Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) Augmentation Enhances the Mechanical Characteristics of Midfoot Beam Constructs in Charcot Neuroarthropathy Cadaver Model

BACKGROUND

Even with the best conservative care, patients with Charcot neuroarthropathy (CN) of the foot and ankle often ulcerate, increasing their risk of infection, amputation, and death. Surgical fixation has been associated with risk of recurrent ulceration, potentially due to poor bone quality prone to recurrent deformity and ulceration. We propose midfoot beam reconstruction with PMMA augmentation as a novel means of improving fixation.

METHODS

A protocol was developed to create characteristic CN midfoot fragmentation both visually and fluoroscopically in each of 12 matched-pair cadaveric feet. Afterward, the pairs were divided into 2 groups: (1) midfoot beam fusion surgery alone, and (2) midfoot beam fusion surgery augmented with PMMA. A solid 7.0-mm beam was placed into the medial column and a solid 5.5-mm beam was placed across the lateral column. In the PMMA group, 8 to 10 mL of PMMA was inserted into the medial column. The hindfoot of each specimen was potted and the metatarsal heads were cyclically loaded for 1800 cycles, followed by load to failure while load and displacement were continually recorded.

RESULTS

One specimen in the beam alone group failed before reaching the 1800th cycle and was not included in the failure analysis. The midfoot beam only group demonstrated greater mean displacement during cycle testing compared with the PMMA group, P < .05. The maximum force (N), stiffness (N/mm), and toughness (Nmm) were all significantly greater in the group augmented with PMMA, P < .05.

CONCLUSION

In a CN cadaveric model, PMMA augmentation significantly decreased gapping during cyclic loading and nearly doubled the load to failure compared with midfoot beams alone.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

The results of this biomechanical study demonstrate that augmentation of midfoot beams with PMMA increases the strength and stiffness of the fusion construct. This increased mechanical toughness may help reduce the risk of nonunion and infection in patients with neuropathic midfoot collapse.

Highly Adhesive Antimicrobial Coatings for External Fixation Devices

Pin site infections arise from the use of percutaneous pinning techniques (as seen in skeletal traction, percutaneous fracture pinning, and external fixation for fracture stabilization or complex deformity reconstruction). These sites are niduses for infection because the skin barrier is disrupted, allowing for bacteria to enter a previously privileged area. After external fixation, the rate of pin site infections can reach up to 100%. Following pin site infection, the pin may loosen, causing increased pain (increasing narcotic usage) and decreasing the fixation of the fracture or deformity correction construct. More serious complications include osteomyelitis and deep tissue infections. Due to the morbidity and costs associated with its sequelae, strategies to reduce pin site infections are vital. Current strategies for preventing implant-associated infections include coatings with antibiotics, antimicrobial polymers and peptides, silver, and other antiseptics like chlorhexidine and silver-sulfadiazine. Problems facing the development of antimicrobial coatings on orthopedic implants and, specifically, on pins known as Kirschner wires (or K-wires) include poor adhesion of the drug-eluting layer, which is easily removed by shear forces during the implantation. Development of highly adhesive drug-eluting coatings could therefore lead to improved antimicrobial efficacy of these devices and ultimately reduce the burden of pin site infections. In response to this need, we developed two types of gel coatings: synthetic poly-glycidyl methacrylate-based and natural-chitosan-based. Upon drying, these gel coatings showed strong adhesion to pins and remained undamaged after the application of strong shear forces. We also demonstrated that antibiotics can be incorporated into these gels, and a K-wire with such a coating retained antimicrobial efficacy after drilling into and removal from a bone. Such a coating could be invaluable for K-wires and other orthopedic implants that experience strong shear forces during their implantation.

Estradiol- and progesterone-associated changes in microRNA-induced silencing and reduced anti-seizure efficacy of an antagomir in female mice

About one third of individuals living with epilepsy have treatment-resistant seizures. Alternative therapeutic strategies are thus urgently needed. One potential novel treatment target is microRNA-induced silencing, which is differentially regulated in epilepsy. Inhibitors (antagomirs) of specific microRNAs have shown therapeutic promise in preclinical epilepsy studies; however, these studies were mainly conducted in male rodent models, and research into microRNA regulation in females and by female hormones in epilepsy is scarce. This is problematic because female sex and the menstrual cycle can affect the disease course of epilepsy and may, therefore, also alter the efficacy of potential microRNA-targeted treatments. Here, we used the proconvulsant microRNA miR-324-5p and its target, the potassium channel Kv4.2, as an example to test how microRNA-induced silencing and the efficacy of antagomirs in epilepsy are altered in female mice. We showed that Kv4.2 protein is reduced after seizures in female mice similar to male mice; however, in contrast to male mice, microRNA-induced silencing of Kv4.2 is unchanged, and miR-324-5p activity, as measured by the association with the RNA-induced silencing complex, is reduced in females after seizure. Moreover, a miR-324-5p antagomir does not consistently reduce seizure frequency or increase Kv4.2 in female mice. As a possible underlying mechanism, we found that miR-324-5p activity and silencing of Kv4.2 in the brain were differentially correlated with plasma levels of 17β-estradiol and progesterone. Our results suggest that hormonal fluctuations in sexually mature female mice influence microRNA-induced silencing and could alter the efficacy of potential future microRNA-based treatments for epilepsy in females.Significance StatementMicroRNA-induced silencing is currently investigated in preclinical studies as a potential novel class of treatment target for epilepsy; however, surprisingly little is known about if and how microRNA-induced silencing is regulated by biological sex and if microRNA therapeutics are as effective in females as they are in males. This study shows that microRNA silencing of the potassium channel Kv4.2 and the functional activity of its targeting microRNA, miR-324-5p, change with plasma levels of estrogens and progesterone and that an inhibitor of miR-324-5p is less effective in female mice to suppress seizures. These findings are significant as they suggest microRNA-induced silencing as a novel molecular mechanism contributing to sex differences in epilepsy that could impact future therapy development.

