Outcomes following minimally invasive dorsal cheilectomy for hallux rigidus:A systematic review

BACKGROUND Cheilectomy of the 1^(st)metatarsophalangeal joint(MTPJ)is one of the most common procedures for the management of hallux rigidus.However,there is no consensus regarding outcomes following minimally invasive dorsal cheilectomy(MIDC)for the management of hallux rigidus.AIM To evaluate outcomes following MIDC for the management of hallux rigidus.METHODS During November 2023,the PubMed,EMBASE and Cochrane Library databases were systematically reviewed to identify clinical studies examining outcomes following MIDC for the management of hallux rigidus.RESULTS Six studies were included.In total,348 patients(370 feet)underwent MIDC for hallux rigidus at a weighted mean follow-up of 37.9±16.5 months.The distribution of patients by Coughlin and Shurna's classification was recorded in 4 studies as follows:Ⅰ(58 patients,27.1%),Ⅱ(112 patients,52.3%),Ⅲ(44 patients,20.6%).Three studies performed an additional 1^(st)MTPJ arthroscopy and debridement following MIDC.Retained intra-articular bone debris was observed in 100%of patients in 1 study.The weighted mean American orthopedic foot and ankle society score improved from a preoperative score of 68.9±3.2 to a postoperative score of 87.1.The complication rate was 8.4%,the most common of which was persistent joint pain and stiffness.Thirty-two failures(8.7%)were observed.Thirty-three secondary procedures(8.9%)were performed at a weighted mean time of 8.6±3.2 months following the index procedure.CONCLUSION This systematic review demonstrated improvements in subjective clinical outcomes together with a moderate complication rate following MIDC for the management of hallux rigidus at short-term follow-up.A moderate reoperation rate at short-term follow-up was recorded.The marked heterogeneity between included studies and paucity of high quality comparative studies limits the generation of any robust conclusions.

Current management of talar osteochondral lesions

Osteochondral lesions of the talus(OLT) occur in up to 70% of acute ankle sprains and fractures. OLT have become increasingly recognized with the advancements in cartilage-sensitive diagnostic imaging modalities. Although OLT may be treated nonoperatively, a number of surgical techniques have been described for patients whom surgery is indicated. Traditionally, treatment of symptomatic OLT have included either reparative procedures, such as bone marrow stimulation(BMS), or replacement procedures, such as autologous osteochondral transplantation(AOT). Reparative procedures are generally indicated for OLT < 150 mm^2 in area. Replacement strategies are used for large lesions or after failed primary repair procedures. Although shortand medium-term results have been reported, longterm studies on OLT treatment strategies are lacking. Biological augmentation including platelet-rich plasma and concentrated bone marrow aspirate is becoming increasingly popular for the treatment of OLT to enhance the biological environment during healing. In this review, we describe the most up-to-date clinical evidence of surgical outcomes, as well as both the mechanical and biological concerns associated with BMS and AOT. In addition, we will review the recent evidence for biological adjunct therapies that aim to improve outcomes and longevity of both BMS and AOT procedures.

Establishing proof of concept:Platelet-rich plasma and bone marrow aspirate concentrate may improve cartilage repair following surgical treatment for osteochondral lesions of the talus

Osteochondral lesions of the talus are common injuries in the athletic patient. They present a challenging clinical problem as cartilage has a poor potential for healing. Current surgical treatments consist of reparative(microfracture) or replacement(autologous osteochondral graft) strategies and demonstrate good clinical outcomes at the short and medium term follow-up. Radiological findings and second-look arthroscopy however, indicate possible poor cartilage repair with evidence of fibrous infill and fissuring of the regenerative tissue following microfracture. Longer-term follow-up echoes these findings as it demonstrates a decline in clinical outcome. The nature of the cartilage repair that occurs for an osteochondral graft to become integrated with the native surround tissue is also of concern. Studies have shown evidence of poor cartilage integration,with chondrocyte death at the periphery of the graft, possibly causing cyst formation due to synovial fluid ingress. Biological adjuncts, in the form of platelet-rich plasma(PRP) and bone marrow aspirate concentrate(BMAC), have been investigated with regard to their potential in improving cartilage repair in both in vitro and in vitro settings. The in vitro literature indicates that these biological adjuncts may increase chondrocyte proliferation as well as synthetic capability, while limiting the catabolic effects of an inflammatory joint environment. These findings have been extrapolated to in vitro animal models, with results showing that both PRP and BMAC improve cartilage repair. The basic science literature therefore establishes the proof of concept that biological adjuncts may improve cartilage repair when used in conjunction with reparative and replacement treatment strategies for osteochondral lesions of the talus.

