Background: This review aimed to critically appraise the most recent orthopedic literature around cone beam weightbearing computed tomography (WBCT), summarizing what evidence has been provided so far and identifying the main research trends in the area. Methods: This scoping review was performed on studies published between January 2013 and December 2023 on the Pubmed database. All studies (both clinical and nonclinical) in which WBCT had been used were critically analyzed to extract the aim (or aims) of the study, and the main findings related to the role of this imaging modality in the diagnostic pathway. Results: Out of 1759 studies, 129 were selected. One hundred five manuscripts (81%) dealt with elective orthopedic conditions. The majority of the analyses (88 studies; 84%) were performed on foot and ankle conditions, while 13 (12%) studies looked at knee pathologies. There was a progressive increase in the number of studies published over the years. Progressive Collapsing Foot Deformity (22 studies; 25%) and Hallux Valgus (19 studies; 21%) were frequent subjects. Twenty-four (19%) manuscripts dealt with traumatic conditions. A particular interest in syndesmotic injuries was documented (12 studies; 60%). Conclusions: In this review, we documented an increasing interest in clinical applications of weightbearing CT in the orthopedic field between 2013 and 2023. The majority of the analyses focused on conditions related to the foot and the ankle; however, we found several works investigating the value of WBCT on other joints (in particular, the knee).

Background: It is unclear whether lateral soft tissue release (LSTR) is required as part of percutaneous hallux valgus (PHV) surgery. The primary aim of this systematic review was to assess whether LSTR reduces the risk of recurrence of hallux valgus deformity. The secondary aims were to assess if LSTR increases the risk of complications, improves the clinical outcome and leads to a greater radiographic correction. Methods: We performed a PRISMA-compliant PROSPERO-registered systematic review, pooling clinical papers reporting results after PHV surgery into two categories (PHV with (Group 1, G1) and without LSTR (Group 2, G2)) and comparing them. Data regarding the study design, demographics, the surgical procedure and the clinical and radiological outcome were extracted and compared. Risk of bias was assessed using the modified Coleman Methodology Score (mCMS). Results: Sixteen studies were selected (G1:594 feet; G2:553 feet). The pooled proportion of recurrence at a minimum 21-month follow-up (2%, 95%CI 0–3 vs 2%, 95%CI 0–5; p = 0.70) did not differ in the two groups. Similarly, the pooled proportion of complications (27%, 95%CI 17–38 vs 25%, 95%CI 12–37; p = 0.79) was similar. The pre- (p = 0.23) and post-operative AOFAS scores (p = 0.16), the pre-(HVA: p = 0.23) (IMA: p = 0.94) and post-operative radiological angles (HVA: p = 0.47) (IMA: p = 0.2) and the methodological quality of studies (p = 0.2) did not differ either between G1 and G2. Conclusion: There is no evidence that LSTR performed during percutaneous HV surgery reduces the risk of recurrence of the deformity at a mean 4-year follow-up nor improves the clinical and radiological outcome. Level of evidence: Level IV systematic review of Level I to IV studies.

Background: Medial meniscus ramp tears are present in 22.9–40.8% of anterior cruciate ligament tears. The diagnosis of ramp tears is difficult on MRI, with sensitivity reported around 48%, which has recently emphasized the importance of proper arthroscopic probing for ramp tears. Methods: A prospective evaluation was performed on patients undergoing a single bundle ACL reconstruction to assess patient demographics, posterior tibial slope, posterior cruciate ligament angle, Lachman’s exam, and rotational instability to determine secondary findings associated with medial meniscal ramp tears. Results: A total of 96 patients underwent ACL reconstruction, of these, 63 patients had an isolated ACL tear, and 33 patients had an ACL tear with a concomitant medial meniscus ramp tear. A high-grade Lachman’s exam and male sex were associated with medial meniscus ramp tears. There were no differences in posterior tibial slope, posterior cruciate ligament angle, or rotational instability between groups. Conclusions: This study found that a high-grade Lachman’s exam and male sex were significantly associated with patients with an ACL tear with a concomitant medial meniscus ramp tear. These findings suggest that an ACL tear with concomitant medial meniscus ramp tear may be better diagnosed based upon the clinical evaluation rather than other secondary radiological findings.

