ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Unilateral lower limb amputation can alter the tissue morphology leading to increase future risk of degenerative secondary disorders. METHODS: Thirty-four consecutive male patients with unilateral lower limb amputations of different levels and 34 well matched male controls were included. To explore whether the ankles of traumatic lower limb amputees were undergoing morphological changes, three different tissue types i.e. talar cartilage, plantar fascia and Achilles tendon thicknesses in the intact limb of the lower limb amputee and healthy controls were measured by using ultrasound. RESULTS: Plantar fascia was found to be thicker (p=0.013) and talar cartilage was thinner (p<0.001) on the intact sides of the patients than those of the controls. Achilles tendon thickness was found to be similar. In patients group, plantar fascia thickness was positively correlated with age (r=0.601, p<0.001), BMI (r=0.454, p=0.007) and durations of amputation (r=0.443, p=0.009) and prosthetic use (r=0.429, p=0.011). Achilles tendon thickness was positively correlated with durations of amputation (r=0.338, p=0.05) and prosthetic use (r=0.468, p=0.005). In controls group, talar cartilage thickness was negatively correlated with age (r=-0.640, p<0.001) and BMI (r=-0.401, p=0.019). CONCLUSIONS: The talar cartilage seemed to be thinner and the plantar fascia to be thicker on the intact sides of the unilateral limb amputees.
Subject(s)
Achilles Tendon/diagnostic imaging , Amputation, Traumatic/physiopathology , Cartilage, Articular/diagnostic imaging , Fascia/diagnostic imaging , Foot/diagnostic imaging , Talus/diagnostic imaging , Achilles Tendon/physiopathology , Adolescent , Adult , Amputation, Traumatic/complications , Ankle/diagnostic imaging , Ankle/physiopathology , Cartilage, Articular/physiopathology , Fascia/physiopathology , Foot/physiopathology , Humans , Leg Injuries/physiopathology , Male , Talus/physiopathology , Ultrasonography , Young AdultABSTRACT
Tumoral calcinosis is a rare disorder with the calcified masses in subcutaneous tissues. We report herein a nine-year-old girl, in whom the calcified lesions bilaterally involved the soft tissues in the anterior part of the knee joint. Serum calcium and phosphorus levels were in normal ranges and there was no family history. Surgical excision was performed and recurrence was not observed in early follow-up. Review of the literature shows that only clinical and radiological appearance of tumoral calcinosis are generally agreed while its epidemiology, etiology and treatment are still under discussion.
