Background

Open or arthroscopic ankle fusion (AAF) is a successful operative treatment for end-stage ankle arthritis. Evidence suggest that AAFs have better outcomes. In addition to the operative technique other patient-factors can influence outcomes. The most significant complication of ankle fusion is a non-union. To better understand the risk factors related to this we undertook a retrospective investigation of primary AAFs.

Tendinopathy can commonly occur around the foot and ankle resulting in isolated rupture, debilitating pain and degenerative foot deformity. The pathophysiology and key cells involved are not fully understood. This is partly because the dense collagen matrix that surrounds relatively few resident cells limits the ability of previous techniques to identify and target those cells of interest. In this study, we apply novel single cell RNA sequencing (CITE-Seq) techniques to healthy and tendinopathic foot/ankle tendons. For the first time we have identified multiple sub-populations of cells in human tendons. These findings challenge the view that there is a single principal tendon cell type and open new avenues for further study. Healthy tendon samples were obtained from patients undergoing tendon transfer procedures; including tibialis posterior and FHL. Diseased tendon samples were obtained during debridement of intractable Achilles and peroneal tendinopathy, and during fusion of degenerative joints. Single cell RNA sequencing with surface proteomic analysis identified 10 sub-populations of human tendon derived cells. These included groups expressing genes associated with fibro-adipogenic progenitors (FAPs) as well as ITGA7+VCAM1- recently described in mouse muscle but, as yet, not human tendon. In addition we have identified previously unrecognised sub-classes of collagen type 1 associated tendon cells. Each sub-class expresses a different set of extra-cellular matrix genes suggesting they each play a unique role in maintaining the structural integrity of normal tendon. Diseased tendon harboured a greater proportion of macrophages and cytotoxic lymphocytes than healthy tendon. This inflammatory response is potentially driven by resident tendon fibroblasts which show increased expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Finally, identification of a previously unknown sub-population of cells found predominantly in tendinopathic tissue offers new insight into the underlying pathophysiology. Further work aims to identify novel proteins targets for possible therapeutic pathways.

Introduction

Acetabular component loosening with associated bone loss is a challenge in revision hip arthroplasty. Trabecular Metal (TM) by Zimmer Biomet has been shown to have greater implant survivorship for all-cause acetabular revision in small cohort retrospective studies. Our study aims to review outcomes of acetabular TM implants locally.

Joint registries suggest a downward trend in the use of uncemented Total Knee Replacements (TKR) since 2003, largely related to reports of early failures of uncemented tibial and patella components. Advancements in uncemented design such as trabecular metal may improve outcomes, but there is a scarcity of high-quality data from randomised trials.

319 patients <75 years of age were randomised to either cemented or uncemented TKR implanted using computer navigation. Patellae were resurfaced in all patients. Patient outcome scores, re-operations and radiographic analysis of radiolucent lines were compared.

Two year follow up was available for 287 patients (144 cemented vs 143 uncemented). There was no difference in operative time between groups, 73.7 v 71.1 mins (p= 0.08). There were no statistical differences in outcome scores at 2 years, Oxford knee score 42.5 vs 41.8 (p=0.35), International Knee Society 84.6 vs 84.0 (p=0.76), Forgotten Joint Score 66.7 vs 66.4 (p=0.91). There were two revisions, both for infection one in each group (0.33%). 13 cemented and 8 uncemented knees underwent re-operation, the majority of these being manipulation under anaesthetic (85.7%), with no difference (8.3% vs 5.3%, 95% CI -2.81% to 8.89%, p = 0.31). No difference was found in radiographic analysis at 2 years, 1 lucent line was seen in the cemented group and 3 in the uncemented group (0.67% v 2.09%, 95%CI -4.1% to 1.24%, p = 0.29).

We found no difference in clinical or radiographic outcomes between cemented and uncemented TKR including routine patella resurfacing at two years.

Early results suggest there is no difference between cemented and uncemented TKR at 2 years with reference to survivorship, patient outcomes and radiological parameters.

Background:

Avascular necrosis (AVN) of the talus is a painful condition caused by trauma, steroids, alcoholism and haematological disorders. It is difficult to treat and at present there is insufficient evidence in favour of any particular strategy. The aim of operative therapy should be to relieve symptoms, maintain the normal architecture of the talus and treat associated arthritis. Small case series have described early core decompression, retrograde tibiotalocalcaneal arthrodesies and open tibio-calcaneal arthrodesis. Open procedures risk further talar collapse by disrupting its blood supply, and tibiotalocalcanal fusion sacrifices both the ankle and subtalar joints. The hypothesis is that arthroscopic ankle fusion relieves symptoms of AVN talus while preserving the subtalar joint and preventing further collapse.

