Minimally invasive distraction technique for prone posterior ankle and subtalar arthroscopy.

BACKGROUND: Prone ankle and subtalar arthroscopy is challenging in part due to the limited working space in these joints. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fourteen patients undergoing prone posterior arthroscopy with a novel skeletal traction method were reviewed and the technique detailed. RESULTS: No complications were observed in 14 patients treated with a minimally invasive skeletal traction technique for prone ankle and subtalar arthroscopy and 38 patients treated with the same traction device during supine ankle arthroscopy. CONCLUSION: Minimally invasive skeletal traction can be used safely for prone posterior ankle and subtalar arthroscopy.

Tibiotalocalcaneal Fusion for Severe Deformity and Bone Loss.

Tibiotalocalcaneal fusion is an effective salvage procedure for combined end-stage ankle and subtalar arthrosis and for the management of severe planar deformities of the ankle and hindfoot. Although the procedure results in a rigid ankle and hindfoot, it is often the only means of providing patients with a stable and painless foot and ankle for ambulation. Some patients who require the procedure have substantial bone loss that can be managed with a variety of autograft and allograft options. Options for tibiotalocalcaneal fixation include both internal and external devices, the selection of which depends on the underlying pathology, amount of bone loss, and type of bone graft selected. Relatively high complication rates associated with tibiotalocalcaneal fusion have been reported, with complications ranging from superficial infection to ultimate amputation; however, proper patient selection and careful graft and fixation planning can minimize the postoperative complications of the procedure.

Transparency to Reduce Surgical Implant Waste.

BACKGROUND: Rising health care costs and emphasis on value have placed the onus of reducing healthcare costs on the surgeon. METHODS: Financial data from 3,973 hip, knee, and shoulder arthroplasties performed at a physician owned orthopedic hospital was retrospectively reviewed over a two-year period. A wasted implant financial report was posted starting the second year of the study. Each surgeon's performance could be identified by his peers. RESULTS: After posting of the financial report, 1.11% of all hip and knee arthroplasty cases had a waste event compared to 1.50% during the control year. Shoulder arthroplasty waste events occurred twice as often than that observed in hip and knee arthroplasty during the study period. A decrease in waste events was observed but was not statistically significant (p = 0.30). CONCLUSIONS: Posting a non-blinded wasted implant data sheet was associated with a reduction in the number of wasted orthopedic surgical implants in this series, although the reduction was not statistically significant.

The Akron dome midfoot osteotomy as a salvage procedure for the treatment of rigid pes cavus: a retrospective review.

OBJECTIVE: In the early 1970s, the Akron dome osteotomy was developed as a salvage surgical option to manage rigid cavus deformity of the foot. This study represents an updated review of surgical cases between 1972 and 2001 constituting 89 patients representing 139 feet who were followed at least 2 years after the index operative procedure. Only cases achieving an unsatisfactory result followed less than 2 years were included. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective review of cases (all operated by D.S.W.) was conducted by clinical examination and chart review of all 89 cases representing 139 feet. RESULTS: A satisfactory result was considered pain-free, at least 75% plantigrade foot in contact with the floor without abnormal symptomatic pressure areas, free of any significant deformity requiring surgical management. A satisfactory result was obtained in 106 (76%) and unsatisfactory result in 33 feet (24%). When separating the patients into those younger than 8 years and those older than 8 years, 67% of the patients younger than 8 years had a satisfactory result, and 82% older than 8 years had a satisfactory result. No significant complications were encountered. Because the surgery is located at the apex of the deformity in frontal, lateral, and plantar planes at the confluence of the longitudinal and transverse arches, multiplanar surgical correction was obtained in all cases at the time of the initial surgery. Currently, the most common causes of cavus deformity seen in our series were the sequelae of idiopathic talipes equinus varus clubfoot, congenital metatarsus varus, and assorted neuromuscular disorders, including Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, cerebral palsy, and arthrogryposis. CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of this review, the Akron dome midfoot osteotomy is a very valuable salvage procedure in the management of the rigid cavus deformity in children.