Medial displacement calcaneal tuberosity osteotomy in the treatment of posterior tibial insufficiency

Surgical Considerations for Revision Flatfoot Reconstruction: Overcorrection/Undercorrection

Reconstructive surgery of the symptomatic pes planus deformity is a very common procedure with relatively good outcomes. Many factors such as patient selection, patient expectations, and surgical execution can influence the results. In addition to achieving osseous union, the overall postoperative alignment is critical in determining functional outcome. Specifically, under- and over-correction respectively present their own unique problems and symptomatology. The purpose of this review is to discuss the adverse outcomes after mal-reduction of flatfoot reconstruction and emphasize the strategies to correct the subsequent deformity.

Calcaneal Osteotomies in the Treatment of Progressive Collapsing Foot Deformity. What are the Restrictions for the Holy Grail?

The progressive collapsing foot deformity is a complex three-dimensional deformity, including valgus malalignment of the heel. The medial displacement calcaneal osteotomy is an established surgical procedure reliably resulting in an efficient correction of the inframalleolar alignment. However, complications are common, including undercorrection of underlying deformity, progression of hindfoot osteoarthritis and/or deformity, and/or symptomatic hardware.

Severe Flexible Pes Planovalgus Deformity Correction Using Trabecular Metallic Wedges

BACKGROUND:

Lateral column lengthening and plantarflexion dorsal opening wedge osteotomy of the medial cuneiform are 2 commonly used procedures to address the deformity seen in severe flexible pes planovalgus deformity. Traditionally, iliac crest allograft or autograft has been used to fill the osteotomy sites. Porous metallic wedges can be used as an alternative to avoid the concerns associated with both autograft and allograft.

METHODS:

We performed a retrospective review of patients who had corrective osteotomies utilizing metallic wedges to address flexible pes planovalgus with at least 2 years of follow-up data. Preoperative radiographic measurements (anteroposterior [AP] and talo-first metatarsal angle, calcaneal pitch, talocalcaneal angle, and talonavicular uncoverage angle) and functional scores (visual analog scale [VAS] pain, Foot and Ankle Ability Measure [FAAM] Activities of Daily Living [ADL], FAAM Sports) were compared to postoperative radiographic measurements and functional scores.

RESULTS:

There were statistically significant improvements in all radiographic parameters and functional scores. Two nonunions were seen, one of which healed with revision surgery while the other was asymptomatic. At the time of last radiographic follow-up, there were no recurrences of deformity or collapse.

CONCLUSION:

Porous metallic wedges offer an attractive alternative to autograft and/or allograft in the setting of corrective osteotomies for severe flexible pes planovalgus. Patients who underwent corrective osteotomies using these wedges demonstrated reliable, effective, and stable radiographic correction as well as significant improvements in function and pain.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:

Level IV, case series.

Arthroscopic approach to the spring (calcaneonavicular) ligament

BACKGROUND

This research studied the safety and efficacy of a new portal to the spring ligament. This portal is located just plantar to the insertion of the posterior tibial tendon and above the fibrous septum between the posterior tibial and the flexor digitorum longus tendons.

METHODS

Twelve fresh frozen foot and ankle specimens were used. The distance between the accessory medial portal and the medial plantar nerve was measured. The relation between the medial plantar nerve and the spring ligament was studied. The depth that can be reached through the portal was also assessed.

RESULTS

The average distance between the insertion point of the 3mm diameter metal rod and the medial plantar nerve was 20(6-27)mm. The medial plantar nerve located at lateral third of the ligament in 8 specimens (67%), middle third in 2 specimens (17%) and medial third in 2 specimens (17%). The tip of rod can reach Zone A in all specimens.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated that arthroscopic approach and repair of the spring ligament can injure the medial plantar nerve.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

The clinical relevance of this cadaver study is that it confirmed the feasibility of arthroscopic approach to the whole span of the spring ligament and alerted the potential risk of injury to the medial plantar nerve during arthroscopic assisted repair of the ligament.

