Introduction. Charcot Arthropathy related foot and ankle deformities are a serious challenge. Surgical treatment of these deformities is now well established. The traditional surgical method of extensive surgical exposure, excision of bone, acute correction and internal fixation is not always appropriate in presence of active ulceration, deep infection and poor bone quality. Minimally invasive osteotomies and gradual correction of deformities with a circular frame are proving helpful in minimizing complications. We present our experience with the use of Taylor Spatial Frame (TSF) in 10 patients with recurrent ulceration and deformity. Materials and Methods. Our indication for the treatment with TSF is recurrent or intractable ulceration with or without active bone infection or a history of infection in a deformed foot and/or ankle. There are 2 female and 8 male patients in this cohort. We used a long bone module for ankle and hindfoot deformities (3 patients) and a forefoot 6×6 butt frame (7 patients) for midfoot deformities. An osteotomy through midfoot was performed in all chronic stable midfoot deformity cases and a calcaneal osteotomy and gradual correction through ankle in when hindfoot and ankle deformities co-existed. Results. Our outcome measures are a complete healing of ulcer and infection without recurrence, clinically plantigrade foot and ability to wear regular shoes or diabetic footwear. We achieved this outcome in 9 out of 10 patients. Successful patients remain ulcer free at minimum 7 and maximum 14 years follow up. Complications included eight episodes of pin infection that responded to oral antibiotics only and two pin breakages. Conclusions. Our results confirm that Taylor Spatial Frame treatment is a good alternative to traditional surgery in high-risk complex Charcot neuroarthropathy foot and ankle deformities

Survivors of meningococcal septicaemia often develop progressive skeletal deformity secondary to physeal damage at multiple sites, particularly in the lower limb. Distal tibial physeal arrest typically occurs with sparing of the distal fibular physis leading to a rapidly progressive varus ankle deformity. There is no previous literature reporting this ankle deformity following meningococcal septicaemia. We report the management of this deformity in 13 ankles in 10 consecutive patients 36 months after meningococcal septicaemia. Plain radiographs and MRI were used to define the deformity and the extent of growth plate involvement. The Taylor Spatial Frame (TSF) with a distal tibial metaphyseal osteotomy was used to restore the distal tibio-fibular joint. Distal fibular epiphysiodesis was performed in all ankles at the initial procedure. Distal tibial epiphysiodesis was performed at the time of fixator removal. The age at operation ranged from 3–14 years (mean 8). The preoperative ankle varus deformity ranged from 9–29 degrees (mean 19). The differential shortening of the tibia with respect to fibula was on average 1.2 cms. The mean time in frame was 136 days. After a mean follow-up of 1.7 years results were excellent in all patients with complete correction of deformity and shortening. Mechanincal axis was corrected in all patients. Complications included, 4 superficial pin site infections, 1 lateral peroneal nerve palsy which recovered completely. There were no major nerve or vascular complications. We consider that this approach provides a powerful method of correction for this difficult group of patients

The relationship between hindfoot and forefoot kinematics is an important factor in the planning of ankle arthrodesis and ankle arthroplasty surgery. As more severe ankle deformities are corrected, improved techniques are required to assess and plan hindfoot to forefoot balancing. Gait analysis has previously been reported in patients with ankle arthritis without deformity. This group of patients have reduced intersegment motion in all measured angles. We have looked at a small group of patients with hindfoot deformity and ankle arthritis awaiting fusion or replacement. Using the Oxford Foot Model we have assessed lower limb kinematics with a focus on hindfoot to forefoot relationships. The results of our pilot study are in variance to previous studies in that we have shown that in the presence of hindfoot/ankle deformity, the forefoot range of motion increases. We feel that these data may impact on surgical planning

