☆Diagnostic and therapeutic injections of the foot and ankle-An overview

Computed Tomography Scan Detection of Intra-Articular Air in the Ankle Joint: A Cadaveric Study

INTRODUCTION

The diagnosis of traumatic arthrotomy is often accomplished using the saline load test. The introduction of large volumes of saline into the joint is uncomfortable for the patient and has been reported to have low sensitivity and specificity. Computed tomography (CT) scan has been previously validated as a fast and reliable method of detecting free air in the knee joint. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the use of CT scan for the detection of intra-articular free air in the ankle joint.

METHODS

Eighteen fresh-frozen cadaver distal lower extremities were thawed, and then CT scans were obtained at their baseline harvested state. The tibiotalar joint was injected with 0.05cc free air, and then repeat CT scans of each specimen were obtained. Specimens with instrumentation, intra-articular air, or ambiguous free air prior to intervention were excluded from the study. Scans were performed from the mid leg through the entire foot at institution standard radiation dose (120 kV, 170 mA) and a slice thickness of 0.6 mm. Images were anonymized, randomized, and sent to 4 reviewers (2 orthopedic surgeons, 1 musculoskeletal radiologist, and 1 radiology resident) for evaluation of free air. Sensitivity and specificity of CT to detect free air were calculated, and Fleiss's Kappa coefficient was used to determine interobserver reliability.

RESULTS

The sensitivity and specificity of CT to detect free air in cadaver ankles was 100%. Twenty-two CT scans (11 natural state and 11 with simulated air arthrotomies) were correctly identified for the presence or absence of intra-articular free air by all reviewers with kappa coefficient 1.0 (complete agreement).

CONCLUSIONS

Computed tomography is a fast, reproducible method for detecting small volumes of free air in the ankle and may offer clinical benefit in evaluation of traumatic arthrotomy of the ankle.

Dual intra-articular injections of corticosteroid and hyaluronic acid versus single corticosteroid injection for ankle osteoarthritis: a randomized comparative trial

BACKGROUND

Intra-articular corticosteroid injection is commonly used for pain relief in ankle osteoarthritis (OA). The effects of corticosteroids (CS) are short-lived, whereas hyaluronic acid (HA) have longer-lasting effects. The objective was to compare the efficacy of dual injections of CS and HA to CS alone. We hypothesized that intra-articular injections of dual agents would be more effective than CS alone.

METHODS

A single-blind, randomized, controlled trial was designed to investigate this hypothesis. 135 patients with ankle OA were enrolled into an intra-articular CS injection group (CS group, n = 61) or dual HA plus CS injection group (CS + HA group, n = 74). The CS group received 1 mL of corticosteroid and 1 mL of 0.5% bupivacaine and 1 mL of normal saline once, and the CS + HA group received 3 mL of a total of 5 mL mixtures containing 2 mL of HA, or 1 mL of corticosteroid, 0.5% bupivacaine, and normal saline in the first week, followed by 2 mL of HA in the second and third weeks. Clinical evaluations were performed before injection, 6 and 12 weeks after the first injections. The Ankle Osteoarthritis Scale (AOS) was used as the primary outcome measure, and the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), and complications were used as secondary outcomes.

RESULTS

The mean AOS change from baseline was significantly greater in the CS + HA group than in the CS group at 6 (p ≤ 0.01) and 12 weeks (p ≤ 0.01). The mean VAS change from baseline was significantly greater in the CS group than in the CS + HA group at 6 weeks (p = 0.023), but not at 12 weeks (p = 0.731). The mean SF-36 change from baseline was not significant between the CS and CS + HA groups at 6 (p = 0.416) and 12 weeks (p = 0.215).

CONCLUSIONS

The combination of corticosteroid and HA injection is more effective than corticosteroid alone in relieving pain in ankle OA.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Clinical Research Information Service in South Korea, KCT0008690 // Registration Date (First Posted): July 21th, 2023 ( http://cris.nih.go.kr ).

Platelet-Rich Plasma Injections in Chronic Lateral Ankle Instability: A Case Series

The platelet-rich plasma (PRP) approach may be an effective treatment for joint and cartilage pathologies. However, the rationale for its effectiveness on joint instability is limited. This study aimed to assess the safety and effectiveness of PRP injections in patients with chronic lateral ankle instability (CLAI). This retrospective study was performed at a single-center outpatient clinic between January 2015 and February 2023 and included pre-intervention assessment and short-term follow-up. Patients were excluded if they had received previous surgical treatment or had constitutional hyperlaxity, systemic diseases, or grade II or III osteoarthritis. The clinical and functional evaluation consisted of the Karlsson score, the Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool (CAIT), Good's grading system, the patient's subjective satisfaction level, and the time required to return to exercise. The entire PRP therapy regime consisted of three PRP administrations at 7-day intervals and follow-up appointments. PRP was administered both intraarticularly and into talofibular ligaments. A total of 47 consecutive patients with CLAI were included, 11 were female (23.4%), with a mean age at intervention of 31.19 ± 9.74 years. A statistically significant improvement was found in the CAIT and Karlsson scores at 3 months (27.74 ± 1.68 and 96.45 ± 4.28, respectively) relative to the pre-intervention status (10.26 ± 4.33 and 42.26 ± 14.9, respectively, p < 0.000). The mean follow-up of patients with CLAI was 17.94 ± 3.25 weeks. This study represents successful short-term functional and clinical outcomes in patients with CLAI after PRP treatment, with no adverse effects. It demonstrates the feasibility of a randomized controlled trial to further assess this therapy.

