Background:
Compared to more prevalent arthritic conditions, ankle arthritis is complicated by an earlier age of onset. Recently published data demonstrates excellent survivorship and complication ...rates in short-/midterm follow-up of younger patients who received a primary total ankle arthroplasty (TAA). Additionally, older TAA patients display comparable reported outcomes relative to hip/knee arthroplasty. However, there remains a paucity of literature surrounding the reported outcomes of younger patients undergoing TAA. Thus, our aim was to assess the reported outcomes of individuals aged <50 years receiving a primary TAA.
Methods:
A retrospective cohort analysis of adult patients <50 years who received a primary total ankle replacement was conducted. Patient demographics, diagnosis, treatment, and outcome characteristics were recorded from a chart review of 41 patients with at least 1 year of postoperative clinical follow-up. Postoperative reported outcomes were obtained via telephone interviews. Primary outcomes that were measured included emotional and physical health, activity limitation, ambulation, and global health. Measures used included the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Global Health, and Sickness Impact Profile Ambulation. The functional outcomes in our study sample were compared with age- and gender-matched norms from a general US population, and 95% CIs were calculated for each functional outcome mean. Student t test was used for continuous variables, and χ2 analysis was used for categorical variables.
Results:
Thirty-one of 41 eligible patients were reached for interview. The average age at surgery was 39.7 years. Clinical and radiographic follow-up was a mean of 51.6 months and 31.2 months following TAA, respectively. General health as measured with the SF-36 was not significantly different from age-/gender-matched norms. Eighty-seven percent of patients would choose to have a TAA again. Although 58% reported being limited in vigorous activities, 61% were able to ambulate frequently for long periods of time. On average, the patients did not report ongoing pain, and only 16% reported fatigue that hindered activities. Eighty-one percent reported returning to full employment and performing their duties without difficulty, and 84% reported they resumed all normal social activities. Primary implant survivorship was 93%.
Conclusion:
Despite a younger age and potentially increased demands, patients aged <50 years undergoing primary TAA are generally satisfied with their index procedure at a mean follow-up of nearly 5 years. Our findings of positive outcomes on their health and well-being may improve surgeon insight for TAA as an alternative treatment for younger individuals with end-stage ankle arthritis.
Level of Evidence: Level IV, case series.
Background:
In the National Basketball Association (NBA), lower extremity injuries account for over 70% of games missed, with ankle injuries being the most common. High-quality video analysis has ...been successful for studying injury mechanism.
Purpose:
To (1) determine the validity of video-based analysis as a method to evaluate ankle injury mechanisms in NBA players and (2) analyze the circumstances associated with injury, games missed due to injury, and associated costs in player salary due to time missed.
Study Design:
Case series; Level of evidence, 4.
Methods:
Ankle injuries were identified using an injury report database, and corresponding videos were searched using YouTube.com to access high-quality video evidence of these injuries during the 2015-2020 NBA regular season. We reviewed 822 injuries, of which 93 had corresponding videos (video subset), in our final analysis. Variables including number of games missed, necessity for surgical treatment, and injury recurrence were reported for the entire cohort. In the video subset, the mechanism of injury and other corresponding situational data were evaluated.
Results:
The most common mechanism of injury occurred via ankle inversion (83.9%; n = 78; P < .001). These injuries were significantly associated with indirect contact with the player’s ankle (79.6%; n = 74; P < .001). There were significant differences based on player position, within both the video subset (P = .008) and the entire cohort (P < .001), with guards being injured the most frequently. The average number of games missed due to injury was 7 games in the video subset and 5 games in the entire cohort (P = .14). There were significant differences between the groups in average player salary per game ($133,878 video subset versus $87,577 entire cohort; P < .001).
Conclusion:
Despite its low yield of 11.3%, video analysis proved to be a useful tool to determine ankle injury mechanisms as well as the distribution of injuries based on player position. However, this methodology was subject to selection bias, as evidenced by a $50,000 increase in player salary among the video cohort. These findings should be considered when using video analysis in future studies.
