Risk Factors for Midfoot Arthritis Associated With Medical History by Weight Bearing Computed Tomography.

Tarso-metatarsal joints and naviculocuneiform joints comprising midfoot is the second most commonly involved joints following the first metatarsophalangeal joint in the foot. However, related factors of midfoot arthritis (MA) have been rarely reported. The bony structure and alignment can be more precisely assessed using Weight-Bearing Computed Tomography (WBCT) than conventional radiographs. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate risk factors for MA related to medical history and comorbid foot deformities using WBCT. WBCT data from September 2014 to April 2022 were extracted from a single referral hospital. All cases were divided into two groups by the presence of MA. Twenty-five potential related factors including demographics, etiology, and common co-occurring foot deformities were collected for comparison. Six hundred six cases (247 males and 359 females) among consecutive 1316 cases between September 2014 to April 2022 were selected. One hundred thirty-nine male cases (56.3%) and 210 female cases (58.5%) showed MA. In stepwise multiple logistic regression analysis, 5 factors remained statistically significant. The multivariate-adjusted odds ratios for age, laterality, body mass index (BMI), Progressive Collapsing Foot Deformity (PCFD), and lesser toe deformities (LTD) were 1.08, 1.54, 1.05, 6.62, and 3.03 respectively. Risk factors for MA associated with medical history and foot deformities included age, laterality, BMI, PCFD, and LDT.

Prevalence of midfoot arthritis and lesser toe deformities.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the epidemiology of Midfoot Arthritis (MA) and Lesser toe deformity (LTD) using Weight-Bearing Computed Tomography (WBCT). METHODS: 606 cases (247 male, 359 female) among 1316 consecutive cases with WBCT data from September 2014 to April 2022 were retrospectively reviewed at a single referral institution. The Cochran-Armitage test was performed to evaluate the trend of prevalence with respect to age group and obesity classification. RESULTS: 139 male (56.3%) and 210 female cases (58.5%) showed MA. 157 male (63.6%) and 222 female cases (61.6%) showed LTD. 115 male (19.0%) and 157 female cases (25.9%) showed both MA and LTD. The prevalence of MA and LTD increased with age in both genders. The incidence of MA in males showed an increasing tendency until obesity class II and then was slightly decreased in obesity class III. This is contrary to females whose prevalence increased with increasing obesity groups. LTD had a similar pattern in both genders to obesity classification. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of MA and LTD increased with age and increasing obesity groups for both genders. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, Retrospective Comparative Study.

Failed Surgery for Achilles Tendinopathy.

Treatments of Achilles tendinopathy continue to evolve. The body of literature is inadequate to provide a comprehensive guide to evaluation and treat failed surgeries. Issues related to failed surgical treatment may be divided into infection/wound issue, mechanical failure, and persistent pain. Awareness of the potential problems described in this article will allow surgeons to have a foundation in clinical assessment and making accurate diagnoses. Various surgical treatment options are available and should be executed carefully to treat individualized patient conditions.

Foot alignment in symptomatic national football league (nfl) athletes: a weightbearing ct analysis / Alinhamento do pé em atletas sintomáticos da nfl: uma análise de tomografia computadorizada com carga

ABSTRACT Objective: Our aim was to describe the foot alignment in National Football League (NFL) players with different symptomatic foot and ankle pathologies using weightbearing cone-beam computed tomography (WBCBCT), comparing them to normally aligned feet as control group. Methods: 41 feet (36 active NFL players) were assessed using WBCBCT and compared to 20 normally aligned controls from a normal population. Measurements included: Foot and Ankle Offset (FAO); Calcaneal Offset (CO); Hindfoot Alignment Angle (HAA); angle between inferior and superior facets of the talus (Inftal-Suptal); angle between inferior facet of the talus and the horizontal/floor (Inftal-Hor); Forefoot Arch Angle (FAA); navicular- and medial cuneiform-to-floor distance. Results: NFL athletes showed a neutrally aligned hindfoot when compared to controls (FAO: 1% vs 0.5%; CO: 2.3 mm vs 0.8 mm; HAA: 2.9° vs 0.8° in two groups, with all p > 0.05) and a normal morphology of the subtalar joint (no difference in Inftal-Suptal and Inftal-Hor angles). Conversely, in athletes we found a decreased medial longitudinal arch (FAA: 15° vs 18.3°, p = 0.03) with smaller navicular (38.2 mm vs 42.2 mm, p = 0.03) and medial cuneiform (27 mm vs 31.3 mm, p = 0.01) mean distances to the floor when compared to controls. Conclusion: In our series, NFL players presented a lower medial longitudinal arch than controls but a neutrally aligned hindfoot. WBCBCT may help shed light on anatomical risk factors for injuries in professional players. Level of Evidence III, Retrospective comparative study.

