, no significant correlations were found between the travel distance and ellipse area of the affected side when patients closed their eyes. @*Conclusion@#Measurement of the COP using foot pressure scanner could evaluate objectively patients with chronic ankle instability, with measurements in patients with their eyes open being more significant. Based on the findings of this study, an analysis of the COP with the patients with their eyes open and standing on one foot may help determine the management strategy and assess the progress of the patients.

Results of Simple Conservative Treatment of Midfoot Charcot Arthropathy

BACKGROUND: Traditionally, conservative management with an offloading orthosis, such as total contact cast (TCC), has been the standard of care for midfoot Charcot arthropathy. Considering complications of TCC and surgery, we treated midfoot Charcot arthropathy without TCC in our patients. The purpose of this study was to report clinical and radiological outcomes of conservative management of midfoot Charcot arthropathy. METHODS: A total of 34 patients (38 feet) who were diagnosed as having midfoot Charcot arthropathy between 2006 and 2014 were included. Patients started full weight bearing ambulation in a hard-soled shoe immediately after diagnosis. Outcomes such as progression of arch collapse, bony prominence, ulcer occurrence, limb amputation, and changes in Charcot stage were evaluated. RESULTS: Of 38 feet, arch collapse was observed in four while progression of bottom bump of the midfoot was observed in five feet. Foot ulcers related to bony bumps were found in two feet. CONCLUSIONS: Conservative treatment without restriction of ambulation is recommended for midfoot Charcot arthropathy because it is rarely progressive, unlike hindfoot-ankle arthropathy. In some cases, simple bumpectomy can be required to prevent catastrophic infection.

Validation of Electronic Foot Function Index in Patients with Foot and Ankle Disease: A Randomized, Prospective Multicenter Study / 대한족부족관절학회지

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficiency of the electronic foot function index (eFFI) through a prospective, random based, multi-institutional study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 227 patients ranging in age from 20 to 79 years, visited for surgery in different 15 institutes, and agreed to volunteer. The patients were assigned randomly into a paper-based evaluated group (n=113) and tablet-based evaluated group (n=114). The evaluation was done on the day of hospital admission and the method was changed on the second day of surgery and re-evaluated. PADAS 2.0 (https://www.proscore.kr) was used as an electronic evaluation program. RESULTS: There were no differences in age and sex in both groups. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) evaluation revealed an eFFI ICC of 0.924, showing that both results were similar. The evaluation time was shorter in the tablet-based group than the paper-based group (paper vs tablet, 3.7±3.8 vs 2.3±1.3 minutes). Thirty-nine patients (17.2%) preferred to use paper and 131 patients (57.7%) preferred the tablet. Fifty-seven patients (25.1%) found both ways to be acceptable. CONCLUSION: eFFI through tablet devices appears to be more constant than the paper-based program. In addition, it required a shorter amount of time and the patients tended to prefer the tablet-based program. Overall, tablet and cloud system can be beneficial to a clinical study.

Prognosis of Single Spinal Metastatic Tumors: Predictive Value of the Spinal Instability Neoplastic Score System for Spinal Adverse Events

STUDY DESIGN: This was a retrospective cohort study. PURPOSE: We evaluated the predictive value of the Spinal Instability Neoplastic Score (SINS) system for spinal adverse events (SAEs) in patients with single spinal metastatic tumor. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: The SINS system was developed to assess spinal instability in patients with single metastatic spinal tumor. However, the system’s potential predictive value for SAEs has been partially studied. METHODS: This system was applied to a retrospective cohort of 78 patients with single spinal metastatic tumors. The patients underwent surgical treatment and were postoperatively followed up for at least 2 years or until death. The attribution of each score and total SINS to SAE (vertebral compression fracture [VCF] and spinal cord compression [SCC]) occurrence was assessed using the Cox proportional hazards model. RESULTS: SAEs occurred on average 7 months after diagnosis of spinal metastasis. The mean survival rate post diagnosis was 43 months. Multivariate analysis using the Cox proportional hazards model revealed that the pain (p=0.029) and spinal alignment (p=0.001) scores were significantly related to VCF occurrence, whereas the pain (p=0.008) and posterolateral involvement (p=0.009) scores were related to SCC occurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Among the components of the SINS system, while pain and spinal alignment showed a significant association with VCF occurrence, pain and posterolateral involvement showed association with SCC occurrence.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Early Ankle Osteoarthritis / 대한족부족관절학회지

The incidence of arthritis in the ankle is relatively low compared to other joints. On the other hand, it receives a lot of pressure per unit area, is vulnerable to damage, and arthritis can arise after trauma. Early ankle arthritis can be considered a case of osteophyte subchondral sclerosis without narrowing of the joint space. Conservative treatment, such as weight control, insole use, drug use, and injection therapy for early ankle arthritis, is effective and can be considered before surgical treatment. Nevertheless, if pain is persistent, surgical treatment to remove bony spurs is effective. Ensuring that there is no other cause of pain when deciding whether to perform an operation is very important.

