[Thromboembolic complications following ankle prosthesis implantation]. / Thrombembolische Komplikationen nach Sprunggelenkprothesenimplantation.

BACKGROUND: Total ankle replacement is becoming an increasingly used treatment for patients with degenerative arthritis of the ankle; however, there is limited literature available addressing the incidence of thromboembolic complications after total ankle replacement. Therefore, we performed a systematic literature review addressing thrombosis prophylaxis and incidence of thromboembolic complications after total ankle replacement. Furthermore, we evaluated the incidence of thromboembolic complications in our clinic. METHODS: A systemic literature review was performed using established medical literature data bases. The following information was retrieved from the literature: thrombosis prophylaxis and duration and deep vein thrombosis/pulmonary embolism as postoperative complication. The incidence of thromboembolic complications was evaluated in our patient cohort including 964 total ankle replacement procedures. RESULTS: A total of 21 clinical studies were included in the systematic literature review. The range of incidence of thromboembolic complications was between 0.0 % and 4.8 %. In our patient cohort the incidence of symptomatic deep vein thrombosis was 3.4 %. There were no cases of pulmonary embolism. All patients received low molecular weight heparin prophylaxis. CONCLUSION: The incidence of thromboembolic complications in our patient cohort was comparable to that of symptomatic deep vein thrombosis in patients undergoing total knee or hip replacement or ankle fusion. We suggest the prophylactic use of low molecular weight heparin for patients after total ankle replacement.

[Revision arthroplasty of the ankle joint]. / Revisionsarthroplastik des oberen Sprunggelenks.

In the last 20 years total ankle replacement has become a viable alternative to arthrodesis for end-stage osteoarthritis of the ankle. Numerous ankle prosthesis designs have appeared on the market in the past and attracted by the encouraging intermediate results reported in the literature, many surgeons have started to perform this procedure. With increased availability on the market the indications for total ankle replacement have also increased in recent years. In particular, total ankle replacement may now be considered even in younger patients. Therefore, despite progress in total ankle arthroplasty the number of failures may increase. Up to now, arthrodesis was considered to be the gold standard for salvage of failed ankle prostheses. Because of extensive bone loss on the talar side, in most instances tibiocalcaneal fusion is the only reliable solution. An alternative to such extended hindfoot fusions would be revision arthroplasty. To date, however, there are no reported results of revision arthroplasty for salvage of a failed ankle replacement.Based on our experience prosthetic components with a flat undersurface are most likely to be able to find solid support on remaining bone stock. The first 83 cases (79 patients, 46 males, 33 females, average age 58.9 years, range 30.6-80.7 years) with a average follow-up of 5.4 years (range 2-11 years) showed excellent to good results in 69 cases (83%), a satisfactory result in 12 cases (15%) and a fair result in 2 cases (2%) and 47 patients (56%) were pain free. Primary loosening was noted in three cases and of these two cases were successfully revised by another total ankle replacement and in one case with arthrodesis. Another case with hematogenous infection was also revised by arthrodesis. At the last follow-up control two components were considered to be loose and the overall loosening rate was thus 6%.This series has proven that revision arthroplasty can be a promising option for patients with failed total ankle prosthesis. The most challenging issue is the solid anchoring of available components on residual bone. More experience is needed, however, to better define the possibilities and limitations of revision arthroplasty.

[Total ankle replacement for varus deformity]. / Sprunggelenkprothese bei Varusarthrose.

Coronal plane deformity has been found to be one of the main risk factors for poor clinical results, higher complication rates and failure of total ankle replacements. Initially, many authors considered a malalignment of more than 10° to be a contraindication for total ankle replacement, however, several publications later underlined the usefulness of the distinction of different etiologies of hindfoot malalignment. This subsequently led to suggestions for additional procedures in order to avoid early implant failure.The aim of the present article is to illustrate the different causes of varus malaligned arthritic ankles and to present procedures to balance these ankles at the time of replacement.

[Medial pain syndrome in patients with total ankle replacement]. / Mediales Schmerzsyndrom nach Sprunggelenkprothesenimplantation.

