Foot & ankle
-
The tibiofibular clear space, a commonly used parameter in assessing the reduction of the syndesmosis in the management of ankle injuries, its anatomic boundaries, and resultant diagnostic ramifications were evaluated. This interval is seen to reflect the posterior aspect of the distal tibiofibular relationship and to vary not only with direct lateral displacement of the distal fibula but also potentially with rotational abnormalities of the fibula.
-
There is currently no objective reliable diagnostic test for plantar fasciitis inasmuch as diagnosis cannot be made on the basis of finding a heel spur on radiography (x-ray). In this single-blind observational study, ultrasonography was used to measure plantar fascia thickness in subjects with clinically suspected plantar fasciitis and in control subjects. It was concluded that the population mean plantar fascia thickness is greater for people with plantar fasciitis than for people without heel pain (P < .0005) and that the difference is clinically significant. The ultrasonic appearance of the plantar fascia in plantar fasciitis indicated inflammatory changes.