Does improved radiographic alignment truly enhance dynamic functional balance?

Prospective, concurrent-cohort study. To establish the relationship between radiographic alignment parameters and functional CoE measurements at one week before and at three months after realignment surgery in ADS patients. Adult degenerative scoliosis (ADS) represents a significant healthcare burden with exceedingly high and increasing prevalence, particularly among the elderly. Radiographic alignment measures and patient-reported outcomes currently serve as the standard means to assess spinal alignment, deformity, and stability. Neurological examinations have served as qualitative measures for indicating muscle strength, motor deficits, and gait abnormalities. Three-Dimensional motion analysis is increasingly being used to identify and measure gait and balance instability. Recently, techniques have been established to quantify balance characteristics described by Dubousset as the “cone of economy” (CoE). The relationship between radiographic alignment parameters and CoE balance measures of ADS patients before and after realignment surgery is currently unknown. 29 ADS patients treated with realignment surgery. Patients were evaluated at one week before realignment surgery and at their three-month follow-up examination. During each evaluation, patients completed self-reported outcomes (visual analog scales for pain, Oswestry Disability Index, SRS22r) and a functional balance test. Mean changes in dependent measures from before to after surgery were compared using paired t-tests. Pearson correlations were used to test for significant correlations between changes in radiographic and CoE measures. Significant improvements were found for all patient-reported outcomes, in several radiographic measures, and in CoE measures. Improvements of scoliosis Cobb angle, coronal pelvic tilt, lumbar lordosis, and thoracic kyphosis showed significant correlations with CoE sway and total distance measures at both the center of mass and center of the head. Improved radiographic alignment measures significantly correlated with improved CoE balance measures among ADS patients treated with realignment surgery at their three-month follow-up. These findings indicate that functional balance evaluations when used in conjunction with radiographic measurements, may provide a more robust and improved patient-specific sensitivity for postoperative assessments. CoE balance may represent a new measure of added value for surgical intervention of ADS.

Total Ankle Arthroplasty Radiographic Alignment Comparison Between Patient-Specific Instrumentation and Standard Instrumentation

Background Several benefits are published supporting patient-specific instrumentation (PSI) in total ankle arthroplasty (TAA). This study seeks to determine if TAA with PSI yields different radiographic outcomes vs standard instrumentation (SI). Methods: Sixty-seven primary TAA patients having surgery using PSI or SI between 2013 and 2015 were retrospectively reviewed using weightbearing radiographs at 6-12 weeks postsurgery. Radiographic parameters analyzed were the medial distal tibia angle (MDTA), talar-tilt angle (TTA), anatomic sagittal distal tibia angle (aSDTA), lateral talar station (LTS), and talar component inclination angle (TCI). A comparison of the 2 groups for each radiologic parameter’s distribution was performed using a nonparametric median test and Fisher exact test. Furthermore, TAAs with all radiographic measurements within acceptable limits were classified as “perfectly aligned.” The rate of “perfectly aligned” TAAs between groups was compared using a Fisher exact test with a significance of .05. Results: Of the 67 TAAs, 51 were done with PSI and 16 with SI. There were no differences between groups in MDTA ( P = .174), TTA ( P = .145), aSDTA ( P = .98), LTS ( P = .922), or TCI angle ( P = .98). When the rate of “perfectly aligned TAA” between the 2 groups were compared, there was no significant difference ( P = .35). Conclusion: No significant radiographic alignment differences were found between PSI and SI implants. This study showed that both techniques achieve reproducible TAA radiographic coronal and sagittal alignment for the tibial component when performed by experienced surgeons. The talar component’s sagittal alignment is similar whether or not PSI was used but is noticeably different from normal anatomic alignment by design. Level of Evidence: Level III, retrospective cohort study using prospectively collected data.

Early Retrieval of Spanning Plates Used for Fixation of Complex Fractures of the Distal Radius

Background Spanning plates are being increasingly used for the treatment of complex fractures of the distal radius. The traditional recommendation is to leave the hardware in place for at least 12 weeks. Questions/Purpose This study assesses the comparative outcomes of spanning plates removed at or before 10 weeks. We hypothesized that acceptable healing and functional outcomes can be achieved with earlier hardware removal to allow for earlier range of motion, rehabilitation, and return to function. Patients and Methods All patients treated for a comminuted, intra-articular distal radius fracture with a temporary spanning plate were identified. Outcomes of bridge plates removed before 10 weeks were compared with plates removed after 12 weeks. Twenty patients in the short duration cohort were compared with 40 patients in the long duration cohort. Results All fractures healed and there were 10 complications (4 short duration, 6 long duration) and 2 reoperations (1 short duration, 1 long duration) in the study population. There were no significant differences in final Quick-DASH scores (27.4 short duration, 20.9 long duration) or radiographic alignment. Mean values for wrist extension and ulnar deviation were significantly worse in the long duration cohort, although these differences are of unclear clinical significance. Conclusion It may be safe to remove spanning bridge plates earlier than what is traditionally recommended. Plate removal at or before 10 weeks did not detract from healing or radiographic alignment. Prospective investigations assessing the optimal duration of fixation for this technique are needed. Level of Evidence This is a Level IV study.

