No difference between 5 and 6 weeks of non-weight bearing after osteochondral grafts for medial osteochondral defects of the talus with medial malleolar osteotomy.

PURPOSE: The present study aimed to compare the clinical outcomes and safety at a 1-year follow-up after 5 or 6 weeks of non-weight bearing after a Talar OsteoPeriostic grafting from the Iliac Crest (TOPIC) for a medial osteochondral lesion of the talus (OLT). METHODS: A retrospective comparative case-control analysis of prospectively followed patients who underwent a TOPIC procedure with medial malleolus osteotomy was performed. Patients were matched in two groups with either 5 or 6 weeks of non-weight bearing. Clinical outcomes were evaluated using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) during walking, rest, running, and stairclimbing. Additionally, the Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS) and American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot score were assessed. Moreover, radiology and complications were assessed. RESULTS: Eleven patients were included in the 5-week non-weight bearing group and 22 in the 6-week non-weight bearing group. No significant differences were found in any of the baseline variables. The NRS during walking in the 5-week group improved by 3.5 points and 4 points for the 6-week group (p = 0.58 at 1-year post-operatively). In addition, all other NRS scores, FAOS subscales and the AOFAS scores improved (all n.s. at 1 year follow-up). No significant differences in radiological (osteotomy union and cyst presence in the graft) were found. Moreover, no significant differences were found in terms of complications and reoperations. CONCLUSION: No statistical significant differences were found in terms of clinical, radiological and safety outcomes between 5 or 6 weeks of non-weight bearing following a TOPIC for a medial OLT. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, Therapeutic.

Sex-specific analysis in patients undergoing Talar OsteoPeriostic grafting from the Iliac Crest (TOPIC) for large osteochondral lesions of the talus.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the present study is to assess the gender-specific differences in the presentation and outcomes following Talar OsteoPeriostic grafting from the Iliac Crest (TOPIC) between male and female patients. METHODS: A prospective comparative analysis was performed comparing consecutive female and male patients having been treated by the press-fit TOPIC procedure. Clinical comparative assessment preoperatively and at 12 months of follow-up included determination of the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) scores for pain during walking (primary outcome), at rest and during stair-climbing. The Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS) was also assessed. A computed tomography (CT) scan was performed for lesion size, morphology and localization determination preoperatively as well as 10-12 weeks postoperatively to assess the union of the osteotomy site and at 1 year postoperatively to assess consolidation of the graft as well as intra-graft cyst development. RESULTS: A total of 48 patients (30 women, 18 men) were eligible for inclusion. Both men and women demonstrated significant functional improvements postoperatively concerning the clinical outcomes with no significant differences between men and women (n.s.) except for a significantly greater improvement in postoperative FAOS pain scores in women. Men presented with OLTs significantly larger in both surface area (208 mm2 for males versus 155 mm2 for females, p < 0.05) as well as lesion volume (3.0 cm3 for males versus 1.8 cm3 for females, p < 0.05). At 1-year postoperatively, all patients showed graft consolidation. Cyst formation was present in 11 females (37% of the group) and 10 males (59% of the group), respectively (n.s.). CONCLUSION: Both males and females showed clinically relevant improvements in the clinical outcomes after undergoing the TOPIC procedure with significant differences in preoperative lesion size. The TOPIC procedure is a good treatment strategy for large OLTs in both men and women. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, comparative prospective clinical cohort.

Reporting of Morphology, Location, and Size in the Treatment of Osteochondral Lesions of the Talus in 11,785 Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Uniformity of reporting is a requisite to be able to compare results of clinical studies on the treatment of osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLT). The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency and quality of reporting of size, morphology, and location of OLTs. DESIGN: A literature search was performed from 1996 to 2023 to identify clinical studies on surgical treatment of OLTs. Screening was performed by 2 reviewers, who subsequently graded the quality using the methodological index for non-randomized studies (MINORS). The primary outcome was the frequency and qualitative assessment of reporting of size, morphology, and location. RESULTS: Of 3,074 articles, 262 articles were included. This comprised a total of 11,785 patients. Size was reported in 248 (95%) of the articles and was described with a measure for surface area in 83%, however, in 56%, definition of measurement is unknown. Intraclass coefficient (ICC) value for the reliability of size measurement was 0.94 for computed tomography (CT) scan and 0.87 for MRI scan. Morphology was reported in 172 (66%) of the articles and using a classification system in 23% of the studies. Location was reported in 220 (84%) of the studies. CONCLUSION: No consensus was found on the reporting of morphology, with non-validated classification systems and different terminologies used. For location, reporting in 9 zones is underreported. Size was well reported and measurements are more reliable for CT compared with MRI. As these prognostic factors guide clinical decision-making, we advocate the development of a standardized and validated OLT classification to reach uniform reporting in literature. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, systematic review.

