Aims. Functional rehabilitation has become an increasingly popular treatment for Achilles tendon rupture (ATR), providing comparably low re-rupture rates to surgery, while avoiding risks of surgical complications. Limited evidence exists on whether gap size should affect patient selection for this treatment option. The aim of this study was to assess if size of gap between ruptured tendon ends affects patient-reported
Aims. To describe
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. Methods. This is a single-centre retrospective review of patients who underwent primary total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) with a Vantage implant between November 2017 and February 2020, with a minimum of two years’ follow-up. Four surgeons contributed patients. The primary
Aims. This scoping review aims to identify patient-related factors associated with a poorer
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
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. Methods. Patients were recruited from 11 specialist centres between June 2016 and November 2019. Demographic, radiological, and functional outcome data (Ankle Osteoarthritis Scale, Manchester Oxford Questionnaire, and EuroQol five-dimension five-level score) were collected preoperatively, at six months, one year, and two years. The Canadian Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (COFAS) grading system was used to stratify deformity. Early and late complications and reoperations were recorded as adverse events. Radiographs were assessed for lucencies, cysts, and/or subsidence. Results. In all, 500 patients reached six-month follow-up, 420 reached one-year follow-up, and 188 reached two-year follow-up. The mean age was 67.8 years (23.9 to 88.5). A total of 38 patients (7.5%) presented with inflammatory arthritis. A total of 101 (20.0%) of implantations used patient-specific instrumentation; 167 patients (33.1%) underwent an additional procedure at the time of surgery. A total of seven patients died of unrelated causes, two withdrew, and one was lost to follow-up. The mean follow-up was 16.2 months (6 to 36). There was a significant improvement from baseline across all functional outcome scores at six months, one, and two years. There was no significant difference in
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
Aims. The aim was to compare long-term patient-reported
Objectives. The surgical challenge with severe hindfoot injuries is one of technical feasibility, and whether the limb can be salvaged. There is an additional question of whether these injuries should be managed with limb salvage, or whether patients would achieve a greater quality of life with a transtibial amputation. This study aims to measure functional outcomes in military patients sustaining hindfoot fractures, and identify injury features associated with poor function. Methods. Follow-up was attempted in all United Kingdom military casualties sustaining hindfoot fractures. All respondents underwent short-form (SF)-12 scoring; those retaining their limb also completed the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Foot and Ankle (AAOS F&A)
Aims. In a randomized controlled trial with two-year follow-up, patients treated with suture button (SB) for acute syndesmotic injury had better
To assess the effect of age on clinical outcome and revision rates in patients who underwent total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) for end-stage ankle osteoarthritis (OA). A consecutive series of 811 ankles (789 patients) that underwent TAA between May 2003 and December 2013 were enrolled. The influence of age on clinical outcome, including the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) hindfoot score, and pain according to the visual analogue scale (VAS) was assessed. In addition, the risk for revision surgery that includes soft tissue procedures, periarticular arthrodeses/osteotomies, ankle joint debridement, and/or inlay exchange (defined as minor revision), as well as the risk for revision surgery necessitating the exchange of any of the metallic components or removal of implant followed by ankle/hindfoot fusion (defined as major revision) was calculated.Aims
Methods
Aims. To evaluate the donor site morbidity and tendon morphology after harvesting whole length, full-thickness peroneus longus tendon (PLT) proximal to the lateral malleolus for ligament reconstructions or tendon transfer. Methods. A total of 21 eligible patients (mean age 34.0 years (standard deviation (SD) 11.2); mean follow-up period 31.8 months (SD 7.7), and 12 healthy controls (mean age, 26.8 years (SD 5.9) were included. For patients, clinical evaluation of the donor ankle was performed preoperatively and postoperatively. Square hop test, ankle strength assessment, and MRI of distal calf were assessed bilaterally in the final follow-up. The morphological symmetry of peroneal tendons bilaterally was evaluated by MRI in healthy controls. Results. Among the patients, the mean pre- and postoperative American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) hindfoot score and Karlsson-Peterson score were 98.7 (SD 2.5; p = 0.480) and 98.5 (SD 2.4; p = 0.480), and 98.3 (SD 2.4; p = 0.162) and 97.9 (SD 2.5; p = 0.162), respectively. There was no significant difference between square hop test bilaterally (p = 0.109) and plantar flexion peak force bilaterally (p = 0.371). The harvested limb had significantly less eversion peak force compared to the contralateral limb (p < 0.001). Evidence of probable tendon regeneration was observed in all the patients by MRI and the total bilateral peroneal tendon index (mean ratio of harvested side cross-sectional area of peroneal tendon compared with the contralateral side) was 82.9% (SD 17.4). In 12 healthy controls, peroneal tendons (mean 99.4% (SD 4.3) were found to be morphologically symmetrical between the two sides. Conclusion. The current study showed satisfactory clinical foot and ankle
