Compensatory gait mechanics in person with multiple toe amputation: A single case report.

This case highlights the biomechanical influence of toe amputation on contralateral limb force elevation, possibly through reduced ipsilateral plantar flexor torque production. These findings provide insight into toe amputation-related compensatory gait mechanics with greater inter-limb asymmetry, which may increase the risk of musculoskeletal comorbidities, including osteoarthritis in contralateral limb.

A 15-year follow-up report of an elderly diabetic foot with multiple recurrences leading to toe amputation and thoughts on the model of care for diabetic foot ulcer.

Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is one of the most serious complications of diabetes. Elderly diabetic patients are a high prevalence of diabetic foot ulcers, and their high recurrence, disability, and mortality rates impose a heavy economic burden on families and society. This paper reports a case of an elderly patient with a diabetic foot ulcer who was admitted in April 2007 and discharged after recovery from comprehensive diabetic foot treatment. Due to intermittent foot care and lack of home care, the patient's foot ulcers recurred after repeated healing during home rehabilitation, eventually resulting in the amputation of the right bunion. After the patient was discharged from the hospital with an amputated toe, the whole-process seamless management model of "hospital - community - family" was implemented. The hospital provides specialized foot support and guidance, and the community is responsible for daily disease management and referrals. The family is responsible for the implementation of home rehabilitation programs, and family caregivers need to identify and provide feedback on foot abnormalities promptly. As of May 2022, the patient had not experienced ulcer recurrence. This paper reports the whole process of "ulcer development → ulcer healing → ulcer recurrence healing → toe amputation → continuous care management" experienced by the patient in 15 years, aiming to reflect on the significance of the whole-process seamless foot care management model of "hospital-community-family" for diabetic foot ulcer rehabilitation through the case.

Structural Design and Optimization of Cushioning Insole with Variable Stiffness / 医用生物力学

Objective An X-shaped cushioning insole with variable stiffness was designed to explore its effects on plantar pressure and internal stress of diabetic patients with toe amputation. Methods Based on CT images, the feet-calf finite element model of diabetic patients with toe amputation was established, and the insole was divided into different areas according to distribution characteristics of the planter pressure. The three-dimensional (3D) printed cushioning insole with an X-shaped sandwich structure was designed. The modulus of the sandwichstructure was changed by changing thickness of the sandwich structure panel. For simulation analysis, the divided area was filled with the X-shaped sandwich structure with different modulus. Results The peak plantar pressure of diabetic patients with toe amputation was in calcaneal region, and the combined insoles with 1. 2 mpanel thickness in toe area, 1. 4 mm panel thickness in metatarsal area, 2. 0 mm panel thickness in middle area and 1. 6 mm panel thickness in heel area had the best decompression effect. Compared with bare feet, the peak pressure in heel area of the insole, the peak pressure in phalangeal head area and the stress in plantar softissues were reduced by 40. 18% , 31. 7% , and 50. 44% , respectively. Conclusions The 3D printed insoles with variable stiffness can effectively reduce surface pressure and internal stress of the sole and reduce probability of the 2nd toe amputation

Minor Forefoot Amputations in Patients with Diabetic Foot Ulcers.

The prevalence of diabetes mellitus, particularly type 2 diabetes, is increasing worldwide. Also, the incidence of both lower limb revascularizations and amputations is increasing. We have less transtibial amputations due to improved diabetes care, but also due to modern treatments, vascular surgery, and development of plastic surgery. With well-planned minor amputations, more limbs can be saved. Minor limb-saving amputations are preferred especially to older diabetes patients, because they have a high-risk contralateral amputations. Losing both limbs causes major problems for patients and their life, risk for lifetime ward is high.

Efficacy of Early Closed Toe Amputation for Toe Ulcers with Suspected Osteomyelitis after Revascularization for Chronic Limb-Threatening Ischemia.

