Racial Disparities in Outcomes After Foot and Ankle Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

This systematic review and meta-analysis delved into the impact of race and ethnicity on outcomes following foot and ankle surgery, an area garnering increasing attention within the medical community. Despite significant literature on post-surgical clinical and functional outcomes, limited research has explored the influence of racial and ethnic factors on post-operative outcomes. In this study, data from 33 relevant studies, involving a total of 557,734 patients, were analyzed to assess outcomes across different racial and ethnic groups. Notably, only six studies met the criteria for inclusion in the final meta-analysis due to variations in outcome reporting. Findings revealed disparities in functional scores, pain levels, and resource utilization among different racial and ethnic cohorts. Specifically, non-White and minority patients exhibited higher rates of foot and ankle fractures and lower extremity surgeries, worse functional outcomes, increased pain, longer hospital stays, and a greater incidence of complications compared to their White counterparts. However, some studies presented contradictory results, emphasizing the necessity for further investigation to elucidate these discrepancies fully. This research underscores the importance of considering racial and ethnic factors in foot and ankle surgery outcomes and highlights the need for targeted interventions to address existing disparities.

The Use of Extracellular Vesicles in Achilles Tendon Repair: A Systematic Review.

Achilles tendon (AT) pathologies are common musculoskeletal conditions that can significantly impair function. Despite various traditional treatments, recovery is often slow and may not restore full functionality. The use of extracellular vesicles (EVs) has emerged as a promising therapeutic option due to their role in cell signaling and tissue regeneration. This systematic review aims to consolidate current in vivo animal study findings on the therapeutic effects of EVs on AT injuries. An extensive literature search was conducted using the PubMed, Scopus, and Embase databases for in vivo animal studies examining the effects of EVs on AT pathologies. The extracted variables included but were not limited to the study design, type of EVs used, administration methods, efficacy of treatment, and proposed therapeutic mechanisms. After screening, 18 studies comprising 800 subjects were included. All but one study reported that EVs augmented wound healing processes in the AT. The most proposed mechanisms through which this occurred were gene regulation of the extracellular matrix (ECM), the enhancement of macrophage polarization, and the delivery of therapeutic microRNAs to the injury site. Further research is warranted to not only explore the therapeutic potential of EVs in the context of AT pathologies, but also to establish protocols for their clinical application.

Outcomes following total ankle total talus replacement: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Prosthetic substitution of the talus presents a significant challenge to the foot and ankle surgeon. The shear and compressive forces on the talus and its tenuous blood supply lead to high rates of avascular necrosis and eventual talar collapse. The purpose of this systematic review is to evaluate whether total ankle total talus replacement (TATTR) leads to improved clinical and radiographic outcomes with appropriate safety metrics in patients with a history of avascular necrosis or significant trauma. METHODS: We searched the concepts of talus, prosthesis, and arthroplasty in MEDLINE (PubMed), Embase (Elsevier), CINAHL Complete (EBSCOhost), and Scopus (Elsevier) from the database's inception through March 9, 2023. Inclusion Criteria were 1) previous trauma to the talus, 2) post-traumatic arthritis to the tibiotalar joint, 3) avascular necrosis of talus, 4) multiple failed prior interventions, 5) degenerative osteoarthritis to the tibiotalar joint, and 6) inflammatory arthropathy to tibiotalar joint. Patients less than 18 years of age and manuscripts in non-English languages were excluded. RESULTS: Of the 7625 references, 16 studies met the inclusion criteria, yielding data from 136 patients (139 ankles). The studies varied in design, with case reports and retrospective case series being predominant. The overall weighted average modified Coleman Methodology Score (mCMS) was 70.4 out of 100, indicating moderate flaws in study design that may be subject to various forms of bias and possible confounders. Demographics showed a diverse range of etiologies, with alumina ceramic being the primary prosthesis material. Functional scores demonstrated improvements in dorsiflexion and plantarflexion, although patient-reported outcome measures (PROs) were inconsistently reported. Complications included fractures, heterotopic ossification, prolonged wound healing, and infections. Revision details were sparsely reported. CONCLUSION: TATTR is a promising treatment modality for improving short-term functional outcomes for patients with avascular necrosis or trauma-related issues. However, this systematic review underscores the need for standardized reporting, longer-term follow-ups, and further research to establish the procedure's efficacy and safety, particularly in comparison to other treatment modalities. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III, Systematic Review of Level IV Studies.

