Ankle arthroscopy for ankle fractures

Use of Fibula Nails With Proximal and Distal Fixation

Background

Ankle fractures are a frequent injury in the adult population and a quarter of all ankle fractures are classified as unstable, requiring surgical intervention. Plate-and-screw construct is the traditionally used fixation method for fibula fractures. The use of an intramedullary nail is an alternative fixation method, with current literature supporting very low complication rates and hardware removal surgeries. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcomes, including complication rates and implant removal rates, using a fibula nail with both proximal and distal fixation capabilities by an experienced surgeon.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed 203 consecutive fibula nail cases from a single surgeon using a mini-open technique for anatomic reduction. Demographic, operative, clinical, and radiographic outcome data were analyzed, specifically examining complication rates and need for implant removal.

Results

The average follow-up was 18.8 months (6-54 months). All fractures healed. We identified 2 cases of superficial wound infection, 1 superficial peroneal nerve irritation, and 1 case of implant removal. In the first 110 cases, 2 fractures were converted to a plate intraoperatively prior to a technique modification which has prevented this occurrence. No deep infection, delayed union, or nonunion occurred.

Conclusion

Our data support that fibula nails with proximal and distal locking capabilities offer an alternative to plating with the potential for lower complication rates and lower need for implant removal.

Level of evidence

Level IV, case series.

Operative costs associated with arthroscopic assisted open reduction and internal fixation of acute ankle fractures

BACKGROUND

Ankle fractures are a common orthopedic injury that frequently involves associated cartilage lesions, soft tissue damage, and a significant inflammatory burden. Despite studies revealing intra-articular pathology in up to 79% of ankle fractures, only 1% of open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) procedures undergo arthroscopic evaluation. The primary purpose of this study was to determine the cost effectiveness of ankle arthroscopy performed at time of ORIF for ankle fracture.

METHODS

An IRB approved retrospective review of patients who sustained ankle fractures and underwent ORIF with and without concomitant arthroscopic surgery between 2015 and 2020 were investigated. Patient demographics, fracture characteristics, outcomes, and cost data were collected and analyzed.

RESULTS

There were 567 total ORIF and 28 ORIF and scope included for cost analysis purposes. Total surgical costs averaged $6,537.62 and $6,886.46 for the ORIF only and ORIF and scope procedures respectively. Total direct costs, including operating room time, for the same procedures were found to average $6,212.34 and $7,312.10 for the ORIF only and ORIF and scope procedures respectively. The cost difference between the ORIF only and with arthroscopy was not statistically significant (p = 0.1174). Twelve of the 28 arthroscopic patients (42.86%) had grade 3 or full thickness chondral lesions, and 11/28 (39.28%) arthroscopic patients were found to have grade 1-2 cartilage changes.

CONCLUSION

In the acute treatment of ankle fractures, concurrent arthroscopic evaluation does not add a significant cost to the procedure and may result in improved short and long term benefits for the patient. With improved arthroscopic efficiency, the cost differential can be further reduced. LOE: IV.

Arthroscopically Assisted Internal Fixation of Foot and Ankle Fractures: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

Patients undergoing fixation for foot and ankle fractures may experience poor outcomes despite achieving apparent anatomic reduction. Adjunct arthroscopy to identify missed concomitant injuries and subtle displacements has been proposed as a vehicle to enhance functional results for these patients. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of the literature regarding arthroscopically assisted open reduction and internal fixation (AAORIF) methods for commonly encountered foot and ankle injuries including pilon, ankle, and calcaneus fractures published to date.

METHODS

A systematic review of the literature was performed using the PubMed database to access all studies reporting on arthroscopically assisted internal fixation methods for pilon, ankle, and calcaneus fractures. Relevant publications were analyzed for details on their respective study designs, the operative technique used, clinical outcomes, outcome instruments used, and reported complications.

RESULTS

A total of 32 studies were included in this review. Two studies on pilon fractures, a randomized controlled trial (RCT) and case series with a total of 243 patients, met inclusion criteria. Postoperative articular reductions, bone union, and Mazur scores were found to be significantly better for those using adjunct arthroscopy when compared to those with no arthroscopy use. Patient-reported outcomes were overall reported as excellent for most patients, with no difference in patient-reported outcomes reported in the RCT. For ankle fractures, a total of 17 studies comprising of 2 systematic reviews, 1 meta-analysis, 2 RCTs, 5 retrospective comparative studies, 6 case series, and 1 case-control study met inclusion criteria for this review. Results were mixed, though the overall consensus was that arthroscopy use may help to better visualize concomitant intra-articular injuries and is generally considered safe with at least comparable outcomes to conventional methods. For the calcaneus, 13 studies met the criteria. Two studies were review papers, 8 were case series, and 3 were retrospective comparative studies. A total of 308 patients with 316 fractures formed the basis of analysis. In general, the studies found comparable functional outcomes between with or without arthroscopy use, but found that anatomical reductions were significantly improved with the use of arthroscopy.