RESUMO Objetivo: Descrever o alinhamento do pé em jogadores da National Football League (NFL) com diferentes patologias sintomáticas do pé e tornozelo usando a tomografia computadorizada de feixe cônico com suporte de peso (weightbearing cone-beam computed tomography - WBCBCT), e comparar as medidas a grupo controle de voluntários com pés de alinhamento normal. Métodos: Quarenta pés (36 jogadores ativos da NFL) foram avaliados usando WBCBCT e comparados com 20 controles da população normal. As medidas incluíram: Offset do pé e tornozelo(FAO); Calcâneo Offset (CO); ângulo de alinhamento do retropé (HAA); ângulo entre as facetas inferior e superior do tálus (Inftal-Suptal); ângulo entre a faceta inferior do tálus e o solo (Inftal-Hor); ângulo do arco do antepé (FAA); distância navicular/solo e cuneiforme medial/solo. Resultados: Atletas da NFL mostraram retropé com alinhamento neutro quando comparados aos controles (FAO: 1% vs. 0,5%; CO:2,3mm vs. 0,8 mm; HAA: 2,9° vs. 0,8°, com todos p > 0,05) e morfologia normal da articulação subtalar (sem diferença nos ângulos Inftal-Suptal e Inftal-Hor). Por outro lado, observamos nos atletas profissionais um arco longitudinal medial diminuído (FAA: 15° vs. 18,3°,p=0,03) com distâncias médias do navicular/solo (38,2 mm vs. 42,2 mm, p = 0,03) e do cuneiforme medial/solo (27 mm vs. 31,3 mm, p = 0,01) menores quando comparados ao grupo controle. Conclusão: Em nossa série, os jogadores da NFL apresentaram um arco longitudinal medial diminuído em relação aos controles, mas um retropé neutro. WBCBCT pode ajudar a esclarecer os fatores de risco anatômicos para lesões em jogadores profissionais de elite. Nível de Evidência III, Estudo retrospectivo comparativo.

Weight-bearing cone-beam computed tomography in the foot and ankle specialty: where we are and where we are going - an update / Tomografia computadorizada de feixe cônico com carga corporal na especialidade do pé e tornozelo: situação atual e perspectivas futuras - uma atualização

Abstract Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) has been applied in dentistry and medicine for nearly two decades. Its application in the foot and ankle specialty has grown exponentially in recent years. Weight-bearing CBCT allows clinicians to obtain weight-bearing images that can be viewed in all three planes and to construct three-dimensional models, similar to those constructed from traditional CT scans, as well as exposing patients to less radiation than do traditional CT scans. This technology has revolutionized diagnoses, improving the understanding of various lesions and surgical planning in the foot and ankle specialty. Ongoing studies of the use of weight-bearing CBCT in foot and ankle surgery are focused on fully automated and semi-automated three-dimensional measurements, as well as bone segmentation, mapping of the distances/orientation of the joints, and the production of customized implants. The aims of this review article are to show the evolution of this emerging tool in the foot and ankle specialty, to update those in related specialties on its use in current clinical practice, and to indicate where the research community is heading.

Resumo A tomografia computadorizada (TC) de feixe cônico é aplicada na área da odontologia e medicina há cerca de duas décadas, e seu uso na especialidade do tornozelo e pé cresceu de forma exponencial nos últimos anos. A literatura demonstra como a TC de feixe cônico permite obter imagens com apoio do peso corporal total - weight-bearing cone-beam computed tomography - com cortes nos três planos e modelos tridimensionais semelhantes às TCs, associada a menor exposição à radiação, técnica que revolucionou o diagnóstico, o entendimento de diferentes lesões e o planejamento cirúrgico nessa área do conhecimento. As mensurações tridimensionais automáticas e semiautomáticas, a segmentação óssea, o mapeamento das distâncias e orientações articulares e a possibilidade de produção de implantes customizados são o interesse dos estudos em andamento na cirurgia do tornozelo e pé relacionados a essa ferramenta emergente. O objetivo deste artigo é mostrar a evolução do método, atualizar as especialidades de interface sobre uso na prática clínica atual e indicar para onde a comunidade científica está caminhando.