Intraarticular Injections in the Foot and Ankle: Medication Selection Patterns and Perceived Risk Of Chondrotoxicity

Background

Intraarticular corticosteroid injections (ICIs) are widely used to treat foot and ankle conditions. Although laboratory studies indicate certain corticosteroids and local anesthetics used in ICIs are associated with chondrotoxic effects, and selected agents such as ropivacaine and triamcinolone may have less of these features, clinical evidence is lacking. We aimed to identify the patterns of drug selection, perceptions of injectate chondrotoxicity, and rationale for medication choice among surgeons in the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS).

Methods

An e-survey including demographics, practice patterns, and rationale was disseminated to 2011 AOFAS members. Frequencies and percentages were calculated for demographic data, anesthetic and steroid choice, rationale for injectate choice, and perception of chondrotoxicity. Bivariate analysis was used to identify practice patterns significantly associated with perceptions of injectate risk and rationale.

Results

In total, 387 surveys were completed. Lidocaine and triamcinolone were the most common anesthetic and corticosteroid used (51.2% and 39.3%, respectively). Less than half of respondents felt corticosteroids or local anesthetics bear risk of chondrotoxicity. Respondents agreeing that corticosteroids are chondrotoxic were more likely to use triamcinolone (P = .037). Respondents agreeing local anesthetics risk chondrotoxicity were less likely to use lidocaine (P = .023). Respondents choosing a local anesthetic based on literature were more likely to use ropivacaine (P < .001).

Conclusion

Corticosteroid and local anesthetic use in ICIs varied greatly. Rationale for ICI formulation was also variable, as the clinical implications are largely unknown. Those who recognized potential chondrotoxicity and who chose based on literature were more likely to choose ropivacaine and triamcinolone, as reflected in the basic science literature. Further clinical studies are needed to establish guidelines that shape foot and ankle ICI practices based on scientific evidence and reduce the variation identified by this study.

Level of Evidence

Level IV, cross-sectional survey study.

Summary Report of the Arthritis Foundation and the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society's Symposium on Targets for Osteoarthritis Research: Part 1: Epidemiology, Pathophysiology, and Current Imaging Approaches

This first of a 2-part series of articles recounts the key points presented in a collaborative symposium sponsored jointly by the Arthritis Foundation and the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society with the intent to survey the state of scientific knowledge related to incidence, diagnosis, pathologic mechanisms, and injection treatment options for osteoarthritis (OA) of the foot and ankle. A meeting was held virtually on December 3, 2021. A group of experts were invited to present brief synopses of the current state of knowledge and research in this area. Part 1 overviews areas of epidemiology and pathophysiology, current approaches in imaging, diagnostic and therapeutic injections, and genetics. Opportunities for future research are discussed. The OA scientific community, including funding agencies, academia, industry, and regulatory agencies, must recognize the needs of patients that suffer from arthritis of foot and ankle. The foot and ankle contain a myriad of interrelated joints and tissues that together provide a critical functionality. When this functionality is compromised by OA, significant disability results, yet the foot and ankle are generally understudied by the research community. Level of Evidence: Level V - Review Article/Expert Opinion.

Peroneus Longus and Peroneus Brevis: A Review on Pathology and Updated Treatments

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Peroneus longus (PL) and peroneus brevis (PB) pathologies involve a variety of etiologies and degrees of dysfunction, which complicates their diagnoses.

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Patient presentation includes a spectrum of disease; however, despite advanced imaging, a misunderstanding of the pathology and diagnostic algorithms has contributed to continued misdiagnoses.

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This article summarizes the anatomy and the pathophysiology of the PL and the PB; it also provides updated treatment options and their associated outcomes in order to illuminate an often-misunderstood topic.

Ultrasound-Guided Talonavicular Arthrocentesis

BACKGROUND

Joint arthrocentesis is a commonly performed procedure by the emergency physician (EP). Point of care ultrasound (POCUS) has demonstrated promise in identifying joint effusions and guiding arthrocentesis procedures. EP-performed talonavicular joint arthrocentesis has not been previously described in the literature. We present a case in which an isolated talonavicular joint effusion was identified and then subsequently aspirated using POCUS.

