Selective Soft Tissue Release Research Articles

Comparison of kinematics and pedobarography findings between the unaffected foot of patients with unilateral clubfoot and controls.

Idiopathic clubfoot (ICF) involves structural abnormalities in the lower extremities. Approximately half of patients have unilateral ICF, which could be due to differences in limb formation. The contralateral unaffected foot may have subclinical ICF. The objectives were to compare ankle and foot kinematics and pedobarography findings between the unaffected foot of patients with unilateral ICF and controls. Eleven children with unilateral ICF (11 unaffected feet, 11.7 ± 3.8years) and 15 age-matched controls (30 control feet, 11.1 ± 3.0years) were enroled. Five complete gait trials were performed. Data were collected using ten cameras and a twom long Footscan system and compared between groups using the Wilcoxon rank sum test. All children with ICF underwent the selective soft tissue release procedure. The unaffected feet showed limited ranges in inversion-eversion and dorsiflexion-plantar flexion on kinematic analysis. There was a delay in landing time in all regions of the foot during heel rise and propulsion. The peak time was achieved significantly later in the unaffected feet compared to the controls. Although plantar pressure parameters were comparable, unaffected feet showed a larger contact area in the midfoot region. Gait data on the unaffected foot in unilateral ICF patients do not correspond to those of controls despite an indistinguishable clinical appearance. This could be due to the effect of treatment, the process of foot development, or a combination. The relationship between genetics and gait deviation in patients with unilateral ICF needs further evaluation. The unaffected foot should receive similar attention during follow-up.

Radiographic Prognostic Factors for Selective Soft Tissue Release After Ponseti Failure in Young Pediatric Clubfoot Patients

Selective soft tissue release (SSTR), which includes a combination of abductor hallucis, tibialis posterior, and Achilles lengthening, has been used in patients with recurrent clubfoot deformity after Ponseti treatment. The aim of this study was to investigate the prognostic factors for recurrence of clubfoot deformity after SSTR. Consecutive patients with idiopathic clubfoot and residual or recurrent deformity after Ponseti treatment underwent SSTR between 2005 and 2013. The clinical and radiologic characteristics before and after SSTR were analyzed. The ability of radiologic factors to predict recurrence of clubfoot deformity was assessed using multivariate analysis. Rigid deformities of forefoot adduction, and hindfoot varus, and equinus were examined separately. Forty-three patients with 64 clubfeet were included. Postoperative improvement in the talo-first metatarsal angle on the anteroposterior view, the talocalcaneal angle on the lateral view, and the tibiocalcaneal angle on the lateral view independently predicted recurrence after SSTR. Additionally, the preoperative talocalcaneal angles on the anteroposterior and lateral views were also significant predictors, but these angles did not significantly improve after SSTR. SSTR seems to be an effective surgical modality only in milder deformities. Among patients with poor talocalcaneal angles, a high percentage required further surgery. The present results may be useful for the choice of SSTR or more extensive surgery. Level III, retrospective case-control study.

Selective medial soft tissue release combined with tibial reduction osteotomy in total knee arthroplasty

BackgroundTo obtain the correct coronal alignment and balancing in flexion and extension, we established a selective medial release technique and investigated the effectiveness and safety of the technique during primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA).MethodsFour hundred sixty-six primary TKAs with varus deformity were prospectively evaluated between June 2013 and June 2015. A knee joint position similar to Patrick’s sign was used to release the medial structure. The medial release technique consisted of release of the capsule and the deep medial collateral ligament (dMCL) (step1), selective release of superficial medial collateral ligament (sMCL) or posterior oblique ligament (POL) (step 2), and selective tibial reduction osteotomy (step 3). Improvement of medial joint gap at each step and other clinical outcomes were evaluated.ResultsAmong the 466 knees, symmetrical gaps could be achieved by the limited release of the capsule and the dMCcL in 276 (59%) knees. One hundred fifty-two (33%) required additional sMCL release with 2–5 cm from the joint line distally or POL release. Thirty-eight (8%) necessitated an additional tibial reduction osteotomy. Anterior-medial release and 4-mm medial osteotomy contributed to more improvement of medial gap in flexion than in extension (each p < 0.01). Posteromedial release and posteromedial osteotomy contributed to more improvement in extension than in flexion (each p < 0.01). No specific complication related to our technique was identified.ConclusionThe technique of the tibial reduction osteotomy combined with medial soft structure release using Patrick’s sign is effective, safe, and minimally invasive to obtain balanced mediolateral and extension-flexion gaps in primary TKA.

