The Zimmer Trabecular Metal Total Ankle Replacement (Zimmer TM TAR) is a recent ankle arthroplasty approved for use in the United States and Europe. Many of the studies reporting the results of this implant are provided by surgeons involved at least in the initial design of the implant under study. The aim of this study is to describe the early clinical and radiological outcomes in patients who underwent this procedure performed by non-designer surgeons. A total of thirty consecutive patients underwent total ankle replacement with a Zimmer TM TAR surgery between July 2013 to January 2016.All clinical assessments were collected pre- and post-operatively with minimum follow-up of 12 months for each patient using the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle (AOFAS) score, the Foot Function Index (FFI) and a visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain. Radiographic outcomes included ankle orientation assessed with angle “α”,“β” and “γ” according to Wood. Furthermore, the anteroposterior offset ratio was measured in weight-bearing lateral ankle radiographs at the last follow-up. The mean preoperative FFI-pain (FFI-P) value was 53.67, the FFI-disability (FFI-D) was 64.19. At the last follow-up visit, the FFI-P and FFI-D was 16.95 and 20.76 respectively (p<0.01 for the both scales). Preoperatively, the mean VAS for pain and AOFAS score was 7.81 and 40.95 respectively, and at the last follow-up 2.29 and 86.38 (p<0.01 for the both scales). The mean angle calculated using Wood and Deakin’s method were “α”= 89.02°, “β”= 85.11 and “γ”= 27.54 post-operatively. At the last follow-up the same values were respectively 89.43, 85.18 and 29.94. At the last follow-up, the mean offset ratio was 0.06 (range 0.003/-0.17). These early results show high levels of patient satisfaction, and we are encouraged to continue with lateral approach total ankle arthroplasty.
3 April 2020 in Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy
Purpose: This study's goal is to propose a straightforward classification system based on the MEI (Meniscal Extrusion Index), a measure of meniscal extrusion, that relates to various meniscal lesion patterns and has clinical and biomechanical significance. The study's secondary goal is to determine whether the standard 3 mm meniscal extrusion parameter still has value by correlating the MEI with it.Methods: 1350 knee MRIs that were performed over the course of 2 years made up the study cohort. Following the application of inclusion and exclusion criteria, 200 of those patients were qualified to participate in the study. All the measurements examined for this study underwent an interobserver reliability test.Results: In the 1350 MRIs that were examined for this study, meniscal extrusion of any grade was present 18.9% of the time. The use of the MEI revealed three groups of patients: those with a MEI < 20%, who are likely para‐physiological; those with a MEY between 20% and 40%, who are in a grey area; and those with a MEY > 40%, who have lesions that are impairing the proper meniscal function. According to the authors' findings, the percentage of meniscal extrusion did not correlate with the finite number (3 mm), making the 3 mm parameter an unreliable evaluation method.Conclusions: This study is clinically relevant, because it proposes a simple and reproducible classification of meniscal extrusion that may aid in evaluating the severity of an extrusion and help in the diagnosis of lesions that might be difficult to identify on MRI.Level of evidence: Level IV.
22 August 2022 in Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy
Background/Objectives: Nonunion after tibiotalocalcaneal (TTC) arthrodesis remains challenging, especially in revision settings where union rates are substantially lower than in primary procedures. Biological adjuncts are commonly used to enhance healing, yet most described methods employ fibular onlay struts and cancellous autograft. To our knowledge, intramedullary placement of a fibular autograft for ankle fusion has not previously been reported. This study presents a revision of TTC arthrodesis nonunion treated with this technique and summarizes existing evidence on revision ankle arthrodesis, fibular grafting, and bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC). Methods: We report a revision TTC arthrodesis nonunion managed with a decorticated intramedullary fibular autograft spanning the tibiotalar canal, supplemented with cancellous iliac crest autograft and BMAC. A review of PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar (search date: 1 September 2025) was performed to identify studies addressing revision ankle fusion, fibular grafting techniques, and BMAC use in foot and ankle arthrodesis. Primary outcomes included union and complications, with CT-based assessment prioritized when available. Results: At 3 months, radiographs and CT demonstrated progressive osseous bridging consistent with fusion; the patient achieved pain-free weight-bearing without complications. Conclusions: Intramedullary fibular autograft in revision TTC arthrodesis is a novel biological-mechanical strategy that leverages endosteal contact and axial stability while augmenting osteogenesis with cancellous autograft and BMAC. The review supports the biological plausibility and safety of this approach and underscores the importance of CT-based assessment.