Identification and Analysis of the Ankle Microbiome Using Next-Generation DNA Sequencing

Category:

Ankle; Basic Sciences/Biologics

Introduction/ Purpose:

Next-generation DNA sequencing (NGS) technologies have made it possible to detect microbial genome sequences within human tissues with a sensitivity that has not been reached before, allowing research to better characterize “normal” host flora. Researchers have utilized NGS to identify the shoulder microbiome, but there are no reports yet on the ankle microbiome. Using NGS, this study aims to determine whether (1) a unique microbiome exists in human ankle tissues, (2) components of the ankle microbiome impact patient outcomes, and (3) microbes found on the skin make up a normal part of the ankle microbiome within the tissue.

Methods:

A prospective study recruited 33 patients undergoing total ankle arthroplasty (TAA, n=24) or ankle arthrodesis via an anterior approach (n=9) between November 2020 and October 2021 with one of two fellowship-trained foot and ankle surgeons at an academic medical center. During the operation, the surgeon would swab five layers of the ankle: skin (n=33), retinaculum (n=32), tibialis anterior tendon (n=32), joint capsule (n=32), and distal tibia (n=33). These swabs (N=162) were then sent to MicroGen Diagnostics [Lubbock, TX, USA] for NGS. Retrospective data was also collected from patient records to include demographics, medical comorbidities, surgical indication, postoperative complications, readmission and reoperation rates, and pre- and postoperative patient-reported outcome measures. The majority of subjects underwent surgery for ankle arthritis (97.0%). Most subjects were female (51.5%) and white (93.9%), and mean age at surgery was 60.73 (range, 19-85) years. Mean follow-up duration was 0.75 (range, 0.11-1.29) years.

Results:

Of the 162 swabs sent for NGS, 19 (11.7%) indicated 27 bacteria were present (positive), while the remaining 143 (88.3%) had no bacteria present (negative). The most common organisms were Cutibacterium acnes (40.7%) and Staphylococcus epidermidis (11.1%). The most bacteria were found in the retinaculum (29.6%), followed by the distal tibia (25.9%) and capsule (22.2%). No PROM nor follow-up duration was associated with the presence of bacteria, or the number of bacteria or affected layers. Similarly, complication (positive=18.2%, negative=22.7%; p=1.000), nonunion (positive=0.0%, negative=28.6%; p=1.000), infection (positive=0.0%, negative=4.5%; p=1.000), 90-day readmission (positive=0.0%, negative=4.5%; p=1.000), and reoperation (positive=0.0%, negative=4.5%; p=1.000) rates did not differ if a subject’s NGS profile was positive or negative.

Conclusion:

This study found that C. acnes and S. epidermidis were most commonly found in the ankle microbiome, though at a relatively low rate. While there is some evidence to suggest both S. epidermidis and Staphylococcus aureus biofilm formation are identified on explanted ankle prosthetics, no study to date has investigated whether or not these bacteria were present in the ankle joint prior to surgery. Furthermore, there is no evidence that patients presenting with these bacteria at the time of surgery are at a higher risk of failure following TAA or ankle arthrodesis.

Old known and possible new biomarkers of ANCA-associated vasculitis

Antineutrophil cytoplasm antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) comprises a group of multisystem disorders involving severe, systemic, small-vessel vasculitis with short- and long term serious and life-threating complications. Despite the simplification of treatment, fundamental aspects concerning assessment of its efficacy and its adaptation to encountered complications or to the relapsing/remitting/subclinical disease course remain still unknown. The pathogenesis of AAV is complex and unique, and despite the progress achieved in the last years, much has not to be learnt. Foremost, there is still no accurate marker enabling us to monitoring disease and guide therapy. Therefore, the disease management relays often on clinical judgment and follows a" trial and error approach". In the recent years, an increasing number of new molecules s have been explored and used for this purpose including genomics, B- and T-cell subpopulations, complement system factors, cytokines, metabolomics, biospectroscopy and components of our microbiome. The aim of this review is to discuss both the role of known historical and clinically established biomarkers of AAV, as well as to highlight potential new ones, which could be used for timely diagnosis and monitoring of this devastating disease, with the goal to improve the effectiveness and ameliorate the complications of its demanding therapy.

Defining, Measuring and Preventing the Diagnosis of Cancer as an Emergency: A Critical Review of Current Evidence

Background: Many patients with cancer are diagnosed through an emergency presentation, which is associated with inferior clinical and patient-reported outcomes compared with those of patients who are diagnosed electively or through screening. Reducing the proportion of patients with cancer who are diagnosed as emergencies is, therefore, desirable; however, the optimal means of achieving this aim are uncertain owing to the involvement of different tumor, patient and health-care factors, often in combination. Methods: We searched the literature to identify all population-based studies that examined emergency presentation as a diagnosis or independent variable. Results: Most relevant evidence relates to patients with colorectal or lung cancer in a few economically developed countries, and defines emergency presentations contextually (that is, whether patients presented to emergency health-care services and/or received emergency treatment shortly before their diagnosis) as opposed to clinically (whether patients presented with life-threatening manifestations of their cancer). Consistent inequalities in the risk of emergency presentations by patient characteristics and cancer type have been described, but limited evidence is available on whether, and how, such presentations can be prevented. Evidence on patients' symptoms and health-care use before presentation as an emergency is sparse. Conclusion: In this review, we describe the extent, causes and implications of a diagnosis of cancer following an emergency presentation, and provide recommendations for public health and health-care interventions, and research efforts aimed at addressing this underresearched aspect of cancer diagnosis.

