Young Choi

Comparison of open lateral release and transarticular lateral release in distal chevron metatarsal osteotomy for hallux valgus correction

PurposeThe aim of this study was to investigate the difference in clinical and radiographic outcomes between conventional open lateral soft tissue release (OLSTR) and transarticular lateral soft tissue release (TLSTR) in patients undergoing distal chevron metatarsal osteotomy (DCMO) for hallux valgus (HV) correction.MethodsThis study included weight-bearing anteroposterior radiographs of 138 patients (185xa0feet) with HV that underwent DCMO and Akin phalangeal osteotomy at a mean age of 51.7xa0years (21–74) with a mean 26xa0months of follow-up between June 2004 and June 2010. Patients were classified into two groups: OLSTR as group 1 (84xa0feet) and TLSTR as group 2 (101xa0feet). We evaluated clinical and radiographic outcomes between the two groups using the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society hallux score, visual analogue scale pain score, hallux valgus angle, intermetatarsal angle and complications, pre- and post-operatively.ResultsThere were no significant differences between the two groups except for post-operative complications such as first metatarsophalangeal joint (MTPJ) stiffness (group 1) and post-operative hallux varus (group 2).ConclusionsClinical and radiographic outcomes between OLSTR and TLSTR in HV correction using DCMO were not significantly different except for post-operative limitation of motion of the first MTPJ and hallux varus tendency. Different precautions should be taken into account when choosing the type of lateral soft tissue release due to possible complications associated with each technique.

Preoperative Radiographic and CT Findings Predicting Syndesmotic Injuries in Supination-External Rotation-Type Ankle Fractures.

BACKGROUNDnThe Lauge-Hansen classification system does not provide sufficient data related to syndesmotic injuries in supination-external rotation (SER)-type ankle fractures. The aim of the present study was to investigate factors helpful for the preoperative detection of syndesmotic injuries in SER-type ankle fractures using radiographs and computed tomography (CT).nnnMETHODSnA cohort of 191 consecutive patients (104 male and eighty-seven female patients with a mean age [and standard deviation] of 50.7 ± 16.4 years) with SER-type ankle fractures who had undergone operative treatment were included. Preoperative ankle radiographs and CT imaging scans were made for all patients, and clinical data, including age, sex, and mechanism of injury (high or low-energy trauma), were collected. Patients were divided into two groups: the stable syndesmotic group and the unstable syndesmotic group, with a positive intraoperative lateral stress test leading to syndesmotic screw fixation. Fracture height, fracture length, medial joint space, extent of fracture, and bone attenuation were measured on radiographs and CT images and were compared between the groups. Binary logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the factors that significantly contributed to unstable syndesmotic injuries. Receiver operating characteristic curves were calculated, and cutoff values were suggested to predict unstable syndesmotic injuries on preoperative imaging measurements.nnnRESULTSnOf the 191 patents with a SER-type ankle fracture, thirty-eight (19.9%) had a concurrent unstable syndesmotic injury. Age, sex, mechanism of injury, fracture height, medial joint space, and bone attenuation were significantly different between the two groups. In the binary logistic analysis, fracture height, medial joint space, and bone attenuation were found to be significant factors contributing to unstable syndesmotic injuries. The cutoff values for predicting unstable syndesmotic injuries were a fracture height of >3 mm and a medial joint space of >4.9 mm on CT scans, and a fracture height of >7 mm and medial joint space of >4.5 mm on radiographs.nnnCONCLUSIONSnFracture height, medial joint space, and bone attenuation were useful factors for the preoperative detection of unstable syndesmotic injuries in SER-type ankle fractures.nnnLEVEL OF EVIDENCEnDiagnostic Level II. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Risk Factors Affecting Chronic Rupture of the Plantar Fascia

