Ankle Arthroscopy: Correct Portals and Noninvasive Distraction.

Noninvasive ankle distraction technique is the standard of care for ankle arthroscopic surgery. Noninvasive distraction can be performed safely and with fewer complications when compared side-by-side with the nondistraction dorsiflexion technique. Moreover, distraction techniques allow a single surgeon to operate in the most convenient supine position and in a "hands-free" manner, with adequate space to avoid iatrogenic chondral damage. In addition, distraction allows for dedicated inflow and outflow portals to sufficiently irrigate the joint. Although the nondistraction technique allows excellent visualization of the anterior joint, it fails to provide appropriate visualization of the entire joint, using both anterior and posterior portals. Pathology that is best accessed from the posterior portal includes posterior osteochondral lesions, loose bodies, tears of the transverse ligament, acute ankle fractures, posterior tibial osteophytes, and occasionally an os trigonum. Fortunately, noninvasive distraction techniques plantarflex the ankle, also providing optimal access to the talus through the anterior approach. With the added use of posterolateral and occasionally posteromedial portals, near-universal access to lesions about the ankle can be obtained. In this infographic, the authors present the current indications for noninvasive ankle distraction arthroscopy and illustrate the importance of proper portal placement in obtaining the access and visualization necessary to easily and safely address pathology throughout the entire ankle and subtalar joint.

Editorial Commentary: Does It Matter Which Way I Fuse Your Ankle: Arthroscopically or Open? I Hope So!

Arthroscopic ankle arthrodesis is the treatment method of choice to achieve good clinical scores, faster time to union, fewer complications, and shorter hospital stay. However, the union rate, reoperation rate, and operative time are similar to open arthrodesis. The choice of which method to use for arthrodesis is influenced by surgeon preference and experience, clinical presentation, and equipment availability. Overall, we must choose the method of ankle arthrodesis that gives the best result with the least morbidity to the patient.

Arthroscopic Ankle Arthrodesis: A 2-15 Year Follow-up Study.

PURPOSE: The purpose of our study was to determine the results of arthroscopic ankle arthrodesis (AAA) and how the procedure affects adjoining joints and functional scores. METHODS: Between 1993 and 2013, 116 patients (120 ankles) underwent AAA. Nineteen ankles were lost to follow-up due to death, insufficient radiographic studies, or inability to contact, resulting in 97 patients (101 ankles). Mean age at surgery was 61.1 years (range, 35.8-79.6 years); mean follow-up was 86 months (range, 24-247 months). Patients were assessed according to the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Ankle and Hindfoot scale, Ankle Osteoarthritis Scale (AOS), and Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS) and underwent comprehensive clinical and radiographic examinations. RESULTS: A total of 94.6% of patients achieved ankle fusion on radiographs. Mean AOFAS score was 83.3 (standard deviation [SD], 13.2). Mean modified FAOS score was 87.4 (SD, 10.4). The AOS scoring system showed 75% good/excellent results. According to the Kellgren-Lawrence score and van Dijk osteoarthritis grading scale, 85% and 69% of patients had no change in talonavicular or subtalar grade of osteoarthritis, respectively. There were no cases of deep infection or other serious adverse events. All but 4 patients were able to return to work following AAA. CONCLUSIONS: AAA is an effective operation for treating degenerative ankle disease, even in cases of moderate tibiotalar coronal deformity. At a mean of 86 months postop, nearly three quarters of our patients had good/excellent functional outcomes. Arthritis found in the adjacent hindfoot joints at the time of tibiotalar fusion appears to be a function of preexisting arthritic change and not directly caused by the tibiotalar fusion. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, therapeutic case series.

Osteochondral Defects of the Talus: Current Management Dilemmas.

Osteochondral defects or lesions of the talus represent a management challenge. Arthroscopic débridement is the treatment of choice for patients with an osteochondral lesion of the talus in whom nonsurgical treatment fails. Although surgeons have a better understanding of the risk factors for failed débridement in patients with an osteochondral lesion of the talus, the treatment of patients in whom a high risk for failed débridement exists and patients in whom débridement fails is controversial. Surgeons should understand the current adjunct therapies available for the management of osteochondral lesions of the talus, including cartilage preparations, platelet-rich plasma, bone marrow aspirate, bone graft or bone graft substitutes, and whole bone cartilage transfer (osteochondral autograft transfer); however, evidence for the use of one adjunct therapy more than another is lacking.

Editorial Commentary: Osteochondral Lesions of the Talus-Are We Going the Wrong Way?

