Primary Ankle Arthrodesis for Neglected Open Weber B Ankle Fracture Dislocation

Primary ankle arthrodesis used to treat a neglected open ankle fracture dislocation is a unique decision. A 63-year-old man presented to the emergency department with a 5-day-old open fracture dislocation of his right ankle. After thorough soft tissue debridement, primary arthrodesis of the tibiotalar joint was performed using initial Kirschner wire fixation and an external fixator. Definitive soft tissue coverage was later achieved using a latissimus dorsi free flap. The fusion was consolidated to salvage the limb from amputation. The use of primary arthrodesis to treat a compound ankle fracture dislocation has not been previously described.     

A Systematic Review Of Primary Ankle Arthrodesis In The Treatment Of Pilon Fractures

BackgroundPilon fractures are severe, intra-articular and comminuted fractures to the distal tibia. They are uncommon injuries and are often associated with fibular fractures. The optimal management of these fractures is widely debated. Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) and external fixation have been used to treat these fractures. Ankle arthrodesis is often used in the latter stages of management for end-stage ankle arthritis. The aim of this systematic review was to identify the outcomes associated with using primary ankle arthrodesis in pilon fractures.MethodsOvid Medline and PubMed were searched from the inception of their databases until October 2018. Eligible literature for use in our review included patient cohorts that had been operated in the form of primary ankle arthrodesis. All relevant data was included that met the inclusion criteria. The demographic of the patients with pilon fractures and this operative management were identified. The outcomes of interest were fusion rate, infection rate, length of follow-up and patient reported outcomes. 8 papers were deemed eligible for review.ResultsOf the 8 papers that were eligible, 6 were retrospective studies, 1 was a case report and 1 was an abstract. There were a total of 109 patients included. Fusion rate was 100% in 5 of the studies. 6 of the 7 studies that reported on infection rate had no post-operative infections. Outcome assessment scores were used in 5 of the studies. The SF-36 score, the FOAS and the AOFAS were used.ConclusionsThis review shows that primary ankle arthrodesis yields reasonable results in the management of pilon fractures. However, the quantity and quality of current literature is not sufficient and further studies with larger cohorts and longer follow-up times are warranted.     

Pilon骨折的踝关节融合探讨(附6例报告)

目的 :Pilon骨折临床少见 ,处理有一定困难 ,文章就关节融合作为一种治疗手段作了初步探讨。方法 :报道了 42例中的 6例因创伤性关节炎、或关节僵硬、或创伤严重无法修复等原因而最终行踝关节融合术。结果 :经随访 14～ 37月 ,平均 17.5月 ,6例全部骨性融合 ,原有症状消失。结论 :经对踝关节融合原因、时机、融合术式的探讨 ,作者认为对严重Pilon骨折 ,踝关节融合术作为一种治疗措施 ,对仍有许多年活动的青壮年可考虑     

A Survey for End-Stage Ankle Arthritis Treatment: Ankle Arthrodesis Versus Ankle Arthroplasty

With promising technological advances, ankle arthroplasty has become an alternative to arthrodesis, traditionally the gold standard, for treating end-stage ankle arthritis. We collected knowledge and perceptions on both procedures to determine the need for a patient decision aid for these patients by administering a cross-sectional survey to 103 orthopaedic surgeons. Respondents were predominantly male and 41 to 50 years old. Half of those who stated that they do not perform arthroplasty said this was because they do not have adequate training. Additionally, certain variables were associated with the surgeon's choice of intervention: patient gender, age, body mass index, postoperative activity level, employment type, perceived risk of infection, neurovascular injury or wound complication, risk of developing or pre-existing adjacent arthritis, deformity, malalignment, bone loss or abnormal bone quality, number of prior ankle operations, cause of arthritis, and desire for motion preservation. The majority agreed that they always incorporate patient preferences into their decisions and that a decision aid would be beneficial. This survey revealed that several patient characteristics are influential in the surgeon's preference for either arthroplasty or arthrodesis for end-stage ankle arthritis. Because the majority of surgeons incorporate patient preferences in their decisions and report that a decision aid would be beneficial for informed decision-making in this clinical scenario, this survey identified an unmet need supporting the development of such a tool for these patients.     

翻转复位法治疗严重髌骨粉碎骨折

目的：尝试应用改良手术治疗严重髌骨粉碎骨折，以更好复位髌骨关节面，减少髌骨创伤性关节炎的发生。方法：沿粉碎髌骨下半周缘2cm切开，将髌骨翻朝上，直视下复位固定髌骨关节面，结果：术后影像学检查髌骨正侧位复位佳，疗效满意，明显好于常规手术治疗组。近期随访髌韧带无断裂发生，髌骨均获骨性愈合。结论：翻转复位法可应用于严重髌骨粉碎骨折的治疗。     

Post-Traumatic Periprosthetic Tibial and Fibular Fracture After Total Ankle Arthroplasty: A Case Report

Periprosthetic fractures after total ankle arthroplasty are uncommon, with most cases occurring intraoperatively. We describe a post-traumatic periprosthetic fracture of the distal tibia and fibula after total ankle arthroplasty that was treated with minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis. It is important for orthopedic surgeons not only to recognize the risk factors for postoperative periprosthetic total ankle arthroplasty fractures, but also to be familiar with the treatment options available to maximize function and minimize complications. The design of the tibial prosthesis and surgical techniques required to prepare the ankle joint for implantation are important areas of future research to limit the risk of periprosthetic fractures.     