A 27-year Meta-analysis of Ankle Arthroplasty

Category:

Ankle Arthritis

Introduction/Purpose:

Total ankle arthroplasty is an alternative to ankle arthrodesis for the treatment of end-stage arthritis while maintaining greater ankle motion and functionality. Early generation implants had unacceptably high complication rates. However, increasing surgical experience and newer third-generation designs have the potential to offer better outcomes. A previous systematic review reported results from studies published between 1990 and 2005, focusing on second-generation implants. We performed a systematic review of the literature addressing the intermediate-long-term outcomes of interest in total ankle arthroplasty studies published since 2006, and we compared our findings to those from earlier generation implants.

Methods:

A comprehensive search of MEDLINE for all articles published from 3/25/2006 to 2/1/2017 was conducted with a minimum two-year follow-up. Two reviewers evaluated each study to determine whether it was eligible for inclusion and abstracted the data of interest. Meta-analytic pooling of group results across studies was performed. The analysis focused on third-generation ankle implants.

Results:

The previous systematic review identified 10 studies (n=852), whereas we identified 40 studies (n=4835). The prior study showed a five and ten-year survival rate of 78% and 77%, respectively; respective rates were 86% (p=0.001) and 76% (p=0.53) in ours and similar to the previous study. The revision rate following TAR was 7% in the earlier review (loosening/subsidence, 28%). In ours, the revision rate following TAR was 9.6% (p=0.10) (component loosening, 37%); 3.4% (p=0.02) of ankles were converted to arthrodesis. The mean post-operative Ankle-Hindfoot score was 78.2 points in the prior review and 80.1 (p=0.20) points for ours. There is significant (p<0.0001) heterogeneity (I2=92.94%) between the studies; a meta-analysis of proportions showed that 81.6%of subjects had good outcomes while 46.6% had an excellent outcome.

Conclusion:

Based on these findings, the outcomes for third-generation total ankle arthroplasty have no significant differences in survival rates when compared to second-generation implants. However, functional scores, range of motion, and overall patient outcomes were significantly higher in the third-generation implants. However, data from early generation studies were sparse in comparison, so direct comparative studies are needed to strengthen this conclusion.

[Longterm Homecare Augmentation Program in Alpha-1-Antitrypsin Deficient Patients]

BACKGROUND

Augmentation with human alpha-1 proteinase inhibitor is the only specific treatment for Alpha-1-Antitrypsin Deficiency (AATD), a rare genetic disease with symptoms of progressive COPD.

OBJECTIVES

A prospective long-term exploration of outcomes during the "Alpha-1-Mobile" home care AAT augmentation program in seven advanced-stage patients.

METHODS

Patients received weekly i. v. AAT augmentation and COPD therapy. Symptoms, lung function, health status, quality-of-life aspects, and safety were documented continuously. Outcomes during six years of home care augmentation therapy were observed and evaluated on an inter- and intraindividual basis. FEV1 profiles were compared to pre-program data.

RESULTS

The seven patients had a mean age of 56.7 (40-68) years and had previously received augmentation for 8.8 (1-19) years. Compared to the three-year preprogram period, functional decline of FEV1 (ΔFEV1 0.47 L vs 0.17 L) slowed. Mean QoL scores showed seasonal fluctuations in the first three years of observation, and then stabilized. All blood samples tested exceeded the protective threshold of 50 mg/dL with a dose of 60 mg AAT/kg/week. Less than one exacerbation-related hospitalization occurred per patient-year. No adverse events of related to augmentation therapy were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Home care with i. v. augmentation therapy by medical professionals contributes to optimum care through consistent treatment and close health-status monitoring in our collective. Exacerbation-related hospitalizations were largely avoided. "Alpha-1-Mobile" was well accepted, practical, and safe.

Population-based Projections of Ankle Arthrodeses

Category:

Ankle Arthritis

Introduction/Purpose:

Ankle arthrodesis is commonly performed for patients with end stage ankle arthritis. However, with improvements in long-term outcomes following total ankle arthroplasty it is possible that rates of ankle arthrodesis will decrease as utilization of ankle arthroplasty increases. The purpose of this study is to assess the current and future trends of ankle arthrodesis utilization.

Methods:

National Inpatient Sample (NIS) data from 1997-2014 was used to identify trends in the utilization of ankle arthrodesis. United States Census Bureau data from 1997-2014 was used to identify historical population data and future population estimates. A linear regression model was created using Mathematica v11.3 to project future demand for ankle arthrodesis. The data was stratified to show past and future trends based on gender and age.

Results:

The overall utilization rate of ankle arthrodesis remained relatively constant from 5897 procedures in 1997 to 5330 procedures in 2014. The overall demand for ankle arthrodesis is expected to increase slightly by 15 percent with 6141 procedures projected in 2045. Stratified by age groups, the number of procedures is predicted to decrease by 75% in ages 18-44 and 6% in ages 45-64, and predicted to increase by 133% in ages 65-84 by 2045. Stratified by gender, ankle arthrodesis is predicted to increase by 47% in males and decrease by 14% in females in 2045.

Conclusion:

Based on our projection model, the rate of ankle arthrodesis is predicted to stay relatively stable overall but decrease in younger populations. A projected increase in total ankle arthroplasty will likely contribute to decreased utilization of ankle arthrodesis. However, ankle arthrodesis will still be a valuable tool in the surgeon’s armamentarium to treat ankle arthritis.

Projections for Total Ankle Arthroplasty based upon the National Inpatient Sample

Category:

Ankle Arthritis

Introduction/Purpose:

The utilization of total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) has increased significantly over the past decade. While projections for hip and knee arthroplasty show an exponential increase in demand, there remains a paucity of literature on the projected demand for TAA. Outcomes for TAA show promising results at 10 year follow up and, as a result, the demand for TAA will likely see a significant increase over the next few decades. The purpose of this study is to assess the current trends and future demand of TAA utilization.

