Re-ruptures and early outcomes after surgical repair of acute Achilles tendon ruptures: prospective, comparative multicenter study.

PURPOSE: The primary objective of this study was to compare the re-rupture rate, clinical results, and functional outcomes six months after the surgical repair of an acute Achilles tendon rupture between three different techniques (open repair, percutaneous repair with the Tenolig®, and minimally invasive repair). METHODS: A prospective, comparative, multicenter, non-randomized study was performed and included 111 patients who had an acute ruptured Achilles tendon: 74 underwent an open repair, 22 underwent a percutaneous repair using the Tenolig® and 15 had a minimally invasive repair. At six months follow-up we analyzed the number of re-ruptures, phlebitis, infections, complex regional pain syndrome, clinical outcomes (muscle atrophy, ankle dorsal flexion), functional scores (ATRS, VISA-A, EFAS, SF-12), and return to running. RESULTS: There were more re-ruptures (p=0.0001) after repair with the Tenolig® (27%) than with open repairs (1.3%) and minimally invasive repairs (0%). The rate of other complications was not different. No clinical differences were found between the three groups. Only some functional scores EFAS Total (p=0.006), and VISA-A (p=0.015) were worse in the Tenolig® group. All the other results were similar between the three groups. CONCLUSION: Despite heterogeneous studies in literature, the results of this comparative and prospective study between three surgical techniques of Achilles tendon repair confirmed that Tenolig® repair increased the rate of early re-rupture compared to open or minimally invasive techniques.

Subtalar arthrodesis using a single compression screw: a comparison of results between anterograde and retrograde screwing.

INTRODUCTION: The primary objective of this study was to compare the radiological and clinical results of anterograde and retrograde screwing in subtalar arthrodesis using a single compression screw. The secondary objective was to evaluate the subjective results and consolidation of this procedure. The hypotheses were that isolated screw fixation was sufficient to achieve good consolidation and that there was no difference between the two techniques with a similar rate of bone fusion. METHODS: This is a monocentric, retrospective, radio-clinical study based on 99 patients (101 feet), 58 males and 41 females, with an average age of 64 years. The main aetiology was post-traumatic osteoarthritis, which represented 51% of cases. Two groups were formed: group A (52 feet) consisting of fixed arthrodesis with ascending (retrograde) screwing and group D (49 feet) consisting of fixed arthrodesis with descending (anterograde) screwing. The two groups were statistically comparable in terms of demographic data as well as aetiologies and comorbidities. Arthrodeses which were not fused at 6 months were reassessed at one year and in the event of any radio-clinical doubt regarding consolidation, an additional CT scan was prescribed. Average post-operative follow-up was 11 ± 5 years (2-27 years). RESULTS: Ninety-two arthrodeses (93%) were fused at one year and 9 were considered to be in non-union, 5 (9.8%) in group A, and 4 (8.3%) in group D. We recorded 30 complications, 22 of which were due to a conflict with the screw head, 18 (34.5%) in group A and 4 (8.3%) in group D (p = 0.03). Conflict between the screw head and the heel led to the removal of the screw after consolidation of the arthrodesis. The clinical results were evaluated using Odom's criteria. Nine per cent of patients described their results as excellent, 29% as good, 51% as satisfactory and 11% found the result to be poor. CONCLUSION: The fusion rate for isolated compression screw arthrodesis is good, and there is no difference between anterograde and retrograde screws. However, the discomfort caused by the screw head being insufficiently embedded in the retrograde group led to a non-negligible number of additional surgeries to remove the screw.

Are Schatzker and AO classifications accurate enough to classify tibial plateau fractures in alpine skiers?

PURPOSE: The aims of this study were (1) to collect prospectively all tibial plateau fractures admitted to our department, over two ski seasons, and to classify them according to the Schatzker and AO classifications; (2) to assess if these classifications are accurate enough to include all types of fractures; and (3) to compare theses fractures with the series found in the literature, which included very few or no skiing accidents. METHODS: During the 2016-2017 and 2017-2018 ski seasons, we prospectively included 116 tibial plateau fractures caused by downhill skiing accidents. All patients underwent standard X-rays and 2D and 3D CT scans. The fractures were classified according to the AO and Schatzker revisited classifications. RESULTS: The full series consisted of 56 males (48%) and 60 females (52%), aged 49 ± 16 years (18-77). There were 60 type B (52%) and 56 type C fractures (48%) for AO classification and 45.5% types I, II and III and 54.5% types IV, V and VI for Schatzker classification. Thirty-five frontal fractures (30%) were not differentiated under the AO classification and, likewise, associated tibial spine fractures (28.5%) were not differentiated in the Schatzker classification. We were also unable to classify anterior tibial tuberosity fractures (14.5%) and fibula head fractures (8%). The anatomo-pathological types were not so different from road traffic accidents. CONCLUSION: Contrary to our hypothesis, the anatomical-pathological damage in tibial plateau fractures resulting from downhill skiing accidents was barely any different from those found in road traffic accidents. However, despite progress in classifications with the emergence of 3D CT scans, it is still not always possible to categorise all fractures within a given classification.