The Charcot foot: pathophysiology, diagnosis and classification.

Neuropathic changes in the foot are common with a prevalence of approximately 1%. The diagnosis of neuropathic arthropathy is often delayed in diabetic patients with harmful consequences including amputation. The appropriate diagnosis and treatment can avoid an extensive programme of treatment with significant morbidity for the patient, high costs and delayed surgery. The pathogenesis of a Charcot foot involves repetitive micro-trauma in a foot with impaired sensation and neurovascular changes caused by pathological innervation of the blood vessels. In most cases, changes are due to a combination of both pathophysiological factors. The Charcot foot is triggered by a combination of mechanical, vascular and biological factors which can lead to late diagnosis and incorrect treatment and eventually to destruction of the foot. This review aims to raise awareness of the diagnosis of the Charcot foot (diabetic neuropathic osteoarthropathy and the differential diagnosis, erysipelas, peripheral arterial occlusive disease) and describe the ways in which the diagnosis may be made. The clinical diagnostic pathways based on different classifications are presented. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2016;98-B:1155-9.

Charcot neuroarthropathy of the foot and ankle: a review.

Charcot neuroarthropathy is a limb-threatening, destructive process that occurs in patients with neuropathy associated with medical diseases such as diabetes mellitus. Clinicians' treating diabetic patients should be vigilant in recognizing the early signs of acute Charcot neuroarthropathy, such as pain, warmth, edema, or pathologic fracture in a neuropathic foot. Early detection and prompt treatment can prevent joint and bone destruction, which, if untreated, can lead to morbidity and high-level amputation. A high degree of suspicion is necessary. Once the early signs have been detected, prompt immobilization and offloading are important. Treatment should be determined on an individual basis, and it must be determined whether a patient can be treated conservatively or will require surgical intervention when entering the chronic phase. If diagnosed early, medical and conservative measures only will be required. Surgery is indicated for patients with severe or unstable deformities that, if untreated, will result in major amputations. A team approach that includes a foot and ankle surgeon, a diabetologist, a physiotherapist, a medical social councilor, and, most importantly, the patient and immediate family members is vital for successful management of this serious condition.

Lesser metatarsophalangeal joint instability: prospective evaluation and repair of plantar plate and capsular insufficiency.

BACKGROUND: Anatomical dissection of the second metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint suggests that the plantar plate is the major stabilizing structure of the joint due to its central location and multiple important attachments. Many surgical procedures have been recommended when conservative treatment has failed, but some have had limited clinical success. The aim of our prospective study was to show the results obtained in the treatment of a group of patients with plantar plate tears by direct repair through a dorsal approach combined with a Weil metatarsal osteotomy with a minimum followup of 12 months. METHODS: We prospectively treated 28 patients (55 MTP joints) with lesser MTP joint instability, but only 22 patients (40 MTP joints) were treated by the direct repair of the plantar plate and were included in the study. All of them had initial complaints of acute forefoot pain with the subsequent development of deformity and instability of the MTP joints. All patients were evaluated clinically, radiographically, (plain radiographs and MRI exam), and by MTP joint arthroscopy. With this data, a direct correlation between the clinical staging and the anatomical grading for plantar plate dysfunction of each patient was determined RESULTS: The plantar plate of the second MTP joint was the most commonly affected joint (63%), and Grade III type tear (transverse and/or longitudinal extension tear) was the most frequent type. With the surgical treatment, we were able to markedly improve the parameters studied (pain, medial or dorsomedial deviation of the toe, joint stability, muscle balance, and joint congruence) to acceptable levels, The AOFAS score improved substantially from an average of 52 points preoperatively to 92 points postoperatively. CONCLUSION: The direct plantar plate repair combined with a Weil osteotomy and lateral soft tissue reefing can restore the normal alignment of the MTP joint. We have demonstrated that the anatomic repair of the plantar plate can correct the deviation of the affected toe (medial, dorsal, dorsomedial or dorsolateral), which lead to diminished pain with improved functional scores.

The RAM classification: a novel, systematic approach to the adult-acquired flatfoot.

In summary, prior classifications have provided broad guidelines for treating the AAFF without accounting for case-specific variables in determining a treatment plan. The current system breaks down the deformity into three independent levels of involvement: the rearfoot, the ankle, and the midfoot. Via a simple, easy to remember, and reproducible schema based off the original Johnson and Strom classification, each level can be independently evaluated and a patient-specific surgical treatment plan can be formulated based on our most current understanding of the AAFF.

