Yuzuru Sakakibara

Tibiotalocalcaneal Arthrodesis Using a Soft Tissue–Preserved Fibular Graft for Treatment of Large Bone Defects in the Ankle

Background: Pathogenesis of ankle disorders with a large bone defect is varied and treatment for those problems is challenging for orthopaedic surgeons. The aims of this study were to present an operative technique of arthrodesis for the reconstruction of the ankle and hindfoot with a large bone defect using a soft tissue–preserved fibular strut graft and to report outcomes of consecutively treated patients. Methods: Twelve feet from 11 patients, including feet with aseptic necrosis of the talus and total ankle implant loosening, were treated. Bone defects were filled using iliac bone and/or resected fibula and tibiotalocalcaneal arthrodesis was performed using a retrograde intramedullary nail. A modified transfibular approach was used to expose the affected joint while preserving the lateral to posterior skin and soft tissues on the fibula. The periods of bony fusion and outcomes were radiographically and clinically evaluated. The mean follow-up period was 33.4 months. Results: Bony fusion was achieved within 3 months in all cases. Coronal and sagittal alignments were acceptable, and the mean American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Score improved from 53.8 to 75.5 at the final follow-up. All patients graded their results of treatment as “satisfied.” Conclusion: This procedure did not require special techniques and it should be applicable to complicated cases with large bone defects. High fusion rates that we believe are due to preserving blood supply to the fibular graft can be expected with preservation of the hindfoot height. Level of Evidence: Level IV, case series.

The distal margin of the lateral malleolus visible under ankle arthroscopy (articular tip) from the anteromedial portal, is separate from the ATFL attachment site of the fibula: A cadaver study

PURPOSEnThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the lateral malleolus view under ankle arthroscopy and the anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) attachment site.nnnMETHODSnSeven normal ankles from Thiel-embalmed cadavers were investigated. Ankle arthroscopy was performed using a 2.7xa0mm-diameter, 30-degree, oblique-viewing endoscope. An antero-medial portal (AM), a medial midline portal (MML), and an antero-central portal (AC) were created in order, and the ankle arthroscope was inserted. The lateral malleolus was visualized as distally as possible, and the site that appeared to be the distal margin was marked with a 1.5xa0mm-diameter K-wire. Visualization with arthroscopy was carried out from all portals to mark the distal margin, and the ankle was subsequently exposed to directly measure the distance from the center of the ATFL attachment site at the fibula to each marking.nnnRESULTSnThe distances from the ATFL attachment site to the markings made under arthroscopy from the AM, MML, and AC portals were 10.4xa0±xa02.6xa0mm, 7.4xa0±xa01.9xa0mm, and 7.3xa0±xa01.9xa0mm, respectively. Compared to markings made from the MML or AC portal, the marking made from the AM portal was significantly further away from the ATFL attachment site.nnnCONCLUSIONSnA typical ankle arthroscopy portal may not allow complete visualization of the tip of the lateral malleolus, indicating that it may not be feasible to thoroughly observe the ATFL attachment site. It is necessary to perform arthroscopic surgeries with the understanding that the distal margin of the lateral malleolus that appears under ankle arthroscopy is 7-10xa0mm proximal to the ATFL attachment site.

Modified distal tibial oblique osteotomy for osteoarthritis of the ankle: Operative procedure and preliminary results

BACKGROUNDnLow tibial osteotomy is an effective joint-preserving surgery for ankle arthritis. However, poor postoperative wound healing, infection, and delayed or non-union of bones remain significant concerns. We describe a modified distal tibial oblique osteotomy procedure and report preliminary results for varus ankle arthritis.nnnMETHODSnThe osteotomy path consisted of an oblique doglegged line from the lateral end of the distal tibia to a proximal point about one-third from the lateral edge and continuing along an arc defined by virtual coronal-plane rotation of the doglegged line to the medial edge. After osteotomy, the distal tibial fragment was rotated distally in the coronal plane for realignment while maintaining contact with the proximal tibia and the distal tibial fragment. The resulting wedge-shaped gap was filled with artificial bone blocks and tibial bone projecting medially from rotation. A locking plate was then applied for stabilization. We evaluated 7 ankles from 6 osteoarthritis patients both clinically and radiographically following this procedure.nnnRESULTSnBone union was achieved within 3 months for all patients. The Japanese Society for Surgery of the Foot ankle-hindfoot scale improved from a mean of 38.4 points preoperatively to 85.7 points at the latest follow-up. No wound healing problems, infections, or nerve disturbances were observed. Multiple radiographic parameters were also improved following the operation.nnnCONCLUSIONSnThis procedure maintains close bone contact for better postoperative union, obviates the need for iliac bone harvesting, and reduces tension on medial soft tissue. We believe these modifications are potential advantages for achieving stable results in patients with ankle osteoarthritis.

Suture-Button Fixation and Mini-Open Anterior Inferior Tibiofibular Ligament Augmentation Using Suture Tape for Tibiofibular Syndesmosis Injuries

Tibiofibular fixation using suture-button implants is an optional method for the surgical treatment of syndesmosis injuries. Although good clinical outcomes have been reported, inadequate stability between the tibia and fibula has also been documented. Thus, suture-button fixation is not considered the reference standard. For surgical treatment of lateral ligament injuries of the ankle, good treatment outcomes have also been reported with ligament augmentation using nonabsorbable suture tape. Ligament augmentation tape with suture-button fixation could also be promising for improved treatment outcomes in syndesmosis injuries. We describe suture-button fixation together with mini-open anterior inferior tibiofibular ligament augmentation using suture tape for treatment of syndesmosis injuries.

