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Background: Posterior tibial tendon (PTT) tendoscopy and medializing calcaneal osteotomy (MCO) are among the available techniques for patients presenting with symptomatic flexible hindfoot valgus (stage IA) progressive collapsing foot deformity (PCFD). The aim of this study was to determine clinical and radiographic outcomes of combined PTT tendoscopy and MCO for patients presenting with symptomatic stage IA PCFD. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed in order to determine clinical and radiographic outcomes of 30 combined PTT tendoscopies and MCO on 27 patients presenting with symptomatic stage IA PCFD, with a minimum follow-up of 24 months. Patient satisfaction was assessed at last available follow-up as very satisfied, satisfied, and unsatisfied. Clinical assessment was performed evaluating preoperative and last available follow-up visual analog scale for pain (VAS-P), Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS), and the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed preoperatively on all patients. Standard weightbearing anteroposterior, lateral, and long axial view radiographs of the foot and ankle were taken preoperatively, immediate postoperatively, at 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year postoperatively, and last follow-up evaluation available for each patient. Results: The mean follow-up was 38.6 (range, 26-62) months. We registered 27 very satisfied, 1 satisfied, and 2 unsatisfied patients. There was statistically significant improvement on all clinical scores (VAS-P, FAOS and SF-36), as well as on lateral talo–first metatarsal and hindfoot alignment angles. We found low-grade PTT tears in 5 patients (16.67%) in whom preoperative MRI documented PTT tenosynovitis alone. Conclusion: We found that combined PTT tendoscopy and MCO provide significant clinical and radiographic improvement for patients presenting with symptomatic stage IAB PCFD. PTT tendoscopy should be considered in the treatment of all surgically addressed flexible valgus feet as it detects tendon tears which are frequently missed on an MRI. Level of Evidence: Level IV, retrospective case series. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Calcaneal tuberosity avulsion fractures are challenging to treat because of the poor bone stock and high risk of fixation failure secondary to the strong Achilles tendon pull. The purpose of this study is to compare the tensile force to failure of 2 different types of screw fixation construct in a cadaveric model of calcaneal tuberosity avulsion fracture. Methods: An oblique osteotomy was created in the calcanei of 7 matched pairs of cadaveric specimens to simulate a tuberosity avulsion fracture and one specimen from each pair randomized into one of the 2 groups for comparison. Two cancellous screws were inserted perpendicular to the fracture line at the posteromedial and posterolateral corners of the avulsed fragment for the 2-screw construct. For the second group, an additional stab incision was made at the midline of the Achilles insertional region for a screw placed between the initial 2 screws with a trajectory toward the calcaneocuboid joint in the 3-screw construct. These specimens were then mounted and loaded to failure. Results: The mean force to a predefined failure at 3.0-mm gap for the 3-screw construct was 468.7 ± 267.9 N vs 278.9 ± 164.0 N for the 2-screw construct (P <.001). The addition of a central nonparallel screw in the 3-screw construct significantly increased the force required for fracture gap displacement at all cut-off points (1.0-8.0 mm) when compared to the 2-screw construct (P <.001). Notably, the mean peak tensile force for the 3-screw construct was 499.4 ± 255.4 N occurred at the gap displacement of 4.1 mm for the 3-screw construct whereas the mean peak tensile force for the 2-screw construct was 315.9 ± 162.4 N displacing the gap at 4.3 mm. Conclusion: This study showed that an additional central nonparallel screw in the 3-screw construct provided significant mechanical superiority compared to a 2-screw construct. Clinical Relevance: The present study supported the use of augmented fixation with an additional central off-axis screw to reduce risk of fixation failure in calcaneal tuberosity avulsion fractures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The aim of this study was to compare the postoperative pain levels in patients undergoing osteosynthesis of the calcaneus with either a popliteal nerve block or an ankle block. Methods: A retrospective analysis of all consecutive patients undergoing operative fixation of a calcaneal fracture via a sinus tarsi approach between August 2012 and April 2017 in a single foot/ankle specialized center was performed. Single-shot popliteal blocks were placed using ultrasound guidance by an anesthesiologist while ankle blocks were placed by a foot/ankle specialized surgeon. Pain levels were measured through the numerical rating scale (NRS). In total, 83 patients were included in this study; 33 received a popliteal block, and 50 received an ankle block. No statistically significant differences were present in baseline characteristics between the 2 groups. Results: Comparable postoperative pain levels were observed in both groups. There was no statistically significant difference in amount of morphine used between the 2 groups. Conclusion: No differences were found in postoperative pain levels between patients receiving a single-shot popliteal block and patients who received a single-shot ankle block following calcaneal fracture surgery. Level of Evidence: III, comparative series. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on a study that compares the radiographic and clinical outcome of nonlocking and locking plates in the treatment of intraarticular calcaneal fractures. Topics discussed include the wide use of open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) for the treatment of such fractures, the lateral position of the patients during the operation while under general or spinal anesthesia and the preoperative and postoperative radiographic assessments.

The article reports on the results of research which was conducted to evaluate the short term results of total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) with combined bony reconstructions for treatment of end-stage ankle osteoarthritis with accompanying cavovarus/hindfoot varus deformities. Researchers evaluated eight patients. They found that it was occasionally necessary to perform combined calcaneal and metatarsal osteotomies with TAA to successfully treat osteoarthritis with deformity.