Total ankle replacement is an increasingly recommended treatment for patients with end-stage ankle osteoarthritis. The increasing experience with this procedure explains its acceptance as a therapeutic option in complex cases as part of reconstruction surgery. However, the complication rate including failure of the prosthesis should not be underestimated. Previous studies have shown that most patients developed ankle osteoarthritis secondary to previous trauma. Patients with posttraumatic osteoarthritis often have varus or valgus misalignment of the hindfoot. In cases with incorrectly addressed hindfoot misalignment and/or incorrectly positioned prosthesis components, pain may remain postoperatively because of biomechanical dysbalance and asymmetrical load. The pain is mostly localized on the medial side the so-called medial pain syndrome.The following classification of the medial pain syndrome has been established in our practice: type I medial impingement/contracture of medial ligaments, type II valgus deformity, type III varus deformity, type IV combined varus-valgus deformity.

Haemophilic arthropathy of the ankle treated by total ankle replacement: a case series.

The standard treatment for end-stage osteoarthritis of the ankle joint in haemophilic patients has been fusion of the ankle joint. Total ankle replacement is still controversial as a treatment option. The objective of this prospective study was to evaluate the mid-term outcome in patients treated with total ankle replacement using an unconstrained three-component ankle implant. Ten haemophilic ankles in eight patients (mean age: 43.2 years, range 26.7-57.5) treated with total ankle replacement were followed up for a minimum of 2.7 years (mean: 5.6, range 2.7-7.6). The outcome was measured with clinical and radiological evaluations. There were no intra- or peri-operative complications. The AOFAS-hindfoot-score increased from 38 (range 8-57) preoperatively to 81 (range 69-95) postoperatively. All patients were satisfied with the results. Four patients became pain free; in the whole patient cohort pain level decreased from 7.1 (range 4-9) preoperatively to 0.8 (range 0-3) postoperatively. All categories of SF-36 score showed significant improvements in quality of life. In one patient, open ankle arthrolysis was performed because of painful arthrofibrosis. For patients with haemophilic osteoarthritis of the ankle joint, total ankle replacement is a valuable alternative treatment to ankle fusion.

Frontal and lateral characteristics of the osseous configuration in chronic ankle instability.

OBJECTIVE: The osseous ankle configuration (tibiotalar sector, talar radius and height) has been discovered as intrinsic risk factor for chronic ankle instability (CAI). These measurements were done on lateral radiographs only. In this study, the osseous characteristics in the frontal plane and further lateral values were measured. DESIGN: Level III case-control study. SETTING: Radiological measurement of frontal and lateral radiographs by one independent, blinded radiologist using a digital DICOM/PACS system. PATIENTS: A group of 52 patients with CAI was compared with an age- and sex-matched control group of 52 healthy subjects. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: In the frontal plane, the depth of the talar curvature (frontal curvature (froCu)) and the lateral and medial malleolar lengths were measured. In the lateral plane, the position of the centre of rotation to the tibial axis (talar centre of rotation to the anatomical axis of the tibia (TibCOR)) and the tibial lateral surface angle (TLS) were also measured. RESULTS: The froCu was deeper in patients with CAI (1.8 (0.5) mm) than in healthy subjects (1.0 (0.5) mm, p<0.05). The TibCOR was more anterior in patients with CAI (2.5 (1.9) mm) than in healthy subjects (1.6 (2.2) mm, p<0.05). The distance from the fibular tip to the centre of rotation was smaller in patients with CAI (3.5 (3.4) mm) than in healthy subjects (6.5 (3.3) mm, p<0.05). The TLS and the length of the lateral and medial ankle were not significantly different. CONCLUSIONS: This study supports that the osseous joint configuration is an intrinsic risk factor for CAI. It could be shown that CAI is characterised by a deeper frontal curvature of the talus and a more anterior position of the talus to the tibia.

[Treatment of acute and chronic peroneal tendon disorders]. / Behandlung akuter und chronischer Verletzungen der Peronäalsehnen.

Peroneal tendon injuries are recognized with increasing frequency to be the cause of persistent lateral ankle symptoms. The lesions are frequently found in patients with concomitant anatomical or biomechanical abnormalities, such as chronic lateral instability or cavovarus deformity. The most common mechanism involves a sudden inversion injury or repetitive activities. Three categories of injuries can be distinguished: (1) tendinitis and tenosynovitis, (2) tendon subluxation and dislocation and (3) tendon tears and ruptures. Many of these conditions respond to conservative therapy. However, when left untreated, the disorders can lead to persistent lateral ankle pain and substantial functional deficits. This is particularly true in patients with an underlying anatomical predisposition to lesions.

[Injuries and dysfunction of the posterior tibial tendon]. / Verletzungen und Funktionsstörungen der Tibialis-posterior-Sehne.