Objective: Ankle arthrodesis (AA) is often fixed using cannulated screws. The irritation from metalwork is a relatively common complication, but there is no consensus regarding the need to remove the screws on a systematic basis. The aim of this study was to determine (1) the proportion of screws removed after AA and (2) whether predictors of screw removal could be identified. Methods: This PRISMA-compliant systematic review was part of a larger previous protocol registered on the PROSPERO platform. Multiple databases were searched including studies in which patients undergone AA using screws as exclusive fixation method were followed. Data were harvested regarding the cohort, the study design, the surgical technique, the nonunion and complication rate at the longest follow-up. Risk of bias was assessed using the modified Coleman Methodology Score (mCMS). Results: Forty-four series of patients from thirty-eight studies (1990 ankles, 1934 patients) were selected. The average follow-up was 40.8 months (range 12–110). In all studies, hardware was removed due to symptoms reported by patients and related to the screws. The pooled proportion of removal of metalwork was 3% (95% CI 2–4). The pooled proportion of fusion was 96% (95%CI 95–98), while the pooled proportion of complications and reoperations (excluding the removal of metalwork) stood at 15% (95% CI 11–18) and 3% (95% CI 2–4), respectively. The mean mCMS (50.8 ± 8.1, range 35–66) revealed only an overall fair quality of studies. The univariate analysis and the multivariate model showed that the year of publication (R = − 0.004; p = 0.01) and the number of screws (R = 0.08; p = 0.01) were associated with the screw removal rate. Specifically, we found that over time the removal rate decreased by 0.4% per year and that the use of three screws instead of two reduced the risk of removal of metalwork by 8%. Conclusions: In this review, removal of metalwork after ankle arthrodesis using cannulated screws was needed in 3% of cases at an average follow-up of 40.8 months. It was indicated only in case of symptoms related to soft tissue irritation from screws. The use of three screws was paradoxically related to a reduced risk of removal of screws as compared to two-screw constructs. Level of evidence: Level IV, systematic review of Level IV.

The management of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) after total ankle replacement (TAR) may be challenging. Our aim was to define the eradication rate and limits of some of the surgical procedures commonly performed to treat acute and chronic PJI after TAR. For this PRISMA-compliant systematic review multiple databases were searched including clinical studies in which acute or chronic PJI after TAR was diagnosed and treated. Data were harvested regarding the cohort, the study design, the diagnostic criteria adopted and the surgical treatment for PJI. The methodological index for nonrandomized studies (MINORS) was used to assess the methodological quality of studies. Three groups were built based on the surgical procedure performed in the studies: Group 1 for debridement, antibiotics, and implant retention (DAIR), Group 2 for 1.5-stage revision (1.5-stage) and Group 3 for 2-stage revision procedures (2-stage). Thirteen cohorts from seven studies (138 infected TARs; 40 % females, mean age 61.3 years) published between 2012 and 2023 were included. The definition of eradication of the infection was heterogenous among studies (reported as 'no more surgery' in 3 studies, normal clinical and serological markers in 2 studies and negative intraoperative cultures in 2 studies). The pooled eradication rate in DAIR, 1.5-stage and 2-stage revision groups was 89 % (95 %CI, 79-100), 95 % (95 %CI, 70-100) and 92 % (95 %CI, 80-99), respectively. The proportion of below-knee amputation was 7.2 % (10/138) at a mean 39.3-month follow-up. MINORS score (7.6/16 and 14.6/24 for noncomparative and comparative studies, respectively) revealed a poor quality of studies. In this review, the estimated effectiveness of DAIR, 1.5 and 2-stage exchange procedures to eradicate PJI after TAR was 89 %, 95 % and 92 %, respectively. Decision-making in this setting is based on small-sample retrospective studies of poor quality. Below-knee amputation rate after a diagnosis of PJI was 7.2 %. Level IV, systematic review of Level IV studies.

Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is among the most common complications of Total Ankle Replacement (TAR) and its management may be challenging. We set out to define which are the criteria currently used to diagnose PJI after TAR. This PRISMA-compliant systematic review was registered in the Open Science Framework. Multiple databases were searched including clinical studies in which PJI after TAR was diagnosed and treated. Data were harvested regarding the cohort, the study design and the diagnostic criteria for PJI. Risk of bias was assessed using the modified Coleman Methodology Score (mCMS). Six papers (122 infected TARs) published between 2012 and 2022 were included in this review. Ankle pain with swelling and unexplained increased local temperature were the most common clinical findings leading to a suspicion of PJI. In 100% of cases the diagnosis was confirmed through synovial fluid analysis associated with positive blood tests. In all the revision surgeries intraoperative cultures (at least 3) were performed. In 109 ankles (90%) there was a microbiological isolation. Out of these, 38 (35%) were single organism infections by Staphylococcus coagulase negative and 37 (34%) were single organism infections by Staphylococcus Aureus. The mean mCMS was 37.6 out of 100. There is a lack of diagnostic criteria specific for PJI after TAR. Clinical and laboratory tests inspired to the knowledge in total knee and total hip arthroplasty are generally adopted in the field of ankle arthroplasty. The quality of evidence for studies included in this review was poor.