Introduction:

Vitamin D plays an important role in bone turnover. Deficiency (including borderline deficiency, or insufficiency) has a known association with fractures and has been linked to delayed or nonunion of fractures. We therefore routinely test vitamin D in cases of nonunion. Noting a high rate of vitamin D deficiency in this group, we instituted a policy to routinely screen for and treat vitamin D deficiency in both post-operative and pre-operative patients. We hypothesised that, in the post-operative patients, levels would correlate with rates of union.

Background:

Calcaneal osteotomy is an established technique in correcting hind foot deformity. Patients have traditionally received an open osteotomy through Atkins lateral approach. In order to reduce the rate of wound complications associated with the Atkins approach, a minimally invasive surgical (MIS) technique has been adopted since 2011. This uses a low-speed, high-torque burr to perform the same osteotomy under radiographic guidance. The results of the new MIS technique, including post-operative complication rates, are compared to the standard open approach.

Introduction:

TTC fusion for the salvage of failed TARs with significant bone loss using a hindfoot nail and femoral head allograft has been reported in a number of small series. We present our experience of this procedure.

Background

Evaluation of outcomes and satisfaction following hallux valgus (HV) surgery is usually retrospective and rarely uses patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs).

Introduction

Ankle replacement is now common in the UK.

In a tertiary referral NHS practice, between 1997–2011 we implanted two types of cementless mobile bearing total ankle replacements (TAR).

Objectives

The Manchester–Oxford Foot Questionnaire (MOXFQ) is a validated 16-item, patient-reported outcome measure for evaluating outcomes of foot or ankle surgery. The original development of the instrument identified three domains. This present study examined whether the three domains could legitimately be summed to provide a single summary index score.

Introduction

In 1927, Lambrinudi described a variant triple fusion for the treatment of paralytic “drop foot”. This involved closing wedge osteotomies and fusion to correct the deformities predominantly caused by Polio. The eradication of Polio has seen a shift in its use to the correction of other complex hind foot deformities. The technique has relevance in modern Orthopaedics for other neurological and degenerate conditions. There have been few published series of this technique since 1927.

We describe a series of 14 complex corrective triple arthrodeses to illustrate the power of Lambrinudi's concepts. We believe Lambrinudi's original description has relevance in terms of modern day complex hindfoot deformity correction.

Juvenile Chronic Arthritis results in the early degeneration of multiple joints with severe pain and deformity. Treatment of ankle arthritis is complex and ankle replacement is indicated because of adjacent and distant joint involvement.

Changes in armour reinforcement of military vehicles have resulted in a changed injury pattern. Injuries which would previously have resulted in amputation are now less severe, and after initial debridement and temporary fixation the foot can now be saved. New patterns of injuries are emerging often as a part of potentially survivable poly-trauma. We describe a small series of these injuries. The techniques and results of late reconstruction are presented. We also discuss specific problems of managing patients with potential contamination with unusual organisms.

The responsiveness of the Manchester–Oxford Foot Questionnaire (MOXFQ) was compared with foot/ankle-specific and generic outcome measures used to assess all surgery of the foot and ankle. We recruited 671 consecutive adult patients awaiting foot or ankle surgery, of whom 427 (63.6%) were female, with a mean age of 52.8 years (18 to 89). They independently completed the MOXFQ, Short-Form 36 (SF-36) and EuroQol (EQ-5D) questionnaires pre-operatively and at a mean of nine months (3.8 to 14.4) post-operatively. Foot/ankle surgeons assessed American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) scores corresponding to four foot/ankle regions. A transition item measured perceived changes in foot/ankle problems post-surgery. Of 628 eligible patients proceeding to surgery, 491 (78%) completed questionnaires and 262 (42%) received clinical assessments both pre- and post-operatively. The regions receiving surgery were: multiple/whole foot in eight (1.3%), ankle/hindfoot in 292 (46.5%), mid-foot in 21 (3.3%), hallux in 196 (31.2%), and lesser toes in 111 (17.7%). Foot/ankle-specific MOXFQ, AOFAS and EQ-5D domains produced larger effect sizes (> 0.8) than any SF-36 domains, suggesting superior responsiveness. In analyses that anchored change in scores and effect sizes to patients’ responses to a transition item about their foot/ankle problems, the MOXFQ performed well. The SF-36 and EQ-5D performed poorly. Similar analyses, conducted within foot-region based sub-groups of patients, found that the responsiveness of the MOXFQ was good compared with the AOFAS.

This evidence supports the MOXFQ’s suitability for assessing all foot and ankle surgery.

Introduction

Ankle fusion presents a difficult problem in the presence of infection, inadequate soft tissue, poor bone stock and deformity. Nonunion and infection remains a problem even with internal fixation. Ilizarov frame provides an elegant solution to the problem with stable remote fixation while allowing lengthening, deformity correction and weight bearing.

