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Annunziato Amendola

Publications and source records attributed to Annunziato Amendola.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2007

Syndesmosis sprains of the ankle: a systematic review.

Syndesmosis sprains have received increasing recognition during recent years because of a heightened awareness of the mechanism, symptoms, and signs of injury. Syndesmosis injuries take longer to recover than lateral ankle sprains, and no consensus exists regarding optimal treatment of these injuries. Therefore, we undertook a systematic review of the literature to evaluate the effect of treatment on outcome following syndesmosis injury. We identified six articles that evaluated treatment of syndesmosis injuries. All studies were case series including prospectively collected data of young, active patients with a minimum of 6 months followup and represented the highest level of evidence available. Three specifically addressed patient outcomes at final followup: one indicated 44 percent of patients had acceptable outcomes, and two rated patient outcomes as good to excellent. Time lost from sport ranged from 0 to 137 days, with averages ranging from approximately 10 to 14 days up to 52 days. The studies did not employ consistent diagnosis or grading schemes, did not use uniform treatment protocols, and did not compare treatments. Therefore, this review generates several prospective areas for additional investigation rather than providing strong evidence to support a particular method of treatment.

Ankle Injuries↗
PubMed2006

Arthroscopic visualization of the posterior subtalar joint in the prone position: a cadaver study.

PURPOSE: Subtalar arthroscopy in the prone position is thought to allow broader access to the posterior aspect of the joint than in the standard supine or lateral position. This study is aimed to assess if using the posteromedial (PM) portal in the prone position can increase the working area available through the dorsal and ventral posterolateral (PL) portals commonly used in the standard techniques. TYPE OF STUDY: In vitro cadaver study. METHODS: Six below-knee cadaver specimens were subjected to experimental arthroscopy on the posterior subtalar joint in a simulated prone position. On both the talar and calcaneal surfaces, the working areas (the maximal extent available to a working instrument while preserving surrounding cartilage) for the PL portals and the PM portal were identified. The combined area was compared with the area available from the PL portals alone, to assess the area extended with the PM portal. RESULTS: The talar working areas provided by the PL portals and PM portal were 31% +/- 13% and 26% +/- 8% of the total articular surface, respectively. The combined working area (43% +/- 13%) was greater than the PL working area alone; use of the PM portal increased the working area by a factor of 1.45. The calcaneal working areas from the PL and PM portals were 25% +/- 11% and 20 +/- 7%, respectively. The combined working area (35% +/- 14%) was similarly increased by a factor of 1.46 using the PM portal compared with PL portals alone (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: In prone subtalar arthroscopy, significant extension of the working area was found by adding the PM portal to the standard PL portals, on both the talar and calcaneal surfaces. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The PM portal that can be used in the prone position has a potential to increase the arthroscopic working area in the posterior subtalar joint.

Aged↗
PubMed2006

Other surgical techniques for osteoarthritis.

Prior to the need for arthroplasty, there are numerous surgical options for management of osteoarthritis. This chapter is aimed at addressing the current state of knowledge and practice regarding: (1) arthroscopic lavage and debridement; (2) articular surface stimulation by means of penetration or microfracture; (3) high tibial osteotomies; (4) preventative ligament stabilization and joint distraction; and (5) transplantation of soft tissue, osteochondral, chondrocyte and matrix implantation as well as use of growth factors. Evidence is reviewed regarding the outcomes and indications for each of these operations, and where evidence is lacking, needs for further research are indicated. Future directions building upon promising early results of articular surface regeneration are also described.

Humans↗
PubMed2006

Role of high tibial and distal femoral osteotomies in the treatment of lateral-posterolateral and medial instabilities of the knee.

Mechanical alignment has been overlooked as an important contributor to knee stability with respect to collateral ligament laxity. The detrimental effects of varus or valgus limb malalignment become more obvious when the restraining force is lost because of ligamentous injury especially on the medial or the lateral/posterolateral side. Even with repair or reconstruction of these injuries, with repetitive load, the ligament will eventually fail to restore its structure and strength, resulting in failure and secondary restraint laxity. We have found that realignment of the limb is the most important factor in restoring a functional limb. After realignment, joint laxity, if persistent, can be addressed successfully with ligamentous reconstruction. Diagnosis and treatment of limb malalignment cannot be ignored in the management of chronic ligamentous instabilities, especially those with prior failed reconstruction. Our approach to these difficult problems and the preferred techniques of osteotomies on both tibial and femoral sides are described.

