Foot & Ankle

ABSTRACT

Anterior ankle impingement is a frequent cause of pain and disability in athletes with impingement of soft-tissue or osseous structures along the anterior margin of the tibiotalar joint during dorsiflexion.

In this study, we hypothesized that arthroscopic decompression of anterior ankle impingement would result in significant, reliable, and durable improvement in pain and range of motion (ROM), and would allow National Football League (NFL) players to return to their preoperative level of play.

We reviewed 29 arthroscopic ankle débridements performed by a single surgeon. Each NFL player underwent arthroscopic débridement of pathologic soft tissue and of tibial and talar osteophytes in the anterior ankle. Preoperative and postoperative visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores, American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) hindfoot scores, and ankle ROM were compared; time to return to play (RTP), events missed secondary to surgery, and complications were recorded.

All athletes returned to the same level of NFL play at a mean (SD) of 8.4 (4.1) weeks after surgery and continued playing for a mean (SD) of 3.43 (2.57) years after surgery. Mean (SD) VAS pain scores decreased significantly (P < .001), to 0.38 (0.89) from 4.21 (1.52). Mean (SD) active ankle dorsiflexion increased significantly (P < .001), to 18.86° (2.62°) from 8.28° (4.14°). Mean (SD) AOFAS hindfoot scores increased significantly (P < .001), to 97.45 (4.72) from 70.62 (10.39). Degree of arthritis (r = 0.305) and age (r = 0.106) were poorly correlated to time to RTP.

In all cases, arthroscopic débridement of anterior ankle impingement resulted in RTP at the same level at a mean of 2 months after surgery. There were significant improvements in VAS pain scores, AOFAS hindfoot scores, and ROM.

Arthroscopic débridement of anterior ankle impingement relieves pain, restores ROM and function, and results in reliable RTP in professional football players.

Continue to: Anterior ankle impingement...

Anterior ankle impingement is a frequent cause of disability in athletes.¹ This condition results from repetitive trauma over time, which leads to osseous and soft-tissue impingement, pain, and decreased ankle range of motion (ROM).

First termed footballer’s ankle, this condition is linked to repeated, forceful plantarflexion,² though later studies attributed the phenomenon to repeated dorsiflexion resulting in periosteal hemorrhage.³ Both osseous and soft-tissue structures can cause impingement at the tibiotalar joint, often with osteophytes anteromedially at the tibial talar joint. Soft-tissue structures, including hypertrophic synovium, meniscoid lesions, and a thickened anterior talofibular ligament, more often cause anterolateral impingement.^4-6 This process results in pain in extreme dorsiflexion, which comes into play in almost all football maneuvers, including sprinting, back-peddling, and offensive and defensive stances. Therefore, maintenance of pain-free dorsiflexion is required for high-level football. Decreased ROM can lead to decreased ability to perform these high-level athletic functions and can limit performance.

Arthroscopic débridement improves functional outcomes and functional motion in both athletes and nonathletes.^7,8 In addition, findings of a recent systematic review provide support for arthroscopic treatment of ankle impingement.⁹ Although arthroscopic treatment is effective in nonathletes and recreational athletes,¹⁰ there is a paucity of data on the efficacy of this procedure and on time to return to play (RTP) in professional football players.

We conducted a study to evaluate the outcomes (pain, ROM, RTP) of arthroscopic débridement for anterior ankle impingement in National Football League (NFL) players. We hypothesized that arthroscopic decompression of anterior ankle impingement would result in significant, reliable, and durable improvement in pain and ROM, and would allow NFL players to return to their preoperative level of play.

METHODS

After this study was granted Institutional Review Board approval, we retrospectively reviewed a consecutive series of arthroscopically treated anterior ankle impingement athletes by a single surgeon (JPB). Indications for surgery were anterior ankle impingement resulting in ankle pain and decreased ROM that interfered with sport. Active NFL players who underwent ankle arthroscopy for symptomatic anterior ankle impingement were included. Excluded were players who underwent surgery after retirement or who retired before returning to play for reasons unrelated to the ankle. Medical records, operative reports, and rehabilitation reports were reviewed.

Continue to: Preoperative and postoperative...

Preoperative and postoperative visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores, American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) hindfoot scores, and ankle ROM were compared; time to RTP, events missed secondary to surgery, and complications were recorded. These preoperative and postoperative variables were compared with paired Student 2-way t tests for continuous variables. Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated.

PROCEDURE

Ankle arthroscopy was performed with the patient supine after spinal or general anesthesia was induced. Prophylactic antibiotics were given in each case. Arthroscopy was performed with standard anterolateral and anteromedial portals. First, an incision was made through skin only, followed by blunt subcutaneous dissection down to the ankle capsule. A capsulotomy was then made bluntly. Care was taken to avoid all neurovascular structures. Posterior portals were not used. A 2.7-mm arthroscope was inserted and alternated between the anteromedial and anterolateral portals to maximally visualize the ankle joint. Diagnostic arthroscopy was performed to document synovitis, chondral injury, osseous, and soft-tissue impingement and any other noted pathology (Figures 1A-1C).

A full radius resector was then used to perform a synovectomy and débridement of impinging soft tissue from the anterior talofibular ligament or anterior inferior talofibular ligament. All patients underwent arthroscopic débridement of pathologic soft tissue and of tibial and talar osteophytes in the anterior ankle. A small burr was used to débride and remove the osteophytes on the talus and/or tibia. Soft-tissue and osseous structures were resected until the contours of the talus and tibia were normal. Any unstable articular defects were débrided and loose bodies were removed. Ankle ROM was checked to confirm complete resolution of impingement (Figures 2A-2D). Patients were not immobilized and were allowed progressive weight-bearing as tolerated. Crutches were used for assisted ambulation the first 3 to 5 postoperative days.

Physical therapy progressed through 3 phases: (1) inflammation control and ROM restoration, (2) initiation of ankle strengthening, including eversion and inversion, and (3) agility, proprioception, and functional rehabilitation.

RESULTS

Twenty-five NFL players (29 surgeries) were included in the study. Two players were excluded because they had retired at the end of the season before the surgery for reasons unrelated to the operative ankle. Mean (SD) age was 28.1 (2.9) years. Six included players had a history of ankle sprains, 1 had a history of ipsilateral ankle fracture, and 1 had a history of ipsilateral ankle dislocation. Table 1 lists the positions of players who underwent ankle arthroscopic decompression.

Table 1. Positions of National Football League Players Who Underwent Ankle Arthroscopic Decompression for Anterior Ankle Impingement

Continue to: During diagnostic arthroscopy...

During diagnostic arthroscopy, changes to the articular cartilage were noted: grade 0 in 38% of patients, grade 1 in 17%, grade 2 in 21%, grade 3 in 21%, and grade 4 in 3%. Four patients had an osteochondral lesion (<1 cm in each case), which was treated with chondroplasty without microfracture.

Each included patient returned to NFL play. Mean (SD) time to RTP without restrictions was 8.4 (4.1) weeks after surgery (range, 2-20 weeks). There was a poor correlation between degree of chondrosis and time to RTP (r = 0.305). In addition, there was a poor correlation between age and time to RTP (r = 0.106).

Dorsiflexion improved significantly (P < .001), patients had significantly less pain after surgery (P < .001), and AOFAS hindfoot scores improved significantly (P < .001) (Table 2).

Table 2. Preoperative and Postoperative Dorsiflexion, Pain, and AOFAS Score Before and After Arthroscopic Débridement of Anterior Ankle Impingement^a

^aAll values were significantly improved after surgery (P < .001).

Abbreviations: AOFAS, American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society; VAS, visual analog scale.

The athletes played in the NFL for a mean (SD) of 3.43 (2.57) years after surgery (range, 1-10 seasons). These players included 6 who were still active at time of publication. No patient required revision surgery or additional surgery on the ipsilateral ankle. The one patient who was treated for superficial thrombophlebitis after surgery reported symptoms before surgery as well.

DISCUSSION

Arthroscopic decompression of anterior ankle impingement is safe and significantly improves pain and ROM in professional American football players. The procedure results in reliable RTP at an elite level, with durable results over the time remaining in their NFL careers.

Continue to: before the 1988 study by Hawkins...

Before the 1988 study by Hawkins,¹¹ ankle spurs were removed with open procedures. Hawkins¹¹ used arthroscopy for better and safer visualization of the ankle joint and used a burr for less painful removal of spurs from the tibia and the talus. In 2002, a series of 105 patients (median age, 35 years) had reduced pain and improved function a minimum of 2 years after arthroscopic débridement.¹² These patients had a mix of pathology, including soft-tissue impingement, bony impingement, chondral lesions, loose bodies, and osteoarthritis.

For many elite athletes, anterior ankle impingement can cause significant limitation. Reduced ankle dorsiflexion can alter all limb mechanics and predispose athletes to injury.¹³ In addition, because NFL players’ ankle ROM often approaches or exceeds normal physiologic limits,¹⁴ an ankle ROM limitation will often hinder their performance.

Miyamoto and colleagues¹⁵ studied a series of 9 professional athletes (6 soccer players, 1 baseball pitcher, 1 mixed martial artist, 1 golfer) who underwent decompression of both anterior and posterior impingement. With regard to anterior impingement, they found anterior osteophytes in all the ankles, as was seen in the present study. Furthermore, they noted that mean dorsiflexion improved from 10° before surgery to 15° after surgery and that their athletes returned to play 12 to 15 weeks after surgery. Their results are similar to ours, though we noted more improvement in dorsiflexion, from 8.28° before surgery to 18.86° after surgery.

One of the most important metrics in evaluating treatment options for professional athletes is time from surgery to RTP without restrictions. Mean time to full RTP was shorter in our study (8.4 weeks) than in the study by Miyamoto and colleagues¹⁵ (up to 20 weeks). However, many of their procedures were performed during the off-season, when there was no need to expeditiously clear patients for full sports participation. In addition, the patients in their study had both anterior and posterior pathology.

Faster return to high-level athletics was supported in a study of 11 elite ballet dancers,¹⁶ whose pain and dance performance improved after arthroscopic débridement. Of the 11 patients, 9 returned to dance at a mean of 7 weeks after surgery; the other 2 required reoperation. Although the pathology differed in their study of elite professional soccer players, Calder and colleagues¹⁷ found that mean time to RTP after ankle arthroscopy for posterior impingement was 5 weeks.

Continue to: For the NFL players in our study...

For the NFL players in our study, RTP at their elite level was 100% after arthroscopic débridement of anterior ankle impingement. In the literature, time to RTP varies. Table 3 lists RTP rates for recreational athletes in published studies.^18-27 In their recent systematic literature review, Zwiers and colleagues¹⁰ noted that 24% to 96.4% of recreational athletes returned to play after arthroscopic treatment for anterior ankle impingement. The percentage was significantly higher for the professional athletes in our study. Historical comparison supports an evolution in the indications and techniques for this procedure, with more recent literature suggesting a RTP rate much higher than earlier rates. In addition, compared with recreational athletes, professional athletes have strong financial incentives to return to their sports. Furthermore, our professional cohort was significantly younger than the recreational cohorts in those studies.

Table 3. Frequency of Recreational Athletes’ Return to Play After Arthroscopic Débridement of Anterior Ankle Impingement, as Reported in the Literature

Current recommendations for recreational athletes include initial conservative treatment with rest, ankle bracing, and avoidance of jumping and other repetitive dorsiflexing activities. Physical therapy should include joint mobilization and work along the entire kinetic chain. Night splints or a removable walking boot can be used temporarily, as can a single intra-articular corticosteroid injection to reduce inflammation and evaluate improvement in more refractory cases.²⁸ Commonly, conservative treatments fail if patients remain active, and soft tissue and/or osteophytes can be resected, though resection typically is reserved for recreational athletes for whom nonoperative treatments have been exhausted.^29,30

This study had several limitations, including its retrospective nature and lack of control group. In addition, follow-up was relatively short, and we did not use more recently described outcome measures, such as the Sports subscale of the Foot and Ankle Ability Measure, which may be more sensitive in describing function in elite athletes. However, many of the cases in our study predated these measures, but the rate of RTP at the NFL level requires a very high degree of postoperative ankle function, making this outcome the most meaningful. In the context of professional athletes, specifically the length of their careers, our study results provide valuable information regarding expectations about RTP and the durability of arthroscopic débridement of anterior ankle impingement in a high-demand setting.

CONCLUSION

For all the NFL players in this study, arthroscopic débridement of anterior ankle impingement resulted in return to preoperative level of play at a mean of 2 months after surgery. There were significant improvements in VAS pain scores, AOFAS hindfoot scores, and ROM. Arthroscopic débridement of anterior ankle impingement relieves pain, restores ROM and function, and results in reliable RTP in professional football players.

ABSTRACT

Anterior ankle impingement is a frequent cause of pain and disability in athletes with impingement of soft-tissue or osseous structures along the anterior margin of the tibiotalar joint during dorsiflexion.

In this study, we hypothesized that arthroscopic decompression of anterior ankle impingement would result in significant, reliable, and durable improvement in pain and range of motion (ROM), and would allow National Football League (NFL) players to return to their preoperative level of play.

We reviewed 29 arthroscopic ankle débridements performed by a single surgeon. Each NFL player underwent arthroscopic débridement of pathologic soft tissue and of tibial and talar osteophytes in the anterior ankle. Preoperative and postoperative visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores, American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) hindfoot scores, and ankle ROM were compared; time to return to play (RTP), events missed secondary to surgery, and complications were recorded.

All athletes returned to the same level of NFL play at a mean (SD) of 8.4 (4.1) weeks after surgery and continued playing for a mean (SD) of 3.43 (2.57) years after surgery. Mean (SD) VAS pain scores decreased significantly (P < .001), to 0.38 (0.89) from 4.21 (1.52). Mean (SD) active ankle dorsiflexion increased significantly (P < .001), to 18.86° (2.62°) from 8.28° (4.14°). Mean (SD) AOFAS hindfoot scores increased significantly (P < .001), to 97.45 (4.72) from 70.62 (10.39). Degree of arthritis (r = 0.305) and age (r = 0.106) were poorly correlated to time to RTP.

In all cases, arthroscopic débridement of anterior ankle impingement resulted in RTP at the same level at a mean of 2 months after surgery. There were significant improvements in VAS pain scores, AOFAS hindfoot scores, and ROM.

Arthroscopic débridement of anterior ankle impingement relieves pain, restores ROM and function, and results in reliable RTP in professional football players.

Continue to: Anterior ankle impingement...

Anterior ankle impingement is a frequent cause of disability in athletes.¹ This condition results from repetitive trauma over time, which leads to osseous and soft-tissue impingement, pain, and decreased ankle range of motion (ROM).

First termed footballer’s ankle, this condition is linked to repeated, forceful plantarflexion,² though later studies attributed the phenomenon to repeated dorsiflexion resulting in periosteal hemorrhage.³ Both osseous and soft-tissue structures can cause impingement at the tibiotalar joint, often with osteophytes anteromedially at the tibial talar joint. Soft-tissue structures, including hypertrophic synovium, meniscoid lesions, and a thickened anterior talofibular ligament, more often cause anterolateral impingement.^4-6 This process results in pain in extreme dorsiflexion, which comes into play in almost all football maneuvers, including sprinting, back-peddling, and offensive and defensive stances. Therefore, maintenance of pain-free dorsiflexion is required for high-level football. Decreased ROM can lead to decreased ability to perform these high-level athletic functions and can limit performance.

Arthroscopic débridement improves functional outcomes and functional motion in both athletes and nonathletes.^7,8 In addition, findings of a recent systematic review provide support for arthroscopic treatment of ankle impingement.⁹ Although arthroscopic treatment is effective in nonathletes and recreational athletes,¹⁰ there is a paucity of data on the efficacy of this procedure and on time to return to play (RTP) in professional football players.

We conducted a study to evaluate the outcomes (pain, ROM, RTP) of arthroscopic débridement for anterior ankle impingement in National Football League (NFL) players. We hypothesized that arthroscopic decompression of anterior ankle impingement would result in significant, reliable, and durable improvement in pain and ROM, and would allow NFL players to return to their preoperative level of play.

METHODS

After this study was granted Institutional Review Board approval, we retrospectively reviewed a consecutive series of arthroscopically treated anterior ankle impingement athletes by a single surgeon (JPB). Indications for surgery were anterior ankle impingement resulting in ankle pain and decreased ROM that interfered with sport. Active NFL players who underwent ankle arthroscopy for symptomatic anterior ankle impingement were included. Excluded were players who underwent surgery after retirement or who retired before returning to play for reasons unrelated to the ankle. Medical records, operative reports, and rehabilitation reports were reviewed.

Continue to: Preoperative and postoperative...

Preoperative and postoperative visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores, American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) hindfoot scores, and ankle ROM were compared; time to RTP, events missed secondary to surgery, and complications were recorded. These preoperative and postoperative variables were compared with paired Student 2-way t tests for continuous variables. Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated.

PROCEDURE

Ankle arthroscopy was performed with the patient supine after spinal or general anesthesia was induced. Prophylactic antibiotics were given in each case. Arthroscopy was performed with standard anterolateral and anteromedial portals. First, an incision was made through skin only, followed by blunt subcutaneous dissection down to the ankle capsule. A capsulotomy was then made bluntly. Care was taken to avoid all neurovascular structures. Posterior portals were not used. A 2.7-mm arthroscope was inserted and alternated between the anteromedial and anterolateral portals to maximally visualize the ankle joint. Diagnostic arthroscopy was performed to document synovitis, chondral injury, osseous, and soft-tissue impingement and any other noted pathology (Figures 1A-1C).

A full radius resector was then used to perform a synovectomy and débridement of impinging soft tissue from the anterior talofibular ligament or anterior inferior talofibular ligament. All patients underwent arthroscopic débridement of pathologic soft tissue and of tibial and talar osteophytes in the anterior ankle. A small burr was used to débride and remove the osteophytes on the talus and/or tibia. Soft-tissue and osseous structures were resected until the contours of the talus and tibia were normal. Any unstable articular defects were débrided and loose bodies were removed. Ankle ROM was checked to confirm complete resolution of impingement (Figures 2A-2D). Patients were not immobilized and were allowed progressive weight-bearing as tolerated. Crutches were used for assisted ambulation the first 3 to 5 postoperative days.

Physical therapy progressed through 3 phases: (1) inflammation control and ROM restoration, (2) initiation of ankle strengthening, including eversion and inversion, and (3) agility, proprioception, and functional rehabilitation.

RESULTS

Twenty-five NFL players (29 surgeries) were included in the study. Two players were excluded because they had retired at the end of the season before the surgery for reasons unrelated to the operative ankle. Mean (SD) age was 28.1 (2.9) years. Six included players had a history of ankle sprains, 1 had a history of ipsilateral ankle fracture, and 1 had a history of ipsilateral ankle dislocation. Table 1 lists the positions of players who underwent ankle arthroscopic decompression.

Table 1. Positions of National Football League Players Who Underwent Ankle Arthroscopic Decompression for Anterior Ankle Impingement

Continue to: During diagnostic arthroscopy...

During diagnostic arthroscopy, changes to the articular cartilage were noted: grade 0 in 38% of patients, grade 1 in 17%, grade 2 in 21%, grade 3 in 21%, and grade 4 in 3%. Four patients had an osteochondral lesion (<1 cm in each case), which was treated with chondroplasty without microfracture.

Each included patient returned to NFL play. Mean (SD) time to RTP without restrictions was 8.4 (4.1) weeks after surgery (range, 2-20 weeks). There was a poor correlation between degree of chondrosis and time to RTP (r = 0.305). In addition, there was a poor correlation between age and time to RTP (r = 0.106).

Dorsiflexion improved significantly (P < .001), patients had significantly less pain after surgery (P < .001), and AOFAS hindfoot scores improved significantly (P < .001) (Table 2).

Table 2. Preoperative and Postoperative Dorsiflexion, Pain, and AOFAS Score Before and After Arthroscopic Débridement of Anterior Ankle Impingement^a

^aAll values were significantly improved after surgery (P < .001).

Abbreviations: AOFAS, American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society; VAS, visual analog scale.

The athletes played in the NFL for a mean (SD) of 3.43 (2.57) years after surgery (range, 1-10 seasons). These players included 6 who were still active at time of publication. No patient required revision surgery or additional surgery on the ipsilateral ankle. The one patient who was treated for superficial thrombophlebitis after surgery reported symptoms before surgery as well.

DISCUSSION

Arthroscopic decompression of anterior ankle impingement is safe and significantly improves pain and ROM in professional American football players. The procedure results in reliable RTP at an elite level, with durable results over the time remaining in their NFL careers.

Continue to: before the 1988 study by Hawkins...

Before the 1988 study by Hawkins,¹¹ ankle spurs were removed with open procedures. Hawkins¹¹ used arthroscopy for better and safer visualization of the ankle joint and used a burr for less painful removal of spurs from the tibia and the talus. In 2002, a series of 105 patients (median age, 35 years) had reduced pain and improved function a minimum of 2 years after arthroscopic débridement.¹² These patients had a mix of pathology, including soft-tissue impingement, bony impingement, chondral lesions, loose bodies, and osteoarthritis.

For many elite athletes, anterior ankle impingement can cause significant limitation. Reduced ankle dorsiflexion can alter all limb mechanics and predispose athletes to injury.¹³ In addition, because NFL players’ ankle ROM often approaches or exceeds normal physiologic limits,¹⁴ an ankle ROM limitation will often hinder their performance.

Miyamoto and colleagues¹⁵ studied a series of 9 professional athletes (6 soccer players, 1 baseball pitcher, 1 mixed martial artist, 1 golfer) who underwent decompression of both anterior and posterior impingement. With regard to anterior impingement, they found anterior osteophytes in all the ankles, as was seen in the present study. Furthermore, they noted that mean dorsiflexion improved from 10° before surgery to 15° after surgery and that their athletes returned to play 12 to 15 weeks after surgery. Their results are similar to ours, though we noted more improvement in dorsiflexion, from 8.28° before surgery to 18.86° after surgery.

One of the most important metrics in evaluating treatment options for professional athletes is time from surgery to RTP without restrictions. Mean time to full RTP was shorter in our study (8.4 weeks) than in the study by Miyamoto and colleagues¹⁵ (up to 20 weeks). However, many of their procedures were performed during the off-season, when there was no need to expeditiously clear patients for full sports participation. In addition, the patients in their study had both anterior and posterior pathology.

Faster return to high-level athletics was supported in a study of 11 elite ballet dancers,¹⁶ whose pain and dance performance improved after arthroscopic débridement. Of the 11 patients, 9 returned to dance at a mean of 7 weeks after surgery; the other 2 required reoperation. Although the pathology differed in their study of elite professional soccer players, Calder and colleagues¹⁷ found that mean time to RTP after ankle arthroscopy for posterior impingement was 5 weeks.

Continue to: For the NFL players in our study...

