Haupt, Edward

Background: Chronic exertional compartment syndrome (CECS) is an often-overlooked cause of exertional lower leg pain that is frequently misdiagnosed. Overlapping symptoms and inconsistent diagnostic approaches may delay diagnosis and prolong morbidity. The purpose of this study was to characterize the diagnostic journey of patients ultimately treated surgically for CECS and to report postoperative outcomes. Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed following IRB approval. Patients diagnosed with CECS and treated operatively by the senior author between 2020 and 2025 were identified using Current Procedural Terminology ( CPT ), International Classification of Diseases, Ninth and Tenth Revision ( ICD-9 and ICD-10 ) codes. Demographics, symptom duration, prior diagnostic workup, operative details, and postoperative outcomes were collected. Median follow-up was 42 weeks (range, 15-184 weeks). Descriptive statistics were reported. Results: Thirteen patients met inclusion criteria (mean age, 27.3 years; mean BMI, 28.3). Mean symptom duration prior to definitive diagnosis was 51.5 months, and bilateral symptoms were present in 12 patients. Most patients underwent extensive diagnostic testing and multiple unsuccessful conservative treatment strategies before referral. All patients underwent endoscopic-assisted anterolateral compartment release, with open posterior compartment fasciotomy performed when clinically indicated. Nine patients underwent bilateral procedures. At final follow-up, all patients reported symptomatic improvement and return to baseline activity. Four patients required additional evaluation for persistent posterior compartment symptoms, and 2 ultimately underwent further posterior compartment release. There were no intraoperative complications. Conclusion: CECS remains a frequently delayed diagnosis because of nonspecific symptoms, substantial overlap with other causes of exertional lower-leg pain, and limitations of currently available diagnostic tools. Although the effect of diagnostic delay on postoperative outcomes could not be directly assessed, prolonged delays were associated with substantial diagnostic burden and management complexity. Following fasciotomy, all patients reported symptomatic improvement and return to baseline activity. Greater awareness of CECS and a structured diagnostic approach may help facilitate earlier recognition and treatment. Level of Evidence: Level IV, retrospective case series.

Background: Midfoot arthritis can cause debilitating dorsal midfoot pain and functional limitation. Deep peroneal nerve (DPN) neurectomy is a minimally invasive surgical option that addresses pain through selective denervation. Although favorable midterm outcomes have been reported, long-term durability remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to evaluate changes in patient-reported physical function and pain interference between midterm and long-term follow-up after DPN neurectomy using validated Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) instruments. Methods: A retrospective review identified patients who underwent isolated DPN neurectomy for midfoot arthritis between 2017 and 2021 and completed PROMIS Physical Function (PF) and Pain Interference (PI) questionnaires at midterm and long-term follow-up. Mean follow-up was 2.9 years (midterm) and 6.1 years (long-term). PROMIS scores were compared using paired t tests. Clinically meaningful improvement was defined using established minimal clinically important difference (MCID) thresholds (+5.88 for PF, −5.49 for PI). Results: The final cohort included 32 patients (81.2% female, mean age 68.4 ± 7.3 year). PF improved from 37.7 ± 6.2 to 39.0 ± 7.5 (Δ = +1.3, 95% CI [−0.7 to +3.4], P = .188), whereas PI decreased from 62.6 ± 8.8 to 59.2 ± 9.0 (Δ = −3.4, 95% CI [−6.3 to −0.5], P = .020). Clinically meaningful improvement was achieved by 7 of 32 (21.9%) for PF and 15 of 32 (46.9%) for PI. Five patients experienced clinically meaningful worsening, including patients with stroke, chronic pain syndrome, or contralateral foot and ankle pathology or surgery. Conclusion: DPN neurectomy was associated with stable longitudinal PROMIS outcomes through extended follow-up, with a nonsignificant mean PF change of +1.3 points and a statistically significant but sub-MCID mean PI decrease of −3.4 points over approximately 6 years. Outcomes were heterogeneous; fewer than half of patients achieved clinically meaningful improvement in pain interference, and a subset experienced worsening. These findings suggest that DPN neurectomy may provide durable symptom stability in appropriately selected patients with refractory dorsal midfoot pain, although clinically meaningful benefit at the individual level is not universal. Level of Evidence: Level III, comparative series.

