Bone Defects After Surgery for Displaced Intraarticular Calcaneal Fractures Spontaneously Improve Without Bone Grafting.

BACKGROUND: Most intraarticular displaced calcaneal fractures are accompanied by bone defects after surgical treatment, but the concern about negative effects of bone defects has not been resolved yet owing to the few studies on this issue. Therefore, studies on volumetric changes in bone defects over time and the correlation between postoperative outcomes and residual bone defects will be helpful to address the controversy on the necessity of bone grafting in bone defects of calcaneal fractures. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: (1) Do bone defects change in size in the first year after surgical treatment of displaced intraarticular calcaneal fractures? (2) Does the size of residual bone defects correlate with postoperative radiographic or clinical outcomes? METHODS: Between 2015 and 2019, 99 patients with displaced intraarticular calcaneal fractures visited the investigators' institution, of whom 95 received surgical treatment. Of the patients treated with surgery, 25% (24 of 95) did not undergo open reduction and internal fixation via an extensile lateral approach, and 19% (18 of 95) had multiple fractures, bilateral fractures, open fractures, or a history of previous surgery on the calcaneus; all of these patients were excluded. During the study period, CT was routinely performed for calcaneal fractures immediately after and 12 months after the surgery, but 6% (6 of 95) of the patients had insufficient CT data due to loss to follow-up before 12 months or other reasons, leaving 47 patients for evaluation in this retrospective study. Fractures were fixed with plate and screws, and bone grafting was not performed in all patients. To answer our first question, which was on the changes in bone defects over time, volumetric measurements of the bone defect were performed using CT via the ITK-SNAP software. The percentage of volumetric change was calculated as a fraction of the volumetric change over 12 months from the initial volume. The percentage of the residual bone defect was calculated as a fraction of the volume of the residual bone defect relative to the volume of the entire calcaneus. To answer our second question, which was on the correlation between residual bone defects and postoperative outcomes, we assessed the Böhler angle, Gissane angle, calcaneal height, Olerud-Molander Ankle Score (OMAS), and VAS score for pain and compared these parameters with the size of the residual bone defect using the Pearson correlation coefficient. The OMAS and VAS scores for pain were evaluated and recorded during patient visits, and we obtained the scores through a chart review. All volumetric measurements and radiographic evaluations were performed by two orthopaedic surgeons, and the intraobserver and interobserver reliability were assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient. RESULTS: The mean volume of the bone defect measured using CT was 4 ± 3 cm3 immediately after surgery and 1 ± 1 cm3 12 months after surgery. During the first 12 months after surgery, the mean volume of the bone defect was reduced by 77% (95% confidence interval 73% to 80%). The mean residual bone defect in the entire calcaneus was 2% (95% CI 1% to 2%), and none of the postoperative outcomes were correlated with the residual bone defect. CONCLUSION: As bone defects substantially resolve without treatment, surgeons do not need to use bone graft for the surgical treatment of displaced intraarticular calcaneal fractures. Future studies that include patients who underwent bone grafting for the treatment of calcaneal fractures are needed to confirm our findings and to further investigate whether bone grafting has additional benefits for the recovery of bone defects. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, therapeutic study.

Morphometric analysis of the patterns of calcaneal facets for the talus in Serbian population.

Literature describes different patterns of calcaneal facets for the talus in terms of whether some calcaneal facets are connected or separated from each other or completely absent. The aim of this study was to establish the patterns of calcaneal facets for the talus, to calculate their total area, and to analyse the data with respect to gender. The study involved 59 calcanei which were photographed. The patterns of calcaneal facets noted in this study were compared with the patterns from the literature. ImageJ program was used to measure different parameters on calcanei. The pattern 1 was the most commonly found in the study sample (45.76%), then the pattern 2 (40.68%), and finally the pattern 3 (13.56%). That order of frequencies is the same in both sexes. The patterns 1 and 2 have a larger contact surface for the talus in comparison to the pattern 3. Male bones have a larger contact surface for the talus than female bones. The sum of the pattern 1 and pattern 3 frequencies was high. Knowing the frequency of different patterns of calcaneal facets for the talus in a certain population is important for orthopaedic surgeons when performing foot osteotomy.

