Outcomes of Total Ankle Arthroplasty After Periprosthetic Cyst Curettage and Bone Grafting.

Total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) has become a popular management option for ankle arthritis. Periprosthetic osteolysis is one of the most common causes for reoperation in TAA. A CT scan should be done in all suspected osteolysis cases to confirm location, quantify size and aid in surgical planning. These patients are often asymptomatic with limited evidence regarding appropriate management. Smaller lesions should be monitored for progression in size. Periprosthetic cysts measuring 10-15mm in all three axes should be considered for debridment and curettage with autogenous bone grafting. The authors believe that bone grafting of large asymptomatic periprosthetic cysts could prevent implant failure.

CT Scan Assessment and Functional Outcome of Periprosthetic Bone Grafting After Total Ankle Arthroplasty at Medium-term Follow-up.

BACKGROUND: Periprosthetic cysts can occur in up to 95% of total ankle arthroplasties (TAA) and have been correlated with implant failure. The aim of this study was to determine the clinical and radiologic outcomes, using computed tomographic (CT) scan, after periprosthetic cyst bone grafting and assess for the minimum cyst size that should be grafted. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed of all TAA procedures performed between 2007 and 2014 (n=93). A CT scan was done to assess cyst size and operative planning. Eight patients with 9 periprosthetic cysts larger than 1.75 cm3 were grafted and specimens sent for histology. The mean time to bone grafting was 7.3 (3.8-9.5) years. Functional outcome was assessed using the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society ankle score, visual analog scale, and Self-reported Foot and Ankle Score. A CT scan was performed at follow-up to assess graft incorporation and cyst size progression. The mean time to CT scan post grafting was 3.0 (0.7-4.7) years. RESULTS: There was no implant malalignment identified and no differences in the pre- and postoperative functional scores. Preoperatively cysts had a mean volume of 8.16 (2.04-14.03) cm3. The mean percentage incorporation was 89% (69%-100%). Eight of the grafted cysts were considered successful on CT, with the ninth having 69% incorporation. Five cysts were not grafted, as they were below 1.75 cm3, and remained the same size or had minimal enlargement. CONCLUSION: The satisfactory results in this small cohort suggests that prophylactic bone grafting may extend implant survival. We recommend that periprosthetic cysts greater than 1.75 cm3 be prophylactically bone grafted, and that cysts smaller than 1.75 cm3 be monitored for progression in size. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, Case Series.

Functional Outcomes and Quality of Life Following Complex Tibial Fractures Treated with Circular External Fixation: A Comparison between Proximal, Midshaft, and Distal Tibial Fractures.

AIM AND OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare clinical results following complex proximal, midshaft, and distal tibial fractures and investigate whether there are differences in outcomes between these locations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients between 18 years and 65 years of age and minimum follow-up of 12 months with complex tibial fractures treated with a circular ring fixator were included. Functional outcomes were assessed using the Association for the Study and Application of Methods of Ilizarov (ASAMI) functional and bone scores, Foot Function Index (FFI), Four Step Square Test (FSST), and Timed Up and Go Test (TUG). Quality of life was assessed by the EQ-5D score. RESULTS: A total of 45 patients were included: proximal fractures, n = 11; midshaft fractures, n = 17; and distal fractures, n = 17. ASAMI functional (p = 0.8) and bone scores (p = 0.3) were not different. Excellent and good bone scores were achieved in >90% in all groups. FFI was 30.9 + 24.7 in the proximal group, 33.9 + 27.7 in the midshaft group, and 28.8 + 26.9 in the distal group (p = 0.8). TUG was 9.0 + 2.7 sec in the proximal group, 9.0+3.5 in the midshaft group, and 8.5+2.0 in the distal group (p = 0.67). FSST was 10.7 + 2.5 sec in the proximal, 10.3 + 3.8 in the midshaft, and 8.9 + 1.8 in the distal fracture groups (p = 0.5). EQ-5D index value was highest in the distal (0.72), lowest in the proximal (0.55), and 0.70 in the midshaft fracture groups (p = 0.001). EQ-5D VAS was significantly different between the proximal (65) and midshaft (82.3) (p = 0.001) and between the distal (75) and proximal (65) fracture groups (p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that the functional outcomes between proximal, midshaft, and distal complex tibial fractures are comparable. Their ability to ambulate afterward is comparable to age-related normative data, but complex tasks are more difficult and better compared to the ambulating ability of a healthy population aged 65 to 80 years. Patients with proximal tibial fractures had significantly more disability by at least one functional level and/or one health dimension. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Naude JJ, Manjra MA, Birkholtz F, et al. Functional Outcomes and Quality of Life Following Complex Tibial Fractures Treated with Circular External Fixation: A Comparison between Proximal, Midshaft, and Distal Tibial Fractures. Strategies Trauma Limb Reconstr 2021;16(1):32-40.