Background: There is a paucity of literature regarding rock climbing footwear. Rock climbers anecdotally voice numerous complaints regarding their current footwear. In an effort to improve existing rock-climbing footwear, implementation of a survey tool assessing the attitudes and practices of rock climbers was undertaken.
Methods: A Web-based survey was developed to assess the demographics, attitudes, and practices of individuals active in rock climbing, with a focus on footwear.
Results: Forty-five of the 417 respondents were male and 55% were female. The average years climbing was 7, with a majority of respondents in the 18- to 34-year-old category. The majority climbed 5 to 10 hours/week. Eighty percent identified as intermediate or advanced climbers. Climbing shoes were an average of 0.83 size smaller than the climber’s street shoes. The more elite the climber, the greater the mismatch. Overall satisfaction with current rock-climbing shoes was 88%; however, as the age of climber and number of years of participation increased, the level of satisfaction decreased. The most frequently reported problems with shoes included inconsistent sizing between brands and poor heel fit. The most commonly reported locations of pain were the toes and heel.
Conclusions: The authors concluded the following: 1) a surprisingly high satisfaction with current rock-climbing shoes was reported; 2) the difference in size between climbing shoes and street shoes was less than expected; 3) more shoe fitting problems were experienced by those with the most experience in climbing and those who spend the most time climbing; 4) the most common locations for experiencing pain were the toes and the posterior heel or Achilles tendon; 5) higher than expected satisfaction levels with climbing shoes contrasted with the very high number of specific complaints and recommendations for improvement; and 6) because of the increasing popularity of rock climbing, foot care providers should learn about the various types of climbing and the shoe gear needs that result therefrom.
Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (Churg-Strauss syndrome) is a small- to medium-vessel vasculitis associated with asthma and eosinophilia. If left untreated, it can lead to systemic complications with a high mortality rate. The authors present a case of eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis that initially presented with adult-onset asthma, asymmetric neuropathy to the right lower extremity, and erythematous maculopapular cutaneous lesions to bilateral lower extremities. Through an extensive work-up, the diagnosis of eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis was made. Steroid therapy was initiated, causing his eosinophil count to return to normal and his presenting symptoms to improve, although his neuropathy and weakness remained. It is our hope that presenting this unusual condition manifesting in the lower extremity can provide guidance to clinicians who might encounter this condition and help them to recognize and treat it before severe chronic complications can manifest.
Abstract
Background: Given that excess opioid prescriptions contribute to the United States opioid epidemic and there are few national opioid prescribing guidelines for the management of acute pain, it is pertinent to determine if prescribers can sufficiently assess their own prescribing practice. The purpose of this study was to investigate podiatric surgeons’ ability to evaluate if their own opioid prescribing practice is less than, near, or above that of an “average” prescriber.
Methods: We administered a scenario-based, voluntary, anonymous, online questionnaire via Qualtrics which consisted of five surgery-based scenarios commonly performed by podiatric surgeons. Respondents were asked the quantity of opioids they would prescribe at the time of surgery. Respondents were also asked to rate their prescribing practice compared to the average (median) podiatric surgeons. We compared self-reported behavior to self-reported perception (“I prescribe less than average,” “I prescribed about average,” and “I prescribe more than average”). ANOVA was used for univariate analysis between the three groups. We used linear regression to adjust for confounders. Data restriction was used to account for restrictive state laws.
Results: One hundred fifteen podiatric surgeons completed the survey from in April 2020. Less than half of the time, respondents accurately identified their own category. Consequently, there were no statistically significant differences between podiatric surgeons who reported that they “prescribe less,” “prescribe about average,” and “prescribe more.” Paradoxically, there was a flip in scenario #5, whereas respondents who reported they “prescribe more” actually prescribed the least and respondents who believed that they “prescribe less” actually prescribed the most.
Conclusions: Cognitive bias, in the form of a novel effect, occurs in postoperative opioid prescribing practice; in the absence of procedure-specific guidelines or an objective standard, podiatric surgeons, more often than not, were unaware of how their own opioid prescribing practice measured up to other podiatric surgeons.
Abstract
Background: The purpose of this retrospective audit was to compare patient based clinical outcomes to amputation healing outcomes twelve months after a minor foot amputation in people with diabetes.
Methods: Hospital admission and community outpatient data were extracted for all minor foot amputations in people with diabetes in 2017 in the Central Coast Local Health District.
Results: A total 85 minor foot amputations involving 74 people were identified. At the twelve-month follow-up 74% (n=56) of the minor foot amputations healed, 63% (n=41) of the participants achieved a good clinical outcome (healed, no more proximal amputations, or death within the 12 month follow up period), and the mortality rate was 18%. Poor clinical outcomes were associated with those aged greater than 60 (RR 5.75, 95% CI: 0.85 to 38.7, p=0.013), those undergoing a further surgical debridement procedure during their hospital stay (RR 2.42, 95% CI: 1.3 to 4.4, p=0.005) and those who did not attend CCLHD Podiatry clinics post-amputation (RR 2.3, 95% CI: 1.2 to 4.1, p=0.010).
Conclusions: To improve patient based clinical outcomes post-minor foot amputation, targeted follow-up in a high-risk foot clinic, and tailored discharge treatment plans for people aged over 60 or those undergoing a debridement procedure may be considered.
Abstract
Background: To evaluate the clinical characteristics of ingrown toenail cases in one of the biggest reference centers.
