We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of modern total ankle replacements (TARs) to determine the survivorship, outcome, complications, radiological findings and range of movement, in patients with end-stage osteoarthritis (OA) of the ankle who undergo this procedure. We used the methodology of the Cochrane Collaboration, which uses risk of bias profiling to assess the quality of papers in favour of a domain-based approach. Continuous outcome scores were pooled across studies using the generic inverse variance method and the random-effects model was used to incorporate clinical and methodological heterogeneity. We included 58 papers (7942 TARs) with an interobserver reliability (Kappa) for selection, performance, attrition, detection and reporting bias of between 0.83 and 0.98. The overall survivorship was 89% at ten years with an annual failure rate of 1.2% (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.7 to 1.6). The mean American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society score changed from 40 (95% CI 36 to 43) pre-operatively to 80 (95% CI 76 to 84) at a mean follow-up of 8.2 years (7 to 10) (p < 0.01). Radiolucencies were identified in up to 23% of TARs after a mean of 4.4 years (2.3 to 9.6). The mean total range of movement improved from 23° (95% CI 19 to 26) to 34° (95% CI 26 to 41) (p = 0.01). Our study demonstrates that TAR has a positive impact on patients’ lives, with benefits lasting ten years, as judged by improvement in pain and function, as well as improved gait and increased range of movement. However, the quality of evidence is weak and fraught with biases and high quality randomised controlled trials are required to compare TAR with other forms of treatment such as fusion. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2013;95-B:1500–7

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The optimal management of posterior malleolar ankle fractures, a prevalent type of ankle trauma, is essential for improved prognosis. However, there remains a debate over the most effective surgical approach, particularly between screw and plate fixation methods. This study aims to investigate the differences in outcomes associated with these fixation techniques.

Introduction:. Wound healing and poor bone healing are complications seen in patients who smoke and some surgeons prefer not to operate on smokers. However, self reporting of smoking by patients may be biased. This study compares self-reporting of smoking habits and cotinine levels in the urine of our patients. Method:. 77 patients admitted for an osteotomy or arthrodesis procedure between September 2013 and May 2014 agreed to participate in this study. A questionnaire was completed and a urine sample was obtained and tested for cotinine, a metabolite of nicotine, by 2 techniques: a dipstick, the COT One Step Cotinine Test, yielding a positive result when the cotinine in the urine exceeds 200 ng/mL and the Concateno laboratory assay test, providing a mean value to give a qualitative reading whereby the cut off for non-smokers is 500ng/ml. Results:. Questionnaire results showed that 12 participants were active smokers, 35 classed themselves as ex-smokers and 30 were non-smokers. A dipstick result was negative in all the non-smokers, in 31/35 (89%) of the ex-smokers and in 4/12 (25%) of the current smokers. The dipstick test was positive in 4 self-reporting ex-smokers and only 8 of the 12 current smokers. The laboratory assay gave readings from 21 to 45,657 with higher readings being from heavier smokers. It correctly gave a value < 500 for all self-reporting non-smokers but 3 of the 35 self-reporting ex-smokers had a value between 500–5000ng/ml. Conclusion:. Whilst the majority of our patients had matching self-reporting smoking status and urine cotinine levels, 10% of self-reported ex-smokers had a high level of urine cotinine due to the test limitations or reporting bias by our patients. The £1.50 COT dipstick test is a cheap and easy way to correctly confirm a non-smoker compared to the Concateno laboratory assay which costs £7 excluding portering costs

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The Cartiva synthetic cartilage implant (SCI) entered mainstream use in the management of first metatarsophalangeal joint (MTPJ) arthritis following the positive results of large trials in 2016. Limited information is available on the longer-term outcomes of this implant within the literature, particularly when independent from the originator. This single-centre cohort study investigates the efficacy of the Cartiva SCI at up to five years.

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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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The Manchester-Oxford Foot Questionnaire (MOxFQ) is an anatomically specific patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) currently used to assess a wide variety of foot and ankle pathology. It consists of 16 items across three subscales measuring distinct but related traits: walking/standing ability, pain, and social interaction. It is the most used foot and ankle PROM in the UK. Initial MOxFQ validation involved analysis of 100 individuals undergoing hallux valgus surgery. This project aimed to establish whether an individual’s response to the MOxFQ varies with anatomical region of disease (measurement invariance), and to explore structural validity of the factor structure (subscale items) of the MOxFQ.