Category:
Ankle; Ankle Arthritis
Introduction/Purpose:
Compared to more prevalent arthritic conditions, ankle arthritis is complicated by an earlier age of onset. With advancements in 4th generation ...primary and revision componentry, total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) is considered an option for end-stage ankle arthritis in younger patients aligning with paradigm shifts in knee arthroplasty. Recently published data demonstrates excellent survivorship and complication rates in short/mid-term follow-up of younger patients who received a primary TAA. Additionally, older TAA patients display comparable PROMIS relative to hip/knee arthroplasty. However, there remains a paucity of literature surrounding the PROMIS of younger patients undergoing TAA. Thus, our aim was to assess PROMIS of individuals less than 50 years of age receiving a primary total ankle arthroplasty
Methods:
A retrospective cohort analysis of adult patients < 50 years who received a primary total ankle replacement at a single academic institution between 2003 and 2019 was conducted. Patient demographics, diagnosis, treatment, and outcome characteristics were recorded from a chart review of 41 patients with at least one year of post-surgical follow-up (Table 1). Post- operative PROMIS scores were obtained via telephone interviews. Primary outcomes that were measured included emotional and physical health, activity limitation, ambulation, and global health. SF-36, PROMIS Global Health, and Sickness Impact Profile Ambulation were used. Functional outcomes in our study sample were compared with age and gender-matched norms from a general US population, and 95% confidence intervals were calculated for each functional outcome mean. Student t-test was used for continuous variables, and chi-square analysis was used for categorical variables.
Results:
Thirty-one of 41 eligible patients were interviewed. The average age at surgery was 40 years old. Clinical and radiographic follow-up was a mean of 59.7 months and 31.2 months following TAA, respectively. General health as measured with the SF-36 was not significantly different from age/gender-matched norms. Eighty-seven percent of patients would choose to have a TAR again. While 58% reported being limited in vigorous activities, 61% were able to ambulate frequently for long periods of time. On average the patients did not report ongoing pain, and only 16% reported fatigue that hindered activities. Eighty-one percent reported returning to full employment and performing their duties without difficulty, and 84% reported they resumed all normal social activities. Primary implant survivorship was 88%.
Conclusion:
Despite a younger age and potentially increased demands, patients younger than 50 years of age undergoing primary total ankle arthroplasty are generally very satisfied with their index procedure at a mean follow-up of nearly 5 years. Our findings of positive outcomes on their health and well-being may improve surgeon insight for TAA as a preferred treatment for younger individuals with end-stage ankle arthritis.
Category:
Bunion; Midfoot/Forefoot
Introduction/Purpose:
There are many described techniques to approach surgical correction of bunion deformity and prevention of recurrence is still a topic of ...interest. Coronal plane instability evidenced by intermetarsal angle (IMA) widening with weight bearing is a cause for concern with respect to recurrence. The identification of patients who are at risk for recurrence intraoperatively is challenging and currently there are few described tests that guide physician treatment. The aim of this study was to demonstrate an intraoperative intermetarsal coronal plane 'squeeze stress test' utilized by the senior surgeon along with the clinical and radiographic outcomes of patients who underwent fixation for their identified instability following the modified Lapidus procedure for hallux valgus correction.
Methods:
All patients included in this study presented with clinical and radiographic documentation of hallux valgus that was treated by a first tarsometatarsal arthrodesis with additional middle column fixation following widening on intraoperative fluoroscopy 'squeeze stress test' (Figure 1) by a single senior surgeon from 2015-2020. Fixation of the middle column was achieved via endobutton (5), screw (23), or endobutton plus screw (5). Clinical descriptions were reviewed for the presence of symptomatic recurrence and for the need of revision surgery. A single observer measured the HVA and the IMA angle of the preoperative and final post-operative weight-bearing radiographs, respectively. A total of 33 patients were included with an average age of 58.5 (range, 40-80) years of age and a mean follow-up of 8.3(range, 1.5-30) months. Mean BMI was 29 (range, 19- 54). Statistical analysis of this data set utilized the chi-square test and two sample t-test.
