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

Ankle sprains in the athlete are one of the most common injuries, and syndesmosis type sprains seem to becoming diagnosed at an increasing rate. There still exists a paucity of information on optimal conservative and operative management. Treatment. Because of the spectrum of injury, there is a spectrum of treatment. if there is mortise widening, operative stabilization is required. if the mortise is normal, even with external rotation stress test positive, conservative treatment has been employed. staged conservative regimen directed at reducing pain and swelling acutely, at regaining range of motion and strength subacutely, and then progressed to functional training and finally return to sport. The timeframe for these was in the range of 2 to 6 weeks without very specific progression criteria. In the athlete, pain with rotational stress, greater severity of sprain, may treat operatively to stabilize the syndesmosis and aggressive rehab with earlier return to sport. Tightrope vs screw fixation vs both. Use of arthroscopy. Chronic sprains with recalcitrant pain and functional instability usually require operative treatment. very poor evidence exists as to the timing or type of procedure. Arthroscopy is required to confirm the diagnosis, treat intraarticular problems, and provide fixation of the distal tibiofibular syndesmosis. The postoperative regimen used is generally the same as the one used when treating an acute syndesmosis disruption. Tight rope vs Screw Fixation. clinical studies tightrope fixation has been acceptable and comparable to screw fixation. laboratory studies demonstrate comparable construct stability in the laboratory/cadaveric setting. indications for tightrope fixation are becoming more clear with more experience. my indications:. syndesmotic sprains with complete or incomplete disruption. fractures with syndesmotic disruption augment with screws, leave in place following screw removal. Summary and Controversies. Syndesmotic or high ankle sprains continue to be a common injury that result in significant time lost from sport. The conclusion that can be drawn from the current evidence is that the current diagnostic process probably fails to clearly assess the severity of the injury, which reduces the likelihood of accurately predicting the time lost from sport. Syndesmosis sprains can be a significant injuries that result in an inability to play sports for significant periods of time(up to 137 days). We need to be able to identify the more severe ones earlier in order to improve their treatment, perhaps lead to operative stabilization. Tightrope fixation avoids screw removal, minimally invasive, permanent stabilization

Sporting injuries around the ankle vary from simple sprains that will resolve spontaneously within a few days to severe injuries which may never fully recover and may threaten the career of a professional athlete. Some of these injuries can be easily overlooked altogether or misdiagnosed with potentially devastating effects on future performance. In this review article, we cover some of the common and important sporting injuries involving the ankle including updates on their management and outcomes. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2016;98-B:874–83

Diagnosis. a. History and exam. i. True Lisfranc fracture dislocations are NOT difficult to diagnose. b. Midfoot sprains or subtle injuries. i. These are DIFFICULT to diagnose. - subtle x-ray findings with minimal displacement. i) Exam: - be “suspicious” of midfoot sprains. - TMT tenderness, swelling. - inability to WB. ii) Mechanism of injury:. - indirect twisting injury (athletic). - crush injury of the foot (trauma). - axial forefoot loading (dancers, jumpers). iii) Investigations:. - X-rays usually normal or subtle widening. need to assess all 3 views in detail. standing AP compare to the other side. -Stress x-rays: - if clinical symptoms indicate - severe injury + pain but x-ray looks normal. - MRI useful for anatomic/instability correlation. - CT scan good for subtle injuries/fractures and displacement. - Bone scan positive in subacute/chronic pain situation. Treatment. a) Surgical Indications. i) Any displacement/positive stress xrays/test. ii) Surgical technique. - open reduction or closed and percutaneus fixation. - anatomic reduction essential. - NWB period up to 6 weeks. - WB with protection for another 4-6 weeks. iii. Screw vs tightrope fixation. iv. Hardware removal. b) Non-operative. i) Stable non-displaced sprain (need to make sure this is stable, ie stress views). - 6 to 8 weeks NWB. - expect prolonged recovery up to 6 months with. proper treatment. Controversial Issues:. a. Do all injuries with mild displacement have to be fixed operatively?. b. Arthrodesis vs fixation for soft tissue lisfranc with mild displacement?. c. Arthrodesis vs fixation subacute or chronic presentation?. d. Hardware removal?

