bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Custom 3D Printed Spherical Implants vs Femoral Head Allografts for Tibiotalocalcaneal Arthrodeses
Authors: Steele John R. , Cunningham Daniel J. , Adams Samuel B. 
Published: October 2019

Category: Ankle Arthritis, Hindfoot Introduction/Purpose: Tibiotalocalcaneal (TTC) arthrodesis is a common treatment option for hindfoot arthritis, deformity correction and salvage of failed total ankle replacement. However, union can be difficult to achieve in patients with bulk bone defects. Femoral head allograft is commonly used in the setting of TTC fusion with severe bone loss, but recent studies have reported concerns of arthrodesis rates of 50% or worse and graft collapse in these patients. Retrograde intramedullary nail placement through custom 3D spherical implants is a novel option for these patients. The purpose of this study was to compare fusion rates, graft resorption and complication rates between patients undergoing TTC fusion with 3D sphere implants versus femoral head allografts. Methods: All patients who underwent TTC arthrodesis with an intramedullary nail along with a 3D spherical implant or femoral head allograft by the senior author at a single institution from 2013 to 2017 and who had at least one year of follow-up were included in this study. There were 7 patients who received a femoral head allograft and 8 patients who received a 3D printed sphere. Baseline patient and operative characteristics were collected and compared between the 3D sphere and femoral head allograft groups. The rate of successful fusion of the tibia, calcaneus and talar neck to the 3D sphere or femoral head allograft, as determined by radiographs and CT scan, as well as graft resorption and complications were compared between the groups. Results: The rates of union of the tibia (87.5% vs 71.4%), calcaneus (87.5% vs 71.4%), and talar neck (100% vs 42.9%) were higher in the 3D sphere group than in the femoral head allograft group. The rate of union of the talar neck was significantly higher to the 3D sphere implant than to the femoral head allograft (p=0.016). The number of patients achieving successful fusion of all three articulations was higher in the 3D sphere group (75%) than the femoral head allograft group (42.9%), although not statistically significant (p=0.22). The rate of graft resorption was significantly higher in the femoral head allograft group (57.1%) than the 3D sphere group (0%, p=0.016).There were no differences between the groups in terms of complications. Conclusion: These data demonstrate that the use of a custom 3D-printed sphere implant is safe in patients with severe bone loss undergoing TTC arthrodesis with a retrograde intramedullary nail. The rate of successful fusion of all three tibial, calcaneal and talar neck articulations was higher to the 3D sphere than to the femoral head allograft, although not statistically significant. Union of the talar neck was significantly higher to the 3D sphere implants than it was to the femoral head allograft. Subsidence was significantly higher with the femoral head allograft than the 3D sphere.
Defining Responders vs Non-Responders After Total Ankle Arthroplasty
Authors: Steele John R. , Cunningham Daniel J. , DeOrio James K. , Nunley James A. , Easley Mark E. , Adams Samuel B. 
Published: October 2019