Recalcitrant osteochondral lesions of the talus present a difficult problem to the treating surgeon. Anterior and posterior approaches have been studied to facilitate treatment access. Current research highlights the accessibility of an osteochondral lesion to treatment from an anterior or posterior approach and shows the importance of foot position and noninvasive distraction to facilitate treatment. Moreover, it is important to consider that using both anterior and posterior portals, most osteochondral lesions can be well treated with a patient in the supine position. Most of all, ankle arthroscopy surgeons must be sure to visualize the central and posterior ankle so as not to miss essential pathology.

Lateral Ankle Instability and Peroneal Tendon Pathology.

Surgeons should understand the anatomic, vascular, biomechanical, and predisposing factors related to lateral ankle instability and peroneal tendon injuries, including peroneal tendinitis and tenosynovitis, peroneal tendon tears and ruptures, as well as peroneal tendon subluxation and dislocation. Surgeons should understand the treatment options and recommendations for patients who have lateral ankle instability and peroneal tendon injuries from the perspective of a sports medicine foot and ankle specialist. In addition, surgeons should be aware of arthroscopic approaches and an algorithm for the treatment of patients who have lateral ankle instability and peroneal tendon injuries.

Editorial Commentary: Ankle Arthroscopy: Correct Portals and Distraction Are the Keys to Success.

Access to all areas of the ankle during arthroscopy is always problematic. The use of the correct portals and distraction increases access in both the supine and prone positions. Noninvasive distraction up to 30 pounds is safe and effective to perform arthroscopy in the supine position, and avoids the potential complications of pin distraction.

Regeneration: Bone-Marrow Stimulation of the Talus-Limits and Goals.

Bone Marrow Stimulation of osteochondral lesions of the talus has been shown to be a successful way to treat cartilage injuries. Newer data suggest that Bone Marrow Stimulation is best reserved for osteochondral lesions of the talus Sizes Less Than 107.4 mm2 in area. Additionally, newer smaller and deeper techniques to perform bone marrow stimulation have resulted in less subchondral bone damage, less cancellous compaction, and superior bone marrow access with multiple trabecular access channels. Biologic adjuvants such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP), hyaluronic acid (HA), and bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC) may lead to better functional outcomes when used concomitant to bone marrow stimulation.

The "LIFT" lesion: lateral inverted osteochondral fracture of the talus.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess a series of lateral inverted osteochondral fractures of the talus. METHODS: Over a 17-year period, 10 patients with an acute lateral inverted osteochondral fracture of the talus after an inversion injury to the ankle were identified. Diagnosis was made by physical examination, radiographs, magnetic resonance imaging, and/or computed tomography scan. Arthroscopy was initially performed on all patients. All patients had an inverted osteochondral fragment. In 8 of 10 patients the fragment was reattached in an open manner in conjunction with lateral ligament reefing. The fragment was excised in 2 patients. The mean age of the patients was 17.2 years. They were evaluated with the Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation, American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society Ankle-Hindfoot Scale, modified Weber score, Berndt and Harty score, and Short Form 36 version 2 score. Physical and radiographic examination was also performed. The mean time to follow-up was 112.3 months (9.3 years). RESULTS: The mean American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society score improved from 18.9 preoperatively to 86.9 postoperatively (P ≤ .0001). The mean Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation and modified Weber scores were 81.6 and 81.5, respectively. On the Berndt and Harty scale, 6 patients had a good to excellent rating; 3, fair; and 1, poor. The mean Short Form 36 version 2 scores corresponded to national averages for healthy populations. Mean loss of motion for dorsiflexion and plantarflexion was 6.8° and 3.0°, respectively, when compared with the contralateral side. All patients showed some osteophyte formation on follow-up radiographs. CONCLUSIONS: An inverted osteochondral fracture of the lateral talus (lateral, inverted, fracture, talus [LIFT lesion]) can occur after a twisting injury to the ankle. Clinical suspicion should be high, especially in the younger athlete. This injury can be successfully managed with a combined arthroscopic and open approach. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, therapeutic case series.

