Use of Masquelet's technique for treating the first metatarsophalangeal joint in cases of gout combined with a massive bone defect

The First Metatarsophalangeal Joint: Updates on Revision Arthrodesis and Malunions

First metatarsophalangeal joint (MPJ) arthrodesis procedures are a mainstay of forefoot surgery and are associated with high rates of patient satisfaction for addressing a multitude of first ray pathologic conditions. This procedure is often also used as a fallback option for the revision of poor outcomes after other surgical procedures involving the first ray. Despite its successes, there remain instances of complications that can develop after primary first MPJ arthrodesis. This article reviews first MPJ arthrodesis as a procedure for revisional surgery of the first ray, and potential surgical options after failed primary first MPJ arthrodesis.

Treatment of Critical-Sized Bone Defects Involving the Ankle Joints: Staged Tibiotalocalcaneal Arthrodesis With Induced Membrane Technique and Intramedullary Nail

OBJECTIVES

To report the outcomes of staged tibiotalocalcaneal (TTC) arthrodesis for critical-sized bone defects involving the ankle joints.

DESIGN

Retrospective review of case series.

SETTING

Two academic Level 1 trauma centers.

PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS

The study included 20 patients with critical-sized (≥2 cm) segmental bone defects around the ankle joints.

INTERVENTION

Staged TTC arthrodesis was performed with induced membrane technique and retrograde intramedullary nail.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS

We investigated the radiological evaluation, including modified radiographic union scale for tibia fractures score, time to union, and leg length discrepancy, and functional outcomes using foot and ankle outcome score and American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society ankle-hindfoot score.

RESULTS

The average bone defect was 6.4 cm (range: 2.4-12.3). Two of the 20 (10%) patients developed recurrence of infection. Fifteen patients (75%) achieved primary healing. Three patients (15%) were treated with repeated bone grafting and additional plating. The average time to union and leg length discrepancy were 10 months (range: 5-21) and 9 mm (range: 0-31), respectively. The mean foot and ankle outcome score and American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society ankle-hindfoot score were 63 (range: 52-71) and 74 (range: 64-81), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Staged TTC arthrodesis with induced membrane technique and intramedullary nail can be an effective treatment method for critical-sized bone defects involving the ankle joints.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

A meta-analysis of the Masquelet technique and the Ilizarov bone transport method for the treatment of infected bone defects in the lower extremities

Purpose:To compare the clinical outcomes of the Masquelet technique and Ilizarov bone transport method for the treatment of patients with infected bone defects in the lower extremities. Methods: Eligible studies were searched from six databases until 12 April 2021. Data extraction was independently conducted by two investigators, which was followed by a quality assessment. Weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were used to analyze continuous variables, while odds ratio (OR) and 95% CI were used to analyze categorical variables. All statistical analyses were conducted using RevMan 5.3 and Stata 12.0. Results: Thirteen articles were included in this meta-analysis. There was a significant difference observed in hospitalization costs (WMD [95% CI] = -1.75 [-2.50, -0.99] thousand US dollar, p < 0.00,001), final union time (WMD [95% CI] = -4.54 [-6.91, -2.17] months, p = 0.0002), time to full weight bearing (WMD [95% CI] = -1.73 [-3.36, -0.10] months, p = 0.04), quality of life (WMD [95% CI] = 7.70 [4.74, 10.67], p < 0.00,001), and the risk of complications (OR [95%CI] = 0.39 [0.19, 0.79], p = 0.009) between the Masquelet and Ilizarov groups. No significant differences in other outcomes were observed between the two groups. Conclusion: Masquelet technique exhibited the advantages in the lower hospitalization cost, shorter final union time, shorter time to full weight bearing, lower rate of complications, and better post-operative quality of life, compared with Ilizarov bone transport method. However, this finding should be confirmed in large-scale clinical samples.