For the NFL players in our study, RTP at their elite level was 100% after arthroscopic débridement of anterior ankle impingement. In the literature, time to RTP varies. Table 3 lists RTP rates for recreational athletes in published studies.^18-27 In their recent systematic literature review, Zwiers and colleagues¹⁰ noted that 24% to 96.4% of recreational athletes returned to play after arthroscopic treatment for anterior ankle impingement. The percentage was significantly higher for the professional athletes in our study. Historical comparison supports an evolution in the indications and techniques for this procedure, with more recent literature suggesting a RTP rate much higher than earlier rates. In addition, compared with recreational athletes, professional athletes have strong financial incentives to return to their sports. Furthermore, our professional cohort was significantly younger than the recreational cohorts in those studies.

Table 3. Frequency of Recreational Athletes’ Return to Play After Arthroscopic Débridement of Anterior Ankle Impingement, as Reported in the Literature

Current recommendations for recreational athletes include initial conservative treatment with rest, ankle bracing, and avoidance of jumping and other repetitive dorsiflexing activities. Physical therapy should include joint mobilization and work along the entire kinetic chain. Night splints or a removable walking boot can be used temporarily, as can a single intra-articular corticosteroid injection to reduce inflammation and evaluate improvement in more refractory cases.²⁸ Commonly, conservative treatments fail if patients remain active, and soft tissue and/or osteophytes can be resected, though resection typically is reserved for recreational athletes for whom nonoperative treatments have been exhausted.^29,30

This study had several limitations, including its retrospective nature and lack of control group. In addition, follow-up was relatively short, and we did not use more recently described outcome measures, such as the Sports subscale of the Foot and Ankle Ability Measure, which may be more sensitive in describing function in elite athletes. However, many of the cases in our study predated these measures, but the rate of RTP at the NFL level requires a very high degree of postoperative ankle function, making this outcome the most meaningful. In the context of professional athletes, specifically the length of their careers, our study results provide valuable information regarding expectations about RTP and the durability of arthroscopic débridement of anterior ankle impingement in a high-demand setting.

CONCLUSION

For all the NFL players in this study, arthroscopic débridement of anterior ankle impingement resulted in return to preoperative level of play at a mean of 2 months after surgery. There were significant improvements in VAS pain scores, AOFAS hindfoot scores, and ROM. Arthroscopic débridement of anterior ankle impingement relieves pain, restores ROM and function, and results in reliable RTP in professional football players.

ABSTRACT

Anterior ankle impingement is a frequent cause of pain and disability in athletes with impingement of soft-tissue or osseous structures along the anterior margin of the tibiotalar joint during dorsiflexion.

In this study, we hypothesized that arthroscopic decompression of anterior ankle impingement would result in significant, reliable, and durable improvement in pain and range of motion (ROM), and would allow National Football League (NFL) players to return to their preoperative level of play.

We reviewed 29 arthroscopic ankle débridements performed by a single surgeon. Each NFL player underwent arthroscopic débridement of pathologic soft tissue and of tibial and talar osteophytes in the anterior ankle. Preoperative and postoperative visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores, American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) hindfoot scores, and ankle ROM were compared; time to return to play (RTP), events missed secondary to surgery, and complications were recorded.

All athletes returned to the same level of NFL play at a mean (SD) of 8.4 (4.1) weeks after surgery and continued playing for a mean (SD) of 3.43 (2.57) years after surgery. Mean (SD) VAS pain scores decreased significantly (P < .001), to 0.38 (0.89) from 4.21 (1.52). Mean (SD) active ankle dorsiflexion increased significantly (P < .001), to 18.86° (2.62°) from 8.28° (4.14°). Mean (SD) AOFAS hindfoot scores increased significantly (P < .001), to 97.45 (4.72) from 70.62 (10.39). Degree of arthritis (r = 0.305) and age (r = 0.106) were poorly correlated to time to RTP.

In all cases, arthroscopic débridement of anterior ankle impingement resulted in RTP at the same level at a mean of 2 months after surgery. There were significant improvements in VAS pain scores, AOFAS hindfoot scores, and ROM.

Arthroscopic débridement of anterior ankle impingement relieves pain, restores ROM and function, and results in reliable RTP in professional football players.

Continue to: Anterior ankle impingement...

Anterior ankle impingement is a frequent cause of disability in athletes.¹ This condition results from repetitive trauma over time, which leads to osseous and soft-tissue impingement, pain, and decreased ankle range of motion (ROM).

First termed footballer’s ankle, this condition is linked to repeated, forceful plantarflexion,² though later studies attributed the phenomenon to repeated dorsiflexion resulting in periosteal hemorrhage.³ Both osseous and soft-tissue structures can cause impingement at the tibiotalar joint, often with osteophytes anteromedially at the tibial talar joint. Soft-tissue structures, including hypertrophic synovium, meniscoid lesions, and a thickened anterior talofibular ligament, more often cause anterolateral impingement.^4-6 This process results in pain in extreme dorsiflexion, which comes into play in almost all football maneuvers, including sprinting, back-peddling, and offensive and defensive stances. Therefore, maintenance of pain-free dorsiflexion is required for high-level football. Decreased ROM can lead to decreased ability to perform these high-level athletic functions and can limit performance.

Arthroscopic débridement improves functional outcomes and functional motion in both athletes and nonathletes.^7,8 In addition, findings of a recent systematic review provide support for arthroscopic treatment of ankle impingement.⁹ Although arthroscopic treatment is effective in nonathletes and recreational athletes,¹⁰ there is a paucity of data on the efficacy of this procedure and on time to return to play (RTP) in professional football players.

We conducted a study to evaluate the outcomes (pain, ROM, RTP) of arthroscopic débridement for anterior ankle impingement in National Football League (NFL) players. We hypothesized that arthroscopic decompression of anterior ankle impingement would result in significant, reliable, and durable improvement in pain and ROM, and would allow NFL players to return to their preoperative level of play.

METHODS

After this study was granted Institutional Review Board approval, we retrospectively reviewed a consecutive series of arthroscopically treated anterior ankle impingement athletes by a single surgeon (JPB). Indications for surgery were anterior ankle impingement resulting in ankle pain and decreased ROM that interfered with sport. Active NFL players who underwent ankle arthroscopy for symptomatic anterior ankle impingement were included. Excluded were players who underwent surgery after retirement or who retired before returning to play for reasons unrelated to the ankle. Medical records, operative reports, and rehabilitation reports were reviewed.

Continue to: Preoperative and postoperative...

Preoperative and postoperative visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores, American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) hindfoot scores, and ankle ROM were compared; time to RTP, events missed secondary to surgery, and complications were recorded. These preoperative and postoperative variables were compared with paired Student 2-way t tests for continuous variables. Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated.

PROCEDURE

Ankle arthroscopy was performed with the patient supine after spinal or general anesthesia was induced. Prophylactic antibiotics were given in each case. Arthroscopy was performed with standard anterolateral and anteromedial portals. First, an incision was made through skin only, followed by blunt subcutaneous dissection down to the ankle capsule. A capsulotomy was then made bluntly. Care was taken to avoid all neurovascular structures. Posterior portals were not used. A 2.7-mm arthroscope was inserted and alternated between the anteromedial and anterolateral portals to maximally visualize the ankle joint. Diagnostic arthroscopy was performed to document synovitis, chondral injury, osseous, and soft-tissue impingement and any other noted pathology (Figures 1A-1C).

A full radius resector was then used to perform a synovectomy and débridement of impinging soft tissue from the anterior talofibular ligament or anterior inferior talofibular ligament. All patients underwent arthroscopic débridement of pathologic soft tissue and of tibial and talar osteophytes in the anterior ankle. A small burr was used to débride and remove the osteophytes on the talus and/or tibia. Soft-tissue and osseous structures were resected until the contours of the talus and tibia were normal. Any unstable articular defects were débrided and loose bodies were removed. Ankle ROM was checked to confirm complete resolution of impingement (Figures 2A-2D). Patients were not immobilized and were allowed progressive weight-bearing as tolerated. Crutches were used for assisted ambulation the first 3 to 5 postoperative days.

Physical therapy progressed through 3 phases: (1) inflammation control and ROM restoration, (2) initiation of ankle strengthening, including eversion and inversion, and (3) agility, proprioception, and functional rehabilitation.

RESULTS

Twenty-five NFL players (29 surgeries) were included in the study. Two players were excluded because they had retired at the end of the season before the surgery for reasons unrelated to the operative ankle. Mean (SD) age was 28.1 (2.9) years. Six included players had a history of ankle sprains, 1 had a history of ipsilateral ankle fracture, and 1 had a history of ipsilateral ankle dislocation. Table 1 lists the positions of players who underwent ankle arthroscopic decompression.

Table 1. Positions of National Football League Players Who Underwent Ankle Arthroscopic Decompression for Anterior Ankle Impingement

Continue to: During diagnostic arthroscopy...

During diagnostic arthroscopy, changes to the articular cartilage were noted: grade 0 in 38% of patients, grade 1 in 17%, grade 2 in 21%, grade 3 in 21%, and grade 4 in 3%. Four patients had an osteochondral lesion (<1 cm in each case), which was treated with chondroplasty without microfracture.

Each included patient returned to NFL play. Mean (SD) time to RTP without restrictions was 8.4 (4.1) weeks after surgery (range, 2-20 weeks). There was a poor correlation between degree of chondrosis and time to RTP (r = 0.305). In addition, there was a poor correlation between age and time to RTP (r = 0.106).

Dorsiflexion improved significantly (P < .001), patients had significantly less pain after surgery (P < .001), and AOFAS hindfoot scores improved significantly (P < .001) (Table 2).

Table 2. Preoperative and Postoperative Dorsiflexion, Pain, and AOFAS Score Before and After Arthroscopic Débridement of Anterior Ankle Impingement^a

^aAll values were significantly improved after surgery (P < .001).

Abbreviations: AOFAS, American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society; VAS, visual analog scale.

The athletes played in the NFL for a mean (SD) of 3.43 (2.57) years after surgery (range, 1-10 seasons). These players included 6 who were still active at time of publication. No patient required revision surgery or additional surgery on the ipsilateral ankle. The one patient who was treated for superficial thrombophlebitis after surgery reported symptoms before surgery as well.

DISCUSSION

Arthroscopic decompression of anterior ankle impingement is safe and significantly improves pain and ROM in professional American football players. The procedure results in reliable RTP at an elite level, with durable results over the time remaining in their NFL careers.

Continue to: before the 1988 study by Hawkins...

Before the 1988 study by Hawkins,¹¹ ankle spurs were removed with open procedures. Hawkins¹¹ used arthroscopy for better and safer visualization of the ankle joint and used a burr for less painful removal of spurs from the tibia and the talus. In 2002, a series of 105 patients (median age, 35 years) had reduced pain and improved function a minimum of 2 years after arthroscopic débridement.¹² These patients had a mix of pathology, including soft-tissue impingement, bony impingement, chondral lesions, loose bodies, and osteoarthritis.

For many elite athletes, anterior ankle impingement can cause significant limitation. Reduced ankle dorsiflexion can alter all limb mechanics and predispose athletes to injury.¹³ In addition, because NFL players’ ankle ROM often approaches or exceeds normal physiologic limits,¹⁴ an ankle ROM limitation will often hinder their performance.

Miyamoto and colleagues¹⁵ studied a series of 9 professional athletes (6 soccer players, 1 baseball pitcher, 1 mixed martial artist, 1 golfer) who underwent decompression of both anterior and posterior impingement. With regard to anterior impingement, they found anterior osteophytes in all the ankles, as was seen in the present study. Furthermore, they noted that mean dorsiflexion improved from 10° before surgery to 15° after surgery and that their athletes returned to play 12 to 15 weeks after surgery. Their results are similar to ours, though we noted more improvement in dorsiflexion, from 8.28° before surgery to 18.86° after surgery.

One of the most important metrics in evaluating treatment options for professional athletes is time from surgery to RTP without restrictions. Mean time to full RTP was shorter in our study (8.4 weeks) than in the study by Miyamoto and colleagues¹⁵ (up to 20 weeks). However, many of their procedures were performed during the off-season, when there was no need to expeditiously clear patients for full sports participation. In addition, the patients in their study had both anterior and posterior pathology.

Faster return to high-level athletics was supported in a study of 11 elite ballet dancers,¹⁶ whose pain and dance performance improved after arthroscopic débridement. Of the 11 patients, 9 returned to dance at a mean of 7 weeks after surgery; the other 2 required reoperation. Although the pathology differed in their study of elite professional soccer players, Calder and colleagues¹⁷ found that mean time to RTP after ankle arthroscopy for posterior impingement was 5 weeks.

Continue to: For the NFL players in our study...

For the NFL players in our study, RTP at their elite level was 100% after arthroscopic débridement of anterior ankle impingement. In the literature, time to RTP varies. Table 3 lists RTP rates for recreational athletes in published studies.^18-27 In their recent systematic literature review, Zwiers and colleagues¹⁰ noted that 24% to 96.4% of recreational athletes returned to play after arthroscopic treatment for anterior ankle impingement. The percentage was significantly higher for the professional athletes in our study. Historical comparison supports an evolution in the indications and techniques for this procedure, with more recent literature suggesting a RTP rate much higher than earlier rates. In addition, compared with recreational athletes, professional athletes have strong financial incentives to return to their sports. Furthermore, our professional cohort was significantly younger than the recreational cohorts in those studies.

Table 3. Frequency of Recreational Athletes’ Return to Play After Arthroscopic Débridement of Anterior Ankle Impingement, as Reported in the Literature

Current recommendations for recreational athletes include initial conservative treatment with rest, ankle bracing, and avoidance of jumping and other repetitive dorsiflexing activities. Physical therapy should include joint mobilization and work along the entire kinetic chain. Night splints or a removable walking boot can be used temporarily, as can a single intra-articular corticosteroid injection to reduce inflammation and evaluate improvement in more refractory cases.²⁸ Commonly, conservative treatments fail if patients remain active, and soft tissue and/or osteophytes can be resected, though resection typically is reserved for recreational athletes for whom nonoperative treatments have been exhausted.^29,30

This study had several limitations, including its retrospective nature and lack of control group. In addition, follow-up was relatively short, and we did not use more recently described outcome measures, such as the Sports subscale of the Foot and Ankle Ability Measure, which may be more sensitive in describing function in elite athletes. However, many of the cases in our study predated these measures, but the rate of RTP at the NFL level requires a very high degree of postoperative ankle function, making this outcome the most meaningful. In the context of professional athletes, specifically the length of their careers, our study results provide valuable information regarding expectations about RTP and the durability of arthroscopic débridement of anterior ankle impingement in a high-demand setting.

CONCLUSION

For all the NFL players in this study, arthroscopic débridement of anterior ankle impingement resulted in return to preoperative level of play at a mean of 2 months after surgery. There were significant improvements in VAS pain scores, AOFAS hindfoot scores, and ROM. Arthroscopic débridement of anterior ankle impingement relieves pain, restores ROM and function, and results in reliable RTP in professional football players.

Take-Home Points

• Malignant transformation of a benign GCT is extremely rare.
• It is difficult to distinguish between an early malignant transformation and an overlooked malignancy.
• The most common clinical presentation of transformation of GCT into malignancy is pain, often with swelling.
• Interval monitoring of GCTs may be necessary in patients with symptoms concerning for malignant transformation.
• Clinicians should maintain a high clinical suspicion for malignant transformation or late recurrence of GCT in a patient with new pain at the wound site.

Giant cell tumors (GCTs) of bone account for about 5% of all primary bone tumors in adults, with a predominance in the third decade in life.¹ Clinically, GCT of bone often presents with pain, pathologic fracture, and/or soft- tissue expansion in the epiphysis of long bones. However, GCT of bone also has been reported in non-long bones, such as the talus and the calcaneus.^2,3 Histologically, GCT of bone consists of neoplastic stromal cells, mononuclear histiocytic cells, and multinucleated giant cells that resemble osteoclasts.⁴ The radiologic appearance of GCT is often described as a lytic, eccentrically located bony lesion that extends near the articular surface in patients with closed physes. Many GCTs have aggressive radiologic features with possible extensive bony destruction and soft-tissue extension. 

Although categorized as a benign lesion, GCT can be locally aggressive, with a variable local recurrence rate of 0% to 65%, depending on treatment modality and skeletal location. Given the aggressiveness of GCT of bone, recommendations for operative intervention include intralesional curettage with adjuvant therapy (eg, cryotherapy, phenol, argon beam, electrocautery) and placement of bone void fillers (eg, bone graft polymethylmethacrylate). Wide resection is recommended when the articular surface is no longer viable for reconstruction secondary to extensive destruction. Some authors have reported that surgical margin is the only risk factor in local recurrence,^5,6 and thus complete resection may be needed for tumor eradication. In addition, about 3% of GCTs demonstrate benign pulmonary implants, which have been cited as cause of death in 16% to 25% of reported cases of pulmonary spread.^7,8

The literature includes few reports of primary or secondary malignant transformation of GCT. Hutter and colleagues⁹ defined primary malignant GCT as GCT with sarcomatous tissue juxtaposed with zones of typical benign GCT cells. Secondary malignant GCT is a sarcomatous lesion at the site of a previously documented benign GCT. Secondary malignant GCT of bone histologically has been classified as a fibrosarcoma, malignant fibrous histiocytoma, or osteosarcoma transformation.¹⁰ 

Most malignant transformations of GCT of bone have been attributed to previous irradiation of the lesion.^11,12 However, there are some case reports of benign bone GCT malignant transformation in situ without any other medical intervention. It was reported that non-radiation-induced secondary transformations occur relatively early after GCT treatment.¹³ During the early stages of tumor recurrence, however, it is difficult to distinguish between malignant transformation and primary disease overlooked as a result of sampling error.

We report a case of secondary malignant transformation of GCT of bone 11 years after surgical curettage, cryotherapy, and cementation without adjuvant radiation therapy. To our knowledge, this case report is the first to describe transformation of a nonirradiated benign GCT into an aggressive, high-grade epithelioid angiosarcoma, a very rare vascular bone tumor. The patient provided written informed consent for print and electronic publication of this case report.

Case Report

In July 2003, a 46-year-old woman presented with left heel pain of several months’ duration. Plain radiographs showed a nonaggressive-appearing lytic lesion of the superior aspect of the posterior calcaneal tuberosity with a small cortical incongruity along the superior margin of the lesion (Figures 1A-1D).

A postoperative splint was placed, and weight-bearing progressed over 6 weeks. The patient was followed at 2- to 3-month intervals over the first 5 postoperative years. She was able to work and perform activities of daily living, but her postoperative course was complicated by significant chronic pain in multiple extremities and long-term treatment by the chronic pain service. At no time did postoperative imaging—magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at 6 years, whole-body bone scan at 7 years, plain radiographs at 10 years—show evidence of recurrence.

Radiographs showed stable postoperative changes with a small radiolucent area (with sclerotic rim) surrounding the cement-bone interface. Given its proximity to the Achilles tendon and more motion than usual at the wound site, the radiolucency likely was caused by small movements of the interface. The radiolucent area remained stable over a 15-month period.

Whole-body bone scan showed a small area of osteoblastic activity in the left calcaneus, consistent with inflammation surrounding the bone- cement interface, but the uptake was minor relative to other areas of signal, and there were no significant inflammatory reactive changes on MRI (Figures 3A, 3B).

Over 11 years, regular 6- to 12-month follow-up examinations revealed no significant changes in the left foot or in plain radiographs of the chest. In addition, physical examinations revealed no evidence of a palpable mass of the left foot.

In July 2014 (11 years after curettage and cementation), the patient presented to her pain clinic appointment with severe left foot pain. She said that, over a few weeks, she experienced a significant increase in pain and developed posterolateral foot swelling, which limited her ability to ambulate. Plain radiographs showed a significant soft-tissue prominence around the posterior calcaneus, increased lucency around the bone-cement interface in the calcaneus with elevation, and a cortical break of the superior margin of the posterior calcaneus (Figures 3C, 3D). MRI showed a large lobular mass in the calcaneus and surrounding soft tissue with T1 and T2 signal heterogeneity and enhancement after administration of gadolinium (Figures 4A-4D). There was a large extraosseous extension of the calcaneus-based mass laterally and superiorly with edema in the surrounding hindfoot region (Figure 4).

Physical examination revealed exquisite tenderness along the lateral and posterior aspects of the left hindfoot. The patient was unable to bear weight and had soft-tissue swelling throughout the foot and mid calf as well as a palpable mass in the posterior heel. She was otherwise neurovascularly intact through all distributions of the left lower extremity. It was unclear if the GCT of the calcaneus had recurred or if there was a new, secondary tumor. Given her severe pain and morbidity, the patient decided to proceed with open biopsy and a pathology-pending plan for possible amputation in the near future.

In August 2014, an open biopsy with intraoperative frozen evaluation yielded a diagnosis of malignant neoplasm not otherwise specified. Permanent sections showed a proliferation of malignant epithelioid cells with extensive necrosis, hemorrhage, and hemosiderin deposition but no multinucleated giant cells.

Transformation of the GCT into a high-grade epithelioid angiosarcoma prompted presentation of the patient’s case to a multidisciplinary board of physicians with a focused clinical practice in sarcoma management. The board included board-certified specialists in orthopedic oncology, pathology, musculoskeletal radiology, medical oncology, and radiation oncology. Although discussion included pre-resection use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy to evaluate for disease response, the patient’s severe pain led her to forgo this treatment and proceed directly to below-knee amputation.

Amputation revealed a 7.7-cm hemorrhagic necrotic mass composed of a highly cellular spindle and epithelioid malignancy with abundant hemosiderin deposition (Figure 5). In addition, several atypical mitotic figures and malignant multinucleated tumor giant cells were randomly scattered throughout the neoplasm.

At first follow-up, the patient reported significant pain relief and asked to begin titrating off her chronic pain medicine. Clinical staging, which involved performing whole-body positron emission tomography/computed tomography, revealed nothing concerning for metastases. When this report was being written, the patient was being monitored for recurrent disease in accordance with National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines. In the absence of residual sarcoma, our medical oncology team discussed adjuvant chemotherapy options with her. Subsequently, however, she proceeded only with observation and periodic imaging.

Malignant transformation of a benign GCT is extremely rare, especially in cases in which the tumor bed has not previously undergone radiation therapy. Although the literature includes historical case reports, primary and secondary malignant GCTs comprise <9% of all GCTs.^11,13,14 Primary bone epithelioid angiosarcoma is also extremely rare, especially in the calcaneus; only 1 case is described in the literature.¹⁵ In this article, we report on a benign GCT of bone that transformed into an epithelioid angiosarcoma more than a decade after the GCT was treated with curettage and cementation.