Methods:

National Inpatient Sample (NIS) data from 1997-2014 was used to identify trends in the utilization of TAA. United States Census Bureau data from 1997-2014 was used to identify historical population data and future population estimates. A linear regression model was created using Mathematica v11.3 to project future demand for total ankle arthroplasty. The data was stratified to show past and future trends based on gender and age.

Results:

The overall utilization rate of TAA increased from 232 procedures in 1997 to 4435 procedures in 2014. Based on our model, the overall demand for TAA is expected to increase by 174 percent to 12,161 procedures by 2045. Stratified by age groups, the number of procedures is predicted to increase by 69% in ages 18-44, 177% in ages 45-64, and 287% in ages 65-84 by 2045. Stratified by gender, males are projected to undergo 7,070 procedures and females are projected to undergo 6,114 procedures in 2045.

Conclusion:

Improvements in TAA techniques and implants are leading to better long term clinical outcomes following TAA. Based on our projection model, there is going to be a significant increase in demand for TAA by 2045.

Hindfoot alignment in total ankle replacement at 2 year follow-uo

Category:

Ankle Arthritis

Introduction/Purpose:

End-stage ankle osteoarthritis frequently involves multiplanar malalignment both tibio-talar and subtalar joint. Restoration of the correct position of the tibial and the talar component and of the hindfoot is mandatory for the long-term survival of total ankle replacement. Since patients with ankle osteoarthritis often present concomitant hindfoot deformity, radiographic references are needed to describe deformities. However, the possible compensatory mechanisms of these linked joints are not well known.The aim of this study is to show if there is any difference regarding hindfoot position at 6 months, 1 year and 2 years follow-up.

Methods:

The study included 68 ankles who underwent Total Ankle Replacment through a later transfibuklar approach between May 2013 and December 2015. The main indications for TAR were: post-traumatic (55 patients, 80.9%) and reumathoid arthritis (5 patients, 7.4%). In these patients the hindfoot view angle was measured 6, 12 and 24 months postoperatively. Furthermore, clinical outcomes were recorded. Patients who underwent hindfoot/midfoot fusions were excluded.

Results:

The mean hindfoot alignment angle (HAV) was 0.4±0.0 pre-operatively and 0.1±6.2, 0.7±6.2, 1.2±7.0 at 6, 12 and 24 months postoperatively. There was no statistically significant difference in the HAV between follow-up. A statistically significant improvement in clinical scores (AOFAS, VAS and SF.12) was found at each follow-up. The main complications were: 6 hardware removal for intollerance (8,8%), 3 delayed wound healing (4,4%), 1 medial impingement (1,5%).

Conclusion:

Regarding the hindfoot alignment angle, TAA through a lateral approach showed a good reliability. Furthermore, hindfoot alignment remains stable over time.

Functional Outcomes of Isolated Gastrocnemius Recession

The effects of gastrocnemius recession on strength and function are underreported. This prospective study reports strength and functional effects after isolated gastrocnemius recession. Patients (n D 20) underwent an isolated gastrocnemius recession for foot and ankle conditions with associated gastrocnemius or gastrocnemius-soleus contracture. Eight patients prospectively underwent range of motion (ROM) and Biodex testing preoperatively and at 3 and 6 months postoperatively. Foot Function Index (FFI) assessed functional outcomes. Repeated measures analysis of variance with Bonferroni post hoc testing compared variables across three time intervals. Control and operative sides were compared with t tests. Mean patient age was 61.1 š 13.3 years. Significant improvement in FFI was observed at 3 and 6 months (p D .001). Ankle dorsiflexion improved 11° between preoperative and 6-month postoperative intervals (p D .018). No differences were observed in Biodex testing. Results demonstrate improved ROM and FFI of the gastrocnemius recession between preoperative and 6-month postoperative intervals for isolated gastrocnemius and gastrocnemius-soleus contracture. (Journal of Surgical Orthopaedic Advances 27(2):125-130, 2018).

Location of Activation on Ankle SPECT CT Scan is Prognostic for a Successful Supramalleolar Osteotomy in Patients with Asymmetric Ankle Arthritis

Category:

Ankle, Ankle Arthritis, Hindfoot

Introduction/Purpose:

Combined single-photon emission computed tomography and conventional computed tomography (SPECT/CT) is a hybrid imaging modality that shows a combination of metabolic and structural information about the ankle. Recently, its use has expanded for pre-operative evaluation of supramalleolar osteotomies (SMO) for asymmetric ankle arthritis. It is unclear if the location of bone scan activation is related the success of the operation. We hypothesize that uptake in specific locations within the ankle joint can be associated a failure of the supramalleolar osteotomy.

Methods:

85 pre-operative SMO patients with varus (37), valgus (41), or neutral (7) alignment of the hindfoot were assessed using SPECT/CT. The level of activation on SPECT/CT scans was measured. Activation was assessed on both the tibia and talus including 18 locations on axial scans, 8 locations sagittally, and 12 locations coronally on SPECT/CT imaging. Failure (conversion to total ankle arthroplasty (TAR) or arthrodesis) was recorded for each patient at an average of 3.7 years post-operatively. We compared the patients who had failures with those who did not with a chi-square analysis to look for any prognostic factors.

Results:

Ten patients (11.8%) had a treatment failure. Six patients were successfully converted to a TAR and another four to an arthrodesis. Pre or post-operative alignment did not correlate to a treatment failure. It was noted that the failures were more likely to have cystic lesions (20%), bipolar lesions (50%) anterocentral activation on tibia (30%), or anterocentral/media/dome activation on the talus (20%). 90% of the failure patients had post-traumatic lesions. The only statistically significant (p=.036) poor prognostic indicator was a bipolar lesion.

Conclusion:

Pre-operative SPECT/CT evaluation of an ankle before a SMO can be used to prognosticate on the success of the procedure. We caution against performing a SMO in patients with bipolar activation on a pre-operative SPECT-CT scan.