Objective: In this study, we aim to evaluate the efficacy of early closed toe amputation on the wound management of toe ulcers with suspected osteomyelitis after revascularization for chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI). Methods: This retrospective study included patients who have underwent revascularization for toe ulcers associated with CLTI at Shizuoka Red Cross Hospital from 2015 to 2021. Wound management comprised early closed toe amputation for toe ulcers with suspected osteomyelitis (19 toes in 17 patients) or conservative treatment (35 toes in 26 patients). The primary endpoint was wound healing after revascularization. We compared the wound healing rate at 90 days and median healing time of early closed toe amputation versus conservative treatment. Results: Compared with the conservative treatment, early closed toe amputation was able to achieve a better wound healing rate at 90 days (89.5% vs. 68.6%; P<0.01) and a shorter median healing time (19 days vs. 62 days; P=0.01). Conclusion: There remains no established wound management for toe lesions associated with CLTI. Despite its several disadvantages including wound infection and possible foot deformity, early closed toe amputation for toe ulcers with suspected osteomyelitis can be considered a safe approach in terms of wound management.

Great Toe Infection Leading to Methicillin-Sensitive Staphylococcus aureus Pericarditis and Tamponade.

Bacterial pericarditis is an uncommon presentation that can occur secondarily to the contiguous spread of infection from an intrathoracic focus, hematogenous seeding from a distant site, or via trauma and intrathoracic surgery. Its presence is linked to a high mortality rate with death generally caused by cardiac tamponade, fulminant sepsis, and acute decompensated heart failure. We describe a rare case of methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) pericarditis in a patient after great toe amputation; the patient developed cardiac tamponade and required urgent percutaneous pericardiocentesis with the placement of a temporary drain. The patient was then successfully treated with IV antibiotics and did not require further invasive procedures such as surgical pericardiotomy.

A meta-analysis of mortality after minor amputation among patients with diabetes and/or peripheral vascular disease.

OBJECTIVE: Foot complications in patients with diabetes or peripheral artery disease (PAD) are serious events in the life of these patients that often lead to amputations and mortality. No evidence synthesis has been reported on the mortality rates after minor lower extremity amputation; thus, a quantitative evidence synthesis was needed. METHODS: A systematic literature search was performed to identify studies that had reported the survival or mortality rates after a minor LEA. The studies were required to include one or more of the following primary outcomes: mortality rate at 30 days, 1 year, 3 years, 5 years, 6 to 7 years, or 8 to 9 years. The secondary outcomes were the mortality rates according to the anatomic location of the amputation in the foot and the independent risk factors for mortality. RESULTS: A total of 28 studies with 17,325 subjects fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The meta-analytical results of the mortality rates were as follows: 3.5% at 1 month, 20% at 1 year, 28% at 3 years, 44.1% at 5 years, 51.3% at 6 to 7 years, and 58.5% at 8 to 9 years. From these studies of diabetic patients, age was the most consistent independent risk factor, followed by chronic kidney disease, PAD, and coronary artery disease. One study of patients with PAD had reported diabetes as an independent risk factor for mortality. The subgroup analysis of the four studies reporting the outcomes of patients with PAD showed greater 3- and 5-year mortality rates compared with the overall and "diabetic" results. CONCLUSIONS: Mortality after minor amputation for patients with diabetes and/or PAD was found to be very high. Compared with the reported cancer data, survival was worse than that for many cancers. Just as in the case of major amputations, minor amputations should be considered a pivotal event in the life of these patients.

Acral Lentiginous Melanoma of Foot and Ankle: A Clinicopathological Study of 7 Cases.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM) is a rare entity on the foot. This study aimed to reveal its clinical presentations, histopathology and treatment options. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seven cases of ALM involving foot were treated in our Institute in a 3-year period. RESULTS: The patients' age ranged from 38 to 84 years, with a mean of 65. The ratios of males to females and white to non-white were 4:3 and 5:2, respectively. Clinically, ALM presented as asymmetric, irregular shaped, black-brown, variegatedly discolored, papular, verrucoid, ulcerated or nodular lesions with or without pain. All ALMs were treated with either wide local excision (WLE) or toe amputation. Histologically, ALM was characterized by multiple single and nested atypical melanocytes growing along the dermal-epidermal junction, and extending into dermal layer in nodular growth pattern. CONCLUSION: ALM is a rare, asymmetric, irregularly bordered, variegatedly pigmented lesion. WLE or toe amputation is the standard treatment option.

