Outcome of calcaneoplasty in insertional achilles tendinopathy

Endoscopic calcaneal SpeedBridge technique: Decreased postoperative complication rate in insertional achilles tendinopathy

BACKGROUND

An endoscopic calcaneal SpeedBridge technique was described recently. The primary objective of this study was to report the postoperative complications seen with calcaneal SpeedBridge repair. The secondary objective was to report short- and medium-term functional outcomes.

HYPOTHESIS

Postoperative complications are less common with endoscopic vs. open SpeedBridge suturing.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The endoscopic SpeedBridge technique was used in 9 patients who had insertional Achilles tendinopathy refractory to conservative management. The patients were evaluated at least 24 months after the procedure. Infectious and wound-healing complications were recorded. Visual analogue scale (VAS) scores for pain and patient satisfaction, shoeing difficulties, the European Foot and Ankle Society (EFAS) score, and the Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment-Achilles (VISA-A) score were assessed.

RESULTS

During the mean follow-up of 25.3 months, no complications were recorded. The EFAS and VISA-A scores were 37/40 and 91/100, respectively. The mean VAS scores for pain and satisfaction were 1.7/10 and 9.3/10, respectively. No patients reported shoeing difficulties.

CONCLUSION

Endoscopic calcaneal SpeedBridge suturing is associated with a lower complication rate compared to the open variant. Clinical outcomes are highly satisfactory in the short and middle terms.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

IV; retrospective observational cohort study.

Three-Month Complication Rate of Ultrasound-Guided Soft Tissue Surgical Procedures Across Six Sports Medicine Clinics

OBJECTIVES

To 1) determine the types and frequency of complications within 3 months following ultrasound-guided surgical procedures, and 2) identify any patient demographics, co-morbidities, or procedural characteristics that were associated with an increased risk of complications.

METHODS

A retrospective chart review was performed at six Sports Medicine clinics across the United States. The Clavien-Dindo classification was used to categorize procedural complications on a 5-point scale from 1, representing any deviation in post-procedure care without requiring pharmacological or invasive treatment to 5, representing death. Generalized Estimating Equations for binomial outcomes with a logit link were used to estimate the overall and procedure-specific 3-month complication rates.

RESULTS

Among 1902 patients, 8.1% (n = 154) had diabetes and 6.3% (n = 119) were current smokers. The analysis included 2,369 procedures, which were performed in either the upper extremity (44.1%, n = 1045) or lower extremity (55.2%, n = 1308) regions. The most common procedure was ultrasound-guided tenotomy (69.9%, n = 1655). Additional procedures included, trigger finger release (13.1%, n = 310), tendon scraping (8.0%, n = 189), carpal tunnel release (5.4%, n = 128), soft tissue release (2.1%, n = 50), and compartment fasciotomy (1.6%, n = 37). Overall, there was a complication rate of 1.2% (n = 29 complications; 95% CI: 0.8-1.7%). Individual procedures had complication rates that ranged from 0 to 2.7%. There were 13 Grade I complications in 13 patients, 12 Grade II complications in 10 patients, 4 Grade III complications in 4 patients, and 0 Grade IV or V complications. No associations between complication risk and any patient demographics (age, sex, BMI), co-morbidities (diabetes, smoker), or procedure characteristics (type, region) were identified.

CONCLUSION

This retrospective review provides an evidence-based estimate supporting the low level of risk associated with ultrasound-guided surgical procedures for patients from a variety of geographical settings who are seeking care at private and academic-affiliated clinics.

Endoscopic speed bridge: A new treatment for insertional Achilles tendinopathy

Surgical treatment may be indicated after failure of medical management of insertional Achilles tendinopathy, and may consist in simple calcaneoplasty, increasingly performed endoscopically, or in open detachment-reattachment. Isolated calcaneoplasty sometimes shows poor results in case of multiple overlooked lesions (bone, tendon, pre- or retro-tendinous bursitis). Detachment-reattachment may be indicated in case of tendon lesion, but incurred scar and infection related risk in up to 30% of cases in certain reports. In this context, we describe a new original technique using an endoscopic Achilles speed bridge, which we call the "snake technique" for the S-shaped order of performance of the 6 necessary approaches.

