Search Results
This article presents a series of case reports to describe the technique of ankle joint manipulation and its effects on common problems of the foot and ankle. The relationship between motion and pain is described, as are the effects of muscular inhibition on the presence of joint restriction and their association with pain in various joints remote to the ankle joint. (J Am Podiatr Med Assoc 94(4): 395–399, 2004)
The etiology of ulcerations related to increased plantar pressure in patients with diabetes mellitus is complex but frequently includes a component of gastrocnemius soleus equinus. One viable treatment option is percutaneous tendo Achillis lengthening as a means of increasing dorsiflexory range of motion and decreasing forefoot shear forces. This article presents three case reports illustrating the importance of reducing plantar pressure as a crucial component of treatment of diabetic forefoot ulcerations. (J Am Podiatr Med Assoc 95(3): 281–284, 2005)
Foot pain and lower-limb neuroischemia in diabetes mellitus is common and can be debilitating and difficult to treat. We report a comparison of orthotic materials to manage foot pain in a 59-year-old man with type 1 diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, peripheral arterial disease, and a history of foot ulceration. We investigated a range of in-shoe foot orthoses for comfort and plantar pressure reduction in a cross-sectional study. The most comfortable and most effective pressure-reducing orthoses were subsequently evaluated for pain relief in a single system alternating-treatment design. After 9 weeks, foot pain was completely resolved with customized multidensity foot orthoses. The outcome of this case study suggests that customized multidensity foot orthoses may be a useful intervention to reduce foot pain and maintain function in the neuroischemic diabetic foot. (J Am Podiatr Med Assoc 98(2): 143–148, 2008)
Digital and Interdigital Corns
A Report of Two Cases with Use of Hyaluronic Acid Gel Filler
Digital and interdigital corns are common painful foot conditions encountered by podiatrists during the course of their practice. These corns can often be treated with conservative techniques, although they tend to eventually recur. Currently, no single treatment exists that is efficient, long-lasting, minimally invasive, and easy to administer. This article describes two cases where hyaluronic acid gel injections were used to improve symptoms associated with digital and interdigital corns located in a nonweightbearing area. Both patients tolerated the intervention well and showed considerable improvement of their condition for a substantial period of time after the intervention without developing adverse reactions. Hyaluronic acid gel injections could very well represent an interesting therapeutic alternative for digital and interdigital corns located in nonweightbearing areas.
A Rare Combination of Brachymetatarsia and Congenital Hallux Varus:
Case Report and Review of the Literature
Hallux varus is defined as a medial deviation of the phalanx at the first metatarsophalangeal joint and can be congenital or acquired. Brachymetatarsia is defined as shortening of the metatarsal bones. A combination of hallux varus and brachymetatarsia is rare. A 15-year-old girl presented to our outpatient clinic complaining of problems with her feet. A distinctive hallux varus was present bilaterally combined with a brachymetatarsia of the first metatarsals. The patient reported discomfort. She was restricted in her activities and had severe psychological strain owing to the deformity. We decided on surgery. First, a Pennig MiniFixator for callus distraction of the first metatarsal bone was applied. Owing to the increased plantar subluxation of the phalanx during distraction, an extension of the external fixator was administered so that the hallux could be repositioned to a physiologically satisfying position. After sufficient callus formation, the hardware was removed 14 weeks after surgery. Thereafter, the phalanx moved back to the subluxed position. Finally, an arthrodesis of the first metatarsophalangeal joint was performed with a locking plate. Surgery should not be made only for cosmesis and associated psychological aspects; but, discomfort should be the deciding factor. The postoperative clinical and cosmetic results in our case were good, and the patient was quite satisfied. There was no longer any preoperative discomfort and pain.
The purpose of this case study was to highlight a potential limitation of magnetic resonance imaging in diagnosing longitudinal tendon tears and to emphasize the importance of clinical examination for peroneal tendinopathy. We describe a 15-year-old female with lateral ankle pain, who was negative for peroneal tendon tear on magnetic resonance imaging. Owing to high clinical suspicion of peroneal tendon pathology, we opted to take the patient to the operating room and found a 6.5-cm longitudinal tear and a low-lying muscle belly of the peroneus brevis tendon. A low-lying muscle belly of the peroneal tendon has been shown to be associated with increased tendon tears.
Posterior heel pain after a prior Haglund's deformity surgical correction can be resultant to multiple etiologies: osseous, tendinous, and neural. In this case report, all three potential etiologies were found to be contributing to the postoperative status of the patient. This case report illustrates identification and treatment of a neuroma in continuity of the posterior branch of the sural nerve with preservation of the sural nerve itself via microdissection, which we believe has not been described previously in the literature.
Primary bone lymphoma is a rare disease, accounting for less than 5% of all extranodal lymphoma. Although the femur is cited as being the most common site, primary bone lymphoma is rare, accounting for less than 1% of all non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Herein we present a case of diffuse B-cell–type malignant lymphoma manifested as a large soft-tissue mass of the leg, via metastasis of primary non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the femur, which went untreated. We highlight the advantages of various imaging modalities used throughout the process of diagnosis and treatment because accurate and early diagnosis are essential. This case gives us a unique opportunity to witness the rapid progression of metastasis and an atypical location.
The management guidelines of gunshot wound (GSW) injuries to the lower extremities have primarily been described more recently in the literature. A navicular fracture with adjacent joint involvement is presented from a GSW with initial external fixation management to prevent loss of anatomical alignment and successful staged definitive treatment with internal fixation. Based on previous experiences with rearfoot joint involvement from GSW injuries, we were able to direct definitive treatment with arthrodesis of violated joints. After a 1-year follow-up, the patient has returned to normal activities without any limitations. This case report demonstrates a stepwise approach to management of an open navicular fracture secondary to a GSW.
The foot is considered the second most common location for foreign bodies. The most common foreign bodies include needles, metal, glass, wood, and plastic. Although metallic foreign bodies are readily seen on plain film radiographs, radiolucent bodies such as wood are visualized poorly, if at all. Although plain radiography is known to be ineffective for demonstrating radiolucent foreign bodies, it is often the first imaging modality used. In such cases, complete surgical extraction cannot be guaranteed, and other imaging modalities should be considered. We present a case of a retained toothpick of the second metatarsal in a young male patient who presented with pain in the right foot of a few weeks' duration. Plain radiography showed an oval cyst at the base of the second metatarsal of the right foot. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a toothpick penetrating the second metatarsal. The patient recalled stepping on a toothpick 8 years previously. Surgical exploration revealed a 2-cm toothpick embedded inside the second metatarsal.