Nonunion After an Open Trimalleolar Ankle Fracture: An Extended Clinical Course and a Novel Approach to Tibio-Talo-Calcaneal Arthrodesis

Nonunion in the setting of chronic osteomyelitis after severe open ankle fractures is a feared outcome with severe loss in patient quality of life. Tibio-talo-calcaneal arthrodesis is a good salvage treatment option in this difficult patient cohort. We report a case of chronic osteomyelitis with severe destruction of the ankle joint after failed fracture fixation of an open trimalleolar ankle fracture. Fusion was ultimately achieved 5 years later using a novel-staged Masquelet technique with external ring fixator stabilization and bone graft reconstruction including femoral harvested autograft using reamer-irrigator-aspirator. This case shows that infection free arthrodesis of the ankle can be achieved even years after failed treatment. This procedure restored significant quality of life through pain relief and much improved mobility and may be a helpful technique in complex tibio-talo-calcaneal arthrodesis in the setting of chronic osteomyelitis and significant joint destruction.     

Arthroscopic Ankle Arthrodesis for End-Stage Tuberculosis of the Ankle: A 2-Year Follow-Up

Surgical treatment for end-stage ankle joint tuberculosis (TB) has rarely been reported. This study followed cases treated by arthroscopic arthrodesis for ankle joint TB to evaluate its efficacy and safety in the clinic. Patients who underwent arthroscopic ankle arthrodesis for ankle joint TB between April 11, 2010, and December 31, 2016, were followed. Their diagnoses were confirmed by bacterial culture or pathological examination. During arthroscopy, tissue samples were first obtained to further confirm the diagnosis. Then the necrotic tissue, hyperplasia of synovial tissue, and exfoliated cartilage were removed. Ankle joint arthrodesis was performed if the area of articular cartilage damage was >2 cm². Continued nutritional support and standardized anti-TB drug treatment were given after surgery. Follow-up measurements included visual analogue scale score, American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society score, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and radiographic imaging. All 9 patients in this study, with an average age of 54 (range 37 to 68) years, were followed. The mean follow-up duration was 55.44 ± 31.15 (range 24 to 96) months. There were significant differences in the visual analogue scale scores, American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society scores, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate between before treatment and 18 months postoperatively (p < .05). All patients (100%) showed union at 18 ± 4 weeks. Arthroscopic treatment for ankle joint TB has the advantages of minor trauma and low complications. It can be used to accurately obtain samples from specific areas of TB for further diagnosis. According to the degree of articular cartilage damage, the surgeon can determine whether to perform arthrodesis. Thorough debridement of necrotic tissue and residual articular cartilage on the fusion surface can improve the rate of ankle fusion.     

撬拨复位接骨板内固定治疗跟骨关节内粉碎性骨折

目的总结撬拨复位接骨板内固定治疗跟骨关节内粉碎性骨折的临床疗效。方法回顾性分析自2008年1月至2014年1月采用切开撬拨复位接骨板内固定治疗68例77足跟骨关节内粉碎性骨折的临床资料。男47例,女21例,年龄18~70岁,平均39.8岁。骨折按Essex-Lopresti分型,压缩型Ⅱ度49足,Ⅲ度4足,舌型Ⅱ度19足,Ⅲ度5足。77足均采用跟骨外侧改良"L"形切口,切开撬拨复位,跟骨接骨板内固定。定期随访观察骨折愈合及并发症。结果 77足复位固定良好,3足皮缘坏死,切口迟缓愈合。本组患者获得1~6年,平均1.5年随访,骨折均愈合,骨性愈合时间4~7个月,平均5.6个月。末次随访采用Mrayland Foot Sore足部评分标准评价手术疗效,优21足,良43足,可9足,差4足,优良率83.1%,接骨板无松动、移位与折断。结论采用撬拨复位距下关节及恢复跟距关节间隙,并以Gissane角及Bhler角为标准,恢复跟骨的长、宽、高度,纠正跟骨内外翻畸形,辅以跟骨接骨板固定是治疗跟骨关节内粉碎性骨折的有效方法。     

T型解剖钢板固定治疗胫骨平台粉碎骨折的体会

目的总结分析采用T型解剖钢板治疗胫骨平台粉碎性骨折的效果。方法对21例上述患者采用T型解剖钢板固定，总结分析治疗效果及操作体会。结果21例病人均获得满意效果，所有病例均达解剖复位，无一例感染或骨折不连发生，无骨折再移位发生，膝关节功能完全正常8例，屈伸轻度受限10例，3例因屈伸度小于30。而行膝关节粘连松解术。结论T型解剖钢板不但可对胫骨平台粉碎性骨折进行可靠固定，而且具有支撑作用，能使骨折的复位与固定均达到理想要求。     

An Unexpected Intra-operative Encounter of Anterior Tibial Vessels Entrapment in the Fracture of Tibial Pilon: A Case Report and Literature Review

We present a rare case of a comminuted tibial pilon fracture with entrapment of anterior tibial vessels in fracture site, which was unexpectedly discovered intra-operatively. Following safe extrication of vessels and fracture fixation through minimally invasive approach, the patient recovered uneventfully. Phenomenon of anterior neurovascular entrapment should be kept in mind while dealing with high-energy tibial pilon fractures. Astute clinical examination, judicious use of imaging modality, and strict intra-operative vigilance are key to successful outcome.