Objective. The purpose of this study was to determine the outcomes of revision ankle replacements, using the Invision implant and impaction allograft for massive talar dome defects following primary ankle replacement failure. Outcomes were assessed in terms of bone graft incorporation; improvement in patient reported outcome measures (PROMs); and survivorship of the revision ankle arthroplasty. Methods. A retrospective review of prospectively collected data identified eleven patients who had massive bone cysts and underwent revision of a failed primary total ankle replacement to the Invision revision system, combined with impaction grafting using morselized femoral head allograft. These revisions occurred at a single high volume ankle arthroplasty centre. Computed tomography (CT) scans were used to assess bone graft incorporation and the Manchester-Oxford Foot Questionnaire (MOXFQ) and EQ-5D scores were used pre and post operatively to assess PROMs. Results. The mean follow up was 18 months (12–48months). In all eleven patients, improvement was reported in the post-operative MOXFQ and EQ-5D scores. CT scans showed bone graft incorporation in all cases. None of the patients have required further surgery and are continue to do well clinically at latest follow up. Conclusions. In the short term, this study confirms revision ankle replacements with the Invision prosthesis and impaction with morselized femoral head allograft is a suitable revision option for primary ankle replacement failure with massive talar bone loss. Long term follow up continues of these complex patients

Background. Whereas arthroscopic arthrodesis of the ankle is commonplace and of the subtalar joint is established, reports of arthroscopic talo-navicular fusion are a rarity. Aim. To review a case series to establish if arthroscopic talo-navicular arthrodesis is a feasible surgical option. Methods. Arthroscopic decortication of the talo-navicular joint is performed via x1-2 sinus tarsi portals and x1-2 accessory talo-navicular portals using a standard arthroscope and a 4.5 barrel burr. Internal fixation is by a 5mm screw from the navicular tuberosity and x2 headless compression screws introduced under image intensification from the dorsal navicular to the talar head. Between 2004 and 2017 a consecutive series of 164 patients underwent arthroscopic hindfoot arthrodeses of which 72 involved the talo-navicular joint. Only 13 procedures were of that joint alone in unsullied feet. The medical records of these 13 patients were reviewed to assess radiological fusion, complications and improvement of pre-operative state. Results. All Talo-navicular joints were successfully decorticated. All united radiologically by a mean 4.4 months (range 3–8). There were no major complications. All patients reported improvement to their pre-operative symptoms but one patient developed lateral column pain requiring fusion. Conclusions. Arthroscopic Talo-navicular arthrodesis is technically feasible with good rates of union. Complications were rare, making the technique attractive when encountering a poor soft tissue envelope. The surgery cannot be used if bone grafting is required. Long term discomfort can arise from adjacent joints. Accurate alignment is critical

Talar body fractures are high energy intraarticular injuries that are best management by anatomical reduction and secure fixation to improve outcomes. The talus is relatively inaccessible surgically and requires extensive soft tissue dissection and/or osteotomies to gain adequate open visualisation. There are a small number of case reports on arthroscopic assisted fixation in the literature. This case series reports on the technique and early outcomes of six patients all of whom presented with significant intraarticular displacement and who were managed entirely arthroscopically. The fractures were of the main body of the talus involving the ankle and subtalar joints and all had preoperative CT scans. All six patients underwent posterior ankle and subtalar arthroscopy with cannulated screws used to stabilise the fractures after reduction. Visualisation of the fracture reduction was excellent. After 10 days in a backslab, the patients were protected in a boot and encouraged to actively move their ankles. Weight bearing was permitted once union appeared complete. There were no early complications of infection, avascular necrosis or VTE. There was one patient that had a non-clinically significant migration of a screw. Two patients were lost to follow up early due to being visitors. The mean length of follow up was 12 months in the remainder. The remaining four patients all returned to their preoperative level of activity. All had demonstrable subtalar stiffness. There was no early post-traumatic arthritis. This series represents the largest so far published. The main flaw in this report is the lack of long term follow up. While this report cannot state superiority over open techniques it is a safe, effective and acceptable technique that has significant conceptual benefits

