Leclercia Adecarboxylata and Pseudomonas Oryzihabitans Infection after Achilles Tendon Repair: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Leclercia adecarboxylata and Pseudomonas oryzihabitans are two bacteria rarely seen in human infections. We present an unusual case of a patient who developed a localized infection with these bacteria after repair of a ruptured Achilles tendon. We also present a review of the literature regarding infection with these bacteria within the lower extremity.

Open Tibial Fracture Complicated by Wound Botulism: A Case Study.

Botulism is a neuroparalytic disease most commonly caused by foodborne ingestion of neurotoxin types A, B, and E, and is often fatal if untreated. Clinicians should be able to recognize the classic symptoms of botulinum intoxication (12). Owing to its rarity, there are a limited number of studies evaluating the clinical care of patients with wound botulism (10). We present an infected tibial non-union with botulism who underwent a successful radical excision and bone transport. The patient tolerated the procedure well.

Primary Tumoral Calcinosis in a Pediatric Patient: A Rare Presentation.

Tumoral calcinosis is a benign, progressive disorder characterized by massive periarticular deposition of calcium salts into subcutaneous and deeper tissue layers. While a majority of cases present secondary to underlying metabolic disorders, it can rarely present as a primary, idiopathic phenomenon. We present an atypical case of a pediatric patient with a large, ulcerated pedal soft tissue mass found to be consistent with primary tumoral calcinosis. This was confirmed by histopathologic analysis and comprehensive metabolic workup. The patient underwent surgical excision of the mass, with complete resolution of symptoms and no recurrence after a 1-year follow-up period.

Isolated Forefoot Juvenile Xanthogranuloma: Unique Case Study and Treatment in a Pediatric Patient.

Juvenile xanthogranuloma is a benign histiocytic cell proliferative disorder that occurs in early childhood. The most common presentation occurs within the first 2 years of life with papular or nodular changes to the skin on the head, neck or upper trunk. This case study documents the findings and treatment of a single solitary soft tissue mass in the forefoot of a 17-year-old patient. Unique to this case, the initial diagnosis of tuberous xanthoma was made and, with referral to an outside hospital, changed to a juvenile xanthogranuloma. In addition, unlike most juvenile xanthogranulomas in the literature, there was no superficial dermatological abnormality seen clinically. This change was not a dramatically different diagnosis, but further immunohistochemical staining was necessary for ultimate diagnosis. The soft tissue mass was self-contained to the deeper tissue layers and not the epidermis. The patient was followed for 12 months for possible recurrence and medical workup, without postoperative complications. The purpose of this study was to report on a unique finding and presentation of a xanthogranulomatous soft tissue mass in the forefoot of a pediatric patient.

Arthroscopic Treatment of Osteochondral Lesions of the Talus Utilizing Juvenile Particulated Cartilage Allograft: A Case Series.

The treatment options for osteochondral lesions of the ankle are scarce, and newer modalities are becoming available. We describe a minimally invasive arthroscopic approach with implantation of juvenile particulated allograft to facilitate the growth of true hyaline cartilage in patients with osteochondral lesions of the talus. The purpose of this study was to subjectively review clinical outcomes using the validated Foot and Ankle Outcomes Score in patients who underwent this technique. Our technique was performed on 82 consecutive patients with average follow-up of 24 (range 9 to 86) months. We found that 28 (88%) of 32 patients who responded to the questionnaire had good or excellent results for activities of daily living; 26 (82%) of 32 patients had at least a good result for both pain and symptoms; and 25 (78%) of 32 had at least a fair result for functional sports and quality of life.

Picture worth a thousand words: Updating repeat photography for 21st century ecologists.

