CME OnDemand: 2022 AOFAS Annual Meeting-A Case Series Evaluating Complications of Foot and Ankle Surgeries in Patients with Neuromuscular Disease

A Case Series Evaluating Complications of Foot and Ankle Surgeries in Patients with Neuromuscular Disease

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This case series evaluated complications of foot and ankle surgeries in patients with neuromuscular disease. The study aimed to identify the complication rates associated with these surgeries and assess the safety of performing them in this patient population. <br /><br />The study reviewed the charts of patients with neuromuscular diseases who underwent foot and ankle surgery at a single institution between March 2010 and March 2020. Demographic data, medical history, diagnoses, surgical treatment, and postoperative complications were reviewed for analysis. Only surgeries performed by the senior author were included in the evaluation.<br /><br />A total of 46 patients with various neuromuscular conditions were included in the study. The average age of the patients was 33.8 years, with a range of 12-70 years. The majority of patients were female (61%). The most common diagnosis among the patients was cerebral palsy (52%).<br /><br />The study found that the overall complication rate for foot and ankle surgery in this population was 20%, with a total of 16 complications identified. The specific complication rates were as follows: wound complications (12%), nonunion (7%), and infection (9%). These rates were found to be similar to or slightly lower than those reported in the foot and ankle literature for the general population.<br /><br />The authors concluded that foot and ankle surgery can be safely performed in patients with neuromuscular disease, with complication rates comparable to the average population. Despite the unique challenges that these patients may present, surgery should be considered as an option to improve pain, function, and mobility. Further research is needed to better understand the risk for complications in this population and to stratify risk based on procedure type and specific disease.

Asset Subtitle

Joshua Levine, BA, Sophia Mavrommatis, Sandy Vang, Sarah A. Anderson, MD

Keywords

complications

foot and ankle surgeries

neuromuscular disease

complication rates

safety

patient population

charts

surgical treatment

postoperative complications

senior author