Abstract
Background: Digital deformities represent a common presenting pathology and target for surgical intervention in podiatric medicine and surgery. The objective of this investigation was to compare the radiographic width of the heads of the lesser digit proximal phalanges.
Methods: One hundred and fifty consecutive feet with a diagnosis of digital deformity and performance of weight-bearing radiographs were analyzed. The maximum width of the heads of the lesser digit proximal phalanges were recorded from the radiographs utilizing computerized digital software.
Results: The mean±standard deviation (range) of the head of the second digit proximal phalanx was 9.74±0.87 mm (7.94-11.78), of the head of the third digit proximal phalanx was 9.00±0.91 mm (7.27-10.94), of the head of the fourth digit proximal phalanx was 8.49±1.01 mm (5.57-10.73), and of the head of the fifth digit proximal phalanx was 8.67±0.89 mm (6.50-11.75). The width of the head of the proximal phalanx decreased from the second digit to the third digit (p<0.001), decreased from the third digit to the fourth digit (p<0.001), and then increased from the fourth digit to the fifth digit (p=0.032).
Conclusions: The results of this investigation provide evidence in support of an anatomic and structural contribution to digital deformities. The width of the heads of the lesser digit proximal phalanges decreased from the second to the third to the fourth toes, and then subsequently increased with the fifth proximal phalangeal head.
Abstract
Background: The objective of this investigation was to evaluate adverse short-term outcomes following partial forefoot amputation with a specific comparison performed based on subject height.
Methods: The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database was analyzed to select those subjects with a 28805 CPT code (amputation, foot; transmetatarsal) that underwent the procedure with “all layers of incision (deep and superficial) fully closed.” This resulted in 11 subjects with a height ≤60 inches, 202 subjects with a height >60 inches and <72 inches, and 55 subjects ≥72 inches.
Results: Results of the primary outcome measures found no significant differences between groups with respect to the development of a superficial surgical site infection (0.0% vs. 6.4% vs. 5.5%; p=0.669), deep incisional infection (9.1% vs. 3.5% vs. 10.9%; p=0.076), or wound disruption (0.0% vs. 5.4% vs. 5.5%; p=0.730). Additionally, no significant differences were observed between groups with respect to unplanned reoperations (9.1% vs. 16.8% vs. 12.7%; p=0.0630) or unplanned hospital readmissions (45.5% vs. 23.3% vs. 20.0%; p=0.190).
Conclusions: The results of this investigation demonstrate no difference in short-term adverse outcomes following the performance of partial forefoot amputation with primary closure based on subject height. Although height has previously been described as a potential risk factor in the development of lower extremity pathogenesis, this finding was not observed in this study from a large US database.
Abstract
Background: The objective of this investigation was to evaluate adverse short-term outcomes following open lower extremity bypass surgery in subjects with diabetes mellitus with a specific comparison performed based on subject height.
Methods: The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database was analyzed to select those subjects with CPT codes 35533, 35540, 35556, 35558, 35565, 35566, 35570 and 35571 and with the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus. This resulted in 83 subjects ≤60 inches, 1084 subjects >60 inches and <72 inches, and 211 subjects ≥72 inches.
Results: No differences were observed between groups with respect to the development of a superficial surgical site infection (9.6% vs. vs. 6.4% vs. 5.7%; p=0.458), deep incisional infection (1.2% vs. 1.4% vs. 2.8%; p=0.289), sepsis (2.4% vs. 2.0% vs. 2.8%; p=0.751), unplanned reoperation (19.3% vs. 15.6% vs. 21.8%; p=0.071), nor unplanned hospital readmission (19.3% vs. 14.8% vs. 17.1%; p=0.573). A significant difference was observed between groups with respect to the development of a wound disruption (4.8% vs. 1.3% vs. 4.7%; p=0.001). A multivariate regression analysis was performed of the wound disruption outcome with the age, gender, race, ethnicity, height, weight, current smoker and open wound/wound infection variables. Race (p=0.025) and weight (p=0.003) were found to be independently associated with wound disruption, but height was not (p=0.701).