Outcomes after total ankle arthroplasty with an average follow-up of 10 years: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The literature demonstrating positive outcomes after total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) is mounting. However, the long-term outcomes of TAA (≥ 10 years) remain minimally reported. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate outcome metrics over multiple TAA studies with greater than 10 years of average follow-up. METHODS: TAA studies were searched in Medline, Embase, and Scopus from the date of inception to September 12, 2022. Inclusion criteria included 1) studies of patients that underwent uncemented TAA, and 2) studies with an average follow-up time of at least ten years. Manuscripts in non-English languages and isolated abstracts were excluded. We collected American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Score (AOFAS) and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores from the included studies for pooled meta-analysis. Due to the varying definition of survivability between studies, this metric was not assessed in our final evaluation. RESULTS: Our data included approximately 3651 patients (3782 ankles). Of the 25 studies with an average follow-up of 10 years included in the systematic review, 5 provided pre- and post-operative AOFAS means and 5 provided pre- and post-operative VAS means with associated measures of variability and were included in our meta-analysis. The weighted mean difference between pre-and post-operative AOFAS and VAS scores was -40.36 (95% CI -47.24 to -33.47) and 4.52 (95% CI: 2.26-6.43), respectively. The risk of bias was low to moderate for the included studies. CONCLUSION: Outcomes following TAA are favorable and indicate patient-reported outcome improvement over long-term follow-up. However, a significant amount of heterogeneity exists between studies. Future, prospective, randomized research should focus on standardizing outcome measures, survivorship, and complication reporting methodologies to allow for pooled meta-analyses of these important outcome metrics.

Outcome Measures Utilized to Assess the Efficacy of Telerehabilitation for Post-Stroke Rehabilitation: A Scoping Review.

INTRODUCTION: Outcome measures using telerehabilitation (TR) in the context of post-stroke rehabilitation are an area of emerging research. The current review assesses the literature related to TR for patients requiring post-stroke rehabilitation. The purpose of this study is to survey the outcome measures used in TR studies and to define which parts of the International Organization of Functioning are measured in trials. METHODS: TR studies were searched in Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Web of Science, The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (Cochrane Library), the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), and the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) from 2016 to June 2023. Two reviewers individually assessed the full text. Discrepancies regarding inclusion or exclusion were resolved by an additional reviewer. RESULTS: A total of 24 studies were included in the current review. The findings were synthesized and presented taking into account their implications within clinical practice, areas of investigation, and strategic implementation. CONCLUSIONS: The scoping review has recognized a broad range of outcome measures utilized in TR studies, shedding light on gaps in the current literature. Furthermore, this review serves as a valuable resource for researchers and end users (such as clinicians and policymakers), providing insights into the most appropriate outcome measures for TR. There is a lack of studies examining the required follow-up after TR, emphasizing the need for future research in this area.

Charcot Neuroarthropathy of the Foot and Ankle in the Acute Setting: An Illustrative Case Report and Targeted Review.

Charcot neuroarthropathy (CN) is a rare but serious sequela of diabetes and other diseases that cause peripheral neuropathy. It is most commonly characterized by degeneration of the foot and/or ankle joints leading to progressive deformity and altered weight-bearing. If left untreated, the deformities of CN lead to ulceration, infection, amputation, and even death. Because of the associated peripheral neuropathy and proprioception deficits that accompany CN, patients typically do not perceive the onset of joint destruction. Moreover, in the hands of the untrained clinician, the initial presentation of CN can easily be mistaken for infection, osteoarthritis, gout, or inflammatory arthropathy. Misdiagnosis can lead to the aforementioned serious sequelae of CN. Thus, an early accurate diagnosis and off-loading of the involved extremity, followed by prompt referral to a specialist trained in the care of CN are crucial to prevent the late-term sequelae of the disease. The purpose of this article was to create an opportunity for enhanced understanding between orthopedic surgeons and emergency physicians, to improve patient care through the optimization of diagnosis and early management of CN in the emergent setting.

The use of platelet-rich plasma in pathologies of the foot and ankle: A comprehensive review of the recent literature.