Femur↗
PubMed2006

Evidence-based approach to treatment of acute traumatic syndesmosis (high ankle) sprains.

Ankle sprains in the athlete are one of the most common injuries, and syndesmosis or "high-ankle" sprains seem to being diagnosed at an increasing rate. As a result, there has been a heightened interest in recognizing and treating these difficult injuries on a timely basis, particularly in the athlete. Although the recognition and diagnosis of these injuries have improved, there still exists a paucity of information on optimal conservative and operative management. In this paper, a systematic review of the literature was conducted to provide an evidence-based rationale in the diagnosis and treatment of syndesmosis (high ankle) sprains in athletes. It is obvious from the low level of evidence available in the literature on this topic that a great deal of work is needed before conclusive statements regarding the management of these injuries can be made with confidence. The current diagnostic tests are not very specific. Because this is a spectrum of injury, there is a lot of variability in the time lost from sport. It is clear that we need a much more definitive diagnostic process for this injury that allows us to predict the severity of the injury, time loss from sport, and the treatment required.

Ankle Injuries↗
PubMed2006

Ankle alignment on lateral radiographs. Part 1: sensitivity of measures to perturbations of ankle positioning.

BACKGROUND: In ankles with end-stage osteoarthritis or with total ankle replacement (TAR), radiographic landmarks based on joint surface morphology usually are obscured and inadequate for radiographic measurement. Furthermore, because of difficulty in reproducibly positioning the ankle for a standing radiograph, any radiographic measure to accurately describe ankle alignment must tolerate perturbations of ankle positioning on clinical radiographs. To identify a radiographic measure of anteroposterior tibial-talar alignment that meets those requirements, three methods were compared to determine their sensitivity to perturbations in ankle positioning. METHODS: Ten cadaver ankles had lateral radiographs taken in varying ankle positions in nine prespecified positions in the transverse plane and in seven positions in the sagittal plane. The anteroposterior tibial-talar alignment was quantified by three methods. Sensitivities to changes of ankle position in each plane were then compared. RESULTS: With the tibial-axis-to-talus ratio (T-T ratio: the ratio into which the midlongitudinal axis of the tibial shaft divides the longitudinal talar length), sensitivity to ankle positional changes in either plane was lowest, with errors associated with 10 degrees of ankle malpositioning being 2.2%. The posterior-tibial-line-to-talus ratio (P-T ratio: a similar ratio, but using the posterior longitudinal line of the tibial shaft) showed higher sensitivity in the transverse plane than the T-T ratio, though the associated errors in either plane were nearly comparable. The tibial-axis-to-lateral-process distance (T-L distance: the perpendicular distance from the tibial axis to the tip of the lateral talar process) showed highest sensitivity in both planes. CONCLUSIONS: The T-T ratio tolerated perturbations of ankle positioning best among the tested measures. This measure is potentially applicable to clinical radiographic measurement when determining the anteroposterior tibial-talar alignment in ankles with articular degeneration or TAR. The P-T ratio also appears to have reasonable tolerance.

Aged↗
PubMed2006

Ankle alignment on lateral radiographs. Part 2: reliability and validity of measures.

