Martin J. O'Malley

Capsular Interposition Arthroplasty for Severe Hallux Rigidus

Thirty patients (37 feet) with severe hallux rigidus underwent resection arthroplasty of the first metatarsophalangeal joint with our modification (reattachment of the extensor hood and extensor brevis to the flexor hallucis brevis as a capsular interposition arthroplasty, with minimal bone resection). Pain and function were significantly improved. Transfer metatarsalgia was not seen. All patients had at least 4/5 plantarflexion strength and averaged 50° of dorsiflexion. In patients with severe hallux rigidus and nearly equal length of first and second metatarsals, capsular interpostion arthroplasty offers a surgical option that relieves pain without sacrificing motion or strength.

Total Ankle Arthroplasty With the Agility Prosthesis: Clinical and Radiographic Evaluation:

Background: Although ankle arthrodesis remains a standard operative procedure for disabling ankle arthritis, it has potential long-term problems. Total ankle arthroplasty offers preserved joint motion and may be a more favorable option in select patients. The purpose of this study was to report the intermediate-term clinical and radiographic results of total ankle arthroplasty using the Agility prosthesis. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the results of total ankle arthroplasty in 41 consecutive patients (43 ankles). Evaluation included preoperative and postoperative questionnaires, physical examination, and radiographs. Results: At the time of followup, 38 patients (40 ankles) were available for review. The most common preoperative diagnoses included posttraumatic arthritis (24 of 40 ankles, 60%) and rheumatoid arthritis (eight of 40 ankles, 20%). Average age at surgery was 63 (range 32 to 85) years. Average followup was 44.5 (range 26 to 64) months. Preoperative and postoperative American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Ankle-Hindfoot Scores averaged 33.6 and 83.3, respectively, demonstrating significance (p < 0.001). Postoperative Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36 (SF-36) Physical Component Summary (PCS) and Mental Component Summary (MCS) scores averaged 49.5 and 56.1, respectively. Although 34 of 40 ankles demonstrated radiographic lucency or lysis, the degree of involvement varied. Migration or subsidence of components was noted in 18 ankles. Overall, 37 of 38 patients were satisfied with the outcome of their surgery and would have the same procedure under similar circumstances. Conclusions: Agility total ankle arthroplasty results in a favorable clinical outcome and patient satisfaction in most patients at intermediate-term followup. However, total ankle arthroplasty is associated with potential complications and the need for subsequent operative intervention. Radiographic followup commonly reveals periprosthetic lucency, lysis, and component migration or subsidence, but this does not appear to adversely affect the intermediate-term clinical outcome. The long-term consequences of such radiographic findings are of concern, and surgeons and patients choosing this procedure need to be cautious.

Selective hindfoot arthrodesis for the treatment of adult acquired flatfoot deformity: an in vitro study.

An acquired flatfoot deformity with significant laxity at the transverse tarsal joint was created experimentally and the amount of correction that was obtained with selective hindfoot fusions was measured radiographically. Results showed that the talonavicular, double (talonavicular and calcaneocuboid), and triple arthrodeses were able to fully correct the deformity, including correction of hindfoot valgus with just a talonavicular fusion. Subtalar and calcaneocuboid fusions failed to completely correct the deformity. This study provides experimental evidence that although the triple joints are interconnected, they differ with respect to their ability to correct malalignment. We conclude that talonavicular or double arthrodesis will correct deformity in a flatfoot with considerable laxity through the transverse tarsal joint, but that a subtalar fusion will not provide consistent correction.

Joint Preservation of the Osteoarthritic Ankle Using Distraction Arthroplasty

Background: In recent years ankle distraction arthroplasty has gained popularity in the treatment of ankle arthritis as a means of both maintaining range of motion and avoiding fusion. We present a retrospective review of 25 patients who have undergone ankle distraction from 1999 to 2006. Materials and Methods: The mean age was 43 years; 16 were male, and 7 were female. Followup was 30 months after frame removal (range, 12 to 60 months). We were able to obtain followup on 23 of 25 patients. Adjuvant procedures were performed in some cases including Achilles tendon lengthening (5), ankle arthroscopy (4), open arthrotomy (1), and supramalleolar tibial and distal fibular osteotomy to correct distal tibial deformity (6). Results: Twenty-one patients (91%) reported improved pain with those furthest post-op experiencing the best results. The average preoperative AOFAS score was 55 (range, 29 to 82), and the average postoperative score was 74 (range, 47 to 96). The difference between pre- and postoperative scores was significant (p = 0.005). SF-36 scores showed modest improvement in all components. Only two of the patients in the study underwent fusion after ankle distraction. Total ankle motion was maintained in all patients with improvement in the functional arc of motion in five patients who started with mild equinus contractures. Conclusion: We feel that ankle distraction offers a promising solution for many people with ankle arthritis. Level of Evidence: IV, Retrospective Case Series