Background: Prior to 1994, plantar fascia ruptures were considered as an acute injury that occurred primarily in athletes. However, plantar fascia ruptures have recently been reported in the setting of preexisting plantar fasciitis. We analyzed risk factors causing plantar fascia rupture in the presence of preexisting plantar fasciitis. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 286 patients with plantar fasciitis who were referred from private clinics between March 2004 and February 2008. Patients were divided into those with or without a plantar fascia rupture. There were 35 patients in the rupture group and 251 in the nonrupture group. The clinical characteristics and risk factors for plantar fascia rupture were compared between the 2 groups. We compared age, gender, the affected site, visual analog scale pain score, previous treatment regimen, body mass index, degree of ankle dorsiflexion, the use of steroid injections, the extent of activity, calcaneal pitch angle, the presence of a calcaneal spur, and heel alignment between the 2 groups. Results: Of the assessed risk factors, only steroid injection was associated with the occurrence of a plantar fascia rupture. Among the 35 patients with a rupture, 33 had received steroid injections. The odds ratio of steroid injection was 33. Conclusion: Steroid injections for plantar fasciitis should be cautiously administered because of the higher risk for plantar fascia rupture. Level of Evidence: Level III, retrospective comparative study.

Hallux Valgus Correction Using Transarticular Lateral Release with Distal Chevron Osteotomy

Background: Transarticular lateral release through a medial incision can avoid a dorsal incision. This study investigated outcomes following hallux valgus correction using transarticular lateral release, distal chevron metatarsal osteotomy and Akin phalangeal osteotomy through one medial incision. Methods: Between June 2004 and May 2009, a single surgeon performed a transarticular lateral release, distal chevron metatarsal osteotomy and Akin phalangeal osteotomy through one medial incision for hallux valgus on a total of 103 feet of 68 patients. The average patient age at the time of surgery was 51 years, and the average followup was 27 months. Results: The average preoperative and final followup results were: 1) hallux valgus angle improvement from 29 degrees to 5 degrees, 2) intermetatarsal angle from 13 degrees to 5 degrees and 3) medial sesamoid bone position from 3 to 1 (p < 0.05 for each variable). The average AOFAS scores were improved from 49 to 92, and the VAS pain scores were improved from 7 to 1 (p < 0.05 for both variables). No patient had a serious complication such as infection, avascular necrosis, nonunion, transfer-metatarsalgia, or first metatarsophalangeal joint arthritis. Conclusion: Hallux valgus correction using transarticular lateral release, distal chevron metatarsal osteotomy and Akin phalangeal osteotomy through one medial incision was found to be effective and safe. The advantages include that the procedure is simple, early ambulation is possible, and there is no dorsal scarring. Level of Evidence: IV, Therapeutic Study

Incidence patterns of pediatric and adolescent orthopaedic fractures according to age groups and seasons in South Korea: a population-based study.

Background Fractures which need urgent or emergency treatment are common in children and adolescents. This study investigated the incidence patterns of pediatric and adolescent orthopaedic fractures according to age groups and seasons in South Korea based on population data. Methods Data on the number of pediatric and adolescent patients under the age of 18 years who utilized medical services due to fractures were retrieved from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment service in South Korea. The data included four upper extremity and two lower extremity fractures according to four age groups (0-4 years, 5-9 years, 10-14 years, and 15-18 years). Incidences of the fractures were calculated as the incidence per 10,000 per year, and patterns according to age groups and seasons were demonstrated. Results The annual incidence of clavicle, distal humerus, both forearm bone, distal radius, femoral shaft and tibial shaft fractures were 27.5, 34.6, 7.7, 80.1, 2.5, and 9.6 per 10,000 per year in children and adolescents, respectively. Clavicle and distal radius fractures showed significant seasonal variation for all age groups but femoral shaft fracture showed no significant seasonal variation for any of the age groups. Conclusions The four upper extremity fractures tended to show greater variations than the two lower extremity fractures in the nationwide database in South Korea. The study results are believed to be helpful in the planning and assignment of medical resources for fracture management in children and adolescents.

