• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.111-117
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• 2022

Despite the lack of evidence-based standard guidelines to select the best surgical treatment option for end-stage ankle osteoarthritis, the rate of total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) is increasing rapidly relative to ankle arthrodesis (AA) with the development of implant designs and surgical techniques. Physicians and patients would benefit from a more comprehensive understanding of the differences in postoperative pain relief, functional improvement, the rates of complication or reoperation, and restoration of gait ability and sports activity. This paper overviews the current consensus on indications and contraindications for TAA and provides a literature review on a comparison of the clinical and functional results between TAA and AA.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.213-217
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• 2006

Purpose: To evaluate the clinical and radiological results of tibio-talo-calcaneal arthrodesis using ipsilateral distal fibula buttress which had advantages of extended operative field and release of contracted soft tissue. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 4 postraumatic compartment syndrome, 2 residual poliomyelitis, 1 posttraumatic osteoarthritis with subtalar joint infection and 1 posttarumatic sciatic nerve palsy patients who underwent a tibio-talo-calcaneal arthrodesis from April, 1996 to March, 2002. Each of the cases was notable for a severe rigid equinovarus, persistent pus drainage of calcaneal area and paralytic foot. The mean duration of follow up was 18 months (range, $13{\sim}42$ months). The pain, function and alignment were evaluated by the modified ankle hindfoot scale of the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) and patients satisfaction clinically. The radiological union were evaluated by plain AP and lateral radiographs. Results: The AOFAS score improved from 58 points (range, $47{\sim}78$) preoperatively to 82 (range, $60{\sim}89$) postoperatively. Patents satisfaction checked at 12 months after operation had favorable results (excellent and good 80%). Union rate was 100% radiographically and the mean duration of union was 12.5 weeks (range $8{\sim}22$ weeks). There was 2 cases of superficial pin tract infection and one protrusion of screw. Conclusion: Tibio-talo-calcaneal arthrodesis using ipsilateral distal fibula buttress was good modality of arthrodesis which provides wide operative field and release of contracted soft tissue in some cases of contracted foot.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.111-116
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• 2021

Purpose: Variations in the preferred conservative and operative treatment methods for ankle arthritis may be observed in the practice of orthopedic surgeons. This study is based on the Korean Foot and Ankle Society (KFAS) member survey and aims to report the current trend and changes in the management of ankle arthritis over the last few decades. Materials and Methods: A web-based questionnaire containing 24 questions was sent to all KFAS members in July 2021. The questions were mainly related to the preferred techniques and clinical experience in osteotomy, arthrodesis, and total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) for patients with ankle arthritis. Results: Sixty-three out of 550 surgeons (11.5%) responded to the survey. The responses to 6 out of the total of 24 questions (25.0%) achieved the levels needed to reflect a tendency. Answers that showed a tendency were related to the following: a surgical approach for arthrodesis (anterior approach), use of auto-bone graft for arthrodesis (iliac bone), a nonunion rate of more than 10% following arthrodesis, main reason related to unsatisfactory results after arthrodesis (nonunion or delayed union), the main reason to change total ankle prosthesis (unstable supply of prosthesis), the unusualness of revision TAA and conversion of fusion to TAA. Diversity was found in several aspects of treatment (degree of experience and satisfaction in supramalleolar osteotomy, fixation method for arthrodesis, preferred TAA prosthesis and longevity, degree of experinece, annual number of TAA operation. Conclusion: This study proposes updated information with regard to the current trends in the management of ankle arthritis in Korea. Both consensus and variations in the approach to patients with ankle arthritis were identified through this survey. With an increasing preference for TAA, the need for the development of a prosthesis optimized for Koreans and a stable supply of prostheses were the suggestions made by the study.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.157-162
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• 2020

