Aims. Identifying predictors of compartment syndrome in the foot after a fracture of the calcaneus may lead to earlier diagnosis and treatment. The aim of our study was to identify any such predictors. Patients and Methods. We retrospectively reviewed 303 patients (313 fractures) with a fracture of the calcaneus who presented to us between October 2008 and September 2016. The presence of compartment syndrome and potential predictors were identified by reviewing their medical records. Potential predictors included age, gender, concomitant foot injury, mechanism of injury, fracture classification, time from injury to admission, underlying illness, use of anticoagulant/antiplatelet agents, smoking status and occupation. Associations with predictors were analyzed using logistic regression analysis. Results. Of the 313 fractures of the calcaneus, 12 (3.8%) developed a compartment syndrome. A Sanders type IV fracture was the only strongly associated factor (odds ratio 21.67, p = 0.007). Other variables did not reach statistical significance. Conclusion. A Sanders type IV fracture is the best predictor of compartment syndrome after a fracture of the calcaneus. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2018;100-B:303–8

We describe 24 fractures of the tuberosity of the calcaneus in 22 patients. Three were similar to the type of avulsion fracture which has been well-defined but the remainder represent a group which has been unrecognised previously. Using CT and operative findings we have defined the different patterns of fracture of the calcaneal tuberosity. Ten fractures extended into the subtalar joint, but did not fit the pattern of the common intra-articular fracture as described classically. We have defined a new pattern which consists of a fracture of the medial calcaneal process with a further fracture which separates the upper part of the tuberosity in the semicoronal plane. Non-operative treatment of displaced fractures resulted in a mis-shapen heel and a poor functional outcome. Open reduction and internal fixation with either a plate or compression screw did not give satisfactory fixation. We prefer to use an oblique lateral tension-band wire. This technique gave excellent fixation and we recommend it for the treatment of displaced fractures of the tuberosity of the calcaneus

In cases of established calcaneus after anterior poliomyelitis the deformity can be greatly reduced by combining an extensive plantar release with an oblique transverse osteotomy of the calcaneus that permits displacement upwards and backwards of the posterior weight-bearing part of the bone. The procedure greatly improves the mechanical advantage of subsequent tendon transplantations to the heel. Between 1956 and 1969 fifteen such osteotomies were carried out and the long-term results have been reviewed

Aims. We report the long-term outcomes of the UK Heel Fracture Trial (HeFT), a pragmatic, multicentre, two-arm, assessor-blinded, randomized controlled trial. Methods. HeFT recruited 151 patients aged over 16 years with closed displaced, intra-articular fractures of the calcaneus. Patients with significant deformity causing fibular impingement, peripheral vascular disease, or other significant limb injuries were excluded. Participants were randomly allocated to open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) or nonoperative treatment. We report Kerr-Atkins scores, self-reported difficulty walking and fitting shoes, and additional surgical procedures at 36, 48, and 60 months. Results. Overall, 60-month outcome data were available for 118 patients (78%; 52 ORIF, 66 nonoperative). After 60 months, mean Kerr-Atkins scores were 79.2 (SD 21.5) for ORIF and 76.4 (SD 22.5) for nonoperative. Mixed effects regression analysis gave an estimated effect size of -0.14 points (95% confidence interval -8.87 to 8.59; p = 0.975) in favour of ORIF. There were no between group differences in difficulty walking (p = 0.175), or on the type of shoes worn (p = 0.432) at 60 months. Additional surgical procedures were conducted on ten participants allocated ORIF, compared to four in the nonoperative group (p = 0.043). Conclusion. ORIF of displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures, not causing fibular impingement, showed no difference in outcomes at 60 months compared to nonoperative treatment, but with an increased risk of additional surgery. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2021;103-B(6):1040–1046

Müller Weiss disease (MWD) is characterized by lateral navicular necrosis which is associated with a varus alignment of the subtalar joint, varying degrees of arthritis of the talonavicular-cuneiform joints and a paradoxical flatfoot deformity in advanced cases. Although arthrodesis of the hindfoot is commonly used, we present the results of a previously unreported method of treatment using a calcaneus osteotomy incorporating a wedge and lateral translation. Fourteen patients with MWD who were treated with a calcaneus osteotomy were retrospectively reviewed. There were seven females and seven males with an average age of 56 years (range 33–79), and included one grade 5, five grade 4, four grade 3 and four grade 2 patients. Patients had been symptomatic for an average of eleven years (range 1–14), and all underwent initial conservative treatment with an orthotic support that posted the heel into valgus. The primary indication for surgery was a limited but positive response to the use of the orthotic support, and a desire to avoid an arthrodesis of the hindfoot. Results. Patients were followed for an average of three years following the procedure (range 1 – 7 years). Patients rated their pain on a visual analogue pain scale as an average of 8 (range 6–9) prior to surgery and an average of 2 postoperatively (range 0–4). The AOFAS scores improved from a mean of 29 (range 25 – 35) preoperatively to a mean of 79 (range 75–88) postoperatively. Hindfoot range of motion remained and the extent of arthritis of the navicular complex was unchanged. No patient has since required an arthrodesis. Since the majority of MWD patients respond to an orthotic support which changes the load of the hindfoot and forefoot, we believed that patients would respond positively to a calcaneal osteotomy as an alternative treatment