The function of the posterior tibial (PT) tendon is to stabilize the hindfoot against valgus and eversion forces. It functions as the primary invertor of the foot and assists the Achilles tendon in plantar flexion. The PT tendon is a stance phase muscle, firing from heel strike to shortly after heel lift-off. It decelerates subtalar joint pronation after heel contact. It functions as a powerful subtalar joint supinator and as a support of the medial longitudinal arch. The action of the tendon travels to the transverse tarsal joints, locking them and allowing the gastrocnemius to support heel rise. Acute injuries of the PT tendon are rare and mostly affect the active middle-aged patient or they are the result of complex injuries to the ankle joint complex. Dysfunction of the PT tendon following degeneration and rupture, in contrast, has shown an increasing incidence in recent years. To which extent changed lifestyle, advancing age, comorbidities, and obesity play a role has not yet been clarified in detail. Dysfunction of the PT tendon results in progressive destabilization of the hind- and midfoot. Clinically, the ongoing deformation of the foot can be classified into four stages: in stage 1, the deformity is distinct and fully correctable; in stage II, the deformity is obvious, but still correctable; in stage III, the deformity has become stiff; and in stage IV, the ankle joint is also involved in the deformity. Treatment modalities depend on stage: while conservative measures may work in stage I, surgical treatment is mandatory for the later stages. Reconstructive surgery is advised in stage II, whereas in stage III and IV correcting and stabilizing arthrodeses are advised. A promising treatment option for stage IV may be adding an ankle prosthesis to a triple arthrodesis, as long as the remaining competence of the deltoid ligament is sufficient. An appropriate treatment is mandatory to avoid further destabilization and deformation of the foot. Failures of treatment result mostly from underestimation of the problem or insufficient treatment of existing instability and deformity.

A flexion osteotomy for correction of a distal tibial recurvatum deformity: a retrospective case series.

AIMS: There is little information about how to manage patients with a recurvatum deformity of the distal tibia and osteoarthritis (OA) of the ankle. The aim of this study was to evaluate the functional and radiological outcome of addressing this deformity using a flexion osteotomy and to assess the progression of OA after this procedure. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 39 patients (12 women, 27 men; mean age 47 years (28 to 72)) with a distal tibial recurvatum deformity were treated with a flexion osteotomy, between 2010 and 2015. Nine patients (23%) subsequently required conversion to either a total ankle arthroplasty (seven) or an arthrodesis (two) after a mean of 21 months (9 to 36). A total of 30 patients (77%), with a mean follow-up of 30 months (24 to 76), remained for further evaluation. Functional outcome, sagittal ankle joint OA using a modified Kellgren and Lawrence Score, tibial lateral surface (TLS) angle, and talar offset ratio (TOR) were evaluated on pre- and postoperative weight-bearing radiographs. RESULTS: Postoperatively, the mean score for pain, using a visual analogue scale, decreased significantly from 4.3 to 2.5 points and the mean American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) hindfoot score improved significantly from 59 to 75 points (both p < 0.001). The mean TLS angle increased significantly by 6.6°; the mean TOR decreased significantly by 0.24 (p < 0.001). Radiological evaluation showed an improvement or no progression of sagittal ankle joint OA in 32 ankles (82%), while seven ankles (18%) showed further progression. CONCLUSION: A flexion osteotomy effectively improved the congruency of the ankle joint. In 30 patients (77%), the joint could be saved, whereas in nine patients (23%), the treatment delayed a joint-sacrificing procedure. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2019;101-B:682-690.

Arthroscopically assisted fixation of Hawkins type II talar neck fractures: a case series.

Aims: Arthroscopically controlled fracture reduction in combination with percutaneous screw fixation may be an alternative approach to open surgery to treat talar neck fractures. The purpose of this study was thus to present preliminary results on arthroscopically reduced talar neck fractures. Patients and Methods: A total of seven consecutive patients (four women and three men, mean age 39 years (19 to 61)) underwent attempted surgical treatment of a closed Hawkins type II talar neck fracture using arthroscopically assisted reduction and percutaneous screw fixation. Functional and radiological outcome were assessed using plain radiographs, as well as weight-bearing and non-weight-bearing CT scans as tolerated. Patient satisfaction and pain sensation were also recorded. Results: Primary reduction was obtained arthroscopically in all but one patient, for whom an interposed fracture fragment had to be removed through a small arthrotomy to permit anatomical reduction. The quality of arthroscopic reduction and restoration of the talar geometry was excellent in the remaining six patients. There were no signs of talar avascular necrosis or subtalar degeneration in any of the patients. In the whole series, the functional outcome was excellent in five patients but restricted ankle movement was observed in two patients. All patients had a reduction in subtalar movement. At final follow-up, all patients were satisfied and all but one patient were pain free. Conclusion: Arthroscopically assisted reduction and fixation of talar neck fractures was found to be a feasible treatment option and allowed early functional rehabilitation. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2018;100-B:461-7.