Analysis of Return to Play After Modified Broström Lateral Ankle Ligament Reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: Despite marked improvements in stability after lateral ankle ligament repair, many patients do not return to their preinjury activity level. There are few studies addressing athletes' assessment of their ability to return to play after lateral ankle ligament reconstruction for recurrent instability. PURPOSE: To determine the rate of return to the preinjury activity level among physically active patients after the modified Broström procedure (MBP) for recurrent lateral ankle instability. STUDY DESIGN: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. METHODS: Included were patients who had undergone a primary MBP by a single surgeon over a 6-year period and had a minimum 24 months of follow-up. A telephone questionnaire was conducted to ascertain the patient's ability to return to sport and/or work activity at final follow-up. Activity levels were evaluated utilizing the Tegner activity score. Outcome scores and other measured variables were compared between patients who returned to their preinjury level and those who did not. The reasons for failing to return were also documented. RESULTS: Of the 59 patients who met the inclusion criteria, 41 (69%; 20 men and 21 women) participated in the telephone interview. Results indicated that 22 (54%) returned to their prior level of activity (returners). The mean age of returners was 27.2 years; for nonreturners, the mean age was 27.1 years. Most patients (36/41; 88%) were satisfied with surgery and the overall outcome. Of the 19 nonreturners, 7 (37%) noted ankle-related reasons for not returning (pain: 57%; residual instability: 29%; decreased range of motion: 14%), and 12 (63%) cited non-ankle-related reasons. The mean preinjury and postoperative Tegner score for returners was 6.8. Moreover, 7 of 14 (50%) high-level athletes with preinjury Tegner scores ≥8 returned to their preinjury activity level. For high-level athletes who did not return to their previous level, the mean postoperative Tegner score was 6.6, and only 1 (7%) cited an ankle-related reason for not returning. CONCLUSION: A high patient satisfaction rate was reported after the MBP for recurrent lateral ankle instability. The majority of patients who did not return to their preinjury level cited a non-ankle-related factor as the reason for not returning to sport. This was especially true for the higher level athletes.

Terminology for osteochondral lesions of the ankle: proceedings of the International Consensus Meeting on Cartilage Repair of the Ankle.

BACKGROUND: The evidence supporting best practice guidelines in the field of cartilage repair of the ankle is based on both low quality and low levels of evidence. Therefore, an international consensus group of experts was convened to collaboratively advance toward consensus opinions based on the best available evidence on key topics within cartilage repair of the ankle. The purpose of this article is to report the consensus statements on "terminology for osteochondral lesions of the ankle" developed at the 2019 International Consensus Meeting on Cartilage Repair of the Ankle. METHODS: Forty-three international experts in cartilage repair of the ankle representing 20 countries were convened and participated in a process based on the Delphi method of achieving consensus. Questions and statements were drafted within four working groups focusing on specific topics within cartilage repair of the ankle, after which a comprehensive literature review was performed, and the available evidence for each statement was graded. Discussion and debate occurred in cases where statements were not agreed on in unanimous fashion within the working groups. A final vote was then held, and the strength of consensus was characterised as follows: consensus, 51%-74%; strong consensus, 75%-99%; unanimous, 100%. RESULTS: A total of 11 statements on terminology and classification reached consensus during the 2019 International Consensus Meeting on Cartilage Repair of the Ankle. Definitions are provided for osseous, chondral and osteochondral lesions, as well as bone marrow stimulation and injury chronicity, among others. An osteochondral lesion of the talus can be abbreviated as OLT. CONCLUSIONS: This international consensus derived from leaders in the field will assist clinicians with the appropriate terminology for osteochondral lesions of the ankle.

Paediatric ankle cartilage lesions: Proceedings of the International Consensus Meeting on Cartilage Repair of the Ankle.

BACKGROUND: The evidence supporting best practice guidelines in the field of cartilage repair of the ankle are based on both low quality and low levels of evidence. Therefore, an international consensus group of experts was convened to collaboratively advance toward consensus opinions based on the best available evidence on key topics within cartilage repair of the ankle. The purpose of this article is to report the consensus statements on "Pediatric Ankle Cartilage Lesions" developed at the 2019 International Consensus Meeting on Cartilage Repair of the Ankle. METHODS: Forty-three international experts in cartilage repair of the ankle representing 20 countries convened to participate in a process based on the Delphi method of achieving consensus. Questions and statements were drafted within four working groups focusing on specific topics within cartilage repair of the ankle, after which a comprehensive literature review was performed and the available evidence for each statement was graded. Discussion and debate occurred in cases where statements were not agreed upon in unanimous fashion within the working groups. A final vote was then held, and the strength of consensus was characterised as follows: consensus: 51-74%; strong consensus: 75-99%; unanimous: 100%. RESULTS: A total of 12 statements on paediatric ankle cartilage lesions reached consensus during the 2019 International Consensus Meeting on Cartilage Repair of the Ankle. Five achieved unanimous support, and seven reached strong consensus (>75% agreement). All statements reached at least 84% agreement. CONCLUSIONS: This international consensus derived from leaders in the field will assist clinicians with the management of paediatric ankle cartilage lesions.

Osteochondral Lesions of the Tibial Plafond and Ankle Instability With Ankle Cartilage Lesions: Proceedings of the International Consensus Meeting on Cartilage Repair of the Ankle.