Low annual revision rate in ankle distraction for ankle osteoarthritis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: Ankle osteoarthritis severely impacts patients' mental and physical quality of life. Besides total ankle replacement and ankle arthrodesis, ankle distraction has been shown to be a promising alternative. The primary aim of the present study was to determine the annual revision rates (ARRs) after ankle distraction. The secondary aim was to obtain an overview of patient-reported outcome measures and functional outcomes. METHODS: A literature search until November 2023 was performed. Methodological quality was assessed using the methodological index for non-randomised studies criteria. Primary outcome was the ARR which was log-transformed and pooled using a random effects model. Secondary outcomes were pooled using a simplified pooling technique and included the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society Ankle-Hindfoot Scale (AOFAS), range of motion (ROM) and post-operative complications. RESULTS: The literature search resulted in 287 articles, of which 10 studies, comprising 602 patients, were included. The patients had a pooled mean age of 47 years (range of means: 40-68) and a mean follow-up of 35 months (range of means: 24-48). The overall methodological quality was moderate to fair. The pooled ARR after ankle distraction was 4% (95% confidence interval [CI], 3%-7%). Pooling of AOFAS showed mean 26-point improvement (from 54 to 80). Additionally, ROM dorsiflexion improved at 5°, and the plantarflexion remained at 31°. The overall complication rate was 41% (95% CI, 35%-48%), of which 77% (95% CI, 67%-85%) were pin-tract infections. CONCLUSION: Ankle distraction results in an ARR of 4% (95% CI, 3%-7%) with clinically relevant improved AOFAS scores. The overall complication rate is 41% and is mainly attributable to treatable pin-tract infections (77% of recorded complications). LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

The Frequency and Severity of Complications in Surgical Treatment of Osteochondral Lesions of the Talus: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of 6,962 Lesions.

OBJECTIVE: The primary aim was to determine and compare the complication rate of different surgical treatment options for osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLTs). The secondary aim was to analyze and compare the severity and types of complications. DESIGN: A literature search was performed in MEDLINE (PubMed), EMBASE (Ovid), and the Cochrane Library. Methodological quality was assessed using the Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies (MINORS). Primary outcome was the complication rate per surgical treatment option. Secondary outcomes included the severity (using the Modified Clavien-Dindo-Sink Complication Classification System for Orthopedic Surgery) and types of complications. The primary outcome, the severity, and the sub-analyses were analyzed using a random effects model. A moderator test for subgroup-analysis was used to determine differences. The types of complications were presented as rates. RESULTS: In all, 178 articles from the literature search were included for analysis, comprising 6,962 OLTs with a pooled mean age of 35.5 years and follow-up of 46.3 months. Methodological quality was fair. The overall complication rate was 5% (4%-6%; treatment group effect, P = 0.0015). Analysis resulted in rates from 3% (2%-4%) for matrix-assisted bone marrow stimulation to 15% (5%-35%) for metal implants. Nerve injury was the most observed complication. CONCLUSIONS: In 1 out of 20 patients treated surgically for an OLT, a complication occurs. Metal implants have a significantly higher complication rate compared with other treatment modalities. No life-threatening complications were reported.

8 out of 10 patients do well after surgery for tarsal coalitions: A systematic review on 1284 coalitions.