A 6-year-old Thoroughbred mare presented to the Korea Racing Authority Equine Hospital with dropping of the left front fetlock due to an injury sustained while racing. Radiographic examination revealed a comminuted fracture of both proximal sesamoid bones of the affected fetlock. Arthrodesis of the fetlock joint using a broad dynamic compression plate with a tension band wire was performed as a salvage procedure for the future use as a broodmare. After surgery, however, a delayed union of the bones and surgical site infection was present for a prolonged period. Staphylococcus aureus was persistently identified from the surgical site, and antimicrobial therapies were based on antibiotic sensitivity tests, including regional perfusions. The removal and replacement of surgical implants associated with seropurulent discharge was based on coordinating the development of fetlock ankylosis and infection control over 13 months. Firstly, seven screws associated with surgical drainage were replaced and bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) and local antibiotics were placed into the surgical site to accelerate bone fusion at postoperative month 7. Further six screws, along with drainage, were removed at postoperative month 10. The plate and screws were removed from the limb due to the progression of bone fusion at postoperative month 13; BMP-2 and local antibiotics were also used. Delayed healing of arthrodesis due to surgical site infection and implant instability were treated by implant removals and antibiotic therapies, and the horse eventually showed improved weight-bearing ability of the affected limb.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.98-103
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• 2017

Purpose: The aim of this study was to analyze the factors related to nonunion in tibiotalar arthrodesis. Materials and Methods: Eighty cases of ankle arthritis treated with tibiotalar arthrodesis in our hospital from November 2008 to November 2015 with more than one year follow up were analyzed. Simple anteroposterior and lateral radiographs after 6 and 12 months of surgery were analyzed. Union was defined as more than 50% connection of the trabecular bone at the ankle joint surface in the anteroposterior and lateral radiographs. The nonunion group was defined as no signs of union with persistent pain 9 months after surgery. The surgical approach, type of used screw, preoperative and postoperative ankle alignment, body mass index (BMI), bone mineral density, and patients' prior history were compared between the two groups. Results: There were 69 union cases and 11 nonunion cases. In the patient factors, the gender and BMI was related to nonunion (p<0.05). The mean preoperative and postoperative ankle alignment in the nonunion group was $9.93^{\circ}{\pm}6.92^{\circ}$ and $5.43^{\circ}{\pm}3.35^{\circ}$ respectively, and $9.80^{\circ}{\pm}7.55^{\circ}$ and $5.63^{\circ}{\pm}3.45^{\circ}$ in the union group, respectively; the difference was not statistically significant (p>0.05). In the technical factors, the transfibular approach showed a better relationship but the association was not significant (p<0.05). In 40 cases of the transfibular approach, 12 cases used cancellous screws, and 4 cases showed nonunion due to screw breakage. Conclusion: Technical factors, such as the surgical approach and the type of screw used can be a risk factor in nonunion. In addition, patients' factors, such as gender and BMI, must be considered to reduce the nonunion rate.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.15-22
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• 1997

A variety of surgical approach for ankle and tibiotalocalcaneal arthrodesis has been described. We used a transfibular approach between the sural nerve and lateral branch of the superficial peroneal nerve. This permits excellent visualization of the ankle and subtalar joint so that the fusion can readily be achieved under the direct visualization. Eight ankle fusions and four tibiotalocalcaneal fusions were carried out through a transfibular approach and reviewed. The resected fibula was utilized for bone graft. The follow up period was from 12 to 22 months. Ages of the patients ranged from 27 to 58 years. The postoperative regimen was six weeks nonweight bearing in a short leg cast, followed by weight bearing in a short leg cast until union occurred. All cases were fused except one who had preoperative pyogenic arthritis of the ankle and hindfoot. The results were as follows; 1. The chance of incisional neuroma is lessened through incision between the sural nerve and superficial peroneal nerve. 2. The possibility of a skin slough is reduced by using full thickness skin flaps. 3. Excellent visualization of the ankle and subtalar joint is easily achieved. So, we believed that the transfibular approach for ankle and tibiotalocalcaneal arthrodesis is the excellent surgical approach.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.45-51
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• 2013

