Background: Microfracture (MF) has been used historically to treat osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLTs), with favorable outcomes reported in approximately 80% to 85% of cases. However, MF repairs have been shown to degrade over time at long-term follow-up, suggesting that further study into optimal OLT treatment is warranted. The use of adjuvant extracellular matrix with bone marrow aspirate concentrate (ECM-BMAC) has not been extensively evaluated in the literature. We present a comparison of patient-reported and radiographic outcomes following ECM-BMAC repair vs traditional MF. Methods: Patients who underwent MF (n = 67) or ECM-BMAC (n = 62) treatment for an OLT were identified and their charts were retrospectively reviewed. Postoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was evaluated and patient-reported outcome scores, either Foot and Ankle Outcome Scores (FAOS) or Patient-Reported Measurement Information System (PROMIS) scores, were collected. MRIs were scored by a radiologist, fellowship trained in musculoskeletal radiology, using the Magnetic Resonance Observation of Cartilage Repair Tissue (MOCART) system. Radiographic and clinical outcomes were compared between groups. Results: On average, patients treated with ECM-BMAC demonstrated a higher total MOCART score compared to the MF group (73 ± SD 11.5 vs 54.0 ± 24.1; P = .0015). ECM-BMAC patients also had significantly better scores for the Infill, Integration, and Signal MOCART subcategories. Last, patients treated with ECM-BMAC had a lower rate of revision compared to those treated with MF (4.8% vs 20.9%; P = .007). FAOS scores were compared between groups, with no significant differences observed. Conclusion: When comparing outcomes between patients treated for an OLT with ECM-BMAC vs traditional MF, we observed superior MRI results for ECM-BMAC patients. The rate of revision surgery was higher for MF patients, although patient-reported outcomes were similar between groups. The use of ECM-BMAC as an adjuvant therapy in the treatment of OLTs may result in improved reparative tissue when compared to MF. Level of Evidence: Level III, comparative series.

Background: Historically, microfracture has been used to treat small talar osteochondral lesions with good results, whereas osteochondral autologous transplantation (OAT) has proven effective for the treatment of larger lesions. It is not clear which method is more effective for medium-sized lesions around the critical size of 150 mm2, above which microfracture outcomes tend to be poor. The purpose of this study was to determine the potential advantages of OAT augmented with a combination of extracellular matrix and bone marrow aspirate concentrate (ECM-BMAC) compared to debridement with ECM-BMAC (DEB) in the treatment of medium-sized osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLTs). Methods: Clinical and radiographic data were collected retrospectively for patients treated by a single fellowship-trained foot and ankle surgeon. Magnetic resonance images (MRIs) were scored using the Magnetic Resonance Observation of Cartilage Tissue (MOCART) system and were evaluated for the presence of cysts and edema. Fifty-two patients met inclusion criteria, with 25 who received an OAT procedure. Age, body mass index, lesion size, lesion location, and follow-up time were similar between groups. Average MRI follow-up times were 16.7 months for the OAT group and 20.3 months for the DEB group ( P = .38). Results: Patients treated with OAT had significantly higher average total MOCART scores (69 vs 55, P = .04) and significantly lower rates of cyst (14% vs 55%, P < .01), edema (59% vs 90%, P = .04), revision surgery (0% vs 19%, P = .05), and therapeutic injection for pain (4% vs 30%, P = .02) compared to patients treated with DEB. No significant differences were detected in patient-reported outcome scores between groups. Conclusion: The native hyaline cartilage introduced by OAT appears to result in higher-quality repair tissue when compared to DEB, as evidenced by OAT patients’ higher MOCART scores and lower rates of cyst and edema. There was no difference in clinical outcome scores, though OAT patients did not require revision surgery or therapeutic injection for pain as frequently as DEB patients. Level of Evidence: Level III, retrospective comparative study.