[Infection with Aeromonas hydrophila after use of leeches (Hirudo medicinalis) in a free microvascular osteo-(myo-)cutaneous flap--suggestions for successful management]. / Aeromonas hydrophila-Infektion nach Therapie mit Hirudo medicinalis bei venöser Stauung nach freiem mikrovaskulären osteo-(myo-)kutanen Gewebetransfer--Empfehlungen zur erfolgreichen Therapie.

Medical leeches (Hirudo medicinalis) are an important therapeutic option in the treatment of venous congestion of flaps. In a case report an infection with Aeromonas hydrophila of a free microvascular osteo-(myo)-cutaneous flap after leech application for venous congestion is described and the current literature reviewed. Infection associated with leech therapy is a documented complication of leech application, with reported incidences ranging from 2.4 to 20 %. In some cases an infection of the wound developed with Aeromonas hydrophila, a Gram-negative rod that lives symbiotically in the intestines of the leech. Because of the risk of graft loss, early diagnosis and immediate initiation of an empirical intravenous antibiotic therapy with Piperacillin/Tacobactam or a third or fourth generation cephalosporins are essential even before results for sensitivity testing are received. An alternative is a short-term preemptive therapy with Cotrimoxazol or Ciprofloxacin during leech application.

[Triple arthrodesis for correction of cavovarus deformity]. / Die Triplearthrodese als Baustein für die Korrektur der Pes-cavovarus-Deformität.

OBJECTIVE: The aim is to correct the underlying cavovarus deformity and to achieve a pain-free and stable hindfoot. INDICATIONS: Rigid neurologic, posttraumatic, congenital, and idiopathic cavovarus deformities. CONTRAINDICATIONS: General surgical or anesthesiological risks, infections, critical soft tissue conditions, neurovascular impairment of the lower extremity, noncompliance, patients with severely reduced bone quality, insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, smoking. SURGICAL TECHNIQUE: The talonavicular and subtalar joints are exposed using a single medial approach. Joint cartilage is carefully debrided. Hindfoot reposition with complete correction of cavovarus deformity in all three planes. Joints are stabilized using cannulated screws, followed by wound closure. POSTOPERATIVE MANAGEMENT: A soft wound dressing is used. Thromboprophylaxis is recommended. Patient mobilization starts on postoperative day 1 using a stabilizing walking boot or cast for 6 weeks with 15 kg partial weight bearing. Clinical and radiographic follow-up 6 weeks postoperatively to assess osseous consolidation at the arthrodesis site. Following clinical and radiographic follow-up at 6 weeks, full weight bearing is gradually initiated. RESULTS: Between January 2012 and July 2014, triple arthrodesis was performed in 11 patients with a mean age of 62 ± 14 years due to cavovarus deformity. The mean follow-up was 34 ± 8 months (range 24-48 months). In all patients, the cavovarus deformity was substantially corrected. Significant pain relief from 7.1 ± 2.2 (range 5-10) to 1.8 ± 1.5 (range 0-4) on the visual analogue scale was observed.

Custom-made total ankle arthroplasty for the salvage of major talar bone loss.

AIMS: A failed total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) is often associated with much bone loss. As an alternative to arthrodesis, the surgeon may consider a custom-made talar component to compensate for the bone loss. Our aim in this study was to assess the functional and radiological outcome after the use of such a component at mid- to long-term follow-up. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 12 patients (five women and seven men, mean age 53 years; 36 to77) with a failed TAA and a large talar defect underwent a revision procedure using a custom-made talar component. The design of the custom-made components was based on CT scans and standard radiographs, when compared with the contralateral ankle. After the anterior talocalcaneal joint was fused, the talar component was introduced and fixed to the body of the calcaneum. RESULTS: At a mean follow-up of 6.9 years (1 to 13), 11 ankles were stable with no radiological evidence of loosening. Only one was lost to follow-up. The mean arc of movement was 21° (10° to 35°). A total of nine patients (75%) were satisfied or very satisfied with the outcome, two (17%) were satisfied but with reservations and one (8%) was not satisfied. All but one patient had an improvement in the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society hindfoot score (p = 0.01). Just one patient developed deep infection, leading to arthrodesis. CONCLUSION: A custom-made talar component yielded satisfactory results with regard to function, stability and satisfaction. This should encourage the use of such components as an alternative to arthrodesis of the ankle in patients with a failed TAA. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2017;99-B:231-6.

