Abstract
Historically recalcitrant to treatment, infection of the nail unit is a pervasive clinical condition affecting about 10%-20% of the U.S. population; patients present with both cosmetic symptomatology and pain, with subsequent dystrophic morphology. To date, the presumptive infectious etiologies include classically-reported fungal dermatophytes, non-dermatophyte molds, and yeasts. Until now, the prevalence and potential contribution of bacteria to the clinical course of dystrophic nails had been relatively overlooked, if not dismissed. Previously, diagnosis had been largely made via clinical presentation, although microscopic examinations (KOH) of nail scrapings to identify fungal agents, and more recently, panel-specific PCR assays have been employed to elucidate causative infectious agents. Each of these tools suffers from test-specific limitations. However, molecular-age medicine now includes DNA-based tools to universally assess any microbe or pathogen with a known DNA sequence. This affords clinicians with rapid DNA sequencing technologies at their disposal. These sequencing-based diagnostic tools confer the accuracy of DNA level certainty, while concurrently obviating cultivation or microbial phenotypical biases. Using DNA sequencing-based diagnostics, the results herein document the first identification and quantification of significant bacterial, rather than mycotic, pathogens to the clinical manifestation of dystrophic nails. In direct opposition to the prevailing and presumptive mycotic-based etiologies, the results herein invoke questions about the very basis for our current standards of care, including effective treatment regimens.
BACKGROUND: Although pilon fractures are rare, they are important for orthopedic surgeons because of the difficulty of treatment and adverse effects on gait function. The aim of the study to evaluate the relationship between the reduction quality of the fracture, functional results, ankle arthrosis and plantar pressure distribution in patients with tibia pilon fractures. METHODS: In this study, a total of 62 patients treated for an intraarticular pilon fracture in our clinic between January 2015 and January 2019 were evaluated retrospectively. Postoperative reduction qualities of the patients were evaluated with the Ovadia-Beals criteria, ankle functional scores with the Teeny-Wiss score, and ankle arthrosis with the Takakura classification. In the last follow-up of the patients, foot loading analysis was performed and the results of the patients were evaluated for their relation with postoperative reduction quality, ankle functions and ankle arthrosis. RESULTS: There were 62 patients (50 men and 12 women). The average age was 43.3 years (range 19-78). The mean follow-up was 34.3 months (range 24 - 58). The mean Ovadia-Beals score was 12.35 {plus minus} 4.6 in the postoperative plain radiographs of the patients; the mean Teeny-Wiss score in the last follow-up was 76.82 {plus minus} 17.69, and the Takakura score was 1.47 {plus minus} 1.35. Based on the pedobarographic measurements, 47.58% of the patients put weight on the anterior and 52.42% on the posterior of the foot in the anteroposterior plane. In the mediolateral plane, 42.15% loaded on the medial of the ankle and 57.85% loaded on the lateral of the foot. CONCLUSION: Intra-articular tibia pilon fractures can be demonstrated by lateralization of the walking axis and changes in gait patterns and can be associated with clinical outcome.
Acquired Digital Fibrokeratoma of the Toe
A Rare Anatomical Location
Acquired digital fibrokeratoma is a rare and benign fibrous tumor; it is usually asymptomatic, and frequently arises from the fingers. The diagnosis is easily confirmed by pathologic evaluation. However, in some cases, it may be misdiagnosed as other benign conditions, mainly adnexal tumors and common warts, especially when located on the foot and toes. In this article, we report the case of a 45-year-old man who presented to our clinic for an acquired growth over the plantar surface of the second right toe. The tumor had evolved for 1 year and affected the patient's activities and mobility. On examination, the lesion was a dome-shaped, firm tumor with keratotic distal changes and a broad base attached to the overlying skin. Pathologic assessment was consistent with the diagnosis of acquired digital fibrokeratoma, ruling out other causes of abnormal growth. The tumor was completely excised with surgery, with excellent outcomes and no recurrence at follow-up. Although acquired digital fibrokeratoma is a rare condition, mostly located on the distal upper extremities and fingers, it should be considered in the differential diagnosis of plantar soft-tissue tumors. Surgical management remains the mainstay of treatment.
Background
One of the most common supplementary techniques for hallux valgus (HV) surgery is proximal phalanx correction proposed by Akin. This study aims to determine the influence of the Akin procedure on the outcome of scarf osteotomy for HV correction.
Methods
This prospective randomized study on 145 patients diagnosed with moderate to severe HV who underwent a scarf corrective osteotomy was carried out between 2011 and 2016. Patients were divided into two groups based on the additional Akin correction of the proximal phalanx. Postoperative follow-up was 2 years. The patients underwent an examination performed by two orthopedic surgeons twice—at the primary visit (qualification for the surgery and the study) and at the final follow-up. In between, the patients remained under the care of one of the physicians. Data collected included biometric records, radiographs (eg, hallux valgus angle [HVA]), intermetatarsal angle, American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society Hallux Metatarsophalangeal Index, and visual analog scale score for pain and satisfaction.
Results
There was a significant difference in comparison of the HVA between the groups at the final follow-up. Other collected parameters were similar (American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society Hallux Metatarsophalangeal Index, level of pain, and satisfaction). The complication rate was also similar between the groups. We observed comparable rates of reconsent to the treatment and foot appearance satisfaction in both groups.
Conclusions
Regardless of additional Akin correction, the outcome was comparable. Despite a significant difference in HVA score, pain and satisfaction level were similar. Based on our results, the Akin procedure may not provide substantial benefit as an adjunct to the scarf procedure.
