Radiographic Outcomes of Isolated Subtalar Joint Arthrodesis With Varying Fixation Technique.

Subtalar joint (STJ) arthrodesis is a well-established and accepted surgical procedure utilized for the treatment of various hindfoot conditions including primary or posttraumatic subtalar osteoarthritis, hindfoot valgus deformity, hindfoot varus deformity, complex acute calcaneal fracture, symptomatic residual congenital deformity, tarsal coalition, and other conditions causing pain and deformity about the hindfoot. Union rates associated with isolated subtalar joint arthrodesis are generally thought to be favorable, though reports have varied significantly, with non-union rates ranging from 0 to 46%. Various fixation constructs have been recommended for STJ arthrodesis. The purpose of this study was to compare radiographic union in a 2-screw fixation technique to a 3-screw fixation technique for patients undergoing primary isolated STJ arthrodesis. To this end, we retrospectively reviewed 54 patients; 26 in the 2-screw group and 28 in the 3-screw group. We found the median time to radiographic union to be 9 weeks for the 2-screw cohort and 7 weeks for the 3-screw cohort. Additionally, we found that the 2-screw fixation cohort had a radiographic non-union rate of 26.9% while the 3-screw cohort had no non-unions. We conclude that the use of a 3-screw construct for isolated STJ arthrodesis has a lower non-union rate and time to union when compared to the traditional 2-screw construct and should be considered as a fixation option for STJ arthrodesis.

Tratamiento artroscópico en lesión osteocondral subtalar / Arthroscopic treatment of subtalar osteochondral lesion

Las lesiones osteocondrales de la articulación subtalar es una patología infrecuente y de incidencia variable, dado su reporte principalmente como hallazgo en el estudio de dolor crónico de tobillo y ya con cambios degenerativos articulares. La sospecha clínica y el estudio imagenológico dirigido, permiten investigar esas lesiones en estadios iniciales, evitando así el uso de técnicas que no preservan la articulación para su manejo. La artroscopía subtalar es una excelente herramienta tanto diagnóstica como terapéutica para la resolución de dichas lesiones. Dadas las características anatómicas y biomecánicas de la articulación, en estadios iniciales, el manejo mediante sinovectomía y microfracturas es una alternativa con excelentes resultados funcionales. Este trabajo incluye dos casos de lesiones osteocondrales de la faceta posterior de la articulación subtalar manejadas vía artroscópica mediante sinovectomía y microfracturas y su posterior evolución.

Osteochondral lesions in the subtalar joint are an uncommon pathology with a variable incidence, being mainly reported as a finding in chronic ankle pain studies and with already visible degenerative joint changes at time of diagnosis. Clinical suspicion and directed imaging study, allows to investigate these lesions during early stages, thus avoiding the use of invasive techniques with scarce joint preservation. Subtalar arthroscopy is an excellent diagnostic and therapeutic tool for the resolution of these lesions. Given the anatomical and biomechanical characteristics of the joint, in the early stages the management by synovectomy and microfractures is an alternative with excellent functional results. This study includes two cases of osteochondral lesions of the posterior facet of the subtalar joint managed through arthroscopically synovectomy and microfractures and their subsequent evolution.

Subtalar Joint Distraction Arthrodesis Utilizing a Titanium Truss: A Case Series.

Subtalar joint distraction arthrodesis has been recommended for the treatment of conditions such as nonunion or malunion of subtalar joint arthrodesis posttraumatic arthritis. Both conditions are difficult to treat, because the deformities created in the frontal and sagittal planes of these conditions are complex. If these malalignments are not addressed, ankle joint instability and wear occur over time. In general, either autograft or allograft bone has been used to perform distraction arthrodesis of the subtalar joint. Although studies have shown successful use, there have been complications. Autografts have resulted in donor site morbidity and limitations on graft size, and allografts have shown high nonunion rates. Both autografts and allografts have shown graft collapse over time. Recent literature has discussed the use of tantalum technology to span large defects in bone healing. Studies have shown that tantalum provides superior strength and bone incorporation compared with autografts and allografts. This case series presents 2 cases in which tantalum truss technology was used for distraction arthrodesis. Although this series is limited in patient numbers, both cases show effective graft incorporation with no loss in height over time and earlier return to activity compared with previous studies that used autograft and allograft wedges.

