The Journal of foot and ankle surgery : official publication of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons
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The talar neck is deviated medially with reference to the long axis of the body of the talus. In addition, it deviates plantarward. The talar neck fracture line is sometimes observed to be oriented obliquely (not perpendicular to the long axis of the talar neck). ⋯ Both screw heads should be countersunk. A series of 8 patients underwent this form of internal fixation for talar neck fracture repair, with satisfactory functional outcomes. In conclusion, the use of antegrade-retrograde opposing lag screws is a reasonable method of internal fixation for simple displaced talar neck fractures.
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Severely comminuted intra-articular calcaneal fractures often culminate in subtalar arthrosis and stiffness even after operative reduction. In some instances, subtalar arthrodesis is necessary to reduce the symptoms. Primary subtalar arthrodesis for these fractures has gained acceptance in recent years. ⋯ Statistically significant associations were noted between greater postoperative function and increasing age (p = .028), the quality of restoration of Böhler's angle (p = .038), and the talocalcaneal angle (p = .049). No patient had nonunion. The results of the present study suggest that the outcomes after primary arthrodesis of the subtalar joint are favorable, in particular, when the radiographic relationships of the hindfoot have been restored.
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Fractures occurring within the 1.5-cm proximal portion of the fifth metatarsal are commonly considered avulsion fractures. The exact mechanisms of such fractures are controversial. The present study focused on determining the likely mechanism of fracture according to the exact anatomy to allow for more successful treatment. ⋯ Zone C was measured from the border of zone B and encompassed the articulation of the fifth metatarsal to the cuboid. We propose that fractures occurring in the most proximal end of the fifth metatarsal, zone A, are caused by a lateral band of plantar fascia and might be able to be treated conservatively by immobilization with weightbearing. We also propose that fractures occurring in zones B and C result from traumatic tension on peroneus brevis and might need to be treated with strict immobilization and non-weightbearing or open reduction internal fixation.
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Lesser digital arthrodesis has become one of the most widely used techniques in foot and ankle surgery. When performing digital arthrodesis, surgeons have an abundance of options for implantable devices. ⋯ An intramedullary Kirschner wire is implanted into the proximal phalanx with the intermediate phalanx compressed over the wire for rigid internal fixation to avoid the use of an external device. We have had results similar to those from the published data of more expensive implants.
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Syndesmotic injuries of the ankle commonly occur by an external rotation force applied to the ankle joint. Ten fresh-frozen lower extremities from cadavers were used. A specially designed apparatus was used to stabilize the specimen and rotate the ankle joint from internally rotated 25° to externally rotated 35° at a rate of 6°/s for 10 cycles. ⋯ The sectioning of the syndesmostic ligaments and deltoid ligament resulted in a significant decrease in syndesmotic diastasis and foot torsional force (p < .05). The ligament-sectioned specimen lost 57% (externally rotated) and 17% (internally rotated) torsional strength compared with the intact specimen. Groups 1 and 2 provided similar biomechanical stability in this cadaveric model of a syndesmosis deficiency.