Fredrik Montgomery | PubMed Health

PubMed2005

Tibio-talocalcaneal arthrodesis as a primary procedure using a retrograde intramedullary nail: a retrospective study of 26 patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

BACKGROUND: Arthrodesis of the ankle joint using screws or external fixation is often a demanding procedure, notably in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. We investigated whether tibio-talocalcaneal arthrodesis with the use of an intramedullary nail is a safe and simple procedure. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 25 ankles (25 patients) at median 3 (1-7) years after tibio-talocalcaneal arthrodesis because of rheumatoid arthritis. All had been operated on by retrograde insertion of a retrograde nail. 5 types of nail had been used. Complications, functional outcome scores, and patient satisfaction were determined and the radiographs evaluated for healing. RESULTS: All but 1 ankle had a radiographically healed arthrodesis. We recorded 3 deep infections, all healed--in 2 cases after extraction of the nail--and the arthrodesis healed in all 3 patients. The average functional scores at follow-up were high, considering that the patients suffered from rheumatoid arthritis. 23 patients were satisfied with the outcome. We found a correlation between the functional scores and the general activity of the disease expressed as a Health Assessment Questionnaire score. INTERPRETATION: In patients with rheumatoid arthritis, tibio-talocalcaneal arthrodesis with a retrograde intra-medullary nail results in a high rate of healing, a high rate of patient satisfaction, and relatively few complications.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Uncemented STAR total ankle prostheses.

BACKGROUND: The feasibility of replacing the ankle joint has been a matter of speculation for a long time. In recent years, the designs of ankle prostheses have been improved, and three designs, all used without bone cement, currently dominate the market. However, documentation of the clinical results of the use of these prostheses is sparse. We reviewed the intermediate-term results of fifty-one consecutive Scandinavian Total Ankle Replacements (STAR). METHODS: Between 1993 and 1999, fifty-one consecutive ankles were replaced with an uncemented, hydroxyapatite-coated STAR total ankle prosthesis. Clinical examination for the present study was performed by one surgeon who had not taken part in the operations. Standardized radiographs were used. Complications and failures were recorded, and patient satisfaction and functional outcome scores were determined for all patients with an unrevised implant. RESULTS: Twelve ankles had to be revised. Seven were revised because of loosening of at least one of the components; two, because of fracture of the meniscus; and three, for other reasons. A component was exchanged in seven of the twelve revisions, whereas the ankle was successfully fused in the other five. An additional eight ankles had radiographic signs of loosening. The thirty-nine unrevised ankles (thirty-seven patients) were examined after thirty-six to ninety-seven months (median, fifty-two months). The patient was satisfied with the result after thirty-one of the ankle replacements, somewhat satisfied after two, and not satisfied after six. The median Kofoed score increased from 39 points before the surgery to 70 points at the time of the follow-up examination. A median follow-up score of 74 points was recorded when the system described by Mazur et al. and the AOFAS (American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society) system were used. The median range of motion was approximately the same preoperatively and postoperatively. The estimated five-year survival rate, with revision for any reason as the end point, was 0.70. When radiographic loosening of either component was used as the end point, the estimated five-year radiographic survival rate was significantly better for the last thirty-one ankles treated in the series (p = 0.032). CONCLUSIONS: Total ankle replacement may be a realistic alternative to arthrodesis, provided that the components are correctly positioned and are of the correct size. However, the risks of loosening and failure are still higher than are such risks after total hip or total knee replacement.

Ankle Joint↗

PubMed2003

Uncemented STAR total ankle prostheses. Three to eight-year follow-up of fifty-one consecutive ankles.