[Aseptic loosening of total ankle replacement and conversion to ankle arthrodesis]. / Aseptische Lockerung einer OSG­Endoprothese und Konversion zur OSG­Arthrodese.

OBJECTIVE: To remove loosened prosthesis components, to perform augmentation, to address osseous defects, to perform neutrally aligned ankle arthrodesis, and to achieve postoperative pain relief. INDICATIONS: Symptomatic, aseptic loosening of total ankle replacement (TAR) with/without substantial bone defect of the tibial and/or talar bone stock. CONTRAINDICATIONS: General surgical or anesthesiological risks, periprosthetic infection, local or systemic infection, nonmanageable soft tissue problems. SURGICAL TECHNIQUE: Removal of both prosthesis components using the previous incision (mostly using anterior ankle approach). Careful debridement of bone stock at the tibial and talar side. Osseous augmentation of defects using autologous or homologous cancellous bone, if needed, using structural allografts. POSTOPERATIVE MANAGEMENT: A soft wound dressing is used. Thromboprophylaxis is recommended. Patient mobilization starts on postoperative day 1 with 15 kg partial weight bearing using a stabilizing walking boot or cast for 6-8 weeks. Following clinical and radiographic follow-up at 6 weeks, full weight bearing is initiated gradually after progressive osseous healing has been confirmed. RESULTS: Between January 2007 and December 2012, ankle arthrodesis was performed in 9 patients with failed TAR (6 men and 3 women, mean age 56.4 ± 7.0 years, range 47.8-66.0 years). The mean time between the initial TAR and revision surgery was 4.5 ± 2.4 years (range 1.2-7.9 years). In one patient irrigation and debridement was performed due to superficial wound infection. Another patient had a delayed osseous healing 11 months after the revision surgery.

[Chronic ankle instability in sports -- a review for sports physicians]. / Chronische Instabilität des oberen Sprunggelenks im Sport -- ein Review für Sportärzte.

Chronic ankle instability represents a typical sports injury which can mostly be seen in basketball, soccer, orienteering and other high risk sports. 20 to 40 % of the acute ankle sprains develop into chronic ankle instability. From a sports orthopaedic point of view, chronic ankle instability can be subdivided into a lateral, medial or a combination of both so called rotational ankle instability. From a pathophysiological point of view, chronic ankle instability can be either mechanical with a structural ligament lesion or functional with loss of the neuromuscular control. For the sports physician, the chronic ankle instability is a difficult entity as the diagnosis is usually complex and the therapy usually surgical. This review on chronic ankle instability addresses pathomechanism, diagnostics, indications for conservative and surgical treatments, and possible long-term sequelae, as ligamentous osteoarthritis.

[Lateral column lengthening osteotomy of calcaneus]. / Laterale Verlängerungsosteotomie des Kalkaneus.

OBJECTIVE: Lengthening of the lateral column for adduction of forefoot and restoration of the medial arch. Stabilization of the ankle joint complex. INDICATIONS: Supple flatfoot deformity (posterior tibial tendon dysfunction stage II). Instability of the medial ankle joint complex (superficial deltoid and spring ligament). Posttraumatic valgus and pronation deformity of the foot. CONTRAINDICATIONS: Rigid flatfoot deformity (posterior tibial tendon dysfunction stage III and IV). Talocalcaneal and naviculocalcaneal coalition. Osteoarthritis of calcaneocuboid joint. SURGICAL TECHNIQUE: Exposition of calcaneus at sinus tarsi. Osteotomy through sinus tarsi and widening until desired correction of the foot is achieved. Insertion of bone graft. Screw fixation. POSTOPERATIVE MANAGEMENT: Immobilization in a cast for 6 weeks. Weight-bearing as tolerated from the beginning. RESULTS: In the majority of cases, part of hindfoot reconstruction. Reliable and stable correction. Safe procedure with few complications.

Treatment of extended osteochondral lesions of the talus with a free vascularised bone graft from the medial condyle of the femur.