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is an autologous serum containing higher concentrations of platelets and growth factors above normal blood. The process of obtaining PRP involves the extraction of blood from the patient which is then centrifuged to obtain a concentrated suspension of platelets. PRP continues to evolve as a potential treatment modality with many applications in orthopaedic surgery. The therapeutic components of PRP possess numerous theoretical regenerative properties. The present manuscript outlines how PRP is prepared, noting the tremendous variability between preparation protocols. Given the growing body of evidence examining the use of PRP in pathologies of the foot and ankle, we assess its efficacy as it relates to our field. Specifically, we evaluate the literature in the past five years regarding the role of PRP in treating plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinopathy, insertional Achilles tendinitis, Achilles tendon ruptures, osteochondral lesions of the talus, hallux rigidus, and ankle osteoarthritis.

Exposure of Tissue-Engineered Cartilage Analogs to Synovial Fluid Hematoma After Ankle Fracture Is Associated With Chondrocyte Death and Altered Cartilage Maintenance Gene Expression.

BACKGROUND: The first stage of fracture healing consists of hematoma formation with recruitment of proinflammatory cytokines and matrix metalloproteinases. Unfortunately, when there is an intra-articular fracture, these inflammatory mediators are not retained at the fracture site, but instead, envelop the healthy cartilage of the entire joint via the synovial fluid fracture hematoma (SFFH). These inflammatory cytokines and matrix metalloproteinases are known factors in the progression of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Despite the known inflammatory contents of the SFFH, little research has been done on the effects of the SFFH on healthy cartilage with regard to cell death and alteration in gene expression that could lead to posttraumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA). METHODS: SFFH was collected from 12 patients with intraarticular ankle fracture at the time of surgery. Separately, C20A4 immortalized human chondrocytes were 3-dimensionally cultured to create scaffold-free cartilage tissue analogs (CTAs) to simulate healthy cartilage. Experimental CTAs (n = 12) were exposed to 100% SFFH for 3 days, washed, and transferred to complete media for 3 days. Control CTAs (n = 12) were simultaneously cultured in complete medium without exposure to SFFH. Subsequently, CTAs were harvested and underwent biochemical, histological, and gene expression analysis. RESULTS: Exposure of CTAs to ankle SFFH for 3 days significantly decreased chondrocyte viability by 34% (P = .027). Gene expression of both COL2A1 and SOX9 were significantly decreased after exposure to SFFH (P = .012 and P = .0013 respectively), while there was no difference in COL1A1, RUNX2, and MMP13 gene expression. Quantitative analysis of Picrosirius red staining demonstrated increased collagen I deposition with poor ultrastructural organization in SFFH-exposed CTAs. CONCLUSION: Exposure of an organoid model of healthy cartilage tissue to SFFH after intraarticular ankle fracture resulted in decreased chondrocyte viability, decreased expression of genes regulating normal chondrocyte phenotype, and altered matrix ultrastructure indicating differentiation toward an osteoarthritis phenotype. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The majority of ankle fracture open reduction and internal fixation does not occur immediately after fracture. In fact, typically these fractures are treated several days to weeks later in order to let the swelling subside. This means that the healthy innocent bystander cartilage not involved in the fracture is exposed to SFFH during this time. In this study, the SFFH caused decreased chondrocyte viability and specific altered gene expression that might have the potential to induce osteoarthritis. These data suggest that early intervention after intraarticular ankle fracture could possibly mitigate progression toward PTOA.

A New Trend in Social Media and Medicine: The Poor Quality of Videos Related to Ankle Sprain Exercises on TikTok.

Background: Social media platforms, like TikTok, have become popular options for the distribution of health care information. Because of the lack of scientific oversight, the quality of health care-related videos has become a focus of the current literature. However, orthopaedic surgery has lagged behind other fields in acknowledging the widespread utilization of TikTok videos for medical information consumption. This study aims to assess the quality and educational benefits of ankle sprain-related TikTok videos. Methods: TikTok was queried using the hashtag "#anklesprainexercises." One hundred videos were included after applying the exclusion criteria. The number of views, likes, shares, comments, and favorites was recorded. The content was graded using DISCERN (a well-validated informational analysis tool) and ASEES (a self-designed tool for exercise evaluation). We hypothesized that information on TikTok related to ankle sprain exercises would be poor in quality. Results: The total number of views of the 100 videos was 6 483 412, with a median of 5377.5 (IQR = 1074-20 275). The videos collectively received 385 847 likes, 3642 comments, 55 574 favorites, and 14 918 shares with a median of 267.5 (IQR = 41.5-1678.0), 4.0 (IQR = 0.0-23.0), 42.0 (IQR = 4.8-264.5), and 13.0 (IQR = 1.8-67.8), respectively. General users had a higher percentage of their videos graded as "very poor" (61.8%) in comparison to the number of videos uploaded by health care professionals deemed "very poor" (34.4%). Neither general user nor health care professionals had videos graded as "good" or "excellent." There were significant differences between the 2 groups for DISCERN 1, 3, and ASSES scores. Conclusion: Although TikTok is a powerful tool for information distribution, the educational value of the videos related to ankle sprain injury exercises was poor. With only 2% of videos receiving a grade of "fair," and no videos reaching a score of "good" or "excellent," health care professionals should be aware of the low-quality content easily accessible on TikTok. Level of Evidence: Level III, cross-sectional study.

