ABSTRACT
Objective:
To implement one analysis method of the ankle bone contour that could make a more precise ankle arthrodesis.
Methods:
Twenty tomographies were submitted to 3D reconstruction. Seven points of anatomic interest for ankle arthrodesis with the three screws technique were marked with a triplannar marker. The median of the position of markers was estimated, and the union of the seven median points allow the construction of one median ankle for that population. Using this median ankle, sizes and angles for the screws position were determined.
Results:
Two median ankles were reconstructed, left and right. The position of the screw passage were determined considering the anatomical parameters. In the right ankle the lateral to medial screw should enter 4.56 cm and 0.79 above and posterior to lateral malleolus, with one inclination of 17.34° in relation to tibial longitudinal axis; and 0° in relation to tibial axial plane. The position for the other two screws is also described.
Conclusion:
Our article is the first to presents one precise guide for ankle arthrodesis based on a populational assessment. Level of evidence II, Diagnostic Studies.
Keywords:
Foot; Ankle; Arthrodesis; Pre-Planning; 3D-Reconstruction; Joint Diseases
RESUMO
Objetivo:
Implementar método de análise do contorno e alinhamento ósseos no tornozelo de uma população normal, possibilitando uma artrodese tibiotársica mais precisa.
Métodos:
Tomografias de vinte tornozelos foram submetidas à reconstrução 3D. Nesses exames, 7 pontos anatômicos de interesse para a técnica de fixação com 3 parafusos foram identificados e marcados com indicadores da posição triplanar. As médias das localizações de cada ponto foram calculadas. A união dessas médias permitiu a reconstrução de um tornozelo padrão daquela população. Nesses tornozelos médios estudou-se os comprimentos e ângulos para a passagem dos parafusos.
Resultados:
Dois tornozelos, direito e esquerdo, foram reconstruídos. A posição para a passagem dos parafusos em relação a parâmetros anatômicos foi determinada. Para o tornozelo direito, a passagem do parafuso de lateral para medial deve ocorrer com o ponto de entrada 4,56 cm acima e 0,79 cm posterior à ponta do maléolo lateral, com inclinação de 17,34° em relação ao eixo longitudinal e 0° em relação ao eixo axial da tíbia. As posições dos outros dois parafusos também estão descritas.
Conclusão:
Esse é o primeiro trabalho que apresenta um guia preciso para realização da artrodese do tornozelo, baseado em um estudo populacional. Nível de evidência II, Estudos Diagnósticos.
Descritores:
Artropatias; Pé; Tornozelo; Artrodese; Pré-Planejamento; Reconstrução 3D
INTRODUCTION
Ankle arthrodesis (AA) is a procedure for salvation in advanced ankle arthrosis. Despite the new techniques such as ankle arthroplasty, it is the only possible procedure in the case of young patients or bone defects. In addition, many studies have shown similar complication scans and quality of life between procedures.11. Singer S, Klejman S, Pinsker E, Houck J, Daniels T. Ankle arthroplasty and ankle arthrodesis: gait analysis compared with normal controls. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2013;95(24):e191(1-10).)- (33. Vaishya R, Azizi AT, Agarwal AK, Vijay V. Arthroscopic assisted ankle arthrodesis: a retrospective study of 32 cases. J Clin Orthop Trauma. 2017;8(1):54-8.