Conclusions: The results of this investigation demonstrate no significant difference in short-term adverse outcomes following the performance of lower extremity bypass surgery based on patient height.
Abstract
Background: The effectiveness of different energy levels used in extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) have been investigated in previous studies, but controversy remains regarding which energy levels should be used in the treatment of plantar fasciitis. The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy of different energy levels used in ESWT in the treatment of plantar fasciitis through comparisons of plantar fascia thickness and pressure distribution.
Methods: Between July 2020 and September 2020, a total of 51 patients (71 feet) with plantar fasciitis were randomized into three treatment groups using the sealed envelope method. Group 1 (n = 25) received low energy density (0.09 mJ/mm2 ), Group 2 (n = 25) received medium energy density (0.18 mJ/mm2), and Group 3 (n = 21) received high energy density (0.38 mJ/mm2). All groups received three sessions of ESWT with a frequency of 2,000 shocks/min at one week intervals. The patients were evaluated before and after treatment using a visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, the Foot Function Index (FFI), and plantar fascia thickness measured by ultrasonography, and plantar pressure distribution.
Results: The posttreatment VAS and FFI scores were determined to be statistically significantly lower than the pretreatment values in all three groups (p<0.001). There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of the pre and post treatment values of VAS, FFI scores, plantar fascia thickness and pressure distribution (p>0.05). No statistically significant difference was found between the groups in terms of percentage changes in all the outcome parameters (p>0.05).
Conclusions: The results of the study suggest that neither low, medium, or high levels of ESWT were superior to one another in terms of pain, foot functions, fascia thickness and pressure distribution in the treatment of plantar fasciitis.
Abstract
Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the radiographic bone morphology of the ankle and the observed fracture type.
Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the patients who had visited our emergency department with ankle injuries between June 2012 and July 2018. All patients were treated with open reduction and internal fixation. Patients were categorized in two groups based on the fracture patterns (groups 1 and 2). Group 1 consisted of isolated lateral malleolar fractures, while group 2 comprised bimalleolar fractures. Group 1 was further divided into two groups; namely group A and B based on their classification into Weber type B and C fractures, respectively. Four radiographic parameters were measured postoperatively by standing whole-leg anteroposterior view of the ankle; talocrural angle (TCA), medial malleolar relative length (MMRL), lateral malleolar relative length (LMRL), and the distance between the talar dome and distal fibula.
Results: One hundred and seventeen patients were included in group 1-A, 89 patients in group 1-B, and 168 patients in group 2. The values of TCA and MMRL were significantly higher in group 2 than in group 1. Lateral malleolar length/medial malleolar length ratio was also significantly different between the two groups. However, there were no significant differences between the groups in terms of LMRL and the distance between the tip of the distal fibula and talar process. LMLR and MMRL values between groups A and B were not significantly different (p=0.402 and p=0.592, respectively). However, there was a significant difference between the two groups in terms of TCA and the distance between the tip of the distal fibula and talar process.
Conclusions: The talocrural angle, medial malleolar relative length, and lateral malleolar length/medial malleolar length were significantly higher in patients with bimalleolar fracture than in patients with isolated lateral malleolar fractures.
Abstract
Dislocation of the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint of the fifth toe is an uncommon injury and when diagnosed in the acute phase closed reduction is commonly an adequate treatment option. We describe a rare case of a 7-year-old patient presented with late diagnosed isolated dislocation of the PIP joint in the fifth toe. Although there are a few reported cases of late diagnosis combined fracture-dislocation of the toes in both adult and pediatric age group in the literature, belatedly diagnosed dislocation of the 5th toe without accompanying fracture in the pediatric population has not yet been reported as far as we know. This patient achieved good clinical outcomes following treatment via open reduction and internal fixation
Abstract
Osteonecrosis is acknowledged as a relatively uncommon disorder caused by various factors, including autoimmune diseases, drug-induced diseases, inherited metabolic disorders, coagulation disorders, and underlying malignancies. To our knowledge, no previous research has investigated osteonecrosis stemming from extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Herein, we report a rare case of postperipheral venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation–induced multifocal osteonecrosis in the foot and ankle that demonstrated a low serpiginous peripheral signal on T1-weighted images and a double-line sign on fat-suppressed or T2-weighted magnetic resonance images. Conservative treatment was applied, and the patient was mostly recuperated after 6 months.