BACKGROUND: In ankles with end-stage osteoarthritis or after total ankle replacement (TAR), radiographic landmarks based on joint surface morphology usually are obscured and inadequate for measurement. Two methods for quantifying anteroposterior tibial-talar alignment without relying on those landmarks were identified in a corollary cadaver-based study. This study aimed to verify reliability and validity of those candidate measures. METHODS: On clinical radiographs of 33 nonarthritic and 35 arthritic ankles, the anteroposterior tibial-talar alignment was quantified by the two methods; the tibial-axis-to-talus ratio (T-T ratio: the ratio into which the midlongitudinal axis of the tibial shaft divides the longitudinal talar length) and the posterior-tibial-line-to-talus ratio (P-T ratio: a similar ratio, but using the posterior longitudinal line along the tibial shaft). Two observers performed every measurement twice to evaluate intraobserver and interobserver reliability of the candidate measures. For nonarthritic ankles, the anteroposterior tibial-talar alignment was further determined by a control measure that directly quantified orientation of the talar dome relative to the tibial shaft. Correlation of the T-T and P-T ratios with the control measure was then evaluated for validity. RESULTS: Measurement of the T-T ratio with arthritic ankles was highly reproducible with the coefficients of determination (R(2)) greater than 0.95, for either interobserver or intraobserver. Correlation between this measure and the control measure was supported (R(2) = 0.60, p < 0.0001). Reliability of the P-T ratio also was strong (R(2) > 0.91), although both reliability and validity of this measure were relatively inferior to the T-T ratio. CONCLUSIONS: The T-T ratio reliably and validly described the anteroposterior tibial-talar alignment on clinical radiographs, regardless of the condition of ankle joint surface. This measure appears to be a reliable radiographic measure for determining the magnitude of anteroposterior talar subluxation in ankles with articular degeneration or after TAR and can facilitate clinical investigations.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Contribution of articular surface geometry to ankle stabilization.

BACKGROUND: Passive ankle stability under weight-bearing conditions has been found to depend substantially on the role of the articular surface geometry. In the present study, it was hypothesized that, in the ankle under axial loading, contact-stress changes in response to alterations of external load involve reproducible and specific patterns to maintain ankle stability. METHODS: Six cadaver ankles with the peri-ankle ligaments intact were tested. Each specimen, held at several predetermined ankle positions under a primary one-body-weight axial force, was subjected to an additional secondary load. The secondary load-specifically, anterior/posterior shear force, inversion/eversion torque, or internal/external rotation torque-was applied independently, while motion associated with the two other secondary loading directions was unconstrained. Contact stress in the tibiotalar articulation was monitored by a real-time contact-stress sensor. Site-specific stress changes solely due to secondary loading at each load/position were identified by subtraction of the corresponding axial-force-only baseline distribution. The role of these stress changes in ankle stabilization was studied for each specimen by analyzing the data with a computer model of ankle geometry. RESULTS: In the cadaver experiment, anterior and posterior shear forces caused reproducible positive changes in articular contact stresses on the anterior and posterior regions, respectively. Similar changes with version torques occurred on the medial and lateral regions. Positive changes with internal/external rotation torques occurred at two diagonal locations: anterolateral and posteromedial, or anteromedial and posterolateral. In the model analysis, these stress-change patterns were found to be effective in ankle stabilization, and the levels of contribution by the articular surface were calculated as accounting for approximately 70% of anterior/posterior stability, 50% of version stability, and 30% of internal/external rotation stability. CONCLUSIONS: The documented changes in contact stress illustrate the major role of articular geometry in passive ankle stabilization. The levels of contribution by the articular surface that we calculated are consistent with those reported in the literature. These findings support the conceptual mechanism of ankle stabilization by redistribution of articular contact stress.

Aged↗
PubMed2006

MCL injuries of the knee: current concepts review.

Medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury is one of the most common knee injuries, especially in young athletic patients. Most MCL injuries can be managed conservatively with good results. However, a complete understanding of knee anatomy and the involved structures is necessary to make intelligent treatment decisions. We will review the anatomy and biomechanics of the MCL, classification systems for MCL injuries, and operative and nonoperative treatment for acute and chronic MCL injuries.

Biomechanical Phenomena↗
PubMed2005

Multirater agreement of arthroscopic grading of knee articular cartilage.

BACKGROUND: Acute and chronic cartilage injury of the knee has an important impact on prognosis. The validity of the classification of such injuries is critical for prospective multicenter studies. The agreement among multiple surgeons at different institutions for articular cartilage lesions has not been established. HYPOTHESIS: Arthroscopic classification of articular cartilage lesions is reliable and reproducible and can be used for multicenter studies involving multiple surgeons. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study (diagnosis); Level of evidence, 1. METHODS: A total of 6 surgeons from 5 centers reviewed 31 videos of articular cartilage lesions. With grade 2 and grade 3 combined for the analysis, observed agreement ranged from 81% to 94%, and kappa ranged from 0.34 to 0.87. An additional 22 videos comprising grade 2 and grade 3 lesions were analyzed, and the observed agreement was 80%, with an overall kappa of 0.47. CONCLUSION: Arthroscopic grading of articular cartilage lesions is reproducible among surgeons at different centers. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Articular cartilage lesions can be reliably classified among surgeons at different sites. Such reliability is important for multicenter clinical research studies involving arthroscopic knee surgery.

