Foot and ankle surgery : official journal of the European Society of Foot and Ankle Surgeons
-
This prospective study investigates the use of intraoperative fluoroscopy in hallux valgus surgery. To our knowledge there have been no studies questioning the benefit and reliability of intraoperative fluoroscopy in hallux valgus surgery. ⋯ Intraoperative fluoroscopy is a reliable technique. This study was performed at a centre which performs approximately 100 hallux valgus operations per year and that should be taken into consideration when reviewing our findings. We conclude that there may be a role for fluoroscopy for surgeons in the early stages of the surgical learning curve and for those that infrequently perform hallux valgus surgery. We cannot, however, recommend that fluoroscopy be used routinely in hallux valgus surgery.
-
Acute osteomyelitis of the hind foot is uncommon in a normal immunocompetent adult. ⋯ This case represents an unusual and important variation of presentation of acute osteomyelitis in a healthy adult. It can be easily overlooked when a normal patient presents with pain and functional impairment after a closed soft tissue trauma, but a high index of suspicion is paramount because virulent organisms can infect immunologically normal patients.
-
The purpose of this study was to identify the incidence and risk factors associated with pulmonary embolism and deep venous thrombosis following open reduction and internal fixation of ankle fractures. ⋯ The overall rate of thromboembolic disease was low in this large patient sample. Increased age and comorbidity were associated with an increased risk.
-
Regardless of the simple surgical technique, the success of the subtalar arthrodesis is limited by the rate of non-unions of the arthrodesis. The functional outcome of workers compensation is known to be poorer compared to patients without pending litigation. The aim of this study was to quantify the rate of non-unions and to determine risk factors leading to failure of the osseous consolidation after arthrodesis of the subtalar joint. The outcome assessed is a general health assessment with the SF-36 questionnaire and more illness specific with the AOFAS hindfoot score. Secondly, the influence of the health insurance status of the patients with or without worker's compensation on the outcome was tested. ⋯ The outcome measures of the patients with SF-36 and the more functional related AOFAS hindfoot score showed poor outcome rates after subtalar fusion in posttraumatic osteoarthritis. The AOFAS hindfoot score was 47±24 points after primary arthrodesis and 46±17 points after secondary arthrodesis of the subtalar joint. The patients regained their former ability to work only in 30% after fusion of the subtalar joint. If revision surgery was necessary 8% of the patients got back to their work prior to the injury.
-
Benign lytic lesions of the calcaneus are rare and are usually asymptomatic. We report this case of a 55-year-old man with bilateral non-traumatic plantar heel pain, which was treated conservatively as plantar fasciitis. At three months follow-up, the patient had complete relief of symptoms in the left heel with partial relief of symptoms on the right side. ⋯ Following surgical intervention, the diagnosis was confirmed as intra-osseous lipoma and the patient was completely symptom free at two-year follow-up. Patients presenting with non-traumatic heel pain should be explained about the possible causes of heel pain, and should be offered X-ray at the first visit. In patients with X-ray showing unilateral lipoma of the calcaneus, CT scan should be offered to rule out involvement of the opposite side.