Daniel Baumfeld

Etiology, Clinical Assessment, and Surgical Repair of Plantar Plate Tears

The plantar plate has recently gained more attention as an important structure contributing to lesser metatarsophalangeal joint stability. This has prompted a significant growth of interest in the anatomy and biomechanics of the plantar plate and in the diagnosis and treatment of its injuries. Improved understanding of plantar plate function and predictable patterns of degeneration and failure has led to the development of a clinical staging and surgical grading system of plantar plate lesions. Relatively recent innovations allow the surgeon to access and repair plantar plate tears directly with reinsertion onto the base of the proximal phalanx. The addition of direct plantar plate repair represents a significant advance in the surgical restoration of alignment and functional stability of the lesser metatarsophalangeal joint.

Joint-sparing Corrections in Malunited Lisfranc Joint Injuries

Lisfranc fracture-dislocations are very serious and potentially disabling injuries. Unfortunately, they are often misdiagnosed. Multiplanar midfoot deformities that result from these fracture-dislocations are precursors of joint degeneration and significant functional disabilities. Anatomic reduction with different types of internal fixation is an efficient method to reconstruct midfoot alignment and stability. Joint-preserving reconstruction techniques emerge as a viable alternative to corrective fusion as they achieve stable joint realignment with preserved motion.

Combined Spring and Deltoid Ligament Repair in Adult-Acquired Flatfoot

Background: Adult-acquired flatfoot deformity (AAFD) is usually due to a combination of mechanical failure of the osteoligamentous complex that maintains the medial longitudinal arch of the foot and attenuation or complete tear of the posterior tibial tendon. Magnetic resonance imaging studies in patients with flatfoot deformities have reported the posterior tibial tendon to be pathologic in up to 100% of patients, the spring ligament in up to 87%, and the deltoid ligament in 33%. Many studies in the literature describe reconstruction of the spring ligament or the deltoid ligament associated with AAFD, but there is no study in which both (spring and deltoid) ligaments are reconstructed at the same time. We describe a novel technique to reconstruct the deltoid ligament and the spring ligament at the same time. Methods: We described the technique and evaluated 10 consecutive patients with AAFD and insufficient ankle and midfoot ligaments. Results: We found no postoperative complications, stiffness, or loss of correction. Conclusion: We present a novel technique to reconstruct the failed deltoid and spring ligament during flatfoot correction. It is unique in that it uses internal brace augmentation with FiberTape® to help and protect the soft tissue healing. Level of Evidence: Level IV, retrospective case series.

Foot and ankle injuries in professional soccer players: diagnosis, treatment, and expectations

Soccer is one of the most popular sports in the world. It has undergone many changes in recent years, mainly because of increased physical demands, and this has led to an increased injury risk. Direct contact accounts for half of all injuries in both indoor and outdoor soccer and ankle sprains are the most common foot and ankle injury. There is a spectrum of foot and ankle injuries and their treatment should be individualized in these high-demand patients. An injury prevention program is also important and should the players, the trainer, responsible physician, and physical therapists.

All-arthroscopic AMIC® (AT-AMIC) for the Treatment of Talar Osteochondral Defects: a short follow-up Case Series

INTRODUCTION Various procedures have been used to treat osteochondral lesions of the talus. Among the new alternatives to treat these lesions, Autologous Matrix-Induced Chondrogenesis (AMIC®) has proven to provide satisfactory results through medium-term follow-up. The aim of this study is to report early post-operative clinical results of patients submitted to the AT-AMIC® technique and autologous bone graft, when necessary, for OLTs at a eight-month minimum follow-up. METHODS This is case series of 17 consecutive patients that were submitted to AT-AMIC®, between January of 2016 and April of 2017. Nine men and eight women, between 15 and 67 years were diagnosed with OLTs with the typical history of deep ankle pain and corresponding magnetic resonance imaging injury. Surgery was proposed only after failure of conservative treatment of at least 3 months. Patients answered the AOFAS score preoperatively and at the last follow-up, ranging from 8 to 20 months. RESULTS Average size of OLTs were 1.16cm2, with Raikin 4 location being the most common (71%). Calcaneal osteotomy was the most common associated procedure, with 18%. Average follow-up was 10.8 months. Average AOFAS before surgery was 46.4, increasing to 89.5 at the last follow-up. This difference was statistically significant with a p-value of <0.001. No complications were observed and no changes in the post-operative protocol were needed. CONCLUSION AT-AMIC® is a reliable and reproducible method of treatment for OLTs, reaching high clinical postoperative scores, with a very low rate of complications. Further comparative study is needed to prove its efficacy.

Segmental decompressive fasciotomy for acute non-traumatic compartment syndrome in a professional soccer player: case report

Acute compartment syndrome in athletes is a rare orthopedic emergency associated with strenuous exercise. It is often diagnosed late and can lead to severe complications and high morbidity. This report describes the case of a young soccer player with acute compartment syndrome with no history of trauma, diagnosed and treated 24 h after the onset of symptoms, through minimally invasive decompressive fasciotomy, with good postoperative evolution.

Isokinetic functional outcomes of open versus percutaneous repair following Achilles tendon tears

BACKGROUND Rupture of the Achilles tendon (AT) is frequent in young recreational athletes. Conservative management, open surgery and percutaneous/minimally invasive approaches are all advocated, and conflicting data are available. This study compared functional and anthropometric outcomes of patients who underwent open or percutaneous repair. METHODS A retrospective comparative study, in which 38 patients underwent open and percutaneous techniques to manage AT ruptures. For functional assessment, the calf circumference of both injured and uninjured legs was evaluated. Isokinetic testing included total plantar flexion work, peak plantar flexion torque, total dorsiflexion work peak and dorsiflexion torque. The Achilles Tendon Rupture Score (ATRS) and the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Score (AOFAS) were evaluated at a final minimum follow-up of 12months. RESULTS No major complications were observed. The average time to return to sport was 9months. AOFAS and ATRS values did not differ statistically between groups. Isokinetic variables and circumference were similar in the operated and non-operated limb in both groups, and did not differ either when comparing open and percutaneous repair. CONCLUSIONS Open and percutaneous repair of a torn Achilles tendon produced similar functional outcomes.

Lesser Metatarsophalangeal Joint Instability: Treatment with Tendon Transfers

Complex digital deformities and metatarsophalangeal joint instability encompass a wide range of pathology, and we must identify the different degrees of ligamentous disruption. It is important to address a combination of procedures to treat gross deformities of the lesser toes. Surgical treatment should be individualized and requires a sequential process for adequate reduction and deformity correction. There is no gold standard procedure for every deformity. Although residual stiffness can result from tendon transfer, overall patient satisfaction levels remain high when it is performed under the proper indications and concomitantly with other procedures to gain full correction of these challenging deformities.

Percutaneous Lag Screw Fixation for Lateral Malleolar Fracture: Technique Description and Case Report

Open reduction and internal fixation with plate and screws is the standard treatment for displaced or unstable lateral malleolar fractures. Despite functional satisfactory results obtained using this technique, complications including infection, skin necrosis, and discomfort caused by the plate are reported in 10-20% of cases. Several minimally invasive techniques have emerged as alternatives to avoid these complications. The present study aims to describe a technique and case report for percutaneous treatment of lateral malleolar fractures applying only screw fixation.