Weight loss since early adulthood, later life risk of fracture hospitalizations, and bone mineral density: a prospective cohort study of 0.5 million Chinese adults.

In a Chinese population from both urban and rural areas, weight loss of ≥ 5 kg from early adulthood to midlife was associated with a higher risk of hip fracture and lower BMD in later life. INTRODUCTION: This study investigates the association of the long-term weight loss from young adulthood through the middle ages with the subsequent 10-year risk of hospitalized fracture and calcaneus bone mineral density (BMD). METHODS: China Kadoorie Biobank (CKB) was established during 2004-2008 in ten areas across China. Weight at age 25 years was self-reported at baseline, and weight at baseline and resurvey was measured by the calibrated equipment. Outcomes were hospitalized fracture during follow-up and calcaneus BMD measured at resurvey. Analysis for fracture risk included 411,812 participants who were free of fracture in the last 5 years before baseline, cancer, or stroke at any time before baseline. Analysis for BMD included 21,453 participants who participated in the resurvey of 2013-2014 with the same exclusion criteria as above. RESULTS: The mean age was 50.8 at baseline and 58.4 at resurvey. Median weight change from age 25 to baseline was 4.4 kg, with 20.7% losing weight and 58.5% gaining weight. During a median follow-up of 10.1 years, we documented 13,065 cases of first diagnosed fracture hospitalizations, including 1222 hip fracture. Compared with participants whose weight was stable (± 2.4 kg), the adjusted hazard ratios (95% CIs) for those with weight loss of ≥ 5.0 kg from age 25 to baseline was 1.39 (1.17 to 1.66) for hip fracture. Weight loss was not associated with fracture risk at other sites. Those with weight loss from age 25 to resurvey had the lowest BMD measures, with ß (95% CIs) of - 4.52 (- 5.08 to - 3.96) for broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA), - 4.83 (- 6.98, - 2.67) for speed of sound (SOS), and - 4.36 (- 5.22, - 3.49) for stiffness index (SI). CONCLUSIONS: Weight loss from early adulthood to midlife was associated with a higher risk of hip fracture and lower BMD in later life.

Minimally Invasive Image-Guided Ablation, Osteoplasty, Reinforcement, and Internal Fixation (AORIF) for Osteolytic Lesions in the Pelvis and Periarticular Regions of Weight-Bearing Bones.

PURPOSE: To assess early outcome, safety, and complications of an alternative to open surgical treatments of osteolytic lesions in periarticular load-bearing bones. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A single-center, prospective clinical cohort study of 26 lesions in 23 consecutive patients with painful osteolytic skeletal lesions was performed. Patients were followed for an average of 7 mo (1-18 mo). Lesions were targeted from the most intact bone via minimally invasive percutaneous approach for stable anchorage of internal fixation screws using fluoroscopic guidance. Cannulated screws served as universal portals for ablation, balloon osteoplasty, and delivery of bone cement in addition to internal fixation for cement anchoring and prophylactic stabilization of uninvolved bone. RESULTS: There were 19 osteolytic lesions in the pelvis, 4 in the proximal femur, 2 in the proximal tibia, and 1 in the calcaneus. All defects were associated with severe pain or fractures. There were no conversions to open surgery and no infection or bleeding requiring transfusion, embolization, or additional procedures. There was significant improvement in visual analogue scale (VAS) pain score from 8.32 ± 1.70 to 2.36 ± 2.23, combined pain and functional ambulation score from 4.48 ± 2.84 to 7.28 ± 2.76, and Musculoskeletal Tumor Society score from 45% to 68% (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Ablation, osteoplasty, reinforcement, and internal fixation is a safe and effective minimally invasive percutaneous image-guided treatment option for functional improvement or palliation of painful osteolytic lesions in the pelvis and periarticular loadbearing bones.

Biomechanical results of percutaneous calcaneal osteotomy using two different osteotomy designs.