Clinical effect of total knee arthroplasty on patients with knee osteoarthritis combined with mild to moderate valgus knee deformity

To investigate the clinical effect of total knee arthroplasty on patients with knee osteoarthritis combined with mild to moderate valgus knee deformity. A total of 15 patients received total knee arthroplasty for correcting mild (10°-15°) to moderate (15°-30°) valgus knee between January 2011 and February 2014 in Xiangya Hospital of Central South University. We adopted a stable prosthesis surgery through patellar medial approach, osteophytes cleaning, conventional osteotomy, a selective soft tissue release and balance technical correcting of knee valgus deformity. Then conventional anticoagulation and symptomatic rehabilitation was utilized. Preoperative and postoperative X-ray was conducted in patients with measuring femor-tibial angle (FTA) and inspecting the prosthesis position. FTA, visual analog scale (VAS) standard, and parallel knee scoring system (KSS) were used to evaluate the clinical effect. Fifteen patients were followed up for 14 to 36 (22.40±11.88) months. The hospitalization time was 7-13 (7.73±1.58) d; operative time was 58-110 (81.8±16.85) min, the dominant blood loss was 140-600 (337.30±143.65) mL. Two cases had knee extension hysteresis, and the knee activity recovered after exercise. Leg power lines were normal. Three postoperative cases suffered anterior knee pain. They were subjected to celecoxib analgesic treatment and the pain gradually eased after 3 months. One postoperative case showed incision discharge and swelling, which was healed after change of dressing. During follow-up, review of X-ray film does not show prosthesis loose, subsidence and other complications. The knee valgus angle (8.1±1.8)°, knee motion range (107.33±9.61)°, KSS knee score (74.7±14.5, 75.3±2.7) and pain score (2.5±0.9) were significantly better than the preoperative (P<0.05). The clinical and function KSS scores showed that the improvement rate was 80%. Total knee arthroplasty is an effective way to treat patients with knee osteoarthritis combined with mild to moderate valgus knee deformity. The correction of deformity and improvement of joint function can be achieved significantly. The clinical result is satisfactory and patients' quality of life is improved.

Lessons Learned from Selective Soft-Tissue Release for Gap Balancing in Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty

Soft-tissue releases are commonly necessary to achieve symmetrical flexion and extension gaps in primary total knee arthroplasty performed with a measured resection technique. We reviewed the frequency of required releases according to preoperative alignment and the clinical and radiographic results; associations with failure, reoperations, and complications are presented. We reviewed 1216 knees that underwent primary total knee arthroplasty from 2004 to 2009; 774 (64%) were in female patients and 442 (36%), in male patients. In the coronal plane, 855 knees had preoperative varus deformity, 123 were neutral, and 238 had valgus deformity. The mean age at the time of the index procedure was 62.7 years (range, twenty-three to ninety-four years), and the mean body mass index was 32.7 kg/m² (range, 17.4 to 87.9 kg/m²). Clinical outcomes included the Knee Society Score (KSS), implant failure, reoperation, and complications. Radiographs were analyzed for component alignment. The only difference in the total KSS was found at the time of final follow-up between valgus knees with zero releases (total KSS = 178) and those with one or two releases (KSS = 160, p = 0.026). Overall, 407 knees (33.5%) required zero releases, 686 (56.4%) required one or two releases, and 123 (10.1%) required three or more releases. Among varus knees, 37% required zero releases, 55% required one or two releases, and 7.5% required three or more releases. Among neutral knees, 39% required zero releases, 55% required one or two releases, and 5.7% required three or more releases. Only 17% of valgus knees required zero releases whereas 61% required one or two releases and 21.8% required three or more releases. Valgus knees required more releases than neutral or varus knees did (p < 0.001). Selective soft-tissue release for gap balancing in primary total knee arthroplasty is an effective technique that produced excellent clinical and radiographic results regardless of preoperative alignment. Consistent anatomic coronal-plane alignment and soft-tissue balance could be achieved without bone cut modification by using measured bone resection and selective soft-tissue release.

