Biomedical subjects

William C McGarvey

Publications and source records attributed to William C McGarvey.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Calcaneal fractures: indirect reduction and external fixation.

BACKGROUND: The current treatment of displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures has been surgical fixation. The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of indirect reduction with Ilizarov external fixation as a viable alternative in the surgical treatment of certain calcaneal fractures. METHODS: Thirty-one patients with 33 fractures of the calcaneus (Sanders types II, III, and IV) were treated using small wire circular external fixation. A limited percutaneous plantar skin incision was used to improve reduction of the posterior facet. Fractures were evaluated by preoperative CT scans and classified by an independent observer. Patients were evaluated by physical examination as well as by the AOFAS hindfoot score questionnaire. Followup ranged from 6 months to 4 years. RESULTS: The average AOFAS score for 18 patients available for examination was 66 (42 to 92). The average score increased to 74 for patients with more than 10 months followup and to 77 for patients with isolated calcaneal fractures. Open fractures also had early debridement and soft-tissue coverage; no deep infections were seen in this subgroup. There were 11 complications, including nine superficial pin track infections, one superficial skin necrosis under an area of fracture blister, and one deep infection in a diabetic smoker with severe hemorrhagic fracture blisters. All superficial infections responded to local pin or wound care and oral antibiotics. No secondary reconstructive procedures, including osteotomies, subtalar fusions, or amputations, have been done. All open fractures healed and maintained soft-tissue coverage. CONCLUSIONS: Indirect reduction and external fixation is a viable surgical alternative for intra-articular calcaneal fractures. Particularly favorable results were obtained in open fractures when soft-tissue reconstruction also was done. Advantages include shorter time to surgery, immediate weightbearing, minimal invasiveness, few serious wound problems, and no residual hardware. Disadvantages include technical difficulty, incomplete reduction of fracture fragments, and the need for secondary surgery (fixator removal).

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Peripheral nerve entrapments.

Peripheral nerve entrapment is a rare, but important, cause of foot and ankle pain that often is underdiagnosed and mistreated. A peripheral nerve may become entrapped anywhere along its course, but certain anatomic locations are characteristic. Clinically,nerve entrapment is divided into three stages: in stage I patients feel rest pain and intermittent paresthesias which are worse at night; in stage II, continued nerve compression leads to paresthesias, numbness, and, occasionally, muscle weakness that does not disappear during the day, and in stage III, patients describe constant pain, muscle atrophy, and permanent sensory loss. Diagnostic confusion abounds because of the multiple etiologies of peripheral nerve entrapments and their complex physical and temporal relation. A thorough understanding of the causes of peripheral nerve entrapments, the anatomic course and variation of the peripheral nerves, the diagnostic modalities, and the treatment options can simplify this complex problem.

Diagnosis, Differential↗

PubMed2004

Malleolar fracture after total ankle arthroplasty: a comparison of two designs.

There has been a resurgence in the treatment of end-stage tibiotalar arthritis with prosthetic replacement. This procedure has highlighted numerous complications including malleolar fracture. We wanted to determine the clinical relevance of malleolar fracture with the two most commonly used implants in the United States. We retrospectively compared the first 20 STAR with the first 25 Agility total ankle arthroplasties done by two surgeons. We examined the fracture rate, the timing, location, and treatment of the fracture, and the outcome in each group. In the Agility group, five fractures occurred, all intraoperatively. Four involved the medial malleolus and one involved the lateral malleolus. All fractures were fixed as implant stability was compromised. In the STAR group, there were four fractures. Two lateral malleoli fractured intraoperatively and were fixed. Two medial malleoli fractures occurred postoperatively and were treated nonoperatively. There was one medial malleolar nonunion in each group. The incidence of malleolar fracture was 20% in each group, comparable to results reported in relevant literature. We highlight some of the causes of malleolar fracture and describe our technique of prophylactic malleolar pinning to prevent this complication. Malleolar fracture is clinically relevant with the Agility and STAR implants and should be anticipated and prevented.

Ankle Injuries↗

PubMed2003

Tendon transfer fixation in the foot and ankle: a biomechanical study evaluating two sizes of pilot holes for bioabsorbable screws.

