Tibiotalocalcaneal Arthrodesis with Hybrid Nail-Plate Constructs: A Novel Technique for Treatment of Unstable Ankle & Hindfoot Deformities

Category: Ankle; Hindfoot Introduction/Purpose: Tibiotalocalcaneal (TTC) arthrodesis is a treatment option for several pathologies of the hindfoot and ankle. Traditional fixation options include intramedullary nailing or plate-screw constructs. In certain patients, for example when bone quality or post-operative compliance are of concern, more robust fixation may be desired. Charcot neuroarthropathy (CN) patients in particular often have complex deformities, poor bone quality, and impaired sensation. New trauma literature shows hybrid nail-plate constructs (NPCs) may permit early weight bearing in osteoporotic distal femur fractures. We report early results of TTC arthrodesis using NPCs in patients with complex deformities of the ankle and hindfoot. Methods: Patients undergoing TTC arthrodesis via intramedullary nail fixation plus plating by a single surgeon from September 2020 to December 2022 were included in our study. Indications included CN, post-traumatic deformities, and advanced arthritis. Age, comorbidities, Hemoglobin A1c, presence of an ulcer, implants, bone graft used, and postoperative complications were retrospectively recorded. Results: Fifteen patients met inclusion criteria. Six patients had CN; eight patients had post-traumatic complications; and one patient had an arthritic cavovarus deformity. Average age was 55 years (range 31-72). Eleven patients were treated with a lateral TTC locking plate; three were treated with an anterior tibiotalar arthrodesis plate; and one was treated with a 3.5mm reconstruction plate. All patients were treated with a TTC arthrodesis nail. In all cases, cellular bone matrix was used; in fourteen cases, autograft was also used. Average follow-up was 35 weeks (min. 12). Three patients underwent below-knee amputation, two for infection and the other for hardware failure. Two others required postoperative debridements but subsequently cleared their infections. Twelve patients have a stable, non-infected, ulcer free foot at latest follow-up. Conclusion: TTC arthrodesis can be used for a variety of indications, and many of these patients present complex challenges. Patients with CN in particular often have severe deformities and poor bone quality. Hybrid fixation methods provide added stability in complex cases, possibly allowing for more powerful deformity correction and earlier weight-bearing. We report a 80% favorable outcome rate in our case series, with major complications confined to patients with significant medical comorbidities (poorly controlled diabetes, peripheral vascular disease). We believe that TTC arthrodesis with hybrid nail-plate constructs represents an attractive solution to complex ankle and hindfoot deformities

Cost Comparison of Operatively Treated Ankle Fractures Managed in an Inpatient versus Outpatient Setting

Category: Trauma Introduction/Purpose: Although choices physicians make profoundly impact the cost of healthcare, few surgeons know actual costs. Without valid cost information, surgeons cannot understand how their choices impact the total cost of care. We leveraged a validated value analytics framework to efficiently allocate clinical care costs to individual patient encounters in an effort to understand the sources and variation of cost of care for a putatively straightforward and common orthopaedic problem. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cost analysis on all isolated, operatively treated ankle fractures from a Level 1 trauma hospital and affiliated outpatient surgery center between 2013 and 2015. Patients were categorized based on whether they were treated on an inpatient or outpatient basis, and records were reviewed to determine the presence of confounding variables as well as readmission and emergency department (ED) visits within 90 days after surgery. Actual costs were determined using a validated episode of care costing system and analyzed using multivariate regression analysis. Results: 148 patients (61 inpatients, 87 outpatients) with isolated, operatively treated ankle fractures were included. After controlling for confounding variables, outpatient care was associated with 31.6% (95% CI: 19.8% - 41.8%) lower costs compared to inpatient care. Obese patients had 21.6% (95% CI: 5.8% - 39.8%) higher costs compared to patients who were not obese. There was no difference in reoperation, readmission or return visits to the ED for patients treated on an inpatient or outpatient basis. Conclusion: Inpatient surgical care is clearly more expensive than outpatient care primarily due to higher facility and labor costs without a clear advantage relative to lower readmission or ER visit rates. Where medically appropriate, this analysis suggests ankle fracture surgery should be provided in an outpatient surgical facility to provide the greatest value to the patient and society