Results:
Pre-operatively, the patients with identified coronal plane instability had a mean HVA and IMA of 33 (range, 16-74) and 14 (range, 7-23) degrees, respectively. At final follow-up, these patients maintained a mean HVA of 9.8 (range, 0-32) and IMA of 4.5 (range, 0-15). No patients sustained clinical recurrence. Two patients underwent elective removal of hardware. One patient sustained a deep infection that required removal of hardware and formal debridement, this subsequently resolved.
Conclusion:
Coronal plane instability remains one of the unsolved facets of effectively treating symptomatic hallux valgus. Vigilance is the first step in prevention of recurrence in these patients and the 'squeeze stress test' is a simple, quick option for their identification. Our case series demonstrates satisfactory outcomes in terms of clinical recurrence for these patients utilizing this new evaluation technique. We believe further investigation of the squeeze stress test as an instability identifier is warranted in all types of bunion correction procedures.
Antegrade or retrograde nailing for femoral shaft fractures remains the gold standard, but long-term data on functional outcomes after intramedullary nailing are lacking. In a retrospective review of ...prospectively collected patient registry data, patients with an isolated femoral shaft fracture treated with antegrade or retrograde femoral nailing from 1997 to 2012 were interviewed and their medical records analyzed. Functional reported outcome data were obtained via the visual analog scale (VAS) for pain and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) at 5 to 17 years postoperatively. Antegrade and retrograde intramedullary nailing of diaphyseal femur shaft fractures demonstrated a mean WOMAC of 23.5%±23.6% (range, 0%-82.3%) and 29.7%±24.0% (range, 0%-88%), respectively (P=.23). The mean VAS scores of the antegrade vs retrograde intramedullary nailing groups were 2.5±2.6 (range, 0-8) and 3.4±2.8 (range, 0-10), respectively (P=.11). Location of pain differed between groups as well, with the antegrade group noting an increased rate of hip pain (25.6% vs 7.0%, P=.01), but a nonsignificant difference in the rate of thigh pain (27.9% vs 15.5%, P=.15) and knee pain (18.6% vs 26.7%, P=.49) as compared with the retrograde group. Diaphyseal femur fractures are successfully treated with either antegrade or retrograde intramedullary nails without significantly differing long-term functional outcomes, which correlates with other reported findings in the literature at short-term follow-up. Orthopedics. 2020;43(4):e278-e282..
Background:
Ankle fractures in patients with complicated diabetes have significantly increased the rates of complications and poorer functional outcomes when treated nonoperatively, and there have ...been only modest reductions when treated operatively. We hypothesized that the minimally invasive, robust construct that tibiotalocalcaneal fixation with an intramedullary nail offers would result in high rates of limb salvage, acceptable rates of complications, and less loss of function, in this difficult patient population.
Methods:
This was an institutional review board–approved retrospective study of 27 patients with complicated diabetes who underwent tibiotalocalcaneal nailing of their ankle fracture as a primary treatment without formal joint preparation. Patients with complicated diabetes were defined as having neuropathy, nephropathy, and/or peripheral vascular disease. The mean clinical follow-up was 888 days. Patients were screened for associated risk factors. Data were collected on surgical complications. The outcomes measured included length of hospital stay, loss of ambulatory level, amputation, and time to death. The mean age was 66 years with an average body mass index of 38 and hemoglobin A1c of 7.4. Six fractures were open.
Results:
The limb salvage rate was 96%. The average hospital stay was 6 days, and the mean time to weightbearing was 6.7 weeks. The fracture union rate was 88%. The surgical complication rate was 18.5%, with no instances of malunions, symptomatic nonunions, or Charcot arthropathy. Eight patients died by final follow-up (mean, 1048 days). An ambulatory level was maintained in 81% of the patients.
