Individuals With Chronic Ankle Instability Show Abnormalities in Maximal and Submaximal Isometric Strength of the Knee Extensor and Flexor Muscles.

BACKGROUND: It has been shown that chronic ankle instability (CAI) leads to abnormalities in neuromuscular control of more proximal joints than the ankle. Although strength of the hip and the ankle muscles has been largely investigated providing concordant results, limited evidence with contrasting results has been reported regarding knee extensor and flexor muscles. PURPOSE: To investigate maximal and submaximal isometric muscle strength in individuals with CAI. STUDY DESIGN: Controlled laboratory study. METHODS: Fifteen participants with unilateral CAI and 15 healthy matched controls were recruited. To quantify maximal strength, peak forces were recorded during a maximal isometric voluntary contraction of knee extensor and flexor muscles at 30° and 90° of knee flexion and normalized by the body weight of each participant. At both angles, submaximal isometric contractions at 20%, 50%, and 80% of the maximal voluntary isometric contraction were performed to analyze strength steadiness, in terms of coefficient of variation, and strength accuracy, in terms of absolute error. During all the assessments, knee extensor and flexor muscle activation was recorded by means of surface electromyography. RESULTS: Knee flexor maximal isometric strength was significantly lower in the injured limb of individuals with CAI in comparison with healthy controls at both 30° (0.15 ± 0.05 vs 0.20 ± 0.05; P < .05) and 90° (0.14 ± 0.04 vs 0.18 ± 0.05; P < .05). Knee extensor and flexor steadiness was significantly lower (higher coefficient of variation) in both the injured and the noninjured limbs of individuals with CAI in comparison with healthy individuals at 90° and at 30° for knee flexor steadiness of the injured limb. Knee extensor and flexor accuracy was lower (higher absolute error) in both the injured and noninjured limbs of individuals with CAI in comparison with healthy individuals, mainly at 30°, while at 90° it was lower only in the injured limb. No differences between the 2 groups were found for maximal isometric strength of knee extensor muscles, as well as for muscle activations. CONCLUSION: Individuals with CAI show abnormalities in maximal and submaximal isometric strength of knee flexor muscles, and submaximal strength of the knee extensor muscles. Further studies should deeply investigate mechanisms leading to these abnormalities. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Rehabilitation interventions should consider abnormalities of neuromuscular control affecting joints more proximal than the ankle in individuals with CAI. REGISTRATION: NCT05273177 (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier).

Tibiotalocalcaneal arthrodesis in a rare case of tuberculosis of the talus.

Aim To assess our personal experience of a case of tuberculosis of the talus, and to provide an overview of the literature about the tuberculosis manifestations, including all its aspects: epidemiology, clinical and imaging presentation, and all the treatments available to the current state of knowledge. Methods We present our experience in a case of a 34-year-old patient, who came to our attention with difficulty in walking and pain due to a talar tuberculosis, with consequent bone disruption and reabsorption, and foot deformities. Results A tibiotalocalcaneal arthrodesis with retrograde nail and bone graft was performed after antibiotic therapy. Today, almost two years after the treatment, the patient can walk independently with no major limitations in everyday life. Conclusion Tibiotalocalcaneal arthrodesis with bone graft showed good functional results in this case study, with complete graft fusion and good functional and radiological outcomes.

A bioartificial and vasculomorphic bone matrix-based organoid mimicking microanatomy of flat and short bones.