The fact that the malignant areas of a previous tumor may have been missed because of sampling error is important for benign GCT of bone in the early postoperative period, as distinguishing between early malignant transformation and an overlooked malignancy may not be possible. However, transformation is more likely the case when a benign GCT becomes a high-grade malignancy after a long disease-free interval. Several authors have indicated that a benign GCT tumor recurring with a secondary malignancy 2 to 5 years after initial GCT treatment suggests malignant transformation.¹⁶ Grote and colleagues¹⁰ compiled reports of malignant transformation of GCT of bone and described the clinicopathologic features of secondary malignant transformation of GCTs. The data they compiled and data from several other studies indicate a poor prognosis after malignant transformation of GCT; 4 years after diagnosis, mean survival is 40% to 50%.^10,16 The most common clinical presentation of transformation of GCT into malignancy is pain, often with coincident swelling of the native wound bed. However, a few cases have been identified with radiologic imaging alone and without a period of clinical symptoms.¹⁶

To our knowledge, this case report is the first to describe a longitudinal assessment of the transformation of a benign GCT of bone into an epithelioid angiosarcoma. Whereas an earlier reported GCT of bone transformed into epithelioid angiosarcoma after irradiation,¹² our patient’s GCT of bone transformed without irradiation. GCTs of bone are locally aggressive benign tumors and are relatively rare. Malignant transformation of a benign bone tumor a decade after initial, definitive treatment is concerning, especially given the poor prognosis after malignant transformation in this clinical scenario. Current adjuvant treatments have not changed the prognosis. The literature includes a wide variety of histologic transformations, including high-grade sarcomas, after a long disease-free interval. Although malignant transformation of benign GCTs is rare, clinicians should be aware of the potential. Interval monitoring of GCTs may be necessary in patients with symptoms concerning for malignant transformation—pain or swelling in the wound bed—and patients should know to immediately inform their physician of any changes in pain level or local wound bed. Clinicians should maintain a high clinical suspicion for malignant transformation or late recurrence of GCT in a patient with new pain at the site of a previously treated GCT of bone with a disease-free interval of several years.

Take-Home Points

• Malignant transformation of a benign GCT is extremely rare.
• It is difficult to distinguish between an early malignant transformation and an overlooked malignancy.
• The most common clinical presentation of transformation of GCT into malignancy is pain, often with swelling.
• Interval monitoring of GCTs may be necessary in patients with symptoms concerning for malignant transformation.
• Clinicians should maintain a high clinical suspicion for malignant transformation or late recurrence of GCT in a patient with new pain at the wound site.

Giant cell tumors (GCTs) of bone account for about 5% of all primary bone tumors in adults, with a predominance in the third decade in life.¹ Clinically, GCT of bone often presents with pain, pathologic fracture, and/or soft- tissue expansion in the epiphysis of long bones. However, GCT of bone also has been reported in non-long bones, such as the talus and the calcaneus.^2,3 Histologically, GCT of bone consists of neoplastic stromal cells, mononuclear histiocytic cells, and multinucleated giant cells that resemble osteoclasts.⁴ The radiologic appearance of GCT is often described as a lytic, eccentrically located bony lesion that extends near the articular surface in patients with closed physes. Many GCTs have aggressive radiologic features with possible extensive bony destruction and soft-tissue extension. 

Although categorized as a benign lesion, GCT can be locally aggressive, with a variable local recurrence rate of 0% to 65%, depending on treatment modality and skeletal location. Given the aggressiveness of GCT of bone, recommendations for operative intervention include intralesional curettage with adjuvant therapy (eg, cryotherapy, phenol, argon beam, electrocautery) and placement of bone void fillers (eg, bone graft polymethylmethacrylate). Wide resection is recommended when the articular surface is no longer viable for reconstruction secondary to extensive destruction. Some authors have reported that surgical margin is the only risk factor in local recurrence,^5,6 and thus complete resection may be needed for tumor eradication. In addition, about 3% of GCTs demonstrate benign pulmonary implants, which have been cited as cause of death in 16% to 25% of reported cases of pulmonary spread.^7,8

The literature includes few reports of primary or secondary malignant transformation of GCT. Hutter and colleagues⁹ defined primary malignant GCT as GCT with sarcomatous tissue juxtaposed with zones of typical benign GCT cells. Secondary malignant GCT is a sarcomatous lesion at the site of a previously documented benign GCT. Secondary malignant GCT of bone histologically has been classified as a fibrosarcoma, malignant fibrous histiocytoma, or osteosarcoma transformation.¹⁰ 

Most malignant transformations of GCT of bone have been attributed to previous irradiation of the lesion.^11,12 However, there are some case reports of benign bone GCT malignant transformation in situ without any other medical intervention. It was reported that non-radiation-induced secondary transformations occur relatively early after GCT treatment.¹³ During the early stages of tumor recurrence, however, it is difficult to distinguish between malignant transformation and primary disease overlooked as a result of sampling error.

We report a case of secondary malignant transformation of GCT of bone 11 years after surgical curettage, cryotherapy, and cementation without adjuvant radiation therapy. To our knowledge, this case report is the first to describe transformation of a nonirradiated benign GCT into an aggressive, high-grade epithelioid angiosarcoma, a very rare vascular bone tumor. The patient provided written informed consent for print and electronic publication of this case report.

Case Report

In July 2003, a 46-year-old woman presented with left heel pain of several months’ duration. Plain radiographs showed a nonaggressive-appearing lytic lesion of the superior aspect of the posterior calcaneal tuberosity with a small cortical incongruity along the superior margin of the lesion (Figures 1A-1D).

A postoperative splint was placed, and weight-bearing progressed over 6 weeks. The patient was followed at 2- to 3-month intervals over the first 5 postoperative years. She was able to work and perform activities of daily living, but her postoperative course was complicated by significant chronic pain in multiple extremities and long-term treatment by the chronic pain service. At no time did postoperative imaging—magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at 6 years, whole-body bone scan at 7 years, plain radiographs at 10 years—show evidence of recurrence.

Radiographs showed stable postoperative changes with a small radiolucent area (with sclerotic rim) surrounding the cement-bone interface. Given its proximity to the Achilles tendon and more motion than usual at the wound site, the radiolucency likely was caused by small movements of the interface. The radiolucent area remained stable over a 15-month period.

Whole-body bone scan showed a small area of osteoblastic activity in the left calcaneus, consistent with inflammation surrounding the bone- cement interface, but the uptake was minor relative to other areas of signal, and there were no significant inflammatory reactive changes on MRI (Figures 3A, 3B).

Over 11 years, regular 6- to 12-month follow-up examinations revealed no significant changes in the left foot or in plain radiographs of the chest. In addition, physical examinations revealed no evidence of a palpable mass of the left foot.

In July 2014 (11 years after curettage and cementation), the patient presented to her pain clinic appointment with severe left foot pain. She said that, over a few weeks, she experienced a significant increase in pain and developed posterolateral foot swelling, which limited her ability to ambulate. Plain radiographs showed a significant soft-tissue prominence around the posterior calcaneus, increased lucency around the bone-cement interface in the calcaneus with elevation, and a cortical break of the superior margin of the posterior calcaneus (Figures 3C, 3D). MRI showed a large lobular mass in the calcaneus and surrounding soft tissue with T1 and T2 signal heterogeneity and enhancement after administration of gadolinium (Figures 4A-4D). There was a large extraosseous extension of the calcaneus-based mass laterally and superiorly with edema in the surrounding hindfoot region (Figure 4).

Physical examination revealed exquisite tenderness along the lateral and posterior aspects of the left hindfoot. The patient was unable to bear weight and had soft-tissue swelling throughout the foot and mid calf as well as a palpable mass in the posterior heel. She was otherwise neurovascularly intact through all distributions of the left lower extremity. It was unclear if the GCT of the calcaneus had recurred or if there was a new, secondary tumor. Given her severe pain and morbidity, the patient decided to proceed with open biopsy and a pathology-pending plan for possible amputation in the near future.

In August 2014, an open biopsy with intraoperative frozen evaluation yielded a diagnosis of malignant neoplasm not otherwise specified. Permanent sections showed a proliferation of malignant epithelioid cells with extensive necrosis, hemorrhage, and hemosiderin deposition but no multinucleated giant cells.

Transformation of the GCT into a high-grade epithelioid angiosarcoma prompted presentation of the patient’s case to a multidisciplinary board of physicians with a focused clinical practice in sarcoma management. The board included board-certified specialists in orthopedic oncology, pathology, musculoskeletal radiology, medical oncology, and radiation oncology. Although discussion included pre-resection use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy to evaluate for disease response, the patient’s severe pain led her to forgo this treatment and proceed directly to below-knee amputation.

Amputation revealed a 7.7-cm hemorrhagic necrotic mass composed of a highly cellular spindle and epithelioid malignancy with abundant hemosiderin deposition (Figure 5). In addition, several atypical mitotic figures and malignant multinucleated tumor giant cells were randomly scattered throughout the neoplasm.

At first follow-up, the patient reported significant pain relief and asked to begin titrating off her chronic pain medicine. Clinical staging, which involved performing whole-body positron emission tomography/computed tomography, revealed nothing concerning for metastases. When this report was being written, the patient was being monitored for recurrent disease in accordance with National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines. In the absence of residual sarcoma, our medical oncology team discussed adjuvant chemotherapy options with her. Subsequently, however, she proceeded only with observation and periodic imaging.

Malignant transformation of a benign GCT is extremely rare, especially in cases in which the tumor bed has not previously undergone radiation therapy. Although the literature includes historical case reports, primary and secondary malignant GCTs comprise <9% of all GCTs.^11,13,14 Primary bone epithelioid angiosarcoma is also extremely rare, especially in the calcaneus; only 1 case is described in the literature.¹⁵ In this article, we report on a benign GCT of bone that transformed into an epithelioid angiosarcoma more than a decade after the GCT was treated with curettage and cementation.

The fact that the malignant areas of a previous tumor may have been missed because of sampling error is important for benign GCT of bone in the early postoperative period, as distinguishing between early malignant transformation and an overlooked malignancy may not be possible. However, transformation is more likely the case when a benign GCT becomes a high-grade malignancy after a long disease-free interval. Several authors have indicated that a benign GCT tumor recurring with a secondary malignancy 2 to 5 years after initial GCT treatment suggests malignant transformation.¹⁶ Grote and colleagues¹⁰ compiled reports of malignant transformation of GCT of bone and described the clinicopathologic features of secondary malignant transformation of GCTs. The data they compiled and data from several other studies indicate a poor prognosis after malignant transformation of GCT; 4 years after diagnosis, mean survival is 40% to 50%.^10,16 The most common clinical presentation of transformation of GCT into malignancy is pain, often with coincident swelling of the native wound bed. However, a few cases have been identified with radiologic imaging alone and without a period of clinical symptoms.¹⁶

To our knowledge, this case report is the first to describe a longitudinal assessment of the transformation of a benign GCT of bone into an epithelioid angiosarcoma. Whereas an earlier reported GCT of bone transformed into epithelioid angiosarcoma after irradiation,¹² our patient’s GCT of bone transformed without irradiation. GCTs of bone are locally aggressive benign tumors and are relatively rare. Malignant transformation of a benign bone tumor a decade after initial, definitive treatment is concerning, especially given the poor prognosis after malignant transformation in this clinical scenario. Current adjuvant treatments have not changed the prognosis. The literature includes a wide variety of histologic transformations, including high-grade sarcomas, after a long disease-free interval. Although malignant transformation of benign GCTs is rare, clinicians should be aware of the potential. Interval monitoring of GCTs may be necessary in patients with symptoms concerning for malignant transformation—pain or swelling in the wound bed—and patients should know to immediately inform their physician of any changes in pain level or local wound bed. Clinicians should maintain a high clinical suspicion for malignant transformation or late recurrence of GCT in a patient with new pain at the site of a previously treated GCT of bone with a disease-free interval of several years.

Take-Home Points

• Malignant transformation of a benign GCT is extremely rare.
• It is difficult to distinguish between an early malignant transformation and an overlooked malignancy.
• The most common clinical presentation of transformation of GCT into malignancy is pain, often with swelling.
• Interval monitoring of GCTs may be necessary in patients with symptoms concerning for malignant transformation.
• Clinicians should maintain a high clinical suspicion for malignant transformation or late recurrence of GCT in a patient with new pain at the wound site.

Giant cell tumors (GCTs) of bone account for about 5% of all primary bone tumors in adults, with a predominance in the third decade in life.¹ Clinically, GCT of bone often presents with pain, pathologic fracture, and/or soft- tissue expansion in the epiphysis of long bones. However, GCT of bone also has been reported in non-long bones, such as the talus and the calcaneus.^2,3 Histologically, GCT of bone consists of neoplastic stromal cells, mononuclear histiocytic cells, and multinucleated giant cells that resemble osteoclasts.⁴ The radiologic appearance of GCT is often described as a lytic, eccentrically located bony lesion that extends near the articular surface in patients with closed physes. Many GCTs have aggressive radiologic features with possible extensive bony destruction and soft-tissue extension. 

Although categorized as a benign lesion, GCT can be locally aggressive, with a variable local recurrence rate of 0% to 65%, depending on treatment modality and skeletal location. Given the aggressiveness of GCT of bone, recommendations for operative intervention include intralesional curettage with adjuvant therapy (eg, cryotherapy, phenol, argon beam, electrocautery) and placement of bone void fillers (eg, bone graft polymethylmethacrylate). Wide resection is recommended when the articular surface is no longer viable for reconstruction secondary to extensive destruction. Some authors have reported that surgical margin is the only risk factor in local recurrence,^5,6 and thus complete resection may be needed for tumor eradication. In addition, about 3% of GCTs demonstrate benign pulmonary implants, which have been cited as cause of death in 16% to 25% of reported cases of pulmonary spread.^7,8

The literature includes few reports of primary or secondary malignant transformation of GCT. Hutter and colleagues⁹ defined primary malignant GCT as GCT with sarcomatous tissue juxtaposed with zones of typical benign GCT cells. Secondary malignant GCT is a sarcomatous lesion at the site of a previously documented benign GCT. Secondary malignant GCT of bone histologically has been classified as a fibrosarcoma, malignant fibrous histiocytoma, or osteosarcoma transformation.¹⁰ 

Most malignant transformations of GCT of bone have been attributed to previous irradiation of the lesion.^11,12 However, there are some case reports of benign bone GCT malignant transformation in situ without any other medical intervention. It was reported that non-radiation-induced secondary transformations occur relatively early after GCT treatment.¹³ During the early stages of tumor recurrence, however, it is difficult to distinguish between malignant transformation and primary disease overlooked as a result of sampling error.

We report a case of secondary malignant transformation of GCT of bone 11 years after surgical curettage, cryotherapy, and cementation without adjuvant radiation therapy. To our knowledge, this case report is the first to describe transformation of a nonirradiated benign GCT into an aggressive, high-grade epithelioid angiosarcoma, a very rare vascular bone tumor. The patient provided written informed consent for print and electronic publication of this case report.

Case Report

In July 2003, a 46-year-old woman presented with left heel pain of several months’ duration. Plain radiographs showed a nonaggressive-appearing lytic lesion of the superior aspect of the posterior calcaneal tuberosity with a small cortical incongruity along the superior margin of the lesion (Figures 1A-1D).

A postoperative splint was placed, and weight-bearing progressed over 6 weeks. The patient was followed at 2- to 3-month intervals over the first 5 postoperative years. She was able to work and perform activities of daily living, but her postoperative course was complicated by significant chronic pain in multiple extremities and long-term treatment by the chronic pain service. At no time did postoperative imaging—magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at 6 years, whole-body bone scan at 7 years, plain radiographs at 10 years—show evidence of recurrence.

Radiographs showed stable postoperative changes with a small radiolucent area (with sclerotic rim) surrounding the cement-bone interface. Given its proximity to the Achilles tendon and more motion than usual at the wound site, the radiolucency likely was caused by small movements of the interface. The radiolucent area remained stable over a 15-month period.

Whole-body bone scan showed a small area of osteoblastic activity in the left calcaneus, consistent with inflammation surrounding the bone- cement interface, but the uptake was minor relative to other areas of signal, and there were no significant inflammatory reactive changes on MRI (Figures 3A, 3B).

Over 11 years, regular 6- to 12-month follow-up examinations revealed no significant changes in the left foot or in plain radiographs of the chest. In addition, physical examinations revealed no evidence of a palpable mass of the left foot.

In July 2014 (11 years after curettage and cementation), the patient presented to her pain clinic appointment with severe left foot pain. She said that, over a few weeks, she experienced a significant increase in pain and developed posterolateral foot swelling, which limited her ability to ambulate. Plain radiographs showed a significant soft-tissue prominence around the posterior calcaneus, increased lucency around the bone-cement interface in the calcaneus with elevation, and a cortical break of the superior margin of the posterior calcaneus (Figures 3C, 3D). MRI showed a large lobular mass in the calcaneus and surrounding soft tissue with T1 and T2 signal heterogeneity and enhancement after administration of gadolinium (Figures 4A-4D). There was a large extraosseous extension of the calcaneus-based mass laterally and superiorly with edema in the surrounding hindfoot region (Figure 4).

Physical examination revealed exquisite tenderness along the lateral and posterior aspects of the left hindfoot. The patient was unable to bear weight and had soft-tissue swelling throughout the foot and mid calf as well as a palpable mass in the posterior heel. She was otherwise neurovascularly intact through all distributions of the left lower extremity. It was unclear if the GCT of the calcaneus had recurred or if there was a new, secondary tumor. Given her severe pain and morbidity, the patient decided to proceed with open biopsy and a pathology-pending plan for possible amputation in the near future.

In August 2014, an open biopsy with intraoperative frozen evaluation yielded a diagnosis of malignant neoplasm not otherwise specified. Permanent sections showed a proliferation of malignant epithelioid cells with extensive necrosis, hemorrhage, and hemosiderin deposition but no multinucleated giant cells.

Transformation of the GCT into a high-grade epithelioid angiosarcoma prompted presentation of the patient’s case to a multidisciplinary board of physicians with a focused clinical practice in sarcoma management. The board included board-certified specialists in orthopedic oncology, pathology, musculoskeletal radiology, medical oncology, and radiation oncology. Although discussion included pre-resection use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy to evaluate for disease response, the patient’s severe pain led her to forgo this treatment and proceed directly to below-knee amputation.

Amputation revealed a 7.7-cm hemorrhagic necrotic mass composed of a highly cellular spindle and epithelioid malignancy with abundant hemosiderin deposition (Figure 5). In addition, several atypical mitotic figures and malignant multinucleated tumor giant cells were randomly scattered throughout the neoplasm.

At first follow-up, the patient reported significant pain relief and asked to begin titrating off her chronic pain medicine. Clinical staging, which involved performing whole-body positron emission tomography/computed tomography, revealed nothing concerning for metastases. When this report was being written, the patient was being monitored for recurrent disease in accordance with National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines. In the absence of residual sarcoma, our medical oncology team discussed adjuvant chemotherapy options with her. Subsequently, however, she proceeded only with observation and periodic imaging.

Malignant transformation of a benign GCT is extremely rare, especially in cases in which the tumor bed has not previously undergone radiation therapy. Although the literature includes historical case reports, primary and secondary malignant GCTs comprise <9% of all GCTs.^11,13,14 Primary bone epithelioid angiosarcoma is also extremely rare, especially in the calcaneus; only 1 case is described in the literature.¹⁵ In this article, we report on a benign GCT of bone that transformed into an epithelioid angiosarcoma more than a decade after the GCT was treated with curettage and cementation.

The fact that the malignant areas of a previous tumor may have been missed because of sampling error is important for benign GCT of bone in the early postoperative period, as distinguishing between early malignant transformation and an overlooked malignancy may not be possible. However, transformation is more likely the case when a benign GCT becomes a high-grade malignancy after a long disease-free interval. Several authors have indicated that a benign GCT tumor recurring with a secondary malignancy 2 to 5 years after initial GCT treatment suggests malignant transformation.¹⁶ Grote and colleagues¹⁰ compiled reports of malignant transformation of GCT of bone and described the clinicopathologic features of secondary malignant transformation of GCTs. The data they compiled and data from several other studies indicate a poor prognosis after malignant transformation of GCT; 4 years after diagnosis, mean survival is 40% to 50%.^10,16 The most common clinical presentation of transformation of GCT into malignancy is pain, often with coincident swelling of the native wound bed. However, a few cases have been identified with radiologic imaging alone and without a period of clinical symptoms.¹⁶

To our knowledge, this case report is the first to describe a longitudinal assessment of the transformation of a benign GCT of bone into an epithelioid angiosarcoma. Whereas an earlier reported GCT of bone transformed into epithelioid angiosarcoma after irradiation,¹² our patient’s GCT of bone transformed without irradiation. GCTs of bone are locally aggressive benign tumors and are relatively rare. Malignant transformation of a benign bone tumor a decade after initial, definitive treatment is concerning, especially given the poor prognosis after malignant transformation in this clinical scenario. Current adjuvant treatments have not changed the prognosis. The literature includes a wide variety of histologic transformations, including high-grade sarcomas, after a long disease-free interval. Although malignant transformation of benign GCTs is rare, clinicians should be aware of the potential. Interval monitoring of GCTs may be necessary in patients with symptoms concerning for malignant transformation—pain or swelling in the wound bed—and patients should know to immediately inform their physician of any changes in pain level or local wound bed. Clinicians should maintain a high clinical suspicion for malignant transformation or late recurrence of GCT in a patient with new pain at the site of a previously treated GCT of bone with a disease-free interval of several years.

Take-Home Points

• PQ is easily mistaken for a PB tear.
• PQ is best identified on MRI, but commonly missed.
• For symptomatic cases, excision is the best treatment.
• Consider PQ in patients with chronic ankle pain, swelling, and/or instability.

The peroneus quartus (PQ) is an accessory muscle arising from the leg’s lateral compartment, which typically contains the peroneus longus (PL) and the peroneus brevis (PB). The many cadaveric studies that have been conducted indicate a general population prevalence ranging from 6.6% to 23%.¹ Radiographic studies, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasonography, have shown a similar prevalence.² Although the PQ is asymptomatic in most cases, it may compromise the space of the superior peroneal tunnel and cause problems, including ankle pain, PB tear, subluxation of peroneal tendons, tendinous calcification, painful hypertrophy of retrotrochlear eminence, and recurrent hematomas.^1,3-5 Given its differing anatomy, the PQ variously has been referred to as peroneocalcaneus externum, peroneocuboideus, long peroneal tendon, and peroneoperoneolongus.¹ 

Although the PQ’s origin and insertion differ between subjects, the most common origin is the muscle fibers of the PB, and the most common insertion is the retrotrochlear eminence of the calcaneum.³

We report a case of peroneal tendon pathology that was initially thought to be caused primarily by impingement of a large osteochondroma on the tendons, but was later thought to be caused in part by a PQ and a split PB tendon seen only at the time of the second operation. The patient provided written informed consent for print and electronic publication of this case report.

Case Report

A 16-year-old boy with an osteochondroma of the right distal fibula presented to clinic with the chief complaint of lateral right ankle pain. A “sharp” pain accompanied by audible “popping” occurred with ankle motion. Medical history was significant only for non-Hodgkin lymphoma treated with bone marrow transplantation and whole body radiation at a young age. Physical examination revealed a palpable exostosis of the distal right fibula and associated ankle swelling.

One year after surgery, the patient returned with recurring right ankle pain and audible popping during ankle movement. There was no appreciable peroneal tendon subluxation on physical examination. Repeat imaging of the ankle showed no recurrence of the osteochondroma (Figure 2).

