Stefan G. Hofstaetter

Intermediate-term Results of the Ludloff Osteotomy in One Hundred and Eleven Feet

BACKGROUND The modified Ludloff proximal first metatarsal osteotomy is indicated for the surgical correction of moderate-to-severe hallux valgus deformity associated with metatarsus primus varus. We report the intermediate-term results of this procedure. METHODS Ninety-nine patients (111 feet) with a mean age of fifty-six years underwent a modified Ludloff proximal first metatarsal osteotomy and a distal soft-tissue procedure at two institutions for the treatment of a moderate-to-severe hallux valgus deformity. The American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society score and weight-bearing radiographs of the foot were assessed preoperatively and after a mean duration of follow-up of thirty-four months. Clinical and radiographic outcome was also compared between younger and older patients, with the arbitrarily chosen age of sixty years dividing the two groups. RESULTS The mean American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society score improved significantly (p < 0.0001) from 53 points preoperatively to 88 points at the time of the most recent follow-up. The mean American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society score for patients who were sixty years of age or less was significantly higher than that for patients who were more than sixty years of age (91 compared with 83 points; p = 0.0057). The mean hallux valgus angle decreased significantly from 35 degrees preoperatively to 9 degrees at the time of the most recent follow-up (p < 0.0001), and the mean intermetatarsal angle decreased significantly from 17 degrees to 8 degrees (p < 0.0001). All osteotomy sites united without dorsiflexion malunion but with a mean first metatarsal shortening of 2.2 mm. CONCLUSIONS To our knowledge, the present report describes the largest cohort of patients undergoing a modified Ludloff osteotomy for the correction of hallux valgus deformity that has been reported in the literature. Our intermediate-term results demonstrate that the procedure achieves significant correction of moderate-to-severe hallux valgus deformity, significant reduction in forefoot pain, and significant improvement in functional outcome. Patients with an age of sixty years or less appear to have a more favorable outcome.

Rehabilitation After Hallux Valgus Surgery: Importance of Physical Therapy to Restore Weight Bearing of the First Ray During the Stance Phase

Background: Operative treatment of people with hallux valgus can yield favorable clinical and radiographic results. However, plantar pressure analysis has demonstrated that physiologic gait patterns are not restored after hallux valgus surgery. Objective: The purpose of this study was to illustrate the changes of plantar pressure distribution during the stance phase of gait in patients who underwent hallux valgus surgery and received a multimodal rehabilitation program. Design: This was a prospective descriptive study. Methods: Thirty patients who underwent Austin (n=20) and scarf (n=10) osteotomy for correction of mild to moderate hallux valgus deformity were included in this study. Four weeks postoperatively they received a multimodal rehabilitation program once per week for 4 to 6 weeks. Plantar pressure analysis was performed preoperatively and 4 weeks, 8 weeks, and 6 months postoperatively. In addition, range of motion of the first metatarsophalangeal joint was measured, and the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) forefoot questionnaire was administered preoperatively and at 6 months after surgery. Results: The mean AOFAS score significantly increased from 60.7 points (SD=11.9) preoperatively to 94.5 points (SD=4.5) 6 months after surgery. First metatarsophalangeal joint range of motion increased at 6 months postoperatively, with a significant increase in isolated dorsiflexion. In the first metatarsal head region, maximum force increased from 117.8 N to 126.4 N and the force-time integral increased from 37.9 N·s to 55.6 N·s between the preoperative and 6-month assessments. In the great toe region, maximum force increased from 66.1 N to 87.2 N and the force-time integral increased from 18.7 N·s to 24.2 N·s between the preoperative and 6-month assessments. Limitations: A limitation of the study was the absence of a control group due to the descriptive nature of the study. Conclusions: The results suggest that postoperative physical therapy and gait training may lead to improved function and weight bearing of the first ray after hallux valgus surgery.

Intermediate-term results of the Ludloff osteotomy in one hundred and eleven feet. Surgical technique.