We engineered an in vitro model of bioartificial 3D bone organoid consistent with an anatomical and vascular microenvironment common to mammalian flat and short bones. To achieve this, we chose the decellularized-decalcified matrix of the adult male rat scapula, implemented with the reconstruction of its intrinsic vessels, obtained through an original intravascular perfusion with polylevolactic (PLLA), followed by coating of the PLLA-fabricated vascularization with rat tail collagen. As a result, the 3D bone and vascular geometry of the native bone cortical and cancellous compartments was reproduced, and the rat tail collagen-PLLA biomaterial could in vitro act as a surrogate of the perivascular extracellular matrix (ECM) around the wall of the biomaterial-reconstituted cancellous vessels. As a proof-of-concept of cell compatibility and site-dependent osteoinductive properties of this bioartificial 3D construct, we show that it in vitro leads to a time-dependent microtopographic positioning of rat mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs), initiating an osteogenic fate in relation to the bone compartment. In addition, coating of PLLA-reconstructed vessels with rat tail collagen favored perivascular attachment and survival of MSC-like cells (mouse embryonic fibroblasts), confirming its potentiality as a perivascular stroma for triggering competence of seeded MSCs. Finally, in vivo radiographic topography of bone lesions in the human jaw and foot tarsus of subjects with primary osteoporosis revealed selective bone cortical versus cancellous involvement, suggesting usefulness of a human 3D bone organoid engineered with the same principles of our rat organoid, to in vitro investigate compartment-dependent activities of human MSC in flat and short bones under experimental osteoporotic challenge. We conclude that our 3D bioartificial construct offers a reliable replica of flat and short bones microanatomy, and promises to help in building a compartment-dependent mechanistic perspective of bone remodeling, including the microtopographic dysregulation of osteoporosis.

Proprioception and Mechanoreceptors in Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Literature Review.

PURPOSE: Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most common chronic diseases in the world. It is frequently accompanied by high levels of persistent pain, as well as substantial impairments in function and functional capacity. This review aims to systematically analyze the changes in proprioception and related mechanoreceptors in OA patients. METHODS: Studies from September 2013 to September 2023 were identified by conducting searches on the PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus electronic databases following the PRISMA statement. One reviewer independently assessed and screened the literature, extracted the data, and graded the studies. The body of evidence underwent an evaluation and grading process using the ROBINS-I tool, which was specifically designed to assess the risk of bias in non-randomized studies of interventions. Results were summarized using descriptive methods. RESULTS: A search through 37 studies yielded 14 clinical studies that were ultimately included. The primary focus of the studies was on the knee joint, particularly the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL). The studies found that PCL in OA patients had impaired proprioceptive accuracy, possibly due to changes in mechanoreceptors (Ruffini, Pacini, and Golgi Mazzoni corpuscles). This suggests that dysfunctional articular mechanoreceptors, especially in severe cases of OA, may contribute to reduced proprioception. Dynamic stabilometry also identified significant proprioceptive deficits in patients with knee articular cartilage lesions, underscoring the impact of such lesions on knee proprioception. CONCLUSIONS: Literature data have shown that proprioceptive accuracy may play an important role in OA, particularly in the knee PCL and cartilage. However, the role of proprioception and related mechanoreceptors needs to be further clarified. Future studies focusing on the relationship between proprioception, OA disease, and symptoms, considering age and gender differences, and exploring OA joints other than the knee should be conducted to improve clinical and surgical outcomes in cases where proprioception and mechanoreceptors are impaired in OA patients.

Balance and Muscle Synergies During a Single-Limb Stance Task in Individuals With Chronic Ankle Instability.

The aim of this study was to investigate balance performance and muscle synergies during a Single-Limb Stance (SLS) task in individuals with Chronic Ankle Instability (CAI) and a group of healthy controls. Twenty individuals with CAI and twenty healthy controls were asked to perform a 30-second SLS task in Open-Eyes (OE) and Closed-Eyes (CE) conditions while standing on a force platform with the injured or the dominant limb, respectively. The activation of 13 muscles of the lower limb, hip, and back was recorded by means of surface electromyography. Balance performance was assessed by identifying the number and the duration of SLS epochs, and the Root-Mean-Square (RMS) in Antero-Posterior (AP) and Medio-Lateral (ML) directions of the body-weight normalized ground reaction forces. The optimal number of synergies, weight vectors, and activation coefficients were also analyzed. CAI group showed a higher number and a shorter duration of SLS epochs and augmented ground reaction force RMS in both AP and ML directions compared to controls. Both groups showed an increase in the RMS in AP and ML forces in CE compared to OE. Both groups showed 4 optimal synergies in CE, while controls showed 5 synergies in OE. CAI showed a significantly higher weight of knee flexor muscles in both OE and CE. In conclusion, muscle synergies analysis provided an in-depth knowledge of motor control mechanisms in CAI individuals. They showed worse balance performance, a lower number of muscle synergies in a CE condition and abnormal knee flexor muscle activation compared to healthy controls.

