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Four patients with soft tissue defects around the ankle joint were covered with peroneal artery perforator-based propeller flaps. Using color Doppler sonography, the flap was designed by considering the location of the perforator and soft tissue defects. The procedure was then performed by rotating the flap by 180o. Additional skin graft was required in a patient due to partial necrosis, and delayed wound repair was performed in another patient with poor blood circulation at the distal part of the flap. The remaining patients did not have any complications and results were considered excellent. Good outcomes were eventually obtained for all patients.
Ankle Joint* ; Arteries* ; Blood Circulation ; Humans ; Necrosis ; Skin ; Transplants ; Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color ; Wounds and Injuries

Fracture and fracture-dislocation of the ankle may be caused by a variety of mechanisms. In addition to the fracture, injury of soft tissue such as ligaments, tendons, nerves, and muscles may occur. Among these, tibialis posterior tendon injury is difficult to identify due to swelling and pain at the fracture site. There is no clear finding in radiological examination, therefore, it is found during surgery. In this case, irreducible fracture-dislocation of the ankle due to tibialis posterior tendon interposition was observed after the primary operation. The authors obtained satisfactory results in performance of a secondary operation assisted with arthroscopy.
Ankle Fractures ; Ankle* ; Arthroscopy ; Ligaments ; Muscles ; Tendon Injuries ; Tendons*

A schwannoma is a benign neurogenic tumor derived from Schwann cells. A rare case of a large painful schwannoma in the foot with metatarsal deformity was presented. Due to suspicion of malignancy, amputation had been recommended previously. We report on a rare case of a large forefoot schwannoma causing pain and paresthesia of the forefoot.
Amputation ; Foot ; Foot Deformities ; Neurilemmoma* ; Paresthesia ; Schwann Cells

Chronic extensor hallucis longus tendon ruptures are very rare, and may lead to hallux dysfunction. To the best of our knowledge, reconstruction of a chronic extensor hallucis longus rupture using interposed scar tissue has not been previously reported. Our results show that direct repair method using interposed scar tissue for chronic extensor hallucis longus rupture can successfully restore function of the hallux and provide good satisfaction in carefully selected patients.
Cicatrix* ; Hallux ; Humans ; Rupture* ; Tendons*

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the radiological and clinical outcomes of tibiotalocalcaneal arthrodesis using retrograde compressive intramedullary nail for patients with complex hindfoot problems, including Charcot arthropathy, osteonecrosis of talus, combined arthritis of the ankle and subtalar joint, failure of previous ankle arthrodesis, and failed total ankle arthroplasty. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighteen consecutive patients (10 men and 8 women) with an average age of 54 years (range, 42~72 years) underwent tibiotalocalcaneal arthrodesis using retrograde compressive intramedullary nail fixation. The mean duration of follow-up was 16 months (range, 12~23 months). Radiological evaluation included assessment of the union status of ankle and subtalar joints. Clinical evaluations included visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain and patient satisfaction, and postoperative complications were analyzed. RESULTS: Radiological union was achieved in 14 ankle joints (77%) and 16 subtalar joints (88%) at an average of 16 weeks (range, 14~40 weeks) and 14 weeks (range, 12~24 weeks), respectively. The preoperative VAS were 4.6 (range, 4~8) at rest and 8.2 (range, 7~10) during walking, and the postoperative VAS were 2.2 (range, 0~3) and 4.6 (range, 4~6), respectively (p<0.05). There were 6 nonunions (4 ankle joints and 2 subtalar joints), 3 tibia fractures, 2 delayed union of ankle joints, and 2 breakage of the implant. CONCLUSION: Tibiotalocalcaneal arthrodesis using retrograde compressive intramedullary nail may be considered as a viable option in patients with complex hindfoot problems.
Ankle ; Ankle Joint ; Arthritis ; Arthrodesis* ; Arthroplasty ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Osteonecrosis ; Patient Satisfaction ; Postoperative Complications ; Subtalar Joint ; Talus ; Tibia ; Walking

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to develop guidelines for clinical trial of the total ankle replacement system for premarket approval. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We selected and analyzed nine peer-reviewed articles whose quality had been proven in a previous phase. Two investigators extracted parameters for guideline criteria, including number of cases, patient age, follow-up period, failure rate, radiographic osteolysis rate, residual pain rate, and percentage of satisfaction. In addition, the inclusion and exclusion criteria were analyzed and developed. RESULTS: Eight level IV studies and one level II study were included. The average number of cases was 159 cases and the mean patient age was 63.5 years. The mean follow-up period was 4.2 years, ranging from two to nine. The average failure rate of total ankle replacement in mid- to long-term follow-up was approximately 13% (2%~32.3%). The rate of osteolysis was approximately 18%. Residual pain was common (21.4%~46%), but overall patient satisfaction was approximately 85.6% (67.5%~97%). CONCLUSION: The results could be used as criteria for designing the clinical studies, such as number of cases, patient age (over 60 years), and follow-up period (minimum two years). The clinical scoring system and 36-item short form health survey (SF-36) was the most commonly used method for clinical evaluation for total ankle arthroplasty. In addition, the overall results, including failure rate, osteolysis rate, and patient satisfaction, could be used as a parameter of guidelines for premarket approval.
Ankle* ; Arthritis ; Arthroplasty* ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Ankle ; Follow-Up Studies ; Health Surveys ; Humans ; Osteolysis ; Patient Satisfaction ; Research Personnel

