Management of acute lesser toe pain.

Patients with foot pain commonly present to their primary care physicians for their initial management and treatment. These patients and their respective foot or lesser toe pain can present the physician with a complex problem with a long differential list. Depending on the timing of the pain and underlying pathology, these differentials can be divided into acute and acute exacerbation of chronic conditions. This review categorizes the history, physical exam, radiological findings, conservative treatment, and surgical management for each major cause of lesser toe pain, whether acute or chronic. The acute conditions surrounding lesser toe pain in the adult population discussed are toe fractures, toe dislocations, and metatarsal head and neck fractures. The chronic pathologies surrounding lesser toe pain in the adult population evaluated in this review include metatarsalgia, Morton's neuroma, Freiberg infraction, brachymetatarsia, bunionettes, and lesser toe disorders.

Forefoot: a basic integrated imaging perspective for radiologists.

Imaging of the forefoot is increasingly requested for patients with metatarsalgia. Awareness with specific anatomic arrangements exclusive for the forefoot and widely variable pathologic entities associated with metatarsalgia helps the radiologist to tailor a cost-effective imaging approach. This will enable reaching a specific diagnosis as much as possible with subsequent proper patient management. This pictorial review aims to provide basic understanding for the different imaging modalities used in studying the forefoot. After that, certain anatomic arrangements exclusive for the forefoot are discussed. The final section of this review describes the imaging findings of some common forefoot problems.

[Arthroscopic treatment of painful heel syndrome with radio-frequency].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate therapy effect of radiofrequency in the treatment of painful heel syndrome under arthroscopy. METHODS: From January 2006 to December 2011, 13 patients with painful heel syndrome being admitted into our hospital were studied. There were 5 males and 8 femals, ranging in age from 35 to 68 years. All these surgeries were performed under local anesthesia. After constructing a man-made lacouna in the subcutaneous tissue above plantar fascia, a medial and a lateral portal were established on both sides of plantar fascia and at the anterior edge of calcaneal tuberosity. Hyperplasia and torn fiber tissue of plantar fascia, and plantar calcaneal bursa were removed with radiofrequency probe under arthroscopy. Then penetration of the plantar fascia was carried out in a reticulation-shaped pattern with a special radiofrequency probe TOPAZ. Each patient was assessed with VAS pain evaluation criteria and AOFAS ankle-hindfoot score system (AOFAS-AH) before and after operation. All the patients were followed up, and the duration ranged from 6 to 12 months. RESULTS: All the 13 patients got excellent recovery with their heel pain relieved significantly. VAS score was 8.71 +/- 1.64 before operation, 6.27 +/- 2.53 at the 1st month after operation, and 2.30 +/- 2.69 at the 6th month after operation. AOFAS-AH score was 56.43 +/- 3.72 preoperation, 68.15 +/- 7.38 at 1st month post operation, and 84.51 +/- 2.93 at 6th month after operation. There were no perioperative and postoperative complications related to the procedure, such as blood vessel and nerve injury, and infection. CONCLUSION: Plantar fasciitis and plantar calcaneal bursitis are main factors of painful heel syndrome. Due to advantages of being easy to operate, having definite effect and no use to do spur removal or plantar fasciotomy. Endoscopy assisted plantar calcaneal bursa removal and plantar fascia penetration by radiofrequency technique can be a satisfactory treatment method for painful heel syndrome.

Metatarsal length does not correlate with maximal peak pressure and maximal force.