CONCLUSIONS

Arthroscopy shows promise as a valuable adjunct tool for internal fixation of foot and ankle fractures, though definitive conclusions as to its clinical significance have yet to be drawn because of limited evidence. Potential advantages related to the direct visualization of the fracture site and minimally invasive nature of arthroscopy were suggested throughout studies examined in this review. The presence of intra-articular pathology may lead to unexpectedly poor outcomes seen in some patients who undergo surgical fixation of ankle fractures with an otherwise anatomic reduction on postoperative radiographs; the ability to diagnose and address these lesions with arthroscopy, therefore, has the potential to improve patient outcomes. To date, however, available literature has not shown that significant improvements in anatomical reductions and treatment of these intra-articular injuries provide any improvement in outcomes over standard fixation methods. Few prospective randomized controlled studies have been performed comparing these 2 operative techniques, rendering any suggestion that AAORIF improves clinical outcomes over traditional open fixation difficult to justify. Further research is indicated for what may be a potentially promising surgical adjunct prior to advocating for its routine use in patients.

Incidence of concomitant chondral/osteochondral lesions in acute ankle fractures and their effect on clinical outcome: a systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

Despite successful osteosynthesis, some patients report residual symptoms after ankle fractures. One of the reasons behind the postoperative complaints might be traumatic concomitant chondral lesions (CL) and/or osteochondral lesions (OCL) within the ankle joint. The study aims to systematically review the incidence of CL and/or OCL in ankle fractures and to assess their effect on the clinical outcome.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This work was conducted according to PRISMA checklists. A systematic literature search was performed using following keywords: "Ankle Fractures" OR "Trimalleolar Fracture" OR "Bimalleolar Fracture" OR "Maisonneuve fracture" OR "Malleolus Fracture" AND "Cartilage" OR "Cartilage Diseases" OR "Cartilage, Articular" OR "chondral" up to March 2020. The identified articles were analysed to determine the incidence of CL and/or OCL. Included studies in the meta-analysis assessed possible cartilage damage through arthroscopy or MRI immediately after traumatic ankle fractures and described the postoperative clinical outcome.

RESULTS

The search identified a total of 111 publications; 19 described the incidence of CL and/or OCL after ankle fractures; six met the criteria to be included in the meta-analysis: five (n = 293) diagnosed CL and/or OCL through arthroscopy during ORIF and one study (n = 153) used preoperative MRI. The clinical outcome was evaluated in four studies (n = 177) using AOFAS score and in two (n = 269) using FAOS score. The mean incidence of arthroscopically detected CL and/or OCL was 65 ± 21% [95% CI 53.9 to 76.72]. The cumulative meta-analysis sample size comprised a total of 400 Patients (170 with and 230 without CL and/or OCL) available for a mean follow-up of 23.9 ± 11.5 months [95% CI 11.79 to 36.07]. The average age was 44.3 ± 5.5 years [95% CI 38.57 to 50.13]. The meta-analysis revealed a mean AOFAS score of 91.2 ± 4.8 [95% CI 83.53 to 98.93] with versus 94.4 ± 4.7 [95% CI 86.81 to 102.07] without CL and/or OCL (p = 0.15) and a mean FAOS score of 73.2 ± 11.31 [95% CI - 28.44 to 174.85] with versus 79.0 ± 18.4 [95% CI - 86.77 to 244.87] without CL and/or OCL (p = 0.18).

CONCLUSIONS

CL and/or OCL appear very frequently after ankle fractures. A tendency towards a favourable short- to mid-term clinical outcome was noticed in ankle fractures without CL and/or OCL, however without reaching statistical significance.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level I.

Arthroscopy-Assisted Reduction in the Management of Isolated Medial Malleolar Fracture

PURPOSE

To evaluate the feasibility of arthroscopic reduction percutaneous fixation (ARPF) in the treatment of isolated medial malleolar fracture and compare the results with those of conventional open reduction internal fixation (ORIF).

