Foot & Ankle International

The effect of surgical procedures for primary metatarsalgia on the load distribution and bony architecture of the forefoot is poorly understood. A prospective study was performed on 45 feet with this diagnosis treated by dorsal wedge osteotomy and compared with 29 symptom-free contralateral feet. Each foot was evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively with quantitative radiographic analysis, a pedobarographic study, and by physical examination. Following osteotomy there was a 4.5-mm increase in average height from ground and a 7.0 psi decrease in pressure. The symptom-free control group demonstrated no statistically significant changes. Residual pain occurred with an average height increase of less than 3.5 mm and an average pressure decrease of less than 1.5 psi. Transfer lesions developed in three of four patients with a height increase of greater than 4.5 mm. The symptoms of metatarsalgia are altered by changes in height of the metatarsal or the pressure beneath it. It is not possible to predict the surgical elevation of the metatarsal head required to precisely decrease the pressure beneath the metatarsal head, thereby eliminating symptoms.

Idiopathic inflammation and rupture of the posterior tibial tendon (PTT) has received much attention in the recent literature. In this report of the presentation of PTT dysfunction as a manifestation of seronegative inflammatory disease, we describe the clinical and laboratory features of 76 patients with inflammation and/or rupture of the PTT. Analysis of all patients identified two discrete groups. Group A patients were younger (mean age 39 years) and had multiple manifestations of inflammation at other sites of ligament and tendon attachments (enthesopathy). Other features of a systemic inflammatory disorder such as oral ulcers, conjunctivitis, colitis, and especially psoriasis were common in the latter patients and their families. Group B consisted predominantly of elderly patients (mean age 64 years) with isolated dysfunction of the PTT. These two groups differed widely in the manner of clinical presentation, demographic data, family history, HLA data, and surgical pathology. These distinctions suggest different pathogeneses for posterior tibial tendinitis. Group A demonstrated local manifestations of a systemic inflammatory disease, whereas group B exhibited the effects of mechanical trauma and degeneration.

A retrospective study of the postsurgical results of 10 patients who had dorsiflexion osteotomy was undertaken. Patient satisfaction, clinical findings, and roentgenographic measurements were all carefully evaluated after an average duration of follow-up of 36.5 months. The procedure gave excellent results for all patients, with minimal loss of metatarsophalangeal motion and an average radiological metatarsal shortening of 2.3 mm and no postoperative metatarsalgia. The authors believe that the dorsiflexion osteotomy is a reasonable treatment for symptomatic Freiberg's disease. The procedure is reliable and not destructive, should further treatment be necessary.

A new technique of tibiotalar arthrodesis has been developed offering wide exposure, excellent correction of deformity, good bony apposition, and blade plate fixation. This technique has even been effective in cases of ischemic necrosis of the talus. A modified pediatric blade plate is used to effect compression of the talus to the tibia and to provide stability against flexion/extension and varus/valgus movement. Fixation is augmented by a lateral fibular strut screwed to the tibia and talus.

In this series, 17 compression blade plate tibiotalar arthrodeses were performed. Follow-up averaged 48 months (range 13 to 85 months). Preoperative diagnoses included postraumatic degenerative arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and ischemic necrosis of the talus. Solid fusion was achieved in 16 of 17 patients (94%) with a painless, stable pseudarthrosis in the remaining one. Time to fusion averaged 4 months (range 2 ½ to 6 months). Functional clinical results were excellent in 12 and good in 4 patients. Of 14 patients evaluated by the Mazur scale, 10 scored within the range of excellent; 2, good; and 2, fair.

The purposes of the project were to monitor the development of the lower extremities and the longitudinal arch of the foot and to determine whether or not arch support footwear (three types) affected development of a neutral arch in toddlers 11 to 14 months of age until age 5 years. A total of 125 beginner walkers were recruited through the pediatrics department during a period of 1 ½ years and divided by lot into four different footwear groups (one nonarch supportive). The group was studied for 4 years by physical examinations, x-ray films, and pedotopography (a Moire fringe technique of photography). At initial examination all of the apparently normal toddlers had pes planus by all clinical, roentgenographic, and photographic measurements. There were no cavus feet at that time or at 5 years of age. Arches developed regardless of the footwear worn but development was faster during the first 2 years (until age 3 years) with arch support footwear. The rapidity of arch development until 5 years of age continued in those children who wore longitudinal arch cookies. Ossification of the sustentaculum tali begins at approximately 5 years of age but is not complete for at least another 1 to 2 years. Hyperpronation was present in 77.9% and genu valgum in 92.3% of the 5-year-old children. These conditions are apparently the norm at this age in both boys and girls.

Methods and results are described for a series of laser matricectomy cases in the toes, 23 partial matricectomies and 58 total matricectomies. A high incidence of nail recurrence was experienced, 48% for partial matricectomy and 50% for total matricectomy. After review of results, the laser method seemed to be less satisfactory than traditional surgical methods.

The influence of pronation and supination of the foot on the joints of the ankle/foot complex was analyzed three dimensionally by roentgen stereophotogrammetry in eight healthy volunteers. Radiopaque markers were introduced into the tibia, talus, calcaneus, navicular, medial cuneiform, and first metatarsal bones. The subjects stood on a platform that was tilted in 10°-steps from 20° of pronation to 20° of supination. Pairs of x-ray exposures were made in each position. Calculation of resulting joint deviations from the neutral position showed that the largest amounts of motion occurred in the talonavicular joint followed by the talocalcaneal joint, in the latter case mainly in supination. The joints proximal and distal to the medial cuneiform also participated substantially in the total motion registered. The tibia showed an average of 0.2° of external rotation for each degree of supination of the foot.

Body weight has been implicated as a factor in plantar heel pain. In this study, a statistically significant correlation between heel pain and increased body weight is documented in a series of consecutive plantar heel pain patients.

A patient with carcinoma cuniculatum of the foot, an uncommon tumor, is presented. This tumor, also reported as verrucous carcinoma and epithilioma cuniculatum, is a low-grade, squamous cell carcinoma of the skin that rarely metastasizes. The highly keratinizing lesion has a locally destructive course, but with treatment by excision, it has a low recurrence rate.