Day case ankle arthroplasty: are they safe and cost effective? A single-centre case-control study

BackgroundMost patients who have an ankle replacement in the United Kingdom stay in hospital for 2–4 days. This study looked at the safety & cost-effectiveness of a day case ankle replacement pathway.MethodsThis was a retrospective case-control study looking at day case pathway for ankle replacements set up in collaboration with anaesthetists, nurses and physiotherapists. Patients practiced mobilization with crutches before surgery. Patients were discharged home with enough analgesia, and reviewed within 2–5 days of discharge.ResultsTwenty ankle replacements done between November 2017 and November 2019 were reviewed with a mean follow up of 38.4 months. None of these patients required to be readmitted within the first 28 days. No complications were related to the surgery being done as day case. Except one, all patients described the experience as excellent or good.ConclusionPer case the cost savings are estimated to be £880 in comparison to 20 matched inpatient ankle replacements. We conclude that ankle replacements can be safely carried out as day case with appropriate patient selection, pre-operative education and a multi-disciplinary approach.     

Analysis of landing performance and ankle injury in elite British artistic gymnastics using a modified drop land task: A longitudinal observational study

ObjectivesTo determine whether differences in landing force and asymmetry of landing force exist between gymnasts at the time of data collection versus those that subsequently experienced an ankle injury 12-months later.Study designProspective longitudinal observational design with baseline measures and 12 month follow up.SettingBritish Gymnastics National Training Centre.ParticipantsThirty-two asymptomatic elite level gymnasts from three artistic gymnastic squads (n = 15 senior female, n = 10 junior female and n = 7 senior male).Main outcome measuresA modified drop land task was used to quantify measures of landing performance. Peak Vertical Ground Reaction Force (PVGRF) was used to measure landing force. The level of inter-limb asymmetry of landing force was calculated using the Limb Symmetry index (LSI). Other measures included injury incidence and percentage coefficient of variation (% CV).ResultsThere was no statistical difference for landing force (p = 0.481) and asymmetry of landing force (p = 0.698) when comparing injured and non-injured gymnasts. Most participants (69%) demonstrated inter-limb asymmetry of landing forces.ConclusionsOur findings observed inter-limb asymmetry of landing force in injured gymnasts, although uninjured gymnasts also exhibited asymmetry of landing force. Both magnitude of landing force and inter-limb asymmetries of landing force failed to identify the risk of ankle injury.     

改良前外侧入路联合改良后内侧入路治疗三踝骨折疗效的病例对照研究

目的:比较改良前外侧入路联合改良后内侧入路和传统后外侧入路辅助内侧切口治疗三踝骨折的临床效果。方法:自2015年1月至2017年8月选取108例三踝骨折患者分为改良入路组(试验组)和传统入路组(对照组)。试验组53例,男31例,女22例;年龄18～67(40.2±16.4)岁;左侧19例,右侧34例;旋后外旋型39例,旋前外旋型14例;术前等待时间6～14(9.6±3.1) d;手术采用改良前外侧入路联合改良后内侧入路。对照组55例,男34例,女21例;年龄19～69(42.1±15.3)岁;左侧18例,右侧37例;旋后外旋型42例,旋前外旋型13例;术前等待时间7～16(10.3±3.4) d;手术采用传统后外侧入路辅助内侧切口。对比两组手术时间、术中出血量、术后引流量、切口并发症例数及复位质量评定、骨折愈合时间、神经损伤例数、屈肌挛缩例数和切口并发症总例数;术后1年采用美国足踝外科协会(American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society,AOFAS)踝与后足功能评分进行临床疗效评价。结果 :108例患者均获得随访,时间12～24(16.4±7.5)个月。试验组手术时间(95.3±22.6) min,术中出血量(114.7±68.7) ml,术后引流量(127.5±87.8) ml,切口并发症1例,均少于对照组(112.5±53.8) min、(155.2±79.6) ml、(178.4±73.8) ml和3例。试验组复位质量优36例,良14例,差3例;对照组优30例,良15例,差10例;试验组优于对照组。试验组骨折愈合时间(5.5±1.6)个月,2例出现切口并发症;对照组骨折愈合时间(6.7±2.1)个月,12例出现切口并发症;试验组少于对照组。术后1年试验组AOFAS评分(92.9±18.4)分,高于对照组(80.3±38.3)分;根据AOFAS评分标准,试验组优32例,良17例,可3例,差1例;对照组优25例,良18例,可8例,差4例;两组比较差异有统计学意义。结论:改良前外侧入路联合改良后内侧入路和传统后外侧入路辅助内侧切口治疗三踝骨折均能取得良好的疗效。相比传统后外侧入路辅助内侧切口,改良前外侧联合改良后内侧入路治疗三踝骨折符合局部软组织血供特点,具有手术创伤小、操作安全、显露清楚有效等优点。     

