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Tibiotalocalcaneal (TTC) arthrodesis is a limb salvage procedure for severe hindfoot disease and ankle deformity. Previous studies have reported several procedures, but controversy remains regarding its standard procedure. Talar body osteonecrosis can be a devastating condition that is difficult to manage surgically. Advanced-stage disease with extensive talus involvement may require a TTC arthrodesis, and the procedure frequently requires a structural bulk bone graft. A femoral head allograft and intramedullary nailing have been used to solve these problems, but a high rate of non-union was reported. The use of a talus allograft for TTC arthrodesis has been reported to achieve a higher union rate and lower complication rate. In the present case report, a patient with severe talar osteonecrosis was treated successfully with TTC arthrodesis using a talar allograft. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first report in South Korea regarding the treatment of talar osteonecrosis using TTC arthrodesis with a talar allograft. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study evaluated the clinical and radiological results after reinforcement of the weakened medial joint capsule using Internal Brace (Arthrex) for treating severe hallux valgus. Materials and Methods: This study reviewed 56 cases of 50 patients that were followed-up postoperatively for at least 12 months, from September 2017 until August 2018. An extended distal chevron osteotomy combined with a distal soft-tissue release was performed by a single surgeon to treat severe hallux valgus. Internal Brace was applied in 12 cases (group A) who had weakened medial joint capsules, and capsulorrhaphy was performed in 44 cases (group B), and these two groups were compared postoperatively for the clinical and radiological results. The postoperative complications were also investigated. Results: No significant differences at 1-year follow-up on the Manchester-Oxford Foot Questionnaire and the patients' satisfaction scores were found between the two groups (p=0.905 and p=0.668, respectively). For the radiology, the changes of the values between before surgery and at 1-year follow-up according to the group showed no significant differences in the hallux valgus angle, intermetatarsal angle, and the hallux interphalangeal angle (p=0.986, p=0.516, p=0.754, respectively). Recurrence of hallux valgus was reported in two cases in group A, and in three cases in group B. Transfer metatarsalgia occurred in 4 cases in group B. Conclusion: Based on these results, we recommend the capsule reinforcing technique using Internal Brace as a successful operative option for treating a weakened medial capsule in patients with severe hallux valgus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stiff-person syndrome is a rare disorder, and the natural history of the syndrome has not been completely ascertained. The symptoms range from mild to severe and can progress over time: the final result can be significant disability. However, this syndrome is often misdiagnosed due to a lack of understanding of the clinical manifestations. We report the case of a patient who presented with slowly progressing gait disturbance and lower extremity pain and was later diagnosed as suffering from stiff-person syndrome. The patient experienced symptomatic improvement after the administration of benzodiazepines. No recurrence of symptoms has been reported. If the characteristic clinical features and electromyography findings of the syndrome are accurately interpreted, diagnosis of patients with abnormal muscle tension can be effectively done. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To report the radiographic and clinical results of 6.5 mm cancellous full threaded buttress screw or Steinmann pin fixation to maintain a reduction of calcaneal posterior facet depression fracture. Materials and Methods: From June 2009 to June 2012, 50 consecutive cases with calcaneal joint depression fracture that underwent open reduction and screw or pin fixation were enrolled in this study. A 6.5 mm cancellous full threaded screw was inserted from the posteroinferior aspect of the calcaneal tuberosity to the posterior facet (group A) or Steinman pin was inserted from the posterosuperior aspect of the calcaneal tuberosity to the calcaneocuboidal joint (group B). Both preoperative and postoperative Bohler and Gissane angles were measured radiographically, and American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot scale on the final follow-up were assessed. Results: The mean age of patients was 44.1 years, and the mean follow-up period was 27.2 months. According to the Sanders classification, 28 cases were type II and 22 cases were type III. In Sanders type II, Bohler and Gissane angles improved significantly from 10.1o and 126.2°preoperatively to 27.2°and 117.1°, respectively, in the immediate postoperative radiograph, and at the final follow-up, 26.6° and 118.6°, respectively. In Sanders type III, Bohler and Gissane angles improved significantly from 5.0°and 129.8°t°29.9°and 119.3o, respectively, in the immediate postoperative radiograph, and 26.9°and 120.2°at the final follow-up. All cases achieved bony union, and the average period until complete union was 13.3 weeks. AOFAS ankle-hindfoot scale was 82.6 in Sanders type II and 77.3 in Sanders type III at the final follow-up. Conclusion: A 6.5 mm cancellous full threaded buttress screw or Steinman pin fixation is a noninvasive treatment method with a merit of being able to maintain the bearing capacity of the posterior facet comparable to plate fixation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]