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous osteotomy of calcaneus has been proposed to reduce the complication rate and became more and more popular. The bone cut can be performed as a straight or chevron-like (V) osteotomy using a Shannon burr. Comparative studies of straight or V-osteotomy as like as one or two screws in percutaneous calcaneal osteotomies are missing in the literature. We hypothesize that the V-osteotomy will result in a higher stiffness in biomechanical testing as the straight osteotomy using single screw for fixation. METHODS: The straight osteotomy (9 fresh-frozen specimens) and V-osteotomy (9 fresh-frozen specimens) was performed and the calcaneal tuberosity was moved 10mm medially and slightly rotated. One 6,5mm cancellous compression screw was used for osteosynthesis. Specimens were preconditioned with 100N over 100 cycles. The force was increased after every 100N by 100N from 200 to 500N. This was followed by cyclic loading with 600N for 500 cycles. RESULTS: Despite the higher mean values of the group with V-osteotomy, no significant difference was registered between the two groups regarding the stiffness at all force levels. A higher failure rate was observed in the group with straight osteotomy. CONCLUSION: The moderate correlation of bone density and stiffness in the V-group, and significantly lower failure rate with no secondary dislocation in fluoroscopy indicates the superiority of the V-osteotomy in the present study. Whether the demonstrated advantages can be reflected in clinical practice should be investigated in further studies. LEVEL OF CLINICAL EVIDENCE: 5.

Dolor plantar calcáneo. Experiencias y opciones de tratamiento / Calcaneal plantar pain. Experiences and treatment options

La talalgia se define como la percepción de dolor localizado en el talón que anatómicamente corresponde al hueso calcáneo y a las partes blandas colaterales, constituye la causa más frecuente de consulta a los especialistas en pie y tobillo, identificando dos zonas de aparición del dolor, el dolor plantar y el dolor posterior, los que están directamente relacionados con la inervación de esa zona del pie, realizamos un análisis general para evaluar las opciones iniciales de tratamiento y las indicaciones fisioterapéuticas exponiendo nuestra opinión y experiencias(AU)

Talalgia is defined as the perception of localized pain in the heel that anatomically corresponds to the calcaneus bone and collateral soft tissue, is the most frequent cause of consultation with foot and ankle specialists, identifying two areas of pain appearance, pain plantar and subsequent pain, which are directly related to the innervation of that area of the foot, we perform a general analysis to evaluate the initial treatment options and physiotherapeutic indications exposing our opinion and experiences(AU)

The effect of a heel-unloading orthosis in short-term treatment of calcaneus fractures on physical function, quality of life and return to work - study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: There are no standardized therapy guidelines for rehabilitation of calcaneus fractures. While there is consensus on non or partial weight-bearing, the use of supporting devices such as specific foot ankle orthosis is still a matter of debate. Recently, a heel-unloading orthosis ("Settner shoe") was introduced for aftercare of these fractures, allowing walking by shifting the load to the middle-foot and forefoot. This orthosis enables early mobilization of patients suffering from either one-sided or two-sided fractures. The Settner shoe can be applied in non-operative therapy and after surgery. Specifically in calcaneus fractures, early regain of physical activity has been highlighted as one of the key factors for quality of life and the ability to return to work. Thus, we hypothesize that mobilization with the Settner shoe results in improved quality of life and greater physical activity within the first 3 months. METHODS: This is going to be analyzed by a randomized controlled study comparing treatment with and without this specific orthosis. The secondary outcome measure is the time point of return to work in patients aged between 18 and 60 years, with calcaneus fracture. Furthermore, the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot score, a 3-dimensional gait analysis, and the Euroqol-5 dimension-3 level (EQ-5D-3 L) questionnaire for quality of life are assessed. DISCUSSION: This is the first trial applying a standardized rehabilitation protocol in patients with calcaneus fractures, aiming to improve the non-operative part of treatment by use of an orthosis. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03572816 . Registered on 27 July 2018.

Early Foot Structural Changes After Lateral Column Exostectomy in Patients With Charcot Foot.

