Foot & ankle international
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Preoperative computer navigation and patient-specific instrumentation have had promising results in total knee arthroplasty and in a previous cadaveric total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) study. Potential benefits of patient-specific guides include improved implant alignment and decreased surgical time. The purpose of this retrospective case series was to evaluate the accuracy, reproducibility, and limitations of TAA tibia and talar implant placement and radiographic alignment using preoperative computed tomography (CT) scan-derived instrumentation in a clinical setting. ⋯ Level IV, retrospective case series.
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Patients who undergo internal fixation of ankle fractures commonly have postoperative imaging performed immediately after surgery. As these patients typically are typically immobilized, radiographs provide limited visualization. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the utility and quality of formal radiographs performed immediately following ankle fracture surgery. ⋯ Level III, retrospective cohort study.
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A popliteal nerve block is a common analgesic procedure for patients undergoing surgery on their knee, foot, or ankle. This procedure carries less risk in a surgical setting compared with other forms of anesthesia such as a spinal block. Previous reports demonstrated few to no complications with the use of this nerve block, but it is unclear whether these data are consistent with the recent increase in use of this analgesic procedure for lower extremity surgery. ⋯ Level IV, retrospective case series.
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A prior study demonstrated statistical widening of the syndesmosis within weeks of elective screw removal. However, no information is available as to the radiographic outcomes of screw retention. The aim of this study was to evaluate radiographic syndesmotic widening and talar shift over time in patients treated with syndesmotic screws and to compare screw removal with retention along with other potential risk factors that may have led to tibia-fibula diastasis after weightbearing. ⋯ Level IV, retrospective case series.
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Ankle injuries associated with tibial shaft fractures can cause postoperative ankle pain and stiffness even when satisfactory bony union has been achieved. Although several previous studies have described these injuries, they have not been clearly defined or classified in terms of ankle injury type or need for surgical fixation. ⋯ Level III, comparative series.