Statistical Analysis of the Risk Factors for Single Toe Amputation Patients in Wound Healing / 대한족부족관절학회지

PURPOSE: This study compared and analyzed the risk factors that affect a wound healing group and healing failure group. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 2010 to 2018, 39 patients who had suffered a single toe amputation were evaluated retrospectively. The patients were divided into two groups (wound healing group and healing failure group - within at least 3 months following the amputation). Regarding the possible risk factors, age, gender, Wagner and Brodsky classifications, duration of diabetes mellitus, whether the patient had peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD) or cardiovascular disease, body mass index, HbA1c, total cholesterol, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), smoking, and alcohol were investigated. RESULTS: The mean duration of diabetes mellitus was 140 months in the healing group and 227 months in the healing failure group, and the duration of diabetes was significantly longer in the failure group (p=0.009). A significant difference in eGFR was observed between the two groups (59.17 mL/min/1.73 m2 in the healing group and 31.1 mL/min/1.73 m2 in the failure group) (p=0.022). Sixteen patients with PAOD were found, all 10 patients in the healing failure group were PAOD patients. CONCLUSION: To reduce the additional complications in single toe amputation patients, the underlying disease and appropriate treatment are the most important factors. In addition, a more proximal level of amputation also should be considered in cases of patients with PAOD, high BUN and low eGFR, and patients with long-term diabetes.

Clinical outcomes of toe amputation in patients with type 2 diabetes in Tianjin, China.

The aim of this study is to determine the predictors for reulceration, reamputation and mortality in patients with diabetes following toe amputation, and the impact of activities of daily living on clinical outcomes. This prospective cohort study included 245 patients who had undergone toe amputation (202 healing and 43 non-healing) and was followed for a 5-year period. Data regarding new foot ulceration, reamputation and mortality were recorded, and the patients' activities of daily living were evaluated. The rate of wound healing was 82·4%. The rate of follow-up in the healed group was 91·6%. In years 1, 3 and 5, the cumulative incidence of patients who developed a new foot ulcer was 27·3%, 57·2% and 76·4%, respectively, leading to reamputation in 12·5%, 22·3% and 47·1%, respectively. The cumulative mortality was 5·8%, 15·1% and 32·7% at 1, 3 and 5 years, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that GHbA1c > 9% (75 mmol/mol) was identified as an independent predictor of impaired wound healing, reulceration and reamputation. An age of >70 years was identified as an independent predictor of reamputation, mortality and impairment of activities of daily living. Despite a satisfactory initial healing rate after the first toe amputation, with the extension course after the toe amputation, the long-term outcomes are not optimistic. In developing countries like China, taking measures to prevent reulceration and reamputation is very important for patients with diabetic foot minor amputations, especially following toe amputation.

Lower-limb amputation and body weight changes in men.

Little is known about the relationship between lower-limb amputation (LLA) and subsequent changes in body weight. We conducted a retrospective cohort study using clinical and administrative databases to identify and follow weight changes in 759 males with amputation (partial foot amputation [PFA], n = 396; transtibial amputation [TTA], n = 267; and transfemoral amputation [TFA], n = 96) and 3,790 nondisabled persons frequency-matched (5:1) on age, body mass index, diabetes, and calendar year from eight Department of Veterans Affairs medical care facilities in the Pacific Northwest. We estimated and compared longitudinal percent weight change from baseline during up to 39 mo of follow-up in participants with and without amputation. Weight gain in the 2 yr after amputation was significantly more in men with an amputation than without, and in men with a TTA or TFA (8%-9% increase) than in men with a PFA (3%-6% increase). Generally, percent weight gain peaked at 2 yr and was followed by some weight loss in the third year. These findings indicate that LLA is often followed by clinically important weight gain. Future studies are needed to better understand the reasons for weight gain and to identify intervention strategies to prevent excess weight gain and the deleterious consequences that may ensue.