Category: Bunion Introduction/Purpose: The minimally invasive Chevron Akin (MICA) osteotomy have been widely used treating hallux valgus (HV). The purpose of this study was to present a case series of patients with severe HV undergoing surgical treatment using the MICA procedure, and to evaluate the clinical and radiographic outcomes Methods: Sixty consecutive feet (52 patients) undergoing MICA for severe HV were included. Patients were assessed pre and postoperatively. Clinically evaluation was realized by visual analogue pain scale (VAS) and American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society Score (AOFAS). Radiographic assessments included measurement of hallux valgus angle (HVA), intermetatarsal angle (IMA), metatarsal (MT) length and plantar offset of MT head. Results: The mean age was 59.9 years and follow-up were 18.5 months. The average AOFAS increased from 41.2 to 90.9 points and the VAS decreased from 8.1 to 1.3 at the last follow up. Average HVA decreased from 41.2° to 11.6° and IMA reduced from 17.1° to 6.8°. Average shortening of the first metatarsal and the plantar offset of MT head was 3.9 mm and 2.8 mm respectively. There was significant improvement (p<0.001) in all clinical and radiographic parameters (p<0.001). The most observed complication was hardware discomfort, observed in four feet (6.6%). Conclusion: The MICA technique is a safe and reproducible method to treat severe HV.

Category: Bunion Introduction/Purpose: Minimally Invasive Chevron Akin (MICA) can be used to treat hallux valgus (HV) associated with a hypermobility of the first metatarsal-cuneiform joint (1MTCJ). The aim of this study was to perform a radiographic analysis of the MICA, focused on evaluating the 1MTCJ. Methods: Forty patients (50 feet) with moderate to severe HV underwent a MICA procedure. Radiographic analysis included hallux valgus angle (HVA), intermetatarsal angles between the first and second rays (IMA), the intermetatarsal angle between the proximal fragment of the osteotomy and the second ray (IAPF) and the distance between a point 3 cm distal from the base of the second metatarsal and a point located at the same height for the first metatarsal base (Dist 1-2). The IAPF was compared with the preoperative IMA and the other parameters were compared pre and post-operatively. The radiographic complications were also recorded Results: The majority of patients were female (92%). The mean age was 50.4 years (SD =16.1) and the mean follow-up was 16.1 months (SD = 3.5). The average HVA improved from 32.5 to 7.3 degrees and the average IMA from 14.2 to 4.2 degrees. The IAPF and Dist1-2 values showed an increase of 4.8 and 3.2mm respectively. There were no radiographic complications Conclusion: Minimally Invasive Chevron Akin: Locking the Metatarsal-Cuneiform Joint.

Category: Basic Sciences/Biologics; Ankle Introduction/Purpose: The lateral ligament complex of the ankle has been extensively studied. Recently an anatomical study described a connection between anterior talofibular ligament inferior fascicle (ATFLif) and calcaneofibular ligament (CFL). The applicability and the mechanical role of these connections have not yet been studied and need to be clarified. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the connection between ATFLif and CFL through a dynamic measurement analysis. Methods: An anatomical study was performed in 13 fresh-frozen below-the-knee ankle specimens. Each specimen was dissected in a protocolized manner until the lateral ligaments were exposed. A complete injury to both ATFL's fascicles was created in the proximal third of the ligament. A displacement transducer specifically design was inserted in the CFL and in the lateral part of the calcaneus to test its lengthening. A traction of 1 kg weight (9.8 N) was applied to ATFLif while the transducer measured the lengthening that this force created in the CFL. Results: A total of 13 ankle specimens were carefully dissected. One specimen with signals of a prior traumatic injury of the ATFLif was excluded. A total of 12 specimens were included, 7 females and 5 males with an average age of 74 years (52-88 years). The right ankle was dissected in 6 specimens. ATFL was identified as a two-fascicled ligament in all cases. The fibers connecting the ATFLif and CFL were observed in all specimens. The displacement transducer showed lengthening in the CFL in all measurements with a median of 0.59 mm (SD 0.34). Conclusion: Connecting fibers between ATFLif and CFL are robust enough to transmit tension from one structure to the other.In the case of associated proximal lesions of the ATFLif and CFL, ligaments repair with a single suture may be considered. This can be applied in surgical procedures in patients with lateral ankle instability.

Hallux valgus (HV) is now recognized as a triplane deformity with pronation being a very important factor to be addressed. This article describes a modified third generation rotational percutaneous osteotomy for correction of HV. A guide is described and used in this technique to help surgeons correct pronation with accuracy and reproducibility. This technique allows, through a percutaneous approach, a triplane correction of the HV deformity.Level of Evidence: Diagnostic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Category: Arthroscopy Introduction/Purpose: The arthroscopic techniques used to treat chronic lateral ankle instability have developed greatly in recent years. The purpose of this work is to present clinical and functional results of patients with chronic ankle instability submitted to surgical treatment by all-inside arthroscopic repair of the anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL). Methods: This is a series of cases of 18 consecutive patients who underwent the all-inside arthroscopic ATFL repair technique, a surgical treatment for chronic lateral ligament instability of the ankle, after the failure of conservative treatment performed for 6 months. The evaluation was made using the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Score (AOFAS), visual analog pain scale (VAS), anterior drawer and talar tilt tests. Surgical complications and patient satisfaction indices were also evaluated. Results: All 18 patients were evaluated for a mean follow-up period of 12 months. There was an improvement in the AOFAS (p< 0.001), with the mean improving from 69.6 points to 98.1, and in the mean VAS score, from 5.0 to 0.5 points (p < 0.001). All ankles were stable, as assessed by the anterior drawer test and talar tilt test. The only complication found was neurapraxia of the superficial fibular nerve in one patient (5%). All of the patients classified the treatment as good or excellent and returned to daily and sports activities without limitations. Conclusion: Treatment of chronic ankle ligament instability by the all inside arthroscopic ATFL repair technique was able to restore ankle stability and showed good clinical results and high satisfaction rates.