Racial Disparities in Outcomes After Foot and Ankle Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

This systematic review and meta-analysis delved into the impact of race and ethnicity on outcomes following foot and ankle surgery, an area garnering increasing attention within the medical community. Despite significant literature on postsurgical clinical and functional outcomes, limited research has explored the influence of racial and ethnic factors on postoperative outcomes. In this study, data from 33 relevant studies, involving a total of 557,734 patients, were analyzed to assess outcomes across different racial and ethnic groups.

The Use of Extracellular Vesicles in Achilles Tendon Repair: A Systematic Review.

Achilles tendon (AT) pathologies are common musculoskeletal conditions that can significantly impair function. Despite various traditional treatments, recovery is often slow and may not restore full functionality. The use of extracellular vesicles (EVs) has emerged as a promising therapeutic option due to their role in cell signaling and tissue regeneration.

Outcomes following total ankle total talus replacement: A systematic review.

Background: Prosthetic substitution of the talus presents a significant challenge to the foot and ankle surgeon. The shear and compressive forces on the talus and its tenuous blood supply lead to high rates of avascular necrosis and eventual talar collapse. The purpose of this systematic review is to evaluate whether total ankle total talus replacement (TATTR) leads to improved clinical and radiographic outcomes with appropriate safety metrics in patients with a history of avascular necrosis or significant trauma.

Outcome Measures Utilized to Assess the Efficacy of Telerehabilitation for Post-Stroke Rehabilitation: A Scoping Review.

Introduction: Outcome measures using telerehabilitation (TR) in the context of post-stroke rehabilitation are an area of emerging research. The current review assesses the literature related to TR for patients requiring post-stroke rehabilitation. The purpose of this study is to survey the outcome measures used in TR studies and to define which parts of the International Organization of Functioning are measured in trials.

Charcot Neuroarthropathy of the Foot and Ankle in the Acute Setting: An Illustrative Case Report and Targeted Review.

Charcot neuroarthropathy (CN) is a rare but serious sequela of diabetes and other diseases that cause peripheral neuropathy. It is most commonly characterized by degeneration of the foot and/or ankle joints leading to progressive deformity and altered weight-bearing. If left untreated, the deformities of CN lead to ulceration, infection, amputation, and even death.

Outcomes after total ankle arthroplasty with an average follow-up of 10 years: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: The literature demonstrating positive outcomes after total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) is mounting. However, the long-term outcomes of TAA (≥ 10 years) remain minimally reported. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate outcome metrics over multiple TAA studies with greater than 10 years of average follow-up.

The use of platelet-rich plasma in pathologies of the foot and ankle: A comprehensive review of the recent literature.

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is an autologous serum containing higher concentrations of platelets and growth factors above normal blood. The process of obtaining PRP involves the extraction of blood from the patient which is then centrifuged to obtain a concentrated suspension of platelets. PRP continues to evolve as a potential treatment modality with many applications in orthopaedic surgery.

Exposure of Tissue-Engineered Cartilage Analogs to Synovial Fluid Hematoma After Ankle Fracture Is Associated With Chondrocyte Death and Altered Cartilage Maintenance Gene Expression.

Background: The first stage of fracture healing consists of hematoma formation with recruitment of proinflammatory cytokines and matrix metalloproteinases. Unfortunately, when there is an intra-articular fracture, these inflammatory mediators are not retained at the fracture site, but instead, envelop the healthy cartilage of the entire joint via the synovial fluid fracture hematoma (SFFH). These inflammatory cytokines and matrix metalloproteinases are known factors in the progression of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Juvenile Osteochondral Lesions of the Talus: Current Concepts Review and an Update on the Literature.

Osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLTs) are lesions that occur before the physis closes and are frequently associated with acute ankle trauma. These lesions are often difficult to diagnose due to swelling and inflammation that are present after the initial injury. A growing body of literature has assessed the effects of OLTs in the adult population.

Contemporary Review: The Use of Human Placental Tissues in Foot and Ankle Surgery.

The use of fetal tissues in regenerative medicine has long been a source of both promise and controversy. Since the turn of the century, their utilization has expanded because of antiinflammatory and analgesic properties, which have been theorized to act as an avenue for treating various orthopaedic conditions. With increased recognition and use, it is essential to understand the potential risks, efficacy, and long-term effects of these materials.

A New Trend in Social Media and Medicine: The Poor Quality of Videos Related to Ankle Sprain Exercises on TikTok.

Background: Social media platforms, like TikTok, have become popular options for the distribution of health care information. Because of the lack of scientific oversight, the quality of health care-related videos has become a focus of the current literature. However, orthopaedic surgery has lagged behind other fields in acknowledging the widespread utilization of TikTok videos for medical information consumption.

Patients' Online Perception and Ratings of Neurotologists.

Objectives: To assess and characterize patients' online ratings and comments of neurotologists and determine factors that correlate with higher ratings.

Methods: All the American Neurotology Society members were queried on Healthgrades, Vitals, RateMDs, Yelp, and Google from March to June 2018. All ratings were normalized for comparison on a five-point Likert scale.