Soft Tissue Anchor Research Articles

Traumatic hallux varus repair utilizing a soft-tissue anchor: A case report

Hallux varus is usually iatrogenic in nature; however, congenital and acquired etiologies have been described in the literature. The authors present a case of traumatic hallux varus secondary to rupture of the adductor tendon. Surgical correction was performed using a soft tissue anchor for maintenance of the soft tissues utilized for repair.

An update on repair of Achilles tendon rupture. Acute and delayed.

Current surgical treatments for Achilles tendon rupture are thoroughly discussed. New repair techniques, such as the use of soft-tissue anchors, are reviewed, as is the use of synthetic mesh to augment the surgical repair. A classification system devised by the author is presented to make it easier to select the appropriate surgical procedure or combination of procedures in delayed rupture repair. Postoperative physical therapy is paramount in the return to preinjury level of activity for these patients.

Use of the ROC anchor in foot and ankle surgery. A retrospective study.

A retrospective study was conducted on the use of the ROC (Radial Osteo Compression) soft-tissue anchor in foot and ankle surgery. This article describes how the anchor is deployed, problematic aspects of using the anchor, and complications and success rates associated with the anchor in ankle stabilizations, posterior tibial tendon reconstruction, peroneus brevis tendon reconstruction after fracture of the base of the fifth metatarsal, and detachment and reattachment of the Achilles tendon. The ROC anchor consists of the anchor with nonabsorbable suture attached to the shaft, the deployment handle, and drill bits. The anchor and shaft are snapped into the deployment handle and inserted into the drill hole. Compression of the trigger deploys the anchor into the hole. The ROC anchor was found to be reliable, useful, and relatively easy to deploy, with outcomes similar to those of other soft-tissue anchors.

A new method for reattachment of the tendo achillis following retrocalcaneal exostectomy

Currently there are a number of surgical techniques being utilized to address the entity of symptomatic, recalcitrant retrocalcaneal exostosis. This article presents a mechanical study of a modified surgical approach which has been developed at the Northern Virginia Podiatric Residency Program for the purposes of complete resection of all offending exostosis and calcifications, and maintenance of the anatomic configuration of the Achilles tendon with resultant asymptomatic function and cosmetic healing. The centerpiece of the surgical modification is the way in which the portion of reflected Achilles tendon is reattached to the calcaneus, utilizing soft-tissue anchors in combination with a modified Krackow suture technique. In order to delineate the relative strength of this suture technique, a cadaveric study was performed using six specimens. Each specimen underwent tendon repair with both a modified Krackow technique and a modified vertical mattress coaptation technique for a total of 12 studies. The force required to displace the tendon for distances of 0.5 cm and 1.0 cm was then recorded, and the data were statistically analyzed, with the modified Krackow technique proving to have a significantly better ability to resist distractive forces at both 0.5 cm (p = .01) and at 1.0 cm (p = .02) compared to the vertical mattress coaptation technique.

Soft tissue anchor systems.

The concept of soft tissue attachment and reattachment has been addressed over the years through a variety of surgical techniques. This includes tendons and ligaments that have been detached both surgically and traumatically from their osseous origins or insertions. This study is designed to provide the reader with a comprehensive overview of current commercially available devices. Detailed descriptions of the various devices are provided along with a discussion of the advantages and disadvantages of each. Their application and use in reconstructive foot and ankle surgery are also discussed.