Anthropogenic climate change is altering every ecosystem on Earth. Understanding these changes requires quality baseline measurements of ecosystem states. While satellite imagery provides a coarse baseline for regional-scale changes in vegetation, landscape-scale observations are lacking. Ground-based repeat photographic points (RPP) can provide this finer baseline. As precise visual records of ecosystems at a particular time, RPP provide rich data for diverse uses. Current methodology for establishing RPP, developed in the era of film cameras, requires placement of permanent markers in a landscape to provide accurate repeats over time. Another form of RPP involves relocating sites of historic photographs, to assess change between historic and present-day photographs. Through a three-year field survey, we synthesized these techniques to modernize repeat photography for the 21st century ecologist.We established 100 RPP in the Peloncillo Mountains of New Mexico, recapturing 86 RPP in the three years (2015-2017) of the study. During our study, a large (>16,000 ha) complex of wildfires burned more than half of the RPP sites we established in the prior month, providing a unique opportunity to assess method accuracy after dramatic landscape disturbance by comparing burned, unburned, pre-, and post-fire RPP image recapture precision.Our method produced 92% mean similarity for 86 RPP between original and repeated photographs, with no difference between burned and unburned sites. Interval between photographs did not cause a decline in similarity.Our updated methods can be practically applied to nearly all terrestrial study systems. Landscape changes driven by human (e.g., effects of anthropogenic climate change, land use) and natural activities (e.g., wildfires, phenology, and hydrologic events) are especially well suited to our updated methods. Modern smartphones include the technology necessary (e.g., camera, GPS, and compass) to employ our method and provide a means for low-cost deployment of the technique in diverse landscapes. We encourage broad adoption of this technique to establish baseline RPP of ecosystems across the globe, and the formation of a centralized database for repeat photography.

Arthroscopic Implantation of a Cartilage Matrix for an Osteochondral Defect of the Talus: A Case Report.

Advances have been made in the treatment for osteochondral defects of the talus, but these injuries continue to be a challenge for foot and ankle surgeons. We present an arthroscopically assisted technique that uses an allogenic cartilage graft in treating an osteochondral lesion of the medial dome of the talus. A brief discussion on current surgical options for osteochondral defects of the talus is also provided.

Leiomyoma of the Foot: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Leiomyomas within the foot are rare occurrences that are difficult to diagnose clinically and radiographically. They are benign and tend to be slow growing, often with minimal or no pain. We present an unusual case of a worker's compensation patient who presented with a new-onset mass within his foot that was thought to be a fibroma, but was later discovered to be a fast-growing leiomyoma after surgical excision. We also present a review of the literature regarding leiomyomas within the foot and ankle.

Stenotrophomonas maltophilia: A Rare Case of Osteomyelitis After an Open Distal Tibial Fracture.

Stenotrophomonas maltophilia is a gram-negative rod rarely associated with osteomyelitis. To date, only 3 cases of osteomyelitis due to this pathogen have been previously referenced. We describe the case of a 77-year-old male who developed osteomyelitis secondary to S. maltophilia infection after an open distal tibial fracture sustained by falling off a ladder. The purpose of the present case report was to highlight this highly resistant microbe as an infectious etiology.

Surgical Treatment of Bone Marrow Lesion Associated with Recurrent Plantar Fasciitis: A Case Report Describing an Innovative Technique Using Subchondroplasty®.

Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common chief complaints seen in the foot and ankle clinic. With a relatively benign course, most cases are self-limiting or amendable to conservative therapy; ~90% of all plantar fasciitis cases will respond to these methods. When conservative treatment and time fail, surgical intervention can be necessary to improve outcomes. We present a novel method using Subchondroplasty® (SCP®; Zimmer Holdings, Inc.; Warsaw, IN) and revision fasciotomy in a case in which initial fasciotomy had failed. After the patient had failed to improve, a worsening underlying bone marrow lesion was identified at the origin of the plantar fascia; thus, SCP® was used with repeat fasciotomy. SCP® involves injecting calcium phosphate into bone marrow lesions to stimulate long-term bone repair. At 10 months after SCP®, the patient remained pain free and had returned to running at the final follow-up examination. This surgical treatment should be considered as an adjunctive procedure for those patients with plantar fasciitis, identifiable bone marrow lesions on magnetic resonance imaging, and continued pain when other treatment modalities have failed.

Traumatic Complex Hawkins Type IV Talar Fracture: A Case Report.

Fracture-dislocations of the talus are one of the most complex injuries involving the foot and ankle. These injuries are often accompanied by additional traumatic orthopedic injuries, avascular necrosis, and infection. When approaching limb reconstruction and salvage, the overall prognosis and functionality of the limb are key factors to consider. In the present report, we draw attention to the importance of a multidisciplinary team approach for formulating a treatment plan that incorporates the talar injury and associated injuries or pathologic features. We also reviewed the published data related to avascular necrosis of the talus, open talar fracture management, and treatment outcomes.