Background. Iatrogenic hallux varus is a rare complication after hallux valgus surgery. Operative treatment comprises a wide variety of techniques, of which the reversed transfer of the abductor hallucis tendon is the most recent described technique. Methods. This paper will present the long-term clinical results of the reversed transfer of the abductor hallucis longus. Therefore, we performed a prospective clinical observational study on 16 female patients. Our hypothesis is that the tendon transfer will persist in a good alignment and patient satisfaction on long term. There is a 100% follow-up rate with a range from 10 to 101 months. Patients were subjected to a clinical examination, three questionnaires and their general satisfaction. Results. Out of 16 patients, at time of follow-up, we found a positive correlation between the subjective outcome score and alignment (r = 0.59), and between the general satisfaction and alignment (r = 0.77). Based on the general satisfaction we achieved a success satisfaction rate of 69% (11 patients). The other 31% (5 patients) patient group was only satisfied with major reservations or not satisfied at all. The two most invalidating complications were a coronal or sagittal malalignment or the combination of both. Conclusion. Our results suggest that the reverse abductor hallucis tendon transfer is a good technique to treat a supple iatrogenic hallux varus with an observed success satisfaction rate of 69% at a mean follow-up time of 48 (range 10–101) months. However, patients should be informed that on the long-term loss of correction is possible

Introduction. Cheilectomy is a recommended procedure for the earlier stages of osteoarthritis of the 1. st. metatarsophalangeal joint. Although good improvement in symptoms have been reported in many studies, the long term performance of this procedure is not well understood. It is thought that a significant number of patients go onto have arthrodesis or joint replacement. We report on a large cohort of patients who received this procedure and report on the complications and mid-term outcome. Methods. This is a retrospective study looking at all patients who underwent cheilectomy for hallux rigidus between November 2007 and August 2018. Departmental database was used to access patient details and outcome measures recorded include: postoperative wound infection, patient reported improvement in pain and the incidence of further surgical interventions like revision cheilectomy and conversion to arthrodesis and arthroplasty. X-rays were studied using PACS to stage the osteoarthritis (Hattrup and Johnson classification). Results. A total of 240 feet in 220 patients (20 bilateral surgeries) were included in the study, there were 164 Females (75%) and 56 Males (25%), the median age was 55 years (range 22–90 years). Radiological assessment showed 89 Stage 1 arthritis(42%), 105 Stage 2 (50%), 17 Stage 3 (8%) and 9 patients were excluded due to unavailable X-rays. 5 patients (2%) had superficial wound infection. There were 16 further surgeries (7%) performed in this cohort, 12 arthrodesis (5%), 3 revision cheilectomy and 1conversion to arthroplasty. 157 patients were found to be pain-free at the latest post-operative visit (77%), 48 reported minimal pain (23%), 15 patients were excluded due to unavailable data. Conclusion. Cheilectomy appears to produce good improvement in pain with a low complication rate. The rate of conversion to arthrodesis/arthroplasty is lower than in many reported studies

Background. Optimal management of displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures remains controversial. The aim of this prospective cohort study was to compare the clinical and radiological outcomes of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) versus non-operative treatment in displaced intra-articular calcaneal fracture up to 2-years. Methods. All displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures between August 2014 and January 2019 that presented to a level 1 trauma centre were considered for inclusion. The decision to treat was made by a multidisciplinary meeting. Operative treatment protocol involved sinus tarsi approach or percutaneous reduction & internal fixation. Non-operative protocol involved symptomatic management with no attempt at closed reduction. All fractures were classified, and the MOXFQ/EQ-5D-5L scores were used to assess foot and ankle and general health-related quality of life outcomes respectively. Results. 101 patients were recruited at a level 1 major trauma centre, between August 2014 and January 2019. Our propensity score matched 44 patients in the surgical cohort to 44 patients in the non-surgical cohort. At 24 months, there was no significant difference in the MOXFQ Index score (p<0.05) however the patients in the surgical cohort had a significantly higher EQ-5D-5L Index score (p<0.05). There was also a higher return to work (91% vs 72%, p<0.05) and physical activity rate (46 vs. 35%, p<0.05) in the surgical cohort despite a higher proportion of more complex fractures in the surgical cohort. The wound complication rate following surgery was 16%. 14% of patients in the non-operative cohort subsequently underwent arthrodesis compared to none of the patients in the surgical cohort. Conclusion. In this study, we found operative treatments were associated with low rates of surgical complication at 2-years and long term pain improvement, facilitating earlier and better functional outcomes for complex injury patterns compared to nonoperative treatment

