Acute achilles tendon ruptures are increasing in incidence and occur in 18 per 100 000 people per year, however there remains a lack of consensus on the best treatment of acute ruptures. Randomised studies comparing operative versus non-operative treatment show operative treatment to have a significantly lower re-rupture rate, but these studies have generally used non-weight bearing casts in the non-operative group. Recent series utilizing more aggressive non-operative protocols with early weight-bearing have noted a far lower incidence of re-rupture, with rates approaching those of operative management. Weight bearing casts may also have the advantages of convenience and an earlier return to work, and the purpose of this study was to compare outcomes of traditional casts versus Bohler-iron equipped weight-bearing casts in the treatment of acute Achilles tendon ruptures. 83 patients with acute Achilles tendon ruptures were recruited from three Auckland centres over a 2 year period. Patients were randomised within one week of injury to receive either a weight-bearing cast with a Bohler iron or a traditional non weight-bearing cast. A set treatment protocol was used, with a total cast time of eight weeks. Patients underwent detailed muscle dynamometry testing at 6 months, with further follow up at 1 year and at study completion. Primary outcomes assessed were patient satisfaction, time to return to work, and overall re-rupture rates. Secondary outcomes included return to sports, ankle pain and stiffness, footwear restrictions, and patient satisfaction. There were no significant differences in patient demographics or activity levels prior to treatment. At follow up, 1 patient (2%) in the Bohler iron group and 2 patients (5%) in the non weight bearing group sustained re-ruptures (p=0.62). There was a trend toward an earlier return to work in the weight-bearing group, with 58% versus 43% returning to work within 4 weeks, but the difference was not significant. 63% of patients in the weight bearing group reported freedom from pain at 12 months compared to 51 % in the non weight bearing group. There were no statistically significant differences in Leppilahti scores, patient satisfaction, or return to sports between groups. Weight-bearing casts in the non-operative treatment of Achilles tendon ruptures appear to offer outcomes that are at least equivalent to outcomes of non-weight bearing casts. The overall rerupture rate in this study is low, supporting the continued use of initial non-operative management in the treatment of acute ruptures.
The ideal treatment of the unstable slipped upper femoral epiphysis (SUFE) is not clearly defined in the literature. Unstable SUFE occurs with less frequency than the stable SUFE. The incidence of unstable SUFE is between 14–25% of all SUFE’s. The literature reports a variety of accepted methods of treatment of the unstable SUFE, consequently, in Auckland there are various methods of treatment. The unstable SUFE is at risk of development of avascular necrosis (AVN) of the femoral head. The reported incidence of AVN in unstable SUFE is between 15–50%. We expect that different treatment will influence the rate of AVN. Our aim was to determine current practice and outcomes in Auckland. We reviewed the records and radiographs of all SUFE’s treated in Auckland from 2000–2007. In this time period there were 463 patients across the Auckland region, 109 of which had bilateral SUFE’s which allowed 572 treated hips to be followed. Over this time period there were 34 unstable SUFE representing 6% of treated hips. There was a difference in average weight, with unstable SUFE on average 10kgs lighter (60.5 vs 70.3kgs). Average time to surgery was 43 hours (range: 4–360hrs). Cases operated within 24 hours have a reduced rate of AVN (20%) compared to those operated after 24 hours (AVN 50%). Of the 34 cases, 13 cases had radiological evidence of AVN (35%). Of these there were 11 cases of pin penetration requiring further surgery. There was no difference in rate of AVN when comparing single screw to double screw fixation (SS 44% v DS 38%). There were 11 cases of pin penetration, 8 with single screw and 3 with double screw fixation. Our review of unstable SUFE in Auckland has shown a difference in the weight of patients when compared to stable SUFE’s presenting from the same population. We have also found that cases operated on within 24 hours have a lower rate of AVN. Single screw fixation is more common than double screw fixation. There was no statistical difference in the rate of AVN but there was a higher rate of screw penetration when using a single screw fixation.
Surgical resection of the persistently painful talocalcaneal tarsal coalition has not been shown to reliably relieve symptoms in patients with coalitions that are large and have associated hindfoot valgus and subtalar arthrosis. It has been recommended that these patients undergo triple arthrodesis, a procedure that is known to lead to premature arthrosis of the ankle joint. To avoid additional stress on this important joint, treatment of this patient group using calcaneal lengthening osteotomy (CLO), with or without resection of the coalition, has been performed at our institution for the last 15 years. A retrospective review of all patients with talocalcaneal coalitions who had undergone CLO was performed. Clinical and radiographic records were reviewed. Demographic data, and pre- and post-operative pain and function were recorded. Pre- and post-operative radiographs and computed tomography (CT) scans were reviewed and measurements recorded. CT scans were used to calculate the degree of hindfoot valgus and the size of the coalition. Patients were invited to return for clinical examination and follow-up x-rays if two years had passed since their operation. They completed American foot and ankle hindfoot scores, VAS pain scores and were asked satisfaction questionnaires. Radiographic measurements were performed. There were 13 patients who underwent 19 CLOs. Of these 13 patients, eight patients with 13 CLO’s returned for clinical examination and radiographs. Five patients had nine CLO’s to correct deformity without resection of a large middle facet talocalcaneal coalition with severe hindfoot deformity. All patients had restoration of normal foot shape with improvement in comfort and function. One patient had improvement in comfort and function following bilateral simultaneous coalition resection of cartilaginous coalition and CLO to correct significant hindfoot deformity. Two patients had improvement in pain and function in a foot that had residual pain and deformity following prior talocalcaneal coalition resection. CLO, usually accompanied by a heel cord lengthening, is a useful operation both in the failed middle facet resection where there is persistent pain and deformity, and also in the very large coalition with associated deformity and/or arthrosis that is not appropriate for resection. It corrects the foot deformity, improves comfort and function, maintains motion in Chopart’s joints and therefore, unlike triple arthrodesis, avoids additional stresses in the ankle joint.
As the population ages, we can expect to see more elderly patients with calcaneal fractures. Age alone does not reflect a person’s health or functional status, and should not, therefore, be used as a contraindication to surgical fixation. We report on the management of all patients over 65 years with calcaneal fractures receiving treatment at our institution over a 14-year period. Seventy-three patients >
65 years old with 76 calcaneal fractures treated from 1990 to 2004 were identified from a trauma database. A review of clinical notes was performed; demographics, co-morbidities, mechanism of injury, associated injuries, and management data were collected. For patients receiving operative treatment the fracture classification, operative indications, treatment and outcomes were reviewed. Twenty-seven patients with 29 fractures were treated without fixation, and 46 patients with 47 fractures were treated with fracture fixation. When compared with non-operatively treated patients, those treated operatively had lower mean injury severity scores (8.9 vs. 17.2) and fewer mean co-morbidities (1.0 vs. 2.2). Fractures were treated operatively either with an extensile lateral approach, small incision fixation, or a push screw. Follow-up (two weeks to 50 months) was available on all patients treated operatively, and radiographic follow-up was available on 32 patients. Wound infection and persistent drainage was seen in three and two patients, respectively. There was one non-union. One subtalar fusion was required. Eleven patients subsequently required plate removal. This retrospective review demonstrates that operative treatment of calcaneal fractures in carefully selected, elderly patients can result in good outcomes with acceptable complication rates. The complication profile for patients over 65 with calcaneus fractures appears to be similar to younger patients.