Background
Clinicians routinely assess foot posture as part of their assessment and management of foot pathologies. Flat or high-arched foot postures have been linked to kinematic deviations and increased risk of foot injuries. The Foot Posture Index (FPI) is a valid clinical tool used to classify feet into high-arched, normal-arched, and flat foot groups and predicts foot function during walking well. Walking and running are distinct locomotion styles, and studies have not been performed to correlate FPI to foot function during running. This study aims to investigate the association of FPI scores to foot kinematics during running. The results will further inform clinicians who perform static assessment of feet of individuals who are runners.
Methods
Sixty-nine participants had their feet assessed using the FPI scoring system. Based on these scores, the feet were categorized as flat foot, normal-arched, and high-arched. Rearfoot eversion and forefoot dorsiflexion (arch flattening) of the foot were analysed during slow running between 1.4 and 2.2 m/sec. The Pearson correlation was used to analyse the FPI scores on an interval scale, with Cohen's d used to report effect size. One-way analysis of variance and a Bonferroni post hoc test was used to analyze data by category. Level of significance was set at P < .05.
Results
Thirty-four flat feet, 26 normal-arched feet, and nine high-arched feet were analyzed. The FPI scores correlated significantly with rearfoot eversion (moderate effect size) and forefoot dorsiflexion (low effect size). Rearfoot eversion was greatest in the flat foot, followed by the normal-arched foot and the high-arched foot. Forefoot dorsiflexion was significantly higher in the flat foot compared with the high-arched group.
Conclusions
Foot Posture Index scores are positively correlated with rearfoot eversion and forefoot dorsiflexion during running. Clinicians can use this information to aid their foot assessment and management of individuals who are runners.
Ablative fractional laser is suggested to promote wound healing in diabetic and venous leg ulcers. In this article, we report the treatment outcome of a recalcitrant foot ulceration related to lower leg arteriopathy. A 43-year-old man with typical digital substraction angiographic findings of arteriopathy was admitted to our department after 30 sessions of hyperbaric oxygen therapy. There was heterotopic tissue within the ulcer consistent with osseous metaplasia and mature bone tissue. This tissue was removed with full-field erbium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser, and the remaining parts received fractional erbium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser for the induction of wound healing. A decrease in ulcer dimensions was achieved by the second month of laser interventions without recurrence in the first-year control.
Background
To identify the strengths and weaknesses in a given research area, it is necessary to analyze the published literature. International studies on podiatry research productivity are scarce. This study aimed to analyze scientific productivity in the area of podiatric medicine from 1965 to 2017.
Methods
This was a retrospective, observational, bibliometric study. The MEDLINE database was used to identify research published between 1965 and 2017. Literature searches were performed in 2010 and 2017 through RefWorks, and research production per year, author, document type, country, institution, journal, and language were calculated. Podiatry's contribution to global scientific production was measured by calculating the ratio of podiatry publications to total production, and Price's law was applied to analyze the temporal evolution. Author productivity index, coauthorship, geographic distribution, and the distribution by institution type and journal (Bradford's law) were analyzed.
Results
The MEDLINE search yielded 1,256 publications, representing 4.75 articles per 100,000 publications in global scientific research. The growth rate followed Price's law after linear adjustment. The 2,229 identified authors presented a transience index of 85.73%; 0.38% were highly productive authors. The coauthorship index increased from 1.40 in 1965 to 5.80 in 2017. The most common document type was the journal article, whereas 2.1% were clinical trials. Only one document reported a controlled clinical trial. The United States led scientific production, with 77.15% of the documents; 60.5% of the publications were concentrated in four journals.
Conclusions
Podiatry is still an emerging research field, and literature is concentrated in a small number of journals, categorized into different subjects.
The Bipartite Medial Cuneiform
A Case Report
This report discusses an unusual case of a 23-year-old woman with a painful bipartite medial cuneiform and severe arthritic and cystic changes at the partition with no history of trauma. Magnetic resonance imaging confirmed a large cyst with subchondral erosions at the dorsal and plantar segments with significant bone marrow edema. Definitive treatment consisted of arthrodesis on the dorsal to plantar segments using one lag screw, demineralized bone matrix grafting, and a bone stimulator.
Background
Percutaneous Achilles tenotomy is an essential step in the Ponseti treatment of idiopathic clubfoot, with reported complications such as injury to the surrounding neurovascular structures and incomplete division of the Achilles tendon (AT). Knowledge of AT thickness would guide tenotomy blade insertion depth, obviating these related complications. We embarked on this study to ultrasonographically determine AT thickness at its different levels from the calcaneal insertion in children with idiopathic clubfoot.
Methods
This prospective comparative study consisted of two groups of children 4 years and younger: a study group of patients with clubfoot requiring tenotomy and a control group. Both groups underwent ultrasonographic evaluation of their AT. The ultrasonographic data collected include AT thickness 1 and 2 cm from the calcaneal insertion of the AT, thickness of the thinnest portion of the tendon, and the distance of this thinnest portion from the calcaneal insertion.
Results
Twenty-seven children with idiopathic clubfoot constituted the study group, and 23 children with no musculoskeletal deformity were enrolled in the control group. Mean ± SD AT thicknesses 1 and 2 cm from the calcaneal insertion in the study group were 2.4 ± 0.7 mm and 2.1 ± 0.7 mm, respectively, and in the control group were 2.5 ± 0.7 mm and 2.3 ± 0.7 mm, respectively. The average thickness of the thinnest portion of the AT along its length was 2 mm at 1.8 cm from the calcaneal insertion in both groups.
Conclusions
Safe and complete percutaneous tenotomy would most likely be achieved when performed 1.8 cm from the calcaneal insertion, where the corresponding average AT thickness of 2 mm would be a guide to determine the insertion depth of the tenotomy blade.
