Arthrodesis of the navicular

The Use of Low-Profile Angular-Stability Plates in a "Nutcracker" Tarsal Navicular Fracture Combined with a Cuboid Fracture: ORIF Experience

BACKGROUND

Clear recommendations about the optimal treatment of traumatic tarsal navicular fractures are still very debated in the literature, and this is due to several factors: navicular fractures are rare and often misdiagnosed injuries, they are frequently associated with other fractures or a dislocation of the midfoot, and the current knowledge is based on few papers mainly considering a limited number of cases and dealing with different therapeutic approaches. The treatment of navicular body fractures is controversial and burdened by a high incidence of complications; in particular, Sangeorzan type III comminuted fractures represent a real challenge for the orthopedic surgeon. An accurate preoperative planning, a scrupulous surgical technique aimed at restoring volume and bony anatomy, and the use of low-profile angular-stability plates can lead to optimal clinical and functional results, decreasing the chances of arthritic evolution of mid-foot joints.

Quality of Life in Young Adults after Flatfoot Surgery: A Case-Control Study

The true impact of surgery for flatfoot deformities on patient's quality of life and health status remains poorly defined. The aim of this study is to evaluate the quality of life and the return to daily tasks and sports or physical activities in young adults after surgical correction of flatfoot deformity. Patients treated for bilateral symptomatic flat foot deformity were retrospectively studied. The healthy control group comprised a matched reference population with no history of foot surgery or trauma that was voluntary recruited from the hospital community. All subjects were asked to fill out questionnaires centered on the assessment of the health-related quality of life (Short-form 36; SF-36) and physical activity (International Physical Activity Questionnaire; IPAQ). Most study group SF-36 subscales were lower when compared to the control group. Among the study group, post-operatively, 36.6% of patients managed to resume low levels of sports activity, 40% were sufficiently active and were able to perform moderate sports activity (an activity that requires moderate physical effort and which forces the patient to breathe with a frequency only moderately higher than normal), while 23.3% of them were active or very active and were able to perform intense physical activity. Most IPAQ scores were statistically different from the control group. The present study suggests that patients treated with medializing calcaneal osteotomy and navicular-cuneiform arthrodesis for symptomatic flafoot had lower levels of quality of life and physical activity when compared to healthy subjects. After surgery, patients showed a significant improvement in the clinical scores.

A review of the management and outcomes of tarsal navicular fracture

Fractures of the navicular are uncommon. This review focusses on the anatomy, classification, surgical management, post-operative rehabilitation, and outcomes of tarsal navicular fractures, to better inform decision making for clinicians managing these injuries. This review does not discuss navicular stress fractures because of the differing aetiology compared to other fractures of the navicular.

Derotation of the Talus and Arthrodesis Treatment of Stages II-V Müller-Weiss Disease: Midterm Results of 36 Cases

BACKGROUND

Various operative procedures have been reported for the treatment of Müller-Weiss disease (MWD). This study reports the midterm operative treatment results for stages II to V MWD with derotation of the talus and arthrodesis.

METHODS

Thirty-four patients (36 feet) with MWD were treated by talonavicular (TN) or talonavicular-cuneiform (TNC) arthrodesis in our center from 2008 to 2015. The affected feet were staged according to the Maceira staging system (stage II: 9; stage III: 10; stage IV: 9; stage V: 8). The American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) midfoot scale, the visual analog scale (VAS), and relative radiologic parameters were evaluated preoperatively and also during follow-up. The mean follow-up duration was 38.2 (range, 25-113 months).

RESULTS

The final follow-up showed satisfactory outcomes. Overall, the AOFAS scores improved from 41.5 (range, 20-56) to 85.3 (range, 68-100) points ( P <.001), and the VAS score decreased from 5.7 (range, 3-8) to 0.9 (range, 0-4) points ( P <.001). The Tomeno-Méary angle decreased from -6.7 (range, -26.4 to 17.7) to 0.7 (range, -5.3 to 7) degrees ( P=.001). The calcaneal pitch angle increased from 13.7 (range, 4.1-26.2) to 22.0 (range, 13.3-28.9) degrees ( P < .001). The anteroposterior (AP) talar-first metatarsal angle decreased from -15.8 (range, -30.1 to -13.7) to -7.0 (range, -25.9 to -8.9) degrees ( P < .001), and the AP talocalcaneal angle increased from 14.7 (range, 4.7-22.3) to 22.1 (range, 13.4-29.5) degrees ( P=.005). The AP talonavicular coverage angle decreased from -27.0 (range, -40.4 to -13.3) to -7.8 degrees (range, -20.7 to -1.8) degrees ( P < .001).

CONCLUSION

The midterm results found that the TN or TNC joint fusion could achieve a favorable clinical and radiologic outcome for patients with MWD. Even for the patients with severe deformities (stages IV-V), this treatment strategy could also achieve satisfactory deformity correction and functional improvement. Intraoperative restoration of talus rotation was the key to normal alignment of the subtalar joint/TN joint.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV, retrospective case series.

Naviculocuneiform Arthroscopy

Surgical interventions at the naviculocuneiform joint are not uncommon to deal with various pathologies of the joint and correction of different foot deformities. To minimize the soft tissue dissection, naviculocuneiform arthroscopy has been described. The purpose of this Technical Note is to report the details of this arthroscopic approach.

Localized naviculocuneiform arthrodesis combined with osteosynthesis of fracture nonunion of the tarsal navicular bone using a locked plating system

AIMS

Navicular fracture is still challenging disorder to treat because there is a risk of nonunion, avascular necrosis and symptomatic osteoarthritis.

PATIENTS METHODS AND RESULTS

A 40-year-old woman with an ununited fracture of the tarsal navicular bone was treated with localized naviculocuneiform arthrodesis (arthrodesis of the navicular, the middle cuneiform, and the lateral cuneiform). Fusion with the navicular, the middle cuneiform, and the lateral cuneiform as well as union of fracture of the navicular was confirmed on the radiographs.

CONCLUSION

Localized naviculocuneiform arthrodesis using a locked plating system is one of the options to treat nonunion of the navicular bone.

Revisional hindfoot arthrodesis

Salvage of a failed hindfoot arthrodesis is an extensive undertaking for the surgeon and patient. With increased morbidity and postoperative convalescence and complications, patients must understand the risk involved in this type of revisional surgery. This article provides a systematic approach to revisional hindfoot arthrodeses, focusing on patient evaluation, surgical technique, and postoperative treatment.

Late reconstruction after navicular fracture

The tarsal navicular is the figurative and literal keystone of the medial longitudinal arch of the foot. Therefore, injuries to the navicular may have a disproportionately profound effect on the overall function of the foot and ankle in comparison with its small size. Even optimally treated injuries can go on to significant posttraumatic sequelae, and leave the midfoot with chronic deformity, arthritis, and loss of motion. This article reviews the posttraumatic sequelae that can be seen after navicular fracture and provides an overview of the treatment principles and alternatives that are available.