Large osteochondral lesions (OCLs) of the shoulder of the talus cannot always be treated by traditional osteochondral autograft techniques because of their size, articular geometry and loss of an articular buttress. We hypothesised that they could be treated by transplantation of a vascularised corticoperiosteal graft from the ipsilateral medial femoral condyle. Between 2004 and 2011, we carried out a prospective study of a consecutive series of 14 patients (five women, nine men; mean age 34.8 years, 20 to 54) who were treated for an OCL with a vascularised bone graft. Clinical outcome was assessed using a visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain and the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) hindfoot score. Radiological follow-up used plain radiographs and CT scans to assess graft incorporation and joint deterioration. At a mean follow-up of 4.1 years (2 to 7), the mean VAS for pain had decreased from 5.8 (5 to 8) to 1.8 (0 to 4) (p = 0.001) and the mean AOFAS hindfoot score had increased from 65 (41 to 70) to 81 (54 to 92) (p = 0.003). Radiologically, the talar contour had been successfully reconstructed with stable incorporation of the vascularised corticoperiosteal graft in all patients. Joint degeneration was only seen in one ankle. Treatment of a large OCL of the shoulder of the talus with a vascularised corticoperiosteal graft taken from the medial condyle of the femur was found to be a safe, reliable method of restoring the contour of the talus in the early to mid-term.

Osteoligamentous injuries of the medial ankle joint.

Injuries of the ankle joint have a high incidence in daily life and sports, thus, playing an important socioeconomic role. Therefore, proper diagnosis and adequate treatment are mandatory. While most of the ligament injuries around the ankle joint are treated conservatively, great controversy exists on how to treat deltoid ligament injuries in ankle fractures. Missed injuries and inadequate treatment of the medial ankle lead to inferior outcome with instability, progressive deformity, and ankle joint osteoarthritis.

Mid- to long-term outcome of 96 corrective hindfoot fusions in 84 patients with rigid flatfoot deformity.

Talonavicular and subtalar joint fusion through a medial incision (modified triple arthrodesis) has become an increasingly popular technique for treating symptomatic flatfoot deformity caused by posterior tibial tendon dysfunction. The purpose of this study was to look at its clinical and radiological mid- to long-term outcomes, including the rates of recurrent flatfoot deformity, nonunion and avascular necrosis of the dome of the talus. A total of 84 patients (96 feet) with a symptomatic rigid flatfoot deformity caused by posterior tibial tendon dysfunction were treated using a modified triple arthrodesis. The mean age of the patients was 66 years (35 to 85) and the mean follow-up was 4.7 years (1 to 8.3). Both clinical and radiological outcomes were analysed retrospectively. In 86 of the 95 feet (90.5%) for which radiographs were available, there was no loss of correction at final follow-up. In all, 14 feet (14.7%) needed secondary surgery, six for nonunion, two for avascular necrosis, five for progression of the flatfoot deformity and tibiotalar arthritis and one because of symptomatic overcorrection. The mean American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society Hindfoot score (AOFAS score) at final follow-up was 67 (between 16 and 100) and the mean visual analogue score for pain 2.4 points (between 0 and 10). In conclusion, modified triple arthrodesis provides reliable correction of deformity and a good clinical outcome at mid- to long-term follow-up, with nonunion as the most frequent complication. Avascular necrosis of the talus is a rare but serious complication of this technique.

Skier's thumb. Treatment, prevention and recommendations.

Skier's thumb is an injury to the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) of the thumb metacarpophalangeal joint (MCPJ) which has a serious risk of disabling chronic instability if not treated adequately. The lesion most often occurs in skiers when the ski pole forces the thumb to deviate radially. Strapless poles do not decrease the incidence of skier's thumb, but if skiers are trained to discard the pole during a fall the risk might be reduced. Clinical and anatomical findings and the understanding of the injury mechanism show that stability testing (performed with the joint in full flexion) and additional standard radiographs remain the keystones in decision making in all MCPJ sprains. Protective splinting is advocated in stable, undisplaced avulsion fractures and incomplete ligamentous lesions of the UCL. However, surgery should not be delayed where there are displaced bony avulsion fractures, and where a complete ligamentous rupture is suspected because of a more than 30 degrees stressed radial deviation and more than 20 degrees difference compared with the uninjured side. Controlled active range of motion exercises can usually be started 3 to 4 weeks after the injury or open surgical repair, respectively. Protective splinting is continued until the sixth week and unrestricted use allowed 12 weeks following injury.