It is possible to release the plantaris tendon under ultrasound guidance: a technical description of ultrasound guided plantaris tendon release (UPTR) in the treatment of non-insertional Achilles tendinopathy.

PURPOSE: Open plantaris tendon excision and ventral paratendinous stripping is a recognised treatment option in selected patients with non-insertional Achilles tendinopathy. The aim of this study was to develop a minimally invasive outpatient technique of ultrasound guided plantaris tendon release (UPTR). METHODS: A 19 gauge needle, 15 gauge scalpel blade, hook knife (Smith and Nephew, Boston, MA, USA) and a beaver blade (Arthrex, Naples, FL, USA), were used under ultrasound guidance to identify and divide the plantaris tendon in 12 cadaveric legs. Specimens were dissected to identify whether division of the plantaris tendon had been successful. UPTR was subsequently performed on patients. RESULTS: The 15 gauge scalpel blade, hook knife (Smith and Nephew, Boston, MA, USA) and beaver blade (Arthrex, Naples, FL, USA) were all able to cut the plantaris tendon. However, on dissection the hook knife (Smith and Nephew, Boston MA) caused less damage to surrounding structures. Subsequently, the plantaris tendon was successfully divided in three patients using UPTR technique without complication. CONCLUSION: UPTR is a viable technique for treating plantaris related non-insertional Achilles tendinopathy.

Can we use biomarkers of coagulation to predict which patients with foot and ankle injury will develop deep vein thrombosis?

BACKGROUND: Our aim was to determine whether plasma levels of Tissue Factor (TF), Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule 1 (VCAM-1), Interleukin 6 (IL-6) or D-dimer after foot and ankle injury could predict which patients would develop deep vein thrombosis (DVT). METHODS: Patients aged 18-60 years with acute foot and ankle injury had venous blood sample to measure TF, VCAM-1, IL-6 and D-dimer within 3 days of injury. Patients had bilateral lower limb venous ultrasound to assess for DVT on discharge from clinic. RESULTS: 21 of 77 patients were found to have DVT (27%). There was no statistically significant association between levels of TF, VCAM-1, IL-6 or D-dimer and subsequent development of DVT. CONCLUSION: Tissue Factor (TF), Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 (VCAM-1), Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and D-dimer levels were not associated with development deep vein thrombosis in patients with acute foot and ankle injury.

Does thromboprophylaxis reduce symptomatic venous thromboembolism in patients with below knee cast treatment for foot and ankle trauma? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Our aim was to determine the evidence for thromboprophylaxis for prevention of symptomatic venous thromboembolism (VTE) in adults with foot or ankle trauma treated with below knee cast or splint. Our secondary aim was to report major bleeding events. METHODS: MEDLINE and EMBASE databases were searched for randomized controlled trials from inception to 1st June 2015. RESULTS: Seven studies were included. All focused on low molecular weight heparin (LMWH). None found a statistically significant symptomatic DVT reduction individually. At meta-analysis LMWH was protective against symptomatic DVT (OR 0.29, 95% CI 0.09-0.95). Symptomatic pulmonary embolism affected 3/692 (0.43%). None were fatal. 86 patients required LMWH thromboprophylaxis to prevent one symptomatic DVT event. The overall incidence of major bleeding was 1 in 886 (0.11%). CONCLUSIONS: Low molecular weight heparin reduces the incidence of symptomatic VTE in adult patients with foot or ankle trauma treated with below knee cast or splint.

The effect of active toe movement (AToM) on calf pump function and deep vein thrombosis in patients with acute foot and ankle trauma treated with cast - A prospective randomized study.

BACKGROUND: Patients with foot and ankle trauma treated with cast are advised to perform toe movements to prevent venous thromboembolism (VTE). Our aim was to determine the effect of active toe movement on asymptomatic deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and venous calf pump function. METHODS: Patients aged 18-60 years with acute foot and ankle trauma requiring below knee non weight bearing cast were randomized to intervention (regular active toe movement) or control groups (n=100). Patients had bilateral lower limb venous ultrasound to assess for DVT on discharge from clinic. Patients requiring chemical thromboprophylaxis were excluded. RESULTS: 78 completed the study. 27% sustained asymptomatic DVT, with no statistically significant difference in calf pump function or DVT incidence between groups. All DVT's occurred in the injured lower limb. CONCLUSION: Active toe movement is not a viable strategy for thromboprophylaxis in patients with acute foot and ankle trauma treated with cast.