Woven bone formation and mineralization by rat mesenchymal stromal cells imply increased expression of the intermediate filament desmin.

Background: Disordered and hypomineralized woven bone formation by dysfunctional mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) characterize delayed fracture healing and endocrine -metabolic bone disorders like fibrous dysplasia and Paget disease of bone. To shed light on molecular players in osteoblast differentiation, woven bone formation, and mineralization by MSCs we looked at the intermediate filament desmin (DES) during the skeletogenic commitment of rat bone marrow MSCs (rBMSCs), where its bone-related action remains elusive. Results: Monolayer cultures of immunophenotypically- and morphologically - characterized, adult male rBMSCs showed co-localization of desmin (DES) with vimentin, F-actin, and runx2 in all cell morphotypes, each contributing to sparse and dense colonies. Proteomic analysis of these cells revealed a topologically-relevant interactome, focused on cytoskeletal and related enzymes//chaperone/signalling molecules linking DES to runx2 and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). Osteogenic differentiation led to mineralized woven bone nodules confined to dense colonies, significantly smaller and more circular with respect to controls. It significantly increased also colony-forming efficiency and the number of DES-immunoreactive dense colonies, and immunostaining of co-localized DES/runx-2 and DES/ALP. These data confirmed pre-osteoblastic and osteoblastic differentiation, woven bone formation, and mineralization, supporting DES as a player in the molecular pathway leading to the osteogenic fate of rBMSCs. Conclusion: Immunocytochemical and morphometric studies coupled with proteomic and bioinformatic analysis support the concept that DES may act as an upstream signal for the skeletogenic commitment of rBMSCs. Thus, we suggest that altered metabolism of osteoblasts, woven bone, and mineralization by dysfunctional BMSCs might early be revealed by changes in DES expression//levels. Non-union fractures and endocrine - metabolic bone disorders like fibrous dysplasia and Paget disease of bone might take advantage of this molecular evidence for their early diagnosis and follow-up.

Arthroscopic approach does not yield better results than open surgery after subscapularis repair: a systematic review.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to compare the long-term outcomes of arthroscopic versus mini-open repair in patients with isolated subscapularis tendon tears. METHODS: Google Scholar, PubMed, and Embase databases were searched for studies evaluating isolated subscapularis tears subsequently treated by arthroscopic or mini-open repair. The inclusion criteria were clinical studies reporting isolated subscapularis lesions treated by arthroscopic or mini-open repair, a minimum follow-up of 12 months, and clinical and functional outcomes reported in the study results. Articles not reporting functional outcomes or studies that reported results for anterosuperior rotator cuff tears without a separate analysis of subscapularis tendon tears were excluded. Studies older than 20 years and studies with a minimum follow-up of less than 12 months were also excluded. RESULTS: A total of 12 studies met the inclusion criteria; 8 papers were included in the arthroscopic repair group, and 6 were included in the mini-open repair group (2 studies reported results for both techniques). The mean age reported was 49.3 years, and 85.1% of patients were male. The dominant limb was involved in 77.6% of the patients, and a traumatic onset of symptoms was verified in 76.3%. The mean time to surgery was 9.6 months. The Constant-Murley score showed positive results for the arthroscopic and mini-open groups, with mean postoperative values of 84.6 and 82.1, respectively. Promising results were also observed for pain, with a mean of 13.2 (out of 15) points for the arthroscopic group and 11.7 for the mini-open group. The long head of the biceps was involved in 78% of the patients, and LHB tenodesis or tenotomy were the most common concomitant procedures performed. CONCLUSIONS: There was no significant difference in clinical and functional outcomes between open and arthroscopic repair. Moreover, the same complication rates were reported in both treatments, but arthroscopic repair led to less postoperative pain. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

