scholarly journals The Plantar Fascia Talar Head Correlation: A Radiographic Parameter With a Distinct Threshold to Validate Flatfoot Deformity and Its Corrective Surgery on Conventional Weightbearing Radiographs

2021 ◽  
pp. 107110072110522
Author(s):  
Marc Merian ◽  
Achim Kaim

Background: Corrective surgery for flexible flatfoot deformity (FD) remains controversial, and one of the main reasons for this is the lack of standardized radiographic measurements to define an FD. Previously published radiographic parameters to differentiate between a foot with and without an FD do not have a commonly accepted and distinct threshold. Methods: The plantar fascia–talar head correlation (PTC) with its defined threshold was assessed by measuring the distance between the medial border of the plantar fascia and the center of the talar head (DPT) on conventional dorsoplantar and lateral weightbearing radiographs; the authors were blinded to the clinical diagnosis of the 189 patients’ first visits. Feet were sorted into groups with and without an FD based on their clinical examination. The effect of operative corrections of FD on the PTC was retrospectively evaluated on an additional 38 patients. Results: The sensitivity of the PTC was 0.98 (95% CI: 0.9-1) and specificity 0.96 (95% CI: 0.92-0.98), respectively, to identify an FD, consistent with the clinical examination. Thirty-five of 38 surgeries sufficiently corrected the FD and the PTC comparable to that in subjects without an FD. Three corrections with a residual FD did not adequately correct the PTC. Conclusion: The PTC is a reliable radiographic parameter with a distinct threshold that is sensitive and specific for the differentiation of feet with and without an FD including feet with and without residual FD after corrective surgery. The PTC is applicable to monitor the needed intraoperative amount of correction using simulated weightbearing fluoroscopy. Level of Evidence: Level III, diagnostic.

1997 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 85-88 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cherise M. Dyal ◽  
John Feder ◽  
Jonathan T. Deland ◽  
Francesca M. Thompson

Bilateral weightbearing anteroposterior and lateral radiographs were analyzed in 43 patients with a clinical diagnosis of posterior tibial tendon insufficiency by two independent observers. The radiographs of each patient's asymptomatic foot was considered to serve as the control for the preexistance of pes planus. The radiographs were assessed for the severity of flatfoot deformity, the degree of talonavicular coverage, the talometatarsal angle, the calcaneometatarsal angle, the cuneiform to ground height and the cuneiform to fifth metatarsal height. Interobserver correlatations were assessed. Results indicated that there was a high interobserver correlation for the values measured, making these angles reproducible among observers. Strong correlations were found in the degree of severity of flatfoot deformity between the asymptomatic and symptomatic feet as well as the values used to assess pes planus (i.e., similar radiographic measurements on the opposite side). The data suggest that patients with posterior tibial tendon insufficiency often have a preexisting flatfoot. This substantiates our belief that a preexisting flexible flatfoot, although far from the determining factor, is one of several etiological factors in the development of posterior tibial tendon insufficiency.


2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (6) ◽  
pp. 704-711 ◽  
Author(s):  
Álvaro Iborra-Marcos ◽  
Juan José Ramos-Álvarez ◽  
Guillermo Rodriguez-Fabián ◽  
Federico Del Castillo-González ◽  
Antonio López-Román ◽  
...  

Background: Corticosteroid infiltration (CI) is commonly used for treatment of plantar fasciosis. In recent years, however, interest has grown in the use of intratissue percutaneous electrolysis (EPI) for the treatment of tendinopathies. The aim of our study was to compare the effectiveness of the above techniques in the treatment of plantar fasciosis. Methods: The results achieved over a period of 1 year following the use of these techniques to treat plantar fasciosis were examined. There were 64 patients; 32 of whom were treated with ultrasound-guided EPI and 32 with ultrasound-guided CI. A clinical examination was performed and ultrasound taken before treatment and at 3, 6, and 12 months. Clinical assessments were made using a visual analog scale (VAS) to record pain and the Foot and Ankle Disability Index (FADI) to evaluate function. Ultrasound was used to determine the thickness of the plantar fascia. Results: Both the ultrasound-guided EPI and CI techniques were associated with significant clinical and echographic improvements at 12 months post-treatment ( P < .001). Conclusion: Both techniques were effective in the treatment of PF, providing excellent VAS pain and FADI results at 12 months. However, CI required fewer patient visits and appeared to provide somewhat better VAS and FADI results. Level of Evidence: Level III, retrospective comparative study.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bin Li ◽  
Xianglong Meng ◽  
Xinuo Zhang ◽  
Yong Hai

