Foot/Ankle News

According to Mark Myerson, MD, director of The Institute for Foot and Ankle Reconstruction at Mercy Medical Center in Boston, use of a talus replacement that is tailored to individual patient’s anatomy by using 3-D technology can provide a “life-changing experience” for patients.

Patients who underwent subtalar arthrodesis with either an open or arthroscopic technique had significant pain relief and improved function with comparable union rates, according to results of this study which also showed less time to union and quicker return to sports and work with the arthroscopic procedure.

DePuy Orthopaedics Inc., a division of the DePuy Synthes Companies of Johnson & Johnson, announced it has acquired BioMedical Enterprises Inc., a leading manufacturer of nitinol orthopedic implants for small bone fixation.

BARCELONA — An arthroscopic procedure to treat ankles that were unstable following repetitive sprains was associated with consistent return to sport and few complications among patients at a mean follow-up of 2.5 years, according to a presenter.

Exactech Inc. recently announced it has received FDA 510(k) clearance to market the Vantage Total Ankle for the treatment of patients with ankle arthritis.

Through successful Ilizarov treatment, children with atrophic-type congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia can obtain satisfactory foot and ankle function at maturity, according to results.

Since its launch in 2014, a low-profile fixed-bearing prosthesis that is implanted under fluoroscopic guidance has produced positive outcome data. According to results of a recent clinical study of the implant led by Ian Sharpe, FRCS (Tr&Orth), in Exeter, United Kingdom, patients who underwent the procedure have required no revision procedures to date.

The Orthopaedic and Rehabilitation Devices Panel of the Medical Devices Advisory Committee of the FDA recommended a synthetic cartilage implant should be given premarket approval for the treatment of degenerative and post-traumatic arthritis in the first metatarsophalangeal joint.

Centric Medical, a division of Life Spine Inc., announced the full market release of the Tarsa-Link Stand-Alone Wedge Fixation System for internal bone fracture fixation, fusion and osteotomy in the foot and ankle.

A 69-year-old woman with a history of hypothyroidism, depression, high blood pressure and sleep apnea presented to our office with right ankle pain. She reported a history of pes planus and ankle osteoarthritis for which she underwent a pantalar arthrodesis via tibiotalocalcaneal intramedullary nail to the right ankle 1.5 years prior to presentation which never resolved her pain or deformity. Her postoperative recovery and physical therapy regimen were unremarkable; however, once completed approximately 7 months after the operation, she noted a lack of improvement from her preoperative state. She subsequently developed increasing pain to the right ankle, limiting her function and ability to perform her activities of daily living. She stated she could no longer live her life with this amount of pain and was looking for the best option to alleviate her discomfort.