Foot & Ankle Reconstruction Journal Scan

The treatment of intractable plantar fasciitis with platelet-rich plasma injection.

Foot (Edinb). 2013 Jul 29;

Authors: Kumar V, Millar T, Murphy PN, Clough T

Abstract
BACKGROUND: Whilst most cases of plantar fasciitis can be settled with existing conservative treatment, a few intractable cases can be difficult to resolve. New biologic treatments have been proposed for a variety of soft tissue problems.
OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the effectiveness of platelet rich plasma (PRP) in chronic cases of plantar fasciitis.
PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with plantar fasciitis not responded to a minimum of 1 year standard conservative management were offered PRP therapy. Injections were performed in theatre as a day case. Roles-Maudsley (RM) scores, Visual Analogue Scores (VAS), AOFAS scores and 'would have injection again' were collated pre-operatively, three and six months.
RESULTS: Prospective data was collected of 50 heels (44 patients). At six month review, RM score improved from mean 4 to 2 (p<0.001), VAS improved from 7.7 to 4.2 (p<0.001) and AOFAS improved from 60.6 to 81.9 (p<0.001). 28 patients (64%) were very satisfied and would have the injection again. No complications were reported.
CONCLUSION: In these chronic cases, PRP produce an efficacy rate, approaching 2 out of every 3. The procedure was safe with no reported complications. The authors feel PRP may have some role in treatment, and merits further study with a prospective randomised trial.

PMID: 23906977 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Read more... http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23906977?dopt=Abstract

External Fixator Kickstands for Free Soft Tissue Flap Protection: Case Series and Description of Technique.

Foot Ankle Int. 2013 Aug 1;

Authors: Ting BL, Abousayed MM, Holzer P, Cetrulo CL, Kwon JY

Abstract
BACKGROUND: Protected elevation represents a critical component of postoperative care, particularly in posteriorly located flaps, to prevent pressure on the flap's vascular pedicle and ensure a successful skin graft. Although several short case series and technique papers have described kickstand placement to prevent heel ulcers as an adjuvant to fixator placement for fracture management, there remains a paucity of reports describing external fixator placement solely for extremity elevation and pressure alleviation in the postoperative care of flap coverage procedures.
METHODS: Patients who underwent lower extremity free flap coverage procedures requiring temporary elevation were included. Age, diagnosis, soft tissue procedures performed, type of external fixator placed, duration of frame placement, mode of removal, and complications related to external fixator placement were documented. Patients requiring external fixator placement for fracture management were excluded.
RESULTS: Twelve patients with 13 lower limb soft tissue defects were included in our case series. A thin-wire ring external fixator kickstand was applied in 5 limbs while the rest underwent placement of a uniplanar carbon fiber bar type external fixator kickstands. The average time for removal of the frames was 4 weeks. No complications were reported from kickstand placement.

Conservative treatment of closed subtalar dislocation: A case report and 2years follow-up.

Foot (Edinb). 2013 Jul 26;

Authors: Gantsos A, Giotis D, Giannoulis DK, Vasiliadis HS, Georgakopoulos N, Mitsionis GI

Abstract
We report a case of a closed subtalar dislocation without any related fractures treated with closed reduction and conservative treatment with a cast immobilization. Pure subtalar dislocation without any fractures is extremely rare and hardly reported in the literature. Such injuries are more likely to be open and associated with fractures of the surrounding foot bones such as malleoli, talus or fifth metatarsal fractures. In the examined case, closed reduction was followed by cast immobilization for 3 weeks. Six months post-injury, the patient had a full range of motion without any pain while there were no signs of residual instability or early post-traumatic osteoarthritis. Subjective clinical testing using a valid health instrument revealed an excellent outcome. We discuss in details the mechanism of such an injury and highlight the importance of prompt closed reduction and early mobilization to ensure a satisfactory long term outcome.

PMID: 23896287 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Read more... http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23896287?dopt=Abstract

Outcome of Nonoperative Management of Displaced Oblique Spiral Fractures of the Fifth Metatarsal Shaft.

Foot Ankle Int. 2013 Aug 1;

Authors: Aynardi M, Pedowitz DI, Saffel H, Piper C, Raikin SM

Abstract
BACKGROUND: Nonoperative management has been the preferred treatment for displaced oblique spiral fractures of the fifth metatarsal shaft; yet a paucity of literature supports this claim. The purpose of this investigation was to report the incidence and long-term outcome in the largest cohort of these fractures reported to date.
METHODS: From 2006 through 2010, 2990 patients sustaining closed metatarsal fractures were seen and treated. Displaced, oblique, spiral fractures of the distal shaft of the fifth metatarsal were identified and follow-up was conducted. Only patients who were initially treated with nonoperative management were included. Patients were seen at 6 and 12 weeks, and a minimum 2-year follow-up was conducted. In addition, demographic information was obtained, and the Short Form-12 (SF-12) and Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM) were administered. Average follow-up was 3.5 years.
RESULTS: In all, 142 acute fractures were managed for an incidence of 4.8% of all metatarsal fractures. There were 117 females and 25 males, average age was 55. FAAM activities of daily living subscale scores averaged 95.5 (±5.7), while FAAM sports subscales were 92.7 (±9.1). SF-12 physical and mental scores averaged 51.4 (±4.9) and 50.3 (±4.6), respectively. There were 2 delayed unions, 1 asymptomatic nonunion treated nonoperatively, and 2 painful nonunions that required open reduction internal fixation with bone grafting.

