Aim. To determine the influence of tendo achilles (TA) rupture gap distance and location on clinical outcome managed with accelerated functional rehabilitation. Methods. Twenty six patients with acute complete TA ruptures underwent ultrasound (US) within a week of injury. Measurements included the distance of the rupture from the enthesis and the gap distance between the tendon edges in three positions –. foot plantigrade,. maximum equinus and. maximum equinus with 90. o. knee flexion. All patients were managed non-operatively in functional weightbearing orthoses. Nineteen patients were followed up at a mean of 6.1 years (range 5.8–6.5). Outcomes included ultrasound confirmation of healing, Achilles Tendon Rupture Score (ATRS) and Modified Lepilahti score (MLS). Results. The mean distance of the rupture from the enthesis was 52mm (range: 40–76mm). The mean gap distance with the foot plantigrade was 11.4mm (95%CI: 9.9, 12.9) which reduced to 4.8mm (95%CI: 3.3, 6.4) in equinus and 1.5mm (95%CI: 0.8, 2.2) with 90° knee flexion. At follow up, no re-ruptures had occurred. US demonstrated continuity in all healed tendons. Mean ATRS was 86 (95%CI: 78.8, 93.9). There was a significant correlation between the distance of the rupture with the MLS (p=0.015) and the ATRS domains of strength (p=0.037) and fatigue (p=0.017). There was no significant correlation between the measured gap distance in the three positions with respect to the MTLS, ATRS or individual ATRS domain scores. There was no significant difference when comparing outcomes between left and right TAs or comparing gaps less than 1cm with those greater than 1 cm. Discussion. The distance of the gap from the enthesis may be more predictive of mid term clinical outcome in patients with TA rupture managed with accelerated functional rehabilitation compared with the magnitude of the gap and extent of closure with equinus and knee flexion

When inserting a lag-screw across an arthrodesis, stress is concentrated under the screw head risking asymmetrical force distribution and fracture of the cortical bone bridge. The IO FiX (Extremity Medical, NJ USA) is a new intraosseous device comprising an X-Post on one side of and parallel to the arthrodesis and a lag-screw inserted through the head of the X-Post which reinforces the cortical bone bridge. The X-Post behaves as an internal washer improving force distribution across the arthrodesis. Being intraosseous, near to the neutral axis of bend also means the device is fatigue-resistant and soft tissue irritation is reduced. The IO FiX has not been independently verified and therefore we analysed its performance in a human cadaveric ankle model. Our null hypothesis was there is no difference in force generation and contact area in an ankle arthrodesis when the IO FiX is compared with partially-threaded lag-screws. We used ten randomized cadaver ankles with a mean age of seventy-one years (44–84 years) prepared with flat arthrodesis cuts. A Tek-scan (Boston, USA) pressure transducer was used to measure force and contact area produced when the IO FiX was compared with a standard lag-screw and washer. The median average force in the IO FiX group was 3.95 kg and 2.35 kg in the lag-screw group (p=<0.01 Wilcoxon signed-rank). The IO FiX was able to create a more uniform contact area within the arthrodesis with a median average of 3.41 cm. 2. compared with 2.42 cm. 2. in the lag-screw group (p=<0.03 Wilcoxon signed rank). Our results suggest the IO FiX improves force generation and contact area across the arthrodesis. With the theoretical advantages of reduced soft tissue irritation and a lower risk of fatigue failure, the IO FiX offers a significant advantage compared with traditional fixation techniques

Aims

Arthroplasty for end-stage hallux rigidus (HR) is controversial. Arthrodesis remains the gold standard for surgical treatment, although is not without its complications, with rates of up to 10% for nonunion, 14% for reoperation and 10% for metatarsalgia. The aim of this study was to analyze the outcome of a double-stemmed silastic implant (Wright-Medical, Memphis, Tennessee, USA) for patients with end-stage HR.

Objectives

The incidence of acute Achilles tendon rupture appears to be increasing. The aim of this study was to summarize various therapies for acute Achilles tendon rupture and discuss their relative merits.