Category: Ankle, Ankle Arthritis Introduction/Purpose: The literature for total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) demonstrates significant improvements in patient- reported outcomes. While these reports focus on the overall study population, it is clear that some patients do not have a successful outcome. In regards to total hip and knee arthroplasty there is literature helping to define responders, or those who achieve a clinical improvement above the level of a minimally clinically important difference. However, characteristics of responders versus non-responders to TAA have not been defined. The purpose of this study was to determine patient comorbidities and characteristics that help distinguish responders from non-responders after TAA. Methods: Patients undergoing TAA between 1/2007 and 12/2016 were enrolled into a prospective study at a single academic center. Patients completed multiple patient reported outcome measures before surgery and in follow-up including the Short Musculoskeletal Function Assessment (SMFA). Patients were characterized as responders if their 2-year follow-up SMFA function score increased by 50% or more compared to preoperatively and were characterized as non-responders if their SMFA score increased by less than 50% at 2-year follow-up, consistent with OMERACT–OARSI responder criteria. Patient and operative factors along with prevalent pre-operative comorbidities were then associated with responder or non-responder status. Comorbidities that met a significance threshold of p<0.05 in adjusted analyses were incorporated into multivariable outcome models. Results: A total of 492 patients with complete data and 2-year follow-up were included in this study. Based on the SMFA function score improvement cutoff of at least 50% at 2-year follow-up, 332 patients were defined as responders and 160 were defined as non-responders. There was no significant difference between pre-operative SMFA function scores between the groups. Responders had significantly higher preoperative SF-36 Mental Component Summary (MCS) scores (p<0.001) and significantly lower rates of rheumatoid arthritis (p<0.001), obesity (p=0.05) and depression (p=0.026) as compared to non-responders. In multivariate analysis, preoperative SF-36 MCS score was found to be significantly associated with responder status (p=0.0056). Conclusion: Patients defined as responders after TAA based on 50% or greater improvement in SMFA function scores at 2-year follow-up had significantly higher pre-operative SF-36 MCS scores and significantly lower rates of rheumatoid arthritis, obesity and depression compared to non-responders. Pre-operative SF-36 MCS score was found to be significantly associated with responder status in multivariate analysis. This suggests that patients with depressive symptoms, but not necessarily a diagnosis of depression may not achieve as favorable results after TAA and should be counseled appropriately.
Syndesmotic Fixation Utilizing a Novel Metal Screw: A Retrospective Case Series Reporting Early Clinical and Radiographic Outcomes
Authors: Stenquist Derek S. , Velasco Brian , Cronin Patrick K. , Briceno Jorge , Miller Christopher , Kwon John Y. 
Published: October 2019

Category: Ankle Introduction/Purpose: Syndesmotic disruption occurs in nearly 1 in 5 ankle fractures and requires anatomic reduction and internal stabilization to maximize functional outcomes. There is growing evidence to support retaining syndesmotic hardware from both a functional and economic standpoint. However, although broken screws are typically of little consequence, the location of screw breakage can be unpredictable and cause painful bony erosion and difficulty with extraction. The purpose of this investigation is to report early clinical and radiographic outcomes of patients who underwent syndesmotic fixation using a novel metal screw with a more predictable break point and design features to allow for easier extraction. Methods: We performed a retrospective review of all consecutive patients who underwent syndesmotic fixation utilizing the novel syndesmotic screw over a one year period. Demographic data were obtained such as age, gender, fracture classification and relevant comorbidities. Screw specific data were obtained such as number of screws utilized and length. Screw loosening or breakage was documented. Postoperative radiographs were reviewed and tibiofibular overlap, tibiofibular clear space and medial clear space were measured. Results: 18 patients met inclusion criteria. Mean length of clinical follow-up was 4.67 months (range 0.5 to 8.5 months). Per the Lauge Hansen classification, 14 injuries were supination external rotation type, two were pronation abduction and two pronation external rotation type. Three screws (12.5%) fractured at the break point with no screws fracturing at a different location. 21 screws did not fracture with 10 (42%) of the screws demonstrated to be loose. There was no evidence of syndesmotic diastasis or mortise malalignment on final follow up of the cohort. No screws required removal during the study period. There were no other complications of any type (Table 1). Conclusion: Early reporting of outcomes is essential to maximize both safety and value in healthcare technology innovation. This study provides the first clinical data on a novel alternative to traditional screws and suture button devices for fixation of syndesmotic injuries. At short-term follow up, there were no complications and the novel screw provided adequate fixation to allow healing and prevent diastasis. While initial results are favorable, longer term follow-up is required to determine whether this novel implant can reduce rates of symptomatic hardware requiring removal, which could ultimately make them more cost- effective than suture-button fixation.
A 10-year Retrospective Case-Series of Venous Thrombo-Embolism frequency in Patients Treated with Total Contact Casts
Authors: Tonge Xenia , Widnall James , Jackson Gillian , Platt Simon 
Published: October 2019