Aim:. Ankle sprains are one of the most common sports injuries. Around 10–20 % of the acute ankle sprains may lead to the sequelae of chronic ankle instability. Around 15–35% of the patients have residual pain following successful lateral ligament reconstruction. One of the reasons suggested for the persistent symptoms following lateral ligament reconstruction has been the presence of intra-articular pathology. Methods and materials:. We performed ankle arthroscopy on all patients undergoing the modified Brostrom repair and compared patients with associated intra-articular pathology to those without any intra-articular pathology. Results:. A total of 35 patients underwent the modified Brostrom procedure during the study period. 11/25 patients were found to have associated intra-articular pathology. The average age for both the groups was 33 years. The average follow-up duration was 75 months and 71 months for the intra-articular pathology group and the normal articular groups respectively. The difference in the SAFAS (Sports athlete foot and ankle score) was statistically better in the group without any intra-articular pathology (93.7 compared to 71.6, p-value < 0.05). Conclusions:. The patients who have an associated intra-articular pathology whilst undergoing the stabilisation of lateral ligament instability of the ankle have a slightly poorer outcome compared to those without any intra-articular pathology. Secondly, the SAFAS scoring system seems to overcome the ceiling effect seen in other scoring systems when used for the athletic population

Aims

The purpose of this study was to assess the success rate and functional outcomes of bone grafting for periprosthetic bone cysts following total ankle arthroplasty (TAA). Additionally, we evaluated the rate of graft incorporation and identified associated predisposing factors using CT scan.

Aims

The Vantage Total Ankle System is a fourth-generation low-profile fixed-bearing implant that has been available since 2016. We aimed to describe our early experience with this implant.

Osteochondral lesions (OCLs) occur in up to 70% of sprains and fractures involving the ankle. Atraumatic aetiologies have also been described. Techniques such as microfracture, and replacement strategies such as autologous osteochondral transplantation, or autologous chondrocyte implantation are the major forms of surgical treatment. Current literature suggests that microfracture is indicated for lesions up to 15 mm in diameter, with replacement strategies indicated for larger or cystic lesions. Short- and medium-term results have been reported, where concerns over potential deterioration of fibrocartilage leads to a need for long-term evaluation. . Biological augmentation may also be used in the treatment of OCLs, as they potentially enhance the biological environment for a natural healing response. Further research is required to establish the critical size of defect, beyond which replacement strategies should be used, as well as the most appropriate use of biological augmentation. This paper reviews the current evidence for surgical management and use of biological adjuncts for treatment of osteochondral lesions of the talus. . Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2014;96-B:164–71

Aims

The ideal management of acute syndesmotic injuries in elite athletes is controversial. Among several treatment methods used to stabilize the syndesmosis and facilitate healing of the ligaments, the use of suture tape (InternalBrace) has previously been described. The purpose of this study was to analyze the functional outcome, including American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) scores, knee-to-wall measurements, and the time to return to play in days, of unstable syndesmotic injuries treated with the use of the InternalBrace in elite athletes.

Introduction. Ottawa ankle rules originally described in 1992 have been shown to improve the pick-up rates of ankle fractures and avoid the need for unnecessary X-rays, thus minimising cost and radiation to the patient. We decided to carry out an audit at our hospital to look at the pick-up rates of ankle fractures and ways to minimise x-rays for the patient both in A&E and in the orthopaedic department. Methods. Ankle x-rays of 1088 trauma patients over a 7 month period from Dec 2009 to June 2010 (inclusive) were reviewed. Patients with ankle fractures were classified according to Weber type, and whether they were treated surgically or non-operatively. Non-operatively treated ankle fractures then formed the main sub-group of our study, looking at the number of follow-up X-rays and the amount of subsequent displacement. The amount of displacement was classified into non-displaced (0 mm), minimally displaced (<2mm) and displaced (>2 mm). Results. 171 patients (out of 1088) were found to have fractured their ankle giving a pick up rate of 16%. (cf a pickup rate of 26% described in literature with implementation of Ottawa rules). The pick up rate fluctuated each month from 31% in December to a meagre 6% fractures in June and this could be due to summertime sports injuries causing less fractures and more sprains. We noted a third more x-rays were ordered in Spring than Winter. There were no changes in junior staff in either the A&E or the orthopaedic department to account for the monthly variations. Conservatively managed fractures were followed up in the fracture clinic (n = 95, 56%) 16% (n = 11) of the conservatively managed patients were classified as Weber A fractures 84% (n=58) as Weber B fractures. No Weber C fractures were conservatively managed. Of the eleven Weber A fractures only one was minimally displaced. Conservatively managed Weber A fractures received an average of 1.36 x-rays on follow up in the Orthopaedic department. Of the Weber B fractures 42 were non-displaced whilst 16 were minimally displaced, and these received an average of 3.23 x-rays on follow up. None of these progressed to displacement > 2mm. Conclusion. Based on our audit, we have introduced a policy to limit the number of follow-up of X-rays for minimally displaced and undisplaced Weber A & B fractures to one. We have also re-emphasized the importance of Ottawa rule implementation in our A&E department

Aims

This is a multicentre, non-inventor, prospective observational study of 503 INFINITY fixed bearing total ankle arthroplasties (TAAs). We report our early experience, complications, and radiological and functional outcomes.