MRI Utilization by Orthopaedic and Non-orthopaedic providers for acute or chronic ankle pain

Category:

Ankle

Introduction/Purpose:

The use of MRI poses a significant expense in the ever-increasing cost of healthcare. The American College of Radiology (ACR) recommends obtaining ankle radiographs within 6 months prior to MRI in the assessment of patients with acute or chronic ankle pain. In this retrospective utilization study, we examine the compliance rate of both orthopedic and non-orthopedic providers at two academic centers. We hypothesize that there is an over utilization of resources by non- orthopaedic surgeons.

Methods:

We retrospectively reviewed 721 patient charts (4/2015-11/2016) who had an ankle MRI. We analyzed the preceding conservative management and subsequent non-operative or surgical care of the patient, and made note of the ordering physician and whether or not radiographs were obtained prior to ordering an MRI. We also performed an analysis of diagnosis and identified common diagnoses that were associated higher levels of non-compliance to the ACR criteria.

Results:

Overall, we determined that 222 of the 259 (85.7%) of the orthopedic providers obtained radiographs prior to MRI while only 271of 462 (58.7%) non-orthopedic providers followed these criteria (p<0.0001). In total, we found that 493 out of 721 (68.4%) providers ordered ankle radiographs prior to MRI. Among orthopedic providers showing non-compliance with the ACR criteria, the most common patient diagnoses were tendinopathy and not obtaining new radiographs when radiographs were older than 6 months. Among non-orthopedic providers, the most common diagnoses were edema and tendinopathy.

Conclusion:

We found that orthopedic providers adhered much more closely to the ACR criteria, and that there is a significant over-utilization of resources by all providers, with an overall inappropriate use percentage of 32.1%. Increasing the compliance rate could prove to be an effective mechanism for decreasing the cost healthcare in the treatment of ankle pain.

Significant Differences Exist in Patient Demographics of Foot and Ankle Surgeries between High Quality Prospective Studies and National Databases

Category:

Trauma

Introduction/Purpose:

Several high profile studies have compared surgical and non-operative treatments in specific types of major foot and ankle surgeries and serve as management guidelines for many Orthopaedic surgeons. However, the external validity of these studies has not been examined and should be confirmed in order to confidently apply the study conclusions to the national population and modify clinical practice. The purpose of the current study was to compare patient demographic information collected from major high quality, prospective studies in foot and ankle surgeries and from same surgical procedures recorded in a nationwide database of the United States patient population.

Methods:

Patient demographic information from surgical procedures for achilles tendon rupture, syndesmotic injury, calcaneal fracture, and lisfranc injury were pulled from American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP) database between 2005 – 2014 by using CPT codes listed in Table I. The same information was collected from several randomized control or prospective cohort studies identified for each type of procedure (Table I). Patient age and body mass index (BMI) were compared by using two sample T-test, while Fisher’s exact test was used to compare patient sex. Study data on age and BMI that did not provide both mean and standard deviation were not included in analysis.

Results:

In the NSQIP database, 1,633 achilles tendon repair and 8,852 syndesmotic injury cases were identified, but few calcaneal fracture surgeries and no lisfranc injury cases were found. For surgical cases with syndesmotic injury repair, age, sex and BMI all differed significantly between NSQIP data and the aggregate values of published studies, with the NSQIP patients being older and have more females and larger BMI (Tables II-IV). By comparing individual study data with NSQIP, 1 of 3 studies showed the same trend in age, 2 of 3 in sex, and 1 of 1 in BMI. For cases with Achilles tendon rupture repair, both aggregate and individual comparisons with 2 studies showed statistical difference on age, with NSQIP patients being older (Table II).

Conclusion:

Although the results were somewhat mixed, statistical significance did exist in patient demographic characteristics between published clinical data and a national database in the same foot and ankle surgeries. Caution should be warranted when interpreting clinical studies and before generalizing it onto the national population.

Variability and Quality of Physical Therapy Protocols after Surgical Repair for Achilles Tendon Rupture Available Online for Patient and Therapist Education

Category:

Sports, Trauma

Introduction/Purpose:

The Internet has gained popularity in patient education and communication with physical therapists. Orthopaedic practices post information on physical therapy exercises and post-surgical caution online. This includes the case for rehabilitation after Achilles tendon repair. Therefore, it is important to assess the consistency within the online available protocols and determine if they retain current evidence-based principles. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the consistency and quality of online physical therapy protocols after Achilles tendon surgical repair available to patients and physical therapists.

Methods:

Protocols were searched on Google by using the term “(achilles AND repair) AND (rehabilitation OR physical therapy) AND (protocol OR guidelines)” on three different computers. Methodical protocols on rehabilitation after Achilles tendon rupture repair from the first 100 websites with each search were collected. Duplicated protocols and non-operative treatment protocols were excluded. A comprehensive, custom scoring system was created to assess the source and each rehabilitation components of the protocols, including ankle immobilization, weight bearing status, range of motion, strengthening exercises, proprioceptive activities, functional return, as well as the time line for each component.

Results:

Fifty-three protocols were included in the current study (35.8% academic). Orthopaedic surgeon-affiliated websites accounted for 86.8% (Fig. 1). Thirty-six studies (67.9%) advised non-weight-bearing immediately after surgery. The timeline of weight bearing advancement varies among protocols and is illustrated in Fig.2. Forty-four protocols (83.0%) mentioned utilization of heel lifts throughout the protocol with different recommendations on specific timing (Fig.3). Non-ankle specific exercises were recommended in forty-three (81.1%) protocols. Considerable variation existed in the types and time line of recommended exercises, including the ones for range of motion, strength, proprioception, overall function, and functional return (Figs 4-8).

Conclusion:

Considerable variation existed in many components of physical therapy protocols for Achilles tendon repair after rupture, which subsequently could lead to confusion and misinterpretation among patients, and even therapist. Greater effort should be paid to create more evidence-based protocols that are both easy for patients and physical therapists to understand and execute.