Nontraumatic Osteonecrosis of the Distal Tibia: A Case Presentation and Review of the Literature.

Osteonecrosis, although commonly occurring in the hip, can also affect the leg and foot. In the foot, it most commonly occurs in the talus. The incidence of osteonecrosis occurring in the tibia is relatively rare. We report a case of a woman who presented to our clinic with ankle pain that was idiopathic in nature. Subsequent magnetic resonance imaging showed findings consistent with osteonecrosis of the bilateral distal tibias and several other lesions located in the shoulder, hip, and calcaneus. The present report also serves as a review of both etiology and treatment of osteonecrosis as it relates to the lower extremity.

Rare Presentation of a Marjolin's Ulcer Secondary to a Post-Traumatic Injury.

Marjolin's ulcer is a rare and aggressive cutaneous malignancy arising from previously traumatized skin, most commonly at the site of previous burns. We present a unique case of Marjolin's ulceration secondary to an orthopedic injury and a nonburn history of trauma. The patient had been involved in a motorcycle accident >20 years earlier. For 17 months, the patient had refused to acknowledge the severity of his disease state. He had refused the standard of care and opted for local wound care only until a minor fall caused a pathologic fracture, leading to an above the knee amputation. Road traffic incidents remain an uncommon cause of subsequent Marjolin's transformation in developed countries. As such, we present the case of a patient with a unique combination of a continued lack of compliance after diagnosis and the unusual cause of his initial trauma.

Projected changes in climatic suitability for Kinosternon turtles by 2050 and 2070.

Chelonians are expected to be negatively impacted by climate change due to limited vagility and temperature-dependent sex determination. However, few studies have examined how freshwater turtle distributions may shift under different climate change scenarios. We used a maximum entropy approach to model the distribution of five widespread North American Kinosternon species (K. baurii, K. flavescens, K. hirtipes, K. sonoriense, and K. subrubrum) under four climate change scenarios. We found that areas with suitable climatic conditions for K. baurii and K. hirtipes are expected to decline substantially during the 21st century. In contrast, the area with suitable climate for K. sonoriense will remain essentially unchanged, while areas suitable for K. flavescens and K. subrubrum are expected to substantially increase. The centroid for the distribution of four of the five species shifted northward, while the centroid for K. sonoriense shifted slightly southward. Overall, centroids shifted at a median rate of 37.5 km per decade across all scenarios. Given the limited dispersal ability of turtles, it appears unlikely that range shifts will occur rapidly enough to keep pace with climate change during the 21st century. The ability of chelonians to modify behavioral and physiological responses in response to unfavorable conditions may allow turtles to persist for a time in areas that have become increasingly unsuitable, but this plasticity will likely only delay local extinctions.

A modified fixation technique for a decompressional shortening osteotomy: a retrospective analysis.

A long metatarsal and/or metatarsophalangeal joint dislocation associated with a digital contracture is a surgical challenge. Without appropriate surgical correction, the patient will be predisposed to numerous complications, including persistent subluxation or dislocation, recurrent metatarsalgia, dorsiflexory contracture of the digit, transfer lesions, and inadequate pain relief. The results of the present surgical treatment options have varied, with the most common complication being a floating toe. The purpose of our study was to introduce a decompression, shortening, lesser metatarsal osteotomy with a modified fixation technique using a T-plate and to report our results. Additionally, we have discussed trigonometric analysis of metatarsal declination and shortening. We retrospectively reviewed the outcomes of 30 consecutive patients with 33 osteotomies who had been treated surgically for pathologic features associated with a long metatarsal and varying biomechanical abnormalities. Before surgery, all the patients had been treated conservatively for a minimum of 3 months. The surgical procedure included a dorsal to plantar V-shaped shortening osteotomy of a lesser metatarsal that was fixated with a T plate. The patients were assessed radiographically and using the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society Lesser Metatarsophalangeal-Interphalangeal Scale and visual analog scale. The mean age at surgery was 53 (range 37 to 75) years, with a mean follow-up period of 9.1 (range 6 to 15.4) months. The average shortening of the metatarsal was 2.7 mm. One patient (3%) had had asymptomatic delayed union and 2 patients (6%) hypertrophic nonunion. No incidence of malunion or avascular necrosis was identified. Five cases (15.2%) of hardware failure occurred. The mean American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society score was 76.7 postoperatively. The visual analog scale score had improved from 6.7 to 1.7. Of the 30 patients, 72% rated the overall surgical experience as excellent or good. In conclusion, the modified fixation technique for decompression, shortening metatarsal osteotomy using a T plate is a viable option when choosing a procedure to address a long, prominent metatarsal and/or digital contracture at the metatarsophalangeal joint and results in a low incidence of floating toe complications.

