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Background: Flexor hallucis longus (FHL) and flexor digitorum longus (FDL) tendon transfers are frequently used to restore the function of a deficient tibialis posterior tendon in stage II adult acquired flatfoot deformity (AAFD). Either transfer causes some loss in toe flexion force, although the decision to tenodese the cut tendon to restore associated function remains controversial. This study quantified changes in plantar force before and after tendon transfer and with or without distal tenodesis in a cadaveric model. Methods: The plantar force distribution of 10 matched pairs of statically loaded cadaveric lower extremities was investigated. Each foot was tested when it was intact, after FDL/FHL tendon transfer, and after tendon transfer + tenodesis. Results: Transfer of either FHL or FDL showed a statistically significant decrease in flexion force of the great toe ( P < .01) and lesser toes ( P < .001), respectively. Subsequent tenodesis in either tendon demonstrated an ability to restore flexion force in the great ( P < .05) and lesser ( P < .01) toes, respectively, with the FHL transfer + tenodesis restoring great toe loading to near pretransfer levels. Following either transfer, plantar force increased in the medial forefoot; this was sustained with FDL transfer + tenodesis but reduced under FHL transfer + tenodesis. Lateral forefoot force increased modestly (8%) with FHL transfer ( P < .05) but returned to near intact levels with tenodesis. FDL transfer + tenodesis resulted in increased medial midfoot and heel loading. Discussion: FHL or FDL transfer notably reduces associated toe flexion force. This loss can be restored to near normal levels with tenodesis for FHL transfer. As increased lateral forefoot loading is commonly associated with AAFD corrective procedures, FHL tenodesis may mitigate the unintended increases caused by the tendon transfer. The medial midfoot and heel loading with FDL transfer + tenodesis underscores that tendon transfers alone do not reestablish the passive architecture of the foot but augment deficient subtalar inversion force. Clinical Relevance: This cadaveric study shows that the FHL is more biomechanically suitable for tibialis posterior tendon insufficiency than the FDL, which may be a basis for a study to investigate whether it is superior in a clinical situation.

Background: Displaced medial malleolus fractures require surgical repair because of the critical role the structure plays in normal joint function. Various approaches exist, but options are limited for small fragment fractures. This study compared repair with the Medial Malleolar Sled fixation system (Trimed, Inc, Valencia, CA) to lag screws in 2 modes of biomechanical loading in a cadaveric model. Methods: A Müller type B medial malleolus fracture was simulated on matched pairs of cadaveric lower extremities and repaired with the sled or 2 cancellous lag screws. Tibial distraction (tension, n = 10) or internal rotation (torsion, n = 11) was applied. Fragment movement was measured in the sagittal (tension and torsion) and transverse (torsion-only) planes. Fragment movement at 1 mm and 2 mm (clinical malunion) of gapping during tension and at 2, 4, 6, and 8 N-m during torsion was analyzed via paired t tests. Results: In tension, the load at the 2-mm gap was statistically lower for screws ( P = .026). Opening angle was statistically larger for the sled at the 1-mm ( P = .0004) and 2-mm ( P = .008) gap. In torsion, gapping was statistically lower for the sled (ranging from P = .0013 at 4 N-m to P = .0187 at 8 N-m). No differences were detected for opening angle or transverse plane movement. Conclusion: The sled appeared stronger in tension and as effective as lag screws in torsion. The sled may be a viable option for fractures too small for 4.0- or 3.5-mm lag screws. Clinical Relevance: The sled may be suitable in applications where a tension band would normally be considered and may provide stronger fixation in osteoporotic bone compared with lag screw fixation.

