Orthopedics

Lo, E.Y., Rizkalla, J., Montemaggi, P., Majekodunmi, T. and Krishnan, S.G. (2021). “Clinical and radiographic outcomes of cementless reverse total shoulder arthroplasty for proximal humeral fractures.” J Shoulder Elbow Surg Mar 13;S1058-2746(20)30930-7. [Epub ahead of print].

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BACKGROUND: Reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA) has demonstrated successful outcomes in the treatment of both acute and chronic proximal humeral fractures (PHFs). The traditional RTSA surgical technique uses a methyl methacrylate cemented humeral component to restore and maintain both humeral height and retroversion. However, use of humeral bone cement has been associated intraoperatively with cardiopulmonary risk, increased operative cost, and postoperatively with difficulty if revision arthroplasty is required. We report the clinical and radiographic outcomes of a completely cementless RTSA technique for PHF surgery. METHODS: Between 2013 and 2018, 60 consecutive patients underwent surgical management of a PHF with cementless RTSA. All surgical procedures were performed by a single senior shoulder surgeon using a modified deltopectoral approach and a completely uncemented RTSA technique. Fractures were defined as either acute or chronic based on a 4-week injury-to-surgery benchmark. The mean age was 67 years (range, 47-85 years). There were 18 acute and 42 chronic fractures. The mean time from injury to surgery was 2 weeks (range, 0.4-4 weeks) for acute fractures and 60 months (range, 1-482 months) for chronic fractures. We excluded 17 cases from postoperative evaluation because of revision and/or loss to follow-up. The remaining 43 cases underwent clinical and radiographic evaluation by 2 independent fellowship-trained shoulder surgeons at a mean of 21 months (range, 10-46 months) postoperatively. Independent statistical analysis was performed using the paired t test and Wilcoxon signed rank test. RESULTS: At final review, mean active anterior elevation was 157° (range, 100°-170°); active external rotation, 52° (range, 6°-80°); and active internal rotation, 66° (range, 0°-80°). Improvements were seen in the visual analog scale pain score (from 6 to 0.2, P < .001), Simple Shoulder Test score (from 9 to 93, P < .001), American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score (from 19 to 91, P < .001), and Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation score (from 21% to 89%, P < .001). Overall, 39 of 43 greater tuberosities (91%) demonstrated osseous healing to the humeral shaft. No significant differences in clinical and radiographic outcomes were found in acute vs. chronic cases, as well as cases with minimum follow-up of 1 year vs. 2 years. Overall, there were 4 major complications necessitating surgical revision (6.7%) and no cases of aseptic humeral stem loosening. CONCLUSION: Cementless RTSA for acute and chronic PHFs demonstrates clinical and radiographic outcomes similar to those after traditional cemented RTSA. The successful greater tuberosity healing and absence of humeral stem loosening in this short-term cohort are encouraging for the continued long-term success of this technique. By avoiding cemented humeral implants, surgeons may minimize intraoperative complications, operative cost, and postoperative revision difficulty.

Brodsky, J.W., Scott, D.J., Ford, S., Coleman, S. and Daoud, Y. (2021). “Functional Outcomes of Total Ankle Arthroplasty at a Mean Follow-up of 7.6 Years: A Prospective, 3-Dimensional Gait Analysis.” J Bone Joint Surg Am 103(6): 477-482.

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BACKGROUND: In vivo gait analysis provides objective measurement of patient function and can quantify that function before and after ankle reconstruction. Previous gait studies have shown functional improvement for up to 4 years following total ankle arthroplasty (TAA), but to date, there are no published studies assessing function at ≥5 years following TAA. We hypothesized that patients who underwent TAA would show significant improvements in walking function at a minimum follow-up of 5 years, compared with their preoperative function, as measured by changes in temporospatial, kinematic, and kinetic gait parameters. METHODS: Three-dimensional gait analysis with a 12-camera digital motion-capture system and double force plates was utilized to record temporospatial, kinematic, and kinetic measures in 33 patients who underwent TAA with either the Scandinavian Total Ankle Replacement (Stryker; n = 28) or Salto Talaris Ankle (Integra LifeSciences; n = 5). Gait analysis was performed preoperatively and at a minimum follow-up of 5 years (mean, 7.6 years; range, 5 to 13 years). RESULTS: Significant improvements were observed in multiple gait parameters, with temporospatial increases in cadence (+9.5 steps/min; p < 0.0001), step length (+4.4 cm; p = 0.0013), and walking speed (+0.2 m/s; p < 0.0001), and kinematic increases in total sagittal range of motion (+2.0°; p = 0.0263), plantar flexion at initial contact (+2.7°; p = 0.0044), and maximum plantar flexion (+2.0°; p = 0.0488). Kinetic analysis revealed no loss of peak ankle power, despite patients aging. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this is the first study to report 7-year functional outcomes of TAA, quantified by objective, in vivo measurements of patient gait. Patients were shown to have sustained improvement in multiple objective parameters of gait compared with preoperative function. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Blough, J.T. and Saint-Cyr, M.H. (2021). “Propeller Flaps in Lower Extremity Reconstruction.” Clin Plast Surg 48(2): 173-181.