Category: Diabetes Introduction/Purpose: Venous Thrombo-Embolism (VTE) is a recognized complication of lower limb immobilization. In the neuropathic patient total contact casting (TCC) is used in the management of acute charcot neuroathropathy and/or to off-load neuropathic ulcers. To our knowledge, there is currently no literature stating the prevalence of VTE in patients, despite the possibility of prolonged lower limb immobilization. There are also no recommendations regarding VTE prophylaxis in the setting of TCCs. We report a retrospective case series assessing the frequency of symptomatic VTE in the patients treated with TCCs. Given that diabetic foot disease manifests as one of many co-morbidities in this medically complex group of patients we hypothesize that the rate of occurrence of VTE should be higher than that of the general population. Methods: Patients undergoing TCC between 2006 and 2018 were identified using plaster room records. These patients subsequently had electronic clinical letters and radiological reports assessed for details around the TCC episode, past medical history and any VTE events. Results: There were 143 TCC episodes in 105 patients. Average age at cast application was 55 years. The mean time in a cast was 45 days (range from 5 days to 8 months). 3 out of 4 patients had neuropathy as a consequence of diabetes. One TCC related VTE (0.7% of casting episodes) was documented. This was a proximal DVT confirmed on USS 9 days following cast removal. Only 3 patients received VTE prophylaxis while in TCC. Conclusion: Despite these complex patients having a multitude of co-morbidities the frequency of VTE in the TCC setting remains similar to that of the general population. This may be due to the fact that TCCs permit weight bearing or that Charcot arthropathy leads to a high outflow state, potentially turning Virchow’s triad in the patient’s favour. This case series suggests that, while all patients should be individually VTE risk assessed as for any lower limb immobilization, chemical thromboprophylaxis is not routinely indicated in the context of TCCs.
A Novel and Safe Fibular Osteotomy for Total Ankle Replacement through Lateral Transfibular Approach
Authors: Usuelli Federico G. , Kaplan Jonathan RM , Maccario Camilla , Manzi Luigi , Indino Cristian 
Published: October 2019

Category: Ankle Arthritis Introduction/Purpose: The lateral transfibular total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) has been reported on with good short term outcomes. One key downside to the lateral TAA is the rate of symptomatic hardware and wound issues requiring hardware removal seen with the short oblique fibular osteotomy. Therefore, we report on a comparative cohort study of lateral TAA using the traditional short oblique fibular osteotomy to a long oblique fibular osteotomy, termed Foot and Ankle Reconstruction Group Osteotomy (FARG). Methods: Retrospective identification of primary lateral transfibular TAA performed by a single surgeon from May 2013 to October 2016 with minimum 2 years follow-up. Clinical assessment included patient demographics, wound complications, need for hardware removal, visual analogue scale, American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society score, Short Form-12 Mental Composite Score, and Short Form-12 Physical Composite Score. Radiographic assessment included weight bearing x-rays to assess tibiotalar alignment, implant alignment, and fibular osteotomy healing. Results: A total of 159 primary lateral TAA were identified. The short oblique fibular osteotomy was used in 50 cases and the FARG osteotomy in 109 cases. Implant survival was 100% and there were no fibular osteotomy nonunions in both groups. There was improvement in all clinical parameters in both groups with no significant difference between groups in any of these parameters. The radiographic measures showed excellent alignment at all time points in both groups with no significant difference between groups. There was a significant difference between groups in the rate of wound dehiscence and rate of hardware removal for any reason with the FARG osteotomy having a lower rate of both compared to the short oblique fibular osteotomy. Conclusion: Modification of the traditional fibular osteotomy to the long oblique Foot & Ankle Reconstruction Group fibular osteotomy has excellent 2-year survival with good clinical and radiographic outcomes yet provides decreased rates of wound complications and decreased rates of symptomatic fibular hardware compared to the traditional short oblique fibular osteotomy.
Return to Sport Following Turf Toe Injuries: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Vopat Matthew L. , Hassan Maaz , Poppe Tanner , Tarakemeh Armin , Zackula Rosey , Mulcahey Mary K. , Mullen Scott , Schroeppel J. Paul , Vopat Bryan G. 
Published: October 2019

