Su-Young Bae

Debridement and Functional Rehabilitation for Achilles Tendon Infection Following Tendon Repair.

BACKGROUND An infected Achilles tendon after tendon repair is particularly difficult to treat because of the poor vascularity of the tendon as well as the thin surrounding soft tissue. For treatment of an infected Achilles tendon following tendon repair, we first focused on complete debridement and then promoted fibrous scar healing of the Achilles tendon using functional treatment. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed all of the medical records of 15 tertiary referral patients with postoperative infection of the Achilles tendon occurring between 2007 and 2012. The mean follow-up time was 33 months (range, 22 to 97 months). The infected tissue and the necrotic tendon were debrided, and the ankle was placed in a short leg splint for 2 weeks. The splint was then replaced with an ankle brace for the next 4 weeks. Partial weight-bearing was allowed immediately, and full weight-bearing was allowed at 2 weeks postoperatively. We assessed and recorded the physical parameters such as the range of motion, calf circumference, ability to perform a single-limb heel rise, patient satisfaction, and Arner-Lindholm scale. Laboratory tests, postoperative ultrasonography, and isokinetic plantar flexion power tests were also performed. RESULTS At a mean time of 17 days (range, 8 to 30 days) after debridement, infection signs such as discharge from the wound, redness, and local warmth resolved. The wound had healed and the stitches were removed at a mean of 17 days following the wound repair. At the time of the latest follow-up, there were no signs of active infection. Achilles tendon continuity recovered in all patients by fibrous scar healing. Compared with the contralateral side, there was no difference in the ankle range of motion in 8 patients. According to the Arner-Lindholm scale, 9 of the 15 results were excellent and 6 were good. Ten patients were able to perform a single-limb heel rise. Eleven of 15 patients returned to their pre-injury recreational activities. Diffuse homogeneous echotexture of the Achilles tendon with continuity was observed on the ultrasonographic examination. CONCLUSIONS In this retrospective series, radical debridement, combined with antibiotic therapy and functional rehabilitation, was successful in eradicating infection and maintaining function in patients with postoperative infection following Achilles tendon repair. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Short-Term Results of a Ruptured Deltoid Ligament Repair During an Acute Ankle Fracture Fixation:

Background: There is no consensus on the optimal treatment or preferred method of operation for the management of acute deltoid ligament injuries during an ankle fracture fixation. This study aimed to analyze the outcomes of repairing the deltoid ligament during the fixation of an ankle fracture compared to conservative management. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 78 consecutive cases of a ruptured deltoid ligament with an associated ankle fracture between 2001 and 2016. All of the ankle fractures were treated with a plate and screw fixation. Patients in the conservative treatment for ruptured deltoid ligament underwent management from 2001 to 2008 (37 fractures, group 1), while the operative treatment for ruptured deltoid ligament was included from 2009 to 2016 (41 fractures, group 2). The outcome measures included radiographic findings, the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society ankle-hindfoot scores, visual analog scale scores, and the Foot Function Index. All patients were followed for an average of 17 months. Results: Radiologic findings in both groups were comparable, but the final follow-up of the medial clear space (MCS) was significantly smaller in the group 2 (P < .01). Clinical outcomes were similar between the two groups (P > .05). Comparing those who underwent syndesmotic fixation between both groups, group 2 showed a significantly smaller final follow-up MCS, and all clinical outcomes were better in group 2 (P < .05). Linear regression analysis showed that the final follow-up MCS had a significant influence on clinical outcomes (P < .05). Conclusion: Although the clinical outcomes were not significantly different between the 2 groups, we obtained a more favorable final follow-up MCS in the deltoid repair group. Particularly when accompanied by a syndesmotic injury, the final follow-up MCS and the clinical outcomes were better in the deltoid repair group. In the case of high-grade unstable fractures of the ankle with syndesmotic instability, a direct repair of the deltoid ligament was adequate for restoring medial stability. Level of Evidence: Level III, retrospective comparative case series.

