Operative Time, Cost, and Union Rate of Power Rasp Joint Preparation Versus Traditional Preparation in Arthrodesis of the Foot and Rearfoot.

Time spent in the operating room is valuable to both surgeons and patients. One of the biggest rate-limiting factors when it comes to arthrodesis procedures of the foot and ankle is cartilage removal and joint preparation. Power instrumentation in joint preparation provides an avenue to decrease joint preparation time, thus decreasing operating room time and costs. Arthrodesis of 47 joints (n) from 27 patients were included. Power rasp joint preparation in 26 joints was compared to traditional osteotome and curette joint preparation in 21 joints in both time (seconds), cost (total operating room time cost per minute), and union rate. The overall mean joint preparation time using power rasp for the subtalar joint was 268.3 seconds, talonavicular joint 212.3 seconds, calcaneocuboid joint 142.6 seconds, 1st TMT 107.2 seconds. Mean joint preparation time using traditional method for subtalar joint 509.8 seconds, talonavicular joint 393.0 seconds, calcaneocuboid joint 400.0 seconds, 1st TMT 319.6 seconds. Mean cost of joint preparation using power rasp for subtalar joint $165.47, talonavicular joint $130.89, calcaneocuboid joint $87.94, 1st TMT $66.11. Mean cost of joint preparation using traditional techniques for subtalar joint $314.34, talonavicular joint $242.35, calcaneocuboid joint $246.67, 1st TMT $197.33. Overall union rate was 98% (1 asymptomatic non-union). Increasing efficiency in the operating room is vital to every surgeon's practice. Power rasp joint preparation is a viable option to increase efficiency and decrease operative time, this study shows no statistically significant differences in union rate, with comparable rates to existing literature.

Two-Year Outcomes After Total Ankle Replacement With a Novel Fixed-Bearing Implant By a Single Surgeon Non-Inventor.

Total ankle arthroplasty continues to gain popularity amongst surgeons and patients as an alternative to arthrodesis. Historically the designs of early implants were plagued with complications and frequently abandoned. Since that time the procedure and materials have undergone significant advancements in both surgical approach as well as design and function of the available implants. In this study, 40 consecutive patients who received a semiconstrained prosthesis with a unique fixed-bearing polyethylene insert were identified. Minimum follow-up was 2 y. Demographic, social, and past medical data was retrospectively reviewed. Concomitant procedures were also recorded. Radiographic analysis included lateral ankle radiograph postoperative range of motion (ROM) with maximum dorsiflexion and maximum plantarflexion weight bearing at the most recent clinic visit. Clinical outcomes included VAS, FFI, and AOFAS scores. Lateral radiographs taken in the office at a minimum 2-y follow-up showed mean maximum dorsiflexion of 11.8 degrees and plantarflexion of 13.9 degrees. VAS, FFI, and AOFAS scores improved from 8.1, 92.9, and 44.8 to 1.4, 15.3, and 90.1 postoperatively, respectively. A total of 2.5% (n = 1) required revision surgery for poly failure, and 5.0% (n = 2) underwent local wound care in the office setting postoperatively and healed without complications. Overall survivorship was 97.5% at the minimum follow-up of 2 y. In conclusion, similar studies have reported survivorship from 90% to 100% with modern ankle implants in short to mid-term follow-up. Although this is a small sample size, our data shows a 97.5% survivorship at 2 y postoperatively with favorable patient-reported statistically significant functional outcome scores, and ankle range of motion consistent with existing literature.