Discussion

Absence of a PQ muscle in simian and prosimian species suggests that the PQ represents an evolutionary adaptation to evert the lateral foot and improve bipedal gait. Although the 3 peroneal (PL, PB, peroneus tertius [PT]) muscles evert the middle part of the lateral border of the foot, the PQ inserts on the retrotrochlear eminence, which everts the posterior part of the lateral border of the foot.^1,6 The PQ has often been described as a variation of the PB. The PQ may also stabilize the ankle and reduce the energy required for walking. A similar functional adaptation has been proposed for the PT, which dorsiflexes at the ankle. Although presence of a PT also varies in the population, its occurrence does not correlate with presence of a PQ. In people with PQ muscles, there is an 83% to 95% incidence of also having PT muscles.⁷

PQ prevalence has ranged from 6.6% to 23% in cadaver studies² and from 7% to 17% in radiologic studies.¹ To better evaluate prevalence, Yammine² performed a meta-analysis of data from 46 studies (cadaveric dissection, MRI, ultrasonography) and 3928 legs and found an overall incidence of 10.2% and a higher incidence in the Indian population than in other races. Another study found no correlation between PQ presence and sex.⁷

MRI is the best imaging modality for assessing for PQ but must be performed specifically for this anatomical variation. Axial images may show a fat pad separating the PQ muscle from the PB muscle.⁸ On imaging, a PQ muscle can be mistaken for a peroneal tendon tear. A feature that helps in distinguishing the 2 is location; the PQ typically is found posterior and medial to the PL and PB tendons, whereas PB tears are anterior to the retromalleolar groove.² Presence of a PQ muscle may be missed on initial MRI, as occurred in our patient’s case. Zammit and Singh³ reviewed 80 leg MRIs and found 6 PQs. Only 1 of the 6 reports described the PQ as an “atypical appearance of peroneus brevis [that] appears to be made up of more than one tendon.”

Surgical excision is often adequate treatment for a symptomatic PQ. If the PQ muscle is small and symptomatic from pressure to the muscle mass, a short fasciotomy may be performed.⁹ More commonly, complete excision of the accessory muscle is required. Although the PQ muscle is usually asymptomatic, it should be considered in cases of chronic ankle pain, swelling, or instability; recurrent hematomas; and peroneal tendon subluxation or tears.^5,7

Our patient’s diagnosis was initially overlooked because of an osteochondroma in the region of interest. It remains unclear whether his pain was caused by the PQ itself or, more likely, from the PB tear. It is thought that the accessory muscle adds bulk to the peroneal tunnel, predisposing to peroneal pathology, such as muscle tears and tendon subluxation. Regardless, advanced imaging performed before the index procedure, along with a general understanding of the PQ and its classic MRI findings, may have prevented the repeat operation in this case.

The PQ muscle is a rare but sometimes missed potential etiology of ankle pain and tendon subluxation. In our patient’s case, the most obvious abnormality, an osteochondroma, may have masked the true cause.

Take-Home Points

• PQ is easily mistaken for a PB tear.
• PQ is best identified on MRI, but commonly missed.
• For symptomatic cases, excision is the best treatment.
• Consider PQ in patients with chronic ankle pain, swelling, and/or instability.

The peroneus quartus (PQ) is an accessory muscle arising from the leg’s lateral compartment, which typically contains the peroneus longus (PL) and the peroneus brevis (PB). The many cadaveric studies that have been conducted indicate a general population prevalence ranging from 6.6% to 23%.¹ Radiographic studies, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasonography, have shown a similar prevalence.² Although the PQ is asymptomatic in most cases, it may compromise the space of the superior peroneal tunnel and cause problems, including ankle pain, PB tear, subluxation of peroneal tendons, tendinous calcification, painful hypertrophy of retrotrochlear eminence, and recurrent hematomas.^1,3-5 Given its differing anatomy, the PQ variously has been referred to as peroneocalcaneus externum, peroneocuboideus, long peroneal tendon, and peroneoperoneolongus.¹ 

Although the PQ’s origin and insertion differ between subjects, the most common origin is the muscle fibers of the PB, and the most common insertion is the retrotrochlear eminence of the calcaneum.³

We report a case of peroneal tendon pathology that was initially thought to be caused primarily by impingement of a large osteochondroma on the tendons, but was later thought to be caused in part by a PQ and a split PB tendon seen only at the time of the second operation. The patient provided written informed consent for print and electronic publication of this case report.

Case Report

A 16-year-old boy with an osteochondroma of the right distal fibula presented to clinic with the chief complaint of lateral right ankle pain. A “sharp” pain accompanied by audible “popping” occurred with ankle motion. Medical history was significant only for non-Hodgkin lymphoma treated with bone marrow transplantation and whole body radiation at a young age. Physical examination revealed a palpable exostosis of the distal right fibula and associated ankle swelling.

One year after surgery, the patient returned with recurring right ankle pain and audible popping during ankle movement. There was no appreciable peroneal tendon subluxation on physical examination. Repeat imaging of the ankle showed no recurrence of the osteochondroma (Figure 2).

Discussion

Absence of a PQ muscle in simian and prosimian species suggests that the PQ represents an evolutionary adaptation to evert the lateral foot and improve bipedal gait. Although the 3 peroneal (PL, PB, peroneus tertius [PT]) muscles evert the middle part of the lateral border of the foot, the PQ inserts on the retrotrochlear eminence, which everts the posterior part of the lateral border of the foot.^1,6 The PQ has often been described as a variation of the PB. The PQ may also stabilize the ankle and reduce the energy required for walking. A similar functional adaptation has been proposed for the PT, which dorsiflexes at the ankle. Although presence of a PT also varies in the population, its occurrence does not correlate with presence of a PQ. In people with PQ muscles, there is an 83% to 95% incidence of also having PT muscles.⁷

PQ prevalence has ranged from 6.6% to 23% in cadaver studies² and from 7% to 17% in radiologic studies.¹ To better evaluate prevalence, Yammine² performed a meta-analysis of data from 46 studies (cadaveric dissection, MRI, ultrasonography) and 3928 legs and found an overall incidence of 10.2% and a higher incidence in the Indian population than in other races. Another study found no correlation between PQ presence and sex.⁷

MRI is the best imaging modality for assessing for PQ but must be performed specifically for this anatomical variation. Axial images may show a fat pad separating the PQ muscle from the PB muscle.⁸ On imaging, a PQ muscle can be mistaken for a peroneal tendon tear. A feature that helps in distinguishing the 2 is location; the PQ typically is found posterior and medial to the PL and PB tendons, whereas PB tears are anterior to the retromalleolar groove.² Presence of a PQ muscle may be missed on initial MRI, as occurred in our patient’s case. Zammit and Singh³ reviewed 80 leg MRIs and found 6 PQs. Only 1 of the 6 reports described the PQ as an “atypical appearance of peroneus brevis [that] appears to be made up of more than one tendon.”

Surgical excision is often adequate treatment for a symptomatic PQ. If the PQ muscle is small and symptomatic from pressure to the muscle mass, a short fasciotomy may be performed.⁹ More commonly, complete excision of the accessory muscle is required. Although the PQ muscle is usually asymptomatic, it should be considered in cases of chronic ankle pain, swelling, or instability; recurrent hematomas; and peroneal tendon subluxation or tears.^5,7

Our patient’s diagnosis was initially overlooked because of an osteochondroma in the region of interest. It remains unclear whether his pain was caused by the PQ itself or, more likely, from the PB tear. It is thought that the accessory muscle adds bulk to the peroneal tunnel, predisposing to peroneal pathology, such as muscle tears and tendon subluxation. Regardless, advanced imaging performed before the index procedure, along with a general understanding of the PQ and its classic MRI findings, may have prevented the repeat operation in this case.

The PQ muscle is a rare but sometimes missed potential etiology of ankle pain and tendon subluxation. In our patient’s case, the most obvious abnormality, an osteochondroma, may have masked the true cause.

Take-Home Points

• PQ is easily mistaken for a PB tear.
• PQ is best identified on MRI, but commonly missed.
• For symptomatic cases, excision is the best treatment.
• Consider PQ in patients with chronic ankle pain, swelling, and/or instability.

The peroneus quartus (PQ) is an accessory muscle arising from the leg’s lateral compartment, which typically contains the peroneus longus (PL) and the peroneus brevis (PB). The many cadaveric studies that have been conducted indicate a general population prevalence ranging from 6.6% to 23%.¹ Radiographic studies, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasonography, have shown a similar prevalence.² Although the PQ is asymptomatic in most cases, it may compromise the space of the superior peroneal tunnel and cause problems, including ankle pain, PB tear, subluxation of peroneal tendons, tendinous calcification, painful hypertrophy of retrotrochlear eminence, and recurrent hematomas.^1,3-5 Given its differing anatomy, the PQ variously has been referred to as peroneocalcaneus externum, peroneocuboideus, long peroneal tendon, and peroneoperoneolongus.¹ 

Although the PQ’s origin and insertion differ between subjects, the most common origin is the muscle fibers of the PB, and the most common insertion is the retrotrochlear eminence of the calcaneum.³

We report a case of peroneal tendon pathology that was initially thought to be caused primarily by impingement of a large osteochondroma on the tendons, but was later thought to be caused in part by a PQ and a split PB tendon seen only at the time of the second operation. The patient provided written informed consent for print and electronic publication of this case report.

Case Report

A 16-year-old boy with an osteochondroma of the right distal fibula presented to clinic with the chief complaint of lateral right ankle pain. A “sharp” pain accompanied by audible “popping” occurred with ankle motion. Medical history was significant only for non-Hodgkin lymphoma treated with bone marrow transplantation and whole body radiation at a young age. Physical examination revealed a palpable exostosis of the distal right fibula and associated ankle swelling.

One year after surgery, the patient returned with recurring right ankle pain and audible popping during ankle movement. There was no appreciable peroneal tendon subluxation on physical examination. Repeat imaging of the ankle showed no recurrence of the osteochondroma (Figure 2).

Discussion

Absence of a PQ muscle in simian and prosimian species suggests that the PQ represents an evolutionary adaptation to evert the lateral foot and improve bipedal gait. Although the 3 peroneal (PL, PB, peroneus tertius [PT]) muscles evert the middle part of the lateral border of the foot, the PQ inserts on the retrotrochlear eminence, which everts the posterior part of the lateral border of the foot.^1,6 The PQ has often been described as a variation of the PB. The PQ may also stabilize the ankle and reduce the energy required for walking. A similar functional adaptation has been proposed for the PT, which dorsiflexes at the ankle. Although presence of a PT also varies in the population, its occurrence does not correlate with presence of a PQ. In people with PQ muscles, there is an 83% to 95% incidence of also having PT muscles.⁷

PQ prevalence has ranged from 6.6% to 23% in cadaver studies² and from 7% to 17% in radiologic studies.¹ To better evaluate prevalence, Yammine² performed a meta-analysis of data from 46 studies (cadaveric dissection, MRI, ultrasonography) and 3928 legs and found an overall incidence of 10.2% and a higher incidence in the Indian population than in other races. Another study found no correlation between PQ presence and sex.⁷

MRI is the best imaging modality for assessing for PQ but must be performed specifically for this anatomical variation. Axial images may show a fat pad separating the PQ muscle from the PB muscle.⁸ On imaging, a PQ muscle can be mistaken for a peroneal tendon tear. A feature that helps in distinguishing the 2 is location; the PQ typically is found posterior and medial to the PL and PB tendons, whereas PB tears are anterior to the retromalleolar groove.² Presence of a PQ muscle may be missed on initial MRI, as occurred in our patient’s case. Zammit and Singh³ reviewed 80 leg MRIs and found 6 PQs. Only 1 of the 6 reports described the PQ as an “atypical appearance of peroneus brevis [that] appears to be made up of more than one tendon.”

Surgical excision is often adequate treatment for a symptomatic PQ. If the PQ muscle is small and symptomatic from pressure to the muscle mass, a short fasciotomy may be performed.⁹ More commonly, complete excision of the accessory muscle is required. Although the PQ muscle is usually asymptomatic, it should be considered in cases of chronic ankle pain, swelling, or instability; recurrent hematomas; and peroneal tendon subluxation or tears.^5,7

Our patient’s diagnosis was initially overlooked because of an osteochondroma in the region of interest. It remains unclear whether his pain was caused by the PQ itself or, more likely, from the PB tear. It is thought that the accessory muscle adds bulk to the peroneal tunnel, predisposing to peroneal pathology, such as muscle tears and tendon subluxation. Regardless, advanced imaging performed before the index procedure, along with a general understanding of the PQ and its classic MRI findings, may have prevented the repeat operation in this case.

The PQ muscle is a rare but sometimes missed potential etiology of ankle pain and tendon subluxation. In our patient’s case, the most obvious abnormality, an osteochondroma, may have masked the true cause.

Take-Home Points

• There is a 41% rate of AVN or PTOA after operatively managed talus fracture.
• Surgical timing does not affect development of AVN or PTOA.
• Open fractures are associated with development of AVN and PTOA.
• Quality of reduction is likely more important than timing of reduction.
• Urgent surgical treatment is necessary for threatened soft tissue or neurovascular compromise.

Talus fractures are rare injuries that present a significant treatment dilemma.^1-12 These fractures represent <1% of all fractures⁴ and are second only to calcaneus fractures in fractures of the hindfoot. Talus fractures with associated dislocations are even rarer and may provide treating surgeons with a significant surgical quandary.^6,13-16

Talus fractures historically have been characterized by their anatomical location: head, neck, or body. Two systems are commonly used to classify talus fractures: Hawkins and AO/OTA (Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Osteosynthesefragen/Orthopaedic Trauma Association). The first, developed by Hawkins⁷ and modified by Canale and Kelly² and Vallier and colleagues,¹ identifies 4 basic fracture types with associated dislocations. The other system, published in 1996¹⁷ and republished in 2007,¹⁸ uses the combined methods of AO and OTA to systematically describe talus fractures. Although these classification systems accurately describe talus fractures with associated dislocation, both have difficulty predicting clinical outcomes.^1,19,20

Talus fractures commonly result in avascular necrosis (AVN) of the talus and posttraumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA) of the tibiotalar and subtalar joints.^{3,8,9,12,14-16} Hawkins⁷ initially described subchondral lucency as indicating revascularization of the talus after injury. AVN and PTOA rates traditionally have been thought to be related to a blood supply disruption, given the prognostic value of the Hawkins sign.^1,7,12,21 New methods, including a dual-incision approach and expedited transfer to foot and ankle surgeons or orthopedic traumatologists, have improved reduction quality^21-24 but not patient outcomes.^{3,5,8,9,12,14}

Recently, time from injury to surgical intervention has been a topic of much discussion, and there have been studies on the specific effects of timing with respect to outcome.^1,15,16 Vallier and colleagues,¹ who wanted to identify injury characteristics predictive of osteonecrosis, found that delaying reduction and surgical fixation did not increase the risk of AVN. Another study found that urgent reduction of fracture-dislocation with delayed open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) using a dual approach may improve clinical outcomes.²¹

In this vein, we conducted a study to evaluate the effect of time to surgical reduction of talus fractures and talus fracture-dislocations on the development of AVN and PTOA. We hypothesized that time to surgical reduction of talus fracture-dislocation as classified with the AO/OTA system would have no effect of the development of AVN/PTOA.

Methods

After this study received Institutional Review Board approval, we retrospectively reviewed the records on talus fractures surgically managed at a level I trauma center during the 10-year period 2003 to 2013. Of the 119 potential cases identified using Current Procedural Terminology code 28445 (ORIF of talus), 13 were excluded (12 for inaccurate coding or missing documentation, 1 for being a pediatric case), leaving 106 for analysis. Using the Hawkins and AO/OTA systems, 3 independent reviewers classified the injuries on plain radiographs.

Injury dates and times were obtained from the medical records. Operating room start times were also obtained. Surgical timing was defined as time from injury to operating room start. For cases without an injury time, time of presentation to emergency department was used.

Open fracture-dislocations were managed with intravenous antibiotics, urgent surgical irrigation, débridement, and immediate fixation or temporizing external fixation after reduction. All fractures were definitively managed with standard ORIF with an anteromedial, anterolateral, or dual approach and mini-fragment implants. After fixation, weight-bearing typically was restricted for 6 to 12 weeks.

Follow-up radiographs were evaluated. Presence or absence of Hawkins sign⁷ was noted on radiographs at 6 or 8 weeks, and all follow-up radiographs were evaluated for AVN as defined by increased radiographic density within the talar dome or collapse of the articular surface. All radiographs were evaluated for PTOA as defined by loss of joint space within the tibiotalar, subtalar, or talonavicular joint on follow-up radiographs.

Clinical outcomes were analyzed for development of AVN, PTOA, or secondary corrective surgery or arthrodesis. Continuous variables were evaluated with the t test, and the χ² test was used to compare distributions of categorical variables. The Wilcoxon rank sum test was used to compare non-normally distributed variables. Significance was set at P < .05.

Classification Analysis (Table 1)

Subject Analysis (Table 2)

The mechanisms of injury were motor vehicle accident (70/106; 66%), fall from height (25; 24%), misstep (4), sports related (2), object falling on ankle (2), and not reported (3). 

Of the 106 patients, 45 (42%) had isolated talus injuries, 35 had concomitant ipsilateral lower extremity injuries, 25 had concomitant contralateral lower extremity injuries, and 1 had a concomitant upper extremity injury. 

Smoking status was everyday (14 patients), past (10), never (34), and unreported (48). Five patients reported a history of alcohol abuse, and 4 patients reported illicit drug use. Two had a history of atrial fibrillation, 9 had hypertension, 3 had hyperlipidemia, 3 had renal disease, 3 had heart disease, 4 had diabetes, 3 had lung disease, and 1 had a history of lung cancer.

Overall Analysis of AVN/PTOA (Table 3)

Analysis of AVN/PTOA in 81-B3 Fracture-Dislocations (Table 4)

Discussion

Our results showed that time from talus fracture-dislocation to surgical reduction had no effect on development of AVN/PTOA. The findings in this largest series to date agree with earlier findings^1,8,15,16,24 and add to the volume of literature suggesting that time to surgical reduction of talus fractures and talus fracture-dislocations does not markedly affect outcome.

Talus fractures continue to present a significant treatment dilemma. Despite recent improvements in surgical techniques and overall management of these injuries, rates of AVN and PTOA have not significantly decreased.^1,16,23 At most treating facilities, talus fracture-dislocations are considered surgical emergencies/urgencies, and every effort is made to reduce and surgically address these injuries as soon as possible.^1,13

In this study, rates of AVN/PTOA were 41% (all talus fractures) and 50% (displaced talar neck fractures), and the difference was not significant (Table 3). These rates are higher but consistent with previously reported rates (range, 14%-49%).^{1,2,7-9,12,14,24} There was no difference in surgical timing for development of AVN/PTOA. We analyzed the cases of all patients who had talus fractures and developed AVN/PTOA (43/106). Within this group, there were no significant differences in surgical timing, age, sex, polytrauma, or BMI between patients who developed AVN/PTOA and those who did not. Compared with patients who did not develop AVN/PTOA, those who developed AVN/PTOA were significantly more likely to have open injuries. This finding, consistent with those in other reports^9,12,13 (Table 3), indicates outcome is more likely related to injury severity and not necessarily injury class.

We retrospectively analyzed talus fractures and talus fracture-dislocations to determine if urgent surgical management affects outcomes. Current practice at our institution is to routinely reduce and surgically address these fractures urgently, often during the middle of the night, when orthopedic resources are reduced. Our study found a significant difference in surgical timing for patients with talus fracture-dislocations and patients with talus fractures without dislocations (Table 2). Given our findings, urgent surgical reduction and fixation are not indicated to preserve the talus blood supply and prevent AVN/PTOA, though we still recommend urgent surgical management in the setting of an open wound, skin necrosis, or soft-tissue/neurovascular compromise. 

This study had several limitations, primarily related to its retrospective nature. Surgical timing was defined as time from injury, as noted in the medical record, to operating room start. In some instances, time of injury was not noted in the medical record, and time of presentation to emergency room was used instead. Thus, surgical timing for these patients may have been longer than identified. In addition, given the rare injury pattern and the retrospective design, this study was susceptible to type II error and may have been underpowered to detect whether time to surgical reduction predicted complications. Also, the study did not address functional outcome as measured by validated outcome scores. Outcome measures were obtained in many but not all cases, making functional outcome measurement difficult. Similarly, the quality of the anatomical reductions was not assessed, potentially affecting complication rates. Postoperative reduction assessment, possibly performed with computed tomography, is an avenue of further study.

Strengths of this study include its large sample size (this was one of the largest studies of talus fractures), long follow-up (mean, 150 weeks), and novel use of AO/OTA classification.

We postulate that development of AVN/PTOA is not necessarily related to the urgency or timing of surgical reduction and fixation and is more likely related to injury severity. This idea is supported by the finding that development of AVN/PTOA was significantly correlated to open injuries in all talus fractures, including talus fracture-dislocations and isolated talus fractures.

Conclusion 

Talus fracture-dislocations are devastating injuries with high rates of complications. In this study, open talus fractures, and fractures with associated tibiotalar or subtalar dislocations, had higher complication rates. Given the evidence presented, we recommend basing surgical timing on injury severity, not necessarily for AVN/PTOA prevention. Specifically, in the absence of an open wound, skin necrosis, or soft-tissue/neurovascular compromise, talus fracture-dislocations can be surgically reduced and stabilized when optimal resources are available.

Take-Home Points

• There is a 41% rate of AVN or PTOA after operatively managed talus fracture.
• Surgical timing does not affect development of AVN or PTOA.
• Open fractures are associated with development of AVN and PTOA.
• Quality of reduction is likely more important than timing of reduction.
• Urgent surgical treatment is necessary for threatened soft tissue or neurovascular compromise.

Talus fractures are rare injuries that present a significant treatment dilemma.^1-12 These fractures represent <1% of all fractures⁴ and are second only to calcaneus fractures in fractures of the hindfoot. Talus fractures with associated dislocations are even rarer and may provide treating surgeons with a significant surgical quandary.^6,13-16

Talus fractures historically have been characterized by their anatomical location: head, neck, or body. Two systems are commonly used to classify talus fractures: Hawkins and AO/OTA (Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Osteosynthesefragen/Orthopaedic Trauma Association). The first, developed by Hawkins⁷ and modified by Canale and Kelly² and Vallier and colleagues,¹ identifies 4 basic fracture types with associated dislocations. The other system, published in 1996¹⁷ and republished in 2007,¹⁸ uses the combined methods of AO and OTA to systematically describe talus fractures. Although these classification systems accurately describe talus fractures with associated dislocation, both have difficulty predicting clinical outcomes.^1,19,20

Talus fractures commonly result in avascular necrosis (AVN) of the talus and posttraumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA) of the tibiotalar and subtalar joints.^{3,8,9,12,14-16} Hawkins⁷ initially described subchondral lucency as indicating revascularization of the talus after injury. AVN and PTOA rates traditionally have been thought to be related to a blood supply disruption, given the prognostic value of the Hawkins sign.^1,7,12,21 New methods, including a dual-incision approach and expedited transfer to foot and ankle surgeons or orthopedic traumatologists, have improved reduction quality^21-24 but not patient outcomes.^{3,5,8,9,12,14}

Recently, time from injury to surgical intervention has been a topic of much discussion, and there have been studies on the specific effects of timing with respect to outcome.^1,15,16 Vallier and colleagues,¹ who wanted to identify injury characteristics predictive of osteonecrosis, found that delaying reduction and surgical fixation did not increase the risk of AVN. Another study found that urgent reduction of fracture-dislocation with delayed open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) using a dual approach may improve clinical outcomes.²¹

In this vein, we conducted a study to evaluate the effect of time to surgical reduction of talus fractures and talus fracture-dislocations on the development of AVN and PTOA. We hypothesized that time to surgical reduction of talus fracture-dislocation as classified with the AO/OTA system would have no effect of the development of AVN/PTOA.