Acute ischemia after revision hallux valgus surgery leading to amputation.

Acute arterial insufficiency after revision hallux valgus surgery is a rare complication. The identification of surgical candidates who are at risk of vascular complications is of utmost importance. The patient-reported symptoms and physical findings combined with noninvasive vascular studies are generally reliable to assess the vascular status but can fail to identify patients with atypical disease patterns. We present the case of a patient with normal pulses who underwent revision hallux valgus surgery, leading to gangrene of the hallux that required transmetatarsal amputation. We reviewed the vascular evaluation methods and causes of acute ischemia after surgery, including vasculitis.

Transmetatarsal amputation in the setting of antiphospholipid antibody syndrome.

Antiphospholipid syndrome is a hypercoagulable disease that can present foot and ankle surgeons with a unique challenge in treating patients who present with thrombosis and ischemia despite having normal pedal pulses. Appropriate perioperative management is imperative in these patients, because limb- and life-threatening complications can occur postoperatively, despite aggressive anticoagulation. We present the case of a 46-year-old male who underwent a transmetatarsal amputation and, despite aggressive therapy, developed a myriad of complications postoperatively. At 10 months postoperatively, the patient was doing well in an accommodative orthotic with minimal pain while receiving continued aggressive therapy and follow-up examinations by a number of specialists to treat his antiphospholipid syndrome.

Vascularized scapular free bone graft after nonunion of a tarsal navicular stress fracture: a case report.

Nonunion of a tarsal navicular stress fracture, although relatively uncommon, is often amenable to open reduction and internal fixation. Furthermore, avascular necrosis of the navicular whether intact or occurring after fracture is rare, secondary to the adequate blood supply it receives. However, persistent nonunion after primary surgical repair in conjunction with avascular necrosis often results in limited treatment options. Thus, the purpose of the present case report is to describe the surgical approach and complications of a vascularized scapular free bone graft for augmentation of revision talonavicular and naviculocuneiform arthrodesis.

Arthroscopic De Novo NT(®) juvenile allograft cartilage implantation in the talus: a case presentation.

Osteochondral defects of the talus are a challenging subject facing foot and ankle surgeons. The available treatment options have relatively good subjective outcomes; however, they are limited by the ability to reproduce hyaline cartilage, the need for multiple surgeries, and high morbidity. We present a new technique using DeNovo NT(®) juvenile allograft cartilage implantation introduced into a talar lesion arthroscopically in a single procedure to repair a posteriomedial talar osteochondral defects in a healthy, active 30-year-old female. The patient tolerated the procedure well. At the 6-month follow-up visit, the patient had returned to full activity, and at 24 months, she remained completely pain free.

Lateral leg compartment syndrome caused by ill-fitting compression stocking placed for deep vein thrombosis prophylaxis during surgery: a case report.

Isolated lateral leg compartment syndrome is a relatively rare event, with potentially devastating consequences. We present a case of a 44-year-old man with isolated lateral leg compartment syndrome caused by a compression stocking used for deep vein thrombosis prophylaxis during surgery. It was found to be excessively tight around the patient's proximal calf postoperatively. He underwent lateral leg compartment fasciotomy and delayed wound closure with a split-thickness skin graft. At the 7-month follow-up visit, he had returned to full activity, had no muscle deficits, and had numbness in the distribution of the intermediate dorsal cutaneous nerve.