Although exostectomy for chronic midfoot plantar ulcers in Charcot foot is apparently effective, with healing rates of nearly 75%, a subset of patients develop recurrent ulceration and show an unstable foot position, especially after undergoing exostectomy confined to the lateral column. The reasons for this failure have not been investigated. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the early changes in radiographic alignment after an exostectomy in patients with Charcot neuropathic osteoarthropathy (rocker bottom) and plantar ulcer located in the lateral column. The present study evaluated retrospectively changes in radiographic alignment after an exostectomy in 12 Charcot feet (rocker bottom) with plantar ulcer located in the lateral column. Indication for plantar exostectomy was the treatment of ulcer affected by osteomyelitis. We evaluated the early changes in the alignment of the foot on weight-bearing lateral radiographs 6 months after exostectomy. Paired sample Wilcoxon test was used to calculate the differences between preoperative and postoperative measurements. Furthermore, the relationship between revision surgery and early changes in radiographic angular measurements was determined by using the Mann-Whitney U test. After exostectomy, the inclination of the calcaneal bone decreased (P = .003; r = 0.849) and declination of talus bone increased (P = .041; r = 0.589). The change in calcaneal inclination was associated with revision surgery (P = .042; r = 0.586). The present case series demonstrates that exostectomy procedure for the lateral column in patients with Charcot foot results in radiological changes in the hindfoot over the sagittal plane. The inversion of the calcaneal pitch angle suggests the possibility of further adverse events and the need for revision surgery.

No Difference between Percutaneous and Arthroscopic Techniques in Identifying the Calcaneal Insertion during Ankle Lateral Ligament Reconstruction: A Cadaveric Study.

Background. Both percutaneous and arthroscopic techniques have been introduced in anatomic ankle lateral ligaments reconstruction. The purpose of this study was to compare these two techniques in identifying the calcaneal insertion of the calcaneofibular ligament (CFL). Methods. Fifteen fresh-frozen human ankle cadaver specimens were used in this study. Each specimen was tested in three stages. For stage 1, each specimen was evaluated under arthroscopy. After debridement was performed, the insertion of the CFL on the calcaneus was identified, and a 1.5mm Kirschner wire was drilled at the center of the insertion. For stage 2, a percutaneous technique was used to identify the center of the insertion of the CFL. A second 1.5 mm Kirschner wire was drilled through the skin marker. For stage 3, the ankle was dissected, the footprint of the CFL was identified under direct vision, and the distances between the center of the CFL insertion on the calcaneus and the two Kirschner wires were measured, respectively. Results. In the arthroscopic technique group, the mean distance from the Kirschner wire to the center of the CFL insertion in the calcaneus was 3.4 ± 1.3 mm. In the percutaneous technique group, the mean distance from the Kirschner wire to the center of the CFL insertion was 3.2 ± 1.4 mm. No significant difference was found between the two groups. Conclusion. No difference in identifying the calcaneal insertion of the CFL was found between the percutaneous and the arthroscopic ankle lateral ligaments reconstruction technique. Both techniques can be used during anatomic ligaments reconstruction in treatment of chronic ankle instability.

Neurovascular and Clinical Outcomes of the Percutaneous Endoscopically Assisted Calcaneal Osteotomy (PECO) Technique to Correct Hindfoot Malalignment.

BACKGROUND:: Standard open calcaneal osteotomies to correct hindfoot malalignment have been associated with high complication rates, including nerve damage and wound infection. This has resulted in the development of minimally invasive techniques such as the percutaneous endoscopically assisted calcaneal osteotomy (PECO), which in cadaver studies has been shown to be potentially safer than open surgeries. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the safety and effectiveness of PECO in a clinical setting, with regard to neurovascular injury rates, infection, and short-term radiographic and functional outcomes. METHODS:: Forty-one (41) patients with planovalgus or cavovarus foot deformities underwent treatment using PECO. Outcomes were analyzed at 6 months and primarily included neurovascular outcomes and wound infection rates. Secondarily, radiographic and functional (visual analog scale for pain [VAS], 36-Item Short Form Medical Outcomes Survey [SF-36], and Foot Function Index [FFI] scores) outcomes were also assessed. RESULTS:: There were no reported cases of superficial wound infections, lateral calcaneal or sural nerve dysesthesia. Minor complications occurred in 6/41 feet. The mean postoperative hindfoot correction was 8.3 ± 2.2 mm (range: 6-15mm) compared to preoperative status. Compared to preoperative status, significant improvements ( P = .001 for all) were seen in the VAS, SF-36, and FFI at 6 months postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS:: PECO resulted in minimal complications with no lateral calcaneal or sural nerve dysesthesias and no wound complications. It also resulted in significant improvements in postoperative radiographic and functional outcomes from baseline to 6-months postoperatively, demonstrating its use as a safe and effective means of treating hindfoot malalignment. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:: Level IV, retrospective case series.