Background: This study evaluated the effects of locking vs nonlocking configuration on the biomechanical performance of a calcaneal reconstruction plate in an osteoporotic cadaveric model. Materials and Methods: A Saunders II B type calcaneal fracture was created in ten matched pair of cadaveric calcanei. Each pair was fixed with the Ascension calcaneal reconstruction plate using either locking or nonlocking screws in the same hole pattern. Specimens were axially loaded for 1000 cycles through the talus followed by load to failure. Statistical comparisons were made between the locking and nonlocking constructs on the displacements during cyclic loading as well as construct stiffness and load achieved at selected fragment displacements. Results: No significant difference was detected between the locking and nonlocking constructs in displacement during cyclic loading ( p >0.2) for the numbers available. Similarly no significant difference was found in stiffness of the constructs between the groups: 445.7 ± 148.8 (N/mm ± SD) for the locking plate and 395.2 ± 127.7 for the nonlocking plate ( p >0.14). The load achieved at 2 mm displacement of the posterior fragment for the two groups were not different: locking plate at 744.6 ± 237.2 N and nonlocking plate at 739.3± 269.7 N ( p >0.99). Conclusion: This study did not reveal a mechanical advantage to locking technology for calcaneal fractures with the selected plate and fracture model. Clinical Relevance: While locking plate technology has shown mechanical advantages for fracture management in other osteoporotic models, in our fracture model and plating construct, this was not found. It is still unclear which fixation technique is most beneficial in these calcaneal fractures.

Talonavicular fusion is performed for a variety of indications. This study examined the effects of fixation techniques on plantar pressures, construct stiffness, and strength.Eight matched pairs of cadaveric lower extremities were axially loaded intact and after talonavicular fixation with a 3.5 reconstruction plate, reconstruction plate plus cancellous screw (plate/screw), or three screws (screws). Recorded plantar pressures were divided into three forefoot, two midfoot, and two hindfoot regions. Cantilevered bending of excised constructs provided stiffness data for plantar and lateral directions, and failure characteristics in plantar bending.Relative to the intact state, all fixations decreased peak pressure in the medial forefoot, while generally increasing it in the lateral forefoot and midfoot. Average pressure shifted laterally for all fixation methods in the forefoot, generally in the hindfoot and the lateral midfoot. Generally, contact areas decreased in the medial forefoot, midfoot, and hindfoot while increasing laterally in the midfoot and hindfoot. The only difference among fixation methods was a decreased medial midfoot contact area for screws. No differences were found between screws and plate/screw in bending stiffness or failure (p0.5 and p0.2 respectively). Plantar and lateral bending stiffness for the plate/screw method averaged approximately 363 N/mm while stiffness of the screw only construct averaged approximately 380 N/mm. The load to failure averaged 946 N for the plate/screw construct and 1099 N for the screw construct.This study showed lateralization of plantar pressures following talonavicular fixation. Minimal differences were found between plate/screw and screws. Fixation across the joint may be key to achieving stability sufficient to resist shear and rotational stresses.Plate/screw or screws would likely be similarly effective in fusing the talonavicular joint. However, the fusion induced lateralization of plantar pressures may unintentionally result in adjacent joint arthritis and foot pain.

Posterior tibial tendon insufficiency, or adult acquired flatfoot deformity, involves collapse of the longitudinal arch of the foot with ensuing changes in the bony architecture of the foot as well. While it is generally accepted that a medializing calcaneal osteotomy (MCO) is a very useful treatment for restoring the fallen arch, questions regarding the effects of this procedure upon plantar foot pressures and Achilles tendon length changes need to be answered. This study focuses on changes in plantar foot pressures and Achilles tendon length as the result of performing a MCO. Fourteen fresh-frozen cadaver legs were used to test the effects of MCO on Achilles tendon length changes 2 cm proximal to the Achilles tendon insertion on the calcaneus. Differential variable reluctance transducers were anchored in ventromedial, dorsomedial, dorsolateral, and ventrolateral positions of the Achilles tendon at the aforementioned level. The effects of the MCO on plantar foot pressures were assessed simultaneously using the Tekscan HR Mat. Axial loading (100 lbs) of each specimen was performed in neutral and dorsiflexion (15°). Data were gathered for Achilles tendon length changes and plantar foot pressures for three trials in both the neutral and dorsiflexed positions. A medializing calcaneal osteotomy (1 cm medial translation) was then performed and testing was repeated in the fashion outlined heretofore. Analysis of the data revealed that there was no significant increase in Achilles tendon length as a result of the MCO. The data also showed that average pressure over the first and second metatarsal regions of the forefoot decreased significantly after MCO. At the same time there was a significant increase in average pressure over the medial and lateral aspect of the heel. These findings suggest that the Achilles tendon aids in inversion of the forefoot without undergoing a significant increase in length change of Achilles tendon fibers in any of the regions tested.