BACKGROUND: The feasibility of replacing the ankle joint has been a matter of speculation for a long time. In recent years, the designs of ankle prostheses have been improved, and three designs, all used without bone cement, currently dominate the market. However, documentation of the clinical results of the use of these prostheses is sparse. We reviewed the intermediate-term results of fifty-one consecutive Scandinavian Total Ankle Replacements (STAR). METHODS: Between 1993 and 1999, fifty-one consecutive ankles were replaced with an uncemented, hydroxyapatite-coated STAR total ankle prosthesis. Clinical examination for the present study was performed by one surgeon who had not taken part in the operations. Standardized radiographs were used. Complications and failures were recorded, and patient satisfaction and functional outcome scores were determined for all patients with an unrevised implant. RESULTS: Twelve ankles had to be revised. Seven were revised because of loosening of at least one of the components; two, because of fracture of the meniscus; and three, for other reasons. A component was exchanged in seven of the twelve revisions, whereas the ankle was successfully fused in the other five. An additional eight ankles had radiographic signs of loosening. The thirty-nine unrevised ankles (thirty-seven patients) were examined after thirty-six to ninety-seven months (median, fifty-two months). The patient was satisfied with the result after thirty-one of the ankle replacements, somewhat satisfied after two, and not satisfied after six. The median Kofoed score increased from 39 points before the surgery to 70 points at the time of the follow-up examination. A median follow-up score of 74 points was recorded when the system described by Mazur et al. and the AOFAS (American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society) system were used. The median range of motion was approximately the same preoperatively and postoperatively. The estimated five-year survival rate, with revision for any reason as the end point, was 0.70. When radiographic loosening of either component was used as the end point, the estimated five-year radiographic survival rate was significantly better for the last thirty-one ankles treated in the series (p = 0.032). CONCLUSIONS: Total ankle replacement may be a realistic alternative to arthrodesis, provided that the components are correctly positioned and are of the correct size. However, the risks of loosening and failure are still higher than are such risks after total hip or total knee replacement.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Arthrodesis of the ankle for non-inflammatory conditions--healing and reliability of outcome measurements.

This is a retrospective study of 30 consecutive primary ankle arthrodeses in 29 patients with osteoarthrosis, operated on in our hospital between 1984 and 1994. Two different techniques were utilized: internal fixation with screws or external fixation using Charnley or Hoffman frames. Only 25 ankles in 24 patients were available for clinical examination. They were examined by two independent surgeons on an average of 51 months after surgery (13 to 187 months). Two radiologists separately examined the radiographs that were available--in this case, 29 ankles, without knowledge of clinical data, and 26/29 (89%) were unanimously considered as fused. This is comparable with what is reported in other series. Unanimity among all four observers regarding healing of the arthrodesis occurred in 20/25 ankles (80%). We consider that both a radiological and a clinical evaluation is important for a fair judgement of fusion. We found high consistency among the observers with respect to the clinical scores. However, the consistency was somewhat better for the Mazur than for the Kofoed system.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Treatment of lateral ankle instability with transfer of the extensor digitorum brevis muscle.

Ankle sprains are the most common injuries sustained during sports and physical exercise. Treatment is usually conservative because most of these injuries heal without consequence. However, some injuries may be followed by chronic lateral pain and instability, and surgical stabilization is sometimes necessary. In select cases, there is little or no residual ligament or scar tissue remaining for late reconstruction. Proximal transfer of the origin of the extensor digitorum brevis muscle as a substitute for deficient ligament tissue can be used in these difficult cases. During the years 1971 to 1992, 13 ankles in 10 patients underwent surgery using the proximal extensor digitorum brevis muscle transfer method. At follow-up, all the ankles manifested functional stability and were stable with no clinical drawer sign. All had a normal range of motion in the ankle joint but showed a desired decreased supination range of motion throughout the hindfoot and ankle. The functional Karlsson scores were 84.5 +/- 18.8 before injury, 26.4 +/- 18.7 before surgery, and 83.6 +/- 18.7 at follow-up. Thus, the extensor digitorum brevis muscle transfer seems to be a useful alternative method of long-term ankle stabilization in these difficult chronic case; the results correlate well with a few other studies using this method.

Adolescent↗