In Vivo Analysis of Hindfoot Joints Movement During Stance Phase in Stage Ⅱ Adult Acquired Flatfoot Deformity

Background This study aims to compare the kinematic characteristics of hindfoot joints of stage Ⅱ adult acquired flatfoot deformity (AAFD) and normal foot through two-dimension (2D) -three-dimension (3D) registration technology and a single fluoroscopic imaging system, thus to provide research basis to the pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of AAFD. Methods Then seven normal volunteers and eight volunteers with stage Ⅱ AAFD were recruited to take the CT scans for their bilateral feet in neutral positions, after that their lateral dynamic X-ray data during stance phase were collected including fourteen normal feet and ten flatfeet. A computer-aided simulated light source for 3D CT model was applied to obtain a virtual image, and it is matched with the dynamic X-ray images to make a registration in “Fluo” software, by which finally the spatial changes during the stance phase can be calculated. Results In the early stage of touching the ground and the middle stage of standing, the extension and external rotation valgus of the navicular bone of the flat foot was compared with that of the normal navicular bone, and there was no significant difference in the extension and external rotation valgus of the calcaneus between the cuboid phase and the normal navicular bone. In the late stance phase, the degree of varus relative to the distance of the navicular bone was smaller in the flat foot than in the normal foot but the degree of metatarsal flexion was not significantly different between the cuboid and the calcaneus, and the degree of varus was smaller in the calcaneus but the degree of metatarsal flexion was greater. Conclusion During the early and mid-stance phase, there are excessive motion in the subtalar and talonavicular joints in stage Ⅱ AAFD. During the late stance phase, the motion of subtalar and talonavicular joints are in the decompensated state. During the whole stance phase, the motion of calcaneocuboid joint has no significant difference in both normal foot and stage Ⅱ AAFD.

A Modified Extra-articular Lateral Column Lengthening Procedure for Adult Acquired Flatfoot Deformity

Background: Lateral column lengthening (LCL), originally described by Evans, is an established procedure to correct stage II adult acquired flatfoot deformity (AAFD). However, the relative position between the facets is violated, and other problems may include nonunion, malunion, and calcaneocuboid (CC) joint subluxation. Herein, we report a modified extra-articular technique of LCL with hockey-stick osteotomy, which preserves the subtalar joint as a whole, increases bony apposition to enhance healing ability, and preserves the insertion of the calcaneofibular ligament to stabilize the posterior fragment to promote adduction of the forefoot. Methods: We retrospectively recruited 24 patients (26 feet) with stage II AAFD who underwent extra-articular LCL. The mean age was 55.7 ± 15.7 years, and the mean follow-up period was 33.4 ± 12.1 months. Associated procedures of spring ligament repair/reconstruction and posterior tibial tendon plication or flexor digitorum longus transfer were routinely performed and may also include a Cotton osteotomy, heel cord lengthening, or hallux valgus correction. Clinical and radiographic outcomes at the final follow-up were compared with the preoperative assessments. Results: All patients achieved calcaneus union within 3 months of operation. The VAS pain score improved from 5.3 ± 0.75 preoperatively to 1.2 ± 0.79 at the final follow-up ( P < .001), and the AOFAS Ankle-Hindfoot Scale from 63.5 ± 8.5 to 85.8 ± 4.8 points ( P < .001). The radiographic measurements significantly improved in terms of the preoperative vs final angles of 8.9 ± 5.3 vs 15.2 ± 3.6 degrees for calcaneal pitch ( P < .001), 20.5 ± 9.2 vs 4.9 ± 4.8 degrees for Meary angle ( P < .001), 46.5 ± 5.2 vs 41.9 ± 3.2 degrees for lateral talocalcaneal angle ( P < .001), 23.9 ± 8.5 vs 3.9 ± 3.1 degrees for talonavicular coverage angle ( P < .001), and 18.2 ± 9.2 vs 7.3 ± 5.0 degrees for talus-first metatarsal angle ( P = .002). The CC joint subluxation percentage was 7.0% ± 5.4% preoperatively compared with 8.5% ± 2.4% at the final follow-up ( P = .101). No case showed progression of CC joint arthritis or CC joint subluxation (>15% CC joint subluxation percentage). One case showed transient sural nerve territory paresthesia, and 1 had pin tract infection. Three cases had lateral foot pain, which could be relieved by custom insoles. Conclusion: Modified extra-articular LCL as part of AAFD correction is a feasible alternative technique without subtalar joint invasion and may be associated with less CC joint subluxation compared with the Evans osteotomy. Level of Evidence: Level IV, retrospective case series.

First-Ray Radiographic Changes After Flexible Adult Acquired Flatfoot Deformity Correction

Background: Adult acquired flatfoot deformity (AAFD) and hallux valgus (HV) are common foot and ankle deformities. Few studies have reported the changes in radiographic parameters of HV after reconstructive surgery for AAFD. This study aimed to evaluate the changes in radiographic parameters of HV and analyze the risk factors for increased HV after correction of AAFD. Methods: Adult patients with flexible AAFD who underwent similar bony procedures including medializing calcaneal osteotomy and Cotton osteotomy were included. Radiographic parameters were measured on weightbearing radiographs preoperatively, postoperatively, and at the final follow-up. Patients were divided into hallux valgus angle (HVA) increased and HVA nonincreased groups; logistic regression analysis was performed to identify risk factors affecting increased HV. Results: Forty-six feet of 43 patients were included. After AAFD reconstructive surgery, the tibial sesamoid position improved by 1 grade, but the HVA increased 4 degrees in average. Further, 21 of 46 feet (46%) showed an HVA increase ≥5 degrees immediately after AAFD correction surgery. Preoperative talonavicular coverage angle <21.6 degrees was a risk factor associated with HV increase immediately after the surgery. Conclusion: In this case series, using plain radiographs to measure standard parameters of foot alignment, we found the association between AAFD correction and HV deformity measures somewhat paradoxical. Correction of overpronation of the hindfoot and midfoot appears to improve the first metatarsal rotational deformity but may also increase HVA. A lower preoperative talonavicular coverage angle was associated with an increase of the HVA after surgery. Level of Evidence: Level IV, case series study.

