Osteochondral Lesions of the Talus: The Questions We Would Like Answered.

Osteochondral lesions of the talus is common pathology that foot and ankle surgeons evaluate and treat. There is a variety of treatment modalities at the surgeon's disposal to repair these lesions, which include both open and arthroscopic surgical techniques. Although both open and arthroscopic techniques have a good success rate, there are still many debates and questions that surround this pathology. The goal of this article is to discuss some of the common questions that we ask ourselves and other surgeons.

Differentiating Achilles Insertional Calcific Tendinosis and Haglund's Deformity.

Calcification of the posterior portion of the calcaneus has numerous terms that refer to this pathology. Given the number of names, there can be confusion when discussing the different pathologies involving calcification at the insertion of the Achilles tendon at the calcaneus. Two of the diagnosis that can be confused with each other are Haglund's deformity and Achilles insertional calcific tendinosis. This article discusses how these 2 entities are differentiated clinically and how their surgical management is different.

Trephine Procedure for Revision Tarsometatarsal Arthrodesis Nonunion.

Nonunion of the tarsometatarsal arthrodesis site is a challenging revision surgery. Trephine technique provides an excellent option for revision tarsometatarsal joint arthrodesis. The authors have found the trephine approach to be the procedure of choice in correction of a nonunion. When the trephine approach is indicated, it offers many advantages including minimal soft tissue dissection, quicker joint preparation, and the minimal shortening of the arthrodesis site. This article describes in detail the autologous graft trephine technique for revision surgery of a tarsometatarsal nonunion. Examples of fixation options are also discussed.

The Role of Lesser Metatarsophalangeal Joint Arthrodesis for Revision Surgery.

Revision hammertoe surgery can be extremely challenging for the foot and ankle surgeon given the scar tissue and available osseous and soft tissue. Although not a common procedure, lesser metatarsophalangeal joint arthrodesis is an option for the patient especially in lieu of an amputation. This article describes the current literature and the surgical technique for a lesser metatarsophalangeal joint arthrodesis.

Revision Surgery for Failed Lateral Ankle Stabilization.

Although most primary lateral ankle ligament repairs have a high success rate, as with any surgery, failures and the need for revision can occur. Nonanatomic lateral ankle ligament repairs have fallen out of favor because of the increased stiffness and resultant change in mechanics of the functioning tendon that is normally used. Allograft anatomic lateral ankle ligament reconstruction for revision surgery has gained popularity over the last few years. This article discusses the factors that can lead to failure and the revision technique.

Bone Grafting Options.

Union rates vary for arthrodesis sites and bone healing in foot and ankle surgery. The ultimate goal is to achieve complete bone healing within a reasonable time. There are many factors that surgeons cannot control, such as the patient's compliance and ability to heal. However, surgeons can control osseous preparation, stable fixation, preservation of soft tissue, and the osseous fusion initial healing environment. Modification of the healing environment can be achieved with the use of bone graft and orthobiologics. This article discusses the grafts and orthobiologics that can be used in bone healing for the foot and ankle.

Revision of the Chronic Syndesmotic Injury.

Optimal healing for fractures requires anatomic reduction and stable fixation. This optimizes not only bone healing, but optimal function within the limb including joint functioning. Proper ligamentous healing is also crucial for optimal functioning. In patients with injuries around the ankle involving distal tibiofibular syndesmotic injuries of the ankle, malreduction of the syndesmosis is a potential consequence that can lead to chronic pain and functional limitations. This article discusses proper ways of evaluating reduction of the syndesmosis and surgical revision for the chronic injury.

Imaging of Common Arthroscopic Pathology of the Ankle.

Arthroscopy of the ankle is used in the treatment and diagnosis of a spectrum of intra-articular pathology including soft tissue and osseous impingement, osteochondral lesions, arthrofibrosis, and synovitis. To help identify the correct pathology, imaging techniques are often used to aid the surgeon in diagnosing pathology and determining best treatment options. This article discusses the use of imaging in various ankle pathologies.

Arthroscopic Management of Osteochondral Lesions of the Talus.

Osteochondral fractures of the ankle are typically caused by traumatic injuries of the ankle. Repetitive trauma can lead to further cartilage damage with subsequent increasing size of the lesion, ultimately leading to severe cartilage disorder and degenerative arthritis of the ankle. Arthroscopic bone marrow stimulation has been shown to be a highly successful option for patients with small osteochondral lesions. Studies show a higher failure rate for larger lesions and cystic changes that disrupt the subchondral plate. The threshold size seems to be 150 mm(2).