Screw tip augmentation leads to improved primary stability in the minimally invasive treatment of displaced intra-articular fractures of the calcaneus: a biomechanical study.

PURPOSE: To investigate if the stability of minimally invasive screw osteosynthesis of displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures (DIACF) can be effectively increased by an innovative approach to screw tip augmentation. METHODS: In eight-paired human cadaver hindfoot specimens, DIACF of Sanders type IIB were treated with either standard screw osteosynthesis or with bone cement augmentation of the screw tips in the main fragments. The instrumented specimens were subjected to a cyclic loading protocol (9000 cycles, with stepwise increasing loads, 100-1000 N). The interfragment motions were quantified as tuber fragment tilt (TFT) and posterior facet inclination angle (PFIA) using a 3-D motion analysis system. Böhler's angle (BA) was evaluated from X-rays. A load-to-failure test was performed after the cyclic loading protocol. RESULTS: All but one specimen of the augmented group withstood more cycles than the respective specimens of the non-augmented group. Mean cycles to failure for the failure criterion of 5° TFT were 7299 ± 1876 vs. 3864 ± 1810, corresponding to loads of 811 N ± 195 vs. 481 N ± 180, (P = 0.043). There were no significant differences observed in the PFIAs. The failure criterion of 5° BA was reached after a mean of 7929 cycles ± 2004 in the augmented group and 4129 cycles ± 2178 in the non-augmented group, corresponding to loads of 893 N ± 200 vs. 513 N ± 218, (P = 0,090). The mean load-to-failure of the four specimens in the augmented group that completed the cyclic loading was 1969 N over a 1742-2483 N range. CONCLUSION: Screw tip augmentation significantly improved the mechanical stability of the calcanei after osteosynthesis in terms of decreased tuber fragment tilts and less changes in Böhler's angle.

Radiological and Clinical Effectiveness of a Novel Calcaneal Fracture Brace after Intra-articular Calcaneal Fracture Surgery.

BACKGROUND: After calcaneal fracture surgery, a short leg splint and cast are typically applied. However, these restrict joint exercises, which is inconvenient for patients. In addition, there is a risk of complications, such as pressure ulcers or nerve paralysis with a short leg cast. In this study, we evaluated clinical and radiological outcomes of the use of a specially designed calcaneal brace after calcaneal fracture surgery. METHODS: From among patients who underwent open reduction and internal fixation for calcaneal fracture between July 9, 2013 and May 31, 2017, 102 patients who wore a calcaneal fracture brace (group A) and 82 patients who wore a postoperative short leg cast (group B) were randomly chosen for this study. Radiological changes and clinical factors were compared between the two groups. After swelling at the surgical site decreased, a special calcaneal brace was applied to patients in group A. They were allowed to perform early weight bearing and joint motion. Patients in group B were immobilized in a short leg cast and were told to avoid weight bearing for 6 weeks. In each group, the Böhler's angle and Gissane's angle were measured and compared using postoperative and final follow-up radiographs. Pain (measured using a visual analogue scale [VAS]) and ankle joint range of motion (dorsiflexion, plantar flexion, eversion, and inversion) were measured serially until the final follow-up visit. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the Böhler's angle or Gissane's angle between the two groups as measured postoperatively and at the final follow-up (paired t-test). Differences in the VAS pain score and eversion were also statistically nonsignificant between the two groups. However, group A had a significantly higher range of dorsiflexion (p = 0.021), plantar flexion (p = 0.012), and inversion (p = 0.045) of the ankle than group B (independent t-test). CONCLUSIONS: Application of the calcaneal fracture brace after open reduction and internal fixation of a calcaneal fracture not only maintained the fracture reduction but allowed for greater joint motion than the short leg cast. Thus, the calcaneal fracture brace can be considered an effective postoperative management option that enables early resumption of daily activities and facilitates postoperative joint motion.