Aims. Tibiotalocalcaneal (TTC) fusion is used to treat a variety of conditions affecting the ankle and subtalar joint, including osteoarthritis (OA), Charcot arthropathy, avascular necrosis (AVN) of the talus, failed total ankle arthroplasty, and severe deformity. The prevalence of postoperative complications remains high due to the complexity of hindfoot disease seen in these patients. The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between preoperative conditions and postoperative complications in order to predict the outcome following primary TTC fusion. Methods. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 101 patients who underwent TTC fusion at the same institution between 2011 and 2019. Risk ratios (RRs) associated with age, sex, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, smoking, preoperative ankle deformity, and the use of bone graft during surgery were related to the postoperative complications. We determined from these data which pre- and perioperative factors significantly affected the outcome. Results. Out of the 101 patients included in the study, 29 (28.7%) had nonunion, five (4.9%) required below-knee amputation (BKA), 40 (39.6%) returned to the operating theatre, 16 (15.8%) had hardware failure, and 22 (21.8%) had a postoperative infection. Patients with a preoperative diagnosis of Charcot arthropathy and non-traumatic OA had significantly higher nonunion rates of 44.4% (12 patients) and 39.1% (18 patients) (p = 0.016) and infection rates of 29.6% (eight patients) and 37% (17 patients) compared to patients with traumatic arthritis, respectively (p = 0.002). There was a significantly increased rate of nonunion in diabetic patients (RR 2.22; p = 0.010). Patients with chronic kidney disease were 2.37-times more likely to have a nonunion (p = 0.006). Patients aged over 60 years had more than a three-fold increase in the rate of postoperative infection (RR 3.60; p = 0.006). The use of bone graft appeared to be significantly protective against postoperative infection (p = 0.019). Conclusion. We were able to confirm, in the largest series of TTC ankle fusions currently in the literature, that there remains a high rate of complications following this procedure. We found that patients with a Charcot or non-traumatic arthropathy had an increased risk of nonunion and postoperative infection compared to individuals with traumatic arthritis. Those with diabetes, chronic kidney disease, or aged over 60 years had an increased risk of nonunion. These findings help to confirm those of previous studies. Additionally, our study adds to the literature by showing that autologous bone graft may help in decreasing infection rates. These data can be useful to surgeons and patients when considering, discussing and planning TTC fusion. It helps surgeons further understand which patients are at a higher risk for postoperative complications when undergoing TTC fusion. Cite this article: Bone Joint J. 2020;102-B(3):345–351

Aims. To systematically review the outcomes and complications of cosmetic stature lengthening. Methods. PubMed and Embase were searched on 10 November 2019 by three reviewers independently, and all relevant studies in English published up to that date were considered based on predetermined inclusion/exclusion criteria. The search was done using “cosmetic lengthening” and “stature lengthening” as key terms. The Preferred Reporting Item for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement was used to screen the articles. Results. A total of 11 studies including 795 patients were included. The techniques used in the majority of the patients were classic 3- or 4-ring Ilizarov fixator (267 patients; 33.6%) and lengthening over nail (LON) (253 patients; 31.8%), while implantable lengthening nail (ILN) was used in the smallest number of patients (63 patients; 7.9%). Mean end lengthening achieved was 6.7 cm (SD 0.6; 1.5 to 13.0), and the mean follow-up duration was 4.9 years (SD 2.1; 41 days to 7 years). Overall, the mean number of problems, obstacles, and complications per patient was 0.78 (SD 0.5), 0.94 (SD 1.0), and 0.15 (SD 0.2), respectively. The most common problem and obstacle was ankle equinus deformity, while the most common complications were deformation of the regenerate after end of treatment and subtalar joint stiffness/deformity. Conclusion. Cosmetic stature lengthening provides favourable height gain, patient satisfaction, and functional outcomes, with low rate of major complications. Clear indications, contraindications, and guidelines for cosmetic stature lengthening are needed. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2020;9(7):341–350

Background: Ankle fractures in the elderly with osteoporotic bones are often difficult to manage. The argument of whether we should treat such fractures surgically, conservatively or even plan primary arthrodesis is always there. Also, there is risk of difficult or failed fixation. Patients and Methods: The study was a retrospective evaluation of the management and follow up of 126 patients presented with ankle fracture between 2001 and 2007. All patients were above 60 years at the time of injury and were treated whether conservatively or surgically. Results: About 77% of our patients underwent open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF). The remaining had closed manipulation under anaesthesia (MUA) done. Some patients had multiple co-morbidities including diabetes (around 10%). The results of fixation were satisfactory. Early complications included superficial wound infection (13% of patients-all infections settled after conservative management with antibiotics and dressings), one chest infection. No difference in diabetic patients. Late complications include development of osteoarthritis (2%) and metal work loosening (2%). There were no reported ankle deformities and satisfactory union of fracture was achieved in all patients. Amongst patients who underwent MUA, more than 20% developed post traumatic osteoarthritis of ankle and 18% had chronic ankle pain. Ankle deformity was reported in 2 patients. Conclusion: Our results show that accurate reduction and internal fixation of ankle fracture in the elderly is beneficial and of lower complication rates compared to MUA alone. The osteosynthesis failure rate was very low and patient spent less time in plaster and started physiotherapy earlier

