AANA25 Foot & Ankle Access Pass-CONCURRENT SESSION 3H: Sports Ankle Update

Video Transcription

Video Summary

This session from the ANA conference covers advanced foot and ankle orthopedic topics, focusing on osteochondral lesion management, return-to-sport (RTS) definitions, anterior ankle impingement, syndesmotic injuries, Lisfranc injuries, and emerging sports medicine technologies.<br /><br />Dr. Eric Ferkel begins by discussing the evaluation and arthroscopic management of osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLTs). He emphasizes detailed imaging with X-rays, MRI, and CT scans, highlighting newer microfracture techniques using 1.1 mm needles for improved marrow access and cartilage repair. He advocates bone marrow stimulation augmented with biologics like concentrated bone marrow aspirate (CBMA) and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) to enhance healing. For larger lesions, matrix-augmented autologous chondrocyte implantation (MACE) and bulk osteochondral allografts are reviewed, with successful clinical outcomes demonstrated.<br /><br />A systematic review presented by Constantinos Dino Economou reveals inconsistencies in defining RTS after foot and ankle surgery, stressing the need for standardized, objective criteria to improve clinical decision-making and athlete counseling.<br /><br />Guillermo from Buenos Aires examines arthroscopic treatment of anterior ankle impingement, emphasizing etiological evaluation and addressing associated instability or hindfoot deformities to prevent recurrence and improve long-term outcomes.<br /><br />Dr. Lauren Gainey covers syndesmotic injuries, emphasizing careful clinical and imaging evaluations to distinguish stable from unstable injuries. She discusses surgical techniques prioritizing anatomical reduction, flexible fixation, and deltoid ligament repair to restore stability and functional outcomes.<br /><br />Ian Elliott reviews Lisfranc injuries, contrasting high-energy trauma (often requiring fusion) with sports-related ligamentous injuries (favoring open reduction and rigid fixation), highlighting variable recovery timelines and the importance of individualized treatment for athletes.<br /><br />Dr. Richard Ferkel highlights emerging technologies in foot and ankle sports medicine including artificial intelligence for diagnostics and outcome prediction, wearable sensors (accelerometers, gyroscopes, GPS) for performance and injury prevention, motion analysis systems like DARI for biomechanical assessment, and 3D printing for custom braces and orthotics that enhance rehabilitation and compliance.<br /><br />Throughout, panel discussions emphasize multi-ligament injury management, individualized surgical strategies, rehabilitation, biologics use, and the importance of comprehensive evaluation and innovative tools to improve outcomes in athletic populations.

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Keywords

osteochondral lesion management

return-to-sport definitions

anterior ankle impingement

syndesmotic injuries

Lisfranc injuries

arthroscopic management

bone marrow stimulation

biologics in healing

sports medicine technologies

artificial intelligence diagnostics

wearable sensors