Predislocation syndrome: a review and retrospective analysis of eight patients.

Predislocation syndrome is defined as an either an acute, subacute, or chronic inflammatory process involving the lesser metatarsophalangealjoints. If left untreated, this process can lead to plantarplate and capsular attenuation and metatarsophalangeal joint instability. A retrospective analysis were performed on eight patients who were treated with a flexor tendon transfer for this condition. A subjective analysis and chart review were performed to determine the final outcome of these patients. All patients had a chief complaint of a painful second metatarsophalangeal joint with seven of eight patients having an associated hallux valgus deformity. Excellent results were achieved in six patients. Residual stiffness was the primary complaint of two patients following surgery, suggesting that metatarsophalangeal joint stiffness may be a potential problem after flexor digitorum longus tendon transfers. However, we concluded that the flexor digitorum longus tendon transfer remains an excellent procedure for second toe instability and late-stage predislocation syndrome. A literature review describing the epidemiology, symptom complex, physical findings, radiographic signs and therapies used to manage predislocation syndrome were also discussed.

Tibiotalar joint arthrodesis for the treatment of severe ankle joint degeneration secondary to rheumatoid arthritis.

The technical aspects of fusion of the rheumatoid ankle do not deviate from those in the post-traumatic or osteoarthritic ankle. Screw fixation can usually be achieved, and rarely is fixation failure a problem in rheumatoid ankle arthrodesis. If fixation is difficult because of deformity or bone quality, external fixation or locking intramedullary nails should be used. The placement of cannulated screws and adequacy of screw fixation has not been a problem (Fig. 13). Screw fixation provides compression and prevents rotation. The surgeon, however, needs to be assured that no screws invade the subtalar joint and that all threads are beyond the arthrodesis site. A washer may be necessary for further stability if this screw is not inserted at too great an angle. The authors have found that troughing out of the cortical surface of the tibia with a power bur aids in screw insertion. Not only does the trough act as a countersink, but it also provides a path for screw insertion and prevents palpable screw irritation. Malalignment is unforgiving. The foot must be placed neutral to dorsiflexion and plantarflexion. Equinus positioning places added stress on the tibia and a back-knee gait occurs. Approximately 5 degrees of valgus is recommended, and varus positioning is unforgiving. Internal and external rotation is determined by the position of the contralateral extremity. Nonunion does not seem to be a problem with rigid internal fixation to any greater degree in patients with RA. Despite this, patients may continue to have pain despite solid fusion, which can be caused by incomplete correction of deformity, painful internal fixation, or adjacent joint pathology. Additionally, patients may experience supramalleolar pain above the fusion site consistent with tibial stress fracture, which is more common if the subtalar or midtarsal joint is rigid or if the patient is obese. A rocker sole shoe with impact-absorbing soles used after brief periods of guarded mobilization in a removable walking cast alleviates this stress on the tibia. Neurovascular insult can be avoided with careful dissection direct to bone, incisions placed in nerve-free zones, and avoidance of plunging deep posteriorly-medially and anteriorly when dissecting and resecting surfaces. Arthrodesis of the tibiotalar joint in the patient with RA should be performed to relieve severe pain caused by advanced arthrosis. Achieving a solid arthrodesis does not seem to be a problem and provides the patient with pain relief; however, marked improvement in patient function and level of activity remains limited by the nature of RA and adjacent joint involvement.

Utilization of autogenous corticocancellous bone graft from the distal tibia for reconstructive surgery of the foot and ankle.

Procurement of corticocancellous autogenous bone graft from any donor site is not without potential complications. Increased postoperative morbidity, fracture at the donor site, an additional surgical procedure, increased operative time, excessive blood loss, hematoma, and increased relative cost are all factors that must be considered, regardless of donor site. The authors have been using the distal tibia as a source of corticocancellous bone since 1988. A review of 16 patients with distal tibial bone grafts at our institution has demonstrated this area to be readily available and effective with limited morbidity. The distal tibial metaphyseal area has been found to be an excellent source of corticocancellous bone for grafting in reconstructive foot and ankle surgery.

Arthroscopic arthroplasty of the ankle joint.

Anterior ankle impingement syndrome is characterized by pain, edema, and limited ankle dorsiflexion. The article examines this syndrome in detail from a variety of perspectives, including indications and contraindications, physical examination, various diagnostic modalities, surgical anatomy, surgical approach, procedures for arthroscopy, and complications.

Lateral ankle stabilization. Modified Lee and Chrisman-Snook.

Chronic lateral ankle instability is not always a severe disability, but surgical reconstruction may be necessary in patients with instability or when conservative measures fail. Although recent articles by Ahlgren and Larsson and Bergsten et al provide evidence of satisfactory results with late ligamentous repair of chronic ankle instability via imbrication, lateral ankle stabilization procedures that use tenodesing of fasciodesing techniques continue to provide good results. Prolonged disability after acute lateral ankle ligament disruption has been reported in 20% of patients. With long-term instability, uneven stress distribution with recurrent sprains can lead to osteoarthritis. Various methods for evaluation of the chronically unstable ankle include inversion stress testing, anterior drawer sign, arthrography, and tenography. All of these methods are controversial with false negative results, unreliability, and variations in measurements and interpretation being cited. With this in mind, radiographic instability must be correlated with mechanical and clinical instability. Once all of these findings are correlated the physician can determine the appropriate procedure that will provide the patient with long-term stability. Although more recent studies have addressed repair of chronic instability with ligamentous reinforcement or imbrication, these procedures remain controversial in lieu of Freeman's deafferentiation theory with loss of proprioception. There is also mechanical instability of the subtalar joint, which may also require stabilization. Use of the modified Lee and the Chrisman-Snook techniques as described have provided good results.

Pan metatarsal head resection: retrospective analysis and literature review.

The authors present a retrospective study of pan metatarsal head resection. Overall outcome of pan metatarsal head resection with various modifications are analyzed. Subjective data are obtained ascertaining initial chief complaint, appearance, pain relief, and overall patient satisfaction. Additionally, an objective analysis was undertaken. It was found that over the first 4-year postoperative period, patient satisfaction was quite high. However, after this initial postoperative period, a majority of patients were very dissatisfied. This manuscript suggests recommendations pertaining to pan metatarsal head resection based on the results of this study.