Gerhard Kaufmann

Are our expectations bigger than the results we achieve? a comparative study analysing potential advantages of ankle arthroplasty over arthrodesis.

PurposePrior studies have reported improved gait performance and kinematics after total ankle arthroplasty (TAR) compared to ankle arthrodesis (AAD). Given these findings, AAD has been primarily considered as a salvage procedure that may lead to adjacent joint degeneration.MethodsA total of 101 TAR and 40 screw arthrodeses were enrolled in a retrospective study with a prospectively designed follow-up examination that included gait analysis and outcome assessment with the AOFAS hindfoot score and FAOS questionnaire.ResultsSignificant asymmetry in gait and reduced range of motion compared to normal remained after both procedures. Subjective outcome improved after both procedures, and pain was significantly better after TAR. Limited functional gains after TAR and joint degeneration to the same degree after both procedures was seen in the mid-term. Hindfoot fusion seemed to have a greater impact on postoperative function than ankle arthrodesis.ConclusionConsidering only minor functional gains of TAR compared to AAD the implantation of current TAR designs in large patient series may be questioned.

Effect of Coronal and Sagittal Alignment on Outcome After Mobile-Bearing Total Ankle Replacement

Background: Comparably high revision rates are reported after total ankle replacement (TAR). Therefore, further critical analysis of the influence of implant position on clinical outcome is necessary. Methods: We analyzed the reliability and predictive value of previously published pre- and postoperative coronal and sagittal parameters in routine ankle radiographs on the clinical outcome of 84 HINTEGRA total ankle replacements (Newdeal, Lyon, France; Integra, Plainsboro, New Jersey). Mean follow-up was 4.0 years, and 15.5% of the TARs had revision surgery. Results: Mean postoperative American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society ankle-hindfoot score was 71.3; mean postoperative verbal rating scale for pain was 3.1; and mean postoperative ankle range of motion was 26.4 degrees. Most tested radiologic parameters showed moderate or high intra- and interobserver reliability. With the numbers available, no significant difference in clinical outcome for all tested radiologic parameters could be detected. Conclusion: Our results indicate that mild malalignment of TAR, as assessed on routine ankle radiographs, did not affect midterm clinical outcome after TAR. Further multicenter studies with longer follow-up are needed to support our findings. Level of Evidence: Level III, comparative series.

Categorization Diminishes the Reliability of Hip Scores

Scoring systems frequently are used to assess the outcome of total hip arthroplasty. The result may be presented as a numeric value, or in descriptive terms such as excellent, good, fair, and poor (category system). The current study was done to investigate the influence of descriptive and numeric outcomes for interobserver reliability and interscore correlation of five different hip scores. Sixty-four patients (83 hips) were included in the study. The average age of the patients at followup was 70 years (range, 48–88 years). The average followup was 6.2 years (range, 2–17 years). For the numeric outcome a higher interobserver reliability (correlation coefficient, 0.71–0.81) and interscore correlation (correlation coefficient, 0.81–0.92) were found compared with the category system (interobserver reliability[correlation coefficient, 0.57–0.72]; interscore correlation [correlation coefficient, 0.46–0.62]). Findings from the study suggest that categorization of the results of total hip arthroplasty reduces interobserver reliability and interscore correlation.

Proximal Opening Wedge Osteotomy With Distal Chevron Osteotomy of the First Metatarsal for the Treatment of Moderate to Severe Hallux Valgus.

Background: The aim of this study was to assess radiographic and clinical outcomes after double osteotomy with proximal opening wedge first metatarsal osteotomy and first metatarsal distal chevron osteotomy in the treatment of moderate to severe hallux valgus. Methods: 33 patients (4 male, 29 female; 36 feet; average age 60.7 years) were included in the study. Radiographic and clinical outcome in terms of intermetatarsal angle (IMA), hallux valgus angle (HVA), distal metatarsal articular angle (DMAA), and the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society metatarsophalangeal-interphalangeal hallux score (AOFAS MTP-IP hallux score) were investigated at 6 weeks, 6 months, and after an average of 28 (range, 7-123) months postoperatively. Results: Preoperative IMA, HVA, and DMMA showed statistically significant improvement (P ≤ .05) from 19.1 ± 3.8 (8.9-27.3) degrees, 45.4 ± 8.7 (25.9-60.9) degrees, and 20.8 ± 8.9 (4.5-38.0) degrees to 6.0 ± 3.3 (0.4-12.2) degrees, 9.1 ± 8.9 (–6.7 to 39.0) degrees, and 6.4 ± 5.6 (–6.8 to 21.0) degrees at last follow-up, respectively. Postoperative AOFAS MTP-IP hallux score averaged 88.1 points. Overall, 10 complications were observed: hallux varus (3 feet), hallux valgus recurrence (3 feet), nonunion (1 foot), loss of fixation (1 foot), and wound infection (2 feet). Conclusion: Proximal opening wedge first metatarsal osteotomy with distal chevron osteotomy provided powerful correction of each component of moderate to severe hallux valgus but had a substantial rate of complications in terms of over- and undercorrection, nonunion, loss of fixation, and wound infection. Level of Evidence: Level IV, case series.