Tibiotalar and Tibiotalocalcaneal Arthrodesis with Paragon28 SilverbackTM Plating System in Patients with Severe Ankle and Hindfoot Deformity.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The treatment of end-stage ankle osteoarthritis (OA) and associated hindfoot deformities remains a major challenge for orthopedic surgeons. Numerous techniques and surgical approaches have been proposed for tibiotalar (TT) and tibiotalocalcaneal (TTC) arthrodesis, from arthroscopic to open, as well as numerous devices proposed for internal fixation (retrograde intramedullary nails, cannulated screws, and plating systems). The aim of this study was to retrospectively analyze the results, with at least 18 months of follow-up, with SilverbackTM TT/TTC Plating System Paragon28 in a group of 20 patients with severe OA and hindfoot deformities (mainly secondary post-traumatic OA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The demographic characteristics and past medical history of the patients were collected and analyzed to identify the cause of the pathology. The degree of OA and deformity were quantified based on foot and ankle weight-bearing radiography and CT examination. Pre- and post-operative clinical and functional scores (ROM, VAS, AOFAS, FFI, and SF-36) and radiographic parameters (anterior distal tibial angle, tibiotalar angle, coronal tibiotalar angle, and hindfoot alignment angle) were evaluated. RESULTS: All of the patients showed clinical and radiographic fusion at an average of 14 weeks (range 12-48), with improvement in pain and functional scores, without major surgical complications and/or infections. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the limitations of our study, the results with this new plating system showed good results in terms of bone consolidation, post-operative complications, and improvement of pain and quality of life in patients with severe OA and deformities of the ankle and hindfoot.

RANKL-RANK-OPG Pathway in Charcot Diabetic Foot: Pathophysiology and Clinical-Therapeutic Implications.

Charcot Foot (CF), part of a broader condition known as Charcot Neuro-Osteoarthropathy (CNO), is characterized by neuropathic arthropathy with a progressive alteration of the foot. CNO is one of the most devastating complications in patients with diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy but can also be caused by neurological or infectious diseases. The pathogenesis is multifactorial; many studies have demonstrated the central role of inflammation and the Receptor Activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL)-Receptor Activator of NF-κB (RANK)-Osteoprotegerin (OPG) pathway in the acute phase of the disease, resulting in the serum overexpression of RANKL. This overexpression and activation of this signal lead to increased osteoclast activity and osteolysis, which is a prelude to bone destruction. The aim of this narrative review is to analyze this signaling pathway in bone remodeling, and in CF in particular, to highlight its clinical aspects and possible therapeutic implications of targeting drugs at different levels of the pathway. Drugs that act at different levels in this pathway are anti-RANKL monoclonal antibodies (Denosumab), bisphosphonates (BP), and calcitonin. The literature review showed encouraging data on treatment with Denosumab, although in a few studies and in small sample sizes. In contrast, BPs have been re-evaluated in recent years in relation to the high possibility of side effects, while calcitonin has shown little efficacy on CNO.

Adult Acquired Flatfoot Deformity: A Narrative Review about Imaging Findings.

Adult acquired flatfoot deformity (AAFD) is a disorder caused by repetitive overloading, which leads to progressive posterior tibialis tendon (PTT) insufficiency. It mainly affects middle-aged women and occurs with foot pain, malalignment, and loss of function. After clinical examination, imaging plays a key role in the diagnosis and management of this pathology. Imaging allows confirmation of the diagnosis, monitoring of the disorder, outcome assessment and complication identification. Weight-bearing radiography of the foot and ankle are gold standard for the diagnosis of AAFD. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is not routinely needed for the diagnosis; however, it can be used to evaluate the spring ligament and the degree of PTT damage which can help to guide surgical plans and management in patients with severe deformity. Ultrasonography (US) can be considered another helpful tool to evaluate the condition of the PTT and other soft-tissue structures. Computed Tomography (CT) provides enhanced, detailed visualization of the hindfoot, and it is useful both in the evaluation of bone abnormalities and in the accurate evaluation of measurements useful for diagnosis and post-surgical follow-up. Other state-of-the-art imaging examinations, like multiplanar weight-bearing imaging, are emerging as techniques for diagnosis and preoperative planning but are not yet standardized and their scope of application is not yet well defined. The aim of this review, performed through Pubmed and Web of Science databases, was to analyze the literature relating to the role of imaging in the diagnosis and treatment of AAFD.