A critical evaluation of venous thromboembolism risk assessment models used in patients with lower limb cast immobilisation.

BACKGROUND: There is a recognised link between lower limb cast immobilisation and the development of venous thromboembolism (VTE). Our aim was to assess the diagnostic accuracy of risk assessment models (RAMs) applicable to this patient group. This has not been done before. METHODS: A literature and guideline review identified five RAMs. They were used to retrospectively risk assess a consecutive series of patients who were diagnosed with symptomatic VTE following lower limb injury treated with a cast (Group I). A case-matched cohort who did not suffer symptomatic VTE (Group II) was also retrospectively risk assessed. The RAMs' diagnostic performance indicators were calculated. RESULTS: Groups I and II consisted of 21 patients each. There was no significant difference in the mean age or total number of VTE risk factors between Groups I and II (p=.957 and p=.878 respectively). The Plymouth (2010) RAM achieved the highest accuracy (54.8%). CONCLUSIONS: Each RAM demonstrated significant limitations. Two displayed very limited clinical utility. Three recommended chemical thromboprophylaxis to all patients because they weighted lower limb immobilisation as an absolute risk factor for the development of VTE. Cast immobilisation should not be considered an absolute risk factor when risk assessing patients who all have casts. Prospective evaluation with a larger patient cohort is required.

The Cardiff Arthroplasty Satisfaction Index (CASI). A simple tool for the assessment of outcome following knee arthroplasty.

Our aim was to develop a patient reported outcome measure of satisfaction following total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and assess its correlation with Oxford knee score (OKS), Quality of life (EQ5D) and Visual analogue scale for pain (VAS). 172 patients with minimum 5year follow up post primary total knee arthroplasty completed CASI, OKS, EQ5D and VAS for pain. Receiver-operator curve analysis was performed to identify an OKS threshold of poor satisfaction defined by CASI rarely/never. The CASI showed positive correlation with the OKS, VAS for pain, and EQ5D, (Spearman's rho); 0.779; 0.711; 0.629. A threshold of 20 for the Oxford Knee score had 85% specificity and 85% sensitivity for poor satisfaction on CASI. The CASI is a useful measure of patient satisfaction following TKA.

The nature and prevalence of injury during CrossFit training.

CrossFit is a constantly varied, high intensity, functional movement strength and conditioning program which has seen a huge growth in popularity around the world since its inception twelve years ago. There has been much criticism as to the potential injuries associated with CrossFit training including rhabdomyolysis and musculoskeletal injuries. However to date no evidence exists in the literature to the injures and rates sustained. The purpose of this study was to determine the injury rates and profiles of CrossFit athletes sustained during routine CrossFit training. An online questionnaire was distributed amongst international CrossFit online forums. Data collected included general demographics, training programs, injury profiles and supplement use. A total of 132 responses were collected with 97 (73.5%) having sustained an injury during CrossFit training. A total of 186 injuries were reported with 9 (7.0%) requiring surgical intervention. An injury rate of 3.1 per 1000 hours trained was calculated. No incidences of rhabdomyolysis were reported. Injury rates with CrossFit training are similar to that reported in the literature for sports such as Olympic weight-lifting, power-lifting and gymnastics and lower than competitive contact sports such as rugby union and rugby league. Shoulder and spine injuries predominate with no incidences of rhabdomyolysis obtained. To our knowledge this is the first paper in the literature detailing the injury rates and profiles with CrossFit participation.

Learning Curve for Minimally Invasive Surgery and How to Minimize It.

In this article the authors discuss their experience of performing minimally invasive surgery, with emphasis on technique and how to avoid pitfalls. They also discuss the educational literature for learning new techniques and how to shorten the "learning curve."

Functional Outcomes of Local Pedicle Graft Interpositional Arthroplasty in Adults With Severe Freiberg's Disease.