ABSTRACT Fixation constructs used in orthopedic surgery are typically evaluated based on their initial mechanical strength. However, fixation failure often occurs under cyclic loading in dynamic environments where early motion and stress concentration are common. In the foot and ankle, nitonal staples and short locking plates have been developed to maximize construct stiffness and accommodate the limited bony surface area available for fixation. The implants have grown in popularity, but unlike other AO constructs, they have not been rigorously studied across multiple mechanical performance domains. Prior studies have not comprehensively compared dynamic nitinol constructs to static plates and screws across key mechanical performance metrics under fatigue conditions. Six fixation constructs (2‐leg staple, 4‐leg staple, 4‐leg + 2‐leg perpendicular staple, 4‐hole titanium plate, 5‐hole titanium plate with cross‐screw, and 4‐leg staple + dynamic disc + cross‐screw) were evaluated using standardized synthetic bone block models ( n = 5/group). Constructs were subjected to 100 cycles of loading. Pre‐ and post‐cycle values for compression ( N ), contact area (mm²), rigidity ( N ), and torque ( N ·cm) were measured. Paired t‐tests assessed intra‐construct degradation as well as post‐cycle inter‐construct differences. Additionally, ANOVA with Tukey HSD identified inter‐construct differences in degradation. Cohen's d quantified effect sizes. The 4‐leg + 2‐leg perpendicular construct had the highest post‐cycle compression (68.0 N) and contact area (447.2 mm²), with small to moderate degradation (d = –1.38; −0.99); the 4‐hole plate showed the greatest degradation ( p = 0.001, d = −3.48; p < 0.001, d = −4.45). Torque and rigidity degraded most in the 5‐hole plate (Δ = −94.4 N·cm, p = 0.0002, d = −6.21; Δ = −237.4 N, p = 0.015, d = −1.83), while dynamic constructs showed better retention. Dynamic nitinol constructs outperformed static plates and screws across all metrics, especially in preserving compression and contact while also resisting fatigue. Dual‐plane constructs—4‐Leg + 2‐Leg perpendicular and 5‐Hole Plate with Screw—demonstrated 2–3× higher initial rigidity than their single‐plane counterparts and showed superior fatigue resistance. Dynamic nitinol constructs demonstrated superior biomechanical durability compared to static plate‐and‐screw constructs, particularly when used in dual‐plane configurations. These findings support a shift in fixation strategy toward implants that maintain mechanical engagement under physiologic loading. In load‐bearing regions like the foot, fixation constructs must retain strength through repetitive stress. Dual‐plane dynamic nitinol implants provide continuous compression and greater fatigue resistance, making them a compelling alternative to static fixation. Future clinical studies should evaluate their impact on outcomes and hardware failure in early weightbearing protocols.

Biologic augmentation, using substances like bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC) and platelet-rich plasma (PRP), shows promise for improving outcomes in foot and ankle surgery, particularly in high-risk patients. Historically, autologous bone graft is the benchmark due to its trifecta of osteogenic, osteoinductive, and osteoconductive properties, despite its associated donor site morbidity. Current evidence supporting orthobiologics remains fragmented and inconclusive, with a lack of high-level randomized controlled trials (RCTs). BMAC shows fusion rates comparable to autograft in some foot and ankle applications, but PRP evidence is often conflicting due to a lack of preparation standardization. The regulatory environment is complex. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) oversees human cells and tissues (HCT/Ps) through a tiered system: high-risk §351 products (eg, cultured stem cells) require rigorous premarket approval, whereas §361 products (eg, allograft bone) have minimal oversight. BMAC and PRP often bypass this through the Same Surgical Procedure Exemption or are regulated through their processing devices, meaning the biologics themselves are not FDA-approved therapeutics. This regulatory gap and direct-to-consumer marketing necessitate meticulous informed consent, transparently discussing the lack of specific FDA approval, limited evidence, and high out-of-pocket costs. Future success depends on standardized, prospective RCTs and a collaborative “middle-ground pathway” for regulatory approval.

Background: Ankle arthroscopy (AA) is a commonly used operative technique to diagnose and treat a variety of intraarticular pathologies of the ankle joint. In AA, 2 portals are commonly established to achieve visualization of the joint: the anteromedial (AM) and anterolateral (AL) portals. However, the superficial peroneal nerve (SPN) runs near the anterolateral portal site; thus, creation of the AL portal is associated with neuropraxic injuries to the SPN. When AA is combined with additional procedures, such as a Brostrom-Gould ligament repair or open reduction internal fixation (ORIF), the use of a direct lateral incision is required. We present a novel approach to combining AA with lateral adjunct procedures which avoids creation of the AL portal; the AM portal and lateral incision are used for instrumentation instead. The primary objective of this study is to compare complication rates, such as SPN injury, between the lateral incision (LI) approach and conventional arthroscopy plus a lateral incision approach. Methods: Following IRB approval, a retrospective chart review was conducted spanning a time frame from January 2020 to October 2024. Patients were included if they underwent AA plus either a Brostrom-Gould repair or ORIF (AA+) or if they underwent AA plus adjunct procedures using the lateral portal instrumentation method (LI). Ninety-four patients were initially identified; 2 were excluded per criteria. Demographic information, intraoperative details, and any postoperative complications or reoperations were recorded. Descriptive statistics were used to describe demographics and operative data, and 2-tailed Student t tests were used to identify statistical differences between group metrics. Results: Ninety-two patients were included in the study. No statistical differences were observed between cohorts in either of the intraoperative metrics considered (procedural duration and tourniquet duration; P = .44 and .89, respectively). In addition, complication and reoperation rates were not statistically different between the LI and AA+ groups ( P = .94 and .40, respectively). The rate of SPN neuropathy or neurapraxia were also compared between groups, resulting in no statistical differences ( P = .37). Conclusion: In this retrospective cohort study, we observed no differences when only anteromedial and lateral portals are used for an ankle arthroscopy with adjunct procedures compared with the traditional 3-incision approach. We hypothesize that instances of infection or wound dehiscence would decrease given a large enough cohort because of the creation of 1 fewer portal. However, given the small, underpowered sample, we cannot determine whether the lateral approach alters complication risk; larger multicenter studies are needed. Level of Evidence: Level III, retrospective cohort study.

