ObjectiveTo summarize the progress in the application of ankle and hindfoot arthrodesis. MethodThe domestic and foreign related literature about the application of ankle and hindfoot arthrodesis was reviewed, summarized, and analyzed. ResultsAnkle and hindfoot arthrodesis include the multi-joint fusion and the single joint fusion, and they involve tibiotalar joint, subtalar joint, talonavicular joint, and calcaneocuboid joint. The methods of fixation include screw, plate, intramedullary nail, and external fixation. ConclusionsDifferent terminal illnesses of ankle and hindfoot have different choices in both the fusion location and the method of fixation, appropriate program for therapeutic purposes can also alleviate complication simultaneously.
ObjectiveTo investigate the effectiveness of double arthrodesis to correct flatfoot deformity with pes valgus. MethodsBetween May 2009 and May 2012, 12 patients with flatfoot deformity and pes valgus were treated using subtalar and talonavicular joints arthrodesis through a single medial incision approach. There were 5 males and 7 females with an average age of 53.3 years (range, 21-78 years), including 5 left feet and 7 right feet. Of them, 11 cases had posterior tibial tendon dysfunctions; 6 cases were at Johnson-Strom stageⅢ, 5 cases at stageⅡ(c); and 1 case had tarsal coal ition. Preoperative American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score and visual analogue scale (VAS) score were 48.75±3.46 and 6.08±1.14, respectively. ResultsThe mean operation time was 85.6 minutes (range, 65-125 minutes). Eleven patients were followed up for 19.4 months on average (range, 13-30 months). All of the cases obtained primary healing of incision, with no complication of infection and nerve or blood vessel injury. X-ray film showed that the mean time of bone union was 9.8 weeks (range, 7-18 weeks); no bone nonunion occurred. No loosening or breakage of internal fixation was observed. Pain occurred at the calcaneal-cuboid joint (1 case) and at fixation site (1 case), and was relieved after symptomatic treatment. The mean AOFAS score and VAS score were significantly increased to 81.36±2.98 and 0.72±0.11 respectively, showing significant differences when compared with preoperative scores (t=19.946, P=0.000; t=16.288, P=0.000). ConclusionSubtalar and talonavicular joints arthrodesis by a single medial incision approach is a useful alternative to tri ple arthrodesis for the correction of flatfoot deformity with pes valgus
Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of selective tarsometatarsal arthrodesis for old Lisfranc injury without significant post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA). Methods The clinical data of patients with old Lisfranc injury without significant PTOA who were treated by selective tarsometatarsal arthrodesis at Chengdu Pidu District People’s Hospital between June 2013 and June 2021 were analyzed retrospectively. The improvement of patients’ Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score, American Orthopedic Foot Ankle Society (AOFAS) midfoot score and Short Form 12 (SF-12) score before surgery and at the final follow-up were compared. Results Seventeen oldLisfranc injury patients (17 feet) without significant PTOA were finally recorded, including 12 males and 5 females. All patients completed the surgery successfully, and the surgical incisions healed smoothly after surgery without complications such as poor incision healing, soft tissue ischemic necrosis, and deep and superficial infections. All patients were followed up for an average of 22.6 months (12 to 36 months). Three months after surgery, follow-up X-ray films showed bony healing of the fused ends in all patients, and the patient satisfaction was 94.1%. Compared with the preoperative scores, VAS score (6.0±0.3 vs. 0.8±0.2), AOFAS score (50.5±1.5 vs. 86.5±0.9), SF-12 physiological score (21.9±0.6 vs. 46.1±0.5) and SF-12 psychological score (31.1±0.8 vs. 47.3±0.7) at the last follow-up improved (P<0.05). Conclusion Selective tarsometatarsal arthrodesis for the old Lisfranc injuries without significant PTOA can restore the midfoot force lines and stability, avoid stiffness after full feet fusion, preserve midfoot function, and improve patient satisfaction.
