Posttraumatic avascular necrosis of the talus

Operative outcomes of a high-grade talar neck fracture - Lessons from 20 years' clinical experience in a single, tertiary hospital

BACKGROUND

The operative treatment of high-grade talar neck fractures remains challenging, despite numerous previous reports. Our goal was to determine long-term outcomes and to establish a plan for management of postoperative complications (especially, avascular necrosis [AVN] of talar body) after high-grade talar neck fractures. We hypothesized that not every case with AVN of talar body require secondary surgical interventions.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the radiographic and clinical findings of 14 patients who underwent operative treatment for high-grade talar neck fractures (modified Hawkins type III and IV) between January 2000 and December 2017. The minimum follow-up duration for inclusion was 3 years. Using radiographs during follow-up, we assessed the development of AVN of the talar body, malunion, nonunion, and posttraumatic osteoarthritis. Information about the secondary operations and their outcomes were also investigated using visual analogue scale (VAS) and American orthopaedic foot and ankle society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot scale at the final follow-up.

RESULTS

In 10 of 14 patients (71.4 %), talar body AVN developed during follow-up. However, secondary operation was required in only 30.0 % (3 of 10 patients). In the remaining 7 patients who did not undergo secondary operation, the symptoms were tolerable with a maximum of 89 months follow-up; although the talar body presented sclerotic changes, but without talar dome collapse. The rates of malunion and post-traumatic subtalar osteoarthritis were 21.4 % and 14.3 %, respectively. No patients presented with fracture site nonunion. After a mean of 55.86 ± 14.45 months (range, 37-89) follow-up, the final mean VAS and AOFAS scores were 3.07 ± 0.73 (range, 2-4) and 80.43 ± 3.11 (range, 75-85), respectively.

CONCLUSION

We recommend leaving talar body AVN untouched, unless the patient's symptoms become intolerable. In our clinical practice, postoperative AVN could be stably maintained without talar dome collapse for more than 7 years, although the sclerotic change persisted. Despite the small number of patients, our clinical experience may benefit patients with high-grade talar neck fractures and surgeons who treat such rare, serious, and challenging foot injuries.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV, Case series.

New Method of Tibio-calcaneal-Navicular Arthrodesis After Talectomy

Background:

After astragalectomy, patients still have a shortening of the limb, which can require various reconstructive manipulations. We have developed a simple and versatile tibio-calcaneal-navicular arthrodesis (TCNA) technique to reduce limb shortening.

Methods:

The main difference from the standard method of arthrodesis between the tibia and calcaneus is that in our method after astragalectomy, the tibia rests with the anterior edge against the os navicularis, and the posterior edge against the calcaneus. We have observed 14 patients (2 were female, 12 were male) operated by a new method of tibio-calcaneal-navicular arthrodesis (TCNA) from 2003 to 2020 years with various forms of osteomyelitis, fractures, and septic necrosis of the talus. The average age of the patients was 42.2 (ranged 20-75) years. Observation results will be assessed using the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot score 1-1.5 years after surgery and treatment time in the Ilizarov apparatus.

Results:

In all patients, the wounds healed by primary intention. The average time of immobilization in the apparatus was 4.9 (ranged 3.5-6) months. The average limb shortening 2.0 ± 0.5 cm. AOFAS ankle-hindfoot score (n = 14) in all patients came up to 77.9 ± 6.8 (min 68, max 86) SD 12.8. Nonunion was noted in the region of the anterior edge of the tibia in 1 patient (7.1%), and in another patient a painless nonunion was formed (7.1%). Patients wore ordinary footwear without arch supporter and with heels up to 2 cm.

Conclusion:

Good and satisfactory results were obtained in all patients. The new TCNA method allows restoring the supporting ability of a limb, reduces shortening, and improves the quality of life for patients.

Level of Evidence:

Level IV, case series, low-quality cohort or case- control studies.

