Ankle instability in pediatric and adolescent patients diagnosed with lateral malleolus avulsion fracture: Analysis of clinical and functional outcomes of ligament injury repair surgery.

BACKGROUND: Some children and adolescents can develop persistent pain and instability following inversion injuries of the ankle. In these cases, imaging exams could reveal small bone fragments distal to the lateral malleolus. For these patients, regular conservative treatment may not be successful, requiring additional management, which can include surgical treatment. This study aimed to present the short-to-midterm functional and clinical outcomes of a series of 12 pediatric and adolescent patients who underwent ligament repair surgery due to chronic instability associated with the presence of osseous components in the lateral ligaments. METHODS: A review of 12 patients treated with surgical ligament reconstruction of the ankle was evaluated. Clinical and functional evaluations were based on comparing the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), AOFAS ankle-hindfoot score, and residual symptoms before and after the surgical intervention. RESULTS: Before the reconstructive approach, the mean VAS was 2.41 and the mean AOFAS score was 74.16. After the procedure, the standard VAS declined to zero, and the AOFAS score was 100 in all patients. The mean follow-up was 6.33 months. CONCLUSION: The surgical approach in children and adolescents with symptomatic ankle instability due to the presence of osseous fragments after an initial inversion trauma provided adequate clinical and functional results at short-to-midterm follow-up. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, retrospective case series.

A comparative analysis of clinical, functional and radiographic outcomes of patients with and without fusion between the first and second metatarsals after the lapidus procedure.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to compare the clinical, functional and radiographic outcomes in patients who underwent the original Lapidus procedure (OLP) with fusion and undesired non-fusion between the first (M1) and second (M2) metatarsals. METHODS: A retrospective and comparative analysis of 29 patients (38 feet) who underwent the OLP was performed. They were divided in two groups: (1) 23 feet in which fusion occurred and (2) 15 with undesired non-fusion. Clinical and functional data were assessed with the VAS for pain, AOFAS, LEFS and SF-12. SF-12 comprises physical and mental health scales (PCS-12 and MCS-12). Radiographic parameters assessed were bony and soft tissue forefoot widths (BSFW), intermetatarsal-angle (IMA) and HV-angle (HVA). RESULTS: Separately, the groups presented significant improvements in all questionnaires (p < 0.001), except on MCS-12 (fusion p = 0.08 and non-fusion p = 0.27). When comparing both groups, patients with fusion had higher AOFAS scores (p < 0.05). Both groups presented the same improvements on BSFW, IMA and HVA (p = 0.09, p = 0.16, p = 0.52 and p = 0.63). CONCLUSION: Excellent results were observed, even when without fusion between M1 and M2. Patients who evolved with fusion between the M1 and M2 showed greater improvements in the AOFAS score. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III, retrospective comparative study.

Internal Fixation of Displaced Intra-articular Fractures of the Hallux Through a Dorsomedial Approach: A Technical Tip.

Phalangeal fractures of the toes represent common injuries of the forefoot. In the hallux, most fractures occur at the distal phalanx and frequently result from a direct crushing type of injury. Intra-articular fractures of the hallux are usually treated nonoperatively, except when the fragments are displaced and the joint is incongruent. Displaced fractures treated nonoperatively can result in degenerative arthritis of the interphalangeal joint, causing pain and range of motion limitation, hindering gait and weightbearing. The aim of this study was to present an option of operative approach in the treatment of displaced interphalangeal joint fractures of the hallux, along the medial border of the extensor hallucis longus tendon. It is our understanding that this approach minimizes injury to the soft tissue envelope, allowing a rigid fixation and early weightbearing and range of motion. LEVELS OF EVIDENCE: Level V: Expert opinion.