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Category: Ankle; Ankle Arthritis Introduction/Purpose: Anchors are frequently used in reconstructive orthopedic surgery to achieve fixation of soft tissue to bone. Anchors vary with respect to material composition, configuration, and methods of fixation at the site of attachment. The fixation component of anchoring devices has generally evolved from metal-fabricated implants to various types of bioresorbable anchors. The SonicAnchor TM (Stryker, Kalamazoo, MI USA) polymer implant provides a unique form of anchor fixation using SonicFusion TM technology to achieve interdigitation within cancellous bone while being radiolucent and providing a small footprint. Methods: During a four-year period, 116 patients underwent a reconstructive orthopedic foot and ankle surgical procedure with the use of at least one bioresorbable polymer anchor (SonicAnchor implant). There were 59 males and 57 females, with an average age of 42 years (range: 12-83 years). Results: A total of 233 bioresorbable anchor (SonicAnchor) implants were used in 116 patients. Of the 116 patients, 108 (93.1%) achieved successful clinical healing of their surgery at their most recent follow-up. The average follow-up duration was 309 days (range: 14-1,429 days). Eight (6.9%) patients were lost to follow-up prior to clinical healing. Two (1.7%) patients underwent reoperation. Also, 65 (56%) patients had at least six months of follow-up and 36 (31%) had at least one year of follow-up. Conclusion: This preliminary clinical trial of patients undergoing soft tissue repair or reconstruction with a bioresorbable polymer appears to perform comparably to other commercially available devices. The lack of adverse events, mechanical failures, or infections further supports the safety of this device.

Category: Ankle Introduction/Purpose: When performing surgical fixation of bimalleolar equivalent ankle fractures, there has been considerable debate regarding fixation of the deltoid ligament. Many surgeons would agree that deltoid ligament repair should be undertaken if there is radiographic evidence of medial interposition of the deep deltoid. The incidence of deltoid ligament interposition has not been addressed in current literature. This study aims to assess the incidence of deltoid interposition in bimalleolar equivalent ankle fractures to provide further guidance on the importance of acute deltoid ligament repair. Methods: Over a five year time frame, 49 bimalleolar equivalent ankle fractures were repaired in 30 males and 19 females with a mean age, 37 (15-73) years. There was no exclusion criteria and patients were consecutively enrolled if they sustained a bimalleolar equivalent ankle fracture. Results: During this time frame, 49 patients who sustained a bimalleolar equivalent ankle fracture underwent surgical fixation with routine repair of the deltoid ligament. 18 patients (36.73%) had deltoid interposed within the medial gutter. 13 patients (26.53%) had an osteochondral defect. Conclusion: The incidence of deltoid interposition seen with medial exploration within this cohort was 37%. While the benefits of deltoid ligament repair are still controversial, persistent medial gutter soft tissue interposition could lead to symptoms of impingement or even result in persistent medial widening. This study supports increased scrutiny to the relationship of the medial gutter and deltoid ligament in acute bimalleolar equivalent ankle fractures.

Category: Ankle; Ankle Arthritis; Trauma Introduction/Purpose: Tibiotalocalcaneal (TTC) arthrodesis is generally considered a salvage operation for either complex deformity or arthritis about the hindfoot. Several methods can be used to achieve a TTC arthrodesis, including: intramedullary nail fixation, screws, plates, and a fine wire frame. We hypothesized that fibula sparing TTC arthrodesis would improve the union rate and decrease complications in TTC arthrodeses. To best of our knowledge, this is the largest study of TTCs in current literature and no comparative studies have been performed to investigate whether fibular resection influences union and complication rate. Methods: After obtaining approval from the IRB, a retrospective review of the TTC fusions performed at a single academic institution was performed. Orthopaedic surgeons specializing in foot and ankle surgery performed all operations. Eligible patients included those whom underwent a TTC fusion either with or without fibular resection constructs from 2005 to 2017, were 18 years or older at the time of surgery, and had at least two-year follow-up. Patients were excluded if their clinical or radiographic data were unavailable for review. Preoperative diagnosis and indications, fixation methods, clinical success, and complications were obtained from the patient chart and operative reports. 152 patients (155 ankles) underwent TTC arthrodesis, mean age 57.5 years. 94 ankles comprised the fibula-sparing group and 61 comprised the fibular resection group. Statistical analysis was performed using t-Student and Chi-squared test with a p-value of 0.05 defining significance. Results: Common diagnoses included: arthritis (n=66), prior non-union of the ankle or subtalar joint (42), Charcot neuro- arthropathy (25), failed total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) (21) and avascular necrosis of the talus (36). Pre-operative diagnosis of failed TAA was associated with post-operative nonunion (47.6%, p=0.029). In 108 ankles (70%), hindfoot intramedullary arthrodesis nailing was performed, with supplemental plating or screw augmentation in 39 cases. Plating was used in 46 patients (30%). There was no difference in complications (p=0.62) or nonunion (p=0.11) between plating vs nail arthrodesis. There was no difference in non-union rate (26% fibula-resection vs 29% fibula-sparing, p=0.74) or complication rate (49% in fibula-resection vs 53% fibula-sparing, p=0.63) in the fibula-resection compared to the fibula-sparing groups. Most common complications included: non-unions, hardware irritation/failure (17.4%), infection (16.1%), and tibial stress fractures (8.4%). Conclusion: Tibiotalocalcaneal arthrodesis is used primarily as a salvage operation for severe deformity, arthritis of both the ankle and subtalar joints, and situations in which bone loss necessitates a larger fusion procedure. There appears to be no difference in the union rate or complication rates in fibula-sparing or fibula resection during the approach for these fusion operations.