Interposition Arthroplasty in the Treatment of End-Stage Hallux Rigidus: A Systematic Review.

PURPOSE: Patients affected by moderate to severe hallux rigidus may opt for interposition arthroplasty to avoid the movement restrictions of arthrodesis and the complications related to prosthetic replacement. The propose of this article was to review the current literature about interposition arthroplasty to examine the overall outcomes and to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of different types of technique, compared with more consolidated procedures. METHODS: A literature PubMed search was performed. Studies reporting the results of interposition arthroplasty in moderate to severe hallux rigidus were included. The data were pooled and weighted for number of patients in every study. RESULTS: The overall results for interposition arthroplasties are comparable to other alternatives for end-stage hallux rigidus, providing better plantar load distribution than arthrodesis and avoiding the drawbacks of prosthetic replacement. Among the various interposition arthroplasty techniques, the Modified Oblique Keller Capsular Interposition Arthroplasty technique preserves toe length and flexor hallucis brevis function, showing the highest satisfaction rate, with lowest metatarsalgia and revision rate. CONCLUSION: Although long-term randomized controlled trials are lacking for interposition arthroplasty, it represents a valid alternative for the treatment of end-stage hallux rigidus also in the young active patient who wants to avoid a definitive intervention immediately. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III (systematic review of level III-IV-V studies).

Custom-Made Implants in Ankle Bone Loss: A Retrospective Assessment of Reconstruction/Arthrodesis in Sequelae of Septic Non-Union of the Tibial Pilon.

Background and Objectives: Treating segmental tibial and ankle bone loss after radical surgery for chronic osteomyelitis is one of the most challenging problems encountered by orthopaedic surgeons. Open tibia and ankle fractures occur with an incidence of 3.4 per 100,000 and 1.6 per 100,000, respectively, and there is a high propensity of developing fracture-related infection with associated chronic osteomyelitis in patients. Segmental tibial and ankle bone loss have recently received new and improved treatments. Materials and Methods: Above all, 3D printing allows for the customization of implants based on the anatomy of each patient, using a personalized process through the layer-by-layer deposition of materials. Results: This article presents different cases from the authors' experience. Specifically, four patients suffered tibia and ankle fractures and after radical surgery for chronic osteomyelitis combined with high-performance antibiotic therapy underwent ankle reconstruction/arthrodesis with custom-made tibial spacers. Conclusions: Thanks to 3D-printed patient-specific devices, it is possible to perform surgical procedures that, for anatomical reasons, would have been impossible otherwise. Moreover, an improvement in overall functionality and an important reduction in pain were shown in the last follow-up in all patients.

Plate Augmentation in Aseptic Femoral Shaft Nonunion after Intramedullary Nailing: A Literature Review.