A clinical classification system for rheumatoid forefoot deformity.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: In the present study a classification system for the rheumatoid forefoot is reported with its intra- and interobserver reliability and clinical relevance. The classification is based on the sequence of anatomical changes resulting from the loss of integrity of the MTP joints, loss of motion and changes regarding the quality and position of the plantar soft tissues. It is hypothesized that with progression of the amount of deformity of the MTP joint(s), patients have more pain and functional loss. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In total 94 patients were included in the study following precise inclusion criteria. The forefeet of the patients were classified according to the introduced classification system by two observers in order to determine the intra- and interobserver reliability. The relation of the suggested classification between pain, function scores, and plantar foot pressure measurements was examined. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: According to the Cohen's kappa and the ICC, the intra- and inter-observer reliability were high. Despite the large variation between subjects in a certain grade, a clear trend was found between increase in classification and VAS for pain, FFI difficulty with activities, and plantar peak pressure under the metatarsals. The suggested classification is of clinical relevance and can be used to develop therapeutical algorithms and to test interventions.

Foot problems in children presented to the family physician: a comparison between 1987 and 2001.

BACKGROUND: In recent decades, studies on the management of common foot problems in children have suggested that in many cases, there is no indication for treatment. It is not known whether these studies have changed daily practice. OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to establish and compare incidence and referral rates for foot problems in children in 1987 and 2001. METHODS: A comparison was made of two large consecutive surveys in Dutch general practice performed in 1987 (86 577 children aged 0-17 years) and 2001 (87 952 children aged 0-17 years), which were carried out by The Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research. Both surveys included a representative sample of the Dutch population. Incidence and referral rates were calculated and, data were stratified for age group and gender. RESULTS: Compared to 1987, in 2001 the overall incidence rate of foot problems presented to the family physician (FP) decreased substantially from 80.0 [95% confidence interval (CI) 77.0-84.7] to 17.4 (95% CI 16.5-18.3) per 1000 person-years (P < 0.0001). The incidence rate of flat feet decreased from 4.9 (95% CI 4.0-5.9) per 1000 person-years in 1987 to 3.4 (95% CI 3.0-3.8) per 1000 person-years in 2001 (P = 0.001). The distribution of referrals to other primary health care professionals and medical specialists has almost reversed in favour of primary health care professionals. CONCLUSION: Total incidence rate of musculoskeletal foot problems seen by the FP has decreased substantially, between 1987 and 2001.

[Reconstructive surgery of sequelae of compartment syndrome of the lower leg and/or foot. Presentation of a new classification]. / Wiederherstellende Chirurgie der Folgezustände nach Kompartmentsyndrom des Unterschenkels und/oder Fusses. Vorstellung einer neuen Klassifikation.

The sequelae of an undiagnosed insufficiently treated or unpreventable (by crush injury) compartment or postischemic syndrome, most often after lower leg fracture or popliteal artery injury, are caused by necrosis and contracture of the extrinsic foot muscles. Therefore claw toes, pes equinus or other forms, such as a severe pes equino varus related to the compartment involved will decide the kind of foot deformity. In cases of a combined compartment syndrome of the lower leg and foot, not only the extrinsic but also the intrinsic muscles especially the short flexors are involved, leading to extensive claw toeing of the hallux and the lesser toes as well. In the case of an isolated compartment syndrome of the foot one will see contracted hammer toes most often after open or third degree closed calcaneal fractures. A new classification of all the different deformities of the foot and ankle as sequelae of a compartment and/or postischemic syndrome, is introduced distinguishing 5 degrees of deformity. Between 1994 and 2006, a total of 66 patients with sequelae of a compartment and/or postischemic syndrome were treated at the Department of Trauma and Reconstructive Surgery of the University Hospital"Carl Gustav Carus" of the Technical University of Dresden. Patients with contract hammer toes after calcaneal fractures were seen most often (n=26). Another large group of 24 patients suffered from the sequelae of a compartment and/or postischemic syndrome of the extrinsic muscles of the superficial and deeper compartment of the flexor tendons, producing a severe pes equino varus. Less common (n=16) were the deformities caused by an isolated compartment syndrome, such as necrosis of the anterior tibialis, long extensor muscles, peroneal muscles or a combined compartment syndrome of the lower leg and foot.

Surgical management of the lower extremity in ambulatory children with cerebral palsy.

Despite the increasing popularity of nonorthopaedic treatment alternatives for children with cerebral palsy, bony and soft-tissue surgery remains a common component in the management of ambulatory patients. Multisite simultaneous tendon surgery provides improvement in gait by addressing hip, knee, and ankle contractures together. Careful preoperative physical examination is required; computerized gait analysis can be useful in confirming a plan for multiple tendon surgeries. Rotational osteotomies can improve transverse-plane malalignment. Shorter periods of immobilization and aggressive postoperative gait training and strengthening may optimize improvements in gait.