Abstract Background With the population aging worldwide, adult degenerative scoliosis (ADS) is receiving increased attention. Frailty, instead of chronological age, is used for assessing the patient’s overall physical condition. In ADS patients undergoing a posterior approach, long-segment corrective surgery, the association of frailty with the postsurgical outcomes remains undefined. Methods ADS patients who underwent a posterior approach, long-segment fusion at the Department of Orthopedics, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University (CMU), Beijing, China, in 2014–2017 were divided into the frailty and non-frailty groups according to the modified frailty index. Major postoperative complications were recorded, including cardiac complications, pneumonia, acute renal dysfunction, delirium, stroke, neurological deficit, deep wound infection, gastrointestinal adverse events, and deep vein thrombosis. Radiographic measurements and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) parameters were recorded preoperatively and at 2 postoperative years. Results A total of 161 patients were included: 47 (29.2%) and 114 (70.8%) in the frailty and non-frailty groups, respectively. Major postoperative complications were more frequent in the frailty group than the non-frailty group (29.8% vs. 10.5%, P = 0.002). Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that frailty was independently associated with major complications (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 2.77, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.12–6.89, P = 0.028). Radiographic and HRQOL parameters were improved at 2 years but with no significant between-group differences. Conclusions Frailty is a risk factor for postoperative complications in ADS after posterior single approach, long-segment corrective surgery. Frailty screening should be applied preoperatively in all patients to optimize the surgical conditions in ADS.


2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 1698.2-1699
Author(s):  
I. Mahmoud ◽  
S. Rahmouni ◽  
A. Ben Tekaya ◽  
S. Bouden ◽  
R. Tekaya ◽  
...  

Background:Entheseal involvement is a frequent and distinctive feature of psoriatic arthritis (PsA), often under diagnosed. It is especially associated with nail involvement. Because clinical examination is not sensitive enough for the detection of early signs of this involvement, US may be considered as an alternative imaging technique in the diagnosis of enthesopathy.Objectives:The aim of the present study is to evaluate US entheses abnormalities in PsA and their correlation with clinical characteristicsMethods:The study included patients diagnosed with PsA according to the CASPAR criteria. They underwent a thorough clinical examination with special regard to the presence of enthesitis using the Spondyloarthritis Research Consortium of Canada (SPARCC) Enthesitis Index.The US study bilaterally explored entheses at six sites: proximal plantar fascia, distal Achilles tendon, distal and proximal patellar tendon insertion, distal quadriceps tendon and distal brachial triceps tendon. We evaluated the following elemental lesions of enthesis at each site: thickness and structure of the tendon, calcifications, bursae, erosions, power Doppler signal in bursa or enthesis full tendon.Results:Of the 33 patients, 39.4 % were male. The mean age was 51.2±12.5 years. The mean disease duration was 13.5±10.2 years.The mean DAPSA was 22.8± 19.7 [0.1-84.5]: remission(n=9), low activity (n=5),moderate activity (n=11),high activity(n=8).At inclusion, 11 patients (33.4%) patients presented with psoriatic onychopathy (45 fingernails) with a mean mNAPSI of 14.1±16. Out of the 528 entheseal sites, 92 were tender at the palpation (17,4%) with a mean SPARCC at 2.87.A total of 396 entheseal sites were examined by US. In 140 of them (35.35%), US found at least 1 sign indicative of enthesopathy. The most affected tendon was the distal Achilles tendon (42/396), followed by proximal plantar fascia (32/396), distal patellar tendon (20/396), quadriceps tendon (20/396), distal brachial triceps tendon(14/396) and finally proximal patellar tendon (12/396).The most common elemental lesions were enthsophytes (176), erosions (114) and calcifications (50).We found a positive correlation between age and both calcification (r=0,4, p=0.021) and enthesophytes (r=0.479, p=0.005).We found a positive correlation between enthesophyte and the tender and swollen joints count (r= 0.352, p=0.045, r=0.378, p=0.03) and the SPARCC score (r=0.397, p=0.022).Patients with higher BASDAI had thicker tendons (r=0.355, p=0.05).Patients with nail dystrophy had more bursitis and erosions.US scores did not correlate with sexe, disease duration and disease activity measures (ASDAS, DAPSA, DAS28 and PASI). Patients with subclinical entheseal involvement didn’t have higher inflammatory biomarkers (ESR, CRP).Conclusion:US subclinical enthesopthy are not rare in psoriatic arthritis, in particular in patients with active disease.Clinical nail involvement was associated with bursitis and erosions. New studies including larger study groups are required to verify the findings of the present studyDisclosure of Interests:None declared


2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 406-412 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Grzywna ◽  
A. McClung ◽  
J. Sanders ◽  
P. Sturm ◽  
L. Karlin ◽  
...  