Category: Ankle; Other Introduction/Purpose: Tranexamic acid (TXA) has been shown to significantly reduce blood loss in patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty and total hip arthroplasty. However, there is a paucity of data regarding its safety and efficacy in total ankle arthroplasty (TAA). In light of expanding indications for TAA and its growing utilization, there is a need for more data regarding interventions such as TXA that may reduce perioperative complications and improve patient outcomes for this procedure. The purpose of the current study was to determine if the use of TXA in patients undergoing total ankle arthroplasty impacts the blood loss or overall complication rate. Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted for 34 patients who underwent TAA with (n=17) and without (n=17) intraoperative TXA from 2016 to 2019 at a single academic medical center. Inclusion criteria were patients who underwent TAA for any clinical indication and had quantified intraoperative blood loss. Patients were excluded if they had a contraindication to TXA (ie. impaired renal function), a history of coagulopathy, no recorded intraoperative blood loss, or intraoperative complications that resulted in excessive bleeding. Estimated blood loss, pre-to-postoperative hemoglobin changes, hidden blood loss and complication rates were recorded and compared between groups. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 21.0. Results: There was no statistically significant difference in recorded blood loss, total calculated blood loss, pre-to-postoperative hemoglobin difference or hidden blood loss between the groups (all, p>0.05). A lower rate of wound complications was observed in the TXA group. The difference between the overall complications rates observed for each group was not statistically significant (p>0.05). Conclusion: Intravenous tranexamic acid did not result in decreased blood loss during TAA, as measured in our study. However, tranexamic acid was not associated with any increase in overall complications while a lower rate of wound complications was seen in patients in which TXA was utilized. Based on our findings, further studies are needed to better elucidate the impact of TXA on blood loss and wound healing in TAA.

Category: Diabetes Introduction/Purpose: The total contact cast is an important component of the clinical treatment algorithm for diabetic foot ulcers and Charcot Foot Arthropathy. Few studies have reported on the complications associated with this treatment modality. Methods: Over a ten year period, 2265 total contact casts were placed on 384 patients during their treatment for diabetic foot disorders. All of the casts were applied by a Certified Orthopaedic Technologist under the supervision of a University Faculty member. Complications were grouped as: (1) development of a new ulcer or wound, (2) new or increasing odor or drainage, (3) wound infection, (4) gangrene, (5) newly identified osteomyelitis, and (6) pain or discomfort necessitating cast change / removal. Complications were then associated with Hemoglobin A1C levels at the time of treatment. Results: Using this very stringent definition of a complication, ten percent of patients had some form of a complication. Most complications resolved following cast change or cast removal. Conclusion: The total contact cast has been demonstrated to be a valuable tool in the treatment of diabetic foot disorders. This retrospective chart review should serve as a valuable reference to assist clinicians when counseling patients during treatment for diabetic foot disorders.

