Hand conditions as sequelae of infection with COVID-19: a literature review.

Patients have attended our clinics with various hand pathologies after contracting COVID-19 or receiving vaccination. We postulate the virus stimulates a systemic inflammatory response that triggers these pathologies and conducted a search of the literature for associated conditions. Twenty publications were included for this review. Three studies identified skeletal muscle inflammation, and several identified reactive arthritis post-infection. Rheumatoid arthritis post-infection was also recognized, along with crystalline arthropathy. Carpal tunnel syndrome was seen in two cases. There is a current paucity in published scientific material regarding COVID-19 sequalae in the hand. This review aims to stimulate discussion in how a virus can induce pathological processes causing common hand pathologies.

The progression of hallux valgus in the oriental Chinese population in Hong Kong.

BACKGROUND: Hallux valgus is the lateral deviation of the great toe at the MTPJ that has many attributing aetiologies. This study will aim to identify whether hallux valgus progresses over time in the oriental Chinese population in Hong Kong. METHODS: Patients with acquired symptomatic hallux valgus who presented to clinic between 2008 and 2013 were included. The deformities were analysed radiologically at presentation and pre-operative and angles were measured. These angles were analysed in relation to the waiting time from presentation to surgery. RESULTS: A sample of 43 cases from 38 patients (Mean age 63 years, range 48-80 years) were included. Forty-one cases had a hallux valgus angle (HVA) >24° at presentation (Mean 40.4°) and all had an intermetatarsal angle (IMA) >9°. A significant difference is seen with HVA (p=0.040, t=-2.128) at presentation and pre-op but not IMA (p=0.281, t=-1.095). The average wait for surgery was 705.7days which had shown significant correlation with progression in HVA (p=0.031). No significant difference was seen between IMA and waiting time to surgery (p=0.195). DISCUSSION: The findings suggests severe hallux valgus deformity does progress over time in Hong Kong. Shorter waiting times for surgery could be beneficial to this population. Level III, retrospective comparative series.