The Ankle Arthritis Score (AAS) is a new patient-reported outcome derived from the Ankle Osteoarthritis Scale (AOS). This study analyzed longitudinally collected data from a cohort of patients in the Canadian Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (COFAS) Ankle Arthritis Study in order to evaluate whether the postoperative AAS is associated with need for revision surgery.

TAR patients who reported higher levels of postoperative functional impairment, as indicated by a higher AAS, were more likely to require metal-component revision surgery. After adjustment for other patient factors, the risk of revision surgery increased with length of follow-up after TAR. This study provides further evidence for the utility of the AAS in the clinical setting.

To view the article, click here.

Total joint surgeons have successfully performed hip, knee, and shoulder arthroplasty procedures in the outpatient setting without compromising safety, satisfaction, or results. The purpose of this study was to evaluate outpatient total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) as compared with overnight or extended inpatient stay, with regard to 90-day medical and operative complications, reoperations, readmissions or emergency room visits, and pain control.

Eighty-one patients underwent TAA who met inclusion criteria, and 8 had a complication (10%). A significant difference in complication rate was seen among groups (P = .01) but not rate of readmission or reoperation. Of 16 patients, 5 (31%) who were admitted for 2 or more nights following surgery had a complication, as opposed to 3 of 65 (5%) who were outpatient or admitted overnight (P = .01). There were no differences in frequency of postoperative phone calls, narcotic refills, or visual analog scale pain scores at the first postoperative visit. There were no adverse medical events.

To view the article, click here.

Investigations using the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 36 Healthy Survey (SF-36) and the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society Diabetic Foot Questionnaire (AOFAS-DFQ) have demonstrated a poor quality of life in patients with Charcot foot arthropathy. The Short Musculoskeletal Function Assessment (SMFA) questionnaire has been widely used in patients with a broad range of musculoskeletal disorders.

Charcot foot severely impaired the quality of life in patients beyond the impact of morbid obesity. This impairment equally impacted all of the functional and emotional domains measured with the SMFA as compared with population norms. This investigation provides a benchmark for measuring the impact of operative correction of the deformity. In addition, the SMFA appears to be a valid tool for measuring impairment in this complex patient population.

To view the article, click here.

Traumatic hallux valgus is an increasingly common injury in the athletic population and represents a unique variant of turf toe. Failure to appropriately recognize and treat these injuries can lead to continued pain, decreased performance, progressive deformities, and ultimately degeneration of the hallux metatarsophalangeal joint. Limited literature currently exists to assist in the diagnosis, management, and operative treatment.

Overall, good operative results were obtained, with 74% of patients returning to their preinjury level of play at an average recovery time of 3.4 months. The impact of this injury cannot be overstated, as one-quarter of players were unable to return to play.

To view the article, click here.

Few authors have investigated patients’ expectations from foot and ankle surgery. In this study, we aimed to examine relationships between patients’ preoperative expectations and their demographic and clinical characteristics. We hypothesized that patients with more disability and those with anxiety or depressive symptoms would have greater expectations.

The results of this study may help inform surgeons’ preoperative discussions with their patients regarding realistic expectations from surgery. Generally, patients with worse function and more disability had higher expectations from surgery. Addressing these patients’ expectations preoperatively may help improve their ultimate satisfaction with surgery.

To view the article, click here.

The purpose of this study was to perform a histological comparative analysis of tibiotalar joint samples taken from areas of osteolysis adjacent to total ankle arthroplasties vs control synovial specimens to determine the reaction to and presence of polyethylene (PE) particles.

This study is the largest ankle arthroplasty histological analysis to show that areas of osteolysis consist of abundant polyethylene wear particles, present both intracellularly and extracellularly. Furthermore, these areas were associated with a CD163⁺ macrophage infiltrate and frequently a foreign body reaction with giant cells engulfing PE particles. It is likely that implant wear particles play a significant role in osteolysis based on the histopathology.

To view the article, click here.

Lesser metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint instability is a common cause of forefoot pain. Advances in operative technique and instrumentation have made it possible to anatomically treat plantar plate tears through a dorsal approach. Our goal was to evaluate the subjective, functional, and radiographic outcomes of plantar plate repair (PPR) from a dorsal approach.

We found that the plantar plate could be repaired through a dorsal approach with reliable outcomes. PPR was a viable option to anatomically restore the ligamentous support in the unstable lesser MTP joint.

To view the article, click here.

Functional recovery following total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) is assessed with patient-reportedmetrics, but physical performance tests may allow for a more accurate assessment of patientfunction. We quantified correlations between patient-reported measures and physicalperformance tests in patients after TAA to determine the usefulness of physical performancetests in post-TAA assessment.

The lack of strong correlations between the 2 sets of metrics indicates that they provide different information about a patient’s recovery following TAA. Therefore, it is important to include both sets of metrics in post-TAA assessments to better understand operative success and functional recovery.

To view the article, click here.

This study examined the effect of botulinum toxin upon plantar fasciitis through a randomized, controlled, and blinded trial.

Between 2012 and 2015, 50 patients presented with plantar fasciitis. Twenty-five patients each randomly received an IncobotulinumtoxinA (IBTA) or saline injection of their affected foot. Pre- and postinjection function and pain were graded with the Foot and Ankle Ability Measures (FAAM) and visual analog scale (VAS), respectively. All 50 study patients who randomly received either placebo or IBTA presented at 6 and 12 months after injection.

Compared with placebo saline injection, using IBTA to treat plantar fasciitis resulted in significantly better improvement in foot function and pain. IBTA also lessened the need for operative treatment of plantar fasciitis.

To view the article, click here.

Patients’ perception of outcomes is not always defined by the absence of limitations/symptoms (resolution), but can also be characterized by behavioral adaptation and cognitive coping arising in cases with residual deficits. Patient-reported outcome measures (PROs) are designed to measure levels of function or symptoms, largely missing whether patients are coping with ongoing limitations. This study aimed to broaden the conventional definition of a “satisfactory” outcome following ankle reconstruction by comparing patient-reported outcomes of patients with and without residual symptoms and limitations.

Most patients reported positive outcomes, but few (15%) experienced resolution of all symptoms and limitations. Current PROs focus on achieving low levels of symptoms and limitations, but miss an important achievement when patients are brought to a level of residual deficits with which they can cope. Patients’ perceptions of satisfactory outcomes were not predicated on the resolution of all limitations; thus, the conventional definition of “satisfactory” outcomes should be expanded accordingly.

To view the article, click here.