BACKGROUND: An international consensus group of experts was convened to collaboratively advance toward consensus opinions based on the best available evidence on key topics within cartilage repair of the ankle. The purpose of this article is to present the consensus statements on osteochondral lesions of the tibial plafond (OLTP) and on ankle instability with ankle cartilage lesions developed at the 2019 International Consensus Meeting on Cartilage Repair of the Ankle. METHODS: Forty-three experts in cartilage repair of the ankle were convened and participated in a process based on the Delphi method of achieving consensus. Questions and statements were drafted within 4 working groups focusing on specific topics within cartilage repair of the ankle, after which a comprehensive literature review was performed and the available evidence for each statement was graded. Discussion and debate occurred in cases where statements were not agreed on in unanimous fashion within the working groups. A final vote was then held. RESULTS: A total of 11 statements on OLTP reached consensus. Four achieved unanimous support and 7 reached strong consensus (greater than 75% agreement). A total of 8 statements on ankle instability with ankle cartilage lesions reached consensus during the 2019 International Consensus Meeting on Cartilage Repair of the Ankle. One achieved unanimous support, and seven reached strong consensus (greater than 75% agreement). CONCLUSION: These consensus statements may assist clinicians in the management of these difficult clinical pathologies. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level V, mechanism-based reasoning.

Athletic Performance in the National Basketball Association After Arthroscopic Debridement of Osteochondral Lesions of the Talus.

BACKGROUND: Use of marrow-stimulating techniques to treat osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLTs) in National Basketball Association (NBA) players is controversial. HYPOTHESIS: NBA players will be able to return to preinjury playing status after treatment of OLTs by arthroscopic debridement alone without marrow-stimulating techniques. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS: Between the 2000 and 2015 seasons, 10 NBA players were treated with arthroscopic debridement of an OLT. The following performance outcomes were compared pre- and postoperatively: seasons played, games played, games started, minutes per game, points per game, field goals, 3-point shots, rebounds, assists, double doubles, triple doubles, steals, blocks, turnovers, personal fouls, assists per turnovers, steals per turnovers, NBA rating, scoring efficiency, and shooting efficiency. In addition, the players were compared with a matched control group using mixed effects regression and Fisher least significant difference modeling. RESULTS: All 10 players returned to play in the NBA after arthroscopic debridement without microfracture or drilling of an OLT. When compared with preoperative performance, postoperative mean points scored, assists made, and steals made increased by 2.86 (P = .042), 0.61 (P = .049), and 0.15 (P = .027), respectively. Only field goal percentage decreased postoperatively when compared with matched controls; however, this normalized by the end of the second season after surgery. There was no statistically significant change in any of the other performance factors when compared with matched controls. All patients returned to basketball during the same season (n = 1) or the following season (n = 9) if the operation was performed off-season. The mean length of career after surgery was 4.1 years, with 5 players still playing in the league at the time of this study. CONCLUSION: After arthroscopic debridement of an OLT without drilling or microfracture, there was a high rate of return to the NBA, with improved points scored, assists, and steals made after surgery when compared with preoperative performance. There was no statistically significant change in any performance factors when compared with uninjured matched controls. Lesion size did not affect player career length. These data should be used to manage patients' and teams' expectations regarding players' ability to return to elite levels of athletic performance after surgery of an OLT.

Arthroscopic Posterior Ankle Ligament Anatomy.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this article is to document the normal arthroscopic appearance of the posterior ankle capsular and ligamentous structures, and variations in their anatomical relationships. METHODS: 102 ankle arthroscopy videotapes were evaluated retrospectively for the configuration of the posterior capsuloligamentous structures. Based on these observations, the variations in the appearance and position of the posterior tibiofibular ligament (PTFL) and transverse (tibiofibular) ligament (TTFL) were documented. In addition, differences in the appearance of the flexor hallucis longus (FHL) were also noted. RESULTS: All patients had evidence of both a PTFL and TTFL, which formed a labrum or meniscus-like addition to the posterior distal tibia. No patients demonstrated disruption of the PTFL; 3 had tears of the TTFL. We noted 4 distinct patterns of the PTFL and the TTFL. Thirty-four patients (33%) had a gap of ≥2 mm between the 2 ligamentous structures. Thirty-three (32.4%) had a gap <2 mm between the PTFL and TTFL. Twenty-six (25.5%) had a confluence of the 2 ligaments without a gap. Nine (9%) demonstrated a sizable gap between the 2 ligaments, and the TTFL appeared as a "cord-like" structure. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this is the first article to describe the variations in the arthroscopic normal posterior capsuloligamentous structures and FHL of the ankle. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, case series.