CORR Insights®: Can Selective Soft Tissue Release and Cuboid Osteotomy Correct Neglected Clubfoot?

Congenital clubfoot deformity is a worldwide health problem among musculoskeletal disabilities. The surgical rate for congenital clubfoot is falling because of the efficacy of the Ponseti and French method of treatments. However, the neglected clubfoot remains a problem in resource-poor regions. Despite several international projects in Africa championing early management via Ponseti method, neglected clubfoot continues to be the treatment dilemma in obtaining better functional outcomes. Using the Ponseti method as an initial approach to treatment, followed by more-limited corrective surgery as needed is certainly a management option for neglected clubfoot. External fixation devices, such as Ilizarov frame or Taylor spatial frame have obtained some popularity. These techniques imply slow distraction and gradual correction. Some orthopaedic surgeons apply Ponseti principles in gradual correction within the external fixation frames. These types of management also depend on the age of the patient, as well as the rigidity of the deformity. More extensive posterior medial releases, such as were used in the present study, were advocated in regions where followup is not consistent. An experienced surgeon who understands the anatomy is essential for this treatment to produce the desired results.

Can Selective Soft Tissue Release and Cuboid Osteotomy Correct Neglected Clubfoot?

Neglected clubfoot in older children is characterized by a stiff, nonreducible deformity with relative elongation of the lateral column of the foot with respect to the medial column. Surgical correction often has involved a double osteotomy with elongation of the medial column and shortening of the lateral column, or the use of an external fixator to achieve more gradual correction. Both approaches have shortcomings. We therefore (1) used objective physical examination measurements and a functional assessment to evaluate the effectiveness of cuboid osteotomy combined with a selective soft tissue release to achieve correction of neglected clubfoot in older children, (2) determined the rate of complications, and (3) ascertained whether the initial correction achieved was maintained. We reviewed 31 patients (56 feet) older than 5 years with severe, neglected nonreducible clubfoot deformity who underwent the index procedure. Minimum followup was 2 years (average, 6 years; range, 2-9 years). Postoperatively, the Laaveg and Ponseti classification and Dimeglio score were used to grade correction. Complication rates were tallied. According to the Laaveg and Ponseti classification, 24 feet showed excellent correction, 20 good, nine fair, and three poor at 1-year followup. These results were maintained up to the latest followup. Patients showed significant improvement of Dimeglio score after surgery (p < 0.0001). Two patients had postoperative skin-related complications that healed without additional surgery. Cuboid subtraction osteotomy combined with posteromedial release is an effective approach to manage a stiff nonreducible neglected clubfoot deformity in older children.

Congenital Club Foot in Children Younger than 24 Months: Decancelous Cuboid Combined with Selective Soft Tissue Release

Purpose: To evaluate 2 surgical prosedures in treatment of congenital clubfeet in children younger than 24 months. Materials and methods: Data were analyzed on 319 patients (448 feet) from July 1990 to December 2005. Clinical and classification for all patients according to Dimeglio. Operated patients were devided into two group: Group1, selective soft tissue release; and Group 2, selective soft tissue release combined with cuboid decancelation. Surgical result were classified according to McKay’s system. Results: There were 103 females (32.3%) and 216 males (67.7%) in this study. There were 192 patients (268 feet) in group 1, 127 patients (180 feet) in group 2. Bilateral involvement was found in 129 patients (40.4%), only the left foot affected in 65 patients (20.4%), and only the right in 125 patients (39.2%). According to the classification of Dimeglio Grade II was seen in 32.4%, Grade III in 53,1%, and Grade IV in 14.5%. Postoperatively, in group 1, we got excellent result in 29.1%, good result in 49.2%, fair result in 18.3%, and poor result in 3.4%. In group 2, we attained excellent result in 50.6%, good result in 42.2%, fair result in 6.1% and poor result in 1.1%. The good to excellent result in group 2 was significantly higher in group 1 with p = 0.000042. There was no failure in both groups. Residual adduction of forefoot in frontal plane was seen in 78.0% of group 1, and 10.6% of group 2, which was also statistically significant with p ~ 0. Conclusion: Generally speaking, the procedure of selective soft tissue releases combined with cuboid decancelation showed an outstanding result with good to excellent result of 92.8%. Surgical procedure is simple, safe, and applicable for all patients with clubfeet’s deformyties.