The purpose of this study was to compare the initial fixation strengths of bioabsorbable screws for tendon transfers in the foot and ankle when the pilot hole size varied. A 7 x 20 mm screw was used with 5.5 mm and 6.5 mm drill holes, and a 5 x 20 mm screw was used with 3.9 mm and 4.5 mm drill holes. Biomechanical testing was performed on each tendon transfer in cadaver specimens. A paired t-test showed no significant difference in pullout strength when pilot hole size varied between 79 to 93% of the screw size for the 7 mm screw and 78 to 90% of the screw size for the 5 mm screw. Previous studies have found a critical value of tendon tension equaling 50 N with passive dorsiflexion of the foot. With an average value of approximately 170 N, the 7 mm screw provided three times the requisite strength. The 5 mm screw provided 1.5 times the requisite strength, but the transfer was technically more difficult.

Absorbable Implants↗

PubMed2002

The use of external fixation in arthrodesis and salvage of the foot and ankle.

External fixation arthrodesis provides a tremendous salvage alternative to previously unsalvageable complex ankle and hindfoot pathology. Options for bone transport and soft tissue correction add versatility to the procedure while reducing risk and increasing the potential for healing without complications. Judicious use of an experienced plastic surgeon is not only helpful, but recommended. Primary or revision complex arthrodesis surgery should only be performed by a surgeon experienced in dealing with these problems and possessing the capability to implement some or all of the principles detailed in this section.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2002

Insertional Achilles tendinosis: surgical treatment through a central tendon splitting approach.

Twenty-two heels in 21 patients treated surgically for a primary diagnosis of insertional Achilles tendinosis were reviewed on the basis of preoperative and postoperative examinations, office records, and a comprehensive questionnaire administered to each subject. Each patient underwent surgical treatment using a midline-posterior skin incision combined with a central tendon splitting approach for debridement, retrocalcaneal bursectomy, and removal of the calcaneal bursal projection as necessary. The findings at surgery revealed involvement of the middle third of the insertion in 21 of 22 cases with only one patient manifesting isolated lateral involvement. Thirteen of 22 had an associated prominent calcaneal bursal projection and four of 22 a superficially inflamed bursa. Three patients required reinsertion of the tendo Achilles via drill holes and one underwent augmentation with a plantaris tendon. Operative findings and complications were reported. Eight male and 13 female patients underwent 22 procedures (one case bilaterally) with an average follow-up of 33 months. Preoperative symptoms include presence of symptoms over a range of three months to two years and pain associated with activities of daily living (17 of 22), limitation of regular activities (six of 22), and pain present at rest in six of 22. Postoperatively, 20 of 22 patients were able to return to work or routine activities by three months; only 13 of 22 were completely pain free. Only 13 of 22 also claimed that they were able to return to unlimited activities. Overall, there was an 82% (18 of 22) satisfaction rate with surgery and 77% (17 of 22) stated they would have the surgery again.

Achilles Tendon↗

PubMed2002

Evaluation of compression in intramedullary hindfoot arthrodesis.

Compression was evaluated in an intramedullary hindfoot arthrodesis cadaver model using an external fixator and a "second generation" intramedullary compression nail. Four cadaver specimens were used. Four trials were done with each specimen. Trial 1: manual compression with the 1st generation nail. Trial 2: external fixator for compression with the 1st generation nail. Trial 3: external fixator for compression with the 2nd generation nail. Trial 4: nail-mounted compression device with the 2nd generation nail. In Trial 1 it was not possible to obtain or maintain compression. In Trial 2 large values of compression were obtained with the external fixator, however compression was not maintained after the first generation nails were locked and the fixator was removed. In Trial 3 large values of compression were obtained with the external fixator, but minimal compression was maintained after the second-generation nails were locked and the fixator was removed. In Trial 4 large values of compression were obtained with the compression device and greater than 60% of the compression was maintained after the nail was locked and the compression device was released. The study revealed that both the external fixator and the compression device could produce compression. The external fixator is useful as an aid in the O.R. However, in this study significant compression was maintained only with utilization of the compression device.

Ankle Joint↗