Heterotopic Ossification Following Total Ankle Arthroplasty With Fourth-Generation Prostheses.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of the present study was to assess the radiographic incidence, location, and classification of heterotopic ossification (HO) in patients who underwent total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) with a 4th generation prostheses at a minimum of 1-year follow up. Baseline demographic, radiographic, and operative factors between patents with and without HO were compared. METHODS: Ninety ankles that underwent TAA with a 4th generation protheses, INFINITY (n = 62) or CADENCE (n = 28) were followed for an average of 23.7 (range, 12-49) months. Incidence and location of HO was assessed on weightbearing radiographs, and severity graded according to the modified Brooker classification. Data was compared between patents with and without HO to identity any predisposing factors. RESULTS: In 90 ankles that underwent 4th generation TAA, HO incidence was 55.6% (n = 50); 56.5% (n = 35) for INFINITY, and 53.6% (n = 15) for CADENCE. Twenty-five cases of HO were observed posteriorly, 16 anteriorly, and 9 combined. Severity was as follows; class I in 19 cases (38%), class II in 20 (40%), class III in 9 (18%) and class IV in 2 (4%). A single ankle required a non-revisional reoperation for HO debridement; reoperation rate of 2%. CONCLUSION: The present study suggests a similarly high incidence of HO after TAA with two different 4th generation protheses (INFINITY 56.5%, CADENCE 53.6%). A trend for differences in location and severity between the protheses may also be present. Given the paucity of literature, additional studies with longer follow-up are warranted to discern the significance of HO following TAA with 4th generation protheses. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III: Retrospective cohort study.

Cadaveric Analysis of Exposure of the Talar Articular Surface Through the Posteromedial Approach.

The purpose of this cadaveric study is to assess the talar articular surface visible through a modified posterior medial approach to the ankle joint for talar osteochondral defects. Ten fresh frozen cadaveric specimens were included. The talar surface area was outlined utilizing a marker. The talus was removed to measure the medial to lateral length and posterior to anterior length using a flexible ruler. A skin incision was made posterior to the medial malleolus. The incision was deepened through the flexor retinaculum. Dissection was carried between the posterior tibial and flexor digitorum longus tendons through the posterior tibial tendon sheath in order to access the posteromedial ankle joint. The posterior tibiofibular ligament should remain intact. A Hintermann distractor was then inserted to distract the ankle joint. The average articular cartilage visible from medial to lateral was 1.90 (68.6%) centimeters, while from posterior to anterior was 2.00 (43.6%) centimeters. Medial malleolar osteotomy is often required to visualize posteromedial talar osteochondral defects that are difficult to visualize with standard anterior ankle arthroscopy. Our study suggests that the modified posteromedial approach between the posterior tibial and flexor digitorum longus tendons and utilizing a Hintermann distractor allows for visualization of common posterior and central-medial lesions. When considering the anatomic 9-zone grid scheme proposed by Raikin et al, zone 4, 7, and 8 lesions can be assessed with this approach. A clinical study should be undertaken to evaluate the morbidity of this approach.

Outcomes and Incidence of Complications Following Endoscopic Gastrocnemius Recession: A Systematic Review.