Haptic biofeedback induces changes in ankle push-off during walking

BackgroundAnkle push-off drives forward progression during gait. Reduced peak ankle moment and peak ankle power may contribute to the increased metabolic cost of walking observed in certain clinical populations. Biofeedback is an effective gait training tool, however biofeedback targeting ankle moment has not been previously studied.Research QuestionDoes haptic biofeedback directly targeting ankle moment enable able-bodied adults to modulate peak ankle moment during gait?Methods20 able-bodied adults participated in the study. Participants completed a 90-second baseline walking trial, followed by two 2-minute trials with haptic biofeedback. Haptic biofeedback guided participants to either increase peak ankle moment (Feedback High), or decrease peak ankle moment (Feedback Low). Ten participants received haptic biofeedback alone; the other ten participants additionally received verbal suggestions of movement strategies they could adopt during the biofeedback trials. Two-way analysis of variance was used to determine the effect of walking condition and verbal instruction on key gait parameters.ResultsA main effect of walking condition on peak ankle moment and peak ankle power was observed (all P < 0.001). Peak ankle moment did not change from baseline during Feedback High, however peak ankle power was increased (P < 0.001). A decrease in peak ankle moment and peak ankle power was observed during Feedback Low (all P < 0.001). Verbal instruction had a significant interaction effect with walking condition in only a limited number of parameters (all P < 0.05).SignificanceThis study demonstrates the effects of haptic biofeedback targeting peak ankle moment during gait. While this study demonstrates that able-bodied individuals have some capacity to modulate their gait pattern in response to direct biofeedback on ankle moment, further investigation is required to develop a biofeedback paradigm that can increase peak ankle moment.     

Structural and functional foot and ankle characteristics associated with falls in older people

BackgroundFalls affect approximately one in three older people, and foot problems are amongst the modifiable potential risk factors.Research questionwhat are the associations between foot and ankle functional and structural characteristics with falls in community-dwelling older adults?MethodOne hundred eighty-seven community-dwelling older adults (106 females) aged 62–90 years (mean 70.5 ± 5.2) from Isfahan, Iran were recruited. Foot and ankle structure and function (including foot posture, range of motion, muscle strength, deformity, pain and plantar loading patterns during walking) were measured. Fall history was documented in the preceding year. Univariate analyses compared fallers and non-fallers on all variables to determine significant differences and logistic regression analysis identified variables independently associated with falls.ResultsSeventy-four participants (39.9 %) had experienced a fall in the previous year. Logistic regression analysis revealed that less first metatarsophalangeal joint extension (odds ratio 0.82, 95 % CI 0.73−0.91), less plantarflexor muscle strength (odds ratio 0.29, 95 % CI 0.15−0.55), greater pressure-time integral in the medial forefoot (odds ratio 2.65, 95 %CI 1.10–6.38), greater center of pressure velocity in the forefoot (odds ratio 1.27, 95 % CI 1.07–1.49) and greater foot pain (odds ratio 1.09, 95 % CI 1.02–1.16) were significantly and independently associated with falls after accounting for physiological falls risk factors.SignificanceWe have identified several structural and functional foot and ankle characteristics associated with falling in older people. Future development of interventions to help prevent or treat these potentially modifiable risk factors may help decrease the risk of falling in this population.     