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical and radiologic results of arthrodesis between anterior approach and transfibular approach arthrodesis in ankle arthritis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: There were 61 cases of ankle arthritis treated by anterior or transfibular ankle arthrodesis in our hospital from April 2008 to March 2012. We investigated 29 cases (27 patients) who underwent ankle arthrodesis with an anterior approach (15 cases) and transfibular approach (14 cases), and were followed for over two years. Clinically, American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot score, pain visual analogue scale (VAS), and subjective satisfaction degrees were evaluated. In addition, ankle coronal and sagittal alignments were evaluated using plain radiographs at 6 and 24 months, postoperatively. RESULTS: Clinically, preoperative mean AOFAS score and VAS was 41.3 and 6.4, and were changed to 58.9 and 3.3 postoperatively in the anterior approach group. In the transfibular approach group, preoperative mean AOFAS score was 36.6 and VAS was 7.1, and they were changed to 54.9 and 3.4 postoperatively. However, no significant differences in the clinical results were observed between the two groups (p=0.297). Duration of attaining union was 8.1 weeks in the anterior approach group and 10.4 weeks in the transfibular approach group. Complications were delayed union in one case, nonunion in three cases, cancellous screw breakage in three cases, and complex regional reflex syndrome in one case. CONCLUSION: After transfibular ankle arthrodesis as treatment of ankle osteoarthritis, the tendency for valgus angulation of the ankle at the final follow-up was observed and 6.5 mm cancellous screw breakage occurred frequently. Therefore, in order to achieve better stability, it is necessary to use 6.5 mm cannulated screws rather than 6.5 mm cancellous screws for ankle arthrodesis.
Ankle* ; Arthritis ; Arthrodesis* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Foot ; Osteoarthritis* ; Reflex

PURPOSE: The accepted general management principle after ankle arthrodesis is to maintain non-weight bearing for 6 to 8 weeks. The aim of this study was to report clinical outcome of patients allowed early weight bearing after arthroscopic arthrodesis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed medical records and radiographs to determine fusion rate and complication risk of 22 sequential patients allowed to walk under short leg cast within 3 days after arthroscopic ankle arthrodesis using 2 screws from January 2008 to June 2012. The minimum follow-up period was 18 months, and the mean age of the patients was 67 years. RESULTS: The mean visual analog scale was decreased from 8.9 points preoperatively to 2.3 points after 12 months. Complete ankle fusion was achieved in 19 patients (86.4%) at 3-month follow-up. There were 2 cases of delayed union and one case of nonunion at 12-month follow-up. There was no other complication such as wound problem, persistent swelling of the ankle. CONCLUSION: Bony union may not be interfered even though patients were allowed to walk under cast within a few days after arthroscopic ankle arthrodesis.
Ankle* ; Arthrodesis* ; Arthroscopy ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Leg ; Medical Records ; Visual Analog Scale ; Walking* ; Weight-Bearing* ; Wounds and Injuries

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the frequency of troughing and stress fracture, which are the major complications of scarf osteotomy, and to suggest methods to prevent these complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed 243 cases of 137 patients treated with the scarf osteotomy for hallux valgus from January 2005 to December 2012. The mean follow-up period was 2.8 years. During the scarf osteotomy, a long oblique longitudinal osteotomy was performed in order to decrease the possibility of troughing and stress fracture. Radiographs of lateral view of the foot were obtained and the thicknesses of the first metatarsal base at the sagittal plane were measured and compared. RESULTS: There was no troughing during fragment translation and screw fixation intraoperatively. Radiographs of lateral view of the foot taken preoperatively and at the last follow-up showed that the mean thickness of the first metatarsal was 22.4 mm preoperatively and 21.6 mm at the last follow-up, with a mean difference of 0.8 mm. And no stress fracture was observed. CONCLUSION: To prevent troughing and stress fracture, a long oblique longitudinal cut, parallel to the first metatarsal plantar surface, was performed, making both ends of the proximal segment truncated cone-shape, and securing the strong bony strut of the proximal segment. No troughing or stress fracture was experienced with scarf osteotomy.
Follow-Up Studies ; Foot ; Fractures, Stress ; Hallux Valgus* ; Humans ; Metatarsal Bones ; Osteotomy*