UK Foot and Ankle Thromboembolism (UK-FATE).

Aims: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a potential complication of foot and ankle surgery. There is a lack of agreement on contributing risk factors and chemical prophylaxis requirements. The primary outcome of this study was to analyze the 90-day incidence of symptomatic VTE and VTE-related mortality in patients undergoing foot and ankle surgery and Achilles tendon (TA) rupture. Secondary aims were to assess the variation in the provision of chemical prophylaxis and risk factors for VTE. Methods: This was a multicentre, prospective national collaborative audit with data collection over nine months for all patients undergoing foot and ankle surgery in an operating theatre or TA rupture treatment, within participating UK hospitals. The association between VTE and thromboprophylaxis was assessed with a univariable logistic regression model. A multivariable logistic regression model was used to identify key predictors for the risk of VTE. Results: A total of 13,569 patients were included from 68 sites. Overall, 11,363 patients were available for analysis: 44.79% were elective (n = 5,090), 42.16% were trauma excluding TA ruptures (n = 4,791), 3.50% were acute diabetic procedures (n = 398), 2.44% were TA ruptures undergoing surgery (n = 277), and 7.10% were TA ruptures treated nonoperatively (n = 807). In total, 11 chemical anticoagulants were recorded, with the most common agent being low-molecular-weight heparin (n = 6,303; 56.79%). A total of 32.71% received no chemical prophylaxis. There were 99 cases of VTE (incidence 0.87% (95% CI 0.71 to 1.06)). VTE-related mortality was 0.03% (95% CI 0.005 to 0.080). Univariable analysis showed that increased age and American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) grade had higher odds of VTE, as did having previous cancer, stroke, or history of VTE. On multivariable analysis, the strongest predictors for VTE were the type of foot and ankle procedure and ASA grade. Conclusion: The 90-day incidence of symptomatic VTE and mortality related to VTE is low in foot and ankle surgery and TA management. There was notable variability in the chemical prophylaxis used. The significant risk factors associated with 90-day symptomatic VTE were TA rupture and high ASA grade.

Complex primary arthrodesis of the first metatarsophalangeal joint after bone loss.

BACKGROUND: Complications associated with a failed Keller procedure or joint replacement include bone loss and shortening of the first ray. We treated failed Keller resection arthroplasty and joint replacement arthroplasty cases with metatarsophalangeal joint arthrodesis, using an interpositional tricortical autograft from the iliac crest and a low-profile titanium plate. METHODS: This was a retrospective case note review of the patients treated by four consultant surgeons in a university teaching hospital. A Keller procedure was considered to have failed when patients presented with a short, painful great toe with valgus cock-up deformity. Prosthetic joint replacements were considered to have failed based on the clinico-radiological loosening with associated pain. Metatarsophalangeal joint arthrodesis was carried out using an interpositional tricortical bone autograft and a titanium plate. Patients were assessed for resolution of pain, clinical and radiological evidence of fusion and complications. Ten operated feet in nine female patients, with a mean age of 55.9 (range, 37.8 to 80.2) years were followed for a mean of 12.6 (range, 6 to 26) months. Six patients presented with failed prosthetic joint replacements and four with failed Keller arthroplasty. RESULTS: Full clinicoradiological union was achieved in nine of the ten patients as judged by an independent consultant musculo-skeletal radiologist. Four patients needed removal of implants, one for infection, two for prominent hardware and one for implant failure. Eight of the ten patients were satisfied with the relief of pain. CONCLUSION: Failed arthroplasty or Keller procedure is a difficult problem to manage. We recommend complex primary arthrodesis with an interpositional iliac crest autograft and a low profile plate as a salvage procedure.

Articular cartilage: structure, injuries and review of management.