Background: Total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) using patient-specific instrumentation (PSI) has increased in popularity with evidence for decreased operative duration, fluoroscopy usage, and increased implant placement accuracy. To date, no comparisons have verified the accuracy of PSI in vivo using preoperative and postoperative weightbearing computed tomography (WBCT). Our study aims to supplement the literature by quantifying the accuracy and precision of PSI-guided implant positioning using WBCT. The primary study outcome is to identify positioning deviations in degrees or millimeters in any plane for talus and tibial PSI-guided resections and subsequent implant placement. Secondary outcomes were correlation and regression analyses performed to identify variables that correlate to resection or implant placement deviation, as well as comparison to existing radiography-based PSI techniques. Methods: This was a single-surgeon, single-implant consecutive patient retrospective study where preoperative and postoperative WBCTs were obtained. TAA was performed by the senior author with the same low-profile implant for all cases. Talus and tibial resection analysis was performed in computer-automated fashion on postoperative segmented WBCTs and is described as 3 possible deviations from plan (cut height in millimeters, sagittal slope, varus/valgus deviation). Overall deformity in this group was not severe. Implant placement factors independent of PSI guides are described as center-of-mass translations (mm) and axial rotation (degrees). Desired accuracy for the PSI system was within ±2 mm or ±2 degrees of the preoperative plan. Statistical analysis of data collected included Student t test and linear regression analyses. Results: Thirty patients were included. Four talus implants were excluded per intraoperative surgeon discretion (deviation from PSI plan, use of conventional instruments). All postoperative tibial measurements were within the desired limits, except for mediolateral center of mass positioning ( P = .003) and slope ( P = .013). Two of six talar parameters also diverged from preoperative measurements: axial rotation ( P = .015) and anteroposterior positioning ( P = .002). In addition, no correlations exceeding r = 0.5 were noted between preoperative deformity measurements and postoperative positioning. Conclusion: For the 26 ankles that did not require an intraoperative deviation from PSI plan and/or use of conventional instruments, total ankle replacement performed with PSI using WBCT results in component placement with relatively little deviation from the preoperative plan. In addition, the lack of correlation between preoperative deformity and implant placement suggests that the magnitude of preoperative deformity in this group was not associated with the accuracy of PSI-guided component positioning. Level of Evidence: Level III, retrospective cohort study.