BACKGROUND: Conservative treatment or debridement is generally sufficient for Freiberg's disease grades I and II but operative intervention for the late stages of the disease process (III-V) is more challenging. Debridement alone is not sufficient and various forms of arthroplasty have been put forward. We have evaluated the outcomes of patients treated with an interpositional arthroplasty technique using a pedicle graft of periosteum and fat made into a "Rollmop" spacer for severe Freiberg's disease. No results have previously been reported for this technique. METHODS: Twenty-five consecutive cases (23 patients) were performed from February 2009 to September 2016 (20 females, 5 males). Mean age at surgery was 52.6 years (range 19-70.5 years) with 92% affecting the second metatarsal. Twenty-three were primary cases and 2 were revision cases. Five cases were stage III, 12 were stage IV, and 8 were stage V. All patients underwent interpositional arthroplasty using a periosteum and fat pedicle graft from the affected metatarsal shaft as described by Myerson. Patients were evaluated using Manchester-Oxford Foot Questionnaire (MOXFQ) and American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society Questionnaire (AOFAS). Mean follow-up was 3.5 years (0.6-7.6 years). Paired 2-tailed Student t tests were used to assess clinical significance. RESULTS: Surgery allowed 8 patients to return to normal footwear, 10 patients returned to fashion footwear/heels, and 5 returned to sports. Nineteen cases (17 patients) were assessed with patient-reported outcome measures and all showed a clinically and statistically significant improvement in their scores. Mean pre- and postoperative VAS pain scores were 6.2 (range 4-9) and 1.8 (range 0-6) ( P < .05). Mean perioperative AOFAS scores were 45.6 (range 15-73) and 82.7 (range 57-100) ( P < .05). Mean perioperative MOXFQ scores were 60.0 (range 23-89) and 18.1 (range 0-80) ( P < .05). CONCLUSION: This novel interpositional arthroplasty technique using a "rollmop" of periosteum and fat for severe Freiberg's disease produced significant improvements in pain, functional outcome, and patient satisfaction without donor site morbidity. Furthermore, it allowed patients to return to desired footwear and sporting activities. The functional outcome and joint range of motion was superior after a K-wire was no longer placed across the joint, and we believe it is essential to avoid this to permit early range-of-motion exercises. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, retrospective case series.

Lower extremity compartment syndrome in the setting of iliofemoral deep vein thrombosis, phlegmasia cerulea dolens and factor VII deficiency.

Acute compartment syndrome requires urgent fasciotomies to prevent irreversible muscle damage. We present a case of massive iliofemoral deep vein thrombosis (DVT) presenting as acute compartment syndrome. A healthy 21-year-old man presented with a 2-day history of worsening left leg pain with swelling and bluish discolouration. Clinical diagnosis of compartment syndrome secondary to phlegmasia cerulea dolens (PCD) was made and he underwent emergency fasciotomies. Postoperative venous duplex confirmed a massive iliofemoral DVT and intravenous heparin was started. Following skin grafting, the patient made a good recovery. Massive iliofemoral DVT is an uncommon cause of compartment syndrome and has been reported in lower limbs, secondary to PCD. Failure to treat early carries a high degree of morbidity, with amputation rates up to 50% and mortality rates between 25% and 40%. It is important to recognise compartment syndrome as an acute presentation of PCD. Urgent fasciotomies can prevent limb amputation and mortality.

Mechanical prophylaxis after hip fracture: what is the risk of deep vein thrombosis? A retrospective observational study.

Graduated compression stockings carry a potential risk of pressure, vascular and other complications. Current understanding of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) risk leaves it uncertain whether patients with hip fracture should wear stockings on both legs. OBJECTIVES: To determine the association between the side of the hip fracture and the subsequent occurrence of symptomatic lower limb DVT. SETTING: Single tertiary trauma centre, Wales. PARTICIPANTS: All 3657 patients presenting with hip fracture between 2007 and 2013 were identified from our unit's National Hip Fracture Database. We excluded 404 patients (11.0%) resident outside our catchment area, leaving a total of 3253. Median age was 83 years (±12.4). PRIMARY/SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: We cross-linked patient details with Medical Physics records, to identify 634 (19.5%) who had undergone one or more lower-limb Doppler-ultrasound scans at some point during the study period. The distribution rates of DVT were calculated from this resulting data set. RESULTS: Many of the total 634 scans were unrelated to the hip fracture, including 225 (35.5%) performed prior to the fracture. We calculated a baseline rate of DVT of 3.7/1000 patients per year, for the 3-month period immediately before the hip fracture. Scans performed following hip fracture showed DVT risk to be highest in the 3-month period after fracture (35.7/1000 patients per year). This resulted from a six-fold increase in DVTs on the side of the fracture (29.5/1000 patients per year, p<0.01). We found only a very small non-significant increase in DVT on the contralateral leg (6.1/1000 patients per year) CONCLUSIONS: The additional risk of DVT after hip fracture is essentially confined to the fractured limb-the leg to which it is most painful to apply stockings. There appears little justification for the cost and potential risk of using stockings on the contralateral leg.