In paralytic lesions in which the triceps surae is the only active muscle in the leg, elongation or division of the tendo calcaneus alone may not be enough to prevent recurrence of equinus deformity. In 10 patients (13 limbs) with this pattern of muscle activity, equinus deformity was treated by hemitransplantation of the tendo calcaneus. At follow-up, which was beyond the end of growth in seven limbs, there was no recurrence of deformity in nine. In three of the four failures, a technical fault may have caused loss of activity in the transplanted part of the tendon. The two-stage operation described is recommended in the management of this pattern of paralytic deformity

Sixty-nine heels in 42 patients with prominence of the calcaneus sufficient to cause symptoms were operated upon after conservative treatment had failed. At review the overall results of operation were found to be poor

Aims. No randomized comparative study has compared the extensile lateral approach (ELA) and sinus tarsi approach (STA) for Sanders type 2 calcaneal fractures. This randomized comparative study was conducted to confirm whether the STA was prone to fewer wound complications than the ELA. Methods. Between August 2013 and August 2018, 64 patients with Sanders type 2 calcaneus fractures were randomly assigned to receive surgical treatment by the ELA (32 patients) and STA (32 patients). The primary outcome was development of wound complications. The secondary outcomes were postoperative complications, pain scored of a visual analogue scale (VAS), American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score, 36-item Short Form health survey, operative duration, subtalar joint range of motion (ROM), Böhler’s angle and calcaneal width, and posterior facet reduction. Results. Although four patients (12.5%) in the ELA groups and none in the STA group experienced complications, the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.113). VAS and AOFAS score were significantly better in the STA group than in the ELA group at six months (p = 0.017 and p = 0.021), but not at 12 months (p = 0.096 and p = 0.200) after surgery. The operation time was significantly shorter in the STA group than in the ELA group (p < 0.001). The subtalar joint ROM was significantly better in the STA group (p = 0.015). Assessment of the amount of postoperative reduction compared with the uninjured limb showed significant restoration of calcaneal width in the ELA group compared with that in the STA group (p < 0.001). Conclusion. The ELA group showed higher frequency of wound complications than the STA group for Sanders type 2 calcaneal fractures even though this was not statistically significant. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2021;103-B(2):286–293

We describe three patients who developed gross calcaneus deformity following surgery for talipes equinovarus. One also had an associated valgus deformity and another had supination of the forefoot; all had intractable problems with footwear. Operation for transfer of the tibialis anterior to the heel, with correction of the associated deformities, was successful and improved both their gait and the shoe problems

Treatment of comminuted intraarticular calcaneal fractures remains controversial and challenging. Anatomic reduction with stable fixation has demonstrated better outcomes than nonoperative treatment of displaced intraarticular fractures involving the posterior facet and anterior calcaneocuboid joint (CCJ) articulating surface of the calcaneus. The aim of this study was to investigate the biomechanical performance of three different methods for fixation of comminuted intraarticular calcaneal fractures. Comminuted calcaneal fractures, including Sanders III-AB fracture of the posterior facet and Kinner II-B fracture of the CCJ articulating calcaneal surface, were simulated in 18 fresh-frozen human cadaveric lower legs by means of osteotomies. The ankle joint, medial soft tissues and midtarsal bones along with the ligaments were preserved. The specimens were randomized according to their bone mineral density to 3 groups for fixation with either (1) 2.7 mm variable-angle locking anterolateral calcaneal plate in combination with one 4.5 mm and one 6.5 mm cannulated screw (Group 1), (2) 2.7 mm variable-angle locking lateral calcaneal plate (Group 2), or (3) interlocking calcaneal nail with 3.5 mm screws in combination with 3 separate 4.0 mm cannulated screws (Group 3). All specimens were biomechanically tested until failure under axial loading with the foot in simulated midstance position. Each test commenced with an initial quasi-static compression ramp from 50 N to 200 N, followed by progressively increasing cyclic loading at 2Hz. Starting from 200 N, the peak load of each cycle increased at a rate of 0.2 N/cycle. Interfragmentary movements were captured by means of optical motion tracking. In addition, mediolateral X-rays were taken every 250 cycles with a triggered C-arm. Varus deformation between the tuber calcanei and lateral calcaneal fragments, plantar gapping between the anterior process and tuber fragments, displacement at the plantar aspect of the CCJ articular calcaneal surface, and Böhler angle were evaluated. Varus deformation of 10° was reached at significantly lower number of cycles in Group 2 compared to Group 1 and Group 3 (P ≤ 0.017). Both cycles to 10° plantar gapping and 2 mm displacement at the CCJ articular calcaneal surface revealed no significant differences between the groups (P ≥ 0.773). Böhler angle after 5000 cycles (1200 N peak load) had significantly bigger decrease in Group 2 compared to both other groups (P ≤ 0.020). From biomechanical perspective, treatment of comminuted intraarticular calcaneal fractures using variable-angle locked plate with additional longitudinal screws or interlocked nail in combination with separate transversal screws seems to provide superior stability as opposed to variable-angle locked plating only

