Publications by authors named "Keith Wapner"

Background: Nonunion is one of the most common and devastating complications following midfoot joint arthrodesis. Many different types of bone grafts and bone substitutes have been used to promote osseous fusion. However, there is no consensus on the gold standard bone grafting material and whether biologic materials should be used alone or in combination.

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Nonsurgical management is almost always considered the first-line treatment for the vast majority of foot and ankle pathologies. Foot orthoses, shoe modifications, and therapeutic footwear are considered essential tools for successful conservative management of different foot and ankle disorders. Orthopedic foot and ankle surgeons should have a meticulous understanding of the lower extremity biomechanics as well as the pathoanatomy and the sequelae of diseases affecting the foot and/or ankle.

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"Cup-shaped power reamers" and "flat cuts" (FC) are common joint preparation techniques in first metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint arthrodesis. However, the third option of an "in situ" (IS) technique has rarely been studied. This study aims to compare the clinical, radiographic, and patient-reported outcomes (PROMs) of the IS technique for various MTP pathologies with other MTP joint preparation techniques.

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Background: There is still a controversy regarding the most optimal fixation instruments and bone graft materials for midfoot joint arthrodesis. We present the results of midfoot joint arthrodesis using compression plate with lag screw augmenting with highly porous β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) and bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC).

Methods: We performed a retrospective review of patients undergoing midfoot joint arthrodesis using compression plate with lag screw augmenting with highly porous β-TCP and BMAC from January 2014 to May 2019.

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Background: The most common indications for revision of first metatarsophalangeal joint (MTPJ) arthrodesis are symptomatic failures of prior arthrodesis, failed hallux valgus correction, and failed MTPJ arthroplasty implants. However, the outcomes of revision MTPJ arthrodesis have rarely been studied. The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical, radiographic, and patient-reported outcomes of revision MTPJ arthrodesis following different primary procedures.

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Background: Midfoot arthrodesis is a common procedure performed both for arthritis and correction of deformity. The optimal fixation for midfoot arthrodesis has not been established, though numerous studies have been investigating the fixation techniques of midfoot arthrodesis. The purpose of this study was to compare the union rate of midfoot arthrodesis using 4 different fixation strategies and investigate risk factors of nonunion following midfoot arthrodesis.

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Background: There remains no clear consensus on patient satisfaction and functional outcomes following synthetic cartilage implant (SCI) implantation for hallux rigidus. The purpose of this study was to review our experience at a single academic institution using an SCI for treatment of hallux rigidus.

Methods: A retrospective review was performed of patients who underwent the SCI procedure for treatment of hallux rigidus between January 2017 and May 2019.

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Case: A 17-year-old boy with a history of chronic bilateral navicular osteonecrosis with fragmentation was treated with 6-month staged bilateral open reduction and internal fixation of tarsal navicular with debridement of the necrotic bone and ipsilateral medial femoral condyle vascularized bone grafting.

Conclusion: The patient progressed to full painless weight-bearing on each extremity by 4 months postoperatively with osseous union of both chronic fracture sites and incorporation of vascularized bone grafts. Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) scores were improved from preoperative levels at 6 months from each operation.

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The results supporting Cartiva, a synthetic cartilage implant (Wright Medical) in hallux rigidus have come from limited institutions creating observational bias. Complications experienced in community centers are not routinely included in the published literature. To look at a broader range of potential complications, we reviewed the United States Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) voluntary device database and compared that data with published literature.

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Lateral column lengthening (LCL) is a commonly performed procedure for patients with stage II adult-acquired flatfoot deformity (AAFD) to correct forefoot abduction. This procedure is frequently completed concomitantly with both soft-tissue and bony procedures, including a medial slide calcaneal osteotomy to further reduce hindfoot valgus. The purpose of this study is to investigate and identify the radiographic outcomes of a modified step-cut LCL utilized as an alternative approach for correction of stage II AAFD.

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Background: Complex hindfoot pathology may benefit from vascularized bone flap reconstruction rather than traditional bone grafting techniques. Medial femoral condyle (MFC) flaps provide vascularized periosteum, skin, and corticocancellous bone.

Methods: A retrospective, single-institution cohort study of consecutive MFC flaps performed for complicated hindfoot reconstruction between 2013 and 2019 was reviewed.

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Background: In select high-risk cases of ankle arthrodesis, conventional techniques may lead to a high incidence of failure because of a combination of multiple operations; high risk of infection; avascular, often bulky allografts; and poor soft-tissue quality. In high-risk distal limb salvage, the authors have performed ankle arthrodesis using a free vascularized fibula graft from the ipsilateral limb with saphenous vein grafts.

Methods: The authors present data from six patients.