Introduction: Equinus contracture of the ankle can lead to a multitude of foot and ankle pathologies. The gastrocnemius recession has been used to address equinus deformity via various methods, including either an open or an endoscopic approach. Open techniques require increased intraoperative time and complication risks of sural nerve injury, wound complications, and poor cosmesis. Resultantly, the aim of the current study is to review the complications and outcomes of the endoscopic gastrocnemius recession. Methods: A systematic review of electronic databases was performed. The authors compiled data from retrospective and prospective patient studies including general patient demographics, outcomes, qualitative scoring measures, complications, and surgical technique. Results: Eleven studies met our inclusion criteria. A total of 697 feet in 627 patients were included in the current systematic review. The weighted mean age was 45.3 years and weighted mean follow-up was 18.4 months. The most common indication for an endoscopic gastrocnemius recession was equinus contracture. The weighted mean preoperative ankle range of motion was -2.3° and the weighted postoperative ankle range of motion was 10.9°. The most common complications included plantarflexion weakness of the ankle at 3.5%, a sural nerve injury of 3.0% and wound complication rate was 1.0% with no deep infection. The overall complication rate was 7.5%. Conclusion: The endoscopic gastrocnemius recession is a valuable surgical tool in the treatment of ankle equinus. The endoscopic approach has satisfactory outcomes including low incidence of plantarflexion weakness and sural neuritis. Patients should be counseled on these risks preoperatively. Compared with previously reported systematic review of the open technique, the endoscopic approach has a lower overall incidence of complications. Prospective clinical trials comparing open and endoscopic techniques are warranted.Levels of Evidence: Level IV.

Safety Profile Associated With Calcaneal Autograft Harvesting Using a Reaming Graft Harvester.

BACKGROUND: Foot and ankle surgery often requires bone healing, whether in elective arthrodesis or trauma. While primary bone healing is possible, the rate of nonunion in foot and ankle surgery remains variable. The addition of autogenous bone graft can allow for higher union rates by adding to the biology at the site of bone healing. Harvesting autogenous bone graft from the calcaneus for foot and ankle surgery can be done quickly and efficiently and allow for an adequate amount of graft. METHODS: A retrospective chart and radiographic review was performed for 1438 patients at a single center between August 1, 2015, and December 15, 2018, who underwent calcaneal autograft harvesting using a power-driven reaming graft harvester. RESULTS: In total, 966 patients were included and evaluated for the safety and complication rate associated with the procedure. Only 1 patient (0.1%) had a major complication, and there were 14 minor complications (1.4%). CONCLUSION: The safety profile and low complication rate of this case series demonstrate that this simple and efficient calcaneal autograft harvest technique can be considered when a small to moderate amount of autogenous bone graft is required to augment bone healing. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic level IV, case series.

Choosing a Vibratory Test to Pair With Semmes Weinstein Monofilament Testing for Evaluating Lower Extremity Sensation in Patients With Diabetes: A Comparison of Three Vibratory Methodologies.

BACKGROUND: Numerous guidelines recommend pairing Semmes-Weinstein monofilament (SWM) testing with a secondary clinical test when screening for diabetic peripheral neuropathy, yet time is very limited in clinical practice. This study compared the time to complete and the diagnostic agreement of three vibratory sensation tests. METHODS: Sixty-five individuals (42% male; aged: 61 ± 12 years) were recruited. A single investigator administered the following tests bilaterally: 10-site SWM, traditional tuning fork (TTF), electronic tuning fork (ETF), and vibration perception threshold (VPT) via biothesiometer. Times to physically administer the tests were compared with a one-way repeated measures ANOVA. Cochran's Q test was used to compare the varied tests' diagnostic agreement. RESULTS: The ANOVA indicated there were significant (P < .001, partial eta squared = .442) differences in time to complete the varied tests. Sidak post hoc comparisons indicated the VPT (21.2 ± 14.3) testing took an intermediate time to complete, while the ETF (9.7 ± 6.5) and TTF (10.1 ± 7.5) tests took the least amount of time, and the SWM (28.6 ± 8.4) test took the longest time. There were also numerous significant differences (P ≤ .001) between the different tests in regards to neuropathy diagnoses. CONCLUSIONS: Tuning fork methods required 11 seconds less to administer than VPT testing. Although that may seem trivial, it is worth noting peripheral neuropathy screening often fails to occur in the precious few minutes clinicians are allotted per patient. Considering ETF's intrinsic control of stimulus amplitude and its ease of use with an embedded timer, the ETF is recommended over the TTF. Clinicians should also be mindful that different tests yield different diagnostic conclusions.