INTRODUCTION: Chondral and osteochondral injuries are commonly seen in today's clinical practice. Articular cartilage provides an ultimate low-friction gliding surface, which none of the artificial constructs have been able to replace successfully. Retrospective review of the knee arthroscopies has revealed an underestimated incidence of this complex problem. Cartilage injuries in the knee joint if left untreated lead to pre-mature early arthritis and affect the activities of daily living. Various different treatment methods of cartilage regeneration have shown encouraging results, but unfortunately none has proved to be the ultimate solution. SOURCES OF DATA: This article re-visits the intricate structure of articular cartilage and reviews the different methods of regeneration described in the literature, based on evidence-based effectiveness. The methods described by their originators and their results are considered gold standards for those methods, as being the best available evidence. AREAS OF AGREEMENT: Majority of the authors agree that cartilage injuries are complex and difficult to treat. If untreated, cartilage defects lead to early osteoarthritis. Great debate still persists about the best available treatment for symptomatic chondral or osteochondral defect(s). AREAS OF CONTROVERSY: The controversy about the management outplays its aetiological theories. Several authors have reported good results with different techniques; however none has proved to be the solution for the problem. GROWING POINTS: Up until 1990, marrow stimulation techniques were routine form of management for chondral defects. However, ever since autologous chondrocyte implantation was successfully introduced in humans, it has provided a new dimension for the treatment of chondral defects. AREAS TIMELY FOR DEVELOPING RESEARCH: The success of any treatment lies in its longevity. The new minimally invasive techniques are being invented. However, timely research, on the basis of randomized controlled trial comparing different methods of cartilage reconstruction is necessary for decision-making in today's evidence-based medical world.

Footwear modification following hallux valgus surgery: The all-or-none phenomenon.

AIM: To define footwear outcomes following hallux valgus surgery, focusing on patient return to comfortable and heeled footwear and patterns of post-operative footwear selection. METHODS: Surgical intervention is indicated for symptomatic cases of hallux valgus unresponsive to conservative methods, with favourable reported outcomes. The return to various types of footwear post-operatively is reflective of the degree of correction achieved, and corresponds to patient satisfaction. Patients are expected to return to comfortable footwear post-operatively without significant residual symptoms. Many female patients will additionally attempt to return to high-heeled, narrow toe box shoes. However, minimal evidence exists to guide their expectations. Sixty-five female hallux valgus patients that had undergone primary surgery between 2011 and 2013 were retrospectively identified using our hospital surgical database. Patients were reviewed using a footwear-specific outcome questionnaire at a mean 18.5 mo follow-up. RESULTS: Eighty-six percent of patients were able to return to comfortable footwear post-operatively with minimal discomfort. Of those intending to resume wearing heeled footwear, 62% were able to do so, with 77% of these patients wearing these as or more frequently than pre-operatively. No significant difference was observed between pre- and post-operative heel size. Mean time to return to heeled footwear was 21.4 wk post-operation. Cosmetic outcomes were very high and did not adversely impact footwear selection. CONCLUSION: We report high rates of return to both comfortable and heeled shoes in female patients following primary hallux valgus surgery. We observed an "all-or-none phenomenon" where patients rejected a return to heeled footwear unless able to tolerate them at the same frequency and heel size as pre-operatively. A minority of patients were unable to return to comfortable footwear post-operatively, which had adverse ramifications on their quality-of-life. We recommend that the importance of managing patient expectations through appropriate pre-operative counselling be emphasized in forefoot surgery.

Intratendinous ganglion cyst of the extensor digitorum longus tendon: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Ganglion cysts are benign lesions, common in the hand and wrist. Intratendinous ganglion, however, are rare. We present the first reported case of an intratendinous ganglion cyst in an extensor digitorum longus (EDL) tendon of the foot. CASE REPORT: A 35-year old presented with a left-sided painful dorsolateral foot swelling. Ultrasound suggested a ganglion cyst in proximity to the EDL tendon of the 5th toe. Two distinct swellings were identified on surgical exploration, including a 6×1cm ganglion lying within the EDL tendon substance that had resulted in tendon splitting. The lesions were excised and EDL tendon repaired. Histological analysis confirmed that both lesions were ganglion cysts. Post-operative recovery was uneventful. DISCUSSION: Intratendinous ganglion cysts are rare lesions that pose a unique set of diagnostic and treatment challenges. Unlike conventional ganglion, their diagnosis may not be possible until surgical exploration. They have been reported to increase the risk of spontaneous tendon rupture. As such, a lower operative threshold should be applied to prevent their progression. A high index of suspicion should be applied to any ganglion reported radiologically to be in close contact with tendons. If diagnosed upon surgical exploration, it is essential that the operating surgeon is prepared to appropriately modify the procedure to involve primary tendon repair, tendon transfer or tenodesis.

Triple osteotomy for the correction of severe hallux valgus deformity: Patient reported outcomes and radiological evaluation.