Purpose To investigate paediatric orthopaedists’ cast practices for early onset scoliosis regarding patient selection, cast application, radiographic evaluation, treatment cessation and adjunctive bracing. Methods A casting survey was distributed to all paediatric orthopaedists in Children’s Spine and Growing Spine Study Groups (n = 92). Questions included physician and patient characteristics, technique, treatment, outcomes, radiographic measurements and comparison to other treatments. A total of 55 orthopaedists (60%) responded, and descriptive statistics were calculated on the subset who cast (n = 45). Results A majority of respondents use cast treatment for idiopathic and syndromic scoliosis patients, but not for neuromuscular or congenital scoliosis patients. Major curve angle ranked most important in orthopaedists’ decision to commence cast treatment, in comparison with rib-vertebra angle difference or clinical observations. The major curve angle threshold to initiate casting was a median of 30° (20° to 70°), and the minimum patient age was median ten months (3 to 24). First in-cast and out-of-cast radiographs are taken standing, supine, awake, under anesthesia and/or in traction. In all, 58% consistently cast over or under the arm, while 44% vary position by patient. Respondents were divided about the use of a brace after cast treatment: 22% do not prescribe a brace, 31% always do and 36% do in some patients. Conclusions Future multicentre research studies must standardize radiographic practices and consider age and major curve angle at cast initiation and termination, scoliosis aetiology, shoulder position and treatment duration. Practices need to be aligned or compared in these areas in order to distinguish what makes for the best cast treatment possible. Level of Evidence V, Expert opinion


2010 ◽  
Vol 100 (6) ◽  
pp. 463-471 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Grazia Benedetti ◽  
Lisa Berti ◽  
Sofia Straudi ◽  
Francesco Ceccarelli ◽  
Sandro Giannini

Background: Radiographic assessment is still used to evaluate flexible flatfoot in children. Methods: To find a set of radiologic parameters for assessing this disease, we studied 53 children aged 10 to 14 years. The degree of plantar collapse was measured by Viladot’s classification (grades 0–4). The degree of valgus deformity measured in the heel in a standing position, the presence of painful points, and functional limitation during daily-living activities were also reported. The children underwent standard radiography of the foot under load. On the dorsoplantar view, the talocalcaneal, hallux metatarsophalangeal, and first intermetatarsal angles were measured. On the lateral view, the talocalcaneal, Costa Bertani, talometatarsal, talonavicular, and tibiotalar angles were measured. The radiographic measurements were compared with the data reported in the literature and were correlated with the clinical parameters studied (degree of flatfoot, valgus deviation of the heel, pain, and functional limitation). Results: The radiographic measures that resulted increased with respect to the reference values reported in the literature for the Costa Bertani (93.1% of feet), talometatarsal (93.5%), talonavicular (89.1%), and tibiotalar (69.7%) angles, all in the lateral view. Of the angles assessed in the dorsoplantar view, the hallux metatarsophalangeal (11.1%) and first intermetatarsal (24.2%) angles were increased. The degree of flatfoot was correlated with the Costa Bertani angle (P &lt; .0005). In the group with pain, the lateral talocalcaneal (P = .016) and first intermetatarsal (P = .02) angles were increased compared within the group without pain. Conclusions: Despite technical limitations, we still consider standard radiography of the foot, combined with clinical examination, to be a valid tool for assessing flexible flatfoot in children, especially when surgical treatment is expected and when a basic measure of the structural setup of the foot is necessary. (J Am Podiatr Med Assoc 100(6): 463–471, 2010)


2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Makoura Barro ◽  
Bintou Sanogo ◽  
Aimée S. Kissou ◽  
Ad Bafa Ibrahim Ouattara ◽  
Boubacar Nacro

Williams-Beuren syndrome (WBS) is a rare neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by a set of somatic, psychological, and behavioral abnormalities, which is caused by a deletion of several genes. Herein we report a 6 year-old boy, who presented with mental retardation and psychological disorders. The result of the first clinical examination was poor, since it didn’t detect any dysmorphic feature which is a major component for the clinical diagnosis of WBS. Despite the multidisciplinary and the multicenter approaches used, the diagnosis of WBS (deletion of chromosome band 7q11. 23) was established more than 3 years after the first medical consultation. Rare partial forms of WBS have been recently described and they are both clinically and genetically difficult to diagnose. Unfortunately, this disorder is still little known by health professionals.


2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (8) ◽  
pp. 964-971 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ian M. Foran ◽  
Nasima Mehraban ◽  
Stephen K. Jacobsen ◽  
Daniel D. Bohl ◽  
Johnny Lin ◽  
...  

