Arthroscopic Excision of a Symptomatic Os Trigonum.

PURPOSE: To report the clinical outcomes of arthroscopic excision for a symptomatic os trigonum initially viewing through the posteromedial ankle portal with the motorized instrument in the posterolateral portal. METHODS: A retrospective review of a consecutive series of patients with symptomatic os trigonum failing nonoperative management and treated with arthroscopic excision was performed. Demographic data, clinical data, American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) hindfoot scores, and Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation scores were obtained. Any complications and the time required to return to sports or full activities were recorded. RESULTS: Twenty-four patients with an arthroscopic excision of a symptomatic os trigonum were included. There were 13 male and 11 female patients. The average age was 36.7 ± 17 years. Twenty-one isolated os trigonum excisions and 3 excisions combined with other procedures were studied. At a mean follow-up of 26 months (range, 24 to 31 months), average preoperative AOFAS scores significantly improved from 55.3 to 92.3 postoperatively (P < .0001). The preoperative AOFAS function component improved from 17.1 to 33.8 (P < .0001). The mean postoperative Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation score was 90. Patients reported full activity at an average of 1.5 months with no limitations at an average of 7.8 months after surgery. The only complication was a posterior tibial nerve calcaneal branch neurapraxia. CONCLUSIONS: Arthroscopic excision in the prone position without traction of a symptomatic os trigonum viewing initially through the posteromedial portal with a high-speed burr in the posterolateral portal resulted in significantly improved AOFAS scores with a single transient neurapraxia in 24 patients. Patients returned to their normal daily activities without limitations at an average of 1.5 months. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, therapeutic case series.

Subtle lisfranc subluxation: results of operative and nonoperative treatment.

Subtle Lisfranc instability is typically a low-energy, twisting, axial-loading injury. The present study evaluated the operative treatment of subtle Lisfranc injuries after nonoperative failure. The data from consecutive patients with subtle Lisfranc instabilities were reviewed. Those in whom initial nonoperative treatment had failed underwent surgery. The American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) midfoot score was obtained initially, after nonoperative treatment, and, for those in whom nonoperative treatment had failed, after operative treatment. Of 36 patients enrolled, 16 (44.44%) were successfully treated nonoperatively, and 20 (55.56%) required surgery after nonoperative treatment had failed. Of those treated operatively, 9 (45%) were stabilized with dual screws and 11 (55%) with dual suture buttons. The mean follow-up period was 36 ± 12.2 months. The AOFAS scores significantly improved from the pre- to final post-treatment values. The overall mean pretreatment AOFAS score (62.8 ± 8.84) was significantly lower statistically than the mean overall post-treatment AOFAS score (91.3 ± 8.34; p < .0001). The mean AOFAS score before nonoperative treatment (61.9 ± 9.5) improved to a mean AOFAS score of 75.3 ± 15.8 after nonoperative treatment (p = .0029). The mean preoperative AOFAS score (63.5 ± 8.46) improved to a postoperative AOFAS score of 92.3 ± 8.43 (p < .0001). The mean AOFAS score before nonoperative treatment (61.9 ± 9.5) was not significantly different statistically from the mean preoperative AOFAS score (63.5 ± 8.46; p = .62). The mean AOFAS score after nonoperative treatment (75.3 ± 15.8) was lower than the mean postoperative AOFAS score (92.3 ± 8.43; p < .0001). Of the 9 feet stabilized with dual screws, 7 (77.78%) required screw removal during the observation period. Subtle Lisfranc injuries failing nonoperative treatment were successfully stabilized using either a dual screw or suture button technique.

A comparison of lateral ankle ligament suture anchor strength.