Stress Fractures at the Base of the Second Metatarsal in Ballet Dancers

Stress fractures are a frequent injury in ballet companies and the most common location is at the base of the second metatarsal. While previous reports have focused on risk factors for this injury (overtraining, delayed menarche, poor nutrition), there is no published series describing the natural history and outcome following this fracture. We reviewed the office records of the senior author and identified 51 professional dancers (64 fractures) who sustained a stress fracture at the base of the second metatarsal. History of a previous stress fracture in the lower extremity was seen in 19 patients and delayed menarche in the women was common. The clinical presentation was insidious onset of midfoot pain an average of 2.5 weeks prior to seeking medical care. The initial radiographs of the foot were positive in 19 patients, questionable in 3 patients, and negative in 42 patients. The usual location of the fracture was at the proximal metaphyseal-diaphyseal junction (three fractures extended into the tarsometatarsal joint). Treatment consisted of a short leg walking cast for 6 patients, and a wooden shoe and symptomatic treatment for the remainder. At follow-up, 14% of patients still had occasional pain or stiffness in the midfoot with dancing. The patients returned to performance at an average of 6.2 weeks following diagnosis. No patients required bone grafting for persistent symptoms. There were eight refractures (at the same site) occurring an average of 4.3 years, all of which healed with conservative care. Stress fractures at the base of the second metatarsal are common in ballet dancers and can usually be treated with symptomatically. The results of this study are discussed in terms of risk factors, the use of a posterior-anterior view of the foot to eliminate overlap at Lisfrancs joint, and our present treatment regimen.

Endoscopic plantar fasciotomy for chronic heel pain.

The purpose of our study was to determine whether endoscopic plantar fasciotomy is a safe and effective operation in this patient population. We reviewed our surgical results following endoscopic plantar fasciotomy in sixteen patients (twenty feet) with an average preoperative duration of symptoms of four years. Of the 20 feet, 9 had complete relief of pain while symptoms were improved in nine feet. One patient with bilateral symptoms had no relief in either foot. The average AOFAS hindfoot score improved from 62 to 80, a statistically significant difference. Unilateral patients did better than bilateral with no bilateral patients reporting complete resolution of symptoms. There were no iatrogenic nerve injuries. On the basis of our review, we recommend endoscopic plantar fasciotomy as an alternative to open plantar fascial release for those patients with recalcitrant heel pain.

Anterior Iliac Crest Bone Graft Harvesting Using the Corticocancellous Reamer System

Objective To evaluate the anterior iliac crest bone graft harvesting procedure using a corticocancellous acetabular reamer system. Design A total of 390 bone grafting procedures were reviewed using retrospective chart review. Two hundred twenty procedures were performed using the reamer system, and 170 were performed using traditional techniques (cortical strip, tricortical wedge, and cancellous trap door grafts). Setting The Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, New York. Participants Operative cases involving an anterior iliac crest bone graft procedure between January 1, 1991 and February 28, 1998. Main Outcome Measurements Complications were organized by the categories major, intermediate, and minor. Statistical analysis included assessment of comorbidity to determine risk factors that may be associated with a propensity for complications. Results Of the 390 patients reviewed, 13.1 percent (51 of 390) developed a total of seventy-one complications. Of the seventy-one complications, forty were reamer-associated and thirty-one were traditional method–associated complications. As compared with the traditional group, major morbidity was lower in the reamer group (0.9 percent [2 of 220] as compared with 1.8 percent [3 of 170] [p = 0.4]). Intermediate and minor morbidity were slightly higher in the reamer group than in the traditional group (5.9 percent [13 of 220] as compared with 5.3 percent [9 of 170] [p = 0.7] and 9.5 percent [21 of 220] as compared with 7.1 percent [12 of 170] [p = 0.4], respectively). Of the forty reamer-associated complications, 90 percent (36 of 40) resolved within ninety days (average 36.6 days). Of the thirty-one traditional method–associated complications, 74.2 percent (23 of 31) were resolved by 90 days (average 50.6 days). Using logistical regression analysis obesity (body mass index) (p = 0.03) and smoking (p = 0.03) were correlated with development of a complication. Furthermore, if a patient was obese and a smoker, the analysis predicted an 83 percent chance of developing a complication. Conclusions The reamer technique was found to be safe and efficacious while producing a large amount of autogenous corticocancellous bone graft. Overall complication rates for the reamer and the traditional groups were comparable. The corticocancellous reamer system represents an effective option for bone graft harvesting.