Recurrence of Hip Instability After Reconstructive Surgery in Patients with Cerebral Palsy

BACKGROUNDnHip instability can cause major problems in children with cerebral palsy, although good outcomes of hip reconstructive surgery for hip instability have been reported. In the present study, we investigated the recurrence of hip instability after reconstructive surgery and the factors influencing this recurrence in patients with cerebral palsy.nnnMETHODSnWe examined consecutive patients with hip instability related to cerebral palsy who had undergone hip reconstructive surgery including femoral varus derotational osteotomy. The neck-shaft angle, head-shaft angle, and migration percentage were measured at each postoperative follow-up evaluation. For each Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) level, annual changes in radiographic indices were adjusted for multiple factors with use of a linear mixed model, with sex as the fixed effect and laterality and each subject as the random effects.nnnRESULTSnA total of 144 hips (seventy-six patients) were included in this study, and 845 radiographs were evaluated. The GMFCS level was II or III for twelve patients, IV for thirty, and V for thirty-four. The neck-shaft angle showed no significant change in the patients with GMFCS level II or III (p = 0.425), IV (p = 0.106), or V (p = 0.972). The head-shaft angle showed a significant change in those with GMFCS level IV (p = 0.008) but not in those with level II or III (p = 0.201) or V (p = 0.591). The migration percentage did not change significantly in patients with GMFCS level II or III (p = 0.742), but it increased significantly by 2.0% per year (p < 0.001) in patients with GMFCS level IV and by 3.5% per year (p = 0.003) in those with level V.nnnCONCLUSIONSnPeriodic monitoring and follow-up for the recurrence of hip instability is important in patients with cerebral palsy and a GMFCS level of IV or V.

Rectus femoris transfer in cerebral palsy patients with stiff knee gait

BACKGROUNDnAlthough several studies have reported on the outcomes of rectus femoris transfer (RFT), few have investigated the multiple factors that could affect the results. Therefore, we evaluated the outcomes of RFT and analyzed factors that influence improvement and annual change in knee motion after surgery in patients with cerebral palsy (CP).nnnMETHODSnWe reviewed ambulatory patients with CP who were followed up after they had undergone RFT as part of a single-event multilevel surgery (SEMLS) and who had undergone preoperative and postoperative three-dimensional (3D) gait analysis between January 1995 and December 2012. Relevant kinematic values, including peak knee flexion, knee range of motion, and timing of peak knee flexion in the swing phase and gait deviation index (GDI) score, were the outcome measures. Improvements in rate of angle and GDI score were adjusted by multiple factors such as sex, Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) level, anatomic type of CP, and concomitant surgeries as the fixed effects, and follow-up duration, laterality, and each subject as the random effects, all of which was performed using a linear mixed model.nnnRESULTSnA total of 290 patients (487 limbs) and 612 3D gait analysis (2-4 per patient) results were finally included in this study. At 2 years after RFT, estimated mean peak knee flexion (1.2°, p=0.005), estimated mean knee range of motion (10.7°, p<0.001), and estimated mean GDI score (7.3, p<0.001) increased significantly. Peak knee flexion in the swing phase occurred 5.4% earlier after surgery compared with that at baseline (p<0.001). In serial postoperative gait analyses, peak knee flexion in the swing phase occurred 0.8% earlier per year in patients with GMFCS level I or II (p=0.021).nnnCONCLUSIONSnRFT as part of a SEMLS was effective in treating stiff knee gait. In serial postoperative gait analyses, patients with GMFCS level I or II showed better prognosis than those with level III with regard to timing of peak knee flexion in the swing phase.nnnLEVEL OF EVIDENCEnPrognostic level IV.