BACKGROUND: Femoral shaft fractures (FSFs) are a frequent injury in traumatology for which intramedullary nailing (IMN) is considered the gold standard treatment. Nonunion (NU) is one of the most frequent complications in FSF treated with IMN, with a percentage from 1.1% to 14%. Plate augmentation (PA), the addition of a compression plate and screws, with or without bone graft has been described as an effective option for the treatment of NU, improving the biomechanical conditions at the fracture site. The aim of this review was to analyze the literature relating to the use of PA in NU after IMN in FSFs to assess the efficacy of the technique. METHODS: An electronic search on PubMed, Google Scholar, and Web of Science was conducted to search for all studies concerning PA of femoral shaft NUs after IMN. RESULTS: Twenty-four studies were included in the review comprising a total of 502 patients with a mean age of 39.5 years. Of these, 200 hundred patients had atrophic pseudoarthrosis and 123 had hypertrophic pseudoarthrosis, while in 179, the type of pseudoarthrosis was not reported. The most frequently used plate for PA was the dynamic compression plate (DCP); in 87.1% of the cases, the authors added a bone graft to the plate fixation. In 98.0% of the patients, a complete bone union was achieved in a mean time of 5.8 ± 2.12 months. CONCLUSION: The patients treated with PA included in this review showed a good rate of consolidation in the femoral shaft NUs, with good functional recovery and a low incidence of complications.

Hallux rigidus: current concepts review and treatment algorithm with special focus on interposition arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE WORK: Hallux rigidus represents a surgical challenge, with a multitude of possible surgical options, but with no ideal procedures.  The propose of this paper was to review the actual knowledge on the operative techniques, paying particular attention to the evolution of interposition arthroplasties, as an alternative to arthrodesis and prosthesis in the advanced stages of the disease. METHODS: A comprehensive literature PubMed search was performed, and the actual literature regarding hallux rigidus was overviewed. The operative and nonoperative options for HR were described. Studies on interposition arthroplasty were classified by publication year, summarizing the operative technique, results and complications. RESULTS: Among the various techniques for interposition arthroplasty, the Modified Oblique Keller Interposition Arthtoplasty (MOKCIA) showed the lower complication rate. It does not sacrifice the insertion of the flexor halluces brevis, maintaining the stability, length and strength of the big toe. CONCLUSIONS: Although long-term randomized controlled trials are lacking for interposition arthroplasties, the reported results are comparable to the other alternatives for the treatment of end-stage hallux rigidus, making this technique a valid alternative also in the young active patient, without precluding other end-stage procedures in case of failure. Based on the current knowledge, a treatment algorithm was developed, according to the Coughlin classification.

Custom-Made Devices Represent a Promising Tool to Increase Correction Accuracy of High Tibial Osteotomy: A Systematic Review of the Literature and Presentation of Pilot Cases with a New 3D-Printed System.

BACKGROUND: The accuracy of the coronal alignment corrections using conventional high tibial osteotomy (HTO) falls short, and multiplanar deformities of the tibia require consideration of both the coronal and sagittal planes. Patient-specific instrumentations have been introduced to improve the control of the correction. Clear evidence about customized devices for HTO and their correction accuracy lacks. METHODS: The databases PUBMED and EMBASE were systematically screened for human and cadaveric studies about the use of customized devices for high tibial osteotomy and their outcomes concerning correction accuracy. Furthermore, a 3D-printed customized system for valgus HTO with three pilot cases at one-year follow-up was presented. RESULTS: 28 studies were included. The most commonly used custom-made devices for HTO were found to be cutting guides. Reported differences between the achieved and targeted correction of hip-knee-ankle angle and the posterior tibial slope were 3° or under. The three pilot cases that underwent personalized HTO with a new 3D-printed device presented satisfactory alignment and clinical outcomes at one-year follow-up. CONCLUSION: The available patient-specific devices described in the literature, including the one used in the preliminary cases of the current study, showed promising results in increasing the accuracy of correction in HTO procedure.

Reconstructive Surgery and Joint-Sparing Surgery in Valgus and Varus Ankle Deformities: A Comprehensive Review.

Osteoarthritis (OA) of the ankle affects about 1% of the world's adult population, causing an important impact on patient lives and health systems. Most patients with ankle OA can show an asymmetrical wear pattern with a predominant degeneration of the medial or the lateral portion of the joint. To avoid more invasive ankle joint sacrificing procedures, joint realignment surgery has been developed to restore the anatomy of the joints with asymmetric early OA and to improve the joint biomechanics and symptoms of the patients. This narrative, comprehensive, all-embracing review of the literature has the aim to describe the current concepts of joint preserving and reconstructive surgery in the treatment of the valgus and varus ankle early OA, through an original iconography and clear indications and technical notes.

