Project description:ObjectiveMany different techniques have been described for performing tibiotalocalcaneal arthrodesis (TTCA) in patients with severe hindfoot disorders such as failed ankle arthroplasty and failed ankle joint arthrodesis with subsequent subtalar arthritis. The use of straight retrograde intramedullary nails is extremely limited because they may interfere with normal heel valgus position and risk damaging the lateral plantar neurovascular structures. Curved retrograde intramedullary nails have been designed to overcome these shortcomings. The purpose of this single surgeon series was to investigate the outcomes of TTCA using a curved retrograde intramedullary nail.MethodsFrom June 2009 to January 2012, 22 patients underwent TTCA using intramedullary nails with a valgus curve by the same senior surgeon. All patients were available for analysis, the mean follow-up being 22.3 months (range, 6.8-38 months). The main outcome measurements included EQ-5D functional scores, the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) hindfoot scale, radiologic assessment and clinical examination.ResultsBony union and a plantigrade foot were achieved in 100% of subjects, the mean time to union being 3.9 months (range, 2.4 to 6.2 months). Structural bone graft was used in all patients. Postoperative radiologic results showed a good hindfoot alignment in all patients. The only complication was one case of delayed wound healing without deep infection. The mean postoperative EQ-5D functional and AOFAS ankle-hindfoot scores were 69.33 (range, 20 to 90) and 69.9 (range, 45 to 85) points, respectively. No revision surgery was necessary in our cohort.ConclusionThe results of the present study indicate that TTCA using a short, retrograde, curved intramedullary nail is an acceptable technique for obtaining solid fusion and good hindfoot alignment inpatients with severe hindfoot disorders.
Project description:A retrograde intramedullary nail is an implant option for tibiotalocalcaneal arthrodesis because it provides mechanical strength and compression at the fusion site, while being less invasive to soft tissue. However, some fusion failures result in implant overloading, resulting in implant failure. The accumulated stress at the level of the subtalar joint will most likely cause implant breakage. It is challenging to remove the broken tibiotalocalcaneal nail's proximal part. Several surgical procedures for removing the broken tibiotalocalcaneal nail have been reported. In this article, we present a surgical technique for removing a broken tibiotalocalcaneal nail by punching out the proximal part of the broken nail using a prebent Steinmann pin. It has the advantage of being less invasive and not requiring any specific tools to punch out the nail.
Project description:BackgroundTibiotalocalcaneal arthrodesis or hindfoot fusion is a salvage surgical option used to treat symptomatic or severe deformity as a result of Charcot's arthropathy. It is an internal fixation that utilizes nails to stabilize the hindfoot after surgical correction of the deformity. This study intends to measure the change in functional outcomes of patients with Charcot's arthropathy using this technique and the time taken to achieve fusion.MethodThis study presents a series of 40 cases of Charcot's arthropathy where hindfoot fusion was done using a hindfoot arthrodesis nail. A retrospective analysis was done where these patients' functional scores had been evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively (serially) with the Short-Form Health Survey 36 (SF-36), American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS), Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS), and Foot Function Index (FFI). Along with its complication, the length of time required for the fusion is also reported.ResultsThis study consists of 40 patients (13 men, 27 women; mean age 60.5 years; age range 52-68 years) with a mean follow-up of 64 months (range 24-108 months). The mean time taken for fusion was 5.1 months. All patients showed improvement in functional scoring (SF-36, AOFAS, FFI, and FAOS) postoperatively. We establish that the improvements were gradual over 2 years. Approximately 37.5% of patients had a minor complication and 2.5% had a major complication.ConclusionHindfoot fusion using a hindfoot arthrodesis nail results in improved functional outcome with an acceptable fusion time and acceptable complication rate.Level of evidenceLevel III.
Project description:BackgroundTibiotalocalcaneal (TTC) arthrodesis is used among other methods as a salvage procedure for complex foot/ankle deformity. Fixation is usually achieved through plate/screw constructs or intramedullary (IM) nailing. Although IM nailing uses smaller incisions, fusion rates are variable and complications rates ranging from 25% to 55.7% have been reported. The Phantom ActivCore (AC) nail could serve as a viable alternative to traditional IM nailing by allowing for increased compression capacity and a potentially lower risk of stress fracture. However, no studies have described the early outcomes of TTC arthrodesis using the AC nail. The primary objective of this study was to determine the rates of early-term complications and radiographic union of the AC nail.MethodsInclusion criteria consisted of patients who had undergone a tibiocalcaneal or TTC arthrodesis using the Phantom Hindfoot TTC Nail System with at least 6 months of follow-up. Radiographic analysis evaluated for successful union and flexibility of the flex coil. Patients were monitored for postoperative complications and additional secondary procedures.ResultsTwenty-one patients were included and had an average follow-up of 9.4 ±4.7 months (range, 4.3-19 months). No intraoperative complications were reported. Seven patients experienced at least 1 adverse event, which included device migration, asymptomatic nonunion, symptomatic nonunion, bone stress reaction, device prominence, and screw breakage. There were no events of perioperative fractures or device breakage. Two patients required secondary surgical interventions. The 5 remaining patients were managed conservatively. An average nail coil flexion angle of 2.6 ± 3.1 degrees and 0.8 ± 1.59 degrees was found on lateral and anteroposterior radiographs, respectively. The overall union rate at a mean follow-up of 9.4 months was 90.4% (95% CI 69.6%, 98.8%).ConclusionTTC arthrodesis via the AC nail demonstrated similar union rates and outcomes at short-term follow-up compared with rates generally reported in the literature for other IM nail constructs. The AC nail was able to function as designed and allow for motion at the proximal bone-implant interface.Level of evidenceLevel IV, retrospective case series study.