The hypothesis of this study was that bone peg fixation in the treatment of osteochondral lesions of the talus would show satisfactory clinical and radiological results, without complications. Between September 2014 and July 2017, 25 patients with symptomatic osteochondritis of the talus and an osteochondral fragment, who were treated using bone peg fixation, were analyzed retrospectively. All were available for complete follow-up at a mean 22 of months (12 to 35). There were 15 males and ten females with a mean age of 19.6 years (11 to 34). The clinical results were evaluated using a visual analogue scale (VAS) and the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score preoperatively and at the final follow-up. The radiological results were evaluated using classification described by Hepple et al based on the MRI findings, the location of the lesion, the size of the osteochondral fragment, and the postoperative healing of the lesion.Aims
Methods
Aims. To examine the mid-term
Aims. Patients with an acute Achilles tendon rupture (ATR) take a long
time to heal, have a high incidence of deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
and widely variable functional outcomes. This variation in outcome
may be explained by a lack of knowledge of adverse factors, and
a subsequent shortage of appropriate interventions. . Patients and Methods. A total of 111 patients (95 men, 16 women; mean age 40.3, standard
deviation 8.4) with an acute total ATR were prospectively assessed.
At one year post-operatively a uniform
Aims. We report the long-term clinical and radiological
Aims. The aim of this study was to evaluate antegrade autologous bone
grafting with the preservation of articular cartilage in the treatment
of symptomatic osteochondral lesions of the talus with subchondral
cysts. Patients and Methods. The study involved seven men and five women; their mean age was
35.9 years (14 to 70). All lesions included full-thickness articular
cartilage extending through subchondral bone and were associated
with subchondral cysts. Medial lesions were exposed through an oblique
medial malleolar osteotomy, and one lateral lesion was exposed by
expanding an anterolateral arthroscopic portal. After refreshing
the subchondral cyst, it was grafted with autologous cancellous
bone from the distal tibial metaphysis. The fragments of cartilage
were fixed with 5-0 nylon sutures to the surrounding cartilage.
Function was assessed at a mean follow-up of 25.3 months (15 to
50), using the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS)
ankle-hindfoot
We compared the clinical and radiographic results
of total ankle replacement (TAR) performed in non-diabetic and diabetic
patients. We identified 173 patients who underwent unilateral TAR
between 2004 and 2011 with a minimum of two years’ follow-up. There
were 88 male (50.9%) and 85 female (49.1%) patients with a mean
age of 66 years (. sd. 7.9, 43 to 84). There were 43 diabetic
patients, including 25 with controlled diabetes and 18 with uncontrolled
diabetes, and 130 non-diabetic patients. The clinical data which
were analysed included the Ankle Osteoarthritis Scale (AOS) and
the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) scores,
as well the incidence of peri-operative complications. The mean AOS and AOFAS scores were significantly better in the
non-diabetic group (p = 0.018 and p = 0.038, respectively). In all,
nine TARs (21%) in the diabetic group had clinical failure at a
mean follow-up of five years (24 to 109), which was significantly
higher than the rate of failure of 15 (11.6%) in the non-diabetic
group (p = 0.004). The uncontrolled diabetic subgroup had a significantly
poorer
We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis
of modern total ankle replacements (TARs) to determine the survivorship,
outcome, complications, radiological findings and range of movement,
in patients with end-stage osteoarthritis (OA) of the ankle who
undergo this procedure. We used the methodology of the Cochrane Collaboration,
which uses risk of bias profiling to assess the quality of papers
in favour of a domain-based approach. Continuous
We analysed the clinical and radiological outcomes
of a new surgical technique for the treatment of heterozygote post-axial
metatarsal-type foot synpolydactyly with HOX-D13 genetic mutations
with a mean follow-up of 30.9 months (24 to 42). A total of 57 feet
in 36 patients (mean age 6.8 years (2 to 16)) were treated with
this new technique, which transfers the distal part of the duplicated
fourth metatarsal to the proximal part of the fifth metatarsal.