Avascular Osteonecrosis of the Talus: Current Treatment Strategies

Avascular osteonecrosis (AVN) of the talus (AVNT) is a painful and challenging clinical diagnosis. AVNT has multiple known risk factors and etiologies and presents at different stages in severity. Given these unique factors, the optimal treatment solution has yet to be determined. Both joint-preserving and joint-sacrificing procedures are available, including core decompression and arthrodeses. Recently, new salvage and replacement techniques have been described including vascularized pedicle bone grafts and total talus replacement using patient-specific prosthesis; however, evidence remains limited. This review examines the current trends AVNT treatment and the emerging data behind these novel techniques.

The King's Sliding Hindfoot Osteotomy for the Treatment of Talus Body Defects-Results of a New Technique in Tibiotalocalcaneal Arthrodesis

Bone loss after avascular necrosis of the talus secondary to acute traumatic or chronic pathologies often requires surgical reconstruction. This study reports the early results of a sliding oblique hindfoot osteotomy for salvage procedures combined with tibiotalar arthrodesis to achieve a well-aligned, painless, plantigrade foot. All patients presenting to our institution with severe talus body defects requiring corrective surgery between January 2016 and August 2020 were included. An oblique osteotomy of the diseased talus was performed to correct anterior talus subluxation and prevent excessive loss of height at the tibiotalar apposition and to correct varus-valgus deformity. A retrograde hindfoot nail was used for intramedullary tibiotalocalcaneal arthrodesis. Patients were prospectively followed. Primary outcomes included assessment of mobility and union at 6 months. Secondary outcomes included 30-day postoperative complications, patient satisfaction and change in American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) score at 1-year postoperation. Nine patients underwent this procedure with a mean follow-up of 18 months (4-36 months). Average age was 66 (58-81) years. Mean body mass index was 33.7 (22-38) kg/m². All patients went on to fusion and were ambulating at 6 months (n = 8). At 1 year, the mean improvement in AOFAS was 28.9 points (p < .05) (n = 7) and all patients were satisfied with the outcome of their treatment. This technique represents an alternative to conventional hindfoot salvage techniques showing predictable outcomes in complex hindfoot deformity with talar body collapse and anterior subluxation. Further quantitative studies are needed to define if this technique minimizes limb shortening/limb-length discrepancies when compared to traditional horizontal cuts.

Anatomical basis of a pedicled cuboid bone graft based on the lateral tarsal artery for talar avascular necrosis

PURPOSE

Vascularized pedicled bone-grafting from the cuboid to the talus provides low donor site morbidity and satisfactory outcomes in patients with early-stage talar avascular necrosis. We investigated the anatomy of the rotational vascularized pedicled bone graft from the cuboid.

METHODS

15 embalmed cadaver specimens were perfused with red latex via the popliteal artery. The lateral malleolus was dissected. The course of the lateral tarsal artery and the vascular territory in the cuboid supplied by the lateral tarsal artery were observed. Vessel diameters were measured.

RESULTS

The course of the lateral tarsal artery to the cuboid was consistent, and a vascularized pedicle of the lateral tarsal artery was present in all specimens. Mean diameter of the lateral tarsal artery was 1.40 ± 0.12 mm (range 1.67-1.25). Mean length of the vascularized pedicle was 67.15 ± 3.18 mm (range 62.43-74.36). The pedicle bone graft was long enough to reach the bony border of both the lateral and medial malleolus.

CONCLUSION

A vascularized pedicled cuboid bone graft based on the lateral tarsal artery has clinical utility for early-stage talar avascular necrosis.