BACKGROUND The modified Ludloff proximal first metatarsal osteotomy is indicated for the surgical correction of moderate-to-severe hallux valgus deformity associated with metatarsus primus varus. We report the intermediate-term results of this procedure. METHODS Ninety-nine patients (111 feet) with a mean age of fifty-six years underwent a modified Ludloff proximal first metatarsal osteotomy and a distal soft-tissue procedure at two institutions for the treatment of a moderate-to-severe hallux valgus deformity. The American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society score and weight-bearing radiographs of the foot were assessed preoperatively and after a mean duration of follow-up of thirty-four months. Clinical and radiographic outcome was also compared between younger and older patients, with the arbitrarily chosen age of sixty years dividing the two groups. RESULTS The mean American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society score improved significantly (p < 0.0001) from 53 points preoperatively to 88 points at the time of the most recent follow-up. The mean American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society score for patients who were sixty years of age or less was significantly higher than that for patients who were more than sixty years of age (91 compared with 83 points; p = 0.0057). The mean hallux valgus angle decreased significantly from 35 degrees preoperatively to 9 degrees at the time of the most recent follow-up (p < 0.0001), and the mean intermetatarsal angle decreased significantly from 17 degrees to 8 degrees (p < 0.0001). All osteotomy sites united without dorsiflexion malunion but with a mean first metatarsal shortening of 2.2 mm. CONCLUSIONS To our knowledge, the present report describes the largest cohort of patients undergoing a modified Ludloff osteotomy for the correction of hallux valgus deformity that has been reported in the literature. Our intermediate-term results demonstrate that the procedure achieves significant correction of moderate-to-severe hallux valgus deformity, significant reduction in forefoot pain, and significant improvement in functional outcome. Patients with an age of sixty years or less appear to have a more favorable outcome.

Plantar pressure distribution after tibiotalar arthrodesis

INTRODUCTION Arthrodesis is a well-established treatment option for end-stage osteoarthritis of the ankle. Osteoarthritis of the ankle can alter plantar pressure distribution. However, surprisingly little is known about the effect of ankle arthrodesis to alter plantar pressure distribution. The purpose of this study was to determine plantar pressure distribution in a selected group of patients with unilateral arthrodesis of the ankle joint. METHODS 20 patients with an average age of 60 years who underwent isolated unilateral ankle arthrodesis using a 3-crossed screw technique by a single surgeon were included. After a mean of 25 months (range 12-75 months) post surgery plantar pressure distribution was determined in five regions of the foot. The outcome was evaluated clinically, using the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society hindfoot score, as well as radiographically. The contralateral normal foot was used as a control. FINDINGS Comparing the foot that underwent tibiotalar arthrodesis to the contralateral normal foot, differences were found in the peak pressure and maximum force in the toe region and the lateral midfoot region. In addition, a decrease in the contact time in the forefoot region and a decrease of the contact area in the toe region of the operated foot were identified. The other regions did not show a significant difference. The mean American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society score of the operated leg was 79 (range 46-92) at the last follow up, and the mean fixation angle of the arthrodesis on lateral weight bearing radiographs was 90° (range 86°-100°). INTERPRETATION Our results indicate that arthrodesis of the ankle joint can provide high levels of function with minimal changes in the plantar pressure distribution.

Plantar Loading After Chevron Osteotomy Combined With Postoperative Physical Therapy

Background: Recent pedobarographic studies have demonstrated decreased loading of the great toe region and the first metatarsal head at a short- and intermediate-term followup. The purpose of the present study was to determine if a postoperative rehabilitation program helped to improve weightbearing of the first ray after chevron osteotomy for correction of hallux valgus deformity. Materials and Methods: Twenty-nine patients with a mean age of 58 years with mild to moderate hallux valgus deformity who underwent a chevron osteotomy were included. Postoperatively, the patients received a multimodal rehabilitation program including mobilization, manual therapy, strengthening exercises and gait training. Preoperative and one year postoperative plantar pressure distribution parameters including maximum force, contact area and force-time integral were evaluated. Additionly the AOFAS score, ROM of the first MTP joint and plain radiographs were assessed. The results were compared using Students t-test and level of significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: In the great toe, the mean maximum force increased from 72.2 N preoperatively to 106.8 N 1 year after surgery. The mean contact area increased from 7.6 cm2 preoperatively to 8.9 cm2 1 year after surgery and the mean force-time integral increased from 20.8 N∗sec to 30.5 N∗sec. All changes were statistically significant (p < 0.05). For the first metatarsal head region, the mean maximum force increased from 122.5 N preoperatively to 144.7 N one year after surgery and the mean force-time integral increased from 42.3 N∗sec preoperatively to 52.6 N∗sec 1 year postoperatively (p = 0.068 and p = 0.055, respectively). The mean AOFAS score increased from 61 points preoperatively to 94 points at final followup (p < 0.001). The average hallux valgus angle decreased from 31 degrees to 9 degrees and the average first intermetatarsal angle decreased from 14 degrees to 6 degrees (p < 0.001 for both). Conclusion: Our results suggest that postoperative physical therapy and gait training with a Chevron osteotomy may help to improve weightbearing of the great toe and first ray. Therefore, we believe there is a restoration of more physiological gait patterns in patients who receive this postoperative regimen. Level of Evidence: IV, Retrospective Case Series

