Outcome of Stainsby Forefoot Arthroplasty for Severe Rheumatoid Feet

Category: Lesser Toes Introduction/Purpose: Treatment of the severely deformed rheumatoid forefoot generally involves resection arthroplasty of the lesser toe MTP joints. This can either involve resection of the metatarsal heads or, as described by Stainsby: resection of part of the proximal phalanx and extensor tendon interposition arthroplasty. The Stainsby procedure is a well accepted technique, however despite this there is little information on the outcome of this procedure especially long term results. We present, what we believe is, the largest series with longest follow up in literature apart from original authors’ work. Methods: Retrospective review of prospectively collected data was performed of 48 rheumatoid patients with 71 feet treated with the Stainsby procedure, between March 2006 and December 2013, by a single surgeon. American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Score (AOFAS) was recorded at both pre- and postoperative assessment alongwith a satisfaction survey at final follow-up. 5 patients had died at final follow up. The follow-up duration was 5.4 years (range 2.2-9.8). Results: 9/48 patients were on anti TNF therapy and 26/48 were treated with Methotraxate. 57 cases (80%) had 1st Metatarsophalangeal Joint (MTPJ) fusion (Group 1) alongwith Stainsby procedure for lesser toes. There was significant improvement in mean AOFAS from 32.5 to 67.4. The difference in improvement in mean AOFAS for Group 1 (29.4 to 72.0) as compared to Group 2 with Stainsby procedure alone (34.3 to 71.0) was statistically significant. 76% had no (50%) or painfree (26%) callosities at final follow up. Three patients had significant hallux valgus deformity (one for Group 1) at final follow up. There were four cases of superficial wound infection that resolved with oral antibiotics with no further consequences. Two patients had broken retained wires in metatarsal with no consequences and one patient had non-union of 1st MTPJ fusion not requiring revision. 77% were very happy (35%) or pleased (52%) with results of operation. 93% patients would recommend the operation – 78% definitely and 15% with reservation. Conclusion: Treatment of the rheumatoid forefoot involving resection of the metatarsal heads is an established procedure, with much published literature to support its use. Stainsby procedure in an effective procedure but unfortunately not as popular probably because of lack of long term results. This study highlights the long term benefits and very good satisfaction results with Stainsby procedure with even better results if combined with 1st MTPJ fusion

Short versus ‘Standard’ Scarf Osteotomy for Hallux Valgus Correction

Category: Bunion Introduction/Purpose: Scarf osteotomy is an established procedure for correction of hallux valgus deformity. The technique has evolved and is effectively used for all grades of deformities. Short osteotomy (short scarf/modified chevron) and single screw fixation is an effective option for correction of mild to moderate hallux valgus deformity leading to lesser soft tissue disruption, smaller scar and being cost effective. Aim of this study was to compare radiological parameters of hallux valgus correction by a ‘standard’ scarf osteotomy and 2-screw fixation with a short osteotomy and single screw fixation Methods: We performed a retrospective review of prospectively collected data. The cases were identified from theatre log. 37 consecutive patients, operated between January 2013 and December 2014, were included. All had mild deformity as defined by maximum pre-operative intermetartarsal angle of 13 degrees. 16(43%) had short osteotomy with single screw fixation (Group 1) and the remaining 21 (57%) had ‘standard’ scarf osteotomy with 2 screw fixation (Group 2). Preoperative and final postoperative weight bearing radiographs were independently reviewed by both authors. Radiological parameters assessed were Hallux Valgus Angle (HVA), Intermetatarsal Angle (IMA), Distal Metatarsal Articular Angle (DMAA) and Medial Sesamoid position.Sesamoid position was determined by dividing metatarsal head into three equal sections and recorded as more than 50% of medial sesamoid in a section. The three grades were 3(lateral), 2(central) and 1(medial).Both groups were comparable for distribution of age and pre-operative radiological measures. Mean duration of X-Ray follow up was 3 months (range 2-12). SPSS version 20 was used to perform statistical analysis. Results: Mean age of patients was 49 years +/- 13 years. Mean improvement in radiological measures in degrees was - HVA from 24.4 to 10.9 (Group 1) and 35.3 to 12.6 (Group 2), IMA 10.0 to 3.3 (Group 1) and 10.5 to 5.4 (Group 2), DMAA 8.5 to 5.4 (Group 1) and 10.9 to 5.8 (Group 2), Medial Sesamoid position changed from 3 to 1 for both groups. Wilcoxon Signed Rank test showed all these improvements to be significant. T-test showed that both groups were comparable, with no statistically significant difference, for improvements in all radiological parameters. Conclusion: Short osteotomy with single screw fixation is equally effective in correction of symptomatic mild hallux valgus deformity as compared to ‘standard’ scarf osteotomy with the advantage of a smaller scar, lesser soft tissue disruption. We believe it is also cost effective because of potential reduction in duration of surgery and the cost of the implant