Category: Ankle, Ankle Arthritis, Diabetes, Hindfoot, Trauma Introduction/Purpose: Deformity associated with Charcot Foot Arthropathy leads to a poor quality of life in affected individuals. Deformity in the midfoot appears to be predictive of clinical outcomes following surgical correction. The goal of this retrospective study was to determine if that same methodology could be applied to patients treated for Charcot Foot Arthropathy involving the ankle joint. Methods: Fifty-six consecutive patients underwent surgical reconstruction of Charcot Foot deformity involving the ankle joint by a single surgeon over a fourteen year period. Preoperative patient characteristics and tibiotalar alignment, were recorded. Surgical treatment included single stage debridement of active infection and ankle arthrodesis with application of a circular external fixator when infection was present (39 of 56, 69.6%) or retrograde locked intramedullary nailing in the absence of infection (17 of 56, 30.3%). Clinical outcomes were graded based on limb salvage, resolution of infection and chronic wounds, and the ability to ambulate with therapeutic footwear or accommodative orthoses. The average follow-up was 7.5 (range 1.1-14.0) years. Results: One patient died at 134.3 weeks following surgery of unrelated causes and 8 underwent amputation. Twenty eight of 56 patients (50.0%) achieved a favorable (excellent or good) clinical outcome. There was no significant association between preoperative or postoperative alignment and clinical outcomes. Insulin-dependent diabetics were approximately 3 times more likely to have a poor clinical outcome. Conclusion: Surgical correction of Charcot deformity involving the ankle joint was associated with a high complication rate and risk for failure. The lessons learned from this highly co-morbid patient population with complex deformities can be used as a benchmark for applying modern surgical techniques.

Category: Ankle. Introduction/Purpose: The management of large osteochondral lesions of the talar shoulder remains a clinical challenge. Their size, three-dimensional geometry, and subchondral cystic degeneration often preclude treatment with traditional measures such as microfracture and osteochondral autograft transplantation. Structural or bulk osteochondral allograft transplantation has demonstrated efficacy in several retrospective reviews. The purpose of this study was to prospectively evaluate patients who received fresh structural allograft transplantation to the talus. Methods: A prospective evaluation of consecutive patients who underwent fresh structural allograft transplantation for an OLT form 2010 to 2013 was performed under Institutional Review Board approval. All patients failed a minimum of 6 months of conservative management. Preoperative MRI and/or CT, as well as plain radiographs were obtained on all patients. The following patient reported outcomes questionnaires were administered preoperatively and yearly after surgery: 100 mm VAS pain scale, AOFAS Ankle-Hindfoot Scale, SF-36, and the Short Musculoskeletal Functional Assessment (SMFA). Pre- and postoperative radiographs were assessed for allograft incorporation and the development of arthritis. Results: Fourteen patients underwent fresh osteochondral allograft transplantation. The mean follow-up was 47 months (range 24-73). The average size of the OLT was 2,269 mm3 (range 813-8,366) based on CT imaging and 5,797 mm3 (range 1,136-12,489) based on MRI imaging. There was significant improvement in the VAS pain score, AOFAS Ankle-Hindfoot Scale score, the SF-36 total score, and the SMFA functional and bother indices. Five (36%) of the patients required subsequent arthroscopy and removal of the screw(s) used to secure the graft. Three of these second-look patients had stable grafts without chondral damage. Two grafts demonstrated cartilage delamination. One of these patients had continued pain and progression of arthritis without additional surgery and one was converted to an ankle replacement. Therefore, the failure rate was 14%. Conclusion: Significant improvement in pain and function can be achieved with structural allograft transplantation for large OLTs. However, it is important to council patients that painful hardware and stiffness can occur in approximately one-third of patients. An unstable graft and cartilage delamination are indicators of subsequent failure. The use of a structural allograft does not preclude subsequent ankle arthrodesis or arthroplasty.

Category: Sports. Introduction/Purpose: Irreparable peroneal tendon tears are rare and there is scant evidence to guide surgeons on the appropriate treatment. In general, if more than 50% of the tendon is affected, segmental resection of the tendon and tenodesis to the remaining healthy tendon is recommended. We hypothesized that normal tension at the insertions of the peroneal tendons after an irreparable tear cannot be reestablished by tenodesis to the remaining tendon and can only be restored by allograft reconstruction. Methods: To assess tendon loading at their insertions, custom-made strain gage-based tension transducers were implanted into the peroneus longus (PL) and brevis (PB) tendons adjacent to their insertions on the 1st and 5th metatarsal bases in 12 fresh- frozen cadaver feet. Axial load was applied to the foot, and the peroneal tendons, tibialis anterior and posterior tendons were tensioned to 50% and 100% of physiologic load. Transducer outputs were recorded in this normal tendon condition and after sequential PB to PL tenodesis and peroneus brevis allograft reconstruction. The tendon force transmission was quantified in five different foot inversion/eversion and plantarflexion/dorsiflexion positions. The distal peroneal tendons and 1st and 5th metatarsals were then excised along with the implanted transducers, and calibration was performed by applying incremental tendon loads in a materials testing machine. Insertion site tensile loading in each surgical condition was then expressed as a percentage of normal. Results of the allograft and tenodesis procedures were compared using paired t tests. Results: Under 50% of physiologic load, tendon tension at the PB insertion ranged from 3% to 28% of normal after tenodesis. After allograft reconstruction, PB insertion tension increased to 73% to 101% of normal. Tension at the PL insertion site was 102% to 117% of normal after tenodesis, and 84% to 93% of normal after allograft reconstruction. The treatment outcomes differed significantly, with p-values < 0.02. Under the 100% loading condition, tension at the PB site ranged from 6% to 43% of normal after tenodesis and 88% to 99% of normal after repair with allograft. Tension at the PL insertion site was 101% to 120% and 94% to 101% after tenodesis and PB allograft reconstruction, respectively. The treatments differed significantly, with p-values < 0.02, in all comparisons except for PL tension in inverted and neutral foot positions. Conclusion: Allograft reconstruction of a peroneus brevis tendon tear substantially restored tension at both the PB and PL insertion sites when the tendons and their antagonists were loaded to 50% and 100% of physiologic load. In comparison, peroneus brevis tenodesis to PL did not effectively restore tendon tension under most of the tested conditions, suggesting that this procedure may result in an imbalanced foot when applied clinically. Clinical comparative studies are necessary to determine if the results of this cadaveric, biomechanical study have similar in-vivo consequences.