Outcomes of 2B Adult Acquired Flatfoot Deformity Correction in Patients With and Without Spring Ligament Tear

Background: It is currently unclear how injury to the spring ligament (SL) affects the preoperative presentation of adult acquired flatfoot deformity (AAFD) or the outcome of operative reconstruction. The purposes of this study were to assess the preoperative features and pre- or postoperative function of patients who underwent direct operative repair of an SL tear compared to those without a tear. Methods: 86 patients undergoing operative correction of grade 2B AAFD by a single fellowship-trained foot and ankle orthopedic surgeon were reviewed at an average follow-up of 45.9 months. There were 35 feet found to have an SL tear that underwent concomitant debridement and direct repair of the SL. Patient charts were reviewed for demographic information, preoperative visual analog scale (VAS) pain level, and their Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM) activities of daily living (ADL) and sports subscales. Preoperative radiographic parameters were assessed. Patient outcomes of VAS pain, FAAM-ADL, and FAAM-Sports were collected and compared between groups. Results: Those with an SL tear had significantly lower FAAM-ADL and sports scores, with higher VAS pain scores preoperatively. Patient age, talonavicular uncoverage percentage, and talonavicular angle were found to be associated with spring ligament degeneration. At final follow-up, patients demonstrated a significant improvement in all outcome parameters, with no statistical difference found with patient satisfaction, final postoperative VAS pain, FAAM-ADL, or FAAM-Sports in those requiring a repair of their SL as compared to the control group. Conclusion: Increasing patient age, increasing talonavicular uncoverage percentage, and decreasing talonavicular angle are all independently associated with increased likelihood of patients with AAFD having an SL tear. At follow-up for operative treatment of grade 2B AAFD flatfoot with our approach, we found no clinical outcomes difference between those without SL tears and those with SL tears treated with concomitant SL debridement and repair. Level of Evidence: Level III, retrospective cohort study.

Radiographic Outcomes of Cotton Osteotomy in Treatment of Adult-Acquired Flatfoot Deformity

Background: We investigated the long-term radiographic outcomes of the Cotton osteotomy performed at our institution by the 2 senior authors in conjunction with other reconstruction procedures to correct adult-acquired flatfoot deformity (AAFD). Methods: We retrospectively studied patients who underwent Cotton osteotomy between 2005 and 2010 with minimum 4-year follow-up. Radiographic assessment was made on weightbearing radiographs taken at 4 different time intervals: preoperative, early (first postoperative full weightbearing), intermediate (between 1 and 4 years postoperatively), and final (over 4 years postoperatively). Results: Nineteen patients were included. Final follow-up was 8.6 ± 2.6 years. The lateral talus–first metatarsal angle improved significantly from preoperative to early radiographs (n = 15; mean change: 30 degrees, 95% CI, 21.6-38.7; P < .0001). A significant loss of correction was observed between intermediate and final radiographs (n = 11; mean change: 17 degrees, 95% CI, 8.1-26.4; P < .0001). Of 14 patients with early radiographs, 8 lost >50% of the correction initially achieved. Medial column height decreased by 3.0 mm (95% CI, 1.80-7.90; P = .35) between early radiographs and final follow-up. Discussion: This is the longest reported radiographic follow-up of the Cotton osteotomy performed to address forefoot varus deformity as part of AAFD. The Cotton osteotomy achieved radiographic correction of the medial longitudinal arch at early follow-up, but approximately half of the patients had lost over 50% of that correction at final follow-up. The lengthened angular shape of the cuneiform did not collapse, implying that further collapse occurred through the medial column joints. Level of Evidence: Level IV, case series.

Correlation Between Posterior Tibialis Tendon Dysfunction with Ultrasonography and Adult Acquired Flatfoot Deformity with Radiographic X-ray and Feiss line in East Java’s Indonesian Professional Athletes

Background : Adult acquired flatfoot deformity (AAFD) is marked with a partial or complete flattening of the longitudinal medial arch that developed after maturity. AAFD, secondary to posterior tibialis tendon dysfunction (PTTD), is one of the most frequent foot and ankle pathologies in professional athletes. Different modality and procedures can be used to establish the diagnosis of AAFD and PTTD However, the correlation of these various clinical and imaging measurements with specific injuries of the PTT and supporting medial longitudinal arch structures has not been fully reported. The purpose of this study is to investigate the correlation between PTTD using ultrasonography and AAFD that diagnosed using both radiographic x-ray and feiss line examination.Method : 112 professional athletes with flat foot deformity on physical examination, symptom of PTT dysfunction such as medial ankle or foot pain, focal pain along the course of the PTT underwent foot radiographic x-ray using calcaneal inclination angle, ankle ultrasound to see PTT abnormality and feiss line examination using three degree of flat foot classification.Result : There were strong association between calcaneal inclination angle and PTTD includes the presence of PT tendon sheath fluid as well as tendon sheath thickening with p<0.05 with correlation coefficient (r) = 0.921 and 0.892 respectively. Weak association were also found between feiss line result and PT tendon sheath fluid as well as tendon sheath thickening with correlation coefficient (r) = 0.288 and 0.244. There were non significant association between calcaneal inclination and partial PT tendon tear as well as calcaneal inclination and feiss line result.Conclusion : A compressive understanding of posterior tibialis tendon dysfunction and flatfoot diagnosis will lead to more effective management in reducing the symptom.