"Ankle Arthroscopy: No-Distraction and Dorsiflexion Technique Is the Key for Ankle Arthroscopy Evolution"

ARTHROSCOPIC FOOT AND ANKLE SURGERY: BRAZILIAN SURGEON PROFILE

ABSTRACT Objective: To study the profile of the practice of arthroscopy among ankle and foot surgeons in Brazil and its evolution in recent years. Methods: Observational, cross-sectional study, using a survey sent to all members of the Associação Brasileira de Medicina e Cirurgia do Tornozelo e Pé (ABTPé) in 2017 and 2019. Results: In total, 75 surgeons participated in 2017 and 82 in 2019 and most had over 10 years of experience. Of these, 56 participants in 2017 (75%) and 68 in 2019 (82%) used arthroscopy. The number of specialists with no to five years of experience (p = 0.027) and who learned the technique during fellowship (p = 0.007) increased. The use of the 4.0 mm optics and 30° optics (p = 0.040) increased whereas the routine use of traction (p = 0.049) and radiofrequency (p = 0.002) decreased. The main pathology treated with anterior ankle arthroscopy was bone injury. The most frequent complication was neuropraxia. Conclusion: Most of the foot and ankle surgeons who use arthroscopy have more than 10 years of experience, performed anterior access, and are concentrated in the Southeast region of the country. The number of younger surgeons who learned the technique during fellowship increased. Level of Evidence III, Cross-Sectional Comparative Study.

Maximum Ankle Plantarflexion and Dorsiflexion Allow for Optimal Arthroscopic Access to the Talar Dome: An Anatomic 3-Dimensional Radiography Study

PURPOSE

(1) to improve the comprehension of the topographical position of the talar dome beneath the inferior articular surface of the tibia and, (2) to illustrate the changes of possible access to the articular surface of the talar dome during arthroscopic treatment of talar osteochondral defects in an anatomical model.

METHODS

Twenty matched pairs (n = 40) of anatomical ankle specimen were used. All specimens were mounted in a standardized fashion, 3-dimensional radiography was performed in 4 defined positions (maximum dorsiflexion, neutral position, noninvasive distraction, and maximum plantarflexion). All radiographs were analyzed and statistically compared.

RESULTS

Anterior accessibility was highest in maximum plantarflexion (medial: 49.20 ± 9.86%, lateral: 48.19 ± 8.85%), followed by non-invasive distraction (medial: 33.60 ± 7.96%, lateral: 31.98 ± 8.30%). Neutral position (medial: 19.34 ± 6.90%, lateral: 17.54 ± 6.63%) and dorsiflexion (medial: 15.36 ± 5.03%, lateral: 13.88 ± 4.33%) were not able to significantly increase accessibility. Posterior accessibility was greatest in maximum dorsiflexion (medial: 56.69 ± 9.65%, lateral: 46.82 ± 8.36%), followed by neutral position of the ankle joint (medial: 40.95 ± 8.28%, lateral: 31.06 ± 6.92%). Noninvasive distraction (medial: 31.41 ± 8.18%, lateral: 22.99 ± 7.63%) was still significantly better than plantarflexion (medial: 14.54 ± 5.10%, lateral: 13.89 ± 3.14%) and slightly increased accessibility to the talar dome. Medially, a central area of 5.89 ± 9.76% was accessible by maximum plantarflexion and maximum dorsiflexion from anterior and posterior, respectively, laterally a central blind spot of 4.99 ± 8.61% was detected.

CONCLUSIONS

From an anatomical point of view, maximum joint positions of the ankle (i.e., plantarflexion and dorsiflexion) allow for better access to the talar dome in anterior and posterior ankle arthroscopy. Noninvasive distraction may increase accessibility in anterior approaches, but has no benefit from posterior.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

This study provides insight into the morphology of the ankle joint in a standardized laboratory setup and illustrates the influence of different surgically relevant ankle joint positions. The presented data allow for better preoperative planning for the arthroscopic treatment of talar osteochondral defects.

Importance of Space-Occupying Anatomical Variations in Peroneal Tendoscopy

BACKGROUND

We hypothesized that peroneal tendons disorders are more commonly associated with anatomical variations, which could overcrowd the retrofibular groove.