Conclusion:
With high limb salvage rates, relatively early weightbearing, maintained ambulatory level, and acceptable complication rates, we believe our technique can be considered an appropriate approach to increase the overall survivability of threatened limbs and lives in this patient population.
Level of Evidence:
Level IV, retrospective case series.
With continuing advancements in total ankle arthroplasty (TAA), it is quickly becoming the procedure of choice for older patients with end-stage ankle arthritis. Multiple studies have been conducted ...on younger patients who have undergone TAA with promising results, but is it the procedure of choice? Considerations of TAA versus ankle arthrodesis, TAA implant longevity, outcomes of revision TAA, and whether patients should be offered an arthrodesis with plans for conversion to arthroplasty may help elucidate whether pursuing ankle arthroplasty in a younger, more active population is the correct approach for surgeons.
Category:
Trauma, Ankle, Ankle Arthritis
Introduction/Purpose:
Ankle fractures in complicated diabetic patients (i.e. presence of neuropathy, nephropathy, or peripheral vascular disease) have ...significantly increased rates of complications with markedly worse functional outcomes. Current management advocates for operative intervention due to high rates of fracture reduction loss and Charcot arthropathy in those treated nonoperatively. Tibiotalocalcaneal (TTC) nails have been reported in the literature as a salvage option when initial ankle stabilization has failed. We hypothesize that the minimally invasive, robust construct that primary TTC fixation with an intramedullary nail offers will result in high rates of limb salvage, acceptable rates of complications, and nominal loss of function.
Thus, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of primary TTC intramedullary nailing for definitive treatment of neuropathic ankle fractures.
Methods:
This was an IRB approved retrospective study of 27 complicated diabetic patients who underwent TTC nailing of their ankle fracture as a primary treatment without formal joint preparation. The study was undertaken at an urban Level 1 trauma center. Complicated diabetes was defined as having one or more of the following formal diagnoses: neuropathy (20 patients), nephropathy (4), PVD (3). Mean clinical follow up was 888 days (range 21-2843 days). Patients were screened for associated risk factors such as open fracture, neuropathy, nicotine and alcohol abuse, obesity and elevated Hba1c. Data was also collected on surgical complications such as superficial and deep infection, wound dehiscence, amputation, revision fixation, hardware failure, malunion, nonunion. Outcomes were measured in length of hospital stay, loss of ambulatory level, and time to death.
Results:
The mean age was 66 (32-92) years with an average BMI of 38 (21-68). Six of 27 fractures were open and 20 of 27 patients were neuropathic. Mean hemoglobin A1C was 7.4 (5.5-13). Average hospital stay was 6 days (0-22). The average patient was fully weight bearing at 6 weeks (1-17). Two patients underwent removal of hardware, due to pain and proximal screw failure respectively. One patient required formal arthrodesis. There were no malunions, symptomatic nonunions, or instances of Charcot arthropathy. Two patients underwent repeat debridement for infection, resulting in antibiotic nail placement and above knee amputation respectively. A total of eight patients had died by final follow up (mean 1048 days) from index procedure. Overall, mean ambulatory status was maintained.
Conclusion:
Primary tibiotalocalcaneal nailing is a viable alternative to previously described methods of fixation of complicated diabetic ankle fractures. With high limb salvage rates, early weight bearing, maintained ambulatory status and low rates of return to the operating room, our technique can be considered an applicable approach to increase overall survivability of threatened limbs and lives with acceptably low complications.
Category:
Ankle, Ankle Arthritis, Pediatric Foot and Ankle
Introduction/Purpose:
Ankle valgus has been reported in 50% of patients with multiple hereditary exostoses (MHE) and, untreated, results in ...early arthrosis. Widening of the ankle mortise has also been reported; however, there has been a lack of data regarding its natural history and management. Alterations of mortise anatomy result in poor functional outcomes and accelerated arthrosis of the ankle. The aim of our study was to report the characteristics and outcomes of mortise widening in a group of patients with MHE.