First-Tarsometatarsal Joint Alignment After First-Metatarsophalangeal Joint Arthrodesis for Hallux Valgus

Background: Instability of the first-tarsometatarsal (TMT) joint has been proposed as a cause of hallux valgus. Although there is literature demonstrating how first-TMT arthrodesis affects hallux valgus, there is little published on how correction of hallux valgus affects the first-TMT joint alignment. The purpose of this study was to determine if correction of hallux valgus impacts the first-TMT alignment and congruency. Improvement in alignment would provide evidence that hallux valgus contributes to first-TMT instability. Our hypothesis was that correcting hallux valgus angle (HVA) would have no effect on the first-TMT alignment and congruency. Methods: Radiographs of patients who underwent first-MTP joint arthrodesis for hallux valgus were retrospectively reviewed. The HVA, 1-2 intermetatarsal angle (IMA), first metatarsal–medial cuneiform angle (1MCA), medial cuneiform–first metatarsal angle (MC1A), relative cuneiform slope (RCS), and distal medial cuneiform angle (DMCA) were measured and recorded for all patients preoperatively and postoperatively. Results: Of the 76 feet that met inclusion criteria, radiographic improvements were noted in HVA (23.6 degrees, P < .0001), 1-2 IMA (6.2 degrees, P < .0001), 1MCA (6.4 degrees, P < .0001), MC1A (6.5 degrees, P < .0001), and RCS (3.3 degrees, P = .001) comparing preoperative and postoperative radiographs. There was no difference noted with DMCA measurements (0.5 degrees, P = .53). Conclusion: Our findings indicate that the radiographic alignment and subluxation of the first-TMT joint will reduce with isolated treatment of the first-MTP joint. Evidence suggests that change in the HVA can affect radiographic alignment and subluxation of the first-TMT joint. Level of Evidence: Level IV, retrospective case series.

A Retrospective Comparison of Functional Outcomes of Robotic-Assisted and Conventional Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty

INTRODUCTION: Unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) is effective for alleviating symptoms of arthritis in a single knee compartment; however, errors in alignment and instability may predispose to failure. Robotic technology has improved precision, but its impact on functional recovery after UKA remains unknown. The purpose of this study was to compare early functional recovery, pain, and radiographic alignment in UKA performed with either robotic assistance or conventional methods.METHODS: All consecutive patients undergoing UKA by a single physician from January 2015 to March 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS), KOOS Jr, and VAS (0-10) outcomes scores were collected preoperatively, 1, 6, and 12 weeks postoperatively. Radiographic alignment was assessed at the initial postoperative visit.RESULTS: There were 161 patients, 65 conventional and 96 robotic. At baseline, there was no difference in average age, BMI, or outcomes scores between the two groups. Average preoperative pain was significantly higher in conventional patients (6.1 vs. 5.4; p=0.04). At 3 weeks post-op, conventional UKA patients still had significantly higher pain levels (3.9 vs. 3.1; p=.02). Both groups showed significant improvement in LEF (p&lt;.0001) scores over time (p&lt;.0001). Significant improvement in KOOS Jr. scores from pre-op (52.3) to 6 and 12-weeks postoperatively (67.6, 69.8; p&lt;0.001). When comparing PCS of the VR/SF-12, the robotic-assisted group had significantly higher improvement compared to the conventional group at 6-weeks (40.6 vs. 35.6; p=0.02).CONCLUSION: Robotic assisted UKA resulted in fewer radiographic outliers, and more rapid recovery with less early postoperative pain although functional differences tended to equilibrate by 3 months postoperatively.

Early Outcomes of 3D Printed Total Talus Arthroplasty

Background. Patients with talar avascular necrosis (AVN) have limited treatment options to manage their symptoms. Historically, surgical options have been limited and can leave patients with little ankle motion and have high failure rates. The use of custom 3D printed total talar replacements (TTRs) has arisen as a treatment option for these patients, possibly allowing better preservation of hindfoot motion. We hypothesized that patients undergoing TTR will demonstrate a statistically significant improvement in Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS) at 1 year after surgery. Methods. We retrospectively reviewed 15 patients who underwent a TTR over a 2-year period. Patient outcomes were reviewed, including age, sex, comorbidities, etiology of talar pathology, number and type of prior surgeries, radiographic alignment, FAOS and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) score, and range of motion. Data analysis was performed with Student t-tests and multivariate regression. Results. FAOSs and VAS scores showed statistically significant improvements postoperatively as compared with preoperative scores. There was a statistically significant decrease in VAS pain scores from 7.0 preoperatively to 3.6 (P < .001). Average follow-up was 12.8 months. With the number of patients available, there was no statistically significant change in radiographic alignment parameters postoperatively as compared with preoperatively (P values ranged from .225 to .617). Conclusion. Our hypothesis that these patients show statistically significant improvements in FAOSs at 1 year was confirmed. TTR represents an exciting treatment option for patients with talar AVN, though longer-term follow-up is needed. Level of Evidence: Level IV: Case series