Biomechanical features of six design of the delta external fixator for treating Pilon fracture: a finite element study.

Pilon fractures can be caused by high-energy vertical forces which may result in long-term patient immobilization. Many experts in orthopedic surgery recommend the use of a Delta external fixator for type III Pilon fracture treatment. This device can promote immediate healing of fractured bone, minimizing the rate of complications as well as allowing early mobilization. The characteristics of different types of the Delta frame have not been demonstrated yet. By using the finite element method, this study was conducted to determine the biomechanical characteristics of six different configurations (Model 1 until Model 6). CT images from the lower limb of a healthy human were used to reconstruct three-dimensional models of foot and ankle bones. All bones were assigned with isotropic material properties and the cartilages were assigned to exhibit hyperelasticity. A linear link was used to simulate 37 ligaments at the ankle joint. Axial loads of 70 and 350 N were applied at the proximal tibia to simulate the stance and swing phase. The metatarsals and calcaneus were fixed distally in order to prevent rigid body motion. A synthetic ankle bone was used to validate the finite element model. The simulated results showed that Delta3 produced the highest relative micromovement (0.09 mm, 7 µm) during the stance and swing phase, respectively. The highest equivalent von Mises stress was found at the calcaneus pin of the Delta4 (423.2 MPa) as compared to others. In conclusion, Delta1 external fixator was the most favorable option for type III Pilon fracture treatment. Graphical abstract ᅟ.

Morpho-functional implications of myofascial stretching applied to muscle chains: A case study.

BACKGROUND: Most lesions of the soft tissues, especially those at the muscle level, are due to the lack of elasticity of the connective tissue and fascia. Stretching is one of the most commonly used methods of treatment for such musculoskeletal issues. OBJECTIVE: This study tracks the effects of stretching on the electromyographic activity of muscle chains, applied to a 24-year-old athlete diagnosed with the Haglund's disease. METHOD: For the evaluation, we used visual examination and surface electromyography (maximum volumetric isometric contraction). The therapeutic intervention consisted in the application of the static stretching positions, which intended the elongation of the shortened muscle chains. The treatment program had a duration of 2 months, with a frequency of 2 sessions per week and an average duration of 60 minutes. RESULTS: The posterior muscle chains recorded an increase in the EMG activity, while the anterior muscle chains tended to diminish their EMG activity. As a result of the applied treatment, all the evaluated muscle chains recorded a rebalancing of the electromyographic activity, demonstrating the efficiency of stretching as a method of global treatment of muscle chains. CONCLUSIONS: By analysing all the data, we have come to the conclusion that static stretching is an effective treatment method for shortened muscle chains.

Role of Subtalar Arthroscopy in Operative Treatment of Sanders Type 2 Calcaneal Fractures Using a Sinus Tarsi Approach.

BACKGROUND: This study was conducted to evaluate the usefulness of subtalar arthroscopy in the operative treatment of Sanders type 2 calcaneus fractures using a sinus tarsi approach. METHODS: Forty-six Sanders type 2 calcaneal fractures were consecutively treated using a sinus tarsi approach. Intraoperative fluoroscopy was used to evaluate fracture reduction in the first 23 patients (fluoroscopy group), and intraoperative fluoroscopy and subtalar arthroscopy were used in the latter 23 patients (arthroscopy group). Clinical evaluations were performed using a visual analog scale, the Ankle-Hindfoot Scale developed by the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society, and Short Form Health Survey. Radiographic evaluations were performed using calcaneal and lateral radiographs and computed tomography (CT) scans. Böhler's angles and calcaneal widths were compared between the groups. Reduction of the posterior facet was graded according to articular step, defect, and angulation of the posterior facet on CT. RESULTS: At the last follow-up, clinical results as well as Böhler's angles and calcaneal widths were not different between the groups. On immediately postoperative CT, reduction of the posterior facet showed a higher-than-good grade in 17 feet (73.9%) in the fluoroscopy group and a higher-than-good grade in 22 feet (95.7%) in the arthroscopy group, and these values were significantly different between the groups ( P = .04). CONCLUSION: A combined approach using fluoroscopy and subtalar arthroscopy showed better reduction of the posterior facet on CT than using fluoroscopy alone. Therefore, subtalar arthroscopy could be a useful method for detecting joint incongruence when using the sinus tarsi approach for Sanders type 2 calcaneal fractures. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, comparative series.