Location of Activation of Tarsal Joints on SPECT CT Scan Predicts Preoperative Functional and Pain Scores on Supramalleolar Osteotomy Patients

Category:

Ankle, Ankle Arthritis

Introduction/Purpose:

Combined single-photon emission computed tomography and conventional computed tomography (SPECT/CT) is a hybrid imaging modality that shows a combination of metabolic and structural information about the ankle. Recently, its use has expanded for pre-operative evaluation of supramalleolar osteotomies (SMO) for asymmetric ankle arthritis. It is unclear if the location of bone scan activation in other locations in the hindfoot is related to pre and post-operative functional and scores. We hypothesize that uptake in specific locations within the hindfoot can be associated with worse pre- and post- operative functional and pain scores.

Methods:

85 pre-operative SMO patients with varus (37), valgus (41), or neutral (7) alignment of the hindfoot were assessed using SPECT/CT. The level of activation on SPECT/CT scans was measured. Activation was assessed on both the tibia and talus including the talonavicular, subtalar, calcaneocuboid joints and subfibular region. Pre- and post-operative functional and pain scores (AOFAS Hindfoot, FAOS, and VAS) were recorded for each patient at an average of 3.7 years post-operatively. We compared SPECT/CT imaging with pre-operative patient scores assuming equal group variance and used a Chi-square analysis to determine if failure can be related to having activation in other joints besides the hindfoot.

Results:

Those with talonavicular (6) activation had worse malalignment as measured by the AOFAS Hindfoot-A (alignment) subscore; they had worse a functional status as measured by the AOFAS-F (function) subscore. Patients with subtalar joint activation (10) had significantly worse (p<.05) pre-operative VAS pain scores. They also had worse AOFAS-F, AOFAS Hindfoot, and FAOS-S (symptom) scores. Those with calcaneocuboid activation (1) did not have any correlation to pre-operative pain or functional scores. Patients with subfibular impingement (7) had worse alignment based on the AOFAS-A scores. Patients with hindfoot joint activation did not have a higher rate of failure relative to other locations in the ankle. Activation in these areas were not associated with any post-operative functional or pain scores.

Conclusion:

Pre-operative SPECT/CT evaluation of the hindfoot before a SMO can be used to clinically correlate patient-specific factors such as pain and function in the pre-operative period. Results from this study provide prognostic information the locations of lesions that may cause patients more functional disability and pain pre-operatively and in the future.

Early Clinical Outcome of Patients with Ruptured Cerebral Aneurysms Treated by Endovascular (GDC) or Microsurgical Techniques

Over the past 3.5 years 220 patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage were treated in the Department of Neurosurgery University of Vienna Medical School using either endovascular techniques (Guglielmi Detachable Coils) or open craniotomy with aneurysm clipping.

A retrospective analysis was undertaken to assess whether any difference in outcome could be correlated with the treatment choice.

The patients were stratified as to 1) Hunt and Hess grade at time of treatment, 2) method of treatment, and 3) clinical outcome at 2–4 weeks following treatment.

The outcomes in this population of patients were consistent with recent published series regardless of whether the aneurysms were treated with microvascular surgery or endovascular surgery.

There was a trend toward better outcome in a relatively small sub-group of patients presenting as Hunt and Hess grade III who were treated by the endovascular method. Guglielmi detachable coils have been available for a relatively short time, and although early results are promising, the ultimate long-term efficacy of the coils will have to be assessed.

Radiographic Outcomes of a Mobile-Bearing Total Ankle Replacement

BACKGROUND

Contemporary total ankle prostheses embody design changes intended to address weaknesses in first-generation implants. Due to these changes, outcomes of the newer designs are of particular interest. We have previously published self-reported patient outcomes for the STAR (Scandinavian Total Ankle Replacement) prosthesis. The present study documents radiographic outcome measurements for the STAR prosthesis at intermediate to long-term follow-up.

METHODS

Of 89 consecutive ankle replacements performed between July 1998 and April 2007, 79 had a minimum follow-up of 2 years and were followed prospectively. Serial radiographs were measured by 2 of the authors, including varus, valgus, alpha, beta, and gamma angles, as well as point contact ratio. Inter- and intrarater reliability was calculated and reported. A "severe" subgroup of patients with preoperative coronal plane deformity exceeding 10 degrees was assessed separately. Preoperative and immediate postoperative measurements were compared and maintenance of correction evaluated on subsequent radiographs. Heterotopic ossification and pericomponent lucency were documented and followed, and subsequent procedures were recorded to follow survivorship. The mean follow-up was 8.0 years.

RESULTS

Of the 79 ankles, 25 underwent a secondary surgery (31.6%). Coronal correction averaged 5.1 degrees (P < .001), and this was maintained to final follow-up. The severe subgroup (n = 21), with a mean preoperative coronal angulation of 16.1 degrees, was corrected to 4.6 degrees at final follow-up (P < .001). The severe subgroup had a higher secondary surgery rate at 33.3%, with metallic component revision or failure occurring in 3 cases (14.3%) compared to 8 (10.1%) in the entire cohort. The heterotopic ossification rate was 100%, slightly higher than prior reports.

CONCLUSIONS

STAR prosthesis survivorship was similar to that documented in prior studies of second-generation implants in European patient cohorts. Statistically significant correction in coronal alignment was achieved immediately after surgery and maintained until a final mean follow-up of 8 years, even in patients with preoperative deformity greater than 10 degrees.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III, retrospective cohort study.

Ankle arthrodesis after failed total ankle replacement: a systematic review of the literature

PURPOSE

As the number of total ankle replacements (TARs) performed has risen, so has the need for revision. The purpose of this investigation was to perform a systematic review of clinical outcomes following a salvage ankle arthrodesis from a failed TAR to identify patient- and technique-specific prognostic factors and to determine the clinical outcomes and complications following an ankle arthrodesis for a failed TAR.