Is distal screw entry point associated with subtrochanteric fracture after intracapsular hip fracture fixation?

BACKGROUND: Subtrochanteric fracture is a recognized complication following cannulated screw fixation of intracapsular hip fracture. We investigated the incidence of subtrochanteric fracture in a consecutive series of 304 patients and its association with screw entry point in the lateral femoral cortex. METHODS: A retrospective consecutive case series of patients treated with internal fixation for intracapsular hip fracture by our unit between January 2003 and January 2010 were included. Two authors reviewed radiographs independently to determine distal screw entry point in the lateral femoral cortex. Hickey zone 1 was an entry point above the level of the upper border of the lesser trochanter. Hickey zone 2 was defined as an entry point between the upper and lower borders of the lesser trochanter. Hickey zone 3 was an entry point below the lower border of the lesser trochanter. Clinical notes were reviewed for subsequent subtrochanteric fracture. Association between subtrochanteric fracture and distal screw entry point in the lateral femoral cortex in relation to the upper border of the lesser trochanter was determined. RESULTS: Two hundred and fifty-six post-operative radiographs were available for analysis. Mean patient age was 73 years (30­98), 75% were women. There were 24 patients with screw entry point in Hickey zone 1, 225 in Hickey zone 2, and 7 in Hickey zone 3. Two patients sustained subtrochanteric fracture. No subtrochanteric fractures occurred in patients with Hickey zone two-screw entry. CONCLUSION: Subtrochanteric fracture is rare following cannulated screw fixation of intracapsular neck of femur fracture (0.78%). In this retrospective consecutive case series, no subtrochanteric fractures occurred when the entry point of the lowest screw in the lateral femoral cortex is between the levels of the upper and lower borders of the lesser trochanter.

The effect of lower limb cast immobilization on calf muscle pump function: a simple strategy of exercises can maintain flow.

BACKGROUND: We have investigated the role of the calf muscle pump in casted patients. An audit of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in casted patients showed that the thrombosis occurred in the casted leg; this has not been previously assessed. We postulated that local factors play a major role, and we set out to assess the calf muscle pump in casted patients and to determine whether this can be optimized despite below-knee cast immobilization. METHODS: We measured the flow in the popliteal vein using a validated method of Doppler ultrasound measurement of peak velocity with and without a below-knee plaster cast. RESULTS: We demonstrated that a simple strategy of toe and ankle exercises can maintain venous return despite below-knee cast immobilization. CONCLUSION: This is the first study to examine the effect of the calf muscle pump in the presence of a plaster cast. Major muscle groups such as the flexor hallucis longus and gastrocsoleus extend beyond the field of control of the cast and can still be recruited. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: We recommend that all patients treated with a below-knee cast be given a program of exercises that can be comfortably performed with the cast; this could provide a useful, inexpensive, and safe thromboprophylaxis strategy acting at the site of greatest risk and targeting a major cause of VTE.

Review of treatment of acute scaphoid fractures: R1.

Scaphoid fractures are common. Clinical suspicion and early diagnosis and treatment are vital in order to avoid complications such as avascular necrosis. The management of these fractures depends on fracture characteristics, specifically the degree of displacement. With consideration of patient factors, such as occupation, the treatment can be non-operative or operative. There has been much debate in the recent literature regarding the best management of these fractures. The purpose of this review was to identify the current evidence for non-operative and operative treatment. Undisplaced and minimally displaced fractures can be managed non-operatively with a scaphoid cast. Surgical treatment is used for fractures with displacement of >1 mm.