The June 2024 Foot & Ankle Roundup³⁶⁰ looks at: First MTPJ fusion in young versus old patients; Minimally invasive calcaneum Zadek osteotomy and the effect of sequential burr passes; Comparison between Achilles tendon reinsertion and dorsal closing wedge calcaneal osteotomy for the treatment of insertional Achilles tendinopathy; Revision ankle arthroplasty – is it worthwhile?; Tibiotalocalcaneal arthrodesis or below-knee amputation – salvage or sacrifice?; Fusion or replacement for hallux rigidus?.

Aims

This study was designed to characterize the recurrence incidence and risk factors of antibiotic-loaded cement spacer (ALCS) for definitive bone defect treatment in limb osteomyelitis.

Aims

Surgical treatment of young femoral neck fractures often requires an open approach to achieve an anatomical reduction. The application of a calcar plate has recently been described to aid in femoral neck fracture reduction and to augment fixation. However, application of a plate may potentially compromise the regional vascularity of the femoral head and neck. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of calcar femoral neck plating on the vascularity of the femoral head and neck.

A subjective, objective and radiographic study of 21 patients with comminuted calcaneal fractures showing severe involvement of the subtalar joint is reported. The average follow-up was 14.6 years (range 8 to 29 years). Only patients with unilateral closed fractures and no associated injuries to either lower limb were admitted to the study. All were treated by early active mobilisation of the ankle, and the subtalar and the midtarsal joints. Seventy-six per cent of the patients achieved a good result with minor symptoms which did not interfere with their occupation or leisure requirements. Although two-thirds of the patients reached a point of maximal recovery at two to three years, 24% continued to improve for six years. None of the patients experienced any deterioration after this time. Neither the degree of clinical stiffness nor the degeneration of the subtalar joint, assessed radiographically, correlated with the severity of symptoms or functional disability. The role of the soft tissues in the aetiology of residual symptoms is discussed.

The December 2024 Trauma Roundup. 360. looks at: Percutaneous lumbopelvic fixation is effective in the management of unstable transverse sacral fractures; A systematic review on autologous matrix-induced chondrogenesis (AMIC) for chondral knee defects; Stable clinical and radiological outcomes at medium and over five-year follow-up of calcaneus fracture open reduction internal fixation using a sinus tarsi approach; Right or left? It might make a difference; Suprapatellar versus infrapatellar tibial nailing – is there a difference in anterior knee pain and function?; Can patients safely weightbear following ankle fracture fixation?; Anterior-to-posterior or a plate fixation for posterior malleous fractures?; Audio distraction for traction pin insertion: a prospective randomized controlled study; Is intramedullary nailing of femoral diaphyseal fractures in the lateral decubitus position as safe and effective as on a traction table?

The December 2022 Trauma Roundup. 360. looks at: Anterior approach for acetabular fractures using anatomical plates; Masquelet–Ilizarov for the management of bone loss post debridement of infected tibial nonunion; Total hip arthroplasty – better results after low-energy displaced femoral neck fracture in young patients; Unreamed intramedullary nailing versus external fixation for the treatment of open tibial shaft fractures in Uganda: a randomized clinical trial; The Open-Fracture Patient Evaluation Nationwide (OPEN) study: the management of open fracture care in the UK; Cost-utility analysis of cemented hemiarthroplasty versus hydroxyapatite-coated uncemented hemiarthroplasty; Unstable ankle fractures: fibular nail fixation compared to open reduction and internal fixation; Long-term outcomes of randomized clinical trials: wrist and calcaneus; ‘HeFT’y follow-up of the UK Heel Fracture Trial