Background: End-stage ankle arthritis is successfully treated with surgery with either ankle arthrodesis (AA) or total ankle arthroplasty (TAA). Much is described comparing the 2 treatments in tightly selected patient groups. Limited evidence attempts to examine specific elements of technical complexity that increase perioperative risk for the surgical treatment of ankle arthritis. There is suspicion that AA may be preferable in the setting of elevated patient complexity, or that procedures may require staging to diminish complication risk when there is also foot deformity present. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of adjunctive procedures on overall postoperative complication (POC) risk, for both TAA and AA. Primary outcome measures were to compare overall complication and reoperation risk for TAA and AA. Secondary outcome measures were to identify patient factors, intraoperative factors, and factors of procedural complexity via number of associated surgeries and the incidence of complications and reoperation. Methods: A retrospective chart review of AAs and TAAs performed at a single academic institution from the years 2008-2024 was performed using Current Procedural Terminology ( CPT ) codes identifying AA and TAA. Patient demographics, operative details, and postoperative data were abstracted to collect relevant information. Statistical analyses, including odds ratios and analysis of variance, were then performed to reveal specific risk factors and correlations. Results: Four hundred ninety-one patients were identified in the initial database query. After exclusions, 246 remained, of which 110 underwent AA and 136 underwent TAA. The mean length of follow-up was 36.4 months for TAA patients and 46.1 months for AA patients in this study. Overall, patients who underwent TAA were older and had an increased number of preoperative comorbidities (5.74 ± 3.07) compared to AA (4.74 ± 2.76) ( P = .008). Additionally, TAA patients experienced a lower overall rate of POCs (20/136, 14.71%) and reoperation (14/136, 10.29%) compared with patients who underwent AA (21/110, 19.09%; 21/110, 19.09%) ( P = .36 and P = .05, respectively). As the number of adjunctive procedures increased, so did the rate of POCs, but not reoperation, in patients who underwent TAA. The number of adjunctive procedures was not significantly associated with complication or reoperation risk in AA patients. There were no specific adjunctive procedures that demonstrated a significant correlation with increased risk of complications or reoperation in both groups. Osteoporosis and coagulopathies were identified as predisposing TAA patients to postoperative complications. Conclusion: In our retrospective cohort study with relatively low statistical power, we found that patients who undergo TAA or AA plus adjunctive procedures did not experience an increased risk of major complications or reoperation compared to patients who did not undergo adjunctive procedures. Several preexisting comorbidities in TAA patients were associated with higher rates of POCs or reoperation, including osteoporosis and coagulopathies; no comorbidities were linked to increased reoperation or POC risk in the AA group. These findings suggest a need to evaluate comorbidities, and lifestyle factors when recommending an ankle reconstruction procedure to minimize the odds of postoperative complications and improve likelihood of patient satisfaction. Level of Evidence: Level III, retrospective cohort study.

Background: Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease is a progressive inherited neurologic disorder causing muscle weakness and lower extremity deformity. The goal of foot and ankle surgical treatment is to create a stable, plantigrade foot, with the potential elimination of brace-wear for ambulation. The aim of this study was to report baseline CMT patient function and subsequent outcome improvement from surgical treatment, as determined by PROMIS physical function (PF), pain interference (PI), and mental health/depression (D) scores. Methods: Retrospective data were collected on consecutive CMT patients older than 18 years receiving surgical treatment by the senior surgeon at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center from 2018 to 2022 with minimum 1-year follow-up. Each patient prospectively completed PROMIS preoperatively and postoperatively after all planned surgical treatment was completed. Prospective clinical and radiographic data were collected to describe complications and correlation to outcome. Results: Ninety-five feet in 64 patients older than 18 years were included for analysis. Mean follow-up was 21 months (range, 12-31) with 100% minimum 1-year follow-up. CMT patients had worse preoperative and baseline scores in all domains except PROMIS-D compared with population normal PROMIS scores. Significant improvements were identified in all PROMIS domains following surgical treatment. The mean PROMIS-PF score increased (40 to 45, delta = 4.9, P < .001), the mean PROMIS-PI score decreased (59 to 52, delta = 7.1, P < .001), and the mean PROMIS-D score decreased (50 to 47, delta = 3.0, P = .004). Subgroup analysis was performed for patients with severe radiographic deformity and those treated with arthrodesis in an attempt to demonstrate the impact of disease severity on outcome. Subgroup analysis demonstrated that arthrodesis led to worse overall PROMIS-PF outcome with the same change score. Conclusion: Surgical treatment for CMT patients provides significant clinical improvement in all measured outcome domains. CMT patients can be restored to normal population physical function and pain interference outcome scores. Patients with more severe deformity have similar improvement from surgical treatment, although their ultimate functional improvement is blunted due to a lower baseline.

Case: Acute medial collateral ligament (MCL) tears of the great toe metatarsophalangeal joint are rare, leading to sparse literature regarding their management. Suture anchor repair with suture tape augmentation is an effective treatment of thumb ulnar collateral ligament tears, a close analog. This case report presents a 23-year-old professional surfer with an acute hallux MCL avulsion. Management included repair with suture anchor and suture tape augmentation. The patient returned to sport quickly and had no pain or complications at 1-year follow-up. Conclusion: In this case of acute MCL tear of the great toe, suture anchor repair with suture tape augmentation facilitated early mobilization, rapid rehabilitation, return to competitive sport, and sustained good outcome. Level of Evidence: Level V

Bone autografts are frequently harvested for use in foot and ankle surgery. A commonly used harvest site is the iliac crest; however, because of known morbidity with this site, the tibia and calcaneus are attractive alternatives. There remains limited understanding regarding the osteogenic potential of autografts from each of these locations. In this review, we provided an update of the known data on bone autografts from the iliac crest, tibia, and calcaneus, focusing on the total cells harvested from each site as well as the presence of osteogenic osteoprogenitor cells. Level of Evidence: Level V, expert opinion.