Category: Hindfoot Introduction/Purpose: Avascular necrosis (AVN) of the talus can lead to subtalar arthritis, pain, and decreased function. Isolated subtalar arthrodesis has been attempted in these patients, potentially allowing re-vascularization of the talus from calcaneal bone ingrowth while preserving the tibiotalar joint. The purpose of this study is to determine the union rate and complications of subtalar arthrodesis in patients with AVN of the talus. Methods: After obtaining IRB approval, a retrospective review of subtalar arthrodeses performed at a single academic institution, from 2000 to 2014, was conducted. Patients were included if they had a preoperative diagnosis of avascular necrosis of the talus, underwent subtalar arthrodesis and had a minimum follow up of 12 months. Exclusion criteria include: age younger of 18 years, incomplete clinical and radiological data or those whom underwent a concomitant tibiotalar arthrodesis. Results: Twelve patients with a mean age of 46.6 ± 13.9 years were included in the study. The fusion rate was 58% with a mean time to fuse of 35 weeks (range, 14-146). Seventeen percent of the patients had diabetes or vascular disease and an additional 17% had a positive history for tobacco use. The overall complication rate was 67% (8 patients). Five patients progressed to non-union (42%) and three of them underwent revision to tibiotalocalcaneal arthrodesis. Two patients (17%) had progression of AVN, one of which necessitated a tibiotalocalcaneal arthrodesis. Two patients (17%) developed a wound dehiscence that healed uneventfully with local wound care and oral antibiotics administration. One patient (8%) underwent hardware removal. Conclusion: With a fusion rate as low as 58% and a 67% complication rate, caution should be exhibited when considering an isolated subtalar arthrodesis in the setting of AVN of the talus. In selected cases, consideration should be given to extending the arthrodesis site to include the tibiotalar or talonavicular joint or revascularization procedures such as concomitant vascularized bone grafts.

Background:. There is a paucity of information regarding the use of social media by both orthopaedic residents and applicants. Therefore, this investigation aimed to (1) characterize the use of social media by current orthopaedic surgery residents and applicants to an orthopaedic surgery residency and (2) evaluate the influence of social media on applicants to an orthopaedic surgery residency. Methods:. An anonymous, nationwide survey was conducted among current orthopaedic surgery residents and fourth-year medical students applying to the authors' orthopaedic surgery. Survey data included demographics, social media usage preferences, social media engagement, and the influence of social media on applicants' perception of and decision to apply to residency programs. Results:. Three hundred twelve surveys were completed, which included 170 resident surveys and 142 applicant surveys. Two hundred thirty-seven of the respondents (76%) use social media daily. Two hundred fourteen respondents (72%) have listened to orthopaedic surgery podcasts. Regarding educational social media posts, 81% of the residents and 57% of the applicants preferred case presentations with corresponding imaging; for noneducational posts, 89% of the applicants preferred content involving resident life outside the hospital. When asked how much an orthopaedic residency program's social media presence influenced application decision (on a scale of 0-10, 0 being no influence and 10 being the most influence), the mean response was 3.47 among all respondents. Conclusions:. Most survey respondents use social media daily, have listened to orthopaedic podcasts, find case presentations with corresponding imaging the most useful format for educational posts, and prefer to see residency programs post about resident life outside of the hospital. A residency program's social media presence did not significantly influence applicants' decision to apply to a specific program; however, there was a trend toward increasing influence with more recent applicants. Future research should further investigate social media's impact on the residency application process and the influence of social media on orthopaedic applicants and residents.