Immediate effect of hallux valgus surgery on the biomechanical behavior of the first ray.

BACKGROUND: The surgical treatment of hallux valgus (HV) deformity has been the subject of countless publications but few focus on the altered windlass mechanism or analyze the biomechanical behavior immediately after surgery. METHODS: Patients treated for HV between January and March 2023 were included. The surgery consisted of a L-reverse first metatarsal osteotomy. To analyze the windlass mechanism we record two different measurements; the isolated first metatarsophalangeal joint (MTPJ) dorsiflexion angle (IDA) and dynamic plantarization of the first metatarsal head when performing first MTPJ dorsiflexion imprinting a mark on a modeling foam. RESULTS: A total of 30 patients diagnosed with symptomatic HV were included. In all patients, a change in the IDA angle was evident, being overall statistically significant. About modeling foam imprinted mark, all measurements, in all planes of space, had a clear tendency to increase, which turned out to be statistically significant (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: An altered windlass mechanism may be successfully recovered immediately after hallux valgus deformity surgery. This could be evinced by an indirect measurement analyzing the imprint of the head of the first metatarsal in a modeling foam and the IDA. LEVELS OF EVIDENCE II: None.

The Akin osteotomy without fixation in open hallux abducto-valgo correction surgery - A single center retrospective analysis of 286 cases.

BACKGROUND: Description of a large cohort of Akin osteotomies without fixation (286 feet), to depict the mean angular correction, to analyze complication rates and to pull over with rates described in the literature with other techniques. METHODS: Retrospective single-center cohort study. Five radiologic measurements analyzed preoperatively and postoperatively until fusion was completed. Evaluation of all peri- and postoperative complication rates. Evaluation of correlation between complications and the presence of diabetes mellitus (DM), smoking and rheumatic disease. RESULTS: Between 2011 and 2018, 222 patients, 286 feet (147 left, 139 right) met the inclusion criteria. We found an average difference between pre-op and post-op at 3 months of distal articular set angle (DASA) of 7.0 degrees and average interphalangeal joint obliquity angle (IPOA) of 12.0 degrees (p < 0.001). All cases achieved fusion but in 5.9 % (17/289 cases) of cases, we observed delayed consolidation. The average union time in these cases was 22.1 weeks. Hyperextension of the distal fragment (mal union in plantar flexion) was observed in 7 cases (2.4 %). None of the 7 cases required correction. Out of 286 surgeries, 8 (2.7 %) required reoperation, but only one case for a hypocorrection required Akin's re osteotomy. Regarding the inter- and intra-observer correlations, good and excellent reliability are observed for all parameters under consideration. CONCLUSION: The absence of internal fixation would appear not to impair osteotomy healing and complication rates compared with techniques with fixation would not appear to be worse. The results are encouraging; nevertheless, we believe that further studies need to be performed in order to confirm the data. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV retrospective cases series.

Ultrasound evaluation of a new surface reference line to describe sural nerve location and safe zones to consider in posterior leg approaches.

PURPOSE: Several authors have described methods to predict the sural nerve pathway with non-proportional numerical distances, but none have proposed a person-proportional, reproducible method with anatomical references. The aim of this research is to describe ultrasonographically the distance and crossing zone between a surface reference line and the position of the sural nerve. METHODS: Descriptive cross-sectional study, performed between January and April 2022 in patients requiring foot surgery who met inclusion criteria. The sural nerve course in the posterior leg was located and marked using ultrasound. Landmarks were drawn with a straight line from the medial femoral condyle to the tip of the fibula. Four equal zones were established in the leg by subdividing the distal half of the line. This way, areas based on simple anatomical proportions for each patient were studied. The distance between the marking and the ultrasound nerve position was measured in these 4 zones, creating intersection points and safety areas. Location and distances from the sural nerve to the proposed landmarks were assessed. RESULTS: One-hundred and four lower limbs, 52 left and 52 right, assessed in 52 patients were included. The shortest median distance of the nerve passage was 2.9 mm from Point 2. The sural nerve intersection was 60/104 (57.7%) in Zone B, 21/104 (20.1%) in Zone C and 19/104 (18.3%) in Zone A. Safety zones were established. Average 80.5% of coincidence in sural nerve localization was found in the distal half of the leg, in relation to the surface reference line when comparing both legs of each patient. CONCLUSIONS: This study proposes a simple, reproducible, non-invasive and, for the first time, person-proportional method, that describes the distance and location of the main areas of intersection of the sural nerve with points and zones (risk and safe zones) determined by a line guided by superficial anatomical landmarks. Its application when surgeons plan and perform posterior leg approaches will help to avoid iatrogenic nerve injuries. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