Category: Sports Introduction/Purpose: The prevalence of turf toe injuries has increased in recent years due to heightened awareness and the large number of athletes participating in sports today. Uncertainty remains, however, as to how to properly treat turf toe and the prognosis for these injured athletes. The purpose of this study was to systematically review the literature to provide recommendations on treatment of turf toe and expectations for outcomes and return to play. Methods: Following PRISMA criteria, a systematic review and meta-analysis using the PubMed/Ovid Medline/PMC databases was performed (May 1964 – August 2018). Studies evaluating non-turf toe injuries, biomechanical studies, and those written in non- English language were excluded. Return to sport, treatment, severity of injury, athletic position, and sport were recorded and statistically analyzed. Results: 12/944 studies met criteria, which included 112 athletes and 120 turf toe injuries. The athletes played a variety of sports: football (111), basketball (2), soccer (1), and track (3). 58 of these injuries were treated non-operatively, while 62 required surgery. There was one grade 1 injury, ten grade 2 injuries, and fifty-four grade 3 injuries. Fifty-five injuries were unclassifiable and excluded. Return to sport for patients treated non-operatively was 5.9 weeks versus 19.2 weeks in patients treated operatively (p=0.007). Patients with a grade 2 injury returned to sport quicker (11.7 weeks) than patients with grade 3 injuries (19.9 weeks) (p=0.016). Return to play was different according to the athlete’s level of play (13.9 weeks high school, 16.8 weeks college, 14.4 weeks professional) (p=0.018). Conclusion: Return to sport in patients suffering from a turf toe injury can be affected by either the severity of injury and/or level of competition of the athlete. However, this study also acknowledges the limited number of high level studies evaluating turf toe in the athletic population. Further research is necessary to clearly define appropriate treatment and return to play protocols based on sport, position, and level of play.
With Whom Does the Surgeon Spend More Time? A Study of the Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Clinic
Authors: Wakefield Connor J. , Wu Kevin , Skipor Joe , Ravanam Angad , Benko Savannah , Bohl Daniel D. , Lee Simon , Hamid Kamran S. 
Published: October 2019

Category: Health Sciences Research Introduction/Purpose: In the era of decreasing reimbursement and increasing financial pressure on the orthopaedic foot and ankle surgeon, improving clinic efficiency has value. The purpose of this study was to identify which patients and which types of clinical visits consume the greatest amounts of an attending orthopaedic foot and ankle surgeon’s time. Methods: A prospective, observational study was conducted in an outpatient orthopaedic foot and ankle clinic at a tertiary medical center. 210 adult patients were enrolled from the clinics of two fellowship-trained, board certified orthopaedic surgeons. Time spent in the exam room with the attending surgeon was the primary outcome. Independent variables included patient and appointment characteristics (i.e. age, sex, new/follow-up appointment, etc.). Linear regression was used to test for association between the independent variables and the primary outcome. Results: Mean time spent by the attending surgeon in the exam room (± standard deviation) was 7.4±4.4 minutes (range, 1-20). Predictors of greater time spent in the exam room included patient age≥50 years (+2.0 minutes, 95% confidence interval [CI]=+0.8 to +3.1, p=0.001), female sex (+1.7 minutes, 95% CI=+0.5 to +2.9, p=0.005), outside medical records reviewed (+2.4 minutes, 95% CI=+0.6 to +4.2, p= 0.010), and new (versus follow-up) patient appointment (+1.7 minutes, 95% CI=+0.5 to +2.9; Table 1). In contrast, time spent in the exam room was not associated with the patient arriving late, completion of patient paperwork before the appointment, whether the patient obtained x-rays at the visit, or the type of provider that saw the patient prior to the attending (resident/physician assistant; p>0.05 for each). Conclusion: Patients who are age=≥50, identify as female, bring outside medical records for review, and are presenting to the surgeon for the first time consume the greatest amounts of a surgeon’s time in the examination room. Surgeons can anticipate spending more time in the room with these types of patients and should schedule their clinics accordingly.
Effect of Subchondral Bone Condition on Repaired Tissue after Bone Marrow Stimulation for Osteochondral Talar Lesions
Authors: Yoshimura Ichiro , Hagio Tomonobu , Nagatomo Masaya , Minokawa So , Kanazawa Kazuki , Yamamoto Takuaki 
Published: October 2019

