Foot & ankle international
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Detection of fibular torsional deformities after surgery for ankle fractures with a novel CT method.
Substantial fibular torsional deformities were detected after surgery for ankle fractures combined with a lesion of the syndesmotic complex using a novel CT analyzing method. ⋯ Of the 61 ankle fractures with ruptures of the syndesmotic complex, 25% showed torsional side-to-side differences of more than 10 degrees on proximal and distal CT planes. This CT technique correlated with the AOFAS score and could help determine when early operative revision is indicated.
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A common question asked by patients contemplating foot and ankle surgery is whether the implants used will set off security screening devices in airports and elsewhere. Detectability of specific implants may require the orthopaedic surgeon to provide attestation regarding their presence in patients undergoing implantation of these devices. Only two studies have been published since security measures became more stringent in the post-9/11 era. None of these studies specifically focused on the large numbers of orthopaedic foot and ankle implants in use today. This study establishes empiric data on the detectability by security screening devices of some currently used foot and ankle implants. ⋯ These data may help the orthopaedic surgeon in counseling patients as to the detectability of some orthopaedic foot and ankle implants in use today. Specific constructs for which documentation may need to be provided to the patient are identified. As security standards evolve and the environments in which they are practiced change, empiric testing of many of these devices may need to be repeated.
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Achilles tendon lengthening is an important part of the operative management of numerous foot and ankle disorders. The most commonly used percutaneous technique involves three hemitenotomies: medial, lateral, and medial. The discovery that Achilles tendon fibers may undergo external torsion created concern that improper consideration of this feature could result in fiber division insufficient to allow adequate percutaneous lengthening. Varying degrees of torsion have been reported since it was originally described. We hypothesized that torsion of the Achilles tendon does not decrease the effectiveness of a percutaneous lengthening procedure. This hypothesis was tested by comparing the medial-lateral-medial tenotomy pattern to a lateral-medial-lateral pattern. If tendon torsion affects fiber division, then asymmetrical tenotomy patterns should yield different results. ⋯ Regardless of pattern, percutaneous triple-cut Achilles tendon lengthening was effective in achieving additional dorsiflexion at roughly one-third degree per millimeter of tissue lengthening. The pattern of the Achilles tendon lengthening used and, by inference, Achilles tendon torsion had no effect on achievable dorsiflexion. One explanation is that both patterns cut all tendon fibers at least once. We concluded that a properly designed triple-cut tenotomy would be successful regardless of Achilles torsion. Percutaneous Achilles tendon lengthening also appears to be a safe procedure if care is taken to avoid the sural nerve.
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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.