Arthroscopy classics. SLAP lesions of the shoulder.

A specific pattern of injury to the superior labrum of the shoulder was identified arthroscopically in twenty-seven patients included in a retrospective review of more than 700 shoulder arthroscopies performed at our institution. The injury of the superior labrum begins posteriorly and extends anteriorly, stopping before or at the mid- glenoid notch and including the "anchor" of the biceps tendon to the labrum. We have labeled this injury a "SLAP lesion" (Superior Labrum Anterior and Posterior). There were 23 males and four females with an average age of 37.5 years. Time from injury to surgery averaged 29.3 months. The most common mechanism of injury was a compression force to the shoulder, usually as the result of a fall onto an outstretched arm, with the shoulder positioned in abduction and slight forward flexion at the time of the impact. The most common clinical complaints were pain, greater with overhead activity, and a painful "catching" or "popping" in the shoulder. No imaging test accurately defined the superior labral pathology preoperatively. We divided the superior labrum pathology into four distinct types. Treatment was performed arthroscopically based on the type of SLAP lesion noted at the time of surgery. The SLAP lesion, which has not been previously described, can be diagnosed only arthroscopically and may be treated successfully by arthroscopic techniques alone in many patients.

Surgical treatment of osteochondral lesions of the talus.

When conservative treatment is unsuccessful, there are many surgical options to treat patients with symptomatic chronic osteochondral lesions of the talus. The chosen treatment depends on the patient's symptoms, clinical examination findings, preoperative imaging results, and whether prior surgery was unsuccessful. It is important to be aware of treatment alternatives such as marrow stimulation, osteochondral autograft or allograft plugs, autologous chondrocyte implantation, and newer techniques currently being investigated outside the United States.

MRI evaluation of anterolateral soft tissue impingement of the ankle.

BACKGROUND: The usefulness of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been questioned in evaluating patients with chronic ankle sprain pain. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness and reliability of routine MR imaging in the diagnosis of anterolateral soft tissue impingement. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Inclusion criteria required that the MR examinations be performed by the same musculoskeletal radiologist after the most recent scanner upgrade and using a dedicated ankle/hindfoot coil. The surgical and MRI reports of 24 patients who had an arthroscopic diagnosis of anterolateral soft tissue impingement of the ankle were tabulated and categorized. Unlike previous studies, sagittal T1 and Short Tau Inversion Recovery (STIR) images were used primarily in the diagnosis of these lesions. RESULTS: Using this technique, we report a 78.9% accuracy in diagnosis, a sensitivity of 83.3% and a specificity of 78.6%. Fifty-eight percent of patients had an associated diagnosis, which in 33% of patients altered our surgical plan. CONCLUSION: Although not indicated in all cases of anterolateral ankle impingement, we advocate the use of MR imaging in complicated clinical presentations where the exclusion of additional pathology in the ankle or subtalar joint, and the confirmation of anterolateral soft tissue impingement would be beneficial.

The Effects of Noninvasive Traction on SSEPs During Ankle Arthroscopy.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of noninvasive ankle distraction on intraoperative somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs) and peripheral nerve sensibility of the foot during ankle arthroscopy. METHODS: Twenty patients undergoing ankle arthroscopy were prospectively evaluated using noninvasive ankle traction. All had preoperative clinical examination with baseline neurologic evaluation and static 2-point discrimination (2PD) test. Intraoperative SSEPs were monitored continuously throughout surgery. Thirty pounds of traction was applied using noninvasive traction. A 50% decrease in amplitude or a 10% increase in latency was considered significant. At 2 weeks postoperatively, the 2PD test was repeated. Pre- and postoperative 2PD was compared and subsequently correlated with intraoperative SSEPs. RESULTS: Three patients sustained significant SSEP signal alterations during surgery. The changes were transient and directly related to application of traction but returned to baseline without traction release. Abnormal postoperative 2PD testing was found in the operative extremity in 12 patients but resolved by the second postoperative visit. Only 2 of 12 had intraoperative SSEP changes. Eleven patients had abnormal postoperative 2PD testing in the nonoperative limb. Nine had changes in both limbs. Routine history and clinical examination did not suggest any neurologic injury. There was no statistically significant correlation between intraoperative SSEP alterations and subsequent development of abnormal postoperative 2PD testing. CONCLUSION: Transient intraoperative SSEP changes occurred with noninvasive distraction but were reversible when using 30 pounds of traction. 2PD testing changes were common postoperatively but not correlated to changes in SSEP. Patients with increased 2PD did not have sensory changes detectable on clinical exam or subjective patient history. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Experimental level II, prospective comparative study.