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare and analyze the results of midfoot arthrodesis with locking plate fixation and the other instruments. Materials and Methods: Twenty one patients, a total of 22 feet who underwent midfoot arthrodesis at our institution were reviewed retrospectively from January 2006 to December 2011. Locking plates were used in 9 cases, and the other instruments such as K-wires, screws, staples were used in 13 cases. Radiologic union time was evaluated and compared between both groups. Preoperative & postoperative AOFAS midfoot scores were evaluated and compared as clinical results. Results: The average AOFAS score was rising from 69.7 to 89.4 in locking plate group and from 67.6 to 80.7 in the other instrument group. There was no statistically significant difference in two groups (p=0.179). The mean radiologic union time was 10.2 weeks in locking plate group, 12.6 weeks in the other instrument group with no significant difference (p=0.062). One case of peroneal nerve irritation was detected as a complication in locking plate group. One case of peroneal nerve irritation and 1 case of superficial wound infection with skin sloughing were detected in the other instrument group. Conclusion: There was no statistically significant difference for union time and clinical results in both groups. A locking plate can be one of the useful option for midfoot arthrodesis.

• Journal of the Korean Orthopaedic Association
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• v.56 no.2
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• pp.183-189
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• 2021

Arthrodesis is one of the last options available to obtain a stable, painless knee in patients who are unable to undergo reconstructive surgery due to a damaged knee joint. A variety of techniques have been used, including external fixation, internal fixation by compression plates, intramedullary fixation through the knee with a modular nail, and antegrade nailing through the piriformis fossa. Another option is the use of a short nail such as the Neff nail, the Wichita nail, or the Huckstep nail, but there are no commercial short nails available for use in Korea. This technical report describes a technique for knee arthrodesis using a retrograde femoral intramedullary nail.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.38-42
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• 1997

It was well known that arthrodesis of the tarsal joint is an exellent procedure to correct the flatfoot deformity for relieving pain. Recently, concept of the selective tarsal joint fusion instead of the triple fusion was developedto preserve the joint motion. To investigate and compare the effect of the each different tarsal fusion, we measured the strain at the spring ligament, medial roof of the medial longitudianl arch. Five fresh frozen cadevar foot specimens, with distal half of the tibia were utilized. The superomedial portion of the spring ligament complex was dissected from the origin to the insertion. For each specimen, a calibrated open liquid metal strain guage was secured along the length of the superomedial portion. Under the specially devised test rig, measurement of the strain was taken at each test condition from the tare weight 18.2 lb followed by 38.2 lb., 82.2 lb and a maximum loads of 134.6 lb. : 1) unfused condition, 2) isolated subtalar fusion 3) isolated talonavicular fusion 4) combined subtalar and talonavicular fusion 5) triple fusion. Statistics showed that siginificant reduction in strain following the triple fusion, and from the subtalar fusion to triple fusion.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.49-55
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• 2000

Nonunion and avascular necrosis are well-recognized complications of severe ankle injury especially aftrer talar neck fracture. The treatment of avascular necrosis is controversial and methods of treatment are limited. Many modalities have been introduced for the treatment of avascular necrosis of talus. The prolonged non-weight bearing for 2~3 years is not practical but also is occasionally complicated by late segmental collapse. Operative treatment includes tibiotalar arthrodesis and talectomy with tibiocalcaneal arthrodesis, but arthrodesis in patients with talar avascular necrosis is technically demanding and cause stiff, immobile foot and relatively high failure rate was reported. It is desirable to preserve their original joint if possible. Vascularized fibular grafting has been reported as a joint preserving treatment option for osteonecrosis of the hip but has not been described for the ankle. The authors applied free vascularized fibular grafts for 3 cases of avascular necrosis of talus. We observed evidences of revascularization of necrotic talar body and progression of fracture healing and obtained satisfactory results at mean 8 months of follow-up. Vascularized fibular grafting is one of the better alternatives for treating avascular necrosis of talus. It is expected that vascularized fibular grafting can prevent the necrotic talar dome from progressing to collapse and promote directly restored vascularization and new bone formation.