Introduction. Early clinical examination combined with MRI following a high ankle sprain allows accurate diagnosis of syndesmosis instability. However, patients often present late, and for chronic injuries clinical assessment is less reliable. Furthermore, in many centres MRI may be not be readily available. The aims of the current study were to define MRI characteristics associated with syndesmosis instability, and to determine whether MRI patterns differed according to time from injury. Methods. Retrospectively, patients with an unstable ligamentous syndesmosis injury requiring fixation were identified from the logbooks of two fellowship trained foot and ankle surgeons over a five-year period. After exclusion criteria (fibula fracture or absence of an MRI report by a consultant radiologist), 164 patients (mean age 30.7) were available. Associations between MRI characteristics and time to MRI were examined using Pearson's chi-square tests or Fisher's exact tests (significance set at p< 0.05). Results. Overall, 100% of scans detected a syndesmosis injury if performed acutely (within 6 weeks of injury), falling to 83% if performed after 12 weeks (p=0.001). In the acute group, 93.5% of patients had evidence of at least one of either PITFL injury (78.7%), posterior malleolus bone oedema (60.2%), or a posterior malleolus fracture (15.7%). In 20% of patients with a posterior malleolus bone bruise or fracture, the PITFL was reported as normal. The incidence of posterior malleolus bone bruising and fracture did not significantly differ according to time. Conclusion. For unstable ligamentous syndesmosis injuries, MRI becomes less sensitive over time. Importantly, posterior malleolus bone oedema or fracture may be the only evidence of a posterior injury. Failure to recognise instability may lead to inappropriate management of the patient, long term pain and arthritis. We therefore advocate early MRI as it becomes more difficult to ‘grade’ the injury if delayed

Background. The PATH-2 trial found no evidence of a benefit of Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) injection versus a placebo after Achilles tendon rupture (ATR) at six-months. ATR often leave longer-term functional deficiencies beyond six-months. This study aim is to determine if PRP affect tendon functional outcomes at two-years after rupture. Study design. Randomised multi-centre two-arm parallel-group, participant- and assessor-blinded, superiority trial. Methods. Adults with acute ATR managed non-surgically were recruited in 19 UK hospitals from 2015 to 2019. Exclusions were insertion or musculotendinous injuries, leg injury or deformity, diabetes, haematological disorder, corticosteroids and anticoagulation therapy. Participants were randomised via an online system 1:1 to PRP or placebo. Primary outcome was Achilles Tendon Rupture Score (ATRS) at two-years. Secondary outcomes were pain, Patient-Specific Functional Scale (PSFS), SF-12 and re-rupture. Assessors were blinded. Intention-to-treat and Compliance Average Causal effects (CACE) analyses were carried out. Consistency of effects across subgroups age, BMI, smoking and gender were assessed using Forest plots. Pearson's correlation was used to explore ATRS correlation with blood and growth factors. Results. 216/230 (94%) participants completed the 6-months follow-up were contacted. 182/216 (84%) completed the two-year follow-up. Participants were aged mean 46 (SD 13.0), 57 female/159 male. 96% received the allocated intervention. Two-years ATRS scores were 82.2 (SD 18.3) in the PRP group (n=85) and 83.8 (SD 16.0) in the placebo group (n=92). There was no evidence of a difference in the two-years ATRS (adjusted-mean difference −0.752 95%CI −5.523 to 4.020, p=0.757), or in any secondary outcome, and no re-rupture between at two-years. Neither PRP cellular or growth factors correlated with the two-year ATRS. Conclusion. PRP did not improve patient-reported function or quality of life two-years after acute Achilles tendon rupture, compared with placebo, indicating that PRP offers no patient benefit in the longer term