Role of Intraoperative Varus Stress Test for Lateral Soft Tissue Release during Chevron Bunion Procedure

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical results of distal chevron osteotomy performed in conjunction with selective lateral soft tissue release. The criterion for doing a lateral soft tissue release was assessed by determining the ease and completeness of passive hallux valgus correction at the time of surgery. Between August 2005 and November 2007, 48 feet in 43 patients classified as having mild to moderate hallux valgus were retrospectively studied. Distal chevron osteotomy without lateral soft tissue release was performed in 26 cases (Group 1) when passive correction of the hallux valgus deformity was possible. Distal chevron osteotomy with lateral soft tissue release was performed in 22 cases (Group 2) when passive correction was not possible. Average followup was 23 (range, 12 to 28) months. Clinical results were assessed using radiographic parameters [hallux valgus angle (HVA), first and second intermetatarsal angle (1,2 IMA)], AOFAS scale and patient's subjective satisfaction. For Group 1: the average correction of HVA was 12.8 degrees, the average correction of IMA was 4.7 degrees, and the AOFAS score improved an average of 29.2 points at the last followup. Thirteen patients were very satisfied and ten patients were satisfied with the results. No patient was dissatisfied. For Group 2: the average correction of HVA was 19.1 degrees, the average correction of IMA was 7 degrees and AOFAS score improved at an average of 31.8 points at the last followup. Twelve patients were very satisfied, seven patients were satisfied and one patient, who had stiffness of the first metatarsophalangeal joint, was dissatisfied with the result. Distal chevron osteotomy with selective lateral soft tissue release based on the ability to passively correct the hallux valgus deformity lead to safe and stable correction.

Selective soft-tissue release for recurrent or residual deformity after conservative treatment of idiopathic clubfoot

We reviewed the results of a selective à la carte soft-tissue release operation for recurrent or residual deformity after initial conservative treatment for idiopathic clubfoot by the Ponseti method. Recurrent or residual deformity occurred in 13 (19 feet) of 33 patients (48 feet; 40%). The mean age at surgery was 2.3 years (1.3 to 4) and the mean follow-up was 3.6 years (2 to 5.3). The mean Pirani score had improved from 2.8 to 1.1 points, and the clinical and radiological results were satisfactory in all patients. However, six of the 13 patients (9 of 19 feet) had required further surgery in the form of tibial derotation osteotomy, split anterior tibialis tendon transfer, split posterior tibialis transfer or a combination of these for recurrent deformity. We concluded that selective soft-tissue release can provide satisfactory early results after failure of initial treatment of clubfoot by the Ponseti method, but long-term follow-up to skeletal maturity will be necessary.

The influence of soft tissue release on the tension around hip joint through posterolateral hip approach.

Objective To investigate the influence of selective soft tissue release on the tension around hip joint through posterolateral approach, and to ascertain the sequence of soft tissue release in total hip arthroplasty. Methods Five fresh frozen cadavers with ten intact lower extremities were used in the study. All the pelves of cadavers were fixed on the operating table by a special designed fixer on a lateral position. Femoral supracondylar bone traction was employed for axial traction. The force for traction was 15 kg. Posterolateral approach was used for exposure and two sequences for soft tissue release were studied. One Kirschner wire was fixed at the bone near the anterior superior iliac spine, and the wire was perpendicu-lar to the operating table. Another Kirschner wire was fixed into the bone at lateral femoral shaft. The two Kirschner wires were parallel to each other. The distance between the two Kirschner wires was measured be-fore and after each soft tissue structure release. Results There were no significant changes of the distance measured before and after applying traction alone, releasing external rotation muscles, opening the posterior capsule and releasing the gluteus maximus insertion. There were significant changes of distance measured before and after resection of femoral head, release of tensor fasciae latae and/or iliotibial band, excision of anterior capsule, and release of iliopsoas tendon had. The average lengthened distance was 1.5 mm (range, 1-3 mm) after resection of femoral head, and 8.0 mm (range, 2-19 mm) after release of tensor fasciae latae and/or iliotibial band, 5.5 mm (range, 1-13 mm) after excision of anterior capsule, and 1.8 mm (range, 1-3 mm) after release of iliopsoas tendon respectively. The distance lengthened after both release of tensor fasci-ae latae (and/or iliotibial band) and excision of anterior capsule was the most significant, average 13.5 mm (range, 11-20 mm). Conclusion Release of anterior capsule, tensor fasciae latae and/or iliotibial band, and iliopsoas tendon will decrease the soft tissue tension around hip joint. Among all the soft tissue structures we investigated, the anterior capsule and tensor fasciae latae (iliotibial band) make the most effective result. To maintain the soft tissue tension around hip joint depends on different structures working together, releasing one structure alone may not obtain the optimal result. Careful evaluation of tension of tensor fasciae latae and iliotibial band can help avoiding the limb length discrepancy during hip arthroplasty surgery. Key words: Hip joint; Arthroplasty, replacement, hip; Cadaver

