Citations

The relative risk of nonunion in smokers versus nonsmokers after ankle arthrodesis was determined in a case control study. Twenty-two patients were matched to 22 controls by age, sex, surgeon, surgical technique, and preoperative diagnosis. Information on duration, amount, and past history of smoking was obtained for these 44 patients. Ten of the patients were actively smoking at the time of surgery compared with four of the controls. Six of the patients had no history of smoking and six had stopped smoking before surgery. Eleven of the controls had no history of cigarette smoking and 7 had stopped smoking before surgery. The relative risk of nonunion was increased 3.75 times for active smokers. When patients did not have any known risk factors for nonunion, the risk of nonunion for smokers was 16 times the risk of nonunion for nonsmokers

The Rochester bone trephine is a useful instrument for performing small joint arthrodesis in the foot. The technique involves harvesting a dowel graft from the iliac crest and then inserting the graft into a recipient bed across the small joints in the foot. Minimal surgical trauma and patient discomfort result from this technique. Three cases are presented to illustrate the usefulness and diversity of this system.

In spite of the common occurrence of pes planus and multiple operations that have been reported to relieve the associated symptoms, there is little published on the relative contribution of various structures to stabilization of the arch of the foot. Twelve fresh-frozen human cadaveric feet were loaded along the tibial axis with compressive loads of 230, 460, and 690 newtons with the specimens intact and after sequential sectioning of plantar fascia, plantar ligaments, and spring ligament. Structures were sectioned in six different sequences and changes in vertical and horizontal dimensions of the medial arch were measured. The highest relative contribution to arch stability was provided by the plantar fascia, followed by plantar ligaments and spring ligament. Plantar fascia was a major factor in maintenance of the medial longitudinal arch. Its division in the cadaveric feet decreased arch stiffness by 25%.

Thirteen patients (14 feet) were treated for mild rheumatoid forefoot deformities with lesser toe partial proximal phalangectomies and partial syndactylizations. Eleven patients (85%) were reviewed at an average of 8 years postoperatively. The results were completely satisfactory in four patients, satisfactory with minor reservations in three patients, satisfactory with major reservations in one patient, and unsatisfactory in three patients. The major cause of reservations and lack of satisfaction was metatarsalgia. Seven patients (64%) reported that their activities were limited by intermittent metatarsalgia. Four patients (36%) considered the cosmetic appearance of the forefoot to be unsatisfactory. All but one patient required some form of shoewear modification. Based on this study, we believe the indications for this procedure are limited. These include rheumatoid patients with mild forefoot deformities without significant metatarsalgia or ongoing disease who have failed nonoperative treatment. Relative contraindications to this operation appear to include the recent onset of rheumatoid arthritis, active disease, significant metatarsalgia, and strong cosmetic concerns regarding outcome. In borderline clinical decisions that involve whether or not to leave or excise the lesser metatarsal heads, they probably should be excised to decrease late metatarsalgia.

Implant removal and synovectomy were used to treat the failure of 14 first metatarsophalangeal joint implant arthroplasties. Revision surgery was performed at an average of 3.1 years after arthroplasty. Follow-up (average 4.9 years) was possible in 10 patients, and clinical results were excellent in seven patients, good in one patient, fair in one patient, and poor in one patient. No significant changes in alignment occurred, although a trend toward toe extension was noted. Dynamic force plate studies in these patients demonstrated less pressure under the first metatarsal head and greater loading under the lateral forefoot. The great toe had less contact time during gait in the involved feet than in the control feet.

Thirteen consecutive patients underwent plantar fasciotomy in 16 feet for intractable plantar fasciitis and had follow-up from 4.5 to 15 years. Plantar fasciotomy was successful (good or excellent results) for 71% of the 14 feet operated on and for which follow-up data were available. However, time to full recovery was prolonged, additional treatment was frequently required, and abnormalities of foot function persisted. Flattening of the longitudinal arch occurred. Dynamic force-plate studies showed differences in peak vertical, fore-aft, and lateralmedial forces between patients and matched controls. More rapid progression of weightbearing along the longitudinal axis of the foot during stance phase in patients indicated avoidance of heel loading.

The effects of shoe wear, custom-made inserts, patellar tendon-bearing (PTB) braces, and extra-padded PTB braces on load transmission to neuroarthropathic (Charcot) feet of six diabetic patients were assessed. A PTB brace with a free ankle and an extradepth shoe without external modifications was used. Four distinct anatomical regions were evaluated by an in-shoe technique measuring vertical force. The mean peak force transmitted to the entire foot was higher in the affected than in the unaffected extremity barefoot and shod. The mean peak forces under the midfoot were higher for the affected than for the unaffected extremity for all tested circumstances. In the affected foot, use of the standard PTB brace reduced mean peak force to the entire foot by 15%. Adding extra padding to the brace decreased the mean peak force 32%. The effect of padding on vertical load transmission was greatest for patients who had worn the brace the longest. For the patients who had worn it longer than average, the addition of padding decreased the mean peak force to the entire foot by 19%, to the hindfoot by 37%, and to the midfoot by 20%. Clinical Relevance: In this preliminary study, we found that a properly fitted PTB brace can reduce load transmission to the Charcot foot. Specifically, load transmission was reduced to the hindfoot, but not to the midfoot or forefoot. Based on these results, we cannot recommend its use to reduce vertical force transmission to the Charcot midfoot or forefoot. Long-term PTB brace use, especially in the limited weightbearing patient, should be regularly adjusted to ensure adequate brace fit.

Bunionectomy with medial capsulorrhaphy was performed on 54 feet (37 patients) and follow-up was obtained on 49 feet (33 patients) at a mean of 4.8 years postoperatively. Results were excellent in 17 feet, good in 16, fair in 7, and poor in 9. Mean motion of the first metatarsophalangeal joint was 81°. The primary reason for failure was recurrent deformity. Patients were dissatisfied with the results in 41% of the feet. Mean intermetatarsal 1–2 angle increased 1.7° and mean metatarsophalangeal-1 angle increased 4.8°. The operation was significantly more successful in patients who underwent it for painful medial eminence. Bunionectomy with medial capsulorrhaphy is recommended for elderly patients with symptoms primarily due to prominent medial eminence, and its application for the young patient with significant hallux valgus deformity is limited.

Nineteen distal chevron metatarsal osteotomy operations were performed in 13 patients with painful bunionette. The average duration of follow-up was 7.1 years. Mean forefoot score improved from 35.8 points to 73.9 points out of a possible 75 points. Intermetatarsal 4–5 angle, metatarsophalangeal 5 angle, and forefoot width improved significantly. Overall results were considered good in 17 feet and fair in 2; there were no failures. Complications were transfer metatarsalgia (1 foot) and wound infection (1 foot). Distal chevron fifth metatarsal osteotomy is effective treatment for symptomatic bunionette.

The extraosseous and intraosseous vascular anatomy to the fifth metatarsal as visualized in a group of below-the- knee amputation specimens has been described. The extrinsic circulation to the area is provided by the dorsal metatarsal artery, the plantar metatarsal arteries, and the fibular plantar marginal artery. These three source arteries supply branches to the metatarsal and adjacent joints. The intraosseous vascularity consists of a periosteal plexus, a nutrient artery, and a system of metaphyseal and capital vessels.