Posttraumatic Avascular Necrosis After Proximal Femur, Proximal Humerus, Talar Neck, and Scaphoid Fractures

Posttraumatic avascular necrosis (AVN) is osteonecrosis from vascular disruption, commonly encountered after fractures of the femoral neck, proximal humerus, talar neck, and scaphoid. These locations have a tenuous vascular supply; the diagnosis, risk factors, natural history, and treatment are reviewed. Fracture nonunion only correlates with AVN in the scaphoid. In the femoral head, the risk is increased for displaced fractures, but the time to surgery and open versus closed treatment do not seem to influence the risk. Patients with collapse are frequently symptomatic, and total hip arthroplasty is the most reliable treatment. In the humeral head, certain fracture patterns correlate with avascularity at the time of injury, but most do not go on to develop AVN due to head revascularization. Additionally, newer surgical approaches and improved construct stability appear to lessen the risk of AVN. The likelihood of AVN of the talar body rises with increased severity of talar injury. The development of AVN corresponds with a worse prognosis and increases the likelihood of secondary procedures. In proximal pole scaphoid fractures, delays in diagnosis and treatment elevate the risk of AVN, which is often seen in cases of nonunion. The need for vascularized versus nonvascularized bone grafting when repairing scaphoid nonunions with AVN remains unclear.

Conservative tibiotalocalcaneal fusion for partial talar avascular necrosis in conjunction with ankle and subtalar joint osteoarthritis in Kashin-Beck disease: A case report

RATIONALE

Kashin-Beck disease (KBD) is known for some typical characters like finger joint enlargement, shortened fingers, and dwarfism. However, Avascular necrosis (AVN) of the talus in KBD has rarely been reported in the literature. Here, we reported on a KBD patient presented with partial AVN of the talus in conjunction with ankle and subtalar arthritis.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 50-year-old woman presented with severe pain and limited range of motion in her left ankle and subtalar joint while walking for 2 years. She had been walking with the aid of crutches for many years. Conservative treatment with rigid orthosis and activity restriction could not help reduce the pain in the left foot.

DIAGNOSES

Radiographs demonstrated that partial AVN was developed in the body of the talus and arthritis was viewed in the left ankle and subtalar joint. Hence, we established the diagnosis of partial talar AVN in conjunction with ankle and subtalar arthritis.

INTERVENTIONS

A conservative tibiotalocalcaneal fusion attempting to preserve as much viable talar body as possible was performed using a humeral locking plate and 2 cannulated compression screws.

OUTCOMES

Bone union proved by CT scan and a good alignment of the left limb were achieved at 4-month follow-up postoperatively.

LESSONS

Partial AVN of the talus along with ankle and subtalar arthritis in KBD patients has rarely been reported as it is not a common characteristic of KBD in clinical practice. Conservative tibiotalocalcaneal fusion could help preserving much more viable talar body, maintaining most structural integrity of the ankle joint, and achieving a stable and plantigrade foot postoperatively.

Talus fractures. Functional results for polytraumatized patients

Talar fractures are uncommon lesions (0.1-0.9%) and have a high rate of complications. One of the situations in which a fracture of the talus can occur is in the context of polytrauma which may further compromise the functional prognosis. The aim of this study was to analyze the functional results in patients with talar fractures whether or not they occurred in the context of polytrauma. Observational study on a retrospective cohort of 24 patients operated in our centre (2008-2016). They were grouped according to whether they were polytraumatized (ISS>16) or not (ISS≤16). Review of sociodemographic, radiographic, functional variables (VAS pain scale and FADI -Foot and Ankle Disability Index-) and the onset of complications such as arthrosis, arthrodesis or avascular necrosis. Review of 25 talar fractures in 24 patients with a mean age of 38 years (19-75) and a mean follow-up of 4.2 years (0.5-9). According to the ISS, 44% of patients (11) were polytraumatized and 56% (14) were not. The average score according to the FADI scale was 62 points for the polytraumatized patients and 76.9 for the non-polytraumatized patients. The pain according to the VAS scale was 5.8 points in the group of polytraumatized patients and 4.3 in the non-polytraumatized patient group. Regarding complications, 64% of the polytraumatized patients and 43% of the non-traumatized patients had a complication. 36% of the polytraumatized patients had clinical and radiological signs of subtalar arthrosis compared to 35% of the non-traumatized patients, of whom 27% underwent arthrodesis compared to 28% of the non-traumatized patients. 27% of the polytraumatized patients were diagnosed with avascular necrosis as opposed to 0% of the non-polytraumatized patients.