Subtalar Dislocations: Case Series Inclusive of the Rare Anterior Subtalar Dislocation and Review of the Literature / Dislocaciones subtalares: serie de casos con inclusión de la rara dislocación subtalar anterior y revisión de la literatura

ABSTRACT Subtalar dislocations were first described by Judey and Dufaurest in 1811. These dislocations represent only 1-2% of all joint dislocations, making them a rare injury. In this rare injury, there are four variations with differing clinical presentations. The clinical picture may vary from a dramatic deformity (as in medial and lateral dislocations) to a more subtle presentation (as in anterior and posterior dislocations). This case series highlights the variations in clinical presentations and the management difficulties associated with each subtype.

RESUMEN Las dislocaciones subtalares fueron por primera vez descritas por Judey y Dufaurest en 1811. Estas dislocaciones representan solamente el 1-2% de todas las dislocaciones de las articulaciones, por lo que constituye una lesión poco frecuente. Esta rara lesión se caracteriza por cuatro variaciones con presentaciones clínicas que difieren. El cuadro clínico puede variar desde una deformidad dramática (tal cual ocurre en las dislocaciones intermedias y laterales) hasta una presentación más sutil (como en el caso de las dislocaciones anteriores y posteriores). Esta serie de casos destaca las variaciones en las presentaciones clínicas y las dificultades en el tratamiento asociado con cada subtipo.

Is Subtalar Joint Cartilage Resection Necessary for Tibiotalocalcaneal Arthrodesis via Intramedullary Nail? A Multicenter Evaluation.

Tibiotalocalcaneal arthrodesis with intramedullary nailing is traditionally performed with formal preparation of both the subtalar and ankle joints. However, we believe that subtalar joint preparation is not necessary to achieve satisfactory outcomes in patients undergoing tibiotalocalcaneal arthrodesis with a retrograde intramedullary nail. The primary aim of the present retrospective study was to evaluate the outcomes of patients who had undergone tibiotalocalcaneal arthrodesis with an intramedullary nail without formal subtalar joint cartilage resection. A multicenter medical record review was performed to identify consecutive patients. Pain was assessed using a visual analog scale, and osseous union at the tibiotalar joint was defined as bony trabeculation across the arthrodesis site on all 3 radiographic views. Progression of joint deterioration was evaluated across time at the subtalar joint, using a modified grading system developed by Takakura et al. Forty consecutive patients (aged 61.9 ± 12.9 years; 17 men) met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Compared with the pain reported preoperatively (6.4 ± 2.7), a statistically significant decline was seen in the pain experienced after surgery (1.2 ± 1.8; p < .001). The mean time to consolidated arthrodesis at the ankle joint was 3.8 ± 1.5 months. A statistically significant increase in deterioration at the subtalar joint was observed across time [t(36) = -6.200, p < .001]. Compared with previously published data of subtalar joint cartilage resection, the present study has demonstrated a similar decline in pain, with a high rate of union, and also a decrease in operative time when preparation of the subtalar joint was not performed.