Results of Single incision Hallux Valgus Surgery

Category: Bunion Introduction/Purpose: Soft tissue release is an integral part of Hallux Valgus surgery and is traditionally performed through an additional dorsal first web space incision. We performed a review of Hallux Valgus correction with Scarf +/- Akin osteotomy using single medial incision with lateral release performed through the same incision. Methods: The study included 202 feet operated by a single surgeon between July 2009 and July 2014. Average age of patients at the time of operation was 60 years +/- 14. Patient satisfaction survey was conducted at the time of study. Patients with minimum follow up of 12 months post surgery were included in this study. The average follow up at the time of study was 45+/- 18 months. Pre-operative and final post-operative radiographic data was collected for Hallux Valgus angle, Intermetatarsal angle, Distal Metatarsal Articular Angle and Medial Sesamoid Position. The average Mean radiological follow up duration was 6.7 months. Results: Mean Hallux Valgus Angle improved from 33.2 to 15.6 degrees, Intermetatarsal angle improved from 14.4 to 7.8 degrees, Distal Metatarsal Articular Angle improved from 17.6 to 9.8 and Medial Sesamoid Position improved from 3 to 1 [p < 0.05 for each variable]. Response rate was 78% (Very satisfied 69%, Satisfied 14%, Satisfied with reservation 11%, Dissatisfied 6%). There was no correlation of any preoperative or postoperative radiographic measure with satisfaction grade. Two patients had intraoperative fracture with no long term sequelae. No patient required revision procedure. Conclusion: Single medial incision surgery for Scarf +/- Akin Osteotomy for Hallux Valgus Correction is a simple, safe and effective technique with very high satisfaction. The results are comparable to, if not better that, traditional two-incision surgery thus questions requirement of a second dorsal first web space incision

Randomised Controlled Trial of Ankle Block Versus Metatarsal Block for First Ray Surgery

Category: Bunion Introduction/Purpose: First ray arthrodesis or osteotomy is a day surgery procedure performed commonly under general anaesthetic. One of the aims with such procedures is to ensure our patients are discharged on the day of surgery and are relatively pain free on discharge. This is often achieved by the use of local anaesthetic blockades, either as an ankle block or as a metatarsal block. There are studies published on the effectiveness of ankle block for first ray surgery but there is a dearth of studies on metatarsal block. Therefore the aim of this study is to compare the effectiveness of ankle block versus metatarsal block in conjunction to general anaesthetic for first ray surgery. Methods: Both local trust board approval and National Research Ethics Committee approval were granted for the study. Statistical analysis to ensure an adequately powered study was performed. Fifty patients undergoing arthrodesis or osteotomy of the first ray were recruited into this study and randomly allocated to the cohort to receive either a metatarsal block or an ankle block. All patients had general anaesthesia. Those patients randomized to ankle block had this performed after induction of general anaesthesia using ultrasonography. Those patients randomized to metatarsal block had this performed at the end of the operative procedure. Patients scored their pain level using a visual analogue scale (0-10) at 2, 6 and 24 hours. A physiotherapist, who was blinded to their treatment arm, assessed patients at hourly intervals from two hours. Patients were contacted by telephone by a research nurse, who was also blinded to their treatment arm, over 24 hours from discharge. Results: Forty-eight patients completed the study: 25 in the ankle block treatment arm and 23 in the metatarsal block arm. The majority of the patients were female (44 patients) with an average age of 53 years (range 31-76 years). Analysis of pain scores showed that there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups at any of the measured time periods. Analysis of their analgesic requirement in the first 24 hours after surgery again revealed no striking difference between the two cohorts. Similarly analysis of the time taken to safely mobilise revealed that there was no difference between the two groups. However analysis of the time taken to perform the anaesthesia highlighted a mean addition of eleven minutes when an ultrasound guided ankle block was performed. Conclusion: This prospective randomised blinded study demonstrates that metatarsal blocks are just as effective in giving post- operative analgesia as ultrasound guided ankle blocks in patients undergoing first ray surgery under general anaesthetic

Are Hindfoot Procedures More Painful than Forefoot – A Prospective Cohort Study in Foot and Ankle Reconstructive Surgery?

Category: Other Introduction/Purpose: Several variables are thought to have an effect on the post-operative pain relief after reconstructive foot and ankle surgery. In the past decade, the role of regional nerve blocks in the management of post-operative pain has become established. The technique(s) of regional blocks varies between centers and the published literature on this subject is inconsistent. More recently, image guided regional nerve blocks for post-op pain relief in F&A surgery have gained popularity. Traditionally, hindfoot reconstructive procedures are deemed to be more painful than the surgery involving the rest of the foot. This prospective study was carried out to examine this question. Methods: 143 patients undergoing elective foot and ankle surgery were prospectively studied. In addition to the demographics, the details of the anaesthetic used were also recorded. 70 patients received peripheral nerve blockade with guidance either by a nerve stimulator or ultrasonography. The procedures were categorised into those belonging to the forefoot, midfoot, hindfoot or combined. The magnitude of pain was recorded immediately post-operatively, at 6 hours and at 24 hours after the surgery, using the visual analog scale (VAS, 0 as ‘no pain’ and 10 as ‘ the worst possible pain’). All adverse effects were recorded. The patients’ satisfaction at two weeks after surgery was also assessed. Kruskal-Wallis test was used to perform non-parametric analysis between the groups. For categorical data, Pearson’s Chi-square test was used. Significant difference was demonstrated by a p-value < 0.05. Results: There was no difference in post-operative, 6 hours or 24 hours VAS in the patients having the hindfoot surgery or those having surgery involving the rest of the foot. Although patients who underwent peripheral nerve block had a satisfactory initial pain relief, they experienced significantly more pain at 24 hours than those who did not have a block (Table 1). There was no significant difference in the hospital stay or patient satisfaction at two weeks. In total, 94% patients were satisfied with their anaesthetic and would not mind having it again. Conclusion: This study provides evidence that contrary to the popular belief, hindfoot surgery is not more painful than the surgery involving the rest of the foot. Our results showed that patients who received peripheral nerve block probably had rebound pain at 24 hours after the surgery. Further studies are needed to explore this relationship. The detailed information provided by this study about the mean (and SD) VAS at various time points after surgery can be used to predict post-operative pain based on various pre-operative surgical and anaesthetic parameters