Quantitative and Qualitative Assessment of the Relative Arterial Contributions to the Calcaneus.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to quantitatively and qualitatively assess relative arterial contributions to the calcaneus. METHOD: Fourteen cadaveric ankle pairs were used. In each specimen, the posterior tibial artery, peroneal artery, and anterior tibial artery were cannulated and used for contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT). Quantitative MRI analysis of the pre- and postcontrast MRI scans facilitated assessment of relative arterial contributions. In addition, postcontrast MRIs were used to measure all perfused arterial entry points and scaled to a 3-dimensional calcaneus model. Contrast-enhanced CT imaging was assessed to further delineate the extraosseous arterial course. Two pairs underwent infusion of diluted BaSO4 through a constant-pressure pump using extended infusion duration. RESULTS: Quantitative MRI findings indicated the peroneal artery provided 52.6% of the calcaneal arterial supply, 31.6% from the posterior tibial artery, and 15.8% from the anterior tibial artery. The cortical entry points were found in fairly consistent patterns along calcaneal cortical surfaces. All specimens demonstrated intraosseous anastomoses between lateral and medial entry points at common locations. CONCLUSIONS: The peroneal artery was found to provide the largest calcaneal arterial contribution, followed by the posterior tibial artery and anterior tibial artery. A rich anastomotic arterial network was found supplying the calcaneus. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This study provides quantitative and qualitative findings of the relative arterial contribution of the calcaneus. This knowledge can help expand our understanding of calcaneal vascularization, demonstrate the vascular impact of calcaneal fracture and surgery, and facilitate future research on the arterial anatomy of the calcaneal soft tissue envelope.

A Comparison of Removal Rates of Headless Screws Versus Headed Screws in Calcaneal Osteotomy.

BACKGROUND: Calcaneal osteotomy has been used to successfully treat both valgus and varus hindfoot deformities. Pain associated with implanted hardware may lead to further surgical intervention for hardware removal. Headless screws have been used to reduce postoperative hardware-associated pain and accompanying hardware removal, but data proving their effectiveness in this regard is lacking. The purpose of this study is to compare the rates of removal of headed and headless screws utilized in calcaneal osteotomy. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective chart review of 74 patients who underwent calcaneal osteotomy between January 2010 and December 2014. The cohort was divided into 2 groups by fixation method: a headed screw and a headless screw group. Bivariate associations between infection or hardware removal, and screw type, screw head width, gender, smoking status, alcohol, hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, age, and body mass index were assessed using t-tests and Fisher's exact/χ2 tests for continuous and discrete variables, respectively. RESULTS: Headed screws were removed more frequently than headless screws (P < .0001): 15 of 30 (50%) feet that received headed screws and 4 of 44 (9%) of feet that received headless screws underwent subsequent revision for screw removal. In all cases, screws were removed because of pain. The calcaneal union rate was 100% in both cohorts. CONCLUSION: The rate of screw removal in calcaneal osteotomies is significantly lower in patients who receive headless screws than in those receiving headed screws. LEVELS OF EVIDENCE: Level IV.

A Three-Dimensional Finite Element Analysis of Displaced Intra-Articular Calcaneal Fractures.