Metatarsal Shortening Osteotomy for Decompression of Morton's Neuroma.

Foot Ankle Int. 2013 Jul 26;

Authors: Park EH, Kim YS, Lee HJ, Koh YG

Abstract
BACKGROUND: Among the various operative treatments of Morton's neuroma, deep transverse metatarsal ligament (DTML) release has been performed for decompression of neuroma. However, the main lesion of Morton's neuroma is located between the metatarsal head and the metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint and more distal than the DTML. Hence we performed the metatarsal shortening osteotomy along with DTML release for decompression of neuroma, and investigated the clinical outcomes of it and compared the outcomes with those of DTML release alone.
METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 84 consecutive patients (86 neuromas) who underwent surgery for a Morton's neuroma between February 2008 and March 2011. The first 46 neuroma (group A) were treated with DTML release alone, and the next 40 neuroma (group B) underwent the metatarsal shortening osteotomy with DTML release. Clinical outcomes were compared between the groups and the associations between clinical outcomes and neuroma size were assessed.
RESULTS: Clinical outcomes were significantly improved after surgery in both groups but there were significant differences in clinical outcomes between the 2 groups at final follow-up. There were significant correlations between neuroma size and outcomes in group A, whereas no significant correlations were found between neuroma size and outcomes in group B.

Diagnostic performance of Fluorine-18-Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography for the diagnosis of osteomyelitis related to diabetic foot: A systematic review and a meta-analysis.

Foot (Edinb). 2013 Jul 29;

Authors: Treglia G, Sadeghi R, Annunziata S, Zakavi SR, Caldarella C, Muoio B, Bertagna F, Ceriani L, Giovanella L

Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To systematically review and meta-analyse published data about the diagnostic performance of Fluorine-18-Fluorodeoxyglucose ((18)F-FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) and PET/computed tomography (PET/CT) in osteomyelitis related to diabetic foot.
METHODS: A comprehensive literature search of studies on (18)F-FDG-PET and PET/CT in patients with diabetic foot was performed. Pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative likelihood ratio (LR+ and LR-) and diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) and area under the summary ROC curve of (18)F-FDG-PET and PET/CT in patients with osteomyelitis related to diabetic foot were calculated.
RESULTS: Nine studies comprising 299 patients with diabetic foot were included in the qualitative analysis (systematic review) and discussed. The quantitative analysis (meta-analysis) of four selected studies provided the following results on a per patient-based analysis: sensitivity was 74% [95% confidence interval (95%CI): 60-85%], specificity 91% (95%CI: 85-96%), LR+ 5.56 (95%CI: 2.02-15.27), LR- 0.37 (95%CI: 0.10-1.35), and DOR 16.96 (95%CI: 2.06-139.66). The area under the summary ROC curve was 0.874.

Suture Anchor Fixation of Unstable Bony Mallet Injuries of the Hallux.

Foot Ankle Int. 2013 Jul 26;

Authors: Hong CC, Tan KJ

PMID: 23892929 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Read more... http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23892929?dopt=Abstract

Related Articles

Correction of a Severe Poliomyelitic Equinocavovarus Foot Using an Adjustable External Fixation Frame.

J Foot Ankle Surg. 2013 Jul 24;

Authors: Nomura I, Watanabe K, Matsubara H, Nishida H, Shirai T, Tsuchiya H

Abstract
One-stage surgical correction of severe equinocavovarus deformity can result in complications ranging from skin necrosis to tibial nerve palsy. Fewer complications have been reported when severe deformities were treated by gradual correction using external frames such as the Ilizarov external fixator or the Taylor Spatial Frame™. We describe a case of a 64-year-old female patient with severe poliomyelitic equinocavovarus whose deformity required her to ambulate using the dorsum of her right foot as a weightbearing surface. We treated the deformity with gradual correction using a Taylor Spatial Frame™, followed by ankle arthrodesis. At the most recent postoperative evaluation, 20 months after the initial surgery, the patient was pain free and ambulating on the sole of her right foot.

PMID: 23890796 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Read more... http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23890796?dopt=Abstract

Charcot Arthropathy of the Foot and Ankle Associated With Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Foot Ankle Int. 2013 Jul 30;

Authors: Grear BJ, Rabinovich A, Brodsky JW

Abstract
BACKGROUND: Diabetic peripheral neuropathy is now well recognized as the most common cause of Charcot arthropathy of the foot and ankle, but it may be associated with other peripheral neuropathies. While not well known, it is well documented that rheumatoid arthritis is correlated with peripheral neuropathy. However, despite rheumatoid neuropathy, Charcot arthropathy has never been associated with rheumatoid arthritis. We report a series of Charcot arthropathy patients with concomitant rheumatoid arthritis.
METHODS: The medical records of patients treated between 1986 and 2009 with Charcot arthropathy and rheumatoid arthritis were reviewed. Recorded data included neuropathy risk factors, medications, history of ulcerations, ambulatory status, shoe wear, and treatment course. Radiographs of Charcot joints were categorized according to the Brodsky anatomic classification. Patient care was based on published treatment algorithms, emphasizing accommodative, nonoperative treatment with selective surgical interventions. Surgery was indicated for recalcitrant, nonhealing lesions of the soft tissue and/or unbraceable, nonplantigrade feet. A successful outcome was considered an ambulatory patient without amputation and a closed skin envelope at last follow-up.