Foot & ankle international
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Review Case Reports
Locked fracture dislocation of the calcaneus treated with minimal open reduction and percutaneous fixation: a report of two cases and review of the literature.
Fractures of the calcaneus with associated locked dislocation of the posterior facet have been previously described. Two patients with a calcaneal fracture with a locked dislocation of a portion of the posterior facet were treated with minimally invasive open reduction and percutaneous screw fixation of the fragment with cannulated screws. Both patients had satisfactory reductions and healed the fractures without any soft-tissue complications. This technique can be a useful addition to the armamentarium of the surgeon treating these injuries, especially in the patient at high risk for wound complications.
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Posteromedial talar facet fracture (PMTFF) is a rare injury, sparsely reported in the literature. This article proposes that PMTFF is often left undiagnosed by orthopaedic surgeons and suggests the routine application of advanced radiographic studies (i.e., CT scan) in the recognition of PMTFF. It also evaluates nonoperative management of PMTFF. ⋯ Diagnosis of PMTFF necessitates a heightened clinical suspicion, especially when a medial subtalar joint dislocation is present. Proper imaging studies, such as coronal CT scan, should be performed after any subtalar dislocation. Timely treatment, in the form of open reduction and internal fixation for large fragments involving the articular surface or surgical excision for smaller fragments, is recommended in order to restore proper anatomy and function of the subtalar joint. This study verifies the significant morbidity associated with an undiagnosed or nonoperatively treated PMTFF.
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Dedicated orthopaedic residency training in the musculoskeletal discipline of foot and ankle is an important contribution to the development of a well-rounded orthopaedic surgeon. Current residency training guidelines are vague and do not require specific experience or proficiency in this discipline. ⋯ Current residency training in the United States does not universally require a commitment to foot and ankle education. A large number of residency programs do not have a faculty member committed to foot and ankle education, and almost one-third have no time specifically allocated to foot and ankle education.
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Comparative Study
Position of the distal fibular fragment in pronation and supination ankle fractures: a CT evaluation.
Although classically the fibula has been reported to be in external rotation after supination-external rotation (SER) or pronation-external rotation (PER) ankle fractures, a previous CT study demonstrated that what had traditionally been interpreted as external rotation of the distal fibular fracture fragment is actually internal rotation of the proximal fibular fragment. The purpose of this study was to evaluate a series of CT scans in patients who have suffered type IV SER or PER ankle fractures to assess the rotational deformity of the fibular fragment. ⋯ Our study demonstrated that the distal fibular fragment in both SER and PER fractures is externally rotated relative to both the contralateral normal side and compared to the proximal fibular fragment.
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Malunion after a malleolar fracture can include a displaced posterior malleolus with associated posterolateral subluxation of the talus. Corrective osteotomy including the posterior malleolus was performed in four patients. Joint congruity was obtained in every case. ⋯ The symptoms were attributed to the damage of the cartilage and soft-tissues both from the initial injury and from weightbearing on the incongruous joint. Discrete, non-progressive osteophytes were seen in all patients. Delay in reconstruction did not preclude a good result, although early reoperation is felt to be preferable.