Short- and long-term results for severe hallux valgus correction using a first metatarsal distal osteotomy.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to analyze the short- and long-term results of severe hallux valgus (HV) treated with a L-Reverse osteotomy. METHODS: Patients treated with L-Reverse osteotomy for severe HV between the years 2006-2015 were included. Patients were evaluated preoperatively, at 3 months and 4 or more years postoperatively. Changes in the HV angle (HVA) and intermetatarsal angle (IMA) were measured. Clinical outcomes were assessed using the AOFAS score. RESULTS: 28 patients were included. Pre-operative IMA changed from 18.1° (18-18.9°) to 7° (6.3-8.5°), and HVA from 38.5° (34.5-41.3°) to 10.0° (8.4-11.8°) at 3 month follow up (p < 0.005). Long term follow up was of 5.6 (4.9-6.4) years. IMA value was 7.5° (6.1°-8.1°) and HVA was 10.1° (6.7°-16.3°), with no statistical difference with initial correction (p = 0.14). Median AOFAS score was 92.7 (89-4-96.1). CONCLUSION: L-Reverse osteotomy can achieve correction of HV severe deformities with good outcomes in long term follow up. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Open vs Minimally Invasive Scarf Osteotomy for Hallux Valgus Correction: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Minimally invasive (MI) surgery is becoming increasingly popular in the treatment of hallux valgus (HV). The scarf osteotomy is an effective procedure with a track record in open HV surgery. We adapted this effective osteotomy to MI surgery as a novel technique never reported before. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical and radiologic outcomes of patients who underwent open or MI scarf. METHODS: Between 2017 and 2018, 58 patients were randomized to either open or MI scarf to treat HV deformity. Prospective patient-reported outcome measures and weightbearing radiographs were obtained. Data included the AOFAS score, radiologic angular correction, operative time, fluoroscopy radiation dose, and postoperative pain on visual analog scale (VAS). RESULTS: The mean follow-up was of 21 (range, 12-38) months. Radiologic measurements (postoperative hallux valgus angle, first-to-second intermetatarsal angle, and distal metaphyseal articular angle) were similar in both groups and showed statistically significant improvement from preoperative measures. The mean operative time for the MI group was 16.7 vs 26.1 minutes in the open group, a statistically significant difference. Radiation exposure was 14 times higher in the MI group when compared to the open group (mean: 34 vs 2.4 mGy/cm2, P < .001). There were no major complications in either group. CONCLUSIONS: The MI scarf provides a clinically and radiologically equivalent outcome to open scarf for the treatment of HV with reduced operative time and immediate postoperative VAS for pain but is associated with a small increase in radiation exposure. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level I, randomized controlled trial.

¿Podemos ayudar? Nuestra experiencia como cirujanos ortopédicos durante la pandemia por COVID / Can we help? Our experience as orthopedic surgeons during the COVID-19 pandemic

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Arthroscopic all-inside anterior talo-fibular ligament repair with suture augmentation gives excellent results in case of poor ligament tissue remnant quality.

