Ahmet Dogan

A comparison of two different techniques in the surgical treatment of flexible pes planovalgus: calcaneal lengthening and extra-articular subtalar arthrodesis

The objective of this study was to compare the results of calcaneal lengthening and Dennyson–Fulford extra-articular subtalar arthrodesis operations performed in patients with flexible pes planovalgus owing to various etiologies and to compare their effectiveness in realigning the foot. Two patient groups were retrospectively formed out of the patients in whom calcaneal lengthening (25 feet of 13 patients) and subtalar extra-articular arthrodesis (27 feet of 15 patients) operations were performed. The modified Evans technique for the calcaneal lengthening operation and the Dennyson–Fulford technique for the subtalar extra-articular arthrodesis operation were applied. Any special criterion to choose the indication was not considered. The main indication for the surgery was pain during daily routine activities in both groups. The patients were evaluated preoperatively and during the last visit, both clinically and radiographically. The groups were homogenous for sex and mean age for the process, but in the subtalar extra-articular arthrodesis group, the deformity was more severe in some parameters, mean follow-up period was significantly longer and neurologic etiologies were more dominant. Anteroposterior talocalcaneal and talonavicular angles were worse in the subtalar extra-articular arthrodesis group preoperatively (P<0.05). Both groups showed significant correction (P<0.05) in all parameters postoperatively. In the last visit, lateral talocalcaneal, anteroposterior, and lateral talonavicular angles were worse in the calcaneal lengthening group (P<0.05) and calcaneal pitch angle was worse in the subtalar extra-articular arthrodesis group (P<0.05). Both groups showed significant clinical correction (P<0.05) in all parameters postoperatively, but there was no significant difference between the groups during the last visit in terms of total clinical scores (P>0.05). Pain, the parameter that was the main indication for surgery, was eliminated in all patients except for one in the calcaneal lengthening group. The evaluation of the effectiveness of the surgical technique on the results made by performing repeated measures from general linear models showed significantly better correction in anteroposterior and lateral talocalcaneal angles, anteroposterior and lateral talonavicular angles, and medial longitudinal arc angle in the subtalar extra-articular arthrodesis group (P<0.05). In conclusion, in this study group, the subtalar extra-articular arthrodesis technique was superior in talocalcaneonavicular joint complex reduction and medial longitudinal arc reconstruction in the surgical treatment of flexible pes planovalgus, and calcaneal lengthening provided better correction of calcaneal equinus. Therefore, it is better to use the calcaneal lengthening technique in mild or moderate deformities because of its physiological advantages, and subtalar extra-articular arthrodesis technique in severe and/or rigid deformities because of its superior potential to correct the deformity and stabilize the foot in the corrected position.

The relationship between anterior knee pain occurring after tibial intramedullary nailing and the localization of the nail in the proximal tibia

OBJECTIVES We investigated the relationship between the development of postoperative anterior knee pain and the location of the nail in the proximal tibia in patients treated with locked intramedullary nailing for tibial diaphyseal fractures. METHODS Thirty patients were selected among those who underwent locked intramedullary nailing for tibial diaphyseal fractures, with exclusion of all other factors that might be associated with postoperative anterior knee pain. In all the patients, intramedullary nailing was performed using the transtendinous approach and both proximal and distal locking. The patients were evaluated in two groups: 10 patients (3 women, 7 men; mean age 38 + or - 14 years) had anterior knee pain, whereas 20 patients (5 women, 15 men; mean age 35 + or - 12 years) did not. The distances from the nail to the tibial plateau and anterior tibial cortex were measured on the lateral x-rays after a mean follow-up of 56.6 months and 45.2 months in patients with and without anterior knee pain, respectively. RESULTS The two groups were similar with respect to gender and follow-up period (p>0.05). The mean distances from the nail to the tibial plateau and anterior tibial cortex were -11.5 + or - 7.9 mm and 3.7 + or - 5.4 mm, respectively, in patients with anterior knee pain. The corresponding distances were -8.8 + or - 7.3 mm and 6.5 + or - 4.7 mm in patients without knee pain. Neither of the distances showed a significant difference between the two groups (p>0.05). CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that the distances from the nail to the tibial plateau and anterior tibial cortex do not have any role in the development of postoperative anterior knee pain.