Objective To compare the effectiveness of talonavicular-cuneiform joint fusion with iliac bone grafting and without bone grafting in the treatment of Müller-Weiss diseases (MWD). Methods The clinical data of 44 patients (44 feet) with MWD who received talonavicular-cuneiform joint fusion between January 2017 and November 2022 and met the selection criteria was retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 25 patients were treated with structural iliac bone grafting (bone grafting group) and 19 patients without bone grafting (non-bone grafting group). There was no significant difference (P>0.05) in age, gender composition, body mass index, disease duration, affected side, Maceira stage, and preoperative American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score, visual analogue scale (VAS) score, anteroposterior/lateral Meary angle, and Pitch angle between the two groups. Operation time, operation cost, and postoperative complications were recorded in the two groups. AOFAS and VAS scores were used to evaluate the function and pain degree of the affected foot. Meary angle and Pitch angle were measured on the X-ray film, and the joint fusion was observed after operation. The difference (change value) of the above indexes before and after operation was calculated for comparison between groups to evaluate the difference in effectiveness. Results The operation was successfully completed in both groups, and the incisions in the two groups healed by first intention. The operation time and cost in the bone grafting group were significantly more than those in the non-bone grafting group (P<0.05). All patients were followed up. The median follow-up time was 41.0 months (range, 16-77 months) in the non-bone grafting group and 40.0 months (range, 16-80 months) in the bone grafting group. There was skin numbness of the medial dorsalis of the foot in 1 case, internal fixation stimulation in 2 cases, and pain at the iliac bone harvesting area in 1 case of the bone grafting group. There was skin numbness of the medial dorsalis of the foot in 1 case and muscle atrophy of the lower limb in 1 case of the non-bone grafting group. There was no significant difference in the incidence of complications between the two groups (P>0.05). At last follow-up, the AOFAS scores of the two groups significantly improved when compared with those before operation, while the VAS scores significantly decreased, the anteroposterior/lateral Meary angle and Pitch angle significantly improved, and the differences were significant (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the change values of outcome indicators between the two groups (P>0.05). There was no delayed bone union or bone nonunion in both groups, and joint fusion was achieved at last follow-up. Conclusion In the treatment of MWD, there is no significant difference in effectiveness and imaging improvement of talonavicular-cuneiform joint fusion combined with or without bone grafting. However, non-bone grafting can shorten the operation time, reduce the cost, and may avoid the complications of bone donor site.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness of vascularized fibula reconstruction in treatment of distal tibial malignant and invasive tumors.MethodsBetween March 2012 and January 2018, 11 patients with distal tibial malignant and invasive tumors were treated with vascularized fibula reconstruction. There were 7 males and 4 females with an average age of 20 years (range, 16-39 years). There were 8 cases of osteosarcoma, 2 cases of invasive giant cell tumor of bone, and 1 case of hemangioendothelioma. The tumors were rated as benign stage 3 in 2 cases and malignant stageⅠA in 1 case, stageⅡA in 4 cases, and stage ⅡB in 4 cases according to the Enneking staging. The disease duration was 1-6 months (mean, 2.7 months). The limb function was evaluated by Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) score, and the distal and proximal union of the transplanted fibula and the diameter of the fibula were examined by imaging.ResultsAll incisions healed by first intention. All patients were followed up 16-85 months (mean, 41 months). No tumor recurrence or metastasis occurred during the follow-up. The proximal and distal grafts in the 10 cases showed osseous healing, and the healing time was 7-12 months (mean, 10.1 months) at proximal end and 7-12 months (mean, 9.3 months) at distal end. In 1 case, the proximal end did not heal at 19 months, while the distal end healed at 13 months; proximal bone grafting was performed, and the proximal end healed. Among the 4 patients with distal screw fixation, 2 had peri-internal fixation fractures after graft healing, but no skin necrosis or infection occurred. All the 7 patients with distal steel plate fixation had no peri-internal fixation fracture, but 1 patient developed anterior tibial skin necrosis. At 12 months after operation, the diameter of fibula increased 1-5 mm (mean, 2.4 mm) by compared with that before operation. The MSTS score was 17-27 (mean, 22.8).ConclusionReconstruction of ankle joint with vascularized fibula can achieve satisfactory functional results, which is one of the feasible and worthy methods for the distal tibial malignant and invasive tumors.