Introduction and Aims: We report a series of 41 corrections in 36 adult patients performed for complex deformities of the foot and ankle using circular external fixation, with a mean follow-up of 4.4 years. The foot and ankle deformities were 18 hindfoot equines, two forefoot equines, six hindfoot and forefoot equines, eight equinovarus, two equinovalgus, one heel varus, four combination of these deformities. All patients had associated proximal pathology. These included seven shortening (six tibia, one femur), eight deformities (seven tibia, one femur), eight non-union (five infected non-union), (14) combination of these pathologies. All required simultaneous correction. Method: We studied the aetiology, pathophysiology of injury, clinical and radiological evaluation, and the outcome of treatment. The patients’ mean age was 37 years (range 16–56). Thirty deformities were sequelae of severe lower limb trauma; the others were due to neurological, congenital and iatrogenic causes. In all patients, conventional surgical methods had failed to achieve correction and many of them were considered for amputation. We describe the operative strategy and technique. Results: The aim of foot and ankle surgery was correction of deformity and contractures in 28 instances, correction of deformity and ankle fusion in 11 instances, and correction of deformity and ankle distraction in two instances. Thirty patients underwent bony corrective osteotomies, nine foot and ankle, 20 tibia and fibulae, one femur. For each patient, specific treatment goals were delineated that were realistically achievable. There were (78%) good to excellent results, (14%) fair result and (8%) poor results, which resulted in below knee amputation. Conclusion: Circular external fixation offers a versatile and effective method of treatment of a variety of complex foot and ankle deformities. If foot and leg deformities coexist consider simultaneous correction. Fusion should be considered where muscular imbalance exists

The October 2023 Foot & Ankle Roundup³⁶⁰ looks at: Risk factors for failure of total ankle arthroplasties; Effects of synovial fluid fracture haematoma to tissue-engineered cartilage; Coronal plane deformity in CMT-cavovarus feet using automated 3D measurements; Immediate weightbearing after ankle fracture fixation – is it safe?; Unlocking the mystery of Mueller-Weiss disease; Diabetic foot management: predictors of failure.

Aims

Leg length discrepancy (LLD) is a common pre- and postoperative issue in total hip arthroplasty (THA) patients. The conventional technique for measuring LLD has historically been on a non-weightbearing anteroposterior pelvic radiograph; however, this does not capture many potential sources of LLD. The aim of this study was to determine if long-limb EOS radiology can provide a more reproducible and holistic measurement of LLD.

The December 2023 Foot & Ankle Roundup. 360. looks at: Subchondral bone cysts remodel after correction of varus deformity in ankle arthritis; 3D-printed modular endoprosthesis reconstruction following total calcanectomy; Percutaneous partial bone excision in the management of diabetic toe osteomyelitis; Hemiepiphysiodesis is a viable surgical option for Juvenile hallux valgus; Ankle arthroplasty vs arthrodesis: which comes out on top?; Patient-related risk factors for poorer outcome following total ankle arthroplasty; The Outcomes in Ankle Replacement Study

The February 2024 Shoulder & Elbow Roundup³⁶⁰ looks at: Does indomethacin prevent heterotopic ossification following elbow fracture fixation?; Arthroscopic capsular shift in atraumatic shoulder joint instability; Ultrasound-guided lavage with corticosteroid injection versus sham; Combined surgical and exercise-based interventions following primary traumatic anterior shoulder dislocation: a systematic review and meta-analysis; Are vascularized fibula autografts a long-lasting reconstruction after intercalary resection of the humerus for primary bone tumours?; Anatomical versus reverse total shoulder arthroplasty with limited forward elevation; Tension band or plate fixation for simple displaced olecranon fractures?; Is long-term follow-up and monitoring in shoulder and elbow arthroplasty needed?

Aims

As an alternative to external fixators, intramedullary lengthening nails (ILNs) can be employed for distraction osteogenesis. While previous studies have demonstrated that typical complications of external devices, such as soft-tissue tethering, and pin site infection can be avoided with ILNs, there is a lack of studies that exclusively investigated tibial distraction osteogenesis with motorized ILNs inserted via an antegrade approach.

Introduction. Review of the literature indicates variable results for ankle arthrodesis with many complications. With improved prothesis and technique for total ankle arthroplasty and an increase in severe ankle deformities such as Charcot's joint and the neuropathic diabetic foot we are faced with the need to decrease the variables in ankle arthrodesis in primary and salvage arthrodesis. We will review current methods for ankle arthrodesis and critic how they deal with primary and revision ankle arthrodesis surgery. Materials and methods. A customised plate or modified synthes proximal tibial plate and technique for salvage of complex pathology utilising a anterior approach and application of a contoured ustomised plate with co-axial screw fixation. Anterior incision was performed with removal of the lateral malleolus, for bone grafting in revision cases only. Thirteen arthrodeses were performed; four of these were pan-talar. All patients underwent objective and subjective assessments including overall patient satisfaction. The American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society ankle/hind foot scoring system was used. The aim of this study is to identify the time taken to achieve radiologic arthrodesis, complications encountered, the required post-operative recovery for arthrodesis to be achieved and the overall patient satisfaction of results in the early to midterm post-operative period have been followed up for three years. Conclusion. The technique offers considerable flexibility allowing the calcaneus to be incorporated in the proposed arthrodesis where necessary. With multiple points for fixation and coaxial screw entry points the contoured customised plate provides a rigid fixation for arthrodesis stabilisation with added compression being the major advantage of this technique