The Effect of Gastrocnemius Recession and Tendo-Achilles Lengthening on Adult Acquired Flatfoot Deformity Surgery: A Systematic Review.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the available clinical and radiographic evidence for incorporation of a gastrocnemius recession or tendo-Achilles lengthening into the surgical correction of adult acquired flatfoot deformity. A systematic review of the literature was performed using PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, CINAHL, and Google Scholar. Among the relevant articles, the level of evidence and quality was identified using the Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies tool. No study explicitly examined whether clinical or radiographic outcomes after adult acquired flatfoot deformity correction are improved when incorporating a gastrocnemius recession or tendo-Achilles lengthening compared with when no such procedure is performed, nor have they directly compared outcomes between 2 procedures. Studies demonstrated an overall improvement in postoperative range of motion and plantar flexion power after gastrocnemius recession, but such findings are hard to separate from the clinical contribution of concomitant corrective procedures to the foot itself. All studies that analyzed anteroposterior talo-calcaneal angle, anteroposterior lateral talo-first metatarsal angle and calcaneal inclination angle revealed improvement of each parameter postoperatively. There were no high-level evidence studies in the literature explicitly quantifying ankle range of motion, plantar flexion power, or radiographic impact of gastrocnemius recession or tendo-Achilles lengthening on adult acquired flatfoot deformity correction. Although gastrocnemius-soleus complex contractures have certainly been demonstrated to coexist with adult acquired flatfoot deformity, support for lengthening procedures is largely based on expert opinion or case series and is difficult to distinguish from the clinical contribution of associated corrective procedures.

Biomechanical comparison of plantar-to-dorsal and dorsal-to-plantar screw fixation strength for subtalar arthrodesis.

OBJECTIVE: To compare screw fixation strength for subtalar arthrodesis. METHODS: Eight matched pairs of cadaver feet underwent subtalar joint arthrodesis with two 7.3mm cannulated screws. Randomization was used to assign screw orientation, such that one foot in each pair was assigned dorsal to plantar screw orientation (DP Group), and the other foot, plantar to dorsal orientation (PD Group). Standard surgical technique with fluoroscopy was used for each approach. Following fixation, each specimen was loaded to failure with a Bionix ® 858 MTS device, applying a downward axial force at a distance to create torque. Torque to failure was compared between DP and PD Groups using Student's t test, with p=0.05 used to determine statistical significance. RESULTS: Statistical analysis demonstrated that the mean torque to failure slightly favored the DP Group (37.3Nm) to the PD Group (32.2Nm). However, the difference between the two groups was not statistically significant (p=0.55). CONCLUSION: In subtalar arthrodesis, there is no significant difference in construct strength between dorsal-to-plantar and plantar-to-dorsal screw orientation. The approach chosen by the surgeon should be based on factors other than the biomechanical strength of the screw orientation.

Biomechanical comparison of plantar-to-dorsal and dorsal-to-plantar screw fixation strength for subtalar arthrodesis / Comparação biomecânica da força de fixação de parafuso com orientação de plantar para dorsal e vice-versa para artrodese subtalar

ABSTRACT Objective To compare screw fixation strength for subtalar arthrodesis. Methods Eight matched pairs of cadaver feet underwent subtalar joint arthrodesis with two 7.3mm cannulated screws. Randomization was used to assign screw orientation, such that one foot in each pair was assigned dorsal to plantar screw orientation (DP Group), and the other foot, plantar to dorsal orientation (PD Group). Standard surgical technique with fluoroscopy was used for each approach. Following fixation, each specimen was loaded to failure with a Bionix ® 858 MTS device, applying a downward axial force at a distance to create torque. Torque to failure was compared between DP and PD Groups using Student's t test, with p=0.05 used to determine statistical significance. Results Statistical analysis demonstrated that the mean torque to failure slightly favored the DP Group (37.3Nm) to the PD Group (32.2Nm). However, the difference between the two groups was not statistically significant (p=0.55). Conclusion In subtalar arthrodesis, there is no significant difference in construct strength between dorsal-to-plantar and plantar-to-dorsal screw orientation. The approach chosen by the surgeon should be based on factors other than the biomechanical strength of the screw orientation.

RESUMO Objetivo Comparar a força de fixação dos parafusos para artrodese subtalar. Métodos Oito pares de pés de cadáveres frescos foram submetidos à artrodese da articulação subtalar com dois parafusos canulados de 7,3mm. A randomização foi usada para atribuir a orientação do parafuso, de modo que um pé em cada par foi designado com orientação de dorsal para plantar (Grupo DP), e o outro pé com orientação de plantar para dorsal (Grupo PD). Técnica cirúrgica padrão com radioscopia foi usada para os procedimentos. Após a fixação, cada amostra foi testada até a falha com um dispositivo Bionix®858 MTS, aplicando força axial descendente a uma distância para criar torque. O torque de falha foi comparado entre os Grupos DP e PD, usando o teste t de Student, com p=0,05 usado para determinar significância estatística. Resultados A análise estatística demonstrou que a média do torque até a falha favoreceu ligeiramente o Grupo DP (37,3Nm) em relação ao PD (32,2Nm). No entanto, a diferença entre os dois grupos não foi estatisticamente significativa (p=0,55). Conclusão Na artrodese subtalar, não há diferença significativa na força de compressão entre as orientações dos parafusos dorsal-plantar e plantar-dorsal. A abordagem escolhida pelo cirurgião deve ser baseada em outros fatores, sem preocupação com a força biomecânica da orientação dos parafusos.