METHODS

We searched PubMed, Medline, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials for studies that analyzed ankle fusion after failed TAR with a minimum follow-up of 1 year.

RESULTS

We included 16 studies (193 patients). The majority of patients (41%) underwent the index TAR for rheumatoid arthritis. The majority of these revision surgeries were secondary to component loosening, frequently of the talar component (38%). In the cases that were revised to an ankle arthrodesis, 81% fused after their first arthrodesis procedure. The intercalary bone graft group and the blade plate group had the highest rate of fusion after the first attempt at fusion at 100%, whereas the tibiotalocalcaneal fusion with cage group had the lowest fusion rate at 50%. The overall complication rate was 18.2%, whereas the overall nonunion rate was 10.6%.

CONCLUSION

A salvage ankle arthrodesis for a failed TAR results in favorable clinical end points and overall satisfaction at short-term follow-up if the patients achieve fusion. The bone graft fusion and blade plate group resulted in the highest first-attempt fusion rate, with a low complication rate. Future studies should include prospective, comparative control or surgical groups and use standardized outcome measurements that will make direct comparisons easier.

LEVELS

Level IV: Systematic Review of Level IV Studies.

Glenohumeral joint injections: a review

Context:

Intra-articular injections into the glenohumeral joint are commonly performed by musculoskeletal providers, including orthopaedic surgeons, family medicine physicians, rheumatologists, and physician assistants. Despite their frequent use, there is little guidance for injectable treatments to the glenohumeral joint for conditions such as osteoarthritis, adhesive capsulitis, and rheumatoid arthritis.

Evidence Acquisition:

We performed a comprehensive review of the available literature on glenohumeral injections to help clarify the current evidence-based practice and identify deficits in our understanding. We searched MEDLINE (1948 to December 2011 [week 1]) and EMBASE (1980 to 2011 [week 49]) using various permutations of intra-articular injections AND (corticosteroid OR hyaluronic acid) and (adhesive capsulitis OR arthritis).

Results:

We identified 1 and 7 studies that investigated intra-articular corticosteroid injections for the treatment of osteoarthritis and adhesive capsulitis, respectively. Two and 3 studies investigated the use of hyaluronic acid in osteoarthritis and adhesive capsulitis, respectively. One study compared corticosteroids and hyaluronic acid injections in the treatment of osteoarthritis, and another discussed adhesive capsulitis.

Conclusion:

Based on existing studies and their level of evidence, there is only expert opinion to guide corticosteroid injection for osteoarthritis as well as hyaluronic acid injection for osteoarthritis and adhesive capsulitis.

Abstract P2-11-22: The use and influence of a 21 gene rearrangement assay in breast cancer: Clinical and pathologic predictors of recurrence score and chemotherapy receipt

Objective: Oncotype DxTM (ODx) is a gene expression profile test that is rapidly gaining popularity for its ability to stratify breast cancer patients according to risk of distant recurrence and suggest the potential benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy (CTx). Presently, National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines suggest use of ODx for all patients with node negative (or micrometastatic node positive disease), hormone receptor positive breast cancer with a primary tumor measuring over 5mm. However, if risk factors predictive of a high recurrence score (RS) were defined, clinicians would be better able to tailor use of ODx. This study was undertaken to identify standard clinicopathologic factors that correlate with a high RS by ODx, and to determine whether these factors or RS most influenced receipt of CTx. We also measured compliance with NCCN guidelines regarding ODx utilization.

Methods and Materials: We performed an IRB approved retrospective review of women with invasive breast cancer treated at Yale Cancer Center from 2008-2012 to identify patients that received ODx testing, and abstracted clinical and tumor characteristics including: age, tumor size, grade, histology, lymphovascular invasion (LVI), number of involved nodes, size of nodal metastasis, presence of extracapsular extension, hormone receptor status (including percent positive), HER2 status (by FISH), RS, and receipt of CTx. The RS was categorized into low (&lt;18), intermediate (18-30), and high score (&gt;30). We assessed the association between these characteristics and both high RS as well as CTx receipt using Chi squared tests and Wilcoxon ranked test as appropriate. Characteristics with a p-value &lt;0.1 in bivariate analysis were included in logistic models to estimate the odds of a high RS and receiving CTx.

Results: We identified 432 women with a median age of 58 years. RS was low, intermediate, and high in 56%, 37%, and 7%, respectively. Median tumor size was 1.6cm (range 0.1-13.2). Differentiation was rated as well, moderate, or poor in 32%, 60%, and 8%, respectively. Tumors were hormone receptor positive in 99%. ODx was used outside of NCCN guidelines in 12%. CTx was given to 30% of patients. Younger age, HER2-positivity, LVI, poor differentiation, progesterone receptor positivity (PR+) 50% or less, and RS were associated with receipt of CTx (p&lt; = 0.01) in bivariate analyses. High RS remained independently associated with CTx receipt in multivariate analysis. Poor differentiation, PR+ 50% or less, and HER2-positivity were significantly associated with a high RS (p&lt;0.01), and all remained independently associated with high RS in multivariate analysis. Patients with any one of these three factors had 18% odds of a high RS, versus just 1% among those without such risk factors.

Conclusions: High RS independently influences recommendations for chemotherapy. Poor differentiation, PR+ 50% or less, and HER2-positivity were associated with a high RS. In the absence of any of these three factors, the likelihood of a high RS is minimal. Noncompliance with NCCN guidelines was observed.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2013;73(24 Suppl): Abstract nr P2-11-22.