Clinical results of intramedullary nailing following closed or mini open reduction in pediatric unstable diaphyseal forearm fractures

OBJECTIVES We compared the clinical results of open reduction with a mini incision and closed reduction in pediatric unstable diaphyseal forearm fractures treated with intramedullary nailing. METHODS We retrospectively evaluated 45 children who were treated with intramedullary nailing for unstable middle third diaphyseal forearm fractures. Before intramedullary nailing, 24 patients (group 1; 5 girls, 19 boys; mean age 10 years; range 5 to 14 years) underwent open reduction with a mini incision, and 21 patients (group 2; 5 girls, 16 boys; mean age 11.5 years; range 8 to 13 years) underwent closed reduction. There were 16 closed, seven Gustilo-Anderson type 1, and one type 2 open fractures in group 1, and 15 closed and six type 1 open fractures in group 2. The mean time to surgery was 5 days (range 1 to 20 days) in group 1, and 3.1 days (range 1 to 5 days) in group 2. Rush rods or Kirschner wires were used for fixation. In group 1, both radius and ulna were fixed in all the patients, whereas fixation involved both bones in 18 patients, and only ulna in three patients in group 2. Functional results were evaluated according to the criteria of Price et al. The mean follow-up period was 33 months (range 12 to 89 months) in group 1, and 37 months (range 14 to 52 months) in group 2. RESULTS Union was obtained in a mean of 7.1+/-1.0 weeks (range 6 to 9 weeks) in group 1, and 6.5+/-1.0 weeks (range 6 to 10 weeks) in group 2. The implants were removed after a mean of 7.2+/-1.7 weeks (range 6 to 10 weeks) in group 1, and 8.1+/-0.4 weeks (range 8 to 10 weeks) in group 2. The two groups differed significantly with respect to union and implant removal times (p=0.036 and p=0.002, respectively). According to the criteria of Price et al., the results were excellent in 19 patients (79.2%) and 18 patients (85.7%), and good in five patients (20.8%) and three patients (14.3%) in group 1 and 2, respectively. There was no significant difference between the functional results of the two groups (p>0.05). Complications showed a similar profile in the two groups, being one major (4.2%) and seven minor (29.2%) in group 1, one major (4.8%) and eight minor (38.1%) in group 2. None of the patients had complications such as limb-length discrepancy, epiphyseal damage, angular or rotational deformity, synostosis, or limited elbow or forearm range of motion. CONCLUSION Closed reduction or open reduction with a mini incision before intramedullary nailing yield similar functional results, with a similar complication profile in the treatment of pediatric unstable diaphyseal forearm fractures.

A rare wrist injury: simultaneous fractures of the hamate body and scaphoid waist.

Hamate fractures, which are classified as fractures of the body or the hook, are rare, representing only 2% to 4% of carpal fractures. Hamate body fractures can occur as isolated injuries, but in a high-energy trauma, associated carpal bone fractures or carpal disruption can be seen. Hamate fractures can be easily underdiagnosed. Pain in the ulnar side of the palm and swelling of the wrist after a wrist injury should alert the physician. Anteroposterior and lateral radiographs of the wrist may not always be adequate for the diagnosis. Computed tomography should be used to explain the pain in the wrist and to investigate any associating osseous pathologies. This article describes a case of a rare wrist injury: a fracture of the hamate body and a simultaneous fracture of the scaphoid waist treated nonoperatively. To our knowledge, there is only 1 case report in the literature in which the fracture of the hamate body accompanies the fracture of the distal pole of the scaphoid.

