Surgical Principles Flashcards
Distal tibial osteotomies/supramalleolar osteotomies
Indicated for distal tibial torsional deformities
Proximal tibial osteotomies
High complication rate and are usually reserved for correction of genu valgum and genu varum
Major factors causing dorsal bunion deformity following clubfoot releases
Weak Achilles tendon
Overpowering of flexor hallucis longus
Strong anterior tibial tendon
Weak peroneus longus tendon
Neutralization plate
Neutralization plates are commonly used in comminuted fractures, and often used in combination with lag screws
Bridge plate
Bridge plating is fixed to only the two fracture fragments, leaving the fracture zone untouched; maximizing the blood supply to the area.
Antiglide plate
Antiglide plates are a method of fixation functioning similar to a buttress plate but produces compression when a lag screw passes through the plate. This is often seen in distal 1/3 fibular fractures where a 1/3 tubular plate is applied posterolaterally on the fibula to act as a buttress to resist posterior-proximal displacement with an additional lag screw applied through the plate.
Gastroc equinus
If there is less dorsiflexion when the knee is extended (but INCREASED when the knee is flexed), this indicates a gastroc equinus
Gastrocsoleus equinus
If dorsiflexion is equally limited with the knee flexed and extended, this points to a soleal equinus – which would subsequently require an achilles tendon lengthening.
Biomechanical reasoning for lateral column lengthening in pes planus
Analysis shows that a 10mm lateral column lengthening calcaneal osteotomy reduces the excess force on the medial arch in an adult flat foot and adds biomechanical rationale to this clinical procedure. Load on the first metatarsal increases to 37% body weight in the flat foot compared to 12% for the normal foot and the moment about the talo-navicular joint increases from 5.6 N m to 21.6 N m. Lateral column lengthening shifts the load toward the lateral column, decreasing load on the first metatarsal to 10% and decreasing the moment about the talo-navicular joint to 8.1 N m
Pilon fracture
First step in surgical repair of a pilon fracture is fixation of the fibula
Relative contraindications for TAR
Severe osteoporosis, history of osteomyelitis, diffuse osteonecrosis, or significant bone defect on the tibial and/or talar site.
Previous long-term therapy with steroids or immunosuppressive substances may also reduce bone quality, resulting in compromised osteointegration of prosthesis components.
Also,heavy physical work, medium level of sports activities (eg, tennis, jogging, and downhill ski), high body mass index, diabetes, and smoking.
Significant preoperative varus or valgus deformity (>10°) has also been seen as a contraindication for TAR.
Absolute contraindications for TAR
Neuroarthropathy (Charcot foot), Non-manageable hindfoot malalignment, Massive joint laxity (eg, patients with Marfan disease), Highly compromised periarticular soft tissues (eg, in patients with posttraumatic OA who underwent several previous surgeries), Severe sensomotoric dysfunction of foot/ankle, Active soft-tissue or bony infection
TAR should not be considered as the first-choice therapy in patients with a high level of functional demand (eg, contact sports)
Oblique versus vertical talus
- The presence of hindfoot equinus will allow differentiation between an oblique talus (reducible deformity) versus a more rigid deformity (vertical talus).
Fixed joint in a vertical talus
While equinus still may need to be addressed in cases of oblique talus, fixed hindfoot equinus and an irreducible talonavicular joint are hallmark of congenital vertical talus. Hindfoot/talocalcaneal parallelism is characteristic of a club foot deformity.
Dislocated joints in a vertical talus
Dorsal dislocation of the cuboid and navicular are both present in congenital vertical talus, but are not THE distinguishing factors in making a diagnosis of vertical talus versus oblique talus. When testing equinus in a suspected oblique talus, the talonavicular joint should reduce with plantarflexion.
Clinical test for oblique versus vertical talus
An easy way to distinguish between the two is to remember the congenital vertical talus is a FIXED deformity, whereas oblique talus is reducible. To differentiate, place the foot through range of motion evaluating for equinus. In oblique talus, you will note that the talonavicular joint should reduce with forced plantarflexion
Watson Jones Navicular fracture classificaiton system
Type I
Type II
Type IIIa
Type IIIb
Watson Jones Type I
Avulsion fx of tuberosity by PT tendon
Watson Jones Type II
Dorsal lip fx, may resemble os supranaviculare
Watson Jones Type IIIa
Transverse fx, non-displaced
Watson Jones Type IIIb
Transverse fx, displaced Type IV - Stress fx
Subtalar joint dislocation
Typically the bifurcate and spring ligaments remain intact, as they have no attachments to the talus
Buttress plate
Following fracture reduction and realignment of the articular surface, a buttress plate is seen along the medial surface of the distal tibia. Most pilons fail in varus and are often stabilized with a medial buttress plate. Contouring the plates prior to placement improves fit. Buttress plates function opposite to tension band. The plate is always under compression and is helpful around thin bone and around joints.
