Foot & ankle international
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Comparative Study
Malreduction of the tibiofibular syndesmosis in ankle fractures.
Diagnosis and reduction of syndesmosis injuries in ankle fractures can be challenging. Previous studies have demonstrated that standard radiographic measurements used to evaluate the integrity of the syndesmosis are inaccurate. The purpose of this study was to determine the adequacy of standard postoperative radiographic measurements in assessing syndesmotic reduction compared to CT and to determine the prevalence of postoperative syndesmotic malreduction in a patient cohort. ⋯ Many syndesmoses were malreduced on CT scan but went undetected by plain radiographs. Radiographic measurements did not accurately reflect the status of the distal tibiofibular joint in this series of ankle fractures. Furthermore, postreduction radiographic measurements were inaccurate for assessing the quality of the reduction. Although we did not seek to correlate functional outcomes, the known morbidity of postoperative syndesmotic malreduction should lead to heightened vigilance for assessing accurate syndesmosis reduction intraoperatively.
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Osteomyelitis in the foot of a diabetic individual is a common complication of peripheral neuropathy, peripheral vascular disease, and infection. Operative facilities and home intravenous antibiotic therapy programs may not be available in remote or rural communities. Limited data are available regarding the treatment results of oral antimicrobial therapy, with or without limited office debridement for diabetic foot osteomyelitis. ⋯ Diabetic foot osteomyelitis was effectively managed with oral antimicrobial therapy with or without limited office debridement in most patients. This regimen may be especially useful in communities where infectious disease specialists and operative resources are limited.
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Tibiotalocalcaneal arthrodesis is an important salvage method for patients with complex hindfoot problems, including Charcot arthropathy, osteonecrosis of the talus, combined arthritis of the ankle and subtalar joint, and failed total ankle arthroplasty. This study evaluated the results of a dynamic retrograde intramedullary nail for fixation with posterior to anterior distal interlocking screws placed through the calcaneus for tibiotalocalcaneal fusion. ⋯ Dynamic retrograde intramedullary nailing for fixation of the tibiotalocalcaneal fusions is a good method of stabilizing this complex fusion construct.