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This study aimed to compare the outcomes of two different postoperative management approaches following surgical fixation of ankle fractures: traditional cast immobilization versus the Early Motion and Directed Exercise (EMADE) programme.

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When a total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) fails, it can be converted to a fusion or a revision arthroplasty. Despite the increasing numbers of TAAs being undertaken, there is little information in the literature about the management of patients undergoing fusion following a failed TAA. The primary aim of this study was to analyze the survival of fusions following a failed TAA using a large dataset from the National Joint Registry (NJR).

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Achilles tendon re-rupture (ATRR) poses a significant risk of postoperative complication, even after a successful initial surgical repair. This study aimed to identify risk factors associated with Achilles tendon re-rupture following operative fixation.

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The primary aim of this study was to present the mid-term follow-up of a multicentre randomized controlled trial (RCT) which compared the functional outcome following routine removal (RR) to the outcome following on-demand removal (ODR) of the syndesmotic screw (SS).

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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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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.

Introduction. Surgeons, commissioners and patients are increasingly seeking more in depth details on outcomes of total ankle replacement (TAR). We set out to perform a detailed and up to date meta-analysis of the outcomes of TAR, with a focus on PROMS. Methods. We searched MEDLINE, Cochrane, EMBASE, CINAHL and the Science Citation Index databases using the terms “total”; “ankle”; “arthroplasty” or “replacement” to April 2012. We included all languages; series with greater than 20 TAR; minimum 2 years follow-up. We excluded papers on revisions; prostheses no longer marketed; and kin studies. We worked with the Cochrane Collaboration to adopt their methodology including the creation of a risk profile assessing all forms of bias. Results. Of 1841 papers identified, 51 remained for analysis, with a pool of 6719 patients. The mean patient age was 59.3(17–95) and mean BMI was 28.8(19.4–44). 53% of patients were male. The most common indication was posttraumatic osteoarthritis. The majority of the studies were level IV and more than half the studies had several forms of bias. Intraoperative complication rate was 9%, with medial malleolar fracture (4.4%) being the most common. The pooled mean pre-op VAS was 7.6 which improved to 1.5 at 4–5 years. The mean pre-op AOFAS was 39.7, improving to 79.9 for up-to 10 years. Range-of-motion increased after TAR from 22.8° preoperatively to 33.6° postoperatively. Radiographic abnormalities were found in 22% of cases with a mean follow up of 53 months, of which 7.9% were re-operated upon. Gait velocity, cadence, stride length and power all improve following TAR. Survival at 8–10 years was 89.4%, with a cumulative failure rate of 1.9%. Conclusion. This is the most comprehensive meta-analysis carried out on TAR to date. TAR provides patients with an increased range of motion and improvement postoperative PROMS maintained up to 10 years

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This scoping review aims to identify patient-related factors associated with a poorer outcome following total ankle arthroplasty (TAA).

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The aim of this study was to capture 12-month outcomes from a representative multicentre cohort of patients undergoing total ankle arthroplasty (TAA), describe the pattern of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) at 12 months, and identify predictors of these outcome measures.

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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.

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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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Although absorbable sutures for the repair of acute Achilles tendon rupture (ATR) have been attracting attention, the rationale for their use remains insufficient. This study prospectively compared the outcomes of absorbable and nonabsorbable sutures for the repair of acute ATR.

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The aim of this study was to investigate whether on-demand removal (ODR) is noninferior to routine removal (RR) of syndesmotic screws regarding functional outcome.

The incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) is unknown in elective foot and ankle surgery. In March 2010 we surveyed the current practice in VTE prophylaxis in elective foot and ankle surgery amongst members of the British Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (BOFAS). The response rate was 53%. The total the number of elective foot and ankle operations performed by the surveyed group was 33,500 per annum. The perceived incidence of DVT, PE and fatal PE was 0.6%, 0.1% and 0.02%. In our study the number of patients needed to treat to prevent a single fatal PE is 10,000 although this figure is open to significant bias. The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) recently published guidelines on reducing the risk of venous thromboembolism in surgical patients. These guidelines cover all surgical inpatients and uses data extrapolated from other groups of patients. We question the applicability of these guidelines to patients undergoing elective foot and ankle surgery. We consider that this data justifies the prospective study of the incidence of VTE in patients undergoing elective foot and ankle surgery, without the use of chemical thromboprophylaxis