BACKGROUND: Symptomatic Hallux valgus can be treated with metatarsal osteotomy combined with proximal phalangeal osteotomy, however this might not be sufficient to treat severe HV deformities. METHODS: Fifteen feet in eleven female patients treated with double first metatarsal and proximal phalanx osteotomies without lateral release were prospectively studied and outcome measures including radiological angles and validated patient reported outcome scores collected. RESULTS: Mean radiological follow up was 15 months and PROMs data 17 months. Mean hallux valgus and intermetatarsal angles were corrected from 45 to 24.7° and 18.7 to 7.4° respectively. There was an eight degree recurrence of hallux valgus angle. There was no wound problems, non-unions or evidence of avascular necrosis. The EQ-5D descriptive index showed a non-statistically significant improvement. All three elements of the MOxFQ score showed a statistically significant improvement: Forefoot pain (59-26.8), Walking and Stability (49.9-29.6) and Social Interaction (56.4-33.1) CONCLUSION: Triple osteotomy, without a lateral soft tissue release, leads to good radiological and functional outcomes in those with severe hallux valgus deformity. Patients need to be warned of the recovery time and potential for future metalwork removal. The risk of early recurrence suggests that a lateral release should be included in order to maintain a long lasting correction.

Retrofibular osteochondroma with peroneal tendon subluxation.

Osteochondroma of the bone can cause a range of complications involving tendons, joints and neurovascular structures. Distal fibular osteochondroma and non-traumatic peroneal tendon subluxation are both rare. In this case report, we describe an unusual case of distal retrofibular osteochondroma in a 36-year old male causing peroneal tendon subluxation. He presented with pain and instability around his ankle, but with no history of trauma. He successfully underwent osteochondroma excision, peroneal groove deepening and a Brostrom-Gould type reconstruction for the lateral ankle ligament insufficiency. Complete resolution of the symptoms of instability and subluxation was noted upon 6-month follow up.

Complications of Elastic Stable Intramedullary Nailing for treating paediatric long bone fractures.

This study reports the complications observed in children with long bone fractures treated using Elastic Stable Intramedullary Nailing (ESIN). One hundred and sixty-four (n = 164) fractures in 160 patients under the age of 16 years formed the basis of our review. This included 108 boys and 52 girls with the median age of 11 years and median follow up of 7.5 months. The analysis included fractures of the radius/ulna, humerus, femur and tibia. All pathological fractures were excluded. In this series 54 patients (34%) had complications however majority of these were minor complications with irritation due to prominent nail ends being the commonest complication. No long-term sequelae were encountered in our patients.

Midterm to long-term longitudinal outcome of autologous chondrocyte implantation in the knee joint: a multilevel analysis.

BACKGROUND: Autologous chondrocyte implantation is a cell therapeutic approach for the treatment of chondral and osteochondral defects in the knee joint. The authors previously reported on the histologic and radiologic outcome of autologous chondrocyte implantation in the short- to midterm, which yields mixed results. PURPOSE: The objective is to report on the clinical outcome of autologous chondrocyte implantation for the knee in the midterm to long term. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS: Eighty patients who had undergone autologous chondrocyte implantation of the knee with mid- to long-term follow-up were analyzed. The mean patient age was 34.6 years (standard deviation, 9.1 years), with 63 men and 17 women. Seventy-one patients presented with a focal chondral defect, with a median defect area of 4.1 cm(2) and a maximum defect area of 20 cm(2). The modified Lysholm score was used as a self-reporting clinical outcome measure to determine the following: (1) What is the typical pattern over time of clinical outcome after autologous chondrocyte implantation; and (2) Which patient-related predictors for the clinical outcome pattern can be used to improve patient selection for autologous chondrocyte implantation? RESULTS: The average follow-up time was 5 years (range, 2.7-9.3). Improvement in clinical outcome was found in 65 patients (81%), while 15 patients (19%) showed a decline in outcome. The median preoperative Lysholm score of 54 increased to a median of 78 points. The most rapid improvement in Lysholm score was over the 15-month period after operation, after which the Lysholm score remained constant for up to 9 years. The authors were unable to identify any patient-specific factors (ie, age, gender, defect size, defect location, number of previous operations, preoperative Lysholm score) that could predict the change in clinical outcome in the first 15 months. CONCLUSION: Autologous chondrocyte implantation seems to provide a durable clinical outcome in those patients demonstrating success at 15 months after operation. Comparisons between other outcome measures of autologous chondrocyte implantation should be focused on the clinical status at 15 months after surgery. The patient-reported clinical outcome at 15 months is a major predictor of the mid- to long-term success of autologous chondrocyte implantation.