Methods:
A total of 13 patients with MHE and mortise widening (16 ankles) were identified. Age, sex, BMI, laterality, origin of osteochondroma, pain, instability, clinical deformity, operative data, and complications were recorded. Mortise (M), Talocrural angle (TC), and Tibiotalar angle (TT) measurements were collected on preoperative and last follow up radiographs. The majority of patients underwent medial distal tibia hemiepiphysiodesis. Post-surgical AOFAS and SF36 scores were collected.
Results:
Preoperatively, no patient complained of instability, however, 9/16 ankles were painful and 14/16 were clinically in valgus. Patients underwent surgery at an age of 11.8 years (9.7-15). Radiographic and clinical follow up were 2.6 years (0.2-7.3) and 6 years (1.5-11.7), respectively. There were no significant differences between pre/postoperative M, TC, TT angles. Operative patients improved mean M (5.17 to 4.63 mm) and TT (8.71 to 4.54 degrees), neither angle reached normal values. TC (fibular length) was within normal limits (82.2 to 84.8). Questionnaires were obtained for 8/16 ankles, at a mean age of 19 years (13-25.1). The average AOFAS score was 66.7 out of 100. Patients scored 8.6/10 for alignment, 32/40 for pain, 25.6/50 for function. SF-36 scores were excellent.
Conclusion:
The improvement in M and TT was modest and their values remained outside the normal limits. TC angle was within normal limits but displayed an overall fibular shortening and thus, decreased lateral buttress with potential for talar shift. This was reflected in the mean functional and overall AOFAS score. However, our patients are functionally compensating as evidenced by SF36 scores. More studies are needed to optimize the management of MHE patients with ankle malalignment. Earlier valgus correction and possible addition of fibular lengthening to simultaneously address mortise widening may need to be considered to prevent early ankle arthritis.
Ankle valgus is commonly reported in patients with multiple hereditary exostoses (MHE). We report the characteristics of mortise widening in MHE, its progression over time, and the resultant ankle ...pain and function at skeletal maturity. Mortise medial space (M), talocrural angle (TC), and tibiotalar angle (TT) measurements were collected on preoperative and last follow-up radiographs. Operative data and complications were recorded. American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) and short form-36 scores at skeletal maturity were collected. A total of 16 patients (19 ankles) had MHE and mortise widening. Thirteen patients had surgery. Preoperatively, no patient complained of instability. However, 11 ankles (57.9%) were painful and 15 (78.9%) were clinically in valgus. Patients underwent surgery at a mean age of 11.8 ± 2.2 y. Operative interventions included medial distal tibia hemiepiphysiodesis for the majority of patients. There were no statistically significant differences between pre and postoperative M, TC, TT angles. Operative patients showed an improved mean M (5.17 ± 1.17 to 4.63 ± 1.06 mm) and TT (8.71 ± 5.40° to 4.54 ±7.58°), however, neither angle reached normal values. TC representing fibular length-maintained measurements within normal limits (82.2 ± 5.3° to 84.8 ±5.8°). Questionnaires were obtained for 10 (52.6%) ankles. Mean age at questionnaires collection was 19.0 ± 3.6 y. Mean AOFAS score was 74.8 ± 17.6 out of 100. Patients scored 6.5 ± 4.1 out of 10 for alignment, 33.0 ± 6.7 out of 40 for pain, 35.3 ± 9.5 out of 50 for function. All short form-36 scores were above the national mean. Improvement of M and TT angles was modest. TC angle was within normal limits but showed an overall fibular shortening and decreased lateral buttress and potential for talar shift, as reflected in AOFAS score. The underwhelming amount of mortise widening correction achieved may not provide for a stable ankle joint.
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