Controversies in surgical reconstruction of acquired adult flat foot deformity.

There is a wide variety of approaches to the surgical treatment of acquired adult flat foot deformity. There are controversies in several areas, including disagreement over the cause of the condition, the structures that are involved, and what is the most appropriate surgical procedure or combination of procedures to successfully treat this condition. Trends in the orthopedic foot and ankle community include an attempt to preserve the hindfoot joints to allow for more normal biomechanics, the correction of bony deformities so that soft tissues are not overloaded, and an attempt to address the underlying cause so that the propensity for the deformity to recur is lessened.

The acquired midtarsus deformity classification system--interobserver reliability and intraobserver reproducibility.

A radiographic classification (Schon's) divides Charcot midtarsus deformities into four types identified by Roman numerals (I to IV), according to the anatomical location of the pathological process,11 and an objective method of severity staging using radiographic criteria is introduced and tested. A beta stage is assigned if one of the following criteria is met: 1. a dislocation is present; 2. the lateral talar-first metatarsal angle is > or = 30 degrees; 3. the lateral calcaneal-fifth metatarsal angle > or = 0; or 4. the AP talar-first metatarsal angle is > or = 35 degrees. An alpha stage can be assigned when all four features are absent. Clinical features useful in assessing and managing these deformities have been associated with the various types and stages. To determine whether the classification system is valid, a study was performed. Two examination booklets and an instructional booklet designed to teach the method were distributed to 75 orthopaedic surgeons at the AOFAS summer meeting to test for intraobserver reproducibility and interobserver reliability. Information about the participants was recorded, and the tests were scored. The highest scores for correct responses were achieved by foot and ankle fellows, followed by orthopaedic residents. Attending orthopaedic surgeons achieved the lowest scores. The most common error was a type I deformity misidentified as a type II. The interobserver reliability for correctly classifying the deformities was 81%, and the intraobserver reproducibility was 97%. We concluded that this classification system, intended to clarify the patterns of acquired midfoot collapse, permits assignment of both anatomic type (I to IV) and degree of severity (alpha-beta) with high reliability and reproducibility. It can therefore be used as a tool for diagnosis, planning treatment, and assessing the prognosis.

[Computer-assisted radiologic quantification of hand and foot changes in rheumatoid arthritis]. / Computerassistierte radiologische Quantifizierung der Hand- und Fussveränderungen bei rheumatoiderArthritis.

Driven by the increasing implementation of electronical picture archiving and communications system (PACS) into every days practice a fully operative Java application software was developed to support the efficacy of the scoring process in rheumatoid arthritis. This software, namely the "Rheuma-Coach" offers the possibility to use the Larsen- or the Ratingen-Score. We measured time savings of approximately 20% per case if this computer assistance was used. The lack of a standard for the positioning of limbs was confirmed.

[Radiologic progression of rheumatoid arthritis in early basic drug therapy]. / Die radiologische Progression der rheumatoiden Arthritis bei frühzeitiger Basistherapie.

For therapy and follow-up control in early disease modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) treated rheumatoid arthritis (RA), objective quantification is still lacking. Therefore, radiological analyses are considered the most appropriate method. One aim of this study was to retrospectively determine the time-dependent progression of joint damage in RA patients on DMARDs. Outpatient records and radiographs from hands and feet of 54 RA patients on DMARDs were evaluated. Radiographs were quantified by using the original Larsen score and a newly developed computer-assisted quantification software. Our observations showed that radiologically-detectable damage in all patients, regardless of their treatment, is most pronounced during the first year of disease, being mitigated and generally progressing linearly in the subsequent years. Cumulative ESR correlated with RA progression, and its reduction with therapeutic efficacy.

Treatment of stage 3 adult acquired flatfoot.

Stage 3 adult acquired flatfoot occurs when chronic posterior tibial tendon insufficiency results in fixed hindfoot valgus or fixed forefoot abduction and supination. Nonoperative management results in limited success. Corrective fusion is the treatment of choice. Although a variety of arthrodeses have been employed, triple arthrodesis remains the gold standard.

Treatment of stage 4 adult acquired flatfoot.

Stage 4 PTT dysfunction is a rare anatomic condition in which fixed hindfoot valgus is associated with valgus tilting of the talus within the ankle mortise. Success with nonoperative management is the exception rather than the rule. The surgical options are a tibiotalocalcaneal fusion or a pantalar fusion; however, there are few results reported in the adult acquired flatfoot population. Valgus talar tilting after triple arthrodesis may be the challenge of the future.

Operative treatment of the difficult stage 2 adult acquired flatfoot deformity.