Osteochondral defects of the talus: radiological appearance and surgical candidate profiling — A retrospective analysis

BackgroundOsteochondral defects of the talus (OCD) are a well-established pathology within the ankle. They are most commonly associated with ankle trauma and whilst many are asymptomatic, they can have a significant negative impact on the patient, most notably with regards pain and mobility.Treatment of these lesions remains variable across the diverse cohort of these patients.AimsEvaluating the incidence of talus OCDs.Evaluating anatomic and morphologic data of the lesions against previous studies.Establishing if there was there any associated ligamentous injury.Determining the cohort of patients who were considered/underwent surgical intervention.MethodsA retrospective review was performed on patients presenting to a single Scottish Hospital with Talar OCDs between 2012–2016.Data collected included radiological appearance of the lesions (location and size), clinical history, associated ligament injury, treatment given and subsequent outcome.Categorical variables were presented as count and percentage while non-parametric variables were presented as median and interquartile range.Results90 new cases that matched our inclusion criteria were identified.Using the Raikin classification, the majority of injuries are in the posteromedial (26%), centrolateral (21%), and centromedial (18%) segments of the talus. Of note, no lesions were identified in the posterocentral segment.46% of patients had an associated ligamentous injury, either in the form of a sprain or tear. Most commonly the injury involved both ATFL and CFL (82%). 70% of patients that underwent surgery had radiological evidence of ligamentous injury.No statistically significant difference was identified between the management option and the involved segment according to Orr/Raikin classifications.ConclusionTalus osteochondral defects are a pathology which is more common than originally thought and their treatment remain a controversial topic. Little is known about the physical history of the condition as most cases are asymptomatic, thus poorly documented by definition.There is a clear opportunity and need for further research into developing evidence-based guidelines for their management. This study tried to correlate the management of OCDs with epidemiological and radiological data.     

Retrospective analysis of treatment strategies and clinical outcome of isolated talar dislocations

Talar dislocations are rare injuries of the foot and ankle and require quick and decisive diagnostic and therapeutic decisions. Evidence concerning the treatment and outcome of these injuries is sparse. The aim of this study was to analyze all talar dislocations of the last ten years treated in a large German level I trauma center in an effort to add to the experience on these injuries. Methods: All patients with a talar dislocation injury were retrospectively included. Medical reports, x-ray and computertomography scans were analyzed for the sex, age, trauma mechanism, and injury classifications as well as for the clinical outcome as measured by the Foot Function Index (FFI). Results: A total of 18 patients were included in this study: Luxatio pedis cum talo (n = 1), Luxatio tali totalis (n = 3), Luxatio pedis sub talo (n = 14). Analysis of the therapeutic algorithms revealed that only one patient was treated conservatively, the other 17 patients underwent operation. In most cases, stabilization was achieved using an external fixator and if necessary, the subtalar and talonavicular joints were temporarily stabilized using K-wires. The mean follow-up time was 4.25 years (2.05 SD) and the mean FFI-sum score 45.00 (42.26 SD). Two patients required subtalar fusion two years after the injury. Conclusion: Isolated talar dislocations can have a good outcome and be effectively treated in the emergency setting by basic techniqes if neurovasular structures are not injured. Often, these injuries are associated with fractures of adjacent bones which then need complex reconstruction.     

There is a difference in functional ankle stability between different types of footwear in male athletes: A cross-sectional study

ContextLateral ankle sprains (LAS) are among the most common injuries in sports, with a poor long – term prognosis due to high chronicity and recurrence rates. Chronic ankle instability (CAI) results up to 40% of people that endured a first – time LAS.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to compare ankle stability between groups characterised by the use of different types of footwear during their sport activities.DesignCross-sectional study.SettingFirm training surface, local sport clubs.ParticipantsFifty - one male subjects were recruited, distributed in four groups based on the type of footwear they use during their sport activities.Main outcome measuresAll subjects performed four clinical ankle stability tests, and completed the Dutch version of the Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool (CAIT) and Profile of Mood States (POMS). All clinical ankle stability tests were performed barefoot.ResultsSubjects performing their sport activities barefoot scored better than subjects performing their sport with shoes at the multiple hop test (p = .002 to .047) and executed the figure–of–8 hop test significantly faster than subjects with submalleolar ankle support (AS) (p = .019). Subjects with submalleolar AS and studs showed significantly better results than subjects with supramalleolar AS on the CAIT– score (p = .024, p = .030) and the side– hop test (p = .050, p = .045). They also scored significantly better than subjects with submalleolar AS for the side – hop test (p = .032), foot – lift test (p = .019) and figure–of 8 hop test (p = .011).ConclusionBarefoot sports performing subjects appear to have better ankle stability compared to subjects performing their sports with shoe support. Subjects performing sports with high AS appear to have worst ankle stability.Level of evidence: Level III, Cross–sectional study.