Aims. The purpose of this study was to compare symptomatic treatment of a fracture of the base of the fifth metatarsal with immobilisation in a cast. Our null hypothesis was that immobilisation gave better patient reported outcome measures (PROMs). The alternative hypothesis was that symptomatic treatment was not inferior. Patients and Methods. A total of 60 patients were randomised to receive four weeks of treatment, 36 in a double elasticated bandage (symptomatic treatment group) and 24 in a below-knee walking cast (immobilisation group). The primary outcome measure used was the validated Visual Analogue Scale Foot and Ankle (VAS-FA) Score. Data were analysed by a clinician, blinded to the form of treatment, at presentation and at four weeks, three months and six months after injury. Loss to follow-up was 43% at six months. Multiple imputations missing data analysis was performed. Results. At four weeks and six months, symptomatic treatment proved non-inferior in terms of primary outcome. Take home message: Immobilisation is no better than symptomatic treatment in the management of a fracture of the base of the fifth metatarsal when judged by PROMs. Significant loss to follow-up with this injury could be expected in longer term. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2016;98-B:806–11

Background. Despite the suggestion by Virchow in 1856 that thrombosis was the result of venous stasis, endothelial dysfunction and hypercoagulability there are some fundamental questions which remain to be answered. The published studies fail to provide specific details such as cast type and anatomical location of the thrombosis, but instead focus on the incidence of VTE and which chemical thromboprophylaxis is most effective. Previous studies of VTE in trauma patients have involved small numbers of patients and have not look at the risk medium to long term risk. Most importantly they have not looked at the site of the VTE. This makes interpretation of the link between cast and VTE even more complex. Methodology. We analysed 1479 consecutive trauma cast applications and the incidence of symptomatic VTE in the six months following the injury. The diagonosis, cast type and site of the VTE was recorded. Results. The overall incidence of DVT was 2.5% (2.2% distal and 0.3% proximal), 50% occured inthe first 3 weeks, the rest were between 6–13 weeks. The incidence of PE was 0.7%, there was 1 death due to PE. Achilles tendon injury was a statistically significant risk factor, there were no other conditions with a specific risk. There was no difference between above and below knee cast immobilisation. However all symptomatic DVTs occured in the casted leg. Discussion. This is the first study to look at long term VTE risk and the site of thrombosis, these findings have implications for VTE prophylaxis. It would appear that the risk of developing symptomatic VTE extends beyound the currently advised treatment period. It also suggests that venous stasis and endothelial damage are more important that hypercoagulability in the development of VTE after cast treatment for trauma. We recommend a programme of exercises within the cast to reduce this risk

Background. Short term results of silastic implant of first MTPJ are successful. However reservations exist regarding long term results. The aim of this study is to evaluate long term outcome of silastic implant prosthesis in treatment of hallus rigidus. We reviewed 108 feet in 83 patients who were operated on between 1988 and 2003. Mean age at operation = 55(SD 8.1). Mean follow up = 8.31 years (SD 3.3). Patients were assessed using the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Scoring system (AOFAS). Passive and active arc of motion were measured. To assess patients' satisfaction they are asked if they would repeat the procedure and also using a visual analogue scale (VAS) to express their overall satisfaction with the outcome. All the patients had anteroposterior and oblique views. Radiographs were assessed for loosening and osteolysis. Results. Median AOFAS = 81(IQR = 15). Median VAS = 8(IQR = 3). Median active arc of motion = 35(IQR 18). Passive arc of motion = 46(IQR = 23). No significant difference in results was found in patients with associated hallux valgus (p value = 0.6). There was significant correlation between the AOFAS and VAS (Pearson correlation = 0.58, p value <.0001). No correlation was found between AOFAS, VAS and radiological changes (P value = 0.8 and 0.9 respectively). In 83 feet (76.9%) patients reported “yes” that they would repeat the procedure and in 22(20.4%) feet patients reported “no”. Prosthesis were removed in three feet at three, five and seven years respectively because of persistent pain. Radiologically, 58% showed cyst formation but didn't correlate with functional outcome. Discussion and Conclusion. This study provides the largest cohort in the literature and the longest follow up. We can conclude that silastic implant arthroplasty is an effective procedure in hallux rigidus management with satisfactory functional outcome and high patient satisfaction

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A local injection may be used as an early option in the treatment of Morton’s neuroma, and can be performed using various medications. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of injections of hyaluronic acid compared with corticosteroid in the treatment of this condition.