In the flexible pes planovalgus deformity of stage 2 posterior tibial tendon dysfunction, osteotomies appear to have a significant role in operative management by restoring more normal biomechanics, allowing tendon transfers to function successfully. The options when considering osteotomies for stage 2 disease include lateral column lengthening, medial displacement calcaneal osteotomy, and combined double osteotomy technique. The tight Achilles tendon should be lengthened as well. Lateral column lengthening has been used extensively for treatment of flexible flatfeet. It has been shown clinically and radiographically to address all 3 components of the pes planovalgus deformity present in stage 2 posterior tibial tendon dysfunction. Lateral column lengthening is used in combination with a medial soft tissue rebalancing procedure. The mechanism of action is still speculative but clearly is not owing to tensioning of the plantar fascia as previously thought. Despite the excellent correction of foot posture obtained by use of lateral column lengthening for adult acquired flatfoot, many clinicians have reservations about its use because of reported secondary increases in the calcaneocuboid joint pressures. This increase in pressure has been shown to occur experimentally, increasing the potential risk of calcaneocuboid joint arthrosis. This experimental evidence is supported by Phillips' study of the original Evans procedure, which resulted in a 65% incidence of calcaneocuboid joint arthrosis at 13-year follow-up. Mosier-LaClair et al reported a 14% incidence of calcaneocuboid joint arthritis at 5-year follow-up after double osteotomy for stage 2 posterior tibial tendon dysfunction. This incidence has not been proved true in the remainder of the literature surrounding this procedure and its use for flexible flatfoot. To address the concern regarding potential calcaneocuboid arthrosis secondary to lateral column lengthening, calcaneocuboid joint distraction arthrodesis has been explored as an alternative technique. The results show good initial correction, but the follow-up is extremely limited, and one study reported loss of correction over time. Longer follow-up is needed to determine whether or not this technique would provide the lasting correction seen with the Evans procedure. Calcaneocuboid joint lengthening arthrodesis does result in some limitation of adjacent hindfoot motion. Although this limitation is significantly less compared with talonavicular and subtalar joint fusion, this procedure may result in increased local pressures and arthrosis of the midfoot or hindfoot. For the above-mentioned reasons, longer follow-up studies are needed to determine whether calcaneocuboid joint distraction arthrodesis would prove to be a reliable and safe alternative for lateral column lengthening in the treatment of adult acquired flatfoot. Medial displacement calcaneal osteotomy has been used for correction of the pes planovalgus foot in posterior tibial tendon dysfunction. It has been used extensively for the surgical treatment of flexible flatfoot throughout the literature. Medial displacement osteotomy, in combination with flexor digitorum longus tendon transfer, can address all 3 components of adult acquired flatfoot. It does not recreate the medial longitudinal arch in all patients, however. Although the mechanism of action of medial displacement calcaneal osteotomy is unknown, it has been proved that it is not through the tightening of the plantar fascia in a windlass effect as previously thought. In contrast to lateral column lengthening, however, medial displacement calcaneal osteotomy does address the deforming valgus force of the Achilles tendon. Functionally transferring the insertion of the Achilles tendon medially removes a constant valgus-deforming force. The osteotomy can then act as a double tendon transfer with the flexor digitorum longus tendon to aid in foot inversion. For stage 2 posterior tibial tendon insufficiency, the authors favor the combination double osteotomy technique with a flexor digitorum longus tendon-to-medial cuneiform tendon transfer, débridement or removal of the posterior tibial tendon, and percutaneous heel cord lengthening. Early results were positive at 1.5 years after surgery with respect to maintenance of correction and functional improvement with no evidence of calcaneocuboid arthrosis. More recently, the intermediate 5-year follow-up has been assessed for this combination of procedures, and similar results were found. There was a high rate of patient satisfaction and functional improvement, and surgical correction of the flatfoot deformity was maintained and compared favorably with the contralateral normal foot. Although the intermediate follow-up found a 14% incidence of calcaneocuboid arthrosis, 50% of these patients had preoperative evidence of calcaneocuboid joint arthritis. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED)

[Polydactyly of the foot]. / Die Polydaktylie des Fusses.

Polydactyly may be preaxial or tibial (hallux-side), postaxial or ulnar (side of the little toe) and central (middle toes). The duplication may appear at the distal and medial phalanges or at the whole digit. The metatarsal bone may be part wise or completely duplicated, the accessory toes may share only one metatarsal. Surgical intervention may be indicated in shoe problems, for esthetic reasons or, especially in duplication of the metatarsales, because of secondary deviation of the toes and therefore shoe problems or plantar callosities. Preoperative analysis including x-ray is of great importance to achieve good functional and cosmetic results.