Clinical and radiological assessments were undertaken pre- and post-operatively
and any complications were recorded. Final
We performed a retrospective review of a consecutive
series of 178 Mobility total ankle replacements (TARs) performed
by three surgeons between January 2004 and June 2009, and analysed
radiological parameters and clinical outcomes in a subgroup of 129
patients. The mean follow-up was 4 years (2 to 6.3). A total of
ten revision procedures (5.6%) were undertaken. The mean Ankle Osteoarthritis
Scale (AOS) pain score was 17 (0 to 88) and 86% of patients were
clinically improved at follow-up. However, 18 patients (18 TARs,
14%) had a poor
The foot and ankle
Aims. The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical and radiographic
outcomes of total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) in patients with pre-operatively
moderate and severe arthritic varus ankles to those achieved for
patients with neutral ankles. Patients and Methods. A total of 105 patients (105 ankles), matched for age, gender,
body mass index, and follow-up duration, were divided into three
groups by pre-operative coronal plane tibiotalar angle; neutral
(<
5°), moderate (5° to 15°) and severe (>
15°) varus deformity.
American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot
score, a visual analogue scale (VAS), and Short Form (SF)-36 score
were used to compare the clinical outcomes after a mean follow-up period
of 51 months (24 to 147). Results. The post-operative AOFAS, VAS scores, range of movement and complication
rates did not significantly differ among three groups. However,
there was less improvement in the SF-36 score of the severe varus
group (p = 0.008). The mean post-operative tibiotalar alignment
was 2.6° (0.1° to 8.9°), 3.1° (0.1° to 6.5°) and 4.6° (1.0° to 10.6°)
in the neutral, moderate and severe groups respectively. Although
the severe varus group showed less corrected alignment than the
neutral group, the mean tibiotalar angles of the three groups were
within neutral alignment. Conclusion. TAA for moderate and severe varus arthritic deformity showed
similar satisfactory clinical and radiographic
The treatment of peri-prosthetic joint infection
(PJI) of the ankle is not standardised. It is not clear whether
an algorithm developed for hip and knee PJI can be used in the management
of PJI of the ankle. We evaluated the
Talonavicular and subtalar joint fusion through
a medial incision (modified triple arthrodesis) has become an increasingly
popular technique for treating symptomatic flatfoot deformity caused
by posterior tibial tendon dysfunction. The purpose of this study was to look at its clinical and radiological
mid- to long-term
The
Achieving arthrodesis of the ankle can be difficult
in the presence of infection, deformity, poor soft tissues and bone loss.
We present a series of 48 patients with complex ankle pathology,
treated with the Ilizarov technique. Infection was present in 30
patients and 30 had significant deformity before surgery. Outcome
was assessed clinically and with patient-reported
We report the
Limited forefoot amputation in diabetic patients
with osteomyelitis is frequently required. We retrospectively reviewed
diabetic patients with osteomyelitis, an unhealed ulcer and blood
pressure in the toe of >
45 mmHg who underwent limited amputation
of the foot with primary wound closure. Between 2006 and 2012, 74
consecutive patients with a mean age of 67 years (29 to 93), and
a median follow-up of 31 months, were included. All the wounds healed
primarily at a median of 37 days (13 to 210; mean 48). At a median
of 6 months (1.5 to 18; mean 353 days), 23 patients (31%) suffered
a further ulceration. Of these, 12 patients (16% of the total) required
a further amputation. We conclude that primary wound closure following limited amputation
of the foot in patients with diabetes is a safe and effective technique
when associated with appropriate antibiotic treatment. Cite this article:
Severe hallux valgus deformity is conventionally
treated with proximal metatarsal osteotomy. Distal metatarsal osteotomy
with an associated soft-tissue procedure can also be used in moderate
to severe deformity. We compared the clinical and radiological outcomes
of proximal and distal chevron osteotomy in severe hallux valgus deformity
with a soft-tissue release in both. A total of 110 consecutive female
patients (110 feet) were included in a prospective randomised controlled
study. A total of 56 patients underwent a proximal procedure and
54 a distal operation. The mean follow-up was 39 months (24 to 54)
in the proximal group and 38 months (24 to 52) in the distal group.
