Foot & Ankle Specialist

The aim of the present study was to evaluate balance deficits after an ankle sprain in collegiate students and to examine the effectiveness of 2 different balance rehabilitation programs on balance ability. Thirty collegiate students with functional ankle instability were randomly divided into 2 groups. Both groups followed an intervention balance program for 6 weeks, 3 times per week, 20 minutes per session, using balance boards. One of the 2 training groups performed the exercises on the ground—the “Land” group (n = 15), and the other in a swimming pool—the “Aquatic” group (n = 15). Balance ability was assessed before and after the 6-week intervention program. Balance assessments included static (stability indices: total, anterior–posterior, medial–lateral) and dynamic (dynamic moving the cursor) stability tests on the Biodex Stability System (Biodex, Inc, Shirley, NY). The results showed that in both training groups balance ability of the injured leg was significantly improved after the training period. In the final measurements, no statistically significant differences between the injured and healthy limb were found. The present study indicates that the performance of balance exercises in or out of water by collegiate students with functional ankle instability improves their balance ability.

Level of Evidence: Therapeutic, Level 1

Prescriptions for functional ankle instability are generally oriented to taping, which need to be validated as an efficient treatment. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of ankle taping on the subject’s foot pressure and gait pattern, including mediolateral analysis, according to tape application side. A sample of 20 right-handed healthy subjects volunteered to participate in this study, which was composed of 3 taping conditions: “with taping of the right ankle,” “with taping of both ankles,” and “with taping of the left ankle.” Participants were asked to perform a walk on the walkway to get 2 footprints repeated 6 times. The variables measured were step length, step duration, double stance, and swing. The results clearly showed significant change in step duration and double phase when tape was applied to the left ankle, F(2, 54) = 12.03; P < .05. Significant changes were also observed for step length and swing when tape was applied to the both ankles, F(2, 54) = 10.71; P < .05]. This study showed that double stance and swing phase duration increases, and that the pressure is equalized on both feet when taping the unstable ankle. Taping a functionally unstable ankle is more likely to improve its stability.

Levels of Evidence: Therapeutic Level II: Prospective comparative trial

A 1-piece memory Nitinol intramedullary fixation device (Smart Toe; Stryker Corporation, Kalamazoo, MI) was used for proximal interphalangeal joint arthrodesis for correction of painful hammertoes in digits 2, 3, and 4. Sixty-five implants were placed in 35 patients. The mean age of our patients was 62.2 years (range = 27-82; standard deviation = 12.5). Mean follow-up time was 27 months (range = 12-40 months; standard deviation = 7). Overall, a 93.8% fusion rate was noted. Complications were noted in 4 patients (6.1%): 1 asymptomatic nonunion (1.5%), 2 hardware failures (3%), and 1 implant displacement (1.5%). To date, no patients required revisional surgery or hardware removal.

Level of Evidence: V

Purpose. Surgical correction of the adult acquired flatfoot deformity (AAFD) is continually evolving. This technique article presents the technique of the calcaneal scarf osteotomy (CSO) and radiographic evidence supporting the ability of this procedure to correct an AAFD. Method. The technique described here is a single osteotomy that corrects flatfoot deformity in all 3 planes. Retrospectively, medical records were reviewed to identify patients who underwent a CSO for surgical correction of AAFD. Pre- and postoperative radiographs were reviewed. Results. Thirty patients (32 feet) had an average age of 49.0 ± 17.2 years (range = 35-73 years) with an average of 5.7 ± 2.0 years (range = 1-11 years) of follow-up. Anteroposterior and lateral radiographic parameters were significantly altered with this procedure (P < .001). CSO-induced calcaneal–cuboid joint arthritis did not occur. Discussion and Conclusions. The results of the current study demonstrate that the CSO significantly changes radiographic exam parameters in patients who suffer from AAFD. Therefore, the CSO provides triplanar correction through one osteotomy with early return to weight bearing and lacks the complications such as lateral column pain associated with other calcaneal osteotomies.

Levels of Evidence: Level IV, Retrospective cohort study

Background. Many articles have been published to address the topic of in-hospital falls; however, there is considerably less literature that focuses specifically on the topic of falls from the operating room table. The lay press and legal filings contain reports of such incidents, which can result in considerable morbidity, lawsuits, and occasional death. Technique. When tilting the operating table, a simple technique for preventing falls is through the use of posts. Posts are regularly used during knee and hip arthroscopy to facilitate valgus positioning or access into the joint. These posts can be positioned below the axilla and at the level of the greater trochanter to supplement patient safety straps when tilting the table. Discussion. Falls that occur during a hospital admission can lead to serious injury and prolonged hospital stays. Furthermore, falls that occur off the operating table are particularly disastrous and in some cases have resulted in death. Our proposed technique is simple and particularly useful for patients with large or small body habitus or when operating procedures necessitate significant tilting of the operating table.

Levels of Evidence: Level V

Ankle fractures patterns in children may vary depending on the maturity of the distal tibial and fibular physis. Bimalleolar ankle fracture is an exceedingly rare fracture pattern in children and has been reported once in the current English literature. Two further adolescents with bimalleolar ankle fracture are reported. Although these fractures are rare, surgeons should be aware of these atypical fracture patterns. Herein, the underlying physiology and the mechanism of injury of ankle fractures in children are discussed.

Level of Evidence: Therapeutic, Level IV, Case study

Tendon ruptures are common findings in foot and ankle practice. The etiology of tendon ruptures tends to be multifactorial—usually due to a combination of trauma, effects of systemic diseases, adverse effects of medications, and obesity. We present an unusual case of right Achilles tendinitis, left Achilles tendon rupture, bilateral peroneus longus tendon rupture, and left peroneus brevis tendon rupture of unknown etiology. This case report highlights the need for research for other possible, lesser known etiologies of tendon pathology.

Level of Evidence: Therapeutic, Level IV, Case Study

A case report of a 55-year-old woman who was being considered for bilateral below knee or Syme’s amputations after gangrene at the level of both forefeet due to meningococcal septicaemia is described. An expectant approach for 6 months revealed that the tissues deep to the necrotic skin were viable and she was subsequently able to mobilize independently with normal footwear after bilateral toe amputations at the metatarsophalangeal joint levels. This case and a literature review suggest that the demarcation of healthy skin from necrotic skin (eschar) should not dictate the level of amputation in dry gangrene of the foot following meningococcal septicemia. Magnetic resonance imaging can overestimate the degree of muscle necrosis. Treatment should be individualized for each patient, but advice should include the option of prolonged conservative treatment to preserve limb length and function.

Level of Evidence: Therapeutic, Level IV: Case study

Stress fracture of the anterior process of the calcaneus is rare. We present a case of a 14-year-old female basketball player who suffered a stress fracture of the anterior process of the calcaneus that was not associated with a calcaneonavicular coalition. After conservative treatment failed, drilling of the fracture site was required to facilitate healing. A possible cause of this rare type of stress fracture seemed to be a long anterior process of the calcaneus.

Level of Evidence: Therapeutic, Level IV: Case study