Gouty Involvement of Foot and Ankle: Beyond Flares

The foot and ankle are common locations of deposition of monosodium urate (MSU) crystals, as indicated by the clinical manifestations presented by patients with gout, which are not limited to the acute inflammation of the big toe. We present a narrative literature review aimed to update the gout involvement of foot and ankle and how it affects the quality of life. Cumulative reports indicate that gout, even at the non-tophaceous stage, could cause pain, gait impairment and limit the mobility at lower limbs. These patients may present difficulties in some activities of daily living such as choosing footwear, thus leading to an impaired quality of life. Gout is a curable disease by dissolving MSU crystals but remains unclear how this could modify some of these foot and ankle manifestations, especially when structural damage has already occurred. Furthermore, a collaboration between rheumatologists and podiatrists seems helpful to understand, relieve these symptoms and improve the quality of life in gouty patients.

Induced Membrane Technique (Masquelet) for Bone Defects in the Distal Tibia, Foot, and Ankle: Systematic Review, Case Presentations, Tips, and Techniques

Bone defects to the distal tibia, foot, and ankle can be challenging to reconstruct. The induced membrane (Masquelet) technique has become an established method of repair for challenging areas of bone loss. It has been applied in acute open fractures, chronic nonunion, osteomyelitis, and gout erosion. This article presents a systematic review of distal tibia, foot, and ankle results using the Masquelet procedure, which should be considered in cases of challenging critical bone loss. Further work is needed to present large studies of the procedure on foot and ankle patients to consolidate current knowledge.

Beyond Medical Treatment: Surgical Treatment of Gout

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Medical treatment with urate-lowering therapy (ULT) is efficacious. A recent publication suggested that surgery in gout is more prevalent than previously reported. This revelation led us to review what is known about surgical treatment of gout.

RECENT FINDINGS

The Google Scholar database (January 1, 2014-January 1, 2020) found 104 publications with a total of 169 gout patients, with an average disease duration of 6.7 years. Most (68%) were not on ULT. The mean pre-operative serum urate levels were 9.19 mg/dL. One hundred thirteen patients underwent tophi excision, while in 33 patients, tophi were found during surgery. The majority of the surgeries were performed in Asia and Europe. Most patients were not taking ULT at the time of surgery, leading to hyperuricemia. This can result in tophi reformation post-surgery. The role of surgery should be a last-line treatment and until recently has only been demonstrated through case reports.

[Lesion clearance combined with Ilizarov technique for treatment of tophi in first metatarsophalangeal joint with bone defect]

Objective

To evaluate the effectiveness of lesion clearance combined with Ilizarov technique for the treatment of tophi in first metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint with bone defect.

Methods

Between July 2016 and June 2018, 14 cases of tophi in the first MTP joint with bone defect were treated by lesion clearance combined with Ilizarov technique. There were 12 males and 2 females. The average age was 39.3 years (range, 22-60 years). The disease duration ranged from 5 to 15 years, with an average of 11.2 years. The tophi volume ranged from 2.5 cm×2.7 cm×2.2 cm to 5.2 cm×2.9 cm×2.4 cm. The X-ray films showed that the length of the bone defect ranged from 2.0 to 4.6 cm, with an average of 3.4 cm. Preoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) score was 7.6±0.9; American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score was 47.5±4.3; short-form 36 health survey scale (SF-36) score was 79.7±4.7.

Results

The incision primarily healed in 13 patients after operation. The skin necrosis at the edge of the incision occurred in 1 patient and recovered after symptomatic treatment. All 14 patients were followed up 12-16 months, with an average of 13.6 months. X-ray films showed that the first metatarsal column defects were repaired. The time of bone extension ranged from 2 to 6 weeks, with an average of 3.6 weeks. The time of bone healing ranged from 9 to 16 weeks, with an average of 11.2 weeks. During follow-up, no complication such as nerve, blood vessel, or tendon injury, needle tract infection, or stress fracture occurred. At last follow-up, VAS score was 1.4±0.5, AOFAS score was 86.6±4.8, and SF-36 score was 89.1±3.3, all of which were superior to preoperative scores, with significant differences ( t=22.532, P=0.000; t=22.702, P=0.000; t=6.124, P=0.000).

Conclusion

Lesion clearance combined with Ilizarov technique is a safe and effective method for the treatment of tophi in the first MTP joint with bone defect.