Karan Malhotra

A new extensile anterolateral retroperitoneal approach for lumbar interbody fusion from L1 to S1: a prospective series with clinical outcomes.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT A variety of surgical approaches have been used for cage insertion in lumbar interbody fusion surgery. The direct anterior approach requires mobilization of the great vessels to access the intervertebral disc spaces cranial to L5/S1. With the lateral retroperitoneal transpsoas approach, it is difficult to access the L4/L5 intervertebral disc space due to the lumbar plexus and iliac crest, and L5/S1 is inaccessible. We describe a new anterolateral retroperitoneal approach, which is safe and reproducible to access the disc spaces from L1 to S1 inclusive, obviating the need for a separate direct anterior approach to access L5/S1. PURPOSE This paper had the following objectives: first, to report a reproducible novel single-incision, muscle-splitting, anterolateral pre-psoas surgical approach to the lumbar spine from L1 to S1; second, to highlight the technical challenges of this approach and highlight approach-related complications; and third, to evaluate clinical outcomes using this surgical technique in a prospective series of L1 to S1 anterior lumbar interbody fusions (ALIFs) performed as part of a 360-degree fusion for adult spinal deformity correction. STUDY DESIGN This report used a prospective cohort study. PATIENT SAMPLE A prospective series of patients (n=64) having ALIF using porous tantalum cages as part of a two-stage complex spinal reconstruction from L1 to S1 were studied. OUTCOME MEASURES Data collected included blood loss, operative time, incision size, technical challenges, perioperative complications, and secondary procedures. Clinical outcome measures used included visual analogue scale (VAS) Back Pain, VAS Leg Pain, EuroQoL-5 Dimensions (EQ-5D), EQ-5D VAS, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and Scoliosis Research Society-22 (SRS-22). METHODS Pre- and postoperative radiographic parameters and clinical outcome measures were assessed. Mean follow-up time was 1.8 years. RESULTS Mean blood loss was 68±9.6 mL. The mean VAS Back Pain score improved from 7.5±1.25 preoperatively to 2.5±1.7 at 3 months (p=.02), 1.2±0.5 at 6 months (p=.01), and 1.4±0.6 at 1 year (p=.02). The mean ODI improved from 64.3±31.8 preoperatively to 16.6±14.7 at 3 months (p>.05), 10.7±6.0 at 6 months (p=.02), and 6.7±6.1 at 1 year (p=.01). There were no permanent neurologic, vascular, or visceral injuries. One revision anterior procedure was required on a patient with rheumatoid arthritis and advanced systemic disease that sustained a sacral fracture and required revision ALIF at L5/S1. CONCLUSIONS The technique described is a safe, new, muscle-splitting, psoas-preserving, one-incision approach to provide access from L1 to S1 for multilevel anterior or oblique lumbar interbody fusion surgery.

The pathology and management of lesser toe deformities

Deformities of the lesser toes are common and can be associated with significant morbidity. These deformities are often multiple, and numerous treatment strategies have been described in the literature. The goal of surgical treatment is to improve symptoms by restoring alignment and function, and avoiding recurrence. In order to achieve this, it is essential for the treating surgeon to understand the normal anatomy and pathology of the various deformities. There is a paucity of prospective studies and randomised-controlled trials assessing the efficacy of specific interventions. We describe the normal anatomy and biomechanics of the lesser toes, and the pathology of commonly adult deformities. The rationale behind various treatment strategies is discussed and the results of published literature presented. Algorithms for the management of lesser toe deformities based on current literature are proposed. Cite this article: Malhotra K, Davda K, Singh D. The pathology and management of lesser toe deformities. EFORT Open Rev 2016;1:409-419. DOI: 10.1302/2058-5241.1.160017.

Pathologic sternal involvement is a potential risk factor for severe sagittal plane deformity in multiple myeloma with concomitant thoracic fractures

BACKGROUND CONTEXT Skeletal involvement is observed in almost 80% of patients presenting with symptomatic multiple myeloma (MM). The vertebral column is the most frequently affected site by myeloma-induced osteoporosis, osteolysis, and compression fractures. Multiple pathologic compression fractures can lead to significant spinal deformity, which is often considered for complex reconstruction because of the poor quality of life for the affected patients. PURPOSE This study aimed to compare the clinical and radiological outcomes of two groups of MM patients; the first group had thoracic spine fractures and a concomitant pathologic sternal fracture (SF), and the second group had thoracic fractures but no sternal fracture (NSF). STUDY DESIGN This was a cross-sectional study. PATIENT SAMPLE The sample comprised 98 consecutive patients (n=98) with symptomatic MM and concomitant pathologic thoracic spine fractures over a 3-year period at a national tertiary referral center for the management of MM with spinal involvement. OUTCOME MEASURES Clinical outcome measures used included European Quality of Life-5 Dimensions (EQ-5D), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and visual analogue scale (VAS) pain score. METHODS All consecutive patients with MM were enrolled. The cohort was split into two patient groups: patients with SFs (SF group) and patients without sternal fractures (NSF group). Clinical, serologic, and pathologic variables, radiological findings, treatment strategies, and outcome measures were collected. RESULTS The SF group was younger (58±13 years vs. 66±11 years [p=.008]) when compared with the NSF group. The SF group presented with a greater thoracic kyphosis (73°±18° vs. 53°±17.5° [p=.005]), similar VAS pain scores (50.6±22.1 vs. 54.4±22.5 [p>.05]), but poorer EQ-5D (0.24±0.13 vs. 0.48±0.23 [p<.001]) score and ODI (60.6±10.3 vs. 48.2±17.8 [p=.013]) when compared with the NSF group. CONCLUSIONS Pathologic SF in an MM patient with thoracic compression fractures is a potential risk factor for the development of a severe thoracic kyphotic deformity and sagittal malalignment. This has been demonstrated in this study to be associated with a very poor health-related quality of life. A greater awareness of sternal myeloma disease is needed at presentation (the time of the primary survey) so that SFs can be potentially avoided, thereby preventing progression to a severe kyphotic deformity.