Contemporary Review: The Use of Human Placental Tissues in Foot and Ankle Surgery.

The use of fetal tissues in regenerative medicine has long been a source of both promise and controversy. Since the turn of the century, their utilization has expanded because of antiinflammatory and analgesic properties, which have been theorized to act as an avenue for treating various orthopaedic conditions. With increased recognition and use, it is essential to understand the potential risks, efficacy, and long-term effects of these materials. Given the substantial body of literature published since 2015 (the date of the most recent review of fetal tissues in foot and ankle surgery), this manuscript provides an updated reference on the topic. Specifically, we evaluate the recent literature regarding the role of fetal tissues in wound healing, hallux rigidus, total ankle arthroplasty, osteochondral defects of the talus, Achilles tendinopathy, and plantar fasciitis.

Juvenile Osteochondral Lesions of the Talus: Current Concepts Review and an Update on the Literature.

Osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLTs) are lesions that occur before the physis closes and are frequently associated with acute ankle trauma. These lesions are often difficult to diagnose due to swelling and inflammation that are present after the initial injury. A growing body of literature has assessed the effects of OLTs in the adult population. However, the literature examining these lesions in the juvenile population is sparse. The purpose of this review is to provide a thorough understanding of OLTs, with a specific focus on the juvenile population. We evaluate the recent literature regarding the outcomes of various surgical treatment; modalities in the pediatric patient. While the outcomes after surgical treatment of pediatric OLTs are generally favorable, the paucity of investigation in this demographic is alarming. Further research is needed to better inform practitioners and families regarding these outcomes, as treatment plans are highly dependent on the individual patient in question.

Acetabular cartilage repair: state of the art in surgical treatment.

Hip preservation has emerged as a developing surgical subspecialty with a variety of tools to address hip joint pain and dysfunction. Cartilage tears and delamination are caused by injury to the hip and can ultimately progress to osteoarthritis. It has been established that the acetabulum is particularly at risk of cartilage injury secondary to trauma, hip dysplasia and hip impingement. In spite of the high frequency of acetabular cartilage lesions based on our experience and the literature, there is no consensus as to the optimal treatment of these lesions. This review article highlights the challenges in treating cartilage injuries of the acetabulum with a particular emphasis on published studies and technical considerations in performing these procedures.

Patients' Online Perception and Ratings of Neurotologists.

OBJECTIVES: To assess and characterize patients' online ratings and comments of neurotologists and determine factors that correlate with higher ratings. METHODS: All the American Neurotology Society members were queried on Healthgrades, Vitals, RateMDs, Yelp, and Google from March to June 2018. All ratings were normalized for comparison on a five-point Likert scale. All comments were categorized based on context and for positive/negative aspect. RESULTS: Of the 560 American Neurotology Society members, 465 (83%) were rated on at least one online platform. Of those rated, 420 (90%) were on Healthgrades, 392 (84%) on Vitals, 283 (61%) on RateMDs, 232 (50%) on Google, and 56 (12%) on Yelp. Across all platforms, the average overall rating was 4.06 ±â€Š0.68 (range: 1.00-5.00). There were significant positive correlations between overall rating and specific ratings (p < 0.01) on individual topics. Moreover, categorizing 5,317 narrative comments elicited the majority to be related to perceived physician bedside manner and clinical outcome. Although the number of positive comments outnumbered the negative ones, only the negative comments correlated (negatively) with the overall score (p < 0.01). Attending a top 25- or 50-medical schools or residency programs did not correlate with their rating. CONCLUSIONS: Online ratings and comments for neurotologists are highly dependent on patient perceptions of physician competence, caring bedside manner, and office management. Minimizing the number of negative comments, especially regarding perceived physicians' professionalism and communication, clinical outcome, bedside manners, and office management, leads to higher calculated overall scores and online perception.