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Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the occurrence of anatomical variations of the musculotendinous junction of the flexor hallucis longus (FHL) muscle, the relationship between FHL tendon or muscle and the tibial neurovascular bundle at the level of the posterior ankle joint in human cadavers.

Methods: Seventy embalmed feet from 20 male and 15 female cadavers, the cadavers' mean age was 65.4 (range from 14 to 82) years, were dissected and anatomically classified to observe FHL muscle morphology define the relationship between FHL tendon or muscle and the tibial neurovascular bundle.

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The transfer of the flexor hallucis longus tendon or flexor digitorum longus tendon is frequently used for the treatment of posterior tibial tendon insufficiency or chronic Achilles tendinopathy. According to several anatomical studies, harvesting the flexor hallucis longus (FHL) tendon may cause nerve injury. Sixty-eight embalmed feet were dissected and anatomically classified to define the relationship between Henry's knot and the plantar nerves.

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Introduction: Foot deformities are frequent complications in Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) patients, often requiring orthopedic surgery. However, there are no prospective, randomized studies on surgical management, and there is variation in the approaches among centers both within and between countries.

Methods: In this study we assessed the frequency of foot deformities and surgery among patients recruited into the Inherited Neuropathies Consortium (INC).

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Objective: To explore the method of the treatment for hallux valgus with the proximal crescentic osteotomy of the first metatarsal bone, combining with distal lateral soft tissue release.

Methods: From January 2008 to December 2012, 21 cases 21 hallux valgus feet were treated by operative procedure, included 1 male (1 foot) and 20 females (20 feet), with the mean age of 52 years (range, 36-68 years). Among all patients were followed up for 12 to 26 months, with the mean 16 months.

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Purpose: The purpose of the study was to describe the anatomical variations of the connection between the flexor hallucis longus (FHL) and flexor digitorum longus (FDL) tendons in the knot of Henry in Asians, and quantify the length of FHL tendon graft with different incisions.

Methods: Sixty-four embalmed feet of 32 cadavers were analyzed anatomically with respect to the individual cross-links in the planta pedis. Single incision technique graft length was measured from the musculotendinous junction of FHL and the point at sustentaculum tali.

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To study the cellular mechanism of the tendon repair process, we used a mouse Achilles tendon injury model to focus on the cells recruited to the injured site. The cells isolated from injured tendon 1 week after the surgery and uninjured tendons contained the connective tissue progenitor populations as determined by colony-forming capacity, cell surface markers, and multipotency. When the injured tendon-derived progenitor cells (inTPCs) were transplanted into injured Achilles tendons, they were not only integrated in the regenerating area expressing tenogenic phenotype but also trans-differentiated into chondrogenic cells in the degenerative lesion that underwent ectopic endochondral ossification.

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Background: Several investigators have reported their clinical experience with medial pedis flaps for reconstruction of soft-tissue defects of the distal forefoot. However, they had only a few reports where this flap was used to repair soft-tissue defects of the great toe. Thus, reconstruction of soft-tissue defects of the great toe remains a challenge in reconstructive surgery.

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Background: Avascular necrosis (AVN) or persistent nonunion occurs in situations of poor vascular supply. Some specific situations that plague the foot and ankle surgeon are talus nonunion, talus AVN, navicular AVN, and failed ankle arthrodesis with bone loss. The medial femoral condyle (MFC) flap has emerged as a popular source of vascularized corticocancelous bone.

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Background: The foot and ankle area has a tenuous blood supply that can easily be damaged with trauma or open exposures. The navicular and talus are susceptible to avascular necrosis, making arthrodesis difficult. In addition, in this region, large bone gaps occur as a result of avascular necrosis, trauma, or infection.

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Infections of the foot are a common source of morbidity, disability, and potential limb loss. A large proportion of lower extremity infections occurs in the setting of diabetic neuropathy, with or without circulatory compromise, and are potentially preventable with regular surveillance. Adequate diagnosis and treatment of foot infections can be challenging.

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The purpose of this study is to document the epidemiology of Achilles tendon ruptures in the National Football League (NFL) and to quantify the impact of these injuries on player performance. A retrospective review of several online NFL player registries identified 31 Achilles tendon ruptures in NFL players between 1997 and 2002. Nineteen percent of injuries occurred during preseason play, while another 18% occurred during the first month of the official season.

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Background: Mobile-bearing ankle replacements have become popular outside of the United States over the past two decades. The goal of the present study was to perform a prospective evaluation of the safety and efficacy of a mobile-bearing prosthesis to treat end stage ankle arthritis. We report the results of three separate cohorts of patients: a group of Scandanavian Total Ankle Replacement (STAR) patients and a control group of ankle fusion patients (the Pivotal Study Groups) and another group of STAR total ankle patients (Continued Access Group) whose surgery was performed following the completion of enrollment in the Pivotal Study.

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