Mobile-Bearing Total Ankle Replacement In Vivo Kinematic Assessment: A Prospective Study Protocol.

Total ankle prosthesis as a surgical solution in the case of end-stage osteoarthritis has seen a considerable increase in the last two decades. This study protocol arises from the need to understand the in vivo kinematics of mobile-bearing, flat tibial component total ankle replacement, evaluating the real range of motion and the reciprocal relationships between the components during normal motor tasks through the use of model-based radio-stereometric analysis (MB-RSA). In addition, pre- and post-operative evaluation of walking kinematics with inertial motion sensors, proprioception through a dedicated workstation, and clinical outcomes are discussed. We expect that based on our study protocol researchers will be able to improve future prosthetic designs and validate the setup of MB-RSA, as well as to understand "how an ankle prosthesis moves" once implanted in the patient.

SERI Technique for Isolated Juvenile Hallux Valgus Patients: A Retrospective Evaluation With Mid-term to Long-term Follow-up.

INTRODUCTION: Many different operative procedures have been described to treat hallux valgus, but many of them are inappropriate for active, skeletally immature patients. This retrospective evaluation aimed to show the efficacy of SERI (Simple, Effective, Rapid, Inexpensive) technique in young patients affected by mild to moderate hallux valgus deformity at a mid-term to long-term follow-up. METHODS: All patients were clinically and radiographically evaluated, independently by 2 researchers, by American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Hallux-Metatarsophalangeal-Interphalangeal score and radiographic examination. RESULTS: Twenty-nine feet, undergone SERI procedure, have been reviewed at a mean follow-up of 5 years. The mean AOFAS score was significantly improved from 59.7 preoperatively to a mean value of 90.7 at last follow-up. Mean correction degrees have been recorded for both angles (hallux valgus angle [HVA] -13.7° and intermetatarsal angle [IMA] -6.7°). CONCLUSIONS: The SERI technique represents a powerful surgical procedure for the treatment of painful, mild to moderate, juvenile hallux valgus. Recurrence and complication rate make this surgical approach effective, repeatable, and safe. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, Retrospective case series.

Kinematic Evaluation of the Sagittal Posture during Walking in Healthy Subjects by 3D Motion Analysis Using DB-Total Protocol.

Posture can be evaluated by clinical and instrumental methods. Three-dimensional motion analysis is the gold standard for the static and dynamic postural assessment. Conventional stereophotogrammetric protocols are used to assess the posture of pelvis, hip, knee, ankle, trunk (considered as a single segment) and rarely head and upper limbs during walking. A few studies also analyzed the multi-segmental trunk and whole-body kinematics. Aim of our study was to evaluate the sagittal spine and the whole-body during walking in healthy subjects by 3D motion analysis using a new marker set. Fourteen healthy subjects were assessed by 3D-Stereophotogrammetry using the DB-Total protocol. Excursion Range, Absolute Excursion Range, Average, intra-subject Coefficient of Variation (CV) and inter-subject Standard Deviation Average (SD Average) of eighteen new kinematic parameters related to sagittal spine and whole-body posture were calculated. The analysis of the DB-Total parameters showed a high intra-subject (CV < 50%) and a high inter-subject (SD Average < 1) repeatability for the most of them. Kinematic curves and new additional values were reported. The present study introduced new postural values characterizing the sagittal spinal and whole-body alignment of healthy subjects during walking. DB-Total parameters may be useful for understanding multi-segmental body biomechanics and as a benchmark for pathological patterns.

Associated Corrective Procedures of Extra-Articular Asymptomatic Foot Malalignments in Total Ankle Replacement: Are They Really Mandatory?

In recent years, total ankle replacement (TAR) has undergone a series of evolutions and changes in terms of materials, prosthetic designs, and surgical techniques [...].