Platelet-Derived Growth Factor Receptor-Positive Pericytic Cells of White Adipose Tissue from Critical Limb Ischemia Patients Display Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Like Properties

BACKGROUND: The pericytes in the blood vessel wall have recently been identified to be important in regulating vascular formation, stabilization, remodeling, and function. We isolated and identified pericyte-like platelet-derived growth factor receptor beta-positive (PDGFRβ+) cells from the stromal vascular fraction (SVF) of adipose tissue from critical limb ischemia (CLI) patients and investigated their potential as a reliable source of stem cells for cell-based therapy. METHODS: De-identified subcutaneous fat tissues were harvested after amputation in CLI patients. Freshly isolated SVF cells and culture-expanded adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) were quantified using flow cytometry. A matrigel tube formation assay and multi-lineage differentiation were performed to assess pericytic and mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-like characteristics of PDGFRβ+ ADSCs. RESULTS: PDGFRβ+ cells were located in the pericytic area of various sizes of blood vessels and coexpressed mesenchymal stem cell markers. PDGFRβ+ cells in freshly isolated SVF cells expressed a higher level of stem cell markers (CD34 and CXCR4) and mesenchymal markers (CD13, CD44, CD54, and CD90) than PDGFRβ– cells. In vitro expansion of PDGFRβ+ cells resulted in enrichment of the perivascular mesenchymal stem-like (PDGFRβ+/CD90+/CD45–/CD31–) cell fractions. The Matrigel tube formation assay revealed that PDGFRβ+ cells were located in the peritubular area. CONCLUSIONS: PDGFRβ+ ADSCs cells demonstrated a good multilineage differentiation potential. Pericyte-like PDGFRβ+ cells from the SVF of adipose tissue from CLI patients had MSC-like characteristics and could be amplified by in vitro culture with preservation of their cell characteristics. We believe PDGFRβ+ cells in the SVF of adipose tissue can be used as a reliable source of stem cells even in CLI patients.

Non-Operative Treatment for Symptomatic Osteochondral Lesion of the Talus / 대한정형외과학회잡지

PURPOSE: Although reports on operative treatment of osteochondral lesion of the talus (OLT) are increasing, to the best of our knowledge, there have been only a few reports on non-operative treatment of OLT. The purpose of this study is to report the prognosis of non-operative treatment for OLT patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study included 104 patients (57 male, 47 female) with OLTs having a follow-up period of more than two years, between 2003 and 2013. The location, size, and stage of the OLT were confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography. At the final follow-up, simple radiographs confirmed the progression of osteoarthritis. We surveyed the limitations of sports activity, visual analogue scale (VAS), American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) scale, and SF-36. RESULTS: There were no patients with progression of osteoarthritis at the final follow-up. Only two patients (2.4%) complained the limitation of desired sports activity. The mean VAS significantly decreased from 4.3 (range, 0–8) to 1.1 (range, 0–4) (p<0.001). The mean AOFAS scale significantly improved from 83.3 (range, 41–100) to 92.5 (range, 65–100). Moreover, the mean SF-36 also improved from 52.6 (range, 30.0–91.0) to 72.9 (range, 40.6–97.0) (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Sufficient non-operative treatment is initially recommended to OLT patients because pain, in general, improves in most cases despite the presence of symptoms. Moreover, it's worth noting that the progression to osteoarthritis is rare.

Clinical Outcome after Early Rehabilitation according to Injury Type in Ankle Fracture / 대한족부족관절학회지

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical outcome of an operation with early rehabilitation from ankle fracture in accordance with the injury type. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 136 patients (70 males and 66 females) who underwent surgery and early rehabilitation for ankle fractures between December 2008 and December 2013 were retrospectively reviewed. The average age was 47.9 years, with a range of 18~79 years. The mean follow-up period was 28.7 months, with a range of 24~102 months. All patients were classified in accordance with the Lauge Hansen classification and anatomic fracture site. Moreover, the presence of ligament injuries were documented. A short-leg cast was applied postoperatively for two weeks; thereafter, patients began the range-of-motion exercises after cast removal. Full weightbearing was allowed at 2 weeks postoperatively. Each patient was assessed radiologically and clinically based on the Olerud-Molander score, visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain, joint stiffness, and capability of single heel raising. RESULTS: Seventeen patients (12.5%) complained of postoperative pain (VAS score 1~3), and the incidence was higher in patients with trimalleolar fractures or associated ligament injuries. Twenty-three patients (16.9%) complained of postoperative ankle stiffness. The mean Olerud-Molander score was 75.4/80 (range, 55~80). Olerud-Molander scores were lower in patients with ligament injuries than in those with fracture alone. There was no nonunion or fracture displacement even after early weightbearing walking. CONCLUSION: In this retrospective series, early rehabilitation after surgical restoration of ankle mortise by anatomical reduction and stabilization was shown to be successful. Earlier motion exercise and weightbearing walking can minimize fracture complications like joint stiffness or weakness in ankle fracture.

Percutaneous Drainage and Sclerotherapy for Delayed Lumbar Morel-Lavalee Lesion: Two Case Reports

Closed internal degloving is a significant soft-tissue injury associated with a trauma that results in a tear of the subcutaneous tissue away from the underlying fascia. Although the diagnosis of Morel-Lavallee lesion (MLL) is routinely based on clinical and radiological examinations, in one-third of the cases, there is a possibility that clinicians may fail to diagnose MLL due to its inconsistent clinical manifestations. Additionally, it often involves initial skin bruising due to underlying soft-tissue injury. We present two cases of delayed MLL without a fracture treated using percutaneous drainage and sclerotherapy. Our cases demonstrated successful treatment with a minimally invasive percutaneous approach. The potential advantage of using a percutaneous technique is to preserve the subdermal arterial plexus, which is the only remaining blood supply to the skin in the area of the lesion. Maintaining this blood supply may result in healthier skin at the time of any open procedure.