Endoscopic treatment of calcaneo-fibular impingement

Endoscopic Screw Removal, Debridement of the Peroneal Tendons and Subtalar Joint and Lateral Calcaneal Ostectomy for Management of Chronic Heel Pain after Calcaneal Fracture

Calcaneal fracture is one of the most common foot and ankle fractures, but the best treatment of this fracture is still under debate. No matter the treatment strategy of this intra-articular calcaneal fracture, early and late complications frequently occur. In order to treat these complications, combination of various ostectomy, osteotomy, and arthrodesis techniques have been proposed to re-establish the calcaneal height, restore the talocalcaneal relationship, and create a stable, plantigrade foot. In contrast to this approach of addressing all the deformities, another feasible approach is concentrating on those aspects that are the most clinically pressing.10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 Different arthroscopic and endoscopic approaches focused on the patient's symptoms and not the correction of the talocalcaneal relationship or restoration of the height or length of the calcaneus have been proposed to deal with late complications of calcaneal fractures. The purpose of this technical note is to describe the details of endoscopic screw removal, debridement of the peroneal tendons, and subtalar joint and lateral calcaneal ostectomy for management of chronic heel pain after calcaneal fracture. It has the advantage of dealing with various sources of lateral heel pain after calcaneal fracture, including the subtalar joint, peroneal tendons, lateral calcaneal cortical bulge and screws.

Endoscopic lateral decompression of calcaneo-fibular impingement: Case Report and literature Review

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE

The calcaneo-fibular impingement syndrome is frequent after calcaneal fracture. The impinging lesion could be in bone and/or in soft tissue. The operative treatment aims to remove the impinging lesions either by open or endoscopic surgery.

CASE PRESENTATION

We report a case of a 33-year female patient with calcaneo-fibular impingement syndrome. The condition was managed using endoscopic bone resection, soft tissue debridement and peroneal tendons release.

CLINICAL DISCUSSION

Endoscopic treatment of calcalneo-fibular impingement syndrome has gradually been broadened as a safe, minimally invasive, and effective procedure. This endoscopic approach could reduce the wound complications associated with the open procedure and ensure early return to activity, better cosmetic and better patient satisfaction. The lateral approach could reduce nervous and tendinous complications associated with posterior approach.

CONCLUSION

The endoscopic surgery using lateral approach is a reliable and a minimally invasive technique to address calcaneo-fibular impinging. However, this procedure is less useful for advanced cases of calcaneal malunion (Stephens and Sanders II and III).

Endoscopic Lateral Calcaneal Ostectomy and Peroneal Tendon Decompression With the Patient in the Prone Position as Management of Subfibular Impingement After Calcaneal Fracture

Subfibular impingement is a common cause of lateral heel pain after calcaneal fracture. It can be caused by calcaneofibular impingement, peroneal impingement, or a combination thereof. It may not be easy to differentiate bony impingement from soft-tissue impingement. Simultaneous lateral calcaneal ostectomy and peroneal tendon decompression may increase the chance of pain relief. The purpose of this Technical Note was to report the technical details of endoscopic lateral calcaneal ostectomy and peroneal tendon decompression with the patient in the prone position. This technique is indicated for symptomatic subfibular impingement recalcitrant to conservative treatment. It has the advantages of being minimally invasive surgery and allowing early mobilization of the foot and ankle.

Arthroscopic and Endoscopic Management of Common Complications After Displaced Intra-Articular Calcaneal Fractures

The list of late complications after calcaneal fracture that can be treated through arthroscopic and/or endoscopic approach continues to expand. The late complications of calcaneal fractures can be classified into 3 groups: (1) those causing focal hindfoot or ankle pain, (2) those causing functional deficit, and (3) those present with diffuse and poorly localized pain. Many group 1 and some group 2 complications can be managed arthroscopically and/or endoscopically. There are usually multiple coexisting sources of the pain. Careful evaluation and analysis of a problem and detailed surgical planning with combination of arthroscopic/endoscopic and open procedures are key to success.