BACKGROUND: Primary metatarsalgia of the lesser metatarsals is common and caused by mechanical overload of the affected metatarsal heads. Increased metatarsal length generally is believed to be a factor in the development of primary metatarsalgia. However, there is no clear biomechanical evidence supporting this theory. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: We asked whether metatarsal length correlated with plantar-loading parameters under the corresponding metatarsal heads. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We prospectively followed two groups of patients 46 (51 feet) with and 45 (51 feet) without metatarsalgia. Each foot was physically examined and underwent standardized full-weightbearing radiography and dynamic pedobarography to assess maximal peak pressure and maximal force under the first, second, and third metatarsal heads. We correlated the relative length of the first and third metatarsals with the corresponding two plantar-loading parameters. We compared maximal peak pressure and maximal force in patients with metatarsalgia with those of symptom-free patients. RESULTS: The relative length of the first and third metatarsals did not correlate (r < 0.13) with the maximal peak pressure or maximal force under the corresponding metatarsal heads. Maximal force under the first metatarsal head was decreased in the metatarsalgia group. There was no difference in maximal peak pressure between the metatarsalgia and nonmetatarsalgia groups. CONCLUSIONS: Relative metatarsal length had no influence on plantar-loading parameters. Shortening of a symptomatic ray to decrease plantar-loading parameters cannot be supported from a biomechanical rationale.

Magnetic resonance imaging in adolescent painful flexible flatfoot.

BACKGROUND: The cause of navicular tuberosity pain in adolescents with flexible flatfeet is not well understood. We hypothesized that some of the navicular tuberosity pain may be related to insertional enthesopathy of the posterior tibial tendon at the navicular. Magnetic resonance imaging was performed to look for abnormal signal changes in a series of patients. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Consecutive adolescent patients presenting with flexible flatfeet and navicular tuberosity pain were prospectively recruited. A detailed foot examination and body fat analysis was performed. Standing radiographs and Tekscan pedobarograph of both feet were obtained. Magnetic resonance examinations were performed on a 1.5-T whole-body magnetic resonance imaging system utilizing a standard extremity coil. RESULTS: MRI abnormality was detected in 15 of the 36 feet in 18 adolescents examined. Abnormalities detected included thickening of the posterior tibial tendon insertion, marrow edema in the accessory navicular, marrow edema in the navicular tuberosity, and contrast enhancement at the posterior tibial tendon insertion site. Patients with MRI abnormalities were significantly taller, had a lower body mass index and a lower body fat percentage than those without MRI abnormality. Forward stepwise logistic regression analysis identified low body fat percentage and presence of an accessory navicular as independent predictors for abnormality on MRI. CONCLUSION: MRI abnormality was frequently detected in adolescents with painful flexible flatfeet. The MRI signal changes indicated an enthesopathy like process occurring at the posterior tibial tendon insertion to the navicular which could explain the origin of pain in flexible flatfeet patients without an accessory navicular. Early identification and appropriate treatment to prevent progression may be helpful.

Biomechanical analysis of functional adaptation of metatarsal bones in statically deformed feet.

We analysed the functional adaptation of the first and second metatarsal bones to altered strain in flexible flatfoot. Fifty consecutive women (20-40 years of age) were enrolled: 31 patients with a flexible flatfoot and metatarsalgia (59 feet) and 19 controls with asymptomatic feet (37 feet). They were compared for cortical thickness (medial, lateral, dorsal and plantar) of the two bones. The null hypothesis of no overall difference between the deformed and healthy feet with regard to cortical thicknesses of the two bones was rejected in a multivariate test (p = 0.046). The groups differed significantly only regarding dorsal cortical thickness of the second metatarsal, which was around 18.1% greater in the deformed feet (95% confidence interval: 7.7-28.4%, p < 0.001). Hypertrophy of the dorsal corticalis of the second metatarsal bone appears to be the main metatarsal adaptive reaction to altered strain in the flexible flatfoot.

MR imaging and ultrasound of metatarsalgia--the lesser metatarsals.

Metatarsalgia is a common problem for many in the community. The condition includes many different entities, such as interdigital neuroma, synovitis or metatarsophalangeal joint instability, Freiberg infarction, stress fractures, and systemic disorders. Many patients presenting with metatarsalgia have a combination of diagnostic abnormalities. The key is to establish the principal pathology and from there construct an appropriate treatment regimen.