PURPOSE: An increasing role of arthroscopy as the definitive treatment for ankle instability has been reported, and assisted or all-arthroscopic techniques have been developed. However, treatment of chronic ankle instability with poor remnant ligament-tissue quality is still challenging. The aim of this study was to describe the technique and report the results of the arthroscopic ATFL all-inside repair with suture augmentation to treat patients with poor remnant ligament-tissue quality. METHODS: Fifteen patients [9 men and 6 women, median age 30 (19-47) years] with chronic ankle instability and poor remnant ligament-tissue quality were treated by arthroscopic means after failing non-operative management. Median follow-up was 18 (12-23) months. Through an arthroscopic all-inside technique, and using a suture passer and two knotless anchors, the ligament was repaired. Then, the anchor's residual suture limbs were not cut, but were recycled and used for augmentation of the ligament repair. RESULTS: Arthroscopic examination demonstrated an isolated anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) injury with poor remnant ligament tissue in the 15 patients. All patients reported subjective improvement in their ankle instability after the arthroscopic all-inside ligaments repair and suture augmentation. The median AOFAS score increased from 66 (44-87) preoperatively to 100 (85-100) at the final follow-up. CONCLUSION: Chronic ankle instability with poor remnant ligament-tissue quality can be successfully treated by an arthroscopic all-inside repair and suture augmentation of the ligament. The clinical relevance of the study is the description of the first arthroscopic all-inside anatomic ATFL repair with suture augmentation that offers the benefit of maintaining the native ligament while reinforcing the repair, especially in patients with poor remnant ligament-tissue quality. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV, retrospective case series.

Endoscopic Achilles Tendon Augmentation With Suture Anchors After Calcaneal Exostectomy in Haglund Syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Haglund syndrome is a common cause of heel pain. Risk for tendon detachment after calcaneoplasty can exist. Open Achilles tendon detachment, calcaneoplasty, bursectomy, pathologic tendon-tissue debridement, and tendon reattachment of the Achilles tendon is a common surgical management of Haglund syndrome combined with insertional Achilles tendinopathy. The aim of this study was to describe the endoscopic calcaneoplasty and anchor suture augmentation of the Achilles insertional area, and the results obtained in patients with an increased risk of Achilles tendon rupture after calcaneoplasty. METHODS: Between 2012 and 2015, endoscopic calcaneal ostectomy and suture anchor augmentation was performed in 12 patients. Mean age was 44.8 years (range, 35-52 years), and mean follow-up was of 33.5 months (range, 21-46 months). RESULTS: The mean AOFAS score increased from 70 preoperatively (range, 55-85) to 92 (range, 63-100) at final follow-up. The mean VISA-A questionnaire increased from 34 preoperatively (range, 15-63) to 92 (range, 30-100) at follow-up. No major complications were reported. All patients returned to their daily activities without limitations, but 2 described complaints with sports activity. CONCLUSION: Endoscopic calcaneoplasty and tendon augmentation with suture anchor for the treatment of Haglund syndrome was a reproducible and safe technique that offered the advantages of the endoscopic technique. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, retrospective case series.

Tendoscopic Treatment of Peroneal Intrasheath Subluxation: A New Subgroup With Superior Peroneal Retinaculum Injury.

BACKGROUND: Snapping peroneal tendons is a rare cause of lateral ankle pain. Two subgroups have been described: chronic subluxation with superior peroneal retinaculum (SPR) injury and intrasheath subluxation with SPR intact. The aim of the study was to report the tendoscopic findings and results in patients affected by snapping peroneal tendons without evident dislocation. METHODS: Between 2010 and 2015, a total of 18 patients with a retromalleolar "click" sensation and no clinical signs of peroneal tendon dislocation underwent tendoscopy. Mean age was 29 years (range, 18-47). Mean follow-up was 45 months (range, 18-72). RESULTS: Tendoscopic examination revealed an intact SPR in 12 patients. Of these 12, a space-occupying lesion was present in 7, a superficial tear of peroneus brevis in 4, and a shallow fibular groove in 7. An SPR injury without peroneal tendon dislocation was observed in the remaining 6 patients. All these 6 patients presented a shallow fibular groove. Although the SPR was injured, they had been diagnosed as intrasheath subluxation. Patients with intrasheath subluxation and intact SPR underwent debridement of a space-occupying lesion in 11 cases and fibular groove deepening in 5 cases. Patients with intrasheath subluxation and SPR injury underwent fibular groove deepening without addressing the SPR. At follow-up, the mean American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society score increased from 76 (range, 69-85) preoperatively to 97 (range, 84-100). No recurrence or major complications were reported. Conclusion Intrasheath subluxation of peroneal tendons was successfully treated tendoscopically. A new subgroup of intrasheath subluxation with SPR injury but no clinically evident peroneal tendon dislocation is reported. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, case series.