METHODS

This single-center retrospective case study covered 84 consecutive cases that had undergone peroneal tendoscopy. Peroneal tendoscopy was performed on 82 patients, predominantly female (3:1) with a median age of 46 years. The preoperative evaluation and all the procedures were performed by a single surgeon using a standardized technique.

RESULTS

Two patients required revision surgery 8 and 52 months after the index procedure due to persistent posterolateral ankle pain. Peroneal tendoscopy was performed as a solitary procedure in 45.1% (37/82) of cases, while the remaining cases involved peroneal tendoscopy as a supplementary procedure. Low-lying peroneus brevis muscle belly (LLMB) was the most common finding in this series in 53.7% (44/82) of cases. In 41.5% (34/82) of cases, longitudinal tears of the peroneus brevis tendon were noted. Some patients presented with more than 1 concomitant peroneal tendon pathology. The LLMB was observed in 23.5% (8/34) of cases with a longitudinal tear of the peroneus brevis tendon.

CONCLUSION

Peroneal tendon anatomical variations, especially LLMB, were associated with the presence of peroneus brevis tendon ruptures and intrasheath peroneal tendon subluxations as well as posttraumatic posterolateral ankle pain. Due to high rates of undiagnosed and misdiagnosed cases of LLMB preoperatively, we believe special care should be taken to recognize it during tendoscopy. Peroneal tendoscopy is a high-efficiency, low-complication method to treat some peroneal tendon conditions.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV, case series.

Editorial Commentary: Arthroscopic Treatment of Ankle Instability Is the Emerging Gold Standard

Arthroscopic techniques for the treatment of ankle instability are increasing. The possibility of treating concomitant ankle pathology and ankle instability in the same procedure with similar outcomes and minor complications is making foot and ankle surgeons rethink the role of the current gold standard technique, the open Broström-Gould procedure. The improvement of arthroscopic procedures in the ankle joint, as has happened before in other joints, is forcing the evolution of the classic open gold standard techniques toward an arthroscopic approach. A nondistraction and ankle dorsiflexion procedure is the key arthroscopic technique. The anterior talofibular ligament's superior fascicle, an intra-articular structure, is located on the floor of the lateral gutter, and distraction detrimentally narrows the view and access to this space.

Anatomic lectures on structures at risk prior to cadaveric courses reduce injury to the superficial peroneal nerve, the commonest complication in ankle arthroscopy

PURPOSE

To assess the effectiveness of cadaveric ankle arthroscopy courses in reducing iatrogenic injuries.

METHODS

A total of 60 novice surgeons enrolled in a basic cadaveric ankle arthroscopy course were divided into two groups. Group A (n = 32) was lectured on portal placement and use of the arthroscope, whereas group B (n = 28) was in addition lectured on specific portal-related complications. Following the performance of anterior ankle arthroscopy and hindfoot endoscopy, the specimens were dissected and carefully assessed for detection of any iatrogenic injuries.

RESULTS

The rate of injury to the superficial peroneal nerve (SPN) was reduced from 25 to 3.6%, in group A compared with B (p = 0.033). Injuries to the peroneus tertius or extensor digitorum longus, the flexor hallucis longus and the tibial nerve or the Achilles tendon were also reduced in group B. Overall, the number of uninjured specimens was 50% (n = 30) and higher in group B (57%) than group A (44%). Lesions to the plantaris tendon, the sural nerve or the posterior tibial artery were more common in group B, however, without reaching statistical significance. Overall, 25 (13.9%) anatomic structures were injured in anterior arthroscopy compared to 18 (5%) in hindfoot endoscopy, out of a potential total of 180 and 360, respectively (p = 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Dedicated lectures on portal-related complications have proven useful in reducing the risk of injury to the SPN, the commonest iatrogenic injury encountered in ankle arthroscopy. Hindfoot endoscopy is significantly safer than anterior ankle arthroscopy in terms of injury to anatomical structures.

Letters to the Editor Highlight Current Controversies

In 2018, Letters to the Editor of Arthroscopy were heated and helped point out the broiling topics in our field including ankle arthroscopy distraction technique versus no-distraction and dorsiflexion, knee anterolateral ligament reconstruction versus lateral extraarticular tenodesis, hip labral primary repair versus primary reconstruction, and shoulder stabilization technique cost-effectiveness.