A better understanding of displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures, their effect on joint mechanics, and the relationship between altered mechanics and osteoarthritis could aid in the development or refinement of treatment methods. Finite element modeling is accepted as the reference standard for evaluating joint contact stresses. The objective of the present study was to analyze the in vivo joint mechanical data from finite element modeling for normal and injured subtalar joints. A 3-dimensional model of the ankle-hindfoot was developed and validated. Both height loss and width increases in the calcaneus were simulated. Next, they were used to investigate the relationship between calcaneal height or width and the contact mechanics of the posterior facet of the subtalar joint. The contact area/joint area ratio increased in the subtalar joint with injury when the calcaneal width increased. Moreover, the peak contact pressure and the proportion of the area under high contact pressure (>6 MPa) increased. The contact area/joint area ratio decreased with reduced calcaneal height, but the peak contact pressure remained almost constant. The width increases of the calcaneus somewhat limited the subtalar joint motion, especially for eversion; however, the height loss mostly resulted in subtalar rotatory instability. The height loss diminished the subtalar joint's stability in eversion, internal rotation, and external rotation. The results of the present study support the advisability of surgery for these complex injuries. Reestablishing the calcaneal height and width could restore the normal kinematics and contact stress distribution in the subtalar joint, improve the tibiotalar position, and diminish long-term degeneration in the ankle.

Calcaneal Z Lengthening Osteotomy Combined With Subtalar Arthroereisis for Severe Adolescent Flexible Flatfoot Reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: The timing and strategy for operative treatment of flatfoot are still controversial. The purpose of this study was to evaluate clinical outcomes and radiographic changes following calcaneal Z osteotomy combined with subtalar arthroereisis for severe adolescent flexible flatfoot. METHODS: Data were analyzed for 16 patients (20 feet) who had flatfoot without tibialis posterior tendon dysfunction and were treated by calcaneal Z osteotomy combined with arthroereisis between October 2011 and February 2015. The mean age of patients at the time of surgery was 12.8 ± 1.4 years (range, 10-14 years). Preoperative and postoperative measurements included changes in hindfoot valgus angles; changes in talonavicular uncoverage angles on anteroposterior (AP) radiographic view; and changes in talo-first metatarsal angles, talar pitch angles, and calcaneal pitch angles on lateral radiographic view. The American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society Ankle-Hindfoot Score (AOFAS-AH) was used to assess foot function. The mean follow-up was 18.9 ± 6.9 months (range, 13-33 months). RESULTS: The hindfoot valgus angle improved from 14.9 ± 4.2 degrees to 2.3 ± 1.7 degrees. On the AP view, the preoperative and postoperative talonavicular uncoverage angles were 30.5 ± 9.4 degrees and 9.8 ± 4.8 degrees, respectively. On lateral radiographs, the preoperative talo-first metatarsal angle, talar pitch angle, and calcaneal pitch angle were -22.1 ± 7.9 degrees, 36.1 ± 4.4 degrees, and 14.4 ± 4.0 degrees, respectively. Postoperative lateral radiographs demonstrated talo-first metatarsal angle, talar pitch angle, and calcaneal pitch angle of -6.2 ± 4.7 degrees, 27.3 ± 4.9 degrees, and 19.0 ± 4.3 degrees, respectively. The AOFAS-AH score improved from 66.8 ± 24.1 preoperatively to 96.5 ± 3.4 postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: For adolescents with flatfoot, calcaneal Z osteotomy combined with subtalar arthroereisis provided satisfactory results. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, retrospective case series.

Careful assessment the key to diagnosing adolescent heel pain.

The most common cause of adolescent heel pain is calcaneal apophysitis also known as Sever's disease. The condition may occur in adolescent athletes, particularly those involved in running or jumping activities, during the pubertal growth spurt. The mean age of presentation in Sever's disease is ten, (range 7-15). It presents with posterior heel pain that is worse with activity and relieved by rest in most cases. Sever's disease, Osgood Schlatter's disease (tibial tuberosity) and Sinding-Larsen Johansson syndrome (distal patella) are all overuse syndromes brought about by repetitive submaximal loading and microtrauma. They are, however, entirely self-limiting and resolve at skeletal maturity or earlier. Careful assessment is required to differentiate them from other rare pathologies. Achilles tendinitis is rare under the age of 14. As in Sever's disease, it may occur in jumping athletes, those who suddenly increase their sporting activities and in individuals with relative gastrosoleus tightness. It may also occur in those with inflammatory arthropathies and merit rheumatological investigation if there are other suggestive signs or symptoms. Benign and malignant tumours of the adolescent calcaneus are extremely rare In a unilateral case, atypical features such as night pain or absence of a precipitating activity should raise the index of suspicion. There may be localised swelling and bony expansion.