Objective To review the latest research progress of fixation techniques of ankle arthrodesis.Methods The l iterature concerning the research of fixation techniques of ankle arthrodesis in recent years was reviewed. Then the characteristics and new research progress of different internal and external fixation techniques were analysed and compared. Results There are plenty of different types of internal and external fixation devices, each with distinct characteristics. Now it is widely considered that internal fixation is the first choice for end-stage ankle arthropathy. However, under the circumstances that patients with serious bone defect, chronic active infection, or extensive soft tissue damage are not suitable for internal fixation, ankle arthrodesis with external fixation is still a safe and effective method. Conclusion For severe or end-stage ankle arthropathy, ankle arthrodesis is a mature therapeutic way with exact effect. Researches on these two aspects, expansion of indications of internal fixation and comparison and combination of internal and external fixation techniques, need to be deepened, which is of great significance for choosing a better fixation method and acquiring a better therapeutic effect.
Objective To evaluate the clinical effectiveness of the first metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint arthroplasty versus arthrodesis for rheumatoid forefoot deformity. Methods The randomized controlled trials (RCTs) about the first MTP joint arthroplasty vs. arthrodesis for rheumatoid forefoot deformity published by February 2012 were searched in the databases such as CNKI, Ovid, MEDLINE, CBM, EMbase, WanFang Data, The Cochrane Library (Issue 1, 2012), and KJEBM. Two reviewers independently screened studies, extracted data, and evaluated the methodological quality according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Then meta-analysis was conducted using RevMan 5.1 software. Results A total of 4 RCTs were included. Among total 206 (269 feet) patients involved in, 98 (130 feet) were in the arthroplasty group, while the other 108 (139 feet) were in the arthrodesis group. The results of meta-analysis showed that the arthrodesis group was superior to the arthroplasty group in the footwear (MD=−0.88, 95%CI −1.55 to −0.22, P=0.01), and the alignment (MD=−5.04, 95%CI −8.94 to −1.14, Plt;0.000 01) with significant differences. But there were no significant differences between the two groups in patient satisfaction, metastatic lesions, pain, activity and weight-bearing of Hallux. Conclusion Based on the current studies, arthrodesis is superior to arthroplasty in treating rheumatoid forefoot deformity. For the quality restrictions and possible publication bias of the included studies, more double blind, high quality RCTs are required to further evaluate the effects.
Objective To compare the effectiveness of supramalleolar osteotomy (SMOT) and ankle arthrodesis (AA) in the treatment of inverted ankle osteoarthritis (OA) in Takakura 3A stage with talus tilt. Methods The clinical data of 41 patients with inverted ankle OA in Takakura 3A stage with talus tilt admitted between January 2016 to January 2020 and met the selection criteria were retrospectively analyzed, and they were divided into SMOT group (21 cases) and AA group (20 cases) according to the surgical method. There was no significant difference in baseline data such as gender, age, affected side, cause of injury, and preoperative talar tilt angle (TT), American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot score, visual analogue scale (VAS) score, short-form 36 health survey scale (SF-36) score, and sagittal range of motion (ROM) between the two groups (P>0.05). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, partial weight-bearing time, and complications were recorded in the two groups. AOFAS ankle-hindfoot score, VAS score, SF-36 score, and sagittal ROM were used to evaluate the effectiveness. Bone healing was observed and the time of bony healing was recorded. In the SMOT group, the tibial lateral surface angle (TLS), TT, and the tibial articular surface angle (TAS) were measured on ankle joint weight-bearing anteroposterior and lateral X-ray films and compared with those before operation. And Takakura staging assessment was also performed. ResultsThe operation time and intraoperative blood loss in AA group were significantly less than those in SMOT group (P<0.05). Patients in both groups were followed up 24-36 months, with an average of 28.9 months. Incision infection occurred in 2 patients in SMOT group and 1 patient in AA group, respectively, and no vascular or nerve injury occurred in both groups. The partial weight-bearing time of SMOT group was significantly less than that of AA group (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference in bony healing time between the two groups (P>0.05). At last follow-up, the difference of VAS score and SF-36 score before and after operation of AA group were less than those of SMOT group, and the difference of sagittal ROM before and after operation in SMOT group was less than that of AA group, with significant differences (P<0.05). The difference of AOFAS ankle-hindfoot score before and after operation in AA group was slightly greater than that in SMOT group, but the difference was not significant (P>0.05). The above scores in both groups significantly improved when compared with those before operation (P<0.05). Sagittal ROM in AA group was significantly less than that before operation (P<0.05), while there was no significant difference in SMOT group (P>0.05). In the SMOT group, 17 patients (81.0%) showed improvement in imaging staging, 2 patients (9.5%) showed no improvement in staging, and 2 patients (9.5%) showed stage aggravation. TLS, TAS, and TT significantly improved when compared with those before operation (P<0.05). At last follow-up, 2 patients in SMOT group received AA due to pain and stage aggravation, and 1 patient with bone nonunion underwent bone graft. Subtalar joint fusion was performed in 1 case of subtalar arthritis in AA group.Conclusion For inverted ankle OA in Takakura 3A stage with talus tilt, both SMOT and AA can significantly releave pain, improve foot function and quality of life, but AA has more definite effectiveness and better patient satisfaction.
