Podiatry

The limb deformity-based principles originate from a standard set of lower extremity radiographic angles and reference points. Objective radiographic measures are the building blocks for surgical planning. Critical preoperative planning and intraoperative and postoperative evaluation of radiographs are essential for proper deformity planning and correction of all foot and ankle cases. A total of 33 angles and reference points were measured on 24 healthy feet. The radiographic measurements were performed on standard weightbearing anteroposterior, lateral, and axial views of the right foot...

BACKGROUND: Diabetic forefoot joint deformities are a known risk factor for skin breakdown and amputation, but the causes of deformity are not well understood. The purposes of this study were to determine the effects of intrinsic foot muscle deterioration and limited ankle joint mobility on the severity of metatarsophalangeal joint (MTPJ) deformity, and determine the relationships between these potential contributing factors and indicators of diabetic complications (peripheral neuropathy and advanced glycation end products)...

BACKGROUND: Forefoot surgery typically is elective, so it is important to define risk factors to educate patients on potential complications. The purpose of this study was to determine if obesity is an independent risk factor that contributes to increased complication rates after forefoot surgery. METHODS: Through a retrospective review of records, 633 patients were identified who had forefoot surgery at one institution between 2008 and 2010. All patients who currently smoked or smoked in the past were excluded to eliminate a confounding factor, as smoking is known to increase complication rates, leaving 427 patients for inclusion, 299 nonobese (BMI less than 30) and 128 obese (BMI more than 30)...

The Cobb procedure is useful for addressing stage 2 posterior tibial tendon dysfunction and is often accompanied by a medial displacement calcaneal osteotomy and/or lateral column lengthening. The Cobb procedure can also be combined with selected medial column arthrodesis and realignment osteotomies along with equinus correction when indicated.

Whether performed as a primary procedure or used to augment and support osseous reconstruction, tendon transfers are a key skill for the foot and ankle surgeon. Understanding the biomechanics preoperative and postoperatively is essential in performing appropriate procedures and in supporting patients through the rehabilitation process. Often the complexity of tendon transfer surgery is lost because it is deemed a soft tissue procedure and in theory should be less complex than osseous procedures. However, the dynamic nature of musculature and tendons require a deeper understanding of surgical and biomechanical concepts...

When performed correctly with the right patient population, a tibialis posterior muscle/tendon transfer is an effective procedure. Many different methods have been established for fixating the tendon, each of which has its' own indications. Passing through the interosseous membrane is the preferred and recommended method and should be used unless this is not possible. Good surgical planning based on patient needs and expectations, along with excellent postoperative care including early range of motion and physical therapy minimizes risk of complications and allows for the optimal outcome to be achieved...

Tendon transfer procedures are used commonly for the correction of soft tissue imbalances and instabilities. The complete transfer and the split transfer of the tibialis anterior tendon are well-accepted methods for the treatment of idiopathic equinovarus deformity in children and adults. Throughout the literature, complete and split transfer have been shown to yield significant improvements in ankle and foot range of motion and muscle function. At present, there is insufficient evidence to recommend one procedure over the other, although the split procedure has been advocated for consistently achieving inversion to eversion muscle balance without overcorrection...

Hallux malleus is a deformity of the great toe. There is a dorsiflexion contracture at the metatarsophalangeal joint and plantar flexion of the interphalangeal joint. The deformity is commonly attributed to muscular imbalances of the various structures acting on the great toe. Jones tendon transfer is a procedure used to remove the deforming force to the clawed hallux. It is most often performed in conjunction with a hallux interphalangeal joint fusion. Typically there is a neurologic component causing a deformity to the entire foot, necessitating adjunct procedures...

Hibbs tenosuspension is an underutilized procedure when it comes to dealing with lesser toe pathology in conditions such as Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. This article describes the procedure to transfer the extensor digitorum longus tendons into the peroneus tertius tendon to eliminate a deforming force and create a stabilizing force.

Managing digital and metatarsophalangeal joint (MTPJ) deformities can range from simple to complex and uniplanar to triplanar. Because of the complexity and variability of digital and MTPJ deformities, there are many procedures, and no 1 procedure has become the gold standard. Tendon transfers for digital and MTPJ deformities are just 1 treatment option, and usually they are not stand-alone procedures. Typically, a combination of procedures needs to be performed. This article describes the surgical technique and provides a review of the literature, including clinical results for tendon transfers of the central rays...

