Correlation between Internet Search Query Data and the Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service Data for Seasonality of Plantar Fasciitis / 대한족부족관절학회지

Purpose@#This study examined whether there are seasonal variations in the number of plantar fasciitis cases from the database of the Korean Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service and an internet search of the volume data related to plantar fasciitis and whether there are correlations between variations. @*Materials and Methods@#The number of plantar fasciitis cases per month was acquired from the Korean Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service from January 2016 to December 2019. The monthly internet relative search volumes for the keywords ‘‘plantar fasciitis” and ‘‘heel pain” were collected during the same period from DataLab, an internet search query trend service provided by the Korean portal website, Naver. Cosinor analysis was performed to confirm the seasonality of the monthly number of cases and relative search volumes, and Pearson and Spearman correlation analysis was conducted to assess the correlation between them. @*Results@#The number of cases with plantar fasciitis and the relative search volume for the keywords “plantar fasciitis” and “heel pain” all showed significant seasonality (p<0.001), with the highest in the summer and the lowest in the winter. The number of cases with plantar fasciitis was correlated significantly with the relative search volumes of the keywords “plantar fasciitis” (r=0.632; p<0.001) and “heel pain” (r=0.791; p<0.001), respectively. @*Conclusion@#Both the number of cases with plantar fasciitis and the internet search data for related keywords showed seasonality, which was the highest in summer. The number of cases showed a significant correlation with the internet search data for the seasonality of plantar fasciitis. Internet big data could be a complementary resource for researching and monitoring plantar fasciitis.

Correlation between Internet Search Query Data and the Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service Data for Seasonality of Plantar Fasciitis / 대한족부족관절학회지

Purpose@#This study examined whether there are seasonal variations in the number of plantar fasciitis cases from the database of the Korean Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service and an internet search of the volume data related to plantar fasciitis and whether there are correlations between variations. @*Materials and Methods@#The number of plantar fasciitis cases per month was acquired from the Korean Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service from January 2016 to December 2019. The monthly internet relative search volumes for the keywords ‘‘plantar fasciitis” and ‘‘heel pain” were collected during the same period from DataLab, an internet search query trend service provided by the Korean portal website, Naver. Cosinor analysis was performed to confirm the seasonality of the monthly number of cases and relative search volumes, and Pearson and Spearman correlation analysis was conducted to assess the correlation between them. @*Results@#The number of cases with plantar fasciitis and the relative search volume for the keywords “plantar fasciitis” and “heel pain” all showed significant seasonality (p<0.001), with the highest in the summer and the lowest in the winter. The number of cases with plantar fasciitis was correlated significantly with the relative search volumes of the keywords “plantar fasciitis” (r=0.632; p<0.001) and “heel pain” (r=0.791; p<0.001), respectively. @*Conclusion@#Both the number of cases with plantar fasciitis and the internet search data for related keywords showed seasonality, which was the highest in summer. The number of cases showed a significant correlation with the internet search data for the seasonality of plantar fasciitis. Internet big data could be a complementary resource for researching and monitoring plantar fasciitis.

Preganglionic Epidural Steroid Injection through Translateral Recess Approach

The approach we suggest was developed for cases in which the fourth and fifth lumbar and first sacral spinal nerves were affected in lumbar degenerative disc disease. Retrodiscal transforaminal epidural injection is known to be very effective for lumbar radiculopathy because of excellent access to primary pathology; however, access below L5 is often restricted by the anatomic characteristics of the L5–S1. In the translateral recess approach (TLR), proper final needle placement (i.e., in the axillary portion between the exiting and traversing nerve roots) can be achieved by setting the direction of the needle laterally and superiorly from the distal tip of the infra-adjacent spinous process toward the medial wall of the pedicle and neural foramen of the given level without neural injury. This approach is possible because of the wide interlaminar space in the L5–S1. Preganglionic epidural injection through TLR is an effective and safe spinal intervention for lumbosacral radiculopathy.

Achilles Tendon Injury and Seasonal Variation: An Analysis Using Google Trends / 대한스포츠의학회지

PURPOSE: Achilles tendon injury is one of the most common sports-related injuries. Several studies suggest that Achilles tendon injury is associated with seasonal variation. The purpose of this study is to determine the relationship between seasonal variations and Achilles tendon injury through Google Trends (GT) and to evaluate the correlation between GT and actual data.METHODS: We identified three articles through PubMed database as control group. The experimental group (GT group) was collected from GT by setting the same conditions as the control group. For GT group, we use the search terms related to the Achilles tendon injury. The exploration period was set from January 1, 2004 to December 31, 2018.RESULTS: There is approximately more than 90% (p<0.05) correlation between GT group and control group. The incidences of Ontario were the highest in the summer. Those of New York and Vancouver were higher in spring compared to those of Ontario.CONCLUSION: Our study implies that there is significant seasonal variation for Achilles tendon injury. Most of these injuries seem to occur in spring and summer. Also, there is a significant relationship between GT data and actual data. If the data from GT can be analyzed properly, these approach methods will be useful for epidemiological research.

