The recent increase in the adoption of total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) reflects the improvements in implant designs and surgical techniques, including the use of preoperative navigation system and patient-specific instrumentation (PSI), such as custom-made cutting guides. Cutting guides are customized with respect to each patient's anatomy based on preoperative ankle computed tomography scans, and they drive the saw intra-operatively to improve the accuracy of bone resection and implant positioning. Despite some promising results, the main queries in the literature are whether PSI improves the reliability of achieving neutral ankle alignment and more accurate implant sizing, whether it is actually superior over standard techniques, and whether it is cost effective. Moreover, the advantages of PSI in clinical outcomes are still theoretical because the current literature does not allow to confirm its superiority. The purpose of this review article is therefore to assess the current literature on PSI in TAA with regard to current implants with PSI, templating and preoperative planning strategies, alignment and sizing, clinical outcomes, cost analysis, and comparison with standard techniques.
Case:
A 56-year-old male patient sustained a traumatic cuboid medioplantar dislocation associated with a lateral cuneiform fracture. The patient was treated with open reduction and fixation using 2 temporary Kirschner wires. During surgery, the plantar ligament apparatus was found to be almost intact and the reduction was easily performed. At the last follow-up visit, the patient's functional outcomes were excellent.
Conclusions:
Traumatic cuboid medioplantar dislocation associated with lateral cuneiform fracture usually requires surgical treatment. The authors conclude the integrity of the plantar ligament apparatus may play a role in facilitating the reduction.
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