At follow-up the hallux valgus angle, intermetatarsal angle, distal
metatarsal articular angle, tibial sesamoid position, American Orthopaedic
Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) hallux metatarsophalangeal-interphalangeal
score, patient satisfaction level, and complications were similar
in each group. Both methods showed significant post-operative improvement
and high levels of patient satisfaction. Our results suggest that
the distal chevron osteotomy with an associated distal soft-tissue
procedure provides a satisfactory method for correcting severe hallux
valgus deformity. Cite this article:
Aims. The aim of this study was to capture 12-month
Aims. The optimal management of posterior malleolar ankle fractures, a prevalent type of ankle trauma, is essential for improved prognosis. However, there remains a debate over the most effective surgical approach, particularly between screw and plate fixation methods. This study aims to investigate the differences in
Aims. The primary aim of this study was to present the mid-term follow-up of a multicentre randomized controlled trial (RCT) which compared the functional outcome following routine removal (RR) to the
Aims. The aim of this study was to compare the longer-term
Aims. Arthroscopic microfracture is a conventional form of treatment for patients with osteochondritis of the talus, involving an area of < 1.5 cm. 2. However, some patients have persistent pain and limitation of movement in the early postoperative period. No studies have investigated the combined treatment of microfracture and shortwave treatment in these patients. The aim of this prospective single-centre, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was to compare the
Aims. This study aimed to compare the
Aims. Osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLT) are a common cause of disability and chronic ankle pain. Many operative treatment strategies have been introduced; however, they have their own disadvantages. Recently lesion repair using autologous cartilage chip has emerged therefore we investigated the efficacy of particulated autologous cartilage transplantation (PACT) in OLT. Methods. We retrospectively analyzed 32 consecutive symptomatic patients with OLT who underwent PACT with minimum one-year follow-up. Standard preoperative radiography and MRI were performed for all patients. Follow-up second-look arthroscopy or MRI was performed with patient consent approximately one-year postoperatively. Magnetic resonance Observation of Cartilage Repair Tissue (MOCART) score and International Cartilage Repair Society (ICRS) grades were used to evaluate the quality of the regenerated cartilage. Clinical outcomes were assessed using the pain visual analogue scale (VAS), Foot Function Index (FFI), and Foot Ankle
Aims. Implant failure has become more common as the number of primary total ankle arthroplasties (TAAs) performed has increased. Although revision arthroplasty has gained attention for functional preservation, the long-term results remain unclear. This study aimed to assess the long-term
Aims. The rationale for exacting restoration of skeletal anatomy after unstable ankle fracture is to improve
Aims. Although absorbable sutures for the repair of acute Achilles tendon rupture (ATR) have been attracting attention, the rationale for their use remains insufficient. This study prospectively compared the
Aims. To systematically review qualitative studies of patients with distal tibia or ankle fracture, and explore their experience of injury and recovery. Methods. We undertook a systematic review of qualitative studies. Five databases were searched from inception to 1 February 2022. All titles and abstracts were screened, and a subset were independently assessed. Methodological quality was appraised using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) checklist. The GRADE-CERQual checklist was used to assign confidence ratings. Thematic synthesis was used to analyze data with the identification of codes which were drawn together to form subthemes and then themes. Results. From 2,682 records, 15 studies were reviewed in full and four included in the review. A total of 72 patients were included across the four studies (47 female; mean age 50 years (17 to 80)). Methodological quality was high for all studies, and the GRADE-CERQual checklist provided confidence that the findings were an adequate representation of patient experience of distal tibia or ankle fracture. A central concept of ‘being the same but different’ conveyed the substantial disruption to patients’ self-identity caused by their injury. Patient experience of ‘being the same but different’ was expressed through three interrelated themes, with seven subthemes: i) being proactive where persistence, doing things differently and keeping busy prevailed; ii) living with change including symptoms, and living differently due to challenges at work and leisure; and iii) striving for normality, adapting while lacking in confidence, and feeling fearful and concerned about the future. Conclusion. Ankle injuries were disruptive, draining, and impacted on patients’ wellbeing. Substantial short- and longer-term challenges were experienced during recovery. Rehabilitation and psychosocial treatment strategies may help to ameliorate these challenges. Patients may benefit from clinicians being cognisant of patient experience when assessing, treating, and discussing expectations and