Anterior Knee Pain in Patients with Cerebral Palsy

Background The aim of this study was to identify the risk factors for anterior knee pain in patients with cerebral palsy. Methods This prospective study investigated the risk factors for anterior knee pain in 127 ambulatory patients with spastic cerebral palsy in terms of walking pain, resting pain, and provocative pain. Demographic data analysis and physical examination for measuring the knee flexion contracture and unilateral and bilateral popliteal angles were performed. Patellar height was measured on radiographs, and patella alta was identified. The risk factors for anterior knee pain were analyzed using multivariate analysis with a generalized estimating equation. Results Seventy-seven patients were found to have patella alta based on the radiographic measurements (60.6%). Overall, sixteen patients (12.6%) had either unilateral or bilateral anterior knee pain. Of these, 6 patients showed a visual analogue scale (VAS) ≤ 3, 9 patients showed 3 < VAS ≤ 7, and one patient showed a VAS > 7. Age was found to be a significant risk factor for walking pain and resting pain with odds ratios (ORs) of 1.08 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.02 to 1.14) and 1.09 (95% CI, 1.03 to 1.15), respectively. In the multivariate analysis, knee flexion contracture was a significant protective factor with an OR of 0.92 (95% CI, 0.85 to 0.98). Conclusions Approximately 12.6% of ambulatory patients with spastic cerebral palsy were found to have anterior knee pain in our hospital-based cohort study. Age was found to be a significant risk factor for anterior knee pain while walking and resting.

Cement Arthroplasty for Ankle Joint Destruction

BACKGROUNDnThe aim of this study was to investigate the outcomes of cement arthroplasty used as a primary salvage procedure to treat ankle joint destruction.nnnMETHODSnThis study included sixteen patients who underwent primary cement arthroplasty from May 2004 to March 2012 because of an ankle disorder, including intractable infection, nonunion, or a large bone defect or tumor. The mean age of the patients was fifty-seven years (range, twenty-three to seventy-four years), and the mean follow-up period was thirty-nine months (range, fourteen to 100 months). The cement spacer position, cement breakage, osteolysis around the inserted cement, and alignment of the joint were evaluated radiographically. American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) scores and visual analogue scale (VAS) pain scores were recorded preoperatively and at the time of final follow-up. Functional questionnaires were used to assess the duration for which the patient could walk continuously, use of walking aids, sports activity, consumption of pain medication, and the patients subjective assessment of the percentage of overall improvement compared with before the cement arthroplasty.nnnRESULTSnThe cement spacer was retained without breakage for a mean of thirty-nine months (range, fourteen to 100 months). Osteolysis around the cement was observed in one patient at seventy-eight months, and subluxation developed in one patient. The mean AOFAS and VAS pain scores improved from 39 (range, 11 to 71) preoperatively to 70 (range, 47 to 88) postoperatively (p = 0.001) and from 8 (range, 4 to 9) to 3 (range, 1 to 7) (p = 0.001), respectively. At the final follow-up evaluation, nine of the sixteen patients did not require walking aids, ten used no pain medication, and nine were able to walk continuously for more than an hour. One patient complained of persistent pain and was considered to have had a failure of the procedure.nnnCONCLUSIONSnPrimary cement arthroplasty might be a treatment option for advanced ankle destruction in elderly and less active patients.nnnLEVEL OF EVIDENCEnTherapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Pyoderma Gangrenosum Mimicking a Diabetic Foot Infection: A Case Report

An adult with ulcerative colitis and diabetes presented with a painful, swollen, edematous left foot. Diagnostic images and laboratory tests were inconclusive. Antibiotics were started immediately but aggravated his symptoms, and the laboratory results worsened. His foot was debrided twice per protocol for treating diabetic foot ulcers or cellulitis. After debridement, his condition worsened rapidly. Pyoderma gangrenosum was correctly diagnosed on the basis of massive neutrophilic infiltration detected in the biopsy tissue and because the lesion was well-defined and colored deep red to violet, unlike the bullosis diabeticorum blisters observed in the diabetic foot. His foot improved with systemic corticosteroids and topical wound care, and a skin defect was treated with a skin graft. After 9 months, his foot was well healed. Pyoderma gangrenosum can be diagnosed by careful examination and must be distinguished from an ulcerated diabetic foot lesion.