Ankle Arthrodesis for Talar Avascular Necrosis and Arthrodesis Nonunion

This article reviews the surgical treatment of talar avascular necrosis. Specifically, arthrodesis for this complex entity and potential treatment of nonunions are discussed. The hallmarks of treatment are evolving and can range from nonoperative measures to amputations. Nonoperative treatment and the results of current arthrodesis techniques for late-stage avascular necrosis are reviewed. Surgical correction requires an understanding of the condition's natural history, utilization of structural and nonstructural bone grafting techniques, and stable fixation. Although the methods described follow standard orthopedic principles, high-quality evidence and outcome studies are limited for treatment of this challenging and often disabling condition.

Tibiotalocalcaneal Arthrodesis for Severe Talar Avascular Necrosis

Severe talar avascular necrosis has many etiologies and can cause bone loss/hindfoot deformity. Tibiotalar calcaneal arthrodesis is a salvage procedure after severe talar avascular necrosis. Large bone voids can present significant challenges. Modest successes have been reported with structural block allograft tibiotalocalcaneal arthrodesis using either plate and screws, intramedullary nail fixation, or a combination. The advent of 3-dimensional printed titanium trusses has given surgeons another option for filling voids and providing structural support to prevent collapse. Although these options expand the armamentarium, treating surgeons must adhere to principles of arthrodesis: stable constructs, thorough joint surface preparation, and correction of deformity.

Successful Treatment of Early Talar Osteonecrosis by Core Decompression Combined with Intraosseous Stem Cell Injection: A Case Report

Introduction:

Osteonecrosis of the talus is a fairly rare condition. Many predisposing factors have been identified including previous trauma, use of corticosteroids, alcoholism, and smoking. As a gold standard, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the most sensitive and specific diagnostic examination to detect osteonecrosis. While many treatment options for talar osteonecrosis exist, core decompression is suggested on young patients with good outcome results. More recently, intraosseous stem cell and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection has been added to the core decompression procedure.

Case Report:

We report a successful treatment of early talar osteonecrosis ARCO I (Association Research Circulation Osseous) by core decompression combined with stem cell and PRP injection. On 3-month and 15-month follow-up, MRI showed complete resolution of the osteonecrotic changes together with clinical improvement.

Conclusion:

This modified technique is a viable treatment option for early talar osteonecrosis. Nevertheless, future prospects should include a study comparing this combined technique with plain core decompression.

Management of Talar Fractures

Fractures of the talus are significant injuries with associated significant complications where the recovery zenith is less frequently good to excellent, and more commonly fair to satisfactory. These outcomes are a consequence of combinations of the inherent intrinsic and surrounding anatomy, technical and logistic difficulties in adequate fracture access, and the high-energy mechanisms typically associated with these injuries that further traumatize the surrounding tissues. This article reviews and provides current management recommendations for these devastating injuries.

Management of Nonunited Talar Fractures With Avascular Necrosis by Resection of Necrotic Bone, Bone Grafting, and Fusion With an Intramedullary Nail

BACKGROUND

The presence of nonunion of a talar fracture with displacement, together with complete avascular necrosis, is a challenging entity to treat.

METHODS

Twelve patients, 8 men (66.7%) and 4 women (33.3%), with nonunited talar fractures and extensive avascular necrosis of the talus were included. The average age was 27.7 years (range, 19-38 years). After exclusion of infection, the patients underwent resection of necrotic bone, bulk autograft, and fusion using an intramedullary nail. The posterior approach was used in 11 patients and the anterior approach in 1 patient. The primary outcome was solid osseous union at the ankle and subtalar level and between the talar head anteriorly and the posterior construct, as evidenced by computed tomographic examination. Functional assessment was performed with the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society score and subjective patient satisfaction Results: After a mean follow-up duration of 23 months (range, 12-60 months), solid osseous union was achieved in 8 patients (66.7%). Stable fibrous union was seen in 1 patient (8.3%). Three patients (25%) required reoperation, and osseous fusion was finally achieved. American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society score improved from a mean of 39.3 (range, 12-56) preoperatively to 76.6 (range, 62-86) at last follow-up. Subjective patient satisfaction was graded good or excellent in all cases.