Introduction: Severe haemophilia affects 1 in 10,000 men. The ankle along with the hip and knee are commonly affected. Ankle fusion is the preferred surgery for end stage arthritis in the younger patient although debate exists as to the preferred technique. We conducted a retrospective review of the arthroscopic ankle fusions on haemophiliacs from Oxford and compared data with that of a specialist unit in London using an open technique.

Materials and Methods: We reviewed 22 ankles (22 patients) from Oxford and 10 ankles (8 patients) from London. 90% had Type A haemophilia with similar regular monthly Factor VIII usage: 17941 U/month (Oxford) compared with 17992 (London). 73% of patients in the Oxford Group and 100% of the London group had Hepatitis C and/or HIV.

Results: Union was achieved in all patients. The mean time to union in the open group was 9.1 weeks (Mode- 8 weeks, Range 7–14) compared to 12.2 weeks (Mode- 12 weeks, Range 8–24) in the arthroscopic group. Screw removal was required in 4 patients (3 arthroscopic v’s 1 open). 1 patient in the arthroscopic group suffered a pseudoaneurysm of the dorsalis pedis artery. The arthroscopic group spent less time in hospital- 5.7 days compared to 9.5. Factor VIII usage was less in the arthroscopic group- 32,882 Units compared to 40013.

Discussion: Patients of this nature should be managed in centres used to dealing with their complex needs. Arthroscopic ankle fusion in haemophiliacs is safe for these patients. Although arthroscopic fusion may take slightly longer to unite, there are benefits in terms of reduced patient stay and factor VIII requirement and therefore costs.

Acetabular bone loss is a problem in primary and revision Total Hip Joint Replacement (THJR). Impaction bone grafting is one method of dealing with this problem. We looked at the results of two surgeons who use this method at North Shore Hospital, Auckland.

A retrospective study was carried out on all patients who had acetabular impaction bone grafting carried out as part of THJR, whether primary or revision. All operations were performed by two surgeons, Mr Rob Sharp and Mr Bill Farrington. Patients were assessed in clinic at varying time intervals post grafting, and were functionally scored.

33 patients underwent impaction grafting, a total of 35 acetabular grafts. Of these the male to female ratio was 16:17, and the mean age range was 46–82 years. Average Harris hip score was 79 (Min 54 Max 95), and the average Oxford score was 39 (min 13 Max 48). There was one failure, 3 dislocations, and1 sciatic nerve palsy.

Impaction bone grafting is one method, which can be utilised to reconstruct acetabular bone loss, with the additional advantage of restoring bone stock. We found high rates of patient satisfaction, and a low failure rate.

According to the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) Guidelines, some foot and ankle patients are, by definition, at high risk of DVT/PE. Despite NICE guidance, DVT recommendations are still controversial, and are being reviewed by the BOA to be more operation and context specific.

One consultant at our institution therefore initiated a 6 week medical DVT prophylaxis regimen for all his post-operative hind–foot surgery patients who were placed in plaster. From January 2007 to February 2008 we audited 97 hind-foot patients to measure their compliance rate, complications and DVT/PE rate.

Compliance was excellent (97%) particularly with regard to Low Molecular Weight Heparin (LMWH), but only 70% had medication prescribed for the 6 weeks, and 3% developed a DVT.

Self administered LMWH is acceptable and compliance is excellent in post operative orthopaedic patients, but not necessarily effective.

Background: Total ankle replacement (TAR) has become an established surgical procedure for the management of end-stage ankle arthropathy offering an alternative to ankle fusion. Controversy exists over whether to correct concomitant hindfoot arthropathy or malalignment as a separate procedure or simultaneously with TAR. Simultaneous surgery confers the advantage of one operation and recovery period, however, many authors believe complication rates may be higher and long-term function compromised.

Method: A retrospective review of all patients, between January 2003 and January 2007, who had undergone simultaneous bony hindfoot or midfoot corrective surgery and TAR, at our institution was performed. A matched group of primary TAR patients were included as controls. Mean follow-up was 38 and 39 months respectively. Data collected included demographics and indications, details of operative procedure, and complications with outcomes assessed by patient satisfaction, range of movement, walking distance and Visual Analogue Score (VAS) for pain.

Results: The two groups were matched for age, sex, follow-up, prostheses and diagnosis. The underlying pathology was predominantly osteoarthritis. Mean VAS improved by 7.66 points in the TAR alone group and 8 points in the TAR and adjuvant surgical procedure group. There was no statistical difference in infection, delayed wound healing, malleolar fracture or re-operation rates between the two groups.

Conclusion: We believe that an experienced Foot and Ankle surgeon can perform corrective hindfoot or mid-foot surgery simultaneously with TAR without significantly compromising outcome.