Factors Related to the Occurrence of Osteochondral Lesions of the Talus by 3-dimensional Bone Morphology of the Ankle

Category: Ankle Introduction/Purpose: Repeated microtrauma is thought to play a major role in the occurrence of osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLTs), but much remains unknown. Two-dimensional assessments of the relationship between ankle bone morphology and OLTs are occasionally seen. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the bone morphology of the ankle in OLT 3-dimensionally using three-dimensional computed tomography (3DCT), and to investigate the factors related to the occurrence of OLTs. Methods: The subjects were 19 patients (19 ankles) who underwent surgery for medial OLTs (OLT group). They included 13 men and 6 women. A healthy group without ankle disease served as a control group with the same number of 19 ankles. Three-dimensional ankle joint models were made based on DICOM data obtained with CT images. In the 3D model, the medial malleolus articular surface and the tibial plafond surface, the medial surface of the trochlea of the talus, and the lateral surface of the trochlea of the talus were defined. The tibial axis-medial malleolus (TMM) angle, the medial malleolus surface area (MMA), the medial malleolus volume (MMV), and the anterior opening angle of the talus were measured 3-dimensionally and compared in the OLT and control groups. Results: The mean TMM angle was significantly larger in the OLT group (34.2 ± 4.4°) than in the control group (29.2 ± 4.8°; p = 0.002). The mean MMA was significantly smaller in the OLT group (219.8 ± 42.4 mm2) than in the control group (280.5 ± 38.2 mm2; p < 0.001). The mean MMV was significantly smaller in the OLT group (2119.9 ± 562.5 mm3) than in the control group (2646.4 ± 631.4 mm3; p = 0.01). The mean anterior opening angle of the talus was significantly larger in the OLT group (15.4 ± 3.9°) than in the control group (10.2 ± 3.6°; p < 0.001). Conclusion: It was shown with 3DCT measurements that, in medial OLT patients, the medial malleolus opens distally, the MMA and MMV are small, and the talus anterior opening angle was significantly larger than in controls. This study suggests the possibility that the 3D bone morphology of both the mortise and tenon of the ankle joint are closely related to the occurrence of OLTs.

Suture-button fixation and anterior inferior tibiofibular ligament augmentation with suture-tape for syndesmosis injury: A biomechanical cadaveric study

Background: Suture‐button (SB) fixation has been widely performed for syndesmosis injuries, but it has been reported unstable in some biomechanical studies. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the stability of the syndesmosis using SB fixation with anterior inferior tibiofibular ligament augmentation using suture‐tape (ST). Methods: Eight normal fresh‐frozen cadaveric legs were used. After initial tests of intact and injured models, SB fixation, SB fixation with ST augmentation, ST augmentation alone, and screw fixation were performed sequentially for each specimen. Loading tests stimulating dorsiflexion, inversion, and external rotation of the ankle joint were performed for each model. The tibiofibular diastasis (TFD) and the fibular rotational angle related to the tibia (FRA) were measured using a magnetic tracking system. Findings: In the injured model, both TFD and FRA increased significantly compared with the intact model in all directions (P < .05). In the SB fixation model, TFD and FRA generally showed significant increases (P < .05, except for TFD in external rotation). In the SB fixation with ST augmentation model and ST augmentation alone, TFD and FRA were not significantly different compared with the intact model (P > .05). In the screw fixation model, FRA with inversion force at the ankle was significantly decreased compared with the intact model (P = .027). Interpretation: SB fixation alone did not provide stability of the syndesmosis, and screw fixation became too rigid compared with the intact model. Using ST augmentation achieved dynamic stability similar to the intact model for syndesmotic injuries. HighlightsThe stability in various surgical methods for syndesmosis injuries was evaluated.Suture‐button fixation alone did not provide stability of the syndesmosis.Screw fixation became too rigid.Suture‐tape augmentation achieved dynamic stability for syndesmosis injuries.

Effect of Initial Graft Tension During Calcaneofibular Ligament Reconstruction on Ankle Kinematics and Laxity

Background: Although a variety of surgical procedures for lateral ankle ligament reconstruction have frequently been reported, little is known about the effects of initial graft tension. Purpose/Hypothesis: The purpose was to investigate the effects of initial graft tension in calcaneofibular ligament (CFL) reconstruction. It was hypothesized that a high degree of initial graft tension would cause abnormal kinematics, laxity, and excessive graft tension. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: Twelve cadaveric ankles were tested with a 6 degrees of freedom robotic system to apply passive plantarflexion-dorsiflexion motion and multidirectional loads. A repeated-measures experiment was designed with the CFL intact, CFL transected, and CFL reconstructed with 4 initial tension conditions (10, 30, 50, and 70 N). The 3-dimensional path and reconstructed graft tension were simultaneously recorded. Results: The calcaneus in CFL reconstruction with an initial tension of 70 N had the most eversion relative to the intact condition (mean eversion translations of 1.2, 3.0, 5.0, and 6.2 mm were observed at initial tensions of 10, 30, 50, and 70 N, respectively). The calcaneus also moved more posteriorly with external rotation as the initial tension increased. The reconstructed graft tension tended to increase as the initial tension increased. Conclusion: Ankle kinematic patterns and laxity after CFL reconstruction tended to become more abnormal as the initial graft tension increased at the time of surgery. Moreover, excessive initial graft tension caused excessive tension on the reconstructed graft. Clinical Relevance: This study indicated the importance of initial graft tension during CFL reconstruction. Overtensioning during CFL reconstruction should be avoided to imitate a normal ankle.