The incidence of periprosthetic fractures of the ankle is increasing. However, little is known about the outcome of treatment and their management remains controversial. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of periprosthetic fractures on the functional and radiological outcome of patients with a total ankle arthroplasty (TAA).

A total of 505 TAAs (488 patients) who underwent TAA were retrospectively evaluated for periprosthetic ankle fracture: these were then classified according to a recent classification which is orientated towards treatment. The outcome was evaluated clinically using the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score and a visual analogue scale for pain, and radiologically.

A total of 21 patients with a periprosthetic fracture of the ankle were identified. There were 13 women and eight men. The mean age of the patients was 63 years (48 to 74). Thus, the incidence of fracture was 4.17%.

There were 11 intra-operative and ten post-operative fractures, of which eight were stress fractures and two were traumatic. The prosthesis was stable in all patients. Five stress fractures were treated conservatively and the remaining three were treated operatively.

A total of 17 patients (81%) were examined clinically and radiologically at a mean follow-up of 53.5 months (12 to 112). The mean AOFAS score at follow-up was 79.5 (21 to 100). The mean AOFAS score in those with an intra-operative fracture was 87.6 (80 to 100) and for those with a stress fracture, which were mainly because of varus malpositioning, was 67.3 (21 to 93). Periprosthetic fractures of the ankle do not necessarily adversely affect the clinical outcome, provided that a treatment algorithm is implemented with the help of a new classification system.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2015;97-B:950–6.

Charcot neuro-osteoarthropathy (CN) of the midfoot presents a major reconstructive challenge for the foot and ankle surgeon. The Synthes 6 mm Midfoot Fusion Bolt is both designed and recommended for patients who have a deformity of the medial column of the foot due to CN. We present the results from the first nine patients (ten feet) on which we attempted to perform fusion of the medial column using this bolt. Six feet had concurrent hindfoot fusion using a retrograde nail. Satisfactory correction of deformity of the medial column was achieved in all patients. The mean correction of calcaneal pitch was from 6° (-15° to +18°) pre-operatively to 16° (7° to 23°) post-operatively; the mean Meary angle from 26° (3° to 46°) to 1° (1° to 2°); and the mean talometatarsal angle on dorsoplantar radiographs from 27° (1° to 48°) to 1° (1° to 3°).

However, in all but two feet, at least one joint failed to fuse. The bolt migrated in six feet, all of which showed progressive radiographic osteolysis, which was considered to indicate loosening. Four of these feet have undergone a revision procedure, with good radiological evidence of fusion. The medial column bolt provided satisfactory correction of the deformity but failed to provide adequate fixation for fusion in CN deformities in the foot.

In its present form, we cannot recommend the routine use of this bolt.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2015; 97-B:809–13

We report the clinical and radiological outcome of total ankle replacement performed in conjunction with hindfoot fusion or in isolation. Between May 2003 and June 2008, 60 ankles were treated with total ankle replacement with either subtalar or triple fusion, and the results were compared with a control group of 288 ankles treated with total ankle replacement alone.

After the mean follow-up of 39.5 months (12 to 73), the ankles with hindfoot fusion showed significant improvement in the mean visual analogue score for pain (p < 0.001), the mean American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society score (p < 0.001), and the mean of a modified version of this score (p < 0.001). The mean visual analogue pain score (p = 0.304) and mean modified American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society score (p = 0.119) were not significantly different between the hindfoot fusion and the control groups. However, the hindfoot fusion group had a significantly lower mean range of movement (p = 0.009) and a higher rate of posterior focal osteolysis (p = 0.04). Both groups showed various complications (p = 0.131) and failure occurring at a similar rate (p = 0.685).

Subtalar or triple fusion is feasible and has minimal adverse effects on ankles treated with total ankle replacement up to midterm follow-up. The clinical outcome of total ankle replacement when combined with hindfoot fusion is comparable to that of ankle replacement alone. Thus, hindfoot fusion should be performed in conjunction with total ankle replacement when indicated.