Platelet-rich plasma increases transforming growth factor-beta1 expression at graft-host interface following autologous osteochondral transplantation in a rabbit model

AIM: To explore the effect of platelet-rich plasma on protein expression patterns of transforming growth factor-beta1(TGF-β1) in cartilage following autologous osteochondral transplantation(AOT) in a rabbit knee cartilage defect model.METHODS: Twelve New Zealand white rabbits received bilateral AOT. In each rabbit, one knee was randomized to receive an autologous platelet rich plasma(PRP) injection and the contralateral knee received saline injection. Rabbits were euthanized at 3, 6 and 12 wk post-operatively. Articular cartilage sections were stained with TGF-β1 antibody. Histological regions of interest(ROI)(left, right and center of the autologous grafts interfaces) were evaluated using Meta Morph. Percentage of chondrocytes positive for TGF-β1 was then assessed.RESULTS: Percentage of chondrocytes positive for TGF-β1 was higher in PRP treated knees for selected ROIs(left; P = 0.03, center; P = 0.05) compared to control and was also higher in the PRP group at each post-operative time point(P = 6.6 × 10^(-4), 3.1 × 10^(-4) and 7.3 × 10^(-3) for 3, 6 and 12 wk, respectively). TGF-β1 expression was higher in chondrocytes of PRP-treated knees(36% ± 29% vs 15% ± 18%)(P = 1.8 × 10^(-6)) overall for each post-operative time point and ROI. CONCLUSION: Articular cartilage of rabbits treated with AOT and PRP exhibit increased TGF-β1 expression compared to those treated with AOT and saline. Our findings suggest that adjunctive PRP may increase TGF-β1 expression, which may play a role in the chondrogenic effect of PRP in vivo.

Posterior ankle impingement syndrome: A systematic fourstage approach

Posterior ankle impingement syndrome(PAIS) is a common injury in athletes engaging in repetitive plantarflexion, particularly ballet dancers and soccer players. Despite the increase in popularity of the posterior twoportal hindfoot approach, concerns with the technique remain, including; the technical difficulty, relatively steep learning curve, and difficulty performing simultaneous anterior ankle arthroscopy. The purpose of the current literature review is to provide comprehensive knowledge about PAIS, and to describe a systematic four-stage approach of the posterior two-portal arthroscopy. The etiology, clinical presentation, diagnostic strategies are first introduced followed by options in conservative and surgical management. A detailed systematic approach to posterior hindfoot arthroscopy is then described. This technique allows for systematic review of the anatomic structures and treatment of the bony and/or soft tissue lesions in four regions of interest in the hindfoot(superolateral, superomedial, inferomedial, and inferolateral). The review then discusses biological adjuncts and postoperative rehabilitation and ends with a discussion on the most recent clinical outcomes after posterior hindfoot arthroscopy for PAIS. Although clinical evidence suggests high success rates following posterior hindfoot arthroscopy in the short- and mid-term it may be limited in the pathology that can be addressed due to the technical skills required, but the systematic four-stage approach of the posterior two-portal arthroscopy may improve upon this problem.

Football injuries of the ankle: A review of injury mechanisms, diagnosis and management

Football is the most popular sport worldwide and is associated with a high injury rate, most of which are the result of trauma from player contact. Ankle injuries are among the most commonly diagnosed injuries in the game. The result is reduced physical activity and endurance levels, lost game time, and considerable medical cost. Sports medicine professionals must employ the correct diagnostic tools and effective treatments and rehabilitation protocols to minimize the impact of these injuries on the player. This review examines the diagnosis, treatment, and postoperative rehabilitation for common football injuries of the ankle based on the clinical evidence provided in the current literature.