Selective Soft Tissue Release Preserves Growth Plate Architecture During Limb Lengthening

Although distraction osteogenesis has proven successful in children, concerns remain regarding potential growth inhibition of the lengthened limb. Twenty-one 8-week-old New Zealand White rabbits underwent a unilateral 40% tibial lengthening with the contralateral tibia as control. The animals were divided into Achilles tendon release and non-release groups. Radiographs and histomorphometric analysis of the proximal tibial growth plate was performed 5 and 10 weeks after distraction. The corrected length of tibias without tenotomy was significantly shorter than the contralateral controls, whereas those with tenotomy were statistically equivalent to the contralateral control tibias. Histologically, the operated limbs without tenotomy showed a significant decrease in thickness and loss of cellular architecture of the proximal tibial growth plate compared with the tenotomy groups, which were of near-normal appearance. A concomitant tendo Achilles lengthening performed with 40% tibial lengthening preserves proximal tibial growth plate architecture in this model.

両側大腿骨近位を切除した脳性麻ひの一症例

We experienced a 22-year-old man who had bilateral hip dislocations due to spastic quadriplegia. At age seven and ten, he underwent selective soft tissue release with subluxation of the hips, but failed to obtain reduction. He was admitted to our institution because he could not tolerate hip pain any more. Both hips were kept in adduction and internal rotation position on wheelchair. He could not move without severe hip pain which disrupted daily activities. X-ray finding showed bilateral hip dislocations and degenerative changes of the femoral head.For reasons that there were degenerative changes of the femoral head, a long time had passed after dislocation, and presence of severe pain, we selected proximal femoral resection-interposition arthroplasty for the hip dislocations. We operated on his left hip first, then his right hip three months later. Skin traction was not possible for his left hip after the first operation because of low back pain. So we used an external fixation to keep distance of his right hip joint and removed it after eight weeks. Five months after the operations, X-ray showed a few heterotopic bones and proximal migration of the femur but he was able to sit with no difficulty or pain.

脳性麻ひ性股関節亜脱臼に対するＳａｌｔｅｒ骨盤骨切り術の検討

We performed selective soft tissue release and Salter osteotomy on 7 children (8 hips) with spastic subluxation and dislocation in cerebral palsy. The mean age at operation was 8.1 years (range: 4 to 11 years). The mean follow-up time was 5.3 years (range: 2.9 to 7.8 years). Three cases had gradually redislocation after renoval of their abductor cast. All hips were in the external rotational position after operation as compared to the internal rotational position before the operation. This position was suspected to have caused the anterior dislocation, and femoral varus-derotation osteotomy was considered necessary for these cases.

脳性麻ひ股関節亜・脱臼に対する筋解離術の効果

Selective soft tissue release is commonly performed for hip subluxation and dislocation in cerebral palsy. We performed this method on 187 children and examined 33 hips in 27 children with cerebral palsy in which the pre-operative migration percentage was over 50.The subjects included 15 men and 12 women whose average age at operation was 6.9 years (range: 2.1 to 13.2). The mean duration of follow-up was 5.6 years(range: 2.1 to 8.8). We evaluated radiographes just before operation, one year after operation, and at final examination. The results were for the most part good, but some cases required osteotomy.