The Journal of foot and ankle surgery : official publication of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons
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Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a condition that is often associated with the extremities. This chronic pain syndrome, when localized to the lower extremity, includes peripheral changes such as edema, temperature alterations, limited range of motion, loss of or excessive perspiration, pain out of proportion to any stimulus, and trophic alterations of the skin, hair, and nails. In this report, we describe the case of a patient who developed complex regional pain syndrome following an ankle injury and surgery. This case report highlights treatment options that are available to patients experiencing complex regional pain, including the use of a spinal cord stimulator. ⋯ 4.
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A deep peroneal intraneural cyst of the first web space of the foot is presented. Analysis of the magnetic resonance image scans revealed not only a connection with the medial aspect of the second metatarsophalangeal joint, but also the presence of an interconnected cyst within the lateral digital branch of the hallux. These characteristic magnetic resonance image findings are consistent with those previously described for a peroneal intraneural ganglion cyst that arose from the superior tibiofibular joint, and include (1) origin (ascent) from the second metatarsophalangeal joint with propagation along the articular branch and into the dorsal digital branch of the second toe, (2) cross-over within the shared epineurial sheath of the deep peroneal nerve, and (3) further propagation (descent) within the dorsal digital branch of the hallux. The analogous features between intraneural ganglion cysts affecting small and large-caliber nerves support the fundamental principles of the unified articular (synovial) theory for the formation of intraneural ganglia, including (1) a connection to a synovial joint, (2) dissection of joint fluid through a capsular rent along the articular branch into the parent nerve, and (3) intra-epineurial, pressure-dependent propagation of cyst fluid along paths of least resistance. ⋯ 4.