Can bedside needle arthroscopy of the ankle be an accurate option for intra-articular delivery of injectable agents?

BACKGROUND Bedside needle arthroscopy of the ankle under local anesthesia has been proposed for intra-articular delivery of injectable agents.Accuracy and tolerability of this approach in the clinical setting–including patients with end-stage ankle pathology and/or a history of prior surgery–is not known.AIM To assess clinical accuracy and tolerability of bedside needle arthroscopy as a delivery system for injectable agents into the tibiotalar joint.METHODS This was a prospective study that included adult patients who were scheduled for an injection with hyaluronic acid to the tibiotalar joint.In our center,these injections are used as a last resort prior to extensive surgery.The primary outcome was injection accuracy,which was defined as injecting through the arthroscopic cannula with intra-articular positioning confirmed by a clear arthroscopic view of the joint space.Secondary outcome measures included a patientreported numeric rating scale(NRS,0-10)of pain during the procedure and willingness of patients to return for the same procedure.NRS of ankle pain at rest and during walking was collected at baseline and at 2-wk follow-up.Complications were monitored from inclusion up to a 2-wk control visit.RESULTS We performed 24 inspection-injections.Eleven(46%)participants were male,and mean age was 46.8±14.5 years.Osteoarthritis was the indication for injection in 20(83%)cases,of which 8(33%)patients suffered from osteoarthritis Kellgren-Lawrence grade IV,and 10(42%)patients from Kellgren-Lawrence grade III.An osteochondral defect was the indication for injection in 4(17%)cases.A history of ankle surgery was present in 14(58%)participants and a history of multiple ankle surgeries in 11(46%)participants.It was possible to confirm accuracy in 21(88%)procedures.The 3(12%)participants where needle arthroscopy did not reach a clear view of the joint space all suffered from Kellgren-Lawrence grade IV osteoarthritis.Pain during the procedure was reported with a median of 1[interquartile ranges(IQR):0–2].Willingness to return was 100%.Pain in rest decreased from a median NRS of 4(IQR:2–7)at baseline to a median of 3(IQR:1–5)at follow-up(P<0.01).Pain during walking decreased from a median NRS of 8(IQR:6–9)to a median of 7(IQR:4–8)(P<0.01).Infections or other complications were not encountered.CONCLUSION Clinical accuracy and tolerability of bedside needle arthroscopy of the ankle as a delivery system for injectable agents are excellent.Accuracy was 100%in patients without total ventral joint obliteration.

Alignment of the hindfoot following total knee arthroplasty: A systematic review

BACKGROUND There appears to be a close relationship between deformities at the knee joint and at the hindfoot in patients with knee osteoarthritis(OA).Despite this intrinsic link,there is a dearth of studies investigating alterations in hindfoot alignment following total knee arthroplasty(TKA)in patients with knee OA.AIM To evaluate changes in alignment of the hindfoot following TKA,foot and ankle clinical outcomes in terms of subjective clinical scoring tools following surgical intervention,and to analyse the level of evidence(LOE)and quality of evidence(QOE)of the included studies.METHODS MEDLINE,EMBASE and Cochrane Library databases were systematically reviewed in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines.Studies reporting changes in the postoperative alignment of the hindfoot following TKA were included.The level and QOE were recorded and assessed.RESULTS Eleven studies with a total of 1142 patients(1358 knees)met the inclusion/exclusion criteria.Six studies were of LOE II and 5 studies were of LOE III.Patients with preoperative varus knee deformity and valgus hindfoot deformity demonstrated improvement in hindfoot alignment post TKA.Patients with preoperative varus knee deformity and varus hindfoot deformity demonstrated no improvement in hindfoot alignment following TKA.Twelve different radiographic parameters were used to measure the alignment of the hindfoot across the included studies,with the tibio-calcaneal angle most frequently utilised(27.3%).CONCLUSION This systematic review demonstrated that the hindfoot may display compensatory changes in alignment following TKA in patients with knee OA.However,the marked heterogeneity between the included studies and poor QOE limits any meaningful cross sectional comparisons between studies.Further,well designed studies are necessary to determine the changes and outcomes of hindfoot alignment following TKA.