Background: Shortening and dorsiflexion of the first metatarsal are known potential side effects of metatarsal osteotomies for hallux valgus (HV) with the potential to cause transfer metatarsalgia. We compared the effect of the first tarsometatarsal joint arthrodesis (Lapidus procedure), proximal lateral closing wedge osteotomy (PLCWO), and intermetatarsal suture button fixation procedures on the length and dorsiflexion of the first ray. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 105 feet in 99 patients with 30 weeks of follow-up. The average age was 54 years. Seventy-four feet had a Lapidus procedure, 12 had a PLCWO, and 19 had intermetatarsal suture button fixation. Digital radiographic measurements were made for the pre- and postoperative hallux valgus angle (HVA) and intermetatarsal angle (IMA), absolute and relative shortening of the first ray, and dorsiflexion. Results: Preoperative HVA and IMA did not differ between treatment groups ( P > .05 for each). Similar corrections of HVA (30.5-13.5 degrees) were achieved between all groups ( P > .05). The IMA was improved more in the Lapidus group (14.3-6.5 degrees) compared with the suture button fixation group (14.2-8.1 degrees) ( P = .045). There were significant differences in the change in absolute first cuneiform–metatarsal length (FCML) between the Lapidus (–1.6 mm), PLCWO (–2.3 mm), and intermetatarsal suture button fixation (+1.9 mm) procedure ( P = .004). There were also significant differences in relative first metatarsal shortening between the Lapidus (0.1 mm relative shortening), PLCWO (1.1 mm relative shortening), and intermetatarsal suture button fixation (1.3 mm lengthening) procedure ( P < .001). The average dorsiflexion differed between the Lapidus (1.8 degrees) and suture button fixation (0.4 degrees) groups ( P = .004). Conclusion: Intermetatarsal suture button fixation relatively lengthened the first ray, the Lapidus procedure maintained length, and the PLCWO relatively and absolutely shortened it. Dorsiflexion may be higher with the Lapidus and osteotomy procedures. Level of Evidence: Level III, retrospective comparative series.


2017 ◽  
Vol 107 (1) ◽  
pp. 46-53 ◽  
Author(s):  
So Young Ahn ◽  
Soo Kyung Bok ◽  
Bong Ok Kim ◽  
In Sik Park

Background: A talus control foot orthosis (TCFO) combines an inverted rigid foot orthosis (RFO) with a broad upright portion that rises well above the navicular to cover and protect the talonavicular joint. We sought to identify the therapeutic effect of TCFOs in children with flexible flatfoot. Methods: Flexible flatfoot was diagnosed in 40 children when either of the feet had greater than 4° valgus of resting calcaneal stance position (RCSP) angle and one of the radiographic indicators was greater than 30° in anteroposterior talocalcaneal angles, 45° in lateral talocalcaneal angles, and 4° in lateral talometatarsal angles and less than 10° of calcaneal pitch in barefoot radiographs. Of 40 children with flexible flatfoot, 20 were fitted with a pair of RFOs and 20 with TCFOs, randomly. Follow-up clinical and radiographic measurements were completed 12 months later. Results: All of the radiographic indicators changed toward the corrective direction in both groups. There were significant improvements in calcaneal pitch and RCSP in both groups (P &lt; .05). In the TCFO group, the anteroposterior talocalcaneal angle and the RCSP showed statistically significant improvement compared with the RFO group. Conclusions: In this study, the TCFO was more effective than the RFO at treating children with flexible flatfoot.


2018 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 439-446 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael J. Granado ◽  
Everett B. Lohman ◽  
Noha S. Daher ◽  
Keith E. Gordon

Background: Ultrasound is a widely used diagnostic tool for patients with plantar fasciitis. However, the lack of standardization during the measurement for plantar fascia thickness has made it challenging to understand the etiology of plantar fasciitis, as well as identify risk factors, such as gender. The purpose of this study was to investigate gender differences regarding plantar fascia thickness while controlling for metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint position in the healthy and those with unilateral plantar fasciitis. Methods: Forty participants (20 with unilateral plantar fasciitis and 20 controls) with plantar fascia thickness (mean age, 44.8 ± 12.2 years) participated in this study. The majority were females (n = 26, 65%). Plantar fascia thickness was measured via ultrasound 3 times at 3 different MTP joint positions: (1) at rest, (2) at 30 degrees of extension, and (3) at maximal extension. Results: When comparing gender differences, the males in the plantar fasciitis group had a significantly thicker plantar fascia than the females ( P = .048, η2 = 2.35). However, no significant differences were observed between healthy males and females. The males with unilateral plantar fasciitis also had significantly thicker asymptomatic plantar fasciae collectively compared with controls ( P < .05), whereas females with unilateral plantar fasciitis had a similar but not significant change. Conclusion: It appears that healthy males and females have similar plantar fascia thickness. However, as plantar fasciitis develops, males tend to develop thicker plantar fasciae than their female counterparts, which could have future treatment implications. Level of Evidence: Level III, case-control comparative study.


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