Valgus Ankle Degenerative Arthritis with an Isolated Deltoid Insufficiency and Tibial Varus: A Case Report

We report a case of valgus ankle degenerative arthritis due to chronic isolated deltoid insufficiency combined with tibial varus that was treated successfully with ankle joint preserving surgery. A 63-year-old male complained of right lateral ankle pain with 10 minutes of maximal pain-free walking time. The assessed American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle ankle-hindfoot scale score was 33 points. The ankle joint showed 18° of valgus deformity with 6° of tibia varus. Medial displacement calcaneal osteotomy, supramalleolar open wedge osteotomy, and deltoid ligament imbrication were performed. At the 2-year follow-up examination, the ankle joint showed 10° of valgus and the tibial plafond showed flattening. The hindfoot showed 7° of valgus. He could run for 2 hours on the treadmill without pain. The American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle ankle-hindfoot scale score was 90 points. In conclusion, valgus ankle degenerative arthritis with isolated deltoid insufficiency and tibial varus could be treated successfully with realignment using a double osteotomy and additional deltoid imbrication.

Treatment of the arthritic valgus ankle

The ankle joint is part of a biomechanical hindfoot complex. Approximately 1% of the world's adult population is affected by ankle osteoarthritis (AO). Trauma is the primary cause of ankle OA, often resulting in varus or valgus deformities. Only 50% of patients with end-stage ankle OA have a normal hindfoot alignment. The biomechanics and morphology of the arthritic valgus ankle is reviewed in this article and therapeutic strategies, including joint preserving and nonpreserving modalities are presented. Pitfalls are discussed and the literature is reviewed regarding outcomes in patients with valgus deformity who underwent total ankle replacement.

Effects of a UCBL orthosis and a calcaneal osteotomy on tibiotalar contact characteristics in a cadaver flatfoot model

BACKGROUND

A flatfoot deformity alters the contact characteristics of the ankle joint, shifting the location of articulation posterolaterally, increasing pressure, and decreasing the contact area within the ankle. These changes may explain the pattern of articular degeneration and subsequent angulation observed in a long-standing adult acquired flatfoot. Corrective orthoses and surgical reconstruction have been used to realign pes planovalgus feet, but the effects of these treatments on tibiotalar contact characteristics are unknown. We hypothesized that realignment of a flatfoot with either corrective orthosis or surgical reconstruction would restore the contact characteristics of the ankle to the intact state.

METHODS

The mean value of the contact area, contact pressure, peak contact pressure, and the relative locations of the global contact area and peak pressure within the ankle joint were determined from imprints created on pressure sensitive film for a series of cadaver lower limbs subjected to a weightbearing load in simulated midstance phase of gait. Each limb was loaded sequentially under four conditions: intact, flatfoot, flatfoot realigned with UCBL orthosis, and flatfoot realigned with a medial translational osteotomy of the calcaneus.

RESULTS

The use of the UCBL orthosis and calcaneal osteotomy altered the contact characteristics of the ankle when compared with the flatfoot condition. Both interventions significantly decreased the mean global contact pressure from the flatfoot value, with the orthosis, demonstrating a significantly greater correction than the osteotomy. The orthosis also significantly reduced the peak contact pressure from the flatfoot value. Both interventions significantly corrected the lateral shift of the center of the peak contact pressure from the flatfoot value. The shift in the center of the global contact area approached significance when the orthosis was compared with the flatfoot.

CONCLUSIONS

The changes observed in the magnitude and location of the mean and peak pressures indicate that the UCBL orthosis and calcaneal osteotomy altered hindfoot alignment to significantly influence tibiotalar contact characteristics. The results further suggest that the UCBL orthosis corrected ankle malalignment better than the calcaneal osteotomy in an adult acquired flatfoot. This study provides biomechanical data to support the clinical impression that realignment of the hindfoot corrects the pathologic tibiotalar contact characteristics associated with an adult acquired flatfoot. The results support the conclusion that the clinical management of a pes planovalgus foot with a UCBL orthosis or a medial translational osteotomy of the calcaneus may avert the onset of pantalar disease seen with late-stage posterior tibial tendon dysfunction.