CONCLUSION

Resection of necrotic talar body and bulk autograft with tibiotalocalcaneal fusion by an intramedullary nail through a posterior approach was a reasonable option for the management of type IV posttraumatic talar deformity.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV, case series.

All Arthroscopic Remnant-Preserving Technique to Reconstruct the Lateral Ankle Ligament Complex

Arthroscopic lateral ankle ligament reconstruction has been recently advocated. But this technique has not been popularized because of the technical complexity and potential iatrogenic injury. Because the talocalcaneal and calcaneofibular ligaments are extra-articular structures, how to efficiently view and address them is a difficult task. Limited dissection outside the capsule to form a working space is required, but aggressive dissection is harmful for tissue healing although it is helpful for visualization and instrumentation. Because almost the entire talar body is covered by articular cartilage, it is very difficult to safely make a bone tunnel without damaging the cartilage. The remnants of the lateral ankle ligament have proprioceptive sensors that are important for functional stability, but it is difficult to perform anatomical reconstruction arthroscopically while preserving them because of the narrow working space. Furthermore, how to properly tension the reconstructed ligaments in such a narrow working space is also a very difficult task. We have designed a technique that preserves the remnants of lateral ankle ligaments, and all of the above-mentioned problems have been successfully addressed. We have used this technique clinically, and only minor complications occurred.

Arthrodesis of the ankle using an anterior sliding tibial graft for osteoarthritis secondary to osteonecrosis of the talus

Aims

This retrospective cohort study compared the results of vascularised and non-vascularised anterior sliding tibial grafts for the treatment of osteoarthritis (OA)of the ankle secondary to osteonecrosis of the talus.

Patients and Methods

We reviewed the clinical and radiological outcomes of 27 patients who underwent arthrodesis with either vascularised or non-vascularised (conventional) grafts, comparing the outcomes (clinical scores, proportion with successful union and time to union) between the two groups. The clinical outcome was assessed using the Mazur and American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot scores. The mean follow-up was 35 months (24 to 68).

Results

The mean outcome scores increased significantly in both groups. In the vascularised graft group, the mean Mazur score improved from 36.9 to 74.6 and the mean AOFAS scale improved from 49.6 to 80.1. In the conventional arthrodesis group, the mean Mazur score improved from 35.5 to 65 and the mean AOFAS scale from 49.2 to 67.6. Complete fusion was achieved in 13 patients (76%) in the vascularised group, but only four (40%) in the conventional group. The clinical outcomes and proportion achieving union were significantly better in the vascularised group compared with the conventional arthrodesis group, although time to union was similar in the two groups. Take home message: Vascularised sliding tibial grafts may be used to achieve arthrodesis in patients with OA of the ankle secondary to osteonecrosis of the talus. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2016;98-B:359–64.

A new form of surgical treatment for patients with avascular necrosis of the talus and secondary osteoarthritis of the ankle

A new method of vascularised tibial grafting has been developed for the treatment of avascular necrosis (AVN) of the talus and secondary osteoarthritis (OA) of the ankle. We used 40 cadavers to identify the vascular anatomy of the distal tibia in order to establish how to elevate a vascularised tibial graft safely. Between 2008 and 2012, eight patients (three male, five female, mean age 50 years; 26 to 68) with isolated AVN of the talus and 12 patients (four male, eight female, mean age 58 years; 23 to 76) with secondary OA underwent vascularised bone grafting from the distal tibia either to revascularise the talus or for arthrodesis. The radiological and clinical outcomes were evaluated at a mean follow-up of 31 months (24 to 62). The peri-malleolar arterial arch was confirmed in the cadaveric study. A vascularised bone graft could be elevated safely using the peri-malleolar pedicle. The clinical outcomes for the group with AVN of the talus assessed with the mean Mazur ankle grading scores, improved significantly from 39 points (21 to 48) pre-operatively to 81 points (73 to 90) at the final follow-up (p = 0.01). In all eight revascularisations, bone healing was obtained without progression to talar collapse, and union was established in 11 of 12 vascularised arthrodeses at a mean follow-up of 34 months (24 to 58). MRI showed revascularisation of the talus in all patients. We conclude that a vascularised tibial graft can be used both for revascularisation of the talus and for the arthrodesis of the ankle in patients with OA secondary to AVN of the talus.