Project description:High-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT) derived micro-finite element (FE) modeling is used to evaluate mechanical behavior at the distal radius microstructure. However, these analyses typically simulate non-physiologic simplified platen-compression boundary conditions on a small section of the distal radius. Cortical and trabecular regions contribute uniquely to distal radius mechanical behavior, and various factors affect these regions distinctly. Generalized strength predictions from standardized platen-compression analyses may not adequately capture region specific responses in bone. Our goal was to compare load sharing within the cortical-trabecular compartments between the standardized platen-compression BC simulations, and physiologic BC simulations using a validated multiscale approach. Clinical- and high-resolution images were acquired from nine cadaveric forearm specimens using an HR-pQCT scanner. Multiscale FE models simulating physiologic BCs, and micro-FE only models simulating platen-compression BCs were created for each specimen. Cortical and trabecular loads (N) along the length of the distal radius micro-FE section were compared between BCs using correlations. Principal strain distributions were also compared quantitatively. Cortical and trabecular loads from the platen-compression BC simulations were strongly correlated to the physiologic BC simulations. However, a 30% difference in cortical loads distally, and a 53% difference in trabecular loads proximally was observed under platen BC simulations. Also, distribution of principal strains was clearly different. Our data indicated that platen-compression BC simulations alter cortical-trabecular load sharing. Therefore, results from these analyses should be interpreted in the appropriate mechanical context for clinical evaluations of normal and pathologic mechanical behavior at the distal radius.
Project description:BackgroundTalar body osteonecrosis can be a difficult condition to treat. Recent reports highlight a high rate of failure with the use of femoral head allograft. Additionally, higher rates of failure have been reported in diabetics and smokers. Our institution attempted a novel technique utilizing fresh allograft talus in attempt to improve on a reported 50% nonunion rate.MethodsFive patients who underwent tibiotalocalcaneal (TTC) fusion utilizing fresh talar allograft were clinically and radiographically reviewed to evaluate fusion rates and functional outcomes.ResultsOur case series of 5 patients had a 100% union rate, including 2 former smokers and 2 diabetic patients. There were no infections or complications. Functional outcomes also improved in our series of patients postoperatively as noted by their FAAM and SF-36 scores.ConclusionTTC fusion using fresh allograft talus has a higher union rate than reported with femoral head allograft. This case series requires further study to evaluate whether this technique can be used beyond patients with osteonecrosis of the talus.Level of evidenceLevel IV, case series.
Project description:The Marchetti-Vicenzi's nail is an intramedullary device where six curved nails are kept straight by a closing ring in order to allow their insertion into the medullary canal of a long bone; in a following step, these nails stabilize the fracture due to the ring withdrawal and to the consequent elastic expansion of the nails. Pre-clinical testing of this sort of device is strongly advocated in order to be able to foresee their stability inside the medullary canal and to quantify their stiffening action on a broken bone. In this numerical work, an MB (Multi Body) model of the device has been developed, with the dual purpose of evaluating forces between the bone and the system components during its progressive opening and verifying the behavior of the stabilized bone when it undergoes external loading. Different solutions, for flexible body modeling (discretization with lumped parameters, "flexible body," "FE Part"), have been analyzed and compared in terms of accuracy of results and required computational resources. Contact parameters have been identified and criteria to simplify geometries and therefore to reduce simulation times have been given. Results have allowed to demonstrate how a moderate lateral force is able to dislocate the fracture and how the final position of the retention nut can be optimized. On the whole, a tool for the pre-clinical testing of elastic intramedullary nails has been given.