Radiologic and Clinical Outcomes of Ollier Approach with Screw Fixation for Displaced Intra-Articular Calcaneal Fractures – Comparative Study with Extensile Lateral Approach with Lateral Plating

Category: Trauma Introduction/Purpose: This study aims to assess the detailed radiologic outcomes which used uninjured side weight-bearing radiograph as a template as well as clinical results to compare the Ollier approach with screw fixation and the extensile lateral approach with lateral plating. Methods: We performed a retrospective review of intra-articular calcaneal fractures treated operatively in our hospital from January 2009 to November 2014. Radiologic outcomes were assessed using radiologic parameters such as Böhler angle, calcaneal height, and talar sagittal angles represent calcaneal deformation by the comparison of the final follow-up bilateral weight-bearing lateral radiograph. Functional outcome was assessed through the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) scores and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) pain scores. Postoperative complications were investigated. Results: Ninety-seven unilateral fractures were appeared to match our inclusion criteria: forty-six fractures were treated by using the extensile lateral approach with lateral plating (the ELP group), and fifty-one fractures were treated with the Ollier approach and screw fixation (the OS group). The operation time was significantly shorter in the OA group (p<0.05). There were no significant difference of the final follow-up radiologic parameters between two groups. The mean AOFAS scores were significantly higher in the OS group (p = 0.020) and both groups showed similarity in the VAS pain scores (p = 0.175). Overall soft-tissue complications were 28.3% in the ELP group and 9.8% in the OS group (p = 0.034). Conclusion: No difference could be shown in the postoperative and final follow-up radiological outcomes between the Ollier approach and the extensile lateral approach, but the Ollier approach had better functional score and lower soft tissue complication rate with shorter operative time.

Comparative Study of Open Reduction and Internal Fixation and Primary Subtalar Arthrodesis for Sanders Type IV Intra-articular Calcaneal Fractures

Category: Trauma Introduction/Purpose: To compare clinical outcome of Sanders type IV intra-articular calcaneal fracture treated with open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) versus ORIF and primary subtalar arthrodesis (PSTA). Methods: Between March 2003 and November 2013, 22 patients with 22 Sanders type IV intra-articular calcaneal fractures were included in this study. Of these, 11 feet were treated with ORIF (ORIF group), 11 feet were treated with ORIF and PSTA (PSTA group). The mean follow-up periods was 34.6 months (range, 18-72 months). Clinical outcomes were assessed along with the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society’s Ankle-Hindfoot Scale (AOFAS score), the Visual Analog Scale Pain score (VAS score) at 6-, 12 month, and last follow-up. The patient satisfaction, returning to previous occupation and postoperative complications were also investigated. Results: Complete bone union were achieved in all patients. No statistical difference was found between the results for ORIF compared with PSTA: the mean preoperative Bohler angle were, respectively, -3.2±9.2 and -6.6±12.7 degrees (p=0.475); the mean last follow-up AOFAS scores were 73.8±14.9 and 80.5±4.6 (p=0.795); the mean VAS last follow-up VAS scores were 29.7±20.6 and 23.4±10.0 (p=0.986). Secondary subtalar arthrodesis were conducted in 5 patients (45.5%) of ORIF group due to subtalar osteoarthritis symptom within 2 years, postoperatively. Conclusion: We were unable to demonstrate a significant difference of clinical outcomes between ORIF and PSTA however, the patient satisfaction was higher in the PSTA group. PSTA may be considerable choice for patients who need fast recovery to daily activity and to prevent the need for secondary subtalar arthrodesis.

Mid-Term Follow Up Results of Subtalar Distraction Arthrodesis Using a Double Bone-Block for Calcaneal Malunion

Purpose This study was designed to evaluate the mid-term results and efficacy of subtalar distraction double bone-block arthrodesis for calcaneal malunion. Materials and Methods From January 2004 to June 2007, we operated on 6 patients (10 cases). There were 5 males (9 cases) and 1 female (1 case), four of which presented with bilateral calcaneal malunion. Seven cases were operated on initially. The period between initial injury and arthrodesis was 23 months, and the average follow up period was 58 months. In operation, we applied an extensile lateral approach and arthrodesis was performed through a tricortical double bone-block and cannulated screws. The American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Ankle-Hindfoot scale was used for clinical evaluation. In radiologic analysis, plain X-ray and CT were examined to assess union and various parameters. Results The mean age of the patients was 41 years. All cases achieved radiologic union at the final follow-up. The mean AOFAS Ankle-Hindfoot scale (maximum of 94 points) increased from 43.3 points preoperatively to 85.4 points at the final follow-up. The radiologic analysis of the pre- and postoperative standing lateral radiographs showed improvements of 5.6 mm in talo-calcaneal height, 1.8° in talocalcaneal angle, 5.1° in talar declination angle and 5.3° in talo-first metatarsal angle. Conclusion Subtalar distraction two bone-block arthrodesis provides overall good results not only in the short term but also the mid-term with significant improvement in clinical and radiologic outcomes. This procedure warrants consideration for managing calcaneal malunion with loss of height and subtalar arthritis.