Aims

Preoperative talar valgus deformity ≥ 15° is considered a contraindication for total ankle arthroplasty (TAA). We compared operative procedures and clinical outcomes of TAA in patients with talar valgus deformity ≥ 15° and < 15°.

Aims

The pathogenesis of intraneural ganglion cysts is controversial. Recent reports in the literature described medial plantar intraneural ganglion cysts (mIGC) with articular branches to subtalar joints. The aim of the current study was to provide further support for the principles underlying the articular theory, and to explain the successes and failures of treatment of mICGs.

Aims

Cone beam CT allows cross-sectional imaging of the tibiofibular syndesmosis while the patient bears weight. This may facilitate more accurate and reliable investigation of injuries to, and reconstruction of, the syndesmosis but normal ranges of measurements are required first. The purpose of this study was to establish: 1) the normal reference measurements of the syndesmosis; 2) if side-to-side variations exist in syndesmotic anatomy; 3) if age affects syndesmotic anatomy; and 4) if the syndesmotic anatomy differs between male and female patients in weight-bearing cone beam CT views.

Aims

The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the intermediate-term outcomes after revision anatomical ankle ligament reconstruction augmented with suture tape for a failed modified Broström procedure.

Objectives

To evaluate the applicability of MRI for the quantitative assessment of anterior talofibular ligaments (ATFLs) in symptomatic chronic ankle instability (CAI).

Injuries to the foot in athletes are often subtle and can lead to a substantial loss of function if not diagnosed and treated appropriately. For these injuries in general, even after a diagnosis is made, treatment options are controversial and become even more so in high level athletes where limiting the time away from training and competition is a significant consideration.

In this review, we cover some of the common and important sporting injuries affecting the foot including updates on their management and outcomes.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2016;98-B:1299–1311.

Aims

The purposes of this study were to clarify first, the incidence of peroneal tendon dislocation in patients with a fracture of the talus and second the factors associated with peroneal tendon dislocation.

A total of seven patients (six men and one woman) with a defect in the Achilles tendon and overlying soft tissue underwent reconstruction using either a composite radial forearm flap (n = 3) or an anterolateral thigh flap (n = 4). The Achilles tendons were reconstructed using chimeric palmaris longus (n = 2) or tensor fascia lata (n = 2) flaps or transfer of the flexor hallucis longus tendon (n = 3). Surgical parameters such as the rate of complications and the time between the initial repair and flap surgery were analysed. Function was measured objectively by recording the circumference of the calf, the isometric strength of the plantar flexors and the range of movement of the ankle. The Achilles tendon Total Rupture Score (ATRS) questionnaire was used as a patient-reported outcome measure. Most patients had undergone several previous operations to the Achilles tendon prior to flap surgery. The mean time to flap surgery was 14.3 months (2.1 to 40.7).

At a mean follow-up of 32.3 months (12.1 to 59.6) the circumference of the calf on the operated lower limb was reduced by a mean of 1.9 cm (sd 0.74) compared with the contralateral limb (p = 0.042). The mean strength of the plantar flexors on the operated lower limb was reduced to 88.9% of that of the contralateral limb (p = 0.043). There was no significant difference in the range of movement between the two sides (p = 0.317). The mean ATRS score was 72 points (sd 20.0). One patient who had an initial successful reconstruction developed a skin defect of the composite flap 12 months after free flap surgery and this resulted in recurrent infections, culminating in transtibial amputation 44 months after reconstruction.

These otherwise indicate that reconstruction of the Achilles tendon combined with flap cover results in a successful and functional reconstruction.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2015;97-B:215–20.

We present a review of litigation claims relating to foot and ankle surgery in the NHS in England during the 17-year period between 1995 and 2012.

A freedom of information request was made to obtain data from the NHS litigation authority (NHSLA) relating to orthopaedic claims, and the foot and ankle claims were reviewed.

During this period of time, a total of 10 273 orthopaedic claims were made, of which 1294 (12.6%) were related to the foot and ankle. 1036 were closed, which comprised of 1104 specific complaints. Analysis was performed using the complaints as the denominator. The cost of settling these claims was more than £36 million.

There were 372 complaints (33.7%) involving the ankle, of which 273 (73.4%) were related to trauma. Conditions affecting the first ray accounted for 236 (21.4%), of which 232 (98.3%) concerned elective practice. Overall, claims due to diagnostic errors accounted for 210 (19.0%) complaints, 208 (18.8%) from alleged incompetent surgery and 149 (13.5%) from alleged mismanagement.

Our findings show that the incorrect, delayed or missed diagnosis of conditions affecting the foot and ankle is a key area for improvement, especially in trauma practice.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2014;96-B:1510–14.