BACKGROUND: Lateral ankle ligament repairs increasingly use suture anchors instead of bone tunnels. Our purpose was to compare the biomechanical properties of a knotted and knotless suture anchor appropriate for a lateral ankle ligament reconstruction. METHODS: In porcine distal fibulae, 10 samples of 2 different PEEK anchors were inserted. The attached sutures were cyclically loaded between 10N and 60N for 200 cycles. A destructive pull was performed and failure loads, cyclic displacement, stiffness, and failure mode recorded. RESULTS: PushLock 2.5 anchors failed before 200 cycles. PushLock 100 cycle displacement was less than Morphix 2.5 displacement (p<0.001). Ultimate failure load for anchors completing 200 cycles was 86.5N (PushLock) and 252.1N (Morphix) (p<0.05). The failure mode was suture breaking for all PushLocks while the Morphix failed equally by anchor breaking and suture breakage. CONCLUSIONS: The knotted Morphix demonstrated more displacement and greater failure strength than the knotless PushLock. The PushLock failed consistently with suture breaking. The Morphix anchor failed both by anchor breaking and by suture breaking.

Primary achilles tendon repair with mini-dorsolateral incision technique and accelerated rehabilitation.

BACKGROUND: No consensus exists for the best primary repair of acute Achilles tendon ruptures. Problems with wound healing and nerve damage can occur. Prolonged immobilization leads to stiffness and calf atrophy. This study assesses the clinical outcome of acute Achilles tendon repairs using a mini-dorsolateral incision followed by a rapid rehabilitation program. MATERIALS: A consecutive series of acute Achilles tendon ruptures repaired using a mini-dorsolateral incision were reviewed with a minimum 12 months follow up. Fifteen patients with an average age of 44 (range, 32 to 60) years were followed an average of 45 (range, 14 to 72) months. Two modified, buried core high strength sutures were placed in each torn end of the Achilles tendon reinforced with a running circumferential whip-stitch. Ankle Hindfoot scores, single toe raises, calf circumference, and adverse events were recorded. An accelerated postoperative rehabilitation protocol was followed. RESULTS: Postoperative AOFAS Ankle Hindfoot scores averaged 98.3 [39 pain; 49.6 function; 9.3 alignment]. All patients could single heel raise. Eight of 15 demonstrated atrophy with an average calf circumference loss of 1.0 cm. The only postoperative complication was one case of superficial cellulitis successfully treated with oral antibiotics. There were no sural nerve injuries, wound break down, or re-ruptures at final followup. CONCLUSION: The repair of acute Achilles tendon ruptures through a minimal lateral incision provided excellent functional outcomes, avoided complications including sural nerve injury, and allowed a return to sports between 4 to 6 months.

Effect of fibular plate fixation on rotational stability of simulated distal tibial fractures treated with intramedullary nailing.

BACKGROUND: The effect of an intact fibula on rotational stability after a distal tibial fracture has, to the best of our knowledge, not been clearly defined. We designed a cadaver study to clarify our clinical impression that fixation of the fibula with a plate increases rotational stability of distal tibial fractures fixed with a Russell-Taylor intramedullary nail. METHODS: Seven matched pairs of embalmed human cadaveric legs and sixteen fresh-frozen human cadaveric legs, including one matched pair, were tested. To simulate fractures, 5-mm transverse segmental defects were created at the same level in the tibia and fibula, 7 cm proximal to the ankle joint in each bone. The tibia was stabilized with a 9-mm Russell-Taylor intramedullary nail that was statically locked with two proximal and two distal screws. Each specimen was tested without fibular fixation as well as with fibular fixation with a six-hole semitubular plate. A biaxial mechanical testing machine was used in torque control mode with an initial axial load of 53 to 71 N applied to the tibial condyle. Angular displacement was measured in 0.56-N-m torque increments to a maximal torque of 4.52 N-m (40 in-lb). RESULTS: Initially, significantly less displacement (p < or = 0.05) was produced in the specimens with fibular plate fixation than in those without fibular plate fixation. The difference in angular displacement between the specimens treated with and without plate fixation was established at the first torque data point measured but did not increase as the torque was increased. No significant difference in the rotational stiffness was found between the specimens treated with and without plate fixation after measurement of the second torque data point (between 1.68 and 4.48 N-m). CONCLUSIONS: Fibular plate fixation increased the initial rotational stability after distal tibial fracture compared with that provided by tibial intramedullary nailing alone. However, there was no difference in rotational structural stiffness between the specimens treated with and without plate fixation as applied torque was increased.