Talar dome fracture repaired using bioabsorbable fixation

Bioabsorbable implants in foot trauma surgery

BACKGROUND

Resorbable osteosynthesis has been used in orthopaedic surgery for many years. However, indications for the use of these implants in the surgery of traumatic lesions of the foot have not yet been clearly defined. The aim of this study is to analyse reported experiences with the bioabsorbable devices and to suggest guidelines for their use in foot trauma surgery METHODS: We conducted a literature review to identify known indications for the use of absorbable devices in traumatic lesions of the foot. We also conducted a retrospective analysis of our registry, reviewing patients with traumatic lesions of the foot who were treated surgically with absorbable devices from November 2005 to January 2017. To this end, we analysed for each case the indication for the use of resorbable devices and the incidence of related complications.

RESULTS

Only 14 relevant studies were found. In the selected period, 76 patients were treated using bioabsorbable devices for a traumatic lesion of the foot. Nine patients were lost to follow-up or did not satisfy the inclusion criteria. Therefore, the final size of the registry was 67 patients. The average follow-up was 20.5 months (range 6-66). All the bioabsorbable devices used were screws and bars of poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA). The indications identified in the literature review and in our registry were osteosynthesis of small periarticular fragments in talus and calcaneus fractures, preliminary stabilisation of articular fragments in Sanders III calcaneal fractures and fracture-dislocations of the Lisfranc or Chopart joints. No foreign-body reactions occurred. However, in one case we registered a late mobilisation of a PLLA bar in a healed calcaneal fracture, probably as a consequence of surgical malpositioning of the device. All the operated lesions demonstrated a normal healing time, and the complication rate was comparable with those of other types of osteosynthesis.

CONCLUSION

In foot trauma surgery the use of absorbable devices can give advantages. The most clearly defined indications are osteosynthesis of peri-articular or articular fragments in talus and calcaneus fractures, Sanders III calcaneal fractures and fracture-dislocations of Lisfranc's or Chopart's joints. Foreign-body reactions are rare and seem not to present a problem.

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.

Lateral Inverted Osteochondral Fracture of the Talus: Case Reports and Review of the Literature

SUMMARY – Lateral inverted osteochondral fracture of the talus (LIFT) is a rare variant of stage IV osteochondral lesion of the talus (OLT), where the fragment is inverted in situ by 180°. The management of LIFT lesion is very challenging and early recognition crucial, given that treatment options depend on the articular cartilage condition and sufficiency of the adjacent bone of the displaced fragment. We describe two LIFT cases referred from other institutions after unsuccessful conservative treatment of OLT. They presented with pain, swelling and tenderness over the anterolateral aspect of the right ankle. We recognized the LIFT lesion on the magnetic resonance imaging scans in patient 2, while in patient 1 the orientation of the fragment was recognized upon direct visualization during operative treatment. Both patients underwent arthroscopic procedure. Due to articular cartilage damage and insufficiency of the adjacent bone of the fragment, both patients were treated with excision followed by microfracture. Treatment of the LIFT lesion should start arthroscopically to allow clear evaluation of the osteochondral fragment, assessment of the talar defect and identification, as well as treatment of associated disorders. If the articular cartilage appears intact with sufficient subchondral bone, fixation of the fragment is optimal management, otherwise excision and microfracture can be the treatment of choice.

Management of Osteochondral Lesions of the Talar Dome

Osteochondral lesion of the talus (OLT) is a common condition associated with ankle injury that brings challenges in the diagnosis and treatment. Symptoms related to this condition are nonspecific including pain, swelling, stiffness, and mechanical symptoms of locking and catching. While the natural history of the OLTs is not well understood, surgical treatment is often required especially in chronic cases and acute cases with displaced articular fragments. Arthroscopic treatment of the OLTs aims to restore ankle joint function and pain relief by the removal of the chondral or osteochondral fragment, debridement and stabilization of cartilage rim and subchondral bone, and stimulate healing of the bone and damaged cartilage. In patients with a large lesion or after a failure of previous bone marrow stimulation, biologic restoration techniques including the use of particulate juvenile cartilage techniques, autogenous chondrocyte implantation, and osteochondral autograft or allograft transplantation may have role. This article summarizes the contemporary concepts in the clinical evaluation and treatment of OLTs with particular emphasis on surgical strategies.

The "LIFT" lesion: lateral inverted osteochondral fracture of the talus

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to assess a series of lateral inverted osteochondral fractures of the talus.

METHODS

Over a 17-year period, 10 patients with an acute lateral inverted osteochondral fracture of the talus after an inversion injury to the ankle were identified. Diagnosis was made by physical examination, radiographs, magnetic resonance imaging, and/or computed tomography scan. Arthroscopy was initially performed on all patients. All patients had an inverted osteochondral fragment. In 8 of 10 patients the fragment was reattached in an open manner in conjunction with lateral ligament reefing. The fragment was excised in 2 patients. The mean age of the patients was 17.2 years. They were evaluated with the Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation, American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society Ankle-Hindfoot Scale, modified Weber score, Berndt and Harty score, and Short Form 36 version 2 score. Physical and radiographic examination was also performed. The mean time to follow-up was 112.3 months (9.3 years).

RESULTS

The mean American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society score improved from 18.9 preoperatively to 86.9 postoperatively (P ≤ .0001). The mean Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation and modified Weber scores were 81.6 and 81.5, respectively. On the Berndt and Harty scale, 6 patients had a good to excellent rating; 3, fair; and 1, poor. The mean Short Form 36 version 2 scores corresponded to national averages for healthy populations. Mean loss of motion for dorsiflexion and plantarflexion was 6.8° and 3.0°, respectively, when compared with the contralateral side. All patients showed some osteophyte formation on follow-up radiographs.

CONCLUSIONS

An inverted osteochondral fracture of the lateral talus (lateral, inverted, fracture, talus [LIFT lesion]) can occur after a twisting injury to the ankle. Clinical suspicion should be high, especially in the younger athlete. This injury can be successfully managed with a combined arthroscopic and open approach.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV, therapeutic case series.

Osteochondral lesions of the talus: Current concept

Osteochondral lesions of the talus (OTL) are among those injuries that we should not fail to recognize, especially following any type of hindfoot injury. They were thoroughly described 15 years ago in a round table session organized by Doré and Rosset for the Société orthopédique de l'Ouest. Their physiopathology has not yet been definitely determined, even though some of the pathogenic mechanisms are known. They are best characterized using the fractures, osteonecroses, geodes (FOG) radiological classification. Both their diagnosis and their surgical treatment remain a challenge to the orthopaedic surgeon: some basic surgical principles apply to all of the lesions, such as cartilage debridement and shaving of necrotic tissues, while others will be used depending on the location and size of the lesions as well as the surgeon's experience. Finally, no specific technique appears to be superior to the others. Arthroscopy appears to be the most effective procedure for lesions smaller than 1 cm(2), whereas larger lesions should be filled, either with cancellous bone or with an osteochondral graft or using autogenous chondrocyte implantation. The data available in the literature should also incite orthopaedists to consider the results of surgical management with some modesty, and conservative management should remain among the therapeutic options.

A review of osteochondral lesions of the talus

This article provides an in-depth overview of the most current information.