Many different techniques for ankle arthrodesis have been described. Experience at our institution with crossed screws internal fixation has not met the 90+% union rate reported in the literature. A compression blade plate is one technique for ankle arthrodesis which has not been evaluated biomechanically. A biomechanical study comparing two groups of sawbone ankle fusion constructs fixed with crossed screws and compression blade plates was performed in order to evaluate the stiffness and rigidity of these two arthrodesis techniques. The crossed screws construct demonstrated superior stiffness during dorsiflexion (p < 0.001) and valgus (p < 0.001) loading. The two constructs were found to have equal strength in resisting plantarflexion, varus and torsional loads although there was a trend for greater resistance by the crossed screws construct. These findings lend biomechanical support to the use of crossed screws for tibiotalar arthrodesis.

Moderate to severe deformities of hallux valgus can be corrected with combination procedures, such as a proximal crescentic metatarsal osteotomy and a distal soft tissue procedure. Because crescentic osteotomy allows for motion in all planes, inadvertent metatarsal elevation can result in metatarsalgia. The crescentic shelf osteotomy (CSO) provides a plantar shelf, decreasing the complication of dorsiflexion fixation. Eighteen polyurethane foam specimens in three groups were prepared and tested to failure on a servohydraulic Instron testing machine. The mechanical characteristics of stiffness, deformation, ultimate failure load, and stored energy were compared between single-screw fixation crescentic osteotomies and single- and dual-screw CSOs in molded polyurethane foam metatarsal sawbones. In addition, 12 cadaver specimens were randomly divided, and a CSO or crescentic osteotomy was performed. Preosteotomy and postosteotomy intermetatarsal, dorsiflexion, and pronation angles were compared from radiograph measurements. The results showed comparable mechanical characteristics among the groups, as measured by the area under the curve ( P = 0.95), ultimate failure load ( P = 0.35), deformation ( P = 0.63), and stiffness ( P = 0.21). Greater improvements were seen in the CSO group compared with the crescentic osteotomy group in correction of the intermetatarsal angle (4.8° compared with 3.2°) and of the first metatarsal plantarflexion (2.3° compared with 3.2° of dorsiflexion). However, these differences were insignificant ( P = 0.10 and P = 0.41) with the numbers available. Compared with the crescentic osteotomy, a CSO may possibly provide easier initial fixation but similar mechanical properties.

The cervical ligament plays a significant role in lateral stability of the subtalar joint but has received little attention compared with other ankle and subtalar joint ligaments. The purpose of this research was twofold. First, the elongation behavior of the cervical ligament was assessed with the calcaneofibular ligament intact and cut during two different types of inversion loads (manual and mechanical). Second, inversion range of motion was determined concomitantly with inversion loading and the difference in inversion range of motion between the calcaneofibular ligament intact to cut state was compared.The mean elongation of the cervical ligament with the calcaneofibular intact was 0.58 mm (± 0.33 mm) and 0.46 mm (± 0.23 mm) for manual and mechanical methods, respectively, and 0.88 mm (± 0.37 mm) and 0.78 mm (± 0.37 mm), respectively, for the same methods in the absence of the calcaneofibular ligament. This difference was statistically significant ( P < 0.05 manually and P < 0.02 mechanically). An average increase in the inversion range of motion was noted with both methods [7.5° manually (± 2.75°) and 7.7° mechanically (± 2.95°)] after lesioning of the calcaneofibular ligament. This difference was statistically significant ( P < 0.001) for both manual and mechanical range of motion testing.The results of this study indicate that there is a significant increase in elongation of the cervical ligament in the absence of the calcaneofibular ligament during manual and mechanically applied inversion loads in a open kinetic chain. Clinical and theoretical implications of this data are discussed.

Four rating systems were developed by the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society to provide a standard method of reporting clinical status of the ankle and foot. The systems incorporate both subjective and objective factors into numerical scales to describe function, alignment, and pain.