Endoscopic Management of Calcaneofibular Impingement and Posterior Ankle Impingement Syndrome Caused by Malunion of Joint Depressed-Type Calcaneal Fracture

Identification of the correct source of symptoms is the key in formulating the correct treatment plan for heel pain after calcaneal malunion. Calcaneofibular and posterior ankle impingements can occur due to malunion of a joint depressed-type calcaneal fracture. The purpose of this Technical Note is to report the technical details of posterior and lateral decompression through the posteromedial and posterolateral portals using posterior ankle endoscopy.

Arthroscopic and Endoscopic Management of Posttraumatic Hindfoot Stiffness

Ankle, hindfoot, and toe stiffness can result from hindfoot trauma. It can be due to capsular fibrosis, tendon adhesion, muscle fibrosis, or malunion. For symptomatic stiffness that is resistant to nonoperative treatment, operative treatment should be considered. It is important to tackle the sources of stiffness, and careful preoperative clinical assessment is the key for proper formulation of the surgical plan. Whenever possible, arthroscopic/endoscopic surgery is preferable to open surgery because less extensive dissection and small surgical incisions allow immediate vigorous mobilization of the foot and ankle.

Endoscopic Synovectomy of Peroneal Tendon Sheath

Peroneal tenosynovitis usually responds to conservative therapy. Early diagnosis and management are imperative because improper or delayed diagnosis and treatment of peroneal tenosynovitis may lead to progression of the tenosynovitis to peroneal tendon rupture, ultimately limiting the benefit of nonoperative treatment. For refractory cases, endoscopic tenosynovectomy is indicated. The purpose of this Technical Note is to report a minimally invasive approach to perform a synovectomy of zones 1 and 2 of the peroneal tendon sheath.

Arthroscopic Management of Complications Following Total Ankle Replacement

There is great potential of managing the complications of total ankle replacement arthroscopically and endoscopically, and these procedures can be summarized into 3 groups. Group 1 includes procedures of the ankle joint proper with close proximity to the articular components of the total ankle replacement. Group 2 includes procedures of the tibia and talus with close proximity to the nonarticular parts of the total ankle replacement. Group 3 includes procedures that are away from the total ankle replacement. However, these remain master arthroscopist procedures and should be performed by foot and ankle surgeons who perform them with regularity.

Peroneal tendoscopy

Peroneal tendoscopy is indicated for peroneal tenosynovitis, subluxation or dislocation, snapping, partial tears requiring debridement, and postoperative adhesions and scarring. Peroneal tendoscopy was also found to be valuable as a diagnostic tool in some instances. It is generally reported to have good to excellent outcomes in most patients with a relatively low occurrence of complications.

Subtalar arthroscopy: When, why and how

Technique of subtalar arthroscopy is rapidly evolving. Increasing number of traditional open procedures for the subtalar joint can now be done arthroscopically. It is hoped that less wound complications, faster rehabilitation and better cosmetic outcomes can be achieved with this minimally invasive technique.

Simultaneous use of lateral calcaneal ostectomy and subtalar arthroscopic debridement for residual pain after a calcaneal fracture

Inadequate primary treatment of calcaneal fractures frequently results in persistent, residual pain. This can be caused by subtalar arthritis, an increased calcaneal width, and/or calcaneal fibular impingement of the peroneal tendons. Many patients experience multiple disorders simultaneously, requiring a combination of procedures to treat the injury. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the clinical outcomes of arthroscopic debridement with lateral calcaneal ostectomy for residual pain after a calcaneal fracture. Four feet (4 patients) were treated with arthroscopic debridement and lateral calcaneal ostectomy. The patients were 3 males and 1 female, with a mean age of 55.3 ± 14.1 years. The mean follow-up duration was 33.5 ± 10.5 months postoperatively. Three patients received worker's compensation as a result of their condition. The patients were examined for improvement in pain levels using the numeric pain intensity scale and healing was assessed using the Japanese Society of Surgery of the Foot score. The mean Japanese Society of Surgery of the Foot score improved from 64.5 ± 13.8 preoperatively to 82.5 ± 7.1 postoperatively. The mean postoperative numeric pain intensity scale score was 2.3 ± 1.9. No complications, such as deep infection or problems with wound healing, were observed in any of the patients. The simultaneous use of arthroscopic subtalar debridement and lateral calcaneal ostectomy is a valuable intervention for the treatment of residual pain after a calcaneal fracture in patients who present with increased calcaneal width and mild or no degenerative changes in the subtalar joint.