Hallux varus is an infrequently encountered deformity of the first ray characterized by a medial deviation of the hallux on the first metatarsal head at the first metatarsal phalangeal joint. Iatrogenic flexible hallux varus often requires surgical repair to create a functional, pain-free, shoeable foot. Although arthrodesis remains the mainstay of treatment, many soft tissue transfer procedures have been described in the literature as joint-sparing alternatives to fusion. This article explores in detail the tendon transfer procedures that have been described for repair of flexible hallux varus deformity...

Calcific insertional Achilles tendinopathy can result in significant pain and disability. Although some patients respond to nonoperative therapy, many patients are at risk for long-term morbidity and unpredictable clinical outcomes. There is no evidence-based data to support the timing of operative invention, choice of procedures, or whether equinus requires treatment. This article suggests the need for a classification system based on physical examination and imaging to help guide treatment. There is an obvious need for evidence-based studies evaluating outcomes and for properly conducted scientific research to establish appropriate treatment protocols...

Deep infection is one of the most devastating complications following repair of an Achilles tendon rupture. Treatment requires not only culture-driven antibiotic therapy, but more importantly, appropriate débridement of some or even all of the Achilles tendon. This may necessitate delayed reconstruction of the Achilles tendon. The authors present a successful case of reconstruction of a chronically infected Achilles tendon in an otherwise healthy 43-year-old man via a multistaged approach using the flexor hallucis longus and peroneus brevis tendons...

BACKGROUND: Surgical treatments for end-stage ankle arthritis include total ankle replacement and ankle arthrodesis. Although arthrodesis is a reliable procedure, ankle replacement is often preferred by patients. This prospective study evaluated intermediate-term outcomes of ankle replacement and arthrodesis in a large cohort at multiple centers, with variability in ankle arthritis type, prosthesis type, surgeon, and surgical technique. We hypothesized that patient-reported clinical outcomes would be similar for both procedures...

IMPORTANCE: The benefits of rehabilitation after immobilization for ankle fracture are unclear. OBJECTIVES: To determine the effectiveness of a supervised exercise program and advice (rehabilitation) compared with advice alone and to determine if effects are moderated by fracture severity or age and sex. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: The EXACT trial was a pragmatic, randomized clinical trial conducted from December 2010 to June 2014. Patients with isolated ankle fracture presenting to fracture clinics in 7 Australian hospitals were randomized on the day of removal of immobilization...

BACKGROUND: Severe ankle sprains are a common presentation in emergency departments in the UK. We aimed to assess the effectiveness of three different mechanical supports (Aircast brace, Bledsoe boot, or 10-day below-knee cast) compared with that of a double-layer tubular compression bandage in promoting recovery after severe ankle sprains. METHODS: We did a pragmatic, multicentre randomised trial with blinded assessment of outcome. 584 participants with severe ankle sprain were recruited between April, 2003, and July, 2005, from eight emergency departments across the UK...

INTRODUCTION: There is an increasing need for orthopaedic practitioners to measure and collect patient-reported outcomes data. In an effort to better understand outcomes from operative treatment, the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) established the Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Outcomes Research (OFAR) Network, a national consortium of foot and ankle orthopaedic surgeons. We hypothesized that the OFAR Network could successfully collect, aggregate, and report patient-reported outcome (PRO) data using the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS)...

Calcaneal spurs, as a cause of plantar fasciitis, are currently debatable. A prospective study was performed to classify calcaneal spurs according to the findings from an investigation of the relationship between calcaneal spurs and plantar fasciitis. Thirty patients with calcaneal spurs and plantar heel pain underwent calcaneal spur removal and endoscopic plantar fasciotomy. The relationship between the classification of calcaneal spurs and plantar fasciitis was evaluated by endoscopic findings, clinical symptoms, radiographic images, and biopsy findings...

BACKGROUND: Symptoms associated with pes planovalgus or flatfeet occur frequently, even though some people with a flatfoot deformity remain asymptomatic. Pes planovalgus is proposed to be associated with foot/ankle pain and poor function. Concurrently, the multifactorial weakness of the tibialis posterior muscle and its tendon can lead to a flattening of the longitudinal arch of the foot. Those affected can experience functional impairment and pain. Less severe cases at an early stage are eligible for non-surgical treatment and foot orthoses are considered to be the first line approach...

BACKGROUND: Diabetic foot ulcers have a devastating impact on an individual's health-related quality of life and functional status. Additionally, diabetic foot ulcers impose a significant economic burden on our health care systems as a result of complications such as infection, hospitalisation and amputation. The current gold standard treatment for diabetic foot ulcers is total contact casting. However, the rate of ulcer recurrence is high, indicating the need for more effective long-term treatment options...