Many studies have compared different forms of fixation. (44. Beliën H, Biesmans H, Steenwerckx A, Bijnens E, Dierickx C. Prebending of osteosynthesis plate using 3D printed models to treat symptomatic os acromiale and acromial fracture. J Exp Orthop. 2017;4(1):34-43.), (55. Somberg AM, Whiteside WK, Nilssen E, Murawski D, Liu W. Biomechanical evaluation of a second generation headless compression screw for ankle arthrodesis in a cadaver model. Foot Ankle Surg. 2016;22(1):50-4. Screw fixation is the most traditional method, usually made with two crossed screws, one with medial entry and the other with entry. (33. Vaishya R, Azizi AT, Agarwal AK, Vijay V. Arthroscopic assisted ankle arthrodesis: a retrospective study of 32 cases. J Clin Orthop Trauma. 2017;8(1):54-8.), (66. Glazebrook MA, Holden D, Mayich J. Fibular sparing z-osteotomy technique for ankle arthrodesis. Tech Foot Ankle Surg. 2009;8(1):34-7.), (77. Kolodziej L, Sadlik B, Sokolowski S, Bohatyrewicz A. Results of arthroscopic ankle arthrodesis with fixation using two parallel headless compression screws in a heterogenic group of patients. Open Orthop J. 2017;11:37-44. A third screw was generally added to the anteroposterior axis due to the high incidence of non-consolidations, usually with posterolateral entry into the tibia towards the neck of the talus, known as “home-run” screw (Figures 1 and 2). (77. Kolodziej L, Sadlik B, Sokolowski S, Bohatyrewicz A. Results of arthroscopic ankle arthrodesis with fixation using two parallel headless compression screws in a heterogenic group of patients. Open Orthop J. 2017;11:37-44.)- (1010. Goetzmann T, Molé D, Jullion S, Roche O, Sirveaux F, Jacquot A. Influence of fixation with two vs. three screws on union of arthroscopic tibio-talar arthrodesis: comparative radiographic study of 111 cases. Orthop Traumatol Surg Res. 2016;102(5):651-6.
The screw is positioned to confront the strong deformation force of the Achilles tendon. (1111. Gutteck N, Martin H, Hanke T, Matthies JB, Heilmann A, Kielstein H, et al. Posterolateral plate fixation with Talarlock(r) is more stable than screw fixation in ankle arthrodesis in a biomechanical cadaver study. Foot Ankle Surg. 2018;24(3):208-12.)- (1313. Alonso-Vázquez A, Lauge-Pedersen H, Lidgren L, Taylor M. Initial stability of ankle arthrodesis with three-screw fixation. A finite element analysis. Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon). 2004;19(7):751-9. The stability of arthrodesis made only with the screws seems to be sufficient. (55. Somberg AM, Whiteside WK, Nilssen E, Murawski D, Liu W. Biomechanical evaluation of a second generation headless compression screw for ankle arthrodesis in a cadaver model. Foot Ankle Surg. 2016;22(1):50-4.), (1111. Gutteck N, Martin H, Hanke T, Matthies JB, Heilmann A, Kielstein H, et al. Posterolateral plate fixation with Talarlock(r) is more stable than screw fixation in ankle arthrodesis in a biomechanical cadaver study. Foot Ankle Surg. 2018;24(3):208-12. But plates are often used to neutralize rotation forces along the screws. (99. Davies M, Blundell C. A New lateral fixed angle locking ankle arthrodesis plate: technique and rate of union. Tech Foot Ankle Surg. 2017;16(4):199-206.), (1414. Silveira JDX, Pereira VF, Masuda VY, Azevedo RM, Mansur NSB. Preliminary outcomes of anterior ankle arthrodesis. Sci J Foot Ankle. 2018;12(3):173-9.), (1515. Prissel MA, Simpson GA, Sutphen SA, Hyer CF, Berlet GC. Ankle arthrodesis: a retrospective analysis comparing single column, locked anterior plating to crossed lag screw technique. J Foot Ankle Surg. 2017;56(3):453-6. Additional stability increased consolidation rates; (88. Henricson A, Jehpsson L, Carlsson A, Rosengren BE. Re-arthrodesis after primary ankle fusion: 134/1,716 cases from the Swedish Ankle Registry. Acta Orthop. 2018;89(5):560-4. however, plates cannot be used in some cases as in arthroscopic arthrodesis.
Most parameters used to determine surgery with good alignment and good position of screws use postoperative radiographs with load. As this type of examination is not likely to be performed intra-operatively, the surgeon may have difficulty in positioning and passing the screws. (1616. Willegger M, Holinka J, Nemecek E, Bock P, Wanivenhaus AH, Windhager R, Schuh R. Reliability of the radiographic sagittal and frontal tibiotalar alignment after ankle arthrodesis. PLoS One. 2016;11(4):e0154224.
