Fluoroscopically guided retrocalcaneal bursa steroid injection: description of the technique and pilot study of short-term patient outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: To describe a lateral fluoroscopically guided retrocalcaneal bursa injection technique, report patient outcomes at 1-4 weeks after steroid/anesthetic retrocalcaneal bursal therapeutic injection, and correlate pre-injection diagnostic heel ultrasound variables with improvement in patient pain scores. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After IRB approval, fluoroscopically guided therapeutic retrocalcaneal bursa injections performed using a lateral approach were retrospectively reviewed. Pre-injection heel ultrasound results and pre- and post-injection patient VAS pain scores (scale 0-10) were recorded. The Wilcox matched-pair test compared pain scores, and Spearman's rho assessed for correlation between pain score changes and heel ultrasound results. RESULTS: Thirty-two injections were performed in 30 patients (25 females, 5 males; mean 56.5 ± 9.3 years, range 39-75 years; 21 left heel, 11 right heel) with technical success in 32 of 32 cases (100 %). Insertional Achilles tendon pathology and retrocalcaneal bursitis were present in 31 of 32 cases (97 %) and 16 of 32 cases (50 %), respectively. Median pre- and post-procedure pain scores were 8 (IQR 7, 10) and 1.75 (IQR 0, 6). A statistically significant decrease in pain score was observed following injection, with a median change of 4.75 (IQR 3, 8; p < 0.001). Clinically significant response (>50 % reduction in pain score) was present in 69 % (95 % CI, 0.52-0.86; p < 0.001). No significant correlation was identified between a decrease in pain score and a sonographically abnormal Achilles tendon or retrocalcaneal bursa. CONCLUSION: Fluoroscopically guided retrocalcaneal bursal steroid/anesthetic using a lateral approach is an effective technique. This technique yielded 100 % technical success and a clinically significant decrease in patient pain scores (p < 0.001).

Measuring sesamoid position in hallux valgus: when is the sesamoid axial view necessary?

UNLABELLED: Measuring tibial sesamoid position is an important component of the preoperative radiographic evaluation of hallux valgus as it helps guide the surgeon in surgical selection. Tibial sesamoid position is typically measured on an anteroposterior (AP) radiograph on a scale from 1 to 7 as described by Hardy and Clapham. Some authors have advocated measuring the position on the sesamoid axial view, noting that the AP and axial views often yield different measurements. There is no consensus as to which view is more helpful in guiding the surgeon's surgical decision. Weightbearing radiographs of 99 feet in patients with a clinical diagnosis of hallux valgus were retrospectively reviewed. Tibial sesamoid position was measured on the AP view using the 7-point scale of Hardy and Clapham. Tibial sesamoid position was also measured on the axial radiograph. Cohen's kappa statistic was used to assess agreement of measurements obtained on the 2 views. There was poor agreement of the AP and axial views, with a kappa of 0.31. In our analysis of the data, it was determined that the lack of agreement was due mainly to X-rays showing tibial sesamoid positions of 4 and 5. A subgroup analysis of all X-rays with tibial sesamoids in positions other than 4 or 5 showed excellent agreement, with a kappa of 0.95. Anteroposterior and sesamoid axial views of feet with hallux valgus show excellent agreement in patients with the tibial sesamoid in positions other than 4 or 5. If the tibial sesamoid has a position of 4 or 5 on the AP, an axial view may be warranted to further understand the extent of deformity. LEVELS OF EVIDENCE: Diagnostic, Level IV: Case series.