Fractures of the Distal Shaft of the Fifth Metatarsal "Dancer's Fracture"

We retrospectively reviewed the office records of the senior author—which include two national ballet com panies—and identified 35 dancers who sustained dis tal shaft fractures of the fifth metatarsal. The usual fracture pattern is a spiral, oblique fracture starting distal-lateral and running proximal-medial. Treatment consisted of open reduction and internal fixation for 2 patients, closed reduction and percutaneus fixation for 2 patients, short leg weightbearing cast for 7 patients, and an elastic wrap and treatment of symptoms for 24 patients. Patients with marked displacement of the fracture underwent internal fixation early in the study period; but more recent treatment emphasized nonop erative means, even for displaced fractures. The aver age time to pain free walking was 6.1 weeks (range, 0 to 16); return to barre exercises, 11.6 weeks (range, 4 to 48); and return to performance, 19 weeks (range, 6 to 52). There was one delayed union (7 months) and one refracture (2 months) that subsequently healed. All patients returned to professional performance without limitation and no patient reported pain with perfor mance at followup. Spiral fractures of the distal shaft of the fifth metatarsal are common injuries and can usu ally be treated nonoperatively for these high perfor mance athletes without long-term functional sequelae.

An Analysis of Outcome Measures Following the Broström-Gould Procedure for Chronic Lateral Ankle Instability

Background: The Broström-Gould procedure is a commonly recommended operative treatment for chronic ankle instability. Using standardized physician-based outcome scores, the results of this procedure have been uniformly excellent. Current scoring systems, however, do not adequately evaluate mechanical or functional instability. Therefore, outcome data may suggest greater success than is justified. Methods: A retrospective review was done of 73 patients who had isolated Broström-Gould repairs of the lateral ankle ligaments. The mean time to followup was 64 months. Both the AOFAS ankle-hindfoot score and the Short Form 36 (SF-36) were used to evaluate outcome.Results: The overall American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot score was 95 of 100 points. Despite that, 17% of patients in the study had functional instability of the ankle that was not reflected in the AOFAS score. The mean physical component score of the SF-36 was 84% and reflected the presence of functional instability. Low correlations were found between the AOFAS ankle-hindfoot score and the SF-36 score. Conclusions: The current study identified a deficiency in the AOFAS score in evaluating functional ankle stability after the Broström-Gould procedure. A more meaningful analysis of outcomes can be expected using the SF-36 score. The data suggest that greater attention must be paid to functional rehabilitation after ankle stabilization surgery to obtain optimal outcome.

Functional Outcome After Surgical Reconstruction of Posterior Tibial Tendon Insufficiency in Patients Under 50 Years

Background: Procedures utilized to address the flatfoot in this study included medializing calcaneal osteotomy, posterior tibial tendon reconstruction with flexor digitorum longus tendon transfer, and in patients with more severe deformity, lateral column lengthening. We evaluated patients age 50 and less at the time of surgery, who underwent surgical reconstruction for Stage 2 posterior tibial tendon dysfunction. Pre- and postoperative activity levels were evaluated to assess the effect of surgical reconstruction in the younger patient. Materials and Method: Thirty-four feet in 30 patients (11 male, 19 female) with an average age of 41.2 (range, 17 to 50) years had surgery between 1997 and 2004. All feet were examined at an average followup of 44.5 (range, 24 to 65) months and were evaluated with the American-Orthopaedic-Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Hindfoot-Score and SF-36 score. Results: The average preoperative AOFAS-Score was 53.1 ± 14.5 points and 83.2 ± 12.2 points at final postoperative followup. The mean improvement was 29.5. The difference between the preoperative and postoperative AOFAS score was significant (p < 0.0001) using a two-tailed t-test. The difference in the AOFAS pain and alignment subscales was also significant (p < 0.0001). The function subscale improvement was also significant (p = 0.018). The mean physical function component of the postoperative SF-36 score was 79.2. A correlation was found between the SF-36 physical component score and the post operative AOFAS score (r 2 = 0.754). Conclusion: While some lateral discomfort or pain occurred in patients with or without a lateral column lengthening, the posterior tibial tendon reconstruction utilizing medial calcaneal displacement osteotomy with flexor digitorum longus transfer and a lateral column lengthening with more deformity was successful in the higher-functioning, younger patients.