Treatment strategies in surgery for rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis due to the chronic inflammation of the synovial joints leads to permanent articular cartilage and bone damage. Subsequent instability and mutilation of the joint might happen, and the resulting joint pain and stiffness cause impaired function. The degree of damage is traditionally assessed by radiograph and represents a clinical tool for the evaluation of both disease progression and the effectiveness of interventional therapy. The classification of destruction is therefore done with radiograph and the assessment of the clinical picture. Depending on the radiologic stage different therapy concepts, ranging from conservative to operative, are established. It is the goal of surgery to restore motion and function in a painless joint. Surgery can be done to prevent the joint from further destruction or to replace the joint after resection. Different concepts based on radiologic findings are presented in this review.

Computer-assisted tibia preparation for total ankle arthroplasty: a cadaveric study.

Most surgeons performing total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) suggest that accurate tibial preparation perpendicular to the tibial shaft axis improves outcomes. Recent studies demonstrate that computerized surgical navigation significantly improves the accuracy of tibial preparation in total knee arthroplasty (TKA).

The influence of patient age and bone mineral density on osteotomy fixation stability after hallux valgus surgery: A biomechanical study.

BACKGROUND Oblique osteotomies of the first metatarsal are common surgical treatments for moderate to severe hallux valgus deformity. Osteotomy fixation integrity is important to minimize interfragment motion and maintain correction during healing, and our clinical observations suggest that patient age and bone quality affect fixation stability and ultimately the clinical outcome. Accordingly, this study correlated these patient factors with key mechanical measures of osteotomy angulation resistance in a cadaver hallux valgus correction model. METHODS Standard Ludloff osteotomies were created in 31 fresh-frozen first metatarsals and fixed with two cannulated, dual-pitch headless screws. Each specimen underwent 1000 plantar-to-dorsal bending loads while monitoring bending stiffness and distal fragment dorsal angulation. Donor age and bone mineral density were then correlated with each mechanical measure at selected cycling increments. FINDINGS We found significant positive correlation between bone mineral density and osteotomy fixation stiffness for all evaluated load cycles. Moderate negative correlation between bone density and angulation was identified, significant for load cycle 500. There was a weak, nonsignificant negative correlation between donor age and osteotomy bending stiffness, with r ranging from -0.134 to -0.243 between the first and 1000th loads. Little correlation was demonstrable between age and angulation. INTERPRETATION Because low bone density correlates with decreased osteotomy site stiffness and increased angulation under load, patient compliance and protected weight bearing in the early postoperative phase are particularly important if bone mineral density is exceptionally low. Correspondingly, patients with especially high bone mineral density may be considered candidates for earlier weight bearing and active physical therapy.

A recurrent giant cell tumor of bone treated with denosumab

Although the giant cell tumor of bone is generally classified as a benign tumor it can rarely metastasize and has a potential risk of local recurrence. We want to report about a female patient who suffered from a recurrence of a giant cell tumor of bone after the implantation of a total endoprosthesis of the knee joint. We have treated her with denosumab, which is a receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand inhibitor. In this case report we want to present a new option to treat this kind of neoplasm.

Chevron Osteotomy With Lateral Soft Tissue Release

The chevron osteotomy is one of the most common techniques for the correction of hallux valgus deformity. Earlier reports have cautioned against the use of a lateral soft tissue release and have also limited this technique to the younger patient with a mild deformity. The modifications of the technique with a lateral soft tissue release and screw fixation have also made it capable to manage more severe deformities in patients of all ages.