Thus, the best form of guiding the surgeon are the anatomical references. Although several studies show the functional results of the fixation technique with three screws55. Somberg AM, Whiteside WK, Nilssen E, Murawski D, Liu W. Biomechanical evaluation of a second generation headless compression screw for ankle arthrodesis in a cadaver model. Foot Ankle Surg. 2016;22(1):50-4.), (66. Glazebrook MA, Holden D, Mayich J. Fibular sparing z-osteotomy technique for ankle arthrodesis. Tech Foot Ankle Surg. 2009;8(1):34-7.), (1717. Kristen KH, Trnka HJ, Wien F. Ankle arthrodesis with an anterior approach. Tech Foot Ankle Surg. 2007;6(4):243-8.), (1818. Taylor BC. Ankle arthrodesis utilizing a single lateral exposure and headless screw fixation. Tech Foot Ankle Surg. 2011;10(3):122-6., we did not find studies on the anatomical population variation of the ankle and reference points that could be used by the surgeon for screw fixation and bone positioning.
Our study showed a cheap and simple method of study with a group of individuals without anatomical anomalies to create a practical guide for positioning and fixation in ankle arthrodesis, using 3D reconstruction of scans.
METHODS
This is a retrospective study with access to the archive of tomographic images of the General Hospital of Fortaleza approved by the Ethics Committee of the Institution under the opinion number: 2.889.433, wherein the signing of an informed consent form was not necessary. We selected 20 tomographies of 13 patients, 8 men and 5 women, aged between 18 and 70 years (10 left and 10 right ankles) to study the ideal positioning between the ankle bones and the best points of passage of the screws in the ankle arthrodesis.
We used the tripod fixation technique with two crossed screws, one entry and one of medial entry In addition to entry screw known as “home run screw,” as described by Schuberth et al. (1919. Schuberth JM, Ruch JA, Hansen ST Jr. The tripod fixation technique for ankle arthrodesis. J Foot Ankle Surg. 2009;48(1):93-6., the tests were performed on a platform that kept the foot at 90°, positioned relative to the tibia. The images were obtained from the medical archive after approval by the ethics committee of the General Hospital of Fortaleza. Only ankles without bone misalignment or deformities were included according to evaluation of a radiologist and an orthopedist for each ankle.
The device used was the multislice tomography (Toshiba Medical System Corporation) with cuts of 1 mm. Using the Horos program (GNU Lesser Genera Public License®), the 104 tomographies were reconstructed three-dimensionally adjusting the density parameters for the best possible bone contour definition. Initially, we scored a standard zero point on all images and from these points we scored 8 points (Figure 3):
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lateral malleolus (more distal point of fibula)
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medial malleolus (most distal point of tibia)
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most anterior point of tibial pestle
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Entry point of the medial screw
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Entry point of the medial screw
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6 Entry point of the posterior screw
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Upper talus point
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lower point of the talus (we defined the center of the circumference made between these last two points as the center of the talus)
Marking of the entry points of the screws and anatomical reference points. A: determination of the lateral entry point in the middle distance of two parallel lines within the limits of the talus in the anteroposterior incidence and justa anterior point of the fibula in the profile; B: medial entry point, half distance of two parallel lines within the limits of the talus at the most central point of the tibia in the profile; C: posterior entry point determined by two parallel lines within the limits of the talus in the profile and the center point of the talus head determined as the center of a circumference between the upper point of the talus head and the lower point; D: 3D reconstruction image.
The program generated the reference in the X, Y, and Z planes for each point from the given zero point. We estimated the mean compiling the data and confidence interval (CI) by simple inferential analysis for each plane of each point. Each midpoint was marked in the AutoCAD graphic design program®, generating the average ankle of the study population (Figure 4). The relationship between the points was analyzed and a guide for the passage of the screws and intraoperative positioning of the ankle was generated.
The estimated means for each point plotted in drawing program, the distances and angles between these points can be used to guide the passage of the screws.
RESULTS
We could not unify the data for the left and right ankles due to the topographic evaluation of the points. Thus, a guide was created for each laterality. Table 1 shows the means obtained for the positioning of each point with the confidence interval. Table 2 shows the result of the relationship between the points plotted in the drawing (Figure 3), generating the guide to perform the surgery, with expected length of the screws, distance between the points of entry of the screws and the reference points and the angles of attack of the screws. Figures 5, 6 and 7 exemplify the use of the Table 2 guide.
Surgical guide obtained by the analysis of the correlation between the midpoints of the right ankle.
DISCUSSION
Although ankle arthrodesis is a widely performed procedure, especially because it is the only possible procedure in many cases, we could not find a description of each step based on an anatomical study.