Methods

After this study received Institutional Review Board approval, we retrospectively reviewed the records on talus fractures surgically managed at a level I trauma center during the 10-year period 2003 to 2013. Of the 119 potential cases identified using Current Procedural Terminology code 28445 (ORIF of talus), 13 were excluded (12 for inaccurate coding or missing documentation, 1 for being a pediatric case), leaving 106 for analysis. Using the Hawkins and AO/OTA systems, 3 independent reviewers classified the injuries on plain radiographs.

Injury dates and times were obtained from the medical records. Operating room start times were also obtained. Surgical timing was defined as time from injury to operating room start. For cases without an injury time, time of presentation to emergency department was used.

Open fracture-dislocations were managed with intravenous antibiotics, urgent surgical irrigation, débridement, and immediate fixation or temporizing external fixation after reduction. All fractures were definitively managed with standard ORIF with an anteromedial, anterolateral, or dual approach and mini-fragment implants. After fixation, weight-bearing typically was restricted for 6 to 12 weeks.

Follow-up radiographs were evaluated. Presence or absence of Hawkins sign⁷ was noted on radiographs at 6 or 8 weeks, and all follow-up radiographs were evaluated for AVN as defined by increased radiographic density within the talar dome or collapse of the articular surface. All radiographs were evaluated for PTOA as defined by loss of joint space within the tibiotalar, subtalar, or talonavicular joint on follow-up radiographs.

Clinical outcomes were analyzed for development of AVN, PTOA, or secondary corrective surgery or arthrodesis. Continuous variables were evaluated with the t test, and the χ² test was used to compare distributions of categorical variables. The Wilcoxon rank sum test was used to compare non-normally distributed variables. Significance was set at P < .05.

Classification Analysis (Table 1)

Subject Analysis (Table 2)

The mechanisms of injury were motor vehicle accident (70/106; 66%), fall from height (25; 24%), misstep (4), sports related (2), object falling on ankle (2), and not reported (3). 

Of the 106 patients, 45 (42%) had isolated talus injuries, 35 had concomitant ipsilateral lower extremity injuries, 25 had concomitant contralateral lower extremity injuries, and 1 had a concomitant upper extremity injury. 

Smoking status was everyday (14 patients), past (10), never (34), and unreported (48). Five patients reported a history of alcohol abuse, and 4 patients reported illicit drug use. Two had a history of atrial fibrillation, 9 had hypertension, 3 had hyperlipidemia, 3 had renal disease, 3 had heart disease, 4 had diabetes, 3 had lung disease, and 1 had a history of lung cancer.

Overall Analysis of AVN/PTOA (Table 3)

Analysis of AVN/PTOA in 81-B3 Fracture-Dislocations (Table 4)

Discussion

Our results showed that time from talus fracture-dislocation to surgical reduction had no effect on development of AVN/PTOA. The findings in this largest series to date agree with earlier findings^1,8,15,16,24 and add to the volume of literature suggesting that time to surgical reduction of talus fractures and talus fracture-dislocations does not markedly affect outcome.

Talus fractures continue to present a significant treatment dilemma. Despite recent improvements in surgical techniques and overall management of these injuries, rates of AVN and PTOA have not significantly decreased.^1,16,23 At most treating facilities, talus fracture-dislocations are considered surgical emergencies/urgencies, and every effort is made to reduce and surgically address these injuries as soon as possible.^1,13

In this study, rates of AVN/PTOA were 41% (all talus fractures) and 50% (displaced talar neck fractures), and the difference was not significant (Table 3). These rates are higher but consistent with previously reported rates (range, 14%-49%).^{1,2,7-9,12,14,24} There was no difference in surgical timing for development of AVN/PTOA. We analyzed the cases of all patients who had talus fractures and developed AVN/PTOA (43/106). Within this group, there were no significant differences in surgical timing, age, sex, polytrauma, or BMI between patients who developed AVN/PTOA and those who did not. Compared with patients who did not develop AVN/PTOA, those who developed AVN/PTOA were significantly more likely to have open injuries. This finding, consistent with those in other reports^9,12,13 (Table 3), indicates outcome is more likely related to injury severity and not necessarily injury class.

We retrospectively analyzed talus fractures and talus fracture-dislocations to determine if urgent surgical management affects outcomes. Current practice at our institution is to routinely reduce and surgically address these fractures urgently, often during the middle of the night, when orthopedic resources are reduced. Our study found a significant difference in surgical timing for patients with talus fracture-dislocations and patients with talus fractures without dislocations (Table 2). Given our findings, urgent surgical reduction and fixation are not indicated to preserve the talus blood supply and prevent AVN/PTOA, though we still recommend urgent surgical management in the setting of an open wound, skin necrosis, or soft-tissue/neurovascular compromise. 

This study had several limitations, primarily related to its retrospective nature. Surgical timing was defined as time from injury, as noted in the medical record, to operating room start. In some instances, time of injury was not noted in the medical record, and time of presentation to emergency room was used instead. Thus, surgical timing for these patients may have been longer than identified. In addition, given the rare injury pattern and the retrospective design, this study was susceptible to type II error and may have been underpowered to detect whether time to surgical reduction predicted complications. Also, the study did not address functional outcome as measured by validated outcome scores. Outcome measures were obtained in many but not all cases, making functional outcome measurement difficult. Similarly, the quality of the anatomical reductions was not assessed, potentially affecting complication rates. Postoperative reduction assessment, possibly performed with computed tomography, is an avenue of further study.

Strengths of this study include its large sample size (this was one of the largest studies of talus fractures), long follow-up (mean, 150 weeks), and novel use of AO/OTA classification.

We postulate that development of AVN/PTOA is not necessarily related to the urgency or timing of surgical reduction and fixation and is more likely related to injury severity. This idea is supported by the finding that development of AVN/PTOA was significantly correlated to open injuries in all talus fractures, including talus fracture-dislocations and isolated talus fractures.

Conclusion 

Talus fracture-dislocations are devastating injuries with high rates of complications. In this study, open talus fractures, and fractures with associated tibiotalar or subtalar dislocations, had higher complication rates. Given the evidence presented, we recommend basing surgical timing on injury severity, not necessarily for AVN/PTOA prevention. Specifically, in the absence of an open wound, skin necrosis, or soft-tissue/neurovascular compromise, talus fracture-dislocations can be surgically reduced and stabilized when optimal resources are available.

Take-Home Points

• There is a 41% rate of AVN or PTOA after operatively managed talus fracture.
• Surgical timing does not affect development of AVN or PTOA.
• Open fractures are associated with development of AVN and PTOA.
• Quality of reduction is likely more important than timing of reduction.
• Urgent surgical treatment is necessary for threatened soft tissue or neurovascular compromise.

Talus fractures are rare injuries that present a significant treatment dilemma.^1-12 These fractures represent <1% of all fractures⁴ and are second only to calcaneus fractures in fractures of the hindfoot. Talus fractures with associated dislocations are even rarer and may provide treating surgeons with a significant surgical quandary.^6,13-16

Talus fractures historically have been characterized by their anatomical location: head, neck, or body. Two systems are commonly used to classify talus fractures: Hawkins and AO/OTA (Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Osteosynthesefragen/Orthopaedic Trauma Association). The first, developed by Hawkins⁷ and modified by Canale and Kelly² and Vallier and colleagues,¹ identifies 4 basic fracture types with associated dislocations. The other system, published in 1996¹⁷ and republished in 2007,¹⁸ uses the combined methods of AO and OTA to systematically describe talus fractures. Although these classification systems accurately describe talus fractures with associated dislocation, both have difficulty predicting clinical outcomes.^1,19,20

Talus fractures commonly result in avascular necrosis (AVN) of the talus and posttraumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA) of the tibiotalar and subtalar joints.^{3,8,9,12,14-16} Hawkins⁷ initially described subchondral lucency as indicating revascularization of the talus after injury. AVN and PTOA rates traditionally have been thought to be related to a blood supply disruption, given the prognostic value of the Hawkins sign.^1,7,12,21 New methods, including a dual-incision approach and expedited transfer to foot and ankle surgeons or orthopedic traumatologists, have improved reduction quality^21-24 but not patient outcomes.^{3,5,8,9,12,14}

Recently, time from injury to surgical intervention has been a topic of much discussion, and there have been studies on the specific effects of timing with respect to outcome.^1,15,16 Vallier and colleagues,¹ who wanted to identify injury characteristics predictive of osteonecrosis, found that delaying reduction and surgical fixation did not increase the risk of AVN. Another study found that urgent reduction of fracture-dislocation with delayed open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) using a dual approach may improve clinical outcomes.²¹

In this vein, we conducted a study to evaluate the effect of time to surgical reduction of talus fractures and talus fracture-dislocations on the development of AVN and PTOA. We hypothesized that time to surgical reduction of talus fracture-dislocation as classified with the AO/OTA system would have no effect of the development of AVN/PTOA.

Methods

After this study received Institutional Review Board approval, we retrospectively reviewed the records on talus fractures surgically managed at a level I trauma center during the 10-year period 2003 to 2013. Of the 119 potential cases identified using Current Procedural Terminology code 28445 (ORIF of talus), 13 were excluded (12 for inaccurate coding or missing documentation, 1 for being a pediatric case), leaving 106 for analysis. Using the Hawkins and AO/OTA systems, 3 independent reviewers classified the injuries on plain radiographs.

Injury dates and times were obtained from the medical records. Operating room start times were also obtained. Surgical timing was defined as time from injury to operating room start. For cases without an injury time, time of presentation to emergency department was used.

Open fracture-dislocations were managed with intravenous antibiotics, urgent surgical irrigation, débridement, and immediate fixation or temporizing external fixation after reduction. All fractures were definitively managed with standard ORIF with an anteromedial, anterolateral, or dual approach and mini-fragment implants. After fixation, weight-bearing typically was restricted for 6 to 12 weeks.

Follow-up radiographs were evaluated. Presence or absence of Hawkins sign⁷ was noted on radiographs at 6 or 8 weeks, and all follow-up radiographs were evaluated for AVN as defined by increased radiographic density within the talar dome or collapse of the articular surface. All radiographs were evaluated for PTOA as defined by loss of joint space within the tibiotalar, subtalar, or talonavicular joint on follow-up radiographs.

Clinical outcomes were analyzed for development of AVN, PTOA, or secondary corrective surgery or arthrodesis. Continuous variables were evaluated with the t test, and the χ² test was used to compare distributions of categorical variables. The Wilcoxon rank sum test was used to compare non-normally distributed variables. Significance was set at P < .05.

Classification Analysis (Table 1)

Subject Analysis (Table 2)

The mechanisms of injury were motor vehicle accident (70/106; 66%), fall from height (25; 24%), misstep (4), sports related (2), object falling on ankle (2), and not reported (3). 

Of the 106 patients, 45 (42%) had isolated talus injuries, 35 had concomitant ipsilateral lower extremity injuries, 25 had concomitant contralateral lower extremity injuries, and 1 had a concomitant upper extremity injury. 

Smoking status was everyday (14 patients), past (10), never (34), and unreported (48). Five patients reported a history of alcohol abuse, and 4 patients reported illicit drug use. Two had a history of atrial fibrillation, 9 had hypertension, 3 had hyperlipidemia, 3 had renal disease, 3 had heart disease, 4 had diabetes, 3 had lung disease, and 1 had a history of lung cancer.

Overall Analysis of AVN/PTOA (Table 3)

Analysis of AVN/PTOA in 81-B3 Fracture-Dislocations (Table 4)

Discussion

Our results showed that time from talus fracture-dislocation to surgical reduction had no effect on development of AVN/PTOA. The findings in this largest series to date agree with earlier findings^1,8,15,16,24 and add to the volume of literature suggesting that time to surgical reduction of talus fractures and talus fracture-dislocations does not markedly affect outcome.

Talus fractures continue to present a significant treatment dilemma. Despite recent improvements in surgical techniques and overall management of these injuries, rates of AVN and PTOA have not significantly decreased.^1,16,23 At most treating facilities, talus fracture-dislocations are considered surgical emergencies/urgencies, and every effort is made to reduce and surgically address these injuries as soon as possible.^1,13

In this study, rates of AVN/PTOA were 41% (all talus fractures) and 50% (displaced talar neck fractures), and the difference was not significant (Table 3). These rates are higher but consistent with previously reported rates (range, 14%-49%).^{1,2,7-9,12,14,24} There was no difference in surgical timing for development of AVN/PTOA. We analyzed the cases of all patients who had talus fractures and developed AVN/PTOA (43/106). Within this group, there were no significant differences in surgical timing, age, sex, polytrauma, or BMI between patients who developed AVN/PTOA and those who did not. Compared with patients who did not develop AVN/PTOA, those who developed AVN/PTOA were significantly more likely to have open injuries. This finding, consistent with those in other reports^9,12,13 (Table 3), indicates outcome is more likely related to injury severity and not necessarily injury class.

We retrospectively analyzed talus fractures and talus fracture-dislocations to determine if urgent surgical management affects outcomes. Current practice at our institution is to routinely reduce and surgically address these fractures urgently, often during the middle of the night, when orthopedic resources are reduced. Our study found a significant difference in surgical timing for patients with talus fracture-dislocations and patients with talus fractures without dislocations (Table 2). Given our findings, urgent surgical reduction and fixation are not indicated to preserve the talus blood supply and prevent AVN/PTOA, though we still recommend urgent surgical management in the setting of an open wound, skin necrosis, or soft-tissue/neurovascular compromise. 

This study had several limitations, primarily related to its retrospective nature. Surgical timing was defined as time from injury, as noted in the medical record, to operating room start. In some instances, time of injury was not noted in the medical record, and time of presentation to emergency room was used instead. Thus, surgical timing for these patients may have been longer than identified. In addition, given the rare injury pattern and the retrospective design, this study was susceptible to type II error and may have been underpowered to detect whether time to surgical reduction predicted complications. Also, the study did not address functional outcome as measured by validated outcome scores. Outcome measures were obtained in many but not all cases, making functional outcome measurement difficult. Similarly, the quality of the anatomical reductions was not assessed, potentially affecting complication rates. Postoperative reduction assessment, possibly performed with computed tomography, is an avenue of further study.

Strengths of this study include its large sample size (this was one of the largest studies of talus fractures), long follow-up (mean, 150 weeks), and novel use of AO/OTA classification.

We postulate that development of AVN/PTOA is not necessarily related to the urgency or timing of surgical reduction and fixation and is more likely related to injury severity. This idea is supported by the finding that development of AVN/PTOA was significantly correlated to open injuries in all talus fractures, including talus fracture-dislocations and isolated talus fractures.

Conclusion 

Talus fracture-dislocations are devastating injuries with high rates of complications. In this study, open talus fractures, and fractures with associated tibiotalar or subtalar dislocations, had higher complication rates. Given the evidence presented, we recommend basing surgical timing on injury severity, not necessarily for AVN/PTOA prevention. Specifically, in the absence of an open wound, skin necrosis, or soft-tissue/neurovascular compromise, talus fracture-dislocations can be surgically reduced and stabilized when optimal resources are available.

SAN DIEGO – Between 1980 and 2016, women with RA had a higher rate of small-joint orthopedic surgery procedures than did men, but the rate of small-joint procedures is declining for both sexes. However, no differences in rates of large-joint procedures between sexes were observed during the same time period.

Those are key findings from a retrospective study which set out to determine if there are sex differences in the incidence and trends of large- versus small-joint surgery rates in rheumatoid arthritis over time. “Why is orthopedic surgery important to rheumatology? The main reason is because it’s a surrogate for failed medical management,” lead study author Michael D. Richter, MD, said at the annual meeting of the American College of Rheumatology.

[email protected]

SAN DIEGO – Between 1980 and 2016, women with RA had a higher rate of small-joint orthopedic surgery procedures than did men, but the rate of small-joint procedures is declining for both sexes. However, no differences in rates of large-joint procedures between sexes were observed during the same time period.

Those are key findings from a retrospective study which set out to determine if there are sex differences in the incidence and trends of large- versus small-joint surgery rates in rheumatoid arthritis over time. “Why is orthopedic surgery important to rheumatology? The main reason is because it’s a surrogate for failed medical management,” lead study author Michael D. Richter, MD, said at the annual meeting of the American College of Rheumatology.

[email protected]

SAN DIEGO – Between 1980 and 2016, women with RA had a higher rate of small-joint orthopedic surgery procedures than did men, but the rate of small-joint procedures is declining for both sexes. However, no differences in rates of large-joint procedures between sexes were observed during the same time period.

Those are key findings from a retrospective study which set out to determine if there are sex differences in the incidence and trends of large- versus small-joint surgery rates in rheumatoid arthritis over time. “Why is orthopedic surgery important to rheumatology? The main reason is because it’s a surrogate for failed medical management,” lead study author Michael D. Richter, MD, said at the annual meeting of the American College of Rheumatology.

[email protected]

Take-Home Points

• Stability of the foot is dependent on both the medial and lateral longitudinal columns; injuries to a single column alone are extremely rare.
• Midfoot fractures that are recognized and treated early have generally favorable outcomes compared to those identified in a delayed fashion.
• The most frequent complication of navicular dislocation is AVN, which is said to occur in as many as 25% of cases.
• Many specialists agree that navicular dislocations are best treated with open reduction.
• Ultimately, the goals of surgical intervention are to minimize pain and to establish stability of the plantigrade foot.

Traumatic dislocation of the tarsal navicular (especially without a navicular body fracture) is uncommon.¹ The regional anatomy and ligamentous architecture confer stability to the midfoot.^2-6 Navicular dislocation is part of a complex disruption involving structures in the adjacent column.⁶

Navicular dislocation has been associated with several bony and soft-tissue injury patterns, including comminuted intra-articular fracture of the calcaneus and associated calcaneocuboid joint subluxation; fracture and subluxation of the calcaneocuboid joint; fracture-dislocation of the calcaneocuboid joint with fractures of the third and fourth metatarsals; and a combination of fractures of the intermediate cuneiform, the second through fourth metatarsals, and the cuboid.^4–11 In this article, we report a case of open complete navicular dislocation with talar head fracture and associated subtalar and calcaneocuboid subluxations in a 45-year-old man. The injury was managed with open reduction and stabilization with Kirschner wires (K-wires), which later required naviculocuneiform and intercuneiform fusion for posttraumatic avascular necrosis (AVN). The patient provided written informed consent for print and electronic publication of this case report.

Case Report

A 45-year-old man sustained blunt trauma to the right foot in a high-speed head-on collision. He was hemodynamically stable with isolated complaints of pain in the foot. Physical examination revealed a grossly open 10-cm wound extending from the heel pad medially to the dorsal surface of the navicular. The navicular was clearly visible through the wound.

Plain radiographs of the foot showed complete medial dislocation of the navicular with complete disruption of all 3 naviculocuneiform joints (Figures 1A-1C).

Discussion

The naviculocuneiform joints are important for the dissipation of loading stresses on the midfoot but provide little motion. The plantar and dorsal ligaments are thick structures that stabilize these joints, predisposing the navicular to fracture rather than isolated dislocation. The stability of the foot is dependent on both the medial and lateral longitudinal columns, and it is thought impossible to injure one column without disrupting the other.⁶ Several patterns of associated lateral column disruptions have been documented, including 3 cases similar to our patient’s, involving navicular dislocation with associated calcaneocuboid joint injuries.^5,6,10

Authors have proposed several mechanisms accounting for navicular dislocations. In the setting of acute trauma, the navicular displaces dorsally as the result of forefoot plantar flexion and axial loading.⁴ A severe abduction/pronation injury leading to a midtarsal dislocation followed by a spontaneous reduction can force the navicular to dislocate medially.⁶ This disruption of the naviculocuneiform joint and concurrent “nutcracker” injury to the lateral column can produce an associated disruption of the calcaneocuboid joint.⁶ Depending on the direction of the deforming force, the forefoot can dislocate superolaterally if the force is plantar or inferolaterally if the force is dorsal. The remaining soft-tissue attachments help determine the position of the navicular. A third postulated mechanism involves a complex wringing injury to the forefoot.¹⁰Most specialists agree that navicular dislocations are best treated with open reduction.^4,6 The goal of surgical intervention is to establish a stable plantigrade foot and to minimize pain. The current literature supports using either wires or screws to maintain reduction of midfoot injuries. Wires can be used for both talonavicular and naviculocuneiform fixation. Screws can be placed across the naviculocuneiform joints, as there is little normal physiologic motion through these joints.⁴ The talonavicular joint and the cuboid-metatarsal joints provide most of the motion in the midfoot and should not be readily fused.⁵ Stabilization of both columns is considered necessary to avoid complications such as subluxation and midfoot deformity.Given the postreduction stability of the lateral column in the present case, bicolumnar stabilization was not considered necessary. It is possible that subsequent collapse of the midfoot may have been attenuated in the presence of lateral fixation, but this would not necessarily have prevented complications of AVN.

Midfoot fractures that are recognized and treated early have generally favorable outcomes,^5-11 though chronic pain and subsequent deformity are not uncommon. Perhaps the most frequently reported complication of navicular dislocation is AVN, which is thought to occur in approximately 25% of cases.¹² AVN is a well-recognized complication of hindfoot and midfoot trauma. In the tarsal navicular, blood supply to the central-third watershed region is marginal. Small branches of the posterior tibial and dorsalis pedis arteries that supply the medial and lateral areas are readily injured. Not surprisingly, the risk for AVN is high when the dislocated bone is severely displaced.⁶ In some circumstances, the shared blood supply of the posterior tibialis may be the only remaining osseous supply. The tendon and its soft-tissue attachments should therefore be carefully monitored during dissection and reduction.⁶ In most cases, AVN of the foot manifests clinically within the first 10 months after injury, as was the case with our patient.¹³ AVN can result in the Charcot-like collapse of the medial column, leading to progressive midfoot plantar deformities.⁴ Variations of midfoot fusion are often required.^4,6AVN may be difficult to differentiate from posttraumatic arthritis. These conditions can have similar clinical presentations and appearances on plain radiographs. In such situations, magnetic resonance imaging or bone scintigraphy may determine the diagnosis. Damage to the articular surface at time of injury and residual articular displacement, instability, and joint subluxation after injury are considered risk factors for the development of posttraumatic arthritis in the foot and ankle.¹⁴ Reports suggest that the severity of the damage to the articular surface is directly proportional to the degree of arthritis.¹⁴ Such damage may not be initially visible, especially in axial impaction injuries, but latent deterioration of the articular surface can occur.¹⁵ For patients with significant dislocations of the naviculocuneiform joints, some authors advocate primary and early fusion¹⁵ instead of the more conservative approach used here. Primary fusions are argued to have minimal deleterious effects on function, secondary to the absence of normal physiologic motion through the affected joints.¹⁵ However, there is relatively little published evidence on long-term outcomes in primary versus secondary naviculocuneiform fusions.