Aims. When a total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) fails, it can be converted to a fusion or a revision arthroplasty. Despite the increasing numbers of TAAs being undertaken, there is little information in the literature about the management of patients undergoing fusion following a failed TAA. The primary aim of this study was to analyze the survival of fusions following a failed TAA using a large dataset from the National Joint Registry (NJR). Methods. A data linkage study combined NJR and NHS Digital data. Failure of a TAA was defined as a fusion, revision to a further TAA, or amputation. Life tables and Kaplan-Meier graphs were used to record survival. Cox proportional hazards regression models were fitted to compare the rates of failure. Results. A total of 131 patients underwent fusion as a salvage procedure following TAA. Their mean age was 65.7 years (SD 10.6) and 73 (55.7%) were male. The mean follow-up was 47.5 months (SD 27.2). The mean time between TAA and fusion was 5.3 years (SD 2.7). Overall, 32 (24.4%) underwent reoperations other than revision and 29 (22.1%) failed. Of these 24 (18.3%) underwent revision of the fusion and five (3.8%) had a below-knee amputation. No patients underwent conversion to a further TAA. Failure usually occurred in the first three postoperative years with one-year survival of fusion being 96.0% (95% confidence interval (CI) 90.7 to 98.3) and three-year survival in 69 patients being 77.5% (95% CI 68.3 to 84.4). Conclusion. Salvage fusion after a failed TAA shows moderate rates of failure and reoperations. Nearly 25% of patients required revision within three years. This study is an extension of studies using the same methodology reporting the failure rates and risk factors for failure, which have recently been published, and also one reporting the
Aims. The Manchester-Oxford Foot Questionnaire (MOxFQ) is an anatomically specific patient-reported
Aims. Despite the increasing numbers of ankle arthroplasties, there are limited studies on their survival and comparisons between different implants. The primary aim of this study was to determine the failure rates of primary ankle arthroplasties commonly used in the UK. Methods. A data linkage study combined National Joint Registry (NJR) data and NHS Digital data. The primary
Aims. The number of revision total ankle arthroplasties (TAAs) which are undertaken is increasing. Few studies have reported the survival after this procedure. The primary aim of this study was to analyze the survival of revision ankle arthroplasties using large datasets. Secondary aims were to summarize the demographics of the patients, the indications for revision TAA, further operations, and predictors of survival. Methods. The study combined data from the National Joint Registry and NHS Digital to report the survival of revision TAA. We have previously reported the failure rates and risk factors for failure after TAA, and the
Aims. To identify a core
Aims. A pilon fracture is a severe ankle joint injury caused by high-energy trauma, typically affecting men of working age. Although relatively uncommon (5% to 7% of all tibial fractures), this injury causes among the worst functional and health
Aims. The aim of this study was to investigate whether on-demand removal (ODR) is noninferior to routine removal (RR) of syndesmotic screws regarding functional outcome. Methods. Adult patients (aged above 17 years) with traumatic syndesmotic injury, surgically treated within 14 days of trauma using one or two syndesmotic screws, were eligible (n = 490) for inclusion in this randomized controlled noninferiority trial. A total of 197 patients were randomized for either ODR (retaining the syndesmotic screw unless there were complaints warranting removal) or RR (screw removed at eight to 12 weeks after syndesmotic fixation), of whom 152 completed the study. The primary
Aims. We report the medium-term
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. We reviewed a total of 37 ankles (34 patients) that had undergone bone grafting for periprosthetic bone cysts. A CT scan was performed one year after bone grafting to check the status of graft incorporation. For accurate analysis of cyst volumes and their postoperative changes, 3D-reconstructed CT scan processed with 3D software was used. For functional outcomes, variables such as the Ankle Osteoarthritis Scale score and the visual analogue scale for pain were measured.Aims
Methods