Arthroscopic management of late complications of calcaneal fractures

PURPOSE

To review retrospectively the results of arthroscopic management of late complications of calcaneal fractures.

METHODS

Fifty patients (32 males, 18 females) with late complications of calcaneal fractures were managed arthroscopically. The median age at the time of arthroscopic surgery was 45 (19-63) years old. Detailed history taking, physical examination, standing lateral radiograph of the foot and axial view of the calcaneus and computed tomogram study were performed in all of the patients in order to identify the sources of symptoms. The arthroscopic treatment was then planned accordingly. The patients were assessed according to the AOFAS ankle-hindfoot score and the standing radiographs of the foot and ankle, both preoperatively and at the latest follow-up consultation.

RESULT

A median of 1 arthroscopic procedure was performed for each patient (range, 1-4). The median follow-up after the latest arthroscopic surgery was 49 (range, 24-85 months) months. In all of the cases, the symptoms improved after the arthroscopic surgery and all the arthrodesis sites healed. The overall median preoperative AOFAS ankle-hindfoot score was 60.5 (27-75). The overall median AOFAS ankle-hindfoot score at the time of latest follow-up was 90 (73-100).

CONCLUSIONS

The arthroscopic approach focuses on the patient's symptoms. It is a feasible approach to alleviate patient's symptoms. Detailed history taking and clinical examination to determine the sources of the patient's symptoms are the keys to success.

The subtalar distraction bone block arthrodesis following the late complications of calcaneal fractures: a systematic review

INTRODUCTION

The late complications following a displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures includes painful arthrosis for which a subtalar fusion might be considered. In case of malalignment due to loss of height and varus deformity a reconstructive arthrodesis is necessary. The primary aim of the current review study was to assess the functional outcome of the subtalar distraction bone block arthrodesis in the management of late complications of displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures.

METHODS

The literature was searched for studies in which a subtalar distraction bone block arthrodesis was used in the management of persistent complaints following a displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures, after its first description in 1988 up to November 1st 2011. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed using the Coleman Methodology Score.

RESULTS

Twenty-one studies reporting on 456 patients were identified. In 93 percent the procedure was a salvage procedures following the late complications of a calcaneal fracture (372 cases). Duration of follow-up ranged from 21 to 108 months (average 40 months). Union rates were reported with an overall average of 96% (range 83-100%). The average modified AOFAS score (maximum 94 points) was 73 points at final follow-up (range 64-83 points). Six studies reported pre- and post-reconstruction AOFAS outcome scores with an average increase of 44.2 points. Wound complications occurred in approximately 6%. With the exception of one study all were level 4 retrospective case series, with an average Coleman Methodology Score of 55 (range 41-79) points.

CONCLUSIONS

The subtalar distraction bone block arthrodesis is a technically demanding procedure which, in the right hands, provides an overall good result. This is reflected in a significant increase in outcome scores post-operatively. Although most complications are considered minor, there are several pitfalls which should be recognized and avoided.

Endoscopic management of recalcitrant retrofibular pain without peroneal tendon subluxation or dislocation

Peroneal tendon pathology is not uncommonly encountered behind the lateral malleolus and presented as retrofibular pain. The three primary categories of peroneal tendon disorders include tendinitis and tenosynovitis, tendon subluxation and dislocation, and tendon tears and ruptures. We described an approach of endoscopic groove deepening and endoscopic assisted repair of longitudinal peroneal tendon tears in management of recalcitrant retrofibular pain without peroneal tendon subluxation or dislocation.