Successful treatment of midfoot fractures and dislocations requires intimate knowledge of foot and ankle anatomy and mechanics. Surgeons must be able to anticipate, identify, and counsel patients about acute and delayed complications in these already challenging injuries.

Am J Orthop. 2017;46(3):E186-E189. Copyright Frontline Medical Communications Inc. 2017. All rights reserved.

Take-Home Points

• Stability of the foot is dependent on both the medial and lateral longitudinal columns; injuries to a single column alone are extremely rare.
• Midfoot fractures that are recognized and treated early have generally favorable outcomes compared to those identified in a delayed fashion.
• The most frequent complication of navicular dislocation is AVN, which is said to occur in as many as 25% of cases.
• Many specialists agree that navicular dislocations are best treated with open reduction.
• Ultimately, the goals of surgical intervention are to minimize pain and to establish stability of the plantigrade foot.

Traumatic dislocation of the tarsal navicular (especially without a navicular body fracture) is uncommon.¹ The regional anatomy and ligamentous architecture confer stability to the midfoot.^2-6 Navicular dislocation is part of a complex disruption involving structures in the adjacent column.⁶

Navicular dislocation has been associated with several bony and soft-tissue injury patterns, including comminuted intra-articular fracture of the calcaneus and associated calcaneocuboid joint subluxation; fracture and subluxation of the calcaneocuboid joint; fracture-dislocation of the calcaneocuboid joint with fractures of the third and fourth metatarsals; and a combination of fractures of the intermediate cuneiform, the second through fourth metatarsals, and the cuboid.^4–11 In this article, we report a case of open complete navicular dislocation with talar head fracture and associated subtalar and calcaneocuboid subluxations in a 45-year-old man. The injury was managed with open reduction and stabilization with Kirschner wires (K-wires), which later required naviculocuneiform and intercuneiform fusion for posttraumatic avascular necrosis (AVN). The patient provided written informed consent for print and electronic publication of this case report.

Case Report

A 45-year-old man sustained blunt trauma to the right foot in a high-speed head-on collision. He was hemodynamically stable with isolated complaints of pain in the foot. Physical examination revealed a grossly open 10-cm wound extending from the heel pad medially to the dorsal surface of the navicular. The navicular was clearly visible through the wound.

Plain radiographs of the foot showed complete medial dislocation of the navicular with complete disruption of all 3 naviculocuneiform joints (Figures 1A-1C).

Discussion

The naviculocuneiform joints are important for the dissipation of loading stresses on the midfoot but provide little motion. The plantar and dorsal ligaments are thick structures that stabilize these joints, predisposing the navicular to fracture rather than isolated dislocation. The stability of the foot is dependent on both the medial and lateral longitudinal columns, and it is thought impossible to injure one column without disrupting the other.⁶ Several patterns of associated lateral column disruptions have been documented, including 3 cases similar to our patient’s, involving navicular dislocation with associated calcaneocuboid joint injuries.^5,6,10

Authors have proposed several mechanisms accounting for navicular dislocations. In the setting of acute trauma, the navicular displaces dorsally as the result of forefoot plantar flexion and axial loading.⁴ A severe abduction/pronation injury leading to a midtarsal dislocation followed by a spontaneous reduction can force the navicular to dislocate medially.⁶ This disruption of the naviculocuneiform joint and concurrent “nutcracker” injury to the lateral column can produce an associated disruption of the calcaneocuboid joint.⁶ Depending on the direction of the deforming force, the forefoot can dislocate superolaterally if the force is plantar or inferolaterally if the force is dorsal. The remaining soft-tissue attachments help determine the position of the navicular. A third postulated mechanism involves a complex wringing injury to the forefoot.¹⁰Most specialists agree that navicular dislocations are best treated with open reduction.^4,6 The goal of surgical intervention is to establish a stable plantigrade foot and to minimize pain. The current literature supports using either wires or screws to maintain reduction of midfoot injuries. Wires can be used for both talonavicular and naviculocuneiform fixation. Screws can be placed across the naviculocuneiform joints, as there is little normal physiologic motion through these joints.⁴ The talonavicular joint and the cuboid-metatarsal joints provide most of the motion in the midfoot and should not be readily fused.⁵ Stabilization of both columns is considered necessary to avoid complications such as subluxation and midfoot deformity.Given the postreduction stability of the lateral column in the present case, bicolumnar stabilization was not considered necessary. It is possible that subsequent collapse of the midfoot may have been attenuated in the presence of lateral fixation, but this would not necessarily have prevented complications of AVN.

Midfoot fractures that are recognized and treated early have generally favorable outcomes,^5-11 though chronic pain and subsequent deformity are not uncommon. Perhaps the most frequently reported complication of navicular dislocation is AVN, which is thought to occur in approximately 25% of cases.¹² AVN is a well-recognized complication of hindfoot and midfoot trauma. In the tarsal navicular, blood supply to the central-third watershed region is marginal. Small branches of the posterior tibial and dorsalis pedis arteries that supply the medial and lateral areas are readily injured. Not surprisingly, the risk for AVN is high when the dislocated bone is severely displaced.⁶ In some circumstances, the shared blood supply of the posterior tibialis may be the only remaining osseous supply. The tendon and its soft-tissue attachments should therefore be carefully monitored during dissection and reduction.⁶ In most cases, AVN of the foot manifests clinically within the first 10 months after injury, as was the case with our patient.¹³ AVN can result in the Charcot-like collapse of the medial column, leading to progressive midfoot plantar deformities.⁴ Variations of midfoot fusion are often required.^4,6AVN may be difficult to differentiate from posttraumatic arthritis. These conditions can have similar clinical presentations and appearances on plain radiographs. In such situations, magnetic resonance imaging or bone scintigraphy may determine the diagnosis. Damage to the articular surface at time of injury and residual articular displacement, instability, and joint subluxation after injury are considered risk factors for the development of posttraumatic arthritis in the foot and ankle.¹⁴ Reports suggest that the severity of the damage to the articular surface is directly proportional to the degree of arthritis.¹⁴ Such damage may not be initially visible, especially in axial impaction injuries, but latent deterioration of the articular surface can occur.¹⁵ For patients with significant dislocations of the naviculocuneiform joints, some authors advocate primary and early fusion¹⁵ instead of the more conservative approach used here. Primary fusions are argued to have minimal deleterious effects on function, secondary to the absence of normal physiologic motion through the affected joints.¹⁵ However, there is relatively little published evidence on long-term outcomes in primary versus secondary naviculocuneiform fusions.

Successful treatment of midfoot fractures and dislocations requires intimate knowledge of foot and ankle anatomy and mechanics. Surgeons must be able to anticipate, identify, and counsel patients about acute and delayed complications in these already challenging injuries.

Am J Orthop. 2017;46(3):E186-E189. Copyright Frontline Medical Communications Inc. 2017. All rights reserved.

Take-Home Points

• Stability of the foot is dependent on both the medial and lateral longitudinal columns; injuries to a single column alone are extremely rare.
• Midfoot fractures that are recognized and treated early have generally favorable outcomes compared to those identified in a delayed fashion.
• The most frequent complication of navicular dislocation is AVN, which is said to occur in as many as 25% of cases.
• Many specialists agree that navicular dislocations are best treated with open reduction.
• Ultimately, the goals of surgical intervention are to minimize pain and to establish stability of the plantigrade foot.

Traumatic dislocation of the tarsal navicular (especially without a navicular body fracture) is uncommon.¹ The regional anatomy and ligamentous architecture confer stability to the midfoot.^2-6 Navicular dislocation is part of a complex disruption involving structures in the adjacent column.⁶

Navicular dislocation has been associated with several bony and soft-tissue injury patterns, including comminuted intra-articular fracture of the calcaneus and associated calcaneocuboid joint subluxation; fracture and subluxation of the calcaneocuboid joint; fracture-dislocation of the calcaneocuboid joint with fractures of the third and fourth metatarsals; and a combination of fractures of the intermediate cuneiform, the second through fourth metatarsals, and the cuboid.^4–11 In this article, we report a case of open complete navicular dislocation with talar head fracture and associated subtalar and calcaneocuboid subluxations in a 45-year-old man. The injury was managed with open reduction and stabilization with Kirschner wires (K-wires), which later required naviculocuneiform and intercuneiform fusion for posttraumatic avascular necrosis (AVN). The patient provided written informed consent for print and electronic publication of this case report.

Case Report

A 45-year-old man sustained blunt trauma to the right foot in a high-speed head-on collision. He was hemodynamically stable with isolated complaints of pain in the foot. Physical examination revealed a grossly open 10-cm wound extending from the heel pad medially to the dorsal surface of the navicular. The navicular was clearly visible through the wound.

Plain radiographs of the foot showed complete medial dislocation of the navicular with complete disruption of all 3 naviculocuneiform joints (Figures 1A-1C).

Discussion

The naviculocuneiform joints are important for the dissipation of loading stresses on the midfoot but provide little motion. The plantar and dorsal ligaments are thick structures that stabilize these joints, predisposing the navicular to fracture rather than isolated dislocation. The stability of the foot is dependent on both the medial and lateral longitudinal columns, and it is thought impossible to injure one column without disrupting the other.⁶ Several patterns of associated lateral column disruptions have been documented, including 3 cases similar to our patient’s, involving navicular dislocation with associated calcaneocuboid joint injuries.^5,6,10

Authors have proposed several mechanisms accounting for navicular dislocations. In the setting of acute trauma, the navicular displaces dorsally as the result of forefoot plantar flexion and axial loading.⁴ A severe abduction/pronation injury leading to a midtarsal dislocation followed by a spontaneous reduction can force the navicular to dislocate medially.⁶ This disruption of the naviculocuneiform joint and concurrent “nutcracker” injury to the lateral column can produce an associated disruption of the calcaneocuboid joint.⁶ Depending on the direction of the deforming force, the forefoot can dislocate superolaterally if the force is plantar or inferolaterally if the force is dorsal. The remaining soft-tissue attachments help determine the position of the navicular. A third postulated mechanism involves a complex wringing injury to the forefoot.¹⁰Most specialists agree that navicular dislocations are best treated with open reduction.^4,6 The goal of surgical intervention is to establish a stable plantigrade foot and to minimize pain. The current literature supports using either wires or screws to maintain reduction of midfoot injuries. Wires can be used for both talonavicular and naviculocuneiform fixation. Screws can be placed across the naviculocuneiform joints, as there is little normal physiologic motion through these joints.⁴ The talonavicular joint and the cuboid-metatarsal joints provide most of the motion in the midfoot and should not be readily fused.⁵ Stabilization of both columns is considered necessary to avoid complications such as subluxation and midfoot deformity.Given the postreduction stability of the lateral column in the present case, bicolumnar stabilization was not considered necessary. It is possible that subsequent collapse of the midfoot may have been attenuated in the presence of lateral fixation, but this would not necessarily have prevented complications of AVN.

Midfoot fractures that are recognized and treated early have generally favorable outcomes,^5-11 though chronic pain and subsequent deformity are not uncommon. Perhaps the most frequently reported complication of navicular dislocation is AVN, which is thought to occur in approximately 25% of cases.¹² AVN is a well-recognized complication of hindfoot and midfoot trauma. In the tarsal navicular, blood supply to the central-third watershed region is marginal. Small branches of the posterior tibial and dorsalis pedis arteries that supply the medial and lateral areas are readily injured. Not surprisingly, the risk for AVN is high when the dislocated bone is severely displaced.⁶ In some circumstances, the shared blood supply of the posterior tibialis may be the only remaining osseous supply. The tendon and its soft-tissue attachments should therefore be carefully monitored during dissection and reduction.⁶ In most cases, AVN of the foot manifests clinically within the first 10 months after injury, as was the case with our patient.¹³ AVN can result in the Charcot-like collapse of the medial column, leading to progressive midfoot plantar deformities.⁴ Variations of midfoot fusion are often required.^4,6AVN may be difficult to differentiate from posttraumatic arthritis. These conditions can have similar clinical presentations and appearances on plain radiographs. In such situations, magnetic resonance imaging or bone scintigraphy may determine the diagnosis. Damage to the articular surface at time of injury and residual articular displacement, instability, and joint subluxation after injury are considered risk factors for the development of posttraumatic arthritis in the foot and ankle.¹⁴ Reports suggest that the severity of the damage to the articular surface is directly proportional to the degree of arthritis.¹⁴ Such damage may not be initially visible, especially in axial impaction injuries, but latent deterioration of the articular surface can occur.¹⁵ For patients with significant dislocations of the naviculocuneiform joints, some authors advocate primary and early fusion¹⁵ instead of the more conservative approach used here. Primary fusions are argued to have minimal deleterious effects on function, secondary to the absence of normal physiologic motion through the affected joints.¹⁵ However, there is relatively little published evidence on long-term outcomes in primary versus secondary naviculocuneiform fusions.

Successful treatment of midfoot fractures and dislocations requires intimate knowledge of foot and ankle anatomy and mechanics. Surgeons must be able to anticipate, identify, and counsel patients about acute and delayed complications in these already challenging injuries.

Am J Orthop. 2017;46(3):E186-E189. Copyright Frontline Medical Communications Inc. 2017. All rights reserved.

VIENNA – Oral antibiotic therapy is just as effective as intravenous treatment in curing bone and joint infections, but costs about $3,500 less.

Treating these infections with oral agents also “improves patient autonomy, as it’s not necessary to have IV lines at home,” and represents a generally wiser use of powerful antibiotics, Matthew Scarborough, MD, said at the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases annual congress.

Michele G Sullivan/Frontline Medical News

[email protected]

On Twitter @alz_gal

VIENNA – Oral antibiotic therapy is just as effective as intravenous treatment in curing bone and joint infections, but costs about $3,500 less.

Treating these infections with oral agents also “improves patient autonomy, as it’s not necessary to have IV lines at home,” and represents a generally wiser use of powerful antibiotics, Matthew Scarborough, MD, said at the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases annual congress.

Michele G Sullivan/Frontline Medical News

[email protected]

On Twitter @alz_gal

VIENNA – Oral antibiotic therapy is just as effective as intravenous treatment in curing bone and joint infections, but costs about $3,500 less.

Treating these infections with oral agents also “improves patient autonomy, as it’s not necessary to have IV lines at home,” and represents a generally wiser use of powerful antibiotics, Matthew Scarborough, MD, said at the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases annual congress.

Michele G Sullivan/Frontline Medical News

[email protected]

On Twitter @alz_gal

Acute ankle injuries are common problems treated by orthopedic surgeons. In the United States, nearly 2 million ankle sprains occur each year,¹ and ankle fractures account for 9% to 18% of all fractures treated in emergency departments.^2,3 Ankle injuries that involve the syndesmotic ligaments may result in instability and require specific treatment beyond fixation of the malleolar fractures.

The usual mechanism of syndesmotic injury is external rotation of the ankle with hyperdorsiflexion of a pronated or supinated foot.^4,5 Syndesmotic injuries are estimated to occur in up to 10% of ankle sprains⁶ and up to 23% of all ankle fractures.⁷ Overall US incidence of syndesmotic injury is estimated at 6445 injuries per year.⁸ Syndesmotic injury occurs in 39% to 45% of supination-external rotation IV ankle fractures.^9,10 Pronation-external rotation ankle fractures have the highest rate of syndesmotic injury. Syndesmotic injury may be less common in other types of malleolar fracture, but the exact incidence has not been reliably reported.

Traditionally, isolated nondisplaced syndesmotic injuries are treated nonoperatively, and syndesmotic injuries with concomitant malleolar fractures are treated surgically. Various options are available for syndesmotic fixation. The gold standard is syndesmotic screw placement from the lateral aspect of the fibula through the tibia. Fixation may be achieved with screws in a variety of configurations and formats. However, fixation with two 4.5-mm screws is stronger.^11,12 Functional outcomes are similar, regardless of screw material,^13-16 number of cortices,¹⁷ or number of screws.¹⁸ Disadvantages specific to screw fixation include altered ankle biomechanics,^19,20 potential for screw breakage,²¹ and need for implant removal.³Alternatively, suture button fixation is said to be equally as effective as screw fixation in achieving syndesmotic reduction, and their functional outcomes are similar.^22,23 The initial cost of suture button fixation is higher than that of screw fixation, but the difference may be offset by potential elimination of a second surgery for syndesmotic screw removal.²⁴ Soft-tissue irritation caused by the suture material and local osteolysis are reported complications of suture button fixation.^25-27

Regardless of fixation method used, achieving anatomical reduction of the syndesmosis is considered the most important factor in optimizing functional outcomes.^28-31 However, achieving and verifying anatomical reduction of the syndesmosis during surgery can be quite challenging.^30,32-34 Various methods of lowering the malreduction risk, including direct visualization of the tibiofibular joint during reduction^30,35 and intraoperative 3-dimensional imaging,^33,36 have been proposed.

In the study reported here, we used a US insurance database to determine the incidence and rate of syndesmotic stabilization within various ankle injuries and fracture patterns.

Materials and Methods

All data for this study were obtained from a publicly available for-fee healthcare database, the PearlDiver Patient Records Database, which includes procedural volumes and demographic information for patients with International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) diagnoses and procedures or Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes. Data for the study were derived from 2 databases within PearlDiver: a private-payer database, which has its largest contribution (>30 million individual patient records for 2007-2011) from United HealthCare, and a Medicare database (>50 million patient records for 2007-2011). Access to the database was granted by PearlDiver Technologies for the purpose of academic research. The database was stored on a password-protected server maintained by PearlDiver.

We searched the database for cases of ankle fracture fixation, including fixation of isolated lateral malleolus (CPT 27792), bimalleolar (CPT 27814), and trimalleolar (CPTs 27822 and 27823) fractures. CPT 27829 was used to search for syndesmotic fixation, and CPT 20680 for implant removal. These codes were used individually and in combination.

Overall procedural volume data are reported as number of patients with the given CPT(s) in the database output and as incidence, calculated as number of patients with the CPT of interest normalized to total number of patients in the database for that particular subgroup. Results of age group and sex analyses are reported as number of patients reported in the database output and as percentage of patients who had the CPT procedure of interest that year. As United HealthCare is the largest contributor to the private-payer portion of the database and is represented most prominently in the southern region, data for the regional analysis are presented only as incidence. This incidence was calculated as number of patients in a particular region and year normalized to total number of patients in the database for that region or year. The regions were Midwest (IA, IL, IN, KS, MI, MN, MO, ND, NE, OH, SD, WI), Northeast (CT, MA, ME, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, VT), South (AL, AR, DC, DE, FL, GA, KY, LA, MD, MI, NC, OK, SC, TN, TX, VA, WV), and West (AK, AZ, CA, CO, HI, ID, MT, NM, NV, OR, UT, WA, WY).

Chi-square linear-by-linear association analysis was used to determine the statistical significance of time trends in procedural volume, sex, age group, and region. For all statistical comparisons, P < .05 was considered significant.

Results

Number of open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) procedures increased for all ankle fracture types over the period 2007 to 2011 (Table 1).

ORIF was performed for an ankle injury in 54,767 patients during the period 2007 to 2011, resulting in a cumulative incidence of 64.2 per 1000 patients (Table 2).

Discussion

The present study found no significant change in number of lateral malleolus, bimalleolar, and trimalleolar ankle fracture ORIF procedures performed over the period 2007 to 2011. However, over the same period, incidence of syndesmosis fixation increased significantly in patients with isolated syndesmotic injuries and in patients with concomitant ankle fracture and syndesmotic injury. The largest percentage change was found in the bimalleolar ORIF group, which showed nearly a doubling of syndesmotic fixation over the 4-year study period, followed by a 38.1% increase in syndesmotic fixation in the trimalleolar ORIF group. Both groups had a syndesmotic fixation percentage change about twice that seen in the isolated lateral malleolus group.

There are several explanations for these trends. First, bimalleolar and trimalleolar fractures are more severe ankle fractures that tend to result from a more forceful mechanism, allowing for a higher rate of syndesmotic injury. Second, these trends likely do not reflect a true increase in the rate of syndesmosis injury but, rather, increased recognition of syndesmotic injury. Third, the data likely reflect a well-established approach to ankle fracture fixation and an increase in thinking that syndesmotic injuries should be stabilized in the setting of ankle fixation.

Incidence of syndesmotic injury as indicated by stabilization procedures can be compared with the data of Vosseller and colleagues,⁸ who reported an incidence of 6445 syndesmotic injuries per year in the United States. Our data showed fewer syndesmotic injuries, which may be related to use of CPT codes rather than ICD-9 codes for database searches, such that only operative syndesmotic injuries are represented in our data. Population differences between the 2 studies could also account for some of the differences in syndesmotic injury incidence.

We also found a significant change in the rate of hardware removal after syndesmosis ORIF. Across all treatment groups, incidence of screw removal decreased—a trend likely reflecting a change in attitude about the need for routine screw removal. Studies have shown that patients have favorable outcomes in the setting of syndesmotic screw loosening and screw breakage.³⁷ Some authors have suggested that screw breakage or removal could be advantageous, as it allows the syndesmosis to settle into a more anatomical position after imperfect reduction.³⁸ In addition, the trend of decreased syndesmotic screw removal could also have resulted from increased suture button fixation, which may less frequently require implant removal. Regardless, the overall trend is that routine syndesmotic implant removal has become less common.

This study had several limitations. First are the many limitations inherent to all studies that use large administrative databases, such as PearlDiver. The power of analysis depends on data quality; potential sources of error include accuracy of billing codes and physicians’ miscoding or noncoding. Although we tried to accurately represent a large population of interest through use of this database, we cannot be sure that the database represents a true cross-section of the United States. In addition, as we could not determine the method of syndesmotic fixation—the same CPT code is used for both suture button fixation and screw fixation—we could not establish trends for the rate of each method. More research is needed to establish these trends, and this research likely will require analysis of data from a large trauma center or from multiple centers.

Potential regional differences are another limitation. In the PearlDiver database, the South and Midwest are highly represented, the Northeast and West much less so. The South, Midwest, and West (but not the Northeast) had similar overall incidence and subgroup incidence of ankle ORIF. However, any regional differences in the rate of syndesmotic fixation could have skewed our data.

Ankle fractures and associated syndesmotic injuries remain a common problem. Although the prevalence of ankle fracture fixation has been relatively constant, the rate of syndesmosis stabilization has increased significantly. Young adults have the highest incidence of ankle fracture and associated syndesmotic fixation, but more ankle fractures occur in the large and growing elderly population. Increased awareness of syndesmotic injury likely has contributed to the recent rise in syndesmosis fixation seen in the present study. Given this trend, we recommend further analysis of outcome data and to establish treatment guidelines.

Am J Orthop. 2016;45(7):E472-E477. Copyright Frontline Medical Communications Inc. 2016. All rights reserved.