Objective To evaluate the short-term effectiveness of talonavicular arthrodesis for Müller-Weiss disease. Methods Between May 2013 and February 2015, 13 patients with Müller-Weiss disease were treated with talonavicular arthrodesis. There were 11 females and 2 males with an average age of 59 years (range, 42-67 years). The disease duration was 8-20 years (mean, 13 years). According to Maceira stage, there were 7 cases of stage Ⅲ, 6 cases of stage Ⅳ. The foot longitudinal arch height measured on weight-bearing X-ray films was (43.1±1.8) mm; the Meary angle and talocalcaneal angle measured on lateral X-ray films were (–2.8±2.3)° and (5.8±2.4)°, respectively; the calcaneal valgus angle measured on Saltzman position X-ray films was (–2.0±0.7)°. The American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score was 43.5±12.4, and visual analogue scale (VAS) score was 7.3±1.5. Results All the patients were followed up 14-39 months (mean, 20 months). The symptoms of foot pain and intermittent claudication disappeared in all patients. All cases achieved bony union, the fusion time was 12-16 weeks (mean, 13 weeks). There was no complications such as wound infection, skin necrosis, or internal fixator broken. At last follow-up, the foot longitudinal arch height, Meary angle, talocalcaneal angle, and calcaneal valgus angle were (52.5±2.2) mm, (1.3±2.2)°, (16.5±3.7)°, and (0.4±0.7)°, respectively; the AOFAS score and VAS score were 83.8±9.1 and 1.0±0.4, respectively; all were significantly improved when compared with preoperative ones (P<0.05). Conclusion If the subtalar and calcaneocuboid joints are relatively healthy, talonavicular arthrodesis may be a reliable and effective surgical option for Müller-Weiss disease that is resistant to conservative treatment.
Objective To discuss the effect of the calcaneocuboid arthrodesis on three-dimensional kinematics of talonavicular joint and its clinical significance. Methods Ten freshfrozen foot specimens, three-dimensional kinematics oftalonavicular joint were determined in the case of neutral position, dorsiflexion, plantoflexion, adduction, abduction, inversion and eversion motion by meansof threedimensional coordinate instrument（Immersion MicroScribe G2X） before and after calcaneocuboid arthrodesis under non-weight with moment of couple, bending moment, equilibrium dynamic loading. Calcaneocuboid arthrodesis was performed on these feet in neutral position and the lateral column of normal length. Results A significant decrease in the three-dimensional kinematics of talonavicular joint was observed（P＜0.01）in cadaver model following calcaneocuboid arthrodesis. Talonavicular joint motion was diminished by 31.21%±6.08％ in sagittal plane; by 51.46%±7.91％ in coronal plane; by 36.98%±4.12％ in transverse plane; and averagely by 41.25%±6.02％. Conclusion Calcaneocuboid arthrodesis could limite motion of the talonavicular joints, and the disadvantage of calcaneocuboid arthrodesis shouldn’t be neglected.