Follow-up Evaluation of Medial Clear Space and Talar Tilt After Bimalleolar Equivalent Fracture Fixation Without Primary Deltoid Repair

BACKGROUND

We sought first to determine the efficacy of lateral ankle fixation alone in maintenance of medial clear space and talar valgus in bimalleolar equivalent ankle fractures not receiving primary deltoid repair, and second to assess perceived outcomes via the Foot and Ankle Outcome Score. To our knowledge, no study has quantified the reduction of medial clear space and talar valgus in bimalleolar equivalent ankle fractures receiving lateral ankle fixation alone.

METHODS

We compared preoperative, initial postoperative, and greater than 1-year follow-up radiographs of medial clear space and talar valgus in individuals who received lateral ankle fixation alone in bimalleolar equivalent ankle fractures. Subjective outcomes were measured via the Foot and Ankle Outcome Score.

RESULTS

Thirty-seven patients participated in the study and showed a statistically significant reduction of medial clear space and restoration of talar position, and maintenance with this fixation method during follow-up in patients with bimalleolar equivalent ankle fractures. Adjunctively, patients perceived their outcomes to be satisfactory, as demonstrated by the results of the Foot and Ankle Outcome Score.

CONCLUSIONS

We aimed to assess the efficacy of lateral ankle fixation in the maintenance of medial clear space and talar valgus reduction at midterm follow-up. Although some authors contend that primary deltoid repair in bimalleolar equivalent ankle fractures is warranted, these midterm study results suggest that isolated lateral ankle fixation is adequate for medial ankle stabilization in bimalleolar equivalent fractures, and thus primary deltoid repair is not indicated.

An Alternative Technique for Fixation of Tongue-Type Calcaneal Fractures: The "Hurricane Strap"

Traditionally, tongue-type calcaneal fractures have been treated using screw fixation or tension band wiring. In this work, we aim to present a technique guide for an alternative approach to fixation of these fractures given the high potential for failure with traditional methods. Additionally, we present the results of 4 patients treated with this technique. A modified lateral extensile incision is made for application of a midfoot fusion plate that is pre-bent and fit to the calcaneus with 2 holes covering the superior surface of the calcaneus for bicortical interfragmentary purchase. Four screws are then placed orthogonally into the calcaneus through the plate. Typically, this allows for 2 screws to be placed in the superior fragment and 2 screws to be placed in the inferior fragment. All 4 patients went on to timely osseous union and were weightbearing in regular shoe gear at their last follow-up appointment. Average follow-up time was 16.5 (range 15 to 21) months. We believe that the "hurricane strap" provides a more mechanically sound construct than other methods. This construct may be especially useful in patients with osteoporotic bone where screws alone may not maintain adequate reduction or in neuropathic patients where noncompliance with weightbearing status may jeopardize maintenance of reduction.

Retrograde dorsalis pedis angiosomal flow compromised by small puncture wound leading to transmetatarsal amputation

Pedal puncture wounds can precipitate a variety of complications, often resulting from a delay in treatment. Although the risk of infection predominates, direct vascular insult and subsequent ischemia is a lesser reported complication of these injuries. Consequently, this may have morbid results, especially on a background of pre-existing peripheral vascular disease. A case involving a small, plantar forefoot puncture wound, ultimately resulting in transmetatarsal amputation due to ischemic dry gangrene in an uncontrolled, but sensate, diabetic with profound vasculopathy is presented. This presentation highlights the importance of considering the potential for macrovascular damage via pedal puncture, and the potentially magnified complications in patients with dependent retrograde angiosomal flow and compromised collateral circulation. Based on a thorough analysis of the literature and the findings in this clinical example, a detailed investigation of angiosomal blood supply through direct and indirect vessel flow in patients with peripheral arterial disease incurring puncture wounds is advocated. In these patients, lack of compensatory avenues of the pedal circulation may portend significant tissue loss in an otherwise inoffensive situation. Knowledge of this complication, although rare, may prompt the clinician to assess for its potential, and emphasize a preference for direct revascularization in those with critical limb ischemia. Level of Clinical Evidence: 4.

Gabapentin-induced eczematous drug eruption of the bilateral foot

Drug eruptions represent a wide spectrum of cutaneous reactions to various pharmaceutical agents. Given their complexity and varied patterns of presentation, these phenomena are the subject of study of many fields of medicine. Gabapentin is a widely prescribed medication, with numerous drug reactions previously reported. We present a unique case of a gabapentin-induced drug eruption primarily affecting the feet.

Interposition Ankle Arthroplasty Using Acellular Dermal Matrix: A Small Series

Although ankle arthrodesis is the reference standard for end-stage ankle arthritis, loss of mobility and adjacent joint arthritis are consequences that alternatives to arthrodesis attempt to avoid. The purpose of the present study was to report the clinical results of interpositional arthroplasty using acellular dermal matrix in 4 patients (age 32 to 42 years) for the treatment of advanced ankle osteoarthritis. The primary findings included relief of pain, with improvement in tibiotalar joint range of motion from a mean of 16.5° (range 0° to 24°) preoperatively to a mean of 31° (range 25° to 40°) postoperatively. All 4 patients underwent open arthrotomy of the anterior and posterior tibiotalar capsule with plafond exostectomy and debridement of all deleterious tissue within the ankle capsule. The articular surface of the talar dome was denuded down to smooth subchondral bone, and microfracture was performed. Autologous calcaneal bone marrow aspirate was applied, and talar resurfacing was achieved using an acellular dermal matrix. Knotless anchors placed medially and laterally within the anterior and posterior dome were used to affix the dermal matrix. The follow-up period ranged from 12 to 18 (mean 14) months. The mean pre- and 12-month postoperative Association of Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society hindfoot-ankle scale scores were 35 and 88.5, respectively. These outcomes suggest that interpositional tibiotalar arthroplasty using an acellular dermal matrix is successful in improving function and range of motion and decreasing pain. As an alternative to tibiotalar arthrodesis, interpositional tibiotalar arthroplasty might be the procedure of choice for young patients with end-stage ankle arthritis. Longer follow-up periods, histologic testing, and arthroscopic evaluations would be advantageous to further assess the durability of this procedure.

Evaluation of dorsal Lisfranc ligament deformation with load using ultrasound imaging

BACKGROUND

Research findings have linked dorsal Lisfranc ligament (dLL) rupture to complete Lisfranc ligament complex rupture; identifying deformation characteristics of the dorsal Lisfranc ligament alone may be helpful in diagnosing complete ligament rupture. The goal of the present study was to assess the deformation characteristics of the asymptomatic dLL using physiologically relevant stress/loads in a clinical setting and to discern normative dLL parameters.

METHODS

Unilateral dLL measurements were taken from 50 healthy volunteers, using sonographic imaging under three different stress/load conditions. Stress/load was applied using the individuals' bodyweight (low-seated; medium-bilaterally equal weight bearing in standing; and high-single leg standing). Digital images of the dLL captured using ultrasound were visualized to determine the dLL length. One-way repeated measures ANOVA was used to assess changes in the dLL length with load.

RESULTS

The average dLL elongation, as percent resting length change, was 8.76% between seated and single leg standing positions. Most of the dLL elongation (6.26%) occurred between seated and bilateral standing.

CONCLUSIONS

The deformation and role of the dorsal Lisfranc ligament can be observed using sonographic imaging resulting from physiological loading in the clinical setting.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

These deformation parameters can be used to generate normative data for diagnostic purposes.