Acute ankle injuries are common problems treated by orthopedic surgeons. In the United States, nearly 2 million ankle sprains occur each year,¹ and ankle fractures account for 9% to 18% of all fractures treated in emergency departments.^2,3 Ankle injuries that involve the syndesmotic ligaments may result in instability and require specific treatment beyond fixation of the malleolar fractures.

The usual mechanism of syndesmotic injury is external rotation of the ankle with hyperdorsiflexion of a pronated or supinated foot.^4,5 Syndesmotic injuries are estimated to occur in up to 10% of ankle sprains⁶ and up to 23% of all ankle fractures.⁷ Overall US incidence of syndesmotic injury is estimated at 6445 injuries per year.⁸ Syndesmotic injury occurs in 39% to 45% of supination-external rotation IV ankle fractures.^9,10 Pronation-external rotation ankle fractures have the highest rate of syndesmotic injury. Syndesmotic injury may be less common in other types of malleolar fracture, but the exact incidence has not been reliably reported.

Traditionally, isolated nondisplaced syndesmotic injuries are treated nonoperatively, and syndesmotic injuries with concomitant malleolar fractures are treated surgically. Various options are available for syndesmotic fixation. The gold standard is syndesmotic screw placement from the lateral aspect of the fibula through the tibia. Fixation may be achieved with screws in a variety of configurations and formats. However, fixation with two 4.5-mm screws is stronger.^11,12 Functional outcomes are similar, regardless of screw material,^13-16 number of cortices,¹⁷ or number of screws.¹⁸ Disadvantages specific to screw fixation include altered ankle biomechanics,^19,20 potential for screw breakage,²¹ and need for implant removal.³Alternatively, suture button fixation is said to be equally as effective as screw fixation in achieving syndesmotic reduction, and their functional outcomes are similar.^22,23 The initial cost of suture button fixation is higher than that of screw fixation, but the difference may be offset by potential elimination of a second surgery for syndesmotic screw removal.²⁴ Soft-tissue irritation caused by the suture material and local osteolysis are reported complications of suture button fixation.^25-27

Regardless of fixation method used, achieving anatomical reduction of the syndesmosis is considered the most important factor in optimizing functional outcomes.^28-31 However, achieving and verifying anatomical reduction of the syndesmosis during surgery can be quite challenging.^30,32-34 Various methods of lowering the malreduction risk, including direct visualization of the tibiofibular joint during reduction^30,35 and intraoperative 3-dimensional imaging,^33,36 have been proposed.

In the study reported here, we used a US insurance database to determine the incidence and rate of syndesmotic stabilization within various ankle injuries and fracture patterns.

Materials and Methods

All data for this study were obtained from a publicly available for-fee healthcare database, the PearlDiver Patient Records Database, which includes procedural volumes and demographic information for patients with International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) diagnoses and procedures or Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes. Data for the study were derived from 2 databases within PearlDiver: a private-payer database, which has its largest contribution (>30 million individual patient records for 2007-2011) from United HealthCare, and a Medicare database (>50 million patient records for 2007-2011). Access to the database was granted by PearlDiver Technologies for the purpose of academic research. The database was stored on a password-protected server maintained by PearlDiver.

We searched the database for cases of ankle fracture fixation, including fixation of isolated lateral malleolus (CPT 27792), bimalleolar (CPT 27814), and trimalleolar (CPTs 27822 and 27823) fractures. CPT 27829 was used to search for syndesmotic fixation, and CPT 20680 for implant removal. These codes were used individually and in combination.

Overall procedural volume data are reported as number of patients with the given CPT(s) in the database output and as incidence, calculated as number of patients with the CPT of interest normalized to total number of patients in the database for that particular subgroup. Results of age group and sex analyses are reported as number of patients reported in the database output and as percentage of patients who had the CPT procedure of interest that year. As United HealthCare is the largest contributor to the private-payer portion of the database and is represented most prominently in the southern region, data for the regional analysis are presented only as incidence. This incidence was calculated as number of patients in a particular region and year normalized to total number of patients in the database for that region or year. The regions were Midwest (IA, IL, IN, KS, MI, MN, MO, ND, NE, OH, SD, WI), Northeast (CT, MA, ME, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, VT), South (AL, AR, DC, DE, FL, GA, KY, LA, MD, MI, NC, OK, SC, TN, TX, VA, WV), and West (AK, AZ, CA, CO, HI, ID, MT, NM, NV, OR, UT, WA, WY).

Chi-square linear-by-linear association analysis was used to determine the statistical significance of time trends in procedural volume, sex, age group, and region. For all statistical comparisons, P < .05 was considered significant.

Results

Number of open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) procedures increased for all ankle fracture types over the period 2007 to 2011 (Table 1).

ORIF was performed for an ankle injury in 54,767 patients during the period 2007 to 2011, resulting in a cumulative incidence of 64.2 per 1000 patients (Table 2).

Discussion

The present study found no significant change in number of lateral malleolus, bimalleolar, and trimalleolar ankle fracture ORIF procedures performed over the period 2007 to 2011. However, over the same period, incidence of syndesmosis fixation increased significantly in patients with isolated syndesmotic injuries and in patients with concomitant ankle fracture and syndesmotic injury. The largest percentage change was found in the bimalleolar ORIF group, which showed nearly a doubling of syndesmotic fixation over the 4-year study period, followed by a 38.1% increase in syndesmotic fixation in the trimalleolar ORIF group. Both groups had a syndesmotic fixation percentage change about twice that seen in the isolated lateral malleolus group.

There are several explanations for these trends. First, bimalleolar and trimalleolar fractures are more severe ankle fractures that tend to result from a more forceful mechanism, allowing for a higher rate of syndesmotic injury. Second, these trends likely do not reflect a true increase in the rate of syndesmosis injury but, rather, increased recognition of syndesmotic injury. Third, the data likely reflect a well-established approach to ankle fracture fixation and an increase in thinking that syndesmotic injuries should be stabilized in the setting of ankle fixation.

Incidence of syndesmotic injury as indicated by stabilization procedures can be compared with the data of Vosseller and colleagues,⁸ who reported an incidence of 6445 syndesmotic injuries per year in the United States. Our data showed fewer syndesmotic injuries, which may be related to use of CPT codes rather than ICD-9 codes for database searches, such that only operative syndesmotic injuries are represented in our data. Population differences between the 2 studies could also account for some of the differences in syndesmotic injury incidence.

We also found a significant change in the rate of hardware removal after syndesmosis ORIF. Across all treatment groups, incidence of screw removal decreased—a trend likely reflecting a change in attitude about the need for routine screw removal. Studies have shown that patients have favorable outcomes in the setting of syndesmotic screw loosening and screw breakage.³⁷ Some authors have suggested that screw breakage or removal could be advantageous, as it allows the syndesmosis to settle into a more anatomical position after imperfect reduction.³⁸ In addition, the trend of decreased syndesmotic screw removal could also have resulted from increased suture button fixation, which may less frequently require implant removal. Regardless, the overall trend is that routine syndesmotic implant removal has become less common.

This study had several limitations. First are the many limitations inherent to all studies that use large administrative databases, such as PearlDiver. The power of analysis depends on data quality; potential sources of error include accuracy of billing codes and physicians’ miscoding or noncoding. Although we tried to accurately represent a large population of interest through use of this database, we cannot be sure that the database represents a true cross-section of the United States. In addition, as we could not determine the method of syndesmotic fixation—the same CPT code is used for both suture button fixation and screw fixation—we could not establish trends for the rate of each method. More research is needed to establish these trends, and this research likely will require analysis of data from a large trauma center or from multiple centers.

Potential regional differences are another limitation. In the PearlDiver database, the South and Midwest are highly represented, the Northeast and West much less so. The South, Midwest, and West (but not the Northeast) had similar overall incidence and subgroup incidence of ankle ORIF. However, any regional differences in the rate of syndesmotic fixation could have skewed our data.

Ankle fractures and associated syndesmotic injuries remain a common problem. Although the prevalence of ankle fracture fixation has been relatively constant, the rate of syndesmosis stabilization has increased significantly. Young adults have the highest incidence of ankle fracture and associated syndesmotic fixation, but more ankle fractures occur in the large and growing elderly population. Increased awareness of syndesmotic injury likely has contributed to the recent rise in syndesmosis fixation seen in the present study. Given this trend, we recommend further analysis of outcome data and to establish treatment guidelines.

Am J Orthop. 2016;45(7):E472-E477. Copyright Frontline Medical Communications Inc. 2016. All rights reserved.

Acute ankle injuries are common problems treated by orthopedic surgeons. In the United States, nearly 2 million ankle sprains occur each year,¹ and ankle fractures account for 9% to 18% of all fractures treated in emergency departments.^2,3 Ankle injuries that involve the syndesmotic ligaments may result in instability and require specific treatment beyond fixation of the malleolar fractures.

The usual mechanism of syndesmotic injury is external rotation of the ankle with hyperdorsiflexion of a pronated or supinated foot.^4,5 Syndesmotic injuries are estimated to occur in up to 10% of ankle sprains⁶ and up to 23% of all ankle fractures.⁷ Overall US incidence of syndesmotic injury is estimated at 6445 injuries per year.⁸ Syndesmotic injury occurs in 39% to 45% of supination-external rotation IV ankle fractures.^9,10 Pronation-external rotation ankle fractures have the highest rate of syndesmotic injury. Syndesmotic injury may be less common in other types of malleolar fracture, but the exact incidence has not been reliably reported.

Traditionally, isolated nondisplaced syndesmotic injuries are treated nonoperatively, and syndesmotic injuries with concomitant malleolar fractures are treated surgically. Various options are available for syndesmotic fixation. The gold standard is syndesmotic screw placement from the lateral aspect of the fibula through the tibia. Fixation may be achieved with screws in a variety of configurations and formats. However, fixation with two 4.5-mm screws is stronger.^11,12 Functional outcomes are similar, regardless of screw material,^13-16 number of cortices,¹⁷ or number of screws.¹⁸ Disadvantages specific to screw fixation include altered ankle biomechanics,^19,20 potential for screw breakage,²¹ and need for implant removal.³Alternatively, suture button fixation is said to be equally as effective as screw fixation in achieving syndesmotic reduction, and their functional outcomes are similar.^22,23 The initial cost of suture button fixation is higher than that of screw fixation, but the difference may be offset by potential elimination of a second surgery for syndesmotic screw removal.²⁴ Soft-tissue irritation caused by the suture material and local osteolysis are reported complications of suture button fixation.^25-27

Regardless of fixation method used, achieving anatomical reduction of the syndesmosis is considered the most important factor in optimizing functional outcomes.^28-31 However, achieving and verifying anatomical reduction of the syndesmosis during surgery can be quite challenging.^30,32-34 Various methods of lowering the malreduction risk, including direct visualization of the tibiofibular joint during reduction^30,35 and intraoperative 3-dimensional imaging,^33,36 have been proposed.

In the study reported here, we used a US insurance database to determine the incidence and rate of syndesmotic stabilization within various ankle injuries and fracture patterns.

Materials and Methods

All data for this study were obtained from a publicly available for-fee healthcare database, the PearlDiver Patient Records Database, which includes procedural volumes and demographic information for patients with International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) diagnoses and procedures or Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes. Data for the study were derived from 2 databases within PearlDiver: a private-payer database, which has its largest contribution (>30 million individual patient records for 2007-2011) from United HealthCare, and a Medicare database (>50 million patient records for 2007-2011). Access to the database was granted by PearlDiver Technologies for the purpose of academic research. The database was stored on a password-protected server maintained by PearlDiver.

We searched the database for cases of ankle fracture fixation, including fixation of isolated lateral malleolus (CPT 27792), bimalleolar (CPT 27814), and trimalleolar (CPTs 27822 and 27823) fractures. CPT 27829 was used to search for syndesmotic fixation, and CPT 20680 for implant removal. These codes were used individually and in combination.

Overall procedural volume data are reported as number of patients with the given CPT(s) in the database output and as incidence, calculated as number of patients with the CPT of interest normalized to total number of patients in the database for that particular subgroup. Results of age group and sex analyses are reported as number of patients reported in the database output and as percentage of patients who had the CPT procedure of interest that year. As United HealthCare is the largest contributor to the private-payer portion of the database and is represented most prominently in the southern region, data for the regional analysis are presented only as incidence. This incidence was calculated as number of patients in a particular region and year normalized to total number of patients in the database for that region or year. The regions were Midwest (IA, IL, IN, KS, MI, MN, MO, ND, NE, OH, SD, WI), Northeast (CT, MA, ME, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, VT), South (AL, AR, DC, DE, FL, GA, KY, LA, MD, MI, NC, OK, SC, TN, TX, VA, WV), and West (AK, AZ, CA, CO, HI, ID, MT, NM, NV, OR, UT, WA, WY).

Chi-square linear-by-linear association analysis was used to determine the statistical significance of time trends in procedural volume, sex, age group, and region. For all statistical comparisons, P < .05 was considered significant.

Results

Number of open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) procedures increased for all ankle fracture types over the period 2007 to 2011 (Table 1).

ORIF was performed for an ankle injury in 54,767 patients during the period 2007 to 2011, resulting in a cumulative incidence of 64.2 per 1000 patients (Table 2).

Discussion

The present study found no significant change in number of lateral malleolus, bimalleolar, and trimalleolar ankle fracture ORIF procedures performed over the period 2007 to 2011. However, over the same period, incidence of syndesmosis fixation increased significantly in patients with isolated syndesmotic injuries and in patients with concomitant ankle fracture and syndesmotic injury. The largest percentage change was found in the bimalleolar ORIF group, which showed nearly a doubling of syndesmotic fixation over the 4-year study period, followed by a 38.1% increase in syndesmotic fixation in the trimalleolar ORIF group. Both groups had a syndesmotic fixation percentage change about twice that seen in the isolated lateral malleolus group.

There are several explanations for these trends. First, bimalleolar and trimalleolar fractures are more severe ankle fractures that tend to result from a more forceful mechanism, allowing for a higher rate of syndesmotic injury. Second, these trends likely do not reflect a true increase in the rate of syndesmosis injury but, rather, increased recognition of syndesmotic injury. Third, the data likely reflect a well-established approach to ankle fracture fixation and an increase in thinking that syndesmotic injuries should be stabilized in the setting of ankle fixation.

Incidence of syndesmotic injury as indicated by stabilization procedures can be compared with the data of Vosseller and colleagues,⁸ who reported an incidence of 6445 syndesmotic injuries per year in the United States. Our data showed fewer syndesmotic injuries, which may be related to use of CPT codes rather than ICD-9 codes for database searches, such that only operative syndesmotic injuries are represented in our data. Population differences between the 2 studies could also account for some of the differences in syndesmotic injury incidence.

We also found a significant change in the rate of hardware removal after syndesmosis ORIF. Across all treatment groups, incidence of screw removal decreased—a trend likely reflecting a change in attitude about the need for routine screw removal. Studies have shown that patients have favorable outcomes in the setting of syndesmotic screw loosening and screw breakage.³⁷ Some authors have suggested that screw breakage or removal could be advantageous, as it allows the syndesmosis to settle into a more anatomical position after imperfect reduction.³⁸ In addition, the trend of decreased syndesmotic screw removal could also have resulted from increased suture button fixation, which may less frequently require implant removal. Regardless, the overall trend is that routine syndesmotic implant removal has become less common.

This study had several limitations. First are the many limitations inherent to all studies that use large administrative databases, such as PearlDiver. The power of analysis depends on data quality; potential sources of error include accuracy of billing codes and physicians’ miscoding or noncoding. Although we tried to accurately represent a large population of interest through use of this database, we cannot be sure that the database represents a true cross-section of the United States. In addition, as we could not determine the method of syndesmotic fixation—the same CPT code is used for both suture button fixation and screw fixation—we could not establish trends for the rate of each method. More research is needed to establish these trends, and this research likely will require analysis of data from a large trauma center or from multiple centers.

Potential regional differences are another limitation. In the PearlDiver database, the South and Midwest are highly represented, the Northeast and West much less so. The South, Midwest, and West (but not the Northeast) had similar overall incidence and subgroup incidence of ankle ORIF. However, any regional differences in the rate of syndesmotic fixation could have skewed our data.

Ankle fractures and associated syndesmotic injuries remain a common problem. Although the prevalence of ankle fracture fixation has been relatively constant, the rate of syndesmosis stabilization has increased significantly. Young adults have the highest incidence of ankle fracture and associated syndesmotic fixation, but more ankle fractures occur in the large and growing elderly population. Increased awareness of syndesmotic injury likely has contributed to the recent rise in syndesmosis fixation seen in the present study. Given this trend, we recommend further analysis of outcome data and to establish treatment guidelines.

Am J Orthop. 2016;45(7):E472-E477. Copyright Frontline Medical Communications Inc. 2016. All rights reserved.

Septic arthritis is a common orthopedic emergency. The most common causative organism is Staphylococcus aureus. Mycotic infections, such as those involving Candida organisms, are much less common but just as debilitating. Delayed diagnosis of septic arthritis caused by Candida infection may result in increased morbidity, making treatment more challenging. Here we report a case of Candida albicans septic arthritis of the ankle and subtalar joint in a patient with diabetes mellitus (DM) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The patient provided written informed consent for print and electronic publication of this case report.

Case Report

A 52-year-old woman with type 2 DM (requiring subcutaneous insulin analogue therapy) and RA presented to a local emergency department with a 3-day history of right ankle pain after having the subtalar joint injected with steroid by a rheumatologist 4 weeks earlier. For about 2 weeks, there was purulent discharge from the peroneal sheath. The patient’s RA was being treated with prednisolone (maintenance therapy). Physical examination revealed low-grade pyrexia (37.8°C) and difficulty bearing full weight on the ankle. Clinically, the joint was not erythematous, but active and passive movements were painful. Blood tests revealed a C-reactive protein level of 98 mg/dL and a white blood cell (WBC) count of 11.3 × 10⁹/L. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) was not checked. The ankle underwent magnetic resonance imaging (Figures A-D).

Mycotic screening of the fluid was positive for C albicans. The patient was referred to the orthopedic team, which performed urgent arthroscopic surgical débridement, biopsy, and washout of the subtalar joint. After surgery, a 6-week course of antifungal therapy with anidulafungin was started, per specialist microbiology advice.

The septic ankle was successfully managed with arthroscopic surgical débridement followed by treatment with anidulafungin. The patient continued to make good progress and was weight-bearing when discharged home from the orthopedic unit.

Discussion

Worldwide, about 1 in 6 people has arthritis, which affects daily lifestyle and reduces quality of life. Degenerative, inflammatory, and septic arthritis each has its management challenges.¹

Septic arthritis is an acute infection of the joint, usually of bacterial etiology. It can present as a polyarticular arthropathy (~15% of cases),^2,3 but a monoarthropathy of the hip, knee, or ankle is more common.⁴The Kocher criteria are often applied to cases of suspected septic arthritis of joints, even though they were initially used to distinguish septic arthritis from transient synovitis in pediatric hip joints.⁵ Kocher and colleagues⁵ reported 4 key clinical criteria: inability to bear weight, WBC count over 12 × 10⁹/L, ESR over 40 mm/h, and temperature over 38.5°C. When all 4 criteria are met, the predictive value is 99.6%. These criteria are now widely applied to adult joints, and not only the hips.

In septic arthritis, the most common causative pathogen is S aureus.^3,6Streptococcus, Neisseria, and Pseudomonas also are common.⁷ Although much rarer, Candida variants and other mycotic pathogens have been implicated as well.⁸C albicans is a well-known fungus that colonizes mucosal surfaces. Research indicates increased oral C albicans colonization in rheumatoid patients.⁹ Although most Candida septic arthritis cases are caused by C albicans, there is no large body of data showing the true incidence of fungal pathogens in septic arthritis.

Our literature search yielded 2 case reports on Candida septic arthritis involving the ankle, but the causative organisms were Candida parapsilosis and Candida glabrata.^9,10 Cases of Candida septic arthritis involving the knee or shoulder have also been reported.^11-15 Case reports demonstrate that Candida fungal arthritis is extremely rare.⁹ Etiology reportedly includes direct intra-articular inoculation by surgery or secondary to hematogenous seeding, particularly in immunocompromised patients.¹⁰ Risk factors include immunosuppression and joint suppression. DM and RA are common comorbidities in patients with septic arthritis.^6,16 The pathophysiology of RA is inflammatory pannus formation of the periarticular surface with subsequent articular cartilage destruction and erosion, as well as progressive deformity and functional debilitation.¹Patients with DM are at increased risk for developing fungal and other infections. Factors increasing this risk include disruption of skin-barrier integrity; reduced peripheral oxygen and blood supply, which also disrupts antibiotic delivery; and hyperglycemia-induced reduction in antibody function and disruption of phagocytosis and chemotaxis.¹⁷Fungi are eukaryotic, and infections caused by these organisms are difficult to treat.¹⁸ As fungal infections are more prevalent among immunosuppressed patients, they often result in prolonged treatment without guarantee of eradication, as spores may persist subclinically.

Literature on C albicans septic arthritis is lacking in general but especially in rheumatoid patients. Delayed diagnosis and suboptimal treatment may result in fungal osteomyelitis. There is little evidence on treating this rare fungal complication, and outcomes historically have been poor.¹⁹In an animal model, Marijnissen and colleagues²⁰ found that C albicans infection can increase destruction in an arthritic joint by cytokine environment modification. The result was advanced destruction of the joint and debilitation. For disease management, the authors considered these essential: early diagnosis, prompt treatment, and, as indicated, surgical débridement.

Treatment of Candida septic arthritis largely involves use of antifungal medication, either with surgical débridement, as in our patient’s case, or without. Which antifungal medication to use should be based on sensitivities, identified from wound aspirate, and microbiology advice about treatment duration. The antibiotic should be a broad-spectrum antifungal cover, in keeping with local antibiotic prescribing guidelines, which can be refined once definitive organism culture and sensitivity results are known. However, early aggressive treatment is essential. Periprosthetic fungal infection is rarely resolved without implant removal.²¹

Conclusion

This case reflects the complexities of septic arthritis caused by atypical pathogens and highlights the need for clinical vigilance in the setting of comorbidities, such as DM and RA. Failure to consider the diagnosis early on might result in delayed and inadequate treatment, increased joint destruction, and, potentially, osteomyelitis with subsequent increased morbidity. Early diagnosis (based on joint aspirate findings), surgical débridement, and prolonged aggressive treatment with antifungal medication are the mainstays of treatment.

Am J Orthop. 2016;45(7):E478-E480. Copyright Frontline Medical Communications Inc. 2016. All rights reserved.

Septic arthritis is a common orthopedic emergency. The most common causative organism is Staphylococcus aureus. Mycotic infections, such as those involving Candida organisms, are much less common but just as debilitating. Delayed diagnosis of septic arthritis caused by Candida infection may result in increased morbidity, making treatment more challenging. Here we report a case of Candida albicans septic arthritis of the ankle and subtalar joint in a patient with diabetes mellitus (DM) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The patient provided written informed consent for print and electronic publication of this case report.