Arthroscopy↗
PubMed2005

Impact of osteoarthritis on sports careers.

The number of people participating in sports continues to increase. The relationship between sports participation, joint injury, and subsequent osteoarthritis is complex. A history of joint injury and participation in high joint loading sports increases the risk of subsequent osteoarthritis changes in affected joints. The impact of osteoarthritis on sports careers depends on multiple factors including the joint involved, the location within that joint, and the physical demands of the chosen sport.

Disease Susceptibility↗
PubMed2005

High tibial osteotomy for the treatment of unicompartmental arthritis of the knee.

Knee axial deformities associated with medial or lateral compartment osteoarthritis can be reliably addressed with high tibial osteotomies. Different surgical techniques can be successfully used for achieving the correction. Whatever the technique used, accurate patient selection and precise surgical procedure are critical to the success of the operation. The authors believe that proximal tibial osteotomy is a valuable procedure to achieve pain relief and to restore knee function in selected patients. Localized knee osteoarthritis of the highly motivated, older, active patient can also be included in the extended indications of the high tibial osteotomy.

Age Factors↗
PubMed2005

Management and return to play of stress fractures.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this article is to provide the clinician an evidence/experience-based algorithm for the management of stress fractures. DATA SOURCES: Medline search of peer reviewed publications regarding stress fracture etiology, classification, treatment, and natural history. DATA SYNTHESIS/METHODS: The algorithm was developed from a review of retrospective case series, a few evidence-based papers, and the clinical experience of 4 sports medicine team physicians with a combined experience of over 40 years in the care of athletes at the college and professional level. The literature is almost entirely case series without control groups; therefore, clinical consensus is included as the next best guide to treatment. RESULTS: The emphasis of this article is to provide a clear and simple approach to the management of these fractures by classifying them as either high-risk or low-risk. This separation into 2 groups is based on the biomechanical environment and natural history of the fracture. High-risk stress fractures occur in the superolateral femoral neck, anterior tibial shaft, tarsal navicular, proximal fifth metatarsal, and talar neck. Low-risk stress fractures occur in the lateral malleolus, calcaneus, 2nd through 4th metatarsals, and the femoral shaft. CONCLUSIONS: The undertreatment of high-risk stress fractures can lead to catastrophic bone failure and/or prolonged loss of playing time. Overtreatment of low-risk stress fractures can result in unnecessary deconditioning and unneeded loss of playing time. We propose that the use of the simple and clinically relevant algorithm will help guide appropriate management and return to play decision-making as well as encourage future prospective research.

Algorithms↗
PubMed2005

Dorsal modified calcaneal plate for extensive midfoot arthrodesis.

BACKGROUND: Extensive midfoot fusions can be challenging because of bone loss, deformity, and soft tissue anatomy. Several options have been advocated, including multiple screw fixation, medial plating, and plantar plating. We report a new technique using a dorsally-placed, modified calcaneal plate for treatment of this difficult clinical problem. METHODS: Patients undergoing extensive (more than four joints) midfoot arthrodeses with a dorsally-placed, modified calcaneal plate between 2000 and 2003 were retrospectively reviewed. Diagnoses included Charcot arthropathy (four), osteoarthritis (two), posttraumatic osteoarthritis (two), massive bone loss from previous infection (one), and residual clubfoot deformity (one). Patients with active midfoot infections were excluded. During the study period, midfoot arthrodeses with a dorsal calcaneal plate were done in 10 patients. Of these, nine patients were available for review. Arthrodeses were attempted in 62 joints in these nine patients. Autogenous grafting was used in three patients (23 joints), allograft was used in six patients (39 joints). Patients were maintained nonweightbearing until radiographs or computed tomography conclusively showed union. RESULTS: One of the 10 patients died from an unrelated cause. In the nine remaining patents, 95% (59 of 62) of joints fused within 4 months of surgery. Postoperative complications included nonunion with broken screws in one patient, and three wound problems successfully treated with local dressings. Secondary procedures included one revision arthrodesis and two hardware removals. Patient satisfaction with this procedure was very high (eight of nine). CONCLUSIONS: The use of a dorsal calcaneal plate is a viable method of fixation for achieving fusion in extensive midfoot arthropathy. The plate is low-profile and easily moldable to conform to dorsal midfoot anatomy. It can be placed without extensive plantar or medial foot dissection and maintains midfoot alignment until bony fusion occurs. In patients with complex midfoot pathology requiring multijoint fusions, the results have been satisfactory.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Tensile engagement of the peri-ankle ligaments in stance phase.

