Is it necessary to re-fuse a non-union of a Hallux metatarsophalangeal joint arthrodesis?

BACKGROUND: The standard treatment for a non-union of the hallux metatarsophalangeal joint fusion has been to revise the fusion. Revision fusion is technically more demanding, often involving bone grafting, more substantial fixation and prolonged period of immobilization postoperatively. We present data to suggest that removal of hardware and debridement alone is an alternative treatment option. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A case note review identified patients with a symptomatic non-union after hallux metatarsophalangeal joint (MTPJ) fusion. It is our practice to offer these patients revision fusion or removal of hardware and debridement. For the seven patients that chose hardware removal and were left with a pseudarthrosis, a matched control group was selected from patients who had had successful fusions. Three outcome scores were used. Hallux valgus and dorsiflexion angles were recorded. RESULTS: One hundred thirty-nine hallux MTPJ arthrodeses were carried out. Fourteen non-unions were identified. The rate of non-union in males and following previous hallux MTPJ surgery was 19% and 24%, respectively. In females undergoing a primary MTPJ fusion, the rate was 2.4%. Twelve non-union patients were reviewed at 27 months (mean). Eleven patients had elected to undergo removal of hardware and debridement. Four patients with pseudarthrosis were unhappy with the results and proceeded to either revision fusion or MTPJ replacement. Seven non-union patients, who had removal of hardware alone, had outcome scores marginally worse compared to those with successful fusions. CONCLUSION: Removal of hardware alone is a reasonable option to offer as a relatively minor procedure following a failed arthrodesis of the first MTPJ. This must be accepted on the proviso that in this study four out of 11 (36%) patients proceeded to a revision first MTPJ fusion or first MTPJ replacement. We also found that the rate of non-union in primary first MTPJ fusion was significantly higher in males and those patients who had undergone previous surgery.

Osteochondral lesions of the talus: results of repeat arthroscopic debridement.

BACKGROUND: Repeat arthroscopic debridement of osteochondral lesions of the talus has a poor reputation despite a paucity of evidence in the literature. METHODS: We reviewed all patients who had repeat arthroscopic debridement of an osteochondral lesion performed by the senior author. They were scored using the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Ankle-Hindfoot Scale, and lesions were graded using the system described by Berndt and Harty. RESULTS: Between 1993 and 2002, 808 consecutive ankle arthroscopies were performed by the senior author, of which 215 were to treat osteochondral lesions of the talus. Of these, 12 had repeat arthroscopies because of unresolved symptoms. AOFAS scores improved from a mean of 34.8 prior to arthroscopy to 80.5 after repeat arthroscopy at a mean followup of 5.9 years (18 months to 11 years). Two patients returned to professional sports after the second procedure. Six patients returned to their preinjury levels of sporting activity and three returned to the same sports but played to a lesser standard or less frequently. One patient had already had a cartilage transplantation procedure. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first series specifically assessing patients who have had repeat arthroscopic debridement of osteochondral lesions of the talus, using the same debridement technique by a single surgeon. Our results question the assumption that repeat arthroscopic debridement yields poor results. They also provide a baseline for the newer chondral and osteochondral transplantation techniques to compare to at the medium term.

Supramalleolar osteotomy for unilateral tibial torsion.

Surgical correction of unilateral torsional deformity of the tibia is indicated in fewer than 1% of cases. Treatment is limited to those who have a progressive deformity, who are symptomatic and on whom conservative treatment has failed. We present the results of an osteotomy performed at the supramalleolar level leaving the fibula intact and held with staples. In 7 years, 13 children with a mean age of 13.4 years (range 10-16 years) underwent osteotomy. Six osteotomies were performed for internal tibial torsion (mean 25 degrees) and seven for external tibial torsion (mean 25 degrees). Seven participants were female and six male and all cases were idiopathic. One participant required antibiotics for a wound infection and five had the staples removed. All deformities were well corrected and symptoms improved. Numerous methods have been described to correct this deformity but all have been associated with major complications. We describe a supramalleolar osteotomy, leaving the fibula intact, that achieves good correction with minimal complications.