High non-consolidation rates reported in all types of fixation make this an important issue.77. Kolodziej L, Sadlik B, Sokolowski S, Bohatyrewicz A. Results of arthroscopic ankle arthrodesis with fixation using two parallel headless compression screws in a heterogenic group of patients. Open Orthop J. 2017;11:37-44.), (88. Henricson A, Jehpsson L, Carlsson A, Rosengren BE. Re-arthrodesis after primary ankle fusion: 134/1,716 cases from the Swedish Ankle Registry. Acta Orthop. 2018;89(5):560-4.), (1515. Prissel MA, Simpson GA, Sutphen SA, Hyer CF, Berlet GC. Ankle arthrodesis: a retrospective analysis comparing single column, locked anterior plating to crossed lag screw technique. J Foot Ankle Surg. 2017;56(3):453-6. Many studies focus on the biomechanical stability of different fixation methods1111. Gutteck N, Martin H, Hanke T, Matthies JB, Heilmann A, Kielstein H, et al. Posterolateral plate fixation with Talarlock(r) is more stable than screw fixation in ankle arthrodesis in a biomechanical cadaver study. Foot Ankle Surg. 2018;24(3):208-12.; however, they do not mention how to find the best entry point and the entry angle for the screw, which increases the need for experience and skill of the surgeon, increasing the chance of error.
The best positioning and the quantity of screws are still controversial. The two screws of the crossed coronal plane can compress at the arthrodesis site, failing, however, to stabilize the strong traction in the sagittal plane of the Achilles tendon or the dorsiflexor force made by the forefoot in the soil, which generated the need to add a third screw in the sagittal plane. (1111. Gutteck N, Martin H, Hanke T, Matthies JB, Heilmann A, Kielstein H, et al. Posterolateral plate fixation with Talarlock(r) is more stable than screw fixation in ankle arthrodesis in a biomechanical cadaver study. Foot Ankle Surg. 2018;24(3):208-12.). (2020. Kamijo S, Kumai T, Tanaka S, Mano T, Tanaka Y. Comparison of compressive forces caused by various cannulated cancellous screws used in arthroscopic ankle arthrodesis. J Orthop Surg Res. 2017;12(1):7-15.
Despite the evidences showing that the screw of the sagittal plane should be passed from anterior to posterior1313. Alonso-Vázquez A, Lauge-Pedersen H, Lidgren L, Taylor M. Initial stability of ankle arthrodesis with three-screw fixation. A finite element analysis. Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon). 2004;19(7):751-9., we have chosen to study the method as a posterolateral “h)ome-run” screw to the center of the talus head because it seems to be the most used method by surgeons. (1010. Goetzmann T, Molé D, Jullion S, Roche O, Sirveaux F, Jacquot A. Influence of fixation with two vs. three screws on union of arthroscopic tibio-talar arthrodesis: comparative radiographic study of 111 cases. Orthop Traumatol Surg Res. 2016;102(5):651-6.
The confidence interval was very wide in most of the points analyzed, often greater than 10 cm, which is above the tolerable considering that the ankle is a small joint. Thus, our study can work as an initial orientation for surgeons. Initial statistical analysis showed that we will need 357 ct scans to develop an accurate guide to be used with all the population. This study has been developed by our group. Despite the small sample, the two groups generated, right and left, showed similar results (angles of entry of the lateral and medial screws were 17.34°for the right and 18° to the left, for example). This suggests that the applied method is simple and reproducible. Moreover, it uses widely available computer tests and programs, generating the possibility of evaluating larger populations.
REFERENCES
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1Singer S, Klejman S, Pinsker E, Houck J, Daniels T. Ankle arthroplasty and ankle arthrodesis: gait analysis compared with normal controls. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2013;95(24):e191(1-10).
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2Ernesto GGD Jr, Prata SDS, Farias F, Rizzo MA. Resultados clínicos e funcionais da artrodese tibiotársica no tratamento do pé caído. Rev ABTPé. 2016;10(1):1-5.
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3Vaishya R, Azizi AT, Agarwal AK, Vijay V. Arthroscopic assisted ankle arthrodesis: a retrospective study of 32 cases. J Clin Orthop Trauma. 2017;8(1):54-8.