Ankle arthrodesis:A systematic approach and review of the literature

Ankle arthrodesis is a common treatment used for patients with end-stage ankle arthritis(ESAA). The surgical goal of ankle arthrodesis is to obtain bony union between the tibia and talus with adequate alignment [slight valgus(0°-5°)], neutral dorsiflexion, and slight external rotation positions) in order to provide a pain-free plantigrade foot for weightbearing activities. There are many variations in operative technique including deferring approaches(open or arthroscopic) and differing fixation methods(internal or external fixation). Each technique has its advantage and disadvantages. Success of ankle arthrodesis can be dependent on several factors, including patient selection, surgeons' skills, patient comorbidities, operative care, etc. However, from our experience, the majority of ESAA patients obtain successful clinical outcomes. This review aims to outline the indications and goals of arthrodesis for treatment of ESAA and discuss both open and arthroscopic ankle arthrodesis. A systematic step by step operative technique guide is presented for both the arthroscopic and open approaches including a postoperative protocol. We review the current evidence supporting each approach. The review finishes with a report of the most recent evidence of outcomes after both approaches and concerns regarding the development of hindfoot arthritis.

Scaffolds based therapy for osteochondral lesions of the talus:A systematic review

AIM To clarify the effectiveness of scaffold-based therapy for osteochondral lesions of the talus(OLT). METHODS A systematic search of MEDLINE and EMBASE databases was performed during August 2016 and updated in January 2017. Included studies were evaluated with regard to the level of evidence(LOE) and quality of evidence(QOE) using the Modified Coleman Methodology Score. Variable reporting outcome data, clinical outcomes, and the percentage of patients who returned to sport at previous level were also evaluated. RESULTS Twenty-eight studies for a total of 897 ankles were included; 96% were either LOE Ⅲ or Ⅳ. Studies were designated as either of poor or fair quality. There were 30 treatment groups reporting six different scaffold repair techniques: 13 matrix-induced autologous chondrocyte transplantation(MACT), nine bone marrow derived cell transplantation(BMDCT), four autologous matrixinduced chondrogeneis(AMIC), and four studies of other techniques. The categories of general demographics(93%) and patient-reported outcome data(85%) were well reported. Study design(73%), imaging data(73%), clinical variables(49%), and patient history(30%) were also included. The weighted mean American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society(AOFAS) score at final follow-up was: 86.7 in MACT, 88.2 in BMDCT, and 82.3 in AMIC. Eight studies reported that a weighted mean of 68.3% ofpatients returned to a previous level of sport activity. CONCLUSION Scaffold-based therapy for OLT may produce favorable clinical outcomes, but low LOE, poor QOE, and variability of the data have confounded the effectiveness of this treatment.

Systematic review of bone marrow stimulation for osteochondral lesion of talus-evaluation for level and quality of clinical studies

AIM To clarify the quality of the studies indicating lesion size and/or containment as prognostic indicators of bone marrow stimulation(BMS) for osteochondral lesions of the talus(OLT). METHODS Two reviewers searched the Pub Med/MEDLINE and EMBASE databases using specific terms on March 2015 in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systemic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Predetermined variables were extracted for all the included studies. Level of evidence(LOE) was determined using previously published criteria by the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery and methodological quality of evidence (MQOE) was evaluated using the Modified Coleman Methodology Score. RESULTS This review included 22 studies. Overall, 21 of the 22(95.5%) included studies were level Ⅳ or level Ⅲ evidences. The remaining study was a level Ⅱ evidence. MQOE analysis revealed 14 of the 22(63.6%) included studies having fair quality, 7(31.8%) studies having poor quality and only 1 study having excellent quality. CONCLUSION The evidence supporting the use of lesion size and containment as prognostic indicators of BMS for OLTs has been shown to be of low quality.