The effects of weight bearing on the distal tibiofibular syndesmosis: A study comparing weight bearing-CT with conventional CT

BACKGROUND Syndesmotic injures are common and weight bearing imaging studies are often advocated to assess disruption. Although studies have examined the anatomical relationship between the fibula and incisura, the effect of weight-bearing on the syndesmosis has not been well reported. We characterise the changes which occur at the syndesmosis during weight-bearing. METHODS In this retrospective review we analysed the position of the fibula at the syndesmosis in a cohort of patients who underwent both non-weight-bearing and weight-bearing CT scans. The relative position of the fibula to the incisura was analysed to determine translation and rotation in the axial plane. RESULTS 26 patients were included. Comparison of measurements revealed statistically significant differences between groups which indicated that on weight-bearing the fibula translated laterally and posteriorly, and rotated externally with respect to the incisura. CONCLUSIONS This is the first study to measure the differences in position of the syndesmosis during weight-bearing in a population of patients that have undergone both weight bearing and non weight bearing CT. Our study confirms that weight-bearing results in lateral and posterior translation, and external rotation of the fibula in relation to the incisura and our findings should help in future studies looking at the effect of weight bearing on syndesmotic pathology.

Successful nonsurgical treatment for highly unstable fracture subluxation of the spine secondary to myeloma

BACKGROUND CONTEXT In multiple myeloma, patients may develop rapidly progressive, lytic, spinal lesions. These may result in spinal instability, but instrumented stabilization may fail because of poor bone quality. In addition, patients are immunocompromised and are therefore at increased risk of deep infection. PURPOSE The aim was to describe a patient presenting with an unstable fracture subluxation of the thoracic spine secondary to myeloma, successfully treated with non-surgical management. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING This is a case report of a patient seen in a specialist spinal myeloma service. METHODS A 74-year-old Caucasian woman presented with destructive myelomatous lesions of T9 and T10. Greater than 50% of the T9 vertebral body was involved, and there was subluxation and translation of T9 on T10 (Spinal Instability Neoplastic Score of 14). There was a single episode of transient paresthesia of both lower limbs. The patient was in considerable pain, requiring large quantities of opioid analgesia. She was treated non-surgically in a thoracolumbar sacral orthosis for a period of 3 months (strict bed rest for the first 3 weeks). RESULTS A computed tomography scan at 3 months demonstrated bony fusion and the brace was removed. The patient returned to her normal activities 5 months posttreatment. Her pain and patient-reported outcome scores were significantly improved. CONCLUSIONS We present a successful non-surgical management of an unstable myelomatous vertebral fracture without neurologic deficit. However, surgical stabilization remains the treatment of choice in unstable vertebral fractures and spinal surgical opinion should be sought in all cases.

Anterior and posterior fixation for delayed treatment of posterior atlantoaxial dislocation without fracture

Posterior atlantoaxial dislocation (PAAD) without fracture of the odontoid process is a rare injury. Authors have variously reported closed or open reduction, followed by either anterior or posterior fixation, but there is no consensus on best treatment. We present a particularly unstable case of PAAD. Open reduction through a retropharyngeal approach with odontoidectomy was required for reduction. Anterior fixation with transarticular lag screws was required prior to posterior fixation with pedicle screws. Despite non-compliance with postoperative immobilisation, imaging at 20-month follow-up confirmed solid fusion. The patient is pain-free with a good range of movement of the neck and has returned to a manual job. Our case had a greater degree of instability than was previously reported, which necessitated 360° fixation. This is the first reported case of this treatment strategy, which provided a very stable fixation allowing fusion despite early movement and without causing undue stiffness.

