The Journal of foot and ankle surgery : official publication of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons
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Comparative Study
Biomechanical Performance of Lateral Versus Dual Locking Plates for Calcaneal Fractures.
Given the high rates of wound complications with a standard lateral extensile incision, small dual incision techniques might result in less soft tissue destruction. The goal of the present study was to compare the biomechanical performance between a single locking plate and a dual locking plating system for an intra-articular calcaneal fracture model. A Sanders IIB type joint depression calcaneal fracture was created in 10 paired, fresh-frozen, cadaveric calcanei (age 47 ± 12, range 35 to 78 years). ⋯ The present study demonstrated that for this calcaneal fracture model, the dual plating technique experienced a small amount of fragment translation during cycling that was significantly different statistically from that with lateral plating but was not clinically relevant. During the load to failure, the dual plating technique was comparable to the lateral plate. Thus, dual plating could be a viable biomechanical option for fracture reduction if avoidance of a large extensile lateral approach associated with lateral plating is warranted.
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The present study investigated the pathogenesis and treatment strategies for pilon fractures with ankle dislocation. A total of 58 patients (47 males and 11 females) who had sustained pilon fractures with ankle dislocation were treated. The mean patient age was 48.1 years. ⋯ The rate of good or excellent ankle recovery was 84.00% for those with type B fractures, 75.76% for those with type C, 76.92% for those with medial dislocation, 77.78% for lateral dislocation, 81.82% for anterior dislocation, 78.57% for posterior dislocation, and 81.82% for longitudinal dislocation. Pilon fractures often occur with ankle dislocation in different directions. In such cases, the original anatomy should be restored and the longitudinal alignment recovered to minimize complications as much as possible.
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Ankle fractures are very common, and although algorithms are in place for osseous management, consensus has not been reached regarding treatment of associated ligamentous injuries. Although tibiofibular syndesmotic stabilization can be done using different forms of fixation, the biomedical literature has long emphasized the risk of long-term restriction of ankle mobility with the use of lagged transfixation. However, when reduction cannot be maintained with positional fixation, we found that lagging the syndesmotic screw helped to maintain the reduction without causing functional restriction. ⋯ Of 31 patients, 19 had an AOFAS score of 90 points, 9 an AOFAS score of 80 to 89 points, 2 an AOFAS score of 60 to 69 points, and 1 an AOFAS score of <60 points. Because all syndesmotic screws were placed using the lag technique, unrestricted motion compared with the uninjured limb was used as the endpoint. All subjects had unrestricted motion compared with the uninjured limb, refuting the assertion that lagged syndesmotic screw fixation confers more restriction in ankle kinematics than positional syndesmotic fixation.
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The purpose of the present retrospective study was to report the correction of severe, rigid equinus deformities using an Ilizarov external fixator alone, without adjunctive open procedures. Ten feet in 10 patients with rigid equinus deformities were enrolled and underwent gradual correction using an Ilizarov external fixator alone, without additional open procedures. The range of ankle joint motion was measured preoperatively and at the last follow-up visit. ⋯ Some recurrence was noted at the last follow-up examination, with a final mean correction of 39.0° ± 18.0°. The present study has demonstrated successful correction of severe, rigid equinus deformity with the use of an Ilizarov external fixator without the need for adjunctive soft tissue procedures. This method can be effective for patients with a high risk of complications after open procedures owing to their poor soft tissue envelope.
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The management of calcaneal fracture remains challenging. Open surgery has been fraught with high infection rates and soft tissue complications. More minimally invasive procedures have reduced this risk, but the patient outcomes after treatment of displaced calcaneal fractures have remained relatively unsatisfactory. ⋯ Direct visualization of the fracture site allowed accurate restoration of the articular surface and correction of heel varus. Furthermore, it was associated with a high self-reported functional outcome and a return to preinjury employment levels. Also, the results did not appear to be influenced by tobacco consumption.