Project description:BackgroundTibiotalocalcaneal (TTC) intramedullary nailing has been suggested as an alternative to open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) for the primary treatment of unstable fragility ankle fractures with a poor soft tissue envelope. This study aims to investigate the clinical efficacy of TTC intramedullary nail fixation for the primary treatment of unstable ankle fractures in frail elderly patients with poor soft tissue condition, by assessing the number of postoperative complications and the patient-reported functional outcomes.MethodsA retrospective cohort study was performed including patients with an unstable ankle fracture treated between 2015 and 2019 with TTC stabilization using a retrograde intramedullary hindfoot nail that was inserted without joint preparation and allowing immediate weight-bearing postoperatively. The primary outcome was the total number of postoperative complications.ResultsA total of 10 patients were included out of 365 operatively treated ankle fractures. The mean age was 85.2 years (range 66-92) with a mean follow-up of 11.2 months (range 6-16). Fracture types included AO/OTA 44-B2 (n = 1), 44-B3 (n = 6), 44-C1 (n = 2) and 44-C3 (n = 1). Postoperative complications were observed in 4 patients (40%), including 3 nonunions, 2 implant related complications and 1 wound infection. No wound healing disorder or below-the-knee amputation was observed. Four patients (40%) deceased between post-operative 6 to 16 months due to medical conditions unrelated to surgery. The mean Foot and Ankle Outcome Score was 52.6 (range 44.2-73.8).ConclusionHindfoot nailingis a viable treatment option in selected high-risk patients with an advanced age, unstable ankle fractures with significant bone loss, poor soft tissue condition and/or severely impaired pre-injury mobility. In a frail geriatric population, hindfoot nailing may be a safe alternative fixation method with a low risk of wound complication or major amputation. However, unprepared joint may lead to symptomatic nonunion after TTC intramedullary nailing.
Project description:BackgroundThe tibiotalocalcaneal (TTC) arthrodesis using an intramedullary nail (IMN) is a common method used to treat advanced diabetic ankle/hindfoot Charcot deformity. The talus is usually resected when severe loss of its body is present and the medial malleolar cartilage excised. We report our initial results with talar retention and absence of medial ankle gutter cartilage debridement.MethodsFour patients with type 2/3A Brodsky classification and stage 2/3 as Eichenholtz classification, presenting with a hindfoot varus deformity were treated with TTC using IMN. The talus was retained after excision of its proximal and distal cartilages while the medial malleolus cartilage was not touched. Bone union was the primary outcome. The minimum follow-up period was 12 months.ResultsBone union was achieved radiologically in all 4 cases within 6 months. No signs of postoperative infection was noted. The mean limb length difference between the pre- and postoperative values was 0.5 ± 0.2 cm. At the final follow-up, all patients were able to walk pain-free with full weightbearing. All 4 patients were very satisfied at 12 months with a mean American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot score of 87 ± 3.1.ConclusionWhen performing TTC arthrodesis for diabetic Charcot, preserving the talus even when the body is severely damaged could add to the stability of the construct resulting in bone healing and some leg length preservation. Including the medial malleolus in the fusion surgery might not be necessary.Level of evidenceLevel IV, case series.
Project description:IntroductionTitanium elastic nail (TEN) fixation is a commonly used intramedullary technique, favored for its minimal incision, elastic fixation, and shorter healing time. However, the stability of TEN fixation is not always assured. We developed a new surgical approach for TEN fixation that has shown excellent clinical outcomes. This study aimed to perform a finite element analysis comparing the traditional antegrade internal TEN (ATEN) biomechanical characteristics with retrograde lateral TEN (RTEN) fixations for mid-shaft clavicle fractures.Materials and methodsThe CT images were obtained from the right clavicle of a 40-year-old male volunteer. Models of intact and mid-shaft clavicle fractures fixed using ATEN and RTEN were constructed. Distal clavicle displacement, von Mises stress, and von Mises strain were measured under compressive axial loading and cantilever bending loading.ResultsThe stiffness of both TEN fixation models was lower than that of the intact clavicle under both loading conditions. However, when comparing the two fixation methods, RTEN demonstrated higher stiffness than ATEN under both cantilever bending loading (43.05% vs. 38.57%) and axial compression loading (25.73% vs. 22.44%). The peak von Mises stresses of 2 TEN models were both concentrated on the implants, with RTEN showing lower peak stress than ATEN in both conditions (1090.4 MPa vs. 1371.3 MPa under cantilever bending loading and 1112.9 MPa vs. 1433.8 MPa under axial compression loading).ConclusionCompared to ATEN, RTEN exhibits superior biomechanical properties, with higher stiffness and lower peak von Mises stress. This suggests that RTEN may allow for a shorter immobilization period and earlier rehabilitation, while also presenting a lower risk of fixation failure, such as bending or disruption. Simulation is promising but clinical studies need to be pursued before concluding that retrograde nailing is superior in consideration of the anatomy.Clinical trial numberNot applicable.