A Multicenter, Retrospective Study of Early Weightbearing for Modified Lapidus Arthrodesis.

The modified Lapidus arthrodesis is a long-established surgical technique for management of hallux valgus that provides reproducible results and quality patient outcomes. The data from 367 consecutive patients undergoing unilateral modified Lapidus arthrodesis from January 1, 2007 to December 31, 2008 at participating centers were retrospectively evaluated. The included patients were categorized into early weightbearing (≤ 21 days) and delayed weightbearing (> 21 days) groups. A total of 24 nonunions (6.5%) were identified, with 13 (7.1%) in the early weightbearing group and 11 (6.0%) in the delayed weightbearing group. To date, the present study is the largest multicenter investigation to evaluate early weightbearing after modified Lapidus arthrodesis and the only large study to directly compare early and delayed weightbearing. The findings of the present study have shown that early weightbearing for modified Lapidus arthrodesis does not increase the risk of nonunion when evaluating various fixation constructs.

Hibbs Tenosuspension.

Hibbs tenosuspension is an underutilized procedure when it comes to dealing with lesser toe pathology in conditions such as Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. This article describes the procedure to transfer the extensor digitorum longus tendons into the peroneus tertius tendon to eliminate a deforming force and create a stabilizing force.

Sports medicine and platelet-rich plasma: nonsurgical therapy.

A Cochrane Review was performed to assess the effects of platelet-rich therapies for treating musculoskeletal soft tissue injuries. Selection criteria were randomized and quasirandomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared platelet-rich therapy with either placebo, autologous whole blood, dry needling, or no platelet-rich therapy for people with acute or chronic musculoskeletal soft tissue injuries. Primary outcomes were functional status, pain, and adverse effects. The investigators found 19 studies that compared platelet-rich therapy with placebo, autologous whole blood, dry needling, or no platelet-rich therapy. Disorders included rotator cuff tears (arthroscopic repair; 6 trials); shoulder impingement syndrome surgery (1 trial); elbow epicondylitis (3 trials); anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction (4 trials), ACL reconstruction (donor graft site application; 2 trials), patellar tendinopathy (1 trial), Achilles tendinopathy (1 trial), and acute Achilles rupture surgical repair (1 trial). They further subdivided the studies based on type of treatment, including tendinopathies in which platelet-rich therapy injections were the main treatment (5 trials), and surgical augmentation procedures in which platelet-rich therapy was applied during surgery (14 trials). The conclusion was that there is currently insufficient evidence to support the use of platelet-rich therapy for treating musculoskeletal soft tissue injuries. Researchers contemplating RCTs should consider the coverage of currently ongoing trials when assessing the need for future RCTs on specific conditions. There is a need for standardization of PRP preparation methods. At this time, the use of PRP in foot and ankle surgery as an orthobiologic does not have an absolute indication. Many of the studies are lower evidence-based from surgical techniques. Several in vitro studies have shown that growth factors promote the regeneration of bone, cartilage, and tendons. More clinical studies are needed to evaluate the use of PRP as an orthobiologic. In the author's opinion, PRP does have a role when conservative treatment has failed and the next treatment option is an invasive surgical procedure

Preoperative evaluation and testing for arthroscopy.

Understanding when to proceed with an arthroscopy of the ankle and foot can at times be difficult. Proper preoperative planning will ensure that the correct surgical procedure is selected. Although most surgeons can determine the correct diagnosis and treatment options for the patient based on the subjective and objective examinations, advanced imaging and diagnostic injections are useful tools in difficult cases.

X-ray evaluation using the X-PODite digital radiograph analyzer. A preliminary study.

The traditional methods of manual radiograph measurement lack standardization and are often inaccurate and time consuming. By addressing the documented variables that create these inaccuracies, the X-PODite Digital Radiograph Analyzer appears to maximize the accuracy, reproducibility, and usefulness of radiographic measurements. Additionally, the time required for an evaluation, ease of use, and database capabilities of the X-PODite system facilitate thorough clinical evaluations and important outcomes research. Although the authors plan to evaluate this new system further, opportunities exist for applications and studies using X-PODite's HAV, biomechanical, tailor's bunion, and calcaneal trauma evaluation options.