CASE REPORT

A 65-year-old man presented with atraumatic right ankle pain. On arrival, he was noted to have diffuse warmth and edema around the ankle and midfoot. POCUS was performed to evaluate for an ankle joint effusion, which was not present. The ultrasound was then moved distally, where a talonavicular joint effusion was noted. Inflammatory markers were found to be elevated. A magnetic resonance imaging scan revealed an isolated talonavicular joint effusion without additional acute findings. POCUS was then used to perform an arthrocentesis, which revealed monosodium urate crystals consistent with an initial episode of gouty arthritis. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: POCUS provides the EP with an efficient tool to diagnose joint effusions and guide arthrocentesis procedures. The foot is composed of several small joints where ultrasound can be particularly helpful. Similar to the ankle joint, these joints can be afflicted with pyogenic infections and crystalline arthropathies. To our knowledge, we present the first report of EP-performed talonavicular arthrocentesis guided by POCUS. The approach to this joint and technique for arthrocentesis are presented.

Accuracy of talonavicular injection using ultrasound versus anatomical landmark: a cadaver study

BACKGROUND

Intra-articular injections have diagnostic and therapeutic roles in foot and ankle pathologies due to complex anatomy, small size, diverse bones, and joints with proximity in this region. Conventionally, these injections are carried out using anatomical landmark technique and/or fluoroscopic guidance. The small joint space and needle size make the injection challenging. Fluoroscopy is not readily available in the clinical setting; ultrasound-guidance for injections is therefore increasingly being used. We compared the accuracy of intra-articular talonavicular injections using the anatomical landmark technique versus the ultrasound-guided method.

PURPOSE

To determine whether ultrasound guidance yields superior results in intra-articular injections of the talonavicular joint compared to injections using palpatory method guided by anatomical landmarks.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The feet of 10 cadaveric specimens were held in neutral position by an assistant while a fellowship-trained foot-ankle orthopedic surgeon injected 2 cc of radiopaque dye using anatomical landmarks and palpation method in five specimens and under ultrasound guidance in the remaining five. The needles were left in situ in all specimens and their placement was confirmed fluoroscopically.

RESULTS

In all five specimens injected under ultrasound guidance, the needle was found to be in the joint, whereas all five injected by palpation only were out of the joint, with one in the naviculo-cuneiform joint, showing ultrasound guidance to significantly increase the accuracy of intra-articular injections in the talonavicular joint than palpatory method alone.

CONCLUSION

Ultrasound-guided injections not only confirm correct needle placement, but also delineate any tendon and/or joint pathology simultaneously.

Endoscopic Plantar Fascia Release versus Cryosurgery for the Treatment of Chronic Plantar Fasciitis: A Prospective Randomized Study

BACKGROUND

In a prospective randomized study, we compared two different surgical techniques used in plantar fasciitis surgery.

METHODS

Forty-eight patients diagnosed as having plantar fasciitis and treated for at least 6 months with no response to conservative modalities were included in this study. The patients were randomly assigned to receive endoscopic plantar fascia release (EPFR) or cryosurgery (CS). Patients were evaluated using the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society Ankle-Hindfoot Scale (AOFAS-AHS) as a primary outcome measurement at baseline and 3 weeks and 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. At the final follow-up visit, the Roles-Maudsley score was used to determine patient satisfaction.

RESULTS

Five patients did not complete the 1-year follow-up examination (one in the EPFR group and four in the CS group). Thus, the study group included 43 patients. Although both groups showed significant improvement at the final evaluation, the patients in the EPFR group had significantly better AOFAS-AHS scores at 3 months. The success rate (Roles-Maudsley scores of excellent and good) in the EPFR group at 12 months was 87% and in the CS group was 65%.

CONCLUSIONS

Both EPFR and CS were associated with statistically significant improvements at 1-year follow-up. At 3-month follow-up, EPFR was associated with better results and a higher patient satisfaction rate compared with CS.

Guided Intra-articular Corticosteroid Injections in the Midfoot

BACKGROUND

Intra-articular corticosteroid injections are used for both their therapeutic and diagnostic function. There is a paucity of literature investigating the efficacy of intra-articular corticosteroid injections into the midfoot. The aim of the study was to identify the efficacy of image guided intra-articular corticosteroid (Methylprednisolone) injections for midfoot osteoarthritis The null hypothesis of this study was there would be no benefit or increase of the Self-reported Foot and Ankle Score (SEFAS) from an intra-articular corticosteroid injection.

METHODS

SEFAS was collected at 4 and 12 months postinjection. A total of 37 consecutive patients who had 67 midfoot injections were recruited into the study over a 6-month period.

RESULTS

The mean SEFAS score preinjection was 17.0, at 4 months postinjection was 31.8 ( P < .001), and 12 months postinjection 21.3 ( P < .14). There was a statistically significant improvement in postinjection SEFAS ( P < .001) at 4 months. The null hypothesis of this study was rejected. Response to the injection was varied but patients with BMI less than 30 had a sustained ( P < .04) symptomatic improvement at 12 months when compared to the obese patients.

CONCLUSION

Our findings support the use of corticosteroid injections as a viable diagnostic and therapeutic option following failed conservative treatment options prior to operative intervention. The results at 4 months were statistically significant with an additional finding of a difference observed between obese and nonobese patients. This may have implications for further educating the patient in effective weight loss that may improve symptom relief from intra-articular injection.

LEVEL OF CLINICAL EVIDENCE

Level III, comparative study.