Abstract. Objectives. The fidelity of a 3D model created using image segmentation must be precisely quantified and evaluated for the model to be trusted for use in subsequent biomechanical studies such as finite element analysis. The bones within the ankle joint vary significantly in size and shape. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that the accuracy and reliability of a segmented bone geometry is independent of the particular bone being measured. Methods. Computed tomography (CT) scan data (slice thickness 1 mm, pixel size 808±7 µm) from three anonymous patients was used for the development of the ankle geometries (consisting of the tibia, fibula, talus, calcaneus, and navicular bones) using Simpleware Scan IP software (Synopsys, Exeter, UK). Each CT scan was segmented 4 times by an inexperienced undergraduate, resulting in a total of 12 geometry assemblies. An experienced researcher segmented each scan once, and this was used as the ‘gold standard’ to quantify the accuracy. The solid bone geometries were imported into CAD software (Inventor 2023, Autodesk, CA, USA) for measurement of the surface area and volume of each bone, and the distances between bones (tibia to talus, talus to navicular, talus to calcaneus, and tibia to fibula) were carried out. The intra-class coefficient (ICC) was used to assess intra-observer reliability. Bland Altman plots were employed as a statistical measure for criteria validity (accuracy) [1]. Results. The average ICC score was 0.93, which is regarded as a high reliability score for an inexperienced user. The talus to navicular and talus to tibia separations, which had the smallest distances, showed a slight decrease in reliability and this was observed for all separations shorter than 2 mm. According to the Bland-Altman plots, more than 95% of the data points were inside the borders of agreement, which is an excellent indication of accuracy. The bias percentage (average error percentage) varied between 1% and 4% and was constant across all parameters, with the proportion rising for short distance separations. Conclusions. The current study demonstrates that an inexperienced undergraduate, with access to software manuals, can segment an ankle CT scan with excellent reliability. The present study also concluded that all five bones were segmented with high levels of accuracy, and this was not influenced by bone volume or type. The only factor found to influence the reliability was the magnitude of distance between bones, where if this was smaller than 2 mm it reduced the reliability, indicating the influence of CT scan resolution on the segmentation reliability. Declaration of Interest. (b) declare that there is no conflict of interest that could be perceived as prejudicing the impartiality of the research reported:I declare that there is no conflict of interest that could be perceived as prejudicing the impartiality of the research project

Abstract. Objectives. This abstract provides an update on the Open Ankle Models being developed at the University of Bath. The goal of this project is to create three fully open-source finite element (FE) ankle models, including bones, ligaments, and cartilages, appropriate musculoskeletal loading and boundary conditions, and heterogeneous material property distribution for a standardised representation of ankle biomechanics and pre-clinical ankle joint analysis. Methods. A computed tomography (CT) scan data (pixel size of 0.815 mm, and slice thickness of 1 mm) was used to develop the 3D geometry of the bones (tibia, talus, calcaneus, fibula, and navicular). Each bone was given the properties of a heterogeneous elastic material based on the CT greyscale. The density values for each bone element were calculated using a linear empirical relation, ρ= 0.0405 + (0.000918) HU and then power law equations were utilised to get the Young's Modulus value for each bone element [1]. At the bone junction, a thickness of cartilage ranging from 0.5–1 mm, and was modelled as a linear material (E=10 MPa, ν=0.4 [2]). All ligament insertions and positions were represented by four parallel spring elements, and the ligament stiffness and material attributes were applied in accordance with the published literature [2]. The ankle model was subjected to static loading (balance standing position). Four noded tetrahedral elements were used for the discretization of bones and cartilages. All degrees of freedom were restricted at the proximal ends of the tibia and fibula. The ground reaction forces were applied at the underneath of the calcaneus bone. The interaction between the cartilages and bones was modelled using an augmented contact algorithm with a sliding elastic contact between each cartilage. A tied elastic contact was used between the cartilages and the bone. FEbio 2.1.0 (University of Utah, USA) was used to construct the open-source ankle model. Results. When the double-legged stance phase loading condition was taken into consideration, stress at the antero-medial tibial wall (ranged from 1 to 7 MPa) was found to be similar to the prior work [2], indicating bulk of the load transfer was through this region. The maximum principal strain was predicted at the different regions on bones around the ankle joint. The proximal surface of the talus, and tibial distal surface were shown to have the highest maximum principal strains followed by antero-medial walls of the tibia bone, at the proximal location. Conclusions. The present open 3D FE model of the ankle will assist researchers in better understanding ankle biomechanics, precisely predicting load transfer, and examining the ankle to address unmet clinical needs for this joint. The results of the current investigation are realistic in terms of load transfer and stress-strain distribution across the ankle joint and well comparable to those reported in the literature [2]. However, sensitivity and ankle instability simulations will be performed in future work to investigate the model's reliability and robustness. Declaration of Interest. (b) declare that there is no conflict of interest that could be perceived as prejudicing the impartiality of the research reported:I declare that there is no conflict of interest that could be perceived as prejudicing the impartiality of the research project