BACKGROUND: The primary aim was to determine the clinical success rate after treatment for talocalcaneal (TCC) and calcaneonavicular coalitions (CNC). The secondary aim was to evaluate the complication, recurrence and revision rate. METHODS: A search was carried out in MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane Library. Methodological quality was assessed using the Methodological Index for Non-Randomised Studies (MINORS) criteria. The primary outcome was the clinical success rate and was pooled per type of coalition and treatment modality. 95% Confidence Intervals (CI) of the success rates were calculated. Secondary outcomes included complication rates, coalition recurrence rates, revision rates and pain improvement using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). A sub-analysis on interposition material was performed. RESULTS: 43 articles comprising of 1284 coalitions were included, with a pooled mean follow-up of 51 months. Methodological quality was fair. The overall pooled success rate for TCCs was 79% (95% CI, 75%-83%). Conservative treatment, open resection and arthroscopic resection of TCCs resulted in success rates of 58% (95% CI, 42%-73%), 80% (95% CI, 76%-84%) and 86% (95% CI, 71%-94%), respectively. CNCs have an overall success rate of 81% (95% CI, 75%-85%), with 100% (95% CI, 34%-100%), 80% (95% CI, 74%-85%) and 100% (95% CI, 65%-100%) for conservative treatment, open resection and arthroscopic resection, respectively. Pooled complication rates of 4% (95% CI, 3%-7%) for TCCs and 6% (95% CI, 4%-11%) for CNCs were found. The success rates of resection with and without interposition material for TCCs were 83% (95% CI, 78%-87%) and 79% (95% CI, 65%-88%), and for CNCs 81% (95% CI, 76%-86%) and 69% (95% CI, 44%-85%), respectively. CONCLUSION: Treatment of tarsal coalitions can be considered good to excellent as well as safe, with an overall clinical success rate of 79% for TCCs and 81% for CNCs. Arthroscopic resection of the coalition appears to be non-inferior to open resection of TCCs and CNCs. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, Systematic Review.

High union rates following surgical treatment of proximal fifth metatarsal stress fractures.

PURPOSE: The primary purpose of this study was to determine the union rate and time for surgical- and non-surgical treatment of stress fractures of the proximal fifth metatarsal (MT5). The secondary purpose was to assess the rate of adverse bone healing events (delayed union, non-union, and refractures) as well as the return to sports time and rate. METHODS: A literature search of the EMBASE (Ovid), MEDLINE (PubMed), CINAHL, Web of Science and Google Scholar databases until March 2020 was conducted. Methodological quality was assessed by two independent reviewers using the methodological index for non-randomized studies (MINORS) criteria. The primary outcomes were the union time and rate. Secondary outcomes included the delayed union rate, non-union rate, refracture rate, and return to sport time and rate. A simplified pooling technique was used to analyse the different outcomes (i.e. union rate, time to union, adverse bone healing rates, return to sport rate, and return to sport time) per treatment modality. Additionally, 95% confidence intervals were calculated for the union rate, adverse bone healing rates, and the return to sport rate. RESULTS: The literature search resulted in 2753 articles, of which thirteen studies were included. A total of 393 fractures, with a pooled mean follow-up of 52.5 months, were assessed. Overall, the methodological quality of the included articles was low. The pooled bone union rate was 87% (95% CI 83-90%) and 56% (95% CI 41-70%) for surgically and non-surgically treated fractures, respectively. The pooled radiological union time was 13.1 weeks for surgical treatment and 20.9 weeks for non-surgical treatment. Surgical treatment resulted in a delayed union rate of 3% (95% CI 1-5%), non-union rate of 4% (95% CI 2-6%) and refracture rate of 7% (95% CI 4-10%). Non-surgical treatment resulted in a delayed union rate of 0% (95% CI 0-8%), a non-union rate of 33% (95% CI 20-47%) and a refracture rate of 12% (95% CI 5-24%), respectively. The return to sport rate (at any level) was 100% for both treatment modalities. Return to pre-injury level of sport time was 14.5 weeks (117 fractures) for surgical treatment and 9.9 weeks (6 fractures) for non-surgical treatment. CONCLUSION: Surgical treatment of stress fractures of the proximal fifth metatarsal results in a higher bone union rate and a shorter union time than non-surgical treatment. Additionally, surgical and non-surgical treatment both showed a high return to sport rate (at any level), albeit with limited clinical evidence for non-surgical treatment due to the underreporting of data. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, systematic review.