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Propeller flaps represent an outstanding alternative to conventional pedicled and free flap options in lower extremity reconstruction, offering significant advantages over the latter. An understanding of the perforasome concept, hot and cold perforator locations, and basic flap design enable the surgeon to readily harvest flaps based on any clinically relevant perforator in freestyle fashion. The purpose of this article is to review fundamentals of propeller flap design and harvest in the lower extremity and discuss reconstructive strategies by level of injury.

Siebert, M., Hedrick, B.N., Zide, J.R., Thomas, D.M., Shivers, C., Pierce, W.A., Kanaan, Y., Harris, M.C. and Riccio, A.I. (2021). “Do We Really Need to Worry About Calcaneocuboid Subluxation During Lateral Column Lengthening for Planovalgus Foot Deformity?” J Pediatr Orthop 41(3): e246-e251.

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BACKGROUND: Although lengthening of the lateral column through an osteotomy of the anterior calcaneus is an integral component of flatfoot reconstruction in younger patients with flexible planovalgus deformities, the procedure has been implicated in iatrogenic calcaneocuboid (CC) subluxation and subsequent degenerative changes at the CC articulation. The purpose of this study is to characterize alterations at the CC joint after lateral column lengthening (LCL) and determine if Steinmann pin stabilization of the CC joint before distraction maintains a normal relationship. METHODS: Seven matched pairs of fresh-frozen cadaveric feet underwent preprocedure plain radiography and cross-sectional computed tomography (CT) imaging. LCL by osteotomy through the anterior calcaneus was then performed. One foot of each matched pair had a single smooth Steinmann pin placed centrally across the CC joint before osteotomy distraction. Distraction across each osteotomy was then performed and maintained with a 12-mm porous titanium wedge. Repeat imaging was obtained and compared with preprocedure studies to quantify sagittal and rotational differences at the CC articulation. RESULTS: Following LCL, plain radiography demonstrated statistically significant increases in the percentage of the calcaneal articular surface dorsal to the superior aspect of the cuboid in both the pinned (8.2% vs. 17.6%, P=0.02) and unpinned (12.5% vs. 16.3%, P=0.04) specimens. No difference in the percentage of subluxation was found between the 2 groups after LCL. CT imaging demonstrated statistically significant increases in rotation between the calcaneus and cuboid after LCL in both the pinned (7.6±5.6 degrees, P=0.01) and unpinned (17±12.3 degrees, P=0.01) specimens. The degree of rotation was greater in unpinned specimens after LCL (P=0.043). CONCLUSIONS: Both sagittal and rotatory subluxation seem to occur at the CC joint after LCL regardless of pin stabilization. As a single pin would be expected to limit pure translation while having little effect on rotation, it is possible that the rotational changes identified on 3-dimensional imaging are interpreted as dorsal translation when viewed 2 dimensionally using plain radiography. Consideration should therefore be given to CC stabilization with 2 pins during LCL to prevent this rotatory subluxation. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level V-cadaver study.

Lamm, B.M., Moore, K.R., Hentges, M., Martin, L.R. and Ernst, J.J. (2021). “Avascular Necrosis of the First Metatarsal: A Case of Second Metatarsal Bone Transport with External Fixation.” J Foot Ankle Surg Feb 8;S1067-2516(19)30119-X. [Epub ahead of print].

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Avascular necrosis (AVN) after bunion surgery is an unfortunate complication which can be devastating and painful. We present a case report of gradual medializing transport of the second metatarsal with external fixation to repair a large bone defect caused by AVN affecting >50% of the first metatarsal. The procedure was performed on a 49-year-old female who suffered AVN after failed bunion surgery. At 12-month follow up, first ray position and length were maintained. With respect to the second ray, there were no clinically significant issues. The second digit was mildly elevated but there was no frank instability of the toe or of the Lisfranc complex. The patient was pain free and had returned to her desired daily activities.