Background: Hallux rigidus is a common arthritic condition that has been addressed surgically with a range of techniques, from an isolated cheilectomy to first metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint fusion. Recently, hemiarthroplasty with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) hydrogel implant has been used as an alternative treatment to relieve pain while preserving motion of the first MTP joint. We retrospectively reviewed patient-reported outcome scores and clinical outcomes for patients treated for hallux rigidus with PVA hydrogel implant at an academic, multisurgeon center. Methods: A total of 103 patients who underwent first MTP hemiarthroplasty with PVA hydrogel implant between January 2017 and October 2018 were retrospectively reviewed (average, 26.2 months). Eight surgeons were represented. Baseline Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) scores for the Physical Function, Pain Interference, Pain Intensity, Global Physical Health, Global Mental Health, and Depression domains were collected prospectively and compared with PROMIS scores collected at a minimum of 1 year postoperatively (average, 13.9 months). Seventy-three patients had both preoperative and postoperative scores. Ten of these patients had undergone a prior procedure of the first MTP, and 52 underwent concurrent Moberg osteotomy at the time of PVA hydrogel implantation. Results: For patients with baseline and postoperative PROMIS scores, significant pre- to postoperative improvement was detected for the Physical Function, Pain Interference, Pain Intensity, and Global Physical Health domains ( P < .05). Patients who had undergone a prior procedure of the first MTP had significantly higher postoperative Pain Intensity scores compared with those who did not undergo a prior procedure. Patients undergoing concurrent Moberg osteotomy had significantly lower postoperative Pain Interference and Pain Intensity scores compared with those who did not undergo a Moberg. Two patients underwent revision procedures in the first 2 years postoperatively, one with revision hemiarthroplasty and one with conversion to arthrodesis. Conclusion: On average across our entire cohort, physical function and pain scores improved significantly pre- to postoperatively; however, postoperative pain scores were significantly higher for patients who had undergone a prior procedure of the first MTP and significantly lower for patients who underwent concurrent Moberg osteotomy. The implant displayed excellent survivorship in the first 2 years postoperatively, with only 2 revision procedures. Level of Evidence: Level III, comparative series.

Purpose of Review This paper seeks to review the current literature and trends regarding use of hamstring autograft for lateral ankle instability. Recent Findings Reconstruction of the lateral ankle ligaments using hamstring autograft has been found to be an effective method to treat ankle instability in terms of patient-reported outcomes and objective measures. Biomechanically, reconstruction has been shown to be stronger (load to failure) when compared with the Broström procedure. Clinical studies have demonstrated noninferiority when compared with the Broström procedure, with one synthetic reconstruction technique demonstrating superior outcomes. Summary Reconstruction of the lateral ankle ligaments using hamstring autograft is especially useful in patients who are at high risk of failure (insufficient soft tissue available for repair, ligamentous laxity, previous failed ligament repair, ossicle > 1 cm, or in the heavier, high-demand athletes). Keywords Lateral ankle instability. Hamstring autograft. Broström procedure This article is part of the Topical Collection on Management of Ankle Instability

Category: Lesser Toes, Midfoot/Forefoot Introduction/Purpose: The treatment of lesser toe metatarsophalangeal joint (MTPJ) arthritis is challenging, and surgical options are scarce. The use synthetic polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel implants in the treatment of the lesser MTPJ arthritis may provide symptomatic relief. An essential technical limitation is that only 8 mm and 10 mm implants are currently available, potentially limiting their use in the lesser metatarsals. The objective of this cadaveric study was to evaluate the average dimensions of the lesser metatarsal heads using CT scans and anatomical dissections, and to perform progressive drilling of the heads, aiming to assess the largest implant dimension that would be safely introduced into the metatarsal heads, preserving an adequate bone rim and providing stability to the implant. Methods: Ten cadaveric specimens were used. Surgical procedures were performed by a single fellowship-trained foot and ankle surgeon. Height and width of all lesser metatarsals were measured on CT and during anatomic dissection. Heads of all five metatarsal were exposed. Sequential reaming of the 2nd to 4th metatarsals with 0.5 mm increments was then performed. Once a minimum 6 mm reaming was obtained, the thickness of the surrounding bone rim (dorsal, plantar, medial and lateral) was measured using a precision caliper after each reaming increment. Maximum reaming size, largest implant inserted (8 mm or 10 mm), and the presence of failure of the metatarsal head or instability of the implant were recorded. Metatarsal head sizes were compared by Wilcoxon Rank Sum Test. Multiple regression analysis evaluated measurements that influenced the maximum reaming and implant size. Correlation between CT and anatomical measurements were evaluated by intraclass correlation (ICC). P-values of less than 0.05 were considered significant. Results: CT and anatomical measurements demonstrated significant correlation (ICC range, 0.63 to 0.85). Mean values for height and width of the metatarsal heads were respectively: second (14.9 mm and 9.9 mm), third (14.8 mm and 8.8 mm), fourth (14.0 mm and 8.7 mm) and fifth (12.3 mm and 9.3 mm). All the second, third and fourth metatarsal heads could be safely drilled up to 7.5 mm, preserving an intact bone rim. At 80% of the time, the heads could be safely drilled up to 8.0 mm. Height of the metatarsal heads was the only factor to significantly influence the size of maximum reaming and implant introduced. In respectively 20%, 40% and 50% of the second, third, and fourth metatarsal heads, neither 8 mm nor 10 mm PVAH implants could be used. Conclusion: Our cadaveric study found that the even though the majority of the lesser metatarsal heads could be safely drilled up to 8 mm, the smallest PVAH implant size currently available in most countries (8 mm) could be inserted in most of the second, but only in about half of the third and fourth metatarsal heads. The remaining bone rim around inserted implants was considerably thin, usually measuring less than 1 mm. In order to optimize the use PVAH in lesser metatarsal heads, smaller implant options are needed.