Endoscopic resection of enthesopathy via a direct midline transtendinous approach with associated reattachment of the Achilles tendon (endo-REDMTART): a cadaveric feasibility study

PURPOSE

The aim of our study was to determine the feasibility of an all-posterior endoscopic resection of enthesopathy via direct midline transtendinous approach with detachment and reattachment of the Achilles tendon (endo-REDMTART).

MATERIALS & METHODS

Endo-REDMTART was performed in 10 ankles by two foot and ankle surgeons. Posterolateral and posteromedial portals were utilized. Three accessory, more distal portals were utilized (one posterolateral, one posteromedial, and one midline transtendinous). We measured the quality of the resection of the calcaneal spur and the length of tendon that was able to be reattached to the calcaneus.

RESULTS

The procedure was successful in all 10 cases. The mean minimum thickness of resected calcaneal spur was 7 mm (5-9 mm) thick, and the mean anteroposterior distance was 23 mm (20-25 mm). In all 10 cases, the maximum distance between the distal Achilles tendon and calcaneus was 1 mm (0-1 mm), with good tendon-bone contact.

CONCLUSIONS

The data here suggest that endo-REDMTART is feasible. This procedure provides all of the advantages of endoscopic technique without compromising the efficacy of Haglund deformity resection.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

No Clinical Trials Registration or IRB is required.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Anatomy study; cadaveric dissection.

Complications Associated With Midline Incision for Insertional Achilles Tendinopathy

BACKGROUND

The midline-incision trans-achillary approach (MITA) is frequently used for addressing all pathologies of insertional Achilles tendinopathy (IAT). The aim of this study was to assess the complication rate and possible influencing factors following a MITA for IAT treatment.

METHODS

Presented is a retrospective cohort study with current follow-up. Patients treated surgically by a MITA, addressing all pathologies of IAT, between January 2010 and October 2016 at a single reference center with at least 12 months of follow-up were included. General demographics (age, sex, and body mass index), medical history, surgical details (individual and sum of pathologies addressed), and duration of in-hospital stay were assessed. Patient satisfaction, shoe conflict, current employment status, time to return to sports, and type of sports were recorded using a custom questionnaire. Standard statistics, chi-square, and t tests were performed using SPSS. A total of 118 patients (follow-up, 63.4%) with a mean age (± SD) of 50 ± 12 years and a mean final follow-up time (± SD) of 4.2 ± 2.1 were included.

RESULTS

Fourteen percent of patients had a minor complication, the majority (75%) of which were surgical site infections. Forty-one percent were limited in their shoe selection, and 32% reported a shoe conflict. Seventy-eight percent were very satisfied, and 89% would recommend the surgery. Neither the individual surgical procedures, their sum, nor any other parameter showed a significant influence on the complication rate. The only factor negatively affecting patient satisfaction was a shoe conflict (P < .001).

CONCLUSION

The MITA for IAT treatment showed a moderate minor complication rate with good midterm patient satisfaction. However, the approach might predispose patients to shoe conflict, which negatively influences their satisfaction.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV, retrospective cohort study.

Surgical treatment of insertional Achilles tendinopathy: results after removal of the subcutaneous bursa alone-a case series

Background

Insertional Achilles tendinopathy is well known to be difficult to treat, especially when there is intra-tendinous bone pathology. This study is a case series on patients with chronic insertional Achilles tendon pain and major intra-tendinous bony pathology together with bursa and tendon pathology, treated with excision of the subcutaneous bursa alone.

Methods

Eleven patients (eight men and three women) with a mean age of 44 years (range 24–62) and a chronic (>6 months) painful condition from altogether 15 Achilles tendon insertions were included. In all patients, ultrasound examination showed intra-tendinous bone pathology together with pathology in the tendon and subcutaneous bursa, and all were surgically treated with an open excision of the whole subcutaneous bursa alone. This was followed by full weight-bearing walking in a shoe with open heel for 6 weeks.

