Soft Tissue Pathology.

A wide spectrum of pathologies can lead to soft tissue abnormalities within the ankle joint. Many of these disorders can develop into irreversible joint degeneration if left untreated. Arthroscopy is frequently used to treat these soft tissue conditions such as instability, synovitis, impingement, arthrofibrosis, and other inflammatory disorders in the rearfoot and ankle.

Identifying the Potential Role of Regional Bone Mineral Density on the Degree of Malleolar Involvement in Acute Ankle Fractures.

Ankle fractures are a common traumatic lower extremity injury and are generally classified and characterized by the rotational mechanism of injury. At each malleolus (i.e.

Effects of Patient-Specific Instrumentation and Ancillary Surgery Performed in Conjunction With Total Ankle Implant Arthroplasty: Postoperative Radiographic Findings.

Accuracy and reproducibility when performing total ankle implant arthroplasty (TAA) are essential for longevity of the implant, maintaining relative stability of the joint, and theoretically reducing the formation of adjacent joint arthritis in the subtalar and knee joints. Studies have helped to illustrate the accuracy of implantation when using patient-specific instrumentation in both knee and ankle implant arthroplasty. Despite the findings of these studies, few have gone on to evaluate the effects of ancillary procedures on TAA; particularly their effects on postoperative implant congruity when performed simultaneously with joint replacement surgery.

Incidence of Talar Osteochondral Lesions After Acute Ankle Fracture: A Retrospective Analysis.

Recent literature suggests the majority of osteochondral lesions occur in the ankle joint. Previous studies have suggested that varying incidences of talar osteochondral lesions (OCLT) are associated with ankle fractures. The primary aim of our study was to investigate the incidence of osteochondral lesions associated with acute ankle fractures as observed on computed tomographic (CT) imaging.

Revision Surgery for the Achilles Tendon.

Treatment of Achilles tendon ruptures may be surgical or nonsurgical depending on health, history, age, acuity, and severity of the injury. With chronic or revisional injuries, the best method often requires an open repair with reconstructive soft tissue procedures. Revision surgery can be challenging because of the complexity involving tendinous deficits with nonviable and friable tissue.

Revision of the Malaligned Ankle Arthrodesis.

A malaligned ankle arthrodesis is a painful and complicated pathology. Deformities may be present in the frontal, sagittal, or transverse plane or a combination of planes. Thorough preoperative evaluation of the deformity and the patient as a whole is crucial to successful revision.

Current Concepts Regarding Total Ankle Replacement as a Viable Treatment Option for Advanced Ankle Arthritis: What You Need to Know.

Much of the current literature suggests that total ankle replacement (TAR) is no longer an inferior or fringe treatment for advanced ankle arthritis compared with ankle fusion, but rather a viable option for recalcitrant arthritic ankle pathology in the correct patient population. In this article, current concepts associated with successful outcomes for TAR are discussed with an emphasis on ankle joint anatomy and biomechanics, preoperative planning and patient selection, understanding pathomechanics and soft tissue balancing, as well as the surgeon's learning curve.

Small Joint Arthroscopy in the Foot.

Arthroscopy has advanced in the foot and ankle realm, leading to new innovative techniques designed toward treatment of small joint abnormality. A range of abnormalities that are currently widespread for arthroscopic treatment in larger joints continues to be translated to congruent modalities in the small joints. Small joint arthroscopy offers relief from foot ailments with a noninvasive element afforded by arthroscopy.

Soft Tissue Impingement of the Ankle: Pathophysiology, Evaluation, and Arthroscopic Treatment.

Soft tissue impingement (STI) syndrome is one of 3 causes of a larger all-encompassing joint impingement pathologic condition, which also includes bone and neuropathic entrapment. Altered joint biomechanics and friction of joint tissues combine to cause chronic pain and often functional instability. Although the most common form of STI to the ankle is anterolateral in location, posterior and anteromedial impingement is also discussed in this article.

A Multicenter, Retrospective Study of Early Weightbearing for Modified Lapidus Arthrodesis.

The modified Lapidus arthrodesis is a long-established surgical technique for management of hallux valgus that provides reproducible results and quality patient outcomes. The data from 367 consecutive patients undergoing unilateral modified Lapidus arthrodesis from January 1, 2007 to December 31, 2008 at participating centers were retrospectively evaluated. The included patients were categorized into early weightbearing (≤ 21 days) and delayed weightbearing (> 21 days) groups.

Surgical Correction of Rigid Equinovarus Contracture Utilizing Extensive Soft Tissue Release.

Although deforming contractures of the lower extremities after acute cerebrovascular events are well documented in the literature, there is limited literature regarding specific surgical considerations for the correction of these deformities, which are nonosseus in nature. The equinovarus foot, regardless of its origin, is a challenging pathologic condition for the foot and ankle surgeon. It is critical to have a firm understanding of the cause and symptoms behind an equinovarus deformity before treatment.

Posterior Tibial Tendon Transfer.

When performed correctly with the right patient population, a tibialis posterior muscle/tendon transfer is an effective procedure. Many different methods have been established for fixating the tendon, each of which has its' own indications. Passing through the interosseous membrane is the preferred and recommended method and should be used unless this is not possible.

The complications encountered with the rheumatoid surgical foot and ankle.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, degenerative, systemic disease that leads to the destruction of articular cartilage of the joints. Complications, including infection, delays in wound healing, malunion, nonunion, implant failure, and degeneration of adjacent joints soon after primary fusion, have been described in the literature and are generally accepted as commonplace in reconstructive surgeries of the foot and ankle. The combined efforts of the surgeon and supporting physicians to maintain optimal health for the patient, along with the principles discussed in this article, can lead to superior outcomes with fewer complications in the postoperative course.