Introduction. Taylor Spatial Frame (TSF) has been designed to treat complex tibial, foot and ankle deformities using computer software. We have performed various osteotomies in combination with different soft tissue procedures, with the use of TSF. Material and Methods. A retrospective study of 20 consecutive patients operated by, senior author SSM, from 2004 onwards who underwent surgical correction of tibia, ankle, midfoot and hind foot including lateral column lengthening, calcaneal and midfoot osteotomies. Demographic details, diagnosis, procedures (including previous operations), length of follow-up, outcome and complications were recorded. Of the 20 patients, 13 were men and 7 women. The mean age was 39 years (range 18 to 70). 5 patients had TSF for malunion or non-union of ankle fractures, malunion of tibia (5), congenital talipes equino-varus(3), acute fracture of ankle (2), one patient each for spina bifida, Poliomyelitis, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, equino-varus due to periventricular leuco-encephalopathy and avascular necrosis of the talus. Bilateral TSF for torsional malalignment of tibia (1). Results. Follow up 6 to 54 months (mean 19.4). Patient based foot and ankle outcome criteria were used. Of the 20 patients, 16 had no pain and satisfactory range of movement and function at the last follow up. Post-operative complications included pin site infection(2) and frame hardware malfunction (2)patients, residual deformity requiring surgical correction at 22 months, (1) delayed union, neuropathic pain in (1), residual equinus deformity requiring Botox injections(1) and osteomyelitis requiring debridement(1). Conclusion. We present this series of complex congenital and acquired conditions of the foot and ankle treated with corrective osteotomies and Taylor Spatial Frame with good results

1. The cases of four children who presented with bowing or pseudarthrosis of the fibula only, are described. 2. There is a gradation in the severity and significance of this condition. There may be fibular bowing without fibular pseudarthrosis; fibular pseudarthrosis without ankle deformity; fibular pseudarthrosis with deformity but without the late development of tibial pseudarthrosis; or fibular pseudarthrosis with the late development of tibial pseudarthrosis. 3. Proper management is dependent on a knowledge of this range of conditions

Modern pharmaceutical treatment of RA seems to result in less need of prophylactic surgery but the burden of secondary osteoarthrosis of the the large joints in the lower extremity will be present for a foreseeable future. The results of hip an knee arthroplasty are well known from the Swedish Arthroplasty Registers. Severe deformities of the hip and knee are nowadays very seldom seen, but the same does not hold true for the ankle and foot. As more RA patients are offered hip and knee replacement they will start loading their feet to an extent which the feet are not always able to withstand. Effetcive pain-killing pharmaceuticals also means a possibility to put weight even on an arthritic deformed foot. Thus, severe foot and ankle deformities are still rather frequently seen. Improved surgical methods for correction have evolved and in most cases reconstructive ankle and foot surgery will restore the weightbearing capacity of the RA foot

Background. Total ankle arthrpoplasty (TAA) was performed frequently for ankle deformity caused by rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA). TAA has some advantages over ankle arthrodesis in range of motion (ROM). However, loosening and sinking of implant have been reported with several prostheses, especially constrained designs. Recently, we have performed mobile bearing TAA and report short term results of this prosthesis followed average 3 years. Method. 20 total ankle prostheses were implanted in patients with RA (n=14) or OA (n=6) in 19 patients (5 male and 14 female, one bilateral), between 2005 and 2009. We used FINE total ankle arthroplasty that is mobile bearing system (Nakashima Medical Co., Ltd, Okayama, Japan). All patients were assessed for American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score, ROM in plantar flexion and dorsiflexion at the point of pre-operation and final follow-up. We evaluated radiolucent line, sinking, and alignment of prostheses at final follow-up. Results. At the operation, patients were, on average, 64.1 years old. The mean follow-up period was 34.0 (6∼55) months. We found excellent satisfaction and a significant improvement of AOFAS score. Plantar flexion and dorsiflexion also improved compared with the preoperative state, but not significantly (table 1). At final follow-up, five ankles (25%) showed radiolucent line around the components or sinking of prostheses. Three ankles (15%) was performed reoperation, due to early infection, progressive medial OA change by sinking, and loosening of the talus component. Discussion. Radiolucent line around the components or sinking of prostheses occurred at high frequency (25%). But, only two ankles (10%) were had to reoperation, cause by pain. We take account of the fact that the symptom was lack in spite of radiological changes. Good clinical results can be achieved with FINE total ankle arthroplasty system. However, this series was short term of follow-up. We need to evaluate mid- and long- clinical results. Mobile bearing total ankle arthroplasty is a treatment option for RA and OA