A trial of prazosin for combat trauma PTSD with nightmares in active-duty soldiers returned from Iraq and Afghanistan

OBJECTIVE

The authors conducted a 15-week randomized controlled trial of the alpha-1 adrenoreceptor antagonist prazosin for combat trauma nightmares, sleep quality, global function, and overall symptoms in active-duty soldiers with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) returned from combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan.

METHOD

Sixty-seven soldiers were randomly assigned to treatment with prazosin or placebo for 15 weeks. Drug was titrated based on nightmare response over 6 weeks to a possible maximum dose of 5 mg midmorning and 20 mg at bedtime for men and 2 mg midmorning and 10 mg at bedtime for women. Mean achieved bedtime doses were 15.6 mg of prazosin (SD=6.0) and 18.8 mg of placebo (SD=3.3) for men and 7.0 mg of prazosin (SD=3.5) and 10.0 mg of placebo (SD=0.0) for women. Mean achieved midmorning doses were 4.0 mg of prazosin (SD=1.4) and 4.8 mg of placebo (SD=0.8) for men and 1.7 mg of prazosin (SD=0.5) and 2.0 mg of placebo (SD=0.0) mg for women. Primary outcome measures were the nightmare item of the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS), the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and the change item of the Clinical Global Impressions Scale anchored to functioning. Secondary outcome measures were the 17-item CAPS, the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, and the Quality of Life Index. Maintenance psychotropic medications and supportive psychotherapy were held constant.

RESULTS

Prazosin was effective for trauma nightmares, sleep quality, global function, CAPS score, and the CAPS hyperarousal symptom cluster. Prazosin was well tolerated, and blood pressure changes did not differ between groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Prazosin is effective for combat-related PTSD with trauma nightmares in active-duty soldiers, and benefits are clinically meaningful. Substantial residual symptoms suggest that studies combining prazosin with effective psychotherapies might demonstrate further benefit.

Outcomes of osteochondral allograft transplantation in the knee

PURPOSE

The objectives of this study were (1) to conduct a systematic review of clinical outcomes after osteochondral allograft transplantation in the knee and (2) to identify patient-, defect-, and graft-specific prognostic factors.

METHODS

We searched PubMed, Medline, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. Studies that evaluated clinical outcomes in adult patients after osteochondral allograft transplantation for chondral defects in the knee were included. Pooled analyses for pertinent continuous and dichotomous variables were performed where appropriate.

RESULTS

There were 19 eligible studies resulting in a total of 644 knees with a mean follow-up of 58 months (range, 19 to 120 months). The overall follow-up rate was 93% (595 of 644). The mean age was 37 years (range, 20 to 62 years), and 303 patients (63%) were men. The methods of procurement and storage time included fresh (61%), prolonged fresh (24%), and fresh frozen (15%). With regard to etiology, the most common indications for transplantation included post-traumatic (38%), osteochondritis dissecans (30%), osteonecrosis from all causes (12%), and idiopathic (11%). Forty-six percent of patients had concomitant procedures, and the mean defect size across studies was 6.3 cm(2). The overall satisfaction rate was 86%. Sixty-five percent of patients (72 of 110) showed little to no arthritis at final follow-up. The reported short-term complication rate was 2.4%, and the overall failure rate was 18%. Heterogeneity in functional outcome measures precluded a meta-analysis; a qualitative synthesis allowed for the identification of several positive and negative prognostic factors.

CONCLUSIONS

Osteochondral allograft transplantation for focal and diffuse (single-compartment) chondral defects results in predictably favorable outcomes and high satisfaction rates at intermediate follow-up. Patients with osteochondritis dissecans and traumatic and idiopathic etiologies have more favorable outcomes, as do younger patients with unipolar lesions and short symptom duration. Future studies should include comparative control groups and use established outcome instruments that will allow for pooling of data across studies.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV, systematic review of Level IV studies.

Simian virus 40-, but not human papillomavirus-, transformation of prostatic epithelial cells results in loss of growth-inhibition by 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D-3

In addition to its well known calcemic actions, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D-3 [1,25(OH)(2)D] exhibits differentiating and antiproliferative effects in several types of cancer cells. 1,25(OH)(2)D receptors (VDR) as well as 1,25(OH)(2)D-mediated growth-inhibition have been demonstrated in human prostate cancer cell lines. In order to further develop model systems for the study of 1,25(OH)(2)D action and to elucidate the mechanism of growth-inhibition, we studied several human prostate cell lines immortalized with either simian virus 40 (SV40) or human papillomavirus type 18 (HPV). The SV40-transformed cell lines P69SV40-T and P153SV40-T were not growth-inhibited by 1,25(OH)(2)D at concentrations as high as 100 nM, whereas the HPV-transformed cells PZ-HPV-7 and CA-HPV-10 were growth-inhibited. All cell lines expressed VDR, and VDR mRNA was demonstrated by Northern blot analysis. All cells exhibited induction of 24-hydroxylase mRNA, a 1,25(OH)(2)D responsive gene, after 1,25(OH)(2)D treatment. In an attempt to understand the apparent dissociation of 1,25(OH)(2)D actions in the SV40-transformed cells, we turned to the human prostate cancer cell line DU 145. These cells, like the SV40-transformed cells, are not growth-inhibited but demonstrate induction of 24-hydroxylase mRNA after 1,25(OH)(2)D treatment. DU 145 cells contain a mutated retinoblastoma gene (Rb) which contributes to their uncontrolled growth, analogous to the disruption of Rb by SV40 and HPV. We compared DU,145 cells to DU 145 cells transfected with normal Rb (DU 145/Rb). Similar to DU 145, DU 145/Rb cells were not growth-inhibited by 1,25(OH)(2)D, while 24-hydroxylase mRNA was induced. These results suggest that divergent pathways mediate the growth-inhibitory effect of 1,25(OH)(2)D and its induction of 24-hydroxylase. It also appears that the antiproliferative effect of 1,25(OH)(2)D is mediated by an Rb-independent mechanism.