-
4Beliën H, Biesmans H, Steenwerckx A, Bijnens E, Dierickx C. Prebending of osteosynthesis plate using 3D printed models to treat symptomatic os acromiale and acromial fracture. J Exp Orthop. 2017;4(1):34-43.
-
5Somberg AM, Whiteside WK, Nilssen E, Murawski D, Liu W. Biomechanical evaluation of a second generation headless compression screw for ankle arthrodesis in a cadaver model. Foot Ankle Surg. 2016;22(1):50-4.
-
6Glazebrook MA, Holden D, Mayich J. Fibular sparing z-osteotomy technique for ankle arthrodesis. Tech Foot Ankle Surg. 2009;8(1):34-7.
-
7Kolodziej L, Sadlik B, Sokolowski S, Bohatyrewicz A. Results of arthroscopic ankle arthrodesis with fixation using two parallel headless compression screws in a heterogenic group of patients. Open Orthop J. 2017;11:37-44.
-
8Henricson A, Jehpsson L, Carlsson A, Rosengren BE. Re-arthrodesis after primary ankle fusion: 134/1,716 cases from the Swedish Ankle Registry. Acta Orthop. 2018;89(5):560-4.
-
9Davies M, Blundell C. A New lateral fixed angle locking ankle arthrodesis plate: technique and rate of union. Tech Foot Ankle Surg. 2017;16(4):199-206.
-
10Goetzmann T, Molé D, Jullion S, Roche O, Sirveaux F, Jacquot A. Influence of fixation with two vs. three screws on union of arthroscopic tibio-talar arthrodesis: comparative radiographic study of 111 cases. Orthop Traumatol Surg Res. 2016;102(5):651-6.
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11Gutteck N, Martin H, Hanke T, Matthies JB, Heilmann A, Kielstein H, et al. Posterolateral plate fixation with Talarlock(r) is more stable than screw fixation in ankle arthrodesis in a biomechanical cadaver study. Foot Ankle Surg. 2018;24(3):208-12.
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12Clifford C, Berg S, McCann K, Hutchinson B. A biomechanical comparison of internal fixation techniques for ankle arthrodesis. J Foot Ankle Surg. 2015;54(2):188-91.
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13Alonso-Vázquez A, Lauge-Pedersen H, Lidgren L, Taylor M. Initial stability of ankle arthrodesis with three-screw fixation. A finite element analysis. Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon). 2004;19(7):751-9.
-
14Silveira JDX, Pereira VF, Masuda VY, Azevedo RM, Mansur NSB. Preliminary outcomes of anterior ankle arthrodesis. Sci J Foot Ankle. 2018;12(3):173-9.
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15Prissel MA, Simpson GA, Sutphen SA, Hyer CF, Berlet GC. Ankle arthrodesis: a retrospective analysis comparing single column, locked anterior plating to crossed lag screw technique. J Foot Ankle Surg. 2017;56(3):453-6.
-
16Willegger M, Holinka J, Nemecek E, Bock P, Wanivenhaus AH, Windhager R, Schuh R. Reliability of the radiographic sagittal and frontal tibiotalar alignment after ankle arthrodesis. PLoS One. 2016;11(4):e0154224.
-
17Kristen KH, Trnka HJ, Wien F. Ankle arthrodesis with an anterior approach. Tech Foot Ankle Surg. 2007;6(4):243-8.
-
18Taylor BC. Ankle arthrodesis utilizing a single lateral exposure and headless screw fixation. Tech Foot Ankle Surg. 2011;10(3):122-6.
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19Schuberth JM, Ruch JA, Hansen ST Jr. The tripod fixation technique for ankle arthrodesis. J Foot Ankle Surg. 2009;48(1):93-6.
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20Kamijo S, Kumai T, Tanaka S, Mano T, Tanaka Y. Comparison of compressive forces caused by various cannulated cancellous screws used in arthroscopic ankle arthrodesis. J Orthop Surg Res. 2017;12(1):7-15.
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This study was developed at Universidade Federal do Ceará, Department of Surgery.
Publication Dates
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Publication in this collection
22 Apr 2020 -
Date of issue
Mar-Apr 2020
History
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Received
21 June 2019 -
Accepted
17 Oct 2019