Hao Guo

Subtalar arthroereisis (STA) is a commonly used surgical approach for treating pediatric flatfoot. It remains unclear whether STA combined with spring liga

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of an accelerated postoperative rehabilitation protocol (APRP), which emphasizes immediate full weightbearing (FWB), muscle strength and balance training as early as possible, after arthroscopic anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) repair for chronic lateral ankle instability (CLAI). Methods: Patients with CLAI who underwent modified ATFL lasso-loop repair procedures between December 2019 and November 2022 were retrospectively screened. Based on their postoperative rehabilitation protocols, subjects were divided into the APRP group and the conventional postoperative rehabilitation protocol (CPRP) group using 1:2 propensity score matching. Clinical outcome measures comprised the Karlsson score, visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, Tegner score, anterior drawer test findings, complications, and magnetic resonance imaging–based ATFL Quality Score (ATFLQS). A receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was employed to investigate the association between preoperative ATFLQS and clinical outcomes in the APRP group. Results: The APRP group demonstrated comparable improvements in Karlsson score (31.8 ± 17.6 vs 36.0 ± 13.4, P = .267) and Tegner score (2 [−1 to 6] vs 2 [0 to 5], P = .168) to the CPRP group. Although the APRP group showed statistically superior VAS pain score improvement (3.5 ± 2.3 vs 2.2 ± 0.7, P < .001), the clinical significance of this 1.3-point difference remains uncertain given the lack of validated minimal clinically important difference thresholds for VAS pain in ankle ligament surgery populations. The overall complication rates between the 2 groups showed no statistically significant difference (10/54 vs 7/28, P = .492). Comparable ATFL quality was also found between the 2 groups based on the ATFLQS. The optimal ATFLQS threshold value for predicting functional outcomes was determined to be 2.5, based on the maximal Youden index, demonstrating a sensitivity of 82.4% and specificity of 83.3%. Conclusion: Comparable outcomes between the 2 groups were found following arthroscopic ATFL repair for CLAI, with no recurrence observed. FWB, muscle strength, and balance training as early as possible demonstrates both efficacy and safety after surgery. However, patients with preoperative ATFLQS <2.5 receiving APRP may have a significantly increased risk for suboptimal functional recovery.

Background: Two types of suture anchor insertion pathways (anterolateral portal vs lateral accessory portal) are used in arthroscopic anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) repair. However, it is not clear which one is the better choice. This study aims to compare the clinical outcomes of these 2 suture anchor insertion pathways when performing arthroscopic ATFL lasso-loop repair for the treatment of chronic lateral ankle instability (CLAI). Methods: From 2019 to 2021, patients with CLAI who underwent arthroscopic ATFL lasso-loop repair were retrospectively reviewed and divided into the anterolateral portal (ALP) group and the lateral accessory portal (LAP) group. A 1:1 propensity score matching was used to control confounding factors based on age, sex, body mass index, follow-up duration, preoperative visual analog scale (VAS) score, and Tegner score (ALP group, n = 26; LAP group, n = 26). Karlsson score, VAS score, Tegner score, operation time, anterior drawer test results, patient symptoms, and magnetic resonance (MR) evaluation of ATFL quality were used to describe the outcomes. Results: The patient characteristics and follow-up durations were similar between the 2 groups. After a mean follow-up duration of 28.8 ± 2.3 months, the ALP group had significantly better Karlsson score, VAS score, and Tegner score improvement than the LAP group, with fewer symptoms. Seven patients in the LAP group still had a feeling of ankle instability, and 3 of them exhibited ankle laxity. Conclusion: In this study, we found that inserting the suture anchor through the anterolateral portal was associated with better outcomes compared to that through the lateral accessory portal when performing arthroscopic ATFL lasso-loop repair for CLAI patients. The improvement was greater for pain relief and function and was associated with a lower frequency of subjective ankle instability.

Background: Whether arthroscopic microfracture is effective in treating cystic osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLTs) remains controversial. In this study, outcome parameters in patients with small and shallow subchondral cysts are compared to patients without cysts with the hypothesis that equivalent outcomes may be found after primary microfracture treatment. Methods: From 2018 to 2021, all 50 OLTs treated with arthroscopic microfracture in the authors’ hospital were retrospectively reviewed for eligibility. Single unilateral symptomatic lesions were included and divided into the cyst and noncyst groups, whereas kissing lesions and arthritic lesions were excluded. Numeric rating scale (NRS) scores, American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot scores, Tegner activity level scores, Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM) scores, and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging results were used to describe outcomes. Results: A total of 35 patients were included, 16 in the cyst group and 19 in the noncyst group. The patient characteristics were similar between the 2 groups ( P > .05). In the cyst group the average cysts depth was 5.0 ± 1.3 mm. After a mean follow-up duration of 36.2 ± 10.2 months, no significant differences were found between the 2 groups in NRS, AOFAS, FAAM, or Tegner score improvement ( P > .05). Three patients (19%) in the cyst group had no NRS score improvement. Conclusion: OLTs with small and shallow subchondral cysts can be treated with arthroscopic microfracture and achieve similar outcomes as noncystic lesions. A few cystic lesions may not respond to microfracture treatment. Level of Evidence: Level III, retrospective comparative study.

Background: Few studies have reported the clinical outcomes of fusion surgeries for type II accessory naviculars. Whether the combination of accessory naviculars and asymptomatic flatfoot will result in worse outcomes in accessory navicular surgeries remains to be elucidated. Our study aims to report the clinical outcomes of fusion for type II accessory naviculars and make a subgroup comparison among accessory navicular patients with or without asymptomatic flatfeet. Methods: From May 2017 to June 2021, all painful type II accessory naviculars with or without asymptomatic flatfeet in our inpatient center were reviewed, and those who only underwent fusion surgeries were included in the retrospective study. Visual analog scale (VAS) scores, American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) midfoot scores, Tegner activity level scores, complications, patient-reported satisfaction, and imaging results (Meary angle in the weightbearing lateral view, talo–first metatarsal angle and talonavicular coverage angle in the weightbearing anteroposterior view) were used to describe outcomes. Results: Thirty-two eligible patients responded to the latest follow-up request and were included in this study. The mean follow-up duration was 37.1 ± 16.0 months. The average VAS pain score improved from 4.7 ± 1.8 preoperatively to 0.9 ± 1.2 at the latest follow-up ( P<.001). The average AOFAS midfoot score improved from 67.1 ± 8.5 preoperatively to 90.2 ± 10.7 at the latest follow-up ( P<.001). The preoperative and postoperative Tegner activity level scores were similar (3.3 ± 1.5 vs 3.5 ± 1.6, P=.136). The overall complication rate was 37.5%. The most common complication was nonunion (31.3%). The overall satisfaction rate was 90.6%. Similar outcomes were observed between the flatfoot and the nonflatfoot subgroups. Conclusion: Fusion for painful type II accessory naviculars resulted in good symptom relief, function improvement, and patient satisfaction at midterm follow-up, but the nonunion rate was relatively high. Fusion for painful type II accessory naviculars with or without asymptomatic mild to moderate flatfoot brought about similar clinical outcomes. Level of Evidence: Level III, retrospective comparative study.