Extensive Synovial Chondromatosis Involving All Flexor Tendons in the Tarsal Tunnel: A Case Report.

Synovial chondromatosis is a rare condition characterized by benign chondrogenic meta- plasia of extra-articular synovial tissue. It usually affects a single tendon sheath of the hand or foot. This report describes a rare case with extensive synovial chondromatosis affecting all flexor tendons in the tarsal tunnel, its radiological features, surgical treatment, and clinical outcome. The authors present a unique case of extensive synovial chondromatosis in a 48-year-old male involving the tendon sheaths of the flexor hallucis longus, flexor digitorum longus, and posterior tibialis tendons, at the level of the tarsal tunnel, with extension into the plantar aspect of the foot. The patient initially presented with symptoms of tarsal tunnel compression and was found to have a 4-cm mass in the posteromedial aspect of the ankle. The presumptive diagnosis of synovial chondromatosis was made based on radiographic and magnetic resonance imaging evidence. The patient underwent surgical resection of the tumor, as well as tarsal tunnel release and gastrocnemius recession. The diagnosis was confirmed postoperatively by surgical histopathology. The postoperative course of the patient was uncomplicated and his tarsal tunnel symptoms resolved. This represents a case of extensive synovial chondromatosis involving all flexor tendons in the tarsal tunnel that was correctly diagnosed by clinical and imaging findings, which required early surgical resection to avoid long-term neurovascular complications.

Cuboid Edema Syndrome Following Fixation of Proximal Fifth Metatarsal Fractures in Professional Athletes.

Stress fractures of the proximal fifth metatarsal are common injuries in elite athletes. Fixation using an intramedullary screw represents the most popular surgery performed for treating these injuries, with excellent results in most cases. However, multiple reports in the literature highlight the possibility of painful hardware, usually related to the presence of the screw head, following intramedullary fixation In this case report, we outline 4 cases of professional athletes who developed lateral-based foot symptoms following complete healing of their surgically treated proximal fifth metatarsal fractures and were found to have significant cuboid edema on magnetic resonance images. We also outline recommendations regarding specific surgical technique considerations aiming to minimize this possible complication. Level of Evidence: Level V: Case report.

Revisiting the Prevalence of Associated Copathologies in Chronic Lateral Ankle Instability: Are There Any Predictors of Outcome?

BACKGROUND: Multiple ankle pathologies have been found to coexist with chronic lateral ankle ligament instability, but their prevalence varies widely in the literature. The purpose of this study is to reexamine the prevalence of these associated pathologies and to determine their impact on reoperation rate. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 382 cases of lateral ankle ligament repair/reconstruction between June 2006 and November 2016. Patient charts and radiograph reports were examined for the presence of any associated foot and ankle pathologies as well as clinical course. The effect of copathologies on reoperation rate was examined using binary logistic regression and the χ2 test. RESULTS: We included a total of 99 cases. Copathologies included peroneal pathology (75/99, 75.8%), ankle impingement (40/99, 40.4%), and osteochondral lesion of the talus (17/99, 17.2%); 36.4% (36/99) had a low-lying muscle belly of peroneus brevis. The total reoperation rate was 12/92 (13.1%). It was lower in cases with peroneal pathology (8.7% vs 27.5%, P = .032). CONCLUSION: Peroneal pathology, ankle impingement, and osteochondral lesions were the most common associated copathologies in surgical patients with chronic lateral ankle ligament instability. The presence of peroneal pathology may lead to fewer reoperations, possibly as a result of a more comprehensive first-time surgical approach. Level of Evidence: Level III: Retrospective cohort.

Correlation of Appointment Times and Subspecialty With the No-Show Rates in an Orthopedic Ambulatory Clinic.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Unexpectedly missed appointments ("no-shows") cause clinic inefficiency, lost time and revenue, wasted healthcare resources, and provider dissatisfaction. No-shows can be associated with miscommunication, transportation difficulties, employment status, age, race, and socioeconomic status. This study investigates the association between no-show rates and patient, appointment time, and provider characteristics. Data for all scheduled appointments in a single orthopedic multispecialty institution during calendar year 2016 were obtained. Data points included patient age, gender, and race; hour; month; and subspecialty. Chi-square testing was used to compare no-show and kept appointments with respect to patient and appointment characteristics. Logistic regression was used to calculate differences in no-show rates between orthopedic subspecialties. The overall no-show rate was 11.5%. Race, age, and subspecialties were all found to be associated with higher no-show rates. No significant differences were observed for gender, appointment time, or month of appointment. The authors suggest that patients at higher risk of not showing up for scheduled appointments may need extra effort from providers to accommodate the patients' schedules when making appointments, to confirm their appointments a few days before, and/or to incentivize patients to minimize no-shows.