Methods: This retrospective cohort study was conducted on patients admitted to Ufuk University Hospital with ingrown toenail between January 1. 2014 and December 31. 2019. Firstly, clinical charactersitcs and demographic features of all cases were evaluated afterwards the study population was divided into two groups: 1) Group1(Patients who were ≤ 20 years old), 2) Group 2 (Patients who were >20 years old) and these groups were compared in terms of their clinical findings.
Results: Duration of diseases, BMI, rate of medications for chronic diseases and rate of joint diseases were significantly higher in group 2. On the other hand, rates of hyperhidrosis and sudden weight gain were significantly higher in group 1(p<0.05). Severity of ingrown toenail was significantly different between the groups (p=0.006). Stage 1 was the most common stage in both groups and rate of stage 3 was higher in group 1. Onycoshisis and was more common in group 1 while nail thickening was more common in group 2 (p<0.05). Medications were also significantly different between the groups as nail wire and Aluminum chloride were the most common treatment modalities in group 2 and 1, respectively (p<0.05). Periungual edema, presence of pus, hypertrophie and granulation were more common in group 1 (p<0.05). Thin nail plate was more common in group 1 while normal and thick nail nail plate were more common in group2 (p<0.05).
Conclusion: Clinical characteristics of ingrown toe nail vary between younger and older populations. Thus, individualized approach should be preferred in the management of ingrown toe nail for different age groups.
Abstract
Background: It’s well known fact that Hallux valgus (HV) alternates foot biomechanics. In different populations HV and postural stability has been studied but HV and adolescent ballet dancer has not been studied. Aim of the our study is to explore affect of HV on adolescent ballet dancers’ balance. Also we wanted to explore health related quality of life of adolescent ballet dancers with HV.
Methods: Ballets aged between 8-16 years old has been screened prospectively. The dancers divided into two groups group 1;Ballets with HV and group 2; Ballets without HV. HV diagnosis was made clinically. Two groups were compared according to balance parameters and health related quality of life (HRQOL) questionaires.
Results: Group 1 was formed with 31 participants and group 2 was formed with 24 participants. All participants in both groups were female. Mean age in group 1 was 11.6 (8-16 years old) and 12.2 (8-16 years old) in group 2. Mean first metatarsophalangeal angle was 13.4° (10°-15°) in group 2 and 19.8° (16°-25°) in HV group respectively. A statistically significant difference was found according to the nonparametric Mann Whitney U test results in the comparison of HVA (Hallux Valgus Angle) between groups. According to Spearman Rho correlation analysis, it was determined that the increase in HVA caused deterioration in the static Flamingo test. (r=0.552 p=0.019). No significant relationship was found between HRQoL questionaries and the presence of HV. (p>0,05)
Conclusions: Adolescent ballet dancers experience static balance impairment due to HV angle increase. Clinical measurement of HV and application of balance parameters made easy without need of set ups to perform evaluation with high numbers of participants in concordance with literature.
Abstract
Background: It’s important to determine the plantar pressure distribution of school children by applying static and dynamic foot analyses using a pedobarography device. However, it’s difficult to obtain clear interpretations from results which can be explained by a large number of plantar pressure variables. The aim of this study is to use Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to predict main components for reducing the size of big data sets, provide a practical overview and minimize information loss on the subject of plantar pressure assessment in youths.
Methods: In total, 112 school children were included in the current study (average age 10.58 ± 1.27 years, body mass index 18.86 ± 4.33 kg / m2). During the research, a Sensor Medica Freemed pedobarography device was used to obtain plantar pressure data. Each foot was divided into six anatomical regions and evaluated. Global and regional plantar pressure distribution, load and surface areas, pressure time integrals, weight ratios and geometric foot properties were calculated.
Results: PCA yielded ten principal component (PC) that together account for 81.88% of the variation in the data set and represent new and distinct patterns. Thus, 137 variables affecting the subject were reduced to ten components.
Conclusions: Static and dynamic plantar pressure distribution, which is affected by many variables, can be reduced to ten components by PCA, making the research results more concise and understandable.
Abstract
Background: One of the common causes of posterior ankle pain is posterior ankle impingement syndrome (PAIS). Many studies about PAIS have been conducted on special groups such as athletes, dancers, and football players, whereas there has been no previous study of a non-athletic population. This study aimed to evaluate the causes and treatment methods of this syndrome in the non-athletic population and compare it with the athletic population.
Methods: A retrospective review was done and 28 of 46 patients (60.9%) recovered from two-staged conservative therapy. 18 of 46 patients (39.1%) who did not benefit from conservative treatment for three months, hindfoot endoscopy was applied. Patient data, including sex, age, occupation, and sports activity level, were recorded. The Visual Analog Scale (VAS), American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) hindfoot score, and Tegner score were recorded. Patient satisfaction was assessed with a 4-point Likert scale. All complications were recorded.
Results: The mean follow-up period was 27.4 months. At the final follow-up examination, the AOFAS hindfoot score had significantly improved from 66.4 to 96.8 (p<0.001). The Tegner activity score improved significantly from 4.6 to 8.8 (p<0.001). The VAS score was 6.4 and increased to 0.9 (p<0.001). Using the 4-point Likert Scale for patient satisfaction, 13 (72.2%) stated that the surgical procedure was excellent, and 4 (27.8%) stated it as good. The mean time to return to work was 4.2 weeks. As complications, only sural nerve dysesthesia was seen in 2 patients(11.1%).
Conclusions: This study can be considered of value as the first study to have evaluated PAIS in the non-athletic population. Conservative treatment showed good results as nearly two-thirds of the patients recovered. Hindfoot endoscopy applied to cases not responding to conservative therapy is a successful treatment with low complication rates.