Case Report

A 52-year-old woman with type 2 DM (requiring subcutaneous insulin analogue therapy) and RA presented to a local emergency department with a 3-day history of right ankle pain after having the subtalar joint injected with steroid by a rheumatologist 4 weeks earlier. For about 2 weeks, there was purulent discharge from the peroneal sheath. The patient’s RA was being treated with prednisolone (maintenance therapy). Physical examination revealed low-grade pyrexia (37.8°C) and difficulty bearing full weight on the ankle. Clinically, the joint was not erythematous, but active and passive movements were painful. Blood tests revealed a C-reactive protein level of 98 mg/dL and a white blood cell (WBC) count of 11.3 × 10⁹/L. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) was not checked. The ankle underwent magnetic resonance imaging (Figures A-D).

Mycotic screening of the fluid was positive for C albicans. The patient was referred to the orthopedic team, which performed urgent arthroscopic surgical débridement, biopsy, and washout of the subtalar joint. After surgery, a 6-week course of antifungal therapy with anidulafungin was started, per specialist microbiology advice.

The septic ankle was successfully managed with arthroscopic surgical débridement followed by treatment with anidulafungin. The patient continued to make good progress and was weight-bearing when discharged home from the orthopedic unit.

Discussion

Worldwide, about 1 in 6 people has arthritis, which affects daily lifestyle and reduces quality of life. Degenerative, inflammatory, and septic arthritis each has its management challenges.¹

Septic arthritis is an acute infection of the joint, usually of bacterial etiology. It can present as a polyarticular arthropathy (~15% of cases),^2,3 but a monoarthropathy of the hip, knee, or ankle is more common.⁴The Kocher criteria are often applied to cases of suspected septic arthritis of joints, even though they were initially used to distinguish septic arthritis from transient synovitis in pediatric hip joints.⁵ Kocher and colleagues⁵ reported 4 key clinical criteria: inability to bear weight, WBC count over 12 × 10⁹/L, ESR over 40 mm/h, and temperature over 38.5°C. When all 4 criteria are met, the predictive value is 99.6%. These criteria are now widely applied to adult joints, and not only the hips.

In septic arthritis, the most common causative pathogen is S aureus.^3,6Streptococcus, Neisseria, and Pseudomonas also are common.⁷ Although much rarer, Candida variants and other mycotic pathogens have been implicated as well.⁸C albicans is a well-known fungus that colonizes mucosal surfaces. Research indicates increased oral C albicans colonization in rheumatoid patients.⁹ Although most Candida septic arthritis cases are caused by C albicans, there is no large body of data showing the true incidence of fungal pathogens in septic arthritis.

Our literature search yielded 2 case reports on Candida septic arthritis involving the ankle, but the causative organisms were Candida parapsilosis and Candida glabrata.^9,10 Cases of Candida septic arthritis involving the knee or shoulder have also been reported.^11-15 Case reports demonstrate that Candida fungal arthritis is extremely rare.⁹ Etiology reportedly includes direct intra-articular inoculation by surgery or secondary to hematogenous seeding, particularly in immunocompromised patients.¹⁰ Risk factors include immunosuppression and joint suppression. DM and RA are common comorbidities in patients with septic arthritis.^6,16 The pathophysiology of RA is inflammatory pannus formation of the periarticular surface with subsequent articular cartilage destruction and erosion, as well as progressive deformity and functional debilitation.¹Patients with DM are at increased risk for developing fungal and other infections. Factors increasing this risk include disruption of skin-barrier integrity; reduced peripheral oxygen and blood supply, which also disrupts antibiotic delivery; and hyperglycemia-induced reduction in antibody function and disruption of phagocytosis and chemotaxis.¹⁷Fungi are eukaryotic, and infections caused by these organisms are difficult to treat.¹⁸ As fungal infections are more prevalent among immunosuppressed patients, they often result in prolonged treatment without guarantee of eradication, as spores may persist subclinically.

Literature on C albicans septic arthritis is lacking in general but especially in rheumatoid patients. Delayed diagnosis and suboptimal treatment may result in fungal osteomyelitis. There is little evidence on treating this rare fungal complication, and outcomes historically have been poor.¹⁹In an animal model, Marijnissen and colleagues²⁰ found that C albicans infection can increase destruction in an arthritic joint by cytokine environment modification. The result was advanced destruction of the joint and debilitation. For disease management, the authors considered these essential: early diagnosis, prompt treatment, and, as indicated, surgical débridement.

Treatment of Candida septic arthritis largely involves use of antifungal medication, either with surgical débridement, as in our patient’s case, or without. Which antifungal medication to use should be based on sensitivities, identified from wound aspirate, and microbiology advice about treatment duration. The antibiotic should be a broad-spectrum antifungal cover, in keeping with local antibiotic prescribing guidelines, which can be refined once definitive organism culture and sensitivity results are known. However, early aggressive treatment is essential. Periprosthetic fungal infection is rarely resolved without implant removal.²¹

Conclusion

This case reflects the complexities of septic arthritis caused by atypical pathogens and highlights the need for clinical vigilance in the setting of comorbidities, such as DM and RA. Failure to consider the diagnosis early on might result in delayed and inadequate treatment, increased joint destruction, and, potentially, osteomyelitis with subsequent increased morbidity. Early diagnosis (based on joint aspirate findings), surgical débridement, and prolonged aggressive treatment with antifungal medication are the mainstays of treatment.

Am J Orthop. 2016;45(7):E478-E480. Copyright Frontline Medical Communications Inc. 2016. All rights reserved.

Septic arthritis is a common orthopedic emergency. The most common causative organism is Staphylococcus aureus. Mycotic infections, such as those involving Candida organisms, are much less common but just as debilitating. Delayed diagnosis of septic arthritis caused by Candida infection may result in increased morbidity, making treatment more challenging. Here we report a case of Candida albicans septic arthritis of the ankle and subtalar joint in a patient with diabetes mellitus (DM) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The patient provided written informed consent for print and electronic publication of this case report.

Case Report

A 52-year-old woman with type 2 DM (requiring subcutaneous insulin analogue therapy) and RA presented to a local emergency department with a 3-day history of right ankle pain after having the subtalar joint injected with steroid by a rheumatologist 4 weeks earlier. For about 2 weeks, there was purulent discharge from the peroneal sheath. The patient’s RA was being treated with prednisolone (maintenance therapy). Physical examination revealed low-grade pyrexia (37.8°C) and difficulty bearing full weight on the ankle. Clinically, the joint was not erythematous, but active and passive movements were painful. Blood tests revealed a C-reactive protein level of 98 mg/dL and a white blood cell (WBC) count of 11.3 × 10⁹/L. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) was not checked. The ankle underwent magnetic resonance imaging (Figures A-D).

Mycotic screening of the fluid was positive for C albicans. The patient was referred to the orthopedic team, which performed urgent arthroscopic surgical débridement, biopsy, and washout of the subtalar joint. After surgery, a 6-week course of antifungal therapy with anidulafungin was started, per specialist microbiology advice.

The septic ankle was successfully managed with arthroscopic surgical débridement followed by treatment with anidulafungin. The patient continued to make good progress and was weight-bearing when discharged home from the orthopedic unit.

Discussion

Worldwide, about 1 in 6 people has arthritis, which affects daily lifestyle and reduces quality of life. Degenerative, inflammatory, and septic arthritis each has its management challenges.¹

Septic arthritis is an acute infection of the joint, usually of bacterial etiology. It can present as a polyarticular arthropathy (~15% of cases),^2,3 but a monoarthropathy of the hip, knee, or ankle is more common.⁴The Kocher criteria are often applied to cases of suspected septic arthritis of joints, even though they were initially used to distinguish septic arthritis from transient synovitis in pediatric hip joints.⁵ Kocher and colleagues⁵ reported 4 key clinical criteria: inability to bear weight, WBC count over 12 × 10⁹/L, ESR over 40 mm/h, and temperature over 38.5°C. When all 4 criteria are met, the predictive value is 99.6%. These criteria are now widely applied to adult joints, and not only the hips.

In septic arthritis, the most common causative pathogen is S aureus.^3,6Streptococcus, Neisseria, and Pseudomonas also are common.⁷ Although much rarer, Candida variants and other mycotic pathogens have been implicated as well.⁸C albicans is a well-known fungus that colonizes mucosal surfaces. Research indicates increased oral C albicans colonization in rheumatoid patients.⁹ Although most Candida septic arthritis cases are caused by C albicans, there is no large body of data showing the true incidence of fungal pathogens in septic arthritis.

Our literature search yielded 2 case reports on Candida septic arthritis involving the ankle, but the causative organisms were Candida parapsilosis and Candida glabrata.^9,10 Cases of Candida septic arthritis involving the knee or shoulder have also been reported.^11-15 Case reports demonstrate that Candida fungal arthritis is extremely rare.⁹ Etiology reportedly includes direct intra-articular inoculation by surgery or secondary to hematogenous seeding, particularly in immunocompromised patients.¹⁰ Risk factors include immunosuppression and joint suppression. DM and RA are common comorbidities in patients with septic arthritis.^6,16 The pathophysiology of RA is inflammatory pannus formation of the periarticular surface with subsequent articular cartilage destruction and erosion, as well as progressive deformity and functional debilitation.¹Patients with DM are at increased risk for developing fungal and other infections. Factors increasing this risk include disruption of skin-barrier integrity; reduced peripheral oxygen and blood supply, which also disrupts antibiotic delivery; and hyperglycemia-induced reduction in antibody function and disruption of phagocytosis and chemotaxis.¹⁷Fungi are eukaryotic, and infections caused by these organisms are difficult to treat.¹⁸ As fungal infections are more prevalent among immunosuppressed patients, they often result in prolonged treatment without guarantee of eradication, as spores may persist subclinically.

Literature on C albicans septic arthritis is lacking in general but especially in rheumatoid patients. Delayed diagnosis and suboptimal treatment may result in fungal osteomyelitis. There is little evidence on treating this rare fungal complication, and outcomes historically have been poor.¹⁹In an animal model, Marijnissen and colleagues²⁰ found that C albicans infection can increase destruction in an arthritic joint by cytokine environment modification. The result was advanced destruction of the joint and debilitation. For disease management, the authors considered these essential: early diagnosis, prompt treatment, and, as indicated, surgical débridement.

Treatment of Candida septic arthritis largely involves use of antifungal medication, either with surgical débridement, as in our patient’s case, or without. Which antifungal medication to use should be based on sensitivities, identified from wound aspirate, and microbiology advice about treatment duration. The antibiotic should be a broad-spectrum antifungal cover, in keeping with local antibiotic prescribing guidelines, which can be refined once definitive organism culture and sensitivity results are known. However, early aggressive treatment is essential. Periprosthetic fungal infection is rarely resolved without implant removal.²¹

Conclusion

This case reflects the complexities of septic arthritis caused by atypical pathogens and highlights the need for clinical vigilance in the setting of comorbidities, such as DM and RA. Failure to consider the diagnosis early on might result in delayed and inadequate treatment, increased joint destruction, and, potentially, osteomyelitis with subsequent increased morbidity. Early diagnosis (based on joint aspirate findings), surgical débridement, and prolonged aggressive treatment with antifungal medication are the mainstays of treatment.

Am J Orthop. 2016;45(7):E478-E480. Copyright Frontline Medical Communications Inc. 2016. All rights reserved.

People who develop knee pain associated with osteoarthritis often subsequently develop pain in other joints, according to a study of two observational, community-based cohorts that could not discern any pattern of new pain sites.

In the “first investigation of the association of knee pain with pain in multiple other sites,” David T. Felson, MD, of Boston University and his colleagues reported that the regions where pain developed after first appearing in the knee varied from person to person and occurred in both upper and lower extremities, which goes against the hypothesis that adjacent joints are most often affected by knee pain.

The study involved patients from the MOST (Multicenter Osteoarthritis Study) trial, including 281 with knee pain at the index visit (168 unilaterally) and 852 without, as well as patients from OAI (the Osteoarthritis Initiative), including 412 with knee pain at the index visit (241 unilaterally), and 1,941 without. The investigators assessed the patients’ data for 14 total joints outside of the knees: 2 each of feet, ankles, hips, hands, wrists, elbows, and shoulders (Arthritis Rheumatol. 2016 Sep 2. doi: 10.1002/art.39848).

Patients with new-onset knee pain at the index visit reported a mean of 2.3 painful joints outside the knee, compared with a significantly lower number of 1.3 reported by those without knee pain. The mean number of nonknee joints with pain was higher among patients with bilateral knee pain, compared with unilateral knee pain. The percentage of patients who reported pain outside the knee rose with the number of painful knees: 80% for two, 64% for one, and 50% for none.

The patients who developed new unilateral knee pain at the index visit also experienced an increase in prevalent joint pain in multiple joints in upper- and lower-extremity sites. In particular, the investigators noted that ipsilateral prevalent hip joint pain, which they characterized as pain in the groin or front of the thigh, was more than twice as likely to occur among those with new unilateral knee pain at the index visit, but the odds for contralateral hip joint pain did not reach statistical significance. The comparisons were adjusted for age, sex, body mass index, depression at the index visit, study (MOST or OAI), and count of painful upper and lower limb joints at the index visit (excluding knees).

When examining only patients with new-onset joint pain outside of the knee, the odds of patients with new knee pain to later develop new-onset joint pain outside the knee were 30% higher than for those without knee pain. Patients with new knee pain had a mean 2.6 new painful joints out of 12.1 eligible joints, compared with 2.0 new painful joints in those without knee pain out of 12.7 eligible joints. (Joint regions with prevalent symptoms at the index visit were excluded as incident painful sites.) Patients with knee pain also had a consistently higher rate of new-onset pain in nonknee joints when compared with patients without knee pain in at least half of the follow-up visits over the course of the MOST and OAI studies. Sensitivity analyses indicated that the association between knee pain and subsequent pain in other joints was not driven by the inclusion of patients with widespread pain.

“There was no clear-cut predilection for pain in any specific lower-extremity joint region,” the investigators wrote.

The investigators noted that other researchers have suggested that patients with knee pain may be at higher risk for lower-extremity joint pain because of changes to their gait that gradually cause damage to other joints, but evidence in this study doesn’t “necessarily support the argument that in persons with knee pain, aberrant loading by altered movement patterns induces pain in only nearby joints. Our findings suggest that the sites affected are more than just hip and ankle and that there is no special predilection for pain in these locations.”

While the investigators cannot differentiate underlying mechanisms for their study’s finding of multiple co-occurring sites of joint pain in people with new-onset knee pain, they suggested that it “supports either a predilection for osteoarthritic changes at multiple joint sites and/or raises the possibility that nervous system–driven pain sensitization increases the risk not only of widespread pain but even of regional pain. Since symptomatic OA is unusual in some of these painful sites (e.g., elbow, shoulder, ankle), pain sensitization would seem a more likely explanation.”

Some of the study’s limitations described by the investigators included the uncertainty surrounding whether new-onset knee pain was truly new onset or whether it was a reoccurrence, and also the fact that most of the people in the two cohorts had multiple sites of joint pain at both the baseline and the index visit and there were too few people with no sites of pain outside the knee to carry out subanalyses in that group, which “speaks to the high prevalence of multiple joint pains in older adult cohorts.”

The research was supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health. The authors had no disclosures to report.

[email protected]

People who develop knee pain associated with osteoarthritis often subsequently develop pain in other joints, according to a study of two observational, community-based cohorts that could not discern any pattern of new pain sites.

In the “first investigation of the association of knee pain with pain in multiple other sites,” David T. Felson, MD, of Boston University and his colleagues reported that the regions where pain developed after first appearing in the knee varied from person to person and occurred in both upper and lower extremities, which goes against the hypothesis that adjacent joints are most often affected by knee pain.

The study involved patients from the MOST (Multicenter Osteoarthritis Study) trial, including 281 with knee pain at the index visit (168 unilaterally) and 852 without, as well as patients from OAI (the Osteoarthritis Initiative), including 412 with knee pain at the index visit (241 unilaterally), and 1,941 without. The investigators assessed the patients’ data for 14 total joints outside of the knees: 2 each of feet, ankles, hips, hands, wrists, elbows, and shoulders (Arthritis Rheumatol. 2016 Sep 2. doi: 10.1002/art.39848).

Patients with new-onset knee pain at the index visit reported a mean of 2.3 painful joints outside the knee, compared with a significantly lower number of 1.3 reported by those without knee pain. The mean number of nonknee joints with pain was higher among patients with bilateral knee pain, compared with unilateral knee pain. The percentage of patients who reported pain outside the knee rose with the number of painful knees: 80% for two, 64% for one, and 50% for none.

The patients who developed new unilateral knee pain at the index visit also experienced an increase in prevalent joint pain in multiple joints in upper- and lower-extremity sites. In particular, the investigators noted that ipsilateral prevalent hip joint pain, which they characterized as pain in the groin or front of the thigh, was more than twice as likely to occur among those with new unilateral knee pain at the index visit, but the odds for contralateral hip joint pain did not reach statistical significance. The comparisons were adjusted for age, sex, body mass index, depression at the index visit, study (MOST or OAI), and count of painful upper and lower limb joints at the index visit (excluding knees).

When examining only patients with new-onset joint pain outside of the knee, the odds of patients with new knee pain to later develop new-onset joint pain outside the knee were 30% higher than for those without knee pain. Patients with new knee pain had a mean 2.6 new painful joints out of 12.1 eligible joints, compared with 2.0 new painful joints in those without knee pain out of 12.7 eligible joints. (Joint regions with prevalent symptoms at the index visit were excluded as incident painful sites.) Patients with knee pain also had a consistently higher rate of new-onset pain in nonknee joints when compared with patients without knee pain in at least half of the follow-up visits over the course of the MOST and OAI studies. Sensitivity analyses indicated that the association between knee pain and subsequent pain in other joints was not driven by the inclusion of patients with widespread pain.

“There was no clear-cut predilection for pain in any specific lower-extremity joint region,” the investigators wrote.

The investigators noted that other researchers have suggested that patients with knee pain may be at higher risk for lower-extremity joint pain because of changes to their gait that gradually cause damage to other joints, but evidence in this study doesn’t “necessarily support the argument that in persons with knee pain, aberrant loading by altered movement patterns induces pain in only nearby joints. Our findings suggest that the sites affected are more than just hip and ankle and that there is no special predilection for pain in these locations.”

While the investigators cannot differentiate underlying mechanisms for their study’s finding of multiple co-occurring sites of joint pain in people with new-onset knee pain, they suggested that it “supports either a predilection for osteoarthritic changes at multiple joint sites and/or raises the possibility that nervous system–driven pain sensitization increases the risk not only of widespread pain but even of regional pain. Since symptomatic OA is unusual in some of these painful sites (e.g., elbow, shoulder, ankle), pain sensitization would seem a more likely explanation.”

Some of the study’s limitations described by the investigators included the uncertainty surrounding whether new-onset knee pain was truly new onset or whether it was a reoccurrence, and also the fact that most of the people in the two cohorts had multiple sites of joint pain at both the baseline and the index visit and there were too few people with no sites of pain outside the knee to carry out subanalyses in that group, which “speaks to the high prevalence of multiple joint pains in older adult cohorts.”

The research was supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health. The authors had no disclosures to report.

[email protected]

People who develop knee pain associated with osteoarthritis often subsequently develop pain in other joints, according to a study of two observational, community-based cohorts that could not discern any pattern of new pain sites.

In the “first investigation of the association of knee pain with pain in multiple other sites,” David T. Felson, MD, of Boston University and his colleagues reported that the regions where pain developed after first appearing in the knee varied from person to person and occurred in both upper and lower extremities, which goes against the hypothesis that adjacent joints are most often affected by knee pain.

The study involved patients from the MOST (Multicenter Osteoarthritis Study) trial, including 281 with knee pain at the index visit (168 unilaterally) and 852 without, as well as patients from OAI (the Osteoarthritis Initiative), including 412 with knee pain at the index visit (241 unilaterally), and 1,941 without. The investigators assessed the patients’ data for 14 total joints outside of the knees: 2 each of feet, ankles, hips, hands, wrists, elbows, and shoulders (Arthritis Rheumatol. 2016 Sep 2. doi: 10.1002/art.39848).

Patients with new-onset knee pain at the index visit reported a mean of 2.3 painful joints outside the knee, compared with a significantly lower number of 1.3 reported by those without knee pain. The mean number of nonknee joints with pain was higher among patients with bilateral knee pain, compared with unilateral knee pain. The percentage of patients who reported pain outside the knee rose with the number of painful knees: 80% for two, 64% for one, and 50% for none.

The patients who developed new unilateral knee pain at the index visit also experienced an increase in prevalent joint pain in multiple joints in upper- and lower-extremity sites. In particular, the investigators noted that ipsilateral prevalent hip joint pain, which they characterized as pain in the groin or front of the thigh, was more than twice as likely to occur among those with new unilateral knee pain at the index visit, but the odds for contralateral hip joint pain did not reach statistical significance. The comparisons were adjusted for age, sex, body mass index, depression at the index visit, study (MOST or OAI), and count of painful upper and lower limb joints at the index visit (excluding knees).

When examining only patients with new-onset joint pain outside of the knee, the odds of patients with new knee pain to later develop new-onset joint pain outside the knee were 30% higher than for those without knee pain. Patients with new knee pain had a mean 2.6 new painful joints out of 12.1 eligible joints, compared with 2.0 new painful joints in those without knee pain out of 12.7 eligible joints. (Joint regions with prevalent symptoms at the index visit were excluded as incident painful sites.) Patients with knee pain also had a consistently higher rate of new-onset pain in nonknee joints when compared with patients without knee pain in at least half of the follow-up visits over the course of the MOST and OAI studies. Sensitivity analyses indicated that the association between knee pain and subsequent pain in other joints was not driven by the inclusion of patients with widespread pain.

“There was no clear-cut predilection for pain in any specific lower-extremity joint region,” the investigators wrote.

The investigators noted that other researchers have suggested that patients with knee pain may be at higher risk for lower-extremity joint pain because of changes to their gait that gradually cause damage to other joints, but evidence in this study doesn’t “necessarily support the argument that in persons with knee pain, aberrant loading by altered movement patterns induces pain in only nearby joints. Our findings suggest that the sites affected are more than just hip and ankle and that there is no special predilection for pain in these locations.”

While the investigators cannot differentiate underlying mechanisms for their study’s finding of multiple co-occurring sites of joint pain in people with new-onset knee pain, they suggested that it “supports either a predilection for osteoarthritic changes at multiple joint sites and/or raises the possibility that nervous system–driven pain sensitization increases the risk not only of widespread pain but even of regional pain. Since symptomatic OA is unusual in some of these painful sites (e.g., elbow, shoulder, ankle), pain sensitization would seem a more likely explanation.”

Some of the study’s limitations described by the investigators included the uncertainty surrounding whether new-onset knee pain was truly new onset or whether it was a reoccurrence, and also the fact that most of the people in the two cohorts had multiple sites of joint pain at both the baseline and the index visit and there were too few people with no sites of pain outside the knee to carry out subanalyses in that group, which “speaks to the high prevalence of multiple joint pains in older adult cohorts.”

The research was supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health. The authors had no disclosures to report.

[email protected]