Abstract
Background: Onychomycosis is the most common nail disease seen in clinical practice. Medication safety, severity of disease, co-morbidities, concomitant medications, patient age, and cost are all important considerations when treating onychomycosis. Since cost may affect treatment decisions, we sought to analyze Medicaid formulary coverage of onychomycosis antifungals.
Methods: Public state Medicaid formularies were searched for coverage of FDA approved onychomycosis medications and off-label oral fluconazole. Total drug cost for a single great toenail was calculated using National Average Drug Acquisition Cost. Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated to compare coverage and cost, mycological cure rate, and complete cure rate.
Results: Oral terbinafine and off-label fluconazole were widely covered for onychomycosis treatment. There was poor coverage of oral itraconazole and topical ciclopirox, and no coverage of topical efinaconazole and tavaborole without step-edits or prior authorization. There was a significant negative correlation between medication coverage and cost (r = −0.758, p= 0.040). There was no correlation between medication coverage and mycologic (r = 0.548, p = 0.339) and complete (r = 0.768, p = 0.130) cure rates.
Conclusions: There is poor Medicaid coverage of antifungals for the treatment of onychomycosis, with step-edits and prior authorization based on cost rather than treatment safety and efficacy. We recommend involving podiatrists and dermatologists in developing criteria for insurance approval of onychomycosis treatments.
Abstract
Background: Sinus tarsi syndrome is characterized by permanent pain on the anterolateral side of the ankle. This pain occurs due to chronic inflammation, characterized by fibrotic tissue remnants and synovitis accumulation after repeated traumatic injuries. Few studies have documented the outcome of injection treatments for sinus tarsi syndrome. We sought to determine the effects of corticosteroid and local anesthetic, platelet-rich plasma, and ozone injection on the sinus tarsi syndrome.
Methods: Sixty patients diagnosed with sinus tarsi syndrome were randomly divided into three groups. Patients in the first group received corticosteroid and local anesthetic, patients in the second group received platelet-rich plasma, and patients in the third group were given ozone injections. Outcome measures were Visual Analog Scale (VAS), American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society Ankle-Hindfoot Scale (AOFAS), Foot Function Index (FFI), and Foot-Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS). Outcome measures were evaluated by comparing pre-intervention and post-injection 1-month, 3-month, and 6-month follow-ups.
Results: At the end of the 1st month, third month, and sixth month after injection, significant improvements were observed in all three groups compared to the baseline (p < .001 for all comparisons). In the 1st and third months, the improvements in AOFAS scores were similar in Groups 1 and 3; those in Group 2 were lower (p = .001 and p = .004, respectively). In the 1st month, the improvements in FAOS scores were similar in Groups 2 and 3; those in Group 1 were higher (p < .001). During the 6-month follow-up period, there was no statistically significant difference in VAS and FFI results between all three groups (p > .05).
Conclusions: Corticosteroid and local anesthetic or platelet-rich plasma or ozone injections could provide clinically significant functional improvement for at least six months in patients with sinus tarsi syndrome.
Abstract
This case describes delayed treatment of a medial talonavicular dislocation with a shear fracture of the talar head, comminuted posterior talar process fracture, and an intra-articular cuboid fracture with subtle medial displacement of the calcanealcuboid joint and the associated treatment. The injury was sustained in a 35-year-old male following a high-energy motor vehicle accident. Three weeks following the injury, delayed treatment was achieved following an attempted closed reduction under general anesthesia followed by open reduction and percutaneous kirschner wire fixation. After a 12-month follow-up the patient was able to return to work and regular activities pain free without complications. Several associated injuries have been described with isolated talonavicular dislocations. This case reviews the technique and care surrounding this injury pattern and its delayed treatment.