Category: Ankle, Sports Introduction/Purpose: The arthroscopic bone marrow stimulation (ABMS) promotes repaired tissue healing of the osteochondral defect. Recently, T2 mapping has been used to evaluate the repair of cartilage tissue; however, the prognostic worth of T2 values after ABMS has not yet been clarified. Several articles have reported that the subchondral condition affects the articular cartilage condition, and subchondral bone edema (SBE) is reportedly associated with inferior outcome after ABMS. Furthermore, subchondral bone sclerosis (SBC) was found to be associated with an inferior outcome after ABMS. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the relationship between SBC/SBE and T2 values of repaired tissue on MRI after ABMS. We hypothesized that the presence of SBC/SBE would affect the characteristics of the repaired tissue after ABMS. Methods: We prospectively enrolled 18 patients (18 ankles) scheduled to undergo treatment with ABMS for OLT. The patients were six males and 12 females (age, 29.3 ± 22.1 years; lesion length, 10.8 ± 3.0 mm; lesion area, 59.7 ± 26.0 mm2). Repair tissue was assessed using a 3 T MRI unit, and T2 maps were calculated. Patients were divided into two groups for investigating effect of the SBE: those with SBE and those without SBE based on MRI performed pre-ABMS and 1 year post-ABMS. We investigated the relationship between T2 value and SBE presence. For investigating the relationship between SBC and T2 value, the patients were divided into two groups; with SBC and without SBC on pre-ABMS CT images. Clinical results were assessed using JSSF scale. Results: There were no significant differences in mean T2 values and JSSF score before ABMS between those with SBE versus those without SBE (T2 values, P = 0.5; JSSF score, P = 0.9). At 1 year post-ABMS, there was no significant difference between groups in T2 value (P = 0.8), but the JSSF score was significantly lower in the SBE group (P = 0.02). No significant mean differences were found in T2 values or JSSF scores between the with SBC and without SBC groups post-ABMS (T2 values, P=0.7 / JSSF scale score, P=0.25).Lesion length/area were correlated with T2 values of repaired tissue (length: r = 0.50, P = 0.005; area: r = 0.29, P = 0.04). Conclusion: The presence of pre- and/or post-ABMS SBE does not affect the T2 values of repaired tissue after ABMS for OLT. The presence of SBC prior to ABMS did not affect the T2 values of repair tissue after ABMS. However, post-ABMS SBE was associated with poorer clinical outcome. Larger lesion size is correlated with poorer condition of repaired tissue.
Surgical Results of Plantar Plating for Fifth Metatarsal Stress Fracture
Authors: Young Ki Won , Kim Jin Su , Lee Hong Sup , Jegal Hyuk , Park Young Uk , Lee Kyung Tai 
Published: October 2019

Category: Midfoot/Forefoot, Sports, Trauma Introduction/Purpose: The treatment of 5th metatarsal stress fractures of the can be challenging and at times can result in significant disability. Intramedullary screw fixation has become a popular surgical method for management. However, many recent reports have described failures after screw fixation in athletes. The aim of this study was to determine rates of clinical and radiographic fracture healing, return to sport, and complications of elite athletes with proximal fifth metatarsal fracture treated with plantar plating. Methods: Thirty-eight patients with fifth metatarsal stress fractures treated using the plantar plating technique in four hospitals from 2013 to 2018 were evaluated retrospectively. All of the patients were elite athletes. Demographic data, radiographic evaluation, and the time until union and return to unrestricted sporting competition were collected and analyzed. Results: A total of 38 patients underwent the plantar plating for 5th metatarsal stress fracture with a mean follow-up of 23 months (range, 12-49 months). The mean time to radiologic union as determined by CT was 9.3 weeks (range, 8-16 weeks). However, during follow-up, there were 4 refractures but no union problems. One patient experienced temporary sensory disturbance that resolved within 3 months. There was one patient with temporary wound complication, two cases with hardware prominence. All but one patients were able to return to their previous levels of sporting activity at 21 ± 4 (range, 18 to 40) weeks. Conclusion: With minimum 1-year follow-up, the described plantar plating technique is a good alternative method for the surgical treatment of fifth metatarsal stress fractures with less complications.