METHODS

This prospective study enrolled 77 patients with isolated medial malleolar fracture between November 2011 and February 2016. The patients were assigned to the ARPF (n = 34) and ORIF (n = 43) groups. The Olerud-Molander ankle score (OMAS), ankle range of motion (ROM), visual analog scale, and radiographic evaluation were determined at the scheduled follow-up.

RESULTS

In the ARPF group, 11 of 34 patients (32.4%) had chondral lesions. Tears of the deltoid ligament and anterior inferior tibiofibular ligament were noted in 3 (8.8%) and 15 (44.1%) patients, respectively. The mean follow-up was 5 years. The mean OMAS was higher in the ARPF group than in the ORIF group. The differences were statistically significant at 6 months (mean ± standard deviation, 80.2 ± 4.0 for ARPF vs 77.2 ± 4.1 for ORIF, P = .005) and 1 year (92.9 ± 4.9 vs 88.1 ± 4.6, P < .001), but not at the latest follow-up (P = .081). Ankle ROM was markedly improved in the ARPF group, unlike in the ORIF group at 6 months (dorsiflexion, P = .025; plantarflexion, P < .001) and 1 year (dorsiflexion and plantarflexion, P < .001). The improvement remained at the latest follow-up in plantarflexion (P = .001) but not in dorsiflexion (P = .354).

CONCLUSIONS

Arthroscopy-assisted reduction is a feasible alternative modality with superior short-term outcomes for treating isolated medial malleolar fracture, but its superiority may be attenuated in the intermediate term.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III, comparative study.

Microfracture provides better clinical results than debridement in the treatment of acute talar osteochondral lesions using arthroscopic assisted fixation of acute ankle fractures

PURPOSE

Ankle arthroscopy is a useful tool for detection and treatment of accompanying intraarticular pathologies in acute ankle fractures. The purpose of this study was to compare the treatment results of talus osteochondral lesions (OLT) with debridement and microfracture in arthroscopy assisted surgery of acute ankle fractures.

METHODS

Eleven consecutive patients who were treated with arthroscopic acute debridement and 14 consecutive patients who were treated with arthroscopic acute microfracture in the treatment of ankle fracture were included in the study. All patients were controlled clinically and radiologically in the postoperative period. Ankle pain was evaluated with the visual analog score (VAS), ankle functions were assessed with American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society Ankle-Hindfoot Scale (AOFAS), and osteoarthritic changes were analyzed with Van Dijk score.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of age, gender, injury side and trauma mechanism (n.s). Mean time to surgery, fracture healing duration, first weight-bearing and full weight-bearing, follow-up period and Van Dijk score were all similar in both groups (n.s). The AOFAS score and VAS activity score were statistically significantly better in the microfracture group (p = 0.044 and p = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The clinical relevance of the present study is to define the acute treatment of the first osteochondral damage that occurred simultaneously with ankle fracture, to improve postoperative functional outcomes and to prevent post-traumatic osteoarthritis. Both debridement and microfracture yield good functional outcomes in the second year of the treatment. Microfracture ensures significantly more successful clinical results than debridement.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III.

Removal of osteoblastoma of the talar neck using standard anterior ankle Arthroscopy：A case report

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We present the first, to our knowledge, case of osteoblastoma of the talar that was excised using standard anterior ankle arthroscopy.

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Osteoblastoma of the talar is rare.

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We present the first case, to our knowledge, that was excised using standard anterior ankle arthroscopy.

Introduction

Osteoblastoma of the talus, a benign tumor, is rare in orthopedics. The choice of treatment is usually open surgery for excision of tumor. Limited data is available concerning arthroscopic approaches.

Presentation of case

A 36-year-old male patient was evaluated for pain and swelling of the left ankle joint. Based on the findings of physical examination, X-rays and MRI investigations, the tumor was isolated. Standard anterior arthroscopic surgery was performed due to ankle pain. A diagnosis of osteoblastoma of the talar neck was made following the pathological survey. He had no recurrent pain and normal joint mobility 5 years postoperatively during he was regularly followed up.

Discussion

Osteoblastoma of the talar neck is slowly progressive and it is a palpable painful mass. Open or arthroscopic surgery can be performed. Treatment strategies are decided on according to the tumor's location, extent and size. Some advantages of arthroscopic surgery are wide visualization areas, minimally invasion, low morbidity, no necessity for casting and immobilization, early rehabilitation and quick recovery.

Conclusion

In conclusion, arthroscopic management can be successful in selected patients with small benign tumor localized to the ankle joint.