Salvage of avascular necrosis of the talus by combined ankle and hindfoot arthrodesis without structural bone graft

BACKGROUND

Osteonecrosis of the talus is a well-recognized pathology, which can result in significant hindfoot collapse resulting in poor function and pain. Treatment with intramedullary tibiotalocalcaneal arthrodesis (IMTCA) using a retrograde intramedullary nail is widely utilized for severe concomitant tibiotalar and subtalar pathologies. This study reports the results of ankle and hindfoot arthrodesis in patients with arthritis and deformity caused specifically by talar osteonecrosis.

METHODS

Fourteen ankle and hindfoot arthrodeses with retrograde intramedullary nail were studied, with a mean follow-up of 26 months. Medical records were reviewed for operative technique, concomitant procedures, bone graft used, and postoperative complications including nonunion, infection, nerve injury, wound healing issues, and the need for additional surgeries. Clinical outcomes included Visual Analogue Scale for pain, the AOFAS Ankle/Hindfoot Score, and the SF-36 questionnaire.

RESULTS

Over 80% of cases had osteonecrosis involving the entire body of the talus. In 4 cases tibiocalcaneal arthrodesis was performed, with the remaining talar head-neck portion fused to anterior aspect of tibia. Union was achieved in all cases. The mean preoperative VAS score was 6.9 (range 5 to 9, SD ± 1.5) decreasing to 1.7 (range 0 to 6, SD ± 2.2) postoperatively (P = .00008). The mean preoperative AOFAS score was 32.7 (range 20 to 46, SD ± 8.7), increasing to 72.1 (range 46 to 86, SD ± 10.1, P = .00003). The mean preoperative SF-36 physical component score was 30.5 (range 21 to 42, SD ± 6.9) increasing to 42.8 (range 20 to 60, SD ± 11.4) postoperatively (P = .02). Complications included 1 stress fracture, 4 hardware removals, and 1 superficial infection.

CONCLUSION

Ankle and hindfoot arthrosis due to extensive talar AVN can be successfully treated with IMTCA.

[Ankle joint prosthesis for bone defects]

Large defects of the talus, i.e. due to tumors, large areas of osteolysis in total ankle replacement (TAR) and posttraumatic talus body necrosis are difficult to manage. The gold standard in these circumstances is still tibiocalcaneal arthrodesis with all the negative aspects of a completely rigid hindfoot. We started 10 years ago to replace the talus by a custom-made, all cobalt-chrome implant (laser sintering). The first patient with a giant cell tumor did very well but the following patients showed all subsidence of the metal talus into the tibia due to missing bony edges. Therefore, we constructed a custom-made talus (mirrored from the healthy side) and combined it with a well functioning total ankle prosthesis (Hintegra). So far we have implanted this custom-made implant into 3 patients: the first had a chondrosarcoma of the talus (1 year follow-up), the second had massive osteolysis/necrosis of unknown origin (6 months follow-up) and the third massive osteolysis following a correct TAR (2 months follow-up). The results are very encouraging as all of the patients are practically pain free and have a good range of movement (ROM): D-P flexion 15°-0-20° but less motion in the lower ankle joint: ROM P-S 5°-0-5°. No subsidence was detected in the tibia or the calcaneus. The custom-made talus combined with the Hintegra total ankle replacement will probably be an interesting alternative to a tibiocalcaneal arthrodesis in selected cases with massive defects of the talus.

Avascular necrosis of the talus in a HIV-infected patient

Level of Evidence: V, Expert Opinion