Congenital pseudarthrosis of the clavicle in two siblings

Congenital pseudarthrosis of the clavicle is a rare disorder of unknown etiology. Among nearly 200 cases hitherto reported, only a few cases have familial coexistence, and none are first-degree relatives. A nine-year old girl had complaints of weakness in the right arm and swelling in the right shoulder. On physical examination, a mass-like lesion in the right clavicle, abnormal clavicular movement, and asymmetric shoulders were noted. The range of motion of the shoulder was in normal range on both sides. A plain radiogram showed a defect in the diaphysis of the right clavicle and computed tomography showed discontinuity of the right clavicle. Similar clinical and radiologic findings were also detected in her younger sister who was three years old. None had a history of trauma, difficult delivery, or natal complication, any abnormal findings related to the musculoskeletal system, any abnormality in routine laboratory test results and genetic analysis. The diagnosis was made as congenital pseudarthrosis of the clavicle in both siblings. Since they had normal range of joint movements without pain, they were scheduled for clinical follow-up. To our knowledge, these two siblings are the first to be reported in the literature for having congenital pseudarthrosis of the clavicle.

Modified Simmonds-Menelaus procedure for moderate or severe adult hallux valgus

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to present the clinical and radiological results of modified Simmonds-Menelaus technique, performed as a proximal, medially-based, open-wedge osteotomy of the first metatarsal, in cases of moderate or severe adult hallux valgus deformity. METHODS Fifty-one feet of 47 patients underwent surgery due to hallux valgus. Mean age was 41.2±14.0 years, and mean follow-up period was 99.5±36.0 months. Patients were evaluated with standing anteroposterior (AP) and lateral radiographies obtained in the preoperative and early postoperative periods, and during final follow-up. The parameters of hallux valgus angle (HVA), intermetatarsal angle (IA), metatarsal distal phalangeal angle (MDPA), and first metatarsal length (ML) were measured. For clinical evaluation, American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) hallux metatarsophalangeal-interphalangeal (MTP-IP) scale was used. RESULTS Mean preoperative HVA was 36.9°±7.3°, mean early postoperative HVA was 16.6°±6.2°, and mean final postoperative HVA was 28.9°±11.5°. Mean preoperative IA was 17.3°±4.5°, mean early postoperative IA was 8.8°±3.6°, and mean final postoperative IA was 14.3°±4.9°. Mean AOFAS hallux MTP-IP score was 71.9±20.1 at final follow-up. CONCLUSION From studies in the available literature, it is not clear whether the proximal open-wedge osteotomy technique itself is unsuccessful in adults or the lack of internal fixation led to failure. Application of an adequate fixation material should be used in order to avoid the collapse of the graft and to maintain the correction of the radiological parameters.

The effect of abductor hallucis tendon release on residual adductus deformity in the surgical treatment of congenital clubfoot

OBJECTIVES We evaluated the effect of abductor hallucis (AH) tendon release on residual adductus deformity in the surgical treatment of congenital clubfoot. METHODS The study included 35 patients with congenital clubfoot. Thirteen patients (group 1, 21 feet) underwent classical complete subtalar release, while 22 patients (group 2, 31 feet) underwent the same treatment combined with AH muscle release by stripping it plantarward and transecting it distally. The mean age was 19.4 months (range 13 to 39 months) in group 1, and 13.5 months (range 11 to 25 months) in group 2. The mean follow-up period was 55.5 months (range 36 to 77 months) in group 1, and 24.7 months (range 10 to 37 months) in group 2. Radiographic assessments were made on preoperative, early postoperative, and final radiographs for the anteroposterior talo-first metatarsal angle and calcaneocuboid relationship, and for the anteroposterior naviculometatarsal angle and talonavicular relationship on final radiographs. RESULTS Both groups showed significant improvement in the anteroposterior talo-first metatarsal angle in the early postoperative period (p<0.001); however, early and late postoperative talo-first metatarsal angle did not differ significantly both within groups and between groups (p>0.05). The anteroposterior naviculometatarsal angle was 95.3 degrees in group 1, and 96.7 degrees in group 2. The anteroposterior naviculometatarsal angle and talonavicular subluxation were similar in the two groups (p>0.05). The early and late postoperative calcaneocuboid relationship showed significant improvement in both groups, without a significant difference between the groups (p>0.05). CONCLUSION It seems that release of the AH muscle does not affect the incidence of postsurgical residual adduction deformity in the surgical treatment of congenital clubfoot.