Subtalar Arthroereisis Using Kalix® Sinus Tarsi Implant for Pediatric Flexible Flatfoot / 대한정형외과학회잡지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the radiographic and clinical outcomes of subtalar arthroereisis as a method of treatment for pediatric flexible flatfoot. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively investigated 14 feet among 10 patients with flexible flatfoot, who were treated with a subtalar arthroereisis using a sinus tarsi implant between March 2007 and June 2012. Radiographically, the talo-1st metatarsal angle, talar declination, and calcaneal pitch angle have all been measured on lateral radiographs. The talo-navicular coverage angle and talo-1st metatarsal angle was measured on anteroposterior (AP) radiographs and tibio-calcaneal angle was assessed by hindfoot alignment view. Visual analogue scale (VAS) pain scores and the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot scores were used for clinical evaluation. RESULTS: The mean follow-up was 48.7 months (16–98 months), and the mean age was 11.6 years (6–19 years). Radiographically, the mean pre-operative and postoperative values measured by the lateral foot radiograph were −25.1° and −7.5° for talo-1st metatarsal angle, 37.4° and 23.2° for talar declination, and 8.3° and 15.0° for calcaneal pitch angle, respectively. The mean preoperative and postoperative values measured by foot AP radiograph were 23.0° and 11.9° for talo-navicular coverage angle and 17.2° and 9.0° for talo-1st metatarsal angle, respectively. Moreover, tibio-calcaneal angle improved from valgus 17.4° on average to 4.5° on average. Clinically, the VAS score and AOFAS score was improved from 5.8 to 1.5 and from 61.8 to 90.4, respectively. Complication was sinus tarsi pain that occurred in 5 cases (35.7%). CONCLUSION: We achieved a satisfactory correction of pediatric flexible flatfoot deformities via subtalar arthroereisis, using a sinus tarsi implant with favorable radiographic and clinical measures. However, high potential complication rate of postoperative sinus tarsi pain on weight-bearing should carefully be considered.

Features of Lateral Malleolar Fractures in Elderly Patients and Clinical Outcome of Locking Compression Plate Fixation / 대한정형외과학회잡지

PURPOSE: Several studies have reported on the biomechanical advantages of a locking compression plate (LCP) for treatment of lateral malleolar fracture. However, few studies have reported clinical outcome after treatment of lateral malleolar fracture using a LCP in elderly patients. Thus, this study investigated the trends of lateral malleolar fractures in elderly patients and evaluated the clinical and radiological outcome of treating them using a 'locking compression distal fibula plate'. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-one patients (male: 3, female: 18) over 65 years old, who were followed-up for at least one year were enrolled in this study. They were treated surgically with open reduction and internal fixation using a LCP for lateral malleolar fracture from 2011 to 2014. Lauge-Hansen and Danis-Weber classification were used for preoperative classification of fractures. Visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores, the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot scores, 4-graded subjective satisfaction and post-operative range of motion were used for the clinical evaluation. Time to bone union, non-union, mal-union, metal failure and implant loosening were assessed for radiographic outcomes. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 71.2 years old, pain VAS and AOFAS score was 1.6 points and 94.2 points, respectively and 18 cases (85.7%) showed more than satisfaction in subjective satisfaction. Comminuted fracture was observed in 8 cases (38.1%) and lag screw insertion was performed in 7 ankles (33.3%). The mean bony union period was 3.6 months. There were 5 cases of mal-union, no case of non-union and metal failure. CONCLUSION: Satisfaction level of elderly patients with lateral malleolar fracture was significantly associated with only pain at the final follow-up. Fixation with a LCP distal fibula plate can sometimes lead to metal irritation but largely resulted in good clinical outcome without serious complication.

Surgical Fixation of Sacroiliac Joint Complex in Unstable Pelvic Ring Injuries / 대한고관절학회지

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effectiveness and clinical outcomes of surgical fixation of a sacroiliac joint complex in unstable pelvic ring injuries. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We selected sixteen cases in our hospital from 2006 to 2010 that underwent surgical fixation of the sacroiliac joint complex and had unstable pelvis ring injuries corresponding to B and C of Tile classification. Plate fixation through an intra-pelvic anterior approach was performed for 9 cases, tension band plate fixation for 2 cases, iliosacral screw fixation for 4 cases, and spino-pelvic fixation through extra-pelvic posterior approach for 1 case. Radiological and clinical evaluations were implemented to determine the results of treatment. RESULTS: Bone union was observed in all patients. For radiological evaluation using the Matta and Saucedo criteria, 15 cases were above the nearly-anatomic reduction. Out of 10 cases that performed rotational displacement analysis, 9 cases were above fair. All cases had above moderate clinical results as well. CONCLUSION: For unstable pelvic ring injuries, the satisfactory radiological and clinical results have been obtained through the anatomical reduction of the sacroiliac joint complex and firm internal fixation. And from the evaluation of fracture types, the Type C fracture and vertical shear type fractures showed relatively poor results.

Surgical Fixation of Sacroiliac Joint Complex in Unstable Pelvic Ring Injuries / 대한고관절학회지

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effectiveness and clinical outcomes of surgical fixation of a sacroiliac joint complex in unstable pelvic ring injuries. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We selected sixteen cases in our hospital from 2006 to 2010 that underwent surgical fixation of the sacroiliac joint complex and had unstable pelvis ring injuries corresponding to B and C of Tile classification. Plate fixation through an intra-pelvic anterior approach was performed for 9 cases, tension band plate fixation for 2 cases, iliosacral screw fixation for 4 cases, and spino-pelvic fixation through extra-pelvic posterior approach for 1 case. Radiological and clinical evaluations were implemented to determine the results of treatment. RESULTS: Bone union was observed in all patients. For radiological evaluation using the Matta and Saucedo criteria, 15 cases were above the nearly-anatomic reduction. Out of 10 cases that performed rotational displacement analysis, 9 cases were above fair. All cases had above moderate clinical results as well. CONCLUSION: For unstable pelvic ring injuries, the satisfactory radiological and clinical results have been obtained through the anatomical reduction of the sacroiliac joint complex and firm internal fixation. And from the evaluation of fracture types, the Type C fracture and vertical shear type fractures showed relatively poor results.