Antiglide plate
Antiglide plates are a method of fixation functioning similar to a buttress plate but produces compression when a lag screw passes through the plate. This is often seen in distal fibular fractures where a 1/3 tubular plate is applied posterolaterally on the fibula to act as a buttress to resist posterior-proximal displacement with an additional lag screw applied through the plate.
Neutralization plates
Neutralization plates are commonly used in comminuted fractures. The plate is attached to two primary fracture fragments. Force is then transmitted from proximal to distal, passing over the fracture site neutralizing torsional forces. Bridge plates provide stability to allow for callus formation. The plate is fixed only to two fracture fragments leaving the fracture zone untouched maximizing the blood supply to the area.
Nerve damage during TTC arthrodesis
Damage to the lateral plantar nerve is a risk present during intramedullary nailing/TCC fusion. The cadaveric study performed on 10 cadaveric legs listed below showed: “The lateral plantar artery was found to be in direct contact with the nail 70% of the time, with a macroscopic laceration 30% of the time. The Baxter nerve was injured 20% of the time, as was the lateral plantar nerve. The medial plantar artery and nerve were never injured. The most proximal structure to cross line AB was the Baxter nerve followed by the lateral plantar artery, the nail, the lateral plantar nerve, and the medial plantar nerve.
Positioning of STJ for fusion
Sliding the calcaneus anteriorly on the talus results in dorsiflexion of the forefoot on the rearfoot (decreasing arch height)
Conversely, sliding the calcaneus posteriorly on the talus results in plantarflexion of the forefoot on the rearfoot (increasing arch height).
Fragments in ankle fractures
The Chaput fragment is the anterolateral fragment of the distal tibia (the anterior inferior tib fib ligament stays attached to the fracture fragment.
A pilon fracture is often splint into 3 fragments:
- Chaput (anterolateral)
- Volkmann (posterolateral)
- Medial fragment.
The Wagstaff fragment is the fibular equivalent to the Chaput fragment. Wagstaff fragment serves as the other attachment point of the anterior inferior tibiofibular ligament.
Fractures of the neck of the talus based on the Hawkins classification are as follows:
(A) Type I fracture is a talar neck fracture,
(B) Type II is a talar neck fracture with subtalar dislocation,
(C) Type III is a talar neck fracture with subtalar and tibiotalar dislocations, and
(D) Type IV is a talar neck fracture with subtalar, tibiotalar, and talonavicular dislocations.
Incision for navicular fracture repair
The dorsomedial approach to the navicular is made between the tibialis anterior tendon and extensor hallucis longus (EHL) tendon. The approach should be made straight down from skin to periosteum without raising flaps or any unnecessary dissection
Meniscoid bodies and fibrous bands in ankle arthroscopy
Meniscoid lesions and fibrous bands are unique lesions, most likely of differing origin. Although they are similar in clinical presentation, their appearance at arthroscopy is clearly different. The meniscoid lesion is attached only at its origin at the inferolateral gutter on the anterior talofibular ligament. Fibrous bands are attached at two ends and may be found anywhere in the joint but are most common extending dramatically over the anterior joint line. Unexpected encountering of a fibrous band should alert the surgeon to carefully inspect the joint for other associated (occult) pathology. Because of the frequent association of bands with antecedent fracture, the observation of this lesion should lead the clinician to consider antecedent intra-articular fracture (transchondral fracture, malleolar fracture, and tibial pilon fracture) as a likely co-pathology. Careful examination of the ankle and review of the radiographs and other available images may be helpful in assessing the joint for these injuries when fibrous bands are encountered. The association of meniscoid lesion with prior soft tissue injury (sprain) is also important to understanding this lesion. Excision of both these abnormal lesions in concert with repair of coexistent pathology is associated with improvement of symptoms. Finally, both fibrous bands and meniscoid lesions are associated with symptoms that warrant closer inspection and observation. Whether the operative intervention is open or closed, the reader can benefit from the information presented.
Tendon balancing in Chopart amputation
Choparts amputation is a partial foot amputation through the talonavicular and calcaneocuboid joints and its primary complication is equinus deformity . This can be mitigated by lengthening of the Achilles tendon and transfer of the tibialis anterior to the talar neck.