BACKGROUND: Development of reconstructive operative procedures to restore normal ankle kinematics after injury requires an understanding of the biomechanics of the ankle during gait. The contribution of the peri-ankle ligaments to ankle motion control is not yet well understood. Knowledge of the tensile engagement of the peri-ankle ligaments during stance phase is necessary to achieve physiologic motion patterns. METHODS: Eleven fresh-frozen cadaver ankles were subjected to a dynamic loading sequence simulating the stance phase of normal level gait. Simultaneously, ligament strain was continuously monitored in the anterior talofibular, calcaneofibular, and posterior talofibular ligaments, as well as in the anterior, middle, and posterior superficial deltoid ligaments. Eight of these specimens underwent further quasi-static range-of-motion testing, where ligament tension recruitment was assessed at 30 degrees plantarflexion and 30 degrees dorsiflexion. RESULTS: In the dynamic loading tests, none of the ligaments monitored showed a reproducible strain pattern indicating a role in ankle stabilization. However, in the extended range-of-motion tests, most ligaments were taut in plantarflexion or dorsiflexion. CONCLUSIONS: A consistent combination of individual ligament strain patterns that principally control ankle motion was not identified; none of the ligaments studied were reproducibly recruited to be a primary stabilizing structure. The peri-ankle ligaments are likely to be secondary restraining structures that serve to resist motion to avoid extreme positions. Stance phase ankle motion appears to be primarily controlled by articular congruity, not by peri-ankle ligament tension.

Aged↗
PubMed2005

Surgical treatment of the middle-aged patient with arthritic knees.

Arthritic knee disease is increasingly more common in the active aging population. The pathology seen in this patient group can run a spectrum of localized degenerative change through tricompartmental arthritis. Nonsurgical options to treat early symptoms are well known and often are effective. When nonsurgical management has failed, surgical intervention often is warranted. Arthroscopic debridement is considered in select patients with mechanical symptoms. Osteotomy continues to have a role in the treatment of young, active patients and may be particularly appropriate in combination with articular cartilage procedures. Unicompartmental and total knee arthroplasty are reliable treatments for patients with advanced stages of degenerative arthritis.

Anterior Cruciate Ligament↗
PubMed2005

Epidemiology of ankle arthritis: report of a consecutive series of 639 patients from a tertiary orthopaedic center.

The purpose of our study was to identify the cause of symptomatic ankle arthritis in a consecutive series of patients presenting in a tertiary care setting. Between 1991 and 2004, 639 patients with Kellgren grade 3 or 4 ankle arthritis presented to the University of Iowa Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Surgery service. The cause of the arthritis was determined based on medical history, physical examination, and imaging studies. To get a sense of the relative prevalence of the etiologies of lower extremity arthritis in our setting, we evaluated the cause of arthritis of all new patients presenting to the University of Iowa Orthopaedic Department from 1999-2004 with arthritis of the ankle, to those with arthritis of the hip or knee during one year. Of the 639 arthritic ankles, 445 (70%) were post-traumatic, 76 (12%) were rheumatoid disease and 46 (7%) were idiopathic (primary osteoarthritis). The post-traumatic ankle arthritis patients were most commonly associated with past rotational ankle fractures. The majority of ankle arthritis is associated with previous trauma, whereas the primary cause of knee or hip arthritis is idiopathic. Unique strategies to prevent or treat post-traumatic ankle arthritis are needed.

Ankle Injuries↗