Results

At follow-up 21 (median, range 12–108) months after surgery, 9/11 patients (12/15 tendons) were satisfied with the result of the operation and 10/11 (13/15 tendons) were back in their previous sport and recreational activities. The median VISA-A score had improved from 41 (range 0–52) to 91 (range 33–100) (p<0.01).

Conclusion

In patients with chronic painful insertional Achilles tendinopathy with intra-tendinous bone pathology, tendon and bursa pathology, open removal of the subcutaneous bursa alone can relieve the pain and allow for Achilles tendon loading activities. The results in this case series highlight the need for more studies on the pain mechanisms in insertional Achilles tendinopathy and the need for randomised studies to strengthen the conclusions.

Level of evidence

IV Case series.

Optimal Outcomes for Acute Avulsion Fracture of the Achilles Tendon Treated With the Insertional Reattachment Technique: A Case Series of 31 Cases With Over 2 Years of Follow-up

BACKGROUND

Avulsion fracture of the Achilles tendon is a less common but debilitating disorder. There is a paucity of literature on this problem.

PURPOSE

To present a retrospective case series assessing the clinical outcomes of avulsion fracture of the Achilles tendon after a reattachment procedure and to identify potential factors predicting postoperative outcomes.

STUDY DESIGN

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

METHODS

A consecutive case series of 35 patients with acute insertional rupture of the Achilles tendon who received a reattachment procedure between 2011 and 2017 were reviewed. All patients were measured and classified by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and surgical findings. Patient-reported outcomes were evaluated using the visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) Ankle-Hindfoot Scale, Foot Function Index (FFI), Tegner score, and Ankle Activity Score (AAS). The range of motion and single-legged heel raise test were also conducted for both ankles.

RESULTS

Thirty-one out of 35 (88.57%) patients were followed up for an average of 43.65 months. The VAS pain score and AOFAS Ankle-Hindfoot score improved from 4.87 ± 1.61 preoperatively to 2.07 ± 1.57 postoperatively and from 58.32 ± 18.66 preoperatively to 87.32 ± 7.53 postoperatively, respectively (both P < .001). The mean FFI, AAS, and Tegner scores after the operation were 11.84 ± 1.62, 5.71 ± 2.18, and 4.61 ± 1.31, respectively. Compared with the intact ankle, the mean deficit in dorsiflexion in the involved ankle was 9.54°± 6.25° (range, 0.59°-23.70°; P < .001) and the mean deficit in plantarflexion in the involved ankle was 6.31°± 4.02° (range, 0.24°-14.92°; P < .001). Thirty patients could perform the single-legged heel raise on the operative leg. A larger body mass index was associated with worse postoperative AOFAS and FFI outcomes. Longer follow-up predicted statistically significantly better FFI scores. Better postoperative dorsiflexion was associated with better postoperative FFI, AAS, and Tegner scores, and a statistically significant interaction was found between the VAS score and plantarflexion deficit. Age, preoperative insertional tenderness, Haglund deformity, and MRI classification showed little association with postoperative outcomes.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated that the reattachment procedure for acute avulsion fracture of the Achilles tendon can achieve firm fixation and promising outcomes.

Percutaneous Ultrasonic Tenotomy Reduces Insertional Achilles Tendinopathy Pain With High Patient Satisfaction and a Low Complication Rate

Due to the novelty of percutaneous ultrasonic tenotomy, the risks and benefits of this minimally invasive procedure for insertional Achilles tendinopathy pain have only been examined in case studies and retrospective chart reviews for other diagnoses. This retrospective chart review over a 3.5-year period identified 34 patients with insertional Achilles tendinopathy who had percutaneous ultrasonic tenotomy (mean age ± SD, 52.2 ± 11.6 years; mean body mass index, 32.9 ± 7.5 kg/m² ; 62% female). This procedure reduced the rate of moderate/severe pain from 68% at baseline to 15% at the long-term follow-up and had a satisfaction rate of 70%. There was 1 minor complication out of 40 procedures in 34 patients.