Virtual movement of the ankle and subtalar joints using cadaver surface models / Movimiento virtual de las articulaciones talocrural y subtalar utilizando modelos de superficie de cadáveres

Medical students in the dissection room do not fully understand the ankle joint for dorsiflexion and plantar flexion as well as the subtalar joint for inversion and eversion. Thus, a three-dimensional simulation of the movements would be beneficial as a complementary pedagogic tool. The bones and five muscles (tibialis anterior, tibialis posterior, fibularis longus, fibularis brevis, and fibularis tertius) of the left ankle and foot were outlined in serially sectioned cadaver images from the Visible Korean project. The outlines were verified and revised; and were stacked to build surface models using Mimics software. Dorsiflexion and plantar flexion were simulated using the models on Maya to determine the mediolateral axis. Then, inversion and eversion were done to determine the anteroposterior axis. The topographic relationship of the two axes with the five affecting muscles was examined to demonstrate correctness. The models were placed in a PDF file, with which users were capable of mixed display of structures. The stereoscopic image data, developed in this investigation, clearly explain ankle movement. These graphic contents, accompanied by the sectioned images, are expected to facilitate the development of simulation for the medical students' learning and the orthopedic surgeons' clinical trial.

Los estudiantes de medicina en la sala de disección no entienden completamente la dorsiflexión y flexión plantar de la articulación talocrural, así como la inversión y eversión de la articulación subtalar. Por tanto, la simulación 3D de estos movimientos resultaría beneficiosa como herramienta pedagógica complementaria. Los huesos y cinco músculos (tibial anterior, tibial posterior, fibular largo, fibular corto y fibular tercero), se describen en imágenes del proyecto "Visible Korean", de cadáveres seccionados en serie. Los contornos fueron verificados, revisados, y agrupados para construir modelos de superficie utilizando el programa Mimics. Los movimientos de dorsiflexión y flexión plantar fueron simulados utilizando los modelos generados en el programa Maya, para determinar el eje mediolateral. La inversión y eversión se realizó para determinar el eje anteroposterior. Se examinó la relación topográfica de los dos ejes con los cinco músculos estudiados para demostrar la exactitud de movimientos. Los modelos fueron colocados en un archivo PDF, mediante el cual los usuarios fueron capaces de obtener una visualización combinada de las estructuras. Los datos procedentes de imágenes estereoscópicas, obtenidos en esta investigación, permiten explicar claramente el movimiento de las articualciones talocrural y subtalar. Estos contenidos gráficos, acompañados de las imágenes seccionadas, facilitarán el desarrollo de la simulación en el aprendizaje de los estudiantes y su uso en ensayos clínicos por parte de cirujanos ortopédicos.

Sonographically guided posterior subtalar joint injections via the sinus tarsi approach.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the feasibility and accuracy of sonographically guided posterior subtalar joint (PSTJ) injections performed through the sinus tarsi. METHODS: A single experienced operator completed 10 sonographically guided PSTJ injections via the sinus tarsi on 10 unembalmed cadaveric ankle-foot specimens. Injections were performed using a 17-5-MHz linear transducer, a 25-gauge, 50-mm needle, and an out-of-plane, anterior-to-posterior needle trajectory parallel to the calcaneal surface. Sonographic assessment for fluid in the posterior and lateral PSTJ recesses, sinus tarsi, and peroneal tendon sheath was performed before and after injections of 2 and 4 mL of tap water. Two additional specimens were injected with a contrast agent: 1 via the sonographically guided approach and another by a computed tomographically guided approach. RESULTS: All 10 sonographically guided PSTJ tap water injections were accurate, distending both the posterior and lateral PSTJ recesses. In addition, all 10 specimens showed posterior recess distension by 2 mL, whereas only 2 specimens (20%) showed lateral recess distension at this volume. By 4 mL, both recesses were clearly distended in all specimens. Both contrast agent injections produced similar PSTJ computed tomographic arthrograms and patterns of recess distension similar to the sonographically guided tap water injections. No sonographically guided PSTJ injection placed fluid in the peroneal tendon sheath. CONCLUSIONS: Sonographically guided PSTJ injections via the sinus tarsi can accurately and specifically deliver injectate into the PSTJ while monitoring injectate flow within the posterior recess. The sinus tarsi approach may be used as an alternative technique to perform sonographically guided PSTJ injections when clinically appropriate.