Gastrocnemius tightness: A population based observational study

BACKGROUND Gastrocnemius tightness is believed to be associated with multiple musculoskeletal pathologies such as back pain, plantar fasciitis and metatarsalgia. Although surgical treatment of gastrocnemius tightness is gaining popularity the objective definition of a gastrocnemius contracture has not been determined. The aim of our study was therefore to quantify gastrocnemius tightness in a normal population. METHODS Adult participants with no obvious foot and ankle pathology were recruited. Gastrocnemius tightness was quantified using a weightbearing lunge test. Maximal ankle-foot dorsiflexion was measured on participants with the knee in full extension and flexed to 20° using a digital inclinometer. The ankle-foot dorsiflexion index or ADI (difference in ankle dorsiflexion with the knee extended and flexed) was calculated. The ADI values were plotted on a histogram to identify the distribution of values and were compared according to participant demographics. RESULTS 800 limbs from 400 participants were examined. There was a wide distribution of absolute values of maximal ankle-foot dorsiflexion ranging from 8 to 52°. The ADI ranged from 0 to19° and approximated to a normal distribution. The mean ADI was 6.04±3.49° and was positively correlated with age (r=0.132, P<0.001) and negatively correlated with physical activity (r=-0.88, P=0.015). CONCLUSION(S) Our study is the first to quantify gastrocnemius tightness in a large healthy adult population with differences observed by age and physical activity. We have defined an easy and reproducible weightbearing test that can be used in both research and clinical settings. The majority of the population have some degree of gastrocnemius tightness and values of ADI greater than 13° (>2 SD of the mean), as measured by the lunge test, may be considered abnormal.

Peroneal tendon disorders

Pathological abnormality of the peroneal tendons is an under-appreciated source of lateral hindfoot pain and dysfunction that can be difficult to distinguish from lateral ankle ligament injuries. Enclosed within the lateral compartment of the leg, the peroneal tendons are the primary evertors of the foot and function as lateral ankle stabilisers. Pathology of the tendons falls into three broad categories: tendinitis and tenosynovitis, tendon subluxation and dislocation, and tendon splits and tears. These can be associated with ankle instability, hindfoot deformity and anomalous anatomy such as a low lying peroneus brevis or peroneus quartus. A thorough clinical examination should include an assessment of foot type (cavus or planovalgus), palpation of the peronei in the retromalleolar groove on resisted ankle dorsiflexion and eversion as well as testing of lateral ankle ligaments. Imaging including radiographs, ultrasound and MRI will help determine the diagnosis. Treatment recommendations for these disorders are primarily based on case series and expert opinion. The aim of this review is to summarise the current understanding of the anatomy and diagnostic evaluation of the peroneal tendons, and to present both conservative and operative management options of peroneal tendon lesions. Cite this article: EFORT Open Rev 2017;2:281-292. DOI: 10.1302/2058-5241.2.160047

Progressive foot drop caused by below-knee compression stocking after spinal surgery

Foot drop is a debilitating condition, which may take many months to recover. The most common cause of foot drop is a neuropathy of the common peroneal nerve (CPN). However, similar symptoms can be caused by proximal lesions of the sciatic nerve, lumbar plexus or L5 nerve root. We present a rare and unusual case of a patient undergoing spinal surgery at the level of L5/S1 and presenting 4 weeks postoperatively with progressive foot drop. Although the initial concern was a postoperative lesion at L5, the cause for this delayed presentation was extrinsic compression of the CPN at the level of the fibular head by a tight-fitting below-knee thromboembolic deterrent stocking. Compression stockings are widely used in all branches of medicine and in the community. It is important to recognize this potential cause of progressive foot drop early as it is preventable by simple measures, which can significantly reduce morbidity.

The relationship between spinopelvic measurements and patient-reported outcome scores in patients with multiple myeloma of the spine

AIMS Patients with multiple myeloma (MM) develop deposits in the spine which may lead to vertebral compression fractures (VCFs). Our aim was to establish which spinopelvic parameters are associated with the greatest disability in patients with spinal myeloma and VCFs. PATIENTS AND METHODS We performed a retrospective cross-sectional review of 148 consecutive patients (87 male, 61 female) with spinal myeloma and analysed correlations between spinopelvic parameters and patient-reported outcome scores. The mean age of the patients was 65.5 years (37 to 91) and the mean number of vertebrae involved was 3.7 (1 to 15). RESULTS The thoracolumbar region was most commonly affected (109 patients, 73.6%), and was the site of most posterior vertebral wall defects (47 patients, 31.8%). Poorer Oswestry Disability Index scores correlated with an increased sagittal vertical axis (p = 0.006), an increased number of VCFs (p = 0.035) and sternal involvement (p = 0.012). Poorer EuroQol visual analogue scale scores correlated with posterior vertebral wall defects in the thoracolumbar region (p = 0.012). The sagittal vertical axis increased with the number of fractures and kyphosis in the thoracolumbar (p = 0.009) and lumbar (p < 0.001) regions. CONCLUSIONS In MM, patients with VCFs have poorer clinical scores at presentation in the presence of sagittal imbalance. Outcome is particularly affected by multiple fractures in the thoracolumbar and lumbar regions and by failure to prevent kyphosis. Patients with MM should be screened for spinal lesions early. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2016;98-B:1234-9.