MRI of metatarsal head subchondral fractures in patients with forefoot pain.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of our study was to determine the MRI features of metatarsal head subchondral fractures in symptomatic adults. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of foot MRI procedures was performed to detect cases of metatarsal head subchondral fractures over a 6-year period. MR images of selected cases were analyzed by two reviewers for the presence of subchondral fracture, marrow edema-like pattern, metatarsal head flattening, and subchondral sclerosis. Patients with a history of foot surgery, infection, or inflammatory arthritis were excluded. Assessment for coexisting osseous and soft-tissue abnormalities was also performed. RESULTS: Subchondral fractures of the metatarsal heads were seen in 14 patients. All patients were women. The metatarsal head most commonly affected was the second (71%, 10/14) and the dorsal third of the metatarsal articular surface was involved in 79% (11/14). MRI findings of subchondral fracture of the metatarsal head with severe marrow edema-like pattern were seen in 71% (10/14), suggesting early stage changes. Metatarsal head collapse with subchondral sclerosis and mild or absent marrow edema-like pattern were seen in 29% (4/14) indicating late-stage changes. Concurrent abnormalities included three patients (21%) with metatarsal shaft fractures and one patient (7%) with an interdigital neuroma. One subject was treated surgically. CONCLUSION: Subchondral fractures of the metatarsal heads can be detected on MR examinations of adults with forefoot pain. A subchondral fracture with associated marrow edema-like pattern is the most common presentation and likely reflects early stages of metatarsal head infraction.

Lengthening of the first metatarsal through an arthrodesis site for treatment of brachymetatarsia: a case report.

Brachymetatarsia of the first metatarsal is an uncommon condition, but one that is amenable to treatment by lengthening via distraction osteogenesis, a process that employs 2 groups of pins of an appropriate external fixator inserted in the metatarsal to apply gradual distraction across an intervening osteotomy. We present the case of a female, aged 13 years, who presented with congenital bilateral first brachymetatarsia and left foot pain due to transfer metatarsalgia. The short and plantarflexed first ray could not accommodate both groups of fixator pins, even with the fixator set at its shortest length. An alternative strategy was devised that reduced the degree of plantarflexion using a tarsometatarsal arthrodesis, which effected subsequent lengthening through the healing fusion site. Lengthening commenced after 10 days and continued over a period of 52 days, at a rate of 0.5 mm to 1.0 mm per day. Consolidation occurred at 20 weeks with a final increase in length of 25 mm. The patient returned to vigorous sporting activity 1 year after removal of the fixator. To our knowledge, this is the first account of a metatarsal-lengthening arthrodesis at the tarsometatarsal level.

The frequency of digital artery resection in Morton interdigital neurectomy.

BACKGROUND: Operative strategies used in resecting the digital nerve in Morton neuroma emphasize retaining the digital artery. Concern over inadvertent resection of the digital vessel has prompted many surgeons to avoid adjacent interdigital neurectomies when more than one nerve is affected. METHODS: The current study examined 674 consecutive pathologic specimens obtained after neurectomy. RESULTS: The digital vessel was identified along with the resected nerve in 39% of specimens. No adverse effect was recorded from these arterial resections. CONCLUSION: Extensive collateralization of digital vessels is hypothesized to account for the lack of adverse sequelae.

Metatarsalgias: diagnóstico diferencial por meio da ressonância magnética / Metatarsalgias: differential diagnosis with magnetic resonance imaging

Várias lesões podem causar metatarsalgia, cujas manifestações clínicas podem ser inespecíficas. As imagens de ressonância magnética, associadas a outros métodos de imagem e dados clínicos, freqüentemente podem contribuir na detecção dessas lesões e possibilitar que um diagnóstico relativamente preciso seja considerado. Nosso objetivo é descrever e ilustrar, por meio de imagens de ressonância magnética, as principais doenças que causam metatarsalgia.

Several lesions may cause metatarsalgia whose clinical manifestations may be non-specific. Magnetic resonance imaging associated with other imaging methods and clinical data frequently can contribute to detection of these lesions, allowing a reasonably precise diagnosis to be considered. Our purpose is to describe and illustrate, by means of magnetic resonance imaging, main diseases causing metatarsalgia.