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The aim of this study was to compare the longer-term outcomes of operatively and nonoperatively managed patients treated with a removable brace (fixed-angle removable orthosis) or a plaster cast immobilization for an acute ankle fracture.

Introduction. Crossover and claw toe deformity has traditionally been a very difficult condition to manage surgically, with high recurrence rates. Multiple methods have been used to treat this condition. Plantar plate “repair” has recently been advocated, with sutures used to repair an assumed tear. Based on clinical experience and anatomical studies (Deland et al. 1995), we believe the main pathology is a distal migration of the plantar plate complex resulting in exposure of the metatarsal to the thin posterior synovial attachment of the plate. The downward forces on the metatarsal head results in herniation of the head inferiorly. Accordingly we have developed a technique using full cuff release of the plantar plate complex that includes complete release of the collateral ligaments, repositioning the plantar plate anatomically and reinforcing the hernial defect with a synthetic mesh graft. Methods. 12 cases of severe crossover toe deformity have undergone plantar plate reconstruction using synthetic mesh graft in addition to other bony procedures (e.g. Weil's osteotomy, PIPJ fusion) since 2015 operated upon by the lead author. We collated data regarding patient satisfaction using Coughlin's Score (Coughlin 1991). We have also evaluated the sustainability of correction and any complications. Results. All patients reported “excellent” outcomes using Coughlin's score, with no cases of recurrence of any significance or complications, and a mean time to follow up of 180 days (range 23–23). Conclusions. Our understanding of the pathology of this condition is somewhat different from the conventional wisdom. Our technique of using a synthetic mesh graft to reconstruct the plantar plate complex shows promising results in terms of safety and decreased recurrence rate compared to traditional techniques. Further long term prospective results are required to confirm this pilot data

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Implant failure has become more common as the number of primary total ankle arthroplasties (TAAs) performed has increased. Although revision arthroplasty has gained attention for functional preservation, the long-term results remain unclear. This study aimed to assess the long-term outcomes of revision TAA using a mobile-bearing prosthesis in a considerably large cohort; the risk factors for failure were also determined.

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To describe outcome reporting variation and trends in non-pharmacological randomized clinical trials (RCTs) of distal tibia and/or ankle fractures.

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Despite the increasing numbers of ankle arthroplasties, there are limited studies on their survival and comparisons between different implants. The primary aim of this study was to determine the failure rates of primary ankle arthroplasties commonly used in the UK.

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To systematically review qualitative studies of patients with distal tibia or ankle fracture, and explore their experience of injury and recovery.

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The rationale for exacting restoration of skeletal anatomy after unstable ankle fracture is to improve outcomes by reducing complications from malunion; however, current definitions of malunion lack confirmatory clinical evidence.

Background. Revision total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) can be extremely challenging due to bone loss and deformity. We present the results examining the preliminary indications and short term outcomes for the use of the Salto XT revision prosthesis. Material and methods. We conducted an IRB approved prospective review revision TAA performed in two institutions using the Salto XT. There were 40 patients (24 females and 16 males with an average age of 65 years (45–83), who had undergone previous TAA (Agility 27, Salto 4, STAR 4, Buechal Pappas 1), and 4 patients who underwent staged procedures for infection. The primary indications for the revision were loosening and subsidence (34), malalignment (17), cyst formation (8), infection (4). Results. Severe bone loss of the talus (30) and distal tibia (5) caused by erosion or cysts (8) were treated with cancellous bone graft (33), cement (7), or a combination (12). A press fit of the tibial component was obtained in 25 cases, and of the talus in 17. The talar component was seated directly onto the calcaneus in 4 cases supplemented anteriorly by cancellous bone graft. Patients were followed up for an average of 24.2 months (range 12–36 months). The overall complication rate was 25%. An 85% survivorship of the revision TAA was achieved (4 cases of postoperative infection and 2 cases of implant loosening). At the last follow-up visit, the remaining 34 implants were stable and none had loosened nor failed. Conclusion. Revision ankle replacement with bone loss is a technically challenging procedure with acceptable outcomes for the patient but an 85% survivorship even in the short term. We noted the complexity yet feasibility of performing revision TAA, and determined that the stability of the prosthesis was important. The short term survivorship indicates a likely higher rate of failure in the longer term